Chapter 45 6. Kobe suffers

After Sakamoto Ryoma bid farewell to Nakamura Hanjiro at the Satsuma Domain in Osaka, he went to Kobe without stopping. Finally, he saw Shengtian forest, saw a valley soaked in the sunset glow, and the green of Zaishan and Paifangshan came into his eyes.Ryoma, who usually doesn't like to be sentimental, unexpectedly had an inexplicable thought in his heart at this time.We're leaving this beach.Thinking of it this way, there was a strange sense of anxiety and soreness spreading from his chest.If you are a poet, you should write a poem at this time.He tried to laugh at his own sentimentality, only to make it stronger.

Two important stages of Ryoma's life, one is spent in the Chiba Martial Art Museum in Edo, and the other is the years spent in this fishing village. Kobe was originally just a desolate fishing village, but Katsu Kaishu believed: "This little-known seaside will become Japan's leading port in the future." So he opened the Kobe Naval Drilling Station here. Katsuki set up his official residence in the Ikuta forest, and entrusted the village head Shiro Ikushima, who is in charge of the area, to take care of the house.Shengdao did a lot of things for Sheng Sheng, and even helped him buy land.Sheng also persuaded Shengdao to buy land: "Don't think that the land is worthless now. Ten years later, it will become an open port and a lively overseas trade market. You will definitely not lose money if you buy it now." Sheng knows that the price of land will fluctuate Fluctuation, this view was very rare at that time.Although Ikushima was dubious, he still bought a lot of land, and finally made a big profit.

Sheng is smart and quick-witted. At the beginning of the establishment of the Kobe Warship Drilling Station, he predicted that "the court will be closed in a few years." He also said: "This will become the birthplace of the Japanese Navy. Let's set up a big stone tablet." He made preparations early on, and the tablet was engraved: "Carved on a stone, so that it will last forever." At first, the stele was placed in the school where Ryoma and others studied, but it was moved to another place, and it is now placed in Keban Park overlooking Kobe Port.For Ryoma, this is a monument to youth.

On the night of Ryoma's return to Kobe, he ordered all the students to gather. The students in the school were sitting upright, which happened to fill the thirty-fold lecture hall to the brim.The atmosphere in the room was tense.Everyone has heard the rumors of disbandment.Just after the assembly, someone asked: "Mr. Sakamoto, when will the order to disband be issued?" "I don't know when the shogunate order was issued, and whether that kind of thing is the same." "Has the school closure been settled?" "yes." Ryoma would get a little impatient when he encountered such a question that he asked knowingly.In his view, the key is how to realize the ideal in the future.At the beginning of the establishment of the school, he made a great ambition to take Kobe as a foothold in the future and spread his wings to Korea, Qing Dynasty, Nanyang, and even every corner of the world.This concept must not be abandoned halfway because of the turmoil of the shogunate.

"What should I do next?" "Next, we will use our own strength to build a big ship and build a company!" "It takes a lot of money to build a ship." "I'm very sure about this. As long as you want to do it, there is nothing impossible in the world." Most of the students didn't believe Ryoma, thinking that he was talking big, but Ryoma didn't want to force so many people who didn't want to do it to follow him. "Most of you are samurai from various feudal clans, and you should return to your respective feudal clans. The rest of the wandering lords, as long as you leave the school, you may be killed by the shogunate assassins at any time. In this world, one must embrace ideals and face up to difficulties. If you agree with me, you can stay with me."

"I'll stay!" Mutsu Yonosuke, a vagrant from Kishu, shouted and stood up. This young man who was usually indifferent to others was somehow moved at this moment. "I'll stay. I've already given this life to Mr. Sakamoto." Blood welled up on his pale face. Ryoma didn't try to persuade him any more.After all, the future fleet holds a sharp sword and will one day become a fallen navy.Only those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the common people in the world can join in. Prior to this, Ryoma asked Neidai Fujibei to stay in Osaka to take care of Katsu's diet and daily life.That night, Fujibei returned to Kobe and reported to Ryoma overnight: "Mr. Katsu will return to Edo by boat tomorrow."

Ryoma jumped up and ran straight to the stable without saying a word.After returning from Kyoto, he hardly had a good night's sleep, but no matter what, he had to see him off. The dragon horse whipped the horse, and galloped east along the main road for more than 30 miles in one breath. When they arrived at the outpost of the West Palace, the sentry felt suspicious, so a few scattered people came out, asked "Who is here?", and pointed their spears .Long Ma glared at them with displeasure, reined in the horse, and said "I'm not from Changzhou".Seeing the sentinels trembling with fright, he rode his horse and galloped past them.

The shogunate has issued a military order to crusade against Changzhou, set up a duty post in Nishinomiya, and set up strict security.For Ryoma, who sympathizes with Changzhou, there is nothing more unpleasant than this outpost. It is forty miles from Nishinomiya to Osaka.Galloping all the way, until dawn, Ryoma finally arrived at the mansion of Kazuo Okubo in Tanimachi.Sheng is in Okubo Prefecture.In order to avoid people's eyes and ears, he declined all meetings and quietly waited for the boat back to Edo. Sheng heard that the dragon horse was coming, and immediately greeted him out of the gate.The two stood and said goodbye.

"I really want to invite you in, but I'm wearing a crime and you're a traitor." Sheng smiled, "And this is the residence of the shogunate, so I can't invite you in to have a good talk." The autumn morning is cold, and the breath becomes foggy. Ryoma said very respectfully, which is rare: "The disciple is very frightened. With your help, I have reached an agreement with Satsuma. All the ronin will temporarily stay in the Satsuma mansion." "Great!" Sheng nodded in praise. "I'm going to move the base to Nagasaki when I have an idea in the future."

"Very good. I also want to support you, but if I get entangled with the rebels again, I'm afraid I will have to commit seppuku." Ryoma couldn't help but smiled wryly. Sheng turned his head slightly, "Although I have trained you to be a captain who can be independent, you don't need to be grateful to me. Maybe one day I will lead the shogunate fleet to fight you at sea. At that time, you have to command the battle with all your strength." , don't have any scruples." Longma didn't speak, and tears were pouring down in a moment.May I ask who has been fortunate enough to be taught by such a benefactor since ancient times?

Farewell to Sheng, Ryoma immediately returned to Kobe and began to disband the school.With his personality, he couldn't do those trivial things, so he entrusted Mutsu Yonosuke with all internal affairs, and Kanno Kakuhei to handle the sea affairs related to the sightseeing ship. He first asked Mutsu: "How much money is left in the treasury?" Mutsu said there were about five hundred taels left. "Distribute all the money to everyone." Ryoma ordered. Mutsu disagreed: "Although the school has been disbanded, we still have to do a lot of work in the future. We need this money." "Stupid!" Ryoma glanced at Mutsu sharply, "Most of the students will return home. Only one tenth of them will stay with me. If people say that the money is taken by this tenth of them, How is it?" "But……" "Don't talk nonsense, go and give them money. It is true that money is needed to start a company, but there is something more important than money, and that is reputation. If you want to achieve a great career in the world, there is nothing more important than reputation That's it. Money, as long as you have a good reputation, will naturally come in a steady stream." "Ok." "The company is such a miraculous thing. How can you rule the world if you lose your mind just because of five hundred taels?" "Of order." Mutsu became cheerful. "As soon as those who stay have packed their luggage, let them move to the Satsuma Domain in Osaka. If you keep wandering around here, people from the shogunate will definitely come and search." "clear!" "I'll leave it to you to raise funds from now on," Long Ma said. Mutsu was startled and speechless. Then, Ryoma called Taro Takamatsu, a vagrant from Tuzhou, and Junma Baifeng, a rogue from Echigo, and said, "Although you two are not smart enough, you have one advantage, that is, you are tight-lipped, so please go and help me with one." Something. You go to Osaka Castle Dai’s Mansion and ask the steward to bring me a message to Jodai, telling him that I will return the Sightseeing Ship at the Hyogo Beach the day after tomorrow, and ask them to send someone to sail back. Remember not to say unnecessary nonsense.” "Yes!" The two were displeased.It was their only strength that Ryoma didn't talk much just now, which made them a little embarrassed. "Go!" Ryoma urged. The next day, dozens of students dispatched from various feudal clans had packed up their luggage and were ready to return to their feudal clans.Ryoma gathered them together and said goodbye to them: "One day Japan will be unified. At that time, we will sail around the world together on ships. Sakamoto Ryoma is looking forward to that day." After saying goodbye, he kept sending them to the door. Most of the students left.The cold wind blows through the huge room, icy cold.All that remains is to return the warship. The Tourist Ship, which is about to be returned to the shogunate, is moored at the seaside of Hyogo at the moment. "Be sure to clean up the inside of the ship thoroughly." Ryoma ordered Kanno Kakuhei. The aftermath will be dealt with by Ryoma and the 20 or so people left behind.They were all ronin who left the domain, and twelve of them were from Tosa.At the beginning of the establishment of the Kobe Academy, Ryoma asked Matsudaira Harutake of the Echizen Fukui Clan to contribute 5,000 taels, so the Echizen Clan also had a large number of six people.These Echizen people are nominally out of the feudal clan, but in fact, they have obtained the acquiescence of the feudal government and can let go.Echizen Fukui clan, as the investor, intends to let the clansman participate in it as a ronin before the company that Ryoma said can earn profit dividends. In addition, there are two Echizen ronin, one Mito ronin, and Mutsu Yonosuke is Kishu ronin, totaling more than twenty.After the Meiji Restoration, Mutsu Munemitsu (Yanosuke) and several others obtained titles. The next day, after cleaning the warship, snowflakes suddenly fell in the sky.Ryoma boarded the warship, inspected the deck, cabin, and operating room, and finally called everyone to the rear deck, saying: "You all set off for Osaka immediately, and head to the Satsuma Domain at Tosabori 2-chome. Tomorrow's handover, I will Do it alone." Everyone couldn't help being surprised.The sightseeing ship was received by the Shogunate Navy Shundong on the Tempozan beach in Osaka. According to rumors, the shogunate's arresters would also come on this ship. "There are too many people, but it's not easy to handle," Long Ma said, "I can do it alone, and it's easy to get away alone." Mutsu Yonosuke was surprised.In the end, he and all the students were driven off the ship by Ryoma as a burden, and headed for Osaka. That night, Ryoma was left alone on the warship.Holding the precious sword Mutsu Shoujixing, he slept in the captain's room all night.There are neither watermen nor firemen on board. At night, when it started snowing, Ryoma felt extremely lonely. His older sister Otome, Ms. Tazuru, and Sanako from Edo kept appearing in front of his eyes. He didn't know that in the evening, Aaron came to the Kobe Academy alone, wearing a snow-covered bamboo hat and holding a bamboo stick.is it here?She raised her head and looked at the student dormitory with the closed door in doubt. The sun is rising in the east, and the sea is gradually brightening. The shogunate warship Shundong has arrived. "Here we come." Ryoma sat on the bed and saw the Shundong from the cabin. Although the Shundong has been cast down, the boiler has not been extinguished, and black smoke is still billowing from the bow. They're still on guard, Ryoma thought.Probably in order to be able to lift the anchor at any time, it has been unwilling to turn off the fire.It seems that rumors are really scary stuff.Ryoma thought it was a little funny.The shogunate office in Osaka originally believed that the Kobe Academy had become a lair of radicals, but with this disbandment, another rumor spread: "Tuzhou ronin will seize the sightseeing ship and flee to Changzhou." On the deck of the Shundong, the captain, Hamagoro Hita, wore a helmet, was dressed in formal attire, and held a large iron sword in his hand, observing the situation on the sightseeing ship. Strange, Fei Tian thought, the sightseeing ship was like a ghost, there was no one there, and it was silent. Fei Tian was originally the warehouse manager and the current captain. "There must be ambushes on board." He judged.Just in case, he ordered all soldiers below non-commissioned officers to bring rifles.He lined up the rifle squad on deck, ordered the two guns to be loaded, and finally calmly ordered the boat to be lowered.The two small boats landed quickly on the choppy sea.There were fifteen riflemen on each of the boats, and a flag with a sunflower pattern was also raised. "Go." Feitian gave orders calmly on the side of the boat.The two boats began to break through the waves.The soldiers wore short sleeves and twenty-eight short rifles gleamed in the morning sun. Ryoma on the Sightseeing ship habitually puts his left hand in his bosom, and holds a lighted wooden stick in his right hand, appearing leisurely on the deck.He strolled to the vicinity of the cannon on the ship, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at the Shundong and the two small boats, with an expression on his face that seemed to say: It's finally here.He lit the cannon with a burning stick.There was only a loud bang, and the cannon was fired.The ship shook for a while, and a puff of white smoke rose from the muzzle. There was chaos on the Shundong and the boat. "This is an empty cannon, as a courtesy." Ryoma said nonchalantly.He was about to return to the captain's cabin when a few bullets flew overhead. Soon, the people on the small boat stopped shooting and stared at the Sightseeing.Before he knew it, the boat had been floating in the waves for half an hour. "It's not an option to go on like this." A young non-commissioned officer named Mori Yozaemon was in command of the boat.In a hurry, he ordered the boat to be rowed to the side of the sightseeing ship. "Listen, I will go up alone first. I will give you a signal on the deck, and board the ship immediately after my signal." Sen grabbed the rope ladder and swished up.He went on deck and saw no one. Sen issued a signal, and a dozen people climbed up in response. "There are rumors," Mori said with a pale face, "Master Sheng hid many Changzhou people in the Kobe Academy, and those people are likely to be hidden in the bilge." The soldiers trembled in fright.Now as long as people from Changzhou are mentioned, all the shogunate officials turn pale and grit their teeth with hatred. After a while, soldiers from another small boat also boarded the deck, and they loaded their rifles with bullets. Sen let everyone hide in the shadows, and ordered: "Try shooting twice, maybe they will jump out." The three soldiers raised their guns to the sky and pulled the trigger. The loud sound echoed in the mountains on the seashore. A group of people held their breaths on the deck, ready to fight at any time.After a while, the cabin door opened, and a tall, ronin-like man walked out staggeringly with his left hand in his bosom.He was wearing a pair of straw sandals, the hakama was wrinkled, and a pair of long and short knives were casually inserted in his waist. "What do you mean by firing the gun just now?" the man said as he walked towards the crowd. "Is it in return for my cannon salute just now?" "Don't get close!" Sen said, directing the rifle team to prepare to shoot. "Who are you?" "I am Ryoma Sakamoto." He sat down abruptly as he spoke. "Don't be so nervous. Recently people like to draw their swords and shoot at every turn. I'm the only one on this boat. And the anchor has dropped, the boiler has been turned off, and there is no live ammunition in the cannon. Is it necessary to use a knife or a gun?" Ryoma said The voice gradually became louder. "There must be a limit to fear of death!" He shouted loudly, "Running to receive the general's warship, but firing guns inside the ship, according to the law, seppuku is required! This is seppuku. Do you understand?" "Understood," Sen quickly put away his sword and ordered his subordinates to put away their guns. "It's good to know. I'm going to Osaka, you guys give me a ride." Ryoma quickly got off the deck and returned to the captain's room. Aaron who came to Kobe did not find Ryoma. "Where is he now?" Aaron was so frustrated that he lost his strength to speak. "He said he was sleeping on the boat tonight." The old waterman with a salty accent pointed to the sightseeing ship moored by the sea. "Can you get me a boat?" "This is not allowed. According to the customs of our Yanbao Island, it is most taboo for women to board the boat." The old waterman was very stubborn. "Hey, miss, it's really pitiful that you came all the way to find this place. It's getting dark, and there is no inn in this village. Let me take you to find the village chief Ikushima. He is a good friend of Mr. Sakamoto." The enthusiastic old water husband took Aaron to the village chief's house in the forest of Shengtian. Doctor Ikushima Shiro was shocked by Aaron's beauty. "Ah, you belong to Mr. Sakamoto..." Halfway through the sentence, Ryoma couldn't speak anymore. When did Ryoma, who was sullen all day long, get the heart of such a beauty? "Please come in. Fortunately, when Mr. Sheng was here, some additional rooms were built, and I used them to entertain guests. You can rest here, and you can stay for a few days if you want." Sheng Dao immediately led the way and chose a maid to take care of Aaron. That night, another person also came to Ikushima's house.This person also went to the school to look for Ryoma first, and when he learned that Ryoma was at the beach and was desperate, it was the old waterman from before who brought him to Ikushima's house. This person arrived only half an hour later than Aaron.He was a young warrior with forehead hair, about seventeen or eighteen years old, and short in stature.The hair is black and shiny, as if it has just been soaked in water.Her skin was as white as snow, and against the backdrop of this snowy skin, even the light blue color of her hairline skin stood out slightly.She has delicate features and delicate eyes, and her lips are as white as shellfish, exuding a gentleness that is rarely seen in men. Such a beautiful boy is really rare in the world!Dr. Shiro Ikushima was greatly surprised again.The boy was wearing a Satsuma kimono with broken white dots, a black crepe coat, and a new hakama underneath. "My humble Fukuoka Kosaburo." He introduced himself. The Ikushima home is a very nice house.A small main entrance, three rooms, and various camellias are planted in the small courtyard. "If it's daytime, the camellias in the yard will be beautiful." The young maid said to Aaron. "Has Mr. Sakamoto ever lived in this room?" "Yeah, after getting drunk," said the maid, "Sakamoto-san likes snow very much..." She seemed to remember something and laughed. "Are you called Axue?" Aaron's beautiful eyes lit up immediately. "No." The maid was frightened by Aaron's aggressive appearance, "My name is Xing." "Is there a girl named Axue here?" "No. Axue refers to the snow that falls from the sky. Mr. Sakamoto said that this yard full of camellia trees will be beautiful when it snows. He and Mr. Sheng drank a lot of wine that day. Mr. Sheng is not a drinker. people, so I don’t come here often.” The maid of the Ikushima family remembered many things about Ryoma, and said two or three of his eccentricities, as if she thought it was very funny, and said with a smile: "There is no one better than him." Aaron didn't smile.She has this kind of personality, and she doesn't feel the strangeness of Ryoma. "He's not that good." Aaron was really angry when he said this.At Fushimi pier, she repeatedly told Ryoma to wait for her, but he boarded the boat and ran away while she was packing. "He's a good man." The maid smiled slightly.Aaron looked at her carefully, and found that the maid had a fair complexion, a thin chin, and a cute face that everyone loved. "Axue." Aaron said. "You're wrong, my name is Xing." "Ah, yes, you did. I want to ask you, do you like Mr. Sakamoto?" "Yes. But in our family, everyone likes Mr. Sakamoto. Our young lady likes him very much." "How is Miss now?" "Already married." "Who did you marry?" "Mr. Sakamoto..." "what?" "I lied to you, I lied to you. I married into a big liquor store in the West Palace." This maid looks honest, but she likes to play tricks on people.Aaron pouted his mouth in anger. At this time, I only heard a cry from outside the door: "Can I come in?" It was the master, Dr. Ishima Shiro, who came. He came to tell Aaron that the young samurai Kosaburo Fukuoka would stay here overnight. "Kisaburo Fukuoka?" "Yes. He said he was Mr. Sakamoto's comrade and relative." Needless to say, Axing also takes care of the daily life of Kosaburo Fukuoka.She withdrew from Aaron's room and came to Kosaburo Fukuoka's room. "Little Ah Xing. If you need anything, please ask." She raised her head and couldn't help being stunned: this young warrior is so beautiful, he looks like a woman. The young samurai also bowed his head and said annoyance, his voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, but it was very pleasant. "I'll go and bring you some tea right now," Ah Xing said.The young samurai smiled and shook his head.Seeing his smile, Ah Xing suddenly fell in love with him.Ah Xing laid out the bedding for him, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, he left the room and came to the corridor.Walking to the corner of the corridor, she found Aaron standing there. "Ah Xing, is that person a woman?" Aaron asked in a low voice. "I think it's a man." "You come to my room." Aaron forcefully dragged Axing into the room, "I saw that person when he walked through the corridor. I met her once, it should be Miss Tian He from Fushan's family. She She is the old daughter of the Tosa clan, and since the wife of Mrs. Sanjo, the Minister of Kyoto, is from the Tosa Yamauchi family, she serves along with her..." "Well, let me get you some water." Ash laughed.Aaron was completely panicked. "But Ah Xing, why did Miss Tianzuru from the Fu Tong family come here dressed as a samurai?" "I don't know." Xing began to feel a little interesting, "it must be Mr. Fukuoka, no, it is Miss Tianzuru who you said admired Mr. Sakamoto so much that she chased all the way here. It is too dangerous for a woman to travel alone, so she wears men's clothes .” "That's not okay." "why?" "Because I've been with Mr. Sakamoto..." Aaron's face was already red up to the ears.Maybe she wanted to say sternly that Ryoma belonged to her alone, and Ms. Tian He was not allowed to rob her. Seeing Aaron's expression, Axing thought to himself that he wanted to support Ms. Tian He. Although Aaron is a good girl, as judged by the landlady of Teradaya, she is not very attractive to women. "Then, I'll report to Mr. Saburo Fukuoka that you're going to visit him now." Ah Xing wanted to scare Aaron, but Aaron was not intimidated and said calmly: " OK. Please." What a stubborn girl, Ah Xing thought.But the words have been spoken, and there is no way out.She walked out of Aaron's room, stepping harder on purpose, and walked all the way through the corridor.The sound of footsteps is Axing's care for the young samurai Fukuoka Kosaburo.If the young samurai was a woman, and she was doing womanly movements in the house at the moment, the footsteps were a warning that she was in trouble. "Excuse me, can I come in? I'm Xing." Xing opened the lattice door, and Saburo Fukuoka sat in the room. "That's right, there is a female relative living in the opposite room, who also came to see Mr. Sakamoto. The female relative wants to see you." "See me?" Xiao Saburo tilted his head with a surprised expression and pointed to himself.Even in the eyes of the female Ayuki, this action is very cute. "But I don't know her." "No, that one said that he had met you once." "Dare to ask the other party's name?" "It's Miss Aaron from Teradaya." "Miss Aaron." Kosaburo muttered, his face changed a little, but he smiled immediately: "I remembered that I saw her at the gate of the Jingdu restaurant Meibaoye Pavilion. At that time, Mr. Sakamoto, who was with me, said to her I said that she is the orphan of the well-known King of Kings, Masaku Sakuzaki, and is now homeless due to a fire at home. It should be her." "Well, I don't know if it's her." Ah Xing didn't know about Aaron's background, "Can I bring her in?" "Yes." Xiao Saburo readily agreed.Just when Ah Xing was about to walk out of the room, he suddenly called out: "Wait." A Xing looked back, he didn't speak, but smiled meaningfully in a calm manner, and after a long time said: "A Xing, you must have already noticed that I am actually a woman." "W-Where?" Ah Xing panicked. "Don't cover it up for me. I'm a woman. My name is Tian He." Seeing that Miss Tian He took the initiative to tell the truth, Ah Xing's chest jumped wildly, sweating, and somehow returned to Aaron's room. "Please go over." Axing said hoarsely, she didn't know why she became like this, "You are right, she said she is Tian He." "Why did she disguise herself as a man?" "It's up to you to ask yourself." Under the guidance of A Xing, Aaron came to Miss Tianhe's room.After taking her seat, she crossed her hands on her knees and did not bow her head to salute.Ah Xing gave her name at the side, and she just listened nonchalantly.Ah Xing suddenly became angry. In fact, Aaron didn't have any malicious intentions, he just wanted Axing to report his name on his behalf. "Miss Aaron, long time no see." Miss Tian He said. "Yes." After finishing speaking, Aaron kept staring at Miss Tianhe, his eyes full of hostility like a little beast in the woods.After a while, she asked, "May I ask you a few questions?" "Please." "Why did Ms. Tianzuru come to see Mr. Sakamoto?" "Oh." Ms. Tian He smiled helplessly, "Well, I just want to see if he is okay." "Just to see if he's okay, why did you come all the way here?" "Yes, by the way." "By the way?" "I'm going to the far west." "Oh. Then why dress as a man?" "It's almost like asking questions at the enforcing office." Ms. Tian He couldn't help laughing, "It's more convenient to dress up when you're traveling far away." "Miss Tianzuru, do you admire Mr. Sakamoto?" "Ah?" Miss Tian He was confused, "Exactly. But what can I do?" "why would you say so?" "Miss Aaron, you don't know Tosa's situation, so even if I tell you, you won't understand." "For such a thing... If I were Miss Tian He, I would put aside all my status and status, and throw myself into the arms of the one I love regardless." "What an interesting person..." Ms. Tian He was a little troubled. "However," Aaron looked at Miss Tian He eagerly with eyes that were half jealous and half envious, "Miss Tian He looks really good dressed as a young samurai, just like the noble son in the story." "Really? I'm always worried that I'll be found out, and I've always been worried on the road. But, Ryoma used to..." She said, pulling out an old letter from her bosom.The letter was written by Ryoma, teaching her the details of dressing up as a man. "So you dressed up as a man?" Aaron looked at the letter paper suspiciously. It was indeed Ryoma's handwriting, but the ink was old. "It's been a long time since the letter," she exclaimed. Miss Tian He laughed loudly. "This is a letter from the year before last. I'm afraid Ryoma has forgotten that he wrote such a letter to me." "forgotten?" "He was originally a weirdo. This is the same as Miss Aaron." She said sharply, "Although Ryoma seems to be far-sighted, he is also reckless and reckless." "yes?" Aaron, who loves Longma from the bottom of his heart, would not notice this. "There's something informal..." "Informal?" He's not that kind of person, Aaron thought to himself. "Of course, people with lofty ideals who run around the world are more or less informal, like lighting a fire behind their buttocks. Others see it as funny and absurd." "Are you talking about Mr. Sakamoto's love for boats?" "It's not that, it's his sincerity. When he was nineteen years old, I met him on the boat. He didn't come out all day in the cabin, just stood in the sun-baked stern, Looking at the boats coming and going solemnly. He was very like a child at that time." Ms. Tian He's eyes showed the happiness immersed in memories, but she quickly covered it with a smile, and then said: "This kind of child A heart is very important for a man who does great things. Well, I'm not talking about this, but he has some inexplicable things." "For example, where?" "He wrote me such a letter, and he himself forgot all about writing it." "You are really..." Aaron became angry. "Is that all?" "Also, to do that kind of thing with a woman like you." Miss Tian He leaned forward and gave Aaron a hard look, with a melting smile on her face.She may have been waiting to say this. "Miss Tian He!" Aaron's eyes widened.Even if you are the daughter of Ryoma's head family, even if you are the daughter of a noble family, it is really rude to say such a thing. "You are insulting me, Miss Tian He!" "Why?" Miss Tian He still smiled meaningfully. "I want to hit you now. Please forgive me!" Anger made Aaron tremble all over. "I've heard. Miss Aaron went to Osaka to find the scoundrel who kidnapped your sister, beat him up, and snatched your sister back. Is there such a thing?" "I made you laugh. That's the kind of person I am. I don't know what to do when I get angry." "You play the yueqin very well, don't you?" "It's not very good, just like it." "Ryoma is indeed a womanizer." Perhaps because of wearing men's clothes, Ms. Tian He seemed to be a different person, speaking unscrupulously. "What is the connection between Yueqin and lust?" "Miss Aaron," Miss Tianhe took a deep breath, and said, "I don't understand why Longma likes you, Aaron, the girl who plays the Yueqin. Could it be..." This girl's body and smell make men like it , Ms. Tianhe thought, but she finally didn't say this. "I'm going back to my room. If I keep listening to you like this, I don't know what rough behavior I will do." After Aaron finished speaking, he exited the room and left in a hurry. Ah Xing bowed to Ms. Tian He and followed her out.She immediately felt that she should say hello to Miss Tianhe whom she liked before leaving, so she turned back and opened the lattice door.For a moment, she wished she could run away immediately.Ms. Tian He sat on the ground slumped, leaning on her back, her frail shoulders trembling, and she was crying. Ah Xing seemed to be nailed to the ground, holding his breath, his legs were weak.Ms. Tian He didn't seem to notice Ah Xing, she still kept that posture. Her shoulders are so delicate.Seeing those shoulders trembling constantly, Ah Xing finally couldn't take it anymore. "Miss Tian He." She walked to Tian He's side on her knees and held her sleeve. "Please don't look at me." Miss Tian He turned her face away. "Mr. Sakamoto..." Ah Xing said, but he didn't know where to start the following words, and his heart was very complicated. "Mr. Sakamoto is a bad person, and he made Ms. Tianzuru so sad." Tian He was a little surprised and raised his eyes slightly. "It's not like that. Ryoma may be bad, but I'm not crying because of this. I'm hating myself because I said such vicious things to Miss Aaron." "Hate yourself?" "Ashin, I'm already flustered. Please go back." "No, I'm not leaving." "Ashin." "No!" The two were at a stalemate, for some reason, Ah Xing's mood began to become strange, she hugged Miss Tian He, and burst into tears.She couldn't tell why she was crying, but she just wanted to cry. "What's wrong?" Ms. Tian He panicked, quickly put her hand on A Xing's shoulder, and gently stroked A Xing's back.Unexpectedly, Ah Xing cried even harder. Tian He was very embarrassed. "What makes you so sad?" "It's Miss Tianhe..." "I?" "Miss Tianhe, you are a good person...so, I can't control my emotions." Miss Tianhe thought of something else. "Do you like Ryoma? Oh, yes. It must be, isn't it?" "No." Ah Xing raised his head in embarrassment, his face became very serious.When Tian He said this, it seemed to be true.Perhaps it was because I also secretly liked Ryoma, so when I saw Miss Tianhe sad, as if I saw my own sadness, I started to cry. "Isn't it?" "I don't know. I do that sometimes, I cry for no reason." "I cried like that when I was your age." "Miss Tian He, what year were you born?" Tian He, dressed as a samurai, looked at most seventeen or eighteen years old.What is her real age?Ash was very curious. "I forgot." Ms. Tian He smiled, her smile was so beautiful. "Let's not talk about that for now. Are there boats on the beach?" "Let's go to the beach to see Mr. Sakamoto's warship." Ayuki said.Tian He nodded. Ah Xing walked down the veranda, prepared the straw sandals, and quietly led Miss Tian He out through the gate leading to the back door.After getting out of the gate, the sound of waves immediately rang in my ears, and the night was boundless.In this darkness, black shadows kept shaking. "What's that?" Ms. Tian He stopped on the sand. "It's the wind." "Does the wind have a shadow?" "No, it's the pine forest shaking in the wind." "Yes." Miss Tian He smiled blankly. Ah Xing held a lantern to illuminate the path for her. "Kobe Beach is really a place with few people." "That's right. Mr. Dansheng said that this small fishing village will become a town bigger than Nagasaki." "Did Master Sheng say that? That person is obsessed with the West, so I can't believe such words." Under the influence of his master, Sanjo Mimi, Tian He still has a pure and radical thought of fighting against the barbarians. "But. He is Mr. Sakamoto's teacher." "That person has a problem with his mind." Although Miss Tian He said so, she secretly laughed in the night. "But Mr. Sakamoto is the only ronin in Japan who can pilot a warship?" "What a weirdo." While saying this, Miss Tian He tripped over a pine tree root.Ah Xing quickly reached out to help her.田鹤小姐一边抓着阿幸的手，一边嘟囔着：“这种地方真的能建起城镇来吗？” "Can I ask a question?" “请问。” “田鹤小姐说要去遥远的西国，您到底要去哪里呢？” “长州。”她直言不讳地回答，又小声说了句：“就是不知道还能不能活着回来。” “长州？”阿幸恐惧地说。现在这种形势，不是去送死吗？ 长州已经发生了巨变。四国舰队已经炮轰了马关海峡沿岸所有炮台，不仅如此，幕府还把大坂城作为讨伐长州的大本营，率领三十多个藩的大名准备沿山阳道西下。长州藩内也已经发生政变，佐幕派执掌了藩政，勤王派已经没落。田鹤小姐的主人三条实美等五位攘夷派公卿虽然仍旧住在长州藩，照目前的形势来看，说不定什么时候就会被藩内的佐幕派驱逐出来。田鹤小姐扮成男装西下，正是为了三条卿。 她们穿过松林，大海在夜色中浮现。 “啊，有灯。”田鹤小姐叫了一声，海面果然浮出几点光亮。 那是观光号，龙马就在上面。它沉甸甸地停在海面上，灯光倒映水面。 “坂本先生就在那艘船上。”说着，阿幸从沙丘上走下来。 “我们就坐在这里吧。”田鹤小姐坐了下来。“不知道龙马在船上做什么呢。”阿幸歪着头，说道：“应该是在读书吧。” “我看未必，他不喜欢读书。” “可是他来到神户学堂后，只要一有时间就会读书。” “可是，他识字吗？” “太过分了。”阿幸笑了，“田鹤小姐只要一说起坂本先生，就会不由自主地把他当孩子看待呢。” “他本就是那样的人啊。”田鹤小姐大声笑起来，“只有剑术很高明，都说他是土佐的宫本武藏。要说长处就只有这一个。” “呵呵……”阿幸并没有把田鹤小姐的话当真。 “小的时候，他爱哭，不喜读书，在城里被人当成笨蛋。但自从他学了剑术，剑法突飞猛进。十八岁时在城里的日根野武馆拿到了证书，还作了一首奇怪的诗。” “诗？”阿幸吃了一惊。 “嗯，作了首诗，一首很蹩脚的诗。大意是，别人都说我是傻子，只有我知道自己的志向。” “哎呀。”阿幸扭着身子笑起来。 “那个傻子现在就在军舰上。”田鹤小姐咯咯大笑。笑毕，她盯着阿幸说： “我是不是太不像话了？” “不，阿幸特别特别喜欢……一定是……” “一定是什么？” “您一定是深深地爱着坂本先生。” “不要在奇怪的时候说些奇怪的话。”田鹤小姐用手指点了点阿幸的脸蛋，说道，“如果我再也见不到船上的那个人了，麻烦你将来把信亲手交给他，好吗？” 此时的龙马的确正在海上。他做梦也想不到田鹤小姐和阿龙都到了神户村，只是他已经不会再回神户村的学堂了。 正午时分，船经过了大物浦，到达大坂天保山湾时，日头仍然高悬空中。一旦尝过了乘坐西洋船的滋味，就不愿再在陆上赶路了。 “太感谢了。”龙马挨个儿抓着幕府海军的士官，热情地跟他们道别。小艇已经放到水上，龙马仍旧不肯离开甲板，挨个儿拍着士官的肩膀。 幕府海军很是困惑。他们一开始认为这个身材伟岸的浪人来历不明，害怕地防备着他，结果不多久便觉得他只是个怪人。可是渐渐熟悉之后，他们又断定此人只不过是个对船极度痴迷的乡下人。在这些筑地军舰练习所出身的海军士官眼中，龙马竟如此粗俗不堪。首先，这个浪人不懂荷兰语，这可是作为一名海军所应具备的最起码教养。如果这人是学堂负责人，胜的学堂看来也不怎么样。 龙马坐上了小艇。小艇离开的那一刻，他伸手砰砰地拍了拍观光号船腹，笑道：“哈哈哈，别过了别过了。”他大喊着，泪如泉涌，看上去十分可笑。甲板上的幕府海军士官们都不由得笑了。 “坂本，你好像在和村里的姑娘告别啊。”甲板上的一个士官嘲笑他说。 “姑娘……”龙马似乎对这个词颇为中意。他用一种滑稽的姿势沉思了一会儿，将小艇划到船尾螺旋桨附近，打好方向舵，说道：“这个荷兰出身的姑娘屁股后面可没什么礼貌，要是全速前进就会一个劲儿地往右晃。”这是龙马一路照看过来的观光号的老毛病。 “注意舵！”他一边说着，一边用力划着小艇围着船转了一圈。“涂料也开始脱落了。神户学堂没什么钱，你们有钱，请重新刷漆以后再用。涂料脱落，船的寿命会缩短。” 甲板上的年轻士官轻薄地笑作一团。“坂本，这可是将军家的军舰，不用你说我们也会用心照料。” “很好，你们要是不好好照料……现在暂时交给你们保管。” “保管？” “等世道变成朝廷的天下，我会来重新接管。”