My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 126: Chapter 83: Prelude to the Storm, Edo to Launch ”Anti-Terror Operation” [5,500 Words]

”Mr. Inagawa, from another perspective, this could be considered ’blessings in disguise’ for me.”

Aoto smiled at Inagawa and continued:

”Though it was rather unfortunate to encounter such an incident while hitching a ride back to Edo.”

”But didn’t I also manage to achieve significant military success?”

”For the ’performance assessment’ a month from now, I should have passed it easily.”

Currently, the Edo Magistrate’s Office’s biggest task is to crack down on those demented ”Anti-foreigner Faction” villains.

This time, Aoto successfully defeated over two hundred ”Anti-foreigner Faction” offenders with fewer numbers, killing over sixty, and saved the French merchant and his family... such achievements are indeed noteworthy.

With such a great achievement in hand... just as Aoto had mentioned earlier, he no longer needs to worry about the March 1st ”Tairō Assessment” testing their ”Three Times” performance.

”Ha...” Inagawa chuckled bitterly, ”Indeed, Tachibana, it appears you have made a fortune from misfortune.”

After speaking, Inagawa grinned at Aoto, showing a joyful smile.

”Tachibana, truly... I’m seeing you in a new light!”

”Who would have thought you possessed such skills!”

”Leading several dozen men to repel an enemy crowd several times larger than yours... Some military generals of the Warring States Period might not possess such capabilities!”

When Aoto sent a request for reinforcements to Edo, he had already included all known information about this ”Snowy Night Chaos” in the letter.

When, where, and how they were attacked, how they repelled the enemy, the direction of the fleeing adversaries... these were all clearly outlined in the letter.

After this request for reinforcements was delivered to the Magistrate’s Office, the members of the ”Three Times” were among the first to learn of Aoto’s feat of ”defeating the strong with the weak.”

Thus, Arima, Inagawa, and the others were well aware of Aoto’s situation and how he led Oomura and others to strategically achieve victory despite being outnumbered.

”Tachibana, I’ve heard.”

Inagawa continued.

”It seems the French Consulate is intent on thanking and awarding you after hearing of your rescue of their country’s merchant.”

”The thanks and awards from the French Consulate... Compared to any commendation from the French Embassy, I’m more curious about what rewards the government will give me,” Aoto replied in a half-joking tone.

”... The government is exceedingly busy these days.” Arima suddenly interjected, ”The Tairō and Senior Councillor are paying serious attention to this incident.”

”It’s said that the Tairō and Senior Councillor have already held several meetings about this incident in the past few days.”

”Right now... it is truly a turbulent time...”

”All of you, prepare yourselves.”

”Undoubtedly, the Shogunate will certainly take unprecedentedly severe measures against all ’Anti-foreigner Faction’ members.”

”We will be very busy after this...”

Arima’s words brought a somber expression to the faces of Aoto and others in the room.

In the past, whether in government or among the people, everyone perceived the ”Radical Anti-foreigner Faction” as a group capable only of bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

Constantly exclaiming ”expel the barbarians,” yet when it came to killing foreigners they didn’t manage to kill many, instead killing most of their fellow Japanese whom they deemed ’traitors.’

Whether killing foreigners or Japanese, they only dared to commit assassinations in secret, not daring to openly attack those difficult to provoke.

But now—Aoto’s encounter with this ’attack event’ has completely shattered everyone’s perception of these madmen.

These lunatics have suddenly hardened, daring to unsheathe their blades against foreign merchants protected by dozens of Samurai.

Capable of organizing over 200 people to attack a certain target.

Possessing the intelligence to know when Anthony and others would pass through a specific area, and preparing for an ambush in advance...

Such numbers, such mobilization capabilities, such intelligence-gathering abilities...

This is not something that can be ignored...

This indicates the emergence of one or even several sizable ”Radical Anti-foreigner Faction” organizations.

These irrational ’terrorists’ have suddenly banded together, forming sizable forces, and started organized ”terror actions”—which is not good news for the Edo Shogunate at present.

The actual ruler of the Edo Shogunate with overwhelming power: Tairō Ii Naosuke, is well-known as a ”Founding Theory” proponent.

He has been advocating for the founding of the nation, boldly engaging in exchanges with foreign powers.

Thus, it is predictable that Ii Naosuke, as a ”Founding Theory” proponent, will not sit back and watch as the ”Radical Anti-foreigner Faction” strengthens, having already developed some climate.

Who knows if these people will later cause some major trouble that could bring disaster to the whole country.

These madmen dared to attack an innocent foreign merchant and his family today, who knows if they might attack foreign embassies or commit some more extreme acts tomorrow?

If that happens, the ”founding” policy that Ii Naosuke has always adhered to will certainly be impacted.

Anyone with a slight sense of political judgment can see: from now on, Ii Naosuke will surely allocate more resources to ”counterterrorism.”

And Edo, as one of the epicenters of the ”Expel barbarians movement,” will definitely witness the Shogunate’s ”heavy-handed actions.”

At that time, Aoto and the others in ”Three Times” will undoubtedly be regarded as important forces and deployed in the ”counterterrorism actions.”