I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

If you go south past Nara, you will reach Yamato, which is currently engulfed in flames.

With its superior geographical location, Nara was the perfect choice to serve as the main camp for commanding the army, as well as a logistics and intelligence center for dispatching supplies and gathering intelligence.

Before this battle even began, Qing Deng had an unexpected surprise – he discovered a valuable talent worthy of special attention and development!

The current Nara Magistrate is named Yamaoka Kageyasu, commonly known as Hachirozaemon.

This person is truly an outstanding and admirable individual!

He took office in Nara last year, the second year of Bunkyu (1862).

In terms of political achievements alone, his performance was unremarkable, merely mediocre.

However... as the saying goes, "Anyone can fight a battle when things are going well, but it is in the face of adversity that true heroes are revealed."

Only by burning a raging fire can true gold be tested!

Last night, shortly after the Tenchugu group attacked the Gojo Daikan's residence, Yamaoka Kageyasu immediately learned of the incident.

He did not panic in the face of this sudden change. Instead, he immediately dispatched a large number of people to gather intelligence and then sent a fast sedan chair to deliver a message to Qingdeng.

Subsequently, while awaiting Aoto's reaction and actions, he acted swiftly and decisively, simultaneously reinforcing Nara's defenses to guard against rebel attacks and continuing to gather intelligence.

Such formidable action is truly a rare talent!

When Qing Deng and his group arrived in Nara, he immediately presented them with the new intelligence he had gathered.

It is reported that the Tenchu ​​group has elected the young Zunpang faction nobleman and former attendant Nakayama Tadami as its leader.

The actual commander was named Yoshimura Torataro, 27 years old, from Tosa.

There are two core cadres in total.

Fujimoto Tetsushi, 48 years old, is the head of the Tosa ryokan.

Matsumoto Keido, 33 years old, was originally a samurai of the Bizen Domain.

Yoshimura Torataro moved very quickly.

After attacking the Gojo Daikan, he persuaded the Totsugawa villagers in the Nara area to join the Tenchugumi.

The Totsugawa Goji were an independent militia force within Yamato Province, with a strength of 960 men.

The thing Qingdeng feared has come true... The Tianzhu Group has expanded its forces in a very short time!

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Chapter 727 This King of Benevolence is clearly incredibly brave, yet excessively cautious! [5500]

Kyoto region, Nara, Nara Magistrate's Office, a certain room—

The room, provided by Yamaoka Kageyasu and used as a "command room" for Aoto and others, was now crowded with people.

Qingdeng sat on a small stool with an air of authority.

Behind him hung a flag bearing the character "诚" (sincerity) that read "Symbol of the Shinsengumi," and a battle flag with the two large characters "A glory to die, a disgrace to live" inscribed on it.

In front of him was a long table.

A map of the Gyeonggi region was spread out on the long table.

Hijikata Toshizo, Kondo Isami, Yamanami Keisuke, Kiyokawa Hachiro, and the captains led by Souji sat on the left and right sides of the long table in order of their rank and position.

Qing Deng lived in the north, his generals lived in the east and west, and the main door of the room was located on the south side.

If someone were to push open the door now, they would be looking up at a towering mountain, facing the Shinsengumi's "all-star lineup"!

They are currently holding a military conference to discuss the troops' next actions and strategies for defeating the enemy.

Meetings of this level cannot be taken lightly or treated casually.

As a result, everyone present sat solemnly and held their breath.

Even Souji and Harada Sanosuke, who are usually all smiles, had unusually serious expressions on their faces.

As a result, a palpable tension permeated both inside and outside the command center.

If any outsiders come here, they will definitely feel immense pressure pressing down on them!

Looking around, everyone was sitting except for Yamanami Keisuke, who was standing.

Holding a scroll, he read aloud the latest rebel intelligence and frontline battle reports to the audience in a clear and loud voice.

"The bandit leader Yoshimura Torataro persuaded the Totsugawa village militia."

"It is reported that a total of 960 Totsugawa villagers joined the rebels."

"As a result, the total strength of the rebels has swelled to more than a thousand men."

"In addition, patriots from all over Yamato responded to the rebels' call and went to fight in droves."

"As time goes on, more and more people will likely go to join the rebels."

"After incorporating the Totsugawa samurai army, the rebels, whose strength had greatly increased, began to move eastward and headed straight for Takatori Castle with great momentum."

"If nothing unexpected happens, the rebels will be able to take the city by tomorrow morning."

After speaking, Yamanami Keisuke put away the scroll in his hand, turned to look at Aoto, and said, "That's all."

Qingdeng gave him a look that said, "You've worked hard."

Yamanami Keisuke nodded slightly in response, then pulled over a small stool behind him and slowly sat down.

He had barely sat down when Serizawa Kamo let out a cold snort:

"It's just the Totsugawa militia!"

"What is there to fear from a mere country bumpkin?"

Even if their forces increase fivefold, they still won't be a match for us!

No sooner had Serizawa Kamo finished speaking than Hijikata Toshizo, who was sitting not far from him, suddenly poured cold water on his enthusiasm:

"Don't underestimate the local gentry of Totsu; they are by no means pushovers."

"Putting aside everything else, their bravery in battle and their loyalty to the Emperor alone are not to be underestimated."

Totsu-go—located inland on the Kii Peninsula (south of the Yamato region), a place surrounded by nature and brimming with mystery.

The so-called "village warriors" were a type of samurai.

Samurai in the Edo period usually lived in castle towns and were called "castle samurai".

In contrast, samurai who lived in the countryside were called "country samurai".

However, the villagers of Totsu-go did not think so.

Although they were called "local scholars," the vast majority of them were just ordinary farmers.

The villagers of Totsugawa have made their living by hunting since ancient times, so they are skilled in archery and even supported Emperor Tenmu during the Jinshin Rebellion in 672.

According to local mythology, the villagers of Totsugawa once carried Emperor Jimmu to Yamato as the sacred bird Yasakani.

When they went on long journeys, they would dress like samurai, with katana and wakizashi at their waists, looking very imposing.

Logically speaking, an ordinary citizen who imitates a samurai by carrying a sword should be punished by the authorities.

However... the villagers of Totsugawa happen to have this privilege.

Since the Jinshin War in the 7th century, Totsugawa has long been a semi-independent region exempt from taxes because it frequently cooperated with the authorities in military campaigns, including the Heiji Rebellion in the 12th century, the Nanboku-cho period in the 14th century, and the Battle of Osaka in the 17th century, and made many military achievements.

Located in a mountainous region with towering peaks, it was isolated from the outside world for a long time and even had its own "Rhombus Ten Seals" flag, making it virtually a semi-independent vassal state!

They were skilled in battle and had accumulated numerous military achievements. They also possessed the advantage of a strategically advantageous location that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Neither the imperial court nor the shogunate wanted to provoke them easily.

Therefore, the government has always adopted a passive attitude of turning a blind eye to their "impersonation of warriors" behavior.

Everyone in Totsugawa has a sword and a spear, and everyone will join the fight in an emergency.

Simply put, the villagers in this area are all a bunch of hot-blooded, militant types!

Over time, the villagers of Totsugawa became known as the "Totsugawa Village Warriors."

They took pride in their heroic deeds of repeatedly suppressing rebellious officials for the imperial court and revered the emperor.

Therefore, it is not surprising that they would join forces with the Tenchu ​​alliance, which shouted the slogan "Support the Imperial Court and Annihilate the Shogunate".

Hijikata Toshizo's rebuttal caused Serizawa Kamo's expression to change.

Although what the other party said makes sense, but... who is Serizawa Kamo?

Hijikata Toshizo publicly refuted him, how could he tolerate that?

He's always the one refuting others; no one else ever refutes him!

He leaned forward, bracing his hands on his knees, and glared fiercely at Hijikata Toshizo, looking just like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey.

"Oh? So what?"

He said.

"The so-called 'brave and skilled in battle' you speak of is nothing more than being a little better at fighting than the average villager."

"A bunch of ignorant fools, how strong can their fighting power be?"

His fierce and terrifying appearance might make most people tremble, but it certainly wouldn't frighten Hijikata Toshizo.

Who is Hijikata Toshizo?

He was a dissolute and unruly "thorny brat"!

Faced with Serizawa Kamo's retort, he leaned back, raised his chin, crossed his arms, and glared back defiantly, looking like he was saying, "What? You're not convinced?"

"I'm just reminding you not to underestimate your opponent."

"If I were to be killed by a mere fool due to carelessness and underestimation of my enemy, I would be laughing uncontrollably at your grave."