Chapter 34 12. The Sorrow of Qinghe
In the repertoire at the end of the Tokugawa period, two factions representing Qin Wang and Zuo Mu competed to appear on the stage.The background on the stage is Higashiyama in Kyoto.At night, the mist on the Kamo River is misty, the lights of Gion and the red lights of Mippongi are flickering in the night fog, and the three bridges at night will appear in the picture soon.
At this time, the narrator will say a routine sentence that has been almost stylized: "At the third quarter of the ugly hour, the thirty-six peaks of Dongshan Mountain were sleeping peacefully, and suddenly there was a sound of swords and halberds colliding." Accompanied by Shamisen's song "Echigo Lion", it is very majestic and lively, making every listener excited and sweating.
It can be said that the person who opened up the era of "the sound of swords and halberds from the sixteen peaks of Dongshan moving the world" is the ronin Qinghe Hachiro of Dewa Village.
Qinghe is a master swordsman of Beichen's Yidao style. He has a handsome appearance and a stalwart body. He is not only knowledgeable and eloquent, but also good at strategy. He acts vigorously and resolutely, and never takes others seriously.In addition, he also has a solid family background.In terms of talent, he was a first-class figure among the heroes at the end of the shogunate, but "has a hundred talents but not enough sincerity", so his virtue is not enough to be supported by thousands of people, and no one is willing to give up his life for him.
As the saying goes, "You can enjoy the shade by leaning on a big tree with your back".Ryoma has the support of the Tosa clan, Saigo has the Satsuma clan, Katsura has the Choshu clan, and Katsu Kaishu has the shogunate, but Qinghe has no such background.Therefore, if Hachiro Qinghe wants to do great things, he can only use means and lobby everywhere.Qinghe went to Kyushu to lobby and fan the flames everywhere.So people with lofty ideals from Kyushu rose up and came to Kyoto and Osaka one after another.
At the beginning, Qinghe expected to lead these rogues to fight with the Satsuma clan, but Satsuma did not move, and his expectations fell through, which led to the tragedy at Teradaya on April 23, the second year of Wenjiu.The rogues stayed in the capital, which opened the prelude to the rampant rampant of nobles and the frequent occurrence of heavenly punishment.
Then Qinghe went to Edo, persuaded the shogunate to recruit Langshi, and placed them in Kyoto.However, as soon as Qinghe arrived in Kyoto, he tried to transform these wandering men into personal guards of the imperial court, but failed, and instead angered the shogunate.Later, among the rogue groups formed by Qinghe's deceitful methods, the Zamurai faction who stayed in Kyoto formed the Shinsengumi.Qinghe suffered a crushing defeat in Kyoto, and Guying returned to Edo.This time he gathered his comrades in Edo together again and planned to burn down the foreign settlement in Yokohama.
There is a word called "unashamed", which even makes people feel that it was prepared to describe people like Qinghe Hachiro.Yesterday, he sang to the King Qin’s downfall, and let the people with lofty ideals from Kyushu gather in Kyoto. Today, he manipulated the shogunate and recruited ronin in the name of the government. Imperial use."
However, the people played by him are not fools, and they will all find out later that they have been cheated.His "conspiracy" was exposed one by one.
However, Qinghe is very "measured".Even when exposed, he just smiled.When one plot is exposed, it's already time to think about the next one.
After planning and establishing the Langshi Group (some of whom later became members of the Shinsengumi, and most of them formed the Shinsengumi), he returned to Edo in the late spring of the third year of Bunjiu.Soon, he was working on his next plot.He agreed with the Changzhou vassals stationed in Edo to launch a riot on April 15th, burn Edo and Yokohama, and kill foreigners, which caused diplomatic disputes and put the shogunate in trouble.The shogunate has detected all this.The Edo shogunate is the best spy in history, especially likes to inform.It is a skill one should be ashamed of.
Qinghe has already prepared the bombs for burning and killing.This was made by Motoki Taketa, a famous fire master of the Joshu Isesaki Clan.In addition, in order to launch an attack on the black ship anchored in Shinagawa Bay, he even prepared a boat and ladder for boarding.
The military expenses are covered by Shuzo Ishisaka, an old friend of Qinghe and a well-connected activist from the Hikone Fandom.This person went to Echigo after the Restoration, and started the oil mining industry, which was not noticed by the world at that time, and became a pioneer in this industry.Ishisaka visited wealthy businessmen in Edo and asked them to donate money. It was like a robbery, asking for money from door to door. One thousand taels, Sakakura Kiyobei one thousand taels, eleven house good eight meters and eight hundred bags...
The news of Qinghe spread into the shogunate.
At that time, there was a veteran named Itakura Zhou Defen Shengjing.Later, he changed his name to Iga Shou, and he was the feudal lord of Beizhong Matsuyama. He was quite talented as an official and had a stable temperament.Later, when Sa Daoyi, the translator of the British Legation in Makushita, saw Itakura for the first time, he had a good impression of him and said, "Itakura is a kind gentleman." Even a gentleman like Itakura could not get rid of it. The housekeeping skill of the shogunate - spies.After Itakura detected the specific situation, he sent an assassin to kill Qinghe.
The assassin chosen by Itakura was Yuisaburo Sasaki, the vassal minister.At that time, people thought he was a master of knife.The shogunate's martial arts institute was the highest official institution of the sword world at that time.He was promoted to be the instructor of the martial arts institute, which shows his strength.He was not born a vassal.If you were born in a real banner family, your ancestors have lived in the city for generations, your body is weak, you may know a little about elegance, but you will never kill people.Although Sasaki is good at swordsmanship, is he a first-class swordsman?By practicing swordsmanship and achieving a state of mind, such talents are considered to be first-class figures in the way of swordsmanship.Yuisaburo Sasaki is by no means a first-class figure in kendo, he is just a killer.Some people think that justice can be done and political views can be maintained through assassination, and he is one of these people.
Sasaki was originally from Aizu, and came from the Teyogi family, a famous family in the Aizu domain.When the older brother Naoemon Tegi was stationed in Kyoto in order to protect the feudal clan in Aizu, he became the right-hand man of the feudal lord Matsudaira Yunho, responsible for taking care of and managing the Shinsengumi under the Aizu feudal clan.
Yuisaburo was born in the Teyogi family, and later inherited the Sasaki family as the adopted son of Hatake Sasaki.Later, he became the captain of the Mihui group responsible for the security of Kyoto together with the Shinsengumi. He was wounded in the Battle of Toba Fushimi and died soon after.
Qinghe is lying in the home of his comrade and shogun Tetsutaro Yamaoka.He had caught a cold the night before and had a high fever.
"I have a terrible headache." Qinghe's face was pale.
However, even so, he still went to the neighboring Takahashi mud boat house after taking a bath as if nothing had happened.Takahashi was preparing to ascend the city, when he saw Qinghe's face, he was taken aback and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Qinghe said he was suffering from a cold.When Mrs. Gaoqiao heard this, she sternly advised him not to go out.
"No, I have already made an appointment with my old friend." Qinghe shook his head, then asked Mrs. Gaoqiao for three fans, and said, "I wrote a few songs." Then he wrote them down on the fans.There are three songs in total.One of them, although Qinghe didn't have such intention at this time, became his death song.
Qinghe walked out of Takahashi House.He is wearing a nikuyama hat, a black overcoat, the lining is Kaifei silk, and a gray vertical-striped Xiantai flat hakama. The long and short swords are also very stylish, no matter how you look at it, it looks like a big banner book with a salary of more than a thousand stones.
The old friends he was talking about were Kaneko and Saburo, Confucian scholars who lived in the longhouse of the Dewakamiyama feudal mansion in Azabu Hitobashi.
Gold betrayed Qinghe.He reported the matter to Mukaku through the feudal lord Matsudaira Yamajo, and Itakura immediately dispatched Sasaki.At this time, Jin Zi prepared food and wine at home, waiting for the visit of his old friend Hachiro Qinghe.
On this day, the sky in Edo was clear.
Qinghe walked into the mountain feudal mansion on the first bridge of Azabu at the appointed time, and found Kaneko and Saburo who lived in the longhouse.The two drank quickly.
"I don't want to drink anymore, I have a cold." Qinghe refused to drink another cup.
"What's the matter. We haven't seen each other for a long time." Jin Jin persuaded.
This Confucianist from the Shangzhishan Clan used to stand shoulder to shoulder with Qinghe in the private school of Anji Genzhai, and his talents are outstanding.He has a shabby look, a rosy nose, and always looks a little mischievous when looking at people.
"Come, come, have a drink with me."
"I have a terrible headache. Mrs. Takahashi has repeatedly advised me not to come out, but I feel that no matter how good a friend is, he can't break the contract casually, otherwise it will damage the trust, so I insisted on coming out."
"Thank you." Jin Jin's hand holding the jug was already trembling, he betrayed this friend.
At this time, Sasaki was already in ambush.
He hides in a simple tea shop on the west side of Akabane Bridge. There is an east-west road in front of the tea shop.Looking to the west, there is a bridge a few streets away, and you can see the corrugated wall of the Shan Fan Mansion on the west side of the bridge.This is the best place to monitor people coming and going from the feudal mansion.
"Don't be careless." Sasaki warned his partner several times.Qinghe is a master of swordsmanship in the Beichen Yidao style, and even opened a martial arts gym.
Yuisaburo Sasaki was afraid that he would not be able to beat him, so he also brought several people from the training school, namely Takakubo Jiro, Kubota Sendaro, Hayami Matashiro and Nakayama Shusuke.
Qinghe was still drinking.Jin Zi was very good at persuading him to drink. In the two hours in the afternoon, Qing He had already drunk seven or eight drinks. Of course, he didn't have the slightest doubt about Jin Zi.They used to be classmates in Anji School, and he would never have dreamed that this former classmate who looked a bit weak would collude with the shogunate.
Why did gold collude with the shogunate?He is a Confucian of the Yama clan of the Saba faction, and the feudal lord often consults him on matters of government.However, he has a friend like Qinghe, which is not a good thing for him, and he feels scared.
Qinghe got up to say goodbye, it was around Shenshi.He tied the string of the Niuyama hat, but because he drank too much wine, his hands kept shaking, and he tied it for a long time.
Qinghe soon reached a bridge.He stepped onto the bridge in one step.
The peerless counselor was murdered by a villain, it can only be said that this is the destiny.Qinghe, who has always been full of self-confidence, always thought that he was the only one who could play tricks on others, but he didn't expect to be played by others in the end.
Although Qinghe is a counselor, he is only a young master who was born in a wealthy family in Dewa since the Warring States Period.
In his bosom, there is a comrade's joint signature certificate of respecting the king and fighting barbarians, which records the names of the people he looks at coldly among his friends and confidants.Among them were the vassals Yamaoka Tetsutaro and Matsuman, as well as Masami Kyunosuke and Imuta Naohei of Satsuma, Mito's Sumiya Tonosuke, and Fujimoto Teishi, one of the leaders of the Tenchu group, who were wounded in the Ikedaya Incident and sentenced to death. Nishikawa Kozo of Kyoto who was killed by officials, and Masaki Tetsuma who committed suicide in the prison of King Tosa Tosa and others.This shows that he has a wide range of friends.Inside is the name of Ryoma Sakamoto.Probably because he is also a disciple of Beichen Yidaorumen, Qinghe wrote Ryoma's name in it.This is the list of comrades who participated in the Yokohama burning and looting in the Qinghe project. Ryoma, who was running around Kobe Village, Kyoto and Osaka at the time, had no knowledge of it.If this list falls into the hands of the shogunate, it will have dire consequences.
Qinghe put the list in his arms.
Assassin Yuisaburo Sasaki quickly gave his accomplice Matashiro Hayami a wink: Here we come!
The two moved forward.On the right is the middle bridge over the Sewage River running from east to west.On the left is the wall of Yanagisawa Marquis Mansion, extending westward.The road is very narrow.
Kubota Chitaro and the other three were lurking near the east side of the first bridge.
Five swordsmen against one strategist.
Assassins don't care about Bushido, as long as they can kill people.What's more, Qinghe is now completely drunk by Jinzi, coupled with the cold and fever, his mind is dizzy.
Even though Qinghe was a master of Beichen's one-sword style, he was no match for these careful arrangements.
But Qinghe's skill should not be underestimated.This idea is always lingering in Sasaki's mind.So, he came up with another trick.Assassins always seem to come up with ideas that ordinary people can't think of.
Qinghe crossed a bridge and headed towards Akabane Bridge. Sasaki and Hayami pretended to meet him by chance, and came to greet him, "Oh, Mr. Qinghe."
The other three ran behind Qinghe.
Hearing someone calling, Qinghe stopped in his tracks.
"You don't remember? I was Yuisaburo Sasaki who was in charge of the shogunate when my husband formed the rogue. Now I am the instructor of swordsmanship at the martial arts school." He bowed his head and said.It's strangely polite.Sasaki politely took off his hat and belt.This is all his plan.
Seeing that the other party took off his bamboo hat to greet him, Qinghe had no choice but to untie the strap of the bamboo hat.He put the iron fan in his right hand into his bosom, and was about to untie the belt when Hayami Matashiro from behind pulled out his knife and chopped off at his head.Qinghe's bamboo hat was torn open, and his head was cut.
"It's been tricked!" Qinghe immediately grabbed the handle of the knife.
However, Sasaki Yuisaburo in front pulled out his proud katana and swung it quickly towards the right side of Qinghe's neck.
Blood splattered everywhere.
"I hate it—" these were the last words Qing He left when he fell to the ground.He fell heavily to the ground and died instantly.
"Be careful." Hayami Matashiro slashed at the corpse again.The swordsman who worked in the martial arts institute was too excited and couldn't control his hands.He slashed down to Qinghe's chin, only damaging the corpse.
The news of Qinghe's murder spread quickly and reached the ears of Shuzo Ishisaka in Mashi Town.Ishisaka immediately thought of revenge.But he changed his mind, he couldn't let Qinghe's head and the joint certificate fall into the hands of the clerk, so he immediately called a soft sedan chair carried by four people and rushed to the scene.
Ishisaka is courageous.When I arrived at the scene, I saw that the ashigaru of the Arima family and Matsudairayama castle guards who were located nearby the feudal mansion had come out and were in charge of guarding.It seems difficult to approach.
Ishisaka came up with a plan.He blushed, and said to the guards: "I heard that the person who fell there is Qinghe Balang. This person is a small enemy. The enmity of a king and his father is not vengeful. Please let me stab the corpse to relieve the hatred. If you don't let me go, you are my enemy and I will kill you."
As he spoke, he drew out his long sword, and everyone was afraid that he would not be his opponent, so they backed away one after another and dodged a way.
Ishisaka strode forward, grabbed Qinghe's head with one hand, reached into his arms with the other, and took out the joint name certificate...
Longma sat with arms folded, silent.
Sitting across from him, Shinsengumi Deputy Chief Assistant Totodo Shuhei saw his terrifying expression, couldn't bear to say any more, and lowered his head.
Qinghe's short and busy life made Longma feel a lot of emotion.Qinghe is suave and uninhibited, maybe there will be no such person in the future.Longma is dissatisfied with Qinghe, thinking that he uses too many tricks.Tactics like this are sometimes useless.If ninety-nine things go the right way and one does the trick, it will work very well.Celebrities who are truly famous for their ingenuity refer to such people.
Qinghe is proud of his talents and abuses his strategy. This is Longma's number one dissatisfaction with Qinghe.In addition, Qinghe wooed people, but failed to win the hearts of the people. Therefore, his success failed and he was abandoned by his comrades.The Teradaya incident is an iron case.Qinghe has all kinds of strategies but little success.
Qinghe didn't notice his shortcomings, and blamed the failure on the ignorance of the world and the cowardice and incompetence of his comrades.Among the songs written by Qinghe known to Longma, there is this one:
He must be wondering why his strategy is not accepted by the world?
In addition, Qinghe's vision of people is too harsh.He resents the incompetence of his comrades and regards the prudence of others as cowardice.Moreover, he was as sharp as a knife when he attacked the opponent.Even if the opponent admits defeat, he will not give up, and often puts people to death and then is quick.Therefore, he will inevitably incur the resentment of others.
Ryoma believes that as long as it is not a matter of principle, it is meaningless to win an argument with others when talking and drinking.If the other party loses, they will not be convinced, they will just think that they have lost face, and they will definitely find a chance to take revenge.Even when Qinghe had disputes with others while drinking, he would always show a conceited smile on his face, never giving up until he put the other party to death.
"Todo-kun, he can be regarded as a real man of the hour."
"yes?"
Fujido's tone was somewhat disdainful.In Fujido's eyes, Qinghe is nothing but a traitor.
"Mr. Sakamoto, do you respect Qinghe?"
"Admiration?" Long Ma said with a strange expression on his face, "That's out of the question. I just think that the death of a man should be as heroic as Qinghe's. Let's talk about him again."
Fujido Heisuke hated Qinghe Hachiro very much, and he was once teased by Qinghe.
At that time, I heard the news that the shogunate recruited ronin. It was Hirasuke and Keisuke Yamanan of the same genre who told the news to Isamu Kondo who opened the natural Rishin style martial arts gym in Koishikawa Kohinanagananagi, Edo.
The epidemic in Xiaoshichuan has continued since summer. Although the epidemic situation has improved, almost no disciples come to this small rural school to practice martial arts.
Kondo's martial arts school was originally ridiculed by his peers as "taro martial arts hall".His school is suitable for actual combat, and he is not good at bamboo knives, so he takes in some swordsmen from other schools as eaters, and let these eaters deal with swordsmen from other schools when they come to compete.This is how Fujido Heisuke, Shannan Keisuke of Beichen Yidao style, and Nagakura Shinpachi of Shinto Wunen style came in.
Qinghe assumed the responsibility of recruiting the rogues of the shogunate, and asked his comrades to go to various martial arts halls in Edo to recruit personnel.The man didn't go to Kondo's small martial arts gym.Fujido and other diners who were born in the big school heard the news of the recruitment from the former brothers of the same school, and told Kondo about it.
Kondo decided to apply after discussing with the backbone of the martial arts school, such as Hijikata Toshizo and Okita Souji.They closed the martial arts gym, and gathered at Xiaoshichuan Chuantongyuan on the fourth day of February in the third year of Wenjiu, and received Qinghe's training with more than 200 other people.
Arriving in Kyoto on the 23rd of that month, he was assigned to Luoxi Misheng Village.In the evening of the next day, Qinghe called them to Mibu Shintoku Temple and gave a speech.Everyone was surprised.
"Everyone, you came to Beijing this time to protect the general Shangluo, but this is only in name. The real purpose is to become the vanguard of respecting the king and fighting against barbarians. I will report this to the court soon."
Needless to say, the ronin fell into chaos. After various twists and turns, most of them returned to Edo, while some broke with Qinghe and stayed in Kyoto.This is the origin of Shinsengumi.They soon became the ronin who guarded Matsudaira Rongbao directly under the jurisdiction of Kyoto, and began to suppress the "illegal ronin" who stayed in Kyoto and acted.
This matter has passed half a year.
"Qinghe always fails. However, regardless of whether his approach is correct or not, his failure will always lead to unexpected results." Long Ma said.
Qinghe persuaded the crowd with his three-inch tongue, and the crowd invited friends and companions to the capital together, which led to the rampage of "spirited men".This time, after the ronin recruited by Qinghe in the Kanto arrived in Kyoto, they instead contributed to the suppression of the Shinsengumi of the Western Kingdom.These can be said to be due to Qinghe.
But accidents happened one after another, and the number of roads changed completely, even Qinghe himself was surprised.This is the era when "the sound of swords and halberds on the thirty-six peaks of Dongshan moved the world" as mentioned earlier.
"Todo-kun, I'm telling you this out of fellowship, leave the Shinsengumi." Ryoma said.
"but……"
"I know. You want to say that the slogan of the Shinsengumi is to respect the king and fight against the barbarians, and its duty is to protect the imperial city. It even received a commendation from the Nakagawa Palace, right? However, the Shinsengumi did not actually honor the king and fight against the barbarians. , but the murderer who beheaded the people who respected the king and fought against the barbarians. Isn't this kind of organization to maintain the power of the shogunate?"
Ryoma did not use the word "running dog".Because he believes that when persuading the other party, the words should not be too intense.If Qinghe would use such words, the result would only cause resentment from others instead of getting things done.
"Tokudo-kun, there is no hatred between me and the Tokugawa family. But, think about it from a historical perspective. A long time ago, when the aristocratic politics in Kyoto was decaying, Japan fell into chaos. At that time, Yoritomo rose in Kanto After the establishment of the Samurai regime, the world was finally stabilized. After the decline of the Ashikaga Shogunate, Japan entered the Warring States Period, and Nobunaga was born, driving away the Ashikaga family, breaking the old order and power of Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, and trying to establish a This is a new political system. The current Tokugawa shogunate is the same. They are weak and incompetent in diplomacy. Although they also signed treaties with foreigners, they are just like a groveling slave, signing unequal treaties. Moreover, government should It is for the common people to live a good life. However, the Tokugawa shogunate exists for the continuation and prosperity of the shogun’s family. How can there be such an ignorant regime in the world?"
Fujido didn't understand Ryoma's words.A samurai must be loyal to his master, and a daimyo must be loyal to the Tokugawa family.This is the raison d'être of the samurai as a samurai.
The same goes for Isamu Kondo.He believed that the daimyo were influenced by the current situation and forgot their loyalty to the shogun's family, so he wanted to rise up to defend the shogunate.He was originally born in a farm family in Ishihara, Tama, Wuzhou.This place is under the direct administration of the shogunate, and the peasants there regard themselves as the common people under the direct administration of the general.The reason why Kondo decided to become the general's last shield is probably because of this background.
"Tokudo-kun, in order to ensure the survivability of the Tokugawa family, the identities of 30 million people have been fixed to death. From Ieyasu to today, the system and laws have remained unchanged. Based on this alone, we will regard them as enemies of Japan."
"enemy?"
It was the first time Fujido heard this point of view.
"Yes, it is the enemy. Even if it is not the enemy, Japan cannot develop with the current corrupt system. We must change the status quo and create a system and laws suitable for the Japanese. Fujido-kun, you are Japanese, not Tokugawa Are you willing to go to the enemy of the Japanese and do those murders?"
Fujido was hit hard.
That night, he left Teradaya without saying a word.
"That Mibu ronin has gone back?"
Dengshi walked in.
She dresses well.When the ship enters and leaves the port day and night, she will wear a short black-collar jacket. After she is busy, she will change into other clothes immediately like a person in a play after leaving the stage.She doesn't wear too elaborate clothes, she likes the more plain black striped cloth, and the kimono underwear is also darker in color, and she doesn't wear makeup.In the cold weather of Sanjiu, I don't wear socks, and the high insteps are very beautiful.
"Back." Ryoma said while lying down.
"Isn't that Mibu ronin here to kill you?"
The so-called Mibu Ronin is a different name given to them by the people of Kyoto in the early days of the establishment of the Shinsengumi, because they were stationed in Mibu Village in Luoxi.
"He's called Todo Heisuke, and he used to be in the Edo Chiba Martial Art Museum together. He's a nice guy with a straightforward personality."
"But, he is Mibu Ronin."
Onshi thought that a good man would not join an organization like the Shinsengumi.The reason why she loathes the Shinsengumi so much has a very deep-seated reason: for hundreds of years, Kyoto people have always harbored an aversion to power in Kanto.
"Even Mibu ronin, there are all kinds of people. You can't be prejudiced against people." Ryoma said.
"When that Mr. Todo went out, I saw his back, looking weak and disappointed."
"They are also very distressed."
"Is Mibu Ronin also troubled?"
"Yes, there are all kinds of players in the Shinsengumi. Leaders like Isamu Kondo and Toshizo Hijikata must be very stubborn and use a sword to fight their way through the rivers and lakes. , it won’t be like Kondo and Hijikata. There are Keisuke Yamanan and Todo Heisuke from the Chiba Gate..."
"Why are the Qianye people different?"
"Mr. Zhou Zuoda was appreciated by Mito Liegong (Tokugawa Naizaki) and received his salary. Eijiro, who was better than his father and was close to me, died of illness last year. Fan group. The third son, Dosaburo, was promoted to the rank of Da Fan last year. Therefore, the martial arts school is deeply influenced by Mito’s thought of respecting the king and fighting barbarians. Most of the disciples under the sect are Mito clansmen, and they have influenced the disciples of other clans. Fujido Hirasuke and Shannan Jingsuke Yu Qianye will inevitably be affected."
"Oh." Hearing this, Deng Shi felt more and more interesting about men.
"Fudodo, Kondo and the others created the Shinsengumi together, but they ended up becoming lackeys of the shogunate. He must have been very troubled, and he didn't know what to do. But," Ryoma continued, "in this situation, worrying is useless. Yes, only rely on the belief in the heart."
Fortunately, Ryoma's wound did not fester.But Dengshi insisted that he stay to recuperate from his injuries, so he stayed in Teradaya.Aaron was obviously very happy during Longma's stay at Teradaya these days.The sensitive Dengshi had discovered this a long time ago, and his mood was complicated.
Nothing happened to the two of them, right?There was a tinge of jealousy in this speculation.
Dengshi often hears Ryoma talking about his elder sister Otome in her hometown. She regards herself as Otome's substitute and takes care of Ryoma.She knows her heart - I have a crush on Ryoma.She even felt that this was not a general affection, but like a woman's affection for a man.But she sometimes thinks it's not that kind of affection-he can't take care of himself without me.It must be this kind of feeling...Even she herself couldn't tell what kind of feeling it was.
Although Toshi didn't show it, she was actually very worried about Ryoma.In a sense, Aaron is a good girl, but she will not be a good wife.She thought so.Aaron can only play the yueqin, knows how to arrange flowers and tea ceremony, but can't cook or work as a maid at all.Not only won't it, but it's very annoying.
I'm a bit nosy, but I really don't want Aaron to marry Ryoma, she thought.Toshi thinks that Sanako from the Chiba family is the best match for Ryoma.I heard that there is another Miss Tianhe, but the status and status of the two are too different, it is impossible to get together.
It's just that according to Toshi's temperament, she would not say to her adopted daughter Aaron: "Don't go to Mr. Sakamoto's room to disturb him." She didn't want people to feel that it was out of jealousy.But even if no one thinks so, Dengshi himself has noticed this gloomy woman's heart.So, she finally restrained this urge.
Dengshi is such a woman.But Aaron didn't seem to know Dengshi's thoughts at all.Insensitivity to these things is also her strength.
She stayed in Ryoma's room all day.The same is true at this time.Ryoma was writing a letter to Otome in his hometown, and Aaron sat beside him all the time.
The letter said that he hoped that Otome would send him some books to Teradaya.These books are not Ryoma's own, but are women's leisure time reading materials, such as Ogasawara Rumorei, Shinba and Songbook, copybooks and so on.Otome should be surprised when she saw it.
Aaron leaned his head over to the side, watching Ryoma write the letter.
"Hey, it's impolite to see people writing letters." Long Ma said.
"No, I want to see it."
Aaron and Longma are already familiar with each other.
"I really can't do anything about you. I'm thinking of sending some books from my family so that you can learn etiquette. When the time comes, you can't be so rude anymore."
Although he heard Longma scolding himself, Aaron was not afraid at all when he saw the smile in his eyes.
"Let me see." Aaron stretched out his head childishly.
"no."
In fact, Ryoma has been fascinated by Aaron's feminine breath, and his heart moves, wanting to hug her.
"However, when it comes to etiquette, you should learn it hard." This made Aaron feel ridiculous.Why did a man like Ryoma, who is the most unmannered man in the world, let himself read those books?
"I was born, not like you. You are a woman, and a woman looks better."
"why?"
"Fool. This is what life is like. I wrote to you to ask for a book because I was afraid that you would not be able to get married."
"I'm not married."
"It's better to get married." Long Ma continued to write, "Aaron, you go aside."
Longma smelled Aaron's body fragrance, and felt his blood rushing upwards.
"Mr. Sakamoto, although I'm an insignificant little girl, it's too rude for you to speak like this."
"I don't care about etiquette. I always have. But you are a woman. You can't do this. You won't be able to get married."
"But," Aaron thought for a while, and said, "If that's the case, I'll marry someone who doesn't care about etiquette."
"Hahaha, idiot. In this vast world, is there another one like me?" Long Ma pretended not to understand what Aaron was talking about, and wrote quickly.
"Sir, you are the only person I can rely on in this world. If I don't marry anyone, I will marry you." Long Ma suddenly stopped writing, and after a long silence, he said: "Aaron, you can't scare people like that." He no longer wrote letters, his hands were shaking and he could not write. "It's all because of your boring words, look, I can't even write letters." He smiled wryly.
"Boring words?"
Aaron was a little angry.It's not that Aaron is impatient, she is annoyed.Generally speaking, when a woman confesses to a man, it is out of necessity. Only a woman like Aaron will make up her mind to speak out.
He didn't take it seriously, and even said something boring.How can he say that?Aaron was in a hurry.
Ryoma was also annoyed, and stared blankly at the words on the letter.I want this woman too.He thought so angrily.It is human nature to love men and women.Ryoma wanted to hug Aaron and push her to the ground.But he still tried his best to restrain the urge.Doesn't she understand?He wanted to yell asshole.To myself, but also to Aaron.There are two fools sitting in a room.Ryoma didn't know how to deal with this situation.
"Aaron, don't talk yet."
He wanted to think about this matter again, but Aaron pouted, his expression clearly saying: It's up to you!I don't want to talk to you.Tears were shining in her eyes, as if she was saying: I will never talk to you again for the rest of my life.
After a long time, Long Mafang said: "Aaron, it's not worth it for you to marry me."
"What do you mean?" Long Ma's words were too unexpected, and Aaron asked involuntarily.
"I was born to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate. I don't talk about marriage until the big event is over. Because I don't have time to love you."
"You don't need to hurt me."
"But I want to."
"what……"
"To overthrow the shogunate is not an easy task. In the process, many people will lose their precious lives. I also hope that I can be one of them. It is meaningless for you to marry such a person."
Fujido Heisuke has become increasingly depressed since parting with Ryoma.
Ryoma was right, he thought. "We must promote the progress of Japanese civilization. Since you are not afraid of death, you should dedicate your life to this cause." Ryoma's words kept echoing in his ears.Long Ma also said: "If you don't want to do this, you can quit this kind of job that can kill you at any time, go back to your hometown, marry a wife and have children, and live a peaceful life."
When I was in Chiba Martial Arts, I respected him.He talked to me once, and I still can't forget the joy at that time.Fujido is not a rational person, he acts with passion.If someone said the same thing to him, he wouldn't listen at all, but when Ryoma said it, he remembered it all in his heart.
However, he didn't understand.He decided to discuss with Shannan Keisuke.Keisuke Shannan is a comrade who came from Edo together, is also a brother of the same school, and is now the deputy head of the Shinsengumi.Fujido believed that if he told Shannan the secret, Shannan would understand him and would never tell others.
After Shannan heard this, he nodded with a gentle smile and said, "Hirasuke, please don't mention this to anyone." Originally, the establishment of the Shinsengumi had a great relationship with Shannan and Todo.The ones who heard the news that the shogunate was recruiting ronin were Shannan and Todo, who had a lot of friends among Edo swordsmen and barbarians.The two met Shuzo Ishisaka, a comrade of Hachiro Qinghe, and listened to him tell their real intentions, and also heard a secret: soon, the banner of respecting the king and fighting barbarians will be raised in Kyoto.Therefore, they suggested to Kondo and Hijikata to apply together.Kondo Isamu and Hijikata Toshizo were both moved when they heard this suggestion.Both Kondo and Hijikata were born in Tama, Wuzhou, and both were disciples of the natural Rishin-ryu Kondo Shuzai.Kondo became Shusai's adopted son and inherited the family business.Hijikata is the younger brother of Asin, the wife of Masato Hikogoro in Hino Station, the economic protector of Zhou Zhai, so he is especially respected in the martial arts school, and he is a sworn brother with Kondo who is a friend of eight worshippers.
Just in case, the two went to the shogunate's ronin chief Matsudaira Kamizusuke Zhongmin's mansion to inquire about the shogunate's real intentions.It's just that Songping is different from Qinghe. As a vassal, he said: "This move is to protect the capital." This is exactly the answer they want.
Therefore, originally Shannan, Fujido, Kondo, and Hijikata had different ambitions.
"Hirasuke, you must never mention this to anyone." Keisuke Shannan said with a Sendai accent, "Mr. Sakamoto from Tosa? I knew him when I was learning swords at the Edo martial arts school. He was the swordsmanship instructor in Otsumachi at that time , less communication. But he will definitely recognize me when he sees me."
"Well, we are all from the same door."
When talking about "same family", Fujido emphasized his tone, and this kind of relationship is sometimes even deeper than blood relationship.The Shinsengumi's Isamu Kondo, Toshizo Hijikata, Souji Okita and Genzaburo Inoue, who are born with natural empathy, even if they don't speak, they can understand each other's mind just by looking at each other.People from other schools, such as Shannan and Todo, received special preferential treatment because they had been the backbone of the Shinsengumi since the establishment of the Shinsengumi, but they were always treated as outsiders.Therefore, for Shannan, his fellow student Ryoma Sakamoto, who was once the instructor of Chiba swordsmanship in the barrel town, is more cordial than Kondo and Hijikata.
"So," Shannan said, "it's not for this reason. I think my understanding of the current situation is the same as that of Mr. Sakamoto."
"Oh?" Fujido was nervous.
"But Todo-kun, since this is the case, there is nothing we can do. I tried to change the minds of Kondo and Hijikata, but they just refused to listen. I have given up."
"give up?"
"Yes, I gave up. It's just that there is an opportunity for everything. When the time comes, there may be changes. Fujido-kun, before this time comes, don't act hastily and sacrifice in vain."
"I see."
"Leave it to me. Just do your own thing."
“是。”藤堂虽然这样应着，心中依然不解，“但是，组里有人想要杀掉坂本先生，就是信夫左马之助。”
“不就是同僚吗？”
“是。但是，以现在新选组的情况来看，即便我是队长，也没法阻止信夫的行动。因为站在新选组的立场上，信夫的行动才是正义的。”
"yes."
当时，信夫左马之助与队里的四个人商议，准备刺杀龙马。
信夫想到了一个好办法。他想利用队里的一个叫与助的密探把龙马引诱出来。与助便去了伏见寺田屋。
其时龙马和阿龙正在闲谈。
“什么，与助？”龙马坐起身来，没听说过这个人啊。
街上一片阒静，酉时的钟声刚刚响过不久。
“是，据说是长州藩桂小五郎先生派来的。说有十万火急之事，请您务必去一趟河原町的长州藩府，连轿子都给您预备好了。”一个仆人说道。
“有桂的信吗？”
"No."
"Oh."
龙马大感古怪。在时下的武士之间，很少会有使者不带主人的信直接传话的。龙马感到不解。但他觉得，如果真的是桂的使者，自己不去不太合适。
因为当时的长州藩说服了朝廷，通过朝廷给幕府施压，正筹备一个惊天动地的计划。这个计划就是把之前一部分攘夷浪人在横滨火烧洋人建筑、杀洋人，以及在长州藩和萨摩藩等地进行的局部对外战争变成国家事业。以天子攘夷御驾亲征的形式，让天皇前往石清水八幡宫或者大和欞原宫。一旦天子握剑御驾亲征，幕府和诸大名就只能加入到攘夷战争中去。为了实现这个目的，长州藩府中的益田右卫门介、根来上总、久坂玄瑞、桂小五郎和中村九郎等人去京都的各强藩藩府中进行游说，希望得到他们的支持。
“这是圣意。”长州藩利用这一流行的权威说法，说服各方。“圣意”或许从奈良之后，就再没有过。
幕府和诸大名都对长州打出的这个王牌感到非常无奈，不，应该说是痛恨。对于长州独占天皇权威的做法感到憎恶的，首先是幕府，其次便是萨摩。
长州该不是想创建新的幕府吧？西乡隆盛真正开始怀疑长州的动机就是在这个时候。
龙马以攘夷论者自居，实际上他有自己的一套开国理论。他是反对长州藩的行动的。
既然是桂有事跟我商量，就必须得去。he thinks.
登势和阿龙都劝他不要去，但他就是不听，下了楼梯走到院子里。
来到房檐下，龙马便紧紧地盯住与助，道：“你就是与助？”
与助在轿子旁边屈膝向龙马施礼。不愧是新选组的密探，非常擅长演戏。“正是在下。”说话的时候，他还故意模仿长州的口音。真是想得周全。
轿子非常精致。一些市井大夫经常会坐这样的轿子。龙马抱着长刀坐了上去。
就在此前不久，新选组的信夫左马之助与四个同伴一起，从洛西壬生村驻所出发了。
“与助干得漂亮。”信夫将左手伸入怀中。他故意没有着和服，而是穿了黑棉纹服和马袴，里面还套着锁子甲。有了这件锁子甲，动手时便不易受伤。
信夫左马之助大声说着话从走廊里经过。藤堂平助正好在房里，信夫所谓“埋伏在大佛街道”等言全都被平助听了个正着。他大吃一惊：该不会是针对坂本先生吧？他担心起来，去了山南敬助的房间。“山南兄，有件事情要拜托你。我要出去一趟，别人问起，就说我跟你一起在你房里喝酒，可行？”
“明白。”山南并不详细地打听理由。That's who he is.
藤堂偷偷地出了屯营，在旁边大和郡山藩府的后门叫了一乘轿子，着急地吩咐：“到大佛七条。”他在轿子里用宗十郎头巾蒙上了面。
龙马坐的轿子一路沿着京町大街往前走，到了偏僻的街巷。龙马不由得又奇怪起来。与助在轿子旁边跑着，却听不到脚步声。如果是一介跟班，不会有此功夫。他心念一动，顿生疑窦该不会是捕吏吧？罢了，且见机行事。
龙马坐在轿子里，握住刀柄。他这个人天生就不防人，不久便放松下来，有了困意。
轿夫喘着粗气往前跑。过了稻荷、东福寺。天空有几许星光，街上并非漆黑一片。
信夫左马之助等人到达大佛街道七条西角的时候，他们要去的那个茶店已经关门了。
“叫门。”信夫说道。
他的同伴使劲敲门，茶店老板一脸不高兴地打开了雨窗。
“我们是会津中将大人辖下新选组。有公事借用你的店，开门！”他们蛮横地吩咐道。
“是。”老板有些不高兴地应了。
“上酒。”
“抱歉，小店已经打烊了。”老板一边搓着手一边面带微笑说，这可以说就是京都人骨子里的那种倔犟。“对不住，没有酒。”
“那桶里是什么？”信夫指着院子里的一个角落，问道。
“那是水。”
京都人对长州藩非常有好感。这并没有什么特别复杂的理由。长州藩有意在京都花了很多钱，得到了民心。长州人原本就擅长此道，他们知道，要想在京都做成大事，就得借京都人之手，所以把大量的钱用到了花街柳巷。自然，祇园和三本木喜欢长州人的艺伎便多了起来，出入那里的商家也受到感染。甚至附近的百姓都非常欢迎长州人。
后来长州因为萨摩和会津的阴谋被赶出京都，之后陆续发生了池田屋惨案、蛤御门之变、长州征伐等骚乱。新选组的成员只要遇到长州人，不管是在哪里，都会当场斩杀。但是即便如此，京都人依然同情长州人，很多百姓经常为他们提供避难之处。因此，幕府特意在京都二十多个告示处发出布告：“长州假托勤王之名，用种种手段蛊惑人心。或有人听信他们，云云。”幕府试图用这种办法收回被长州藩拉拢的人心。
这位茶店老板即便不是因喜欢长州而不喜欢幕府，也能很明显地看出来他非常讨厌新选组。
“水，你说那是水？要不是水，我可饶不了你。”信夫打开那个新桶的盖子，抱住桶将里面的东西倒了出来。
是水。
“老板。要是旧桶也就罢了，你这新桶里竟然装着水。你这个店，该不是把水当酒卖吧？”信夫仍然按捺不住心头的怒火。
藤堂平助用宗十郎头巾蒙着面，坐在茶店的内院。他比信夫先一步到了这个茶店，布置好了一切。
“老板，我是新选组的副长助勤藤堂平助。”他到了店里，取下蒙面的头巾，彬彬有礼地说道。
藤堂有一双孩童般清澈的眼睛。甚至连老板都在心里想：新选组里也有这等人物？
“新选组里都是些浪人，不是个个都明事理。我负责前来监察不法属下。”
“是。”老板相信藤堂。
“一会儿便会有五个自称是新选组组员的人来这里。有人说他们四处强借，打砸抢。但是我没有证据。我想借你里面的房间一用，看看到底会是什么情形。这是一点小意思，就当酒钱了。”说着，他往老板手中塞了一些钱。
“只是，老板。”藤堂又道，“那些家伙酒品不好，喝了酒便不知道会捅出什么乱子。你就告诉他们说这里没有酒，在桶里灌上水。”
"understood."
老板按照他的吩咐做了。
信夫等人果然来到了这里，而且要酒。
“您这是什么话？小的这家小店，已经经营了二十年。把水当成酒卖，怎么能卖二十年呢？”
这是一个争强好胜的老板。在一提到新选组就心惊胆战的形势下，虽说有藤堂给他做后盾，但是他这样说也实在危险。万一对方一怒之下拔刀将他砍了，那就白白丢了性命。
“这老东西。”信夫大怒，“你敢对武士说这种话，再说一遍？”
信夫刷地拔出了长刀。
老板慌了神，脸色苍白地逃到里屋去了。信夫没有往里追，只是拿起桶来，朝着院子里的灶台扔去。咣当一声，锅破碎了。时下锅在百姓的生活中非常重要。而且还有一种三宝荒神的信仰，因此人们都将灶台视为神明。
老板气得浑身发抖。藤堂安抚道：“我们会给你赔偿。”
藤堂穿着老板借给他的衣服，打扮成町人模样，撅着屁股，在腰间插了一把刀，用宗十郎头巾蒙着面，样子非常奇怪。
龙马的轿子进了京都。
“抬轿的，停下！”龙马道。从伏见到这里已经走了二十里的路程，他感觉腰有些酸疼。“我自己走。”
龙马正要出来，跟在轿子旁边的与助慌忙走到跟前，道：“爷，马上就到了。您看，那边能看到三十三间堂的大银杏吧。七条就在那附近。”
龙马给了轿夫几个酒钱，对与助道：“与助，你好古怪。”说着便走出轿来。
“您是什么意思？”
“刚才说话还带着长州口音，现在就没有了。”
与助无言以对，将右手里提着的灯笼换到左手，然后把右手伸到怀中，里面好像藏着短刀或者捕棍。
龙马瞪了他一眼，这家伙，越来越像是密探了。龙马觉得心烦。要不是被这个蠢货骗出来，现在自己应该还在跟阿龙说那些重要的事呢。阿龙说什么要嫁给我。嫁也好娶也罢，得先保住命。龙马环视一眼，但是他眼睛不好，到了夜里更是看不清楚。
“与助啊。”龙马用一种朋友的口吻叫道。
与助有些放松警慑。“嗎，什么事？”
“应该是有人埋伏着。我眼睛不好。你干脆告诉我，他们埋伏在哪里。”
“爷，他们在……”与助险些说了出来，慌忙住口。
“与助，我和你都是大活人，看在我们俩都是大活人的分上，你告诉我。”
“爷，没有，没有人埋伏。”
“不要那么说。”龙马边走边说，“你是没关系。被杀的人是我，那可不得了。”
“说得在理。”与助不由得开始认真起来，附和道。说完他才意识到自己失态，非常狼狈。真是个奇怪的武士，我的脑子都乱了。
与助一直在町奉行所当密探，现在顺便也替新选组办事。因为职业的关系，他自认为很明白这个世界，但是，遇到这样的武士，还是第一次。虽然只是初次接触，却让人备觉亲切。此人不是个坏人，他暗想，于是忽然说道：“爷，他们在七条的茶店。到那里还要再过一条街，您要多加小心。”说完，他吹灭了灯笼，消失在黑暗中。
“啊，是吗？”龙马正要向与助道谢，与助已经不见了。与助说的七条茶店，不就在那边吗？龙马非常好奇，到底是什么人想杀我呢？
他大步向前，当三十三间堂的大银杏树映入龙马眼帘的时候，忽然从房檐下跳出一个人来。龙马往后一跳，已经到了另一边的房檐下。路很窄。
终于来了，龙马甚至没有时间调整呼吸。一把长刀嗖地落了下来。龙马闪身。刀从龙马右手边划下，砍中了柱子。
龙马跳到街中央。这时，前面出现了两个黑影，词时朝着龙马扑来。在此千钧一发之际，龙马一弯身，朝着其中一个扑过去，抄他的双脚。在对方倒地的那一瞬间，他从他身上跳了过去，终于拔出刀来。借此机会，他调整好了呼吸。
对方跳了起来。他甩刀背朝着他们砍去。
“啊！”其中一个人大叫一声，倒在地上。刀背其实就像铁棒。龙马使出了全身的力气。大概颧骨被击碎了。
刚才在房檐下的那个家伙，从龙马背后扑了过来。龙马往旁边一跳，摘下一户人家的格子门。
对方朝这边扑来。龙马使劲朝着对方的胳膊砸去，然后一边朝旁边闪身，一边开始数人数。five.
其中一人已经倒下。被砸中胳膊的那个人，只是往后退了一步，然后又拿起刀，摆好姿势。
这些家伙都穿着锁子甲。龙马开始生气了。
一个人扑了过来。龙马闪身避过，然后朝对方的右胸刺去。那人倒在地上，起不来了。但是，长刀并没有进去几分，大概只是锁子甲被击破。
还有三个人。他正想着，一个黑影疾风般冲到龙马跟前。
not good.龙马忙用刀柄接住了对方这一刀。
二人这样僵持着。
“哟，是信夫左马之助啊。”龙马装作吃惊的样子。
“正是啊。”
他们对峙着，努力不让对方腾出长刀。腕力运用到这个程度最好。如果用力太大，对方便会借力打力。这是一个剑客生命攸关的时刻。
“信夫，你可真难捉摸。你这种人懂得剑法，实在麻烦。”
“你也很执著。”信夫说着，开始巧妙地用力往前压。
龙马并不理会他。一不小心就会抬起胳膊。这时，对方会趁机砍他。
看起来，这种相持局面对信夫左马之助不利。龙马是个大块头，信夫被龙马压迫着。
“葛西，葛西。”信夫喊道，“都到现在了，你们在那里做什么呢？还不上。”
由于张口说话，积蓄在信夫丹田的气力开始往上走。龙马借机利用自己的优势将刀顶到了信夫的脖子上，然后迅速用左脚绊住信夫的右脚，将他踢翻在地。
信夫也不是盏省油的灯。在倒地的一瞬间，他挥刀朝龙马砍来。龙马慌忙闪身，用刀尖顶住了信夫的刀。
信夫的刀咣当落地。龙马将大刀踢到一边，用刀尖顶住了他的喉咙。“不要动。”
街上已经没有一个人影。有人将敌手杀掉之后，便消失了。
Who could it be?龙马在此后很长一段时间里都不知道那个人是这些家伙的上司藤堂平助。
“信夫，我很忙。说实话，我可没有工夫陪你玩。你只是奉命行事吧？”
"yes."
“那你告诉近藤和土方。要想杀我的话，先来跟我谈谈。他们堂堂之人，应该不至于这么下作。”龙马往后退了一步，收起长刀，直接回了寺田屋。
登势和阿龙都忧心不已，不敢入睡，坐等龙马回来。登势忙道：“我刚派了个人，正要去看看呢。”
“抱歉，让你们担心了。有点事。”
龙马马上回了房间，躺在被窝里，迷迷糊糊地睡了半个时辰，第二日一大早便离开伏见，朝着神户村出发了。
Notes:
Notes: