My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 17: Chapter 11: Kondo Isami_3

The Town Magistrate is akin to a mayor, Yoriki are similar to middle management, and Dōshin are the grassroots staff.

The above are all the officials at the North Guard Station... Totaling 146 people...

The organization of the South Division is exactly the same as the North Guard Station, so the total number of staff in both magistrates’ offices combined is merely a paltry 292 people...

The Magistrate’s Office, being a crucial government organization responsible for managing the entire city, naturally encompasses multiple departments, each with different tasks.

For example—under the ”Life-Care Patrol” are 1 Yoriki and 2 Dōshin responsible for supervising the condition of the poor receiving treatment at the life-care centers.

”Permanent Public Bridge” also has 1 Yoriki and 2 Dōshin, responsible for patrolling and inspecting all the bridges within Edo City.

The departments responsible for catching thieves, solving cases, and maintaining the peace in Edo, fulfilling modern police functions, are collectively known as the ”Three Times,” which include Fixed Town Patrol, Temporary Patrol, and Secret Patrol.

The department Aoto belongs to is the Fixed Town Patrol.

The daily work of the Fixed Town Patrol is patrolling various parts of Edo, handling and solving cases when they arise.

The Temporary Patrol is formed by selecting elites from those who have worked long-term in the Fixed Town Patrol, responsible for guiding and assisting the Fixed Town Patrol.

The Secret Patrol is responsible for intelligence activities, disguising themselves and patrolling various districts in Edo, collecting information for their colleagues in the Fixed Town Patrol and Temporary Patrol.

If there are operations against large-scale criminal organizations, such as last night’s roundup of the ”Righteous Group,” the ”Three Times” will take full responsibility.

Considering that the overall staff in the magistrate’s office is already quite few, the personnel assigned to the ”Three Times” will naturally not be many.

Both North and South Guard Stations have only 2 Yoriki and 6 Dōshin under the Fixed Town Patrol.

The Temporary Patrol has the same organization as the Fixed Town Patrol, with 2 Yoriki and 6 Dōshin.

The Secret Patrol is the smallest department in the entire magistrate’s office—only 2 Dōshin, without any middle management Yoriki, and all are directly commanded by the Town Magistrate.

In other words—the total police force in the entire city responsible for apprehending thieves and maintaining public order, combining both North and South magistrates’ offices, is only 8 Yoriki and 28 Dōshin, totaling 36 people...

If in a novel, the author depicted a setting where a city with a population of a million has so few regular police, there would certainly be know-it-all readers who fancy themselves as city management experts, actually just lacking knowledge, criticizing with comments like ”the author is dumb, how could a city with a million people have so few regular police, don’t write if you can’t.”

However, this is an iron-clad fact; indeed, Edo only has this few regular police.

Because the samurai of the ”Three Times” are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring city security, they naturally earn the admiration and respect of some people.

From Kondo’s current demeanor, he seems to belong to this group of people.

After Aoto revealed his identity, Kondo’s attitude towards Aoto became noticeably more enthusiastic.

He enthusiastically introduced the Shiwei Hall in detail to Aoto, his new disciple.

”Our Shiwei Hall generally opens at 8 a.m. (morning five o’clock) and closes around 6 p.m. (evening six o’clock).”

”Generally, in the afternoon is when more apprentices come to practice swordsmanship.”

”In the morning, because many people like to sleep in, there are often not many apprentices practicing swordsmanship.”

”Just like now—right now, there’s only one apprentice practicing swordsmanship in the dojo, and you’ll get to see him soon.”

Saying this, Kondo suddenly paused, then broke into a meaningful smile, and said to Aoto in a low voice:

”When you meet the only apprentice currently practicing swordsmanship in the dojo, you’ll definitely be surprised.”

”I’ll give you a little heads-up—the person is a boy.”

”Huh? What do you mean?” Aoto asked in confusion, ”Does the person’s face look very girl-like?”

”Well... you’ll find out soon enough.” Kondo replied with a mysterious smile.

During their conversation, Aoto and Kondo unconsciously found themselves quite close to the Shiwei Hall’s dojo.

Hoo...

Hoo...

At this moment, Aoto faintly heard the sound of bamboo swords slicing through the air coming from inside the dojo.

The doors of the dojo were now open.

Kondo, walking ahead and leading the way, slightly quickened his pace and then stood at the entrance of the dojo, looking inside.

”There, that is the only apprentice currently practicing swordsmanship in the dojo that I mentioned to you. He’s practicing swordsmanship right now, so let’s go in later.”

Aoto, who had been closely following behind Kondo, after hearing Kondo’s words, looked towards the interior of the dojo—

”Um...!”

In the instant his gaze fell on the figure in the center of the dojo, Aoto instinctively let out a low exclamation from the overwhelming impact.

Standing in the center of the dojo was a beautiful youth beyond mere words, who could only be described as adorable.

*******

*******

The new book launches! Nearly 10,000 words updated today!

Releasing so many words during the new book period is quite generous QAQ

Seeking all kinds of support! Requesting recommendation votes! Requesting monthly votes! Requesting collection!