I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

His gaze shifted to the right, landing on the Shinsengumi generals to his right.

"So... Mr. Nose, please keep a close eye on your subordinates in the future, and please don't make things difficult for me again."

Qingdeng spoke calmly, as if he were chatting with an old friend.

However, after hearing this, Yoshisuke Nose broke out in a cold sweat.

In that instant, he felt as if two invisible, heavy stones were pressing down on his shoulders.

"Yes, yes, yes! Of course! Of course!"

He forced a fawning smile and nodded vigorously.

"The same applies to everyone here."

Qing Deng, holding a wine glass, suddenly stood up and looked around the room.

"I have just arrived in Kyoto, and everything is in ruins. There are mountains of heavy tasks waiting for me to handle one by one."

"Now and in the future, I will be so busy that I will even want to borrow a cat's paws."

[Note: So busy that you'd even borrow a cat's paws: A traditional Japanese proverb, meaning exactly as it is written.]

"Therefore, after executing Kinzaburo Takahashi, I will no longer concern myself with the past grievances of the others!"

"I have no interest in knowing about your past."

"I only care about your present and your future!"

"To restore peace to this ancient metropolis and the vast capital region, we cannot do without your support!"

"From tomorrow... no! From this moment on, I humbly request your cooperation!"

"This glass of wine is my toast to everyone!"

After saying this, Qingdeng raised his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and then turned the cup upside down to show that he had finished drinking.

Splash splash splash splash...

In the blink of an eye, the Kyoto nobles present sat up straight, raised their wine cups, and returned the toast to Qing Deng, vying to express their loyalty:

"Of course!"

"Lord Ju, you flatter me!"

"Lord Tachibana, please rest assured! Even if you hadn't said anything, I, Takano Seishu, would have given my full support to the Shinsengumi!"

……

Looking around, these dignitaries were all beaming with joy, their faces showing expressions of relief and delight.

Qingdeng's meaning was quite clear—I will no longer concern myself with the dirty deeds you have done in the past! However, if you do not restrain yourselves and refuse to give me, Ju Qingdeng, any face, then I will not let you off easily!

It could be said that Qingdeng offered them a way out.

Ever since Aoto imprisoned Takahashi Kinzaburo and others, and staged that grand execution at Sanjo Kawara, these people, these influential figures in Kyoto, have been living in constant fear.

They were afraid that Qingdeng was the kind of person who couldn't tolerate any injustice.

They were terrified that the Seidokai would launch a massive purge targeting the elite class and sweeping across Kyoto!

Among the powerful elites like them, including Masakuni Inaba and Ryosuke Nose, whose subordinates are clean? Every single one of them cannot withstand scrutiny!

In terms of the severity of their crimes... it's no exaggeration to say that compared to them, Takahashi Kinzaburo, who was merely a mere ginsengami katakatsu and ki, was nothing at all!

Some things are nothing on the scale, but once they're on the scale, they're as heavy as a thousand pounds!

If Qingdeng were to use his status as the Governor of the Capital Region and a favorite minister of the General to pressure them, and were truly determined to cleanse the capital of all its "filth," the consequences would be unimaginable.

Admittedly, they are not pushovers.

Having cultivated deep roots in Kyoto for many years, they have a solid foundation and are not intimidated by the relatively new Aoto.

However, if a full-scale conflict were to break out with Qingdeng, even if they were to achieve final victory, it would inevitably result in mutual destruction—or rather, mutual destruction would be the best outcome they could achieve.

After all, their opponent was none other than the benevolent king who could "wipe out an entire clan by himself."

Heaven knows if, if pushed too far, he might repeat his feat of "storming the Qingshui Mansion alone."

This outcome is clearly something they do not want to see.

Now, Qing Deng has personally given his guarantee.

While it's not accurate to describe these people born with a silver spoon in their mouths as "shrewd," their long-term interactions with political and business figures have allowed them to perceive even the most basic political signals.

Clearly, Aoto wanted to push out Kinzaburo Takahashi to be the scapegoat, a symbol of a "corrupt official brought to justice," to give the people of Kyoto an explanation.

As for the other scoundrels in the city, as long as they don't openly cause trouble again, all past transgressions will be forgiven!

All the distinguished guests present wished Takahashi Kinsaburo would die quickly so that their families could preserve their wealth and prosperity!

As for Qing Deng's condition that "from now on, no more reckless behavior is allowed"... this condition is nothing to them!

After years of exploiting them, they have become bloated and bloated.

Even if they temporarily tone it down or keep a low profile, their quality of life will not be affected in the slightest.

Moreover, the world is in such chaos right now, with various forces taking turns to rise and fall.

The day before yesterday, the Satsuma Domain controlled the political situation in Kyoto; yesterday, the Choshu Domain held the Imperial Court hostage; and today, the Satsuma, Satsuma, and Choshu Domains are in a three-way power struggle.

Who knows how long Tachibana Seiden can stay in the position of Governor of the Capital Region?

If we're patient and patient enough, we can continue our hedonistic lifestyle until the day Tachibana Aoto leaves Kyoto!

It's safe now!

The huge weight that had been hanging over my heart has been lifted!

We can now comfortably continue to enjoy our immense wealth!

The corners of her mouth turned up uncontrollably, no matter how hard she tried to suppress it.

The joyful laughter that burst forth was unstoppable.

The banquet hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

They showed Qingdeng an even more enthusiastic attitude.

They toasted Qingdeng even more enthusiastically and smiled at him.

Qingdeng remained standing, calmly observing everything before him.

Suddenly, a slight, almost imperceptible, cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth...

……

……

With the added bonus of the talent "Wine Tyrant +3", Qingdeng's alcohol tolerance is far beyond what ordinary people can match.

However, no matter how strong one's alcohol tolerance is, it can't withstand the relentless onslaught of drinks from the crowd.

From Matsudaira Katamori to strangers whose names he couldn't recall, they all crowded around Aoto, offering toasts and challenging him to drinking contests, one after another.

Even Ziyang, who was serving him, frequently raised his cup to him.

While serving guests, geisha are not allowed to eat, but they can drink with the guests.

Under Ziyang's urging, the two drank one cup after another, "chugging, chugging, chugging".

Despite being a young girl, her alcohol tolerance is surprisingly high.

The sake had an alcohol content of at least 15%, and she drank more than twenty cups in one go, as if it were water, without even a hint of blush appearing on her pretty face.

After drinking countless bottles of alcohol, a wave of dizziness washed over Qingdeng's brain, and the world before his eyes began to distort and swerve strangely.

He was already slightly tipsy... He put down his glass without thinking.

After that, no matter who offered him a toast or challenged him to a drinking contest, he resolutely refused to drink.

The reason for this is that, unless it is a very joyous occasion, Qingdeng would never allow himself to get so drunk that he would be unconscious.

Secondly... after tonight's banquet, he still has a very important meeting with Matsudaira Katamori, so he can't get drunk!

……

……

Late at night (after the banquet) —

Kinkai Komyoji Temple (Kyoto Guardian Headquarters), a secret room—

"Well……!"

Qingdeng raised his hand to cover his mouth and let out a loud burp.

Seeing this, Matsudaira Katamori immediately asked:

"Lord Ju, are you alright? Would you like some hangover soup?"

Qingdeng waved his hand.

"No need. This level of drunkenness only makes me feel a little uncomfortable; it's not to the point where I need to drink hangover soup."

After saying that, he straightened his back and took a deep breath.

"Lady Higo, I'm so sorry. On such a joyous night, I dragged you into this meeting."

In the cramped, enclosed room, there was no one else besides Aoto and Matsudaira Katamori.

The two sat side by side, with an extremely detailed map of Kyoto laid out in front of them, clearly marking the location of every street, every alley, and even the wells.

Matsudaira Yongho smiled:

"No need to be so polite! On the contrary, I'm very happy that you offered to 'share information.' 'Protecting Kyoto' is our top priority right now! Compared to it, everything else is trivial!"

Qingdeng nodded slightly.

"Well then—let's get back to the main topic!"

As he spoke, he straightened his face, his expression instantly becoming dominated by a deep solemnity.

At the same time, Matsudaira Katamori also entered a state of mind, with a solemn expression on his face.

"Lord Higo, to be honest, I have almost never had any dealings with the Satsuma Domain and the Choshu Domain before."

"Although monitoring Chief Sa is not my duty, the future is uncertain."