I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

At this moment, one of the executioners said to Hijikata Toshizo:

"Deputy Commander, the candle on his foot is almost burned out!"

Hijikata Toshizo said without even raising his eyelids:

"Do I need to be informed about something like this? Since the candle has burned out, shouldn't we replace it with a new one?"

"Yes!"

The executioners responded with a shout and then turned and left.

A short while later, he returned with two brand-new hundred-eyed candles.

Looking at the two candles, Yoshiemon seemed to have a final burst of energy before death.

His previously lifeless eyes suddenly widened, filled with fear.

Compared to a quick and painless death, living a life worse than death is truly the most painful torment in the world.

With the appearance of these two new candles, the last line of defense in his mind finally collapsed completely.

"I...I said...I...I said everything...please stop...torturing me..."

The atmosphere in the prison changed instantly upon hearing this.

Hijikata Toshizo suddenly stood up and said:

"Put him down."

The executioners hurriedly lowered Yoshiemon from the roof beam.

Hijikata Toshizo originally wanted to make a few sarcastic remarks to his opponent—Huh? Didn't you say you were a true man? Didn't you say you would never surrender to the enemy? How come you've chickened out so quickly?

However, the situation was urgent, and Hijikata Toshizo would not let such trivial verbal sparring delay important matters.

He gave a wink, signaling the executioners to leave, and then asked Yoya Kiemon:

"What is your real name? Are you a patriotic hero?"

Yoya Kiemon's "backbone" was completely broken.

Faced with Hijikata Toshizo's questioning, he answered without hesitation, but weakly:

“My name is… Shuntaro Kotaka…I am… a loyalist of the Monarchy…”

Hijikata Toshizo pressed on, asking:

"What's with that warehouse full of weapons? What are you planning?"

Yuya Kiemon... or rather, after hesitating for a moment, Kotaka Shuntaro gave up the struggle:

“We… plan to… on the night of July 17th… while the people of Kyoto… are all at Yamahoko… to burn down Kyoto… and take advantage of the chaos… to eliminate the Lord of Aizu… and Saigo Kichinosuke of Satsuma… and then… request the Emperor… to move his residence to the Choshu Domain…”

After he finished speaking, the cell fell into an eerie silence...

Both Hijikata Toshizo and Serizawa Kamo are now speechless with shock.

About 10 seconds later, Serizawa Kamo broke the silence:

"July 17th...isn't that today?"

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PS: Please note that the shop operated by Yoshiemon is a coal shop, not an antique shop.

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Chapter 810 Mobilization Begins! Prepare for Battle! [5600]

July 17th is the day for the "Yamahoko Parade"... and that's today!

Burn down Kyoto, which is celebrating the Gion Festival, kill Matsudaira Katamori and Saigo Kichinosuke, and then take advantage of the chaos to kidnap the Emperor to Choshu... Hijikata Toshizo and Serizawa Kamo were both stunned after hearing this extremely crazy plan.

In the blink of an eye, their faces were filled with an overwhelming sense of horror.

At this moment, Hijikata Toshizo demonstrated the strong will and composure expected of the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi.

About five seconds later, he recovered from his shock, his face dark and his voice deep:

"When exactly do you plan to take action? Approximately how many men are involved? Where is the assembly point? Where will the fire be set?"

He fired off a barrage of questions like a machine gun.

Perhaps he was in despair. Now that he had revealed the most crucial secret, Koga Shuntaro had completely given up and was no longer hesitant or struggling.

As soon as Hijikata Toshizo finished asking the question, he answered truthfully:

"We...we just...plan to...make our move tonight..."

"Mr. Gui...is strongly opposed to our...this...plan..."

"In order to... persuade... Mr. Gui... we plan to... have a good talk with him tonight..."

Whether or not this plan will actually be implemented is still under discussion.

"It might... be carried out as scheduled... tonight..."

"It's also possible... that it will be canceled outright..."

"Everything depends on...the outcome of...the negotiations with...Mr. Gui tonight..."

"So...the specific...time of the attack...the location of the fire...the rendezvous point...the number of people...I know nothing about any of these..."

Mr. Katsura – also known as Katsura Kogoro, one of the "Three Heroes of Choshu".

The Three Heroes of Choshu consisted of one madman, one half-madman, and one normal person.

That madman was Kusaka Genzui, who went down the path of radical anti-foreignism to the bitter end.

Although the half-madman was also a strong advocate for expelling foreigners, he was not as extreme as Takasugi Shinsaku.

The only normal person is Katsura Kogoro.

Katsura Kogoro was a staunch advocate of the anti-Japanese movement, but he opposed the radicals' extreme practices.

It's a pity... As the saying goes, "When turbidity becomes the norm, then innocence becomes a sin."

Since the "August 18th coup," the entire Changzhou has been like an out-of-control train with its accelerator floored, crossing the track called "radical" and heading wildly toward the goal called "extreme," with no intention of stopping.

Despite Katsura Kogoro's numerous attempts to obstruct them, he was unable to calm the radicals down or bring them to a normal state; instead, he made his own situation even more difficult.

Just as Katsura Kogoro could not agree with the radicals' views, the radicals, led by Kusaka Genzui, also could not agree with Katsura Kogoro's ideas. They believed that Katsura Kogoro was too weak, and how could such a weak behavior achieve the great cause of resounding victory?

As such, many people naturally see Katsura Kogoro as a thorn in their side.

However, Katsura Kogoro was a talented individual skilled in both literature and martial arts. In literature, he was a top student of Yoshida Shoin; in martial arts, he was a direct disciple of Saito Yakuro, known as "Saito of Power," and had served as a training instructor at the training hall.

In the Choshu Domain, being a "disciple of Yoshida Shōin" was like a golden business card; possessing this title granted one a superior status among those who respected and admired the powerful.

In short, Katsura Kogoro, with his esteemed status, seniority, and exceptional skills, enjoyed unparalleled prestige within the Choshu Domain.

Even though the radicals see Katsura Kogoro as a thorn in their side, they still have to maintain a facade of harmony and friendliness.

Therefore, logically speaking, what Shuntaro Koga just said is quite reasonable.

If Katsura Kogoro is truly determined to oppose this insane plan to "burn down Kyoto and kidnap the Emperor," then given his power, he might actually be able to thwart the plan.

Hijikata Toshizo frowned deeply, appearing deep in thought.

After a short while, he spoke again:

Who are the people attending tonight's meeting?

"Miyabe Daizo... Yoshida Minoru... Otaka Matajiro..."

Koga Shuntaro rattled off one name after another, like reciting a menu.

They were all names that were highly respected among those who upheld patriotism.

Among them, the most famous and noteworthy figures are Miyabe Teizō and Yoshida Toshima.

Miyabe Teizō was a veteran member of the Zunyong movement and one of its leaders. His existence was of paramount importance to the Zunyong movement at present.

As for Yoshida Toshima, he was also a highly accomplished student of Yoshida Shoin.

In terms of ranking among students at Yoshida Juku, his status was even higher than that of Katsura Kogoro.

He, along with Genzui Kusaka and Shinsaku Takasugi, were known as the "Three Outstanding Students of the Shōin School," and together with Kyuichi Irie, they were called the "Four Heavenly Kings of the Shōin School."

Yoshida Toshima was in cahoots with Kusaka Genzui, and was also a radical with extreme ideas in his head.

Miyabe Teizō was also a radical who favored extreme actions.

Miyabe Teizō, Yoshida Toshima, and Katsura Kogoro—the leaders of the Sojō movement gathered together… This level of summit meeting is truly rare!

While processing this massive amount of information, Hijikata Toshizo let out a long breath and then asked his final question:

"Since you intend to negotiate with Katsura Kogoro tonight, when and where will the negotiations take place?"

Shuntaro Koga shook his head:

"I have no idea……"

Serizawa Kamo got angry immediately upon hearing this.

"Damn it, even at this point, you're still trying to play tricks on us?! Believe me or not, I'll hang you back from the roof beam!"

As he spoke, he raised his right fist, as if to strike.

With a look of fear on his face, Koga Shuntaro said, "Perhaps I'm too scared, even my speech has become clearer."

"I...I really don't know!"

"I am no important person, so how would I know the specific time and place of such a high-level meeting?"

Serizawa Kamo ignored his explanation.

Just as he reached out his large, iron-like hand, about to grab the other man's collar, Hijikata Toshizo spoke up to stop him:

“Serizawa, wait a minute. He’s not lying; he really doesn’t know.”

Serizawa Kamo paused, furrowed his brows, and glared at Hijikata Toshizo.