"If there is anything you need my help with, just tell me, you're welcome."

"Now I'm facing off against people from Aizu and Kyoto!"

"I won't give up until the Shinsengumi becomes stronger!"

After Qingdeng heard this, he couldn't help but laugh.

This is indeed the style of Sanako, who has a strong self-esteem and a strong competitive spirit.

Although Sanako always has a calm demeanor on weekdays, there are times when she is far less calm than she appears on the outside.

Thinking of this, he ignored the slippery floor, sat down, crossed his knees, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Sanako.

"Sanako, don't worry, I have always had a very clear plan for the future of the Shinsengumi."

"But even without my reminding you, you should know: you have to eat your meal one bite at a time and walk the road step by step."

"Building an army is a complex task that cannot be ignored. It cannot be accomplished overnight with a few pats on the head."

Sanako was silent for a moment, then let out a long breath:

"Ji Jun, I understand what you said. But...if I don't do something within my power as soon as possible, I really can't swallow that sigh of relief."

Qingdeng smiled and put on a confident and firm tone:

"Sanako, don't be impatient. One day, we will open the eyes of Aizu and Kyoto people, those who once despised us!"

Having said this, he immediately seemed to have remembered something, paused, and then changed the subject:

"But, having said that...I really need your help with something now."

Sanako was stunned for a moment, and then confirmed with his eyes. This action naturally meant "please speak, I am all ears."

"Can you go out with me tomorrow?"

Before Sanako could ask a question, Qingden continued on his own:

"Know your enemy and yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger - I plan to conduct an in-depth investigation of the current situation in Kyoto."

…

…

At the same moment——

Kyoto, Satsuma Domain Residence——

In order to facilitate communication with the imperial court, three hundred princes would set up vassal residences with consulate functions in Kyoto, and send Zhouxuanfang and Gongfang to be permanently stationed in Kyoto.

[Note: Zhou Xuanfang: the diplomat stationed in Kyoto by the vassal state. Public servant: responsible for the official affairs between the vassal and the court, ministers and other vassals. 】

Satsuma Domain - As one of the oldest and most powerful vassal states, the structure and scale of its feudal residence are nothing short of impressive.

The black tone composed of black tiles and diamond-patterned walls exudes a solemn atmosphere.

The flag embroidered with the Shimazu family crest, the Maru Cross, stands high above the ground, overlooking Kyoto.

In a room adjacent to the corridor in the Satsuma Domain, a tall man with a thick neck sat casually on the tatami, crossed his legs, and poured the bait in his hand into his knees expressionlessly.

in a western-style fish tank.

Several goldfish in the tank rushed to eat the delicious food falling from the sky.

The joy of the goldfish and the silence of the giant man - the two form a very sharp contrast.

At this time, a young warrior with an ordinary appearance and a black mole on the right corner of his mouth walked quietly through the corridor, entered the room, took off the sword from his waist, and sat respectfully on the giant man's lap.

behind.

"Master Xixiang, I'm back."

The giant man called "Xixiang" stopped feeding the fish, and then spoke in a calm tone without sadness or joy:

"Murata-kun, welcome back, have you seen Tachibana Aoden?"

"Saw it."

"What does he look like?"

"He is six feet long, has a slender build, has good facial features, eyes that are like lightning, and is very heroic. He is indeed a hero."

Murata Shinpachi described what he saw and heard today in a concise and concise manner one by one.

Saigo Yoshinosuke listened quietly.

When Murata Shinpachi finished his story, he twitched the corners of his mouth and showed a strange expression that was half a smile but not a smile.

"On the day we entered Kyoto, did we directly challenge the lofty ideals of the whole city? Such heroic courage is indeed extraordinary."

After that, he casually threw away the goldfish bait in his hand, folded his arms, looked into the distance, and murmured to himself:

"It's hard to handle...The situation in Kyoto is already in chaos, and at this juncture, there is another difficult person to deal with..."

Suddenly, a slender warrior with a sword in his left hand slowly walked out of the shadows not far away.

"Sir Saigo, I have heard that Tachibana is an extremely skilled swordsman. Why don't you let me go meet him for a while?"

After saying that, he raised the thumb of his left hand holding the knife, put his fingertips against the tangent, and pulled the knife out of its sheath, revealing the tenon used to hold the sheath.

"...Kirino, put the knife back."

Saigo Kinnosuke squinted his eyes and directed his sharp arrow-like gaze at Kirino Tosaki.

"How many times have I told you? Plan before you act."

"Especially during this special period when the situation is still very chaotic, we cannot act rashly."

"Tachibana Aoden was a close confidant of Tokugawa Iemo, and he was also a general who guarded the border for the shogunate."

"He is the same as Matsudaira Yongho. Their existence itself represents the face and interests of the shogunate."

"To fall out with Tachibana Aoden is tantamount to going against the shogunate with all the bells and drums."

"This will put Satsuma into an irreversible dilemma."

"Therefore, no one is allowed to cause trouble for the Shinsengumi without my permission."

Kirino Toshiaki smacked his lips and put the tenon of the blade back into the sheath with a look of regret on his face.

"What a pity... I really want to test it myself to see if that Nioh is really as powerful as the legend says."

After that, he sat back down.

At this time, Murata Shinpachi asked:

"Master Saigo, according to what you see, what should we do next?"

"...It's still the same as before - stand still and continue to wait and see."

As Saigo Kinosuke spoke, he stood up and walked to the corridor outside the room. He crossed his hands and put them into Haori's sleeves, and raised his head to face the inky night sky.

"The imperial court is now controlled by the ministers of the Choshu faction headed by Sanjo Sanimi."

"They suppressed the emperor's voice as they pleased."

"They even used the name of the emperor to issue false edicts that were beneficial to them."

"Changzhou has taken advantage of the emperor to command the princes."

"In addition, Changzhou is full of talented people."

"Takasugi Shinsaku, Katsura Kogoro, Hisasaka Genzui, Kawagami Hikosai and other patriots from the Choshu family are all heroes who cannot be underestimated."

"Changzhou is a tough nut to crack - and so is the shogunate."

"Although the authority of the shogunate has been completely lost in a series of incidents such as the 'Black Ship Incident', the 'Sakurada Gate Incident', and the 'Sakashita Gate Incident', it still occupies a quarter of Japan.

The behemoth.”

"It occupies the fertile Kanto Plain, which is thousands of miles away. It is surrounded by vassals and clans around it. It has strong passes that are easy to defend but difficult to attack. It has capable ministers headed by Sheng Rintaro, and generals who are still young but have the air of a wise king."

"Right now, the shogunate has deployed two armies to Kyoto to perform their respective duties."

"The Aizu Army is an elite force that is both loyal and brave. The leader of it, Matsudaira Yoshiho, is a famous king with extraordinary magnanimity."

"As for the Shinsengumi...it is true that the current Shinsengumi does not have considerable strength, but its leader is the Nioh who has repeatedly performed miracles - this alone is enough to keep us energetic.

"

"In the hands of that man, it is not surprising that the Shinsengumi will undergo any changes."

"In addition to the shogunate and Choshu, other factional forces such as the Tosa Kin nobility party led by Takechi Hanheita are also targets that need to be more careful about."

"Not to mention there are also mysterious organizations hidden under the undercurrent such as the Fa Zhu Party and the Great Salt Party. They live with the shadows, watch with eager eyes, and are ready to join the trend of the times at any time."

"Now is not the time for us to place our bets."

"We might as well continue to wait and see for a while."

"Wait until the situation changes significantly and the situation becomes clear, and then we can make corresponding arrangements."

"Anyway, we have abundant funds, a strong army, plenty of time, and the capital to sit back and watch the fight between tigers and tigers."

Speaking of this, Saigo Kinnosuke turned around leisurely and looked at Murata Shinpachi and Kirino Toshiaki with a meaningful smile on his face.
To be continued...