Chapter 66 10. Four great lords

Sakamoto Ryoma is in Nagasaki, and Nakaoka is in the turbulent Kyoto. "Nakaoka can do things I can't," Ryoma often said, referring to the more detailed political campaigns.He has long lost confidence in Tosa, and he never thought about dealing seriously with Sergeant Tosa, but Nakaoka is different, he can actively go to work. Taking the initiative to approach young talents trusted by the old vassals, prompting a change in their thinking and pointing out a new direction for their enthusiasm.In the eyes of Ryoma, only Nakaoka Shintaro, a natural and pragmatic revolutionary, is competent.

Almost all the young talents around Rongtang were influenced by Nakaoka, and gradually began to treat him as a teacher.It's just because of the strict hierarchy of the Tosa clan, the sergeants still call him "Nakaoka" instead of honorifics.But from their attitudes, it can be seen that they are in awe of Nakaoka, and they all serve as teachers.The core figures among these people are the five kings who worked hard, including Kantaisuke, Ogasawara Yuihachi, Fukuoka Fujiji, Tanimoribe, and Teramura Sazen.Nakaoka intends to activate the Tosa clan through them. Getting active is only one of the ultimate goals that Nakaoka wants to achieve. Nakaoka insists on the bloody revolution from beginning to end, and is not willing to compromise at all. He wants the Tosa clan to stand on the same front as the two clans of Sa and Nagaoka.

After bidding farewell to Iwakura, Nakaoka was most worried about the "Four Sages Meeting". At this time, Satsuma Shimadzu Hisamitsu had led six brigades of Western-style infantry and a team of Western-style artillery that he was proud of, and dragged rumbling artillery carts into Kyoto. Echizen Marquis Matsudaira Harugaku was already in Kyoto, and even Iyoyu and Shima Date Zongjo, whose attitude was not clear, had arrived in the capital, but Yuyongtang hadn't arrived yet. It was still the same as before, making people feel uneasy, and Nakaoka was extremely anxious. Rong Tang can be regarded as the most talented man among the ministers.He had the idea of ​​Qin Wang early on, but he never developed to the step of crusade against the shogunate.The reason is that the Tosa Yamauchi family received many favors from Tokugawa.Therefore, the people with lofty ideals in the capital secretly said that Rongtang was "the king who is drunk when he is drunk, and the curtain when he is awake".Naturally, it is impossible to predict what kind of words and actions he will have at the meeting of the four virtuous princes.

Regardless of these, there is one more thing waiting for me to do.Nakaoka thought.This is the establishment of the Revolutionary Army, which is the Land Aid Corps that Nakaoka and Ryoma had agreed upon. After returning to Kyoto from Iwakura Village, Nakaoka was very busy.He first went to the Satsuma Mansion to meet with Xixiang, explaining his impression of Iwakura, and then discussed the future strategy.Then I went to the Tosa clan's mansion and discussed the Rongtang matter with Ogasawara Yuihachi and others.During this period, he passed by the Shinsengumi and Aizu domain patrols several times in the market.They would never have imagined that this dark-skinned, sword-browed, and agile warrior would change history.

For many days, the rain stopped and stopped, and finally on the third day after Zhonggang entered Beijing, the sky finally cleared up. In order to meet with an important person, Nakaoka has been in contact with the four parties.The other party finally gave a reply: "I have learned about this matter. After noon today, I hope to see you at Dongshan Cuihong Pavilion. Be careful not to be followed." So, early this morning, Nakaoka left Nihonmatsu's Satsuma Domain.He passed in front of Kamyumon Gate, went south along Kawaramachi Street, and turned east after reaching Shijo.The emerald green hills of Higashiyama spread out in front of my eyes, and the red gate building of the Gion Shrine at the foot of the mountain is more colorful than usual.

What Zhonggang is about to do is to borrow money from this important person to prepare for the establishment of the Land Aid Team. When will the great cause of returning to heaven be accomplished?Whenever he thinks about this, even a talented person like Nakaoka, who has such a thorough plan, can't help but sigh with emotion.For three hundred years, the authority of the Tokugawa shogunate has penetrated into every corner of the world.In the past three hundred years, for the Japanese, the shogunate is the sky, and now I want to overthrow this sky, this undertaking is equivalent to overturning the sky and the earth with my hands.

can i do itSuch doubts have been lingering in Nakaoka's mind. Nakaoka walked out of Nihonmatsu, and after about half an hour, he came to the hillside of the south gate of Gion Shrine.At this time, the weather suddenly changed, heavy rain fell from the sky, and raindrops splashed on the ground. There is a teahouse here that he often goes to, called Erxuan Teahouse. The roasted tofu skewers in sauce there are extremely delicious, and it is also very famous in this area. "Please come and take shelter from the rain." The store greeted warmly.But Nakaoka only borrowed an umbrella and continued on his way.When walking up the path leading to Qingshui from there, the heavy rain suddenly turned into a violent storm, which bent the ribs of the umbrella.Nakaoka braved the wind and rain and continued on, writing a poem along the way.

The Cuihong Pavilion that Nakaoka was going to was built on the mountainside of Higashiyama. It is a grand teahouse-style building overlooking the city streets of Kyoto. It can be called a scenic spot, especially the vast forest spring is even more beautiful. Cuihong Pavilion is the villa of the abbot of Nishi Hongan Temple.In this troubled time, Higashi Honganji Temple belongs to the Saba School, and Nishi Honganji Temple belongs to the Qinwang School.Therefore, although Nishi Honganji Temple has long been targeted by the shogunate, it still provides funds to volunteers and sometimes provides a place for secret gatherings.

Nakaoka has also met with the patriots of Sa Changtu in the Cuihong Pavilion many times before, and Ryoma, Katsura Kogoro and others have also come here. Nakaoka walked through Qingshui Channing Ban, and came to the gate of Cuihong Pavilion.Go straight up the hillside in front of the door, and you will reach one of the thirty-six peaks of Dongshan——Lingshan. "Nakaoka Shintaro is here to worship." He knocked on the door as he said.After a while, the small door opened, he stepped in, and a large forest spring appeared in front of him.He walked up the ramp in the forest spring, and was soon led to the Songyang Pavilion.

The big man has prepared the food and wine, waiting for a long time. "Long time no see, don't come here without any problems!" said the majestic warrior of about forty years old with a smooth hair bun of various doctors.His flamboyant attire gave the impression of a Dafan family with a salary of ten thousand stones.This person is also a person of lofty ideals, but even among them, few people know him. "I just work behind the scenes," he always said. This person is called Itakura Chikuzensuke, and he is a samurai who serves the minister.The host is Daigo. Itakura was originally a villager in the Sakamoto area near Mount Hiei, and he was involved in the Qinwang Movement very early. The Zhishi Liangchuan Xingyan and Umeda Yunbin in the Ansei period were his friends.He can be said to be Nakaoka's senior.Most of the comrades of Itakura's contemporaries have died.Later, he supported Changzhou. Yu Wenjiu was arrested and imprisoned by the clerk for three years, and he just got out of prison recently.

The Itakura family is the richest man in Sakamoto, and almost all of the family's money was spent on King King's activities, but it seems that there is still more than enough to support Nakaoka. "I prepared 1,300 taels." Itakura said calmly. Nakaoka Shintaro was well aware of the situation and quickly took countermeasures.He sent an urgent envoy to Gan Tuisuke, who was in the Edo feudal mansion, to explain the situation, and sent a letter urging him to go to Beijing as soon as possible.Zhonggang was worried that once Rong Tang went to Beijing, Bao Buqi would say something earth-shattering at the meeting of the four sages.In the Sergeant Qinwang faction, the one who dared to speak up and speak out to Rong Tang was none other than to retreat and help. The friendship between Nakaoka and Taisuke began in the autumn of Bunjiu's third year.In August of that year, the power of Changzhou declined, and Nakaoka temporarily returned to Tosa. King Qin's great cause began to decline in Kyoto, and even the tragic event that the Tenchu ​​group was wiped out by the shogunate army in Yamato. Nakaoka, who escaped from the feudal domain, quietly returned to Tosa, and plotted a comeback with his comrades.One day, he heard a rumor: "Among the sergeants, Gan Tuisuke's comments have become more and more decent recently." Both Kan Tuisuke and Goto Shojiro are young talents that Rongtang trusts very much, and it can be said that they are in their mouths I'm afraid it will melt, and I'm afraid it will break when I hold it in my hand. "Retire?" Nakaoka was really taken aback.In fact, when he was in Kyoto, he once threatened to kill Gan Tuizhu, the assistant, and even followed him. "If he can join our camp, it will be like having a thousand troops." With a chivalrous spirit and no selfish desires, as long as he believes that it is a righteous thing, he will not hesitate to go up the mountain of swords and go down into the sea of ​​fire. .Even Nakaoka, his opponent, had to express his appreciation for this. "I'll try to see what he thinks." Nakaoka, regardless of being out of the feudal clan, boldly found the Taizhu Mansion in Nakajima-cho, Kochi City. Although the Gan family has a salary of 300 shi, but due to the wealth of generations, the house is not inferior to ordinary old mansions.Nakaoka came to visit, and Gan personally led him to his study, pulled the sword to his side, and sat down with Nakaoka. "The situation in the world is very unfavorable to the Qinwang Party. The Tosa Domain Hall treats us like thieves. What do you think about this?" Nakaoka wanted to force Susuke to express his true opinion.Tui Zhu remained silent.Although he is thin and small, he has strong muscles and is very agile in his movements. Tuizhu Longjiufang said: "There is one thing that must be clarified, otherwise I will not be able to open my mind." "Open your mind?" "Exactly. At the beginning of this year. When I was still in Kyoto, you tried to assassinate me. Is there such a thing?" "No such thing." Nakaoka said without changing his expression. Taisuke shouted, "Is Shintaro Nakaoka a samurai?" Nakaoka was overwhelmed by Tuizhu's momentum and said, "I admit defeat, you are right." Tuizhu nodded, finally smiled, and said, "Then let's talk about the affairs of the world." Later, the elder brother Nakaoka Ruo, who was born as the village head of Qian Tuizhu Jing, became a radical.Although his colleagues Goto, Ogasawara, and Fukuoka were also keen on King Qin, they were not as good as Tuizhu. "The shogunate should be defeated by force." This is Taisuke's proposition, which is exactly the same as that of Nakaoka. Laofan Gongrongtang felt a little headache about the extreme tendencies of the young servants gathered around him.He was originally a very enthusiastic and talented person, and he has been gathering these young sergeants around for many years, saying: "I want to train you into a generation of heroes." He even served as their lecturer himself, teaching by example. Everyone is young, so they are naturally heroic. In this current situation, this kind of aggressiveness is often associated with the great cause of returning to heaven.Among these people, Tuizhu is the most radical. "They've all become radicals." Rong Tang couldn't help but sigh. "If you really worry about the world, you should immediately raise your troops against the shogunate! What is needed most now is not eloquence, but a gunshot." Tuizhu Zeng boldly spoke out. Rong Tang was furious.But even if he gets angry, his performance is different from ordinary people.He grabbed Tuizhu by the collar and debated with him with astonishing momentum.Once the debate starts, he quotes from many sources and does not leak any water, so in the end, the retreat will definitely be defeated. "How about it, retreat? But did you change your mind?" However, Tuizhu still raised his head proudly and said: "An ordinary man's ambition cannot be taken away." "Retirement! Are you an ordinary man?! You want to learn from those peasants and ordinary men? You are a sergeant!" Rong Tang always reprimanded him like this, and punished him several times.But because Rong Tang likes to give back to his tough temper, he will not be punished too severely in the end.Finally, Rong Tang sent him to Edo because he was afraid that if he continued to stay in the domain, his ideas would become more radical.Unexpectedly, as soon as Tuizhu arrived in Edo, he quickly learned Western-style tactics based on cavalry. Nakaoka is now going to summon Taisuke to Kyoto.What he was thinking was: currently Tuizhu is just a warrior of Tosa, I want to take this opportunity to introduce him to the people with lofty ideals all over the world, and let him become a famous person who can shock all the feudal clans. Gantaisuke was rushing to Kyoto along the Tokaido day and night.Prior to this, Nakaoka Shintaro had been among the nobles in Kyoto, and he was the only one who dared to rein in the rein of Tosa. "Now he is rushing to the capital at a high speed. I hope you will take care of him when he arrives in Beijing." Xixiang and others also placed great expectations on Qian Tuizhu, whom they have not met yet.The reason for this is that Tosa's attitude is what Saigo is most worried about.If Sa Changtu is not united, great things in the world will be difficult to achieve.And Tosa has strong soldiers and strong horses, and the military system is rapidly westernizing.Whether Tosa, the male feudal lord, can join the revolutionary camp will determine history. As a native of Tosa, Nakaoka has a deep feeling for this.Compared with the scholars of the two feudal lords, I don't know how many Tosa countrymen fell in the turbulent situation, but the vassal hall still adhered to the Zumaku doctrine and followed the old ways.Now, only one ronin is powerless, it is time for the vassal state to join in, and all hopes of changing this Tosa are pinned on Gan Tuisuke. "Can Master Gan really be able to take on this important task?" Xixiang waited for Qian Tuizhu's appearance with the last hope. "Yes. The word capable is almost prepared for him. He is a natural general with extraordinary ability." "Since Bunjiu, Tuzhou has lost a lot of talents. Now only Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka-kun survive." Saigo sighed, "And this Qian Tuizhu." Gan Tuizhu was lucky to be on the stage of history, especially his outstanding military talent.Nakaoka has already seen that Tuizhu has no talent for politics, but he concluded that when an army to fight against the curtain rises in the future, no one of the two feudal vassals of Sa and Chang will be able to command the army. It was already the first day of the fifth lunar month when Rong Tang personally led the soldiers and rode horses all the way into the capital.At this time, Rong Tang was forty-one years old.As a daimyo, he didn't sit in a sedan chair, and always liked to ride a horse when he was marching in the queue.Now he is riding a thousand years of dog love. Rong Tang is a good rider, and he admires Oda Nobunaga very much. Maybe he intends to imitate the generals in the Warring States Period. Immediately, Rong Tang looked heroic.He was five feet six inches tall, fair complexioned, with piercing eyes and sparkling eyes.Just as he usually prides himself on: what a heroic man.He is also very particular about his attire and accessories: the long and short knives are all white handles, for sharp contrast, and the scabbards are painted with black lacquer and polished; the lower body is dressed in a purple satin hakama. Ombre weave with Kamon pattern.The top is made of black woven silk; the feathers are woven with black caviar patterns, and the cuffs are rolled up neatly. When Rong Tang left the feudal domain by sea, he summoned his elders and repeated what he had said to Xixiang: "This time I am going to Luo, I am ready to turn into a cup of soil from Dongshan." Saigo said something slightly different. "There may be a war. Whether this battle will be fought with the shogunate or Satsuma is still unknown. After I go, I will decide according to the situation." After Rong Tang came to Beijing, he temporarily settled in the Miao Court in Dongshan.The first thing he did was to quickly send an envoy to inform Goto Shojiro in Nagasaki, ordering him to go to Beijing immediately. Except for Goto, no one has the ability to negotiate with foreign domains.After Goto received the order, he couldn't help being surprised that the situation in Kyoto was so chaotic.Without any preparations, he asked Ryoma to go with him. Rong Tang, who was in Higashiyama Myo Court, summoned two young senior officials, Ogasawara Yuiha and Fukuoka Fujiji. "I didn't bring you two to the capital to let you do activities as you like." Rong Tang first sounded the alarm for them.These two were recently influenced by Nakaoka Shintaro, and they were greatly shaken, Rong Tang knew about it. I alone is enough for Tosa's leader.It is up to me to consider and implement the policy of the Tosa Clan.The Tosa Domain must never be ruled by a lower-level samurai like Sacho.This is Rongtang's attitude. "You only need to contact the Satsuma clan. I order you to receive the Satsuma clan, and you are not allowed to intervene in other matters." Rong Tang said.He had faintly sensed that Satsuma was going to plan a big change at the meeting of the four virtuous princes.In order to understand the movement of the Satsuma clan, he made a special deployment. The meeting of the four virtuous princes was held on the fourth day of May in the feudal capital of Kyoto in Echizen, and Rong Tang attended the meeting. Gan Tuizhu had not arrived in Beijing yet.Nakaoka was anxious and had no choice but to try to control Rongtang through Rongtang's valet Yuiha Ogasawara. When Rongtang chooses his servant, the first requirement is that this person must be a good man, so Ogasawara and Tuizhu have somewhat similar personalities. Ogasawara Yuiha and Nakaoka met frequently to discuss how to deal with Rongtang. One of the problems is how to remove the charge of "enemy against the court" imposed by the late emperor and the shogunate on Changzhou Fan.According to Nakaoka, if the Changzhou domain is not allowed to regain its freedom and is not allowed to garrison in Kyoto, the upcoming revolution in Kyoto will not be successful.On this point, Summer's opinion is also unanimous.Satsuma alone cannot accomplish great things in the world.Changzhou Hou Maoli and his son were forgiven. This is the major issue that Nakaoka most hopes to resolve at this meeting of the four sages. Rong Tang of Dongshan Miao Court was resting at night, Ogasawara took the initiative to come forward and discuss the matter with Rong Tang. "I understand." Rong Tang said in Tosa dialect.Rong Tang could speak both Edo's official dialect and the Tosa dialect, and when he was drunk, he would utter a few rude and straightforward quack jargon. "I don't know what the prince said?" "I understand!" Rong Tang laughed unscrupulously, "Those peasants gave you advice again. I know all about it." Ogasawara was at a loss for words. Rong Tang selected spies before and after entering Beijing, especially to find out the true intentions of the Satsuma clan, and these materials have already been sent to him.He believed that Satsuma had two hearts, and concluded that the Satsuma clan wanted to skillfully manipulate the meeting of the four sages and lead the situation to develop in the direction of the downfall.Since Satsuma made such a plan, one of the important means must be to request the pardon of Changzhou and allow him to lead his troops into Beijing.Once Changzhou, the vanguard of the scene, enters Beijing, it is obvious how the situation will develop. Before Rongtang left Tosa, he summoned his servant Sansairou Sakai. "Satsuma has an extremely powerful adviser named Okubo Ichizo. You go to his side to find out." Rong Tang confessed, and gave Sakai a huge sum of money to send him to Beijing first. At this time, there were some street talks about Okubo, about the opening of Hyogo Port.The shogunate was forced by foreigners to open Hyogo Port, but Emperor Xiaoming said: "Hyogo is different from Yokohama, Nagasaki, and Nagasaki. It is the gateway to Kyoto. If you allow red-haired and blue-eyed ugly barbarians to live in this port, it is a shame. Ancestors." Therefore, in the end, no decree was issued to approve it.It was also for this reason that Emperor Xiaoming was devout to Shinto. He fanatically rejected the barbarians, calling the foreigners ugly barbarians, and believed from the bottom of his heart that the land they had lived in would be polluted. For this reason, the shogunate was caught between the imperial court and foreigners, in a dilemma.Today, Emperor Xiaoming died.Therefore, the shogunate intends to take the opportunity of the discussion of the four sages to propose the opening of the port, in an attempt to obtain the approval of the young emperor.This issue has become one of the important topics this time.However, the Satsuma clan firmly opposed the opening of Hyogo from beginning to end. Regarding the attitude towards this issue, Echizenhou, Uwajimahou, and even Rongtang all said: "Although this is the last emperor's behest, but the current situation is moving forward, there is no way around it." The three were originally active advocates of the founding of the country. More inclined to support the opening of Hyogo. Even the Satsuma clan, since the British-Saharan war, has abandoned the purely anti-barbarian theory and intends to actively join forces with foreign countries.Especially since the secret trade with Britain, the relationship between the two has been inseparable.During this period, Ryoma also showed his talents in the commercial activities of the Satsuma domain. The Satsuma domain is by no means opposed to the founding of the country, but only against the shogunate to do this, especially when it comes to the opening of the Hyogo port.After the opening of the port, a lot of money will flow into the shogunate, and the vassals will not get any benefits.The profits brought by trade will feed the shogunate. If left alone, the shogunate will grow stronger.Therefore, Satsuma has always claimed that the opening of the port violated the last wish of the late emperor, and has firmly opposed it to this day.They also hoped to push the shogunate into a corner by opposing the opening of the port. One day, Okubo secretly met with a senior British official, threatening: "If your country gives the Satsuma domain full power over the opening of Hyogo Port, our domain will immediately request an imperial order for your country." Leaving aside whether the rumor is true or not, this rumor has also reached Rong Tang's ears, so Rong Tang is wary of the Dasheng of the Satsuma clan. Rongtang always has the word "righteousness" in his heart.At this time, he completely believed in giri, and felt that the shogunate was very pitiful. Therefore, facing the Satsuma clan who was plotting to overthrow the shogunate, he felt a sense of hatred, no, more precisely, a sense of righteous indignation. Affection. How exactly does Satsuma want to act?Rong Tang hid this idea in his heart, and attended the meeting of the four virtuous princes held in Echizen Mansion on the fourth day of May.Two days later, the four of them went to Ertiao Regency Guan Baifu together and reported the results of the meeting. Regarding the issue of Changzhou, the conclusion reached is: try to be as lenient as possible.This conclusion is not what Nakaoka and Satsuma's Okubo expected to forgive Choshu's crime and order the feudal lord to lead the troops to Beijing.Therefore, the people with lofty ideals in Kyoto are very disappointed.The patriots were disappointed, but Rong Tang was quite satisfied. On the Hyogo issue, the efforts of Okubo and Nakaoka were also dismissed, and the long-cherished wish of the shogunate came true, and the imperial order was a foregone conclusion. The four daimyos here meet every day, but Shimadzu Hisamitsu of Satsuma acts strangely and sometimes does not act together with others. "Jiu Guang is a bit strange." Sometimes Rong Tang would say it openly.Only Satsuma was secretly doing the work of a certain public secretary, and only Hisamitsu frequently left the meeting during the meeting. Once, the four of them boarded Erjo Castle together.At this time, the other three people accidentally suggested: "It's rare to come to Erjo Castle, the old man lives there, how about going to say hello together?" But Shimadzu Hisamitsu said nothing, just sat there motionless. Rong Tang gritted his teeth with hatred, he suddenly grabbed Jiu Guang by the back of the neck, said "You come here", dragged Jiu Guang forward slitheringly. "What are you doing!" Jiuguang resisted desperately, but he couldn't resist Rongtang's strength.Later, Rongtang threw away Jiuguang with all his strength, but Jiuguang couldn't stand still, and fell to the ground with a bang.Rong Tang already hated Satsuma so much. Rong Tang suffers from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and toothache.Especially the toothache, it will happen every few months, and it will be fierce every time.Physician Totsuka Fumikai said "this is gingival disease", probably some kind of disease in the alveolar.While in Kyoto, dental disease occurred.Once the disease occurs, the headache will be splitting, and it is difficult for any hero to resist. For the first ten days after entering Beijing, Rongtang's spirit was pretty good, but then he gradually hid in Dongshan Miaoyuan Temple and refused to show his face.Now Rongtang has a high fever due to dental disease, and it is very difficult to lift his head from the pillow.Attendant doctor Fumkai Totsuka ordered his attendants to decline all visitors, and also suggested to Rongtang: "Please try not to speak." This is to prevent physical exertion.This resolute old man could hardly bear the high fever and severe pain, and sometimes even groaned. When Gan Tuizhu arrived in Kyoto, Rong Tangzheng had a toothache. "Your Excellency is sick?" Tui Zhu was taken aback, and hurriedly asked about his condition, only to learn that Rong Tang's current state would definitely not allow him to visit him, let alone give him advice.In order to wait for Rongtang's condition to improve, Tuizhu has been waiting in the waiting room separated by a wall.Three days passed, and he waited almost without sleep. On the third night, Rong Tang asked Totsuka Fumikai in a low voice, "Is the one on the other side of the partition a retreat?" Wen Hai replied that it was true.Rong Tang said: "Tui Zhu has been sent to Edo by me, and now he has entered Beijing without permission, there must be something important. Tell him, let him talk." Wen Hai told Tui Zhu these words.Tuizhu bowed his head through the paper sliding door, and said, "Forgive me for being presumptuous, my lord, you don't stand with the sha chiefs, but treat them as enemies. This is a big mistake!" He went straight to the point, detailing the current situation. Come on. "Tui Zhu has been reprimanded by the adults many times, but he is still dealing with radicals. In a word, just as you suspected, the lord, Sa Chang is just trying to turn the world around and take back the imperial court. This great cause is bound to succeed. " Rong Tang said nothing.Retreat and walk forward with knees, bowing your head deeply, almost touching the ground with your head. "My lord, please make a decisive decision! Otherwise, in the future, I am afraid that my lord will tie a horse in front of the Shimadzu and Maori armies!" After Tui Zhu made up his mind to say these words, Rong Tang remained silent, and in the end Tui Zhu didn't get a single word from Rong Tang, so he had to withdraw sadly. Rong Tangjian is not easy to recover. "Return to the feudal clan." He ordered, regardless of Goto Shojiro who had not arrived in Beijing at this time.The close attendant Ogasawara Yuiha panicked, and advised him: "If you give up the discussion and go back now, you will be very disrespectful to the imperial court and other feudal clans, and there will be a lot of discussions in the world." Rongtang's willful bad habits are well known in the world.Especially this time, Xixiang, who went to Kochi City, even specifically told him not to act impulsively, and Rong Tang also expressed his determination.Now, if Rong Tang returns to the feudal domain without hesitation, he will definitely be ridiculed by the people all over the world.It was Rong Tang's reputation that Ogasawara Yuiha was worried about. "I want to go back." Rong Tang still insisted on going his own way.Illness is one of them, the biggest reason is that Rong Tang has already seen that if he stays in the capital as he is now, he will be calculated and used by the Satsuma faction, and he has to go with the trend and join the camp.Satsuma's ability to control the court is stronger than people imagined.He is so determined.At this time, he didn't know the activities of Iwakura Jushi, a hermit in Iwakura Village, let alone that he had become a supporter of the Satsuma clan and was strategizing.This is not so much the ingenious behind-the-scenes work of the Satsuma clan, but the clever methods of the counselor Iwakura Tomohiro. Now Erjo Regent Guanbai and Young Emperor Taifu Zhongshan Zhongneng have been manipulated by the invisible rope of Iwakura. Maybe at some point "discussing the curtain" will suddenly fall on Rongtang's head. This is the true meaning of the meeting of the four virtuous princes.If the young emperor issued an imperial order, it would be difficult for Rongtang to disobey, once he resisted, he would become an enemy of the court, and he would be infamous forever like Ashikaga Takashi. It's better to go back to the country, the sick Rongtang has made up his mind.On May 27th, Rong Tang led the soldiers and left the capital quickly.The patriots from various feudal clans ridiculed Xiaotang's weakness and incompetence, and such songs became popular in restaurants in the capital: As soon as Rong Tang left, the situation was over.That night, Nakaoka walked from Idegawa to Kawaramachi Street and rushed to the Tosa Domain.It seemed that nothing could be accomplished, Nakaoka looked up at the starry sky and couldn't help but let out a long sigh. The meeting of the four sages convened by the imperial court entrusted Nakaoka's desperate dream of revolution.Originally, according to the secret plan of him, Saigo, Okubo, and the behind-the-scenes Iwakura Tomomi, during the process of convening this meeting, through activities in the court, they strived to finally issue the order of "crusade against the Tokugawa clan".Once the four vassals receive their orders, most of the vassal states in Japan will stand on their side.Unexpectedly, Rong Tang turned his head and left halfway.Although Rong Tang disappointed him, Zhong Gang had to admit that he escaped very well.The meeting of the four virtuous princes would be inappropriate without Rong Tang, and Rong Tang has already seen through this point.Moreover, for a sa chief who wants to overthrow the world, a feudal tosa is indispensable.With Rong Tang absent, the remaining Echizen Fukui, Iyoyu, and Shima clans suddenly paled. Moreover, these two clans had no intention of cooperating with Chief Sa. Regardless of these, I don't know what Gan Tuizhu, who was left aside by Mr. Rong Tang, was thinking.Nakaoka wanted to find a retreat to discuss, so he ignored the Shinsengumi's spies and ran desperately in the dark.He entered the Tosa clan's mansion in Kawaramachi, looked for Kantaisuke everywhere, and finally found it in Mori Kyosuke's room. "Nakaoka!" As soon as Tuisuke saw Nakaoka, his eyes were about to split open, and he lowered his head weakly. "Sorry, I'm going to commit seppuku. I will write a suicide note to persuade the old man to wake up. I have made up my mind." In fact, that night, Tuizhu was about to undergo seppuku, and he even borrowed Mao Li's room for it. Nakaoka shouted: "What's the use of death? Tosa's hope is only to live. Please help me! Let go of your death ambition. If you really have such determination, you will definitely be able to do things." "What's up?" Tuizhu raised his head. In Nakaoka's view, Taisuke is about to serve as the commander of the Tosa Western-style army. Once the time comes, he can completely change course and bring all the vassal soldiers to Kyoto, turning himself into a revolutionary army.The two plotted together and immediately decided to have a secret talk with Satsuma's Xixiang. Revolution is the biggest "conspiracy" that human beings can think of with all their wisdom, and now a revolution is brewing in Kyoto.Only a few people played a central role: Gongqing Iwakura Tomohiro, Samoshigo Takamori, Satsuma Okubo Iczo, Tosa Nakaoka Shintaro, Tosa Itagaki Taisuke. Even if other people are comrades, they don't know about it, or even if they know about it, they entrust them with full authority, such as the Changzhou people who are trapped in the second state of the defense chief, and the Sanjo Mimi who is imprisoned in Dazaifu, etc. They set out to write the biggest play in history with their own hands. This play has a unique theme: King Qin's downfall.Under this concept, "conspiracy" becomes justice. One of the masterminds, Iwakura Gushi, is still in his hermitage in Iwakura Village, North Luobei.Although the first emperor's edict of condemning crimes was finally revoked, he was ordered to reflect for a period of time, so he was still prohibited from living in the capital.Fortunately, he was finally allowed to go back and forth between Yancang Village and Kyoto, on the condition that he could only stay in the city for one night. Even though Iwakura was walking in the city of Kyoto, he was very vigilant against the assassins of the Saba sect. During this period, the task of monitoring Iwakura Village was entrusted to eight people including Wakabayashi Kisaburo from the Bessou Group of the Shogunate. Iwakura struggles daily to escape surveillance.Sometimes when he was going to the capital, he had to dress up as if he was going out for a walk, saying, "I'll go to the neighboring village." Yusan had long been hiding in the dense bushes of the mountains and waited.Iwakura jumped into the bushes, changed into black clothes and a Sendai flat hakama, put a pair of long and short swords in his waist, dressed as a samurai, put on a hood, and stopped. One day, Iwakura entered Ercheng.As usual, Satsuma's masters had appeared around him from all directions at some point, guarding him as if nothing had happened.He walked into Okubo Ichizo's private house.During this time, Okubo rented a mansion from a merchant in Shiyaoshi Street Teramachi East in the city, and used it as a meeting place for secret meetings. Okubo immediately took Iwakura to the small tea room. "Although the meeting of the four virtuous princes failed because of Rongtang's departure, Gan Tuizhu, who stayed behind, was deeply ashamed of his master's stubbornness. He has already stated that once a major event happens in the capital, he will mobilize the firearms in the domain even if there is no order from the domain , lead the soldiers and the village corps to Beijing immediately, and meet with Chief Sa. Tonight should promote the formation of a secret alliance between Satsuma and Tosa.” This meeting, known as the Satu Secret Meeting by the world, took place at the private residence of Komatsu, Nihonmatsu Satsuma's family with a knife.The meeting place was chosen in a courtyard away from the main house, and a hanging scroll with a line of Zen was hung on the alcove. First of all, Nakaoka Shintaro introduced Gan Tuizhu to Xixiang, and Tuizhu abruptly said: "Tuzhou is conservative." Then he was speechless, and after a long time he said: "...Rongtang Gong has a bad reputation. If you just wait for the unification of the vassal theory, Japan may have been destroyed a long time ago. After going back next time..." Tuizhu was at a loss for words when he said this, his tongue seemed to be a little stiff. "Tuizhu, use Tosa's words!" Nakaoka couldn't stand watching. "Okay." Tuizhu nodded, and began to speak in Tuzhou dialect.He said that after he goes back, he will gather volunteer soldiers and wait for the opportunity. The preparation time will take about a month. "As soon as I receive the urgent report from Kyoto, I will set off immediately and lead a large army from Tosa to the capital. At that time, I will become the vanguard of the samurai and wipe out the shogunate together with you! If my words are true, I will never I will live to see you all. In addition, if the time has come to raise troops but there is still no trace of our Tuzhou soldiers, please confirm your life and death first. Once you are sure that Tuizhu is still alive in Tosa, please firmly believe that even if it is delayed for a few days, The retreat will definitely send troops to Beijing, and will not delay the plan!" Xixiang is an excitable person.He opened his eyes wide, weeping while listening to Taisuke.Later, he nodded and said, "I haven't heard such a deafening voice for a long time. This is like the words of a samurai. It is said that a samurai promises a thousand gold, and this is true. I would like to join you in charity!" Before the few people had time to chat, Tuizhu and Nakaoka bid farewell to Nihonmatsu Mansion.Because of this agreement, when the chief Sa was fighting with the shogunate army in Toba and Fushimi, Gan Taisuke immediately led the Territory Zuo army to set off from Kochi, conquered the feudal clans of the four countries all the way, entered Osaka, and then entered Kyoto, and directly served as the town of Higashiyama Fujun marched from the Three Bridges.This is something to say, don't mention it. Qian then followed Rong Tang back to the feudal domain. Nakaoka immediately went to Osaka, bought 300 new rifles with the money lent to him by Itakura Chikuzensuke, returned to the capital again, and organized a gathering of people with lofty ideals in Jingtu Prefecture.The purpose of the gathering is to go back to Tosa to help complete the charitable deeds, and it is also a farewell party. Mingbaoye Pavilion is located on Qingshui Channing Ban.On the second floor of this restaurant, Nakaoka Shintaro set up a farewell banquet for the comrades who returned to Tosa to raise their troops. About half an hour after the sun went down, comrades arrived one after another. "Did everyone arrive safely?" Nakaoka breathed a sigh of relief when the last person appeared.In the middle of the night, on Jingcheng Boulevard, the Shinsengumi, Mihuigumi, Beshougumi, Aizu Fan soldiers, and Kuwana Fan soldiers were all patrolling in formation.It is extremely difficult to avoid these people and get here safely. The main participants in the party were Tani Moribe, Mori Kyosuke, Higuchi Takeshi, Shimamura Hisonosuke, Ikeji Taizo, Mori Shintaro and others.The discussion was over, the food was quickly served, and the banquet began. At the banquet is the chivalrous Alan, who has done a lot of work for Tuzhou Qin Wang Zhishi. "I'll dance." A person stood up, and it was Takeshi Higuchi, who was the oldest.他是土佐幡多郡中村的乡士，剑术师承筑后柳川的大石进，是大石进的得意门生，学问是随江户的安积艮斋习得，西式炮术则是跟随信州的佐久间象山学习，可谓多才多艺。但他最得意的要算是作诗了。 他拔剑即兴赋诗一首，低声吟诵着，缓缓起舞。 听着樋口的吟咏，善感的中冈垂下了头，颤抖着双肩哭泣起来。满座人望着中冈，都不由得声音哽咽，一片肃然。 终于走到这一步了！这样的感动令中冈热血沸腾。文久以来，无数同志舍生忘死，中冈一路穿过枪林弹雨，好不容易才活了下来，历尽坎坷方盼到了讨幕举兵的前夜。 “诸君。”中冈突然举杯，“大家活到现在都不容易。但是，今后我们要把性命拋诸脑后。只要我们舍生忘死，日本一定会迎来好日子。”他流泪将酒一饮而尽。 艺伎阿兰拿来了笔墨纸砚，于酒席间画了一朵菊花，其余人都在画的余白填上了即兴所作的诗言，中冈不知出于何种想法，写下了亡友高杉晋作的遗作。 窗外，皓月当空。