I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

At that time, Sagara Sozo, who was following the swordsman Oki Shiro, rebelled, but was stopped by Sozo, who hoped to make a defense at the trial later.

However, the Meiji government had no intention of negotiating with him. Instead, they beheaded him and displayed his head in public. They also demoted his Red Guards to "puppet troops," subjecting them to a bloody crackdown, with half of them being annihilated and the other half being arrested.

It wasn't until half a century later, at the beginning of the 20th century, that Sozo Sagara and his Red Guards were finally exonerated.

This man is a hero, as admirable as Ōshio Heihachirō, which is why Leopard let him live in this book.

Therefore, upon closer examination of the history of the late Edo period in Japan, you will find that the Meiji government was an anti-human group from the very beginning, with a long history of dark deeds, cheating and deceiving without restraint, and completely lacking the righteousness and integrity that a decent person should have.

In comparison, the Edo Shogunate seems much more pleasing to the eye.

The Edo Shogunate was a corrupt feudal regime with a lot of abstract practices, but the Meiji government was even more despicable... It's truly speechless.

Chapter 1177 The final battle of this book begins!

According to Qing Deng, after the Southern Dynasty abolished the "annual tribute reduction order", Sagara Sozo broke with it and led the Red Glory Corps to operate in the capital region on his own.

Not long after, he vanished without a trace, as if he had evaporated into thin air, and his Red Reporting Team also disappeared completely.

Although the other party was from the opposing camp, this did not diminish Qing Deng's appreciation for his courage to resist tyranny and his compassionate heart to speak out for the people.

Because he valued Sagara Sozo highly, Aoto seriously considered recruiting him into his ranks.

Unfortunately... before Qingdeng could find him, he vanished without a trace...

The Southern Dynasty was keen on assassinations, and preferred to eliminate potential threats through "physical elimination," both internally and externally.

Therefore, Qing Deng guessed that Xiang Le Zong San was most likely secretly eliminated by the "Southern Dynasty", and his Red News Team was also wiped out.

This matter deeply saddened Qing Deng.

He thought that Sagara Sozo had long since passed away, but now he was standing right in front of him, alive and well... Aoto couldn't help but look astonished.

Fortunately, at this moment, Ōshio Heihachirō chimed in from the side:

"At the Zuo residence, I noticed Xiang Lejun as soon as he began to show his talent..."

The old man succinctly recounted the entire process of his search for and recruitment of Sozo Sangaku.

Sozo Sagara's aspirations aligned with the platform of the Daishio Party.

The Ōshio Party was severely lacking in combat personnel who were skilled in fighting and capable of leading independently—and Sōzō Sagara's talent perfectly filled this gap in the Ōshio Party.

From any perspective, Sozo Sagara is an exceptionally talented individual perfectly suited for the Ooshio party.

Therefore, Ōshio Heihachirō made up his mind to "absolutely bring him under his command".

After Sagara Sozo led the Red Mirror Corps away, Ōshio Heihachirō anticipated that the "Southern Court" would not let him go, so he ordered Shiyō to find their location and dispatched the Kaiten Corps to rescue them.

Although the process was somewhat dangerous, they managed to rescue Sagara Sozo from the ambush by the "Southern Court" at the last minute.

Unfortunately, many members of the Red Report Squad did not survive until the Resurrection Squad arrived...

Having survived the ordeal, Sagara Sozo looked at the increasingly dilapidated Red Army Corps and his comrades who had died unjustly, and was utterly disappointed in the faithless "Southern Dynasty".

After learning about the Ooshio Party's platform, he accepted Ooshio Heihachiro's invitation without hesitation and led the remnants of the Red News Corps to join the Ooshio Party.

From then on, there was no longer a "Sangara Sosan of the Red Report Team," only a "Sangara Sosan of the Resurrection Team."

Before Ōshio Heihachirō could finish speaking:

"After learning of the alliance between the Ōshio Party and Niō, he has always expressed his desire to meet you. I have been troubled by this matter for a long time, but fortunately, today I am finally able to meet you."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng involuntarily turned his eyes and looked at Sagara Sozo again.

Though he didn't speak, his eyes, tinged with curiosity, asked: You want to see me? Why?

Prior to this, they were enemies.

People like Sozo Sagara often exhibit a terrifying stubbornness.

Once they've set their sights on a goal or a principle, they'll hold on to it stubbornly, no amount of persuasion will change their mind. Even if they've hit a wall, they won't easily turn back.

Qing Deng didn't believe that Sagara Sozo could so quickly complete the psychological transformation from "hostile to Niou and wishing he could be killed" to "admiring Niou and wanting to meet him" in such a short time.

Meeting Aoto's unwavering gaze, Sagara Sozo's expression remained unchanged, neither humble nor arrogant, and he said softly:

"The recent events have made me see through the hypocrisy of the 'Southern Dynasty'."

“During the time I served the ‘Southern Dynasty,’ the words I heard most often were insults directed at ‘King Ni’ Tachibana Aoto.”

"The lecherous scoundrels who wreak havoc in the inner palace, the enemies of the court who manipulate the imperial court, the eccentrics who tarnish the traditions of the samurai family... the list goes on."

[Note: "Oddballs" refers to those who deviate from the norm, meaning a group whose clothing and behavior are different from ordinary people.]

"Since the rulers of the 'Southern Dynasty' are all depraved beasts in human clothing, I can't help but wonder—is 'King Ren' Tachibana Aoto really as vile as they claim?"

After saying that, he raised his eyes and looked at Qingdeng with a questioning gaze.

As soon as he finished speaking, Qingdeng chuckled lightly, as if teasing him:

"So, you want to know what kind of person Niou is?"

Sagara Sozo nodded slightly.

"Why don't you observe this problem with your own eyes for a while?"

As Qing Deng spoke, he raised his gaze and scanned the remaining members of the Kaiten Squad behind Sagara Sozo.

"You too! Look at me carefully with your own eyes!"

“I know that many of you have some complaints about this battle, thinking: We are clearly serving the Ooshio Party, so why should we be risking our lives for Tachibana Seito?”

Upon hearing this, the facial expressions of Ebina, Akutsu, and many members of the Kaiten-tai underwent subtle changes.

"I completely understand how you feel!"

"If it were me, I would also feel confused and frustrated."

“I am not a good talker; I prefer doing to talking.”

"So, use your own eyes to see for yourselves!"

"See if I, Ju Qingdeng, am worthy of your service!"

"See if this battle is worth your time!"

"You can rest assured, I'm not hard to find!"

"No matter the time, I will always be there in the most dangerous places!"

"Wherever the battle is at its most intense, that's where I'll be!"

"Wherever the enemy is strong, there I will be!"

"Look in the most dangerous place, look where there are the most enemy corpses, and you'll definitely find me!"

"I will lead you forever! Until victory or death!"

The talent "Failed Art Student +6" was activated—though it was a simple statement, it made all the members of the Kaiten Team, including Ebina and Sagara Souzo, tense up.

At this moment, Aoto's gaze returned to Sagara Souzo:

"Sagara-kun, this battle is against your former 'master.' Can you bring yourself to do it?"

Sozo Sagara, head held high and chest out, replied in a firm tone:

"No problem! I only regret that Saigo Kinosuke, Iwakura Tomomi, and the others are not outside the castle, otherwise I would definitely fight them to the death!"

……

……

Sozo Sagara's sudden appearance was just a minor incident.

Led by Aoto and Ōshio Heihachirō, the Kaiten-tai dismounted, formed a neat line, and left the city gate to walk into the city—their horses had been taken to the stables for proper care.

The moment they stepped into the core area of ​​Otsu City, an intense look of shock and astonishment once again dominated the expressions of Ebina and the others.

They looked around like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, blinking repeatedly as if checking their eyesight.

What surprised them first was that the number of garrison troops in the city was far greater than they had expected!

Looking up, all I could see were throngs of people.

Patrol teams, supply train teams, teams reinforcing the city walls, teams training diligently... Teams performing their respective duties passed before their eyes, their numbers far exceeding the six thousand or so they had known beforehand!

The soldiers, who were stationed close to the mountains and the sea, produced a roar like a raging wave, far surpassing even the fireworks display in Edo.

"When a shell comes at you, never let your belly touch the ground! Otherwise, your internal organs will be damaged! The correct way is to brace yourself with your elbows on the ground, keeping your belly a distance from the ground."

"If enemy soldiers climb the city wall, don't be afraid. Grip your bamboo spears tightly and thrust them into the enemy's chest! It's very simple, even a three-year-old can do it! Your bamboo spears are so long, and with so many of you thrusting at once, even a top-notch martial arts master wouldn't be able to dodge it!"

"Shout it out! Open your voices wide and shout it out with all your might! Shouting will dispel your fear and boost your strength! When you thrust out the bamboo spear, you must shout it out!"

……

Before the initial shock subsided, another one struck – upon closer inspection, Sagara Sozo and his men were astonished to discover a large number of civilians among the garrison.

Sagara Sozo stared intently at a group of soldiers practicing slingshots not far away, muttering to himself:

"Are they... civilians?"

His demeanor and movements made it clear at a glance that he was not a samurai, but an ordinary civilian.

青登点点头：

“That’s right, all the people you see here are the people of Otsu.”

Ooshio Heihachiro added from the side:

"Inspired by Zuo Fu, all the people of Dajin participated in this battle and stood with us through thick and thin."

Upon hearing this, Sozo Sagara and the others lost their composure, their expressions revealing disbelief.

Sagara Sozo hurriedly pressed for more details.

Ōshio Heihachirō patiently explained in detail, focusing on the content of Aoto's speech.

The members of the Huitian team were all speechless after hearing this.

After a brief moment of shock, different people exhibited vastly different reactions.

Some people—such as the vast majority, led by Ebi—were greatly encouraged by the increased military strength.

Some people, impressed by Aoto's eloquence and the courage of the Otsu people—such as Akutsu—couldn't help but cast excited and admiring glances at the militiamen in their sight.