I formed the strongest swordsman group

The "hikyaku" just now is not an ordinary hikyaku.

In short, he is a special messenger of the Gourd House! The "speed pigeon".

The speed pigeon is used only when important information is transmitted within the organization.

The reason why he dressed up as an ordinary hikyaku is to conceal his identity.

Return to Osaka as soon as possible - looking at the big words on the letter paper, Mr. Kiryu frowned slowly.

The Senjiya run by Mr. Kiryu can be regarded as a branch of Gourd House in Edo.

The two places have always maintained communication, regularly sending letters and exchanging information.

Even if there is nothing, Mr. Kiryu will send a "greeting letter" to Osaka, which means that Edo is fine and that he is not dead yet.

Generally speaking, if something happens that needs to be told to Mr. Kiryu immediately, it will be written directly on the letter paper.

There is nothing written on the letter, just asking Mr. Kiryu to go back as soon as possible... Today's situation is really rare.

If it is not necessary, Osaka will definitely not bother Kiryu boss.

After all, there is half of Japan between Edo and Osaka.

In summary, there is only one possibility - something happened that is not convenient to talk about in detail in a thin piece of letter paper, so he was called back to Osaka so suddenly...

"... There is no other way, let's go back after a long absence."

Kiryu boss murmured while putting away the letter paper in his hand.

At this time, the big orange cat Duoduo rushed out from the inner room.

"Meow~ meow~ meow~"

Perhaps it was hungry, Duoduo squatted at the feet of Kiryu boss, making a coquettish sound.

Kiryu boss smiled and reached out to scratch Duoduo's chin.

"Duoduo, I have to ask you to accompany me on a long journey."

Since I have to leave Edo temporarily, I naturally have to take this big orange cat with me.

Otherwise, this spoiled cat, whose belly is almost fat and has completely lost its hunting ability, will starve to death.

"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~"

Duoduo called even more happily, as if to say: Yeah! I know! Stop talking nonsense, go get some dried fish!

After the long-term operation of the shogunate, the route from Edo to Osaka...or the route from the Kanto Plain to the Osaka Plain has become extremely mature.

If you hire a sedan chair, you can reach Osaka safely in less than a week.

——Just happened to go and see Tachibana-kun and the young master...

Qing Deng missed Mr. Kiryu-the same is true for the latter.

Speaking of Qing Deng and Kinoshita Mai... Mr. Kiryu's mind suddenly moved.

He looked down at the folded letter in his hand-somehow, an ominous premonition suddenly emerged in his heart...

……

……

Kyoto, Mibu-go, Shinsengumi Station, Qing Deng's office-

Swish, swish, swish, swish...

The occasional sound of turning pages became the only sound inside and outside the room.

Qing Deng bowed his head in front of the desk, concentrating on reading an old book that was thicker than a brick.

This brick... ah, no, this book is not something else, it is the government account book of Otsu.

Compared with the account book of the Shinsengumi, the account book of Otsu is undoubtedly much thicker and more complicated.

Accounting is like this. The account book of the army at most records the income and expenditure of the baggage, while the account book of the feudal state needs to consider a lot.

Rice, millet, carrots, tea... the income and expenditure of various crops.

Leveling roads, digging canals, maintaining dams... a variety of expenses.

The cost of purchasing stone, the cost of hiring civilians, the income from selling tea, the income from selling porcelain...

The lines of names, the strings of numbers... It makes people dizzy!

After all, Qing Deng is not a professional accountant and does not have such strong professional knowledge.

If you are not careful, you will make mistakes and miss things.

Even with the blessing of talents such as "Divine Brain +9" and "Photographic Memory", he still felt dizzy and overwhelmed.

After persisting for a while, he had to take a break, move his eyes away from the account book, and let out a long breath.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a sense of liberation as if "after constipation for many days, I finally had it."

"I really need to find a competent director as soon as possible..."

Just as Qing Deng was sighing inwardly, suddenly, light, cat-like footsteps sounded outside the room.

With a slight "whoosh" sound, the door was opened a little - Kinoshita Mai poked her head out, revealing half of her cute head.

"Qing Deng, are you busy?"

"I'm just taking a break now, what's wrong? If you have something to say, come in and talk."

Hearing this, Kinoshita Mai immediately flashed inside and walked leisurely to Qing Deng's front.

"Hmm? Qing Deng, are you checking the accounts?"

The thick account book like a brick is hard not to attract Kinoshita Mai's attention.

Qing Deng smiled bitterly:

"Yeah... It's really a tedious job that is not pleasing to people."

"What kind of crap is written in it..."

"I really want to light a fire and burn this crappy book...!"

He explained to the other party in a concise manner the various situations he encountered when checking Otsu's account book.

As a foreigner, Qing Deng naturally did not know the specific details of Otsu.

How much grain is currently produced in Otsu; how much grain is stored in the treasury; how much is Otsu's annual commercial revenue... If Qing Deng does not even have a grasp of these most basic economic conditions, then he is a dereliction of duty as the feudal lord.

If you want to understand the economic situation of a place, the simplest and most direct way is to look through the account books.

The grain storage and outflow every year; the expenses of each quarter... Just read the account books, and you can see it at a glance.

The account books of Otsu... Let's call it "Otsu Book". Previously, it has been kept and recorded by Otsu Bugyosho.

The administrative efficiency of the Edo Shogunate has always been notoriously low.

Under the system of "hereditary nobles and hereditary salaries", as long as they don't make big mistakes, officials are not afraid of losing their jobs.

In this way, the official atmosphere of "Why so serious? Just do it casually" has been formed.

So... the records of the account books by the successive leadership teams of Otsu Bugyosho are mainly casual!

At first glance, the records are full and seem to be very conscientious.

But if you look closely, there are a lot of contradictions in it, and even ridiculous places!

3184 copper coins were collected and 2899 copper coins were spent. Why is there a surplus of 290 copper coins?

Where did the 850 koku of rice collected from Hiyori Village in the spring of 1860 go?

Why are there always extra money and grains that come from nowhere?

There are countless examples.

Compared with these strange situations, those incomprehensible words are quite familiar.

After years of accumulation, the "Otsu Book" has become a huge mountain of shit code!

What Qing Deng just did was to clean up this "shit mountain" and check the mistakes and omissions in the account book.

Even Qing Deng, who has a lot of talents, feels headache and difficulty... It is not difficult to imagine how torturous this job is!

Kinoshita Mai listened carefully.

After Qing Deng finished speaking, she said confidently:

"Qing Deng, if you don't mind, I can help you!"

"Don't look at me like this, I'm quite good at accounting!"

"When I was training under Mr. Kiryu, I was in charge of the account books of Senjiya!"

After that, perhaps to enhance her momentum, she patted her plump chest vigorously.

Even through a layer of cloth, Qing Deng could clearly feel the "surging waves".

When Qing Deng first met Kinoshita Mai, she was growing up.

After 3 years, she has made great progress in all aspects.

Although it is still not comparable to Sanako and Tenshoin, it is also a very amazing size.

However, the strange thing is that she has not grown.

At first, Kinoshita Mai didn't care much about her height.

According to the average level of adult women in the Edo period, Kinoshita Mai, who is 1.5 meters tall, is already considered "tall".

However... since she met Sanako, who was even taller, she became particularly concerned about her height and didn't like people saying she was short.

One day, Qing Deng saw Kinoshita Mai sneaking into a drugstore and asked cautiously: Boss, is there any medicine that can make people grow taller?

The boss said bluntly: "If there is such a medicine, I would have made a fortune long ago."

That day, Kinoshita Mai was depressed as if she knew for the first time that there was evil in the world...

"Oh? Ah Mai, are you sure you want to help me with the accounts?"

Kinoshita Mai nodded vigorously:

"I'm willing to try!"

Her words woke Qing Deng up.

He almost forgot that Kinoshita Mai was one of the few people in the Shinsengumi who knew how to look at accounts.

All the generals of the Shinsengumi were rough.

The only intellectuals were Yamanami Keisuke, Kamo Serizawa, Fujido Heisuke and Sanako.

Among them, only Yamanami Keisuke knew a little about accounting.

The other three people - even Sanako, who was the most educated, knew nothing about account books - because "mathematics" and "accounting" were not included in the traditional curriculum of Yamato Nadeshiko.

Kinoshita Mai was not bragging, "bookkeeping" was indeed one of her specialties.

Looking back, every time Qing Deng went to Senjiya, he could always see her bending over the desk and concentrating on bookkeeping.

Before finding a suitable candidate for the head of the department, he could indeed rely on her more.

However, Qing Deng seemed to remember something, and a thoughtful look appeared on his cheeks.

After a moment, he shook his head:

"Awu, you are busy enough now, and I can't add to your burden."

"Instead of forcing you, it is better to find a capable head of the department as soon as possible."

In terms of busyness alone, Kinoshita Mai ranks among the Shinsengumi generals.

In order not to disappoint Qing Deng's trust and expectations, she always tenses her nerves and devotes herself to building the 9th Division from scratch.

Turning a "novice unit" into a "special forces unit" that is proficient in infiltration, lock picking, wall climbing and other skills is definitely not something that can be done by just shouting a few slogans and giving a little encouragement.

Kinoshita Mai really taught the soldiers hand in hand and put in everything she learned bit by bit.

As far as the results are concerned, her efforts were not in vain, but also very effective!

The changes in the 9th Division can be said to be changing with each passing day, and they are becoming more and more like a "ninja army"!

Qing Deng has always seen Kinoshita Mai's efforts and dedication.

If it is not necessary, he does not want to increase the burden on her shoulders.

"Awu, you just need to concentrate on doing your own job now."

"Don't worry about the rest."

"If we are really too busy in the future and can't spread the manpower, I will come back and ask you again."

Although Qingto's euphemistic rejection made Kinoshita Mai purse her lips, she didn't say anything more and just said "Okay, I understand."

At this time, Qingdeng changed the subject:

"Let's not talk about work for now, let's get back to the topic. Ah Wu, why did you come to me suddenly?"

Kinoshita Mai chuckled.

"It's actually nothing."

"I just want to drag you out."

Qingdeng raised his eyebrows:

"Going out? Where?"

Kinoshita Mai changed into an excited tone:

"It's rare that I have free time today, so I plan to meet Elodie!"

"Qingden, are you busy now? If not, why don't we go visit Elodie together!"

"Elodie must also want to see you!"

Elodie——The moment he heard this name, Qingden felt a faint sense of trance, and his body was startled subconsciously.

When was the last time I heard this name...?

Qingden has not seen this blond lolita from France for too long!

Since the family moved to Kyoto, Elodie and her family have lived in seclusion in the eastern suburbs of Kyoto under the arrangement of Boss Kiryu.

As a close friend of the Angoulême family, Qingden would naturally not treat him badly.

They moved into their new house, and Qingdeng immediately went to visit them.

After that, he visited them from time to time.

In order to protect their personal safety, Qingdeng sent additional patrol officers near his residence, which was considered a disguised form of care.

However, in recent times, various major events have continued to take place.

First Iemo went to Luo, then Hitotsubashi Keiki made a difficult move, then the aggressive British fleet in Edo Bay, and then the "August 18th Coup"...

Qingdeng's energy was being consumed in turn, and he had no chance to breathe. Naturally, he had no time to visit Elodie.

He remembered that the last time he visited Elodie... it was more than 2 months ago.

It was midsummer then, and now it’s autumn.

Thinking of this, Qingdeng couldn't help but look ashamed.

——I am really incompetent as a master...

After all, he is also Elodie's sword master.

But as a result, his master was nowhere to be seen for three days, and he did not play the role of "teaching students knowledge and solving doubts" at all.

Whenever he thinks of this, Qingdeng can't help but feel guilty.

Kinoshita Wu flashed her beautiful eyes and looked at Qingteng expectantly, waiting for Qingteng's answer.

Qingdeng turned his head and looked at the sky outside the window, then withdrew his gaze and looked at the "Dajin Book" in front of him.

After thinking for a moment, he quickly reached out his hand and closed the account book heavily.

"Okay, Ah Wu, go change clothes. Let's go meet Elodie together!"

…

…

The two of them were not on a business trip, so they were only wearing private clothes and did not wear light green feathers.

Kinoshita Mai is still the same, dressed in red.

A bright red kimono and a goose-yellow belt.

Her cute little feet without socks are wearing a pair of red button clogs.

Whenever Kinoshita moves her little feet, the wooden clogs will tap on the soles of her feet, making a crisp sound... This sight and sound are really something that you will never tire of seeing and listening to - at least Qingden will never tire of seeing it. Never tired of hearing it.

One of Qingto's hobbies is watching Kinoshita Mai walk, especially when she walks barefoot on the wooden corridor.

If it were not long ago, Qingdeng might just go out without makeup, without wearing a face scarf or a bamboo hat, letting his identity be exposed, and just walking on the street without a care in the world.

But not anymore.

Nowadays, when he goes out for personal matters, he will cover his face carefully to prevent others from recognizing him.

Otherwise, wherever he goes, the people of Kyoto will kneel down.

The rule that "the princes must not look down upon them, and the emperor must not look up to them" applies to all of Japan.

After seeing Qingden, not only the people of Otsu had to kneel, but the people of Kyoto also had to kneel.

The gap between status and class does not depend on region or environment.

To be honest, Qingdeng was not happy to see this scene of "common people worshiping him".

Qingdeng is not the kind of stay-at-home guy who doesn't like to go out.

Not to mention anything else, just to run Dajin, he has to travel frequently between the two places.

Every time I go out, the people along the way have to kneel down... How troublesome it is!

Qingdeng was tired from watching, and the common people were also kneeling tired.

Therefore, in order to avoid this "lose-lose" situation, Qingdeng now tries to choose "private visits in private" every time he goes out, so as to save unnecessary trouble.

…

…

Kyoto, eastern suburbs——

Kinoshita Mai: "The weather is starting to get cooler. It won't be long before we have to wear thick clothes and scarves."

Qingdeng: "Well, time flies so fast."

The two of them chatted with each other.

Their pace is fast.

It won't be long before the Angoulême family's home comes into view.

At this moment, suddenly, a burst of powerful Qihe sound attracted their attention.

"Haa! Haa! Haa! Haa! Haa!"

The two stopped at the same time, then both turned their heads and looked at each other - they both saw a look of surprise on each other's faces.

Kinoshita Mai was the first to ask:

"Qingdeng, do you think this voice sounds familiar?"

Qing Deng asserted without hesitation:

"Of course it sounds familiar, isn't this the voice of Elodie?"

Qing Deng would not have heard it wrong - the owner of this sound of air harmony is definitely Elodie.

As a master, he would not have heard his apprentice's voice wrong.

"Strange..."

Kinoshita Mai muttered.

"Elodie's house is not in this direction..."

From the direction, Elodie's shouting did not come from her house.

The two looked at each other again - although they didn't say a word, they made the same decision - and followed the sound.

It didn't take a while, they found a simple house - as the distance got closer, Elodie's sound of air harmony became louder.

There is no doubt that Elodie is inside this house.

There is a circle of earthen walls around the house, which is not very high.

Kinoshita Mai might find it difficult to see, but Qing Deng can see the scenery inside the wall by just tiptoeing.

Looking up - behind the earthen wall is a neat little yard.

Elodie, wearing a kendo uniform, stood in the middle of the yard, holding a bamboo sword, swinging it repeatedly, sometimes slashing, sometimes stabbing.

Not far from her, a beautiful woman holding a cup of hot tea was watching Elodie's practice with great interest.

After seeing the woman's face clearly, Qing Deng couldn't help but exclaimed:

"Miss Komu?!"

This woman was none other than the gentle woman who ran a Japanese confectionery shop with her husband - Komuki-cho.

Today is 5,000 Leopard Wow! Please give me a monthly ticket! Please give me a recommendation ticket! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

Elodie is finally online! After Qing Deng came to Luoyang, she has been missing, which is a bit sorry for Elodie's fans (Leopard coward.jpg)