I formed the strongest swordsman group

Qinjin Domain, Otsu, Hijikata Residence——

“Come on! Tachibana, don’t be polite, sit anywhere! Just treat it as your own home!”

As he said this, Hijikata Toshizo, wearing a loose yukata, sat down on the tatami, leaning on his elbows and supporting his knees, looking as casual as he could be, and his posture as comfortable as he could be.

“Even if you didn’t say that, I wouldn’t be polite.”

Half-jokingly, Qing Deng also imitated Hijikata Toshizo and sat cross-legged leisurely.

On the surface, Hijikata Toshizo always looked very unremarkable, laughing, scolding, and being willful and arbitrary.

But in fact, he was quite thoughtful.

Whenever he was in public with outsiders present, he would play the role of “Vice-Chairman of the Shinsengumi” and “Kinjin Domain Elder” well, and would never behave in a way that was not in line with his identity and status because of his close relationship with Qing Deng.

Throughout the ages, the reason why "brothers work together to start a business" is always tied to "brothers quarreling" is that there are always people who still regard the other party as a "good brother" after the good brother has risen to prominence, which leads to tragedy.

To this day, although Qing Deng and Hijikata Toshizo are still close "friends", they are also "kings and ministers" and "generals".

Hijikata Toshizo sees the relationship between himself and Qing Deng very clearly and will never confuse his position - and this is one of the important reasons why he can still drink and talk happily with Qing Deng until now.

Of course, in private, they don't have to follow these twists and turns.

If there are no outsiders present, their relationship will return to the purest friendship between relatives and friends - Hijikata Toshizo is Souji's sworn brother, so he is also one of Qing Deng's many brothers-in-law.

"Tetsunosuke! Bring tea..."

Before Hijikata Toshizo finished his words, a handsome boy trotted in front of him - he held a tea tray with two cups of hot tea in his hand.

"My Lord, my Lord, please have some tea!"

Shota said loudly, taking two cups of hot tea from the tea tray with steady movements and handing them to the knees of Qing Deng and Hijikata Toshizo respectively.

Looking at the quick-handed Shota who brought the tea without waiting for orders, Hijikata Toshizo was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly and cast an admiring look at him.

"Well, Tetsunosuke, thank you for your hard work, you can leave first. I have a small meeting with Tachibana."

"Yes!"

The Shota, who was called "Tetsunosuke", lowered his upper body, put three fingers on the ground, and saluted Qing Deng and Hijikata Toshizo respectfully.

"My Lord, my Lord, I will take my leave first!"

After saying that, he lifted the hem of his hakama, stood up and left.

Qing Deng raised his eyes and watched his back.

After the footsteps faded away, Qing Deng retracted his gaze and looked at Hijikata Toshizo, smiling slightly:

"Ichimura-kun is getting smarter and smarter."

Hijikata Toshizo smiled, with a hint of pride on his face:

"Of course, after all, I picked him at first sight!"

Ichimura Tetsunosuke - the real name of the boy just now, born in the first year of Ansei (1854), exactly 10 years old this year, and even his forehead hair has not been shaved yet.

As Hijikata Toshizo just said, this boy is now his nickname.

Before this, Hijikata Toshizo had never taken a nickname and always kept to himself.

As to why he established a monarch-subject relationship with the other party for the first time, the process is quite interesting.

It was the result of various coincidences.

Like most people with aspirations, Ichimura Tetsunosuke and his brother Ichimura Tatsunosuke had long been full of admiration for the invincible Shinsengumi.

Therefore, when the "big conscription" began at the beginning of this year, the brothers rushed to apply for the army.

His elder brother passed the test successfully, but he...

Although the "big conscription" did not set a specific age limit, it was not a critical moment when "all the men died and only children could be sent to the battlefield". The "conscription office" of the Shinsengumi would never recruit 10-year-old children as soldiers.

"Little brother, you are not even as tall as a katana now. The battlefield is not a good place for you. Wait until you grow up a little bit before you apply for the army."

In the face of the conscription officer's polite refusal, Ichimura Tetsunosuke did not agree.

He looked sad and angry, raised his head, and shouted loudly:

"Aren't you Shinsengumi going to recruit heroes from all over the world? Then why do you abandon the real heroes?"

His bold words happened to be heard by Hijikata Toshizo who happened to pass by.

Looking at this small guy with a big voice, Hijikata Toshizo was happy.

He crossed his arms over his chest, swaggered over and asked:

"Boy, what's your name?"

Faced with this strange uncle (?) who suddenly appeared and had a unique temperament, although Ichimura Tetsunosuke was startled, he still stiffened his neck and pretended to be calm and introduced himself:

"My name is Ichimura Tetsunosuke!"

Hijikata Toshizo pulled the corner of his mouth:

"You are interesting. You dare to shout such ignorant words in front of the Shinsengumi."

"Uncle, who are you?"

"Uncle...?! Tsk, well, considering the age difference between you and me, it doesn't matter if you call me 'uncle'. I am Hijikata Toshizo, the 'Demon Vice Captain' of the Shinsengumi. Please teach me."

"'Demon Vice Captain'...?!"

Ichimura Tetsunosuke, who was still passionate a second ago, was like a deflated ball in this second. His expression changed drastically, his eyes opened wide, and his face was full of disbelief.

Hijikata Toshizo continued the conversation in a gloomy voice:

"Although we can't let children go to the battlefield, but...how about this, you become my alias! In this way, you can also become a member of the Shinsengumi."

"A, alias...?!"

As soon as these words came out, Ichimura Tetsunosuke immediately looked embarrassed.

"What? Are you not happy? I'll be frank with you, I gave you a very precious opportunity, I don't know how many people want to be my alias, but they don't have that chance yet."

Facing the sharp gaze of Hijikata Toshizo, Ichimura Tetsunosuke lowered his head aggrievedly and said weakly to his toes:

"Even if you are Hijikata Toshizo, I don't want to be your Kosaka Masanobu..."

Kosaka Masanobu - the alias of Takeda Shingen, the typical person who sold his bright future by selling ditches.

Hijikata Toshizo was stunned for a moment, and then he showed a rare expression of exasperation:

"Who said I want you to be Kosaka Masanobu! Don't worry! I'm not Takeda Shingen! I don't have that kind of hobby! Do you want to be my nephew? Give me a definite answer! I'm busy!"

Finally, after a fierce ideological struggle, Ichimura Tetsunosuke nodded with difficulty, and became Hijikata Toshizo's nephew, responsible for taking care of his daily life.

When it was learned that Hijikata Toshizo actually accepted a 10-year-old boy as his nephew, a large wave of discussion broke out in the Shinsengumi for a while.

From the generals to the ordinary soldiers, everyone participated:

"That 'Demon's Vice-Captain' actually has such an interest..."

"Isn't this kind of thing very normal? What's the fuss?"

"I didn't expect that the 'Demon's Vice-Captain' would also favor Zhongdao...If there is a chance, I must have a good exchange with him!"

...

There are countless similar remarks.

In fact, it is not surprising that everyone is like this.

Although the original meaning of "小surname" is just a personal attendant, but...

The things that Oda Nobunaga and Mori Ranmaru, Takeda Shingen and Kosaka Masanobu... these people have done have made the term "小surname" no longer pure.

After learning that Hijikata Toshizo, who had always been alone, suddenly recruited a beautiful-looking Xiaoxing, it is really hard not to have strange associations...

And Hijikata Toshizo happened to be a guy with a "numerous criminal record".

After thinking about his romantic nature of flirting with women, it feels that it is not surprising that he can do anything!

Everyone talked about it... On the other hand, those who are familiar with Hijikata Toshizo - such as Qing Deng, Souji, and Kondo Isami - are all very calm.

Because they know Hijikata Toshizo very well, they all know in their hearts: Hijikata Toshizo is a straight man! He will not do anything about Zhongdao!

Besides, Hijikata Toshizo is definitely not the kind of person who would attack a child.

If he were such a scum, there would be no need for others to gossip about him. Qing Deng would personally go to Hijikata's residence with a knife! Have a "detailed talk" with the other party!

Although he is Qing Deng's close friend, personal feelings are not worth mentioning in the face of major issues! The ethics that should be corrected must be corrected!

Facing everyone's doubts, Hijikata Toshizo, who had expected it, sneered a few times and responded lightly: Ichimura Tetsunosuke reminded him of the fearless self in the past, so on a whim, he took him to cultivate by his side.

In this way, everyone's suspicion was finally resolved.

The vassal of the vassal is not my vassal - this sentence can be applied to China in the Western Zhou Dynasty, Europe in the Middle Ages, and Japan in the Edo period.

From Qing Deng's perspective, Ichimura Tetsunosuke is a typical "vassal of the vassal".

So, there is no master-servant relationship between them.

However, because Ichimura Tetsunosuke admired Aoto, after receiving instructions, he would call Aoto "Great Lord" while calling Hijikata Toshizo "Lord".

…

After a few simple greetings, Hijikata Toshizo picked up the hot tea in front of his knees, took a sip, and his facial expression gradually became serious:

"Tachibana, let's not talk about small talk for now, let's talk about business."

Aotoko nodded slightly and tightened his facial lines, saying lightly:

"Well, if you have anything to say, just say it."

Hijikata Toshizo drank the tea in the cup in one breath, and then took out a thin booklet from his arms.

"Tachibana, take a look at this."

After saying that, he opened the booklet, turned to a page, placed it on the tatami, handed it to Aotoko's knees, then picked up the shamisen beside his legs, placed it diagonally in his arms, put on a beautiful hand shape, and played it by himself.

It must be said that the reason why Hijikata Toshizo can become a super sea king is not only because he is as handsome as Pan An, but also because he is versatile and masters many talents that are very popular with the opposite sex, such as playing the piano and singing.

If the girls see his current chic look of "holding the piano in his arms and gently stroking the strings", I'm afraid he will get a lot of "captives" again.

Just when Qing Deng was about to reach out to take the booklet, it happened that a breeze blew from the window and turned the page of the booklet.

Hijikata Toshizo, who was concentrating on playing the piano, did not notice this little accident.

Qing Deng wanted to remind him, but he suddenly found that there seemed to be something very interesting written on the booklet after turning the page.

So, he picked up the booklet, cleared his throat, and then read aloud what he saw directly:

"Oriole, the sound of the duster is also..."

Instantly, Hijikata Toshizo's face suddenly changed color, and he didn't even bother to play the shamisen. He hurriedly put the zither back to its original position and snatched the book back.

"Idiot! What are you reading?! Tsk... How did you turn to this page...!"

Qing Deng ignored Hijikata Toshizo's complaints and asked curiously:

"Toshizo, is this the haiku you wrote?"

After a little hesitation, Hijikata Toshizo touched his nose and replied coldly:

"It's really bad luck that you actually saw it... Yes, it's the haiku I wrote."

Qing Deng stretched out the tone and changed to a half-joking tone:

"Wow~~ I've known you for so long, but this is the first time I've read your haiku."

When talking about Hijikata Toshizo, people's inherent impression is nothing more than a sharp tongue, a playboy, and a bad temper.

You probably never thought that the "Demon Vice-Chief" was unexpectedly an elegant person.

Hijikata Toshizo particularly liked elegant things, especially haiku.

When he was free, he would pick up a pen and paper and happily create haiku. He even gave himself the nickname "Toyotama".

According to Souji, he has accumulated several large volumes of haiku collections.

It's a pity that although he loves to write haiku, he rarely shows his works to outsiders.

As a result, Qing Deng finally had the honor to read his masterpiece until today.

While recalling what he had just seen, Qing Deng softly repeated:

"Yellow oriole, the sound of the duster... what's next?"

Hijikata Toshizo glanced at Qing Deng unhappily.

Although he looked impatient, as if he was reluctant to talk more about this topic with Qing Deng, at the same time, the corners of his lips were slightly upturned, as if he was secretly delighted, and the overall appearance was a strange "reluctant to accept".

"Oh, I really can't do anything about you! Since you are so curious, I will make an exception and read it to you today!"

As he said, he straightened his clothes and sat upright, cleared his throat, then half-closed his eyes, looked intoxicated, and chanted softly:

"Yellow oriole~The sound of the duster~can't help but stop~"

"..."

"Hey, don't be silent, give some reaction."

"Ah, sorry...I don't understand haiku, so I didn't quite understand what your haiku meant."

"Oh, it's really like high mountains and flowing water...It means that the singing of the yellow oriole is so beautiful that I can't help but stop the duster in my hand and listen to the bird's singing with full concentration."

"...Huh? Is that it?"

I saw Hijikata Toshizo Immersed in his own world, he half-closed his eyes, as if he was fantasizing about something, and continued to look intoxicated:

"After listening to this haiku, didn't you have such a picture in your mind? The gentle breeze, the quiet afternoon, the birdsong that appears from time to time... What a beautiful mood..."

"So why are you holding the duster?"

"It's not me holding the duster! The duster is not important at all! The main thing is this mood! This atmosphere! Oh... Forget it! You and Xiao Si are just the same! You don't know elegance! Talking to you about haiku is just like playing the lute to a cow!"

Seeing that the other party seemed to be angry, Qing Deng quickly showed a heartless smile to ease the atmosphere.

"Don't be angry. I am indeed a vulgar person who doesn't know elegance, but I think your work seems to be quite interesting. Let me listen to your other works."

"No thanks. You can't appreciate the exquisiteness of haiku."

"Then let me listen to your most confident work. Maybe after listening to your masterpiece, I can appreciate the exquisiteness of haiku."

"If you want to understand haiku, just go and appreciate the works of famous artists such as Matsuo Basho and Kobayashi Issa. I know my level very well. There is nothing good about my works."

Although he said this, his hands seemed to have independent consciousness. He quickly opened the book and flipped the pages.

Then, the strange expression of "reluctant to refuse but also welcoming" appeared on his cheek again.

He licked his lips, his eyes were shining, and the corners of his lips were raised high, and he couldn't suppress it.

"I am best at writing poems about scenery. When it comes to my most confident works, or my favorite works, they have to be my poems about scenery."

He turned a page.

"Hmm... this one is not very good, the artistic conception is too bad."

He turned another page.

"This one... lacks rhythm, and does not reflect my superb level at all."

He turned another page.

"This one... oh, no, no, my poem is too good. Even if I read it to you, you can't appreciate the beauty of it. Hmm... it's really hard to choose..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he was like "an amnesiac who suddenly regained his memory". He frowned and slapped his thigh:

"No! We are not having a poetry meeting! What haiku are you talking about! Tachibana, it's all your fault for interrupting me and making me do the same!"

Qing Deng looked innocent and pointed at himself:

"Eh? Is this my responsibility?"

Hijikata Toshizo's face was not red, and his heart was not beating, as if everything that happened just now had nothing to do with him.

"Take it! This is where I want you to look, don't read anything else!"

He turned the book to the first page and stuffed it into Qing Deng's arms.

After this little episode, their conversation finally got back on track.

After laughing and making a fuss, the two quickly calmed down and turned back into the decisive "Nio" and "Demon's Vice Captain".

After Qing Deng took the booklet, he held it with both hands and quickly scanned the booklet, reading ten lines at a glance.

Hijikata Toshizo remained silent and waited quietly.

About 10 seconds later, Qing Deng quietly closed the booklet in his hand, expressionless, and indifferent:

"What is coming will eventually come...Choshu is going to fight us to death."

Hijikata Toshizo shrugged.

"The brains of the people of Choshu have always been abnormal. It is expected that they would do such a thing."

The "Choshu Expedition" of the shogunate has long been known to passers-by. How could the people of Choshu not know about it?

After the disastrous defeat in the Shimonoseki War and the setback of being expelled from Kyoto, most people, including Qing Deng, thought that the radicals in Choshu would calm down a little, at least the conservatives could regain some voice.

But unexpectedly... the radicals in Choshu led by Kusaka Genzui not only did not learn lessons and turn over a new leaf, but became even crazier!

They blamed the shogunate for their miserable situation today.

The shogunate went back on its word! It said "May 10th, we will start to expel the barbarians", but when that day really came, it just sat on the sidelines and watched! Not only did it not expel the barbarians, but it stabbed us in the back of Choshu! It caused us to be expelled from Kyoto and bear the stigma of "enemy of the court" for nothing!

Yes, we did nothing wrong! It's all the shogunate's fault! It's all the shogunate's fault!

In this way, they completed the closed loop of their thoughts and became more and more hostile to the shogunate, as well as the Aizu and Satsuma domains that now stand on the side of the shogunate, and the newly established Qinjin domain.

In order to vent their anger, they practiced the "spiritual victory method".

They called Satsuma "Satsuma thief", Aizu "Aizu traitor", and Qinjin "Qin monster".

When they practiced martial arts and wielded bamboo swords, they often shouted in unison, "Destroy the Qin monster," "Kill the traitors," and "Down with the Sa thieves," and wrote these three derogatory names on the soles of their shoes, implying "trampling them underfoot."

In this way, after experiencing one failure after another, the radical faction of Choshu not only did not weaken, but became stronger! They firmly grasped the national politics of Choshu!

For such a result, Qing Deng really couldn't think of any other feeling except "amazing".

He once again deeply realized that the most ever-changing thing in the world is "reality." You never know how it will develop next. Novelists can think of no more outrageous stories than "reality."

Under the leadership of that group of lunatics, you can tell with your butt: Facing the "Choshu expedition" that the shogunate is about to launch, they will never sit and wait for death! They will definitely try every means to resist and struggle.

As the deputy head of the Shinsengumi who is in charge of military affairs, Hijikata Toshizo has been paying close attention to the developments in Choshu.

Qing Deng specially sent the 9th Division (Ninja Team), which was now in good shape, to assist Hijikata Toshizo.

After a long and meticulous intelligence collection, Hijikata Toshizo summarized the information and recorded it one by one - what Qing Deng just saw was this "Choshu Intelligence Summary".

First, as expected, at the beginning of this year, Choshu had just recovered from the setbacks of the Shimonoseki War and the August 18th Coup, and then issued an unprecedented mobilization order!

Although he was mentally prepared, Qing Deng couldn't help but frowned after seeing the mobilization strength of Choshu.

The specific content of Choshu's military mobilization is roughly the following.

First, carry out a large-scale household registration statistics throughout the domain! Register all men of appropriate age!

Second, they sent martial arts teachers to various villages and forced farmers to practice martial arts in their spare time.

Third, they carried out strict material control and strictly restricted the sale of military materials such as salt, sugar, grain, and fodder.

There are many specific details of the "mobilization order", so I won't go into details one by one.

In a nutshell, Choshu is preparing for war at full speed! They are preparing for war, training their troops, and showing a desperate attitude of "I will not live any longer in the future! I must fight you!" They are determined to fight to the death with the shogunate!

Choshu is a powerful domain with a total of 360,000 koku, and it also owns the Shimonoseki Strait, which can make huge profits every year. Its actual financial resources exceed one million koku.

If Choshu is determined to fight the shogunate to the end and expand its troops at all costs... then, the samurai and agricultural soldiers can at least expand 20,000 troops...!

This scale of the army should not be underestimated!

At this time, Hijikata Toshizo suddenly interrupted:

"According to my investigation, Satsuma, Tosa, Hizen... all the western feudal domains are carrying out military mobilizations of varying degrees."

"It seems that the recent strong behavior of the shogunate has aroused the vigilance of the western feudal domains."

"Everyone is storing food and hoarding food in preparation for war."

He paused and sneered.

"This is really... like returning to the Warring States Period! It really makes people excited!"

Qing Deng showed a half-smile and returned the booklet in his hand to Hijikata Toshizo.

"Let's not talk about Tosa for now."

"Early before the 'Black Ship Incident', the Hizen Domain was keen on Western science, and regarded 'Japanese spirit and Western talent' as a national policy. It launched a series of reforms, vigorously developed industry, was able to produce guns and cannons, and had unknown combat power."

"Not to mention the Satsuma Domain. Under the leadership and reforms of the former lord Shimazu Nariakira, their national strength has been increasing day by day, and they have become the 'strongest domain in the world'."

"None of them are easy to deal with..."

Although Satsuma is now in alliance with the shogunate, Qinjin Domain, and Aizu Domain, no one will take the loyalty of this "fence-riding faction" seriously.

Hijikata Toshizo sneered a few more times, grinned, and said a famous historical saying:

"'No matter how many ways you come, I will only go one way'."

"No matter how others act, what we should do remains the same - continue to develop the Qinjin clan's national power, enhance the Shinsengumi's combat power, and become a huge weight that will unbalance the balance no matter which side it falls on!"

Qingden smiled:

"Well, you're right."

After saying that, he raised the tea cup beside his legs and drank it in one gulp.

"Susan, you are doing a good job. Continue to monitor the West Country. If you find anything new, report it to me immediately."

"I still have something to do, so I'll take the first step."

Hijikata Tosei raised his eyebrows.

"Why are you in such a hurry? I still want to chat with you more. We haven't chatted for a long time."

Qingdeng laughed dumbly:

"I'm going to Kyoto. The 'Kyoto Director' is here. As the chief and host, I always have to throw a banquet for others."

After hearing this, Hijikata Suisan showed a look of understanding.

"Director of Kyoto... I almost forgot about this. Then go ahead and have a pleasant trip. Speaking of which, this newly appointed director of Kyoto seems to be an acquaintance of yours, right?"

Qingdeng nodded:

"Yes. He is my old superior, a man who is very good with a spear."

Today is another day for Leopard to update 7K! Leopard needs your support! The monthly tickets I have received recently are too few! Four thousand leopards have such a monthly pass, and seven thousand leopards have such a monthly pass, which will seriously dampen leopard leopards' enthusiasm! (Crying Leopard Head.jpg) Please vote for me! Please vote for recommendation! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

PS: Leopard Leopard once wanted to write a fanfic about Hijikata Toshizo and the sex-change version of Ichimura Tetsunosuke. If Ichimura Tetsunosuke was a woman, then the two of them would be perfect sadomasochistic CPs! (Leopard Hi.jpg)