My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 203: Chapter 101: Recommending Tachibana Aoto to Lord Shogun! [7,000 Words]

Aoto responded with a loud voice while raising both hands above his head, receiving the sword Ghost-Slaying from the hands of Ii Naosuke.

After Aoto received the sword, the gazes of the people in the hall toward him began to change further.

In the eyes of Arima, Inagawa, and Ushiyama, there was nothing but pure joy and congratulations.

Tojo’s expression was indifferent, seemingly unconcerned or uninterested in what reward Aoto had actually received.

As for the three Dōshin members of the Tojo Group led by Nishino, the emotions in their gaze towards Aoto became increasingly complex.

However, the complex emotions in these three people’s eyes were not entirely the same.

Nishino’s gaze also contained negative feelings such as jealousy and displeasure, but the predominant one was envy.

Whereas for the other two Dōshin of the Tojo Group—what stood out most in their gaze was jealousy.

...

...

Joy for some, disappointment for others—using this saying to describe today’s evaluation meeting could not be more appropriate.

After all, the main purpose of this examination was to take the opportunity to eliminate incompetent and useless people and ”cleanse” the Three Times of the South and North Guard Stations.

”Aoto receiving his reward” was merely a small episode in this examination meeting.

Ii Naosuke mentioned earlier that he wasn’t pressed for time, so he went directly to the point.

He really didn’t bother with pleasantries.

After Aoto returned to his seat with the reward he had received, shining brightly, Ii Naosuke also sat back on the tatami, then... officially began the topic of the day.

Ii Naosuke first praised some individuals with outstanding achievements.

Nishino from the Tojo Group was among those praised.

In truth, Nishino’s performance has been mediocre recently, as he was assigned over a month ago to the case of the ”Cat Monk,” supposedly a female ninja.

The Cat Monk could move effortlessly on rooftops, tree crowns, and extreme terrains, appearing without a trace, leaving only one clue: he only stole from notorious villains.

The difficulty of capturing the Cat Monk is imaginable.

Aoto had heard that Nishino made no progress on the Cat Monk case over the past month.

Yet, Nishino was notably the ”North Guard Station’s top detective.”

Even if his recent performance hadn’t been remarkable, his past achievements alone were enough to make his overall accomplishments outshine almost all colleagues.

Following the commendations... came criticism and reprimands.

A nightmare began for some...

Originally, given Aoto’s previous accomplishments, he, ”Blockhead Don,” should have been one of those to be reprimanded.

But now, relying on ”solving the murder case in Mukiura Town” and ”defeating Anti-foreigner Faction rioters, protecting the French Merchant,” he succeeded in ”reviving.”

In terms of overall achievements, he is considered the ”top contributor” among the South and North Patrols’ Three Times in the past three months, having just received a generous reward from Ii Naosuke, with no worry of losing his position at this examination meeting.

Five officials faced Ii Naosuke’s scolding.

These were one Dōshin each from the North Guard Station’s Temporary Patrol and Secret Patrol, one Yoriki and one Dōshin from the South Guard Station’s Fixed Town Patrol, and one Yoriki from the Temporary Patrol.

A total of two Yoriki and three Dōshin—they were all recent performers whom Ii Naosuke found extremely unsatisfactory.

When reprimanding these five, Ii Naosuke didn’t show any grim expressions or use angry words.

Instead, with a calm face and an unhurried, serene tone, he detailed how these five had disappointed him.

Despite not showing fierce expressions or using angry words... for some reason, it made the listeners feel immense pressure in their hearts...

After meticulously listing the poor performances of these five, Ii Naosuke personally announced their punishment—two whose records weren’t too bad will have their salary and offerings halved for the next six months, while the other three... from today, they must find their own livelihood.

The two relieved that their positions remained, albeit with deducted paycheck, showed expressions of escape from a disaster.

As for the three stripped of their official statuses... their faces turned pale as paper, cold sweat uncontrollably pouring down...

They didn’t dare to raise any objections to Ii Naosuke’s punishment.

Who would have the courage to challenge the Prime Minister directly?

They could only hang their heads in despair...

”I hope that all of you can take this as a warning.”

Ii Naosuke glanced at the three now hanging their heads.

Previously, whether during giving Aoto his reward or verbally praising Nishino and others, Ii Naosuke had been wearing a faint smile; now that he was naming and reprimanding those whose achievements weren’t up to par, the smile had vanished.

No joy or sorrow, no visible emotions.

”Protecting Edo is your duty, Three Times.”

”I’ve always believed that those who can’t even fulfill what they should be doing deserve to be expelled.”

”I will continue to hold unplanned examinations like today in the future.”

”So those who passed today shouldn’t feel relieved or think they’re safe.”

Upon hearing this from Ii Naosuke, some who showed expressions of relief for passing today immediately stiffened.