“The Gion Matsuri is the largest and grandest festival in Kyoto, and its popularity goes without saying.”

“Especially when the ‘Shanboko Parade’ is held, people flock to the streets to admire the exquisite hokocars.”

"When speculating on the intentions of the patriots, if we take 'destroy Kyoto and make the shogunate miserable' as the premise, it is not difficult to find that 'taking action while the Gion Festival is being held' is their best choice."

"If I were a person who respected people with lofty ideals, I would definitely use the 'fire attack'."

"A simple fire can cause a city or town to suffer a devastating blow. There is no more effective method than this."

"I will choose to light a fire upwind when the people are attending the festival, and use the power of Zhurong to destroy Kyoto."

"At the Gion Festival, the streets are deserted, sparks are flying, pillars of flame are rising... the next scene is up to your imagination."

Shintaro Tojo has finished speaking.

It became extremely quiet inside and outside the banquet hall, and you could hear a pin drop.

Qingden lowered his eyelids and gaze, staring at the map of Kyoto in front of his knees without blinking, with a thoughtful look on his face.

As for Shannan Keisuke and the others, they looked at each other in confusion and looked at each other - they all saw strong looks of horror on each other's faces.

"This, how is this possible..."

Shannan Keisuke was the first to break the silence.

I saw him with a sullen face and an ashen complexion.

"Burn Kyoto...and do it while the Gion Festival is being held...this, this..."

"Even if they are unreasonable lunatics, such a thing is..."

Shannan Keisuke couldn't talk any more.

He pursed his lips, and his cheeks were full of astonishment and disbelief.

On the side, Nagakura Shinpachi and Harada Sanosuke also clenched their fists with solemn expressions on their faces.

Even Sanosuke Harada, who has no brain, knows how terrifying the scenes that Tojo Shintaro just painted will be.

Needless to say, "yamaboko patrol".

As the climax of the Gion Festival, when the hokocar drives on the streets, the streets on both sides are absolutely packed with people.

Even when there is no Yamaboko to see, the streets are full of people celebrating the Gion Festival.

Every night, many vendors will set up stalls in Monzen Town, selling grilled squid, grilled eel and other snacks, or providing games such as pot throwing and archery.

[Note: Monzenmachi: the neighborhood formed in front of a shrine or temple]

Town residents dressed in yukata went to the neighboring Monzen Town in small groups, laughing and playing, which was particularly lively.

By then, if the patriots really plan to burn down Kyoto... there is no doubt that this will lead to an extremely horrific tragedy!

Let’s not put aside the destruction caused by the flames to the town.

When the fire suddenly ignites and lights up the sky, panic is bound to spread like a plague!

It’s no joke if panic spreads based on the amount of people visiting the Gion Festival!

Just imagine -

In the crowded streets, Zhu Rong was wreaking havoc, people were screaming, pushing, howling, and trampling...

Just imagining this picture makes one's teeth tremble!

It has nothing to do with the camp, nothing to do with the position... Even if they only think about it as a "normal person", Shannan Keisuke and others cannot believe that the lofty ideals would not hesitate to cause such a heartbreaking human tragedy in order to attack the shogunate!

"...To be honest, I can't believe it either."

Suddenly, Qingdeng spoke.

“However, it is a good virtue for a leader to be pessimistic at all times.”

"I think Mr. Dongcheng's aim is not without purpose."

"His opinions are very informative."

"In fact, after combining all the currently known intelligence, I am also guessing that the patriots plan to launch a large-scale, hair-raising terrorist operation in the near future."

"In this way, it can be connected with the intelligence we have recently received that 'a large number of unknown people are entering and exiting Ikeda House' and 'Miyabe Daizo sneaked back to Kyoto'."

“It’s better to ‘prepare for a rainy day’ than to ‘dig a well when thirsty’.”

Shannan Jingzhu heard this and nodded gently:

"...Well, Tachibana-kun, you are right."

Qingto raised his eyes and looked at Nagakura Shinpachi.

"Quan Xin, this month it happens to be the turn of the second and fourth divisions to patrol Kyoto."

"You guys have to cheer up."

"Once criminals are discovered or an emergency occurs, there is no need to ask Otsu for instructions. You can judge and act on your own."

Nagakura Shinpachi sat up straight and said seriously:

"Yes! Mr. Tachibana, please rest assured that I, Xinba, will fulfill my mission!"

At this time, Shintaro Tojo seemed to have remembered something interesting and chuckled a few times.

Nagakura Shinpachi thought the other party was making fun of him, so he frowned slightly and asked with an unhappy expression:

"Mr. Dongcheng, may I ask what you are laughing at?"

Shintaro Tojo, who knew that there was a misunderstanding, quickly clarified:

"Sorry, I just suddenly thought: The Gion Festival in Kyoto is really a disaster."

"It is said that during the Kansei period 70 years ago, a group of criminals also planned to turn Kyoto into a hell on earth while the Gion Festival was being held."

"Fortunately, the 'Eternal Sword Master' Ogata Ittosai and another righteous man stepped forward and worked together to defeat the other party's conspiracy, which saved Kyoto."

"Unexpectedly...after 70 years, history has repeated itself."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shannan Keisuke smiled helplessly:

"'Ogata Ittosai and the anonymous men secretly saved Kyoto'... I have also heard this story, but it is just an unofficial rumor and cannot be considered true."

Dongcheng Shintaro spread his hands:

"Although rumors of unofficial histories are always fabricated,... the protagonist of this unofficial history is none other than Ogata Ittosai."

"That being the case, no matter how bizarre and incredible the story is, it might be true."

Shannan Keisuke wanted to say something else, but Qingto jumped in first:

"Okay, let's stop this topic for now."

"After all, this happened more than 70 years ago."

"No one can tell whether it is true or false."

"In my opinion, this kind of 'awesomeness' of not knowing the truth is the unique charm of these legends and stories."

"Let's get back to the topic now."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Your Highness, apart from the 'unusual movement at Ikeda House', are there any other movements among the patriots in Kyoto?"

"Of course I have. If I were to explain it in detail, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to explain it all in one night. Jingsuke."

After hearing Qingdeng's call, Shannan Jingzhu leaned down and pointed at the map with his finger.

"Mr. Dongcheng, please look here..."

…

…

Compared with those rotten officials who steal their seats and eat their own meals, Shintaro Tojo is considered a very conscientious official.

The day after arriving in Kyoto, he quickly took up his post and devoted himself to his work.

His official office...that is, the official office of the Kyoto Director, was located on Shichijo-dori west of the Kamogawa River, adjacent to Nishi Honganji Temple.

For this new government office, the people in Kyoto used to call it the "banned government office".

The public security in Edo was far from the level where the sea was clear and the houses were open at night. Naturally, it was unable to mobilize too many criminal investigation talents to rush to Kyoto.

Therefore, when he went to Beijing to take up a post this time, Shintaro Tojo did not bring many subordinates along with him.

Although he cannot be said to be a "splendid commander", his team is indeed pitifully small, with only two or three subordinates who can be commanded at will, which is very inconsistent with his famous name as Director of Kyoto.

In any case, Tojo Shintaro is now considered to be Qingto's direct subordinate.

His subordinates were living in such a miserable state, and even as the boss, he was disgraced.

Therefore, Seito specially selected a few young men from the Shinsengumi who were strong in physical strength, agile in hands and feet, and bright in mind, and ordered them to assist Tojo Shintaro as "riders".

Although these people have absolutely no knowledge about criminal investigation, it is no problem to move things, run errands, and work hard.

In this way, with the help of Qingdeng, the framework of the banned government was temporarily put up.
To be continued...