I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 202 Deepening the Reform Starts with Thoughts

"The Prime Minister is going back to Kyoto, hurry up and get your seat!"

"Ah? The Prime Minister is coming back? Hurry up!"

"Give me a place!"

On the street, when the citizens learned that Yagyu Heeyan had returned to Beijing, they put down what they were doing and crowded to both sides of the street, eagerly watching.

The gathered citizens could not help but discuss.

Since July last year, major events have occurred one after another. In particular, the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Yagyu strongly announced a declaration of war with Spain and France, and then reports of victory continued to come from Southeast Asia.

This excited the citizens who had experienced the Bakumatsu era. You must know that before the rise of Prime Minister Yagyu, Japan had been bullied by Western powers. Although many people tried to save the nation, the situation did not get better.

However, in just seven or eight years since the rise of Prime Minister Yagyu, Japan has been turned upside down. France, which seemed unattainable at the beginning, lost to Japan in Nanyang.

When the news spread back to the country, all the people cheered as if it was the New Year.

Now, the latest news comes that the capital of France has been surrounded and is in danger. It can be seen that France's defeat is imminent, and Japan will become the first country in Asia to win the war against the West.

For the Japanese people, this is a matter of pride.

Because of this honor, citizens spontaneously came to greet Yagyu. Their wish was to catch a glimpse of the man who led Japan to prosperity.

Although the streets were covered with snow, and everyone's face was red from the cold, and their hands and feet were cold, their enthusiasm could not be wiped out.

"Look, the Prime Minister is here!"

In the crowd, one person pointed at the approaching motorcade and shouted. Yagyu, who was sitting in the carriage, looked at the enthusiastic people on both sides. He opened the window, stood up, and waved to the citizens.

"Long live the Prime Minister!"

"Long live Japan!"

The citizens shouted slogans excitedly, and the wave spread along the streets and throughout the streets and alleys of Kyoto.

Even Emperor Meiji and Queen Mary on the palace walls could hear the cheers.

Ohara Shigenori, who was accompanying him, said with an ugly face: "Your Majesty, you see, the reputation of the Prime Minister has reached the point where the whole people respect him."

Queen Mary smiled and said: "Is this normal? Prime Minister Yagyu has made a wise choice. Japan's national strength and reputation will be further enhanced, and the people should respect him."

Ohara Shigenori argued: "In Japan, everyone can respect His Majesty, not the Prime Minister."

Emperor Meiji heard them say this many times, especially the Empress Dowager, who was always worried about the safety of the royal family.

But in Meiji's view, the situation of the royal family has not changed. No, the situation of the royal family is much better than before.

His imperial examination said that when the royal family was poor, they didn't even have money for burial, and they didn't have money to ascend the throne.

Compared to now, he has endless money, and those ministers are no longer above the royal family like the shogunate. This era is the most comfortable era for the royal family.

Emperor Meiji said impatiently: "Okay, don't say such bad words on this big day. If you don't get annoyed, I will."

Emperor Meiji ignored Ohara Shigetori, who was looking the color of pig liver, and continued to look at the scenery outside with Queen Mary.

Ohara Shigenori stepped back a little dejectedly. Seeing his defeat, Konoe Tadafusa advised: "Enough is enough, Ohara-sama, do you want to be like Eto Shinpei and the others?"

Thinking of the fate of Eto Shinpei and others, Ohara Shigenori trembled, gritted his teeth and said: "I'm just not willing to accept it. Without the shogunate, this power is still in the hands of a reckless man."

Konoe Tadafusa shook his head and said: "What's the point of not being willing to accept it? Isn't this how our ancestors have come here for generations? Life is very good now, so don't worry about it."

"Hey, thank you, Lord Konoe, for your comfort."

Ohara Shigenori sighed and stopped talking. Konoe Tadafusa also looked outside quietly.

Yagyu arrived in front of the palace amidst the cheers of the citizens. He looked up and saw the emperor and the queen together. He immediately bowed his head and saluted, then got off the carriage and climbed onto the tower.

When Emperor Meiji saw Yagyu approaching, he was reluctant to let go of the empress's hand and stepped forward to say hello: "Father, you are back. Since we said goodbye last year, you and I have not seen each other for more than half a year."

Yagyu bowed slightly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is fine."

Emperor Meiji asked: "Father, now that we have defeated France in Nanyang, when France surrenders, can we go to Europe to accept France's surrender?"

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Yagyu nodded.

Emperor Meiji smiled happily, immediately took Yagyu's hand and said, "In this case, can I go to Europe?"

Yagyu smiled and said: "Of course, Your Majesty, I think His Majesty William will also be happy."

"That's great. When the time comes, I will take Mary with me to Europe. I want to see what Europe is like!"

Emperor Meiji looked expectantly, and his attitude was very clear.

Naturally, Yagyu would not refuse. When the time comes, Japan will go to Europe as a victorious country. Emperor Meiji's trip in Europe will also improve Japan's reputation. Of course, we must be careful of the French's revenge, and preparations must be done.

After returning to the cabinet, Kondo Isamu and Saito Ichi were asked to select elite secret police as bodyguards to protect the emperor and his wife.

Yagyu and the emperor chatted for a while, and then the group went to the Gochen Imperial Palace to attend the dance.

Emperor Meiji liked European things very much. Now he wears suits every day and has three meals a day of Western food, with only a little Japanese food.

In daily life, I also learned from European things. Dances were held every now and then, and nobles and foreign ambassadors were invited to the palace to attend the dances.

This time to welcome Yagyu back to Beijing, he held another large dance, and many people were invited to the dance.

Emperor Meiji listened to the melodious music and took Queen Mary to dance in the middle.

Yagyu held a glass of wine and admired it.

"Prime Minister Yagyu, I think we should have a talk."

Parkes came to Yagyu's side, his tone a little stiff. Yagyu raised his glass and said, "I wonder what Mr. Parkes wants to discuss?"

Parkes looked serious and said: "Prime Minister Yagyu, I admit that your country's strength is one of the best in East Asia, but to me, the British, there is no difference between you and the Netherlands.

Your country has been really struggling in the past few years. Now France is about to be defeated under the attack of you and Prussia. William I has already ascended the throne in Paris and became the emperor of Germany.

Daying has already felt the threat. If your country still doesn't know how to restrain itself, then Daying will definitely tell you who is the master of this world. "

After listening to Parkes' words, Yagyu had already prepared in his heart. Of course he knew that Britain's temper and patience were limited, so he only took over the Spanish colonies.

"Mr. Parkes, don't get excited. I know what you, Great Britain, are worried about, but I don't think any country can challenge your authority. Whether it's France or Germany now, Great Britain is the well-deserved No. 1 country in the world. one."

Yagyu's compliment made the serious Parkes feel a little happy, and his expression softened a little.

However, Parkes still asked: "Since you know, do you still dare to anger us?"

Yagyu shook his head and said: "I don't mean to anger you, but I do it as a last resort. Daying is too big. We will bump into Daying whenever we move. Besides, Daying can't dominate the whole world."

"Hmph!" Parkes snorted coldly, "I, Daying, don't need to tell anyone what I want to do. Mr. Yagyu, I am telling you on behalf of my country now that in Nanyang, you'd better not cross the line."

Yagyu nodded with a smile and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Parkes. You see, after our army drove away the French army, they did not colonize the local area. They just did business with them. As long as our country can do business there without being affected, we will definitely We won’t send troops.”

Parkes narrowed his eyes and understood what Yagyu said, but that was it for the time being. Now that Britain was facing the rise of Germany and Tsarist Russia, it really did not have much energy to invest in Nanyang.

Since Japan will not expand westward in Nanyang, there is no problem.

……

A few days after the dance, Yagyu was not in a hurry to start work. He had been away from Kyoto for more than half a year. His son was seven or eight months old and had already given birth. He had to rest for a few days to spend time with his family.

In addition, Toshimichi Okubo, Eiichi Shibusawa, Takayoshi Kido and others who returned from Europe also need time to become familiar with work they have not been exposed to for several years.

Seven days later, Yagyu returned to the cabinet office and convened a plenary meeting of the cabinet.

This is the third plenary meeting of the cabinet. Generally, a plenary meeting means something big has happened. The officials sitting in the conference room are looking forward to what will be discussed today.

At 7:30 in the morning, Yagyu entered the conference room on time. All the principal and deputy officials at the department level and above, starting from Deputy Prime Minister Matsudaira Yoshihiro, were already in place. Everyone was waiting for his entrance.

Yagyu walked to the main seat and said: "Everyone, today's meeting will determine the next stage of Japan's development. The previous two meetings have set the tone for Japan's new era. It has only been less than three years since we have achieved outstanding results. results.

Next, we will enter the next stage, solidify our tone, and develop and build.

Now let me talk about the first thing. Everyone who has returned from studying in Europe should understand that for a country, the support of the people is the most important. Right? "

Itagaki Taisuke immediately raised his hand and said: "Prime Minister, I have something to say."

Yagyu nodded and said, "Okay, let Taisuke talk to everyone."

Itagaki Taisuke stood up and said: "Everyone, I have been traveling in Europe over the years and learned a lot. I was wondering why Europeans developed first? For this reason, I went to study their history."

“Eighty or ninety years ago, when the French Revolution broke out, France proclaimed a document called the Declaration of Human Rights and Citizenship, which declared human rights, the rule of law, freedom, separation of powers, equality, and the protection of private property.

The original text of this first article is that human beings are born and always are free and are equal in rights, and social differences can only be based on the public welfare.

What does it mean? For example, I and the Prime Minister are equal in terms of personality, dignity, legal rights and other rights. What the Prime Minister has, I also have, and what the Prime Minister does not have, I don’t have either.

However, the Prime Minister leads the cabinet, and below him are the cabinet officials. This is the social difference.

Although we have differences in positions, the Prime Minister cannot punish me at will. I must be punished through laws. "

When Ohara Shigetori heard this, he stood up and angrily shouted: "It's nonsense, it's nonsense! How can we be the same as those common people!

Our family has governed Japan for thousands of years, how can it be compared to some idiots!

No wonder France was defeated in the war, and it was a disaster for everyone! "

Itagaki Taisuke was dissatisfied and glared at Ohara Shigenori and said: "It's not just France, it's the same for Great Britain and the United States. Aren't they powerful? If they weren't powerful, why would the Tokugawa Shogunate be oppressed by them!"

"Bold! Itagaki Taisuke, are you looking for death?" Nagai Hisashi shouted loudly.

You must know that Tokugawa Keiki is still present, and many of them are former ministers. Itagaki Taisuke is pointing his finger at others.

However, Itagaki was not afraid at all. He looked at Nagai Hisashi provocatively, with dissatisfaction on his face.

"Do you like to quarrel?"

Yagyu said in a somewhat unkind tone.

Hisashi Nagai glanced at the superior Prime Minister Yagyu, immediately lowered his head and stopped speaking.

Ohara Shigenori seemed to have made up his mind and asked: "Does the Prime Minister also think that Itagaki Taisuke is right? If he says so, is your Majesty as equal as a citizen?"

Yagyu looked at Ohara Shigetori, calmly, and said in a calm tone: "According to the constitution we promulgated, your Majesty cannot deal with others at will, and can only be punished after trial.

According to our constitution, civilians are equal to His Majesty in terms of personality, dignity and legitimate rights and interests.

But His Majesty is the Emperor, and the citizens should give Him more respect. This is also the right granted to His Majesty by the Constitution. Does Mr. Ohara have any objections? "

Ohara Shigetori gritted his teeth and looked at Iwakura Tomomi, but Iwakura Tomomi did not respond.

Iwakura Tomomi has been away from the center for more than two years, and now he has come back to understand a lot of things. He understands the general trend, so he does not want to follow Ohara Shigetori onto a dead end.

When Yagyu saw that no one was talking anymore, he said: "Since the abolition of samurai three years ago and allowing the common people to take the name Miao, there have been reactions from all over the country. Those farmers have begun to find their ancestors, trying to turn themselves into descendants of the samurai family.

Everyone, this is a very dangerous idea. We must change this situation. We must make people realize that they are themselves, not the descendants of some samurai. "

Yagyu's words made Nagai Hisashi, Oguri Tadjun and others feel very unhappy. Even Tokugawa Keiki and Sagawa Kanbei of the Aizu clan found it harsh.

But the person who spoke was Yagyu Kigeon, and no one dared to say anything, let alone object. After all, Yagyu Kigeon was also born in the samurai class, but now he is a bourgeois class.

(End of this chapter)