Chapter 31 9. Spring in Beijing

Longma told Wushi: "Mr. Haosheng must be protected!" After speaking, he walked out of Danhu. Although Sheng returned to Edo for the time being, he would soon follow the general to Shangluo and go up by sea.Kyoto is the stronghold of the massacre faction headed by the Changzhou and Tosa vassals. Some of them are sharpening their knives and waiting for the victory.Ryoma was worried. He returned to the feudal mansion in Kawaramachi, yelled Okada Izo a few times, walked into the gate, and then yelled all the way into his room. Open the latticed partition, and below is the Takase River.It is raining.Ryoma lights up the lamp.

"Izang came to worship." Okada Izang walked in with a red sheathed long knife. "Oh, it's been a long time." Ryoma sat on the checkered table and took off his short coat. "Yes." Yizang is a man of few words.He smiled and looked up at Ryoma. But the eyes are very stern, shining like a wild beast, which makes people chill, it is a strange light that cannot be concealed by a smile, and it is the unique gaze of a killer. "How many people have you killed?" Long Ma originally wanted to ask, but swallowed the words, just looked at him with a smile and said, "I've heard about it. Yizang, you are not what you used to be."

The murderer Izo is now with Tanaka Shinbei of the Satsuma domain, and has become the killer who deters Jingluo. "Only to serve the country loyally." "Okay." Ryoma nodded.People like Yizang are simple-minded, thinking that they can accomplish great things by killing people. "To hide." "exist." "The greatest man in Japan is coming to Kyoto soon. Can you protect him?" "Who is it?" "Mr. Katsu Rintaro, the acting warship of the shogunate." "Ah, isn't that the big traitor?" "You meant to kill him?"

"Exactly." "You protect him!" Ryoma said after instructing him with reasons that he could understand, "That's the only reason. In short, if you trust me, Ryoma, you must protect the one I trust." Mr. Sheng. Yizang, please." He looked out the window at the night rain on the Takase River. The murderer Yizang was troubled.In the view of Takeshi Banheita, the anti-barbarian, the founder of the country, Sheng Haizhou, is a big traitor.Mr. Sakamoto asked me to protect him. Isn't that equivalent to betraying Mr. Takeichi?Although Yizang was confused, for him, Takeichi Hanpeita was inaccessible.In contrast, Long Ma made Yi Zang feel very kind.Not only that, but Ryoma's great kindness at Koryabashi in Osaka also made him unforgettable throughout his life.It's just that Ryoma never pretends to be a benefactor.

Moreover, the identity of Yizang is ashigaru, and ashigaru is more despised in the Tosa domain than in other domains.The feudal law even stipulates that Ashgaru cannot report his surname on formal occasions.The comrades in the feudal clan, even Takeichi Hanpeita sometimes looked at him with contempt.Yizang is very sensitive to these.Only Mr. Sakamoto doesn't do that.He once said: There is no distinction between people, and the status and ranks in the floating world are just decorations for peace; once the world is in chaos, these decorations will be stripped away. If you want to achieve great things, you must accumulate wisdom, courage and benevolence.

Yizang really couldn't figure it out, so he went to Ban Pingtai and honestly told him his confusion. Sure enough, Wu Shi looked displeased.You are a patriot, do you want to protect Sheng?He stared at Yizang closely, as if asking questions. "Okay, forget it, Ryoma may also have his ideas, you just do what he says." Finally, he said very reluctantly. On February 26th of the third year of Wenjiu, according to the original plan, Sheng arrived in Osaka again on the Shundong, and then came to Kyoto. Longma went to meet Sheng at the place where he stayed and introduced Yizang. "This is Okada Izo from the same clan as you. Please be sure to take him with you when you go out."

"Bodyguard?" Sheng was very smart.He had heard rumors about Okada Izo.This person regards killing as a career of respecting the king and fighting barbarians, like a mad dog.It's not good for Longma to bring anyone, so why did he bring him here?Sheng thinks so.But as long as he decides to trust others, he doesn't ask why. "I'll take him with me." Since then, he has been carrying Yizang with him. After Sheng entered Beijing, Yizang followed him like a loyal dog every day. One day, Sheng went to Nijo City to discuss matters very late, and it was already midnight when it ended.Following him was the young attendant Dotaro Shintani, and Dotaro and Izangdu were honestly waiting in the servants in the city.

"I came out late." Sheng put on the straw sandals at the entrance, and suddenly glanced at the archery tower above the city, and found that the moon that was hanging high in the sky just now had disappeared. "It's going to rain," he said to himself. "It should rain in the middle of the night." Yizang can feel the rain, and he is especially sensitive to the rain. "However, it's the most dangerous night when it's like going down and not going down." "You mean there will be assassins on a night like this?" "Yes, this is next..."

"Experience tells you. Since an insider says so, it must be true." Okada Izo knew that on such a night, the blood of a strong man would often boil with murderous intent. "Let's go." The three of them went out of the small gate and went outside the city.After crossing a bridge, it is Horikawa Road.Katsuki lived in the Kishu feudal mansion in Rokkaku-dori Shincho, which was far from Nijo Castle. They are holding two lanterns.Daotaro, a young follower, carried a lamp and led the way.Yizang held the other one, stuck close to Sheng's left side, and walked forward cautiously.The three headed south along Horikawa.

Sheng is good at talking and always wants to say something.Yizang remained silent. "You really don't like to talk." Yizang bowed his head in silence.If you talk, you can't pay attention to your surroundings. "Stop killing people. Even if hundreds or thousands of people are killed, the times will still move forward." After passing the Echizen feudal mansion, when they arrived at the area known as Oshihorikawa Town by the locals, Izo stared at him, and the willow branches on the bank of Horikawa suddenly swayed. Immediately, there was a sudden sound of messy footsteps, and the white blade flickered in the darkness.

"Traitor——" two shadows jumped out at the same time.Yizang rushed towards the two shadows, drew out his knife and slashed.He slashed at the waist of a black shadow with his backhand, and shouted loudly: "Don't you know Okada Izo from Tosa?" His intimidation really worked, and five or six black shadows ran away screaming. To hide the knife, still silent. Blood spattered on Sheng's hakama, but he remained calm, put his hands in his arms and continued to walk forward slowly. Yizang was out of breath.But he never spoke, and guarded carefully on the left side. In his later years, Sheng once described the old events in this way: "Three strong men suddenly appeared in front of them, and they slashed at me without any explanation. I was very surprised and hurriedly retreated to avoid it. Okada Izo who was next to him hurriedly pulled out his long sword and killed one of them. It was cut into two sections, and then he shouted: "You cowards, what do you want to do?" The remaining two were frightened and ran away in a panic. I was able to escape from death. Okada's skill is really impressive. admire." Yizang didn't know any doctrines and ideas at first, just like many second-rate people with lofty ideals, it was their own blood that pushed them into the end of the Shogunate.He entrusted his mind to Takeshi Hanheita.As long as Wu Shirang does, he will do it.Even if Wushi doesn't say anything, if he thinks that "he will be happy as long as he kills that traitor", then he will kill that person.Just that, this time, Yizang handed over his mind to Ryoma. Sheng walked silently.Sheng is a strange person at the end of the shogunate.He thought he was as big as the sea, but it was the first time he saw someone being killed in front of him, and he was somewhat shocked. "Mr. Okada." Sheng Bule said, "You seem to take pleasure in killing people. This is not the way of a man. As a husband, even if you are killed, you cannot kill people. You must change it in the future." "Mr. Sheng." Yi Zang said unconvinced, "I don't understand. If it wasn't for me just now, Mister would have died a long time ago." Indeed.Sheng Yi, who likes to preach, accidentally forgot his position and was speechless for a while.In his later years, whenever Sheng talked about this matter, he always smiled wryly and said: "After hearing this sentence, I am also speechless." What Sheng wanted to say was that the life of a person is as important as the life of a country, but Yi Zang finally failed to understand his words and ended his short life. Ryoma, who came to Kyoto, visited Miss Tazuru in early March. Go north along Teramachi Road and enter the imperial gate of Qingheyuan, which is where the residences of Gongqing are concentrated.There are big trees in each mansion, covering the sky and the sun, which can be called Gongqing garden. Ryoma entered the Sanjo Mansion and handed out a famous card, "Tosa feudal lord Sakamoto Ryoma pays homage." The servant in charge of the notification walked in, and he didn't find it strange. Because the Tosa Marquis Yamauchi family and Gongqing Sanjo's family were related by marriage, the Tosa vassals would naturally come and go in and out of the mansion frequently on business and private occasions. At this time, Miss Tian He is playing Double Six with his wife in the wife's room of the letter receiving hospital in the mansion.Mrs. Shinshouin is the widow of Sanjo Miman.Shi Wan is the previous master of the Santiao family.Persecuted in the Ansei Prison initiated by Naosuke Ii, he was forced to retire and became a monk. There was a villager named Kizaemon Watanabe next door, and Shiman often drank tea with him.Once, someone brought snacks.Shiman happens to like sweets very much. "Kizaemon, let's try." So the two ate snacks, and Kizaemon was poisoned and died.When he was dying, Kizaemon said: "Master Gosho, the snacks are poisonous. This is a conspiracy of the shogunate. You must not eat it." Shiwan said sadly, "I've already eaten." Shi Wan immediately called someone, took laxatives, vomited and had diarrhea to detoxify.However, I don't know if it was because the poison was still in the stomach, and he passed away ten days later.It was the sixth day of October in the sixth year of Anzheng, and he died at the age of fifty-eight. The culprit who killed Shiwan by poisoning was Mr. Ii, who was killed outside the Sakurada Gate by eighteen wanderers from Mito and Satsuma on the third snow day of March in the first year of Wanyan in the second year. Shiwan's revenge was finally avenged.The revenge of killing his father made his eldest son, Shimei, the most radical gangster among the public officials. Mrs. Shinshouin spends her time alone in the company of Miss Tazuru, a maid sent by her family's Yamauchi family. Miss Tian He is quite busy.The Sanjo family practiced shoumu, so Ms. Tianzuru often took care of the Tosa clan's patriots.For example, Ryoma's comrade Ikeneizo Taito, on the way back from Edo, sold his swords and his clothes when he was out of money, and stood in front of Sanjo's house like a beggar. Miss Tianzuru gave it to him He is entangled with knives and coils.In addition, Ryoma's comrade Kono Manjuya fell ill in the domain of Kyoto on his way back from Edo.Miss Tian He felt sorry for him, so she not only sent him a bedding, but also asked her personal maid to take care of him. "Ryoma?" Ms. Tian He stopped fiddling with Shuang Liu's hands as soon as she heard the doorman's report. "Let him in." After ordering, she continued to bow her head and play double six with Mrs. Xin Shouyuan. I can't let Madam see my face, she thought.Unexpectedly, Mrs. Xin Shouyuan is observing her with great interest at the moment. Mrs. Shinshouin is a woman with a very kind smile. She has grown old recently and looks a little old. However, she is worthy of being the lady of Tosa's 240,000 stone lord's family. The older she gets, the more temperamental she is. More attractive when young.Ms. Tianhe thinks so too. "Tazuru, I know." Mrs. Shinshouin laughed, "Is it Ryoma Sakamoto? I heard that although his status is low, he is a very interesting samurai." "yes." Ms. Tian He still looked down at Shuangliu's board, biting her lip, holding back desperately, for fear of blushing. "Tian He." "lady." "Are you interested in him?" Ms. Tianhe raised her head in surprise, and saw Mrs. Shinshouin smiling sincerely. "I noticed it a long time ago. When you told me about the vassals, the only time you talked about Ryoma was that your eyes were different. Is this just my imagination?" "This……" "Hehe, I used a strange word. It should be called a guess. But Mr. Ryoma never showed up, so I'm worried for you." "No, that..." "You don't need to make excuses. It's natural for a man to love a woman. Besides, you have a good character, so I'm so relieved to joke. We don't play Double Six anymore." "How can I do that?" Ms. Tian He hastily raised the dice roll. "Tian He, why are you panicking? It's my turn. I won't play anymore. I'll grant you a day off. Prepare some stories for me and tell them to me." Mrs. Shinshouin likes it very much.Although she is the daughter of a famous family, she is very reasonable in this respect. "It's just..." She looked at Miss Tian He mischievously, and said, "I know you shouldn't make mistakes, but I still have to tell you not to get pregnant." Tian He was embarrassed. "You are my maid, and I treat you as my own daughter. You must listen to me on this matter." Although she is reasonable, she is a noble after all, and Mrs. Xinshouyuan also has principles. Miss Tian He went back to her room and looked in the mirror, then went to the small room next to the entrance. "It looks like it's going to snow." She looked at the sky from the corridor in the atrium, and whispered inadvertently to calm her nervousness. Ryoma is in the small room. "haven't seen you for a long time." When Ms. Tianzuru saw Ryoma, she sat down quietly, with a dignified and generous demeanor, as expected of the daughter of the elder of the Tosa domain genealogy family. "Ryoma, are you alright?" "very good." "yes?" Miss Tian He's every sentence is very short.She had to wait for herself to calm down before opening a long talk, otherwise she didn't even know what she would say. Ryoma didn't greet him, he didn't know how to say these polite words in the first place.He stroked his chin.Ms. Tianhe took a careful look at him, only to see that the short black kapok jacket he was wearing was extremely dirty, and the family pattern had turned gray. "Ryoma." "Ok." Ryoma made a strange sound, a little hoarse.Seeing Miss Tianhe, it seemed that he was also very nervous.Sure enough, Ryoma was thinking of me too.Thinking of this, Ms. Tian He suddenly became very calm, laughing at herself that women are really strange creatures, and a smile appeared on her face. "What's wrong?" "It's all right. I'll make you a jerkin." "Is it dirty?" "Somewhat." "Fighting the wind and rain, traveling thousands of miles." Long Ma licked his sleeves and said, "It's already salty." "salty?" "I took the sea route from Edo to Osaka, and the land route from Osaka to Kyoto, so in addition to the salty smell, there is also the smell of dust on the road." "What a foodie." "I haven't eaten anything good." "I'll get you something delicious." "please." Ryoma made a one-handed request gesture. "I don't want to go out with someone so dirty, though. At least I'll order you a short coat of plain black crepe. Throw that coat of yours away." "If I throw it away, someone will scold me." "Oh, who is it?" "This is made for me by Sanako, the eldest lady of Chiba Martial Arts School." "Ryoma!" Ms. Tian He couldn't calm down any more, she held back a little bit, and a smile appeared on her face again, and said, "Is that girl named Sanako your fiancée?" "No, just very affectionate." "How good is it?" Ms. Tian He couldn't help but changed into a questioning tone. "She is a fellow of Beichen Yidaoliu. To be precise, she should be regarded as the master. She is the daughter of Mr. Zhenji, and her name is also on the qualification certificate I got." Longma took out a qualification certificate from his arms.He brought it because he wanted Ms. Tian He to send it to his elder sister Otome in his hometown. "It's in the way." "Can I see it?" "it is good." Open the certificate, and there are a series of names behind it.In addition to Chiba Shusaku, the founder of Kaishan, there is also Zhou Zuo's younger brother Zhenyoshi Masamichi, and then Chiba Shigetaro Ichiyin, who is called "Aju" by Ryoma. Next to him are the names of Shigetaro's three younger sisters, named Zuo Na, Li Ji, Ji Jiu. Li Jiuzi and Ji Jiuzi got married early, and only the eldest daughter Sanako stayed at home. "Sanako is written there, and she made me this poncho." "He's a nice person, isn't he?" "That's what everyone else says." "You think so too?" "certainly." Miss Tian He's heart fluttered, and she rolled up the certificate. "I'll send it to Otome for you. Also, I'll treat you to dinner, so you go to Mingbaoye Pavilion in Shimizu and wait for me." "Is it okay to wear this outer covering?" "It's too dirty, I don't like it. Well, since it was sewn for you by someone who is very important to you, so be it." Ms. Tian He said solemnly. Ryoma walked out, and snowflakes started to fall outside. Snow is possible tonight.After thinking about it, he called for a sedan chair. On the way, a fire broke out under Santiao of Liumachang, and Long Ma got out of the sedan chair to watch the excitement. The source of the fire was a shaving shop. The fire gradually spread to the next door business, and now it has spread to the siding of the third house.The house is not very big, but it looks old.Ryoma asked, "Whose house is this?" The bearer replied, "The owner of the house has passed away now. He was a famous doctor named Masaku Uozaki." "Gonzaki." Ryoma rushed over immediately. He had heard the name.Uchizaki was a diligent king who was arrested in Anzheng Prison and died in prison.He had heard a long time ago that Masaku Gonzaki's bereaved family lived very poorly.According to comrades, his widow let the family members live in her house and lived on the rent collected.Life is already tight, and now it has encountered a fire.She definitely won't be able to survive this time. In fact, Ryoma has no interest in the reputation of drawing swords and helping each other. He usually takes his time, but whenever this kind of thing happens, he will rush over desperately.Others would think he was a weirdo, but he didn't think so himself. However, even so, Ryoma's bravery to charge forward at this time is still a bit abnormal. "Get out of the way!" He rushed forward through the dark crowd, and heard a few important points from the noisy conversation of those people.Among the survivors of Sozaki, a boy named Jiro, who was only nine years old at the time, rushed into the fire shouting "short knife".It turned out that the short knife was the only thought left by the late father after selling all the family property. "Fire danger!" "It will be smoked!" Everyone just yelled like this, but no one came to rescue, only a woman dressed as a martial artist wanted to rush in, but the neighbors hugged her desperately.In this case, that's the most they can do to help. "Let go of me, let me go!" the woman struggled. Long Ma made up his mind, borrowed a wet mat from the fireman, and said, "Pour some water on me." Ye - the man poured water from the top of his head. "Hold the swords for me." Ryoma took off the double swords and threw them out with a snap.He took a fire hook, put on a wet mat, and rushed into the backyard with fire, and the yard was billowing with smoke. "Child!" Ryoma shouted when he saw the fallen child. The child appears to be suffocating. Ryoma hurriedly picked him up, wrapped him in a wet mat, and then hit the board wall with his left shoulder, and three boards came loose.Ryoma kicked him down and ran into the alley.In front is the back door of the next door.There was so much smoke that I couldn't open my eyes at all.Ryoma wiped away his tears, took a closer look, and found that the fire had not yet spread to the neighbors.He rushed into the neighbor's house through the back door.Everyone in this family has run out to avoid the fire, and the house has been vacated.There were ten firefighters at the house, with ropes tied to the posts, ready to bring the house down. "Thanks for your hard work." "Huh?" The fireman was taken aback.Because what they saw was a big man with the appearance of a ronin with scorched hair and a face like black coals, rushing out of it. "Master, there is fire on your clothes." After Ryoma extinguished the fire, he ran out while shouting "Don't pull it down, don't pull it down."All the people present cheered. Longma put the child on the ground, rescued the child mouth to mouth for a while, and the child came back to life. "You didn't find the dagger, did you?" "Yeah." The boy nodded innocently. "Stop doing such stupid things. Short knives are sold everywhere. It's only fools who don't have self-confidence who say that kind of thought. The thought he left behind is you." The child looks cute.Ryoma had only heard about Kasaki Masaku, and it seemed that he was probably a handsome man.Thinking like this, he suddenly remembered Miss Tian He and ran out in a hurry.The bearers were still waiting for him. "Hey, you didn't escape." "Master, you haven't paid for the sedan chair yet." "Is that so? We'll be at Myobano Pavilion soon." The sedan chair moved forward again. "It's strange, sir, the younger one has been doing this for many years, I can feel it, you seem to have become lighter." "When you said that, I remembered. My big and small swords fell." Ryoma remembered his swords now, with a dazed expression on his face.Who was it given to? "Little one remembered. I saw a young girl holding that thing around your waist. She wasn't there when you came out." "Has it been stolen?" "Don't joke. Let's go back." "No. Help me find a passer-by, go over there and send me a message, just say that I am Sakamoto Ryoma, a vassal of Tuzhou, and ask her to send the knife to Mingyonotei in Shimizu." "You are so generous." After getting on Channing Slope, getting off the sedan chair in front of Mingbaoye Pavilion, Ryoma came out.There was no knife on his body, his whole body was soaked, the hakama was tightly attached to his thigh, some of his hair was burnt, and his face was covered with ashes.The sleeves were also charred, tattered, and pulled deaf to the wrists.Miss Tian He originally wanted to have a tryst with him, but if she saw him like this, she didn't know how she would feel. "Master." Even the bearer couldn't bear to watch, and said, "Please forgive me for being impolite. You look so ugly now." "Really, it's like a beggar." Ryoma himself felt a little ridiculous, and laughed out loud.The bearer already admired the warrior very much, and wanted to help more and more. "My lord, in Kyoto, Mingbaoye Pavilion is very famous, do you come here often?" "So what if you don't come often?" "If you go in like this, they won't let you go to the entrance. Believe me, wait for me here. There is a clothing appraisal store I often go to nearby, and I will borrow one for you." "Thanks, but that's okay." "How can this be done?" The bearers are very stubborn. Ming Baoye Pavilion's servants heard the two talking, so they told the proprietress: "The beggars from Awashima have come to blackmail you." When the servants said so, there was a commotion in the whole shop.At this time, there are often beggars who live under the Sanjo Bridge, under the pretext of selling Awashima Amulets, to make trouble at the door of the shop and ask for money. "A beggar in a sedan chair?" "how is it like?" "burly chap." When the whole store was in turmoil, Ms. Tian He sat alone in a side room.When she heard someone making noise in the corridor, she already roughly guessed what was going on, so she clapped her hands and asked, "What is the family pattern on the beggar's clothes in front of the door?" "Orange pattern." "That's not some Awashima beggar, it's a regular customer here. Let him in." But why did Ryoma become like that in such a short time?Tian He didn't know why. At this time, Ryoma walked in, and Ms. Tian He couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise. "What's the matter?" She frowned, like a worried child.A few hours ago, he appeared in Sanjo Prefecture, Limu Town, fully dressed, but now he has turned into a clay figurine. "Your sleeves are torn! The clothes are not only burned, but also wet and sticky. In this way, the clothes that such an important person sewed for you are all in vain?" "It's all Miss Tian He's fault, she made fun of my jacket, and that's why it happened." "I'm not good? Don't take me for a fool. Where did you go to make trouble?" "I'm not an urchin." "It's not like you can't do it. What's going on?" "The willow horse field is flooded." "Fire? What's the situation?" Ryoma gave a brief account of what happened, and after he finished speaking, he pretended to be shivering from the cold, and said, "It's cold. I didn't know it would be so cold when a fire broke out." "Also, it's really dirty." Ms. Tianhe laughed at him, and at the same time ordered the servants of Mingbaoyeting to boil water for bathing immediately.Just happened to have hot water. "No, I won't wash it." Long Ma has never liked bathing since he was a child, and his bad habit has not changed. "No, you look like this, it's time to change the tatami mats in the shop. Come on, I'll wash it for you." "No, no need." "I've heard rumors about you." The rumor she was talking about was that when Ryoma was young, Otome always tried to persuade him to take a bath, but if Otome had something to do, she would make him wash by himself, and he fully agreed, just wet the towel and came out. The face and hands and feet were still dirty. "Ryoma, have you washed it?" When Otome asked him, he would pick up the towel and show it to Otome, saying that he had washed it himself.But he didn't know that his face was the evidence of lying.Therefore, when Ryoma took a bath later, Otome always followed him. "Come with me." Ms. Tian He took Ryoma to the bathroom, stood in the dressing room, and watched him undress.Although Ryoma is careless and doesn't pay attention to anything, he doesn't like to let others see him naked.Because there are thick black curly hairs growing on his back.Although it wasn't particularly ugly, he himself disliked that thing like a woman.Ms. Tian He had also heard about these, so she wanted to tease him deliberately. Ryoma took a ladle of water from the bucket and poured it on his shoulders.Because his body was covered with soot and mud, water flowed down his body like black sweat. He suddenly felt pain all over his body, with burns and scratches all over his shoulders and legs, as if he had just returned from a battle. At this time, Miss Tianhe came in dressed as an otome.There was a red belt tied around her waist, and the hem of her dress was neatly rolled up to her knees, she didn't look like a daughter at all. "Come on, I'll wash it for you." "No." Ryoma hurriedly jumped into the bathtub.He didn't want people to see his back, let alone Miss Tian He, he couldn't let her see his front.He suddenly fell into a dilemma. Ryoma submerged his whole body in the water, and said, "Miss Tianzuru has become like my sister Otome." "Isn't it because of you? Seeing you like this, I feel that if you don't take care of me like this, you won't be able to live well. In this way, it's all your fault." "I'm a man." "You just said..." "yes?" "It's really worrying. Sanako from Edo must be in the same mood." "Oh." Ryoma was a little disappointed.The same is true for Sanako. Although she is often angry, she is very kind to herself, and sometimes even thinks she is a bit long-winded. "Longma, don't you want to marry a wife?" "Not to marry." "Why? People like you need a woman to take care of them." "If I was born in a peaceful world, I would follow my late father's wish and ask my elder brother to build me a martial arts gym in the city of Kochi, become a swordsman, marry a wife, have a child, and live an ordinary life. But..." "You were born in troubled times." "That's right. Since ancient times, troubled times have been men's times. I dare not think about Xiaojia." Ryoma's face became more and more red, and the water in the tub was very hot. "Unbearable." Saying that he jumped out of the tub. Tian He told Ryoma to turn around.A wonderful back indeed.In the middle of the dragon horse's back, there is a piece of hair that looks like a horse's mane. "I've only heard of it before, but I saw it today. It turns out that this is the 'Ryoma'." Ms. Tian He sighed.Could it be that God really sent the incarnation of the dragon to the world to save this troubled world?She pondered some seriously. Ms. Tianhe washed Ryoma's body with warm water, and then rubbed his back with a rice bran bag. Thinking that Ms. Tianzuru might think his hair was strange, Ryoma felt chills all over his body.These hairs are the source of his troubles, and even when he thinks about it, he blames his mother for how he made himself like this.Miss Tian He, who was rubbing Ryoma's back, knew his current mood and wanted to tease him even more.What made her feel funny was that such a young man who was carefree and completely ignorant of women's thoughts became as shy as a little girl because of the hair on his back. Only when Ryoma was very happy and drunk would he take off his shirt in front of the geisha, and said, "How about it? Do you understand what 'Ryoma' means?" But this time only once or twice.Normally, even in the hottest summer, he never undressed in front of others.No matter who you are, you will feel inferior to a certain part of your body. This kind of inferiority will have existed since childhood and will not change throughout your life. "Ryoma." Ms. Tianhe changed the subject, "I heard that you practice the founding principle." Nowadays, this kind of statement contains the meaning of national thief, Zuo Mu and traitorous slave, etc., and the tone is strong. "I fight barbarians." Ryoma denied, "I, Sakamoto Ryoma, intend to sacrifice my life to honor the king and fight barbarians, but my barbarians are different from those of public officials and ordinary barbarians. Tianzuru, are you using rice bran bags?" "yes." "In fact, there is a thing called soap, which is very useful. Ordinary people in the world say that as long as you use soap, you will feel that the smell of barbarians has penetrated into your body. I don't think so. I want to use soap, and I also use warships. , use foreign-style artillery, wear leather boots, and use the same tools as the world powers to build a new Japan." "If you say that, you will be killed by those people in Kyoto who are eager to fight against barbarians." "No, I will only be misunderstood if I say these words now, so I won't say them before the time comes. Are you very determined to fight against barbarians?" "The master's family is now regarded as a benchmark by all the patriots in the world. I am his family's maid, so I naturally believe in the doctrine of rice bran wrapping against barbarians." "Tian He, don't say any more." Ryoma said helplessly. "No, I'll wash and wash your hair. Your head is covered with ashes and mud, and it smells of burning. I've never seen such a head." "what." "If all the stinks in Japan were collected and made into the shape of a human head, it must be your head." That's too much.Ryoma muttered.Strangely, it was the same as what my sister said when she washed his hair.Are all women the same?Or once in contact with him, no matter which woman she is, she will say the same thing and do the same thing? "Cover your ears." Miss Tian He couldn't help but untie his bun, scooped up water and splashed it on his head. "Oh, sweat is all black." Miss Tian He washed him repeatedly like this, and soon half of the water in the tub was used up. "Your head is always like this, but no woman will like you. Quick, go to the corridor, and I will give you a round head." Ms. Xu Tianhe told the proprietress that brand new tops, high-waisted hakamas, belts, and even underwear belts have been placed in the dressing room.Only without the cover.She probably wanted to prepare another one embroidered with family crests for him in the future. Ryoma put on his clothes and came to the corridor. Ms. Tianzuru had prepared tools and was waiting there. "sit down." At this time, the samurai's head is not allowed to be touched by ordinary women, but by a barber or a young retainer. Although it is not such a strict custom, according to the bad customs left over from the Warring States Period, women's hands are considered dirty and touched. Ominous. But no matter whether Ryoma was fourteen years old before or after Yuanfu, he always let Otome take the lead.Ms. Tianhe also knows this.Anyway, she decided that he was a man who couldn't live without a woman's care.Because of this, she develops an extraordinary jealousy towards the other women around Ryoma, and sometimes she even feels that this is not her usual self. "Long Ma, hurry up and marry a wife." She said against her will while giving him the head.In no time, the sideburns became neat and tidy, and a beautiful bun was combed. "It's not good." Longma stretched out his hand and loosened his temples.This is the well-known "dragon horse head" among people with lofty ideals in the future, and the hair on the two sideburns is bulging. The food and drink were served. "Ryoma, it's not because I treat you to dinner that you talk too much, don't you think you are too idle?" "yes……" Ryoma understood what Ms. Tian He was going to say. Nowadays in Kyoto, second- and third-rate "diligent kings and nobles" are rampant, stirring up bloody storms every day.In the name of Heavenly Punishment, they killed people everywhere.However, under the guise of "resisting the barbarians for the emperor's use", the low-level people rushed into rich merchants or Hongan Temple, extorting property like robbers. Is this King Qin?Ryoma was a little perplexed, but he firmly believed that with this "rampant" approach, he could neither bring down the curtain nor drive away the barbarians. Xixiang from Satsuma and Gui from Changzhou are worthy of being called first-class people with lofty ideals, and they are not in the same category.However, Changzhou people are all fanatical. Young people from the Matsushita village school, such as Takasugi Shinsaku and Hisaka Genzui, were very radical as if they had swallowed fire.Moreover, they cleverly dealt with the ministers, making the Kyoto court almost a branch of the Changzhou Fan. People in Changzhou are reckless and only recognize the word "Banyi".Therefore, the ministers followed them and yelled to drive away the barbarians, convinced that Japan could drive away foreigners. "Relying on Japan's force, we will be able to drive away the foreign forces in one fell swoop." Recently, Genzui Kusaka and Chusaburo Terashima from Changzhou persuaded the ministers to let the emperor issue an imperial edict to "immediately launch an operation to eliminate barbarians".The shogunate was therefore very embarrassed. "Everyone is very active." Ms. Tianzuru was referring to Ryoma's allies Hisaka and others. The imperial court was also gradually influenced by Changzhou. The former Kanbai Kujo Shangzhong, who was once a member of the Saba faction, Iwakura Gushi and Qianzhong Yufumi, who had made great efforts to marry the palace, were all put under house arrest. Mimi Sanjo, the young head of Ms. Crane's house, and other radical anti-barbarians began to gain power, and the Changzhou Fan made suggestions behind the scenes.If this continues, the Kyoto regime controlled by the imperial court and Changzhou will be established. Satsuma, who used to be the pioneer of King Qin, has calmly rectified his armaments and waited and watched the situation.They doubted Choshu's motives, thinking that they wanted to replace the shogunate with the emperor. Then, the general entered Beijing, and the heads of the shogunate gathered in Kyoto.The situation in Kyoto became complicated, and the Shinsengumi was born at this time. "The people with lofty ideals who come to the mansion often talk about you." Gongqing Sanjo's family, including the late Shiman and the sovereign Zhong Nayan Mimi of the present family, are the hopes of those who fight against barbarians in Kyoto.When they were chatting, they often talked about "Ryoma of Tosa" or "Ryoma of Sakamoto in Hainan", and they had great hopes for Ryoma in their words. But this Ryoma secretly became a founding theorist.而且，还跟随幕臣胜海舟，简直可以说是投敌了。如此说来，这种人如何立于世间？ 但是，龙马自有主张，他说这是“攘夷讨幕的权宜之计”。 时下的京都，激进攘夷派非常猖獗，在这种时候与人唱反调没有好处。 只是时机未到。在此之前，我只要保持沉默，做好行动的准备就行了。龙马虽然看似愚钝，其实心中隐藏着很多自己的想法，他不让人看透心思。 很多开国论者在京都都被人很容易地杀掉了。杀人的就是人称“三杀手”的土佐冈田以藏、萨摩田中新兵卫和肥后河上彦斋。他们那些乌七八糟的追随者也整天瞪大双眼，像是在头皮上找虱子一样，说：“还有没有应该被天诛之人？” 他们乃是一群狂信之徒，认为杀人是勤王攘夷兴国的唯一方法。他们的做法让京都一片混乱，因此幕府才组织了新选组和见回组这种见敌必杀的武装组织。然而，这些人不知为何，总是非常崇拜龙马。从这一点来说，龙马也非常善于博取人心，或者不如说是他从心底里爱惜他们。他每次看到以藏，都用一种令人全身舒泰的和蔼眼神。龙马受他们欢迎，应该不是因为天下大事，而是会做人。 他们明白龙马对他们好。他们共通的一点就是性情单纯暴烈，所以能直觉这一点，方才崇拜并敬慕龙马。 “反正，”田鹤小姐道，“龙马马上就要走上歧途，我很担心。” “田鹤。”龙马醉了，不由得开始说起大话，“随波逐流并非正道。五年之后，天下必然随我龙马而动。” “对了，龙马。”田鹤小姐问了一个一直存疑的问题。“你的刀呢？” “忘在火场了。”龙马也有些在意。如果大小双刀丢了，他觉得非常可惜，尤其是那把长刀陆奥守吉行。二姐阿荣正是因为把这把刀给了龙马，才被夫家问责，最终含恨自杀。那把刀里有姐姐的情义。因为龙马脱藩，二姐阿荣自杀，三姐乙女离异回到娘家。坂本家的女儿对龙马抱有很大的期待，她们也因此付出了莫大的牺牲。 “刀是武士之魂，你竟然把它丢了，真拿你没办法。” 龙马忽然变了脸色，这很少见。 “生气了？” 龙马用筷子夹了一片醋拌生鱼片，默默地嚼起来。他一副怒上心头的样子。“刀不是武士之魂。”他紧盯着田鹤，“刀不过是一种工具。把工具说成灵魂，那是德川三百年的说教。战国时代的武士把刀当成消耗之物，有的人甚至会准备好几把上战场，折断了就扔掉，钝了就用磨刀石磨一磨再用。” “这和你把刀忘在火场有什么关系？” “是因为你说刀是武士之魂。把刀忘在火场，只是因为我不小心。我的魂在这里，”他摸了摸自己的胸，然后滑到腹部，说，“不在刀里。” 他表情阴郁，想起了姐姐阿荣自杀的悲惨往事。 “龙马。” "Oh?" “我不应该自作聪明对你说教，请原谅。”田鹤小姐并不是在道歉，而是看到龙马阴郁的表情，怔住了。我好像说了不该说的话，她想。 就在此时，奇迹发生了：陆奥守吉行出现在明保野亭的玄关，是槽崎将作的女儿阿龙带来的。 “有一位姓坂本的土佐藩士在这里吗？” 明保野亭的男仆，以及后来才出来接待的老板娘，都惊讶地瞪大了眼睛。好漂亮的女子。 “龙马，把那个女子叫到这里来吧。”田鹤小姐道。 “嗯。”龙马一副无所谓的态度，继续吃喝。 女子走进来，跪在入口，双手伏地，郑重地低头施礼。她扎着一个人称“溃岛田”的岛田髻，着一件干净利落的窄袖。抬起头来，只见双眼炯炯有神，嘴唇动人，下巴圆润。 What a nice view!她的美甚至让田鹤小姐忘记了呼吸，只顾茫然地看着她。这个女子浑身才情灼或者是一种妖气，让人不得要领，或者是目中无人的孤傲，或者是不因循守旧的性格，但是，她又不是一个“女杰”，她没有女杰那种凜凜之气。 龙马后来写给乙女的信中说起阿龙：“大有意趣的女子，会弹月琴。”除了“大有意趣”之外，没有什么词能够描述，而除了说说“弹月琴”，又无法具体描述她的才能。接着，又是一番描述：“年二十三，原为大家闺秀，虽懂插花、闻香、品茶，但不谙厨事。”这是后话，不表。 此刻田鹤小姐看了龙马一眼，顿时生起气来。龙马已经被这个女子的美貌迷住了，他一脸茫然地看着她。而且，还有一件让她生气的事，女子一直跪着，竟不通报自己姓名。于是，田鹤小姐用一种责备的语气问道：“你是哪家小姐？” “小女子阿龙。” 听了这话，龙马很吃惊，大声道：“和我同名呢。” 看来感慨颇深。 阿龙会跟龙马的名字混淆。就连龙马自己，也在写给乙女的信中提到：“名字和我很像。” “真是飞来横祸。” 听到田鹤小姐对火灾的同情，阿龙只是简单地应了一声。她像是一个不喜多说客套话的女子。 “现在在哪里？” 听了这个问题，她非常干脆地问： “您是说住处？” "right." “因为先父旧知的关系，现在劳烦寺町的知定院，暂住在那里。” “家人呢？”田鹤小姐用一种审讯的语气问道。 阿龙说，她有一个母亲、十六岁的弟弟太郎、十一岁的妹妹君江，以及九岁的次郎。 “那你们何以为生？” “您是说收入？”阿龙看了一眼龙马，道，“没有。” "Pitiful." 龙马听了认真起来，挠着腿，焦急不已。 “龙马，侠之大者。”正如龙马的朋友经常评说的这样，想到刚刚遭遇了火灾的阿龙一家的苦境，龙马便觉得自己不能坐视不管。 “有借债吗？” 龙马问得直截了当。 “龙马！”田鹤小姐用一种责备的语气制止龙马，但是这时阿龙已经毫不掩饰地说了出来：“有。” “多少？” “五十两。” 而且，不是通过正当途径借的钱。 晚上，龙马尚未尽兴，便和田鹤小姐道别，马上回到了藩府。然后，他开始四方游说，鼓励人加入海军。 众人听了都很吃惊。“什么海军？” 他不好说是“我的海军”。其实他已经和胜海舟约定，在兵库创建一家私立海军学校。按照他的构想，先收拢目下聚集在京都的勤王浪人，也就是那些仅“以刀剑之声搅动东山三十六峰”为能事的人，组建一支海军。当然，不仅是浪人，还要拉拢诸藩有血性的藩士。整天聚在一起谈论国事，能有何用？龙马是个喜欢脚踏实地做具体事情的人。天下志士整天议论勤王、攘夷、开国、倒幕、公武一体等，八方奔走。“天下滔滔如是。但是仅凭这些议论，何以抵御外敌？”龙马道。就连攘夷的领袖武市半平太也赞同龙马的这个说法，在一首咏龙马的诗中，他慨然道： 武市甚至建议杀人魔以藏也加入龙马的海军。看来，武市对龙马的这个举动非常佩服。 但是要创建海军学校，不仅需要练习舰和器材，还需要有校舍。总而言之，需要大量的资金，比任何学校都需要钱。 龙马为了募集资金，狠下决心。就像武市半平太在改变藩论和暗杀佐幕派人士之事上以生死作赌一样，龙马也在为海军学校搏命。 没有比这更具体的事了，练习舰可以通过胜的关系向幕府借。为了创建这个学校，胜也正在努力说服幕府。他的日记中便有记载：“土州数辈，入我门下。与龙马密议形势，助其志。” 按照龙马的构想，他想请胜当海军学校的校长。作为前期准备，他让土佐藩士陆陆续续投到胜的门下。学校尚未建成，他便先招募了学生，使建校一事刻不容缓。 为了创建这个别人听都没有听过的海军学校，龙马忙得不可开交，几乎每日都去找还滞留京都的胜海舟。 “政事总裁已算答应此事。”到了文久三年三月中旬，胜终于透露，“但是，难的是幕府本有正式海军，况且我也因为创建了那支海军，遭到同僚嫌恶。不过不管怎样，我决定直接与将军大人周旋此事。” 幸运的是，时下胜作为代军舰奉行，跟随将军家茂视察内海，向他详细说明了海防的重要。 “那时将军和我都在海上，旁边没有老朽，因此较好建言。” “那就拜托了。” “你不拜托我也会做。” 龙马也按照自己的方式开始游说藩国重臣。他虽说也是藩士，但因为是乡士出身，很难直接与藩国重臣交涉。 时下藩中最著名的学者间崎哲马正好在京都藩府，龙马首先说服了他。间崎与武市半平太是同志，几个月之后的文久三年六月，他因过激获罪，被迫切腹自杀。 “间崎先生，您才学出众，连藩中要人都口口声声地称您为先生。在下去说服，不如您开金口更有分量一些。”他努力向间崎说明了建设海军学校的必要性之后，又道：“请土佐藩下达藩命，让藩士进校学习。” “海军学校不是幕府关照吗？” “您放宽心。不管是谁关照出资，这所学校都是日本的学校。我还想在朝鲜和大清创建分校，建设一支日本、朝鲜和大清的联合舰队，作为防止洋夷入侵的防波堤，然后在此基础上成立三国联合政府，创造不亚于欧美的东方文明。在我心中，不管幕府还是土佐，都像是我的孩子，我对它们一视同仁。” 间崎听了龙马的这番大话，非常惊讶。如此看来，龙马一生的理想，不仅是讨幕和建新国家，他还要创建一个亚洲联邦政府。 幸运的是，不管怎样，藩府听取了龙马的意见，除了将藩中愿意做海军的藩士交给胜管理之外，还给他们每人每月二两补贴。 龙马每日为了这些事忙碌，有一日他突然想到權崎家的阿龙，于是便到寺町的知定院去看望。被大火烧掉了家的一家人应该寄身于彼。 “我们住的偏房，很破烂。” 槽崎夫人借了寺院里的方丈，把龙马带到那里。她好像不是一个老于人情世故之人，对于现在的惨境非常茫然。她和阿龙长得有几分像，肤色白晳，只是显得更加和蔼。 “阿龙呢？” “去大坂了。”她话说得很干脆。 “京都有可以依靠的亲戚吗？” "No." 龙马详细打听后才知道，一年多以前他们借了五十两的债，最近常有地痞出入家中。 “自从我们家烧毁之后，那些人就来到这里，跟我商量，说有办法让我们生活下去。” 龙马一边点头，一边把手指伸进鼻孔。他抠着鼻孔听老太太讲述家事。他们家最近发生的事情，就像评书中经常听到的一样。 龙马写给乙女的信中，提到了此事。“十三岁的女儿美貌异常，恶人将她诓走，卖到岛原青楼做舞妓（岛原青楼没有舞妓，应该是服侍妓女的丫头），十六岁的女儿则被骗到大坂，卖进青楼。”龙马平常马马虎虎，因此提到的年龄和实际情况也有些出入。“男孩到粟田口寺做工。”二十三岁的长女阿龙在火灾之后便为生计四处奔波，后来才知道自己的妹妹被人卖了。“用当衣换来的钱去了大坂，怀揣利刀，抱着必死的决心，寻找两个恶人……” 几天之后，龙马知道了整件事情的经过。龙马严肃地写道：“先与人争吵，激昂愤慨，恶人露出刺青，进行恐吓。原本便抱着必死之心，于是扑过去抓住那人胸脯，狠狠地朝他脸上打去。恶人称要杀了她。阿龙说，我来大坂就没想活着回去。有意思。虽然她并不畏死，但是恶人不能因此真把她杀了。所以最终她要回了妹妹，把她带回京都。真乃奇事啊。” 后来，阿龙到土佐藩府来找龙马。 河原町土佐藩府门前，有一家叫菊屋的书坊。河原町路窄小，只能容下三人行。路东侧，从北往南依次是长州、加贺、对马的藩府，过了三条，便是彦根和土佐藩府。西侧从北往南依次是日莲宗的名刹妙满寺、本能寺，净土宗的巨刹誓愿寺，沿其下寺院鱗次栉比。商家多在诸藩府所在的东侧，以书坊和古董店为主。 河原町四条上的菊屋便是其中一家，这是龙马非常喜欢的书坊。他虽然也在此买书，但是他之所以非常喜欢这家店，却是因为菊屋家的儿子，一个叫峰吉的聪明伶俐的少年。此时他刚十三岁。 正因如此，菊屋的内室几乎成了龙马的待客室。龙马不便在藩府中和女子见面，因此便将阿龙带到了菊屋。 "Please." 龙马让人铺上坐褥，然后让峰吉出去买点心。 真美啊。连孩童都对她的美貌吃惊不已。龙马十分动心。阿龙似乎也早早被龙马夺走了芳心。她在菊屋并不开口，只是盯着衣服的下摆。 龙马不知如何是好，时而看看中庭，时而瞧瞧壁龛里的挂轴。良久，他忽然问道：“阿龙，你有怀镜吗？” “有。” 阿龙掏出时下在祇园等地流行的小镜子递给他。 这时，峰吉回来了，这幅场景给孩子留下了一种奇怪的印象。双方都不说话。龙马认真地看着镜中的自己，仔细端详。峰吉终于问：“先生，您为什么照镜子？” 龙马忽然压低了声音，一本正经说道：“我是想看看，迷上一个女子的时候，脸上的表情怎样。”然后回头对阿龙道：“明日下午你再来一趟。为了你们一家，我龙马也应尽绵薄之力。”说完便让阿龙回去了。 之后，龙马马上从藩府中借了一匹马，赶往伏见。到了伏见，他在船家客栈寺田屋勒马，骑在马上往院子里瞧，喊道：“龙马到此，登势可在？” 一个男仆跑了出来，牵过马，道：“坂本先生。老板娘最近一直念叨您，说最近都不见您来昵。发生什么事了吗？” “最近在京都有点忙。” 往返京都和大坂的人，多半会到寺田屋歇歇脚，并不仅仅是龙马如此。近来萨摩藩士频繁往返于京都和大坂之间，于是除了伏见的藩府之外，萨摩藩将寺田屋指定为萨摩藩士的下处。龙马在写给在老家坂本府安享余生的乳母阿丫婆的信中，向她说明了寺田屋的地理情况。有时候他也会提到自己偶去投宿的伏见京桥旅馆日野屋孙兵卫。 胜海舟的笔记中，也提到龙马和寺田屋的关系。“寺田屋为龙马常居之处。主妇为一奇女子，熟知龙马。” 一个“知”字，意味深长。 闲话少提，这时登势走了出来，用京都话道：“哎呀呀，小马，什么事？” “二十三岁，美人，不会针线活不会厨事，叫阿龙。你能收她当养女吗？” “什么？从何说起？” “详情以后我再跟你说，养女这件事，请现在就给我答复。我明日就把她带来。” “既然你如此说，我也无法，就收她做养女。” 登势话音刚落，龙马已驱马扬鞭，一路沙尘，朝竹田路飞奔而去。 当龙马驱马过了劝进桥时，西山的残照也已隐没，天黑了下来。他在桥边的一家茶屋下马，借了盏灯笼，顺便要了杯冷酒。 我对她动心了，龙马茫然地看着茶屋老板的脸，心道。 老板以为他有事，于是弯腰问道：“您有何事？” “迷上了。”他咕咚一口把酒喝了下去。 "what?" “我是说我自己。你把煮咸菜给我。” "yes." 老板将咸菜盛到了丹波百姓烧铁釉容器里，盛得满满的。 这是一种奇怪的吃食。土佐和萨摩等地的食物比较简单，但京都不愧是千年王城，食物比较讲究。而这个东西，更是其中的上品。将腌好的咸菜用水洗过之后，和干杂鱼一起，放上红辣子煮。味美爽口，只是完全没有营养。 龙马仍在感叹。至今为止，他曾为哪个女子累得这样满头大汗？ 他喝着酒，想着。他喜欢的女子是乙女那样的巾帼英雄。千叶家的佐那子，家老福冈家的田鹤小姐，都是这种类型。她们都很独立，有自己的人生。佐那子是北辰一刀流的皆传，喜欢剑术胜于米饭。田鹤小姐则是大藩家老的千金，现在又作为三条家的侍女，喜欢参与国事。她们都不需要龙马的帮助。龙马不需要为她们做什么，相反，她们却非常喜欢龙马，总觉得自己得为龙马做些什么。男女角色逆转了。 但这次遇到的阿龙，虽然也是同样的类型，却处境悲惨。只有像龙马这样的义侠，才能拯救她和她的家人。拯救一个国家，和拯救一个家庭，都是出于同样的性情，都是性情中事。 龙马在这种情感中获得了巨大的快感，或许就是因为在此之前，他从来没有遇到一个能够满足自己这种性情的女人。那么，这是否可以称作爱呢？ 龙马一路退思，骑着马到了示都，在寺町知定院的山门前下了马，拉着马缰，朝门内喊道：“槽崎家的人，能出来一下吗？” 阿龙跑了出来。“啊，坂本先生，请进。” “不必了，随处都