Sakai Port, the headquarters of the Shinsengumi.
Isamu Kondo was sitting indoors on his knees, closing his eyes and meditating. There was a sound of footsteps in front of the corridor, and Hijikata Toshizo gently opened the door, bowed and walked in.
"Kondo-hime, I'm back."
"How is it going?"
"Kikyouya Riji's crime was exposed and she tried to abscond. She was shot dead on the spot by the guard Tachibana Kanade. Her family members have been escorted back to the station, waiting for disposal."
Kondo Isamu opened his eyes, looked at Hijikata Toshizo, and said in a deep voice.
"I have asked Souji Okita to arrest people according to the list you gave me. You have to work hard tonight and get the confessions of all the participants. It must be a solid case. Is that okay?"
Hijikata Tosei nodded and said.
"Don't worry, I know what's going on."
Kondo Isamu sighed.
"I didn't expect the profiteer named Kikyoya to be so sociable. Even Morishita and Furukawa came to plead for her."
Hijikata Toshizo said coldly.
"These idiots, if it weren't for the fact that there are not many old sisters left who came out of Mibu Village together, I would chop off their heads and apologize to Master Takada Haruno."
Kondo Isamu shook his head and refused to comment.
The people in the Platycodon House were so crazy that they dared to target Shiba Zhongki. They really didn’t want the lives of their whole family.
Back then, in order to prepare military supplies for the Kanto strategy, Shiba Yiyin used his share of the Northern Road trade route to trade with friendly forces from various parts of the Kanto region and purchased large amounts of food.
After this back and forth, the friendly forces in various places also made a lot of money, which can be regarded as a win-win cooperation.
When the Shibachu Fund was established, Ishida Mitsunari needed to smoothly convert the copper coins earned from the Hokuriku Road trade route into specific annuity lumi.
She used her experience in buying grain in Kanto and continued to trade with friendly forces along the Hokuriku Road trade route, hoping to maintain a long-term and stable price for special rice.
The customary agreement is that copper coins are exchanged for two stones of brown rice. This price ratio is just an imaginary number. The actual price ratio of copper coins for grains will fluctuate up and down. In this period of war, the price of rice has already skyrocketed.
Relying on the share of the Hokurikudo trade route and the prestige of Shiba Yoshibank, Shiba Chu Fund can obtain the ultra-low price of two stones.
Ishida Mitsunari borrowed rice merchants from Sakai Port to transport the grain, but people like Kikyoya were not willing to earn only the small amount of money lost in transshipment.
They falsely reported the quantity, and disguised the grain they bought as annuity rice purchased by the Spozhong Fund, and obtained rice at a price far lower than the market price.
But this rice is actually very hot. The essence is to use the market share of the Shiba Chu Fund in the Hokurikudo Trading Road and make deals with the friendly forces of the Shiba family in order to exchange for cheap grain.
Ishida Mitsunari soon discovered that the accounts were inconsistent. After checking, it turned out that there was a problem at Sakai Port.
It was through Takada Haruno's relationship that these rice merchants had the opportunity to get involved in the Shibachu Fund's business. If something happened to them because of their greed, Ishida Mitsunari would naturally seek explanation from Takada Haruno.
The Shiba Tadashi Fund is the joint fund of the entire Shiba Takeka Group, and Ishida Mitsunari is the gatekeeper holding the sword above, so he is naturally confident.
The public property of the dignified Shiba family was poached, and Takada Yono was humiliated when Ishida Mitsunari wrote a letter to question her, and she became furious.
She was the head of the Shiba clan, and she was in charge of the affairs of the Shiba clan's trading town, Minato Town. She also single-handedly founded the Hokurikudo trade route, and handled more than thousands of dollars every day.
Of course Takada Haruno didn't like the little bit of rice that was brought in from the Platycodon house, but the nature of the matter was so bad that she had to give Ishida Mitsunari a justifiable explanation.
This matter was handed over to Isamu Kondo just yesterday. In just one night, people have already come to plead for mercy.
Isamu Kondo is selfless and selfless, and the Shinsengumi, a group of swordsmen and executioners, pride themselves on being Shiba's loyal dogs and insist on being the sole ministers of the Shiba family. Of course, they don't care about these worldly sentiments.
But what frightened her was that someone under her command, Lao Renshenglang, was actually involved.
Kikyoya Ritsuma is in the rice business. This profiteer knows how to be a good person, spends generously, and has been providing cheap rice to the Mibuwolves for a long time.
What if after the accident, this person bites randomly and throws dirty water on the Shinsengumi?
Yuigahama Yui can be dismissed from the Shinsengumi writing position, and she can go to the Shiba Chu Fund in disgrace. If Isamu Kondo doesn't do well, she, the adapted Shinsengumi leader, can also get out.
What's more, Kondo Isamu and other Mibu wolves are inferior to Yuigahama Yui in terms of status.
Yuigahama Yui was born in the old Iga clan, and was one of the first batch of warriors from Yoshigan Shiba.
Although she has a weak temperament and was sent to Sakai Port to work after being bullied by the first batch of Tongxin people, she still has Miao Honggen's direct background.
Even though Takada Harano disliked her, Yoshihiro Shiba was still willing to let her switch to Shiba Chu Fund and continue to make a living.
But who are Isamu Kondo and his gang? Desperados recruited privately by Yukino Takada, a group of ronin who had no foothold, and luckily rose to the top by relying on their desperate daring to fight and kill during the Tenchu Incident in Kyoto.
If they do something wrong, where can they go?
Comparing people with others will lead to death, and comparing goods with goods will lead to loss. If there was no chance to change the destiny in troubled times, swordsmen like Ren Shenglang would never have a chance to stand out in their lives.
Regarding the Shiba Zhong Fund, this case of rice smuggling is not trivial. What the profiteers stole was the annual income of the Shiba family, Lumi, which was the core crop of all the Sibo Ji samurai.
Kondo Isamu didn't want to cast a shadow on Mibu Lang's future because of a greedy rice merchant, so he naturally left this matter to the shady Hijikata Toshizo to clear Mibu Wolf's relationship.
Nowadays, Liji Niang of Platycodonwu resists arrest and is killed. The deceased is very quiet and will not bite randomly. This result is very good.
Isamu Kondo asked.
"The person was killed by Li Hua?"
Hijikata Toshizo replied.
"Our people are not stained with Kikyoya's blood."
Kondo Isamu nodded.
"Very good, I have to report this matter to Mr. Takada Haruno first. Where is Tachibana Kanato?"
Hijikata Toshizo glanced outside and said.
"Waiting outside in the atrium.
I don’t know why Takada Yukino-sama likes this guy, he’s just a skinny Nanman, and a strong wind can blow her away.”
Kondo Isamu shook his head.
"Don't try to figure out Takada Yukino-sama's thoughts. Remember, you must respect her and obey her at all times.
She is our spiritual leader and our support in the Sibo family. Without her, there would be no us."
Hijikata Toshizo remained silent.
Of course she understood what Kondo Isamu meant. Your Majesty's concern for Takada Yukino was an enviable doting that had been proven several times.
It was just a coincidence that Miburou, a group of ronin, managed to join the Shiba establishment from being savage mercenaries, and then became the Shinsengumi's Samurai Hime.
If Takada Yukino hadn't been ambushed by the Shogun Hime samurai, and if the Yagyu group and the secrecy group hadn't been scrupulous about killing people, how could the furious Yoshigoshi Shiba have promoted a group of ronin swordsmen?
The main reason why Your Majesty treats them so favorably is because of the situation of Takada Yukino. Without Takada Harino, no matter how capable the Mibuwolves are, they will not be able to climb to their current position.
Therefore, people like Kondo Isamu respect Takada Yukino very much. It is a guarantee that they can survive in the Shiba family and is their long-term meal ticket.
The past interactions between Miburou and Kikyoya Rijime cannot be hidden from those who are interested. If Kikyoya Rijime dies at the hands of Miburo, it is inevitable that people will criticize her.
But now, the death of Kikyoya Rijimei at the hands of Tachibana Kanade has nothing to do with the Mibu wolves. It was this white-haired barbarian who killed her. If you have any questions, go to her.
As for why Takada Yukino likes this Nanman so much and whether he will continue to protect this Nanman, Kondo Isamu will not make random guesses. People who know too much often don't live long.
The two of them walked out of the room and saw Tachibana Kanade in a daze facing an art tree.
There were still black spots on the tree trunk that she had blasted out with a blunderbuss last time. It looked desolate and desolate, which was in line with the cultural temperament of Yuxuan's island nation.
Isamu Kondo shouted.
"Li Huaji, follow me to the meeting hall."
Tachibana Kanade turned around, walked over, looked at Kondo Isamu, and asked coldly.
"Can that kid from Yayoi survive?"
Isamu Kondo was stunned for a moment and looked to Hijikata Toshizo aside, who explained.
"Kikyouya Riji's youngest son, Tachibana-hime wants to keep him alive."
Hijikata Toshizo felt unhappy.
On the way back, Tachibana Kanade said this several times, but Hijikata Toshizo didn't take it to heart. He just ignored it and said he would report it to Kondo Isamu.
At this moment, Hijikata Toshizo himself had almost forgotten about this matter. Instead, Tachibana Kanade questioned Kondo Isamu face to face, which made Hijikata Toshizo a little embarrassed. This southern barbarian really has no good manners and is not reserved at all.
Kondo Isamu nodded and said solemnly.
"This case is of great importance and I have no right to decide.
Follow me to the meeting hall to report back to the two Lord Takada, and then go and plead for mercy."
Of course Kondo Isamu understood Hijikata Toshizo's thoughts. She kicked out the responsibility with a casual sentence.
After saying that, Kondo Isamu walked out, Tachibana Kanade silently followed her and left, leaving only Hijikata Toshizo standing there, watching them off.
This Shinsengumi residence is no longer the temporary residence allocated to the Shiba family by the Miyoshi family.
After Takada Haruno became successful, he bought a nearby yard and started a lot of construction work. The last time Shiba Yiyin came to Sakai Port, he even sighed a few words: Takada Haruno was extremely rich.
Takada Haruno was not born as a samurai warrior. She has been pretending to be a samurai for so many years, but she still likes to be exaggerated in her heart.
If she shaves her head one day, she will be like the nuns in the monastery. She loves money, knows how to make money, and is willing to spend money.
Passing through the courtyard that Takada Harano spent a lot of money to build, Kondo Isamu and Tachibana Kan heard a faint roar coming from the meeting hall in the distance.
Kondo Isamu twitched his eyebrows. Takada Harano seemed to be in a bad mood today. He should be more careful when he reports on his work later.
She subconsciously glanced at Tachibana Kanade behind her. Could this stupid young man really run up to Takada Haruno and plead for the child named Yayoi?
Tachibana Kanade looked back at Isamu Kondo with a calm expression, like a fool, but also like a fool who has seen through the world.
The two walked to the front of the meeting hall, and Takada Harano's angry voice could be heard clearly.
"I should have known that this bastard Akechi Mitsuhide doesn't like others!
What a good question to ask. She saw that the Lord had set up an anti-corruption group at the Sibo Zhong Fund, and she knew in her heart that the Lord had begun to intentionally restrict the rights of important ministers, so she jumped out to cause trouble.
Step on me, show your face in front of the throne, and at the same time, you can also install your own people. It's really a good calculation.
If you are so smart, you are not afraid of arousing jealousy from heaven and dying young!"
Kondo Isamu and Tachibana Kanade walked to the open sliding door and bowed together to the three people sitting inside.
Takada Haruno was sitting in the main seat and fuming, while Takada Yukino was stunned as if she was distracted.
Imai Munehisa, who was at the bottom, glanced outside from time to time, as if he was worried that Takada Harano's roar would be heard by outsiders.
Why is the door open to all this swearing behind my back? Are you afraid that others won't know?
Seeing Imai Munehisa cowering, Takada Yono became even more angry and cursed.
"What are you afraid of? I just want everyone to hear that even if this bastard Mitsuhide Akechi can do it, I won't be able to scold him?
I finally managed to open up a situation in Sakai Port and earn so much food for the Shiba family every year. It’s okay if these bastards don’t help me. They’re plotting against me behind my back.
Not a woman! Not a woman!”
When Takada Yono saw Isamu Kondo and Kanade Tachibana bowing outside the door, she snorted and stopped swearing at the top of her lungs.
The Shinsengumi is located in a large area, so her voice cannot be heard outside the wall when she curses people. But she doesn't want too many people to see her scolding like a shrew. After all, she is a person with status now.
Seeing that Takada Yono finally calmed down, Imai Sokaku secretly wiped his forehead with his sleeve and said softly.
"Then what should we do about this matter?"
Takada Harano glared at her and said.
"What should I do? Support, of course.
The Lord sent a special letter asking me to take care of the overall situation. Do I dare not to cooperate?
As I said just now, Akechi Mitsuhide realized that the emperor intended to restrict the rights of important ministers, so he proposed the establishment of the Kanju Party.
In the past few years, the Sibo Territory has been left alone for several years. The Lord is preparing to take back power. The days will become more and more difficult in the future. We must be more careful and don't let others plot our death if we are not careful."
What Takada Yono said was a bit taboo. How dare Imai Munehisa answer it, he could only smile and say nothing.
Seeing Imai Munehisa's naughty temper, Takada Haruno couldn't let go of his anger. He snorted and looked at the two people who had just entered.
"How's it going? Have you found out those audacious profiteers?"
Kondo Isamu bowed and said.
"Hey, Kikyoya Riji-niang has confessed her accomplice, and Souji Okita is leading a team to arrest the person.
Hijikata Suisan will interrogate you all night long, and the specific case files will be submitted to you by tomorrow morning at the latest."
Takada Harano's expression softened a little and said.
"Well, you did a good job, hurry up and do it. These bastards who made me embarrassed in front of Ishida Mitsunari should all die."
Isamu Kondo said carefully.
"There was a slight problem during the interrogation of Kikyoya Riji-niang. When the profiteer saw that the matter was revealed, he wanted to run away, but was shot dead on the spot by Tachibana Kanade who was guarding the door."
Takada Yono frowned.
"Has it been signed or deposited?"
Isamu Kondo apologized.
"I'm very sorry. She lost control of her emotions after the painting and wanted to run away."
