I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Before being transferred to the Eleventh Division, he was a member of the Second Division. Because of his loud voice, brave and bold personality, and courage, he was highly regarded by Nagakura Shinpachi, who was also a roughneck.

What is even more commendable is that he acts decisively, rarely wavers, and has a remarkably firm will.

In conclusion, he was decisive, while Abe Juro was shrewd.

Qing Deng believes that appointing Nomura Risaburo, who is bold and decisive and has no "class discrimination," as Abe Juro's adjutant will definitely achieve a perfect complementary effect.

As it turned out, Qing Deng's idea was correct.

After Nomura Risaburo took office, he immediately brought about significant changes to the Eleventh Division.

Whether it's due to their genes or something else, the members of the Eleventh Division are very good at math, but they are generally small and thin, far from being "muscular," and there are almost no muscular men among them.

Therefore, when Risaburo Nomura was transferred to the 11th Division, it was like a tiger entering a pack of wolves.

With his burly physique and his previously established reputation for bravery and decisiveness, no one in the Eleventh Division dared to go against Nomura Risaburo.

He never harbored any resentment towards Abe Juro because of his status as a farmer, and always faithfully supported Abe Juro, wholeheartedly assisting him.

Whenever Nomura Risaburo stood beside Abe Juro, he became the latter's strongest support.

If any member of the squad is dissatisfied with Abe Juro's command, he only needs to give them a sidelong glance, and they will immediately shut up and dare not say another word.

Abe Juro was in charge of calculating the artillery firing parameters.

Toshisaburo Nomura was in charge of directing operations on site.

The division of labor is clear and well-organized.

Judging from the results, they are indeed a perfect team, and their cooperation has achieved a perfect effect of "1+1>2"!

……

……

With the artillery unit setting a high bar, the musketeers' performance seemed rather unremarkable.

No matter how fast or loud a musket fires, can its visual impact still surpass that of a cannon?

Admittedly, the musketeers performed quite well.

After half a year of arduous training, the Sixth and Eighth Divisions are no longer the half-baked teams that used to take forever to load ammunition.

Under the orderly command of Inoue Genzaburo and Todo Heisuke, the members of the Sixth and Eighth Divisions marched forward in neat rows, resembling solid walls.

"Raise your gun—"

As soon as the order was given, a series of "click" sounds rang out.

"aim--"

The sudden lowering of the gun caused a series of "click" sounds to ring out again.

"put!"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The gun muzzle spewed flames.

The terrifyingly thick barrage of bullets whistled through the air, blasting the distant targets to smithereens.

Even from a great distance, you can feel an indescribable sense of oppression!

Although the accuracy is still not commendable due to the limitations of the equipment, just one look at it will make you feel from the bottom of your heart that the accuracy is no longer important.

Even the most elite troops would find it difficult to maintain morale under such terrifying barrage of bullets!

……

Today's martial arts demonstration lasted for about an hour.

After the military exercise ended, the generals returned to the reviewing stand.

Looking up, everyone's facial expressions were strange, and no one spoke, creating an indescribable atmosphere.

The reason is quite simple—whether it's veterans like Souji and Nagakura Shinpachi, or newcomers like Nakazawa Koto and Soma Kazue who have only recently joined the army, everyone was shocked by the scene and effect of this martial arts exercise!

Everyone understood that today's drill was not only a test of the new recruits' training results, but also a comprehensive assessment of the Shinsengumi's current combat strength, in order to prepare for the upcoming "Chōshū Campaign".

Therefore, everyone was giving it their all, determined to show their skills in today's martial arts demonstration.

The infantry's unstoppable advance, the cavalry's irresistible momentum, the musketeers' overwhelming force, the artillery's devastating power... all these images struck the hearts of the people like a giant hammer!

The overwhelming destructive power displayed by the gunners was particularly astonishing.

Coincidentally, everyone had the same thought: So our Shinsengumi... has become this strong?!

Now, the outdated idea that "firearms are useless" has completely disappeared within the Shinsengumi.

After all... anyone with a sound mind and a modicum of conscience would not dare to utter such nonsense as "as long as we show the spirit of a samurai, we can defeat guns and cannons" after witnessing the terrifying power of guns and cannons firsthand.

"Gentlemen, you all performed very well today, I am very satisfied!"

Qingdeng's sudden outburst drew the attention of the generals.

The generals looked up and saw Qing Deng with a calm smile and a gentle expression.

"To be honest, your performance today far exceeded my expectations, and I am very pleased."

Upon hearing the words "I am very happy," Yoshimura Kanichiro, Abe Juro, and some others showed excited expressions, as if they had received a great reward.

They all came from humble backgrounds, and it was thanks to Qing Deng's appreciation that they were able to achieve their current high positions.

Therefore, it is impossible to understand their gratitude and respect for Qingdeng.

Qingdeng continued speaking:

"You've probably all heard about it by now, haven't you? The 'Chōshū Campaign' is imminent, and our Shinsengumi will be the vanguard!"

"The opportunity to achieve great things is just around the corner!"

"I hope you will all continue your efforts! Do not slack off!"

"Maintain current morale and further enhance combat effectiveness!"

"During the campaign against Changzhou, our overwhelming military achievements will have our names etched into the annals of history!"

A simple yet effective form of motivation—a passionate and enthusiastic expression gradually appeared on the faces of the generals.

No sooner had Qing Deng finished speaking than a chorus of loud "Yes!" immediately surrounded him.

In fact, Qing Deng was also deeply moved after watching today's martial arts performance.

Everything he just said was the truth; he wasn't lying.

The Shinsengumi's current fighting strength has indeed far exceeded expectations.

While shocked, he was also very excited.

Qingdeng is not a butcher.

To put it bluntly, he was not enthusiastic about war.

He has personally experienced several wars and witnessed their cruelty firsthand. Anyone with a conscience would not easily utter the word "war" upon seeing scenes of corpses strewn across the fields and the stench of death.

However... after watching today's martial arts demonstration, although Qing Deng still maintained a cautious attitude towards "war," he couldn't help but feel a little anticipation for the "Changzhou Campaign" six months later.

He couldn't wait to start the war, not only to show the people of Changzhou, but also to show the world.

Look how capable the Shinsengumi are!

Upon realizing this, Qingdeng felt his heart pound violently in his chest.

……

Now that the military exercise is over, the generals have no reason to gather together again.

Qingdeng waved his hand and ordered the crowd to disperse.

As the generals withdrew—

"Huh?! Who...who are you?!"

This time, it was Koto Nakazawa's voice.

"It's me. Lieutenant of the Ninth Division, Yamazaki Susumu."

“Yamazaki… Zheng… Oh, yes… You are Yamazaki Zheng… I’m sorry, I…”

Before Nakazawa Koto could finish speaking, Yamazaki Susumu interrupted, speaking up as if on cue:

"It's okay, it's my own problem. I'm just too unremarkable in appearance."

The generals glanced at this little incident and then went back to doing what they were doing—they were quite used to it and didn't find it strange.

*******

*******

Leopard has been working really hard lately! Look, another chapter of nearly 7,000 words today! Please vote for this book with your monthly tickets, considering how hard Leopard has been working! (Tearful Leopard head.jpg)

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P.S.: If this book is ever adapted into a manga, I've already figured out how to portray Yamazaki Susumu—never show his face, always only draw his back.

Chapter 803 Returning to the Warring States Period!

Qinjin Fan, Dajin, Hijifangdi——

"Come on, Ju, don't be shy, make yourself at home!"

As he spoke, Hijikata Toshizo, dressed in a loose yukata, plopped down on the tatami mat, leaning on his elbows and resting his knees on his hands, looking as casual and comfortable as could be.

"Even without your words, I wouldn't have been polite."

After saying this in a half-joking manner, Qing Deng also followed Hijikata Toshizo's example and sat down cross-legged leisurely.

On the surface, Hijikata Toshizo always seemed extremely unreliable, laughing, joking, and acting capriciously.

But in reality, he is quite meticulous.

In public settings where outsiders are present, he always plays the role of "Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi" and "Elder of the Hatatsu Domain," never behaving in a manner inconsistent with his status and position because of his close relationship with Aoto.

Throughout history, the reason why "brothers working together to start a business" is always linked to "brothers fighting each other" is that there are always people who, even after their good brothers have risen to prominence, still regard each other as "good brothers," leading to tragedy.

Even now, Aoto and Hijikata Toshizo remain close "friends," but they are also "lord and subject" and "commander."