Chapter 42 Three, the change of forbidden door

Ryoma Sakamoto is in Edo. In the evening, he was eating alone under the kitchen of Chiba Martial Arts when someone came to visit him suddenly.Walking out of the gate, he saw that the visitor was Higaki Kiyoharu, who hurried over from the nearby Tuzhou feudal mansion. "What happened?" "You still don't know? All the comrades gathered at Ikeda House in Sanjo Bridge in the capital died!" "Calm down!" Ryoma fell silent after asking him about the details of the matter.Kitato Jimo and Mochizuki Kameta are dead, Noraoyama Gokichiro, Fujisaki Hachiro, Motoyama Shichiro, Ishikawa Junjiro... are all dead.

"what should we do?" "Higaki, you go back to the feudal mansion first." "Okay. I'll go back, but what should I do after I go back?" "I don't know either. Whether it's eating or sleeping, you can do whatever you want." Ryoma quickly hid in the room.He wanted to be alone for a while.It was very dark in the room.Ryoma did not light the lamp, and let it fall over on the tatami, thinking of the dead. What a fool!He sighed, tears streaming down his cheeks.Ryoma is not a person with impulsive emotions, but that is because his calm thinking prevents his emotions from being exposed, and once such a thing happens, the suppressed emotions hit him like a storm, and finally made him extremely embarrassed and lost his soul.

"Kameita..." He only murmured, with mixed feelings at once, he couldn't help crying, tears poured out of his eyes like a river that broke its embankment.In the darkness, the figure of Kappa Kita Bema seemed to be sitting beside Ryoma. "Kappa, you idiot." Ryoma said, turned around, and sobbed silently again. The Ikedaya incident caused heavy losses to Ryoma during this period.This time he came to Edo to raise funds for the construction of Hokkaido's ronin army. He originally wanted to run this business with Kita Timo Jima.In the past few days, he visited Katsu Kaishu and Okubo Kazuo, and took their recommendation letters and traveled all over the place where there is a possibility of investment.

The following passage is recorded in Sheng Sheng's diary: "Sakamoto Ryoma arrived in Edo. He wanted to send more than 200 Keiban radicals to develop and do business in Hokkaido. The required funds were three to four thousand taels, and comrades collected them from various sources. He said that he should implement this policy quickly and be high-spirited." But now this plan may come to naught because of this incident.Not only that, the Kobe Naval Academy is also very likely to be punished or even forced to disband due to the actions of Mochizuki Kameyata and others. Why did the shogunate have to kill people who are concerned about the country and the people and who are brave enough to die like wild dogs?The grief and indignation in his chest, the setbacks he suffered in his travels, and the condolences for the deceased, all kinds of emotions were stirred together. Ryoma tossed and turned on the tatami mat in tears.

Soon, Sanako also learned about the change in Ikeda House.After her elder brother Chiba Shigetaro heard about it from his disciples, he told her. "Does Mr. Sakamoto know?" "This..." Shigetaro thought hard, "I guess I don't know." "I'll go and tell him." Sanako, holding a paper candle, walked quickly through the corridor, reached the end and turned around the corner. Ryoma was in the first room. It was dark inside.Strange, thinking, Zuo Nazi knelt down and opened the lattice door, first inserted the paper candles, trying to light up the room.Not long after, Li Bai's verses appeared indistinctly from the darkness on the partition.On the other side of the partition, a burly man was lying on his back, with his right knee raised up and his left foot resting on his right knee, looking really inappropriate...

Sanako thought Ryoma was dozing off. She wanted to wake him up, but the flame of the paper candle just flickered, and a ray of light flashed across Ryoma's body like lightning.Ryoma immediately raised the saber, rested his fist on the pillow, and stared at the white blade motionlessly. "Mr. Sakamoto." Sanako called out.Ryoma sat up and put away the knife.Seeing his abnormal appearance, Zuo Nazi didn't dare to make a sound, remained silent for a moment, and finally asked, "What's wrong with you?" Long Ma was silent.Sanako couldn't stand the silence, so she pulled the lamp and lit it. "Have you heard about the incident at Ikeda House?"

Ryoma seemed to have noticed that Sanako was trying to tell him about the changes in Ikeda House, so he rushed to the front and told what Sanako didn't know. "Kita Timbermo, who lived here a few days ago, also died." "Mr. Beitian?" The paper candle in Zuo Nazi's hand fell to the ground.The light of the fire disappeared, and the wax flowed on the tatami.Sanako wiped the tatami with white paper in a panic. "Is this true?" she asked, looking up. "Yeah." Ryoma nodded, "He was killed by the shogunate, and Mibu Ronin who killed him was rewarded for it. One day, someone will demand blood debt from the shogunate and Mibu Ronin."

"Who is the vengeful?" "Me! I will definitely overthrow the shogunate. The Tenchu ​​group has perished, the Takeshi party has been murdered, and Hokuzo has died. But as long as I, Sakamoto Ryoma, remain in the world, the days of peace in the Tokugawa shogunate will never last long." There were still tears on Ryoma's face. "Lend me this piece of paper." Ryoma picked up the paper that Sanako had just used to wipe the tatami, and wiped his face.The tear stains disappeared, and the wax oil stuck to the face. Before dawn the next morning, Ryoma left Otsucho to find the "Japan's No. 1 wise man" Katsu Kaishu in his heart.When we walked under the Akasaka Moto Glacier, the sky finally brightened.The sound of buckets fetching water can be heard from the courtyard walls of various houses.The servants were busy on the street, some cleaned in front of the door, some sprinkled water, and a day in Edo began.

Longma walked into Shengfu and was led into the study as usual. Sheng came out with a cigarette tray, apparently just woke up.He didn't ask Ryoma what happened, but just started smoking non-stop.The two were relatively silent.After a while, the whole house was filled with smoke.Long Ma finally couldn't help sighing: "Mr. is really addicted to cigarettes!" "Sometimes you can't do anything but smoke." Sheng smiled wryly. Katsu already knew about the Ikedaya Incident.He also guessed that Ryoma came to him early for this matter. The night before, Sheng wrote down all kinds of heartfelt words in his diary. Most of the vassals were happy with the change of Ikeda House, but he wrote "killing innocents" in his diary to express his anger.He wanted to look up to the sky and ask: What's the use of killing each other?

Sheng knew very well why the neighboring Qing Dynasty was being invaded by foreign countries step by step.All because the system is weak, officials and officials form cliques, and they only consider self-interest and ignore the country.The Tokugawa shogunate is nothing more than ruling, and it is a foolish idea to treat the shogunate as a country.If he could say that openly, Seung would definitely say it.Although he is a vassal, he is such a man. "Fools will perish the country!" Sheng would have yelled like this a long time ago if he hadn't been a shogun or acting on behalf of the warship.

Sheng does not have much affection for Changzhou.In his eyes, Changzhou flaunted fighting against barbarians, reckless of consequences, and extremely cruel.This is the disaster of the party.However, compared with the weak and incompetent 80,000 Qi Qiben who have no national consciousness, the heroic fighters who died bravely won his sympathy.Compared with those vassals, people with lofty ideals are single-minded and enthusiastic for the sake of the country. "What a stupid thing!" Sheng knocked on the cigarette pot in the ashtray to empty out the ashes. "Well, why are you here?" "Are there warships?" "A warship?" Sheng smiled.Could it be that the discussant in front of me was too angry about the Ikedaya change, and wanted to borrow a warship from the shogunate to overthrow the shogunate?Sheng smiled and asked, "What do you want the warship for?" "Take a ride." Ryoma replied coldly.Things have come to this, he wants to set foot on the land of Kyoto as soon as possible.Countless Changzhou soldiers are flocking to Kyoto together with Tuzhou and other ronin.Maybe in these two days, the battle will start.Now that the Hokkaido development plan has failed, there is no reason to stay in Edo. "I want a handy boat to Osaka." However, judging from Ryoma's expression, there was more to it than that.His face was gloomy, as if he was going to drive a warship to join the Changzhou army and launch an attack on the shogunate army in Kyoto. "I'll go too." Said Seung.Because he was on official business, the shogunate ordered him to go to Bungo Himejima.Since the Shikoku fleet seemed to be bombarding the coast of Shimonoseki under the jurisdiction of Changzhou, the shogunate sent Katsuzen, who was good at dealing with foreigners, to mediate. "Right now, Kaga's ship is mooring on the river in Shinagawa. I'm negotiating with them about boarding, and you can go together." "When will the ship sail?" "Not sure. Because Kaga has just acquired a Western-style ship and doesn't know how to drive it yet. They want people from my Tsukiji Naval Training Center to drive it, but Tsukiji is busy teaching the various feudal clans, so there is not enough manpower. Various reasons come together. The ships of the Kaga Clan stopped at Shinagawa.” At present, it is prevalent in various feudal clans to purchase all kinds of ships from foreign countries.However, even if I bought it, I couldn't start it.Although there have been hereditary officials such as Mibune Mohojo and Mifune Fang in various places since ancient times, they only have the ability to control Japanese-style wooden boats. "Although Kaga has millions of stones, it can't drive a ship. This is the status quo in Japan. It's the same in Changzhou. People who can't even steer a warship, even if they shout to fight barbarians, what good is it?" "Ah! Now the so-called patriots are rampant all over the world, and leaders from all walks of life have gathered in the capital. They are shouting and talking loudly, but among these people, you are probably the only one who can drive warships and fire cannons to fight against the barbarians. " "Don't dare to be." "I'm not praising you. I'm bragging. I trained you. Please, Ryoma." "Please what?" "Why don't you understand? Of course it's the country. I'm a vassal. I'm not free like you. I can only yell a few words in the study. If you are grateful to me, put me on your back Do your best to soar through the sky with those wings." In the evening of the same day, Sheng sent someone to send a message that Ryoma set off on a Kaga boat tomorrow afternoon. "It's really busy." Shigetaro was very dissatisfied, "Xiaolong, are you leaving now?" "Ok." Ryoma returned to the room and began to prepare for the luggage. At this moment, Sanako came. While she was folding her underwear for washing, she said to herself, "I'll go see you off." "Oh? To Shinagawa?" Shigetaro couldn't sit still. "I'll go as well." "Brother is going too?" Zuo Nazi looked surprised. "Why, do you think I'm in the way?" "Where, I didn't plan to send it." "I just heard it clearly." "That's me talking to myself." "Hey, it seems that my ears are so good. Now that I have thought of it, let's call the apprentices and go see him off together." Early the next morning, before dawn, Ryoma bid farewell to Chiba's house.Those who saw him off included Shigetaro, Sanako, Sanada Daigoro, a member of the Inshu domain, and five or six disciples.Everyone was lighting lanterns. It was almost noon when we arrived in Shinagawa.Looking towards the river, I saw the flags of the Kaga domain ships flying and continuously breathing black smoke.I thought it was a Western sailing ship, but it turned out to be equipped with a steam engine.The ship is trying to sail, but there are layers of waves in the harbor, running at a low speed.Watching the boat move is unsettling just from a distance.What a strange ship, Ryoma thought.Because he still had to wait for victory, he walked into the teahouse at the entrance of the station.He sat on a folding stool in the back.Shigetaro, Sanada Daigoro and others sat down around him, and Sanako sat in the corner. After leaving Edo, Sanako became extremely reticent.At this time, although she was sitting in the corner, she looked at Ryoma with fiery eyes from time to time, but she didn't speak. Ryoma also wanted to say something witty to Sanako, but for some reason he couldn't open his mouth. Soon, Sheng and his party walked into the post station and walked past the teahouse.Long Ma clearly saw it, but he didn't get up, still holding the tea bowl, motionless. "What's wrong?" Shigetaro asked worriedly. "I'm thinking about it," Ryoma smiled, and looked at Sanako, "I'm thinking about what I want to say to Sanako. But for some reason, I can't think of what to say." Throughout his life, Ryoma never set foot on the land of Edo again. Ryoma boarded the ship that day.However, the ship did not set sail for a long time, and it was not until the early morning of the next day that it finally sailed out of the Shinagawa River. "It's started." Ryoma came to Sheng's room and said. Katsu looked out the porthole. "It really moved." It was very dark outside.By the time the lights at the mouth of Liuxiangchuan River were clearly visible, it was already daylight. The ship began to sail, and faithfully followed the inland sea navigation law and slowly sailed south.It can be seen that the Kaga feudal vassals serving on the ship are working hard to steer the ship, but the officers, watermen, and firemen are all beginners, which is worrying no matter how you look at it.Uniforms were not popularized. Officers wore their own Japanese-style clothes, and watermen and firemen were dressed as craftsmen. "It seems that they are not competent yet." Sheng frowned.He said this for a reason: the shogunate navy was short of manpower, and Sheng failed to ask them to help, so the ship could only be driven by these unskilled Kaga clansmen. Passing the sea of ​​Yokohama, when turning around Cape Honmoku, the wind direction suddenly changed.The sail should have been manipulated immediately, but due to lack of proficiency, the opportunity was delayed, and the boat was suddenly blown to drive along the current, and suddenly it was blown to one side.At this time, the officer would go to Sheng's room to ask for advice. Sheng couldn't help laughing.The warships of the shogunate are in charge of a country's navy, but now they have to give instructions one by one to raise and lower the sails, which is really ridiculous. "It's really helpless. This should also be included in the ship's price." Sheng told them one by one how to deal with it.Finally, he felt troublesome, and said: "There is a man named Sakamoto Ryoma on board, he is my student, you go ask him." The Kaga feudal lord searched the ship, but did not find Ryoma.At last, in the skiff by the chimney, a burly man was found sleeping. "Your Excellency is Mr. Sakamoto?" "Exactly." Ryoma sat up. So the vassals entrusted them with the command.Ryoma readily agreed.He went on deck and directed the crew.Although he knew seamanship, he was not very good at machinery, but he often went down to the cabin to instruct the officer in charge of the steam engine and the fireman. All went well that day.The next day, Ryoma was operating the machine. For some reason, the machine made a strange noise and vibrated.Just as Ryoma felt that something was wrong, steam suddenly leaked crazily. "There must be something wrong with the operation, and the machine has broken down." Ryoma said to the Kaga feudal vassals without changing his face, and immediately ordered to sail to Shimoda Port. In this way, Ryoma broke up the newly bought ship of Kaga clan. Hearing that Ryoma had broken the boat, Katsuki was taken aback and hurried to the bilge.Walking into the machine room, I saw a dozen or so Kaga clansmen standing around the steam engine dumbfounded, but Ryoma was nowhere to be seen.After looking carefully, I saw that he was covered with only a crotch cloth, and he got into the bottom of the steam engine.But it is impossible to repair it by drilling in, because it is the cylinder that is damaged.The case is cracked and can't be repaired anyway without soldering.Even so, Ryoma was enjoying repairing the steam engine, banging on the bottom of the steam engine with a hammer. "Good job." Shengqiang held back a smile.He understood that Ryoma was acting. "Master Sheng, can you fix it?" the captain of the Kaga Domain asked with a pale face. "It's hard to say." Sheng said with a straight face and tilted his head, "If you are lucky, you may be able to fix it." Even he himself felt that these words were like the lines of a quack doctor. For the officers, the matter was more serious: this ship was the only Western ship that Kaga got by patchwork, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a treasure. Sheng returned to his room. Longma spent an hour and a half knocking back and forth on the bottom of the steam engine, and finally crawled out. "It's so strange!" He showed a puzzled look. "How's the situation, Mr. Sakamoto?" "Cracked." "what?" "It can't be helped. It's like a bucket with the hoop loose." "But it's you..." The Kaga feudal lord was about to say that you, Ryoma, broke it, but Ryoma, covered in sweat and soot, unhurriedly untied his crotch cloth in front of everyone.The vassals were suddenly speechless.Ryoma rolled up the crotch cloth in his hand and began to wipe off the soot on his body.Everyone was silent. "Go back to your respective posts!" Ryoma shouted. The matter has come to this point, and the only way to drive the ship into the nearest port is to go to the field with the help of the wind.Soon, the ship entered Shimoda Port. Katsu immediately sent a messenger from the Shimoda Magistrate's Office to the Naval Station in Edo, ordering to facilitate the repair of the Kaga Domain ship, and then stayed in the city with Ryoma for one night. "You guy, you're so dishonest. Then again, the Kaga people are too naive. They really think that a hammer can repair a steam engine ship." Sheng said with a smile, "It's worthy of an annual salary of a million stones. The great feudal vassals of the Han family have a calm and stable manner, elegant and calm. If those poor vassals acted rough, I am afraid that they would have to do it at that time." The next day, Katsu and Ryoma boarded the Makubune Shokaku, which happened to be in port, and headed west. Ryoma returned to the Kobe Naval Academy, and the school was in chaos at this time.Many people are saying: "I want to vote for Changzhou." Some people have already ran out of the school during the days when Ryoma was away to join the Changzhou army that was besieging Kyoto.As usual, Tuzhou people are naturally in the majority.One of the reasons is that there are two ronin in the Changzhou Army.One is Izumi Maki from Kurume, and the other is Shintaro Nakaoka from Tuzhou.Most of them defected to their fellow villager Nakaoka. The fluctuating mood in the school subsided immediately with Ryoma's return.Ryoma did not speak, perhaps because of his absence, the students felt uneasy.And the deputy Mutsu Yonosuke is too young after all.Moreover, his arguments were too sharp, so no one echoed them.But as Ryoma's secretary, he has played a role that no one else can match. Mutsu reported to Ryoma the movements in the school and the situation in Kyoto and Osaka when Ryoma was out, in a clear and orderly manner.Even if Ryoma stayed in Kobe, he might not be able to sort out the situation so clearly and understand it so deeply. "Your head is like a comb." Ryoma sighed. Not only that, in order to collect intelligence, Mutsu unceremoniously used the ability of sleeping with Fujibei.Fujibei risked his life in and out of Kyoto and put in a lot of effort. "Fujibei, thank you for your hard work." Ryoma sincerely consoled him, and Fujibei smiled a little embarrassedly. "Master, I also want to help Wang Zhishi." He puffed up his chest.During his travels around the world with the dragon horse, he met countless people with lofty ideals who did not care about their lives.He was moved by the fearless spirit of those with lofty ideals, and was gradually influenced by this tendency. Ryoma often said to Fujibei: "Nowadays, 90% of the people who worry about the country and the people and risk their lives are not from rich and noble families who have been rich and well-fed for generations. Although they are samurai, they are mostly ashigaru and the like. People with lofty ideals, or sons of merchants or farmers. As long as you have ambition, no matter what your previous status is, you can contribute to the cause of King Qin." At the time of the number, life and death have already been ignored.Fujibei felt very happy to be able to help these people, and of course he was willing to work tirelessly. At that time, Kyoto was already full of battle clouds, and the Changzhou army, which had set up battle formations in Fushimi and Saga, was ready to go. Every night, countless bonfires were lit in the fields in the west and south of Jing.Gunpowder has been filled in the barrel, the spear has been unsheathed, and the sheath of the sword has been unsheathed. Just wait for an order, and the army will rush into the capital. Ryoma watched the situation in Kobe, thinking every day, what happened to the Changzhou army?People all over the world are also concerned about whether they will break into Kyoto. Ryoma previously had Katsuki's permission to hide a Choshu samurai at the Kobe Academy.It is said that this person turned out to be a spy.This person is called Taketa Yujiro.Sheng met the Changzhou feudal man quietly in the school, and said to him: "If you see the Marquis of Changzhou, please tell him on your behalf. The people of your feudal clan are now gathering in the capital, and their momentum is high. However, even if they break into the capital, it is definitely not a thoughtful decision." It can only be quick for a while. It is definitely not the intention of a man who is as far-sighted as the Marquis of Changzhou. Please tell him that I said so.” I am afraid that as a vassal, Sheng tried his best to express to the Changzhou Fan out of kindness. The actual chief general of the Changzhou Army is Maki Izumi, the leader of the Ronin Palentious Corps. He once served as the priest of Kurume Suitian Temple and was fifty-two years old at the time.Whether it is character or mind, this person can be regarded as the best of the radical anti-barbarians. Before the situation became like this, during Ryoma's trip to Kyoto, Maki had quietly visited Katsu Kaishu at the Kobe Academy.Maki is recognized by the world as a celebrity of the shogunate sect. His ideas are well known, but he specially came to visit a shogunate retainer to listen to his opinions, which shows the magical charm of Katsuki. Katsura clarified the world situation to Maki, described Japan's position in the world, and explained how stupid it is to go its own way against barbarians.At that time, Maki seemed to have begun to doubt his thoughts of fighting against barbarians. "My long-cherished wish for many years turned out to be a mistake." Maki couldn't help being a little shaken.But behind him are the desperate vagrants who regard him as the commander-in-chief, and the lord and vassal of Changzhou who respect him as the master.Things have come to this point, and it is no longer possible to think about "going another way".Everything is God's will. A person's fate is determined by God's will, and the fate of a country is also determined by God's will. "Since ancient times, the so-called people with lofty ideals have been narrow-minded and short-sighted." Sheng said bluntly, "If people who advocate expelling the barbarians are allowed to go overseas by ship to increase their knowledge, I am afraid their thinking will naturally change. The narrow-minded people with lofty ideals cannot save this country. country, it will destroy it." "It's really a high theory! It's true!" Zhenmu was at a loss.But things have developed to this point, as the saying goes, riding a tiger is hard to get off. The Yodo River connects Kyoto and Osaka.On the bank of the Yodo River, there is a Tennosan Mountain.This mountain is only 270 meters above sea level. It is just an inconspicuous hill, but I am afraid that such a famous mountain will never be found in history.As early as the tenth year of Tensho, Akechi Mitsuhide and Toyotomi Hideyoshi fought desperately for this strategic highland. In the end, Hideyoshi occupied Tianwang Mountain and won the Battle of Yamazaki, which made the mountain famous.It is from this that later generations called the critical moment of victory or defeat "only looking at Tianwang Mountain". The Changzhou Army set up a headquarters on Tianwang Mountain.During the day, the mountain is lush and green, but when the night falls over the river bank, Tianwang Mountain turns into a ball of flames, as if it is going to burn the sky. At this time, a large bonfire was lit on the top of the mountain. The people of Changzhou wanted to use the fire to intimidate the court and the feudal lords, and the capital was in chaos. At the same time, Kuijima Matabei's actions set off another wave of chaos. Fushimi's Changzhou Army Command, one of the leaders is my old Fukuhara Echigo.Saga Tenryuji also has a headquarters, but no commander.So Fukuhara sent Kashima Matabei to the Tenryuji position as the commander. Since the team had to pass through the city of Kyoto, Fukuhara said, "In order to avoid confusion, how about moving to Tenryuji Temple after nightfall?" "How can Changzhou people walk on the streets like burglars? This old man should put on his armor and walk through the market dignifiedly under the blue sky and broad daylight," said Kashima Matabei.He put on a vertical black hat, put on a golden armor, and a sleeveless cloak, stepped on a fat horse with chrysanthemum flowers, and began to order troops.The team he led included guerrillas equipped with muskets and wrestlers equipped with spears and long swords. Holding the golden command flag, Matabei led the team out of Fushimi Castle while giving orders, walked on Takeda Avenue, and marched along the east bank of Katsura River. On the way, he made the army stop at various intersections in the city from time to time, shouted for a while, and then moved on.Seeing this situation, the people in the capital thought that there was going to be a war, and some even pushed carts full of furniture and other objects and began to flee for their lives. After the military guards entered Tianlong Temple, they made the abbot's room the headquarters, borrowed six rooms from the small temple to set up camp, and requisitioned three inns on Fengshan Mountain opposite Lanxia and Falun Temple for formation. The news of the relocation of soldiers and guards was greatly exaggerated when it reached the capital. The guard of Aizu, Matsudaira Yunho, jumped up from the sick bed, put on his armor, and rushed to the palace.When setting off, he also ate dried chestnuts and kelp, which is equivalent to holding an expedition ceremony. In the city of Kyoto, there were heavily armed Samurai soldiers from Aizu, Kuwana and other places. There is such a person in Kyoto—the Satsuma feudal lord Saigo Takamori who will become close friends with Ryoma in the future.Xixiang was not appreciated by Shimadzu Hisamitsu, repeatedly provoked Jiuguang's anger, and was exiled to an isolated island twice.At the time of the turmoil in Changzhou, he had just returned to Kyoto from Okinagarabu Island, where he was exiled for the second time, under the jurisdiction of the Satsuma clan. He assisted the important minister stationed in Kyoto, Komatsu, with a sword, and commanded the Satsuma clan in a complicated situation. Speaking of Xixiang, one must mention the British youth Sa Daoyi.He was once stationed in Kyoto as a member of the British embassy at the end of the Bakumatsu, and once displayed his diplomatic skills. He came to Japan to study as an interpreter for the British Foreign Office, and came to Yokohama in the second year of Bunjiu.It didn't take long for him to learn Japanese for everyday conversation and to read and write.He is a young man with strong curiosity and cheerful personality. In the process of interacting with senior officials of the shogunate and various vassals as an interpreter, he gradually developed a great interest in the turbulent Japan.Before he knew it, he began to give up his position as a member of the British embassy, ​​and he wanted to become a friend of Japan. Sa Daoyi is 22 years old. At the end of last year, he lived with the British Minister on a ship in Hyogo Port for a few days due to official business.In Hyogo Port, Sadoyoshi on the ship should be able to see Ikutarin, and Ryoma's Naval Academy is there. There are seven Japanese ships in the harbor.One of the ships with the flag of Satsuma docked in the port. It happened that the captain of Satsuma knew Satsuo, so he came to visit.Before leaving, the Samo said: "Please come to our boat and have a look, we will host a banquet." A few days later, Sa Daoyi came to the Satsuma boat, and the feudal vassals invited him to drink and eat eggs. At the banquet, Sa Daoyi got up to go to the toilet, and happened to pass by a room with an open door, and saw a big and sturdy man lying on the bed, with a scar on one wrist.The Satsuma man who led him to the latrine whispered, "This is Satoshi Shimadzu." After speaking, he urged him to return to the banquet. It was Xixiang that Sa Daoyi saw. At this time, he was on his way back to Beijing from Chongyongliangbu Island.His return this time is to deal with the complicated situation, and he has great expectations on his shoulders.For some reason, the Satsuma Domain gave Saigo a false name. A few months later, Sa Daoyi visited the Satsuma clan clubhouse in Hyogo, and once again met Saigo who came from Kyoto.During this period, Sa Daoyi had begun to refer to Xixiang as "the leading leader of the Satsuma domain".From all these, it can be seen that Xixiang did not become famous overnight. Now Xixiang has been observing the movements of the Changzhou army, the situation of the court, and the movements of the shogunate and the feudal clans at the Satsuma feudal mansion in Kinkoji, Kyoto.He mobilized the vassals to collect as much information as possible, and personally went out to visit all the important people who should meet, and used this as the basis for judgment.Finally, Xixiang made a decision: "The Changzhou army should be crusaded." Xixiang quickly reported this judgment to the vassal state by steamship.Among Hisamitsu's confidantes of the Satsuma domain, Okubo Ichizo (Ritou) is Saigo's comrade and a good friend who grew up together.After receiving the news from Saigo, he formulated it as a foreign policy of the feudal domain very tactfully, so that he could send troops to Kyoto if necessary. Xixiang wrote in his letter: "In the matter of Changzhou, I wanted to adopt a policy of patience as much as possible, but he wanted to overthrow the court with lust. Now that the matter has come to this point, it is impossible to remain silent. More than half of the ministers in the palace seem to sympathize with Changzhou .If you have more patience, our domain will be destroyed by Changzhou. We can only fight under the order of the court." At this time, the core of Xixiang's view of the problem is the interests of Satsuma, not the world.This is the difference between him and Ryoma.Shenghe Ryoma has a visionary side, who has already recognized the existence of "Japan".In contrast, Xixiang pays more attention to the present.It was originally Xixiang's responsibility to weigh the gains and losses of Satsuma. In his letter, Xixiang listed a large number of materials supporting this point of view, each of which was accompanied by detailed explanations, and at the end were comments and judgments that were like cutting through the mess with a knife.It can be seen from this that Xixiang is a first-class political commentator. After that, the letter wrote a very important content, that is, the prospect after defeating Changzhou. "The great war is a matter of time. Although we will assist the shogunate and defeat Changzhou in the war, how will the situation change after defeating Changzhou? I am afraid that the shogunate will restore the previous decline again, so it will be difficult. For To avoid such a situation, Satsuma must implement such a policy to the end: repelling Choshu is all to maintain the majesty of the imperial court. After that, this policy must be unswervingly implemented.” In short, Saigo aims to establish a camp of kings with Satsuma as the center. Even if he joins forces with the shogunate temporarily, he will never stand on the side of the shogunate forever. Changzhou people are idealistic, while Satsuma people are realistic.Summer's diplomatic style, which is comparable to that of Britain, can be said to be vivid on paper in the letter.The Satsuma people are Japanese through and through.However, their outstanding diplomatic talents far surpassed that of ordinary Japanese.This unique skill handed down by the Shimadzu family since the Warring States period was brought into full play at the end of the Tokugawa period.It's just that this characteristic of the Satsuma people, in the eyes of the Changzhou people who love to talk about doctrines and are often divorced from reality, may be no different from the treacherous and cunning. This war is the key to determine who will become the enemy of the imperial court, Changzhou or Satsuma. The reason for saying this is because Emperor Xiaoming has seriously "betrayed", no matter what his real thoughts are.Before the Changzhou domain lost power in Kyoto on August 18 last year, his speeches were all inspiring words such as "drive away the foreigners".These are the external attitudes reflected in the imperial edict, but when it comes to internal attitudes, the shogunate "has been entrusted with military power by me. Although it claims to attack foreign countries, it has not taken any action. I am extremely displeased with this."The murderous intent to deny the shogunate is clearly brewing in the words.Of course, these edicts were all instigated by the Changzhou clan and the Changzhou faction officials, and they were just spoken through the mouth of the emperor.However, since the coup d'état in August last year, Satsuma has emerged as a force behind the scenes of the palace, and the edicts issued have also been replaced with Satsuma's style. Summer advocates gradual, practical and steady.On the issue of how to treat the shogunate, although they despised the shogunate in their hearts, they advocated the "theory of unity of public and military" on the surface.This was a life-saving straw for the shogunate, but it was a blatant act of hostility for Changzhou, who advocated the fall of the shogunate king. Satsuma saved the shogunate.Such Satsuma just won the favor of Emperor Xiaomei, which is really ironic.The Changzhou people who have always been loyal to the imperial court and the emperor, and even sacrificed their lives for this kind of loyalty, were rejected by the emperor. Regarding the relationship between the samurai and the public, since Minamoto Yoritomo, it has been regarded as the relationship between a man and a woman, and the psychology of both the public and military is exactly the same.The emperor was tired of the deep affection of the Changzhou men who risked their lives for "love", and finally began to hate them.The Emperor took a liking to the reasonable Satsuma gentleman.The people of Changzhou, who fell into frenzy due to deep love, set up battle formations on the outskirts of Kyoto, and kept putting pressure on the court, intending to "restore the old good". "Are the edicts before August 18 last year all lies? No! Please let the emperor let the situation return to that time." This repaired movement took Summer by surprise.Once Changzhou succeeds, as the behind-the-scenes drafter of the imperial edict after August 18, Satsuma will decline and become an enemy of the imperial court.Xixiang's activity is based on these.Xixiang and other Satsuma diplomats managed to manage all parties in the court, and obtained the crucial words written by the emperor himself, that is, "The incident on August 18 last year was not a false edict by Guan Bai and others, but my intention", and "It is inappropriate for Changzhou people to enter Beijing. You can also clarify your doubts about this matter." With this, Xixiang achieved "justice" and began to lobby against the feudal clans in Changzhou. Xixiang then went to the pro-Sa courtier Zhongchuan Palace and the former Guanbai guards to pay a visit every day. He took the imperial decree and hoped that they would issue the "Changzhou Conquest Order".At the same time, the Aizu clan, who was on the same boat as Satsuma, was also desperately working at the court. The Changzhou army, which was encircling the capital, naturally did not watch their activities like a fool.Changzhou people rely not on speech, but on intimidation.They spread rumors through the mouth of their parents Pai Gongqing, saying that they wanted to send assassins to assassinate Zhongchuan Palace and the former Guan Bai Guards.Nakagawa Palace and Konoe were really scared.Although they agree with Xixiang's argument, they have been reluctant to issue the "Changzhou Conquest Order" for a long time. Xixiang finally couldn't bear it anymore, and summoned the important ministers of the eleven feudal clans who were disgusted with Changzhou, and those who stayed behind in Kyoto in Qinghuilou, trying to create public opinion.He said loudly: "If all the feudal clans oppose the crusade against Changzhou, even the Satsuma feudal clan will be loyal to the country. The conquest order has not been issued for a long time, and Yoshinosuke is extremely regretful, like drinking blood and tears." This fierce speech was called "Xixiang Weeping Blood" at that time, and it was widely spread among the feudal clans. But in the end, only the Tosa Domain and the Iyo Uwajima Domain agreed with the Satsuma Domain.On July 17th of the first year of Yuanzhi, the San Francisco united and reached a consensus that "if you don't take this opportunity to get rid of Changzhou, you will worry about the future and leave it for a hundred years", and played the emperor.The joint performance of the San Francisco became the medicine introduction for the court and the shogunate to make up their minds to conquer Changzhou. On the other hand, the Changzhou army surrounding Kyoto believed that the petition was unsuccessful after all, and it was estimated that it was inevitable to issue the Changzhou conquest order on the 19th.Therefore, on the 17th, when Saigo summoned the feudal vassals, General Fukuhara Echigo summoned the commanders of the various positions to the shrine of Otoyama Hachiman Shrine.集合在一起的主要的指挥官有：伏见阵地的福原越后、竹内庄兵卫、佐久间佐兵卫；嵯蛾天龙寺阵地的来岛又兵卫、儿玉小民部、中村九郎、太田市之进，山崎天王山阵地的久坂玄瑞、真木和泉、寺岛忠三郎、宍户左马介、佐佐木男也等，共计二十余人。 “诸位，当下怎么办？”担任会议主持的福原越后问道。 “还是暂且撤兵大坂吧。” 慎重的人居多。如果在圣旨下发后还打仗，就会成为朝廷的敌人，遗臭万年，这是慎重者的根据。 室外初夏的茂盛嫩叶，几乎将坐席染绿。在场的人沉默下来后，阵雨般的蝉声顿时充斥耳内。 主张要慎重的，多是年轻人，就连一向火爆的久坂玄瑞都不想擅动。只有来岛又兵卫一人怒吼： “发下征讨令又如何？本来就应该事先想到会颁下这种东西。诸位现在害怕与朝廷为敌了？这是你们学问做多了。自古以来，都是胜者为王败者寇，失败者才会成为朝廷的敌人。如果这么害怕成为朝廷的敌人，那就趁着征讨令还未下达，先发制人，攻陷京都。诸位意下如何？” “不可！”久坂玄瑞马上反对，“面对朝廷，先发制人，师出无名。事到如今，幕府与萨摩、会津已经做好战备。我方需要预备兵力。幸好世子已经率领两千人马，近日将从海路到达大坂。不管是战是和，最好等到世子到来之后再作打算。因此，现在还是暂且整顿兵马，撤回大坂吧。” “闭嘴！玄瑞！”来岛老人吼道，“先发制人！如果不首先发动进攻！怎能赢得这场战争？幕府和诸藩在京都至少有五万兵马。”又兵卫啪地打死了脸上的蚊子，接着说道：“我们只有两千人马。敌人今明两天就会兵分三路冲杀过来。如果还要慢腾腾地等，那就只有挨打的份儿了。久坂说的预备军是个什么情形？不也只有两三千人吗？正所谓杯水车薪。与其把希望都寄托在这种东西上，还不如迅速发起突袭。诸位怎样？诸位不愿一战吗？如果不想战斗先说话，我又兵卫会独自战斗。我要发动进攻，发动突袭，将会津阵营一举攻陷，砍下松平容保的首级，在加茂河岸示众。你们……”泪水顺着他的脸颊晔哗地流了下来。“你们就登上东山，远远地看我又兵卫杀敌吧！听明白了吗，久坂？” “可是老爷子……” “没有可是！久坂，你出生在医士之家，医士怎会懂得作战之事？害怕打仗的家伙趁早给我从这里滚开！”扔下这句话，来岛又兵卫索性退出会议，返回了天龙寺。 又兵卫走后，仍旧是甲论乙驳众说不一，福原越后便向长州藩论事实上的指导者真木和泉征求意见。 “没办法。只有同意来岛氏之说。”真木语气沉痛地回答道。 真木认为攻入京都这个形式与足利尊氏相似，但只要内心是楠木正成便可以了。就这样，他为主战论安上了一个正当的名分，长州人终于要开始战斗了。无论做什么事，都要有个名分，这便是长州藩的行事作风。 事件最终成了天皇争夺战。 天皇只不过是颁发诏书的人。把他抢到手，拥立他，然后将敌人宣布为“朝廷之敌”，发动天下兵马讨伐之，再按照自己的喜好建立体制。明治维新的战略本质也在于此。由于德川幕府在争夺天皇的战争中失败，将天皇拱手让给了萨摩、长州、土佐三藩，因此变成了朝廷的敌人，遭到天下兵马的围攻，最终走向灭亡。 西乡对这一本质了然于心。他虽然是一个格调很高的理想主义者，但同时也懂得现实的利害：与其进行琐碎的议论，还不如先掌握主动。他实际掌握这种战略，并不是在此后的倒幕运动时期，而是现在的长州暴动时期。从这个意义上来看，这次的暴动对于革命志士西乡来说，是一次很好的预演。 讽刺的是，长州军内部最先敏锐地觉察出这个道理的，既不是革命志士，也不是谋略之士，竟然是一介武夫来岛又兵卫。正因为如此，对于久坂玄瑞、寺岛忠三郎、入江九一等的迟疑不决，他才会恼恨交加。最终，长州军在来岛又兵卫的强硬要求下，“一致”决定攻入京都。战争的名分当然是“清君侧”。 所谓君侧之奸，首先是会津，其次是萨摩。说得露骨一点，就是从这两藩手中用武力将天皇夺过来。从这一点来看，在这场暴动的敌我双方中，洞悉暴动本质的是长州的来岛又兵卫和萨摩的西乡隆盛。 长州人马屋原二郎评来岛道：“来岛虽豪胆果敢，与人相交时却令人如沐春风，且深谋远虑，老吏之风。绝非世间所说那种有勇无谋的武夫。”来岛又兵卫的行动，好比用匕首挖心脏，直指敌人要害。 长州军商议的结果，是伏见、山崎、嵯峨三队人马约好于十八日半夜开始奇袭，同时逼近宫门。幕府失算了，他们以为长州军会在十九日开始行动，便以那一天为期布置战备。幕府方面有五万人马，自从室町末期的应仁之乱以来，帝都内外便从来没有集合过如此多的兵力。 另外，幕府还错上加错。制定此次作战计划的，是日后成为第十五代将军的皇宫御守卫总督一桥庆喜。无论见地、胆量，还是谋略，庆喜都被称为“家康以来的才俊”。他根据各种情报，断定长州军的主力为伏见的福原越后一队。这也难怪，伏见的主将福原越后乃是长州首席家老，而且他率领的部队由家臣中的上士组成，人称“选锋队”，达五百人。只要击败了福原就大功告成了。然而事实恰恰相反。德川三百年的太平之世，早已让江户的旗本和各藩上士懒散愚笨，斗志全无。正如龙马的评语：“代代饱食厚禄，庸人辈出。”这些胆小软弱、没有耐性的旗本，被平民出身的奇兵队嘲笑为“老打败仗的选锋队”。 庆喜将重点放到长州军兵力最弱的伏见，将其定为主战场，布下了幕府最强大的军队，即把会津、桑名两藩作为主力，布置在了九条河岸。监军由莳田相模守担任，其下安排新选组、见回组，在鸭川劝进桥西布下战阵。 家康以来一直担任德川军先锋的彦根藩在桃山，最前线是大垣藩。之所以把大垣放在最前线，是因为虽然户田氏的俸禄只有十万石，但是大垣已迅速引进了西洋手枪，釆取西式训练，而且藩内有兵制改革者、家老小原铁心，此人乃是闻名天下的名将。 伏见的长州军则于十八日半夜子时从伏见长州藩府出发，开始行动，最前面的是由二十人组成的步枪组。紧跟着便是三十人的长枪组，这五十人组成先锋，由长年从事志士活动的太田市之进担任指挥。这五十人并不是“选锋队” 那些弱卒，是福原特意拜托来岛挑选的精兵。 然后是中军。中军由二十人的步枪组和紧随其后的大刀队组成。在队伍的中央，主帅福原越后头戴折式乌帽子，身裹钱袋，外披阵羽织，坐于马上。随后便是参谋。参谋身后是两门大炮，一路嘎吱作响，好不威猛。大炮后面是大刀队，殿后是二十人的长枪组。 军队沿着伏见大道北上。 旗帜由书法名家福原亲自书写，上书“尊王攘夷”、“高良大明神”、“香取明神”等大字，在夜风中翻飞。 中军到达伏见大道树林，与幕府的先锋大垣藩兵遭遇。大垣藩设下了关卡。 “来者何人？”听到有人盘问，长州军先锋太田市之进也不下马，将马鞭横在肩上，只说了句“长州军借过”，便从容不迫地径自走了过去，他身后跟着长蛇般的队伍。 他想的是幕府不足为惧。可是，布置在树林里的大垣藩阵营里，有藩将小原铁心。此人体形矮小，容貌怪异，只一身便服，不穿戴铠甲，此时坦胸露怀，正在享受凉风。便有急报传来，他也只是漫应一声，仍旧坐在折発上一动不动。他心中早已有了一计：先要放长州军过去，使其麻痹大意。 阵地的对面是筋违桥。就在长州军全部走过那座桥时，小原铁心从折堯上站起身，从一侧的篝火中抽出一根烧得正旺的柴火。“嗨！”柴火高高地拋向空中。 这是早已说好的暗号。一直埋伏在树林中的大垣步枪队全速冲上道路，在桥旁散开，对准了长州军的后背猛烈射击。 布置于桥对面堤坝的步枪队和长枪队，一听枪响，也向长州军的侧面发起进攻。 长州军立刻陷入了混乱。有人忙着往大炮里装炮弹，有人胡乱射击，有人手握长枪冲入敌阵，有人逃跑，指挥已经完全瘫痪。 实力最强的先锋队已经走出三百多米，等到匆忙赶回，中军已经开始溃败。中军便是人尽皆知的不中用的选锋队。 太田市之进骑着马一次次冲进自己的队伍，拔出长刀大喊：“不许逃！逃跑者斩立决！”然而阵脚已乱，再无法挽救。 未几，马上的福原越后被枪弹打穿了下巴。 最后，福原被迫下令全面撤退。可是太田仍旧反对，在乱军之中集合了少数人马，想要发起进攻，不料被杀过来的新选组、彦根、会津等兵马所阻，最终落得个四分五裂的下场。 这场战斗的枪炮声遥遥传到了皇宫。一桥庆喜急忙进宫。他今日装束威严，紫色甲胄上披一件白罗纱，外罩黑色葵纹阵羽织，腰间佩戴一把黄金长刀，刀鞘上套着熊皮套，头戴立式乌帽子，帽子外面扎一条紫光斜纹缠头巾，下穿短袴，下摆挽起，来到天皇近前。 公卿们都已经六神无主。天皇颁下了诏书：“速速诛伐之。”与长州的战斗，从这一刻起真正吹响了号角。 但幕府错判了敌情。就在他们把主力部队派往伏见时，天龙寺的长州军已经在月光下大摇大摆地进入京都。而且幕府军丝毫没有察觉，直到长州人来到他们的眼皮子底下。 这一支长州军的主将乃是国司信浓，实际的总指挥自是来岛又兵卫，而主力为藩内与奇兵队齐名的强大的游击军，内含众多抱着必死之心的浪人志士。 国司信浓年仅二十五岁，头戴折式乌帽子，身着大和锦衬祅，外面是先祖传下来的葱绿色缀绳的铠甲，外罩一件背上画着腾龙踩云图案的无袖白罗阵羽织，一摇一晃地骑马前行。 在队伍的前列，扬着书有“尊王攘夷”、“讨萨贼会奸”字样的幡和旗帜，沐浴在月光下。 中途，在帷子辻，队伍分成了两支。一支由国司指挥，经乌丸大道前往皇宫中立壳御门。另一支由来岛又兵卫率领，兵四百，经长者町大道前往皇宫。按照计划，这一支在到达皇宫附近的护王神社以后将会再分成两队：一队由儿玉小民部率领，前往皇宫下立卖御门；另一队在来岛的指挥下前往蛤御门。 国司那一支人马走到中立壳大道时，从队伍后方传来了武士疾奔而来的脚步声，轰轰作响。 “去看看是敌是友。”国司命令。 几个斥候跑了去，很快回来汇报说：“是一桥的部队，说前来保卫皇宫。” “保卫皇宫？”年轻的国司兴奋起来，有些装模作样地说，“在前往皇宫的途中袭击他们不是大义之道。退让一旁，让他们过去。” 既然是打仗，一旦与敌遇哪有不打的道理？可是迂腐的国司却还有如此高情逸致，白白错失了战机。 在深夜的街道上，两个系着白色头巾、身穿甲胄的武士手持白刃长枪疾驰而来。向前刚走一百多米远，又有相同打扮的两个人从身边跑过。庆喜目送他们远去，心中暗想：“这应该是会津藩的斥候，好矫捷的身手。”顿时觉得十分安心。谁知那其实是长州兵，真是糊涂时势糊涂人！ 国司首先抵达了皇宫，但中立売御门已经有筑前黑田藩和一桥手下兵士把守。看到长州军涌来，他们立刻开始零零散散地开枪射击。 国司信浓用力挥舞着黄金令旗，道：“确认敌人已经开枪。虽说是皇宫御门，也已无须顾忌。射击！”激烈的枪战开始了。国司向身边的大刀队吼道：“给我冲！杀得他们一个不剩！”此令一下，大刀队一齐大喊，冲了上去，队伍里多是曾经出没于京洛的勤王志士。 双方厮杀到了一起。 一桥兵首先抵挡不住，开始向一条大道方向撤退。筑前兵则基本没有与长州军交战，而是四散到了暗处。 “把门打开！” 士兵们聚在一起翻越城墙，在里面抽下门闩，长州军如潮水般涌入。然后分成两路，长驱直进，从中立壳御门南面的乌丸府后门闯入，打开日野府的正门，来到唐门前。 唐门由幕府方面实力最强的会津藩兵把守。门内众多枪筒和白刃在月光下闪闪发光，篝火在燃烧，灯笼簇拥在一起。 看到灯笼上的家徽，长州兵无不怒发冲冠，会津藩正是长州最大的仇敌。长州人恨不得“啖其肉饮其血”。尤其长州这次大举进京的导火索，就是会津藩属下的新选组制造的池田屋惨变。长州人要复仇！ 长州与会津之间的冲突最初是池田屋事件，然后便是蛤御门之变，而第三次是长州军成为官兵，攻陷会津若松城的时候。在攻打若松城时，尽管藩主松平容保正在遭受禁闭的处罚，长州还是坚决主张将其歼灭。最后终于发动进攻，攻陷了城池，随即发生了白虎队的悲剧。长州人对会津人可谓仇深似海。会津人对长州人也是恨之入骨，在若松城之战时，成为俘虏的长州斥侯被他们从头上砸进五寸铁钉折磨致死。仇恨日积月累，会把人变为野兽。 维新时，会津军被长州强行扣上了“贼军”的帽子，明治、大正时都感到脸上无光。到了昭和三年，皇弟秩父宫雍仁亲王将容保的孙女松平势津子迎娶为王妃。当时，会津若松市举行了盛大的游行，老人们欣喜若狂，都说，“这下维新以来的恩仇可以化解了”。仅仅因为这点事情就欣喜若狂，可见会津人的感情扭曲到了何种程度。这一切的根源都在幕末。 “是会津！”国司信浓大怒，下令发起进攻。两军在唐门前发生了激烈冲突。 时下拥有天下最强藩兵的首先数萨摩和会津，次为土佐、长州，号称四大强藩。 长州一方略占优势。他们凭借马关的经验已经适应了战斗。他们机智地利用附近的地形，尤其是将日野府的院墙当作掩护，藏身此处展开射击，同时大刀队和长枪队抓住会津兵畏缩之隙不断发动攻击。 会津兵接连倒下，血溅黄沙。刚刚躲过飞弹，又被大刀队斩杀，除了放弃守备撤退外，他们别无出路。 危急之时，正在巡视的幕府军统帅一桥庆喜率领着四百人马赶了过来。庆喜酷爱司兵马，既然人说是家康再世，就绝非平庸之辈。他见会津兵已显露败势，不由得怒斥：“怎么回事？此门离禁宫不远了！”他用力挥舞令旗，令手下兵马往前冲。然而虽然大将意气风发，他手下的家臣们却是出了名的文弱，无不畏缩不敢向前。 对面的国司信浓则将这情形看得一清二楚。他策马来到本军手枪队前，急令道：“骑马那个便是一把他给我打下来！” 混战中，长州军也已乱作一团。只有两三个士兵听见国司的话，连忙装上弹药，准备向庆喜射击。此时，由于庆喜的到来而大受鼓舞的会津长枪队不顾一切地冲杀过来，庆喜手下遂顺势也加入其中，双方顿时展开激烈的白刃战。 长州兵开枪了，但无法瞒准，只一发子弹擦过庆喜的大腿，打伤了他胯下的坐骑。庆喜十分巧妙地扯住缰绳，没让马儿受惊跃起，而是更加勇猛地继续指挥。 就耷此时，从蛤御门方向传来了呐喊声、剑戟之声和炮声。国司队伍和又兵卫所率二百兵马，一齐涌进了蛤御门。紧接着，下立売御门也传来隆隆炮声和枪击之声，这是儿玉小民部指挥的二百兵马突破了御门。 又兵卫抢起大锤将蛤御门砸了个粉碎，然后一马当先舞着长枪闯进门去。 门内，会津兵已经布好战阵，藩将是林权助。 枪炮齐鸣，硝烟中，又兵卫如恶鬼般与对手拼杀起来。 在蛤御门之变中立下最大战功的萨摩藩，原本的部署并不是这里。他们接到的命令，是一部分人留守御门，主力则向西行军，遏制住嵯蛾天龙寺的长州军。他们出发时间定在拂晓。 萨摩藩府面对着锦小路。半夜时分，藩兵们在此寒合，决定了各队的部署。去往嵯蛾的人有：大将岛津备后，其参谋团有家老小松带刀、近侍西乡隆盛、兵役奉行伊地知正治等，先锋分为三队。 西乡并没有特意装备自己，只是穿了一身出门的行装。“伊地知，出发吧！”说着，魁梧的他站起身来。此时东方未白。任凭西乡多么聪敏，他也不会料到嵯蛾天龙寺已经变成了一座空寺，而长州兵正朝着皇宫进军。 藩府的大门以及外边的街道挤满了萨摩兵，灯火通明。“好像庙会。”西乡此言一出，众人顿时哄然大笑。 西乡回头看着伊地知，道：“伊地知，赶快出发，否则众人焦躁起来就不好办了。”说着，他向队伍前方走去。他没有骑马。萨摩人自战国以来便不怎么骑马，主要是徒步作战。除了大将，所有将领都是步行。 队伍终于开始走动，可是由于道路太窄，士兵们挤得杂乱无章，举步维艰。所以，西乡率领的先锋队走过了四条大道，来到乌丸大道时，队伍的尾巴却还没有走出藩府。 突然，从皇宫方向传来一阵炮声。“那是什么？”全军都停下了脚步。未几，北边枪炮之声越发猛烈了。长州人打进来了！大家顿时明白。 此时，守卫乾御门的萨摩藩士急来禀报：“长州攻向皇宫。”西乡等人立刻决定全力守护皇宫，命令三队先锋向北疾走。西乡随同第三队出发，第三队队长乃柴冈龙五郎（明治维新后出任兵部省，不久隐退）。 接近皇宫时，各个御门已经开始了混战。萨摩军中有几个人突然脱离队伍冲了上去。有人喊道：“擅自离队违反军令！”那几个人回过头笑道：“事到如今还管个屁军令！”几人中有中村半次郎（桐野利秋）、筱原冬一郎（国干）等。 长州军在各门奋力死战。攻蛤御门的来岛又兵卫及手下二百士兵最是勇猛，防御方不得不把主力放到此处。这一事件日后被称作“蛤御门之变”，便是这个缘故。又兵卫策马呐喊杀敌无数，全身染血，连乌帽子都溅湿了。 此时，攻陷了下立卖御门的儿玉小民部加入了战斗，一桥的兵士迅速败下阵来。只剩会津兵坚守战场，可是中弹而亡者众，藩将一濑传五郎、林权助挥动血枪拼死督战，士众也早已军心涣散。国司信浓的队伍赶来和来岛会合，会津方面再也无法抵御，一溃千里。负责防御的各藩兵士则四散逃窜，甚至自相残杀。