I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 41: Careful work, quota for the imperial competition

Yagyu's words made the expressions of Kusu Kojuro and Arakida Saumasuke change slightly, but they quickly returned to their normal expressions, as if the expressions just now did not exist.

The reason why these two people reacted so strongly to Yagyu's words was because they were spies of the Choshu Domain who had infiltrated the Shinsengumi.

The torture in the hut was over. Toshizo Hijikata waved his hand to Kusu Kojuro and Arakida Sasumasuke to take Isozaki down.

Only four people, Yagyu, Hijikata Toshizo, Saito Ichi and Okita Souji, were left in the room. In addition, Yoshida Juzo was tied to the wooden board.

Okita Souji said with a wicked smile: "The director really doesn't look like a very strategic person. Why did he arrange for Kusu Kojuro and Arakita, two secret agents of the Choshu clan, to participate in the torture?"

Saito was taciturn, even more so than Yagyu. He just stood there, like a piece of wood.

Toshizo Hijikata crossed his hands, raised one hand and rubbed his chin and said: "Let these details spread the news to the Choshu clan. The people of the Choshu clan will definitely remind Sanjo Sanimi and others that since the Imperial Army's vanguard is Lord Nakayama Tadamitsu is the commander-in-chief, Sanjo Sanimi will definitely tell Nakayama Tadamitsu, and Nakayama Tadamitsu will escape when the time comes."

Yagyu nodded and said: "The Choshu clan is behind Nakayama Tadamitsu and the imperial army's vanguard. If the matter of Nakayama Tadamitsu and the imperial army's vanguard is exposed, Nakayama Tadamitsu will definitely escape to avoid being caught by the shogunate. When the time comes, he will definitely Run to Choshu so that you can realize the conspiracy of the Choshu clan.

The reason for this unnecessary move is mainly because the testimony of these people is not enough, and the escaped Nakayama Tadamitsu can completely confirm the matter. "

Hijikata Toshizo looked at Yoshida Juzo and said with a smile: "This time, the Choshu Domain is going to fall into a big trap!"

Yoshida Juzo's mouth had been gagged. This time he could only struggle violently and made a sound of "Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu". He didn't need to think about it to know that this person was calling them despicable.

Kusu Kojuro and Arakida Sasumasuke sent Isozaki Kan back to the prison, and then when it was time to eat, they left the camp and went to the streets outside to eat.

Kusu Kojuro covered Arakida Saumasuke all the way, arrived at Meishuji Temple in Senbondori, and saw Yoshida Minoru.

Yoshida Renma, Kusaka Genzui, and Takasugi Shinsaku are collectively known as the Shoin Sect's Three Great Shows, and together with Irie Kyuichi, they are known as the Four Heavenly Kings of the Shoin Sect.

Now Yoshida Minoru is in charge of the affairs of Choshu Shozo.

Arakida Samasuke entered Meishuji Temple and immediately asked: "Is Mr. Yoshida here?"

The monk saluted and said, "It's you, Arakida. Come with me."

Arakida Saumasuke was led into a secret room and met Yoshida Minoru.

Yoshida Minoru raised his hand and said: "Sit down, I have been waiting for you. Last night, the place where Yoshimura and the others lived was attacked by the Shinsengumi. What is the specific situation?"

Arakida Sasumasuke said immediately: "Things are not good. Yoshimura Torataro and Matsumoto Kuitou were killed on the spot, Fujimoto Teishi was captured, and several other key members were also captured.

Today, Yagyu Jubei personally came forward to interrogate Yoshida Jubei and Isozaki Hiroshi. Yoshida Juzo was tortured and did not confess, but Isozaki Hiroshi was frightened and told Yagyu Jubei all the plans of the pioneer. Master Zhongshan has been exposed. "

Yoshida Minoru frowned and said angrily: "Hey, how can this Yagyu Jubei be so powerful?"

Arakida Zuomasuke nodded and said: "The trick that Isozaki Kan confessed to today was thought up by Yagyu Jubei. This man is not only superb in martial arts and resourceful, but he also said that he will definitely stop our Choshu Domain. Mr. Yoshida, We must kill Yagyu Jubei!"

Yoshida Minoru let out a long sigh and said: "It's a bit difficult. I have also practiced Yagyu Shinin-ryu. Yagyu Jubei has reached the peak of swordsmanship. The destruction of Tosa Kinou's party is a lesson."

Arakida Saumasuke whispered: "Then let the ninja assassinate him!"

Yoshida Minoru frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "I will discuss it with Mr. Gui and the others."

Arakida Zuomasuke stood up immediately and said: "I can't leave for too long, so I'm going back first."

"Okay, stay safe."

Arakida Saumasuke hurriedly left Senbondori, reunited with Kusu Kojuro, and returned to the camp.

Okita Souji looked at the two people who came back and couldn't help but touch the saber at his waist. He stared at the two people's weaknesses and thought about where to start when killing them.

When Kusu Kojuro saw Okita Souji, he immediately smiled shyly, bowed and left.

Souji Okita then turned and left.

Yagyu brought Isozaki Kan and Confession to Kurotani Guangming Temple, and this time Hijikata Toshizo and Saitoichi followed.

The three of them took Isozaki Kan into the main hall to meet with Matsudaira Yongho, and told Matsudaira Yongho everything about Nakayama Tadamitsu and the imperial vanguard.

Matsudaira Yongbao was greatly surprised. This was a rebellion and was extremely evil in nature!

"This is appalling!"

Matsudaira Yongho looked at Yagyu and his group in shock.

"Jubei, you did a great job this time. If you let these people raise troops, I'm afraid it will bring great loss to the shogunate!"

Yagyu immediately replied: "This is my duty." Matsudaira Yongho nodded and said: "I will explain this matter to the shogun in detail. Don't worry, the shogunate will definitely reward you.

In addition, I just have something to tell you. His Majesty the Emperor still remembers you Jubei. This time we will perform martial arts in front of the Aizu Domain. The Shinsengumi can also follow us and perform a martial arts contest in front of His Majesty the Emperor. "

Hijikata Toizo behind Yagyu was very excited when he heard this, while Yagyu was a little surprised, but being able to show his face in front of the emperor was something worth bragging about.

Yagyu saluted and said: "Ha, I will select the most elite swordsmen in the group to participate. I will definitely not disappoint His Majesty the Emperor and Lord Matsudaira."

After Yagyu handed over the paper and Isozaki Hiroshi to the Aizu Domain, he immediately returned to the camp with Saitoichi and Hijikata Toshizo.

On the way, Hijikata Toshizo said excitedly: "Director, you must choose me for such a good thing. By then, my reputation will spread in Kyoto. If I go to Flower Street again, the oirans will welcome me, right?"

Saito said with a straight face: "Mr. Hijikata, I will not leave this matter to you."

Yagyu also followed up and said: "If you want to compete in front of the emperor, you must have real skills. Let the group compete."

The three of them returned to the camp and announced the news. This matter instantly aroused heated discussion among all the team members. Even Kondo Isamu couldn't sit still. He also said: "I must participate in this matter!"

Hijikata Toshizo smiled and said: "Katsu, the director said that if you want to go, you have to compete."

Kondo Isamu said with a serious face: "Better, I believe in my swordsmanship!"

Yagyu said: "In this way, there are nine divisions, each team has one winner, and the guerrilla team also has one person. As for Hijikata, you can count them in the supervisory team and the accounting team."

When Hijikata Toisan heard this, he was very happy and said: "I will definitely go to the martial arts competition now!"

Souji Okita also had a smile on his face, swaying and saying: "Only the main course in the first team can compete with me. It seems that I will also order it."

Kondo Isamu said with some envy: "Don't be too arrogant, Ah Sui, I will go too!"

Because the number of people competing in the competition is limited to 12, and Yagyu himself only occupies one quota, and there are eleven remaining quotas. To choose from about two hundred people, martial arts must speak for themselves.

Regarding the rules announced by Yagyu, everyone had nothing to say. It was only fair to use martial arts to decide the places. Skills were not as good as others.

However, the result was no surprise. The nine divisions were confirmed to have eight captains: Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, Saito Ichi, Matsubara Chuji, Harada Sanosuke, Kawashima Katsuji, Toudo Heisuke, and Ogata Shuntaro. , As for Tani Sanjuro eventually lost to his younger brother Tani Mantaro, becoming the only failed captain among the nine divisions, this made Tani Sanjuro lose face. He sat down and looked at his younger brother Tani Mantaro with a straight face.

In addition, Kondo Isamu and Hijikata Toshizo also won the last two spots.

This time the quota of 12 people was determined.

The Shinsengumi were busy with the quota for the competition, while the Choshu Domain was in a state of distress because the Shinsengumi destroyed the imperial vanguard group.

According to Yoshida Minoru's information, Nakayama Tadamitsu has been exposed, and some people saw Isozaki Hiroshi being sent into the Aizu Domain's main formation by the Shinsengumi.

This frightened Nakayama Tadamitsu, and he immediately begged Sanjo Sanemi to help him and let him leave the capital for refuge.

Sanjo Sanimi immediately called Hisasaka Gensui and Katsura Kogoro of the Choshu Domain to tell them about the matter.

He said with a headache on his face: "Now that the matter has come to this, I can only ask Mr. Zhongshan to go to your Changzhou to take shelter."

Katsura Kogoro immediately advised: "Sanjo-sama, there is still something fishy about this matter. Nakayama-sama can go to Osaka for a while and then investigate later, how about that?"

Sanjo Sanimi frowned and said: "This matter is too big. Once the shogunate issues an order, it will be irreversible. What's wrong, does the Choshu clan mean to ignore it?"

Katsura Kogoro immediately said: "Sanjo-sama has misunderstood. I definitely don't mean that. But since the Shinsengumi has mastered the evidence, why didn't they arrest Nakayama-sama immediately? I feel that the Shinsengumi only has witnesses and is not decisive. There is physical evidence, so I thought of alerting the snake and then luring the snake out of its hole."

Nakayama Tadamitsu, who had been behind the screen, couldn't help it anymore. He immediately stood up and walked out, angrily saying: "Do you, the Choshu Domain, have to wait for me to be arrested? Master Sanjo, I don't think we can cooperate with the Choshu Domain anymore. "

Hisaka Genrui immediately dissuaded him and said: "Master Zhongshan, calm down, Mr. Gui just wants to..."

Sanjo Sanimi interrupted directly: "Stop talking so much, your Choshu clan shows sincerity, how will Nakayama-sama deal with it?"

Katsura Kogoro thought for a while and finally said: "I will arrange for someone to take Lord Nakayama to Changzhou."

Only then did Sanjo Sanimi and Nakayama Tadamitsu smile.

Kusaka Genrui and Katsura Kogoro walked out of the Sanjo Residence, looking a little sad. Kusaka Gensui asked: "Mr. Katsura, this is too dangerous."

Katsura Kogoro shook his head and said, "That's all we can do. We just have to do it more secretly."

Hisaka Gensui followed up and said: "I think we will follow Yoshida's suggestion and recruit ninjas to assassinate Yagyu. He is too powerful."

Katsura Kogoro also began to think about the feasibility of this matter.

　Thanks to Li Xiaopang 5, Koler Redel, and Yingluohu Nianyue for their [-] tips!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)