"It doesn't matter, if you can't catch big fish, you can catch small fish."

Speaking of this, Qingdeng narrowed his eyes, with a deep light shining in his eyes.

"Tori Taro Ikeda, please serve me."

"Your mission is simple."

"Provide me with information about Qinghe Hachiro and Tosa Kinwang's gang..."

Before Aoto finished speaking, Tortaro Ikeda spoke excitedly:

"impossible!"

"Ju Qingden, have your spring and autumn dream!"

"Mr. Qinghe and I are brothers and sisters!"

"We are not only close comrades-in-arms, but also close friends who share the same goals!"

"How could I betray Mr. Qinghe?!"

Qingdeng seemed to have expected such a reaction from the other party.

Faced with Tori Ikeda's passionate rebuttal, he said calmly:

"Ikeda-kun, I understand how you feel."

"It is indeed quite difficult for you to immediately betray Qinghe Hachilang and switch to my command."

"But...I will make you an offer you can't refuse."

With that said, Qingden turned back and walked slowly towards the corner of the cellar.

Toriyama Ikeda looked carefully and realized that there was a small table in the corner not far in front of him.

There is a pile of things on the table, which is covered with a thin cloth, so its true appearance cannot be seen clearly.

Qingdeng stood in front of the low table, raised his hand to hold a corner of the thin cloth, and suddenly opened it.

Suddenly, Qingdeng's face was illuminated with a bright yellow luster.

At the same time, the entire cellar became a little more open!

It turns out that there is indeed a "mountain" covered under the thin cloth - a mountain of large judgment gold!

The densely packed gold medals are piled up together and form a mountain!

[Note·Daiban: The highest denomination gold coin in the Edo period, 1 large coin = 10 taels of gold, 1 small coin = 1 tael of gold]

Toriyama Ikeda's gaze suddenly shot straight, and his eyes seemed to be attracted by magnets, staring straight at the gold mountain on the low table.

This is the first time in his life that he has seen such a large amount of money!

"Ten thousand taels of gold."

Qingdeng said seriously every word.

"Here are ten thousand taels of gold."

As he spoke, he stretched out the five fingers of his right hand, inserted them into the golden mountain, and then slowly pulled upwards.

Crash la la... A large gold medal slid down between his fingers, making a crisp sound of "clop la la".

"If you surrender to me and collect information about Qinghe Hachiro and Tosa Qinwang's gang for me, once the matter is completed, all these 10,000 taels of gold will be yours."

"I will ensure your personal safety."

"In addition, if you are willing, I can also help you change your household registration and help you 'regain a new life'."

"As long as you are within the territory of the shogunate, I can help you get a legal and compliant new identity."

Tortaro Ikeda blinked hard several times, as if he was confirming whether he was dazzled or afraid that the pile of gold coins would disappear from his eyes.

About 10 seconds later, he woke up as if from a dream.

The next moment he came back to his senses, he raised his voice and said sharply:

"But, that's ridiculous! Do you think that a mere yellow and white thing can impress me?"

Qingdeng smiled slightly:

"Ikeda-kun, this is not an ordinary yellow and white thing."

"This is a treasure that can change your life in the future."

"Ten thousand taels of gold - the magic power it contains is far beyond your imagination."

"As long as you have this money, you don't have to travel around for a living."

"As long as you have this money, you will be able to live a superior life that is difficult for ordinary people to achieve."

"As long as you have this money...you can redeem Miss Hiyori of Shimabara, right?"

Hiyori——Hearing this name, Toriyama Ikeda's body suddenly trembled several times.

"You, how do you know Miss Hiyori?"

Qingden replied calmly:

"I even know the secrets that you are colluding with Tosa Kin's gang, so what does your private matter mean?"

"Although Ms. Hiyori is not an oiran, she is still a very popular and popular courtesan."

"For this reason, the cost of her ransom is not cheap."

"No more, no less, exactly 200 taels of gold."

"Ikeda-kun, where are you going to collect 200 taels of gold?"

A drop of cold sweat dripped from Tori Ikeda's forehead.

Qingdeng’s words continued:

"Did Qinghe Hachiro pay you for your work?"

"The military pay offered to you by the Shinsengumi is only half a pound of gold per month."

"With your current income, even if you don't eat or drink all day long, it will take you more than ten years to scrape together 200 taels of gold."

"Besides, even if we collect the money, what can we do?"

"By the time you raise enough money, Miss Hiyori may have been redeemed by others long ago."

"Even if you are lucky enough to redeem Miss Hiyori, your income will not be enough to support a happy life for the two of you."

"At most, I can live an ordinary life without starving to death."

"You can never expect to live a superior life with delicious food and fine dining."

"Even if you want to buy a new piece of clothing, you still have to worry about it and hesitate for a long time."

"Perhaps you would like to say: When you achieve the great cause of Zunxing in the future, you will become an important minister of Conglong, and you will rise to the top without being bothered by money anymore."

"But the question is, how can you guarantee that your great cause of respect will achieve final victory?"

"Moreover, there are so many people who support the great cause of respecting and fighting, how can you be sure that you can get a share of it?"

"Now, close your eyes and imagine it carefully."

Having said this, Qingdeng closed his eyes with all his strength.

Perhaps he was suffocated by Aoto's powerful aura, Ikeda Toriyama followed the instructions in a daze and closed his eyes.

In the hazy darkness, he heard Qingden's faint words:

"Imagine this—the great cause of respecting and fighting has not been successful. You have neither achieved a prominent status nor a fortune, but you have just spent your life in confusion."

"Because I am poor, I cannot redeem myself for the woman I like."

"Because I am poor, I have nothing to do but not starve to death."

"Once upon a time, there was a precious opportunity that could change your life in one breath, but you didn't cherish it. You missed it and regretted it."

"Now, open your eyes - that precious opportunity that can change your life is back in front of you!"

Qingden opened his eyes suddenly.

Toriyama Ikeda also opened his eyes at the same time.

Compared to just now, there were many new complex emotions in his eyes.

"Qinghe Hachiro is indeed your best friend and comrade-in-arms."

"But can he afford the money?"

Speaking of this, Qingdeng reached out and pulled the golden mountain again.

The gold coins clattered again.

"Can he help you redeem Miss Hiyori's life?"

"He can't."

"But I can!"
To be continued...