Chapter 16 16. The Eve of the Storm

Sakamoto Ryoma said goodbye to his dormitory Fujihei, and returned to Tosa alone. Fujibei did not go home with Ryoma out of concern. "You are returning to your hometown after a good clothes. If someone like me goes back with you, I'm afraid it will embarrass you." He was serious.For some reason, as long as he follows Ryoma, many things will happen.He felt that he was always causing trouble to Ryoma, so he wanted to stop for a while.This is what he really thinks. This is the second time Ryoma has returned to his hometown since he left for Edo for the first time.This time, he obtained the qualifications of the best-in-class Beichen Yidao style, and returned to his hometown with honor.He received a warm welcome in the small castle town.

Brother Kwon Pyung is very proud. "In any case, so far, only Takeichi Hanpeita and my brother Ryoma have been qualified to pass the master class in the big martial arts school in Edo. This is the pride of our Sakamoto family. I also feel very honored when I walk on the street." Takeshi Banheita has also returned to his hometown and opened a school in the city to teach low-level samurai swordsmanship and reading.His Zuizan Juku has become the most popular private school in Tosa. "Ruishan" is the elegant name of Wushi, just like Xixiang Longsheng's "Nanzhou" and Gui Xiaowulang's "Songju".But Longma never gave himself any nickname in his life.

As soon as Ryoma came back, Quan Ping discussed with him: "You should also open a martial arts gym like Ban Pingta, and you can't lose to him. You teach people swordsmanship. I will buy you a piece of land in the busiest place under the city and build a A magnificent training ground." "No, I'm too different from Banping. I have my own ideas. I don't want to do anything, I just want to wander around." "Walking around?" Quan Ping was very unhappy, "You bastard. My elder brother wants to open a martial arts gym for you. For you who can't inherit the family business, this is a great thing. You can't be ungrateful."

"No no." Long Ma thought for a while and said, "I can't teach people yet." "You used to be the head coach of Chiba. Now that you have grown up, you have learned to be humble. You need to have some enthusiasm for doing things." "No, brother, I want to study." "Reading?" Kwon Ping laughed loudly after hearing this, "Ryoma, do you want to study?" "I know that reading is useful. I want to read ancient and modern books, as well as Western books. After reading the books, I want to use my own hands to save this corrupt world."

"Save the world? What a big tone." Kwon Ping still laughed.But he suddenly stopped laughing and said, "Who did you learn from?" "Learn by yourself." Ryoma said firmly.He doesn't trust those so-called teachers.As a child, he was afraid of them.Aren't they just going to score people, insult people, and make people feel inferior all the time?In order to get rid of the inferior inferiority complex from childhood, he didn't know how much effort he had made. On the third day after returning home, Ryoma crossed the Harimaya Bridge and headed east to the new town of Tabuchi.The Zuizan Juku of Banheita Takeshi is over there.His home is in a village called Fuijing near Mount Wutai outside the city.There are many inconveniences in the countryside, but fortunately his wife's natal family is in the city, so he transformed it into a private school.

After Ryoma entered, he saw many students who looked like students.Many young people from the seven counties of Tosa came here, and some even stayed here to study. "Is the chin there?" Ryoma asked one of the students. "Chin" is the nickname Longma gave Wushi. "jaw?" "It's Ban Pingtai." "Who are you?" The students stared at the impudent visitor. "Just say that the braggart is coming, and he will know." "You are Mr. Sakamoto." The student bent over and ran all the way, reporting to Takeshi. Takeshi was talking about "Japanese Foreign History" at this time. After hearing it, he immediately closed the book, stood up and said, "Everyone, my friend is here. I'll go to greet you, and then come back to class, please wait a moment." Takeshi is polite, no matter what No matter what kind of visitor, even if it was a familiar Ryoma, he would go to the door to greet him.

Ryoma had already taken off his shoes and came up, rushing in.Wu Shi was helpless, and said: "Longma, you are back, and I am teaching." "When will you finish?" "It's another half an hour." "I'm waiting for you." "Well. I'll tell Tomiko to serve you some food and drink. You can wait for me while you drink." "Who is Fuzi?" "Bitch." Wu Shi replied. Longma has heard that Wushi is married, but he has not met his wife yet. Wushi called Fuzi and introduced him to Ryoma.Fuzi is small and petite, and she is also a well-known beauty in the city.Their husband and wife love each other, and all living beings admire them.

"I've seen you, son." Fuzi bowed his head and saluted.Longma also saluted. Not long after, Takeshi came back from his lecture, and the two talked about Edo and what happened in Kochi Castle recently, and Takeichi asked, "Ryoma, why did you come to see me?" "I want to read, is there a good book?" "You want to study?" Most people would applaud him after hearing this, but Wu Shi didn't say that, he was a cautious person.He stroked his chin and muttered, "Ryoma wants to study." After speaking, he looked at Ryoma seriously. "Can't you?"

"No, no, no. I admire it in my heart. I still want to study at this age. You should stop when you are." "Why did you say that?" "Maybe your natural aptitude will be buried by learning." "What do you mean?" Ryoma didn't quite understand. Regarding Ryoma's knowledge, in the future, Ryoma's comrade and Tosa's first-class young scholar Hirai Shoujiro said in a letter to his sister that Ryoma was a very outstanding person, but because he didn't study, he made mistakes from time to time, so be careful. remember. Ryoma's thoughts and actions are all unique, and sometimes there is a danger of breaking the routine.Hirai wanted to tell his sister not to believe his incitement easily.

There is also Yokoi Kousu, who was born in the Higo Domain and is well-known for his talents and learning. When he saw Ryoma later, he sighed for his talent and courage, but he said to him: "Sakamoto-kun, if you take a wrong step, you may become a Rebellious ministers and thieves, be careful." He also meant that Ryoma's talents and actions were too unconventional. Today's learning, in short, is Confucianism.The center of this knowledge is to explore the way of being a human being and abide by it.Learning takes Confucius as the ancestor, learning the classics of Chinese and Japanese sages.Not only to learn, but also to put into action.If it is a game of chess, it is called a chess record.People regard chess records as the rules that must be followed. If they make mistakes, they will become "disorderly ministers and thieves".The Edo shogunate advocated Confucianism, and what they wanted was filial sons and loyal ministers who were like everyone.If there are "rogue ministers and thieves" appear, everything will fall apart.It is for this reason that the shogunate and the vassals strongly encouraged the vassals to learn such "knowledge".

Takeshi Hanheita is not only a first-class swordsman, but also the only one who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him in learning, the only one in the feudal clan who participates in politics is Yoshida Toyo.But what makes Wushi different from ordinary people is that he clearly sees the harm of learning.He believes that Ryoma has a natural and unique temperament. It would be a pity if he learned decadent knowledge and became an ordinary person. "That's what I mean." After Wu Shi said this, he said, "There is nothing wrong with studying and learning, as long as enough is enough." Ryoma understood what Takeshi meant.But if you don't read and learn, you will be embarrassed because you know too little when you debate with others or think alone.This is the benefit of reading and learning. "Brother Wu Shi is right. I won't just immerse myself in reading. However, there are always some necessary books to read. Just tell me what books are." "What a dragon horse." Wu Shi said helplessly, "Let's study history." According to Wushi, knowledge of history is the foundation of cultural accomplishment.History is the accumulation of the wisdom and mistakes of the ancestors. If these things are well cooked and fermented, you can get good wine. "If you want to talk about "Japanese Foreign History" or "Historical Records", my sister taught me to read a lot." "Then you read." "Okay, I'll study." "Can you understand it? Do you need a teacher who can translate and annotate for you?" "Teacher?" Long Ma froze for a moment. "Of course I need it. If you don't dislike it, let me do it." "I won't learn from you." Ryoma said, "If I follow you, I will become like you." "Then what are you going to do?" "I read it myself." Long Ma laughed. "I have a master for sword practice, but for studying and learning, I don't want to be a university student, and I don't need a teacher." "You kid, you don't know the depth of knowledge." "I know what that one does." Ryoma laughed loudly, "If he knew, he would become a cautious and rotten Confucian." Ryoma got up and said goodbye.After going out, he immediately unbuttoned his pants and urinated against the wall of Takeshi's house.This is not because he has resentment towards Wushi, but because he suddenly has the urge to urinate.In his opinion, peeing does not necessarily require going to the toilet. This has become a habit of Ryoma.Every time he went to Takeshi's house, he would pee against this wall.Takeshi is upright and red tape, and his wife Tomiko is a very clean woman. That part of the wall of his house has become foul-smelling.One day, Fuzi couldn't bear it anymore and complained to Banpingtai. "Mr. Sakamoto is a good man. I'm glad he came to our house, but can you tell him so that he won't be there conveniently." "That's all." Wu Shi said, "Let him go. Let's see what kind of person he will become." The story of Ryoma reading a book spread among the young people in the city.The people here are so fresh, there is no entertainment in the city, rumors about acquaintances are everyone's food and drink, everyone is a part of the show.According to Tosa's habit, people would cleverly weave the current rumors into songs, and then two or three young warriors would sing in front of the person's door together. . "Look down on people." Long Ma couldn't help laughing when he heard the song coming from the door.But even so, he stayed at home and read that book every day.Moreover, all are intact Chinese characters.Without pseudonyms and symbols, it was somewhat difficult for Ryoma to read these things.But he had a gift for reading the meaning of the text in general.And he believes that it is enough to understand the general idea. "Let's go and see how Ryoma reads." The young warriors gathered together to discuss. Three people including Oishi Yasaburo, who later joined the Tosa King's party, came to Sakamoto's house in 1-chome, Honmachi, and entered Ryoma's room, only to find that he was really studying honestly in the room. "Ryoma, can you read?" "I'm reading." Ryoma said calmly. "You read it aloud." Ryoma then read aloud.The three of them held back their laughter, their faces flushed.Ryoma remained calm and continued reading.He knew neither grammar nor exegesis, and he read it in his own way, which made no sense at all, just like reciting scriptures. In the end, the three couldn't help laughing out loud. "What are you laughing at, rude!" Ryoma also laughed. Everyone sat on the tatami and said, "It's really unbearable." "Ryoma, you can't understand the meaning of the article like this." "I understand. Listen to me." Longma spent an hour talking about how Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, raised an army from local ruffians in Pei, until he overthrew the Qin Dynasty. Longma's words made sense, Dashi and others were terrified, and asked, "Longma, since you can't read, how do you know the meaning? Why?" "I don't know either. When I read these words in the book, the scene will emerge in my mind. I just recounted the scene that appeared in my mind." His talent is incredible. Moreover, Ryoma suddenly wanted to learn Western knowledge, and Hanpei Takeichi was surprised when he heard that.Wu Shi has profound attainments in Sinology and Chinese studies, but he has never learned the knowledge of foreigners, because he hates foreigners.Wushi concluded that thinking about those foreigners felt very unclean, and they were as useless as monsters.However, he was kind-hearted and was busy helping Ryoma with ideas. "You need a teacher. It just so happens that your brother-in-law, Shinsuke, studied Lanxue in Nagasaki, so you can learn from him." "I don't learn from him." Okakami Shinsuke is a doctor, although he is respected, but he can't teach Ryoma what he wants to know.Longma wants to know the world affairs.The "Western Ocean" where black ships were sent across the sea to this far east archipelago empire aroused his strong curiosity.This is a kind of innocent curiosity like a child.It is precisely because of this that he did not blindly respect the emperor and fight against barbarians like Wu Shi. "Then who did you learn from? There are no Lanxue scholars in this castle town." "There is one. The old man Kawada Xiaolong from Hasuike Town." "Xiaolong? Isn't that a painter?" "It's the painter." "What can you learn from the painter?" Wushi seldom expresses his likes and dislikes towards people, but only he doesn't like the old man Hetian Xiaolong, and even walks in front of his house, he always takes a detour, saying that he is afraid of getting dirty. Kawada Xiaolong is a painter of the Kano school, employed by the feudal government, and enjoys the treatment of a samurai.He opened a private school at home, but there were not many disciples under his school.This river field is a little different.He ridiculed the anti-barbarians, thinking that Japan should open its doors and learn from foreigners.At this point, he couldn't get along with the radical Qinwang faction.Takeshi didn't like him precisely because of this.But Xiaolong has outstanding insights.Because he has a very remarkable book called "Piao Xun Ji Lue". "Xun" refers to the southeast direction, and the United States is in the direction of Japan.The title of the book means "American Crusoe".It was not Koryu Kawada who went to America, but Manjiro, a fisherman from Tosa.He returned home after eleven years of wandering in the United States.Xiaolong wrote what he heard from Wanjiro into a book, namely "Piao Xun Jilue".It is because of this book by Xiaolong Kawada that Ryoma and others have a vague understanding of the United States.Not only that, Xiaolong was also ordered by the feudal clan to go to Satsuma, the only progressive feudal clan at present, together with the fort executive officer Ikeda Kannosuke and the gunnery instructor Yoshiji Tansho, and visited the newly built reverberatory furnace under Kagoshima Castle Mechanical facilities such as glass factories, lathes, cannon factories and shipyards.This is brand new knowledge. On this day, Ryoma went to visit the painter Kawada Xiaolong.The Kawata family in Hasuchi Town is very small, with only five or six students studying painting.One of them came out to greet the guests. "Ah, isn't this Mr. Sakamoto?" He has a big bun nose.Most Tosa people have flat noses, but this one had an unusually large one.This young man lives in Suido-cho 2-chome, and his name is Nagajiro.He is the son of the steamed bun shop owner, and even his nose looks like a steamed bun.Because of his outstanding talent, the feudal government later granted him the treatment of a warrior and allowed him to carry a sword.Later, he broke away from the Tosa Domain and became a subordinate of Ryoma, and became a member of the Sea Aid Team, and his name was changed to Uesugi Sojiro and Kondo Chojiro successively.This is all after the matter. "Oh, it turned out to be the boy who sells steamed buns." Longma knew that this young man was a disciple of Xiaolong's sect. "What do you want?" "You tell sir, I also want to learn art from a teacher." "you?" The son of the steamed bun shop owner was shocked and ran in. Hetian Xiaolong is an odd man. At this moment, he is spreading out the silk cloth and picking up the brush to paint. "What?" He put down his pen after listening to the report, and said, "That swordplayer in Honmachi 1-chome wants to be a painter? This kind of person is the most dishonest, and I can't teach him. Drive him away!" At this time, Ryoma had already broken into the gate, and suddenly opened the lattice door of the studio, saying, "I didn't mean to ask you to teach me how to draw. I came to you just to hear about the situation of American and Samoyian machinery." "This, this boy!" Xiaolong threw down his paintbrush, "You think my house is a street, and you can just break in? Changjiro, beat me out of this swordplayer." Chojiro was in a dilemma, glanced at Ryoma, and said, "I can't hold him back." Ryoma also felt embarrassed.Because he came in like this, he didn't feel rude, but he didn't expect Xiaolong Hetian to be furious. "Chojiro, it's not a coincidence to come today." Ryoma scratched his head and said, "I will come again. Please help me persuade Master." After finishing speaking, he walked out. Changjiro followed to the door and said, "Mr. Sakamoto, Master is this kind of person, please don't be offended. Recently I heard that you are studying at Lanxue, isn't it?" "Learning." "I'll recommend you a good teacher. I'll call you tomorrow." "Then please." The next day, Chojiro came to look for Ryoma and took him to the home of a doctor who also lived in Hasuike and had returned from Nagasaki.This doctor had been Chojiro's teacher.It can be seen that Chojiro is very studious, besides martial arts, he also dabbles in many fields. This Dutch scholar, however, looks like a rat. Unfortunately, he has not left his name, but he only knows that he teaches Dutch for a living, and he is not very good.Ryoma never regarded him as his teacher, but called him "mouse".In this world, there is nothing more tragic than a teacher who has no demeanor as a teacher. On the first day of class, the hall was full of students, most of whom were young people who aspired to become doctors.Long Ma always sits at the back, leaning against the lattice door, as if listening to birdsong.Sometimes, he would knock down the lattice door by pushing too hard. Whenever this time, "mouse" will be very unhappy.He probably scolded "this useless swordsman" in his heart. There is only one thing that pleases Ryoma. When Rat teaches Dutch, he does not use medical books, but legal books. "Mouse" is just a language teacher, he didn't choose this book as a textbook on purpose, he probably got such a law book by chance.Only the teacher has one textbook, and studious students like Chojiro copy it down with a pen.Ryoma didn't plan to specialize in learning or translation, so he didn't think it was troublesome, so he didn't copy books, he just dozed off and listened to "mouse". The translation of "mouse" is interesting.The Netherlands has no generals or warriors, but a parliament and a constitution.This constitution was promulgated ten years ago and is extremely liberal.What surprised Ryoma the most was that this constitution is the highest standard of the country, and even the king must obey this law.Moreover, the parliament is the highest authority in the country, which is responsible for enacting laws and determining cabinet candidates.Members of Parliament are elected by the people.Not only that, the false statement that politics is for the benefit of the people made him a little deaf.In Japan, however, politics is for the safety and dictatorship of the shogunate and the daimyo, and everyone from the generals down to the common people firmly believes in this.Even Gui Xiaowulang, the emperor-respecting Wushi and the downfall critic, never thought of revolting for the people of the world. Long Ma woke up like a dream.The other students were desperately memorizing vocabulary, or learning pronunciation like a parrot, and practiced it over and over again. Only Ryoma sat at the end, plucking his nose hair and sighing endlessly. His emotion at this time promoted the development of Japanese history. One day the "rats" were translating word for word a Dutch treatise on the regime. Ryoma, who curled up behind and dozed as usual, suddenly raised his head and said, "You just made a mistake in translating." The students were all taken aback.This swordsman didn't want to memorize a word, but now he stood up and said that the teacher made a wrong translation. "Mouse" blushed, and asked, "What's wrong?" Long Ma felt a little sorry, and said, "I don't know what's wrong, but it's a big mistake." "I don't understand you." "You don't know." "Are you fooling me?" "Don't dare." Long Ma said helplessly, "Please read the original text again." After listening to the translation of "Mouse" several times, Ryoma has a general understanding of the Western parliamentary system.Just like reading, he has the ability to explore the essence of things through generalization.The translation of "mouse" just now deviated from the essence of democratic government that Ryoma realized with his sensibility.That's why he pointed out that there was a mistranslation. "Don't be angry, just read that paragraph in the book again." "Mouse" trembled with his hands because of his anger, and opened the part he had just translated to check.His face gradually turned pale.As Ryoma said, his translation just now was indeed wrong. "Everyone, I apologize, I made a mistake in translating." The swordsman won. Soon, the painter Kawada Xiaolong sent Chojiro, the son of the steamed bun shop owner, to Ryoma's home, claiming that he "wanted to meet Ryoma". Changjiro smiled bitterly and said: "People in the city have rumored that you are Lan Xuetong. Master Kawada said, since you are a university student, I would like to meet you. Mister hates swordsmen very much, and he doesn't want to meet strangers, but now he asks to meet you." You, you are amazing." "Really? It seems that fame can come in handy sometimes." "Don't be rude this time." "Okay, I'll dress up and go." The next day, Ryoma visited Kawada Xiaolong.Xiaolong seemed to be a completely different person, and he smiled and invited him in.He has probably decided that Ryoma is a talent. It was midsummer, the sun was scorching, and the people under the city had already hid in the shade to work. After noon, they would take a nap as usual. Without waiting for dawn, Ryoma walked out of the house and set off with Chojiro who came to greet him.In his hand was the lunch made by his wet nurse, Grandma.He wanted to stay at Hetian's house all day today, listening to him talk about Western affairs.This day was very important for Ryoma, and he himself felt it vaguely. "Chojiro, grandma made bibimbap for me, and you have a share too." "I heard that you liked to eat bibimbap since you were a child?" "That's easy." "save trouble?" "It's a lot of work to separate the food from the rice." I see.Chojiro lamented that he was really a looser, even worse than the rumors said.Chojiro is a know-it-all. I heard that there is a food similar to bibimbap in Western countries. It was invented by the British noble Earl Sandwich, and it was gradually called "sandwich".It is said that Westerners who come to Nagasaki often eat sandwiches. "It is indeed as people say, you are really knowledgeable and knowledgeable." Ryoma sighed.He thought to himself, it would be great if he could take this know-it-all under his command. Ryoma and Kawada Xiaolong met.The two did not talk about painting, they talked about state affairs.Xiaolong knew a lot of new knowledge about overseas. Although he only heard about it, it still surprised Ryoma.Xiaolong gave an example to illustrate the terrible Western machine. It was the first time Ryoma had heard of these things, and he gradually became a little restless.This is very different from the "rejection of barbarians" that Wushi is keen on.If the Japanese samurai went to fight against the barbarians in a daze, they would probably be wiped out.Neither Tosa nor Japan can stand still.According to the current practice of the Tokugawa shogunate and the Tosa clan, Japan will inevitably perish. Longma clenched his fists and said, "Xiaolong, we must act." "But I'm just a painter." "It has nothing to do with identity." "I just know a little bit about this, and it takes you hot-blooded youngsters to act." Dragon and horse are not happy. "Sakamoto, to resist the invasion of the West, we must first develop industry and commerce, and to develop industry and commerce, we need ships." "Okay, then I'll try to get a boat." Xiaolong said: "You want to get that black boat?" "right." Xiaolong was disappointed, and began to regret that he had spoken to Longma so seriously.The swordsman in front of him is just like what people said about him when he was a child, is there something wrong with his mind? "Of course I have to get it. I need several ships. Drive the ship with a steam engine, put a cannon on it, and conquer the world." "This...cough, you." Xiaolong's voice became low.He wanted to say to Longma: You are a son of a countryman, what are you dreaming of in spring and autumn! Since Perry's black ship fleet came to Uraga, the Japanese knew what a warship was for the first time.Only seven years have passed since then. In Uraga, although the shogunate was terrified by Perry's American warship, in the second year, the first year of Ansei, the shogunate appointed Uraga's executive officer Nakajima Saburosuke to be in charge of shipbuilding, and built the western-style warship Phoenix according to the British ship model.In the second year of Ansei, the Satsuma clan also built three warships, Shohei, Fengrui, and Daigen, and dedicated them to the shogunate.Therefore, the only Satsuma domain with modern industrial facilities is famous all over the world.Moreover, the Mito Tokugawa clan, the base camp of respecting the king and fighting barbarians, is not just talking empty words.The feudal lord Qi Zhao ordered people to build a warship called Rising Sun on Ishikawa Island in Edo in the third year of Anzheng and dedicated it to the shogunate.It's just that this warship couldn't start at all, and it became the laughing stock of the world.Anyway, after a few years of seeing foreign warships, Japan built five similar warships. But Ryoma's idea should be another matter. He is just a countryman who has no right to interfere in the vassal's affairs. He only possesses the kung fu of Beichen and a sword at his waist.Now he says he wants to build a warship. Hetian Xiaolong felt that Longma was brazen and a little unhappy. However, in the next six months, whenever Ryoma is free, he will go to Kawada Xiaolong's house and tell him about his ambitions.Xiaolong was infected by Ryoma unknowingly, and began to talk to him seriously about the fleet.However, they have no idea how to achieve this ambition. "You don't need money to brag." Ryoma laughed at himself.Therefore, "Ryoma's cowhide boat" gradually became famous under the castle. Now is the time to wait, just wait and see.He thought so in his heart, but before that, he could only brag and make people laugh. But soon, a big event happened around Ryoma, which made him no longer brag.Not only around him, but the entire Tosa Domain and the world became bloody. The fourth day of March is Girl's Day. It is customary for the Tosa people to celebrate the festival not on the third day of March, but on the fourth day.On this day, all the sergeants of the Tosa domain will go to the city to receive wine from the lord. "Hey, it's a holiday today." Long Ma noticed early in the morning that those sergeants with their entourage passed by his house one by one.But of course Ryoma won't go.Not only the dragon horse, but the so-called low-level warriors such as the countrymen under the city are not eligible to attend any banquet in the city.Although they are both Tosa vassals, Tosa's sergeant does not take them seriously. At night, at about Xu time, a shocking event happened in the city.Two quarters of an hour ago, the banquet in the city ended, and a one-sword swordsman Hiroo Yamada, who was called "Oni Yamada" by the sergeant, came out of the city happily.By this time he was very drunk. He sang a ditty and walked out of the city gate.After walking for a while, a small man came to meet him.He is a tea man in the city, named Matsui Fanzhai, and he has won favor with his mouth.The Tosa vassals all called it "Fanzhai".His home is on the west side of the city, and Gui Shantian's home is in Xiyun, so the two of them can walk along the same way. The two of them crossed the Kotakasaka Bridge in the town of Kitahoko, and were about to go up the earthen bridge in front of Eifuku Temple, when an event happened that would lead Tosa's lower-level samurai to launch a large-scale King King movement in the future. At this time there are stars in the sky, but pedestrians on the road can only vaguely see the road.At this time, a person ran over in the dark ahead and bumped into Oni Yamada. "Sorry." Soi Ying said, and was about to leave.Oni Yamada was furious and made him stop. "Leave a name. I'm Oni Yamada. I bumped into a sergeant and wanted to leave. It's so unruly!" The other party dared not answer.Oni Yamada stared at him for a while, then asked contemptuously, "Are you a low-level samurai?" He was drunk.Tosa has a rule that no other domain has: if a lower-ranking samurai is rude to a higher-ranking samurai, the higher-ranking samurai can kill the opponent. Oniyamada drew his sword. The young countryman who bumped into Oniyamada, named Chuichiro Nakahira, has a habit of cutting off his sleeves, and dotes on a beautiful boy named Uga. That night, he and Yu He took a walk on the embankment hand in hand.On the night of Doll's Day, even the darkness becomes coquettish.He probably had an affair with the beautiful boy, so he didn't want to announce his name and make things worse.However, Zhongping couldn't help feeling angry when he heard the other party's humiliation.Among the Tosa samurai, the lower-ranking samurai tended to have more backbone.What's more, there is still a child molester in front of him, so he can't show weakness any more. He took a step back, put on a posture, and said: "Master Yamada, you are so humiliating, do you think I'm afraid of you?" "You're so bold, you bastard." Oni Yamada approached, raising his knife.His kung fu is one of the few among sergeants.Moreover, there is a natural arrogance in his heart. Zhongping had no choice but to hold the knife in the lower section.Taking this defensive posture, if you don't have too much self-confidence, it will be difficult to do a job with ease. Oniyamada pushed forward step by step, while Nakahira retreated step by step.Oni Yamada saw the timing and roared. "what--" Hearing the opponent's roar, Zhong Ping hurriedly raised his saber, but unexpectedly exposed his body and showed his flaws.Oni Yamada swiped at him twice. With a shrill scream, Zhongping fell to the ground. Oni Yamada stabbed him in the throat calmly, put his hand under his nose, and confirmed that he was not breathing before calling out the sycophant Fanzhai who was walking with him. "Fan Zhai, it's okay, don't be afraid, come out." Fan Zhai stood in the distance, trembling all over. "I want to see what this person looks like. Go to the temple over there and borrow a lantern. Go quickly." "Yes." Fanzhai ran away in a hurry.Oniyamada is waiting here. During this period, the beautiful boy Uga hurried to Zhongping's house and told his family about the incident.Zhongping has an older brother named Ikeda Tonosuke.His kung fu is also very good, and Ryoma used to be a fellow disciple of Hineno Martial Arts. Yin Zhijin took out a two-foot-seven-inch-long butchered steel knife, threw the scabbard at the door, and walked away. Oniyamada was washing his hands by the river under the earthen bridge, holding water to drink after washing, and Ikeda Toronoshin jumped down. "Die!" He slashed Gui Yamada's back with a long knife. Although he was stabbed, Oniyamada didn't panic. He grabbed the grass and climbed to the bank. After climbing up, he picked up the long knife and drew it.However, probably because the knife just now was too heavy, his feet were a little wobbly. Yin Zhijin stepped forward and pressed hard, not giving Oni Yamada any chance. Two people fight each other, the first move is the most important.No matter how superb Oniyamada's swordsmanship is, the wound on his back has gradually threatened his life.Every time Oniyamada moved, blood splattered from him.In the end, when he exhausted all his strength and yelled "Damn embryo", when he was about to raise the knife to strike, Ikeda Toronoshin held the knife in the middle, slashed Oniyamada's shoulder, and then raised the knife to strike at the top of Oniyamada's head. Oni Yamada suddenly turned into a dead body. At this time, Fanzhai, a sycophant who didn't know anything, borrowed a lantern and came back. "Master Yamada, I borrowed it." He said and handed over the lantern.By the light of the lantern, he found that the person standing there was not Yamada. "Ah!" He yelled and wanted to run away.Ikeda Tonosuke, who had just killed someone, was still excited, and said, "Fan Zhai, are you an accomplice?" He raised the knife with one hand, and chopped off Fan Zhai's head with one blow. Fan Zhai's headless torso held a lantern in both hands, walked a few steps staggeringly, and then fell to the ground with a slap. "Dou Tianguan, it's very useful." In the future, Tonoshin recalled the scene with trembling, and said to his friend. The next day, the fifth day of March, the city became full of uproar. The lower-level samurai heard about this and came to Sakamoto Ryoma's house one after another. I don't know when, hundreds of low-level samurai in the Tosa domain have regarded Sakamoto Ryoma and Takeichi Hanpeita as their leaders.They supported Ryoma and Banping Tai, and gradually became the driving force of the reformation activities. Nearly a hundred of them died in the bloody storm in the future, and only a few incompetent juniors survived, and later became senior officials of the reformation government.The Tosa clan has always been considered to be the same as the Satsuma clan and the Changzhou clan, but it is actually different.The upper echelons of the vassal state, such as the feudal lords, elders, and sergeants, are the stubborn vassals, while the vassals are mostly low-level samurai.In order to realize their ambitions, the lower-level warriors had to fight against the upper echelons of the vassal state. Ryoma sat in the hall and received the visiting junior warriors one by one.He just nodded without making any comment on the Yongfu Temple incident. In the afternoon, several violent young samurai rushed in, yelling "Mr. Sakamoto, it's time to fight". "how do I say this?" "Those high-ranking samurai have gathered at the gate of Oniyamada's house, and they are about to rush into Ikeda Tonosuke's house in a threatening manner. Please go to Ikeda's house immediately. You are our leader. If you remain indifferent here, we junior samurai will not be able to unite." work together." "I'll go right away." Ryoma stood up and left the house.To be on the safe side, he went to the gate of Yongfu Temple to see the scene.The bodies of Oniyamada, Zhongping, and Fanzhai have all been removed, leaving only the Tuqiao and the surrounding bloodstains.The land sucked the blood of several people, and even the grass by the roadside was stained red with blood. Ryoma walked into Ikeda Tonosuke's house.Low-level warriors such as countrymen and underground ronin have gathered here.They saw the dragon horses coming in and swarmed up. "please." "Everyone be quiet." "I can't take it any longer." Some of them were checking the nails on their knives, some came running with spears on their shoulders, and some bought armor from the general store, and they were almost ready to fight. No wonder.Because less than a mile to the west from here, the "enemy army" is ready.At Oniyamada's house, the sergeants also began to sharpen their swords. The lower-level samurai sent nearby people to investigate.According to his report, the morale of the sergeant was quite high.They gathered about thirty people, equipped with weapons such as spears, bows and arrows, and rockets, ready to fight at any time. Upon hearing the news, several people beside Ryoma burst into laughter. "Everyone be quiet, don't make trouble!" Long Ma roared.But no one listened. "This way we Tosa will be divided." This seems to be exactly what everyone wanted. "split into two." "split into two." "Hahaha, one divides into two." They all yelled.The corporal wants to split with the sergeant and fight him.Among the three hundred vassals, only Tosa was like this. "I can't bear it anymore, I can't bear it anymore." Some people even ran into the yard, kept throwing their spears into the air, drew out their long knives, and shouted: "Look, our ancestors died in the battle of Guanyuan Now I can finally avenge my revenge. This long sword was used by my ancestors ten generations ago when they went to battle with Master Changzeng to kill the enemy." 关原合战时，山内家属德川一方。而这些乡士们先祖的主人长曾我部盛亲属西军，当时他带着四千土佐兵参加了战斗。长曾我部战败灭亡。他家的遗臣在山内家的弹压和蔑视中于土佐七郡的山野中生存下来，便是龙马等土佐乡士。 以永福寺事件为引线，他们的积郁终于爆发出来。不久传来了消息，说上士那边，有一个在无外流取得免许之资的叫户梶源藏的人，功夫和龙马不相上下。上士们要派他作为先锋来挑战龙马。 “龙马，你听到了吗？”下级武士中最为年长的池内藏太道。 "yes?" 这时龙马已经下到地上，开始穿鞋。众人非常吃惊，道：“你要去哪里？要是对方杀过来，这里没有你不行。” “我出去有事。” 出得门来，外面一片漆黑。龙马到了一个熟人家中借了灯笼，沿着水沟快步走起来。风有些暖。鬼山田的家就在水沟旁。家门口挂着印家纹的灯笼，不断有上士及其随从出入家中。 龙马在门前撒了一泡尿，然后走了进去。 “您是哪位？”背后有一个声音问道。 龙马已经站在了脱鞋处。 旁边有一株樟树。要是在这里打起来，还能用樟树当盾牌……龙马一边打量四周一边寻思。 Why are you here?他自己也没有太深入地想过。他的想法，就是把这些事都交给那些上士吧。这也是他一贯的做法。 “我是城下本町一丁目的乡士坂本权平之弟坂本龙马。百忙中前来打扰，真是抱歉。有人在吗？” “龙马？” 上士们提着刀从门口、玄关、院子里冲了过来。 “灯笼！火把！” “把灯都拿到玄关这里来。本町的龙马单身赴会了！” “不要那么吵吵闹闹。”龙马道。他的声音被各种各样的叫声掩盖，但上士们却恐惧不已，其中两三个还拔出了刀。然而谁也不敢近前。 “小子！”一个声音撕哑的人往前走了一步。只有他冷静沉着。“你这个下级武士。”那人道，“真是没规矩，也不通报一声，便擅自闯入上士家中，无礼之极。或者你是明知故犯？” 如若龙马说自己是“故意的”，依照藩法，就可以无礼之罪将龙马斩杀。“你是哪位？” “本人户梶源藏。”他依然很沉着。不愧是上士中数一数二的剑客。 “啊，大名鼎鼎的户梶源藏，原来就是您。”近视的龙马弯下腰，直直地盯了他一会儿，道，“您是真的想跟我打？” "what?" “不要冲动。”龙马道，“我要是死在这里，藩内三百乡士和地下浪人必然会举刀起事，藩士将会自相残杀，最后将有可能导致山内二十四万石的家业走向灭亡。”说完，他又提高了声音，道：“难道不是吗，挂川人？” 因为上士们的祖先是跟随藩祖山内一丰从旧封地远州挂川来到这里的，所以下级武士将他们称为“挂川人”。 “无礼！” “我说得合情合理，有何不对？现在的天下……”龙马突然拔出长刀。周围的人见状纷纷后退。“现在的天下，就像这样……”他长刀在手，平直一划。“已经开始动荡。”他收起大刀。“在我们土佐，上士和下士却发生了矛盾。我们都是一家人，如果美国的军舰驶入桂滨，大家还要自相残杀吗？” “一家人？”有人嘲笑道，“你们这些下级武士，说跟我们是一家人，好无礼。哼！你们敢这么说就是僭越，是触犯藩法的大逆不道！藩法确定了上下秩序，触犯藩法就是谋反。现在我们就将你以谋反处死，行吗？” 这并不是玩笑。龙马一下子便变成了谋反之人。这就是当时土佐的藩风。下级武士仅仅因为说一句和上士“是一家人”，要和他们亲近，就会被当成谋反。在土佐存在着这样一种古怪的法则：被定谋反的下士，即便被上士当场处死，上士也不会被追究责任。 真是无聊之极。在江户、京都和大坂等地开阔了眼界的龙马，突然觉得家乡让自己感到透心凉，这片愚昧而冷酷的地方！并不是土佐本身冷酷无情，而是三百年来驻扎在高知城下的山内武士的愚昧，给下级武士带来了这样的感觉。 比龙马年轻几岁、脱藩后在维新风云中辗转的田中光显（后封伯爵，昭和十四年去世，享年九十七岁。）到了晚年如此抒发自己的感慨：“我们对土佐藩有一种复杂的情感。那里冷酷无情，我们甚至不愿意将它称为自己的故乡。脱藩之后，被新选组等幕吏追究，生命遭遇危险时，站出来保护我们的并不是土佐，而是长州——可以说长州才是我们的故乡。” 户梶源藏下段执刀。在玄关前将龙马围住的十二三个上士见源藏举刀，也纷纷拔出刀来。 “挂川人，”龙马轻轻地靠在樟树干上，道，“这么快就想打啊。我们再说说话，杀还是被杀，等说完之后再定。” “再说无益。”户梶源藏跳了起来，刀举过头顶，从龙马左前砍下。 龙马一转身，躲到樟树后。源藏的刀砍到树干上。 “逃了。”有人喊道。 当龙马再次从树干左边出现，源藏迅速举刀砍去，右臂却被龙马砍中。虽然是用刀背砍下去的，但是这一刀实在不轻。户梶手中大刀重重落地。 龙马退到了门侧。很明显，他们的功夫不可同日而语。 “谁还认为再说无益呢？”龙马收起了刀，然后挥了挥他那双大手，扬长而去。没有人追他。龙马背上的桔梗纹，让他身后的每个人都感到恐惧。龙马走回池田寅之进的家，那里已经是一片混乱。 “龙马，池田寅之进刚才切腹了。” “浑蛋！”龙马咆哮道，“你们为什么不阻止他？” “没来得及。他突然拿起短刀自尽。” 龙马慌忙跑到里间，只见池田寅之进弓着身子，抱着短刀，在地上打滚。 “拜托了，帮我介错！”池田寅之介奄奄一息道。 事情来得太突然，现场一片混乱，没有人上去替他解除痛苦。不仅如此，还有人慌忙跑着去叫大夫，想要挽回他的生命。池内藏太到此时还抱住池田，道：“你没有必要切腹。”他甚至想把他的短刀拔出来。 No wonder.池田寅之进乃是当场报了杀弟之仇的勇士。如果在别的藩，他会成为武士的榜样而受到藩府奖赏。但在土佐，杀了上士就犯了破坏藩法的大罪。不仅如此，上士们还聚集到鬼山田家前，要求“交出池田”，想要对其施以私刑，而藩府对此却视而不见。池田寅之进怕自己给同为下级武士的兄弟带来麻烦，于是才趁人不备自尽。 龙马全都明白。“内藏太，退下。”他平静道，“帮他介错。” “龙马，你？”池内藏太哭丧着脸抬起头来，“你想将这么一位勇士杀掉吗？在其他藩中，他这种报仇雪恨的行为，会让人称赞，简直可以跟荒木又右卫门和堀部安兵卫比肩。” “内藏太，你错了，这里是土佐。” 内藏太用两手捂住池田寅之进的伤口，忍不住大哭起来。 “内藏太，你就这么无情？你就忍心看着一个勇士这么痛苦？” “我明白了。”内藏太站起身来，“池田，我池内藏太替你介错。” “多谢。”池田寅之进痛苦地说道。内藏太又接着说：“你当场便替弟弟报仇，维护了自己作为武士的尊严。如若不是在土佐，定能成为一个世代被人称颂的英雄。总有一天，我们会找那些上士为你报仇雪恨。” "Of course." "forgive me……" 寅之进人头落地。内藏太依礼将寅之进的头转向龙马。 “好。”龙马说完，解下刀柄上的丝带，将其浸在鲜血中。 池田，我们不会忘记你。龙马心中默想。大家都明白了龙马的意思，纷纷解下刀上的丝带，用丝带蘸上池田的鲜血。池内藏太一边蘸血，一边放声大哭，脸上鲜血和泪水混流，如同赤面鬼一般。“藩国对于我们乡士来说已经不存在。如若有一天天下有事，我们不会为了藩国奋起，也不会为了幕府奋起，我们会聚集到京都天子身边。” 池内藏太是武市半平太勤王论的拥趸。不仅池内藏太，在场所有的乡士都发出相同的誓言。 龙马走出门，头顶满天繁星。土佐很快就要出大事了。他朝着武市家走去。他已经养成了一个习惯，在这种时候，他总是要和武市商量。但是他突然想起，武市最近到藩外与人论剑，不在城下。 时为安政六年（1859），龙马已经二十五岁。这一年发生了很多事情，龙马却是在埋头读书中迎来了新年。 过了年，便是万延元年（1860），龙马二十六岁。 他天生不喜无聊，读书读厌了，便去找武市半平太，或者教教城下的乡士剑术。但是有一天，家人发现他已经好几天没有回来。 “大概又去山上了。”权平并不在意。实际上，过了几天他回来的时候，手中提着十几根大野山药。他知道乳母阿丫婆喜食野山药。 “哎呀，少爷，老婆子真高兴。”阿丫婆抱住龙马高兴地说。 老源头也非常喜食这个。龙马在老源头的房里放了一根，还给他留下一壶酒。老源头爱将山药切成丝，和大蒜拌在一起，一边吃一边喝酒，据说这样，烧酒也会别有一番风味。 然后，龙马走了半天的山路，将剩下的两三根送到姐姐乙女家。不巧的是，这天乙女情绪十分不佳。 龙马没有敲门，直接进了姐姐家门，到了厨下。他往院子里看了看，院子里空荡荡的，一个人也没有。最后，他打开佛堂的门。 乙女在那里。她只看了龙马一眼，就又陷入了沉思。 此时的她，规规矩矩把手放在腿上。连龙马，都觉得有种端庄之美。 “怎么了？这么不高兴？”龙马缩了缩脖子，道，“姐姐，你生我的气，我也没办法，你对我有什么不满意就告诉我。” “我不是在生你的气。” “那你是在生谁的气？” “你小孩家不懂。” “我都二十六了。” “跟你这没成亲的人，是对牛弹琴。” 原来是夫妻拌嘴，龙马明白了。但是他没有想到乙女也会这样。 “姐姐没有孩子，还是这么年轻，才会和姐夫逗乐。” “龙马，不得瞎说。就是因为有了孩子，我才闹。” “那不挺好？” “不是我的孩子。” "This……" “新辅看起来老实，其实十分好色，他跟女仆有染。” 龙马开始往门边退了，他最不擅长和人谈论这样的话题。 “龙马，你要干什么？” “我还是逃。” 这时，姐夫新辅脸色苍白地从走廊对面走了过来。他看见龙马，非常高兴，简直像是在地狱里遇见了佛祖。 “龙马，”他在走廊里喊了一声，然后小声道，“你听说了吗？听说了吗？”他旋即一脸古怪。 “你姐着恼了，闹得很厉害。你是她最心疼的弟弟，你替我劝劝她。” “姐夫，是个男孩吗？” “见笑了，是个男丁。” "How much?" “见笑了，将近八斤呢。” "How do you look?" “见笑了，和那女人一模一样。尤其逗人爱，真是让人为难。” “要是那样的话……”龙马故意大声道，“胜负已定了。姐姐输给了那个女人。孩子是上天赐的，也不是姐夫想要生的。” “嗯，想要生的却不生。我原本只是找乐子。” “那就好好地待姐姐。其他的事我不管。” 龙马正要逃走，乙女哗啦打开了格子门，白了一眼新辅，道：“好色之徒！”她非常讨厌好色的男人。“我都跟你说了，你太脏，不要再回这个家，怎么还回来？” “门神啊，你就饶了我吧。” "roll." 乙女抓住新辅的领子，就把他扔到了院子里。她还是这么大力气，简直不像个女人，怪不得新辅找别的女人呢。龙马想着，决定劝劝姐姐。 “龙马，你躲开。” “不。你刚才打了他了，就饶了他吧。” “龙马，你不听我话吗？你要是不听话，我连你也不放过。” “姐夫拜托我劝劝你。不如我们俩比比角力，要是我赢了，你就饶了姐夫。” “比就比。” 乙女就在檐廊上摆好架势。 龙马也摆好架势，抱住一百三十余斤的姐姐，慢慢地将她举了起来。 乙女双脚扑棱。“龙马，龙马！”她终于忍不住喊了起来。 这时外面传来一阵马蹄声，蹄声在门口停下之后，一个穿着一身旅装的武士跑了进来。 “龙马，出大事了！”武士道。 来者正是武市半平太。他身躯伟岸，穿披风着马袴，白晳的脸刚刮过，有些发青，嘴里说着“出大事了”，脸上却笑盈盈的。 “怎么了，瞧你穿这一身行头？” “这个？”武市用鞭子拍了拍长袴，道，“我要去江户。” “如此突然。” “是喜报。或许忧国之士要开始行动了。” “真少见。” "What is rare?" “你这么兴奋。” “哈哈哈，我怎么能不高兴呢？” 武市说完，才注意到这家里的异样。 乙女被龙马从廊上扔下去，蹲在地上，这才收拾好，站起身来。被乙女推出去的新辅，也刚站起。 “哎呀呀，可真是热闹。”半平太一本正经地和他们打招呼。 乙女满脸通红。她和半平太年龄相仿，以前还暗中对他动过心。这些秘事，是阿丫婆告诉龙马的。乙女没好好见个礼，就跳上檐廊，躲到门后去了。 龙马强忍着笑，心里暗道：在害羞呢。他又想，半平太这样的伟丈夫才是乙女心中所想，同上新辅当然无法满足姐姐。这样一想，龙马觉得姐姐虽然可笑，却也十分可怜。 冈上新辅慌慌张张地看了看龙马和半平太，也离开了。 “坐下说。”龙马坐在檐廊边，“你说的大事是指什么？” “大老井伊直弼在江户樱田门外被水户和萨摩的志士杀了。” “啊？”龙马大惊。这种事情怎么可能发生？史上最大的强权政府德川幕府的大总管，家领三十五万石，护卫森严，竟然被人暗杀。 天下真要乱了。龙马感到全身的血都往上涌，一时头晕目眩。他从来没有如此热血沸腾过。 “这……这是真的吗？”龙马抓住半平太的手，问道。 “我没有说谎，是真的，你看看我的牙。”半平太张开了嘴，他的嘴里都是血。“往这里来的途中，一想到这件事，我就感到热血沸腾，自己咬的。” “天下要发生大变了。” 幕阁的首脑被无名浪士暗杀。龙马觉得，这件事会成为引线，接下来必会发生很多类似事件。今后，那些守旧的幕阁和藩府要人很可能都会被暗杀。 “龙马，如此一来，草莽英雄的正气终于要见阳光了。水户和萨摩的武士都立志要以一剑匡扶天下。我们土佐的武士不能再隐忍了。” "good." “听说主公也很高兴。” 应该如此。老藩主山内丰信为了幕府着想，想要辅佐水户德川家的后代做下一任将军继承人，因此被井伊忌恨，被令隐居。他现在已经改名容堂，不能插手藩政。这也是受了安政大狱之害。 在城下以拥戴天皇而闻名的武市一脸严肃地说道：“京都那边应该很高兴。”武市悄声告诉龙马，他这次是以论剑为名前往江户的。 “为何去江户？” “萨摩、长州和水户的有志之士都聚集到了江户。我必须到江户去打探动静，再思考我们土佐人今后应该怎么做。若有需要……” "how?" “结成萨长土西国三藩联盟，拥戴天皇，压制幕府。若非如此，便无法拯救现正处于内忧外患中的日本。” 龙马使劲点了点头。只是他们虽然嘴上豪言壮语，心里却无底气。在现在这种幕藩体制下，他们的雄心壮志或许终究只是一个梦。 “今天我来找你，是想拜托你在我离开土佐的时候，帮我照看学堂里那些年轻学子。” "I see." “还有一件就是，有三百乡士和地下浪人分散在土佐七郡，我想把他们聚集起来。上士代代饱食棒禄，不足以谈大事。从今往后，能够经历腥风血雨在时代风云中大展身手的将是我们这些一领具足的子孙。” 他们长谈良久，武市看了看日影，才忙站起身来，说了声“拜托”，便上马飞奔而去。 武市不在的日子，坂本家成了土佐七郡的年轻志士集会之所。自从发生了池田寅之进事件，下级武士们逐渐开始联起手来。“上士算什么东西！”他们心中充满对上士的蔑视。三百年来的压制，终于燃起了巨火。而且，在江户樱田门外发生的暗杀事件，也对土佐七郡的年轻武士产生了微妙的影响：幕府不过如此。他们开始鄙视起幕府来，就连说话都变了。以前他们都尊称“将军府”，现在却直接称“幕府”。 话语与想法息息相关。在人们内心深处，已经有某种东西冒头，要打破三百年来的习惯。对于幕阁的阁老，人们在此之前都尊称其为“老中大人”，自从樱田门事变以来，直接改为老中；对于将军，也不再使用“大树”这个敬称，而是直接称将军。如此不