Chapter 65 Nine, the dream of returning to heaven

At the end of the second year of Keio, Nakaoka Shintaro was in Kyoto. Emperor Xiaoming collapsed. The situation is about to change, and Nakaoka, who has a keen sense, immediately judges.Emperor Xiaoming was the source of the barbarians, which inspired the world's anti-barbarians, but he did not advocate crusade against the shogunate, which made the anti-barbarian forces at a loss as to what to do.Not only did he oppose the crusade against the shogunate, but he even wanted to restore the authority of the shogunate, use the power of the shogunate to consolidate domestic order, and then launch a tough foreign policy.As a result, he naturally hated all the anti-murder officials, and in August of the third year of Bunjiu, Sanjo Mimi and others were purged in the name of "traitors", and the people in charge of the court were replaced by the Saba faction.

If you talk about the same belief as the emperor, it is the guardian of Aizu in Kyoto.The Shinsengumi under the jurisdiction of the Aizu clan is also on the same front as the emperor.Aizu and Shinsen formed the emperor's right-hand man, running around, busy driving out the anti-shogunate forces.The source of justice they firmly believe in is Emperor Xiaoming. After the emperor died, the new emperor, who was not yet sixteen years old, succeeded him. The shogunate is also making wishful thinking.The fact that Emperor Xiaoming hated the foreigners seemed to be a hindrance to the shogunate. They had made a secret agreement with the French envoy to open a port in Hyogo, so they wanted to take the opportunity to ask the young emperor for an imperial edict to open the port.

Shintaro Nakaoka, a ronin of the Fallen School, also had the same idea.Now he has become the most powerful counselor of Sa and Chang. Coincidentally, Saigo Takamori, Satsuma's Kyoto diplomat, also returned to Kyoto Prefecture from the feudal kingdom at the end of the year to take up his post. "His Majesty the Emperor, he was the most opposed to the opening of Hyogo Port." Nakaoka persuaded Saigo Road. Indeed, Yokohama and Nagasaki, which have opened ports, are far away from Kyoto, but Hyogo can be called the throat of Kyoto.Once foreigners are allowed to stay in Hyogo, maybe like the Qing Dynasty, the imperial capital will be attacked by foreigners sooner or later.There was always such a fear in the Emperor's heart.Because of this, the shogunate had asked for an imperial order to open the port several times before, but the emperor finally did not agree.

The shogunate is determined to open the port, and the reason can be imagined.After the opening of the port, the shogunate can justifiably monopolize most of the transactions, and can use these benefits to completely change the economic power. How can you let your wish come true!The position of Nakaoka and other downfall factions is also very clear. "We should take this opportunity to take the decision-making power of foreign policy from the shogunate! We can follow the example of Prussia. The highest decision-making of the country should be decided by the Daimyo Conference convened by the imperial court."

Xixiang agreed. At this time, there is no national salvation plan that can make the people with lofty ideals excited like the idea of ​​"Daimyo Conference".Of course, this was neither Nakaoka's idea, nor Saigo's and Ryoma's ideas.People with lofty ideals are scrambling to discuss this plan, but no one can imagine that this plan comes from a British youth.This young man was Ernest Sa Daoyi, the translator of the British Legation.Sa Daoyi's language learning ability is extremely strong, and he can even read Japanese official documents fluently. The most important thing is that he has novel and unique insights into the situation.He published an article in the Japan Times, a Yokohama publication, with a suggestion to clean up Japan's mess.

In the article, he commented on Japanese generals like this: "At first, the countries thought that the general was the head of the country, and the shogunate also declared that, but in fact he was just the leader of the daimyo. Knowing this, but still calling himself a monarch, is arrogance. .” In short, he believes that the great powers headed by the United Kingdom intend to establish diplomatic relations with generals who are not heads of state, which has led to today's diplomatic chaos. "Therefore, it is best for Japan to reform the current political situation. The best way is for the general to return to his original appearance and become the leader of the daimyo. The daimyo alliance that supports the emperor becomes the ruling force to take power. This is a more appropriate way. "

When writing this paper, Sa Daoyi published it in his own name without consulting his superior minister, which naturally violated the principles of being an official.The article was translated into Japanese by his Japanese teacher Awa Hachisuka's retainer Numata Torazuro, and the Japanese transcripts were widely circulated among the people.At some point, the title of the article became something so bureaucratic as "On British Policy".Ryoma had read it, and so had Nakaoka.As for Saigo, he not only read the article, but also met with Sadoyoshi on the Satsuma boat off the coast of Hyogo.

Regardless of the influence of Sa Doyoshi's thesis, the idea of ​​the daimyo conference was gradually being seriously discussed among those who had a good impression of the shogunate. The shogunate is gradually losing its ability to govern, and even the Saba faction has to admit this.For the downfall faction, holding daimyo conferences during this period is an excellent plan to absorb the opposition. "I'm going back to the feudal kingdom and unify the feudal theory as soon as possible." Saigo said, he also suggested that Nakaoka go to Kagoshima.Saigo and Nakaoka began to show their talents.

Nakaoka is an astute person.He immediately rushed to Osaka, found Ihara and Shimizu of the Choshu Domain hidden in the Tosabori Satsuma Domain Mansion, and went to Hyogo together.At this time, there happened to be a Satsuma feudal boat moored at the port, so the three borrowed the boat and sailed to Dazaifu.Five ministers, including Sanjo Mimi, who was deprived of their official positions by Emperor Xiaoming's imperial edict, are living behind closed doors in Dazaifu.The purpose of going this time was to inform them of the biggest political event since the death of Emperor Xiaoming, and to discuss with them what plans to do in the future.

Saigo set off for Kagoshima on another ship a few days after Nakaoka left.In Kyoto, he repeatedly discussed and considered a plan with Komatsu Daidao, Okubo Ichizo, Nakaoka Shintaro and others from the same domain, and it was already well established.Although it was a meeting of daimyos, it did not call all three hundred daimyos to Kyoto.These people are nothing but elders, and most of them have neither ability nor thought, let alone any way to save the country. There is another group of people in the world, known as the "Four Sages".The four virtuous princes who were once famous in the Ansei period refer to Qibin Shimadzu of Satsuma, Yamatodo of Tosa, Date Zongjo of Iyo Uwajima, and Matsudaira Haruga of Echizen Fukui.Now that Qi Bin is dead, it is his younger brother, Shimadzu Hisamitsu, the biological father of the current Satsuma feudal lord, who is in power.

The four virtuous princes wanted to convene a meeting, which was naturally hosted by the imperial court. As for the preliminary work, Xixiang had already arranged it well before departure. After Xixiang returned to Kagoshima, he immediately had an audience with Hisamitsu and Zhongyi father and son, and said: "Now is the perfect time. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we can transform the politics that has always been centered on the generals into the four sages called by the court. The Hou meeting is the center. Once this opportunity is missed, the shogunate will support the young emperor and coerce the emperor to command the princes. At that time, the consequences will be unimaginable!" "It makes sense." Even Shimadzu Hisamitsu, who has always hated Saigo, fully understood the current serious situation. "A meeting requires force," Saigo said.The imperial court and the shogunate will definitely not agree to convene the "Four Worthy Marquis Conference" just by talking about it, and they need to have an army that is enough to attract their attention as support.In other words, the four virtuous princes must each lead their troops and go to Beijing quickly. "It makes sense!" Jiu Guang almost shouted.The situation is already surging, and the Satsuma clan will naturally take advantage of the situation. "Immediately rectify the army and enter Beijing by sea!" Next, the other three virtuous princes must be persuaded.Matsudaira Harugatake from Echizen is already in Kyoto, and the remaining problem is how to get the two of Tosa and Uwajima to act. "Send someone to lobby immediately." Jiuguang ordered Xixiang. Saigo boarded a ship and headed for Tosa first.He entered Urado Bay in Tosa from Kagoshima by sea, and on February 16, he visited Laofan Gongshan Content Hall in Santianfu, Kochi City. Xixiang explained to Rong Tang the current situation in the world and the necessity of the meeting of the four virtuous princes.Rong Tang, who had a strong comprehension ability, immediately said straightforwardly: "Understood." He was originally a person with complicated thoughts.Although he is famous for his advocacy of Zuo Mu, his basic rationality is still there.At this time, he said to Xixiang: "The old man respects the efforts made by the Marquis of Sazhou very much, and your views are also very reasonable. There is just one thing, I hope your vassal can understand that my Tosa Yamauchi family is different from the Satsuma Shimadzu family. When it was first established, the Dechuan family has been very kind to you, so please forgive me for this." As a scholar in power, Rong Tang should understand that the only way to save the country is to establish a unified country centered on the Emperor of Kyoto.If he had not been destined to be the Tosa feudal lord, but had been born in a lowly samurai family and was the second son, he would have become the most radical and diligent warrior. Rong Tang is full of emotions and reveals them. In his eyes, others are just idiots. Even when discussing important matters with others, he often leaves the meeting angrily in agitation. "The matter is very important this time, please don't give up halfway through the work like before." Facing the daimyo, Xixiang advised, it can be said that he has made a lot of determination. The irritable Rongtang accepted Xixiang's ingenious and humorous persuasion with a smile, and readily agreed. "I know. This time I go, I'm already mentally prepared to become a piece of land in Dongshan, even if I can't go back to Tosa, I will fight hard." Immediately afterwards, this activist who admired Nobunaga Oda put his words into practice during his stay in Tosa in Xixiang——launched a mobilization of the entire vassal state to Beijing. After that, Saigo took a boat again, turned a big bend westward from Tosa Bay, entered the city of 100,000 stones in Iyo Uwajima, which is also in Shikoku, and had an audience with Date Zongcheng, one of the four sages. Zongcheng has a long face, known as "Long Face Hou".Moreover, he is older, and his temperament is different from Rongtang's, he belongs to the overly sensitive type of person.So it was only natural that Saigo received an unpleasant reception on Uwajima. Date Zongcheng showed an extremely vigilant attitude towards the meeting of four virtuous princes advocated by Satsuma.He will never be fooled by the Samoans, his attitude is very obvious.When it comes to talent and action, Zongcheng is also a character, and he has a pair of insightful eyes, and he has already seen that the shogunate's fate is coming to an end.In this regard, he is the same as the Satsuma.But even so, he didn't know Satsuma's determination, so he was not very enthusiastic about Satsuma's proposal.Iyo's Date family is a foreign daimyo, originally belonging to the same family as Sendai's Date family, but Zongcheng himself is the adopted son from the Yamaguchi family of Banner, and was born as a shogunate, so his feelings for the shogunate are not like Saigo.It can be said that he is the sect of respecting the king and Zuo Mu.On this point, he had the same thought as Rong Tang. "Why did Mr. Rong Tang come to Beijing?" Song Genshu, the elder who served Zongcheng, asked Xixiang.It stands to reason that Rongtang should not like being manipulated by Satsuma, Song and Gen's implication hides deep suspicion. Xixiang couldn't help feeling angry. "Your Excellency shouldn't have asked this question. Mr. Rongtang naturally sent his troops to Beijing because he saw the danger of the Celestial Empire today." He gave Song Gen a high-sounding answer. Date Zongcheng neither said to go nor said no to it, and adopted a wait-and-see attitude like a mother-in-law abusing a daughter-in-law, which was in stark contrast to Rongtang's straightforward response. After the talks, a banquet was held.The banquet was very special, and many geisha in the city were called to the hall to pour wine for the guests. "This is the custom of Uwajima." Zongcheng said with a smile. At the banquet, Zongcheng said to Xixiang: "Yusuke Yoshinosuke, do you have someone you like in Kyoto?" There was a mocking tone in his tone.And Xixiang didn't have a woman who could be called a lover, he thought Zongcheng's teasing was very stupid, so he said, "Yes." As a result, Zongcheng refused to let go, and continued to ask: "What is Fang's name?" Xixiang remained silent, and said for a long time, "Even if you say it, it's useless, please ask me some useful words." When Xixiang said this, Zongcheng seemed to be expressing his thoughts. "A person like you is hopeless just because he can only say such things." The meaning of what Zongcheng said is somewhat puzzling.If he meant to let Xixiang gossip a little bit, then Xixiang was a master of small talk.Zongcheng must have misunderstood Xixiang. In the end, Xixiang made a lot of money after running around, and Zongcheng basically agreed to go to Beijing.What about Shintaro Nakaoka? Nakaoka was tirelessly rushing to Chikushi alone, and soon stepped into the gate of Dazaifu, where Japan's largest political prisoner-Sanjo Mimi and other five radical ministers were imprisoned. Nakaoka came to the residence of Sanjo Mimi, visited the five ministers, and informed them that the emperor had passed away. "Is that true?" Sanjo leaned out from his seat. "There is absolutely no falsehood." Nakaoka bowed his head and said. Three suddenly burst into tears. Nakaoka was surprised.Santiao and others offended Emperor Xiaoming of Zuo Mu, were expelled from the imperial court, and lived in the Western Kingdom. Now they are imprisoned in this remote place because of the order of the shogunate.It stands to reason that they should hate the emperor, but now the five ministers are covering their faces and weeping. Wu Gongqing cried, and the political situation after the death of the emperor could no longer be discussed. On the second day, Nakaoka came to see him again, and by this time Sanjo had regained his composure a little. "Nakaoka." Sanjo said first, "The new emperor is still young. If the shogunate supports this young emperor and takes control of the court, the shogunate regime may be safe for a hundred years. Thinking of this makes me restless." Nakaoka said that the Satsuma domain should be taking advantage of the opportunity in Kyoto, and the pardon should come down soon.Sanjo nodded and said, "That being said, it is impossible for us to return to Kyoto right now. Activities will take time. If the shogunate controls the young emperor during this period, everything will be irreversible." "Since this is the case, we have to find a way to prevent it." Nakaoka then truthfully introduced the plan to hold a meeting of four virtuous princes and establish a provisional government.Sanjo couldn't help but applaud, and sighed again: "Unfortunately, I am still imprisoned in this important period. Nakaoka, you are my substitute!" So, as a token, Sanjo took the brocade that she had worn since childhood The amulet was presented to Nakaoka. Nakaoka then went to Kagoshima to meet and negotiate with the people of the Satsuma Domain Hall, then went to Nagasaki and Omura, and finally returned to Dazaifu to meet Mimi Sanjo again. "There is one crucial matter that needs your opinion." "What is it?" "About the matter in the palace." Sanjo already knew what Nakaoka was going to say after hearing this sentence.Who will preside over the court affairs after the emperor's death? For this most important issue, Sanjo is also at a loss.No talent available.Today, all the ministers who hold important positions in the court are without exception the Zuoba sect and are enemies.All the Radical Qinwang Factions were demoted, and even among these people, none of them were competent for court affairs. "Gongqing are all idiots." Sanjo Mimi sighed.However, without a minister, one cannot be active in the court. "What do you think of the former Lieutenant General Iwakura Tsukiyo?" Nakaoka tried to keep calm. This nomination was no joke. This person once showed his talents as a counselor of the Saba faction of the court. During the Ansei period, he agreed with Ii Dao's policy of forcing the founding of the country, and worked hard to promote the integration of the shogunate and the imperial court. Finally, he became the center of the incident of marrying the emperor's sister and Miyashita to the shogun Iemo. figure.For this reason, Jingyi aroused the hatred of people with lofty ideals.The patriots thought that he was a traitor who, as a citizen of the emperor, betrayed the emperor's sister to the shogunate, so they killed Jing Yi outside the Sakurada Gate.Since then, Iwakura was also hunted down by radical patriots and almost died by the knife.Later, Iwakura received the imperial edict and retired to Iwakura Village, north of Kyoto, where he lived a life of embarrassment. "He's a traitor!" Even Santiao couldn't help raising his voice. Nakaoka nodded, "I've heard that too. Not only that, during Wenjiu years, I even thought of assassinating Iwakura." "Then why on earth did you recommend this Iwakura?" Sanjo asked palely. It turned out that when Nakaoka went to Kagoshima, he talked about such a problem - he couldn't find a talented public minister.Speaking of capable people, there is only the notorious hermit from Yancang Village. "This Iwakura..." Okubo Ichizo said, "This is a secret rumor. It is said that he regrets the mistakes he made in the past few years, and now he is almost the only minister who has the ambition to return to heaven. This is what Keizo Kagawa, a rogue from Mito, Junzo Ohashi, a Confucian from Edo, and Hayato Tokuda, a rogue from Higo, all visited Iwakura in secret." Okubo Xiao said that there is no medicine without poison.Nakaoka also agrees.Therefore, Nakaoka tried his best to persuade Sanjo of Dazaifu and Jushi of Iwakura Village in Luobei to form an alliance. Nakaoka pleaded with Sanjo Mimi: "I beg your lord to write a letter to Iwakura-kun, clarifying your intention to repair it. I will take this letter to Beijing and go to the place where Iwakura-kun retired to pay a visit." "After seeing you, what are your plans?" "First of all, I will observe this person's character, listen to his words, observe his actions, and carefully examine his opinions, enthusiasm and sincerity." "and then?" "If it is verified that the rumors are true, I will hand over your lord's letter to him, so that you can form a secret alliance." Nakaoka Shintaro has a good eye for people, and his comments on characters are also well-known among people with lofty ideals. If someone is appreciated by him, people will regard him as a first-class samurai just because of this. "If it helps Huitian, I have no objection. Everything is left to you." Santiao said, suppressing his inner feelings.Then he got up from his seat and wrote a letter to his most hated political opponent. "After Yu Xi escaped, everything went wrong. Qing Yi assisted the Prime Minister in Zhongxing's career, and Yu also worked together." The three hands holding the pen trembled slightly, which was also caused by his temperament.He is a strong-willed but emotional person, and there are some places in his character that are very feminine. Nakaoka received the letter, twisted it into a thin rope and sewed it into the collar of his underwear, put on his favorite Nirayama bamboo hat, and left Dazaifu.On the way, he disembarked at Maguan, and had a drink with Longma, who happened to be here, in Changtailou, a restaurant.It was at this time that Nakaoka learned that Shinsaku Takasugi, who had fought side by side for many years, was dying.Takasugi is suffering from tuberculosis, and there is no cure for it, and he is just dying.In fact, after Takasugi's old problems got worse, he still worked hard for the coup d'état and the battle of the shogunate in the domain, and drank heavily during the period. It can be said that his body's endurance has reached its limit. Nakaoka murmured sadly: "Without him, Changzhou would have changed a long time ago." After saying that, he couldn't help but shed tears.He then told Ryoma what had prompted Sanjo and Iwakura to join forces. "Did Santiao Qing agree?" Ryoma asked hurriedly.He believes that the conclusion of the secret alliance between Sa and Chief took the first big step in history towards the restoration, and the second step may be the joint efforts of Sanjo and Iwakura.In his opinion, it is impossible to complete the revolution with a simple and violent public official like Sanjo Mimi alone. People like him can only be used in the early stages of the revolution. What is most needed now is an excellent counselor like Iwakura. Nakaoka Shintaro quietly entered Kyoto in April of the third year of Keio. In the market, the Aizu feudal vassals and the Xinsen team patrolled with shining spears.After entering Kyoto from Fushimi, Nakaoka was questioned by the Shinsengumi patrol in front of the Great Buddha. "Please report the domain name." The team member of the Shinsengumi asked. Nakaoka's composure is recognized.He stared at the other person's face, and then said: "Summer." The voice was low, and the answer was concise and powerful.If you talk too much, it is hard to guarantee that the Tosa dialect will not pop up. "what is it call?" The Shinsengumi was originally a ronin association, but because it belongs to the shogunate organization Kyoto Guardian, it is justified. "Ishikawa Kiyonosuke." This is an alias Nakaoka often uses. . "From where? Where are you going?" "From Osaka. Now going to Satsuma Prefecture." "The location of the Satsuma Mansion?" "Nihonmatsu." Nakaoka slowly took a step forward.The Shinsengumi were a little bit confused, but they couldn't kill anyone who openly claimed to be a Satsuma vassal. Under the Gion stone section, Nakaoka was interrogated by the Mihui team again.Seeing that the return team is different from the Shinsengumi, in principle the children of the shogunate are used, so the attitude is very arrogant and rude, and the management of the team is not as orderly as the Shinsengumi. "Which domain are you from?" They used this arrogant tone, raising their chins when they asked. "Satsuma." Nakaoka still answered briefly.During this period, even the shogunate treated Satsuma very politely, so the name of Satsuma was like a talisman, which worked quite well. "Farewell." Nakaoka left.He has a feeling of escape from a tiger's mouth. I can't die yet, there is still a plot to return to heaven buried in Zhong Gang's heart.If this conspiracy cannot be realized, and history cannot take a major turning point, it will be a death sentence. Takasugi can let go.At this time, Nakaoka would think so.Takasugi Shinsaku was lying on the sickbed, his life hanging by a thread.In Nakaoka's view, Takasugi has fulfilled his historical mission. Even if he dies now, his soul can rest in peace and ascend to heaven. My career is just getting started, Nakaoka thought.Since Bunjiu left the Tosa domain in three years, he has been living a life of wind and rain, and now he can finally see hope. Nakaoka went all the way north in Kyoto, and soon entered the Satsuma Mansion of Nihonmatsu.While greeting the gatekeeper, he quickly walked in the door. He stayed in the mansion for one night, and discussed with the people in the feudal mansion how to sneak into Yancang Village, but he learned that Yancang Village was also guarded by clerks, even stricter than the security in the city.He had to find a way. "There is Maeda Gagaku-sama," said Takasaki Sataro, a Satsuma vassal.Maeda Gagaku is a samurai who works in the imperial palace. He and Iwakura have the same goals. If Iwakura needs to come to Kyoto for business, Maeda Gagakufu will act as his liaison office.Yancang was unable to come to Beijing in person because he was expelled from the palace by the first emperor.At this time, Iwakura's loyal servant, He San, a young farm boy from Iwakura Village, will sneak into Maeda's house as a secret emissary. "As long as Yusan comes, we can get in touch." Takasaki took Nakaoka to find Maeda Masara and explained his purpose.At this moment, Yosan, who wore a handkerchief on his head and looked like a farmer, sneaked in through the side door. Nakaoka was suddenly excited, as if gods and Buddhas were helping him, and the long-planned secret plan would become a reality. "Yosan, please!" Nakaoka asked Yosan to lead him the way. "Do your best." Yu San said sullenly.He also understands that once things are exposed, he will die without a place to bury him. In the evening of the next day, Nakaoka left Nihonmatsu's Satsuma domain under the cover of darkness.When we left Kyoto and came near Tanaka Village, it was already dark, and Nakaoka continued on his way under the starlight. Walking on a field path, Nakaoka didn't dare to light a lantern, and reluctantly walked forward. The stars in Tosa are brighter. Nakaoka looked up at the starry sky with some annoyance. The stars in the sky in Kyoto are very small, maybe because this place is more humid than the southern country.Nakaoka suddenly thought of his old father and wife in his hometown. Pass through the dense forest of Shanggamo Village, enter Matsuzaki Village, and then go forward, you will see a hillside called Fox Hill.This place once appeared in ancient poems, just as the name of Shanpo says, it is said that foxes often appear here, and after passing Fox Hill, Yancang Village is within easy reach. Nakaoka sat down halfway up the mountain and took out a bamboo tube to drink water. "My lord." A figure approached, it was Yusan. "Did things go well?" "all the best." The shogunate set up a monitoring post on the opposite side of the road next to the leased farmhouse of Iwakura Tomomi, and placed several Aizu feudal vassals.In order to stabilize these guys, Yosan sold Iwakura's sword and bought wine, just now he was drinking with those people. Nakaoka followed Yosan into Iwakura Village.It's a small, unremarkable village surrounded by hills. The hermitage of Iwakura Tsurumi, with farmland to the north and a dilapidated side door to the south, faces the path of the village, and Mount Hiei can be glimpsed through the gap in the color of the cedar hedge.The residence occupies a larger area than expected, it seems to be 400 ping.The residence is surrounded by red clay courtyard walls, and the collapsed places can be filled with the color of fir hedges.Nakaoka bowed his body through the fence and entered the courtyard. The house is small.This is a hermitage built for him by farmers in the nearby villages. There are only three rooms, each with six stacks, four and a half stacks, and three stacks.The three-story room is used for the living of the owner, Iwakura. Could this be the home of the former Lieutenant General?Thinking of this, there was a burst of sadness in Nakaoka's heart. Fortunately, because the house occupies a large area, Iwakura carved out a part of the yard to grow vegetables by himself.He hardly had any income. His original salary was 150 shi, but his actual income was only 40%.It is really difficult to support my family in Kyoto with this little money, and to maintain my own life on top of that. Iwakura likes to drink, and drinks three meals a day, five spoonfuls each time.As for the appetizers, according to Yusan, most of them are just tofu.In fact, Iwakura likes to eat fish.However, he didn't have the money to buy fresh fish every day, so Yu San would often go to the river to catch fish for him.Iwakura's sons, Shumaru and Yatsushiromaru, would go fishing in the river every time they visited their father from Kyoto, and tried their best to improve food for their father. In order to prevent being attacked by assassins, Iwakura will lock the doors and windows as soon as the sun goes down.However, on a certain summer night, during a massage with Sanwei Iwakura, both the master and the servant dozed off, and when they woke up, they were both startled. One more thing happened on a windy day.It was an afternoon in September of the third year of Wenjiu, when a storm suddenly fell.Because the house has a double-roof design, Iwakura and Yosan panicked.The doors, windows, and partitions were all blown away, but Iwakura and Yosan couldn't care less about these. They ran around the room like crazy, pressing all kinds of official documents with their hands, feet, and even their whole bodies, for fear of losing the secret documents. . It's a veritable life of seclusion. Iwakura was extremely afraid of thunder.It's a lovely thing that such a courageous character is afraid of thunder, but once the lightning and thunder strike, Yu Sanke will be miserable.He had to quickly hang up the mosquito net, ask Yan Cang to hide in, and then wrap Yan Cang with a quilt, waiting for the thunder to stop. And so on, anecdotes continue. "This way, please." Yosan walked through the cedar fence in the darkness. When I got to the house near Iwakura, I realized that the rain windows were closed, probably to guard against the Aizu feudal vassals gathered across the road to watch.There seemed to be no lights in the room, and the room was very dark from the gap in the door. "My lord, my lord." Yu San put his mouth on the crack of the door and called out. "This is the door." A faint voice came from the room. Soon, the door opened a thin crack, and the black figure in the room asked in an old voice: "Is this person Shintaro Nakaoka from Tuzhou?" Nakaoka bowed his head and said, "My humble servant is Shintaro Nakaoka, Tushu." His voice was low, but very clear, exactly his style. "I have long admired your name, please come in." Hearing that this person was weird, Nakaoka thought to himself, but the voice was very kind. After Nakaoka entered the house, he put the long knife in the corridor and walked into the room with four stacks. After Yosan closed the door, Iwakura lit the paper lamp. "It's too narrow there, come here." Iwakura beckoned Nakaoka to sit in his six-story room. "Don't dare!" Nakaoka quickly declined.When meeting a distinguished person, one should exchange greetings in another room across the threshold. This is a well-known etiquette. "I'm an exile. Besides, this room is as rough and narrow as a woodcutter's hut. How can I care about these?" Iwakura is an unconventional public minister who behaves like a man in the rivers and lakes, but he is very particular about the rules of doing things.Iwakura said: "If you sit down and sit down during the conversation, the voice will naturally be louder. If people outside can hear it, it will be bad." It turned out that he was worried about this. "The villain is taking the liberty." Nakaoka walked into the room with six stacks, and the books in the room were piled up to the alcove. He seemed to be a book lover, Nakaoka thought to himself.But he had heard rumors to the contrary.It is said that before the age of 20, Iwakura studied in the lecture hall of the imperial palace with other princes' children.But one day, it was time for the lecture notes of Nobuaki Fukuhara's "Chunqiu Zuozhuan". paper chess board spread out.Zhong Yumen is a serious student, and he said angrily: "Mr. is giving a lecture now. Why don't you study?" Iwakura laughed and said: "I have already grasped the general idea of ​​Chunqiu. As long as you understand the general idea of ​​that kind of thing, the rest What's the use of memorizing those trivial explanations? It's not as useful as playing chess and competing for resourcefulness." It really looks extraordinary!Nakaoka looked at Iwakura in rapt attention.He is about forty-two or three-year-old, with a shaved head, slender single eyelid, piercing eyes and a wide mouth. This look really doesn't look like a public servant, Nakaoka even thought.It's not that Iwakura's face is rare, but that this face shouldn't be on a public official or a daimyo, it's more like the face of a gambler or a charlatan. "It's been a long journey." Iwakura suddenly smiled.He knew Nakaoka's name and deeds like the back of his hand.Keizo Kagawa, Shinzo Ohashi of Tosa, a rogue from the Mito feudal domain, and others secretly visited, and talked about the situation in the world and the activities of promising people. "I want to have a long talk with you tonight." Iwakura stood up and walked towards the kitchen. After a while, he came out with a large wine jug and tea bowl.Yu San followed behind, carrying dried squid. "It's said that Tosa people can drink. How about your drinking capacity?" "I can't drink." Nakaoka said with a wry smile.In terms of drinking capacity, both Ryoma and Nakaoka are much smaller than other fellow countrymen. "It is said that people from each feudal clan have their own hobbies during the banquet. Satsuma people like to play with kabuki, Changzhou people will recite poems and Fu with eyebrows raised, and Tuzhou people will talk at length." "We don't have much ability." Nakaoka smiled bitterly with increasing embarrassment.Tosa has long been known as a wild land, and has not been moistened by Kyoto culture. "Tosa dialect is also one of the reasons." Iwakura said.He has studied the Tosa dialect, which not only has clear pronunciation, but also has few words to express ambiguous emotions, unlike the languages ​​in the Kyoto area.At this point, it can be said that Tosa dialect is the only dialect that is easy to express in an orderly and logical manner.He then said, "Perhaps this is the reason why Tosa has so many debaters." Afterwards, they discussed current affairs.Iwakura unequivocally advocated the seizure of power and the extermination of the Tokugawa clan. "Before Anzheng, I was also a samurai theory. That's because I felt that since the shogunate controlled Japan's political power and military power, in order to protect the country from foreign invasion, it could only assist. However, the situation has changed now. The shogunate It has lost its power, and its existence has even threatened the survival of Japan. If you don't cut it off and throw it away, this land can only go to perish. Maybe this sounds like a bluff, but the people who live in Yancang Village In the past few years, I have put some of my insignificant feelings into words and sent them to people with lofty ideals in the court several times." The so-called impressions are mostly strategies to clean up the current situation, and Iwakura showed two or three of them to Nakaoka.Nakaoka read carefully, and each article is full of brilliant insights, and the arguments are quite clear.There are such characters in the world!He had to re-examine the strange face of Iwakura.Needless to say, what Nakaoka admired most was that Iwakura did not stop thinking about world affairs during his seclusion.From this fact alone, it can be concluded that Iwakura is definitely not a human being.If it is an ordinary person, they will either become world-weary and pessimistic, hide their strengths and bide their time, wasting time with long sighs, or become enlightened and do nothing.And Iwakura seems to be unable to bear the loneliness.His active character, which never rests for a moment, is exactly what is needed in today's ever-changing situation. "Do you think about these things every day?" "Sometimes I feel depressed. The pain of being gradually invaded by gloom, only those who have tried to live in seclusion know what it is like. At least once in ten days, I will fall into that mood, and sometimes even think of death." "How did you get here at that time?" "There is no good way. But..." Iwakura pulled out a book from the mountain of books behind him. The title of the book, written in a pseudonym on the cover, is a collection of poems that Iwakura edited for himself.The authors are all people who have passed away, and without exception, they are all diligent kings who died for state affairs. "After reading these, I can temporarily relieve the block in my chest." Yan Cang said. To Nakaoka's shock, these deceased patriots all took the opposite position from Iwakura.Among the Satsuma people who died in the battle at Teradaya were Ma Shinshichi, Fujimoto Teishi who died in the Tenju group, Izumi Izumi and Hisaka Genzui who died in the Gamyumon Incident, etc.Nakaoka only took a general look, and saw more than thirty familiar names. It seems that the sincerity of this minister is absolutely true.Nakaoka concluded.So not long after the two talked, Nakaoka cut to the chase and begged Iwakura to join hands with Sanjo Mimi, who lives in Dazaifu, and sent a letter from Sanjo. After reading the letter, Iwakura said with tears in his eyes: "There is already a secret about the alliance of the chief ministers, and this time Santiao Qing will join hands with Yu again. Great things in the world will come true!" During the meeting, there were not only discussions.Iwakura was tired of talking about the big truths, so he suddenly changed the topic and started talking about the ordinary gossip in the tepid village, even Nakaoka, who was always serious, was amused and laughed. "Don't look at it as a small village, it has its own funny things." Iwakura said.In the eyes of nobles in the palace like Iwakura, the ignorant and ignorant life in the countryside has a special flavor. "There is a garden village not far from here. There lives an old farmer named Jiubingwei. This old man is deaf." Kubei of Garden Village is the husband of Iwakura's wet nurse.有一段时间，岩仓曾被勤王派的刺客盯上，无法继续住在岩仓村的隐居所，便暂时藏身于花园村九兵卫的宅子里。 “那个时候，实在是无聊。”岩仓说。那时闲来无事，便终日跟老九兵卫厮混。“九兵卫虽然年纪大了，可仍然很忙碌，每天都去晒谷场搓绳子。我就蹲在他身边，从早到晚闲聊。” “哦。”岩仓已经孤独到不得不和野老闲扯度日，因九兵卫是看着岩仓长大的，所以岩仓在他面前最是可以心无芥蒂、坦诚相待。 “九兵卫是个胸无点墨的倔强老农，可是因为他饱经风霜，身上散发出的沧桑气息，比起那些公卿、大名来自有沉甸甸的厚重风釆，或许应该说是颇有威严。” "Oh." “有一次，我还像往常一样，蹲在搓绳子的九兵卫身旁聊得正欢，这时正值正午时分，院子里的五六只鸡便打起鸣来。九兵卫徐徐转头，看了看那些鸡。真是物换星移啊，世间万物都和从前不一样啦。他嘟囔道，话里还夹杂着汉语。我心下奇怪，便竖起耳朵想听个仔细。我们年轻的时候，鸡报时的时候都会发出咯咯咯的叫声，可现在这些鸡都只张嘴不出声。九兵卫完全忘了自己耳聋的事。” “哈哈！”中冈放声大笑起来，倔强老头九兵卫的样子仿佛就在眼前。 “平民中也有如此了不起的人。”岩仓也大笑起来，“我也领悟到，原来这人世间有许多人都是这样考虑事情的。如果我一直像从前那样过着公卿生活，恐怕也不会知道这些事情。流放的生活对我有很大的帮助。” 岩仓说话的同时也在观察着中冈。 看来是位刚直之士，起初，岩仓从中冈的风貌如此判断。但经过交谈，逐渐感到中冈的好处绝不止于此。此人拥有敏锐的时势感觉、果断的性格，而且反应甚快，转换话题时能敏捷地适应，这些都让人深感佩服。此人足以共成大事，岩仓如此一想，便将对任何人都没讲过的绝密之事告诉了中冈。 岩仓在蛰居期间曾经频繁写下书信送至姻亲朋友处。经常出入皇宫的中御门经之与岩仓是总角之交，他是个除了诚实之外一无是处的平庸公卿，但他比任何人都敬畏岩仓这个幼年好友，对岩仓可谓言听计从。他每次接到从洛北岩仓村送来的书信，都会按照上面的指示在朝中动作一番。 岩仓在听到天皇驾崩的消息时悲叹不已，同时他又觉得自己复出的日子到了。如果我不重出江湖，天下的混乱便无法解救。岩仓脑中涌起如此激荡的念头，他多次给中御门经之写去密信，仆人与三由此频繁潜入京都。 岩仓打下的第一根粧子，便是设置幼帝辅佐大臣太傅。 朝廷官最高者是关白。天皇如果已经成年，仅有关白就足够。不过如果是幼帝，身边则需要一个手把手辅助的监护人，是为太傅。如果将充当监护人的公卿拉入我方阵营，那么朝廷的事情就都在我们掌握之中了。因为监护人如果能够握着幼帝的手按下玉玺，那么轻而易举就能拟一份敕书，“讨幕”的敕书转瞬之间就能拟好。 但岩仓并没有直接对温厚笃实的中御门提及上述意图，只是从正面立论，阐述设立太傅的必要性。“最适合这一职位的莫过于正在闭门思过的前大纳言中山忠能卿。除他之外，再无别人。”中山忠能是幼帝的外祖父。幼帝从还是婴儿佑宫时起，都是在中山府上生活、成长，读书习字。岩仓虽然不曾和中山忠能打过交道，不过他认为只要先卖给忠能一个人情，日后自己官复原职也就指日可待了。 事情正如岩仓预料的那样，忠能顺利地去幼帝身边辅政。 革命，在某种意义上可以说是最大的阴谋，而革命的主导则需要具备有如神一般炮制阴谋的才能。岩仓这位样貌普通的公卿有着远远超出中冈预料的谋略之才，他的整个身体仿佛都是由胆略铸成。 在日本，从遥远的大化改新以来，政治、社会的大变革都是在得到了天皇的敕命以后，新的势力才得以安定。因此，策划革新的一方在运作局势和准备军事力量的同时，必须控制住宫廷。这是为了取得敕命，以讨“朝敌”的名义讨伐敌人。源赖朝便是如此，他得到太上皇的诏书，征讨了平家。 丰臣秀吉当上了关白，以此取得了统治天下的资格；德川家康也是由天皇下旨封为征夷大将军，才得以统治日本。江户中期的哲人新井白石曾说过“将军才是皇上”这样的话。这也意味着，想要成为“皇上”，必须得到朝廷的认可。 不过，在当前局势下，讨幕派要想获得朝廷的许可几乎绝无可能。这是因为，在日本历史上，朝廷总是将敕命颁给武力强盛的一方。源平争战、天下大乱之时，京都低估了赖朝的势力，平家便是官兵，而当平家的军事实力减弱时，源氏又成了官兵。 现在的情况则不同。天下三百大名，倒幕的仅有萨、长二藩。虽说德川幕府的为政能力衰退了，但仍旧是国际公认的日本政府。即便没有三百大名的支援，从它本身便拥有四百万石领地这一点来看，也绝非萨、长二藩能比。 朝中自然是佐幕派公卿占据压倒性优势，他们凭什么转而支持势力微弱的倒幕派？不过，无论如何也要让他们同意。否则，安政以来那些前赴后继、舍生取义的志士仁人的英灵便无法得到安息，维新回天的梦想也无从实现。 “这就需要运用计谋了。”岩仓双目炯炯，点了点头，让中冈放下心来。“朝廷的事就交给我吧。看来我必须返回朝中，否则行动起来不自由，做起事来也不方便。” 实际上，这方面的计划也在稳步实施。在岩仓的指示下，友人中御门经之大显身手，让多位受先帝罪诏闭门幽禁的公卿重返朝中。他们已经感受到了幕后主使岩仓的这份恩情，岩仓获赦的日子指日可待了。