Chapter 60 4. Breeze Pavilion

After Goto Shojiro waited for a long time, Tosa officials came to greet him. "My lord has returned to the country safely this time. It is really gratifying and congratulatory." Naosumin Yamazaki, a vassal official, expressed his congratulations to Goto on behalf of everyone, accompanied by Katsuemon Takahashi and Hironojo Mizobuchi. "What kind of place is Shanghai?" "It's different from Edo." Goto said with a straight face, "It must be different." "It's not the same as Kochi." "Exactly." "With all due respect, it's not the same as Kyoto."

"yes……" Everyone suddenly felt bored. "Where is it different? There are two points. First, it is a port built by the invaders. The Qing Dynasty is extremely miserable. If we continue to be confused, we will become like that. For Japan, Shanghai is just around the corner. Lessons." "Exactly what you said!" "These guys," Goto raised his chin towards the Englishman beside him, "will become our masters at that time, driving us to work for them, just like the coolies in Shanghai. But the Japanese samurai decided Will not be slaughtered." "Because our Japanese samurai have a three-foot sharp blade hanging from their waists!" said Mizobuchi Hironojo.

"Exactly, we have a three-foot sharp blade. But I have another feeling. After I arrived in Shanghai, I saw the warships and merchant ships of the Seven Kingdoms, which dominate the world, mooring in the port densely. I felt that the three-foot sharp blade was useless at all. " "Oh?" "The old people in my hometown, as well as those stubborn and old-fashioned anti-barbarians, just because I built a museum and advocated foreign affairs, concluded that I worshiped foreign things and tried to assassinate them. It is not impossible to cut off my head, but what should I do next? Isn't it Is it only because of being ravaged by foreign warships and cannons? From now on, Japan must absorb Western civilization as soon as possible, and in turn contain the foreign civilization."

"yes!" "This is what I got here." Goto opened the white fan and shook it, his clothes fluttering in the wind. "My lord, it's getting late." "Oh, yes." Goto stood up calmly.The feudal officials hugged the young elder.Although Goto said that the heat was unbearable and they should stay away, but they still stayed close to each other. "Pan followed the local Sakamoto's subordinates, and someone clamored to avenge Takeichi Hanpeita." "Why, Kochi's revenge is going to be reported in Nagasaki?" Goto said a joke that was not funny, and walked out of the gate of Richardson's firm.At this time, a foreigner's carriage happened to pass by, and the sound of rumbling wheels came from the stone road.It just happened.

Sitting in the carriage was a Prussian merchant named Kinep.Prussia has the most territory in the German Confederation. With the advantage of rich natural resources such as iron and coal, it has gradually occupied an important position in Europe after the industrial revolution.Especially in recent years, after William I ascended the throne, he immediately employed the Chief of Staff Moltke, the Minister of War Ron and other talented soldiers to expand his armaments.Not only that, recently, Bismarck, known as the "Iron Prime Minister", even ordered the adjournment of the parliament in order to expand his armaments. He is building a militaristic country step by step with his unique vision.Prussia's national prestige has already surpassed the old British and French empires.Naturally, Prussian businessmen doing business in foreign countries also relied on their national prestige and swaggered.Kinep, an adventurous businessman who traveled thousands of miles to Nagasaki City in the Far East, has a typical Prussian style of rough behavior.

"Goto! Goto!" Kinep changed his countenance and yelled in the carriage. Met a tough guy.Goto pretended not to hear, and wanted to walk away calmly. Goto did this for a reason.He has always acted casually. At the beginning of this year, he came to Nagasaki in person, negotiated directly with Kinepe, and signed a contract for the purchase of 1,000 Enfield rifles.The price of a gun is thirty taels.Shunsuke Ito from Changzhou and Wenduo Inoue bought it from Gulaba, an Englishman introduced by Ryoma, at a price of 18 taels a stick.Nearly twice as expensive, it can be described as skyrocketing.It is precisely because the Prussians always do this kind of looting business that their commercial activities in the East did not develop as well as in the UK in the end.

However, Goto had no experience, and he did not know that the price was too high, so he signed the contract.But he has no money. "We have camphor." Goto said calmly.Using camphor to buy a thousand new-style rifles is something that only Goto can do. Kinepe was a businessman at any rate, and he knew in his heart that camphor could fetch a good price in Europe. "Camphor is not money. So I can't sell you a gun just because you have camphor. But if you can bring thirty thousand taels worth of camphor to Nagasaki, I can use it as collateral to lend you thirty thousand taels worth Two rifles, as long as enough gold is raised in the future, it will be fine.”

That's it, the deal is done. However, the fact is that the Tosa clan did not have camphor worth 30,000 taels, and they gradually realized that Kinepu's rifles demanded sky-high prices, so Goto no longer wanted to fulfill that contract.Kinep was furious when he learned about it.Later, when Goto arrived in Shanghai, there was no news. Kinep became even more angry, clamoring "to catch Goto".And now, the Goto Shojiro he was looking for was walking out of Richardson's firm. "Goto! Breaking a contract is a worse crime than stealing, do you know that?" Kinep jumped out of the carriage.He was tall and fat, and held a cane in his right hand.He beat the cobbled road hard with his cane, and shouted, "Where's the camphor?"

In an instant, many people gathered around, all waiting to watch the show. Goto stopped in his tracks.While waving his fan, he said, "Your price is no different from grabbing money. Do you really think I'd buy something like that?" Kinep speaks German and Goto speaks Japanese.However, it is incredible that two people can understand each other's meaning from the tone of voice. Kinep became even more angry, and he ordered the accompanying Qing translator to "tell him", his words were very fierce. "If the contract is not fulfilled, our country will send the fleet currently stationed in Shanghai into Pudo Bay!" He asked the translator to shout the same words three times, which was already a veritable threat.

"A warship?" Goto sneered, "The thieves are going to send a warship? Now it's even more interesting. Come if you want!" He growled in a low voice without even looking at Kinep's face. "Goto! You're insulting me!" "I didn't insult you, but you have been insulting and intimidating me! Do you know what Japanese samurai would do in the face of insults and intimidation?" Goto took a step forward with his feet in white tabi socks. Kinep was very embarrassed. "I won't kill you. Nagasaki is the land of the shogunate, and bloodshed is taboo. But you said just now that you would send warships to Tosa. Go ahead! I will show your people the power of the Japanese sword!"

"Hmph! I want to sue my own government!" "Change the price and come to me again. If you want to fight, we will accompany you to the end." "Goto." Kinep suddenly changed his attitude.He was at a loss for what to do with Goto's resolute attitude. "You don't understand the customs in the market and the ethics of doing business. Once a contract is signed, even if the world falls apart, it can never be changed. This can be said to be the foundation of business. Your approach is really absurd." "This is on the street." Goto was also a little embarrassed, "If this quarrel spreads to the wandering people in the city, they might come to kill you. Regarding this matter, I suggest you change the place and talk to me. Discuss with the lower-level officials of the feudal clan slowly." He said "sorry" and walked away in a calm manner. Back at Caijinya, Goto took a bath and changed his clothes. "It's time to go and relax, let's go together." Goto led two or three feudal officials, walked across the Si'an bridge, and came to the fireworks alley in Maruyama.What he likes most is this pastime of the aristocratic lord. "Looking at Kinepu's appearance, maybe he will send a warship to enter the sergeant." Although the feudal officials were walking in the Lane of Fireworks and Willows, they were very anxious.And looking at Goto's expression, it seems that he has completely forgotten what happened just now. After a while, they came to Yintian House, called all the familiar geisha, and made a noise. same night.The bell for the first watch had just rang, and Ryoma came to Kameyama Trading Company from Hakata Town.As soon as I entered the door, I saw five or six people in the soil, some were checking knives, some were tying shoes, and the atmosphere was quite dignified.Sawamura Souzhicheng was there, Ryoma's nephew Takamatsu Taro was also there, and there were also Yasuoka Kinma, Nomura Tatsutaro, Ishida Hidekichi, and even Changdou Ken, one of the best scholars in the trading company who is proficient in Japanese, Chinese and Western culture, who has always been thoughtful. Ji is also in the mix.These people are all Tosa escaped from the feudal clan.They are all Tosa goshi who have suffered strong discrimination. "What are you doing?" "Ah, Mr. Sakamoto. What a coincidence for you to come." Kanno Kakuhei, the oldest in the group, panicked. Ryoma suddenly understood that this was going to kill people. "Ryoma, don't stop us." Kakuhei Kanno preemptively said, "We must kill him. Otherwise, the heroic spirits of Takeshi Banheita will not be saved, and the heroic spirits of the twenty-three martyrs of None Mountain will not be able to rest in peace. If Fujizojiro lives in this world for a day, their souls can only continue to wander in the long sky sadly and hopelessly." The last sentence he uttered was the exact poem written by Tosa Tosun Wang Yingcai Mazaki Tetsuma who was forced to cut his belly back then. This poem expresses the feelings of those people with lofty ideals who were dissatisfied with the bad practices of the vassal hall and the sergeant and died with hatred.Takamatsu Taro probably thought of Zhema's desperate poem, and couldn't help crying in a low voice. "We can't take revenge on the old feudal lord." Yingye Juebingwei also choked up and said, "Then kill Goto. Kill him, pay homage to the heroic spirits in the sky, and let them see the determination of our countrymen." What Kanno said makes sense.If it hadn't been for Goto Shoujiro, the chief inspector, who personally suppressed the King Party, Takeshi might have been able to save his life.Back then, Rong Tang was determined to kill Wu Shi.But the officials who tried Wushi were all incompetent, and they couldn't let Rongtang get what he wanted.Afterwards, Goto was hired, and he quickly finished the trial of the case and settled the matter according to Rong Tang's wishes.Since then, Goto has gained Rongtang's trust more and more, and he was finally able to participate in politics, largely due to his actions in this matter. "Goto is inviting Taya to drink now. We will ambush him on the way back and kill him cleanly. He will end up like his uncle Toyo Yoshida." Kanno Kakubei said, "Ryoma, forgive us. " Kanno, Ishida, and Sawamura all had terrifying expressions on their faces, which were enough to startle Ryoma.Tosa Goshi's resentment towards the sergeant was unusually deep.Even Long Ma, a fellow villager, couldn't help cringing when he saw their eyes.There was a devilish gleam in their eyes, which were almost not human eyes.For more than two hundred years, the sergeants from Kakegawa, Enshu, have discriminated against the local samurai, treating them like cats and dogs, and even sitting together is considered unclean.Discrimination can change people to such an extent! "It seems that I can't persuade you any more." Ryoma understood them. "Of course I can't persuade you." Kanno said, "Ryoma, you are the leader of the trading company. As a member of the trading company, we must discuss everything with you and obey your orders, but this matter is not the business of the company." "You mean to assassinate Goto?" "That's right. Goto's assassination is our revenge for Takeichi and the twenty-three heroes who died in Nogen Mountain. This is our private matter, and you have no right to stop it." "Indeed," said Ryoma solemnly, "do what you want. I won't argue about it." "In that case, please get out of the way." How tricky, Ryoma thought.If they are forcibly stopped, it will destroy the relationship, and it will not help the company to unite people. At this moment, Mutsu Yonosuke and Baifeng Yanma came in, and they were surprised to see the scene in front of them.Mutsu is from Kishu, and Baifeng is from Echigo, which has nothing to do with this assassination. "What happened, Kanno-kun?" Mutsu asked. Takamatsu Taro, who is quite close to Mutsu, explained things simply.After listening to the reason, Mutsu said "confused" and clearly expressed his opposition.Kanno was furious. "Kizhou people shut up!" "What did you say?!" Mutsu was not a timid person, and Kanno's attitude became tough when he yelled like this. "In the trading company, there is never any distinction between Kishu, Tosa, and Echigo. This is also the glorious banner of our Kameyama trading company! There are more than 60 states in the world, and only we can be called Japanese. Isn't this our trading company? Fundamental policy!" Seeing that the two sides were about to draw their swords out of their sheaths, it turned into a battle. "Stop it!" Ryoma shouted.So far, only his opinion is still unclear. Kanno Kakuhei and the others were about to push Ryoma out of the way when Ryoma spoke. "I won't argue, but," Ryoma said, turning their backs, "I'll meet Goto another day." Kanno and the others were really taken aback. "What did you say?" "Before I meet with Goto, save his life. It will be the best for me, for the trading company, and for Japan." "what?" "Goto is our enemy, I know that too. But revenge and world affairs are two different things." "What major event in the world?" "I'm also at a loss." With that said, Ryoma sat on the ground, looking up at Kanno and the others. "The Guishan Trading Company is on the verge of bankruptcy. Yes, Guishan is just an inconspicuous small company, not worth mentioning at all. But even though it is inconspicuous, it is still a grain of koji. Even if there is only one grain, it can make wine. I must not Let this koji wither. But now it's dying." "how do I say this?" "So far, we have received a lot of assistance from the Echizen Domain and the Sa and Cho Domains. They formed a guild to protect and cultivate this trading company as if they were running their own domain business. However, the ship sank later, and the There are other things, this business cannot go on smoothly. Now, although I hate the Tosa domain, I want to join forces with Tosa. In order to build a brand new Japan, we must abandon the feelings of being a villager That's what I think. I'm going to join forces with Goto." "what?" "Goto is Tosa's politician, and he is deeply trusted by Rongtang. With his position, he can use the power of the entire domain with just a flick of a finger. I want to use Goto. If Goto is killed, he will not be able to serve me. Useless. Nothing is more useless than a dead body." "Hey, Ryoma!" "I know what you want to say. On weekdays, I often say that I will never deal with the Tosa clan. Now I have broken my promise. Whether you are a dishonest person or a traitor, you can say what you want." "But……" "Wait a minute, let me finish first. Tosa is a great domain in the world, and for us, it can be said that we love it deeply and hate it. Now, I want to temporarily suppress my hatred for it and make this domain as much as possible. The major shareholder of the company." "Dragon horse..." "Wait. Our trading company was established by relying on Satsuma and Changzhou. Conversely, Satsuma and Changzhou formed an alliance through our trading company. Now we want to add the Tosa Domain. In this way, Satsuma, Changzhou , If the three domains of Tosa are united, the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate will be just around the corner. To achieve this great cause, Goto is indispensable. Kakubei, do you want to assassinate Goto?" At this time, Goto is drinking in Tianya.On occasions like today, the oiran is usually called to the banquet.The oiran is a woman named Chika, who is sitting next to Goto. There is a little song about the fireworks alleys in Kyoto, Nagasaki, Edo and Osaka. Goto likes luxury and extravagance in everything, and is very satisfied with the fancy dress worn by Qiange beside him, thinking that this is the only one that neither Kochi nor Shanghai have. Chika has fair skin and a thin face. She is a typical Nagasaki beauty.Her hairstyle is not Kyoto or Osaka style, but Yoshihara style. This is because Nagasaki is a territory directly under the shogunate, and the shogunate has always monopolized the trade here, so many bannermen from Edo originally went to work here and traveled frequently.Therefore, although Nagasaki is located in the western country, the hairstyles of geisha have naturally become Edo style.There are nine expensive tortoiseshell hairpins and a silver comb on Qiange's head. He is wearing a silk singlet with a stalk pattern woven on the inside and outside of the front. The jacket is lined with red silk and matched with black velvet. The belt has a variety of styles. The geishas scattered around the banquet are different. They are not accompanying the pillows, but are in charge of song and dance performances and music performances, so they are supporting roles from beginning to end.Just as all the supporting roles cannot steal the limelight from the main character, their dresses are simple and elegant, wearing a Shimada bun, no different from the geisha near Edo Yanagi Bridge, and their makeup is understated, but they have a subtle style. One of the geisha was wearing a striped silk kimono from Kai with a jacket made of silk from Chichibu, with light makeup on her face, very cute. She is even more beautiful than the oiran.Goto thought. "What's your name?" He couldn't help asking. "A Yuan." The geisha replied with a frightened mouth.A middle-aged lady who danced very well next to her said: "Miss Ayuan often said that she likes Tosa's samurai the most." She said this to please Goto. "Oh? Which Tosa samurai do you like?" "Master Sakamoto Ryoma," said the older geisha. A Yuan panicked. "Sister, don't talk nonsense." However, as the saying goes, it is hard to take back the water, once the words have been spoken, they cannot be taken back.Goto raised his glass to Yuan and said, "What's the problem? Sakamoto-kun is an ally I haven't met yet." He said this in the hope that this sentence would reach Ryoma's ears in the future. As soon as Haishi passed, Goto left Yintian House and did not stay here.This kind of behavior also reflected the character of this young family elder. Although he liked extravagant fun, he was very straightforward. He called the oiran here, but he just drank and listened to music and then went home. This kind of fun is really rare. "Your Excellency is tired." Goto's subordinates took into account the dignity of the geisha, and found a plausible excuse. Goto and his party walk on the Sian Bridge. "Mizobuchi." Goto called Mizobuchi Hiroyuki to stop. "Yes!" Gouyuan bent slightly and leaned forward. "It looks like there is an uninformed guy following behind." Gouyuan wanted to look back and see what happened.Goto looked at the lights of the copper smelter on the other side of the river, and said, "Don't look back. The assassin must be extremely terrified. If the other party feels that we are aware of it, he will definitely rush over regardless." He walked calmly, and ordered as he walked: "Gouyuan, you are from a rural family, maybe you can talk to the assassin. Go and persuade him." "Is that someone from Kameyama Trading Company?" "I'm afraid so." There is a willow tree beside the bridge, and the willow branches sway slightly in the west wind.After Goto and his party left Mizobuchi behind, they walked forward quickly.When we got to the area of ​​Araiyacho, a figure suddenly appeared from under the eaves of a foreign firm called Nishiuraya.The person came across the street like a strange bird, and the white blade flashed, it was a surprise attack. Goto hurriedly dodged to dodge, but the collar was still cut off by about three inches. "Stop chasing me." Goto laughed, "These people didn't want my life. He could kill me with the knife just now. If he really wanted to kill me, I would have been cut in two by him. This time only It's just trying to scare me." After finishing speaking, he walked quickly. "Probably will come again." "Will you come?" All the subordinates put their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to meet the enemy at any time.Perhaps it was a psychological effect. They felt that there was a sound of breathing coming from every intersection and the shadows under the eaves of the roadside houses.At this moment, a dog barking was suddenly heard. "It should be that guy just now was being chased by a dog." Goto smiled. "Did the assassin be instructed by Sakamoto?" "I can't think of any other possibility." "From this point of view, Sakamoto is not as great as the world evaluates." Goto said loudly, in order to let the sound spread to the surrounding shadows. "But my lord," a man named Yamada Shinzo said angrily, "didn't they, the peasants who left the feudal clan, kill the enemies of my uncle? Take this opportunity to catch up and take their lives. way!" "The way of being a human being you said doesn't work here." Goto returned to his residence, Saitsuya. "Assassins may come to attack." Takahashi, Yamada and others warned the servants to lock the door tightly.When Goto was taking a bath, just in case, Takahashi and Yamada kept their swords close to their bodies and took turns serving as guards. At this time Mizobuchi Hironojo came back. "As you expected, the assassin by the Si'an Bridge is indeed a member of the Kameyama Trading Company. I asked him and found out that the assassination was not instigated by Sakamoto. According to him, he was determined to avenge Takeichi Hanpeita. That is, from the spirit of a samurai." "What's that man's name?" Goto asked in the bathroom. "I can't tell." "What are you!" It was not Goto who was angry, but Yamada Shinzo. "Can't say? The other party is a villain who wants to take the life of an adult! How dare you conceal his name!" "I can't reveal his name here. What if I say it? It can only cause unnecessary discomfort. I'm trying to forget that person's name now." "Mizobuchi Hironojo!" Yamada was furious, his eyes widened. "You were born as a low-level villager. Although you were promoted exceptionally and now enjoy the treatment of a sergeant, when it comes to a critical moment, you actually want to protect those peasants? Have you forgotten Mr. Goto's kindness?" "You are picking quarrels and provoking trouble. I am indeed a low-level villager who was promoted exceptionally and was able to participate in the government affairs of the vassal state. But what does this have to do with not mentioning the assassin's name?" "You are protecting them!" "This is the dignity of a samurai. Mr. Goto is an important person. If I say my name, it will be an informer. This is not what a man should do." Hirozhijo Mizobuchi is stubborn by nature, once he has made up his mind, he will not back down no matter if it is a thunderbolt from the sky or a knife. "Yamada, don't get angry." Goto said in the bathroom, "Mizobuchi, I won't ask the other party's name again, but you have to deal with my meeting with Sakamoto as soon as possible." "My lord, this is too dangerous." Yamada and Takahashi said in unison, "Sakamoto is also one of the murderers who killed Mr. Yoshida. If you meet him, the sergeants in the domain will definitely quarrel." "Let them quarrel." Goto came out of the bathroom, wiped the water off his body with a cloth towel, and hummed a song.It's raining outside. The next day, Ryoma decided to accept the arrangement of his fellow villager Mizobuchi Hironojo to meet with Goto Shojiro, the old Tosa domain family.Gouyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. It's a big deal after all.At this time, Ryoma can be regarded as the representative of the Goshi, and Goto as the representative of the Sergeant.The Xiangshi and the Sergeant have a complex relationship that has accumulated for more than two hundred years. Especially in recent years, they have split into two factions, King Qin and Zuo Mu, and bloody tragedies have been staged continuously.And now, the respective leaders are about to meet together to shake hands and make peace. "This will be the biggest event in the history of the Tosa Clan." Mizobuchi said while wiping his sweat, "Anyway, Ryoma, I want to thank you." "You don't have to thank me. Both sides have their own intentions. Goto wants to use me, and I want to use Goto. The reason why this need arises is because of the current situation." "Is it Ryoma's current situation theory again?" "There is nothing more dire than the times." "However, this is a happy event in the world." "That's true." Ryoma admitted frankly, congratulating Mizobuchi Hironojo for his hard work in mediating.According to him, those who can quickly perceive the situation and use it calmly are heroes. "In this sense, it can be said that you have accomplished the cause of a hero." "Alas!" Gouyuan sighed desolately, "The sergeant and the countryman will probably regard me as a traitor." "Most people in the world are short-sighted, and this is the only thing that makes people helpless. Speaking of short-sightedness, I heard later that those guys in my trading company performed a sword dance in front of Goto." "En." Gou Yuan replied with a bitter face. "Goto is not simple." Ryoma said, "If he was an ordinary person, he would not have met me just because of this incident. It seems that he is definitely not an ordinary person." "Exactly. He's not mediocre." "And very courageous." Ryoma also admired him for this.He understands that since he is such a character, he should be able to go up the mountain of swords and down the sea of ​​fire together in the future, and share weal and woe. "Is the meeting tomorrow?" "Yes, tomorrow. I will come to pick you up." "Please tell Goto that I am looking forward to meeting tomorrow." "Understood. However," Mizobuchi said, "Goto Shoujiro is now Tosa's elder. During the meeting, please don't call him by his first name like now." "What's the matter?" Ryoma seemed to be talking about someone else's business, "I don't get Tosa's salary now. You tell Goto to stop talking bureaucratically." There is a street in Nagasaki called Aburiyacho. Like Nishihama Town, there are many big shops here.This area roughly corresponds to the area around Senba in Osaka and Nihombashi in Edo.In Ayuya Town, there lived a businesswoman named Oura Kei, who accumulated tens of thousands of fortunes by doing tea business. "This time we borrowed her mansion, and the meeting will be held there." Mizobuchi Hironojo said when he came to greet Ryoma in the evening of the next day. "Aqing? Isn't that the number one beauty in Nagasaki?" Ryoma had heard about this person for a long time. "She's a well-known flirtatious woman." Mizobuchi had also heard rumors about her, and this woman was considered a "specialty" of Nagasaki. "It is said that her business talent is also the best in Nagasaki." "She's an interesting woman. Maybe she's the number one strange woman in Japan." "……" Ryoma and Mizobuchi walked out of the Tosaya together.The rain had stopped and the ground was still wet.The setting sun reflected on the wet stone road was breathtakingly beautiful.Suddenly a group of children rushed out of the alley.The leading child sang a nursery rhyme from Nagasaki. Beautiful and rare things are all shipped from the Netherlands and other countries, and this kind of longing is even incorporated into nursery rhymes. Kei is also a woman who can only be seen in Nagasaki.Ryoma was thinking as he walked.Mizobuchi Hironojo was also thinking about Aqing, but the two returned to this topic.The overly serious and pedantic Mizouchi spoke: "Ah Qing said she knew you." "Know me?" Ryoma was a little surprised, "I don't know her." "She knows you, and she asked me to say that she wants to see you. So tonight's meeting was chosen at her house." Long Ma was silent.Mizobuchi looked up at Ryoma and said, "It is said that Ah Qing is a woman who can't sleep without a man at night. She has a crush on you." "What nonsense are you talking about!" Ryoma suddenly woke up from the obsession with nursery rhymes. Mizobuchi Hironojo was extremely interested in A Qing, and had no intention of changing the subject at all. "It's really rare for a female stream to have such a talent in business." "Oh?" "And she was not from a poor family. The Ohura family, a tea merchant in Nagasaki, is a very rich merchant. She is the only child in the family. It can be said that she is afraid of being exposed to the sun or melting in her mouth. But this is such a person. The spoiled and pampered young lady has managed to start a big business with her bold and intelligent manner." Oura Kei was born in Oura Town on June 19th, Bunsei Year 11. He is 38 years old this year.However, according to Mizobuchi, she is petite, fair-skinned, and looks only in her twenties or twenties. When she was eighteen or nineteen, the family found a suitable uncle for him, but she didn't like that person.This uncle was also from a rich businessman in Nagasaki, but he was uneducated and looked shabby, and his legs could not help shaking at the wedding.The most ridiculous thing is that this young man thinks that he is invincible and handsome, and he is narcissistic to the point of outrageous.He always rubbed his hands together, making a humble appearance to curry favor with A Qing, and what he said was no different from those who specialize in flattery in Fireworks Willow Lane. Facing such a man, Ah Qing was helpless.She was very picky about men, and she always said on weekdays: "I like men who are as sharp as a sharpened bamboo." It means that she likes men who are agile and resolute.Later, as long as she saw such a man, she would desperately possess him by force. The young uncle was not to her liking.Two or three days after getting married, she said to the uncle: "Master, no matter how you look at it, you are not suitable to be my husband. The fate between you and me is over, please go back to your own home." She drove the uncle away.She has lived alone since then. In the sixth year of Jiayong, Ah Qing was about twenty-five or six years old.She befriended a Dutchman from Dejima named Textru, and learned from him that trade could be hugely profitable.However, at that time, the shogunate adopted a strict closed-door policy, and foreign trade could not be carried out. The shogunate only reluctantly conducted official trade with the Netherlands and the Qing Dynasty.However, under Ah Qing's activities, the national ban has become less painful. In Hizen, there is a tea producing area called Ureshino.A Qing plans to start a tea business, and tells Texturu her idea. "If you want to know whether Europeans like this, you have to do some research," Texttrue said. For this market research, Ah Qing plans to smuggle to Shanghai.Of course, once discovered, the death penalty will be imposed.Ah Qing asked the Qing people in Nagasaki to hide himself in a container of shiitake mushrooms, boarded the sailing ship of the Qing Dynasty, and resolutely embarked on a smuggling voyage to Shanghai, which turned out to be successful. It has been sixteen years since Ah Qing smuggled to Shanghai in Jiayong, and it has been fourteen years now.That year was a memorable year for Ryoma.At that time, Ryoma Nineteen left his hometown and entered the Chiba Martial Art Museum in Edo to learn from a teacher.Also in this year, Perry led the fleet to appear in Edo Bay, which shocked the whole of Japan. Ryoma wasn't thinking about his past, Aqing made him think of the late Yoshida Shoin, the pioneer of the Chinwang Party in Changzhou.At that time, Shoin believed that Japan was facing a huge crisis. He traveled around the world, met with celebrities, and discussed how Japan would develop in the future.Finally, he realized: "If you don't understand foreign countries, your own views are incomplete." So he resolutely decided to smuggle overseas.In the sixth year of Kayong, he negotiated with Russian warships that happened to come to Nagasaki, asking them to assist him in smuggling. However, the Russian warships were afraid of provoking the shogunate who insisted on sequestering the country, so they refused Shoin.The next year, Shoin went to Shimoda Port, drove a Japanese ship, approached a warship of Perry's fleet, and made another request for smuggling. The Americans also rejected him with the same reasons as the Russians.On the contrary, during the same period, Ah Qing's smuggling was a great success. Of course, Shoin's and Ah Qing's motives are different.One is a thinker, the other is a speculator, but the spirit of the two people's desperate adventure is completely the same.Song Yin died, but Ah Qing survived. This woman is not simple.Longma admired it. This Ah Qing met all the red-haired businessmen he could meet in Shanghai, invited them to taste Japanese tea, and distributed product samples everywhere before returning to Nagasaki.After returning to Nagasaki, she found that the whole of Japan had become a mess under the impact of Perry's fleet, and they were all enthusiastically advocating the elimination of barbarians. The world has its own definite number, and everything cannot be forced.Although this woman is only twenty-four or five years old, she already has insight into the development of the current situation and believes that it will be a matter of time to do business with foreigners.Sure enough, the shogunate soon opened several ports to European and American powers. In the third year of Anzheng, a British businessman named Oort came from Shanghai.He went to Aqing's house and said to Aqing, "Your sample got into my hands after many twists and turns. I must buy Hizen Ureshino tea." He immediately placed a huge order, which surprised Aqing. Ah Qing immediately rushed to the tea producing area.However, the output of Ureshino tea can only meet the demand in Kyushu at most, not even one percent of the order.Ah Qing quickly dispatched shopkeepers to various places, and finally collected 10,000 catties of tea and sold them to foreigners.Later, she used various methods to encourage production, increased tea production, and continued to export to foreign countries. She is still engaged in export trade until now, thus accumulating millions of wealth. Shoin is great, and Ah Qing is no less.Ryoma felt admiration from the bottom of his heart. "No matter what, it's worth seeing." Gouyuan said. "Is it worth seeing?" Ryoma laughed as he walked on the bridge leading to Aburiyacho.Why isn't it funny that a serious nerd like Gouyuan has admiration for Ah Qing? "However, Mizobuchi," Ryoma felt suspicious, "Why are you so close to Ah Qing?" "Intimacy? How can there be such a thing!" Mizoyuan was in a panic, "I just have awe of Aqing, that's all. We met because there was a British visitor to Aqing's house, and I acted as a pawn for that British Translating, and practicing English by the way." "Don't be angry." "I'm not angry. Ah Qing is very hospitable, and the house is always full of guests. Her mansion is very spacious, and it is full of guests." Ryoma couldn't help laughing out loud. "Who are the people who went there?" "Mostly Samoans." Ryoma looked at the gully.Samoans are tough by nature and shrewd in their work, which is their strength, and their weakness is that they are good at women. "Samo people." Ryoma suddenly burst out laughing. "No, listen to me, Aqing..." Mizobuchi began to defend Aqing, "It's true that she likes men, and she can't sleep without a man around for a day. But she is not hungry, as long as she is a man Just lean in. It is said that what she hates the most are rich young masters who have no ambition and petty officials who are bluffing." “毕竟这个女人是个胆敢把丈夫赶回家去的人物啊。” “正是正是。听说她喜欢那种桀骜不驯的男人，尤其是奔走天下的志士。不仅如此，还会给他们资助，为他们寻找住处，总之会给予多方照顾。她还有一个拿手绝活——看人很准。不管对方是何等身份，她只重人品。某人和某人深得阿庆的宠爱。虽说他们受到宠爱，不过我也不知道是何种程度的宠爱。虽然不太清楚，但听说萨摩的松方和佐贺的大隈这些人，在二楼都有各自的房间，现在相当于寄宿在那里了。” “原来如此。这帮家伙的人品太差了。” “听说阿庆沐浴时，他们二人会学搓澡工的样子为阿庆搓背呢。” “嗬哈，能够让松方和大隈心甘情愿做她的搓澡工，看来这个女人确实不得了啊。”在龙马看来，比起和后藤象二郎会谈，去认识这位阿庆反倒更值得期待。 过了桥，便来到了油屋町的路口。路口对面，道路左侧，一道长长的院墙展现在眼前，这里便是阿庆的宅子。 “怎么样？不比大名府邸逊色吧？”沟渊广之丞说道。不得不承认，作为私人宅邸，这里或许仅次于龙马借宿的小曾根府。 大门十分宏伟。高高的大门可以容人骑马通过，门的两侧檐灯高挂。檐灯十分特别，是荷兰风格的豪华青铜煤油灯，红色的火焰已经摇曳不休。 进了门，在通向玄关的道路右侧，种着高大的厚皮香。厚皮香繁茂的枝叶下，长崎风情的小灯笼映照出地面的苔藓。 “有人吗？”沟渊在玄关大声呼喊。 立刻有一位打扮庄重的侍女一溜小跑出来跪下，俯首说道：“后藤大人已经到了。我这就带您过去。” 她走出玄关，手中捧着蜡台，引领二人走进了茂密树丛里的小径。不一会儿，三人穿过了一扇小门。眼前出现了一个茶室风格的庭院，随意摆放在院里的灯笼发出柔和的光。 龙马这时才明白，清风亭原来是庭院中茶室之名。 院中一扇柴扉，一位身材娇小的妇人手提灯笼立在旁边。侍女把龙马和沟渊交给这位妇人。 “我是这里的主人。”妇人用一种圆润低沉的声音说道，随后便在前面领路。 跟在后面的龙马闻到了一阵沁人心脾的香气。是法国香水，喜欢香水的龙马一下就闻出来了。一旁的沟渊甚是紧张。他虽死板，也在用自己的方式默默喜欢着阿庆。 “阿庆夫人，这位就是……”沟渊本想边走边介绍龙马。阿庆却打断了他：“沟渊大人，一会儿再说。”她微笑着，不再多说什么，只是向龙马轻轻颔首致意，便继续向前而行。昏暗的灯光下，甚至看不清她脸上的表情。 几人走进了清风亭。与其说这是间茶室，不如说更像是公卿府里常有的书斋风格的茶室式建筑，看样子足足有五间大小。 龙马和陆奥阳之助被安排在其中一间屋内等候。后藤随行的一众人则在另外一间屋子休息。沟渊频繁在走廊上跑来跑去，为双方联络、传话。 让沟渊头疼的，是座次问题。究竟应该让后藤坐在上座，还是应该让龙马坐在上座？这可真是个难题。 按理说，后藤是土佐的家老，不用说应该坐上座。龙马等人出身于乡士，是没有资格谒见后藤的。如果是在藩内，莫说是下座，就连和后藤位列同席都不可能。然而现在的龙马是闯荡天下的浪人，他率领着海上浪人团，已经成为了反抗幕府阵营中一股显赫的势力，他的大名无人不知，无人不晓。如果换个角度看，甚至可以说后藤只不过是个从乡下来的家老而已。 一筹莫展的沟渊无奈之下只得将陆奥阳之助叫到了走廊上。“不好办啊。如果因为座次的问题，双方闹僵了，必是功亏一篑。你有什么好办法？” “是谁邀请的？” “后藤大人。” “那么坂本君就是客人了，客人自然应当坐在上座。” “没有你想的那么简单。在土佐藩有过因为这个而流血的事。还有没有好主意？” “应该把坂本君安排在上座。”陆奥毅然说道。如果不让龙马坐在上座，今后和土佐藩打交道时社里的同志必定会被人轻视。“无论什么事情，开头是最重要的。在这一点上绝不能含糊。再说了，后藤大人是有求于我方。” “可是，”沟渊眼看着就要哭出来了，“后藤大人身边还带着几名上士，这些人是绝对不会同意的。而且这个座次如果传到了藩中，那边一定会大闹一场！” “那只不过是土佐藩的事。”纪州人陆奥冷冷地说道，“这和龟山商社无关。坂本龙马应该堂堂正正地坐在上座。” “可能会有一场腥风血雨啊！” “既然如此，我有一个法子。”陆奥十分善于把握交谈的节奏，把对方逼到走投无路，突然间话锋一转，再提出解决的办法。“请下座的后藤大人等脱掉正装，只着便服。我们在上方落座，一律身穿正装出席。” “妙！”沟渊拍手称赞，飞奔而去。陆奥随即将这事告诉了龙马，龙马苦笑一下，口中不语，心中却在想，沟渊真够辛苦的。沟渊虽说学识渊博，才华卓著，到大来还不是落得给人跑腿的下场。龙马心中顿时生出几许怅然。 “啊呀呀！”龙马走进屋子。他招呼这声，并不是因为看见了后藤，而是因为阿元也坐在屋里。他对这意外的重逢惊诧不已。 "How will you be here?" “是后藤大人叫我来的。”阿元明明是艺伎，此刻却像小姑娘一般羞红了脸。后藤这厮，有两把刷子，龙马心想。他原以为后藤是个粗枝大叶的牛皮大王，但从这件事可以看出，在待人接物这方面，他颇为细心周到。 其实，后藤对于和龙马会面这件事，着实费了一番心思。他得知龙马熟识的艺伎是阿元，才特意如此安排。 后来，龙马从沟渊口中得知了这件事，大为感动，感动之深连他自己都觉得奇怪。在土佐，他只不过是一介地位卑微的乡士，堂堂藩国的家老竟然对他关怀照料到如此地步，简直令人难以置信。 后藤绝不是个普通上士，龙马这样评判——后藤的手腕奏效了。他的秘密武器就是阿元。 看到龙马走进屋来，阿元也不禁吃了一惊，而且龙马径直坐到了上座。自然而然，她就要到主宾身旁周旋应酬。 龙马和后藤以目光相互致意，这个时候非常微妙，一对死敌如此相遇。 “天下之事，该如何运筹帷幄？”后藤先开始试探龙马了。 “我想先听听您的意见。”龙马毫不客气地顶了回去，这和剑客与别派比武类似。看清了对方剑的质地、用剑习惯和弱点以后再进攻，这是比武的要诀。 “在下愿洗耳恭听。”龙马又追加了一句，一次次将阿元为他斟满的酒喝干。 后藤开始谈论开国。他说，日本若不开国，必定灭亡。仅凭攘夷论者的一时意气无法解决任何问题。在这一点上，他们的意见一致。 但一旦转到国内政局，后藤的看法果然还是大藩家老的论调，完全成了佐幕论。 “都是些空谈。”龙马终于开始阐述他的主张。“您所说的不过是些空话，佐幕论调早已无法成立。”龙马侃侃而谈。“欧美自产业革命以来，各国国力大增。日本也应该振兴产业，繁盛贸易，使国富，令兵强，防备欧美的侵略。对此，我毫无异议。然而，要想新生，必须建立一个中央集权国家。像现在这样的朝廷与幕府二重结构，是无法成就国家之体的，也无法建成像欧美那样的强国。”龙马将后藤的话一一驳倒。 后藤也绝非等闲之辈，一句反驳的话也没有说，他不断点头，对龙马的主张表示赞同，最后竟然说：“愿与你成为挚友。”他的态度来了个一百八十度的大转弯，如此快的转变，甚至让龙马感到沮丧。后藤如此轻易地屈服、改口，反倒让龙马多了几分警惕。就算他被彻底驳倒了，可是佐幕之人又怎么可能在一瞬之间变成勤王之士？“真是个莫名其妙的家伙。”龙马眉毛低垂，悄声对陆奥说道，“简直就像变戏法的。” “或许是个怪人。” 后藤坐得很远，听不到两人的耳语。所谓不知者无烦恼，毫不知情的后藤可谓心情大好，那原本端庄稳重的风釆也没了踪影。他酒量非凡，眉开眼笑地频频向龙马举杯敬酒。 此时沟渊端着酒杯来到了龙马身边。 “沟渊，后藤象二郎这人是怎么回事啊？”龙马笑着问道。 沟渊明白龙马的意思。 “不，不是你想的那样，是有原因的。”沟渊小声辩解道。他解释，后藤最近几个月来曾派人到长州、萨摩，而且自己也同志士们见面，早已做好了充分准备。 “可是，即便如此也……”龙马突然笑了起来，“以前，我也曾和千叶重太郎到赤坂冰川下去刺杀胜先生，结果被驳斥得哑口无言，当场变成了开国论的拥护者。按理说我是不能嘲笑后藤突然转变的。” 这个时候的龙马，虽说立志革命，同时也开始展现独特的思想了。可是后藤却是一个彻头彻尾的政客。后藤自始至终都只是一个政客。 在幕长战争中，长州取得胜利，这件事已经让后藤为之一变。对于此前的佐幕家而言，时势正在向着出人意料的方向发展。曾经的佐幕派后藤敏感地觉察到了这一点。萨摩和长州极有可能夺取天下，这样一来，土州也不能仅作壁上观了，也希望能够分一杯羹，无论如何也要回到武市半平太那个时候的萨长土三藩震动天下的时代。然而，土佐已经镇压了藩内的勤王党，如今想要回头没那么容易。为了达到这个目的，只能依靠龙马。龙马以一介浪人之身与萨摩、长州两藩平起平坐，虽然脱离了藩籍，毕竟代表着土佐。依靠龙马并逐渐抬高龙马，以此来挤进萨摩和长州之间。这便是后藤的想法。对于政客后藤而言，思想和节操是个屁。 两人一边喝酒一边交谈，渐渐地，龙马看穿了后藤的全部想法，丝毫没有瞧不起这样的后藤。实现回天大业也需要这样的人，他心明如镜。 龙马和后藤象二郎的第一次会晤，基本上停留在叙旧联谊的程度上，这也是最初的目的。如今目的已然达到。 龙马返回本博多町小曾根府邸，土州的同志已集合起来等着他。 “怎么样？”菅野觉兵卫代表同志们发问，他的眼睛一眨不眨地盯着龙马，甚至能够感觉到他已经作好了思想准备——一旦情况不对头，决不放过龙马。 “我的脸上沾了什么东西吗？”龙马被众人紧张的情绪弄得甚是无聊，一骨碌躺在地上，手脚四仰八叉伸展开来，长短双刀也扔到了一旁。 “醉了。”他说。他扔出双刀，也可以理解成，杀不杀请便。“今天我把武市的仇人仔仔细细看了一番。若是考虑到武士的体面，本应把他杀之弃之，可是，在和他交谈的过程中，我渐渐被他的人品所吸引，忘了要杀他这回事了。” “请不要愚弄我们。龙马，请你认真一点！” “你们的那股子认真劲，我做不来。有的时候认真是好的，可是有时候，认真反而会把事情弄糟。” “后藤象二郎是杀害武市半平太的凶手啊！” “武市那里，横竖我会在冥府向他道歉。不要再提报仇的事了。” “可是，武市是被后藤害死的。这个冷酷的现实是无法掩盖的。” “觉兵卫，这是我们的说辞。后藤也会有他的想法，在他看来，我们是杀他姑父的凶手。不，他确实处在这个立场。” “吉田东洋是拥护幕府的奸贼！” “他们也会有他们的一套道理。如果我们双方一味地叫嚷着要报仇雪恨，就只能落得个重蹈水户党争覆辙的下场。” 水户藩原是尊王攘夷的先驱，可是藩内的勤王、佐幕两派相互残杀，而且两党内部又各自分立出小的派别，终日相害，最后人都被杀光了，再无可用之才。现在水户已经被时势的大潮远远甩在后面，淡出了人们的视线。 “如果后藤是个无用的废物，杀了他为武市报仇也未尝不可，但是，在平定当今天下混乱局势这场大戏中，此人注定要分担一个角色。好戏马上就要开始，这个时候要是把演员给杀了，戏还怎么演下去？” “他是个怎样的人？” “我没有想到土佐竟然也有这号人物。” "so……" “是个了不起的人。” "how to say?" “对他来说，我坂本龙马可以说是仇人，可是喝了那么长时间的酒，这人一句都没提过去的事情，始终都在谈论未来。如若不是个了不起的人物，绝不可能达到如此境界。” "Is that all?" “还有一点。和我交谈时，他会将一半的话题交给我主导，而剩下的一半话题他会拉回来，并且不会被我牵着鼻子走。我认为，有这种本事的人，定然能够成就天下大事。觉兵卫，你说呢？”菅野无语。 第二天，一位意外的人到访，是阿庆。 阿庆带着两个侍女装扮的美丽姑娘。这位女中豪杰外出的时候总是带着这两个姑娘，她自己称姑娘们为“侍童”。阿庆让那两位美丽的“侍童”在大门口等候，自己走进小曾根府。 “我要外出办点事情，就顺便过来了。”阿庆问，“坂本先生和陆奥先生在吗？” “在！”小曾根府的管家有些慌张。毕竟阿庆是长崎一等一的大富商，上流社会的名媛，还是个漂亮女人。管家仿佛接待从天而降的大名家小姐一般，诚惶诚恐地将阿庆带到客厅，然后便一溜小跑去通知了陆奥阳之助。 “我这就过去。”陆奥平素是个极不好伺候的年轻人，这时却立即赶往客厅，忙着问候阿庆。“昨天胃宝地叙旧，着实过意不去。” “您太客气了，能为各位大人尽一点绵薄之力是我的荣幸。”阿庆娇小的脸庞上露出了笑容。她唯一的缺点，就是一笑起来就看不见眼睛。 她不愧被人们称为西国第一讲究穿着的女人，今天的衣服也是甚为奢华。她喜欢那种稍稍与艺伎所穿类似的、妖艳妩媚的风格，尤其喜好黑色。今天穿的是在黑色绉绸上织有花瓣和菱形图案的带有家纹的和服。据说在别人面前穿过一次的衣服，她绝不会穿第二次。所以长崎市里的女人们议论说：“今天我看见阿庆夫人了，她今天穿的和服是从大清进口的，腰带是……” “是这样。”阿庆开口了，“昨天是后藤大人邀请了诸位，阿庆也想招待大家一回。所以今天来询问各位是否愿意赏光去敝府一聚？” “您要招待我们？” “是招待坂本先生和您。” "Why is this?" “咦？难道您没有听人说过？” "what?" “我喜欢男人。”阿庆一本正经地说道，“我想和坂本先生睡一觉。若是坂本先生不愿意的话，和您也无妨。”光天化日之下，阿庆若无其事地用最优雅的长崎话慢悠悠地说着。 “嗯，明天晚上我们过去。”陆奥完全乱了方寸，竟然没有征求龙马的同意便茫然应了下来。