I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

After a short while, he let out a long sigh.

"Even today, I still deeply regret not being able to recruit Tachibana Takayuki into my ranks..."

When Rakshasa said this, his eyebrows drooped, his expression was dejected, and there was not a trace of affectation on his face.

This shows that he genuinely felt lost and bewildered because he had "missed out" on Tachibana Takayuki.

"Forget it, time has passed, let's not dwell on the past."

As Luosha spoke, she fixed her gaze on Qingdeng, her sharp eyes scanning the air.

"Whether it's fate or just pure luck, in any case—today, at this time and in this place, I've encountered a samurai named Tachibana again, and a man I really want to subdue."

"Tachibana Takayuki's son... Tachibana Aoto, I'll get straight to the point—join the Law Extermination Party and become one of us!"

After saying this, the Rakshasa extended his left hand, palm up, as if seeking a handshake from a fellow countryman.

Upon hearing this, both Sanako and Souji showed expressions of astonishment.

On the contrary, Qing Deng, who was the person involved, remained calm, as if he had known all along that Luocha would extend an olive branch to him.

"I don't know if you understand what the law punishes the party, so I'll just give you a brief explanation."

“Our predecessor was the ‘Law Extermination Group’ that caused a great disturbance in the Gyeonggi region 60 years ago.”

"Whether it was the 'Law Extermination Group' in its predecessor or the 'Law Extermination Party' in its current form, we have only one goal: to overthrow the corrupt Edo Shogunate and to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the Tokugawa family!"

Sanako and Souji's expressions changed again.

Souji was born into the Shirakawa Domain, and her family were retainers of the Shirakawa Domain. They never received a salary from the Edo Shogunate, and she herself never received any education on loyalty to the emperor.

The Chiba family is a pure "martial arts family." Influenced by this family tradition, from the older generation, such as Chiba Sadakichi, to the current generation, such as Sanako, Chiba Jutaro, and Chiba Eijiro, they are not very fond of the Confucian doctrines of "the subject dares not disobey when the lord commands him to die" and "to be loyal to the lord with all one's heart."

In short, the two women did not have a strong affection for the Edo Shogunate.

Even so, when they heard Rasetsu boldly proclaim "Down with the Edo Shogunate," they couldn't help but show expressions of disbelief.

Although the authority of the Edo Shogunate had been severely damaged since the "Black Ships Attack" and the "Sakuradamon Incident," and various ambitious figures were eager to make their moves, the situation of the Tokugawa family was deteriorating.

Even so, to this day, no one or any force has dared to openly proclaim the slogans of "Down with the Edo Shogunate" and "Overthrow the Tokugawa Clan."

Even the Choshu Domain, which harbored deep hatred for the Edo Shogunate, dared not be so arrogant.

From the Asuka period (592-710), when Japan officially entered feudal rule, to the present day, no samurai government has lasted longer than the Edo Shogunate.

Japan was in a state of turmoil before the Tokugawa family established nationwide hegemony.

From the end of the Heian period to the Sengoku period, the time spent in war far exceeded the time spent in peace.

It wasn't until the establishment of the Edo Shogunate that the Japanese people finally enjoyed a long-awaited period of peace and tranquility.

Although there were occasional large-scale wars that shook the country, such as the "Amakusa Uprising" and the "Ōshio Heihachirō Uprising," the overall situation was relatively peaceful and stable.

Swords and spears are stored away, horses graze freely on the southern mountains, and those dressed in white are unaware of the nature of weapons.

Not only was there no war, but the economy and culture also developed significantly.

In particular, the cultural field has achieved unprecedented and abundant successes.

Kabuki, Joruri puppet shows, and other cultural arts that gained fame in later generations flourished in the peaceful environment of the Edo period.

The military might of the Edo Shogunate in suppressing rebellious forces and ending the Warring States period, along with the various achievements it made during its three hundred years of rule over Japan, created a path dependency and ideological inertia among the feudal lords, commoners, and court nobles—the Edo Shogunate was an unshakable towering tree!

The Tokugawa family still wielded considerable influence, and none of the feudal lords in the land dared to disobey them!

Let alone inexperienced young people like Sanako and Souji, even seasoned veterans who have been navigating the political and business worlds for many years would find it hard to imagine what the country would be like without the Edo Shogunate.

Under Qingdeng's calm gaze and the two women's surprised looks, Luosha continued to speak eloquently:

"Our principle is 'equality among all classes of people, and meritocracy',"

"As long as you have talent, regardless of your previous status—whether you were a scholar, farmer, craftsman, or merchant—we will treat everyone equally and appoint people based on merit!"

"Take me for example."

"Don't even mention a samurai, I'm not even a commoner, just a lowly slave."

"I've been a homeless person on the streets since I can remember, living by begging,"

“After being picked up by a swordsman who was proficient in Iaido and kept in a sword hall, he lived a life like a slave.”

"Not only do I have to take care of the 'master' and the apprentices' in terms of food and lodging, but I also have to act as a tool to help them solve their physiological needs from time to time. Only when it is late at night can I sneak into the courtyard to secretly practice the 'master's' swordsmanship."

"Fortunately, I have good talent. Even in this hellish environment, my swordsmanship surpassed my master's cultivation in a very short time, and I successfully chopped off the heads of everyone in the entire sword hall."

“In the fight against the Party, let alone the comrades at the middle and lower levels, even more than half of the cadres at the top are of humble origin like me.”

"I think you can see from this that we are by no means a loose association that can be easily destroyed! Rather, we are a disciplined, well-organized, and idealistic revolutionary group!"

After saying this in a passionate and impassioned tone, Rakshasa reached out his hand to Qingdeng again.

"Ju Qingdeng, we need you!"

"Intelligent and courageous, resourceful and exceptionally talented—you are exactly the kind of capable individual we desperately need!"

"If you are willing to submit, we will treat you with courtesy and entrust you with important responsibilities!"

"The Edo Shogunate is now a dilapidated house that is about to collapse. Just kick the door frame and it will crumble."

"Serving as an official in the shogunate right now is like living under a dilapidated house that could collapse at any moment."

"If you don't get out in time, you will only face the tragic fate of 'house destroyed and people killed'."

"Tachibana Seito, a talent as outstanding as you, who is one in ten years, has no need to die with the Edo Shogunate."

"The general trend of the times is already clear."

"With its direct advisors corrupt and incompetent, its finances in dire straits, and foreign powers closing in step by step, the Tokugawa family is showing clear signs of decline!"

"In less than 10 years, the 'Edo Shogunate' will become a historical term that people will remember."

"Since the defeat of the Edo Shogunate is inevitable, the most rational and pragmatic choice is to jump off this sinking ship as soon as possible and board the warship heading towards a new era!"

"We will surely destroy the Tokugawa family and achieve a great feat that will shake the world!"

"Come on, Aoto Tachibana! Join us!"

"Join us now, and one day you'll be as rich as a king, rise to the top in one step, and have a harem of wives and concubines—that's a given!"

When Luocha mentioned the phrase "having many wives and concubines," Qingdeng, who had been expressionless the whole time, twitched his eyebrows a few times.

*******

*******

I am unmoved by talk of money; I am enthusiastic when it comes to women. —Ju Qingdeng

Today was another day of trying to write 6000 words but unfortunately failing... But even so, I still managed to write over 5000 words today!

So, shamelessly asking for some monthly votes! Leopard is really trying his best to update! (crying leopard head.jpg)

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 442 Qing Deng Breakthrough! The Realm of "Momentum"! [5000]

Rakshasa was very eloquent, speaking fluently and wittily, with rich vocabulary. He must have used this rhetoric to win over others quite often.

At the very moment that Rakshasa finished speaking, both Sanako and Souji's expressions turned strange.

Immediately afterwards, they unconsciously glanced sideways at Qingdeng's expression.

Both Souji and Sanako knew very well that neither wealth nor power held much appeal for this man.

After all, he wasn't the kind of person who coveted money and power or loved vanity.

But having "a harem" is...

Sanako and Souji did not distrust Aoto.

However, given his behavior so far... it's hard not to have some doubts in their hearts.

As luck would have it... just as the two women's gazes focused on Qing Deng's face, they caught him raising his sharp, sword-like eyebrows slightly...

The two women were stunned by what they saw.

—Tachibana-kun, you…

Just as Sanako and Souji thought that Aoto, who was naturally lecherous, had been persuaded by the other party, they keenly noticed that there was a hint of impatience in Aoto's eyes.

"...What you said is really interesting."

Qingdeng spoke in a firm and measured tone, enunciating each word clearly:

"'Overthrow the Tokugawa family'? 'Down with the Edo Shogunate'? Your words are so passionate and inspiring."

"However, there is one thing I don't understand."

"You seem to call that red and purple pill, which looks particularly disgusting, 'phantom precipitate'."

"Since you harbor such lofty ambitions to pacify the world, why then do you sell such dangerous medicine to the common people? Do you intend to use this worthless medicine to overthrow the Edo Shogunate?"

Although Qing Deng's tone was calm, his words were full of strong provocation.

Luocha smiled slightly in response to Qingdeng's mockery.

"Of course, medicine alone cannot defeat the Edo Shogunate. However, it can greatly weaken the Shogunate's power and influence."

"I'm not at liberty to tell you the specific details."

"In short, spreading the illusions of the common people is an important part of our great cause of overthrowing the shogunate."

Qingdeng nodded slightly.

"I see, I understand now."

In short—you intend to 'exhaust the enemy to achieve victory'.

"Kanto was the center of the Edo Shogunate's rule; if Kanto fell, the Shogunate would perish."

"Spread this drug in Kanto, causing great harm to the people of Kanto, shaking the foundations of the shogunate's rule, and then, while the shogunate is busy trying to quell public resentment, you will seize the opportunity to rise up. Is that how it works?"

At this moment, Rakshasa, who sensed intense hostility from Qingdeng, gradually turned cold.

"...You can understand it that way."

"Ha, so after all this time, you really are terrorists who thrive on chaos."