After learning the news of the fire in Kyoto, Emperor Meiji was first shocked and inexplicable, and then became furious, while Ichijomiko and Yanagihara Aiko hugged and cried on the spot, and the ministers were all grief-stricken, and the palace was full of grief for a while.

Due to the untimely transmission of the news, Emperor Meiji initially thought that Kyoto was burned by the Satsuma army, and once angrily scolded the "sakin", and ordered someone to engrave the word "sakin" on the wooden man, and slash to vent his anger, but soon after, news came that Kyoto was burned by the government army, and it was ordered by Prince Chihito of Sugawanomiya. After receiving the news, Emperor Meiji couldn't believe it at first, thinking that it was the intention of the thieves to slander and exonerate himself for arson, but the ensuing accusations of the former Kyoto ministers and merchants and affected merchants made him understand the truth of the matter.

There was no greater mental blow to Emperor Meiji, who from that day on became reticent and reluctant to say a word to anyone, including the concubines of his harem, except for the answers necessary to deal with political affairs.

As the empress, Ichijo Miko, let Emperor Meiji sleep with his most beloved servant Yanagihara tonight, hoping that Yanagihara Aiko can use her love to restore her husband to normal.

Ichijomiko was tossing and turning in bed and couldn't sleep, but she heard a sound of footsteps coming from the hallway.

"Your Majesty, ...... you?" asked the female officer on duty outside with some surprise.

"Did the queen sleep? I want to talk to the Queen. Emperor Meiji's hoarse voice came.

"Courtiers greet Your Majesty." Ichijomiko got up and knelt on the ground and said respectfully.

At this time, she was shocked and uncertain. I don't understand why the emperor would appear in her bedroom in the middle of the night.

"Stand down! I want to talk to the Queen alone. Emperor Meiji said.

The female officers saluted and withdrew. Emperor Meiji came to the front of Ichijo Miko. He reached out and helped her up.

"It's getting late, why is Your Majesty still restless to sleep?" Ichijomiko looked up at Emperor Meiji, who looked haggard, and asked softly, "Could it be that Gonori is unwell?" ”

"The servant was tired, so he slept first, but I couldn't sleep, and suddenly I wanted to talk to the queen, so I came over." Emperor Meiji replied.

Ichijomiko got up and wanted to make tea for Emperor Meiji. But he was pulled by Emperor Meiji.

"The queen doesn't have to bother, I just want to talk to you." Emperor Meiji said.

"Your Majesty, ...... you" Ichijomiko sat down next to Emperor Meiji, one of her hands still held by Emperor Meiji, and she looked at the gloomy eyes of her husband, who was three years younger than herself, and suddenly understood.

"What does Your Majesty want to talk about?" Ichimiko asked with a smile, her eyes full of motherly tenderness.

"Queen, do you remember that when the courtiers decided to elect you as queen, the trumpet order of the royal government had just been issued. Signs of war are showing signs of war in Kyoto Castle. I am very worried about your safety, and I will escort you into the palace. Take refuge in the quasi-apse. Emperor Meiji recalled the past, his face became calmer, and his voice became gentle, "As a result, your canonization ceremony dragged on for a whole year and a half......"

"At that time, His Majesty often came to visit the courtiers, and we did what we liked together, what a happy time......" Ichijomiko recalled the past, and a sweet smile rippled on the corner of her mouth.

It was the first month of the first year of the Meiji era, and at the beginning of the battles of Toba and Fushimi, the rumbling of cannons was heard throughout Kyoto. No one could have predicted what would happen at the time. After Ichijomiko was chosen as his wife, it took a year and a half before she was canonized as empress. In that year and a half, in the history of Japan, it can be said that it was an eventful autumn, all kinds of major events one after another, Japanese society was undergoing drastic changes, and this young couple in the deep garden of the Imperial Palace was enjoying a rare time of love at that time.

"The beauty that the queen brought to me at that time, I will never forget it for the rest of my life." Emperor Meiji sighed, "That's why I was so attached to Kyoto, but unfortunately I moved my capital to Edo soon after......"

Ichijomiko knew what Emperor Meiji was talking about, and it was that year that the era name of Japan was changed from Keio to Meiji, and from September 8, it became the first year of Meiji, and the one-lifetime one-yuan system was established. That is, the emperor of the first generation, only one era name is used, and it cannot be changed without permission in the future.

At this time, the shogunate army, which had lost the Battle of Toba and Fushimi, fled back to Edo with Tokugawa Yoshiki. The official army pursued Edo Castle and established a new government. The Tohoku feudal domains, led by Aizu, resisted a wave of official attacks, but soon surrendered. Although Hokkaido still has a small number of back-up forces trapped in the isolated fort, the Tohoku region is basically safe, and the foundation of the new government is solid.

At that time, Emperor Meiji accepted the advice of Saigo Takamori, Iwakura Gushi and other reformers, and decided to move the capital from Kyoto to Edo. It was the real center of Japan, and Edo was later renamed Tokyo, and the former shogun's residence was expanded to become an imperial palace.

The relocation of the capital to Edo was a great event in Japan at the time, and the history of modern Japan was changed as a result.

"At that time, the move of the capital to Edo was the decision of Saigo, Iwakura and Ito." Emperor Meiji said, "This was a wise decision at the time, although I was reluctant to leave Kyoto in my heart. ”

"The courtiers were the same as Your Majesty at that time, and they were reluctant to leave Kyoto, but it was very necessary to move the capital to Tokyo at that time, otherwise, it would not be enough to show that Your Majesty is the king of the world!"

Emperor Meiji nodded, he understood what the Empress meant. Throughout the hundreds of years of the Tokugawa shogunate's rule, the emperor was under the watchful eye of the shogunate and could not leave Kyoto for a single step. Even the Imperial Palace was not allowed to leave, and for many years lived in a circle of less than one square day (one day is about 3,900 meters).

There is such a story: Emperor Gomizuo wanted to visit the mountain castle and the Yamato Shrine Buddhist temple. The samurai Takagi Isemori, who was equipped in the forbidden center, objected: "Please report to the shogunate first, and after obtaining permission, you can go." ”

Emperor Taishang said angrily: "I'm not planning bad things, but I just want to go to the temple to worship." The Emperor wanted to do so, but was blocked by his subordinates. It's so unreasonable! ”

"Your Majesty does not understand the profound truths. He only received an order from the Kanto (i.e., the shogunate) to defend the Imperial Palace. If the Emperor wants to forcibly go out, his subordinates will have to block the way to stop you. In case you still want to break the rules to go out. His subordinates did not hesitate to risk the notoriety of a traitor. I also shoot arrows at the Imperial Rim! Takagi said.

Hear Takagi say that. The Emperor Taishang did not say any further. Neither the emperor nor the emperor has ever left the palace for three hundred years. Now that Edo Castle is back in the hands of the Imperial Family, Emperor Meiji wants to take the opportunity of moving the capital to make it clear to both the world and the world that the emperor of Japan is once again in the world.

"The courtiers still remember that the grand occasion of moving the capital at that time was really spectacular." Ichijo Miko recalled the past and said with emotion.

At that time, the brigade passed through Otsu and Kusatsu along the way; Koshisuzuguchi, Suzuka; Passing through Yokkaichi, Kuwana, when arriving at Mihan. The emperor got off the sedan chair and rested for a while. He looked at the sea in the distance and said with deep feeling, "Is this the Pacific Ocean?" ”

For Emperor Meiji, it was the first time he saw the sea.

A foreigner who witnessed the grand relocation of the capital left a vivid description:

"In November of the first year of the Meiji era, the entire Imperial Family, their escort troops, and honor guards marched calmly along the 300-mile-long Tokaido. It was the longest and most spectacular march in Japanese history. On every mile of the road through which the people of the imperial court passed, the peasants worshipped at the bend of the avenue. On November 26, 23 days after Emperor Meiji's 16th birthday, the emperor drove into Edo Castle. There were three Westerners watching live. Emperor Meiji rode in a large black lacquered sedan chair with a golden bird on the top. The head and body resemble peacocks. The tail resembles the tail feathers of a chick, fanning upwards to symbolize immortality. About 60 palanquins and guards of the royal family, dressed in yellow silk robes and small chrysanthemum-shaped earrings, accompanied the brigade. At the front of the procession, three elderly Beijing officials fanned the dense crowd and shouted loudly, opening the way for the royal car. The crowd knelt down on both sides of the avenue like a tidal wave, prostrating their heads and touching the ground until the procession was over. ”

On the 10th day of his arrival in Tokyo, he presented the entire city with sake. At that time, there were 808 streets in the city, which were divided into large, medium and small streets. Three barrels of wine (one barrel of 40 liters) are given on the main street, two barrels are given in the middle street, and one barrel is given in the side street. In addition, 550 tin jugs and 1,700 dried squid were also given, and the citizens of Tokyo were closed for two days, and the whole city was drunk.

For the Japanese people at that time, the shogun Tokugawa Yoshiki was driven away and replaced by the emperor, which was almost the same anyway. Judging from such hospitality, perhaps not such a bad person...... This was the thinking of the people of Tokyo at that time.

However, after only two months in Tokyo, Emperor Meiji proposed to return to Kyoto, where there was a ancestral shrine temple, and it happened that Emperor Takamei, who had passed away three years after his death, had to be worshipped. At the same time, a ceremony to marry the queen into the palace is also held.

Although the reason is high-sounding, only two months after moving the capital, he had to return to the old capital, and in the final analysis, Emperor Meiji had a deep attachment to Kyoto, where he grew up.

As soon as the emperor's request was made, Minoru Sanjo, who was acting as an assistant minister at the time, objected, saying, "Japan is at a critical juncture. Kanto has been blessed by the Tokugawa family for many years, and there are many people who secretly miss him. Although the imperial court ruled here, it was far from really grasping the hearts of the people. If the emperor leaves Tokyo, he may lose the support of the people that he has won over with great difficulty. Xixing's matter, I hope to be cautious. ”

Despite the opposition of Minoru Sanjo and many courtiers, Iwakura supported the emperor's opinion, saying, "The sacrifice of the first emperor and the ceremony of establishing the empress are important matters of the imperial court, and they should not be taken lightly." According to the specifications and conventions of the ancient rites, the etiquette is very strict and solemn, and of course it is Kyoto. The emperor is still fortunate to be in the old capital, and after completing the important things that should be done, he can return to Tokyo without worrying about the turmoil of the people. ”

So, fortunately, Kyoto was made. On the sixth day after returning to Kyoto, on the 28th of the year, the empress canonization ceremony was completed.

At that time, Ichijo Miko was full of excitement and anxiety, and all her relatives and friends blessed her. At 10 a.m. on the wedding day, she entered the palace in an ox cart. Dressed elegantly and gorgeously, it can be said that it is extremely rich in the world. After a series of elaborate ceremonies, the Meiji Emperor and his wife returned to the permanent hall. The Emperor took off his straight clothes, and the Empress lowered her five clothes, and went to the first palace to participate in the celebration banquet, which was an unprecedented pomp.

And Ichijomiko knew that Emperor Meiji held the empress canonization ceremony in Kyoto in order to please her.

"On that day, the queen was really beautiful." Emperor Meiji looked at his wife beside him and sighed. I thought. It's a day like this every day. How nice it would be! ……”

Ichijomiko understood Emperor Meiji's great affection for Kyoto, but she suddenly remembered what Kyoto was like now, and her heart couldn't help but darken.

"As long as I can be by His Majesty's side at all times, the heart of the courtiers will be satisfied......" Ichijo Miko said softly.

"I originally planned to return to Kyoto with the Empress once again when the spring flowers bloomed, but unfortunately I ......," Emperor Meiji remembered that Kyoto had been destroyed by fire, and his face suddenly turned gloomy.

"Your Majesty. Kyoto, really...... Was it burned? Ichijomiko knew what Emperor Meiji had remembered, and she didn't want to reveal the scars on his heart, but the words came out unconsciously.

"Yes...... Emperor Meiji nodded, his voice turning to gnashing teeth, "and, it's really this bastard who set the fire on fire!" ……”

"What? Be...... He set the fire? It can't be a rumor, right? When Ichijomiko heard the news, she was like lightning for a while.

"It's not a rumor, it's true that he set the fire." Emperor Meiji said in a deep voice, "In the letter of complaint from the Minister of Kyoto. To put it plainly, all mouths. They all said that he set the fire. Foreign newspapers also published details of the fire, and it was also said that he set the fire and there was nothing wrong with it. ”

"How can this be ......," Ichijomiko muttered.

However, Saigo, who was a model samurai and benevolent, immediately ordered the fire to be extinguished, saving a quarter of Kyoto's urban area from being burned down. Then the fire was not extinguished for days, and Xixiangqing carried out artificial rainfall, so that rain fell from the sky and extinguished the fire. Emperor Meiji mentioned Saigo Takamori's righteous deeds, and his eyes were full of admiration, "Saigo Qing opened a porridge factory to help the victims." If it weren't for Saigo's proper measures, the plight of the victims in Kyoto would be almost unimaginable......"

"Sure enough, Mr. Nanzhou is Mr. Nanzhou after all......" Ichijo Miko also sighed.

"Blazing this guy who is inferior to a ghost animal dares to set fire to my Kyoto......" Emperor Meiji remembered the culprit of arson, Blazing, and his face instantly became distorted with pain, "I ...... Absolutely can't spare him! ”

"Your Majesty, is it ...... Don't you have to listen to what he has to say? Despite knowing that Emperor Meiji was furious, Ichijomiko offered her own advice.

"Of course I want to know what he says." Emperor Meiji took a deep breath and struggled to control his fury in front of his beloved wife, who was as old as his sister, and said, "I heard that he was on his way to Tokyo, and I have ordered someone to find him and ask him to write down the details of what happened. ”

Hearing Emperor Meiji's answer, Ichijo Miko was a little relieved.

The husband and wife looked at the moonlight, which was like mercury pouring on the ground, and were silent for a long time.

The emperor and his wife did not know at this time that under the same moonlight, Blazing was also destined to spend a sleepless night.

"Your Royal Highness, you haven't fallen asleep yet?" Someone asked Prince Chihito, who was lying on the grass.

"Nope." Blazing replied as he sat up straight from the grass.

The person who came was Gentaro Kodama Osa, the acting chief of staff of the Kyoto garrison.

Gentaro Kodama sat down on the grass next to him, pulled a cigarette out of his jacket pocket and handed it to him.

"No, I don't smoke, thank you." Chiren refused. Since he was a child, his parents have warned him that this is a vice, and he has not touched it to this day.

"Your Highness should take it." Gentaro Kodama's voice was soft, but stubborn, and it made Chiren hear some special feelings. This feeling warmed Chiren's heart, and he was embarrassed not to take the cigarette.

Gentaro Kodama took another cigarette in his mouth and lit a fire for Chihito and himself. Chiren tried to take a sip and immediately coughed repeatedly.

For a while, Gentaro Kodama smoked silently. Chiren sensed that he wanted to say something to himself, but he didn't say anything.

"Your Royal Highness, what were you thinking just now?" A cigarette was quickly smoked, and after a moment of silence, Gentaro Kodama sat up straight from the grass and asked.

"I'm thinking about the battle in the future," for a moment Blaze Ren was a little flustered, he didn't expect Gentaro Kodama to ask this question, "...... Oh, just now I was thinking about my family, but also about my teachers and friends. He thought about it, but changed his words. But he suddenly realized that there was something inappropriate to tell him what he had just said.

Gentaro Kodama hung his head, his eyes did not look at Blazing Ren, but looked at the place next to him, and asked in a low voice, "General, are you...... Did you write a suicide note? ”

"Suicide note? …… What suicide note? When Chiren heard Gentaro Kodama's question, his heart "chuckled" and tightened.

"I just turned around, and many of us have written suicide notes." Gentaro Kodama said, staring at a small tree on the left that was brightly illuminated by the moonlight that had leaked into the forest.

Chiren heard the sound of his heart beating wildly. The dark clouds of death surged and gathered in the sky of his newly cleared mind. "What did they all write in their suicide notes?" Silent for a second, he asked.

"I didn't look at it." Gentaro Kodama glanced at Chiren hesitantly, and stopped talking.

Blazing Ren could hear an unspeakable sadness in his words.

"Suicide note...... If you want to write a suicide note, what should you write on it? Chiren said to himself.

The moonlight in the woods dimmed, and Blazing Ren eagerly waited for them to be clean again.

"Your Royal Highness, I have no objection to the burning of Kyoto." Gentaro Kodama said cautiously, "And I think that it is the burning of the castle that hinders the movement of the bandit army, so that the government can regather its forces and fight the bandit army again." (To be continued......)

PS: Ask for collection! Ask for recommendations! Ask for a subscription! Click! Ask for a commuter pass!