Chapter 52 13. Secret Alliance

Eyeliners all over the shogunate have detected the news of Ryoma's entry into Beijing. Headed by Lieutenant General Matsudaira Yohoho, the guardian of Aizu in Kyoto, the governor of the Kyoto office, the Kyoto prefectural office, the Fushimi prefectural office, the Shinsengumi, and the Mihuigumi, etc., came from Kyoto, Osaka, and Bing. Kubu cast a net of heaven and earth, just waiting for the dragon and horse to cast. It is impossible to know exactly how the news was leaked. In short, although the shogunate does not know that the purpose of Ryoma's sneaking into Kyoto is for the Saga Alliance, Sakamoto Ryoma, who has found out about Tuzhou, will lead the people of Changzhou to Beijing, and will do something earth-shattering big event.Ryoma is described as a burly man with a rough face and a stern look, and the lowest-level catchers also keep it in mind.As for Ryoma's whereabouts, the shogunate made the following speculations: Because he was a good ship, he should have traveled by sea to Kinai, and it is estimated that he would disembark from Hyogo.So he ordered Sanfan, who was in charge of the security of Hyogo, to conduct a strict search and arrest.The shogunate further speculated that this Tuzhou native would enter Fushimi on a Yodogawa riverboat from the Tenman Hachiken family area, and then sent the Shinsengumi to the Hachigen family.

However, Ryoma left Nagasaki, traveled by land to Kitakyushu, crossed the Shimonoseki Strait, entered Shimonoseki, and then went to Mitajiri without stopping. In Shiraishi Betsuin in Mitajiri, Shinsaku Takasugi, Wenta Inoue, Shunsuke Ito and others have been waiting for a long time. Takasugi told Ryoma one thing: "Katsura Kogoro led your fan Ikeneizota, Tanaka Kensuke, and my fan Shinagawa Yajiro, and several others, set sail from Shimonoseki the day before yesterday, that is, the 25th, and rushed to Kyoto. " The Changzhou secret mission was led by Katsura Kogoro, and Ryoma personally arranged for Kōta Ikeuchi of the Kameyama Trading Company who accompanied the mission.Nei Zang Tai had a premonition that this trip to Kyoto would be the last chapter of his dramatic life. In order to be able to fight desperately and die without regret in an emergency, he wrapped a rifle in a big baggage and carried it with him. hit the road.

"What is Sakamoto-kun going to do?" Takasugi asked. "Leave immediately." Long Ma said.The Satsuma clan's ship had already sailed into Shimonoseki to pick up Ryoma, and had been moored in the port a few days ago. "Sakamoto-kun, according to the orders of the clan, Sanyoshi Shinzo, a samurai from the Changfu, will accompany you as your bodyguard. He is a master at wielding a spear." "Okay, I feel more at ease." "Where. Sakamoto-kun is a well-known Hokushin one-sword master under the Qianye sect. Although the guard's skill is not as good as that of the person being protected, it is unseemly, but Miyoshi Shinzo is smart and will never become your burden."

After saying these words, perhaps because he thought that Ryoma and others were going to be very dangerous, Takasugi's face was much paler than usual. Unexpectedly, the weather was not good, there was a storm that night, and the paddle wheel of the Satsuma ship moored in Maguan was damaged.Large-scale repairs of steamships can only be carried out in Nagasaki.In Nagasaki, there is an official shipyard built by the shogunate, as well as a shipyard moved from Shanghai. Ryoma carefully inspected the damaged part of the ship and said, "It looks like I have to go to Nagasaki." Ryoma had to give up the boat.Therefore, his departure date was naturally postponed, and he had to find another ship.In the meantime, Ryoma temporarily lived in the Shimonoseki branch of the Kameyama Trading Company, where the wealthy businessman Itosuke of Amitabha Temple lived.

Ryoma named the branch "Natural Hall".He neither believes in Buddhism nor respects Confucius, but only respects the two sages, Laozi and Zhuangzi.He imitated Lao Zhuang's thought that everything should go with the flow, so he took the name of Natural Hall. During Longma's stay here, a Changzhou calligrapher named Gang Sanqiao happened to come to visit. Longma asked him to write these three characters, framed them and hung them in the hall. "Oh? Nature Hall?" Gang Sanqiao kept shaking his head with an expression of admiration or bewilderment.It may be puzzling to him that a man of lofty ideals who run all over the world for the sake of being king actually believes in Lao Zhuang.

Dr. Itosuke respects Ryoma very much. Although he is the leader of Maguan Wharf, he personally serves tea for Ryoma, and even drinks with Ryoma at dinner. "Help the doctor, help me find a boat to Osaka." Ryoma would plead once every morning when he opened his eyes. "Understood, little one understands." Doctor Zhu was very worried about this, not just looking for any shipping company.Because it is a Ryoma, it must be a Satsuma ship.Only the Satsuma ship can be fearless in the face of the search of the shogunate. In a blink of an eye, it is the first month.An official ship finally arrived in Maguan Port, with the Satsuma flag fluttering in the wind on the mast.

The ship set sail from Maguan on the tenth day of the first lunar month.Ryoma, and Miyoshi Shinzo, who was ordered by the Choshu clan to accompany Ryoma, boarded the ship. Shen Zang has a beautiful appearance that only Changzhou talents have. As Takasugi said, he is a young man with a quick response.Longma stayed with him day and night on the boat and appreciated him greatly. "Sanji-kun, it's amazing how fast you can even turn over while sleeping!" The ship encountered a small storm off Banshu.From winter to early spring, even the Seto Inland Sea is not very calm.The ship broke through the waves all the way, crossed the Akashi Strait, and arrived at Hyogo Port on the 16th day of the first month of the second year of Keio.

Ryoma sneaked into Hyogo in the first month of the second year of Qingying, and the situation at this time was like a severe winter for the Qinwang faction. General Tokugawa Ieshiro has arrived at Osaka Castle.On the one hand, he used Daban City as his base camp to prepare for the second conquest of Changzhou, and on the other hand, he gradually accelerated the pace of suppressing the Changzhou faction.The various feudal clans also followed the tough policy of the shogunate, and successively killed the loyal kings in the feudal clan.Not only Ryoma's feudal kingdom Tosa, but Higo Kumamoto and Chikuzen Fukuoka feudal clans, which had produced a large number of loyal kings since Ansei, also fell into a miserable situation.As soon as the shogunate issued the order to conquer Changzhou for the second time, coups took place in Chikuzen, Fukuoka and other places.

This killing started with one person.Chikushie, a well-known scholar in Chikuzen, decided to leave the feudal domain. He left the city at night and fled to the ferry of Naka River.However, the next day, he was found drowned in the river with clothes and long and short knives tied around his neck.This incident angered Tsukigata Saizo, the leader of the Qinwang faction in the feudal clan. He made up his mind to launch a coup and began to call for comrades to gather.The conspiracy was leaked to the feudal hall for some reason, and all the comrades were immediately reduced to prisoners. Later, Kato Shishu and six others were forced to cut their seppuku.Twenty-four people including Yuexing Xizang were sentenced to beheading.The large-scale execution in Fukuoka City lasted for three full days, and there was no more noble person who worked hard in the feudal clan with an annual salary of 520,000 shi.

Times can be described as dark.The only remaining hope is pinned on Choshu, who is currently the enemy, and Satsuma, who has been keeping aloof and neutral.However, if the two vassals are still confronting each other in isolation and do not communicate with each other, everything will be out of the question.Therefore, it can be said that Ryoma, who is trying his best to promote the alliance between the two feudal clans, shoulders the hope of returning to heaven alone. After sneaking into Hyogo, Ryoma disembarked, changed to a stage horse, and set foot on the beach.Sanji Shenzang looked at the situation on the shore from a distance, and said, "Mr. Sakamoto, you can't go ashore."

In the pine forest and in every corner of the street, outposts were set up to check pedestrians, and countless warriors were patrolling. "It seems to be from the Bungoka domain." Miyoshi Shinzo looked at the family crests of those people and said.The head of the Bungoka clan was the Nakagawa family with a salary of 74,440 koku.Oka Fan used to be the famous King Qin's Fan before Bunjiu three years ago, and now he also devotes himself to supporting the curtain. "Let's go to Osaka by boat. I'll ride a horse and look in the harbor to see if there is a convenient boat to Osaka." "It's storming right now." "It doesn't matter, as long as you give enough money, you should be able to sail. Mr. Sakamoto, please wait a moment in this reed." After finishing speaking, Sanyoshi Shinzo flew away. This man is indeed capable.After a while, he turned around and said that he had found the boat, and helped Ryoma onto the horse.Sanji took out all the fifty taels he was carrying and rented a boat. The two got off the big boat at Tianbaoshan Bay in Osaka, then rented a small boat, sailed along the river, and entered the market.When passing through the sentry post of Anzhichuan, he was stopped by the sentry. "Stop!" shouted the sentinel. Ryoma sat in the boat, eating a bento, and calmly gave his alias. "Umetaro Saidani in Lower Sasha." The sentry finally respectfully let them pass. "This is the aura of a samurai." Sanji Shenzang whispered after passing the checkpoint.A true warrior is one who is not angry but subdues others without fighting.But Ryoma didn't mean it. Hearing Shenzang's emotion, he was confused and continued to eat. Soon, the boat sailed into the Tosabori River, and when they arrived at the back gate of the Nichome Satsuma Domain, the two abandoned the boat and went ashore.The Satsuma Mansion has already received the order from Xixiang from Kyoto, and has been waiting for Ryoma for a long time. "It's very fortunate that you arrived safely." Sennai Kiba, the left-behind officer of Satsuma Osaka, was very pleased.According to the legend, Xixiang and Okubo have known each other for a long time. They are older than the two, and they are respected by them on weekdays. "The general is now in Osaka Castle, and the security is unprecedentedly strict. After sunset, only wild dogs are left roaming the streets. After all, there are 30,000 shogunate officers and soldiers stationed, and the security in the city has been divided into different domains according to the area. Once found Anyone who is suspicious will be dealt with decisively. Especially in the last ten days, Sakamoto-kun, you have been the focus of their search." "Oh? I'm the point?" Ryoma smiled wryly, and it seemed that he had to write a letter to Sister Otome.The shogunate mobilized all its forces just to hunt down me, Ryoma, what a remarkable thing this is. "The shogunate probably doesn't know the purpose of my coming to Beijing." "That's right. I don't think they will go to this level. It's a shame that a Changzhou native named Taketo Chigen was caught by the Shinsengumi in Osaka. Chigen has a grudge against Takasugi, and it seems that he can't stand the torture. The state's secrets. If so, it is difficult to determine whether the shogunate is unaware of this matter." "I see." "Anyway, it's better for you, sir, to take shelter in the mansion for the past two days." "Thanks for the kindness. But I'm going out tonight." As soon as Ryoma said this, Kiba Dennei suddenly turned pale with shock. "If this is the case, wouldn't I be dereliction of duty?" He said loudly, "Where are you going? Is it Fireworks Lane?" "No, I'm going to Osaka Castle." Ryoma said calmly. Osaka Castle?It is the center of the shogunate organization, the headquarters of the shogunate army, and the lair of all enemies! "What's the matter?" "Get to know the warning net above. If you don't know this, you can't sneak into Kyoto, and you can't go on the road. I'm going to Osaka Castle Daifu." At this time, the lord of Daban City is none other than the general.Jodai was the one who ruled Osaka on behalf of the shogun, and was listed as the highest post of local officials in the shogunate along with Kyoto Soshidai.Dabancheng Dai not only governed Dabancheng, but also commanded the princes of the Western Kingdom. Generally, they were selected from the genealogical daimyos with an annual salary of 50,000 to 60,000 koku.After taking up this position, he was appointed as the deputy of the capital, and then promoted to the old middle school-this is the way to become a senior official of the shogunate recognized by the world.During this extraordinary period, the shogunate did not select candidates from among the genealogical daimyos, but temporarily made an exception and appointed Banjimoto as the Daimyo of Osaka Castle.In any case, this person is the greatest enemy of the people who fell behind the curtain, and he ordered the full search for Ryoma Sakamoto.There is no doubt about this. Is this person insane?Kiba denden thought.He even said that he would break into the enemy's lair, meet the enemy leader, and ask how the snare set up to catch him was deployed. "Do you know Osaka Joyo?" "I don't know." Long Ma said.But he did know a high-ranking official in the shogunate, that is Okubo Ichio who is currently staying in the Jodaifu temporarily. Okubo Ichio is a close friend of Ryoma's mentor Katsu Kaishu. He used to be a close minister of the general, and now he is serving as the governor of Yuezhong. He is stationed in Osaka and serves as the general's adviser. "Sakamoto-kun, you are truly courageous." "Where is it, I just act as usual." "Absolutely not. You are a key criminal that the shogunate is going all out to hunt down!" "Kiba-kun, can you prepare two sedan chairs for me? It would be even better if you could lend me a lantern with the Shimadzu family crest on it. It can be used to drive away evil spirits in the middle." "It's possible to borrow..." Kiba Rennei wanted to dissuade him, but Ryoma turned a deaf ear.Kiba had no choice but to start making arrangements. In a blink of an eye, it was evening. Ryoma got into a sedan chair in front, and Sanyoshi Shinzo sat in the rear sedan chair. Ryoma and his party walked out of the gate of the Satsuma domain in full swing, and walked away. Dennai Kiba stood in front of the door and watched them go until the lantern was out of sight. Kiba suddenly yelled.This is a habit of the Samos.When they are angry, when they encourage each other, when they are unwilling, and when they are happy, they will shout like this.Ryoma's astonishing courage not only worried Chuannei, but also made him admire him, and he couldn't help crying. Relying on the lantern with the Shimadzu family crest on it, Ryoma easily passed the castle gate, street guards, and outposts of the feudal domains, and soon crossed the Honmachi Bridge.After crossing the bridge, he came under the nose of the shogunate army.They were interrogated on the bridge, but relying on their status as envoys of Satsuma, they passed through Uchihoncho and Tarozaemoncho, and walked along the slope of Uemachi until the end, and the south of the road was Joshirofu.The sedan chair stopped in front of the door. Okubo Kazuo, the governor of Etchu, was reviewing the reports on the security situation in Osaka delivered by the town magistrate and the feudal clans, when he suddenly heard a servant say from outside the partition: "My colleagues from Sasuke Osaka left-behind officer Kiba Dennai are here to visit." Yi Weng closed the booklet. "What's your name?" "The liver pays the right soldier." Yiweng didn't have much impression of this name, but such a strange surname as Ganfu could only be seen in Satsuma.Not only that, but it is also a well-known family name in Sazhou.In any case, if the person coming is a high-ranking Samoan official, it is not easy to see him.Thinking of this, he briefly ordered: "Bring it to the living room." Yiweng started to organize the files.All the documents are about the security situation in Osaka and Hyogo, especially the recent report, from the wording, it can be felt that the situation is becoming more and more tense.Sakamoto Ryoma of Tushu sneaked into Kinai with Katsura Kogoro of Changzhou—according to this information, the shogunate had already laid a net. The portraits of the two were also sent to Okubo.Osmanthus is "slightly black", and Longma is "black".Okubo was amused by the police officer's incomprehensible wording. Okubo came to the corridor.It was cold, he clenched his left fist.The attendant held the wax table in his hand and led the way in front.The two came to the living room.When the valet opened the lattice door, Okubo Kazuo's feet were firmly nailed in place - Ryoma was sitting inside. Okubo looked back at the valet.Okubo is a top-notch talent in Mukaku. At this time, big beads of sweat kept coming out of his white forehead.He has never been so embarrassed like this moment. "You are on standby in the corridor." He ordered the valet in a low voice, "No one is allowed to come in without my summons." "Of order!" the valet replied.He was taken aback by the host's strange expression, perhaps because of the cold and nervousness, his teeth chattered. Okubo entered the room, sat down, and pulled the hand warmer without saying a word. The famous minister of the general's family would not say "I am embarrassed by what you did", but these words were written on his face.However, Ryoma didn't take Okubo's difficulties to heart at all, and just stared at him with a smile. "It's getting cold!" Ryoma held the brazier in his arms, and continued, "Kyoto and Osaka are good places, but it's unbearable to be so cold." "If you feel cold," Okubo was about to cry, "then don't come out and run around." "That's not okay, I have something urgent to do." "Sakamoto-kun!" Okubo's voice was already trembling.After saying these three words, his lips were tightly closed, and his expression was very stiff. "What's wrong with you?" Ryoma asked in surprise. "fine." "But you don't talk much." "What do you want me to say?" Okubo looked displeased, "You are a wanted criminal by the shogunate! Now all the officers and soldiers in Kyoto and Osaka are gearing up, waiting for you to catch you when you sneak in from the West." "That's exactly what I want to ask." Ryoma clapped his hands. "Because of this, I thought, as long as I come here, I can know where the police force is weak and where the interrogation is strict." "Bastard! I'm in charge of the security of the entire Osaka." "It's almost equivalent to Osaka Joyo." Ryoma nodded emphatically. "You still admire it? I am the commander-in-chief of the officials who want to arrest you." "I see." "Since you understand, why do you still come?" Dayibao was a little impatient. "Because I believe that you, who are of high position and authority, should not personally arrest Ryoma Sakamoto." "Who is this?" Okubo pointed to Miyoshi Shinzo and asked. "From Changzhou." Okubo's face was clearly full of horror.Just because Sanji was from Changzhou, he could be regarded as an enemy of the imperial court and the shogunate and hunted down on the spot. "You actually brought such a person here." "He is my friend." Ryoma smiled frankly. "In short, please leave Osaka immediately, the sooner the better. I heard that you are going to Beijing, I know you are bold, but I still want to advise you to proceed with caution. If you go, no matter how many lives you have, it will not be enough." "I've already made up my mind." Long Ma said, "You said I was going to Beijing, and you are really well informed." "There is a report." "What do you think I will do in Kyoto?" "How would I know such a thing!" Okubo was annoyed, thinking that Ryoma was here to tease him. "Are there no reports of this?" "No." Longma breathed a sigh of relief.He just wanted to make sure of that.If the shogunate finds out about the Saga Alliance, then everything will be over. "Don't dare to disturb me, I'm leaving." "I'll send you off." Okubo personally sent them to the gate, Ryoma was about to step off the stage, Okubo whispered to him: "Tianma Hachiken's family has a Shinsengumi who is strictly checking the passengers on the boat in Beijing. I guess you will use an alias, you should No big deal. In case of an emergency, just say you know me. Remember, this is only for extreme emergencies." When the Yodogawa riverboat sailing to Fushimi passes through Osaka, it will stop at Tenman Hachiken's house.It is between Tianma Bridge and Tenjin Bridge, and there are row upon row of inns on the South Bank Wharf. There are a lot of tourists traveling between Kyoto and Osaka, and the crowds are crowded and lively. There is an inn called Jingwu here.Kyoya is the resident inn of the Shinsengumi. During the general's stay in Osaka, a small team was stationed here to check the passing passengers.The captain is Fujido Heisuke. At this moment, Fujido was leaning on the railing on the second floor of Kyoya, looking down at the passing pedestrians. Just before noon, he fixed his eyes on a man, a tall samurai in a black kimono with family crests, coming out of an inn called a squeeze house next to the kyoya. This person is Sakamoto Ryoma.On his head is a Japanese chive hat, which is shaped like a stuffed rice cake wrapped in live oak leaves. Next to Todo, a team member surnamed Nitta pointed to Miyoshi Shinzo who was traveling with Ryoma. "Todo, I've seen that man before. He's from Changzhou. There's something like a fishing rod wrapped in a big bag on his back. It looks like a gun." "Yes." Fujido deliberately pretended to be uninterested, and replied nonchalantly. "Well, those guys at the pier should be able to investigate. It's more important to eat, I'm hungry." After speaking, Fujido stood up with a long knife in his hand and walked down the stairs. Fujido Heisuke is Ryoma's junior at the Chiba Martial Arts School.When the members of the Shinsengumi fought Ryoma on the road from Fushimi to Kyoto before, Fujido let him go. What a fool!Fujido thought angrily as he went down the stairs.No matter how brave you are, you should not go on a boat in broad daylight.Isn't this completely exposed? ! Fujido has been shaken recently.Although he, like Kondo and Hijikata, was a veteran of the formation of the Shinsengumi, after the Ikedaya change, the Shinsengumi abandoned its original intention of expelling the barbarians and became a running dog of the shogunate. He was very dissatisfied with this.Moreover, as the saying goes, blood is thicker than water. Among the leaders of the Shinsengumi, Isamu Kondo, Toshizo Hijikata, Soji Okita, and Gensaburo Inoue are all natural Rishin-style swordsmen from Tama, Wuzhou.These people have already huddled together secretly.And Fujido Heira's assistant is the Beichen Yidaoliu swordsmanship that he learned in Chiba Martial Arts School.Fujido always felt that Kondo and others treated him as an outsider.Not only that, the Chiba martial arts school has a strong atmosphere of respecting the king and fighting barbarians. Most of the Mito and Satsuma ronin who beheaded Ii Naosuke outside the Sakurada Gate came from the Chiba Gate.There are also Hachiro Kiyokawa who died at Akabane Bridge, and Ryoma Sakamoto.Chiba Martial Arts can be said to have produced a large number of people with lofty ideals.Fujido finally decided to leave the Shinsengumi with the new Chibamen senior brother Ito Kokotaro and others, and start anew. Fujido jumped down the stairs, came to Doma, and walked straight to the back door.Behind the house is the big river.Since it is Tianman's dock inn, the back door is the main entrance to be precise, and boats of thirty stone come from the door. Fujido stood on tiptoe, pretending to look towards the opposite bank.The houses on the opposite bank were shrouded in mist and glistened in the sun.It's the perfect weather for the fragrance of plum blossoms. Next to it is the pier of Sakaiya.There just happened to be a riverboat about to set off now.The treads were set, and there was a throng of travelers both on board and ashore. Five soldiers under Fujido, wearing team uniforms, are strictly searching every passenger. Ryoma appeared, accompanied by the samurai who was carrying what appeared to be a short spear. "Stop!" The soldiers suddenly became nervous. "We are the Shinsengumi under Lieutenant General Aizu, the protector of Kyoto. We are here to make an inquiry. Please state your clan name and full name." "Satsuma." Miyoshi Shinzo replied. "Name?" "This is Gan Fu Youbingwei, and I am Gan Fu Ding." "What's that?" the team member asked, pointing to something on Sanji Shinzo's shoulder. Just as Sanji was about to say it was a fishing rod, Ryoma, who had one foot on the pedal, turned around. "It's a short gun." The soldiers immediately panicked.One of them said respectfully: "The place where the mikoshi is parked in the Zama Shrine over there is now our temporary residence. Please follow us there." "It's not necessary." Sanji Shenzang said.He was born in a daimyo family who lived in Edo, and he spoke with an Edo accent. "You said you are from Satsuma, why don't you speak Satsuma dialect?" "Nonsense! I was born in Edo." "Anyway, please come with us to the station." "Is this how you greet the Satsuma feudal lords?" Sanyoshi Shinzo put on a posture of making trouble. "No, you don't look like Satsuma clansmen, especially that one." The team member pointed to Ryoma and said, "It's very similar to the person we've been looking for. Anyway, let's talk slowly at the station." "No!" Ryoma yelled.The sound was so loud that people around jumped up. "If you think we are suspicious, you can negotiate with Kiba Dennai, the left-behind officer of the Tosabori feudal mansion. Besides, no one has the right to detain the Satsuma feudal lord." "Then we will send someone to Mr. Tosabori Kiba to confirm. Before the envoy returns, please rest at the station." "We're in a hurry." At this moment, Todo Heisuke came, and he and Ryoma looked at each other.When the eyes of the two met, Fujido's eyes were burning and menacing for a moment, and then he immediately looked away.Ryoma pretended not to know him at all.Fujido came behind the team member who was interrogating Ryoma, called him to his side, looked at the river and said, "Those two people should be Satsuma vassals." "I always thought they were fakes." "Contact Satsuma immediately." "As ordered." "But let those two go first." "Let them go?" The team member was taken aback. Fujido Hirasuke said: "Now the situation is critical. Satsuma expelled the Changzhou forces from Beijing in the third year of Bunjiu and saved the shogunate. But recently he opposed the opening of Hyogo and the reconquest of Changzhou, which continued to create problems for the shogunate. Given its useless stimulation, I don't know what Satsuma would do." The soldiers became more and more surprised.Fujido Heisuke is a handsome and heroic Edo boy. He is brave and alert in battle, and his performance can be described as outstanding, but he is usually reticent, not like the kind of person who is good at talking about the current situation. "However, it is also possible that it is a counterfeit product." "What if it's really a Samoan? Then it won't end." "Okay, I will let them go. Just in case, please allow me to inform Fushimi in advance that these two people have passed. They are on the boat of Sakaiya, and they should stop at Teradaya's pier." The ship sets sail.Ryoma and Miyoshi Shinzo were finally safe and sound, and the riverboat sailed along the Yodo River to Fushimi. "I didn't expect them to let us go." Shen Zang breathed a sigh of relief and murmured. "Well, thanks to Qianyemen." "how do I say this?" "I know the leader of the idiots on the pier. His name is Todo Heisuke. He used to learn swords in Kanda Tamaike." "Oh? Chiba Martial Arts has a strong atmosphere of respecting the king and fighting barbarians. I didn't expect that some of the disciples would join the Shinsengumi." "It's because of his carelessness in making friends." Long Ma laughed. "Oh, it's because of friends." "Fudodo's swordsmanship is superb, but he is a diner in Edo Kondo Isamura's Natural Rishin Style martial arts school, doing nothing all day long. Although he is a different school, it is said that he has also served as a substitute master. Kondo is not good at martial arts, When other schools proposed sword competitions, they would send envoys to big martial arts schools like Chiba and Saito to invite people to help out. Katsura Kogoro, Watanabe Noboru and others who were in Saito martial arts at that time were often invited to go. Fujido Therefore, I often go to Kondo's martial arts school, and after a long time, I became a diner there." "Man's fate is really impermanent." "No. Ninety percent of the ups and downs of fate are caused by one's own incompetence. In any case, Fujido Heira helped these people, and it is impossible to turn back now." When the two arrived at the wharf of Fushimi Temple's field house, it was past Yinshi.It just so happened that the first boat bound for Osaka on the pier was preparing to leave, and there were people coming and going in front of the inn, which was very chaotic. Longma and Shenzang went ashore.Just ten steps away is Teradaya.Ryoma suddenly realized that there was a situation, and it seemed to be a secret agent.The man stared at the backs of him and Shen Zang for a while, then whistled and disappeared into the darkness. "Oh, there's going to be trouble now." Ryoma said as he walked into the soil. Tengshi was originally in the account room, but at this moment he stood up and led Ryoma up to the second floor. "Miss Aaron is not on duty this morning." Dengshi said.Dengshi and Aaron would alternately work the morning shift in the account room every other day, seeing off the guests on the first boat. "So Aaron is already asleep?" "Just fell asleep. The kid will sleep until the day's ship sails, and then take over from me." "The proprietress of the Pier Inn is really hardworking!" "However, from tomorrow onwards, Kezao will be temporarily closed for a while. Please take care of me." "What nonsense are you talking about?" Ryoma ignored him.The morning crows sometimes stop crowing, but Fushimi's pier inn never rests.This is well known.There is no boat between Fushimi and Osaka. However, while stoking the fire in the huge copper brazier, Deng Shi said, "It's true. The guests who have already made reservations have asked the nearby shop Shuiliu, a small grocery store and a cotton store to arrange accommodation." "What happened?" "Well. We've been entrusted by our patrons in Saxony to entertain a great man." "Who is that person?" "Sakamoto Ryoma." After Toshi said, he leaned forward, stared at Ryoma and said, "It's you!" "What? Don't make such a joke." "It's true." Dengshi said with a serious expression on his face. Yesterday, the stay-at-home officer of the Fushimi Prefecture of the Satsuma Domain came to the inn and said, "Mr. Sakamoto will arrive in Fushimi in a few days. The shogunate is keeping a close eye on it. It would be best if you can live in the Fushimi Prefecture, but Shimadzu Hisamitsu-sama strictly forbids people from other feudal clans to stay in the feudal clan. So I would like to invite Teradaya to welcome you." Teradaya was originally the official inn of Satsuma, so there is no excuse. "In this case, in order to ensure everything is safe, from the day Mr. Sakamoto moved into the inn, Teradaya will temporarily close the door to thank guests." Toshi's words can be described as resounding.I don't know how long Ryoma will live in. The loss caused by the suspension of business during this period can only be borne by Dengshi alone, but this woman doesn't care at all. Sanji Shenzang was worthy of being the guard appointed by the Changzhou Clan, and he acted very cautiously. When he went to bed, he put the knife and short gun beside his pillow, folded his clothes, lay down on the tatami mat, and practiced holding the sword and gun several times. "What are you doing?" Ryoma asked with a smile. "Practice how to respond when attacked." "That's all!" Ryoma lifted the quilt and got into bed.He believes that no great thing can be done by a man who is devoted to his own defense. "Mr. Sakamoto, where is the western pistol that Takasugi gave you?" "It should be in the luggage." "Better keep it next to your pillow." Shen Zang jumped up and found a pistol from Ryoma's bag.Rice grains were still stuck to the gun stock. It's really dirty, Shen Zang thought.He wiped the rice grains clean, opened it with a click, and there were six bullets in the lotus root-shaped magazine. "I put it here." He said, and put the gun beside Ryoma's pillow.Then he went looking for the knife again.Longma is obviously a swordsman, but he put the knife in the niche. "Put the knife here, too." "Just one thing." Ryoma said lazily, a little sleepy.He wondered vaguely how the negotiations between Gui and Xixiang were going. "That's too imprudent." "Life and death are natural things. How can we stick to it all the time? I think that it is enough for people to only consider whether things will succeed." "I hope you can understand my painstaking efforts to protect you." "Here is a girl named Aaron." Long Ma changed the subject, "She was born beautiful." "What does that have to do with pistols?" "No." Ryoma also felt a little strange, and laughed, "This inn used to be a bloody battlefield. In the second year of Bunjiu, nine Satsuma warriors including Arima Shinshichi fought with Shimadzu Hisamitsu's envoy here. Death. Not long after the incident, I came to this inn. There was blood all over the walls and the floor. The proprietress stepped up and ordered the shop assistants to clean it up." "What a chivalrous woman!" "She can be regarded as a strange woman. She won't even get a penny for supporting us, and if she makes a mistake, her life will be lost. Even so, she still has no hesitation." "I heard that this time she also wants to suspend the business of the inn to provide you with a hiding place?" "There are still such chivalrous women in the world. Japan will get better one day." Ryoma pulled off the quilt and covered him. Shen Zang wanted to extinguish the lamp, so he crawled towards the seat lamp.He could see Ryoma's sideburns, which were becoming more disheveled against the sparse hairline on Ryoma's forehead. When Sanji Shenzang woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. "Mr. Sakamoto." He called out, but there was no response.Looking back, Ryoma's bedding was already empty. Didn't expect Ryoma to get up so early.Shen Zang was a little surprised.He went downstairs and came to the soil room, ready to wash up.Deep in the soil is a Kyoto-style kitchen.Shen Zang washed up by the kitchen sink. "Sanji-kun, wake up." Ryoma's voice came from somewhere.While wiping his face with an old cloth towel, Shen Zang walked through the corridor, following the sound. The sun shines on the veranda deep in the courtyard.Ryoma was combing his hair there.It was a beautiful girl who combed his hair.Opposite the two is an ancient plum.On the branches, three or two pure white plum blossoms have quietly bloomed.Shen Zang was stunned by the girl's beauty. "Come and let her comb her hair." Long Ma said, "This girl is much better than those clumsy hair combers." "Really?" Shen Zang was excited by Aaron's beauty, but Aaron's face was tense, and he didn't stop what he was doing. He neither greeted him nor said that he wanted to comb his hair.It turned out to be an ice beauty. "Don't dare to trouble me." Shen Zang fell silent after finishing speaking, a little displeased.Ryoma sensed Shinzo's emotions. "This girl is also a strange person." Ryoma said with a smile, "She doesn't say a word when she sees strangers. Fortunately, she is also the adopted daughter of the proprietress of the wharf inn." Aaron tightened Ryoma's hair back and tied it up.Ryoma grinned in pain. "However, after getting acquainted with her, you will find that she is a good girl. Ah! It hurts!" Ryoma let out a short cry. Shen Zang couldn't help laughing.Although she is a cold beauty, she knows how to express her thoughts subtly.After Ryoma combed his hair, Shen Zang sat down.Aaron dipped the comb in a small lacquer basin, untied Shenzang's topknot, and combed his hair.The hissing sound of the comb combing through the hair makes people feel comfortable.The workmanship is really good. "Can you give me a shave?" Shen Zang said.Unexpectedly, Aaron agreed very obediently.Mr. Sakamoto is right, she is such a nice girl.Shen Zang secretly thought. "Sanji-kun, there are suspicious guys wandering around the street, it seems that they can't go out during the day." "Are you going out tonight?" "Terada House is available for temporary stay. It seems that we will be out day and night during this period." Afterwards, Ryomato Aaron sent someone to the Satsuma Mansion in Kyoto, and told Xixiang and Katsura Kogoro, who should have arrived in Beijing, the news that he had arrived at the Fushimi Temple farmhouse. After dark, Ryoma headed for Kyoto.This time he was alone, and Sanyoshi Shinzo stayed in Teradaya on standby.Although Changzhou was kind enough to provide him with guards, but if the two of them hurried on the night journey together, it would arouse the suspicion of the guards. It is more than twenty miles away from Kyoto.Longma carried a lantern and hid a pistol in his arms, walking like flying.As soon as he got out of Terada House, he heard the sound of footsteps coming up behind him, and he couldn't get rid of it no matter what. After leaving the Fushimi Market, Ryoma blew out the lantern.This is one of his tricks.If it is a spy, he will think that he has been discovered, so he stops or loses his pace. Sure enough, the footsteps disappeared. "Looks like it really is a secret agent." Ryoma laughed secretly.Immediately he was preoccupied with other thoughts and hurried on his way. How did the talks between Gui and Xixiang go?After doing so much preparation in advance, the negotiations should not break down, but Ryoma was disturbed by a strange premonition.这种预感究竟是什么，龙马也说不清楚。 终于，前方左侧的星空下，妙法院的大宅院跃入龙马的眼帘，京都到了。 龙马走上四条大道，进入先斗町，然后立刻拐进通往木屋町的小巷，抵达木屋町后，又从其他小巷折回先斗町，在屋檐下大步流星朝北走去。先斗町的道路十分狭窄，一个大汉张开双臂，手指便能触到两侧的格子门。路上还有艺伎和舞伎频繁地往来穿梭。龙马很快甩掉了密探。 龙马在三条小桥的桥头钻进了一顶在街头揽客的轿子，急匆匆向北而去。他决定先同桂见上一面。萨摩藩安排桂住在小松带刀府上。 不一会儿，轿子到了小松府的大门口，龙马敲了敲门。 向外探出的格子窗打开了，负责保护桂的萨摩人露出脸来。看清来人后，萨摩人打开了小门。龙马钻进小门，立刻拜托他道：“抱歉，能否麻烦你去检查街头巷尾，我被人跟踪了。” “明白”。The man nodded.五六个人冲了出去。萨摩人脾气暴躁，若是发现了那个密探，断然不会手下留情。 龙马走进了面对着庭院的客厅。桂应该正在二楼睡觉。 第一个下来的是桂的随员品川弥二郎，他拉开了客厅的格子门。品川垂头丧气，神色黯淡。 然后，桂小五郎出现了。刚一坐下，他就说：“坂本君，我要回长州去。” 龙马凝视着桂。这个以性格快活而著称的年轻人，此刻眼中正流露出一种旁人从未见过的可怕神色。 “这是为何？”龙马低声道。他已经横下一条心，甚至想，如果是桂不对，就当场将桂砍倒在地。 “听我说。”桂原本就阴沉的双眸由于愤怒和焦躁显得愈发暗淡。此刻的他，目光混浊、呆滞，嘴唇颤抖。虽然开了口，却迟迟没能接续。 桂等长州秘密使节团一行人进京是在正月初十。龙马拜访桂的这天晚上，是正月二十。这期间隔了十天。在这十天里，桂和西乡之间究竟发生了什么？ “这些天你到底在干什么？”龙马问道。 “萨摩人每天都拿山珍海味招待。除了喝酒吃饭，没干别的。”桂终于冒出了一句话。 正月初十，桂一行人顺利潜入京都后，立刻入住相国寺门前的萨摩藩府。由于锦小路的藩府过于狭窄，便新建了此处宅邸。藩府前面是皇宫，四周多是寺院和公卿府，即便是在白天，门前也很少有行人经过，可谓是防范密探的理想场所。 桂等人在藩府的内厅与西乡隆盛会面了。 论起深思熟虑和聪明伶俐，桂可谓长州第一，但也容易变得抑郁，一旦结下仇怨，就很难释怀。 “我们怨恨萨州。”这次的秘密会谈本来是为了和解结盟，可是他的第一句话，却咬牙切齿说了出来。更让人匪夷所思的是，接下来，桂竟然讲起文久三年以来萨长对抗的往事来。桂每讲一段，都要申明当时长州的立场和真意。“我藩自文久以来，对朝廷忠心耿耿，心中所想所思，唯有勤王大业，口中所讲所念，唯有勤王大义。然而，不曾想此等忠心反而招致误解，一时间流言四起，说什么长州狼子野心，欲夺取天下，简直是荒唐至极！最后，长州被扣上了朝敌的污名。至今未能洗清冤屈。” 桂的话语中充斥着饥讽与怨恨，仿佛在说，想出此番阴谋诡计陷害我们的罪魁祸首是谁？不正是你萨摩吗！ 西乡静静地听着桂所说的每一句话，自始至终一言不发。等到桂的慷慨陈词结束了，他端正坐姿，双手触地，深深低下头，说：“您所言极是。” Oh?西乡低头了？龙马不由得心生敬佩。与桂相比，西乡才是真正的老成谋国。这种时候，无论怎样分析过往，评论过去，都于事无补，对双方更是毫无益处。西乡对这一点了然于心。所以他才低下头，多余的话一句不讲。 相比之下，桂就显得幼稚许多。更准确地说，近几年来，长州人在动荡的时局中饱受欺凌。正因为处在这种立场，所以他们一不留神就会满腹牢骚，冷嘲热讽，言语间对萨摩进行攻击，这些也是在所难免的。 “对方都有谁出席？”龙马问。 一旁的品川弥二郎掰着手指，逐个列出人来。 有三位家老，分别是小松带刀、岛津伊势和桂右卫门。然后是西乡隆盛。西乡在藩内的地位在家老之下，不过他是萨摩藩事实上的代表。 此外还有大久保一藏、岩下左次右卫门、伊地知正治、村田新八、中村半次郎、西乡慎吾、大山弥助、野津七左卫门等人。 长州方面除了桂小五郎，还有品川弥二郎、三好军太郎、田中显助。此外，已经加入长州籍的筑前浪人早川渡也在场。 听了桂那一番批判萨摩的激烈言辞，联想到长州目前的悲惨处境，他们谁也没有反驳。所有萨摩人都是一张笑脸，在酒席上周旋应酬。然而，对于萨长联盟之事，萨摩却只字不提。 西乡只说了一句“所言极是”，后来便一言不发，埋头进餐。 桂感到奇怪。他原本以为见了面就应该敞开心扉，开诚布公地讨论这个话题，可眼下的情形分明是棉花堆里打拳——白费力气。桂有几次想要开口，但最终没有谈到此事。在这种气氛下，坂本苦心周旋的事最终没有拿出来讨论。 会谈结束后的第二天，萨摩人将他们带到小松带刀府上，同样是山珍海味，盛情款待，但是仍旧没有开口说结盟。长州人也只字不提。 “等等。”龙马实在按捺不住心中的怒火，打断了桂，“既然萨摩不提，长州为何不主动开口？” “长州不能开口。”桂低声说，满眼悲愤，“坂本君，请你想一想两藩的立场。萨州朝天子，会幕臣，交诸侯。” 言下之意，萨州虽然是勤王之藩，但深谙处世之道，堂而皇之地参与天下政事，在朝廷和幕府之间左右逢源。相比，长州又如何呢？ “长州已被天下人孤立，背负着朝敌的恶名，遭受幕府追讨，大军压境。长州如此立场，又怎能主动提出结盟一事？一旦开口，我等便沦落成哀求萨州援助的乞丐。我万万做不到。如果这样做了，我这个长州藩的代表，就会成为出卖藩中同志的叛徒。” “混账！”龙马咆哮道，“事到如今，你怎么还纠缠于小小藩国，还如此执迷不悟呢？萨州怎样，长州又算得了什么！关键是日本啊！小五郎！”龙马情急之下直呼桂的名字。“我们土州人在血雨腥风里……”龙马哽咽了。他想起了死去的同志，泪如泉涌，泣不成声。“我们一路拼杀，奔走天下，哪怕舍弃生命也在所不惜。这是为了土佐吗？不是！” 桂也知道，这一切不是为了土佐一藩。土州志士们不仅丝毫得不到故国的保护，反而遭到迫害，有的死在了上京的路上，有的曝尸于蛤御门、天王山、吉野山、野根山和高知城的刑场。他们绝不像萨长志士那样，为本藩奔走。这一点天下人都知道。 “我也一样。”龙马道，“我拼上性命也要促成萨长联盟，绝不仅仅是为了萨摩和长州。看来你和西乡都算不上日本人，只不过是长州人和萨摩人啊！”这番话一语道破了西乡和桂的内心，可谓入骨三分。龙马从未如此恼火，唯这一次，无法自持。 “说话啊！”龙马大喝一声。 桂仍旧固执地低着头。“我还是要回去。这是身为长州男儿的志气。”他小声说道。他身旁放着一个白色的陶制暖手炉，里面的炭火已经灭了。他对此丝毫没有察觉，只是使劲揪住小火盆的边缘，像是要将它捏碎。“坂本君，你主张的萨长联盟若是失败了，长州恐怕就要灭亡了。” Ryoma remained silent. “灭亡就灭亡吧。”桂遏制住内心激昂的情绪，沉声道，“可是天皇……” “天皇？”龙马平静地反问。 桂的目光从龙马身上划过，迅速落到火盆上。 “有萨州人在天皇身边尽忠职守。自文久以来，长州一路孤军奋战，早已将一藩存亡置之度外。我等自知，我藩命不久矣！然而，只要萨州得以幸存下来拼死奋斗，天下苍生便有救了。我们如今中断谈判，返回故里，如此一来，便不得不迎战幕府大军。然而，即便长州人粉身碎骨，长州藩灰飞烟灭，我们也决不后悔。” 桂虽太过在乎长州武士的体面，但也并非没有为天下苍生考虑过。龙马明白了这些。桂那种易自暴自弃的乖戾，也表现得淋漓尽致。 龙马虽然当面骂了桂，可还是被桂那种誓死与长州藩同归于尽的决心感动了。 龙马默然许久，察知桂决心坚定，轻易无法动摇，于是不再强行责备，遂抄起刀起身就走。 “你去哪里？”身后传来桂的声音。 龙马已经走到廊上，丢下一句“这还用问吗”，他要去萨州的二本松府。 龙马来到了玄关。他平日里穿的也就只有草鞋。恰巧有一双在院子里穿的木屐，木屐带是竹皮做的。龙马趿着这双木屐，让看门人将小门打开，来到街上。 所幸借着星光，道路依稀可见。龙马在没有一个行人的街道上行进。 路面结了冰。风呼啸着掠过，几乎要将龙马吹倒。他已面无人色，恐怕他自出生以来，从未有过如此可怕的神色。 走到二本松的拐角处时，他看到有两个盲人按摩师躲在公卿府大门的阴影里。两个盲人按摩师结伴而行，这很奇怪。不用说，他们肯定是监视萨摩藩府夜间出入人员的幕府密探。 京都守护、京都所司代这些幕府机构，以及新选组、见回组等，在这一带放出了众多密探，日夜不停地监视藩府的动静。 萨摩方面对此也十分警惕。因此，每当有秘密集会，便会宣称要举办琵琶练习会，在集会时还特意让琵琶声响彻四邻。 这两个站在公卿府大门屋檐下的密探，听到木屐声，吃了一惊，但黑暗中，他们只能看出来人是个高大的武士。二人更加紧张，如果此人进了萨摩藩府，必是发生了紧急重大的事情。但目下他们迫切想知道这武士究竟是何身份。 “看不见脸。” “太黑了。除非有一双猫眼，否则什么也看不见。” 龙马从二人面前疾行过去，不一会儿，竟然又折返回来。二人吓了一跳。看来被识破了。 “你们是密探？”龙马突然问。 两个盲人按摩师吓得两腿发软，慌慌张张地说：“哪有这回事，我们是盲人按摩师。” “是什么都无所谓。”龙马丝毫没有放在心上，又问道，“萨摩藩府怎么走？” 龙马是近视，走夜路颇有些费劲，而且他从未来过二本松的萨摩藩府。可就算如此，竟然向这种人问路，实在是太没常识了。 “就在旁边。”密探答道。 龙马箭步冲进萨摩藩府，嚷道“把西乡叫醒，十万火急”，说完进了门房。门房里生着火，龙马那快冻僵的身体渐渐暖和起来。 西乡已经歇息了，可一听说是龙马来了，立刻脱去了睡袍，穿上萨摩产碎白点花纹布和服，着袴，外罩黑绉纱和服外褂。 “半次郎！”他大喊一声。中村半次郎已经成了西乡的左右手，在隔壁房间守护，尚未就寝。“听说龙马来了。” "yes." “把幸辅、了介和一藏都叫起来。让大家到前厅去。” 西乡走出房间。 之前寺田屋派人来告，说龙马已经从马关来到伏见。可他是什么时候进京的？既然是深夜突然来访，看来他已经见过桂了。西乡似能猜出龙马是为何事而来。 不多时，几人都已聚集在前厅。屋里点了五个火盆，烧得很旺。 “再弄暖和些。”吉井幸辅道，“这位仁兄很是怕冷呢。”他笑着又让下人加了几个火盆。 龙马此刻正在门房。中村半次郎走了来，道了声辛苦，咧嘴一笑，露出一排洁白的牙齿。“西乡大人已经起来了，我这就带您去见他。今晚真是冷啊！”说着，他在前为龙马引路。 半次郎细察之下，发现今晚的龙马和往常不太一样。他怒了，这一点是确信无疑的。 来到玄关，走上式台，龙马渐渐走到了半次郎的前面，并且越走越快。半次郎加快了脚步。两人唯恐落后对方，在走廊上疾走，不一会儿便来到了前厅格子门外。 龙马走了进去。 西乡伸出手将坐褥推向龙马。“不知深夜来访所为何事？”西乡很少见地问了这样一句废话。 龙马不吭声。沉默了一会儿，他抓住火盆的把儿，像是要给西乡施压似的，说：“详细经过我已经听桂说了。” "Oh?" “西乡君，请不要再玩这种关于面子的游戏了。不用了。大致情况我已经知道。听了桂的一番话，龙马我也流泪了。”龙马将桂的一番豪言告诉了西乡。“现在桂正在住所等候。不如立刻将他唤过来，完成萨长联盟吧！”龙马说完，用犀利的目光死死盯着西乡。 萨长联盟并非龙马的独创，在志士中间，这已经成为一种共识。萨摩和长州一旦联起手来，幕府必亡。谁都会这么想。公卿岩仓具视这么想，被筑前藩厅杀害的该藩志士月形洗藏一直以来也是这么想的，还有龙马的同乡中冈慎太郎等人更是在这样想。 去年年末，中冈慎太郎从大宰府的暂住处写给故国同志一封长文，其中写道：“自今以后，兴天下者必为萨长二藩也……依我之见，天下近日之内便将唯二藩之命是从，此事如照明镜。而他日立国体，绝外夷之轻侮，亦应仰仗此二藩。” 可是，这些终究都只是纸上谈兵。只有龙马，仅凭一人之力便担负起这件艰难大业，自始至终不曾放弃。萨长已经向对方靠近了，剩下的是让他们感情相通。 终于，沉默被西乡打破。他端正坐姿，道：“所言极是。”然后他看向大久保一藏，道，“萨长联盟一事，就由我藩向长州提出吧。” 大久保点头称许。 结盟的日期当场便确定下来了，就在次日。 庆应二年正月二十一，乃萨长两藩会盟之日。 关于盟誓的地点，龙马的看法是：“长州受害深，就把他们暂住的小松府当会场，请萨摩移步前往，如何？” 西乡答应了。只是令人担心的是，如果一大群萨摩人突然间蜂拥而出，肯定会引起幕府密探的怀疑。 这时吉井幸辅提出：“那就用老办法，就说要召开琵琶练习会。”说完便去准备。 很快，好几把琵琶从二本松藩府被运到了小松府。 已时之前，所有人都到齐了。 龙马带着当时住在锦小路萨摩藩府的龟山商社池内藏太、寺内信左卫门作为调解人出席。 萨摩方有西乡隆盛、小松带刀、吉井幸辅、中村半次郎，以及警备、联络人员共十余人。 长州方有桂小五郎、品川弥二郎、三好军太郎、早川渡四人。 众人在十叠大小的房间里各自落座，为作掩护，隔壁房间有萨摩琵琶师待命。 双方随意招呼完，会谈开始，可是总无人先提及正题。其实应该由龙马这个调解人来斡旋，可是他还不太习惯这种正式场合，这会儿正背靠着格子门闲得无聊。 长州一方的三好军太郎对同伴道：“没有理由让长州先低头。白薯应该快点低头！”他原本想压低了声音说，结果或许情绪激动，竟然让在座的人都听见了。 双方都吃了一惊。此时坐在土州席上的龙马道：“白薯这个说法好！”说完大笑起来。萨摩人也都笑起来。气氛立时缓和许多。 西乡十分机敏地说：“那么我们就低头吧。我认输了。” 这么一说，气氛更加融洽了，就连桂也不知不觉笑了起来。 很快，关于盟约的具体讨论开始了。傍晚时，秘密结盟大功告成。盟约共六条。 首先，一旦幕长战争爆发，萨摩假装中立，暗中则即刻调集两千兵力上京，与在京兵力会合，积蓄强大的军事力量。 其次，幕长战争中长州方面的战况稍有好转，京都的萨摩军即刻向朝廷施压，主张朝廷出面调停，引导事态向有利于长州的方向发展。 第三，关于长州在幕长战争中出现败兆时的对策。由于一年或半年之内不致覆灭，在此期间，萨摩应视情况采取适当措施。 第四，幕长战争若不爆发，即如果现在集结在大坂的幕府军返回关东，萨摩应当做朝廷的工作，努力洗清长州背负的冤屈。 第五，如果前述萨摩所为被一桥、会津、桑名等佐幕派横加阻挠，应当毅然发动决战。 第六，自定约日始，萨长双方应当齐心合力，为恢复皇权竭尽全力。 这最后一条，便是萨长两藩起誓进行维新革命的最初的正式盟约。倒幕维新从此拉开了序幕。 盟约签订后，下人们开始收拾屋子，酒肴被端了上来。萨摩藩家老小松带刀端正了坐姿，寒暄道：“各位光临寒舍，鄙人没有珍馐美味，只准备了些粗茶淡饭。希望双方能去除芥蒂，敞开胸襟，不醉不归！”接着他转向龙马，双手拄地，俯首道：“今日之盛事，全仰仗阁下不辞劳苦从中斡旋，在此向阁下表示深深的感谢。” 桂也面向龙马，郑重地施了一礼。身材