Iwakura sat cross-legged on the tatami mat and took a closer look at the place he was staying in. This is a wing room in the Chinese Association in Chinatown, because of the more important Japanese figures, so it was temporarily changed to a Japanese-style layout, a little smell of incense lingers in the room, it is the most famous sandalwood in Hawaii, and Honolulu is also named after it. There was a faint human voice not far away, speaking in Chinese, and it sounded like a quarrel - Iwakura listened to it, as if it was for some loss compensation or something.

How did he get to Hawaii? Of course it was by Matthew. Perry brought. At the time of the "Kaei Coup", he was not in the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and was able to escape in time. Under the cover of a merchant friend, he fled to Nagasaki and then to Hong Kong on a Dutch ship. And under the introduction of a Dutch friend, I met the commander of the US East India Fleet, Matthew, who was passing through Hong Kong. Perry. With a three-inch tongue, convince Matthew. Perry escorted himself back to Japan—certainly not to lead the invasion of the American army, and to do so would be a national thief. His plan was to help those who were loyal to the emperor and opposed the shogunate to contact the United States as a powerful force, and with the support of the United States, to put pressure on the shogunate to restore Emperor Toonin to the throne.

However, it backfired. The Russian fleet, which cooperated with the American fleet, was defeated in the Ryukyus. Perry canceled his plan to visit Japan and brought him all the way to Hawaii. And in Honolulu, he heard even more surprising news that Japan had been able to garrison troops in this small island country in the middle of the Pacific Ocean! No matter how much there is behind this matter, one thing is certain, this matter will definitely greatly increase the prestige of the shogunate and Tokugawa Akiko! It seems that there is no longer the slightest possibility of overthrowing the shogunate and restoring the throne of Emperor Tongren.

So after a few days in the U.S. Legation in Hawaii. Iwakura chose to leave on his own. No longer pinning hopes on the United States. Later, he also ran to the Chinese Federation to his old friends. Fujita Higashiko, a retainer of the Mito Domain, "surrendered himself". But now Fujita is not in the Chinese Association, but going to participate in some peace conference.

After waiting for a short time, I saw that the door of the wing room was gently opened. Three Japanese men in kimonos walked in one after the other, two of whom were acquaintances of Iwakura, Fujita Higashiko and Sakuma Zozan. Iwakura hurriedly changed from sitting cross-legged to kneeling, silently looking at the three of them.

All three of them knelt down in front of Iwakura, and Fujita smiled and whispered to the other person to Iwakura: "This is Manjiro Nakahama, who once traveled to the United States, and this is Mr. Iwakura Gushi, who is now Japan's most wanted criminal." His Royal Highness Ming paid 30,000 silver dollars to buy one of his heads! ”

When Iwakura heard this, he laughed: "I didn't expect that the head under it was worth 30,000 silver dollars, and His Majesty the Emperor was 30,000 stones, and the income for a year was not so much." Fujita-kun, you're going to get rich now! ”

Fujita Higashiko snorted and laughed: "Lord Squire, I don't believe that the resourceful Iwakura is now in despair, and he is ready to go to Mikawara to be stabbed." Say, are you trying to convince me and Sakuma-kun to side with the Shogun? ”

Although Iwakura's official position is not high, and his background is considered low among the Japanese ministers, he has a lot of energy and is known for his resourcefulness, and this time he took advantage of the death of Ieke and the replacement of the shogunate heir. The strategy of seeking to expand the discourse power of the imperial court was his one. Who knew that the woman Akiko Aodao Kawa did not take the emperor seriously at all, and transferred troops into Kyoto to launch a coup d'état. He arrested a group of unarmed ministers and exiled him to Patagonia, and later found out that Iwakura was the culprit, so he offered a large reward to capture him and go to Mikawara to be beheaded.

However, because of the shogunate's heavy bounty, Iwakura gained a reputation as a loyal minister, and whoever really wanted to sacrifice him to the shogunate would definitely make people think of him as a traitor. However, it is one thing not to take him to the shogunate, and it is another thing to support him to go to the shogunate together. Listening to Fujita's words, Iwakura just smiled bitterly: "Although the shogunate's actions are suspected of rebellion, the current situation is indeed not suitable for launching a battle to bring down the shogunate. Today's world is full of powerful countries, whether it is the Western powers or the Ming Kingdom on the western continent, they all have the national strength to destroy Japan! If there is another dispute in Japan, I am afraid that the day will be the end of the country. However, Japan's system does have many hidden dangers, and if this public force is not in harmony, Japan will not be a country with a sound system for a day! This time, I just want to sit down and have a good discussion with Fujita-kun and Sakuma-kun, and for the future of the public and military alliance, everyone will work together to find a way that is most beneficial to the country. ”

Fujita and Sakuma looked at each other, and it turned out that this Iwakura Gushi still didn't give up, and wanted to make some more articles on the combination of public and martial arts. But what capital does the current imperial court have to compete with the shogunate? And now that General Iieyuki is young, it is impossible for him to become the prime minister of the cabinet after the combination of the public and military forces, and it is impossible for Akiko to take on this position as a woman, so how can she be willing to promote the combination?

Fujita didn't say a word, but Sakuma, who was closer to Akiko, sighed and reluctantly smiled bitterly: "It's rare that Mr. Iwakura can still worry about the country at such a point." I don't hide it, and I often think about it, but unfortunately I can't think of a way to get the best of both worlds...... It is better to say that it is a merger, but it is better to say that it is annexation, and it is always one party that annexes the other! He looked back at Yoshida: "Nakahama-kun, you have been in the United States for many years and have seen the market, so please tell me what you think." ”

Nakahama shook his head with a smile: "Japan's political system is not unique in the world, and the so-called tyrant politics of the Europeans is similar to Japan's political system. The tyrants of Europe are de facto despotic monarchs, but they do not claim to be kings, but use titles such as 'consuls for life' and 'general plenipotentiary', and they do not completely replace the real kings with legitimacy and legitimacy. Because the royal power of the Europeans is similar to that of Japan, it revolves around the blessed light wheel. According to the current view of Europeans, there are only two sources of legitimate rule: one is the ballot; The second is bloodline. The tyrant has no blessed chakra, no bloodline and no votes, and is therefore never a legitimate ruler. Therefore, countries that practice tyrannical politics are faced with internal factors of instability, and it is unlikely that they will be able to concentrate the efforts of the whole country on external development. ”

Iwakura stroked his palms and laughed when he heard this: "Well said, well said...... Isn't the general of Zhengyi a tyrant? No matter how much power the shogunate wielded, His Royal Highness Ieyuki and Ming were never the legitimate kings of Japan. ”

Fujita and Sakuma looked at each other and smiled bitterly, both looking a little helpless. Fujita Donghu coughed and said with a wry smile: "Mr. Iwakura, General Seiyi has ruled Japan for almost 1,000 years...... This is not the fault of the family and His Royal Highness Ming. ”

Iwakura smiled slightly, and leaned forward: "But I already have the best plan to achieve the combination of public and military, now just send me to Nijo Castle to meet His Highness Ming, this is a major matter related to the future of Japan, please Fujita-kun and Sakuma-kun to complete." ”

Fujita was taken aback and frowned, "Really? But...... As far as I know, His Royal Highness Ming does not have the heart to respect the king, and if your plan is unhappy for her......"

"Haha, it's just a trip to Mikawahara! However, this is unlikely because I came up with this solution from the standpoint of the Japanese nation. ”

"What's the solution? Can you tell us about that? Fujita asked with interest.

Iwakura waved his hand and said, "Can't!" If this method is revealed, it will not work! ”

Fujita looked at Sakuma: "Sakuma-sama, what do you think?" ”

Sakuma was silent, then turned to Nakahama and said, "Nakahama-kun, after the signing of the "Hawaii Five-Power Agreement", you need to send someone to send the agreement back to Japan, why don't you go back and escort Mr. Iwakura by the way, how about it?" ”

Nakahama nodded and said, "No problem, but can I see His Highness Ming below?" ”

"You want to see Your Highness? What's the matter? ”

"I want to ask Your Highness to pursue a colonial policy in Hawaii, now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity......"

"Okay, I'll write a letter to Lord Quanzhong Nayan." Sakuma nodded and said, "You take my letter to Lord Gonchu Nayan, I believe he will arrange for you to meet His Highness Ming." (To be continued......)