I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Upon hearing this, Goto Shojiro quickly unfolded the paper in his hand and carefully read it, finding eight strategies written on it—

[First, all political power should return to the imperial court, and all government decrees should originate from the imperial court. The power of regional military governors should be eliminated.]

[II. Establish upper and lower councils, with members to participate in all matters of state, and conduct public consultations to make decisions on all matters. Establish a parliamentary system.]

[Third, high-ranking officials and feudal lords should gather talented individuals from across the land, recommend those with ability, and bestow upon them official positions and titles, appointing them as advisors. Those holding positions with only nominal power should be dismissed. We should widely recruit ambitious individuals.]

Fourth, we should engage in broad public consultations with foreign countries, review treaties to determine their appropriateness, and achieve sovereign equality.

Fifth, review existing laws and regulations, draft a comprehensive legal code, and establish a constitution.

VI. Expand the navy. Control sea power.

7. Establish personal guards to protect the capital.

[8. Regarding the trade of gold, silver, and other commodities, appropriate methods should be established by referring to those used in foreign countries. A price system should be implemented.]

After reading it, Goto Shojiro raised his gaze with a complicated expression, looking at Sakamoto Ryoma as if he were a fool.

“Longma, if I may be so bold, the eight strategies you wrote down are all old news.”

“I could find any scholar with even a slight understanding of Western affairs and they could rattle off hundreds or thousands of similar principles.”

Shojiro Goto's mockery, Ryoma Sakamoto laughed heartily, unfazed.

"That's right!"

"How can you say 'this is right'?"

"If it's all old news, doesn't that mean it's an unquestionable truth? In that case, we should be even more diligent in following it!"

Goto Shojiro twitched his lips and looked back at the "Eight Strategies" in his palm.

"...Ryoma, you're too naive."

With a heavy sigh, he slowly folded the paper in his palm, sealing the "Eight Strategies" away once more:

"The current state of the world is such that the arrow is already on the bowstring and cannot be released without warning."

"Both sides command a million soldiers, and both sides have the ambition and strength to contend for the world."

"How can we possibly call a truce before both sides have bled dry?"

"To think that forming an alliance would make 'Nioh' back down... that's just a pipe dream."

"Let alone 'Niou', even Saigo Kinosuke and Katsura Kogoro would never agree to it."

“The meager profits gained through ‘negotiation’ can never outweigh the enormous profits earned through ‘force’.”

“Right now, the people who crave war the most might not be ‘Niou’, but rather your men Saigo Kinosuke and Katsura Kogoro, as well as the countless samurai from the Satsuma and Choshu domains who are eager for fame and fortune.”

"Ryoma, take my advice, you'd better wake up."

Although Goto Shojiro's words were harsh, it was not hard to tell that he genuinely cared about Sakamoto Ryoma.

Unfortunately, Sakamoto Ryoma did not appreciate his good intentions.

"If I were to hold myself back because of reasons like 'impossible' or 'absurd,' that would be so unlike me!"

He chuckled, a fearless expression on his face.

"There was a time when I also wanted to use pure force to overthrow the shogunate."

"But after witnessing firsthand the bloody carnage of battles such as the 'Summer Siege of Kyoto' and the 'Chōshū Campaign,' I suddenly realized—the killing among our own compatriots is truly heartbreaking!"

“From that moment on, I made a lifelong vow: as long as I have a breath left, I will do everything in my power to fight for ‘peace negotiations’!”

"Let others laugh if they want, let them curse if they want, I don't care."

Even if the hope is slim, even if I am doomed, I will go without hesitation!

"To achieve great things, one cannot do without the assistance of Tosa."

"So... Shōjirō, this time, I'm not asking you as an 'envoy of the Satsuma-Chōshō Alliance,' but as 'Sakamoto Ryōma'—could you lend me a hand?"

"Without the power of Tosa, I would never have been able to negotiate with 'Niou'."

"I earnestly beg you... on behalf of all the people of the world!"

The moment he finished speaking, Sakamoto Ryoma solemnly bowed and performed a deep bow with utmost respect.

"..."

Goto Shojiro stared intently at Sakamoto Ryoma.

At this moment, the complexity in his eyes reached an unparalleled level.

About three minutes later, Goto Shojiro said softly:

"...I will take you to see the old lord tomorrow."

"Whether or not to form an alliance with Sa and Cho is up to the old lord to decide."

"I can only take you to see him; there's nothing else I can do to help you."

"As for whether the old lord will agree, that depends entirely on your fate."

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It's almost the end of the month again! Readers with monthly passes, please be sure to vote for this book! (crying leopard head.jpg)

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

P.S.: It's such a shame that Japanese TV stations didn't invite me to be a screenwriter for their Bakumatsu dramas. I'm amazing that I was able to adapt the famous "Eight Policies from a Ship" so well! (Leopard.jpg)

Chapter 1104 Kyoto Riots! Saito Hajime's Advice! [5500]

The "old lord" mentioned by Goto Shojiro naturally refers to Yamanouchi Yodo, the "Drunken Lord of the Whale Sea".

Although Yamanouchi Yodo had long since retired and stepped down, his influence never diminished, and he continued to firmly hold power in the Tosa Domain.

This shows that the "Three Heroes of Tosa" were far less powerful than the "Three Heroes of Satsuma" and the "Three Heroes of Choshu".

Both Saigo Kichinosuke and Katsura Kogoro were powerful ministers who held real power, while the lords of the Satsuma and Choshu domains were "commanders without real power."

Therefore, when Saigo Kichinosuke announced his intention to form an alliance with Choshu, it was immediately possible to accomplish this, and no one in the Satsuma Domain could object to it.

In contrast, the Tosa Domain, whether it was the previous Tosa Loyalist Party or the current "Three Heroes of Tosa", could not escape the control of Yamanouchi Yodo.

When the Tosa Loyalist Party was destroyed, Yamanouchi Yodo issued an order that transformed Takechi Hanpeita and others from loyal patriots into unforgivable traitors... It is not hard to see how astonishing power Yamanouchi Yodo wielded within the Tosa Domain.

To put it bluntly, the "Three Heroes of Tosa" were all "tools" acting on behalf of Yamanouchi Yodo.

Yamanouchi Yodo was like a "ghost" hovering over the Tosa Domain. You could never see him on ordinary days, but you could always feel his presence.

Despite Goto Shojiro's imposing presence and his swift and decisive implementation of various reforms, seemingly making him "the number one man in Tosa," he was still a force to be reckoned with.

In reality, however, he also had to follow Yamanouchi Yodo's instructions.

Whether to form an alliance with Satsuma and Choshu... such a crucial decision concerning the fate of the domain could not be made by Goto Shojiro alone; it had to be decided by Yamanouchi Yodo.

In this matter, the only thing Goto Shojiro could do was take Sakamoto Ryoma to Miyama Yosaido and offer him appropriate advice.

Upon hearing this, Sakamoto Ryoma chuckled:

"That's enough!"

"Xiang Erlang, I would be eternally grateful if you would take me to see the old lord!"

"As for how to persuade the old lord, and what happens after that, leave that to me!"

Shojiro Goto waved his hand expressionlessly:

"No need to thank me."

"I just... hope that this chaotic world of endless strife can be passed through as soon as possible and as peacefully as possible."

Sakamoto Ryoma raised an eyebrow, then gave a knowing look and looked at the other person with a smile.

Goto Shojiro felt uncomfortable under his gaze, snorted coldly, and silently turned his head away.

Just then, a huge wave crashed in, and the boat beneath them began to rock violently like a roly-poly toy.

Startled, Goto Shojiro quickly reached out and grabbed the railing beside him.

Having grown accustomed to traveling by boat, Sakamoto Ryoma remained calm and composed, sitting upright without any sign of panic.

Once the boat had regained its balance, Goto Shōjirō cast a reproachful glance at Sakamoto Ryōma.

"So, why must we set sail today? Is it really necessary for our conversation to take place at sea?"

Sakamoto Ryoma scratched his messy hair and chuckled to himself:

"To be honest, there was no special purpose, I just wanted to bring you to see the sea."

"If I can't persuade you on the tatami mat, I'll try moving you to the vast ocean; maybe that will win you over."

Goto Shojiro rebuked him impatiently:

"Tsk, what kind of twisted logic is that?"

Sakamoto Ryoma spread his hands:

"However... there's still a little something going on in my mind. I want to take this opportunity to share my dream with you."

At this point, he turned his gaze again, looking out at the boundless, endless sea:

"Every time I see the ocean, I truly appreciate how vast the world is."

"The world is so vast, yet we are confined to a small, tiny place."

"Whenever I think about this, I feel that we can't keep killing each other like this!"

At this point, Sakamoto Ryoma suddenly stood up, opened his arms wide, as if to embrace the sea:

"I want everyone in the world to be able to see the ocean! To see the world! And no longer be trapped in a cramped 'cage'!"

"To be honest, even someone as optimistic as me can't help but think that my dream is too outrageous."

"but……"

Sakamoto Ryoma sang a long, drawn-out note, lowered his head, and stared straight at Goto Shojiro. His eyes shone brightly amidst his disheveled hair, which was tousled by the sea breeze.

"With your support, I feel that my dream is not out of reach!"