I formed the strongest swordsman group

That night——

Edo, a certain restaurant——

In order to celebrate Qingdeng's victory in this swordsmanship competition, following the "Red and White Battle" of the "Plum Blossom Festival", Zhou Zhu generously donated money again, and booked a room in a certain restaurant, and held a lively event. Celebration banquet.

Anyway, it was Zhou who helped him pay the bill. Everyone let go of their stomachs to eat, let go of their stomachs to drink, and put down their airs to have fun together.

The toasts are interlaced, so it's very lively.

Qingdeng has been very busy recently, and the attack on the "radical anti-barbarian faction" is still in full swing, so the business affairs seem to be endless. It is indeed quite a long time to solve one business case and another business case. Didn't relax well.

Therefore, tonight, Qingdeng took off all the burdens for the time being, completely emptied his head, and messed around with Kondo and Hijikata's brothers.

Hijikata's alcohol capacity is excellent, and after drinking a few cups of sake, except for a slight flush on his cheeks, everything else is as usual.

When the atmosphere of the celebration banquet became extremely jubilant and lively, the local party proposed to invite some geisha to add to the fun.

Geisha are female performers who sell their skills but not their bodies.

Of course—their "sell your art but not your body" is just a nice way of saying it.

At the very beginning, geishas were indeed performing arts but not their bodies.

But no industry can stop the volume of practitioners!

The geishas who kept rolling each other finally crossed the bottom line - while performing talents for the employers, they also showed other talents that cannot be described in detail.

After someone breaks through this bottom line, naturally more and more geishas follow suit in order to earn a better living.

In the end, in this uninterrupted industry competition, those geishas who "produce art without selling their body" find it difficult to compete with their counterparts who "produce both art and body", and their living soil is increasingly crowded out.

Therefore, in order to survive, many geisha were forced to let go of the last bit of restraint and dignity as an artist, and began to play the piano with their left hand and undress their employees with their right hand.

To this day, those geishas who still have the means to insist on "selling art but not selling themselves" are almost all big star figures who have money and may not be able to invite them to perform.

After all, only those big stars who are either extremely talented or beautiful have the confidence to insist on the bottom line of "never sell themselves".

Because geisha are now basically taking the route of "selling art and selling themselves", the overall employment fee has become much more expensive.

Sitting on the main seat, Zhou Zhu silently took out the money bag in his arms with careful movements, glanced at the savings in the money bag, and solemnly put the money bag back into his arms with an upright expression.

"Tufang, people who practice martial arts, don't be too obsessed with beauty."

"Those who are obsessed with beauty are often listless and lack of energy and blood, which is extremely harmful to the cultivation of martial arts."

...

Zhou Zhu chattered and beeped and started a long speech on Tufang.

He talked so much in a long way, but the central idea was just one sentence - let's eat and drink tonight, geisha or something, wait until next time.

"Hmm...why is there no wine..." Okita, who was sitting next to Qingdeng, grabbed the wine bottle beside his dining table, and vigorously shook the empty bottle a few times.

"Okita-kun, you can't drink any more." Qingdeng, who was also a little drunk at this time, snatched the wine bottle from Okita's hand, and snatched the wine glass from Okita's table by the way, "A not Pay attention, you are so drunk... Hey, are you still sane?"

Qingdeng waved his hands vigorously in front of Okita.

Okita, who can't drink very much, now his face is so red that it seems that dark red blood is about to drip out at any moment, his eyes are half-closed, and his eyes are chaotic.

He glanced at Qingdeng who was waving his hands vigorously in front of his face, and then spread his smile, showing a bright smile to Qingdeng with both eyes bent into crescent moons.

"Mr. Ju... You have performed very handsomely in the competition these two days... You have passed all the tests, no one can beat you..."

Well, I can still speak human language normally, it seems that I am not too drunk... After confirming that Okita is not so drunk that he can't even speak clearly, Qingdeng nodded in relief.

Since Qingdeng banned alcohol consumption, Okita simply replaced wine with soup.

"Hehehe..." Okita picked up the miso soup on the dining table with both hands, took a sip, and said happily, "Tachibana-kun won this competition... the apprentices who come to our test hall to study in the future should also Can become more..."

The previous big victory in the "Red and White Battle" at the "Plum Blossom Festival" successfully made them gain a lot of fame in the Weiwei Hall. From that day on, the number of apprentices who came to them to study because of hearing the name of their test hall has increased a lot.

Today, Qingdeng, who successfully won the championship in this high-profile and grand-scale swordsmanship competition, is bound to further increase the reputation of their guarding hall.

It's not hard to imagine—the number of apprentices who will come to the test hall to study in the future will definitely increase further!

No sooner had Chong Tian exhausted his murmurs than Zhou Zhuchang, who was on the main seat, sighed, and then echoed:

"Hohohoho, it's been a long time since the trial health hall was established, and now it's finally time for us to turn around."

Hijikata, who was sitting side by side with Kondo, stopped the hand that was passing the wine glass to his lips after hearing these two words of emotion from Okita and Shusuke.

He raised his gaze, glanced at Shusuke, then at Kondo next to him, and then silently put the wine glass in his hand back on the table.

"...Since we mentioned the health testing hall... then this is a rare opportunity. Master, Asheng, I have some opinions on the current operation of the health testing hall. Are you interested in hearing it now?"

"Huh?" Kondo squinted his eyes and looked at Hijikata, "An opinion? What opinion?"

While putting the chopsticks in his right hand back on the dining table, Tufang cleared his throat: "About how to further expand our testing hall...I suddenly thought of a new idea recently."

"Oh?" Zhou Zhu's eyes flashed with interest, he looked straight at Tufang, and gestured for Tufang to continue talking.

And the rest of the people at the banquet, including Qingdeng, also stopped their work one after another, and focused their curious and doubtful eyes on Tufang.

Everyone was looking at him, and Tufang didn't show any stage fright at all. After stuffing a peanut into his mouth, he said unhurriedly:

"I'll just get straight to the point."

"Let's try to recruit some well-known warriors as disciples or diners of the test guard hall."

As soon as the earth side said this, all the people at the banquet immediately showed puzzled faces.

"A Sui." Kondo put down the bowls and chopsticks in his hands, turned around, and faced Hijikata, his face was full of doubts, "What do you mean? Why do you want to try to accept a certain famous samurai as our disciples or diners?" ?”

Hijikata seemed to have expected Kondo to ask him this question a long time ago, and he folded his hands around his chest, showing a confident look.

"It's something I've come across recently."

"Just a few days ago, I chatted with some newcomers in the library because I was bored."

"When chatting with these newcomers, I learned from them that they all chose to learn swords here because they were attracted by Ju's name."

Having said that, Tufang turned his attention to Qingdeng.

"Tachibana is now a celebrity in Edo. I expected that some people would come to the Sanwei Hall because they were attracted by Qingdeng's name."

"But after chatting with those newcomers, I suddenly realized that the number of people in this group seems to be much larger than I expected before."

"So, with a playful attitude, I launched a serious investigation, and wanted to find out how many people entered the test hall because of Qingdeng."

"The survey results surprised me: a considerable number of people decided to come to the trial guard hall to practice swordsmanship because they heard that the "Beifansuo Xiaotiangu" who had recently gained a reputation and made outstanding achievements was taught here."

"After finding out this fact, a new inspiration came to my mind."

"A sword gym, if there are well-known disciples or diners, then it can have a strong 'attraction' to others."

"People can't help but wonder: What is the ability of this sword gym to recruit so many famous people, so they become interested in this sword gym."

"This is similar to the fact that after the oiran in Yoshiwara uses the accessories or cosmetics of which merchant, it often causes women to go crazy buying these accessories and cosmetics."

"So, I think——if we manage to accept such famous warriors as disciples or diners in the hall, it will definitely be of great benefit to the future development and growth of our test guard hall!"

Hijikata's eloquence is quite good, and with just these simple words, everyone can understand his proposition.

Qingdeng already understood what the Tufang meant when the explanation was only halfway through just now—to put it simply, it is to use the "celebrity effect" to expand the reputation of the testing hall, so as to attract more people to come Try the guard hall to learn swords.

Zhou Zhu raised his hand, smacked his lips, and stroked his smooth chin: "Well... Tufang, I understand what you said."

"But ah..."

While Zhou Zhu changed the subject, a wry smile appeared on his face.

"Finding ways to take famous samurai as apprentices or patrons...that's easier said than done."

"Why do those celebrities come to be the disciples or diners of our test guard?"

"To put it bluntly, it's a bit harsh... Our Weiwei Hall has not completely washed away the stigma of 'Taro Dojo'."

"Currently, there are sword halls in Edo that are more attractive than our guard hall. I can't count them with two hands."

"Besides, it's easy to talk about disciples, but for diners...our current financial resources are not strong enough to support many diners."

"Raising diners is very expensive. A diner's food expenses for a month is not a small sum..."

Although it has always been popular in the sword halls in the Edo period to hire diners who send food in the hall and help out, the high cost of supporting diners has always kept the number of sword halls with diners in the minority.

At this moment, Tufang interjected and asked, "How many diners can our test guard hall support?"

"Hmm..." Zhou Zhu looked thoughtful, and rubbed his chin a little harder, "Compared with the past, our recent income has been much better, but if we pay our bills, at most... we can only support 2, 3 people."

"2 or 3 people..." Tu Fang frowned, it seemed that the number of people was slightly different from his expectation.

According to Zhou Zhu's statement, it is not difficult to see that he is not particularly optimistic about the plan of "using the 'celebrity effect' to expand the testing hall".

But at this time, Kondo, who had been silent just now, suddenly said:

"...Father, I think the plan that Ah Sui conceived... may not be impossible to try!"

Kondo straightened his back, and continued to speak to Zhou Zhu with a straight face:

"Just like what Ah Sui said just now—if we can successfully recruit some celebrities as members of our testing hall, then this will indeed be quite beneficial to the future development and growth of our testing hall!"

"With these benefits alone, I think it is enough to give this plan a try!"

"That's the truth..." Zhou Zhu sighed, "But I said it just now, right? Why should those famous people be the disciples or diners of our 'taro dojo'?"

Kondo can be said to be tit for tat. As soon as Zhou Zhu finished speaking, he immediately responded without hesitation:

"If we can't find celebrities who are willing to join us...then we have nothing to lose."

Kondo laughed.

"If we can successfully recruit some celebrities, then we will make a lot of money."

"But if there are no celebrities willing to come to the door, we have nothing to lose."

Seeing that Kondo favored this plan so much, Zhou Zhu raised his eyebrows vigorously.

After being silent for a while, Zhou Zhu sighed helplessly:

"...Okay, since you want to try, then go ahead and do it."

"Now you can be regarded as the half-head of the Kondo family and the test hall."

"Anyway, in a few years, I will retire completely, and hand over the head of the Natural Lixin Liuzong family and the test 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 Zhou Zhu as "thank you".

And he was also very happy that the plan he had imagined was approved.

Okita, whose drunkenness has eased a little now, asked Kondo, Hijikata and the others:

"Then... where are we going to find that kind of famous celebrity in the future?"

Okita asked a crucial question to the point.

"...I can only look for fate and find it slowly." Kondo laughed a few times, "It's unrealistic to find that kind of famous person who is famous all over the world."

"This kind of big Buddha, even our small testing hall can't afford it."

"So keep your feet on the ground and take your time."

"At this stage, I plan to try to recruit the kind of people who are only slightly famous in the city of Edo."

Kondo's voice paused at this moment, and after pursing his lips, he let out a low self-deprecating laugh:

"However, it's not so easy to find this kind of person who can be famous in Edo..."

"Even if we find them, it's not that easy to get them to join our testing hall."

"Oh..." Okita nodded solemnly, then folded his arms around his chest, and pursed his lips in thought.

Because Okita has slender arms and legs, after he made this kind of arms-folding action, he didn't feel a sense of majesty, it only made people feel that Okita had become smaller.

"Someone who is famous in Edo... I don't think I know such a person..." Okita muttered.

Hearing Okita's mumble, Qingdeng beside him couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth, and secretly said in an annoyed tone:

——You are an otaku, if you know some famous people, you will be a ghost!

As early as when he first boarded in the test guard hall, Qingdeng discovered that Chong Tian is really a tight-knit nerd.

On weekdays, one does not step outside the gate.

24 hours a day, he spends 24 hours in the testing hall.

Occasionally go out, either to supplement the essential "strategic resources" he needs to maintain his daily survival: Jinpingtang, or because he is hungry and wants to go to the tea houses or snack shops he often goes to eat sweets dessert.

Okita's social circle is basically limited to a corner of the test hall. The only frequent friends are Qingdeng, Kondo, and Hijikata.

If Okita knew any famous Edo people, then Qingdeng would really be stabbed in the ass with a knife--opened his eyes.

"Okay, these business matters, let's think about it later." Qingdeng put the sticky fish on his plate that he hadn't touched because he didn't like it, but Chongtian loved it very much, and put it in Chongtian's bowl , "Let's eat well now and have fun. Come, this fish is for you..."

"ah!"

Before Qingdeng finished speaking, Okita interrupted Qingdeng's words with an "ah", then he suddenly raised his head as if he suddenly remembered something.

"I almost missed it subconsciously... Isn't there just sitting here a person who is very likely to know some famous person?"

Okita turned his face away, and showed a big smile towards Qingdeng...

"Mr. Tangerine!"

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

"An official like you who works in the "three times" of the enforcement office must have some contacts, right?"

"Do you know someone who is famous in Edo?"

"Huh?" Qing Deng was startled.

Now Qingdeng, who had never expected that Okita would ask him such a question, looked pensive.

Networks... Qingdeng, as the "Three Backs" Tongxin of the Beifan Law Office, who is in charge of handling all kinds of criminal cases, naturally has some connections.

But these contacts of his are basically colleagues who are also "Fenggong people of the enforcement office".

Among all the acquaintances, the only one who can be called a celebrity... seems to be Katsu Rintaro, who he just saved his life in the Fangshu Institute a while ago.

But Katsu Rintaro, a political celebrity who is busy with various government affairs every day, how can he be a disciple or a diner of their test guard?

After careful consideration, Qing Deng, who didn't think of any suitable candidate, smiled wryly and shook his head.

"Sorry, I don't know what...huh?"

Qingdeng's voice suddenly stopped at this moment.

Because at this moment, Qingdeng suddenly recalled that besides Katsu Rintaro, he also knew other celebrities.

The number is still quite a lot, there are 3 people.

Although these three people are completely incomparable with people like Katsu Rintaro, who are famous all over the world, the three of them do have a certain reputation in Edo at present.

And, more importantly—according to Qingdeng's judgment, these three people are very likely to be willing to be disciples or diners of the test guard hall!

"...I really know the kind of people who are famous in Edo now... I know three of them."

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

"Kondo-kun, if you are willing... I can bring them here tomorrow."

...

...

the next day—

In order to be able to participate in the Marquis of Aizu's swordsmanship competition, Qingdeng invited Susui to take two days off the day before yesterday and yesterday.

Now that the swordsmanship competition has come to a successful conclusion, Qingdeng naturally returned to his social life of being busy with various official duties.

Huofu Thief Kai is indeed a special armed force that is responsible for handling all kinds of major cases and vicious criminals.

After they were transferred by the shogunate to assist in the implementation of the "radical anti-barbarian faction" they were dealing with in Edo, the burden on Qingdeng's shoulders was instantly relieved a lot.

With the assistance of Huofu Thief Gai, the enforcement office has recently cracked down on the "radical anti-barbarian faction" with fruitful results. A large number of thugs who committed brutal acts under the guise of "anti-barbarian" were brought to justice. The arrogance of the "radical anti-barbarian faction" Got strong pressure.

But it's a pity... the Kobari group, which was listed as a key target by the shogunate, is still at large.

The extreme lack of intelligence made it difficult for the enforcement office and Huofu bandits to find the stronghold of the barbarian group and the location of important figures.

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

Because of Huofu Thief Changing, this new force has helped reduce the workload, so Qingdeng and the others no longer have to be as busy every day as they were when the "Chang outside the Sakurada Gate" happened. Completely disordered, they have gradually returned to their normal work rhythm recently, and they can commute to and from work on time as before.

Just like today, after the sky was just stained with the unique orange light at dusk, Qing Deng, who had successfully completed all his duties for the day, left work very punctually.

In the past, when Qingdeng got off work, he only had his bodyguard Saito with him.

But today is a little different - when he left Beifansuo today, besides Saito, there were 3 more figures beside him!

Qingdeng led them, and the group returned to the testing hall in a swaggering manner.

"Oh...Mr. Tachibana, you usually live here." Harada carried his love gun on his shoulders, and looked at the gate of the test hall with great interest.

"The gate has been scrubbed very clean... this sword hall is well maintained on weekdays." Yongcang muttered solemnly while looking at the gate of the guarding hall.

"Ah..." Fujido let out a low exclamation at this time, and then raised his hand to scratch his hair with shame on his face, "I almost forgot, we came to the door empty-handed like this...wouldn't it be bad?"

"It's okay, it's okay." Qingdeng waved his hand at Tododo, "Kondo-kun and the others won't care about such a trivial matter. Okay, come in quickly."

Qingdeng took Saito and his three subordinates into the testing hall.

As soon as he passed through the gate of the testing hall, Qingdeng shouted to the inside of the hall with ease: "We are back!"

As soon as Qingdeng said "We're back", a sound of footsteps came from far and near.

Immediately afterwards, Qingdeng saw the bamboo sword in his hand, sweating profusely. It should be Chong Tian who was practicing sword just now.

"Tachibana-kun, Saito-kun, you're back!" Okita showed his trademark bright smile towards Qingdeng and Saito, and then he cast his eyes on Nagakura Shinpachi and Harada standing behind Qingdeng Zuo Nosuke and Fujido Hirasuke.

"Tachibana-kun." Okita cautiously asked Qingdeng in a tone of suppressed anticipation, "These three are Yongcang-kun, Harada-kun and Fujido-kun, right?"

Qingdeng smiled and nodded: "Well, yes. I will bring Yongcang and the others here according to the agreement last night."

...

...

More than half a month ago, the "Battle of the Fanshu Institute" not only further increased Qingdeng's reputation, but also caused Yongcang and others who rushed into the Fanshu Institute with Qingdeng at that time to follow suit gained fame.

Whether it's in the government or in the market, many people now know that Ju Qingdeng, the "Little Tengu of Beifansuo", has recently recruited 3 extremely powerful Oka Yin!

The reason why Qingdeng can get the reputation of "the strongest martial arts faction in Beifan" is also thanks to the support of Yongcang and the others.

Some good-natured people even spread the rumor that the comprehensive combat power of the team led by Qingdeng probably surpassed the total combat power of the other "three-time" teams in the two major stations of the South and the North!

Although in terms of fame, the Yongcang trio are far from the title of "celebrity".

However, the three of them are now indeed well-known in Edo because of the "Battle of Tibetan Book Tiaosuo".

Therefore, Qingdeng made an agreement with Kondo and the others last night—to bring all three of his subordinates here today!

*****

*****

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