Probably too tired, Ito Hirobumi soon fell asleep.

In his dream, he seemed to go back to that time, shortly after the end of the battle of Moss, when he, Okubo Toshitsu and Kido Takayoshi went to Kagoshima to visit Saigo Takamori before leaving for the country......

……

When they arrived at Saigo Takamori's residence, Ito Hirobumi and the others got out of the carriage, and the first thing they saw was two samurai standing at the door with two swords at their waists.

When the two samurai saw Hirobumi Ito and his party in suits and leather shoes, their eyes flashed with vigilance.

"Please inform Mr. Nanzhou, and say that someone heard that Mr. Nanzhou was seriously ill and came to visit." Ito Hirofumi stepped forward and bowed slightly, and said politely.

The two samurai bowed slightly, one continued to stand guard in front of the door, and the other strode into the courtyard to make an announcement.

After a while, the samurai returned, saluted Ito Hirobumi and the others again, stretched out his hand to make a "please" gesture, and then led Ito Hirobumi and the others into the courtyard.

From beginning to end, neither of the two samurai said a word to Hirobumi Ito and the others.

Hirobumi Ito, Toshitsu Okubo, and Takayoshi Kido entered the inner room together, and when the door opened, a girl in a kimono knelt down at the door to greet her, and she bowed respectfully to the three of them, and then straightened up.

It was as if a bright moon was rising in front of her, causing everything around her to lose its color, and Ito couldn't help but breathe when he saw her face.

He had to admit that he had seen a lot of beautiful women. But there is no girl as beautiful and vulgar as the girl in front of you!

Not only Chiyoko, who is obsessed with him all the time, but even when Chiyoko's teacher Acang is the youngest and most beautiful, it is not as good as the girl in front of him!

"Uncle Shunsuke, please." Seeing Ito Hirofumi looking at him intently, the girl lowered her head and said in a soft and pleasant voice, "Uncle Songju, please, Uncle Jiadong, please." ”

Hearing the girl call out the aliases of the three of them, not only Ito Hirobumi was surprised, but Kido Takayoshi and Okubo Ritsu were also surprised.

"Who should I be? It turned out that Mr. Shunsuke, Mr. Shoju, and Mr. Koto had arrived. Chiho. Invite them in. Saigo's hearty laughter rang out from the room, but as soon as he finished speaking, a violent cough followed.

Chiho Kirino stood up and stood by the door. I saw a few pairs of slippers neatly placed at the door. The three of them took off their leather shoes. I changed into my slippers and walked briskly inside. Chiho Kirino closed the door and came to the couch. Helped Saigo Takamori, who was lying down, up.

Seeing the gentle and considerate appearance of this beautiful girl named "Chiho" doing all this, Ito Hirobumi couldn't help but secretly sigh in his heart that Saigo Takamori's glamorous blessings were not shallow.

"No wonder Mr. Nanzhou is disgusted with the red dust and mundane things, and wants to return to the hidden spring forest, it turns out that he is accompanied by such a beautiful woman!" Ito Hirobumi was envious, and couldn't help but make fun of Saigo Takamori.

Hearing Ito Hirobumi's somewhat presumptuous words, Chiho Kirino calmly raised her head, glanced at Ito Hirobumi, did not speak, but turned around and took a medicine bowl and held it in front of Saigo Takamori.

Although it was only a slight glance, and the expression on her face did not change at all, Ito Hirobumi still sensed her displeasure from her gestures, and couldn't help but feel remorse for the vulgar words he had just said.

Saigo Takamori drank all the medicine, but still didn't stop coughing, and Chiho Kirino came behind him and gently beat his back.

"Chiho is the daughter of General Kirino Toshiaki, not only is she both talented and beautiful, but also proficient in medical skills, if it weren't for her that day, maybe I wouldn't have seen the three of you." Saigo Takamori noticed the embarrassment on Ito's face and knew that he had paid the price for Shabu himself, and said with a smile, "These days, it's been her taking care of me." ”

Listening to Saigo Takamori say that Chiho Kirino turned out to be the daughter of the famous beautiful man "heartthrob" Toshiaki Kirino, Ito Hirobumi suddenly realized, he immediately restrained his smile and bowed deeply to Chiho Kirino, which was regarded as an apology, Chiho Kirino got up and returned the salute, stretched out his hand, and made a "please sit" posture.

Seeing Chiho Kirino's virtuous manners, coupled with her stunning appearance, both Kido Takayoshi and Okubo Ritsu were amazed.

"Chiho has such a captivating appearance, she should enter the palace to serve His Majesty the Emperor." Hirobumi Ito praised.

Mr. Shunsuke laughed. Kirino Toshiaki's voice sounded at the door, and then a burst of footsteps came, and the figures of Kirino Toshiaki, Shinohara Kunigan, Murata Shinhachi and others appeared.

"Qianho's age is too young, and he doesn't understand the rules of the palace, if he enters the palace, he is only afraid that Her Majesty the Queen and the Quan Dian's servants will work hard to train them, so that the palace will be uneasy." Toshiaki Kirino looked at Hirobumi Ito and said with a smile, "This is definitely not the proper duty of your subordinates." ”

"What Kirino Jun said made you laugh." Ito Hirobumi heard the "subtext" in Toshiaki Kirino's words, and his heart sank, and he immediately snorted.

"However, in my opinion, non-princes and princes can't match the appearance of a thousand spikes in the city!" Hirofumi Ito glanced at Chiho Kirino, who had returned to Saigo Takamori's side to beat him on the back, and sighed.

His praise this time was completely from the heart, and he didn't know that his words would "become a prophecy" and become a reality in the future!

After hearing this, Chiho Kirino didn't look at him like last time, but hung his head and said softly, "Uncle Shunsuke is too famous." ”

The first time Ito heard her speak, I couldn't help but imagine if she would be better than Akura if she sang.

Toshiaki Kirino and the others also sat down in the house at this time, and for a while the small room seemed a little crowded, and the atmosphere also made people feel a little depressed.

"After receiving Mr. Nanzhou's reply, we were worried about Mr. Nanzhou's condition, so we hurried to visit." Hirobumi Ito said, "When Mr. Shoju and Mr. Koto heard about it, they were also very anxious and insisted on coming with me to visit. ”

As he spoke, he turned his head to glance at Takayoshi Kido and Ritsu Okubo.

"Mr. Nanzhou, I haven't seen you for many years. I was very longing, and I heard that my husband was seriously ill, and my heart was very disturbed. Okubo said in a sincere tone, "I saw that Mr. was okay today, so I was relieved." ”

"Thank you, Mr. Jiadong, for your concern." Saigo Takamori looked at this friend from the past, a little excited for a while, and his face was a little red.

Because he didn't expect that Okubo Ritsu, who had become his enemy, would come to visit him in person.

"Why did Mr. Nanzhou get sick this time?" Kido asked.

"It's not because of the ...... of Congdao," Saigo Takamori said, his face changing miserably. Coughed suddenly. Chiho Kirino was startled, and quickly took a white handkerchief and gently covered his mouth.

Saigo Takamori coughed violently on her hand, and it took a long while. Just rested. Chiho Kirino took the white par away. Hirofumi Ito, Ritsu Okubo and Takayoshi Kido all saw the traces of blood on the white handkerchief, and they couldn't help but be secretly frightened.

"Mr. Nanzhou's condolences." Hirobumi Ito sighed, "You can't come back to life after death. For the sake of the living, do not be too sad. ”

"Alas! Shunsuke, do you know that I'm not grieving for Congdao! Saigo Takamori sighed, "I'm saddened by so many excellent samurai, all of whom have turned into souls in a foreign land!" But it did not bring the slightest benefit to Japan! On the contrary, it may push Japan into the abyss! ”

Hearing Saigo Takamori's sigh, the faces of Hirobumi Ito and the other three were also gloomy.

"I have heard that His Majesty the Emperor is going to send a diplomatic mission to Qianguo." Saigo Takamori looked at Hirobumi Ito and the other three and said, "Could it be you?" ”

"Yes." Okubo Ritsu nodded, staring into Saigo Takamori's eyes.

"This diplomatic mission has a long way to go and is extremely arduous, which is equivalent to snatching food from the tiger's mouth, and I hope that you will work hard to save the country from fire and water." Saigo Takamori said, straightened up, sat there and bowed to the three Ito Hirobumi.

With Saigo Takamori's movements, Kirino Toshiaki and Shinohara Kunikan and others, as well as Chiho Kirino behind Saigo Takamori, also bowed to Ito Hirobumi and the others in unison. The three of them immediately bowed and returned the salute.

"Shanxian resigned due to illness, His Majesty the Emperor wants Mr. Nanzhou to go out of the mountain, I don't know what Mr. Nanzhou thinks?" Hirobumi Ito asked about the purpose of his trip.

"Hehe, Shunsuke, look at me now, can I still serve His Majesty the Emperor?" Saigo Takamori smiled bitterly and asked rhetorically.

"Now that the army of Moswan has failed, the monarch of Shan County has resigned due to illness, and there is a lack of people in the navy and army to preside, we need a person with high moral integrity and military talent like Mr. Nanzhou." Okubo said in a sincere tone, "When the Imperial Kingdom is in such a crisis, I hope that Mr. Nanzhou will work with us to do our best. ”

"Thank you, Mr. Kato." Saigo Takamori said, "The national crisis is at the head, I am not allowed to shirk, as long as His Majesty the Emperor needs it, I will definitely follow the army without a little hesitation." It's just that now the sick body is really difficult to travel, and I am afraid that I will miss the state affairs, so when I recover a little, I will go to respond to the call of His Majesty the Emperor. ”

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. 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 at that time. ”

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. Jiadong's kindness. Saigo Takamori replied, "When my condition improves slightly, I will definitely go to Tokyo in time to serve His Majesty the Emperor!" Before that, I guarded the south gate for the imperial country, if you go to Qianguo this time and fail to achieve peace, and the cadres come to invade our land, I will go to the front line in person, fight to the death with the enemy, and serve the country with this remnant 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.

"Junfu, Songju, Jiadong, you are going to Qianguo 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 Moss Army, he can't repay the emperor's favor and expand the territory. Fight for the interests of the country. He couldn't lead the athletes, made meritorious contributions, and even failed to save their lives, losing his teacher and losing the country. As a result, Japan is in a difficult situation. He can be described as a sinner of the imperial kingdom! It's hard to redeem your guilt! Saigo Takamori gritted his teeth and scolded.

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

Although it is not the first time that Toshiaki Kirino and the others have heard Saigo Takamori scold his younger brother, but at this moment. In front of Hirobumi Ito, especially Ritsu Okubo, they still felt that they couldn't hold their faces and wanted to say something, but they were afraid of Saigo's majesty, so they 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 soldiers of Qianguo......" Ito Hirobumi remembered the news he had seen in foreign newspapers about Saigo Congdao 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 try to claim them back, the people of Qianguo 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. Jiadong 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 Qianguo peace talks this time, and the empire starts a full-scale war with the Qianguo, this is the opportunity he wants!" Okubo said in a deep voice, "So, we can't give him this chance!" ”

Ito Hirobumi suddenly woke up and broke out in a cold sweat.

Hirobumi Ito screamed and woke up.

Only then did he remember that Okubo Ritsu and Kido Takayoshi were no longer there at this time.

And that beautiful girl named Chiho Kirino has also married a Qianguo man named Lin Yiqing, and this person is now a terrible enemy of the Meiji government......

Thinking of Lin Yiqing, Ito Hirofumi suddenly felt a chill all around him.

Somehow, he always had this thought: This Lin Yiqing is even more terrifying than Lin Yizhe, who he once regarded as the "great enemy of Japan"! (To be continued......)

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