"The far-reaching planning and good intentions of Mr. Yue can be said to be unprecedented and unprecedented." Ito Hirofumi listened to Iwakura's heartfelt words, and his heart was excited, and tears flashed in the corners of his eyes, "I am here, on behalf of all the people of the world, thank you to Mr. Yue." ”

After Ito Hirobumi finished speaking, he sat down and bowed deeply to Iwakura Gushi in front of him, and Iwakura Gushi also bowed and returned the salute, "My strength is only here, after my death, the fate of Japan will depend on Shunsuke." ”

Hearing that Iwakura's words were full of desolation, Ito Hirofumi advised: "Don't say that to Mr. Yue, ignorance is small, ignorance is small, ignorance of the country's plans, Mr. can ignore it, travel on weekdays, take more precautions, and when the plan is successful, the world will return to peace, and Mr.'s painstaking efforts will be revealed to the world, and naturally no one will come to Mr. for trouble." ”

"Hehe, Shunsuke, don't you understand? At present, the people do not know the truth, and once the secret agreement of exchanging Hokkaido for the Russian army is made public, it will be the time when my life will return to Huangquan! Iwakura Gushi laughed self-deprecatingly, "Traitors, everyone can be punished, even if His Majesty the Emperor wants to protect me at that time, I am afraid that I will not be able to." ”

"But...... It's not fair to Mr. Yue to serve the country so much, but he has to bear the infamy of being a national thief and lose his life! Of course, Ito Hirobumi understood that what Iwakura Gushi was telling the truth, and he was unwilling, clenched his fists, and couldn't help but thump his legs.

"I was one of the 'four traitors' in my early years, and there were many people who wanted to punish me, and I was very satisfied to live until now without dying." Iwakura sighed.

Ito Hirobumi knew that Iwakura Gushi was talking about the past, which was the first year of Manen, when the shogunate elder Ii Naobi was assassinated. Iwakura takes this opportunity. It is proposed that "public and military forces are combined". Improve relations between the imperial court and the shogunate. He arranged for Shogun Tokugawa Ieshige to marry the emperor's sister and Prince Miyagi. The samurai who opposed the shogunate and the founding of the country believed that Iwakura Gushi was supporting the shogunate, and Iwakura Gushi was regarded as a revenge by the Zun Zheng faction, and was listed as one of the so-called "four traitors", first asking the imperial court to expel him, and then even sending samurai to assassinate him.

Ito Hirofumi knew that Iwakura Gushi had already realized that he was going to die. Things have developed to the present, and there is no way back, only sighs and sighs.

"Shunsuke, I am grateful for your help in making a statement in front of His Majesty the Emperor this time to facilitate this plan. However, this matter is also too damaging to your reputation, so from now on, all aspects of this matter. You try not to get involved. Iwakura said, "Tao An has been vehemently opposed to this. But with his cleverness, he will figure it out in the future. Tao An can be your help, and now I let him be free, but also to protect his reputation, because after all, you will need to clean up this mess in the future. I'll take care of the matter of adding the axe! ”

Hearing Iwakura Goshi's last words, Ito Hirobumi finally burst into tears.

"Shunsuke doesn't have to be like this, in life, there will eventually be a death, and it is fortunate to be able to die for the country." After Iwakura Gushi finished his explanation, he felt relaxed, and when he saw Ito Hirobumi in tears, he said with a smile, "When the conference was in Korea, Mr. Nanzhou had the consciousness of death, and today, it was my turn." ”

Hirobumi Ito remembered that Saigo Takamori resigned in anger and returned to his hometown because the proposal to conquer Korea was rejected, and when he thought of the outcome of this war, it was likely that Saigo Takamori and Iwakura Gushi saw that the two important ministers of the Restoration had all died together, and he couldn't help but sigh.

Osaka, the headquarters of the Satsuma Army's staff.

When Lin Yiqing came to Saigo Takamori's room, he was surprised to find that Saigo Takamori was writing there.

Saigo Takamori didn't notice Lin Yiqing's arrival, and he was engrossed in waving his book. Chiho Kirino, who was standing beside Saigo Takamori, saw Lin Yiqing's puzzled appearance and smiled at him.

Lin Yiqing stepped forward slowly and came to Saigo Takamori's side, at this time Saigo Takamori had just finished writing and was standing in front of the bookcase to admire his work.

Lin Yiqing saw such a poem written on the long rice paper:

"The cool officials come and go, and the autumn air is clear, and the Jilin City is cool. It must be more cold than Su Wu, and it should be the name of Zhenqing. I want to tell you not to leave my son, although I will never forget the old friendship. Therefore, the red leaves of the sky wither on the zero day, and worship the frost sword of the cloud room from afar. ”

In this poem, Saigo Takamori uses Su Wu and Yan Zhenqing as his own situation, and fictionalizes that when the autumn leaves are withering, he bows to the emperor in Tokyo, and then "kills himself to become a benevolent". Judging from this poem, he seems to be very intoxicated with such a burial, and even a little uncontrollable.

Lin Yiqing was wondering to himself, but Saigo Takamori suddenly asked, "Hanpeng, do you know the origin of this poem?" ”

"Mr. Nanzhou's poem is called "The Destiny of the Korean State", when the imperial court discussed the conquest of Korea, Mr. did it, right?" As soon as Lin Yiqing saw the name of the poem, he guessed a rough idea and immediately replied.

"Exactly." Saigo Takamori sighed and nodded, "Today on the street, I occasionally received red leaves from children, and I felt something, and the past was vivid, so I wrote this old poem again." ”

"Back then, if Mr. Ruona of the imperial court discussed the conquest of Korea, there would be no today." Lin Yiqing understood what Saigo Takamori was thinking, and said, "Korea may have been incorporated into the Japanese territory, and the scholars will have a livelihood, and there will be no bloodshed for thousands of miles, and foreign soldiers will be disturbed." ”

Lin Yiqing is familiar with history and knows that Saigo Takamori actively advocated the conquest of Korea in order to find a way out for the corporal clan in the world, and did not hesitate to kill himself in the past, so he said such a thing.

If Saigo Takamori's proposal to conquer Korea had been passed, Japan would have sent troops to Korea at that time, and Korea might not have been able to stop Japan's invasion, and the Celestial Empire behind Korea might not have been able to fight against the Japanese again. And the Southwest War will not necessarily be fought as it is now.

Japan's so-called "conquest of Korea" in modern times did not exist after the Meiji Restoration. During the Edo period, Korea and Japan had reciprocal exchanges of "mutual understanding", but with the rise of Japonism, some scholars at the time created a fictional idea of Korea's subordination to Japan. By the end of the Edo period, the shogunate was declining day by day, and the great powers began to attack Japan's borders, and Japanese intellectuals generally had a strong sense of crisis. As a means of resolving the crisis in their own countries, some people have proposed to use troops overseas to gain capital to confront the foreign powers. North Korea is naturally the first target. On the other hand. Some people also use Japonism as an ideological weapon. Emphasizing Japan's sacredness and superiority, distorting and mythologizing history, and proving the tradition and legitimacy of Japan's "conquest" of Korea.

After the Meiji Restoration, the first diplomatic mission sent by the Meiji government to Korea arrived at the Choliang Wakan in Busan on November 6, the first year of the Meiji era, with the purpose of informing Korea of the change of government in Japan and the situation of the "Imperial Ishin". The mission was still in charge of the Tsushima Domain, which had been in charge of affairs with Korea during the old shogunate period, and met with officials in charge of the Korean side on the 8th. However, North Korea argued that it could not accept the terms "emperor" and "edict" in the Japanese documents, insisting that "the emperor is the ruler of the world." The title of leading the land to respect the land, although it is your country, and the correspondence between you and me, it has never happened since the neighbors. Such a sentence must not be accepted. "The DPRK insisted on Japan to revise the document, and the Japanese side insisted on refusing to amend the document, and the negotiations reached an impasse, and the mission stayed in the DPRK for almost a year, but it failed to get the DPRK to change its position. In the end, I can only go home. -- The key to the failure of the negotiations lies in the fact that the two sides have completely different understandings of the international order. The Japanese side has accepted the concept of modern international order, while North Korea still adheres to the Yixia order centered on the Celestial Empire. Therefore, the words "emperor" and "edict" on the Japanese documents will naturally be regarded by the DPRK as disrespectful to the emperor of the Celestial Dynasty that it respects, and it cannot and does not dare to accept it.

Later, the Japanese side sent the foreign affairs authority Dalu Sada Shigeru and the Shaolu Moriyama Shigeru to the DPRK to urge the DPRK to reply to the Japanese side's credentials, but they still failed to get the essentials. In September of the 5th year of the Meiji era, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took back the right to negotiate with Korea, which had been represented by the Tsushima Domain, and took over the Busan Choliang Wakan, which had been managed by the Tsushima Domain, and renamed it the Dainihon Mansion. In fact, the Kuryo Wakan was not the property of the Tsushima Clan, but it was owned by Joseon, but because of its traditional association with Tsushima, it was allowed to be used for the employees and merchants of the Tsushima Domain. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the staff of the former Tsushima Domain and replaced it with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This stimulated the North Korean side and created a sense of distrust of Japan, and anti-Japanese sentiment in North Korea began to rise, and anti-Japanese behavior appeared.

After the Iwakura envoys went abroad in the fourth year of the Meiji era, they were accompanied by high-ranking government officials such as Okubo Ritsu, Kido Takayoshi, Ito Hirobumi, and Yamaguchi Naoyoshi. Those who remained in the country were the Imperial Ministers Minori Sanjo, Senator Saigo Takamori, Itagaki Resuke, Okuma Shigenobu, Eto Shinpei, Goto Zojiro, Oki Qiao and others. At the time of the discussion of the so-called "conquest of Korea", the Iwakura envoys had not yet returned to Japan, so the initial discussions were mainly in the left-behind government.

Amid the shouting and beating of the government and the opposition, Prime Minister Minoru Sanjo decided on the theme of the cabinet's meeting: He regarded the negotiations with the DPRK as a major issue that "is a national humiliation due to the authority of the DPRK," that the DPRK "regards us as a country of lawlessness," which will naturally lead to "unconcerned violence," and that "what kind of humiliation our people will suffer is unpredictable." Therefore, he prepared to impose "resolute imperial punishment" on the DPRK, dispatched "a number of army forces and several warships" to protect the Japanese in Korea, and ordered Kyushu Zhentai to remain on guard at all times. Under this military pressure, envoys were dispatched to "negotiate with justice and justice." That is, Japan is ready to engage in gunboat diplomacy.

Itagaki fully supported this plan, and he advocated the rapid dispatch of an army brigade to protect the Japanese in Korea. The whole tendency of the Cabinet is also tilted towards this. Saigo Takamori, however, objected, saying: "If we suddenly send an army and navy to Korea today to protect our subjects who are living there, the officials of Korea will be suspicious and fearful, and they will say, 'Japan is plotting to destroy Korea.'" 'It is contrary to the original will of our imperial court towards the Korean state, and it is advisable to stop sending the army and navy, and first send an envoy plenipotentiary to inform the Korean government with justice and justice, so that the government will repent of its mistakes. Saigo Takamori himself asked to go to Korea as plenipotentiary to "inform" the government of the Yi dynasty.

On August 16, Saigo Takamori went to Sanjo's home to talk to him, and the next day he wrote to Itagaki in detail how he had debated with Sanjo: "This is not the time for an immediate war, but a two-step war. Today's situation, from the public international law, although there are reasons to crusade, but there is still room for defense, and the world does not know the bottom line. Now I have no intention of war, but only to rebuke him for being light and negligent in his neighborly relations, and to correct his rudeness in the past, and to show his deep intention to strengthen his neighbors in the future. If an envoy is sent for this purpose, he will not only be domineering, but will even kill the envoy. At that time, everyone in the world will rise up and know that the crime that should be crusaded against cannot be ended until this point. This matter turned to foreign countries and became a long-term strategy for rejuvenating the country. There is no argument for this. ”

"The matter of sending the younger brother (Saigo). If you hesitate at Mr. (Itagaki). It will inevitably delay for some time, and Jing Xi will intervene to eliminate objections. Otherwise, it will be difficult to achieve war, so using this gentle plan to lure them into our country will surely bring the opportunity to go to war. If Yu is killed in this move, it is inappropriate, and he will have the idea of appeasement. It doesn't make sense. My body has been gone, and there are not many years left, so I pray to grant my wishes. ”

The purpose of the Saigo Plan was also very clear, to "turn the mind of chaos abroad, and move it to the long-term strategy of rejuvenating the country", and at that time, the "chaos of thought" was the gentry who were dissatisfied due to the gradual loss of privileges, and the use of these samurai to achieve the "long-term strategy of rejuvenating the country" would undoubtedly appease the dissatisfaction of the gentry with the government and obtain rich rewards from military adventures.

However, the "sideways branches" that Saigo did not expect happened. September 13th. Iwakura Gushi, Hirobumi Ito, Naoyoshi Yamaguchi and others returned to Japan. Okubo, Kido, and others, who opposed the immediate conquest of Korea, began to focus on Iwakura. Raise objections publicly. In several meetings, the opinions of the two sides were like parallel lines, and it was impossible for them to intersect.

The two sides quarreled until October 22, when Saigo, Itagaki, Sokushima, and Goto went to Iwakura's house and asked him to play the decision of the meeting on the 15th. Iwakura said: "I disagree with the three public opinions, and this secretary and other people who know. Today, I am the acting of the Minister of Justice, and I can't help but give my opinion. Therefore, I want to play the two words together, and listen to the imperial judgment. The secretary waited for the time being. Saigo had a heated debate with him, and Saigo said, "This matter has been played by the Sanjo Gong, and the royal court has descended. If we discuss it again now, I am afraid that it will be sacred. How do you think about this? Iwakura replied: "Even if the imperial magistrate descends, Yu will advise with his own opinion and suspend the dispatch of envoys." "Saigo was angered by it;" Now that you have said this, we have nothing to say to you. Then, angrily, he left the table. The next day, Saigo submitted his resignation.

On October 23, Iwakura submitted the resolution of the 15th together with his own opinion, and asked the emperor to make a personal ruling. His own opinion was: "The present minister has not yet had time to report in detail on the reinstatement of the envoy, and the cabinet has decided to send the envoy to Korea." The ministers thought about it in the past, and it has only been four or five years since the Restoration, the foundation of the country has not been solidified, the political theory has not been rectified, and the system of governing the country is as if it is prepared, and the risk of warning is unpredictable. Today, it is still not easy to think about foreign affairs. Although, the Korean country has been on good terms with me, but for hundreds of years, how can I accept it silently? And the matter of sending envoys has been preliminarily decided, and so are the ministers. As for the date of dispatch, it is important to review the priority steps in detail. If he is stubborn and does not pay courtesy to our envoys, then I must not be without countermeasures; If I don't take measures, it will be detrimental to my country's rights. And he has already shown the clues, so the day of the dispatch is about to be the time of the decisive battle. This is a major military matter, and it must be foresighted. …… His Majesty is expected to deeply observe the essence of the matter, the urgency of the situation, and make a holy judgment. The ministers were overwhelmed with excitement. Ignorant of death, sincere pause. The emperor said, "It is a major matter for the country." I thought about it, and the Ming Dynasty replied. ”

On October 24, the Emperor issued an edict informing the adoption of Iwakura's opinion: "From the beginning of my succession, I will fulfill the will of the Emperor and swear to protect the country and the people." Lai Zhongshu worked together to gradually achieve a unified governance system in the whole country. Therefore, the whole country is reorganized and the people's power is nurtured, in order to achieve eternal success. Today, you should see the recital, and you should flatter me. "The envoy to South Korea has been postponed indefinitely. On the same day, Itagaki, Goto, Eto, and Sokushima also submitted their resignations. The resignations of the five senators of the "Korean faction" were immediately accepted, and the resignations of the five were allowed. On October 25, Iwakura and Okubo began to reorganize their cabinets, replacing Hirobumi Ito and Katsukaishu as members of the Council, and the center of the government underwent a major reshuffle. - This event was the "Meiji 6 Coup d'état."

The subfield of Saigo Takamori and others caused a great shock. On the 25th and 29th, the Emperor issued two edicts to the guards, demanding: "You must not doubt your mind, but should continue to do your duty with due diligence." And he also personally summoned Shinohara, Kunigan and other generals to persuade him. However, hundreds of the Guards, especially those from Satsuma, resigned. "There are so many who quit and left, and the non-commissioned officers of the Guards are almost empty as a result."

The Meiji government's policy gradually stripped the nobles of their privileges, causing discontent among the nobles; The descent of Saigo and the Guards officers gave the gentry who were dissatisfied with the government with spiritual leaders and actual combat commanders, which made it possible for the injustice to combine the grassroots and the high-level. At this point, war is inevitable.

What Lin Yiqing did was nothing more than to expand the scale and intensity of the war that determined Japan's "basic plate."

And the intervention of the Russian army was also expected by Lin Yiqing, and it can even be said that luring the Russian army into the war is also an indispensable part of this huge plan.

At this time, Saigo Takamori naturally didn't know Lin Yiqing's innermost thoughts, what he was thinking about now was the old hatred and new hatred with Iwakura Gushi.

"Hanpeng, is the news you got confirmed?" Saigo Takamori asked again, "Is it true that Iwakura Gushi borrowed Lucia and promised to cede Hokkaido to Lucia after the matter was completed?" (To be continued......)

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