I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Kondo Isami pointed his finger at the map:

"Look, the defenses on the south side of the citadel are very weak."

"As long as we climb over the high wall on the south side, we can take the main castle directly!"

"Therefore, I advocate splitting the troops into two groups."

"Attack from the north to draw the enemy's attention."

"The other route will secretly cross to the south and launch a surprise attack on the citadel!"

The most distinctive feature of a continuous castle is that the main castle, the second castle, and other sections are arranged side by side, rather than nested like Russian nesting dolls.

This will make the two sides of the citadel weak points.

To compensate for this deficiency, other auxiliary defensive facilities are usually built next to the main keep.

However, Takatori Castle was not like that.

Its southern defenses were very weak, directly adjacent to the city wall.

Once we get over this wall, we can take the main castle directly.

Of course, the reason why the craftsmen who built Takagi Castle left such a "major flaw" is actually quite simple - its south side is a towering cliff, and a river runs through it.

A surprise attack on the citadel from the south won't be so easy.

As expected, Kondo Isami's proposal was immediately opposed by Yamanami Keisuke.

"Kondo-kun, I understand what you're thinking."

"Indeed, the war for food supplies carries unavoidable risks."

"However, your plan is also fraught with risks."

"Excuse me for speaking frankly, but at this stage, we do not have any troops capable of scaling the cliffs south of the citadel."

"Even the elite First, Second, and Third Divisions couldn't do that."

"Putting aside the success rate, even if we ultimately win, there will be countless casualties."

"No matter what, we must avoid a situation where we 'kill a thousand enemies but lose eight hundred of our own'!"

"We've worked so hard to build up this little bit of wealth, and to lose so many troops just to deal with these insignificant rebels is a huge loss!"

Yamanami Keisuke's rebuttal did not receive a response from Kondo Isami.

Kondo Isami lowered his eyelids, looking as if he was determined to argue with the other party to the end.

Yamanami Keisuke stared intently at Kondo Isami without flinching—"I will not change my mind," he said with his eyes.

Just then, Qingdeng suddenly interrupted the argument between the two.

"...Alright, everyone sit down."

Kondo Isami and Yamanami Keisuke were both taken aback, and then turned to look at Aoto in the main seat with perfect understanding.

After hesitating for a while, the two sat back down on the stools with complicated expressions, one after the other.

Qing Deng's sudden voice made everyone present instinctively look at him.

Once everyone's attention was focused on him, Qing Deng crossed his arms and said softly:

"As early as the first day I arrived here, I came up with a brilliant way to break into the city."

His words immediately energized everyone present.

They all sat up straight, looking at Qingdeng with expectant expressions.

Qingdeng pointed to the map:

"The cliffs on the south side of Honmaru are too steep."

"To cross the southern wall and launch a surprise attack on the main castle... this plan is not very realistic."

Upon hearing this, Kondo Isami's face showed a look of frustration, while Yamanami Keisuke's face lit up with joy.

However, Qing Deng's next words froze the muscles in his face.

"However, I do not wish to wage a war for supplies."

"I don't want to waste too much manpower, resources and time on this gang of petty thieves."

Therefore, my plan is as follows—

"The 'Special Forces' will be led by Ah Wu and me, who are both exceptionally agile."

"We will launch a surprise attack on the castle wall between Kunimi-yagura and Sannomaru."

"Once we've scaled the walls and entered the city, I'll head straight south... that is, towards the main castle, to draw the enemy's attention."

"As for A-Wu, she took advantage of the chaos to attack northward, opened the north gate of Gaoqu City, and led the army into the city."

"That concludes my plan."

Qing Deng finished speaking.

The entire room fell silent... interspersed with gasps of shock.

No one spoke... or rather, no one knew what to say.

Everyone's expression was dominated by intense shock.

After a moment, the commander-in-chief, speechless, slowly said:

"Tachibana-kun, are you planning to... take over Takatori Castle all by yourself?"

Qingdeng replied indifferently:

"If possible... I will try to make it happen."

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Chapter 742 The Benevolent King Charges into Battle! The Siege Begins! [4800]

"No, no! Absolutely not!"

Yamanami Keisuke called out.

"Tachibana-kun, what kind of battle plan is this?"

"Takatori Castle is not like Shimizu Residence; it is a genuine castle!"

"The battlefield is ever-changing."

"Not to mention cities with even more complex environments."

"I have no doubt about your abilities."

"However... if one ventures into Gaoqu City alone, it is not surprising that one might encounter any unexpected events."

“King Tachibana, you are not the same as before. You can no longer act as you used to, relying on your courage to do whatever you want.”

To put it more bluntly... your life is worth a lot of money right now!

"More valuable than any of us here, more valuable than any member of the Shinsengumi."

"What will we do if something happens to you? What will the Shinsengumi do?"

Yamanami Keisuke's words won the approval of many people present.

Nagakura Shinpachi, Todo Heisuke, and others echoed their sentiments, supporting Yamanami Keisuke and urging Aoto to reconsider.

Strangely, the three people closest to Aoto—Sanako, Kinoshita Mai, and Souji—remained silent and did not urge Aoto not to take the risk, unlike the others.

Qing Deng sat down calmly and listened quietly.

After everyone had finished speaking, he said calmly:

"Kingsuke, I understand everything you're saying."

"But--"

Sure enough, he suddenly changed the subject.

"If my battle plan can be implemented, it will minimize the casualties of our army, won't it?"

Upon hearing this, Yamanami Keisuke hurriedly said:

"That's true, but..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qing Deng interrupted him:

"Alright, you don't need to say anything more."

"Do as I say!"

"At 9:00 PM tonight, Kinoshita Mai and I will search for a weak point in the castle wall between the Sannomaru and Kunimi-yagura."

"All units are on standby at the foot of the mountain."

"Awu will open all the gates in the northern part of the city for everyone."

"Use firelight as a signal."

"Once the flames are seen, all units must launch a general offensive against Gaoqu City with unstoppable momentum and without regard for personal safety!"

"That's it, meeting adjourned!"

The people in the room looked at each other...

Although Yamanami Keisuke, Nagakura Shinpachi, and the others still seemed to have something to say, Aoto had already given the order to "adjourn the meeting," so they had no choice but to comply.

They got up in twos and threes and filed out.

No sooner had he left the main camp than Yamanami Keisuke couldn't help but mutter to himself:

"It still won't work!"

"We still need to persuade Tachibana-kun again!"