"The thieves are so rampant this time, the intention is to show His Majesty their strength, and anyone who does not follow his will can take his head, so as to cause a great panic in Beijing and disturb the hearts of our army and the people." Hirobumi Ito endured the sadness in his heart and replied in a slightly hoarse voice, "Please also ask Your Majesty to calm your anger, take care of the Holy Communion, and put all the people of the world first." ”

"Itoqing, haven't you been in trouble these days?" Emperor Meiji asked with concern when he saw Hirobumi Ito's haggard expression.

"Your Majesty cares, and the emperor's grace is mighty. Thanks to His Majesty, these days, the minister has been lucky not to meet the assassins sent by the thieves. Hirobumi Ito heard the emperor ask about his safety these days, and his heart chuckled, of course, he could not tell the emperor that he had taken precautions because of the "dream enlightenment" of the deceased Kido Takayoshi, but replied vaguely, "The minister heard that Mr. Sokai (i.e., the vice-island minister) was ill, and went to visit, and he stayed at Mr. Sokai's house for the past few days, and he didn't want to escape because of this." ”

"Ito-qing is so lucky! The catastrophe was unscathed. Emperor Meiji said hatefully, "It's a pity that Okubo and Kuroda were both killed by traitors!" Iwakura, Okuma, and Yamasan, although they escaped greatly, were all seriously injured......"

Hearing the emperor talk about Iwakura Gushi, Okuma Shigenobu and Yama Prefecture Aritomo also escaped with great luck, Ito Hirobumi couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

He had already received the news that in the midst of this unprecedented catastrophe for important members of the Meiji government, these three important ministers had escaped with their lives, just like him.

Unlike Okubo Ritsu, the right minister, Iwakura Gushi, was assassinated in his own residence, although there were only three assassins. But the skill is extraordinary. Use both knives and guns. Killed all the guards around Iwakura Gushi, Iwakura Gushi secretly exchanged clothes with the secretary when the guards resisted desperately, as a result, the secretary was shot and killed by the assassins, Iwakura Gushi escaped through the back door by luck, but one leg was shot and bleeding all over the ground, if it wasn't for being rescued by passers-by. It must be his life.

Like Iwakura Gushi, Okuma Shigenobu was assassinated in the official residence, and the assassins were also three, but they were very fierce, and Okuma Shigenobu escaped from the window on the second floor under the desperate cover of the guards, escaping with his life, but broke his left arm.

The most dangerous of the three was Aritomo Kiyama Prefecture, who, like Okubo Ritsu, was ambushed by Assassins while inspecting the defense of the city of Tokyo and passing through an alley on his way to his residence, killing all of his guards. Youpeng was shot three times in the body and collapsed in the pile of corpses unable to move. Just as the Assassins appeared to look for him among the corpses, a large number of military police arrived and engaged in a fierce battle with the Assassins.

Ito Hirobumi later learned that during the few days he was hiding in the house of Sokushima Tanetomi, his official residence and office were also patronized by the Assassins, but because no trace of him was found, the Assassins did not launch and left quietly.

According to the secret report of his close servant Ryoichi Sakurai, his beloved geisha Akura and Chiyoko also had strangers inexplicably intruding, and then quickly left, presumably assassins.

Thinking that he had deliberately concealed from Chiyoko what might happen to the assassin that day in order not to reveal his whereabouts, Ito felt a faint sense of guilt in his heart.

"What does Ito Qing think is among the thieves who dares to act so boldly?" Emperor Meiji asked again.

"The minister thinks that none of the people under Mr. Nanzhou's command, such as Toshiaki Kirino, Kunikan Shinohara, and Shinosuke Nomura, have done so. There is only one person who can do this. Ito Hirobumi replied, "This person is the Qianguo man named Lin Yiqing, who is currently the chief of staff of the Kyushu Thief Army. ”

"Oh? Is that the person who looks like the late Navy Minister Lin Yizhe of Qianguo? When Emperor Meiji heard Lin Yiqing's name, his body shook slightly unconsciously.

"That's the man." Hirobumi Ito nodded, "I think this time this person may even lead the team himself, so he was able to make the scale of the murder so large that the capital shook." ”

"Why does Itoqing think that this person did it?" Emperor Meiji asked again.

"This man is the son-in-law of Toshiaki Kirino, and when Toshiaki Kirino got married, I happened to be visiting Kagoshima, and when I heard the news, I went to Michiga, met this person, and then had several deep conversations with him." Hirobumi Ito replied, "This man was an instructor at the Kagoshima Naval Academy at the time, and he visited the school and saw that he had both humanities and military skills, and that the combat skills and military strategies he taught were all unknown in other countries, and he was convinced by all the students. The minister once saw his students perform martial arts, and they were all able to use one as ten, brave and good at fighting. When Mr. Kato was assassinated, he heard that all the guards had been killed, and the number of assassins was far less than that of the guards. ”

"What Ito Qing said is that I also heard that there was only one survivor at that time, the coachman asked the coachman about the scene, and the coachman once said that when Okubo Qing was shot and did not die, he had a conversation with the assassin leader, and Okubo said bluntly that he wanted Lin Yiqing to show up, and the assassin leader, who called himself Lin Yiqing, stepped forward to answer a few words with Okuboqing, and they were all at ease, just like old friends." Emperor Meiji sighed, "Unfortunately, the coachman was so frightened that he didn't remember what they said, and then Okubo died in a fit of rage, and the leader of the assassins beheaded Okubo with a sword, and covered his body with clothes as a sign of respect." ”

Hearing Emperor Meiji tell about the meeting and conversation between Okubo and Lin Yiqing before his death, Ito Hirobumi couldn't help but secretly sigh at Okubo Ritsu's chic bearing and Lin Yiqing's courage and courage.

"This person is the great enemy of our country, and his actions are no worse than Lin Yizhe's." "If we don't get rid of it, the rebellion will never be quelled." ”

"This person is a Qianguo person, can you order the Qianguo government to recall him so as to reduce the strength of the rebels?" Emperor Meiji asked again.

"Although this person is a native of Qianguo, he is not a citizen of Qianguo, and his background is also a mystery, I have not heard of any relatives and friends in his country, but his appearance is similar to Lin Yizhe, whether it is his brother or not, it is still uncertain." Ito Hirobumi replied: "If he acts in his temperament, he may not be willing to obey the orders of the Qianguo government, and the Qianguo government has no way to restrain him, but I am afraid that when the time comes, not only will he not be able to restrain him, but on the contrary, he will give the Qianguo a pretext for interfering in China's internal affairs." ”

Listening to Ito Hirobumi's answer, Emperor Meiji let out a long sigh and said, "How can we get rid of this person?" ”

"This man is extraordinary. And resourceful. Whereabouts are uncertain. Directly send people to chase and kill, and now there is a lack of warriors who can fight against it, and it is difficult to find its traces. Ito Hirobumi thought for a moment and replied, "With the idea of a minister, it is better to use his status as a member of the country to carry out a plan of discord and provoke civil strife among the rebels. Find an opportunity to kill him again. ”

"What Ito Qing said is very true, so let's do it!" Emperor Meiji looked at Ito Hirobumi, suddenly stepped forward and put a hand on Ito Hirobumi's shoulder, "Itoqing, you are my reliance and strength, you must cherish it, and you must not take risks yourself!" ”

Hearing the emperor's words of such emotional concern, Ito Hirobumi's heart was warm, diluting the sadness and melancholy caused by the murder of Okubo Ritsu.

The thick clouds in the sky suddenly dispersed at this point. The rays of the sun appeared, gilding the bodies of the monarch and the ministers with a layer of golden light. It seems to herald the dawn of a new era.

After leaving the palace and returning to his home, Ito Hirobumi locked himself in his room and tried to defeat the enemy, but no one was seen. At dusk, Ito Hirobumi's good friend Aichi Prefecture Commander Anba Howa ran in excitedly, although he was blocked by a doorman just now, but he relied on being an acquaintance of Ito Hirobumi, didn't pay attention to the doorman at all, and rushed in directly.

Yasuba said loudly, "Shunsuke! Why are you still so depressed? Your time has just come! ”

Ito Hirobumi looked at him impatiently and said angrily: "The pillars of the country are already dead, and you still say such things!" Do you know who can succeed Okubo? No one! ”

Yasuwa smiled, "Who can take over?" Shunsuke? What stupid thing are you talking about? Cheer up! Japan will enter a new era in your hands! ”

Hirobumi Ito ignored him and continued to meditate on his own. Yasuba was not polite, turned around and ran into the kitchen, beckoning the chefs to put on a feast.

That night, Ito Hirobumi drank a lot of alcohol until he didn't know what was going on. He cried and laughed for a while, and he didn't know if he was saddened by Okubo's departure, or if he was finally released with pride......

And Ito Hirobumi didn't know that it was on such a night that Lin Yiqing sat in front of his beloved Chiyoko.

"Did you really let Mr. Chunmu go?" Chiyoko looked at Lin Yiqing, who had already removed his mask and was contemplating in front of him, and asked softly.

"Yes." Lin Yiqing looked up at Chiyoko's reddish face and smiled slightly, "Miss Chiyoko cares about him very much!" ”

She avoided his uncomfortably handsome face, and replied, "Mr. Chunmu has always been kind to me, so I am very concerned about his safety......"

Lin Yiqing gently held her hand, his hand was warm and thick, and her delicate hand was held in his wide palm, which gave her a different sense of security, and let her hanging heart gradually let go.

"Don't worry! Don't worry about him! He'll be fine! ”

"Thank you......" Chiyoko gently withdrew her hand and bowed slightly to Lin Yiqing.

"Why do you want to say thank you?" She didn't look up, but she could feel the smile in his gaze as he looked at her.

"No, why ......," Chiyoko muttered, she really didn't know how to answer Lin Yiqing.

"I know, Mr. Harumu is very good to Miss Chiyoko, but has Miss Chiyoko ever thought about it, what is the reason why you, as the daughter of a samurai family, want to be a geisha who shows up and lets a man hold her arms?" Lin Yiqing looked at Chiyoko and asked with a smile.

"I didn't think about it...... Chiyoko remembered her experience, and her heart ached, and her eyes turned red.

"You really haven't thought about it?" Lin Yiqing asked again.

"Please don't ask again...... Chiyoko shook her head and said with tears in her eyes, "I did everything you asked, what else do you need me to do?" ……”

"You're doing a great job, Chiyoko, I don't need you to do anything more." Lin Yiqing suddenly pulled, and she suddenly fell into his warm and hard embrace, his eyes approaching hers: "I just want you to understand that everything you have done is not meaningless." ”

As soon as she touched his hot eyes, she couldn't help but blush most of her face, he was so handsome, so handsome that it made people panic and stupid. His eyes were fixed on him, and her enchanted eyes struggled with all their might, and the half-ring finally moved away. For a moment, she calmed down. He lowered his head and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lin......"

Somehow, her face was still burning with a fever. She suddenly came to her senses. I felt that I shouldn't be so excited. She leaned into his warm male embrace, which was like the sun, faintly surrounding her icy heart. The eyes skimmed away, and on the pale white grid of paper, the blurred light and shadow of the embrace turned into the illusory lover's heaven and earth. Warm the world of illusory hearts. She really wants to lie between heaven and earth like this, and she will be reincarnated for a lifetime. Finally, she broke free from his embrace.

"I'm leaving, we won't bother your life again, Chiyoko. Take care. Lin Yiqing got up and said, "For yourself, for your family, live well." ”

Chiyoko didn't expect him to leave so soon, when he first came, she still had a deep fear in her heart, but at this moment, when he said he was leaving, she somehow felt a little uneasy.

She looked up. I wanted to say something, but suddenly I found out. He vanished in front of him like air.

In the night, Lin Yiqing was stealthily sneaking in a place where the moonlight could not shine, and a ninja appeared in front of him silently.

"My lord, the people of the Shimazu family have all been controlled by the Metropolitan Police Department." The ninja said to Lin Yiqing, "Do you want to save them?" ”

"I'm afraid it's too late." Lin Yiqing thought for a while and said to him, "Tell Yingyan and them to give it a try, if they can save it, save it, don't be hard, if there is one who escapes, just answer it, if not, evacuate immediately, don't delay." You must not fall into the hands of the enemy for saving people, each and every one of you is extremely important to me, and I do not want to lose any of you. ”

The ninja took the order and left, Lin Yiqing looked up at the bright moon, and once again hid himself in the darkness.

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

As the passenger ship moved farther and farther behind Tokyo Bay, the steam that came out of it covered people's heads like a tablecloth. In the distance, the city of Tokyo seems to be reduced to a small watercolor painting.

For so many years, the flat roofs, the colorful houses, and the polite people have been the most familiar part of Shimazu's life.

Yoko Shimazu stands at the railing, bidding farewell to the thatched hut perched high on the side of the mountain that exudes the smell of vegetation; Farewell to the gentle blue round bay; Say goodbye to the cooing chickens that roost in the homes of the residents; Say goodbye to her family, friends, and everything she knows.

She has experienced many separations in her life. But this time, it's different.

This is the last goodbye.

This last goodbye was terrible. This is the last separation of the love of flesh and blood, and it is also the eternal separation.

She took one last look at the shore and turned to walk towards her cabin.

Once inside, she began to open her suitcase and get things out, her main concern was the writing materials and her favorite books. She looked so attentive, she was a woman with a weak appearance, but she exuded a certain vigorous charm on her body. The proud face, the melancholy eyes, and the delicate hands all indicate that this is a woman with a lot of personality and culture.

Before Yoko Shimazu barely learns to walk, her father, Tadayoshi Shimazu, who has embraced Western ideas, puts her on a foal. Although his mother, Ninki, feared that if her daughter and her husband spent too much time in the stables, she might learn to behave rudely and speak vulgar language, Shimazu ignored this, and whenever he could, he took her with him and taught her to ride on a straddle instead of riding with her legs on the same side as a normal woman.

Despite her petite stature and weak physique, Yoko Shimazu became a tomboy without much encouragement. She had no fear, and whenever her father rode out to inspect the farms, the land, and the forests, Yoko Shimazu would always follow him. When Yoko Shimazu was five years old, her father sold some of his estate and bought another Western-style estate in the suburbs of Tokyo.

Originally owned by an English merchant, this house combines the characteristics of a house, a villa and a farmstead. The house is only one floor, long and low, usually located at the end of a boulevard, surrounded by lush greenery, and these tall trees mainly serve as a windbreak wall. The front of the house is adorned with a porch.

There is a kitchen in the residence with a kitchen, a women's washroom, a distillation room, and a pantry. In addition to the kitchen, most Japanese country houses have one or two outbuildings, which are set aside for guests, governesses, and servants. The outbuildings are all decorated in the style of a farmhouse, with walls painted white, beams on the ceiling, small windows and deep sills.

The main part of the house is usually decorated with many different kinds of fine antiques, as well as many new furniture. The furniture was the dowry of generations of brides, and its style was influenced by the prevailing ethos of the time. The walls are decorated with Western-style portraits of the heads of the Shimazu family, as well as memorabic items as a reminder of the war. Like an insect inside amber, the souls of the ancient Japanese aristocracy have been preserved here in another way.

In the corner of the room stands a tall and beautiful fireplace decorated with tiles, heated with pine, fir and other incense woods. Most country houses are scented with pine resin, mixed with rose petals, lavender and rosemary.

Yoko Shimazu had a happy and stable early childhood. His father, Tadayoshi Shimazu, was always happy to visit his younger brothers, and they were all as brave and profligate as he was. (To be continued......)

PS: Yesterday I couldn't log in due to a system failure, and I couldn't update, and today I'm crazy to make up for 15,000 words! Thank you for your support! Collect! Ask for recommendations! Ask for a subscription! Click! Ask for a commuter pass!