I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

At this point, Qingdeng paused, as if gathering his emotions.

After a moment, he resumed speaking:

"Today is just the beginning!"

“The rebels and bandits who are causing trouble in Kyoto are far more than just the Kusunoki Group.”

"Therefore, I would also like to take this opportunity to inform the thieves present who are using the name of 'respect and riot' to commit acts of disorder that you should also tell your companions that your days of arrogance have come to an end!"

"From this day forward, as long as I, Tachibana Aoto, remain in this city, Kyoto will not tolerate any form of violence!"

"Those people who shout slogans like 'Support the great cause of respecting the emperor' while extorting money from businesses!"

"Those who treat 'respecting the emperor and expelling barbarians' and 'uniting the public and the military' as a business to make illegal profits!"

"Let's get out of Kyoto before the Shinsengumi catches us!"

"Otherwise, you will face severe punishment without mercy!"

"Anyone who rebels again will be treated the same way!"

After roaring, Qing Deng pointed his halberd at the Jingguan (a mound of corpses) not far away.

"By the way, let me add something else, just like I said the other day—if anyone dislikes me, Tachibana Aoto, and wants to kill me, they can come directly to Mibu Village! Come to the Shinsengumi's headquarters! And challenge me outright!"

"As long as I am stationed here, I will absolutely come out to fight! I will neither avoid battle nor bully the weak with numbers!"

"I sincerely look forward to your courage and awareness!"

Qingdeng's voice echoed over the three rivers, lingering for a long time.

For a moment, only the sound of flowing water dominated this space.

With the added advantage of being a "failed art student" in terms of talent, Qing Deng's speech was as inspiring as ever.

Looking around, the onlookers were all stunned, as if they couldn't come to their senses.

Only after a while did time, which seemed to have stood still, begin to flow slowly again.

First, the silence was shattered by deafening shouts.

"Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh!"

Countless people raised their arms and fists, cheering loudly.

After that, they called Qingdeng's name over and over again.

"Tachibana-sama! Tachibana-sama! Tachibana-sama!"

"Nioh-sama! Nioh-sama!"

The atmosphere at the scene, the atmosphere in Mijo Kawara, was incredibly lively! It was like being in a blazing oven!

This surging heat expanded rapidly, reaching the sky and spreading far and wide, and did not subside for a long time.

……

……

The next day, at night—

Kyoto, Kinkai Komyoji Temple (Kyoto Guardian Headquarters) —

Tonight, this magnificent temple, which is usually heavily fortified, is bustling with activity.

The enticing aromas of wine and food linger in the air.

Loud conversations and laughter filled the air.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the mess of empty plates and cups, the atmosphere was vibrant and lively.

As the host, Matsudaira Katamori finally held a long-delayed welcome banquet for the Shinsengumi members.

The guests took their seats in order of rank and status.

Aoto and Matsudaira Katamori sat side by side in the main seat, facing south.

The Kyoto dignitaries, led by Masakuni Inaba and Ryosuke Nose, sat on the east side of the banquet hall.

The Shinsengumi officers, represented by Hijikata Toshizo and Kondo Isami, were seated on the west side of the banquet hall.

To show hospitality, Matsudaira Katamori unsurprisingly served Aoto and his party local Kyoto specialties.

Upon seeing the exquisitely presented Kyoto dishes that covered the entire table, Qing Deng couldn't help but twitch his lips.

How would you rate Kyoto cuisine?

Let me put it this way—in Qing Deng's eyes, it's just as bad as kaiseki cuisine!

Since the Heian period (794-1192), court nobles have lived in Kyoto for generations.

For this reason, Kyoto is a city deeply influenced by the culture of court nobles.

The nobles did not need to engage in physical labor; their daily routine consisted of eating, drinking, composing poetry, and having no need to replenish salt. Therefore, their diet was frighteningly bland, to the point that one might strongly suspect that the nobles of Kyoto were creatures that did not need to eat salt.

Kyoto cuisine and court cuisine are inseparable, so its flavors are mainly light and delicate.

Qingdeng has a strong palate and especially likes heavily seasoned dishes with lots of oil and salt. He can't live without salt and he doesn't like dishes without soy sauce.

How could someone like him possibly be used to Kyoto cuisine?

But this is, after all, a welcome dinner. It would be extremely rude to put on a sour face and complain about the food.

Therefore, despite not being used to the food, Qingdeng could only force a smile and pinch his nose to stuff these bland and unpalatable "candles" into his mouth.

However, although Aoto disliked Kyoto's cuisine, he really liked Kyoto's sake.

People in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) used to refer to the capital region as "Kami-sagami" (上倉), so sake produced in the capital region was called "Kami-sagami sake" (上倉酒) by Edo people.

There is a widely circulated saying about the sake from the ground, which is called "Nada no Otoko sake" or "Fushimi no Otoko sake".

"Nada" is in Harima, and "Fushimi" is in Kyoto; both are famous production areas for Kamigata sake.

The liquor from the hard water is primarily spicy.

Fushimi sake made from soft water tends to be milder and is mostly sweet.

The latter, after more than a century of development in Kyoto, has become the most suitable wine to pair with Kyoto cuisine.

As for the former, it was sent to Edo in large quantities, becoming a favorite among the people of Edo and also a sake that paired well with Kanto cuisine.

Because Nada sake was very common in Edo, Aoto was quite familiar with it; it was the sake he drank most often.

As for Fushimi sake, he drank relatively little of it.

At tonight's banquet, Matsudaira Katamori served the guests the finest Fushimi sake.

The sweet fragrance is very refreshing to the nose.

Take a small sip, and the rich, smooth taste spreads from the tip of your tongue to the entire mouth, lingering between your teeth.

It has a unique flavor compared to the local liquor we're used to.

Although Qingdeng personally prefers dry drinks, he doesn't dislike this "soft" type of alcohol.

Thanks to the delicious wine, Qingdeng managed to calm down the frustration caused by the unpalatable food.

Although the welcoming banquet appears to be fun and playful, it is ultimately a very serious event.

Inviting a bunch of glamorous geishas to sing and dance would be far too vulgar.

Therefore, Matsudaira Katamori only invited a few musicians to come and entertain.

This greatly disappointed some people present—such as Hijikata Toshizo, Hijikata Toshizo, and Hijikata Toshizo.

Since arriving in Kyoto, Hijikata Toshizo had been living an ascetic life, staying away from places of pleasure, under the strict orders of Aoto.

He longed to taste the flavors of Kyoto women—this thought was practically etched onto his face.

Just as the banquet atmosphere was getting lively, Matsudaira Katamori, Inaba Masakuni, Nose Ryosuke, and a group of Kyoto dignitaries raised their glasses and frequently toasted Aoto.

Matsudaira Katamori, needless to say, always held Aoto in high esteem.

As for the others also behaving so respectfully in front of Qingdeng... that's not hard to understand.

It wasn't just because Qing Deng was a high-ranking regional official.

Furthermore, it was because the vast majority of them had witnessed the execution yesterday afternoon.

Anyone who heard Qingdeng's cold "take action" or saw the terrifying Jingguan (a mound of corpses) would feel a chill run down their spine.

That mound of Jingguan still stands on the vast riverbank of the Samjoga Plain.

Yesterday, after the execution was completely completed, Qingdeng personally ordered that the Jingguan (a mound of statues) must not be destroyed and must be placed on the three river plains for a long time to deter evildoers!

And so, the three river plains gained a prominent "tourist attraction".

Sanjo Kawara is one of the most populated areas in Kyoto.

People came and went, walking, pulling carts, riding horses, riding in sedan chairs, sailing boats... a constant stream of people.

For those from out of town who come to Kyoto along the Nakayama and Tokai streets, Mijo Kawara is an essential stop on their journey.

Now, everyone passing through the Three Rivers Plain can clearly see this new tourist attraction.

The mound of corpses was already covered with flies and crows.

They feasted heartily, indulging in this rare feast.

Those heads, pecked and devoured beyond recognition, took the horror to a whole new level.

People passing through the Three River Plains dared not linger there, and quickly lowered their heads, quickened their pace, and left.

Not only were they publicly beheaded and their heads piled up to form a mound of skulls, but their severed heads were also "exhibited" for a long time. This is truly... incredibly gratifying!

Aoto's actions were not only aimed at establishing the authority of the Shinsengumi, but also at winning over the hearts and minds of the people of Kyoto.

The people of Kyoto hated the Kusunoki Group to the core.

In other words, the more cruel Aoto is to the Kusunoki Clan, the more pleased the people of Kyoto will be! In this way, he will win the hearts and minds of the people of Kyoto!

Nanmu Group has become a complete tool for Qingdeng.

The mindset of ordinary people basically exhibits a duality of "cunning and simplicity".

Sometimes they are very cunning, and sometimes they are very innocent.

For example, when faced with honest officials and righteous people who sweep away corrupt officials, villains and wicked people, ordinary people are always naive.