Chapter 716 The shadow assassin attacks! Todo Heisuke is targeted!
【4300】
Protecting the capital is the core function of the government.
Therefore, one of the daily tasks of the Shinsengumi is to patrol Kyoto and punish lawless gangsters.
For the convenience of naming, the Shinsengumi soldiers called this "Tour Town".
Previously, because the size of the army was too small, each team had to patrol the town.
Now, the scale of the Shinsengumi is no longer what it used to be, and the specific functions of each team have been further refined.
As ninja teams and cavalry teams, the 7th, 9th, and 10th divisions naturally do not need to be involved in such tasks.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions, which are all elites, are regarded as "important weapons for suppressing the army". If they are sent to patrol the town, it would be suspected of being overqualified and underutilized.
As a result, the important task of patrolling the town fell on the shoulders of the four ordinary infantry teams of the Shinsengumi, namely the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th divisions.
The four teams rotate every 7 days.
After careful calculation, each team will be on duty once a month.
There are two ways to patrol towns.
First, set up sentries at traffic hubs such as Sanjo Bridge and Shijo Bridge.
Second, a large number of patrol teams were sent to patrol the streets and alleys of Kyoto.
Since the large-scale anti-rebellion movement broke out in the Gyeonggi area, a large number of homeless people have poured into Kyoto under the banner of "everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world".
Suddenly, a large group of young men without jobs or families appeared in the city, with bright swords hanging on their waists... Anyone can imagine what kind of results this will lead to.
These ronin who poured into Kyoto were extremely polarized.
Some of them are indeed true patriots who care about the country and the people and have noble character.
However, most of them are just scum and villains who want to take advantage of this opportunity to make a huge fortune.
Robbery, extortion, adultery, extortion...this bunch of beasts can be said to do all kinds of evil.
Under their ravages, public security in Kyoto deteriorated from bad to worse.
As soon as night fell, the scholars and people in Kyoto went out to wander the streets. Every household closed their doors and windows and waited for dawn in fear.
Especially those powerless merchants are even more afraid of these "people with lofty ideals" who will extort money from them on the pretext of "funding military expenses" from time to time.
One of Tokugawa Iemo's original intentions in ordering the establishment of the Shinsengumi was because Kyoto and beyond were already in a state of chaos, and there was an urgent need for strong and violent institutions to punish evil and correct the atmosphere.
Let Qingden take charge of public security... isn't this the professional counterpart of female ninjas and training, female knights and corruption?
Looking back on the past, Aoden once worked as a thief in the town of Kitabansho and became a police officer. In his previous life, he was a student at the police academy.
He is very familiar with the series of "businesses" of catching thieves, arresting criminals, and improving public security!
Ever since, after Qing Dengluo, in response to the bad situation of thieves in Kyoto, he directly dealt a heavy blow without saying a word!
The governor of Gyeonggi Province has the privilege of "killing first and reporting later, and granting power to others".
Under Ayoto's instruction, the Shinsengumi did not have such troublesome things as "inference of innocence" and "saying as much as there is evidence."
Once the Shinsengumi team members discover a suspicious person, they can arrest the person directly without any formalities or procedures!
If the other party dares to resist, he will be punished on the spot!
In this way, the Shinsengumi team members were able to free their hands and demonstrate their strong subjective initiative.
Group after group of thugs were arrested.
One head after another was chopped off.
The majestic Kyoto on Sanjo River has been built several stories higher.
In troubled times, use the most important words - this famous saying from the ancients, sincerity does not deceive others.
Under Qingnobo's "heavy beating", in just one month, the public security situation in Kyoto improved greatly, and even the air became much fresher!
To this day, the word "roaring" is really suitable to describe the thugs inside and outside Kyoto.
As soon as they heard the name "Shinsengumi", cold sweat broke out on their faces uncontrollably; when they saw the light green clothes, their bodies shivered involuntarily!
Toudo Heisuke is a serious and responsible person.
Whenever the Eighth Division is on duty, he will personally lead the team and patrol every corner of Kyoto to the best of his ability.
His rigorous nature of taking care of everything, and his brave attitude of always charging forward whenever there is a war, earned him the reputation of "Mr. "Leader".
Toudo Heisuke rolled his eyes and scanned every corner of the street.
It was four o'clock in the evening (10 p.m.), and the entire town was enveloped in darkness and tranquility.
It was quiet all around, except for the repeated rustling of their straw sandals against the ground.
Tonight is a "moonless night", and the sky and earth are covered with thick clouds.
The dim light only illuminated the ground at his feet.
The place beyond the light was as dark as an abyss.
Suddenly, Toudou Heisuke heard enthusiastic shouting from the front:
"Eh? Master Todo! Good evening! Would you like to have a bowl of hot soup?"
Toudo Heisuke raised his eyebrows, then looked up - it turned out to be a nighthawk noodle stall.
The stall owner is an old man with white hair and beard.
I saw him leaning forward, his head sticking out of the curtain, looking at Toudo Heisuke and others, with a warm smile on his face.
Nighthawk Noodle Stall - refers specifically to small vendors selling soba noodles on the streets late at night.
With the rapid restoration of public security, Kyoto's nights have become more vibrant than ever for a long time.
Even in the dead of night, the people dared to take to the streets.
Late-night canteens, late-night izakayas and other small stalls and vendors that rely on "nighttime" dining are also able to reopen.
Toudo Heisuke knew this old man.
His name is Mentaro, and he is a good cook of soba noodles.
In Japan, there has always been a "traditional custom" that "at night, men go out in groups to hang out."
The Japanese attach great importance to the so-called "gregariousness" and are very repulsive to loners.
In order to maintain their social circle and avoid being ostracized, men...especially the samurai who were eating from the public family would often go out in groups to have fun after get off work.
Their activities include but are not limited to: drinking, watching geishas, going to casinos, and going to red light districts.
After we finished playing and having fun, we stopped by for some midnight snacks.
In this way, various nighthawk vendors such as soba noodles, nigiri sushi, oden, etc. appeared spontaneously.
Previously, the wanton behavior of thugs caused the livelihood of these ordinary people who ran nighthawk vendors to lose.
With such a bad public security situation, let alone doing business, they dare not even leave their stall!
They had gritted their teeth and persisted until now, and finally waited for the arrival of the Shinsengumi.
Thanks to the heavy blows of the Shinsengumi, those young people were able to die and escape, which was very satisfying.
People can take to the streets.
Merchants can also do business with peace of mind.
After receiving such great kindness, they were naturally grateful to the Shinsengumi.
In addition, the Shinsengumi's military discipline is very strict, and the "Shinsengumi Code" explicitly prohibits harassment of ordinary people, and offenders will be directly beheaded. Therefore, so far, there has been no dispute between the Shinsengumi and the people of Kyoto.
With all this going on, Mentaro naturally has a very high opinion of the Shinsengumi.
Whenever he meets a member of the Shinsengumi, he will greet them warmly.
After going back and forth, Toudo Heisuke got to know this enthusiastic and cheerful old man.
Mentaro is the epitome of that.
Who wouldn’t like an army that has done practical things for the general public, and at the same time has excellent military discipline and does no harm to the common people?
What's more, the leader of this army is still the benevolent king who has many legends and enjoys high popularity.
To sum up, most of the scholars and people in Kyoto love the Shinsengumi very much. It can be said that they are "eating a pot of jelly to welcome the king's master".
Toudo Heisuke walked to Mentaro's stall and spoke familiarly:
"Old man, how is business tonight?"
Mentaro chuckled:
"It's just so-so! Mr. Todo, would you like a bowl of hot soup? I think it's cheaper for you! It only costs 1 penny!"
Fujido Heisuke shook his head.
"No, I still have a mission. When I have time in the future, I will take care of your business."
"Hahaha! That's a deal!"
Todo Heisuke smiled and waved his hand, said, "Yeah! It's settled! I won't forget it," and then led the team members away.
Suddenly, Mentaro seemed to have remembered something, suddenly changed into a serious tone, and called out to Toudo Heisuke loudly:
"Yes, yes, I almost forgot! Master Todo, you must be more careful these days!"
Todo Heisuke was stunned for a moment, stopped in his tracks, and turned half back.
"'Be careful'? What do you mean? Why do you say that?"
"I heard that there are some bold guys recently who want to take revenge on the Shinsengumi!"
Mentaro lowered his voice, assumed a posture like a storyteller, and continued with a nose and eyes:
"They hate the Shinsengumi, regard the Shinsengumi as a thorn in their side, and are determined to assassinate the Shinsengumi soldiers using the following dirty tricks!"
"So, you should be more careful in the future!"
“Don’t go to crowded places!”
“Don’t be alone!”
Todo Hei helped listen and smiled calmly:
"Old man, thank you for the reminder."
"I will report this to Mr. Tachibana later."
"How dare you bring up evil ideas on the Shinsengumi's head... Huh! Looks like it's time for another 'city-wide purge'."
Seeing Toudo Heisuke's calm face and no trace of fear in his cheeks, Mentaro couldn't help but ask:
"Master Todo, are you... not afraid?"
"Master Todo, you must not take my suggestions seriously!"
"It's easy to hide from open guns, but hard to guard against hidden arrows!"
"You are the captain of the Eighth Division of the Battery Squadron. If those scum are determined to retaliate against you, officers like you will definitely be regarded as their primary target!"
"You must be careful!"
Mentaro persuaded me earnestly.
However... Toudo Heisuke's facial expression remained the same.
"Old man, you misunderstood."
"I attach great importance to your suggestions and do not take them seriously."
"I just...have long taken life and death lightly."
"If I were afraid of death, I would never have joined Mr. Tachibana in the first place."
"Either slash or be killed - this is the world of swordsmen!"
"If someone wants to kill me, just let him come over!"
"I, Todo Heisuke, will accompany you to the end!"
Having said this, he stretched out his hand to hold the saber at his waist.
The metal blade reflected a dazzling light under the light.
Mentaro blinked in confusion, and then said seriously with admiration on his face:
"You are worthy of being the powerful 'Mr. Take the Lead' in Kyoto! Just a few words made my blood boil!"
"Now it seems that I was too timid!"
"Lord Todo, I wish you good luck in martial arts! Kill all the lawless traitors!"
Todo Heisuke nodded lightly.
"Well, I accept your good advice!"
After thanking the other party again, he led the team to leave majestically.
They continued to patrol Kyoto along the established route according to the original plan.
Unknowingly, they had arrived in a dark space.
There are rows of houses like city walls on both sides. No matter which direction you look, you can't see any light. It's like you are on an isolated island far away from the world.
The air was filled with a muggy smell, and the entire town seemed to be sinking into the bottom of a swamp, surrounded only by slimy darkness.
Even if you just stand still, you will sweat like rain.
Suddenly, an icy cold wind came.
The sleeves are swaying and the hem is fluttering.
The rest of the team were greedily enjoying the sudden cool breeze.
Only Toudou Heisuke... He frowned suddenly and his expression changed.
Although he couldn't tell why... dense goosebumps appeared on his skin.
At this moment, faint footsteps suddenly came from behind him, approaching from far away.
Along with the sound of footsteps, there were also questions that were neither sad nor happy:
"Captain of the Shinsengumi Battō Team 8th Division, Toudo Heisuke, right?"
At this moment, Toudo Heisuke turned back like a reflex.
While turning around, he lowered his body weight and reached for the saber at his waist with his right hand.
Looking closely - I saw a long and thin black shadow slowly walking out of Tsujiko on the side of the road, with her legs spread apart, standing in the middle of the street.
[Note·Tsujiko: A trail connecting two main roads.]
On his head, he wore a low-brimmed bamboo hat that covered his face. He wore no hakama on his lower body, only a thin brown yukata, and a pair of straw sandals on his big feet without socks.
Before Toudo Heisuke could speak, the man was minding his own business and said:
"Now, I want to execute Heavenly Punishment."
Instantly, the team members around Toudohei all had their faces downcast.
Without any instructions - clatter, clatter, clatter - there was a sound of footsteps, and the soldiers consciously changed their positions and formed a tight attack formation.
The shield hand is in the front, the spearman is in the middle, the sword hands are on both sides, and the captain is in the back - it is the Yuanyang Formation improved by Qingdeng!
Facts have proved that the Yuanyang Formation is indeed the most powerful formation for combating stragglers!
The reason why Qingdeng made the "Mandarin Duck Formation" a required training event for the Ba Dao Team was to enhance the team members' street fighting abilities.
There are advantages and disadvantages, there are main attacks and auxiliary attacks, both offense and defense... When ordinary people see this formation, they are probably timid before they fight!
Since taking over Kyoto, the Shinsengumi has used the mandarin duck formation to deal with the thugs, and it can be said that they have been invincible.
As long as this formation is set up, unless the opponent is a highly skilled person, the only outcome will be to be captured or killed!
However... facing the mandarin duck formation set up by the soldiers, the black shadow did not show any reaction. His shoulders relaxed and his hands naturally drooped, looking calm and calm.
"...Back off."
As soon as these words came out, the team members were stunned, and then they all looked at Toudou Heisuke in confusion.
"Everyone, stand down!"
Toudo Heisuke raised his voice.
As he stood forward, he drew his sword out of its sheath with a "choking" sound.
"This is not an opponent you can handle!"
Although it was just a glimpse, the "combat intuition" cultivated through bloody battles told him sternly: This person is very dangerous! He must not be taken lightly!
He stood in front of the team, holding the saber steady in his hand.
"Captain of the 8th Division of the Shinsengumi Batto Squadron"
"Beichen Yidao Style"
"Toudo Heisuke!"
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