I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Based on Shusuke's statement, it's not hard to see that he's not particularly optimistic about Hijikata's plan to "use the 'celebrity effect' to expand Shieikan."

But at this moment, Kondo, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up:

"...Father, I think that the plan that A-Sui has come up with...might as well give it a try!"

Kondo straightened his back and continued speaking solemnly to Shusuke:

"Just as Ah Sui just said—if we can successfully recruit some famous scholars into our Shiwei Hall, it will indeed be of great benefit to the future development and growth of our Shiwei Hall!"

"These advantages alone are enough for me to give this plan a try!"

“That makes sense…” Zhou Zhu sighed, “But as I just said, why would those famous scholars become disciples or patrons of our ‘Taro Dojo’?”

Kondo responded sharply, immediately replying without hesitation as soon as Shusuke finished speaking:

"If we can't find any distinguished individuals willing to join us... then we won't lose anything."

Kondo laughed.

"If we can successfully recruit some famous scholars, we'll have hit the jackpot."

"But if no famous people are willing to visit us, we won't suffer any losses."

Seeing that Kondo was so fond of this plan, Shusuke raised his eyebrows a few times.

After a long silence, Zhou Zhu sighed softly with a helpless expression:

"...Alright, since you want to try, then go for it."

"You are now practically the head of the Kondo family and Shieikan."

"Anyway, it won't be long before I retire completely and hand over the leadership of the Natural Heart School and the Shiwei Hall to you."

"Just do what you young people think."

His father expressed his approval and support for his idea, and Kondo excitedly bowed to Shusuke to say "thank you".

Hijikata was equally pleased that his proposed plan had been approved.

Now that his drunkenness had subsided somewhat, Okita asked Kondo, Hijikata, and the others:

"Then...where are we going to find those famous scholars next?"

Okita asked a crucial question that hit the nail on the head.

"...We can only rely on fate and take our time to find someone." Kondo chuckled a few times. "It's unrealistic to expect to find a world-renowned scholar right away."

“We can’t afford to enshrine such a large Buddha statue in our small Shiwei Hall.”

So let's take it one step at a time and be down-to-earth.

"At this stage, I plan to try to recruit people who are only slightly famous in Edo City."

Kondo paused for a moment, pursed his lips, and then let out a self-deprecating chuckle:

"However, it's not so easy to find someone who can gain some fame in Edo..."

"Even if we find them, getting them to join our testing center won't be easy."

“Oh…” Okita nodded seriously, then crossed his arms and pouted as if deep in thought.

Because Okita has thin arms and legs, when he makes this gesture of crossing his arms, it doesn't create a sense of majesty; instead, it makes him appear even smaller.

“Someone who’s somewhat famous in Edo… I don’t think I know anyone like that…” Okita muttered to himself.

Hearing Okita's muttered remark, Aoto couldn't help but twitch his lips, thinking to himself with a hint of annoyance:

—It would be a miracle if a shut-in like you knew any famous figures!

As early as when he first moved into Shieikan, Aoto discovered that Okita was a complete shut-in.

Normally, he never leaves his house.

He spends 24 hours a day holed up in the testing center.

When he occasionally goes out, it's either to replenish his essential "strategic resource" for daily survival: konpeito (Japanese candy), or because he's craving sweet treats at his favorite teahouses or confectionery shops.

Okita's social circle was basically limited to a corner of the Shieikan. His regular friends were only a handful of people like Aoto, Kondo, and Hijikata.

If Okita knew any famous figures from Edo, then Seito was truly enlightened—like being stabbed in the backside.

"Alright, let's think about these important things later." Qing Deng placed the fish he hadn't touched because he didn't like it, but which Okita loved, into Okita's bowl. "Now, let's eat and have fun. Here, this fish is for you..."

"what!"

Before Aoto could finish speaking, Okita interrupted him with an "Ah!" and then, as if suddenly remembering something, he abruptly raised his head.

"I almost subconsciously overlooked it... Isn't there someone sitting right here who is very likely to know some famous person?"

Okita turned his face and flashed a big smile at Aoto…

"Tachibana-kun!"

While laughing, Okita stretched out his left elbow and poked Aoto's side.

"An official like you, who works in the 'three rounds' of the magistrate's office, must have some connections, right?"

"Do you know anyone who's somewhat famous in Edo?"

"Huh?" Qing Deng was stunned.

Now, Aoto, who had never expected Okita to ask him this question, looked thoughtful.

Connections... As a member of the Beifan Police Station, which is responsible for handling various criminal cases, Qing Deng naturally has some connections.

However, his connections were mostly with his colleagues who were also "public servants of the magistrate's office".

Of all the people he knew, the only one who could be called a renowned scholar... seemed to be Katsura Rintarō, who had recently saved his life at the anti-foreign affairs bureau.

But how could a political star like Katsu Rintaro, who is busy with various political affairs every day, possibly become a disciple or customer of their Shieikan?

After thinking it over carefully, Qingdeng, who couldn't think of a suitable candidate, shook his head with a wry smile.

"Sorry, I don't know anyone... um?"

Qing Deng's words suddenly stopped at that moment.

Because at that moment, Qing Deng suddenly remembered that besides Katsu Rintaro, he knew other famous people.

There were quite a few of them, a total of three.

Although these three cannot compare to someone as famous as Katsura Rintaro, they do indeed have a certain reputation in Edo at present.

Moreover, and more importantly—according to Qing Deng's judgment, these three people are very likely to be willing to become disciples or diners of Shiwei Hall!

"...I do know people who are currently somewhat famous in Edo...I know three of them."

Aoto raised his gaze and whispered to Okita, Kondo, and the others who were now showing astonished expressions.

"Kondo-kun, if you're willing... I can bring them over tomorrow."

……

……

The next day—

In order to participate in the Aizu-no-Gi swordsmanship tournament, Aoto asked Usui for two days off the day before yesterday and yesterday.

Now that the sword competition has come to a successful conclusion, Qing Deng naturally returns to the life of a busy office worker, preoccupied with various official duties.

The Fire Thieves are indeed a special armed force dedicated to handling all kinds of major cases and vicious criminals.

After they were transferred by the shogunate to assist the magistrate in dealing with the "radical anti-foreign faction" in Edo, the burden on Aoto and his colleagues was immediately lightened considerably.

With the assistance of the thief Kai, the magistrate's office has recently achieved remarkable results in cracking down on the "radical anti-foreign faction." A large number of thugs who used the name of "anti-foreign" to commit brutal acts have been brought to justice, and the arrogance of the "radical anti-foreign faction" has been effectively suppressed.

Unfortunately, the Exile Group, which was listed as a key target by the Shogunate, is still at large.

The extreme lack of intelligence prevented the Magistrate's Office and the Fire Thieves from finding the stronghold of the Extermination Group and the location of important figures for a long time.

If even the people and strongholds cannot be found, then a purge operation is naturally out of the question.

Thanks to the help of the newly recruited thieves, Qing Deng and his colleagues no longer have to work themselves to the bone like they did right after the "Sakuradamon Incident," where their schedules were completely disrupted. They have gradually returned to a normal work rhythm and are able to go to and from get off work on time as before.

For example, today, after the sky was just tinged with the unique orange glow of dusk, Qingdeng, having successfully completed all his duties for the day, left work on time and in a brisk manner.

In the past, when Aoto went to and from get off work, he was always accompanied only by his bodyguard, Saito.

But today was slightly different—when he left the North Camp today, besides Saito, there were three other figures with him!

Qingdeng led them, and the group swaggered back to the Examination Hall.

"Oh... Mr. Tachibana, you usually live here." Harada, with his beloved gun slung over his shoulders, looked at the gate of the Shieikan with great interest.

"The gate is very clean... This sword hall is usually well maintained." Nagakura muttered seriously as he looked at the gate of the Shieikan.

"Ah..." Toudou let out a low gasp, then raised his hand and scratched his hair with a guilty look. "I almost forgot, is it really appropriate for us to show up empty-handed like this?"

"It's alright, it's alright." Aoto waved his hand at Toudou. "Kondo-kun and the others won't mind such a small matter. Alright, come in quickly."

Aoto, along with Saito and his three subordinates, entered the Shieikan.

As soon as they passed through the gate of the Shiwei Hall, Qingdeng shouted into the hall with practiced ease, "We're back!"

No sooner had Qingdeng said "We're back" than the sound of footsteps approached from afar.

Immediately afterwards, Qing Deng saw Okita, who was carrying a bamboo sword and covered in sweat, and must have been practicing his swordsmanship.

"Tachibana-kun, Saito-kun, you're back!" Okita Asahito and Saito flashed his signature bright smiles, and then he turned his gaze to Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sanosuke, and Todo Heisuke standing behind Asahito.

"Tachibana-kun," Okita asked Aoto cautiously, his voice tinged with suppressed anticipation, "these three must be Nagakura-kun, Harada-kun, and Toudou-kun, right?"

Qing Deng nodded with a smile: "Yes, that's right. I brought Yongcang and the others here as agreed last night."

……

……

The "Battle of the Foreign Documents Investigation Office" more than half a month ago not only further enhanced Qing Deng's reputation, but also made Yongcang and others who rushed into the Foreign Documents Investigation Office with Qing Deng famous.

Whether in government offices or in the marketplace, many people now know that "Little Tengu of the Northern Frontier" Tachibana Seidei has recently recruited three extremely powerful Okabiki!

The reason why Qing Deng is now able to earn the reputation of "the strongest fighting force in the Northern Frontier" is largely due to the help of Yongcang and the others.

Some busybodies even spread rumors that the overall combat strength of the squad led by Qingdeng was probably greater than the total combat strength of the other three squads of the Southern and Northern tribes!

Although in terms of reputation, the three Nagakuras were far from being considered "famous scholars".