Chapter 187 The Meiji Restoration of Japan (26)
At sunset, Tanma came to report that the governor of the Choshu clan came to the island and sent troops to attack the gate. Kusaka Genrui's offensive was also fierce, and the Sakai gate was in danger.
Komatsu said with a sword: "The soldiers of the Changzhou vassal besieged the imperial palace, and our emperor is in danger. We have raised troops for a thousand days and used them for a while. I swear to drive the soldiers of the Changzhou vassal out of Kyoto and protect our emperor. I sincerely ask Lord Saigo to give the order immediately!"
Saigo Takamori sighed and said: In one day, he broke through the gate of the clam gate and came to the island to defend the island. It is really a great general's talent! When the time comes, I will ask Lord Komatsu to guard this gate. I will divide my troops and reinforce the two gates of Hayu and Sakaicho.
The soldiers of the Changzhou feudal clan broke through the Ha Yu Gate and swarmed in. When they came to the island, the soldiers and guards shouted wildly, "Where is your majesty?"
Among the rebellious troops, Governor Longsheng of Xixiang led a group of troops and suddenly came to kill them. I saw Xixiang give an order, dozens of rows of guns fired suddenly, and more than a hundred Japanese swords were drawn out.
The soldiers of the Changzhou feudal lord fought fiercely for the whole day, but they were exhausted and unable to stop them.
The governor of the Choshu domain came to the island and the soldiers and guards shouted wildly: Aizu's treacherous ministers have brought harm to the country, and Satsuma's traitors have brought disaster to the people. I wish I could eat your meat and drink your blood! Use artillery to bombard, swear to destroy the thieves and traitors!
At the sound of the cannon, the imperial house was shattered. Emperor Xiaomei panicked and fled in panic with all the palace people. Prince Mutsuhito was young and frail, staggered, and suddenly fell to the ground, wailing.
Xixiang Longsheng was also angry and said sternly: The Changzhou feudal people are bombarding His Majesty the Emperor. They really don’t know how high the sky is! Everyone, wait, aim at the enemy, Shima Matabei, and shoot!
Gunshots rang out, and Kurushima Matabei fell to the ground. The general was killed, and the fighting spirit of the Changzhou feudal soldiers suddenly disappeared.
Saigo Takamori ordered the soldiers of the Satsuma domain to put away their swords and guns, shouting: Lords of Choshu, your generals have been knocked down. This battle has been won. There is no need to fight anymore. Put down your swords and guns, and I will ensure that you and others are safe.
When the Changzhou feudal soldiers heard this, they also put away their swords and guns, bowed their heads and stamped their feet.
The governor of the forbidden area, Ichibashi, was overjoyed and displeased. He angrily criticized Xixiang's long-sheng tiger breeding and the benevolence of women. He ordered all the vassals to drive away the Changzhou bandits and kill them all.
The shogunate, Aizu, and Kuwana armies received the order, unsheathed the Japanese swords, put gunpowder into the chambers, and then surrounded and killed them.
When they came to the island, another military guard was killed, and the Gama Gate was in danger. The Changshu feudal lord, Hisaka Gensui, rushed to the rescue with a special force. However, the defeat was determined, and the special force was also hijacked.
Hisaka Xuanrui was unable to save his life, so he fought and retreated to Qianguanbai's mansion. Hisaka Xuanrui personally took the hands of Takashi Fuxi and sighed bitterly.
After hearing this, Xifu, the commander of the White Eagle Division in Qianguan, threw his hands away and walked over the wall.
Hisaka Genrui was trapped in Takaji's mansion, with no way from heaven to earth, and he was so angry that he drew his sword and committed suicide by disembowelment.
Kurushima Matabei and Hisaka Genzui were defeated one after another. Choshu's commander Fukuhara Echigo was too panicked to fight again. He waved his flag and was eager to retreat.
Shinano, the old minister of the Choshu Domain, said: Our army is at odds with the Mibu Werewolf and the Nagagaki Domain army. If we retreat suddenly, we will be defeated! There are wooden houses all over Kyoto, so why not set them on fire, use fire to block the attack, and take advantage of the chaos to retreat.
Fukuhara Echigo waved his hand, and a few clusters of sparks ignited Kyoto; within three days, more than 30,000 houses were reduced to ashes, and more than 100,000 people were displaced.
Emperor Xiaomei was so angry that he looked up to the sky and sighed: The people of the Choshu vassal are really traitors to the enemy's country! Immediately convey my order, Kantō General Tokugawa Iemomu, raise all the troops from across the country and attack him as quickly as possible!
Shogun Tokugawa Iemo received the order and immediately ordered Tokugawa Yoshikatsu, the lord of the former Owari domain, to be the governor-general of the campaign, Shigeaaki Matsudaira, the lord of the Echizen domain, to be the deputy governor, and Saigo Takamori, a scholar of the Satsuma domain, to be the staff officer. He mustered 150,000 troops and pledged to fight against them.
On September 6, 1864, the crusade army arrived at Choshu, and Tokugawa was ready to attack after victory.
The warship followed Sheng Haizhou and said: Commander-in-Chief, the barbarian ships are entrenched in Edo and are eyeing our rear. There is no great virtue in subduing the soldiers of Changzhou without fighting.
Tokugawa Qingsheng said: The people of the Choshu domain are arrogant. Who can end this war?
Sheng Haizhou said: Saigo Takamori, the general staff officer of the army, was both good at military aircraft and knowledgeable about feudal affairs. If Mr. Xixiang takes action, great things can happen.
Tokugawa Qingsheng said: The incident at the Forbidden Gate caused deep resentment between the Satsuma and Choshu feudal lords, and it was very difficult to reverse the incident.
Saigo Takamori said: "Commander-in-Chief, the opening of Kobe Port has not yet been decided. The barbarians can bombard our country at any time. Internal and external troubles are coming one after another." For the sake of our country's centenary plan, my subordinates are willing to cut themselves off, ride alone, and talk loudly.
Sheng Haizhou said: "Success or failure is a matter of bluntness. In this one move, I hope Mr. Xixiang will do his best to end this war." Our country's troubles are not external, but internal. Civil strife rages, people are poisoned, families are destroyed and countries are destroyed! All the people are united to resist foreign humiliation, and it doesn’t matter if they lose; decades later, our country is still standing!
Xixiang Takamori said: The warships follow the words of adults and enlighten the deaf; the country is lucky to have adults!
Sheng Haizhou said: Mr. Xixiang is overly praised! This trip is very dangerous, and Saigo-kun cannot carry it out alone. Sakamoto Ryoma, a Tosa domain official, is also a great person among men. Saigo-kun goes with him, and he gets twice the result with half the effort.
That night, Sakamoto Ryoma, the first disciple of Katsu Kaishu, paid a visit to Saigo Takamori and said: When soldiers approach the city, fighting will be easy or difficult. Edo, Kyoto, and all the feudal lords are watching. How can Brother Saigo respond?
Saigo Takamori said: In the Forbidden Gate Incident, Kyoto was burned, the crimes of Choshu family elders Fukuhara Echigo, Kuniji Shinano, Masuda Uemon and others were unpardonable, and they could not thank the world without having to commit suicide; Sanjo Sanimi, Sanjo Nishikichi, Dongjiu Shitongxi and other seven ministers had secret communication with Changzhou, but they could not calm people's hearts without expelling them; Changzhou Maoli and his son believed in slander and brought trouble to the country, and they could not show their respect unless they broke the Golden Ou by themselves and banned people from all walks of life.
Sakamoto Ryoma said: "Brother Saigo, good advice." Shintaro Nakaoka, a scholar of the Tosa Domain, is my dear friend, and under the command of Sanjo Sanimi, we can make a breakthrough.
Xixiang Longsheng said: Here!
Xixiang Longsheng came to the city, and the head of the Changshu clan, Maori Jingqin, was in panic all day long.
Takasugi Shin, the Choshu feudal lord, said in his foreword: Lord, in the current situation, I can only hide my good sword, bow my head for the time being, and wait for the time to change. This means that swords and spears are in hand, and weapons are prepared with obedience.
Choshu feudal lords Inoue Kaoru, Ito Hirobumi, Yamagata Aritomo and others seconded the proposal.
The Choshu feudal lord, Murito Tai, objected and said anxiously: "The shogunate's 150,000 troops, with their swords and crossbows at war, cannons drawn from their chambers, can our vassal have a chance to be patient and wait?" With one careless move, the feudal lord and his family were destroyed!
The chief minister of Changzhou, a Maori capable official, seconded the proposal and said: "I am humble enough to report to my lord, I should bow my head, bear the thorns to plead guilty, and be completely obedient. This is the best strategy."
Inoue Xin said: "bow down, I am a fish and meat, and I am a knife and a sword, and I am ready to be slaughtered by others!"
Changzhou government servant Zhou Buzhizhi earnestly advised: Don’t fight, gentlemen, the most urgent task is to seek common ground while reserving differences, and work together to overcome the difficulties!
Maori Jingqin said: The major affairs of the vassal are between worship and military affairs. I hope that the government officials will coordinate with you, plan carefully, and find a good strategy to alleviate this difficulty.
Mao Li paid his respects and left sadly.
The governor of Zhou tried to persuade him for several days, but to no avail, so he committed suicide in anger.
At the critical moment, Inoue Kaoru, Ito Hirobumi and others urged Takasugi to make a decisive decision.
Takasugi Shinsaku said: The situation is imminent, internal strife will break out, the feudal lord will be destroyed and the family will be destroyed!
Unrequited, Inoue Xin was angry and drinking alone in the dark night. Suddenly, three or five rogues broke in through the door. Without any explanation, they stabbed Inoue Xin with a knife. Inoue Xin was hit by more than ten knives and was dying.
Takasugi Jin was afraid and fled to Kyushu to build the former feudal clan.
Muri Tota took charge of the power of Choshu and fully accepted the terms proposed by Saigo Takamori, and the war ended.
After the general was appointed to the post, Ichibashi was delighted to hear the news. He angrily reprimanded Shenghai Zhou for his shamelessness and ordered him to stay in seclusion and reflect.
