Chapter 68 12. Tosa Renjie

Ryoma Sakamoto headed north along the Yodo River by boat. Mutsu Yonosuke said at the side: "This matter will only make Goto famous in the end." What made him so indignant was that Goto Shoujiro took this great case as his own idea and presented it as if nothing had happened. To Rongtang.According to Sergeant Tosa's usual style, the name of Ryoma, a countryman, would never be reported. Mutsu is obsessed with things, so he inevitably gives people the impression of being narrow-minded. Ryoma is well aware of this shortcoming of Mutsu. "Huh?" He made a strange noise and looked at Lutsu. "This is as it should be. He is participating in politics, and he has won the trust of Rongtang. After making this contribution, he will be more and more valued in the domain. It's very good."

"Then what do you do, sir?" "Bastard!" Ryoma yelled, "Don't you think I'm planning to get a job in the little Tosa Domain?" "not because of……" "I don't even look down on Rongtang, and I never think he is qualified to be my opponent, let alone Rongtang's young man, Goto Shojiro. As for what position he has climbed in the feudal clan with this credit, I'm even less interested." "So energetic!" Nagaoka Kenkichi on the side smiled wryly. "Naturally." Ryoma said, "Although I was originally a low-ranking samurai of the Tosa Clan, and I came all the way here on the bench, what I was thinking about in my mind was not Tosa, but the world. Wait for Japan's affairs Once that’s settled, let’s think about the whole world.”

"I admire you." Chang Shan Qianji said with a smile, "It seems that it is because of your aura that you can be so open-minded on weekdays." "En." Ryoma looked at the reeds on the bank from afar, nodded, and said suddenly, "Although Mr. Rong Tang commanded 240,000 shi, the more or less talented people around him were Goto Shoujiro and Qian. Retirement and others. Although I am a wandering ronin, I have Mutsu Yonosuke and you as right-hand men. One day, after things are done, Mutsu will be able to dominate a country’s diplomacy, and you should be able to manage a country’s culture and education.”

Soon, the boat arrived at Fushimi Temple Tianya Wharf.Ryoma and his party went ashore, crossed the road shrouded in twilight, and entered Teradaya, an inn on the pier. "Dragon horse is coming!" Ryoma shouted in the soil. This is the first time he has returned since the attack on Teradaya.Toshi dashed out from the house, fixed his eyes on Ryoma's face, and slumped down on the ground.It took a lot of determination for Toshi to let Ryoma stay here.She led Longma and others to the second floor, then went downstairs to summon the shop assistants, and ordered: "If you find anyone suspicious, tell me immediately."

Upstairs, Mutsu Yonosuke said: "Mr. Sakamoto, this is the place where you once killed the enemy." He looked up at the roof, then turned to the alcove and the next room, and then smiled: " Where did Miss Aaron come in from?" "Back stairs." "From where?" "Yes. After coming up, I ran into the house along the corridor." "I heard she didn't have time to put on her clothes?" the honest Nagaoka Kenkichi asked in a low voice. Just as he was talking, he stepped up.She was wearing an apron dyed with madder root, and there seemed to be something wrapped in the apron.

"what is this?" "letter." "Ah. I'm always bothering you, sorry." Ryoma told his family that the landlady of Teradaya should forward the letter to him.The three letters wrapped in oiled paper were all from Otome. "Just like lovers." Mutsu joked, and then retreated to the next door with Nagaoka. When Ryoma opened the letter, he saw that it was still full of rambling complaints.They said that it was very boring to do nothing at home all day long, that life would be worse than death, and it would be better to simply go to Kyoto; they also said that they wanted to live a brighter life in Nagasaki, and so on.In short, she just wanted to live by Ryoma's side.

Seeing this, Ryoma also frowns, which is very rare for him.Otome's pain worries Ryoma.He might not understand his sister's mood.The elder sister was dissatisfied with her husband Shinsuke Okakami, so she let her temper go back to her natal home.This might be unfortunate for a woman, but Ryoma didn't care about it.Otome's misfortune is that she was born with abilities other than the talents she should have as a woman.She is not only knowledgeable, but also good at ballads, proficient in Jingliuri, and also good at swordsmanship and equestrianism.The most powerful thing is that she has a masculinity in her body. If possible, she is even willing to run around for the world.

What a pity, Ryoma thought.Such a talented woman has no chance to show herself at all, and can only spend her time in a hut in her natal family.What a bad time.There is nothing more unfortunate than that women possess many talents, and there is no chance for them to show them in this world. Ryoma threw the letter aside in annoyance, and lay down carelessly.He felt helpless. Everything that Ryoma learned in his youth was taught by Otome.Ryoma had always thought that Otome, who was three years older than him, was the best woman in the world.When he grew up, he was proud of Otome.He often talked about his sister's deeds when drinking with his comrades.Therefore, she became a celebrity in his circle of friends, and even established a reputation as "tougher than Ryoma".He had written about it half-jokingly in a letter to her.

How energetic and heroic my sister was!Ryoma thought to himself.However, in the past one or two years, the old sister gradually lost her charm.Because there was no stage to release her enthusiasm, the fire in her heart burned her.In the past, Ryoma had written to her sister in a tone that was half teasing and half admonishing when faced with such an almost self-defeating confession.It seems that I have to write again this time. Long Ma sat up, called the maid, and asked her to prepare pens, ink and paper, and he took the pen away, so as to comfort her. The next day, Ryoma went to Kyoto. In Kyoto, as usual, he did not stay in the feudal mansion, but chose a business called Suya.This is a lumber shop that has business dealings with the Tosa domain. Ryoma has designated this place as the Kyoto stronghold of the Sea Aid Team, on the driveway near Kawaramachi Sanjo.

Another day later, Nomura Chentaro, the clerk stationed in Hyogo, and Baifeng Junma galloped into Beijing to join Ryoma. From then on, Ryoma began to show his talents.He met with the officials of the Tosa domain, and also went to the Satsuma domain to meet with Xixiang, and wanted to obtain Xixiang's consent. Xixiang was really taken aback. "Can this kind of thing be realized?" In Xixiang's view, if he wanted the general to return to power, it would be impossible to succeed without using force.He firmly believes that it is difficult for Ryoma to succeed.Moreover, the armed uprising planned by the Satsuma and Changzhou feudal clans has matured day by day, and it can be said that the arrow is ready and has to be launched.

"Please wait a little longer for the act of righteousness." Xixiang was very troubled, but he did not show any embarrassment, but said: "I will introduce you to a powerful person." Saigo clapped his hands, called Hanjiro Nakamura, and ordered, "Bring Mr. Shinagawa over here." After a while, a young man walked in.Ryoma had also seen this person before, and he was Yajiro Shinagawa, a feudal official of Changzhou. "Ah, Mr. Sakamoto, I, Shinagawa, nice to meet you." After speaking, the young man sat down.Yajiro Shinagawa was a member of the Matsushita Village School of the Choshu Clan. Although his character was far inferior to Takasugi and Katsura's, he was considered outstanding among his peers in terms of eloquence and tact.This person is best for communication and negotiation. Why did Shinagawa Yajiro appear in the Satsuma domain?Ryoma thought to himself. In fact, Shinagawa is lurking here. Since the change to Yumen in the summer of the first year of Yuanzhi, it has been difficult to find a Changzhou native in Kyoto.Even if someone sneaks in secretly, once discovered, they will be mercilessly eliminated by the Shinsengumi and the Kaiguigumi.Why did Shinagawa risk his life to lurk here?Ryoma began to think.Saigo must have called Shinagawa over because he wanted Ryoma to discover the reason. "In two or three days, Mr. Shinagawa will be returning to the domain." When Xixiang said this, Longma immediately explained his doubts.Shinagawa was Choshu's secret contact.Once the date of the uprising is set, he will bring the Changzhou Army into the capital.Shinagawa will go back soon, which means that the war is imminent.Saigo must be hinting at this to me, telling me not to mention a peaceful solution. On the second day Ryoma entered Beijing, Nakaoka Shintaro also arrived in Kyoto. Nakaoka visited Nihonmatsu's Satsuma domain non-stop, and had a secret talk with Saigo Takamori. "Ryoma has come." Xixiang talked about Ryoma's important suggestion as soon as he opened his mouth. "Return the great government?" Nakaoka was stunned.For a while, he failed to understand Ryoma's real intention. Xixiang then explained it to him in detail.Nakaoka fell into deep thought, and before long, he came to his own understanding. Okubo Ichizo asked from the side: "Mr. Nakaoka, will the matter be successful? Will the shogunate agree?" "It should work." "why?" "Because Ryoma said it. That guy never said unrealistic formulas, and he must have his basis." "If it can be realized, then our plan will die halfway. This is not easy to handle." It was Kosuke Yoshii from Satsuma who said this. So, several people discussed.In the end, everyone decided that Ryoma's fellow villager, Nakaoka, would discuss with Ryoma in detail. What the hell is this guy Ryoma thinking?Along the way, Nakaoka became more and more angry as he thought about it.The plan he had worked so hard to manage until now may fall apart because of Ryoma's suggestion.Once upon a time, what a radical fighter against the curtain was Ryoma!He should not have changed his mind today and wanted to keep the shogunate alive. While making random guesses, Nakaoka hurried on his way under the poisonous sun.Turn east on Kawaramachi Street and walk into the driveway.On the north side of the road is the lumber shop, and this is the secret stronghold of the Haiyuan team. Nakaoka stopped in front of the store.There are some old timbers piled up under the eaves, which seem to be old. "I'm Tosa Ishikawa." Nakaoka said, "Does Saitani live here?" The man heard the words and went to the inner room. Not long after, a beautiful girl came out, stood in the ground and said: "Mr. Caigu is not in the house now." She looked very vigilant. "May I ask who the girl is?" "Little girl Chiyo, my father is the owner of Suyaya." "Then I'll wait here for his return." "no." Seems like a stubborn girl. "Cai Gu and I kiss more than brothers. If you drive me away while he's not around, he will be angry." Nakaoka spent a lot of time talking, and the girl finally agreed with him to wait for Ryoma to come back in the soil. It was night in a blink of an eye.Nakaoka sat on the pile of wood in the soil, waiting eagerly for Ryoma to return. Nakaoka was very surprised because Chiyo had also been sitting at the door of Doma.Sometimes she would get up and go to the back room, but she would come back in a hurry when things were done. They should be spying on me, Nakaoka thought.If Nakaoka was an assassin of the shogunate, and Chiyo let him into the house, then she would never be able to bear this responsibility. Longma took in another little girl with a weird temper.From Nakaoka's point of view, Ryoma was always somehow destined to be with this kind of girl, and this kind of girl seemed to be inexplicably in love with Ryoma. Not long after the sun went down, Ryoma just came back.He opened the small door and walked into the earth room.Chiyo held the candlestick.The flickering candlelight illuminated Ryoma's feet. "Here comes a strange man." Chiyo ran on tiptoe and whispered in Ryoma's ear. Nakaoka sat there motionless.Ryoma gradually approached. "What, so it's Nakaoka-kun!" He patted Nakaoka's shoulder and said, "Why are you sitting in such a place?" "This store is really unpopular, with a strange girl like a watchdog." "Ah. That's Miss Chiyo. She must have nothing to do on weekdays. Seeing you come to the store is very rare." "Nothing to do? People like 'girls' are very busy. Doing needlework, learning piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, helping with cooking, how do these girls ever have time to keep an eye on customers?" "That girl doesn't like these." "It's so similar. The girls who are related to you are all the same. Otome big sister, Sanako from Chiba Martial Art Museum, Aaron from Teradaya, and Chiyo from Suyaya, they all have something similar in them. " "Hey, she's an unmarried girl with yellow flowers!" Ryoma quickly blocked Nakaoka's mouth, and at this time Chiyo came over again. "Miss Chiyo, please bring the food and drinks to the living room." After Ryoma finished speaking, he walked through the soil first and led Nakaoka to the inner hall. "Sakamoto, you must have heard about it, right? The assassins of the shogunate found out about your entry into Beijing from somewhere, and they seem to be eyeing you." "That's what they do. I can't stop them from doing their job." "You can see clearly. The shogunate has become tense to the point of madness. Under the order of the shogunate, the Aizu Domain, Kuwana Domain, Shinsengumi, Mikaizumi, etc. are making noise in the streets and alleys of the capital day and night. patrol." "Why are you here today?" "It's to clarify your thoughts." Nakaoka threw the knife aside, and as soon as he sat down, he said, "This is impossible, Ryoma. You have done another thing that is beyond everyone's expectations. " "Is it the return of the great government?" "Exactly. Don't stick a log under the wheel of the current situation. The day of raising troops is imminent. This plan of yours is very likely to change the direction of the cart that has made it so hard, and even overturn it suddenly." "What do you want me to do?" "Withdraw this offer." "Nakaoka." Ryoma said, "Calm down first. You and Saigo have been talking about raising troops, but do you have any chance of defeating the shogunate army?" "Why not?" "How many troops does Chief Sa have in Kyoto?" There is not a single soldier in Changzhou, and Satsuma has less than a thousand people.With this mere troop strength, it is impossible to launch a Qin Wang coup in Kyoto.There are more than 1,000 Aizu soldiers stationed in the capital alone under the guardianship of Kyoto; there are 500 Sang Ming soldiers under the command of Kyoto Shoji; , See the strength of the Hui group and other shogunate vassals, above, the shogunate can use at least 12,300 troops. "It's impossible to win in this situation." "No, I can win. Once the critical moment comes, Gan Tui Zhuhui will lead more than a thousand volunteers recruited by himself from Tosa to Kyoto." "Naive." Ryoma said, "It's a long journey from Tosa to Kyoto, and it will take time. During this period, the Satsuma army in Kyoto was wiped out by the shogunate army long ago." "Ryoma, you don't know something. In order to strengthen the military strength of Kyoto, Saigo is trying to recruit at least 1,000 soldiers from the vassal state." "Isn't the conservative faction of the Satsuma domain opposed to this dispatch of troops?" "Both Saigo and Okubo say it can be achieved." "Okay, since they should be able to do it. Then under what name will Changzhou soldiers enter Beijing?" Changzhou is still the enemy of the imperial court and the shogunate, and they cannot send troops outside the domain. "No, there is a way." The so-called no coincidence, in order to deal with the aftermath of the Changzhou conquest, the shogunate ordered the lord of Iwakuni Castle in Changzhou, Yoshikawa Kanmono, and an elder to go to Osaka to negotiate the matter.Taking advantage of this opportunity, you can use the pretext of escorting envoys to send about 2,000 vassal soldiers to accompany them.Saigo, Okubo, and Nakaoka made the plan, and Changzhou was ready. "Even so, do you still think we're going to lose?" "It's worrying," Ryoma said. Ryoma means that if these forces are not assembled at the same time, they will not be able to form combat effectiveness. "Ryoma, I ask you in honor of a samurai." Nakaoka Shintaro suddenly changed his attitude. "It's too exaggerated." Long Ma shrugged his shoulders and laughed.Ryoma has always believed that although Nakaoka Shintaro's persistent character makes people feel at ease, he always finds it funny. "what's so funny?" "People shouldn't have such a straight face when they speak." "You are really hateful, you are always dishonest." "I'm not joking. I never joke about serious things and I don't make fun of people. That's the only good thing about me." "Ryoma, listen carefully, let me ask you, do you really want to overthrow the shogunate?" "That's why I've worked so hard until now. Is there an answer to that?" "Then why are you still proposing such a naive plan as returning the great government? And it's such a clumsy trick that can be seen through at a glance. Ryoma, I'm ugly to say that the shogunate can only be overthrown by force." "There is no only way out in this world. As long as you stand one foot higher than ordinary people and look at the problem, you will find that there are always more than one way out in front of you." "Returning the great government is what you call the way out?" "It's one of the ways out. However, Nakaoka, the return of the great government is also the way to win by force!" "Oh?" Nakaoka held his breath.He originally thought that this proposal was just a so-called "peace plan" to deceive people. "Appreciate further details." Ryoma said that the plan to return the great government should be regarded as the public opinion of the Tosa domain, and the Satsuma domain should be persuaded to accept it, and it should be submitted to the generals in Nijo Castle, Kyoto as a motion of the two domains of Satsuma.With this name, you can send out soldiers. "Ah, so there is a reason to raise troops to Beijing?" "That's natural. If the general rejects this proposal, he will send troops to attack immediately. Without the support of force, the proposal will not be passed." Under this name, Nakaoka was very excited to lead the vassal soldiers into Beijing in large numbers.In this way, Tosa's Gan Tuisuke could openly lead the Western-style army he was proud of to the capital, and the Satsuma clan did not have to resort to the expedient measure of sending troops sporadically. "In this way, the army will gather in the capital almost at the same time. At this time, the Changzhou army will also come. Under such circumstances, the war of restoration and recovery will be possible to win." "Great plan, great plan." Nakaoka nodded repeatedly. "Of course, if the Tokugawa family can honestly hand over the power, the war will be out of our hands. That would be considered a great blessing for Japan. Also, Nakaoka." "Ok?" "This motion will be proposed by Tosa. In this way, the Tosa people who have been walking in the footsteps and following in the footsteps can also be refreshed and have a new look. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?" Nakaoka finally agreed. "I see. Listening carefully, it really is a rare strategy!" Nakaoka said with a nod. "You really think so?" Ryoma couldn't help leaning forward and asked loudly. The restoration of the great government proposed by Ryoma is a magical plan, and both the Banbai faction and the Zuoba faction can understand it in a way that is beneficial to them.In Goto Shojiro's view, this is a plan that not only gives the Tokugawa family face, but also takes into account the dignity of the Chinese dynasty.In this respect, this is the perfect solution for Yamato, who has been vacillating between Qin Wang and Zuo Mu.On the other hand, for a radical anti-suppression faction like Nakaoka, it is also possible to use legal means to concentrate the forces of defeating the curtain to Kyoto. All in all, this program is a brilliant embodiment of the magic of politics, which can be described as unparalleled in the world.As for the true thoughts of Ryoma himself, the proposer of this plan, it is naturally no different from Nakaoka.However, in order to pull the entire Tosa domain into the camp against the shogunate, many factors such as giri to the shogunate that Goto could understand must be added and emphasized.If it is compared to a set of medicines, it is a set of medicines for one patient, and it is an antidiarrheal medicine for the other patient.Moreover, the doctor Ryoma who prescribes this medicine has already expected that the patient will recover quickly.Nakaoka was right, this is a panacea that is rare in the world. And what excites Nakaoka the most is that once this case is raised, the Tosa domain will leap to the dominant position of the current situation. Nakaoka has a much stronger sense of being a Tosa than Ryoma.When Ryoma was indifferent to the affairs of the feudal kingdom, Nakaoka looked for comrades in the feudal clan, approached them, guided them, and wrote articles for them to circulate, regardless of his being out of the feudal clan.He tried his best to turn this stubborn and old-fashioned vassal state into a vassal state. From Nakaoka's point of view, once he proposes to return the great government, the Tosa Domain's face will be saved. He was very excited about it.Since he left the feudal clan, he has helped Changzhou and Satsuma, and promoted the joint efforts of the two feudal clans, running around like a military advisor of the two feudal clans.However, there must also be hidden loneliness that cannot be told to others.He was originally a Tosa, and although Satsuma and Changshu treated him favorably, he could feel humiliated and uncomfortable from time to time—a feeling that only he could experience. "Ryoma, you and I will work together to realize this plan, just like we did before to promote the alliance of shackles." "Ah, Nakaoka-san, thank you so much." Ryoma raised his arms high.With Nakaoka's help, it is like getting a thousand troops. "I will go to convince Saigo and Okubo, I have the confidence. However, there is another character, we must also convince him, is Iwakura Tomishi." Nakaoka sprang into action. "This is the only way to be sure of winning." He urged Saigo and Okubo. Xixiang and others gradually agreed.Although it is said that the shogunate is going to be crusaded, it is really doubtful whether the current force in Beijing can occupy the imperial palace and expel the shogunate forces from Kyoto.This is also what troubled Xixiang endlessly.If Ryoma's plan is adopted, the hope of victory is great. "Understood. Let's proceed according to Ryoma's plan." The group of people confirmed the policy.However, the Choshu Domain was the problem. "It's impossible for them to agree." Okubo Kazuzo said. The Changzhou people can't wait to go to war now.They urged Satsuma again and again, and sent Yajiro Shinagawa to hide in Satsuma's mansion as a liaison officer. Recently, two more people came to Kyoto from Changzhou.These two people are Yutomo Yamagata and Shunsuke Ito.For Changzhou people, going to Beijing itself means going to death.Once they are recognized in Beijing, they will be surrounded by Shinsengumi, Mieigumi, Aizu Domain patrols, Kuwana Domain patrols, etc. in a blink of an eye, and then chopped into meat sauce.The reason why these emissaries sneaked into Kyoto at such a great risk was to punch Satsuma in the ass. "I will persuade the people from Changzhou. However, they have always thought that the Satsuma people are insidious and cunning, and I am afraid they will not listen to them honestly. Mr. Nakaoka, you should persuade them too." Okubo Ichizo said. "It's a duty!" Nakaoka then went to visit the Changzhou native who was hiding in the mansion of Lao Xiaomatsu Daidao of the Satsuma clan.These people are all his old acquaintances. Nakaoka explained Ryoma's plan to them in detail, understood it with reason, and persuaded them hard. Changzhou people are easily unmoved. "The reason is clear, but I can't accept it emotionally." It was Shunsuke Ito, the youngest of the three Changzhou people who said this. "Mr. Nakaoka, I'm sorry." Saying that, Ito reached for his lower abdomen, tore open his belt, and took out a red medicine bag. "Changzhou people will carry this kind of thing with them whenever they step out of the feudal kingdom." This is the morphine obtained in Nagasaki.If they were caught by the clerk and they didn't have time to commit seppuku, they would take morphine and end their own lives. . "The Satsuma people can live leisurely in Kyoto, and the ideas they come up with are naturally slow. We are different." Although the head of the screen has ceased fighting, the two are still enemies, and Changzhou is still regarded as an enemy of the DPRK.If this continues, the situation in Changzhou will only get worse and worse, and eventually it will be destroyed.In order to survive, they naturally want to fight with their backs and fight the shogunate to the death.The entire Changzhou Fan is gearing up, anxiously waiting for the moment of war. At this time, Nakaoka came to persuade him.If you want to gamble, you must win.He said so.In the end, the Changzhou native was finally persuaded by Nakaoka. A few days passed in a blink of an eye.Thanks to Nakaoka Shintaro's lobbying during this period.He persuaded Satsuma, lobbied Changzhou, and planned to unite Tosa officials in Kyoto.After some hard work, they have been roughly persuaded. Ryoma haunts all parts of Kyoto.On a hot and rainy day, the two walked side by side on the path leading to Yancang Village in Luobei. "We must convince Iwakura-chan," Nakaoka said.The previous plan to crusade against the shogunate was based on the ideas of three people, Saigo, Okubo, and Iwakura. "This man is a rare counselor in the world." Nakaoka said. What kind of person is he?Ryoma is very interested in him. Ryoma and Nakaoka, wrapped in sedge hats and coir raincoats borrowed from the Satsuma domain, headed north. The rain is not too heavy.When I was about to walk out of Tianzhong Village in the northern suburbs of the capital, the rain stopped.However, the fog soon cleared.A road is no different from a field path. "Look, the weeds in Kyoto are exactly the same as those in Tosa. Ryoma, don't you miss it?" Nakaoka said these nonsensical words, walking in the thick fog.Nakaoka seemed to enjoy traveling with Ryoma very much, they hadn't walked side by side like this for a long time. "Ryoma, you must pay attention to etiquette in Iwakura-kun's hermitage." Nakaoka reminded, "Iwakura-kun is a former lieutenant general after all. His official position is even higher than that of Tosa's old feudal lord." "Ah, is that so?" Ryoma never cared about rank or rank. He always thought that official position was just an embellishment in peaceful days. Once the world fell into war, it would become a funny thing. "Yan Cangqing is a brave and bold person, which is not like a public official. In terms of his appearance, he looks like a pirate leader at first glance. He is bold and admirable, and he is friendly, and he will go down with the farmer at any time A game of chess. But we must not be negligent, after all, he was born and raised in a famous family, and he is very particular about etiquette." "Don't worry." Ryoma snickered under the bamboo hat. But when they got to the hermitage and sat down face to face with Iwakura, Iwakura first changed to a very casual cross-legged posture. "You are Ryoma Sakamoto? I've heard of you a long time ago." He said.Perhaps because he didn't want others to see the hair that had just grown out of his bald head, Iwakura wore a turban that resembled that worn by the God of Wealth. "I heard that you formed a pirate group called the Sea Aid Team, and now it has dominated the Seto Inland Sea?" Iwakura seemed to be particularly interested in Ryoma, and asked about his experience, career, and aspirations carefully, and got to the bottom of it. Ryoma, who was sitting aside with a straight face at first, gradually felt that the other party was an interesting person, and began to talk loudly.He has a unique sense of humor, and Iwakura laughed more than once.By the time the talks ended, Qing Iwakura had very actively agreed with Ryoma's plan for the return of the great government. The chief inspector of the Tosa clan nowadays is Sanshiro Sasaki.The Grand Supervisor is the highest official in the judiciary, second only to the elders of the administration. Longma has never seen this person.When he was in Nagasaki, when someone informed him about the situation in the vassal state, he said this: "Sasaki Sanshirō has recently begun to lean towards King Qin." Ryoma thought this was quite ridiculous, and said, "Which onion is Sanshirō?" Then he burst out laughing. Even Ryoma probably couldn't have expected that Sanshiro Sasaki changed his name to Gao Xing after the Meiji Restoration, held important positions in the Restoration government many times, and finally became a Marquis. "It seems that once the situation improves a little bit, there will be a man who is a king of hard work among the sergeants of that stubborn and conservative feudal kingdom." It was this that made Ryoma feel ridiculous.In the era of repression in the bitter wind and rain, all the sergeants followed the shogunate's lead and defended the shogunate everywhere, and regarded the countrymen and junior warriors sent by King Qin as thieves. Longma also said that to treat such speculators well is the way to overcome the current situation.Whether Sasaki Sanshirō is a speculator or not is unknown now.The story of the ancestors of the Sasaki family is quite interesting. His ancestor was Xuanbo, served the Mikawa Tokugawa family during the Warring States Period, and made great achievements in the Battle of Anegawa. Ieyasu once gave him a long spear with a mother-of-pearl handle.That spear was passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom of the Sasaki family. After Xuanfan died, his son Shibingwei wandered around.Jubei's biological mother's hometown is Iga, and it is said that he learned ninjutsu there.After Juhei grew up, he wandered to Enshu, and was introduced to work for Kazutoyo Yamauchi, the 60,000-stone castle lord of Enshu Kakegawa.It was the end of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's reign.It is said that Yifeng hired him for five hundred shi.This kind of statement is somewhat suspicious. How could a daimyo with an annual salary of only 60,000 shi hire an unknown ronin with a salary of 500 shi just because of his ninjutsu ability? Later, the Sekigahara War broke out, and Kazutoyo was named Tosa 240,000 koku and became the first lord of the Tosa Domain.At that time, Shibingwei arrived in Tosa late, but something went wrong, and his salary became fifty shi.In the following hundred years, members of the Sasaki family have always insisted to the vassal state: "Our family should enjoy the treatment of five hundred stones." In the eighth generation after Xuanfan, the head of the family finally became the inspector.Counting from this appointment, three generations later, it was Sanshiro.Sanshirō is especially good at swordsmanship and Chinese studies. Even though he learned rural swordsmanship, he is very good among the sergeants. In short, he has nothing special about him, but he has a flexible mind, some backbone, and can speak eloquently, so his career path can be said to be quite smooth, and he has been promoted many times. Now Sanshirō Sasaki suddenly showed himself as a man of diligence, not just because he was keenly aware of the changes in the times.When he was young, he studied under Masasumi Kamochi, a national scholar who lived in Fukui Village in the north of Kochi City, which more or less formed the source of his thoughts. Lu Chi Yacheng had a small salary and was poor all his life, but he had profound knowledge.His research on the Manyoshu has made outstanding achievements in the academic circles of Edo and Kyoto.He is not a thinker, nor is he an educator or a warning philosopher, he is just an inconspicuous, ordinary pedant.His wife died when he was forty-six, and he never remarried.He cooks and cooks by himself, takes care of his old father and raises his young son alone, and wears tattered clothes all day long—the simple and ordinary life of him fits so well, even to the point of pity.However, many thinkers were born among his disciples. "If I hadn't worshiped Mr. Shikachi as a teacher, I wouldn't have my own thoughts." The late Takeichi Hanpei often said this.Takeshi came into contact with Shikachi's profound knowledge, and took these as seeds to cultivate the germination of his own thoughts.By the way, Shikachi Masumi's wife is Takeichi's aunt. As for Shikamochi’s other famous disciples, there is Toyo Yoshida who is in politics, Yataro Oishi is a revolutionary besides Takeichi, and among the scholars are Hirokage Matsumoto, Morita Miyaji, Annobu Beppu, Geno Nanbu, Naogata Yokoyama, etc. Sasaki Sanshirō learned from Shikachi like this.However, the knowledge of national studies does not seem to be suitable for Sanshirō. Sanshirō was originally quite talented in politics, so it would be really embarrassing for such a person to learn ancient poetry.So he is not a good student. However, "coming from Mr. Lu Chi's family" has brought great benefits to the future King Qin.People trust him deeply and will not regard him as a speculator who observes the current situation and waits for opportunities to act. Sasaki Sanshiro gradually gained reuse in the feudal kingdom.One of the reasons is that there is an unimaginable shortage of talents among the sergeants of the Tosa Domain at this time.In this case, Sanshiro stands out, and people judge him far beyond his actual ability.It can be said that he is a very lucky person.Since Ansei, many sharp-edged people fought and fought in chaos, but died because of their individuality and naked truth.Compared with this kind of people, Sasaki Sanshiro is very different, everything about him is so just right.He possesses the requisite, minimal reflexes.This is like a kind of spice, which makes it easier for him to show his talents and wisdom to others.If you show this rebellious spirit too much, you will become a so-called patriot, but if it is only used to decorate your talent as a "new bureaucrat", this kind of rebellion must not be excessive.He also possesses the air necessary to make a living.This is not the disillusionment of the world like that of Xixiang in Satsuma, but something appropriate and usable for dealing with the world.He can drink and chat happily with the stubborn Zuomo faction in the feudal clan, and he can also echo with radicals like Gan Tuizhu. Some people commented that he was a worthless person, but others praised his ability to govern and said he was a capable person.But he is by no means the kind of person who will kill himself to become benevolent, but will use his brain to think about how to "become benevolent" without "killing himself".Not only that, but he has always been thinking in his heart whether "Chengren" will help him stand out.All in all, the so-called bureaucrats probably refer to this kind of people. Tosa's Rongtang is a person with an overly keen poetic intuition, and because of this, he doesn't like Sasaki very much, and he prefers the rebellious Kantaisuke and the boastful and unsteady Goto Shojiro.However, it's not that he didn't use Sasaki Sanshirō, who was more useful in reality, and it was Rong Tang who promoted Sasaki from a not-so-well-born family to the chief inspector. After Rongtang returned to the feudal kingdom from Kyoto, Sasaki was worried that Tosa would fade out of the political situation, so he recommended himself and applied for permanent residence in Kyoto. Rong Tang gave him quite a lot of power and said to him: "All matters in Beijing will be handled by you." Sasaki Sanshirō's going to Beijing was a major event in his life.His main task is to unify the opinions of the Kyoto feudal government with the plan to return the great government. The Kyoto feudal government is the main institution of the feudal state's diplomacy, which is the same in any male feudal clan.Almost all the sergeants in the Kyoto Domain were from the Saba sect, and Sanshirō had to convince them. Rongtang, the old feudal lord, understood Sanshiro's difficulties this time. When he left the feudal clan, Rongtang said: "When you go to Beijing, I will let Fukuoka Fujiji come back, and he cannot be allowed to stay in Kyoto." 容堂认为，福冈藤次是容堂培养的众多少壮官员之一，最近对勤王论有些理解，不过终归还是临阵磨枪，若是听说了大政奉还，说不定会大发雷霆，吵嚷起来，最后便会妨碍藩论的统一。而且，容堂最近开始打心眼里厌恶起福冈藤次来。“那厮喜欢在背后论人是非。”容堂说。福冈藤次和后藤象二郎是关系甚好的朋友，并且二人都是容堂亲自调教出来的。可是，后藤去长崎后，福冈却在背地里讲他的坏话。这件事传到了容堂耳中。“在背后中伤朋友的人是不值得信赖的，福冈藤次不是一个可以和朋友同生死、共进退之人。” 容堂在识人方面有着惊人的洞察力，他的敏锐眼光在这句话中显露无疑。同时，这也是容堂提拔后进的原则。依照容堂的性格，一旦他讨厌一个人，就再也喜欢不起来了。 佐佐木抵达京都藩府。 他见到了福冈藤次，不过只字未提老藩公让福冈回藩这件事。这便是佐佐木区别于一般官僚的高明之处。他思虑周全，不想招致福冈的厌恶。 而且，福冈也令人难解，不知从何时起，他的勤王倾向已经变得十分明显，听到大政奉还方案，他竟然也说：“我已经从一两个乡士那里听说了，是个不错的方案嘛。”所谓一两个乡士，应该是指坂本龙马、中冈慎太郎。 只有寺村左膳这个名门出身的官员十分顽固，说：“难道尔等要背叛将军大人？”他固执地坚持佐幕。 佐佐木的行动温和而巧妙，他的劝说开始奏效。“一定会成功，一切都会很顺利。既保全了德川家，又顾及了朝廷。” 面对佐幕之士，他会强调是为了德川家着想，而对于有勤王倾向的人，他则会把重点放在“朝廷”这个字眼。 “而且，向列藩提出这个方案，土佐藩就有可能成为时局的主角，可谓一箭三雕。”他劝人道。 在这个过程中，佐佐木本人对方案的细节产生了疑问，毕竟他不是制定方案的人。“恭助啊。”他把在京都藩府当差，和龙马、中冈等人关系亲密的武士毛利恭助叫到房间，想拜托恭助安排同方案制定者龙马见面。“你刚才好像说的是坂本龙马？” “您这一问着实奇怪。”毛利恭助十分扫兴，“说起坂本龙马，那可是为天下苍生而奔走的武士，是最受萨长两藩器重的人啊。” “是吗？看来是我疏忽了。我不可能连一介乡士的名字都记得那么清楚。”真是个乡巴佬！毛利恭助在心里暗骂。一直在藩国任职的佐佐木三四郎到头来也拋不掉等级意识。“您若是这种态度，恐怕坂本不会见您。” “我明白。你见过我在人面前表现出妄自尊大的态度吗？”佐佐木拍拍毛利的肩膀，说，“拜托了。” 佐佐木自然是要用藩费在一流的饭庄招待龙马。地点也定下来了，是东山山脚下的一家饭庄，名叫会会堂，饭菜的美味可口是出了名的。 为了传达这番意思，毛利前来拜访龙马。 “你说的佐佐木是什么人？” “是藩国的大监察。”毛利将佐佐木的来历以及此番上京的目的，悉数告诉了龙马。“人倒是明白事理，就是骨子里有一种上士的优越感。或许在会谈时免不了发生些让你不愉快的事情，不过还是见一见他吧。” “自然要见的。”龙马已经打算好了，为了成就大事，他可以见任何人。 “佐佐木此番进京可是下了很大的决心。据说他为了这个大政奉还方案几乎赌上了性命。” “怎么会？藩国官员没必要拼上性命。” “拼命这个说法或许有些夸大其词，但对佐佐木来说，这个方案一旦成功，他在众多家臣当中就能够扶摇直上、平步青云了。他打的正是这个如意算盘。” “这样就说得通了。”真是不可思议，龙马心想。一旦到了千钧一发之时，此前一直对革命不理不睐的官老爷们也都陆陆续续地凑上前来，看来他们把这当成了谋求个人发迹的最佳手段了。 龙马和中冈搭伴，一同奔东山山脚下的饭庄会会堂而来。 他们被带到了一间面向庭院的客房。没过多久，大监察佐佐木三四郎便带着毛利恭助出现了。 “哎呀，两位先生！”佐佐木满脸堆笑地说道，那笑容不知是装出来的还是出自真心。“请上座！请上座！这是非正式的秘密会谈，不用理会什么座次规矩。二位是天下的志士，请上座！” 从一开始，龙马就坐在上座。 其实，佐佐木进屋后，立刻就注意到了这一点。在佐佐木看来，自己身负藩国重任，若是一声不吭地坐在下座，着实恼火，所以便大声嚷嚷着“请上座”，想要造成一种自己主动要求坐在下座的效果。 这种显而易见的花招，亏他做得出来。龙马在观察对方。佐佐木三四郎长了一副大脸庞，手脚也粗，浑身上下散发着一股凛凛的威严之气，笑容颇具亲和力，倒不招人讨厌。 能言善辩的佐佐木说起了三两个不温不火、无甚妨碍的话题，龙马绷着脸听着，多少有些失望。此人脑子不够聪明。佐佐木讲起话来滔滔不绝，但都是拾人唾涕。龙马认为，男人议论若不能有新意，就应该保持沉默。一直以来，他便是本着这个原则约束自己的。萨摩的西乡和大久保就不像这个佐佐木。他虽然感到有些失望，转念又一想，在人才极度匮乏的土佐，除了乾退助和后藤象二郎，上士里几乎再也找不出像样的人才，如佐佐木之流已经算是优秀的了。不过，大监察以上的职位恐怕就难以胜任了。 此时的龙马无论如何也想不到，这位佐佐木日后会接连担任维新政府的要职，最终位极人臣。 这个人究竟只是用“勤王”来装点装点门面，还是真心想要讨伐幕府？龙马开始不慌不忙地试探他。不弄清楚这一点，他就无法确定该用哪一种说法来解释大政奉还。 似乎两边都不靠啊，若是形势对讨幕有利，恐怕这个人就会赞同讨伐幕府。龙马做出这番判断之后，便开始了他的说明。佐佐木虽然没有什么创见，但是理解力很强。 “明白。如今藩内无论哪一派别，都在热烈地议论这个方案。总之，我会尽最大努力把这场戏演好，这一点请你放心。” 龙马对佐佐木不经意间道出的“演戏”一说十分佩服，说道：“对，就是演戏。不管怎样，土佐藩必须要先演一场戏，一切才能开始。” 西天隐隐传来雷声。转眼间雷声近了，忽然一记响雷在头顶炸开，震得会会堂都晃动了起来。 “要下雨了啊。”龙马将视线移向庭院。 天公实在是颇为配合。众人都认为这是大戏开演的前兆，互相举杯庆祝，敞开胸襟畅谈了一番。龙马虽然最不喜阿谀奉承，却十分罕见地对佐佐木三四郎没什么恶意，同他交流甚好。 “佐佐木君，你这个人不错！”龙马一个劲地赞扬他。理由是，佐佐木的言辞之中完全看不到对萨摩和长州的偏见。 在时下，土佐藩上士整日挂在嘴边的一套口头禅就是：“别看那些乡士和下级武士口口声声叫嚷着勤王，那只不过是他们在发泄郁积了三百年的怨气，萨摩和长州正是利用了这种积怨。”此番龙马提出大政奉还方案，藩内的那些顽固守旧派也不肯老老实实地接受，而是说：“这一定是萨摩、长州的圈套。”全都在冷眼观望，等着看笑话。 看起来佐佐木三四郎确实要强过他的同类许多。这个家伙可能是个趋炎附势之徒，不过倒能派上用场，龙马看穿了他的本质。既然如此，且用用他。 “佐佐木君，自安政以来，无数草莽志士奋起，继而死于非命。他们虽然让时局暂时陷入混乱，但也大大推进了时势的发展。他们的牺牲和功绩定会被后人永远铭记和传颂。可是，这场即将上演的大戏，已经不再是这些草莽志士来扮，而是轮到当权者大展身手了。” “在下虽才疏学浅，”龙马这番话说得佐佐木甚是欢喜。“定会拼死一搏！” 随后，几人又谈及了云集京城的各藩脱藩之士。“一定要设法救济他们！”中冈慎太郎说道。事实上，正如龙马说的那样，这些草莽志士已经渐渐失去了用武之地。而且和安政、文久时代相比，他们的吸引力也减弱了许多，并且经常身处危险之中。近来，新选组、见回组等愈发猖狂跋扈了，在京城的大街小巷，几乎每天都有志士横尸街头。 中冈想救他们。他已经有了设想，实现这个想法需要借佐佐木三四郎之力。 “其实，我想说的是陆援队的事。”中冈对佐佐木说道，“海援队已经成立并开始活动，而且海援队队长就坐在这里。可是陆援队还没有付诸实现，我要说的就是这件事。” 陆援队将仿效海援队制定章程，也就是说，陆援队也不属于土佐藩，在保持独立的同时和藩国签订契约，一旦爆发战争，将会和土佐并肩战斗。陆援队半官半民。这支军队驻扎在京都，一旦革命战争在京都爆发，便会为了天皇而战。说得露骨一些，这是一支发动政变的预备军。 士兵也不仅仅是作战。这支队伍将全部由各藩的脱藩志士组成。当然，既然中冈是土佐人，土佐脱藩乡士应该占大多数。 “关于建立陆援队的方案，想必阁下也已经听说了吧？”中冈故意若无其事地说道。中冈自然不会告诉佐佐木陆援队是政变预备军。 “可是，我们在京都找不到合适的房子。就是因为没有房子，才会一直拖到现在。” “恐怕是不好找啊。”佐佐木说。 在京都城内，早已找不出一块空地了。自家康以来，德川幕府唯恐各藩诸侯和京城的天皇、公卿发生联系，便禁止他们在参觐交代的途中停留京都，至于说到设立藩府则更是不提倡了。只有对那些在商业方面确有需要的大名，才会允许他们拥有府第，而且房子不能太大。比如要向京都商人贩卖木材的土佐等藩，早在很久以前便拥有一处背对着高濑川的宅第。盛产工艺品的加贺藩、盛产砂糖的萨摩藩、盛产纸张的长州藩等也在京都设有藩府。其他的小藩也有租了房屋、派驻留守居役的，不过多数是为了给江户的夫人和藩国的女仆们在京都购置衣裳。例如元禄年间赤穗四十七义士中的小野寺十内便是赤穗藩的京都留守居役，住在租来的一间小屋里，做的正是这类事务。 京都藩府大都是这种情况。然而，到了如今，京都突然变成了定夺外交问题的中心，各藩藩主、藩士的往来也随之频繁起来，甚至渐渐有了设置藩兵的必要，于是藩府的作用极大地凸显出来。各藩都在四处物色土地，但却找不到合适的。像是萨摩藩，历来都只有锦小路一处小小的藩府，但是最近派驻京都的藩士们已经住不下了，于是开始收购一些普通的街道大杂院，或是占用东郊冈崎村的田地建造房屋，或是买下皇宫北侧二本松的近卫家别墅，甚至买下了西郊衣笠山山脚田野上的两万坪土地，在那里建了练兵场，还建了火药库。土佐藩也是一样，只有河原町一处藩府总嫌太过拥挤，最近便又在北郊的白川建起了第二藩府。 中冈开始同佐佐木交涉，希望能够借白川藩府一用。 “佐佐木君，如果能将白川藩府借给我，绝不仅仅是实现建起陆援队这么简单。”中冈轻轻放下酒杯，说道。 "how do I say this?" “如果白川藩府能够收留那些一直以来在京都遭受幕吏追捕而流离失所的志士们，就等于救了他们一命。”这是中冈最重要的目的之一。 “那些浮浪之徒的境况已经如此危险了吗？” 佐佐木三四郎不假思索地说出了“浮浪之徒”这个字眼。各藩的脱藩之士，被勤王派称作“志士”，幕府和佐幕派则称为“浮浪之徒”，即便是在公文中也照用不误。佐佐木毕竟是官员，一不留神就用了这个词。 “浮浪之徒？”中冈不由得苦笑。 “啊呀，我失言了，是志士。” “最近幕吏疯狂抓捕的情形，不由得让人想起井伊炮制安政大狱以后的气氛，比方说前天晚上那件事。” 中冈现在使用的是萨摩藩士横山勘藏这个化名，正住在商家密集的柳马场蛸药师附近一处租来的房子里。中冈平常使用的化名是石川清之助，不过因为知道这个名字的人太多了，他向房东租房时便用了这个新的化名。 在他的隔壁住着一位姓立花的对马藩脱藩浪人，也是“浮浪之徒”。前天晚上，中冈很晚才回家，恰巧碰见所司代官员突击搜查邻家，一番激烈搏斗过后，立花身负重伤，被带走了。 中冈想要搭救立花，便劝说在土佐藩京都藩府任职的上士毛利恭助——毛利仿佛中冈的弟子一般，希望藩国能够前去和所司代进行交涉。只要说立花是土佐藩陆援队的队士即可。现在，毛利那边的交涉已经到了关键阶段。 “这只是一个例子。类似事件几乎每天都在发生。佐佐木君，只要你肯把白川藩府借给我，就能救他们的命了啊！” 中冈所言不差。按律，幕吏是无权进入各藩藩府搜查的。白川藩府属土佐藩，如果能够收留这些浪人，就算新选组和见回组再怎么气急败坏，也是毫无办法。 “你是父母官。这不正是救天下苍生之道吗？”中冈开始吹捧他。 佐佐木痛快地答应下来。“所幸参政由比猪内大人恰巧也在京都，我会去说服他。” 第二日，佐佐木去劝说由比，总算征得了他的同意，但由比也害怕承担责任，便说道：“万一触怒了老藩公，你可要担起这个责任啊！”意思是，到时候切腹谢罪的人是你佐佐木三四郎。 土佐藩提议的大政奉还方案若是得不到其他雄藩的赞同，各藩步调若是不能协调一致，便无法对幕府施加压力。中冈为此四处奔走，有时龙马也会出门游说。 萨摩同意了。除此之外，艺州广岛浅野家也算是对时局敏感的雄藩，浅野家老辻将曹正在京都驻守。此人十分精明，也表示赞成。如此一来，土州、萨州、艺州三藩都表示赞同，下一步就只等着向天下拋出这枚巨型炸弹了。 这期间，土佐参政由比猪内和大监察佐佐木三四郎也以土佐藩代表的身份与萨摩的西乡、大久保，以及艺州的辻将曹等人见过面。 佐佐木三四郎对上司由比猪内说出了自己的感想。“艺州的辻说，他赞成这个方案的主旨，不过对于细节有些不同看法。他这么说，我反倒很放心。只是萨摩的西乡和大久保颇难对付。” 萨摩的西乡和大久保对前来拜访的由比和佐佐木说：“有关这件事情，坂本先生和中冈先生已经向我们十分详细地说明了。我们认为主旨完全没有问题，萨摩藩没有任何异议。” 两人完全赞同。在佐佐木看来，这才是最可怕的。萨摩似乎是想借此让土佐藩独自背负起时局的重大责任。萨摩藩大概是想趁这次提出动议的机会，把迄今为止动辄便在时局面前打退堂鼓的土佐藩推进时势旋涡的中心，让土佐无处可逃、无处可躲，老老实实地和萨、长两藩一起发动他们策划已久的武装起义。 “他们的演技，可是比艺州的辻将曹要高明许多！”佐佐木说道。 “是啊。”多少仍带些佐幕倾向的参政由比猪内对萨摩同样十分警惕。 可是不管怎样，萨摩的同意对土佐来说都是巨大的力量，于是便决定举行一场结盟的宴会。 此时，距离龙马、中冈和佐佐木在会会堂商议的那个雷雨之夜已经过了三天。 “地点定在三本木的柏亭。阁下应该会来吧？”佐佐木特意找到了龙马寄宿的地方，龙马却一口回绝：“就算我参加联谊会也没什么意义。” 中冈也没去。 佐佐木等人招待了萨摩藩留守京都的要人。西乡自然是被邀请了，却因为伤风缺席。萨摩藩出席的有家老小松带刀，近侍大久保一藏，吉井幸辅，以及内田仲之助。 土佐方面出席的人有恰巧进京的后藤象二郎、由比猪内、福冈藤次、寺村左膳、佐佐木三四郎等。乐于欢宴的后藤考虑得十分周到，将女说唱艺人请到了酒席上。没想到那个艺人的表演水平实在令人不敢恭维，不过这反倒成了噱头，就连一向严谨的大久保都笑了起来。