Hearing Saigo Takamori's answer, both Ito Hirobumi and Kido Takayoshi seemed very happy, but Okubo Ritsu didn't seem satisfied, he thought about it and said, "Mr. Nanzhou is not healed, and although he is cared for by Chiho, he still needs to be treated in time to avoid aggravation of his condition. www.biquge.info In my opinion, it is better to go to Tokyo, and His Majesty the Emperor will be informed that he will send an imperial doctor to treat him, and when his condition improves, he will be able to take up his post. ”

Okubo Tomitsu's words were very sincere, but Saigo Takamori's answer still disappointed him.

"Since I learned that I had gone from the road, I have been coughing up blood for days, my diet has been wasted, and I am unable to cope with the bumps in the boat. I appreciate Mr. Kogi's kindness. Saigo Takamori replied, "When my condition improves slightly, I will definitely go to Tokyo in time to serve His Majesty the Emperor!" If you fail to make peace in the Qing Dynasty this time, and the Qing army comes to invade our country, I will go to the front line in person to fight to the death with the enemy, so as to serve the country with my body and never live in the world! ”

"Then please Mr. Nanzhou!"

Hearing Saigo Takamori's impassioned words, Ito Hirobumi and Kido Takayoshi thought that the purpose of the trip had been achieved, and solemnly bowed to Saigo Takamori. Okubo was silent, and followed the two of them to bow to Saigo Takamori.

Saigo Takamori and others bowed and returned the salute. After the salute was finished, both sides fell silent for a while. The atmosphere in the room is a bit oppressive.

"Shunsuke, Songju, Jiamu, you are going to Qingguo this time, and I have something to ask for." After a long while, it was Saigo Takamori who broke the silence first.

Hearing Saigo Takamori's words, the three of Ito Hirobumi all raised their heads and looked at Saigo Takamori.

Okubo Ritsu stared into Saigo Takamori's eyes, waiting for his next step.

At this time, Saigo Takamori, his face was full of pain.

"Mr. Nanzhou, please speak, if we can do it, we will never refuse!" Ito Hirobumi saw Saigo Takamori in such a painful way and immediately agreed.

"Please rest assured Mr. Nanzhou, as long as we can, we will do our best." Kido Takayo also said.

"It's man-made, I don't know what Mr. Nanzhou is entrusting?" Okubo Ritsu was the last to ask.

"As the commander of the army to conquer Taiwan, he can't repay the emperor's kindness, expand the territory, fight for the country's interests, and can't lead the athletes to make meritorious contributions, and even their lives have not been saved, and they have lost their teachers and misled the country, causing Japan to fall into a predicament, which can be described as the sinner of the imperial country! It's hard to redeem your guilt! Saigo Takamori gritted his teeth and scolded.

Hearing Saigo Takamori scolding his own brother like this, Ito Hirobumi and Kido Takayoshi couldn't help but be stunned, only Okubo Ritsu still stared at the sad Saigo Takamori quietly.

Although it was not the first time that Toshiaki Kirino and the others had heard Saigo Takamori scold their younger brother, at this moment, in front of Ito Hirobumi and especially Okubo Ritsu, they still felt that they couldn't hold their faces and wanted to say something, but they were intimidated by Saigo Takamori's power and couldn't speak, and they were embarrassed for a while.

"Uncle Nanzhou, even though Uncle Congdao was at fault, but now that he has passed away, you should not be too harsh on the deceased." Chiho Kirino's voice sounded behind Takamori Saigo, and everyone's eyes unconsciously turned to her.

Chiho Kirino's voice is soft and soft, sweet and pleasant, like a sweet spring, making people feel indescribably refreshing and comfortable.

Saigo Takamori, who was originally angry, listened to her persuasion, and his anger dissipated in an instant.

"I heard...... Congdao beheaded the Qing soldiers......" Ito Hirobumi remembered the news he had seen in foreign newspapers about Saigo being beheaded by Hayashi Yoshizhe, and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

"Such a shameful death is a shame for the samurai, and it is also the retribution for his sins!" Saigo Takamori said, because of his mourning, he actually shed tears, because Saigo Congdao is a great crime, after all, it is his own brother.

"From the Taoist mourning teacher to the wrong country, buried in a foreign land, it was innocent of death. But as an older brother, it is my duty to return his soul to his homeland. Please understand the distress of a brother! Please! Saigo Takamori said, bowing deeply to the three Ito again.

"Mr. Nanzhou is so trusted, we will do our best!" Ito Hirobumi was moved and immediately agreed.

"I have heard that the head of the Cong Dao was sold for 1,500 taels of silver, although in my opinion, his head is not even worth 500 taels! But I was willing to pay three thousand taels of silver to redeem his head. Saigo Takamori continued, "There are also the remains of the war dead, please also try to claim them back, the Qing people are greedy, and may take this opportunity to extort money from our country, in that case, the cost of redeeming the remains, no matter how much, will be borne by me!" ”

Hearing that Saigo Takamori actually offered to pay the ransom for the possible remains of the war dead, Ito Hirobumi and Kido Takayoshi were very moved, but Okubo Ritsu seemed unmoved in his heart, but he did not show it on the surface.

"Please rest assured that Mr. Nanzhou will fulfill Mr. Nanzhou's wish!" Hirobumi Ito said.

"Then please!" Saigo Takamori became excited again, and as soon as the words fell, he coughed violently again.

Ito Hirofumi saw that Saigo Takamori's health was really not good, and after talking for a while, he said goodbye to Kido Takayoshi and Okubo Toshitsu, and Kirino Toshiaki and others personally sent them to the door, watched them get into the carriage, and then went back.

"Shall we go to the restaurant in front? The satsuma dishes inside are delicious. ”

After getting into the carriage and seeing that Okubo Ritsu had been silent, Ito Hirobumi proposed.

Kido Takayoshi just wanted to agree, but he heard Okubo Ryori's hoarse voice say, "No need, let's go back to the boat and eat." ”

Hirofumi Ito and Takayo Kido seemed to hear something, and couldn't help but exchange glances quickly.

"Let's get back on the ship, this isn't our place to stay." Okubo said again.

"Why did Mr. Kogi say that?" Hirobumi Ito asked in surprise.

"Because we don't belong here anymore." Okubo Ritsu smiled bitterly, looked at Hirobumi Ito and Takayoshi Kido, and said, "Shunsuke, Shoju, do you really think that Mr. Nanzhou will come out of the mountain again and serve in the government?" ”

"Didn't Mr. Nanzhou agree just now?" Listening to Okubo Ritsu's words, Ito Hirobumi and Kido Takayoshi were all surprised.

"It's one thing to say yes, it's another thing to do it." Okubo said, looking out the window again, "Perhaps, he's waiting for a suitable opportunity......

"He's waiting for an opportunity? What chances? Ito was even more surprised.

"If we fail to go to the Qing peace talks this time, and the empire goes to war with the Qing State in an all-out way, this is the opportunity he wants!" Okubo said in a deep voice, "So, we can't give him this chance!" ”

Ito Hirobumi and Kido Takayo suddenly came to their senses, and they were shocked into a cold sweat.

At about the same time, Saigo Takamori lay on the sickbed, recalling the conversation with Okubo Ritsu just now, and let out a deep sigh.

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

"Li Wenzhong's Public Collection: To Wu Zhongxuan's Army"

"The eastern envoy Yanagihara and the General Administration debated for more than a month, always thinking that the life was ownerless and barbaric, the country used troops to conquer, China allowed it first, and then it interfered wantonly, contrary to the public law of all countries, and it was cunning and inexplicable in China. …… In the meantime, there was also a minister named Okubo, who came to Tianjin on a Western gunboat, and entered the capital on the same day, and the decision and the war were very unclear. And Russia is watching from the sidelines, and it is very bad. The cost of the war cannot be accurate, and the gap will gradually open from now on. The coastal defense of Kifu is of great importance, and the war preparations have not been gathered, and the salary needs are very huge. Stealing the dangerous heart, knowing that Shu is also exhausted, looking around, there is no one to appeal to. Whether the various co-ordination funds can be reduced, first do your best to solve the problem, and it is fortunate to beg for approval. ”

"Li Wenzhong's Collected Works: On the Actions of the Eastern Envoy Okubo"

“…… The eastern envoy Okubo Ritsu was an important minister of the Japanese cabinet, and he led a delegation to arrive at the Dagu Barrage on 19 August on the gunboat "Settsu" and changed to a small steamer of the country to import it. On the morning of the 21st, he arrived at the American Consular Residence. In the afternoon of the same day, he sent a staff member to the Customs and Roads Department to report and bring a business card to tell him to turn the road, and we immediately sent Sun Dao to pay his respects on the 22nd and bring a business card to greet him. According to Sun Daofu: Okubo went out to meet, and he was noisy and noisy, and he was not on official business, but Yun Jinjing was urgent and could not stay in Jinjiu. On the 23rd, the Guandao reported: The envoy asked for a passport and set off by water within two days. According to Xu Shouchao's visit to the American Mansion, Okubo arrived in Beijing in a hurry on the 22nd to discuss with Yanagihara that the envoy was scheduled to leave on the 25th, and he brought a large number of personnel, including Secretary of the Ministry of Industry Ito Hirobumi and Foreign Secretary Takayoshi Kido, who were also important ministers, all of whom entered Beijing with Okubo. It is said that Ito Hirofumi is unusually cunning and full of tricks, and he is very comparable, and when this person comes, there will be another trouble. Okubo first instructed the American consul to speak in a secret agent's tone, without the slightest relaxation, so he did not hesitate in vain, and Hongzhang also let him go freely. The gunboat on which the envoy was sitting had a very shallow draft and could sail into the sea, but according to the special detective of the Dagu Fort, I don't know where to go after 20 days? Merge side note. Yesterday, two people went to Beijing from Beitang Road, Tianjin Road, and they were deceived by the fact that they were interrogated by the defense camp and did not have a travel license, so they were immediately detained and ordered to send Ben to Yanagihara. After arriving in Beijing, Okubo ordered the officials in the city to pay attention, check the entry and exit, and do not let the people snoop around, which is a great blessing. ……”

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

Beijing, Xianliang Temple, Foreign Officials' Residence.

At this time, it was late at night, the bright moon was high, the clouds were light and the wind was clear, and most people had fallen asleep at this moment.

Lin Yizhe, who was asleep, felt that his body was fluttering, and it seemed that he had come to the court room in the Forbidden City again......

“…… Shen Youdan is short-sighted, and I recommended him in vain, but now that I think about it, I really regret it. It's a pity that the shipyard I worked so hard to build was ruined by him! ”

"People say that Shen Youdan is good at foreign affairs, don't you know that ironclad ships are useless? The ironclad steamer was regarded as a waste by the British, and the dock was a cauldron for the sale of gold by all countries, and the ship was useless after all its wealth was exhausted. I advised them to build more ships for both military and commercial purposes, and to transport them if they had nothing to do, and to catch thieves when they had trouble. He didn't listen to my advice, changed the factory site, and wanted to build an ironclad ship, wasting national funds, misleading the country and the sick people, don't think about it! ”

When a young official heard this, he couldn't bear it anymore, and got up in the duty room and shouted: "Zuo Jigao! Leave virtue under your mouth! My uncle's reputation is so slanderous! ”

Lin Yizhe raised his eyes and couldn't help but be stunned.

Isn't the young official who scolded Zuo Zongtang himself?

The explosion of "Lin Yizhe" was like a thunderbolt in the flat ground, and the courtroom, which was originally slightly noisy, instantly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were invariably focused on this young official.

"Zuo Ji Gao! You shameless! Hugh has to be unscrupulous! ”

"Lin Yizhe" stepped forward quickly, stretched out his halberd and pointed at Zuo Zongtang, who was sitting there looking a little dazed, "How could my uncle have failed you, you dare to openly resist him in broad daylight, are you not afraid of being thundered by the sky?" ”

Zuo Zongtang narrowed his eyes, and then he saw clearly that it was Lin Yizhe standing in front of him, it was really an enemy meeting, his eyes were extremely red, his body straightened all of a sudden, and his eyes widened.

"Shaft child, where is there a place for you to speak? Don't you ...... soon."

Before Zuo Zongtang finished speaking, "Lin Yizhe" interrupted him with another burst of applause.

"Zuo Ji Gao! Are you allowed to slander at will, and no one else is allowed to speak up? ”

Lin Yizhe sneered, "It's just that you can slander Zeng Wenzhenggong, and if you slander my uncle, I will never spare you!" ”

"Good, good! I don't argue with you, a yellow-mouthed kid, here, stay in the court for a while, I want you to look good! Zuo Zongtang's fat body trembled uncontrollably on the chair, obviously angry, he raised his hand, pointed at "Lin Yizhe" tremblingly, and said viciously.

For Zuo Zongtang, no one has ever dared to denounce him like this to his face.

Lin Yizhe looked at the angry Zuo Zongtang coldly, thinking about the unknown experiences of this "great man" who was praised as a "national hero" in later generations, and resisted the urge to come forward and punch him.

From this point of view, staying for a while in the court meeting is the moment to really crack down on this pseudo-Taoist priest......

Not long after, the eunuch on duty began to sing the morning meeting, and the courtiers who were waiting in the duty room began to line up in shifts, preparing to enter the main hall, as if nothing had happened just now. Zuo Zongtang glanced at the hundred officials angrily, and strode into the main hall first.

Seeing Zuo Zongtang's resentful look when his eyes swept over "Lin Yizhe", Zhang Peilun on the side seemed to be sweating for "Lin Yizhe". He peeked at "Lin Yizhe", but was surprised to find that "Lin Yizhe" did not show any nervousness and fear, but as usual, his face was not shocked.

At this time in the main hall, the little emperor who was still a child sitting on the throne - it was not the Tongzhi Emperor, but the Guangxu Emperor!

The little emperor couldn't help but feel a little scared when he saw Zuo Zongtang walking in with a smug on his face, he couldn't help but turn his head slightly, glanced behind him as if asking for help, and just met the two sharp eyes behind the curtain.

"The Queen Mother, the Emperor, the ministers were humiliated in the duty room, please ask the Queen Mother and the Emperor to be the ministers!"

After the two classes of ministers finished the ceremony, Zuo Zongtang couldn't wait to get out of class, and the loud voice made the little emperor startled again, he felt that the eyes behind him seemed to encourage him, and it was easy to settle down.

"Yo, who is so bold! Look at the one who makes Lord Zuo angry, Lord Zuo hurry up. The Empress Dowager Cixi behind the curtain smiled and said.

"Empress Dowager Xie." Zuo Zongtang stood up angrily and said unrelentingly, "Please ask the queen mother and the emperor to be the ministers and cure this person for the crime of disrespect." ”

"Which one is so bold that he dares to find Zuo Xiang unhappy? Zuo Xiang quickly said, who is this person's surname, I will make the decision for you. The Empress Dowager Cixi said, and Zhang Peilun, who was standing in the queue, couldn't help but be surprised when he heard that Cixi's words seemed to have a sense of banter.

"The Empress Dowager of Qiqi, it is Lin Yizhe, who insulted the old minister in the duty room, and his words were rebellious, and the minister implored the Empress Dowager to make an order to treat him for the crime of disrespect and disrespect."

"Oh? Vertical son Lin Yizhe? Which one is it? The Empress Dowager Cixi said in surprise.

"The Empress Dowager of Qiyu, what Zuo Xiang said may be Lin Yizhe, the left of the Metropolitan Procuratorate." Prince Gong Yixin, who presided over the court meeting, said.

"Oh, I remember." Empress Dowager Cixi said, "However, this son doesn't look so unstable, why did he suddenly have an awkward relationship with Zuo Xiang?" Send him up to the temple and hear what he has to say. ”

"Chuan Du Inspectorate's left Yu Shi Lin Yizhe to go to the palace-"

Hearing his new official name, Lin Yizhe couldn't help but be stunned.

He actually entered the base camp of the gossip officer?

Hearing Li Lianying's long voice, the "Lin Yizhe" straightened his clothes, walked into the main hall quickly, came to the Jinshui Bridge, and paid his respects.

"The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Palace, Lin Yizhe, knocked to see the Queen Mother and the Emperor."

"Flat."

"Thank you, Queen Mother, thank you, Emperor."

"Lin Yizhe, Zuo Xiangxiang has no respect for you, and your words are insulting to him, but is there such a thing?"

"Back to the Queen Mother, this is indeed the case. But there is a reason. ”

"Oh - why? Presumably, the reason for this must be not short, and the emperor and I would like to hear it. And thou shalt elaborate from the beginning, and thou shalt not interrupt thy servants. ”

Hearing the last words of the Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Hongzhang, who was standing with his hands down in the train, seemed to sense something, and his head couldn't help but raise slightly, and his eyes couldn't help but look at the court.

"The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, Zuo Zongtang is only in the duty room, slandering and slandering the minister's uncle, the words are despicable and vicious, and the shameless is so shameless that the minister can't help but stop talking, so as not to humiliate the ancestors and be uneasy underground."

"Lin Yizhe" looked at Zuo Zongtang, who was standing there facing his luck, and said loudly, "Zuo Zongtang!" You narrow-minded villain! My uncle was just for the sake of the overall situation of the country's coastal defense, and did not follow your wishes to build the so-called useless ship of 'military and commercial use', so you deliberately suppressed it, and almost caused the shipmaster to die halfway! If it weren't for my uncle's efforts to raise money to keep afloat, the shipmaster would have closed down long ago! ”