I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

However, their enlistment time was only about two months longer than that of the new recruits.

They were promoted to higher ranks after only two relatively mild battles (the Kusunoki Group annihilation battle and the Iga offensive and defensive battle)... Such a speed of promotion is simply too outrageous.

It is no exaggeration to say that most of them were not qualified to be officers and did not possess the necessary military skills.

However, as the old saying goes: the present era is an era of competing to be the worst!

Aoto always had a clear vision for the Shinsengumi: not to be the best, but to be better than other armies.

The Shinsengumi doesn't need to have terrifying combat power; as long as their overall quality isn't weaker than the armies of other factions, that's enough!

Tokugawa Iemochi and his men strolled around the new recruits, carefully observing their appearance.

The recruits' clothes were soaked with sweat.

Sweat streamed down their sleeves and trouser legs, and small puddles even formed at the feet of some of them.

No matter who walked past them, the recruits kept their eyes fixed straight ahead, gazing into the distance.

Such strong discipline amazed everyone, making it hard to believe that these people were all new recruits.

Tokugawa Iemochi looked around expressionlessly.

Suddenly, he quietly walked up behind one of the new recruits.

In the blink of an eye, he suddenly reached out his right hand, grabbed the recruit's right arm, and pulled him sharply backward.

Judging from his posture, he put in a lot of effort.

His "attack" was anything but sudden.

However, the recruit remained motionless, his arms still pressed tightly against his sides.

Seeing this, Tokugawa Iemochi silently withdrew his hand.

"Sorry, I startled you."

He apologized to the new recruit very politely, then said to Qingdeng with a satisfied look:

"Qingdeng, the 'standing at attention' exercise you created is indeed remarkably effective."

Then, he adopted a solemn expression and turned to look at the "personal guard" generals behind him.

"From now on, the 'Third Division' will also implement this training method!"

Yamaki Yunlang and the others exchanged glances, then hurriedly bowed their heads in agreement.

At this moment, Qingdeng suddenly spoke up:

“Your Highness, this is a rare opportunity. Please allow me to demonstrate my Shinsengumi’s ‘trial run’.”

"'Preliminary consultation'? What is that?"

"To ensure the combat effectiveness of our soldiers, I will regularly require all units to conduct large-scale exercises and personally supervise them."

"The soldiers participating in the battle will all be armored and go into battle, and everything will be based on actual combat standards."

After hearing this, Tokugawa Iemochi nodded slightly.

"I see... that's why it's called 'preliminary meeting'."

Before the shogunate – that is, before the shogunate.

The original meaning of the word "shogunate" was the place where generals and commanders worked.

This is why the political apparatus led by the Shogun was called the "shogunate".

Tokugawa Iemochi, almost without thinking, loudly proclaimed:

"Since we've come all this way, how can we not take a look? Qingdeng, hurry and make the arrangements!"

Qing Deng replied, "Yes."

He then led everyone to the watchtower located on the north side of the training ground.

Qingdeng, supporting himself with the Vairocana amulet at his waist, walked to the edge of the watchtower and took a deep breath:

"gather!!"

With the blessing of the talent "Piercing Clouds and Splitting Rocks +3", his voice covered the entire training ground effortlessly.

The instant he finished speaking... in a truly instant! The entire training ground erupted in cheers!

Veterans and new recruits alike flocked straight to the watchtower!

Everyone came running straight at their fastest speed.

Before long, the once empty watchtower was crowded with heads.

From the moment they scattered in all directions to the moment they gathered in front of Qingdeng and the others, the total time taken was 20 seconds!

Besides the fact that the gathering time was much longer than that of the previous Beijing-based group, the two sides also had a very different mental outlook.

Every soldier standing below the watchtower was in perfect military posture.

Head held high, chest out, eyes straight ahead, radiating confidence and vitality.

Their imposing appearance contrasted sharply with the swaying and crooked posture of the soldiers of the Imperial Guard stationed in Beijing.

Furthermore, because everyone stood straight and motionless, it achieved the effect of "leading the whole by the point", making every row and column extremely neat and exuding a strong and solemn atmosphere inside and outside the military formation!

Just looking at it is enough to send chills down your spine!

Seeing this scene, many people... especially the generals of the "personal guard," couldn't help but swallow.

Qing Deng said loudly, his face expressionless:

"Let's begin the 'on-screen audition'!"

"Squad 1 and 6 are on the red team!"

"Squads 3 and 4 are on the white team!"

"Get ready! The battle will begin in 30 minutes!"

After issuing the military order concisely, Qingdeng waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to proceed.

They arrived quickly and left quickly—the soldiers retreated with a "whoosh" to collect their weapons and equipment.

Thirty minutes passed quietly.

*******

*******

Leopard, resurrected!

After taking the medicine and sleeping for most of the day, Leopard is feeling much better! Leopard will adjust the update schedule and frequency as soon as possible! (Leopard Hi.jpg)

Chapter 682 The Shinsengumi's New Organization: The Medical Department! [4100]

The red and white teams are now positioned on the east and west sides of the training ground.

In reality, the "on-screen trial" was actually just a super-large-scale "battle between the red and the white".

The two sides in the battle wore red and white headbands to identify themselves, and then tied a porcelain bowl to the headband.

Using wooden swords and spears as weapons, breaking the porcelain bowl on one's forehead means elimination.

However, unlike the "Red and White Battle", the victory condition of the "Temporary Battle" is not "defeating the enemy's general", but "annihilating the enemy" - that is, defeating every single one of the enemy!

A true fight to the last man!

The exercise would only end after both sides were completely wiped out... One can only imagine how intense the battle would be.

With the continuous addition of new recruits, the strength of each squad is rapidly expanding.

Take, for example, the First Division, Third Division, Fourth Division, and Sixth Division that are currently lined up in front of Qing Deng and the others.

The current troop strength of these four units is as follows:

First Squad: 80 people.

Third Division: 120 people.

Fourth Division: 250 people.

Sixth Division: 260 people.

The commander and others were promoted from "squad leader" to "hundred leader" and "three-hundred leader" in one go.

As the army continued to expand, Qing Deng also began to gradually deepen the specific functions of each squad of the Batto-tai (Sword-Drawing Squad).

The Ninth Division was designated as a ninja unit from the very beginning.

The 7th and 10th Divisions were reorganized into a cavalry unit.

The First Division, Second Division, and Third Division firmly hold the top positions among the elite units.

These three squads will not be mobilized unless absolutely necessary.

Once these three units are dispatched, there are only two possible scenarios:

First, the situation is no longer optimistic.

Secondly, an overwhelming force is needed to break the deadlock.

These are the roles of these three squads—either to turn the tide or to decide the fate of the world in one battle!

Therefore, the new recruits who are allowed to enter these three squads either possess outstanding physique or have exceptional martial arts skills.

Such stringent entry standards naturally resulted in these three squads having far fewer troops than other units.

Despite their smaller size, no one should underestimate their fighting power.

Especially since their captains are those three "humanoid Gundams".

Some busybodies within the Shinsengumi collectively referred to Kondo Isami, Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, and Saito as the "Five Heavenly Kings of the Shieikan Faction"—a title that was half out of reverence and half out of admiration!

Aoto ordered his men to bring out stools in advance so that Tokugawa Iemochi and others could have a better viewing experience.

The Red Team consists of Divisions 1 and 6, with a total strength of 340 people.

The white side consists of the third and fourth divisions, with a total strength of 370 people.

Each side possesses an elite force, and in terms of troop strength, the latter has a slight advantage.