At that time, the world powers were around, and most of the world's land was carved up, and for Japan, in addition to the Ryukyus, there were only two places to fight, Taiwan and Korea, which were far from the ruling center of the Qing Empire, and the Western powers had not yet had time to get involved, and perhaps it would not cause a strong backlash from the decadent and numb Qing Empire. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

In fact, at that time, the Japanese government and the opposition had the idea of "conquering Korea" and "conquering Taiwan"; in addition to Saigo Takamori, Okubo Ritsu and Yamaprefecture Aritomo and others were also all in favor of Japan's foreign expansion, but there was a difference between "urgent expedition" and "delayed expedition." And Saigo Takamori strongly called for a "rush to levy". His aim was to use the junior samurai, who had been fighting for generations, to carry out these foreign aggressions when the predominantly civilian government forces were not yet capable of fighting power, and to enable them to quickly regain their lost privileges and benefits in their own countries in the new colonies. On the choice of the goal of "conquering Taiwan" or "conquering Korea," Saigo Takamori strongly advocated the conquest of Korea, and the DPRK wanted to "seize such land, give it to us, and use it as the gate of the imperial kingdom of Yongzhen." In order to promote the conquest of Korea, he even asked himself to appoint an envoy to North Korea, using diplomatic means to provoke North Korea, if North Korea plotted and killed him, Japan could justifiably send troops to conquer!

Okubo Toshitsu and others, who held the opposite view with Saigo Takamori, believed that the current Japan should focus on "internal governance" and first establish a modern state system and logistics system before it could launch foreign conquests.

Friends from the previous downfall are now sworn enemies in politics. In order to stop the conquest of South Korea, Okubo Toshitsu and others used a variety of political means to lobby everywhere. Yamaguchi Aritomo, who is also a representative of the military circles, also sided with Okubo Ritsu, because Yamaguchi Aritomo wanted to safeguard the interests of the new government army, as well as his own interests in political and military circles. Aritomo, a prefecture from Choshu, took full advantage of the conflict between Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshitsu to profit from it in order to elevate the position of the Choshu faction in the government.

Compared with Okubo Ritsu and Yamaguchi Aritomo, who are good at using strategy and skill, Saigo Takamori completely appeared in front of people at this time as a bright and upright hero and idol. He kept all his political work on the surface, hoping to impress the ministers and senators with his loyalty and prestige, and that they would not betray the low-ranking samurai with whom he had fought. However, political struggle requires strategy, cunning, and ingenuity, and it is impossible to win this war of public and private interests and ideas by relying only on the words "above board." During the court discussion, the Saigo faction was finally defeated, and Saigo Takamori's request to send an envoy to Korea was completely shattered by the samurai's desire to conquer the Quartet. An enraged Saigo Takamori immediately submitted his resignation to Emperor Meiji. The next day, Emperor Meiji approved Saigo Takamori's resignation as Governor of the Senate and Guards, retaining the rank of Army General. And the traditional Japanese samurai represented by Saigo Takamori have also lost the honor they can enjoy forever with his departure!

Now, Saigo Takamori and his followers have seen this clearly!

"Mr. Nanzhou, can't we change all this?" After being silent for a long time, Shinohara Kunigan asked loudly.

"Morning Meng's grace meets the night and burns the pit, and life is like a gloom. Even if you don't return to the sun, if you don't have luck, you can push sincerity. Luoyang's confidants are all ghosts, and the Nanyu prisoners are alone. Life and death are not suspicious of talent, and I am willing to leave my soul to protect the imperial city. Saigo Takamori put down his glass and chanted a poem.

Everyone savored the poem, and the room became silent again for a while.

After a while, a figure hurried up.

"Murata-kun is here, sit." Saigo Takamori saw that it was his cronie Murata Shinhachi who came in, put down his wine glass, and greeted with a smile.

Murata Shinhachi entered the house, but instead of sitting down, he went straight to Saigo Takamori and bowed.

"News from Tokyo. Mr. Nan Chau. Shinpachi Murata said.

"Oh? Good news or bad news? Saigo Takamori asked disapprovingly, taking another sip of sake.

Murata Shinpachi was stunned for a moment, and he didn't know how to answer for a while.

"Well, then, please speak." Saigo Takamori smiled and said.

"His Majesty the Emperor has issued an edict to recall Saigo-kun." Shinpachi Murata told the news he had just gotten.

"Sure enough, it's good news." Saigo Takamori nodded happily, "That way, all the troubles won't be gone." The samurai could also save their lives without spilling their precious blood on useless land. ”

"But...... When the envoy arrived, the fleet had already departed. Murata Shinpachi hesitated for a moment and said, "It is rumored that Okuma Shigenobu went to the docks to dissuade Saigo-kun, but Saigo-kun did not listen, but led his army to board the ship and set off. Shigenobu Okuma then sent a telegram to Tokyo, saying that the morale of the army was too high to be banned. ”

Hearing this, Saigo Takamori's face changed suddenly.

"Congdao dared to do something that disobeyed the emperor's order! Doesn't he want to live? ”

"Maybe I just missed it with the envoy." Although Shinohara-kunigan was also surprised in his heart, he still comforted Saigo Takamori and said, "It's not that Saigo-kun deliberately disobeyed the emperor's order. ”

"Shinohara-kun, you still don't know how to follow." Saigo Takamori sighed, and then asked Murata Shinpachi, "How did His Majesty the Emperor react when he received the telegram?" ”

"It is said that His Majesty the Emperor was furious when he learned that Saigo-kun had sent troops, and he had already ordered the second and third groups of troops to stop their departure and stand by wherever they were." Shinhachi Murata replied.

Listening to Murata Shinpachi's answer, the wine glass in Saigo Takamori's hand fell, and the overturned wine poured on the kimono placket on Saigo Takamori's chest, but he didn't realize it.

Seeing Saigo Takamori's shocked state as if he had been struck by lightning, Kirino Toshiaki, Shinohara Kunigan and others were also shocked.

"Mr. Nanzhou......" Shinohara Kunugan straightened up and looked at Saigo Takamori with concern.

"In this way, it is in danger! Even if you can win this battle, I'm afraid it will be a dead end! If it is defeated, it is a capital crime! Saigo Takamori sighed mournfully.

"If we can defeat it, His Majesty the Emperor will not be seriously responsible for Saigo-kun's disobedience for the sake of his immortal merits in opening up the territory." Kunigan Shinohara, comforted him, even though his heart hung in the air with the news.

"If this battle really wants to be fought, it will not be on land that will decide the outcome of the battle, but on the sea!" Saigo Takamori shook his head and sighed, "I just don't know who is in charge of the Imperial Navy now, if there is a hero like Mr. Toyuki to lead the Imperial Navy to fight against the Qing Navy, maybe they still have a chance to ......live."

"It's too early to draw conclusions." Toshiaki Kirino also forced himself to calm down, "Didn't Ikeda-kun go to inquire about the news of the navy?" Wait to hear if he has any news. ”

While a few people were talking, Shiro Ikegami, another of Saigo Takamori's cronies, walked in briskly from outside.

"Ikeda-kun came just in time! Is there any news on the naval side? Kirino Toshiaki saw Shiro Ikegami come in, and immediately asked loudly.

Shinohara Kunigan noticed that Shiro Ikegami's face changed when he heard Kirino Toshiaki's question, and his heart couldn't help but twitch.

"Ikeda-kun, do you know who His Majesty the Emperor has appointed as the commander-in-chief of the navy?" Saigo Takamori asked eagerly.

"It was supposed to be Katsu Kaishu or Natsumoto Takehiro, but it is said that Ito-kun persuaded the two to go out of the mountain, but neither of them agreed." Shiro Ikegami replied, "I guess it's probably Shikiki Kayama......"

"It's over! Finished! In this way, this battle will be lost! Saigo Takamori completely lost his composure just now at this time, and his face was full of pain, as if Saigo had died from the road.

"Chiho! Hurry up and change a set of wine utensils for your Uncle Saigo! Kirino Toshiaki forced himself to calm down, turned his head and shouted.

A girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old in a kimono came out in response, and she quickly approached Saigo Takamori's side, first knelt down and bowed, then quickly put the wine glass on a wooden plate, brought it aside, and rearranged the sake utensils in front of Saigo Takamori, and filled it with sake.

Looking at the beautiful girl in front of her with low eyebrows and gentle movements, a trace of love flashed in Saigo Takamori's eyes, and the original excited emotions gradually calmed down.

This girl is Chiho Kirino, the daughter of Toshiaki Kirino.

"Chiho has grown into a slim girl, and she really deserves to be the daughter of your Kirino-kun." Saigo Takamori turned his head and said to Toshiaki Kirino, "I really don't know what kind of good couple she will be in the future, so as to be worthy of her appearance of the country and the city." ”

"Yes! Kirino-kun was a real 'heartthrob' back then, can you be Kirino-kun's daughter? Shiro Ikegami also laughed.

Hearing Shiro Ikegami talk about the past, Toshiaki Kirino couldn't help laughing.

It was still in the fourth year of the Meiji era (1871), when Saigo Takamori, who was preparing to "abolish the feudal domain", led his troops into Beijing, and the brigade around him also followed, and they were all incorporated into the emperor's imperial army, and Kirino Toshiaki, who was in command of this army at that time, was also appointed as the army commander and the captain of the guard group, and was promoted to major general in July. At that time, Kirino Toshiaki was only in his early thirties, not only graceful, but also extremely handsome, which made thousands of people admire. While he was on his rounds, the girls in the streets and alleys ran out to see his back when they heard his boots ringing on the road.

Such a "heartthrob", the daughter she gave birth to is naturally also beautiful.

For Chiho Kirino, Takamori Saigo has always loved him as his own, no matter what troubles he has on weekdays, as long as Chiho Kirino appears in front of him, his troubles will disappear.

Hearing her uncles praise her beauty, Chiho Kirino's face turned slightly red, but there was no smug joy or any other expression on her face, but she still looked peaceful and obedient.