I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Since that's the case, then there's nothing more to say—

"Special Forces! Follow me!"

After roaring, Katsura Kogoro drew his sword and charged out!

No strategy needed, just launch an offensive! Charge into the new clubhouse!

Katsura Kogoro led the charge, with the members of the Special Forces following closely behind.

Their attack was so fierce, it was like a flood bursting its banks!

The security at the Sun Hung Kai Properties Clubhouse was so weak that it was truly appalling.

Katsura Kogoro and the others closed to within twenty meters before they belatedly realized what was happening.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Are they bandits?"

"How could bandits possibly attack the clubhouse!"

"Ah! They are the surprise attack team! The surprise attack team is coming!"

"What?! The Special Forces?!"

"That person is Katsura Kogoro!"

"Watch out! He's one of the strongest swordsmen in Changzhou! Don't fight him one-on-one! Surround him!"

……

Immediately, the New World Club was thrown into chaos.

Katsura Kogoro plunged headlong into the enemy ranks, his blade flashing as he slashed down several men.

As he embarked on his mission to reclaim the throne, Katsura Kogoro secretly resolved that from that moment on, he would no longer be "Swordsman Kogoro," but "Politician Kogoro."

Ironically, after running around for the sake of honor and the great cause, he actually had more opportunities to use a knife.

With the continuous accumulation of practical experience, his skills have reached a new level.

Under the starlight, the cold glint of the blade flashed incessantly.

The clanging of weapons clashing, the muffled thuds of flesh being torn apart, the continuous roars like a competition, the pitiful pleas for mercy, the heart-wrenching wails... all sorts of sounds unique to the battlefield rose and fell, only to be dispersed by the night wind.

The members of the surprise attack team, with their fierce and swift attack, vividly illustrated the idiom "to press on with one effort".

The pent-up frustration and pressure finally found an outlet... Their offensive revealed a sense of vengeful satisfaction.

With their overwhelming momentum, they were all able to fight ten or even a hundred men, routing the opposing force!

With prepared forces to defeat the unprepared, with elite troops to defeat the weak, and with high morale to defeat low spirits... the outcome of this battle is already clear.

Within half an hour, the shouts of battle gradually subsided, and the Xindi Clubhouse returned to silence.

The surprise attack team achieved a resounding victory in their first battle! They successfully captured the New Territories Clubhouse with only minor casualties and seized a large amount of supplies!

……

……

The sun peeked out from behind the dark mountains in the east, and the morning glow gradually painted the sky.

The fog from last night slowly dissipated, and the land of Changzhou began to appear in the morning light.

As expected of a military stronghold, the Sun Hung Kai Properties Clubhouse's ample supplies are truly remarkable.

From provisions to equipment, everything was available.

The cleanup of the battlefield continues until now.

Under Katsura Kogoro's arrangement, a small group of people were responsible for handling the corpses and settling the prisoners, while the majority were responsible for moving the supplies.

Food, salt, guns, cannons, ammunition... truckloads of all kinds of supplies were transported out of the warehouse, forming an astonishing convoy.

With these supplies, they will not have to worry about food and equipment for a long time to come.

Compared to yesterday, the morale of the members of the Special Forces has changed significantly, the contrast is so stark that it's like night and day.

In just one night, they transformed from bandits fleeing in terror into a victorious army that had just won a resounding victory!

They shook off their previous gloom and became radiant.

However, it is worth mentioning that Katsura Kogoro did not do so—he stood on a high ground, holding the sword at his waist, his brows slightly furrowed, gazing solemnly eastward, as if he was pondering something.

At that moment, the voice of Ōmura Masujirō suddenly came from behind him:

"Mr. Gui!"

The sudden shout startled Katsura Kogoro, who then turned to look at the other person with a helpless expression.

He saw through one of Ōmura Masujirō's major characteristics—his elusive nature, appearing out of nowhere like a ninja.

Ōmura Masujirō slowly moved to Katsura Kogoro's side and asked:

"Mr. Gui, what's wrong? Why do you look so worried? You just won a battle, aren't you happy?"

Katsura Kogoro smiled bitterly:

"Of course I'm happy, but... it's too early to be overjoyed."

"Conquering the New World Clubhouse is just the first step in an arduous journey."

"We must not let our guard down before liberating Hagi Castle and completely expelling the 'conventionalists'."

At this point, he frowned slightly, then continued with a worried expression:

"We must act quickly! No matter what, we must defeat the 'conventional faction' before Qingdeng sends troops to intervene!"

To regain control of Changzhou, every step must be taken with utmost care.

If this goal is to be achieved, Qingdeng is the biggest variable!

Katsura Kogoro was certain: Aoto would never stand idly by!

As long as the "popular faction" is subdued, Changzhou can be recovered without bloodshed, and then the entire Western Kingdom can be pacified—Qingdeng could never ignore such a once-in-a-lifetime strategic window.

Katsura Kogoro secretly guessed that the messenger from the Seido faction, sent to contact the "popular theory faction," might already be on his way.

The "popular faction," who were loyal to the shogunate, dreamed of getting close to Seito.

It's easy to imagine that the two sides will quickly reach a consensus and form an alliance.

Once the "conventional school" receives Qing Deng's assistance, they're finished.

Although it is often said that "he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world," history has proven countless times that having the hearts of the people alone is not enough.

With the support of external forces, even the most brutal, inhumane, and reactionary regimes can stand firm.

The only consolation at present is that Changzhou and Qinjin are far apart.

There is bound to be a significant time difference when traveling between the two places.

This time difference is the life-or-death line for Katsura Kogoro... no, for the "righteous faction"!

We must completely defeat the "conventional faction" before Qingdeng's aid arrives! Otherwise, they will be powerless to reverse the situation!

Not only must he win, but he must win quickly... Whenever he thought about it, Katsura Kogoro frowned, his heart filled with bitterness and anxiety.

Because time is so precious, Katsura Kogoro doesn't even have a moment to rest.

As soon as the battle ended, he racked his brains to think of a strategy for the next move.

At this moment, Ōmura Masujirō suddenly spoke up:

"Mr. Gui, I have a plan on how to quickly capture Hagi Castle."

Upon hearing this, Katsura Kogoro's eyes lit up.

He had no doubt about Ōmura Masujirō's military talent.

His abilities had already been proven in the Second Battle of Sekigahara.

The defensive fortifications he planned and deployed caused considerable trouble for the new electoral group.

The final defeat in this battle was not due to Ōmura Masujirō's lack of strategy, but rather because the Shinsengumi was too powerful, overpowering their tactics with brute force and capturing Sekigahara.

Seeing that the other party already had a plan, he quickly asked:

"Mr. Ōmura, do you have a good plan?"

Meeting Katsura Kogoro's expectant gaze, Ōmura Masujirō began to speak:

"This is a war with the ultimate goal of liberating Hagi Castle."

"Since we are going to attack the city, a sufficient number of cannons are essential."

"However, cannons are too heavy and too troublesome to transport, and we don't have that many animals."

He paused deliberately at this point, then gave a meaningful smile:

"So...we'll march on Mitajiri and seize the warships directly!"

……

……

Qinjin Domain, Otsu, Military Factory —

Led by Yataro Iwasaki, Aoto strode into the brand-new factory.

As soon as they entered, a fierce heat wave, accompanied by shouts, blasted towards Qingdeng.

"Watch out for molten iron!"

"Keep it up! Didn't you eat lunch?"

"Hey! You apprentices, move these buckets of molten iron over there! Be careful! This is molten iron; if it drips on you, it's no joke!"

Looking up, one sees hundreds of craftsmen and apprentices bustling about in the vast factory, methodically producing muskets and cannons.

On this side, several apprentices pushed over several baskets of iron blocks, and then left carrying several newly made gun barrels.

On the other side, several blacksmiths carefully poured the molten orange-red iron into the mold.

Sizzle—thick white smoke suddenly rose up.

Before long, the molten iron in the mold gradually gathered into the shape of a cannon barrel.