I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Under their devastation, the security situation in Kyoto deteriorated further.

As soon as night fell, the people of Kyoto, let alone roaming the streets, kept their doors and windows tightly shut, anxiously awaiting the dawn.

The merchants, especially those without power or influence, were terrified of these "patriots" who would extort money from them every now and then under the pretext of "funding military expenses."

One of Tokugawa Iemochi's original intentions in ordering the establishment of the Shinsengumi was that Kyoto and its surrounding areas were in a state of chaos and corruption, and there was an urgent need for a strong and powerful violent agency to punish evil and correct the prevailing atmosphere.

Let Qing Deng manage the security... Isn't this a perfect match between female ninja and training, female knight and depravity?

Looking back, Qing Deng had served as a police officer in both Hokuban-sho-dori and Hokatsu-tsuke thieves. In his previous life, he was a police academy student.

He was extremely familiar with this series of "tasks"—catching thieves, apprehending criminals, and maintaining public order!

Therefore, after Qing Deng arrived in Kyoto, he immediately took strong measures against the rampant thieves in the city!

The commander of the capital region was granted the privilege of "acting first and reporting later, a special right of generals."

Under Qing Deng's instructions, the Shinsengumi did not have troublesome things like "presumption of innocence" or "say only what you have the evidence to say".

Once the Shinsengumi members discover a suspicious person, they can arrest them directly without any procedures or formalities!

If the other party dares to resist, execute them on the spot!

In this way, the members of the Shinsengumi were able to unleash their full potential and demonstrate their strong initiative.

They arrested wave after wave of rioters.

Heads were chopped off one after another.

The magnificent Jingguan (a mound of stones) on the Santori River Plain has been piled up several more times.

"In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary"—this ancient saying is indeed true.

Thanks to Qing Deng's "heavy blows," the security situation in Kyoto improved significantly in just one month, and even the air became much fresher!

Today, the phrase "a state of panic and fear" perfectly describes the rioters in and around Kyoto.

Upon hearing the name "Shinsengumi," cold sweat broke out uncontrollably on their faces; upon seeing the light blue clothes, their bodies trembled involuntarily!

Todo Heisuke was a serious and responsible person.

On the days when the Eighth Division was on duty, he would personally lead the team and do his best to patrol every corner of Kyoto.

His meticulous and hands-on approach, along with his courageous spirit of always charging ahead in battle, earned him the nickname "Mr. First to Charge".

Heisuke Todo rolled his eyes, scanning every corner of the street.

It was 10 p.m., and the entire town was enveloped in night and tranquility.

All around was quiet, except for the repeated rustling sound of their straw sandals against the ground.

Tonight is a "moonless night," with thick clouds covering the sky and earth.

The dim light only illuminated the ground at his feet.

Outside the lights, the place is so dark it's like entering an abyss.

Suddenly, Todo Heisuke heard enthusiastic shouts coming from ahead:

"Oh? Lord Toudou! Good evening! Would you like a bowl of hot soup?"

Todo Heisuke raised an eyebrow, then looked up—it turned out to be a Night Hawk Noodles stall.

The stall owner was an elderly man with white hair and beard.

He leaned forward, peeked out from behind the curtain, and looked at Todo Heisuke and the others with a warm smile on his face.

Night Hawk Noodle Stall – specifically refers to a small street vendor selling buckwheat noodles late at night.

With the rapid restoration of public order, Kyoto's nights have long since regained their vitality.

Even in the dead of night when all was quiet, people dared to go out into the streets.

Small food stalls and vendors that rely on "nighttime" for their meals, such as late-night eateries and late-night izakayas, have also been able to reopen.

Heisuke Todo knew this old man.

His name is Mentaro, and he is a master at cooking soba noodles.

In Japan, there is a long-standing "traditional custom" that "men go out in groups to fool around at night".

The Japanese value the concept of "fitting in" and strongly dislike lone wolves.

To maintain their social circles and avoid being ostracized, men... especially those who work for the government, often go out to have fun in groups of three or five after get off work, arm in arm.

Their activities include, but are not limited to: drinking, watching geisha, going to casinos, and visiting red-light districts.

After we've had our fun and enjoyed ourselves, we'll stop by for a late-night snack.

Thus, all sorts of night hawker stalls selling buckwheat noodles, hand-rolled sushi, oden, and other similar dishes naturally emerged.

Previously, the rioters' wanton acts had deprived these ordinary people who ran night hawk stalls of their livelihoods.

With such terrible public security conditions, let alone doing business, they don't even dare to set up their stalls!

They persevered through gritted teeth until now, and finally the Shinsengumi arrived.

Thanks to the Shinsengumi's decisive strike, those villains were either killed or fled, which was very gratifying.

People were able to go out on the streets.

Merchants can now do business with peace of mind.

Having received such a great favor, they were naturally extremely grateful to the Shinsengumi.

In addition, the Shinsengumi had very strict military discipline. The Shinsengumi Law explicitly prohibited harassing civilians, with violators subject to immediate beheading. Therefore, so far, there have been no disputes between the Shinsengumi and the people of Kyoto.

All of this explains why Mentaro naturally had a very high regard for the Shinsengumi.

Whenever he encountered a member of the Shinsengumi, he would greet them warmly.

After a few interactions, Todo Heisuke got to know this warm-hearted old man.

Mentaro is a microcosm of this.

Who wouldn't like an army that does practical things for the general public, maintains excellent military discipline, and never harms the people?

Moreover, the leader of this army is none other than the King Ni, who is shrouded in legend and enjoys immense popularity.

In conclusion, the vast majority of the people of Kyoto loved and respected the Shinsengumi, and they truly welcomed the royal army with food and drink.

Todo Heisuke walked up to Mentaro's stall and struck up a conversation with him familiarly:

"Old man, how's business tonight?"

Mentaro chuckled:

"It's alright, sir! Would you like a bowl of hot soup? I'll give you a discount! Only 1 mon!"

Heisuke Todo shook his head.

"No, I have other tasks to attend to. I'll come back to patronize your business when I have more time later."

"Haha! It's a deal then!"

Heisuke Todo smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Yes! It's a deal! I won't forget," before leading his men away.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Mentaro abruptly changed to a serious tone and loudly called out to Toudou Heisuke:

"Oh, right, I almost forgot! Lord Toudou, you all need to be extra careful lately!"

Todo Heisuke paused, stopped in his tracks, and turned halfway back.

"'Be careful'? What does that mean? Why do you say that?"

"I've heard that some audacious individuals are plotting revenge against the Shinsengumi!"

Mentaro lowered his voice, adopted the posture of a storyteller, and continued in a vivid and detailed manner:

"They hate the Shinsengumi and see them as a thorn in their side, so they are determined to use despicable means to assassinate the Shinsengumi soldiers!"

"So you all need to be extra careful from now on!"

"Avoid going to places with few people!"

"Never be alone!"

After hearing this, Todo Heisuke smiled calmly:

"Grandpa, thank you for reminding me."

"I will report this matter to Mr. Tachibana later."

"They actually dared to plot against the Shinsengumi... Hmph! It seems it's time for another 'citywide purge'."

Seeing that Todo Heisuke remained calm, without a trace of fear on his face, Mentaro couldn't help but ask:

"Lord Toudou, aren't you... afraid?"

"Lord Toudou, you can't just dismiss my suggestion!"

"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark!"

"You are the captain of the 8th Division of the Sword-Drawing Squad. If those scum are determined to take revenge on you, officers like you will definitely be their primary targets!"

You really have to be careful!

Mentaro tried to persuade him earnestly.

However... Todo Heisuke's facial expression remained unchanged.

"Grandpa, you've misunderstood."

“I value your suggestion and I didn’t take it lightly.”

"I've simply... long since become indifferent to life and death."

“If I were afraid of death, I would never have joined Mr. Tachibana’s ranks in the first place.”

"Either kill or be killed—that's the world of swordsmen!"

"If anyone wants to kill me, then let them come at me!"

"I, Toudou Heisuke, will fight you to the bitter end!"

As he said this, he reached out and touched the sword at his waist.

The metal hilt reflected a dazzling brilliance under the light.