My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 35: Chapter 23: This Is the Most Hellish Start to a Transmigration Yet!

Upon hearing the word ”expulsion of foreigners,” most of the people in the room immediately became solemn.

”I don’t need to say it, everyone present should already know how rampant those who repeatedly shout ’expulsion of foreigners’, the ’Anti-foreigner Faction’, are, right?”

Hosoi curled his lips, showing a disdainful and resentful expression.

”If these people dared to draw their swords against the Americans and English, those barbarians, if they dared to paddle out in little boats to attack the Western steam battleships, then they might be considered courageous.”

”But these rioters only turn their blades on their own people!”

”Now, many who praise foreign countries or study Western learning have become targets of these rioters.”

[Note: Western learning, during this era, is a term Japanese use for Western scientific and cultural knowledge.]

”Just last month, seven innocent people were brutally killed by these rioters!”

Hosoi continued in a frustrated and helpless tone.

At this time, Aoto couldn’t help but think about how he too was being inexplicably targeted by the ”Radical Anti-foreigner Faction,” causing his brows to furrow slightly.

”I don’t need to elaborate, you should also be aware that Ii Dairou despises the ’Anti-foreigner Faction’ the most.”

”Ii Dairou is furious at the violent acts of these rioters.”

”What angers Ii Dairou even more is the ’Three Times’ who have so far been unable to curb the atrocities of the ’Anti-foreigner Faction’ rampant in Edo.”

”Yesterday, Ii Dairou summoned me and Atsukawa and gave us a harsh reprimand.”

Atsukawa—the Town Magistrate of the South Guard Station and another Mayor who shared the management authority over Edo with Hosoi.

”He directly questioned why the ’Three Times’ of the South and North Guard Stations were so incompetent, allowing the ’Anti-foreigner Faction’ in Edo to be so rampant. Whether the ’Three Times’ samurai of the South and North Guard Stations are all a bunch of incompetents merely holding their positions without merit.”

”Atsukawa and I shook our heads frantically, saying: Absolutely not.”

”Then... Ii Dairou said to us: if that is not the case, then prove it to me, show me that the ’Three Times’ of the South and North Guard Stations are not a bunch of gluttons and idlers!”

At this point, Hosoi seemed to recall some unpleasant memories, both corners of his mouth drooping.

”Thus—Ii Dairou issued this command to assess the political achievements of the ’Three Times’ officers of the South and North Guard Stations by March 1st.”

Hosoi let out a long sigh.

”Ii Dairou directly issued a severe order: On March 1st, he will send a trusted aide to organize a grand meeting to examine and assess your political achievements during this period.”

”By then, anyone whose achievements are unsatisfactory will have their official status stripped on the spot.”

As soon as Hosoi’s words fell, the faces of everyone in the room immediately changed uniformly.

Many showed expressions of terror.

Aoto was also stunned.

The Tairō can be considered the Prime Minister of this country.

For the Prime Minister to directly send a confidant to inspect your work performance and to be dismissed if the performance is not up to par... isn’t that terrifying?

At this time, Hosoi sat cross-legged back on the tatami, picked up a cup of water from the desk beside him, drank it all in one go, and continued in a heartfelt tone:

”Listen carefully, you must take this assessment arranged by Ii Dairou seriously.”

”I... will take this opportunity to slightly reveal some inside information to all of you.”

”You should all know, right? Since taking office as Tairō two years ago, Ii Dairou has been actively reforming the shogunate’s government to strengthen the country’s power and resist the invasion of the Americans and other barbarians.”

”And recently, I’ve received concrete information—Ii Dairou is preparing to overhaul the administration.”

”Ii Dairou plans to start by reorganizing the grassroots officials, to replace all key departments and positions of the shogunate with capable individuals.”

”The ’Three Times’ bear the heavy responsibility of maintaining the public order of Edo, it is an extremely important position.”

”So, I suspect... the reason why Ii Dairou suddenly arranged this assessment must be to use this opportunity to thoroughly ’clean up’ the ’Three Times,’ who bear such important responsibilities, removing those with mediocre abilities and replacing them with more talented people.”

”In short—this assessment is of great significance! It is not a trivial matter!”

”In the past, for those assessments, you might have been able to muddle through.”

”But this time, the assessment is being conducted by Ii Dairou for the purpose of ’overhauling the administration.’”

”I don’t need to say more about its importance and severity, do I?”

The faces of some people in the room looked even worse.

”Today is January 14th.”

”There are still 1 and a half months left until the assessment period set by Ii Dairou on March 1st.”

Hosoi moved his gaze, letting his vision pass briefly over the faces of everyone present.

”Those who are not confident in their political achievements during this period must strive to work diligently in this final piece of time! Work to enhance your own achievements!”

”I hope not to see anyone a month and a half later be stripped of their status and leave the North Guard Station in shame.”

Some people in the room couldn’t help but lower their heads, looking nervous and frightened.

”Especially you, Tachibana Aoto!”

Out of nowhere, Hosoi suddenly glanced at Aoto, who had been quietly listening behind Arima, calling out Aoto’s full name in a very serious tone.

Aoto looked up at Hosoi with a bewildered expression.

In Hosoi’s eyes, which directly met Aoto’s, there was a faint hint of annoyance.

”Of everyone, the person I’m most worried about is you.”

”You need to put in a lot of effort!”

”I’ll be frank with you!”

”With your current achievements, in a month and a half, you will definitely be kicked out of the North Guard Station.”

As soon as Hosoi’s words fell silent, in the room... primarily from the ”Tojo Group’s” seating area, low laughter and sneers were heard...

”Lord Governor!”

At this moment, Arima quickly said aloud.

”Mr. Tachibana has only been in the North Guard Station for half a year.”

”He is still not very skilled at many of the Fixed Town Patrol’s tasks.”

”Moreover, during the arrest operation against the ’Righteous Group’ the night before last, Mr. Tachibana also made some notable contributions, successfully capturing the ’Righteous Group’s’ second-in-command: Cat’s Eye.”

Arima was about to say more, but was interrupted by Hosoi in an impatient tone:

”Arima, during the assessment meeting a month and a half later, do you plan to use ’Mr. Tachibana has not been in the North Guard Station for long’ and ’Mr. Tachibana has also made some contributions’ to excuse him?”

Faced with Hosoi’s sharp rebuttal, Arima pursed his lips, showing a bit of hesitation, before quietly lowering his head and saying nothing further.

”Tachibana.

Hosoi then turned his gaze back to Aoto.

The faint annoyance reappeared in Hosoi’s eyes.

”I won’t say any more harsh words to you.”

”In short—over the next month and a half, you need to work hard.”

”Be careful not to be the first to be stripped of your rank at the assessment meeting in a month and a half.”

”At that time, losing face is a minor issue, losing this livelihood is major.”

”Do you understand?”

”Yes...” Aoto, showing an awkward smile, bowed to Hosoi, ”I understand...”

”Hehe...” Low laughter was heard again in the room—still mostly coming from the ”Tojo Group.”

The four people of the ”Tojo Group,” except for Yoriki Tojo, all cast their eyes at Aoto as if watching a circus clown while sneering.

Who are they laughing at? It is obvious.

Pig Valley and Ushiyama, who sat to Aoto’s left and right, along with Arima, who sat in front of Aoto, all cast angry looks at the sneering ”Tojo Group” members.

Why did Hosoi specifically point out Aoto, urging him to work hard afterward?

This all has to start with the unbearable work ability of the ”Original Tachibana Aoto”...

After taking his father’s position half a year ago and becoming a new dōshin of the Fixed Town Patrol, ”Original Tachibana Aoto” demonstrated... To put it nicely, he had great room for improvement, to put it bluntly, you might as well have a pig do the job, it might do better than him!

*******

*******

A new book sets sail!

Begging for monthly votes! Begging for recommendation votes! Begging for collection!