Chapter 20 20. Jagged Changzhou

Sakamoto Ryoma arrived at the foot of Matsuyama Castle in Iyo, where he sent Scud to Kochi's domain to apply for an extension of the travel period in order to further "discuss swordsmanship". His main purpose was to buy time for himself to sneak into Changzhou.He stayed in the inn under Matsuyama Castle until he got a reply. This is an era where everything is not free.Fans without official positions like Ryoma, who want to go to the territories of other feudal clans, must obtain permission from the feudal states one by one.If there is a delay, it will automatically leave the domain.Moreover, staying in Biefan is a very difficult thing.In the territory of each vassal state, pedestrians are only allowed to stay in the inn for one night, and they are not allowed to stay for a long time. This is because they are afraid of thieves and rebels.If you want to stay for a long time, you must get permission from the local post office officials and the officials of the town prefecture.

Ryoma lived in an inn called Qiwu in Songshan.He wrote down his name in the passenger list, greeted his boss, Yahei, and asked him to handle the extension of stay procedures for him, and then went out to the city for sightseeing. Iyo Matsuyama is a castle town of 150,000 koku for the Hisamatsu family of the Tokugawa shogunate. There are 71 blocks and 1,700 households.As its name suggests, Matsuyama is a place with lush red pines and beautiful scenery. The pine tree is such a beautiful tree?Ryoma was very surprised. The castle tower of Matsuyama Castle has three floors and stands on the high ground in the center of the town. It is generally rumored that it was built by Kato Yoshiaki, a powerful general of Taiko during the Warring States Period.In fact, the castle tower in front of Ryoma is not the five-story tower built by Jiaming, but a majestic triple tower that was rebuilt later.

"The city of 150,000 stone in ancient times is still in the mood of spring today." This is a short song written by Masaoka Zigui, from which we can know the pleasant feeling this city gives people. The castellan here is the Hisamatsu family.The ancestor of the family was Tokugawa Ieyasu's half-brother, Major General Hisamatsu Dingsheng, who inherited 150,000 shi. Here, I don't perform swordplay any more.Ryoma decided that it is impossible to develop comrades who have fallen under the shogunate's pro-vassal. When Ryoma returned to the inn, he was taken aback. A note was pasted on the door, writing: Mr. Ryoma Sakamoto stayed here.

"Boss, tear that off." Ryoma blushed. But the boss, Yahei, just didn't listen.He heard from Shikan officials that "Ryoma is a famous swordsman". The next day, the martial arts halls under the city sent people here one after another, begging: "Please come to our hall for advice, sir." Ryoma declined these requests, feeling that pro-vassal samurai were useless. Ten days later, the Scud sent to Kochi returned and the request for an extension was granted.Ryoma decided to take a boat from Mitsuhama. There were no regular ships crossing the Seto Inland Sea from Mitsuhama in Iyo to the territory of the Choshu domain.Fortunately, the five-hundred-stone ship bound for Osaka from Mitajiri Port in the territory of the Changzhou domain passed by, so Ryoma asked the owner of the ship to take him for a ride.

The innkeeper negotiated for Ryoma.However, Mitsuhama Wharf, which was in charge of taking care of the Changzhou ships, flatly refused on the grounds that the cargo ships could not carry people. The boss couldn't, so he had to go directly to the ship again to ask.Unexpectedly, after careful inquiry, Funao Daichi of the Sumiyoshi said, "So it's Mr. Sakamoto from Tosa, I know, I know." He agreed without saying a word. "The boss of the Changzhou ship?" Ryoma wondered, why did he know me? "what is his name?" "Qizang from Renwei, Zanzhou." "Oh." Long Ma was overjoyed, and squeezed his thigh, "I know him, not only know him, he is also my teacher."

"Is it the swordsmanship teacher?" "No, it's the teacher who taught me how to sail." When Ryoma was nineteen years old, he went to Edo. The master who steered the boat on Awa was Nanazang.At that time, Qizang taught him a lot about boats.At this time Nanzo had been promoted from the helm of a passenger ship bound for Osaka to the captain of the Santajiri Wharf of the Choshu Clan. "How is the old man?" Ryoma went to Mitsuhama.When he arrived at the pier, Qizang seemed to have gotten through with them, and they were very attentive. "The Choshu ship Sumiyoshi is parked in the bay, and we will send a small boat to take you there."

On the way, the young man rowing said: "Guest officer, I heard that you are the disciple of old man Qizang." "Qizang said so?" "Yes, he is very proud. He said that there is no captain like him in all Japan who can take samurai as apprentices." "Haha, Qizang is so proud?" Ryoma was full of expectation.The greatest happiness in life is meeting an old friend in a foreign land. The boat rowed to the side of the Sumiyoshi, which was carrying five hundred shi, and the old man was already standing at the stern, eagerly waiting for Ryoma to arrive. "Come up quickly, apprentice."

"Master." Ryoma also couldn't wait to climb up the boat-like ladder.The two hugged each other. "It's been nine years since we last said goodbye. At that time, you said that you were going to become the number one swordsman in the world. Later, after I inquired about it, I found out that you have become the head coach of Mr. Edo Chiba. I really am an old man. I'm happy." Qizang seemed to see his parents and children whom he hadn't seen for many years. The Sumiyoshi set sail with the wind before dawn the next day, and the ship was as fast as flying. "Master, lend me a sailor suit."

"OK." Qi Zang asked Long Ma to wear a bulging cotton robe, and he suddenly became a majestic boat boss.He is no longer the nineteen-year-old Ryoma back then.Every time he took a boat, he would learn a lot of knowledge, and he also inquired about many methods of sailing from the fleet of the vassal state.In addition, he also read "Details of Japanese Routes", "Records of Japan's Water Routes" and "Return to Ship Safety Records", which are required books for captains nowadays, and he is familiar with them all.At this moment he knew even more than some botched captains.

Qizang was also very surprised, and said, "Until the ship reaches Sandian, you will be the captain of the ship for me, okay?" Generally speaking, there are fourteen or five sailors on a thousand-stone boat, and about ten sailors on a five-hundred-stone boat.Including Ryoma, there are eleven people on the Sumiyoshi.There are three stewards on board: the captain, the purser, and the navigator.Further down, it is called the sail and helmsman.The second is ordinary sailors. These usually taciturn people, after a day, began to call Ryoma "Little Boss".Ryoma is born with the courage to be the boss.

Before dawn the next day, Ryoma was called up. "Little Boss, please come out." The Chief Purser led Ryoma with a dignified manner. Ceremonies are held every day on board, praying for safe travel and vowing to be of one heart and one mind. Starting at Yin time every day, lights are lit everywhere on the boat.The captain took his seat amidships.People on board wear silk cloaks.But Ryoma wore a family-patterned garment, and Qizang wore a silk cape.The helm sits at the stern.The purser led the crew and sat in the bow.Everyone shouted in unison: "We share weal and woe." The helmsman shouted: "Hey, hey." The people at the bow would echo: "Hey, hey, hey." Then the helm will ask: "Where is today's rudder god?" The person at the stern will answer: "It's up there, babbling." The boat shuttles between the islands.There are many islands in this area. "In the past, the islands in this area were the home of Iyo's family. Many Japanese went to Daming and Luzon from here to do some business of killing people and stealing goods." Nanazang introduced. Ryoma directs the ship from the captain's room. At this time, the navigation technology was still very backward, because there was no compass and nautical chart, they mainly sailed along the coast, and judged where they were and the position of the ship according to the shape of the coastal mountains.At night, you can't see the scenery along the coast, and you can't sail.It is very inconvenient to sail to the ocean when you can't see the land at all, just like a lost child.And if you get too close to the coast, you may touch the reef. There are mountains and valleys on the seabed.When sailing, you must keep an eye on the ups and downs of the submarine mountains.Therefore, there is a method called "beating a bottle", which is to use a bottle to collect sand on the seabed, and use the sand to judge the topography of the seabed.Ryoma hit the bottle once.Qizang taught him how to distinguish sand. Another great enemy of ships is bad weather.Forecasting weather changes is one of the important tasks of the captain. "Mr. Sakamoto, look at the clouds in the sky, what do you think?" The scattered clouds in the sky are a sign of strong winds, as Ryoma has read in "Returning to the Ship An Cheng Lu". "It looks like there will be a strong wind tonight." Upon hearing this, Qizang said, "That's right. Before it gets dark, get to Tsuheji Island for shelter." So Ryoma immediately ordered the helm to turn right and pass between Nuhe Island and Ershen Island. They stayed at Tsuwaji Island for two nights, and after the sea waves calmed down, they pulled anchor at dawn the next day and set off.The anchors are made of iron, like octopus claws.It will take a while just to put away the eight anchors.Then, twenty sails were hoisted. Fortunately, there is a tailwind.The boat sailed away from behind the island with ease.Ryoma's command has also become more and more handy.However, walking west along the left side of the towering Yashiro Island of Mt. Munju, a giant monster appeared in the bay to the west. "What is that?" the navigator ran to the captain's cabin and asked. Longma and Qizang came to the bow to check.Qizang didn't know what it was. They saw the white waves of the bay, and a huge black monster was coming towards them.As the distance got closer, the monster gradually became clearer.It is a black ship. "Boss, it's the black ship!" The crew saw the black ship for the first time.Its astonishment is no different from that of future generations seeing spaceships. Everyone gathered at the bow of the boat. "Where is the ship from?" I saw a flag hanging on the third mast.Ryoma once learned about the flags of various countries from Xiaolong Kawada.The pattern on the flag is three crosses.Ryoma immediately understood that it was the red St. George's cross on white, the white St. Andrew's cross on blue, and the red St. Patrick's cross on white. These three crosses represented England, Scotland, and Ireland respectively, indicating that the British Empire was formed by this It consists of three parts. "That's Yingjili's ship." Ryoma whispered blankly, his body trembling slightly due to excitement. This behemoth, like a ghost, is powerfully stepping forward on the huge waves.As far as Ryoma knew, this thing was called a foreign steamship.Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the ship, and a row of cannons lined the side of the ship. It is estimated that the deadweight tonnage should be about 2,000. "Ugly foreign devil!" If Takeshi Hanpeita saw this scene, he would definitely spit at the black boat.Other patriots who respect the king and fight against barbarians who walk the world will definitely show their murderous aura at this time.In May of this year, fourteen Mito ronin brandished swords and stormed into the English Legation in Takanawa Tozenji Temple in Edo, wounding the clerk Oliphant and the consul Morrison. Those warriors were like ghosts possessed by gods, and all of them were extreme nationalist exterminationists.But the crew of the Sumiyoshi carrying five hundred shi were not like samurai, they only sighed as navigators. "It's said to be ugly, but it's amazing to see it with your own eyes." Qizang said, "Those crew members came to Japan from England, which is thousands of miles away, and we really admire it." "Master," Ryoma said, "One day, I will lead several ships like that to change Japan." "Okay." Although Qizang said so, he didn't really mean it. The huge ship passed by the right side of the Sumiyoshi, and the small Sumiyoshi shook suddenly. "Master," Long Ma said, "If I become a general on that kind of big ship, can you help me?" "Of course. I want to take good care of my body so that I can wait until then." The Sumiyoshi sailed around the Doshima Sea and sheltered from the wind at various small islands, so the journey took a few days longer than planned.By the time I arrived at Mitajiri, the territory of Choshu, it was already New Years. Ryoma stayed overnight at Funaba in Mitajiri.There, more than a dozen people on board gave Ryoma a farewell party.Everyone loved this unique warrior very much, and bid farewell with tears. Early the next morning, Ryoma went to Hagi Castle alone. "What an interesting person." Qi Zang sighed, "There is only one thing that makes people worry. He bragged that he would offer political advice to the emperor in Kyoto. This matter was ill-considered. How could the general's rule be overthrown?" It was already the fourteenth day of the first lunar month when Ryoma arrived in Hagi City, Changzhou.The reason why it took so long was that he wanted to learn about the local customs and customs on the way to Hagi Castle.He believes that only when he understands the disposition, material and financial resources of this feudal clan, will he know what to do when he cooperates with him in the future.Not only Ryoma has such an idea, but every commentator at this time has such an experience. It turns out that there really is a so-called Changzhou face, Ryoma sighed.Changzhou people have good looks and clear minds, even foreigners who have been to Japan say so.As long as some of the patriots of various feudal dynasties mention "Changzhou people", they say that they are handsome and quick-thinking, and they should not be taken lightly. In Mito, there was an elder named Takeda Kounsai.He is a radical advocate of respecting the king and fighting barbarians. In the spring of the first year of Yuanzhi (1864), with the support of Ronin, he set up troops on Mount Tsukuba. He wanted to go to Kyoto to support the emperor and order the world. Captured and executed. Ryoma once heard that Katsura Kogoro, the giant of the Changzhou vassal king's faction in Edo, had asked someone to introduce Takeda Kounzhai, hoping to form a secret alliance with Suichou, but in the end he failed to do so. "When I was in Edo, Katsura-kun often came to me with his swordsmanship master Saito Yakuro, and I also watched him compete with others, so I know him well. But..." Takeda Kounsai said to the referee The man said: "Changzhou people are smart and can't be taken lightly. You can decline it for me." Having said that, among all the feudal clans, isn't the one with the greatest strength and enthusiasm for the downfall the Changzhou Feudal clan?By this time, Ryoma had begun to loathe Tosa's conservatism.He believes that the great cause of returning to heaven should be centered on the Changzhou Fan. What kind of feudal clan was the Choshu clan that Ryoma entered? At the end of the Tokugawa period, this domain became an extreme radical domain, with drastic political moves, and finally pushed the history of Japan to the Meiji Restoration.During this period of history, Changzhou played a leading role. The first generation of feudal lords in Changzhou was Mao Li Motojo, who dominated one side in the Warring States Period.Yuan began as the lord of a small mountain village in Taji, Ayi, and died at the age of seventy-five. He won consecutive battles in more than two hundred battles, pacified the eleven kingdoms of Shanyang and Shanyin, and built a strong force.In the second year of Yuangui after Yuanjiu's death, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, was only 30 years old. He was in his prime and had just pacified the Mikawa and Yuanjiang areas. In other words, the Maori family has a longer history than the Tokugawa family. When Taiko Hideyoshi was in power, Tokugawa Ieyasu was the daimyo of more than 2.4 million stones in the eight states of Kanto.Mori Terumoto and Tokugawa Ieyasu were the five elders of the Toyotomi family and were officials in the same dynasty.After Hideyoshi's death, the Battle of Sekihara took place.Mori Terumoto was moved out by Ishida Mitsunari in ignorance, and became the nominal leader of the Western Army and settled in Osaka Castle, but did not mobilize a single soldier.It's just that Hidemoto Mori's army sent troops a little in the Sekigahara Battle, but they didn't join the battle, because they had already seen that it was the general trend for Tokugawa Ieyasu to win the world. But afterwards, Tokugawa Ieyasu still took harsh measures against the Maori family. The original Maori territory of 1.7 million koku was greatly reduced to 370,000 koku of Nagato and Shufang. Withdrew and retreated to Hagi Castle on the coast.How can Tokugawa feel at ease if such a powerful daimyo as Maori is allowed to preserve his strength intact?Moreover, if the Maori territory is not deprived, how can Tokugawa have land to distribute to the princes of the world? Although the territory was reduced, the Maori did not reduce the number of their retainers.To raise a large number of people with 300,000 koku, it is necessary to develop industries and buy properties. Therefore, the Changzhou Domain has completed the conversion of "industrial domain" in the early Edo period.Therefore, when the shogunate and the daimyo were still relying on agriculture, the Changzhou domain had already converted the main production methods of the domain to papermaking, wax making, etc., and opened up new fields.Therefore, by the end of the Bakumatsu, Changzhou already had a wealth of millions of stones.When other feudal states fell into the suffocation of relying on simple farming, Changzhou Fan had enough money and food.They used their wealth to transform the army into a Western-style army, and together with the Satsuma clan who did not rely solely on farming, they formed a military force that could fight against the shogunate. Soon, the fire of resistance of the Maori family for three hundred years, the "crusade against the Tokugawa", was transformed into a banner of respecting the king and fighting barbarians, and it was ignited again among the young vassals. The person who ignited the fire was Yoshida Shoin. When Ryoma arrived in Hagi City, Changzhou, Shoin had already been executed.But most of Shoin's disciples are still there, and Hisaka Xuanrui is the most talented one among them. After Ryoma arrived in Hagi Castle, he immediately visited Hisaka Genzui. But Hisaka Genzui was not at home, and a woman—probably his wife seemed to have understood Ryoma's purpose and asked Ryoma to wait in the hall. "He's nearby, I'll call him right away," said the oval-faced woman. Is this person the younger sister of the late Yoshida Shoin?Looks very smart, Ryoma thought.Ryoma heard that among all the disciples, Shoin liked Kusaka the most, so he betrothed his younger sister to him. Like Katsura Kogoro, Hisaka Genzui was born in a medical family.Xuanrui's father, Liangdi, was a feudal doctor who received a salary of twenty-five shi, but died when Xuanrui was young. Later, his elder brother Xuanji inherited the family business, but also died young, so Xuanrui became the head of the family. Xuan Rui is twenty-three years old this year, five years younger than Long Ma. He entered the Matsushita Village School since he was a child, and he is very talented.But Shoin likes Hisaka, mainly because of his fire-like passion and action.Shoin believes that if he wants to launch the downfall business in the future, he will rely on the courage of Hisaka Genzui, not his fellow disciples Katsura Kogoro, Takasugi Shinsaku and others. After the success of the Restoration, Xixiang Takamori once said to the Changzhou people: "If Mr. Hisaka of your clan is still alive, I will not be a councilor." Takeshi Hanpeita also said long ago: "The talent of Changzhou Hisaka may be higher than that of Xixiang." However, whether Hisaka was as talented as they said, future generations will not know, because he also died young.He died in the Hayumen Incident in July of the first year of Yuanzhi. The sound of hurried footsteps came from the entrance, and Hisaka came back. "Mr. Sakamoto," he began to talk about the collapse of the curtain before he had time to exchange greetings, "No, Changzhou is hopeless. The elder Nagai Masara, who is stationed in Kyoto, is a stubborn supporter and extremely suppresses the king's theory. Please understand our actions He was impeached by Nagai and returned to Changzhou with the support of the old Zhou Fuzhengnosuke of the Edo family." The "hopeless" mentioned by Hisaka refers to the uprising of Sa, Naga, and Tu in Kyoto agreed by Edo and Takeichi, which cannot be carried out as scheduled. "Katsura Kogoro was also gnashing his teeth in Edo, and it was all because of Nagai that the theory of feudal clan changed drastically." "Here is a letter from Takeshi." Ryoma opened the packet. Hisaka read it hastily and threw it away. "Oh, it turns out that Tosa can't do it either." In Tosa, Yoshida Toyo, the stubborn old man, overshadowed the sky with one hand, and the so-called king of all vassals was like a daydream. "There is no hope for Satsuma either. Because the lord's father, Lord Jiuguang, controls the vassal government and suppresses the actions of the Qinwang faction." Hisaka said.It seems that it is very difficult to persuade the leaders of San Francisco to raise a rebel army to serve the king in Kyoto. "Mr. Sakamoto, are you willing to die?" "Take it anytime." "Me too. So I have a solution." After Jiusaka Xuanrui said this, he stopped talking.He rolled up his hakama and stood up.Ryoma couldn't help but also stood up. "Let me take you to the inn first." He was really impatient, so Ryoma began to observe him nonchalantly.At the beginning, Ryoma judged from the name Hisaka Genzui Yoshisuke that this person must be a small talent, but the reality is completely different from the imagination.Xuanrui is more than five feet eight inches tall, with a waist that is comparable to his height, but he has a round face, raised eyebrows, slender eyes, and fair skin like a woman's. He can be said to be a dignified and handsome man.But this handsome man is like a thunderbolt.This is the number one person in Changzhou? Before Ryoma could figure it out, he went down to the inn at the urging of Hisaka. "Serve the wine." Hisaka ordered the maid as soon as she sat down.Ryoma said from the side: "Is there a woman?" Sitting opposite such a hot-tempered handsome man made Ryoma feel depressed. "No, there are no dancers under Hagi Castle." Hisaka said with a serious face.He thought to himself, this Tosa samurai really has no ambitions. "I heard that Mr. Sakamoto is good at swordsmanship. The samurai in the domain were very happy when they heard that you were coming. I would like to invite you to give them a performance at the Civil and Military Academy tomorrow." "What? Watch me play with a big stick?" Ryoma looked bitter. Soon, the wine was served. "Mr. Sakamoto, let me tell you about the situation in Changzhou. I have also mentioned the important minister Nagai Masaku just now." Hisaka concluded that he was a big traitor, possessed first-class political talents and knowledge, but firmly supported the shogunate. Nagai Gagaku was born in a famous family, and he was very skillful. At first, he was the personal guard of the eldest son Mori Motoku, and he and Yoshida Shoin were known as the two great talents in the feudal clan.His aptitude is similar to Songyin's, and the two are related by blood.People in the clan once thought that Shoin and Nagai Gagaku would be the pillars of the Changzhou clan in the future, and had high expectations for them.However, the title of two great talents is unfortunate for both of them.Shoin has always hated Nagai Gagaku very much, and the disciples of Matsushita village school such as Hisaka, Takasugi and Shinagawa grew up little by little under his influence. Soon, Nagai was appreciated by the feudal lord Jingqin and his son Yuande, and went to Edo and Kyoto successively to become active with the unification of feudal theory and diplomacy.Nagai speaks in an orderly manner, with a natural majesty. Hisaka scolded the status quo of Changzhou in a very fierce tone, and Ryoma just drank silently. Is this kid a fool?Hisaka thought to himself.When the secret agreement in San Francisco is facing an unprecedented crisis, why did Hanpeita Takeichi send such a strange person? Ryoma was still drinking constantly.He was also very disappointed in Hisaka. This person is like an awl, his sharpness is too exposed.Can penetrate solid wood, but that's all, he is just a strong man with a blood.In Ryoma's eyes, Hisaka is just a fanatic.There are plenty of such strong men in Tosa, but they don't have the knowledge of Kusaka.It can be said that the hot-blooded warrior is Tosa's specialty.People all over the world say that Changzhou has a lot of talents.Because of this, Ryoma was very disappointed.He couldn't even believe his eyes, could this be the number one talent in Changzhou?But he is also a good man. Ryoma slowly brought the cup to his mouth. Hisaka is full of passion and is a very firm anti-barbarian.Talking about Yang Yi is like talking about demons.At this time, the people with lofty ideals in the world can be said to be the same as Hisaka. The opinion of Nagai Masaku, who was called a traitor by Hisaka, is: "Help the shogunate, open up the country and trade, absorb advanced Western culture and technology, build a large number of ships, run across the five continents, and after accumulating national wealth, promote Japan's national prestige." Ryoma couldn't help being inspired by the statement of "running across the five continents". He thought this was true insight, but he couldn't hold back thoughts about the shogunate.Ryoma is a resolute shogunate, not only the shogunate, he also wants to eradicate the three hundred princes headed by Sa Changtu Sanfan, and unify Japan.To unify Japan, there needs to be a center.In his view, the Emperor of Kyoto, who has been neglected since Minamoto Yoritomo established the Kamakura Shogunate, is the center.This is Ryoma's "King of Honor".If he said that, he might be scolded by Wushi, but the difference between him and the nobles at this time was that he did not have the fanaticism of superstitious belief in the emperor. Now the "traitor vulgar theory" that Hisaka said is very attractive to Ryoma, but Ryoma still pretends to be a barbarian.Because all patriots in the world are fanatical anti-barbarians.If Ryoma is the only one who disagrees, it will be difficult to get along with comrades. Hisaka was still talking about it. Ryoma nodded frequently, but his eyes were already narrowed.He is drunk.It may be that the journey is exhausting and sleepy.Nodding his head, he began to nod, and soon lay down, snoring loudly. The next day, Ryoma, accompanied by the five Changzhou feudal vassals sent by Hisaka to receive them, went to the civil and military training hall in the feudal domain. Among the feudal vassals in charge of the reception was Masaki Terashima Chusaburo, a twenty-year-old youth, a disciple of Nakusaka Genzui, and a figure of the disciple and grandchildren of the Shoin sect. "Mr. Sakamoto, everyone is waiting for you and wants to observe your swordsmanship." Chusaburo Terashima said. It seems that the reason Ryoma is popular in Changzhou is not because he is a Tosa warrior, but because he is a disciple of Chiba, and everyone expects him for his swordsmanship. "Swordsmanship?" He was already terrified in Marugame.Even if you win, you will only attract resentment. "That stuff is boring." "You really know how to joke." Everyone knew that he had once been the head coach of Chiba Martial Arts, and no one would believe his words. Long Ma was taken to the Civil and Military Training Hall, which is officially called Minglun Hall, about 2,730 square meters, and it is magnificent.From this we can see how much the Changzhou Fan pays attention to the education of the clan. Ryoma demonstrated some sword skills, and then competed with the young warriors in the domain a few times.Afterwards, Ryoma was arranged to be received by the tea orderer at the jujitsu training ground in the Ubikan. Ryoma looked around, there were more than forty martial arts students sitting in the lower seats.Everyone took turns turning the teapot and drinking tea casually. "Mr. Sakamoto, please teach me your sword skills." They were all interested in Ryoma.The jujitsu hall and the fencing hall are together, there is no wall separating them, they are connected. On the ground of the fencing gymnasium, there were more than a dozen stacks of straw, which were set up to allow Bei Chen's one-handed swordsman, Sakamoto Ryoma, to perform chopping. I am not a swordsman, I am a warrior!Ryoma wanted to roar loudly, but everyone would only look at him according to their prejudices. Changzhou people think that Longma is being modest, so they frequently persuade him. Ryoma didn't take it seriously.He either looks at the roof, or scratches his head, or flicks an ant that has crawled up his thigh.I am a dignified man of lofty ideals, let me perform swordsmanship here, what is it? Gonzaki Daigoro, a famous Changzhou swordsman, said first: "I will come first." Then he raised his knife and chopped towards the straw stack. Then, many people with good skills came out one after another.Some people missed the cut, and some people slashed the machete to the ground with too much force. What's more serious, some of the falling long knives even hit their own feet, and they had to limped off the field. Ryoma couldn't stand it anymore and stood up. "It should be cut like this." He drew out his knife and chopped down with one hand.Before the straw fell to the ground, he had already sheathed the knife. "As expected of a master." Everyone held their breath. Hisaka Xuanrui, who came belatedly, also saw this scene.He selected a few of the students in the hall and asked them to prepare to compete with Ryoma. "Learn from Mr. Sakamoto." Ryoma had no choice but to pick up the bamboo knife again. The first person to appear on the stage was a boy who was only fifteen or sixteen years old. He saluted the dragon horse, shouted, and slashed towards the dragon horse.This knife hit Ryoma's head flawlessly. "Hahaha, I lost, I lost." Ryoma threw down the knife and returned to his seat.Everyone present looked at him blankly. "Sir, you can't play tricks like that." "No, no, I lost because of my lack of skill. I admit defeat." It was only then that Hisaka realized that this Tosa vassal was definitely not something in the pond. Jiusaka Xuanrui wrote in his diary on the 23rd day of the first month of the second year of Wenjiu: "It's the day, people from Tuzhou go."The handwriting is very illegible. On the same day, Ryoma bid farewell to Hagi Castle, and he stayed here for about ten days.Before leaving, Jiusaka came to the inn where Ryoma lived, and said in a passionate tone: "Mr. Sakamoto, you have stayed here for ten days, and you should have basically understood the situation of the Changzhou Fan. Since then, there has been a tradition of Qin Wang, but now it has become like this. Mito and Satsuma are the same. Is it the same for Guifan?" He coughed and sighed, "This is the end of the matter, we can no longer rely on daimyo. Hopeless." "Then who should rely on?" "Ourselves. Those who are interested in revolution break away from the vassal status together, become rogues, and then gather together to raise a large-scale rebel army. I think this is the best policy." "Want to become a ronin?" Ryoma opened his eyes wide with excitement, as if seeing a rainbow after the rain. Hisaka told Ryoma about this, and wrote a letter to Hanpeita Takeshi. This radical article clearly characterizes the man Hisaka.Even if the Changzhou Fan and the Tuzhou Fan were destroyed, they would not hesitate.This is an extraordinary view for the samurai at that time who were the food masters and family salaries. "Sakamoto, let's leave the domain together and recruit people with lofty ideals from all over the world." Hisaka said further. When Ryoma first arrived, Hisaka said that there was something important to discuss, which turned out to be the matter.Since ancient times, for a samurai, leaving the domain without authorization has been the greatest sin. "How are you, Sakamoto?" "Hmm." Ryoma was thinking.But he was already smiling. Hisaka is smarter than me.According to his temperament, he would choose this rash way.He is not afraid of the enemy's bloody storm, at worst, he will be smashed to pieces. I also want to leave the feudal clan, the thought crossed Ryoma's mind.