Changzhou, Matsushita Village School——

Looking up, I saw a lifeless atmosphere, with a dark atmosphere everywhere.

I think back then, this place was where Yoshida Shoin taught.

Takasugi Shinsaku, Hisasaka Genzui, Katsura Kogoro, Yoshida Minoru... these famous figures today were all students of this village school.

After the "Ansei Prison" incident involving Naoki Ii, Yoshida Shoin was arrested and beheaded due to his numerous criminal records.

With the death of Yoshida Shoin, the former classmates of Matsushita Village School gradually fell apart due to different beliefs.

Over time, this village school, which used to be extremely lively, gradually became deserted.

Although it still looks like it did before, it is no longer popular and looks like a haunted house.

Only very occasionally, the students who studied together under this roof would return here to reminisce about old times, or... quarrel.

At this moment, bursts of melodious music came from the village school.

Shinsaku Takasugi held the shamisen in his arms, crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and played music casually.

Opposite him was Katsura Kogoro, who was sitting upright.

Katsura Kogoro had a straight face and an unkind expression.

He stared straight at Takasugi Shinsaku and squeezed out words from between his teeth:

"Mr. Takasugi, why didn't you say a word just now?"

Let’s discuss the matter of the Eastern Expedition—this happened an hour ago.

Although he was weak alone, Katsura Kogoro still fought hard to prevent the war from happening.

His point of view is very clear: even if there is a final battle with the Samu faction, it will never be now!

No matter which angle you look at it, you don't have the conditions for a decisive battle with the Samu faction now.

Changzhou still bears the reputation of being an "enemy of the DPRK".

To attack the Samu sect in Changzhou, you can only make up your own reasons.

As for the Samu faction's attack on Changshu, they don't need to spend so much effort. They only need to use the banner of "Crunt against the Korean Enemies".

As soon as the banner of "Crunt against the Korean Enemies" is raised, many big names will definitely gather to respond.

Although most of them only work but do not contribute much, they still have the courage to send some troops to build up their momentum and show their loyalty, and they are still very big.

The Samu faction has a moral advantage - this alone is enough to make Changshu unable to resist.

Katsura Kogoro almost knelt on the ground and begged Kusaka Genrui.

But despite this, Kusaka Genrui remained unmoved and resolutely issued the order to "issue a mobilization order and prepare for the Eastern Expedition".

"That's it, Marquis." Maori Qingqin was as opinionated as ever. He would agree to whatever the minister said and would carry out the spoils to the extreme.

At this point, the decision has been made - march eastward to the capital and conquer Qin Huisa!

Those who advocated the "Eastern Expedition", "annihilation of Qin Huisa", and "Heaven punished Ju Qingdeng" were all happy and excited.

The battle hasn't started yet, but everyone seems to be returning home in triumph.

On the other hand, Katsura Kogoro seemed to have lost his soul.

He froze in place with an expressionless face.

Even though the meeting was over and Maori celebrated his marriage, Kusaka Genrui and others had all left, he still sat there motionless.

Just when Takasugi Shinsaku was about to leave, he finally made a move.

He quickly approached Takasugi Shinsaku, who had said nothing during the meeting, and coldly said: Come to Matsushita Village School!

In this way, the current scene of "the two met at the Matsushita Village Private School" came into being.

"Takasugi-kun, I really don't understand you!"

Katsura Kogoro became more and more excited as he talked.

He raised his upper body, supported the tatami with his arms, and leaned his head forward, his breath almost blowing into the other person's face.

"Takasugi-kun, if you had expressed your stance just now, you might have been able to dissuade Kusaka-kun!"

At the same time that Katsura Kogoro finished speaking, the music stopped.

Takasugi Shinsaku stopped playing, raised his eyes, and looked at each other.

His eyes were half contemptuous and half self-deprecating.

"'Dissuade Hisaka-kun'? Me?"

"Guiyo, you think too highly of me, and you underestimate Kusaka too much."

"Kusaka and I have broken up a long time ago."

"No matter how deep our friendship was before, it can't change the fact that he and I now hate each other."

"If I had spoken out just now, I am afraid that not only would I not have been able to dissuade Kusaka, but it would have further deepened the conflict and worsened the situation."

"What's more, I'm not a very eloquent person. I don't have the smooth tongue to convince Kusaka."

"Kusaka is not the kind of person who easily changes his mind and will based on a few words from others."

"To put it bluntly, Kusaka is possessed by a demon."

"Is there any way you can persuade a gambler who has gone too far to stop gambling and stop gambling in time?"

"Even if Kusaka wants to play at the gambling table, Kurishima Matabei, Maki Yasuomi and others behind him will not let him do so!"

After saying these words in one breath like a machine gun, Takasugi Shinsaku took several deep breaths, and his cheeks were filled with excitement.

Katsura Kogoro pursed his lips hard.

He seemed to want to say something to refute the other party.

The mouth can be opened several times and closed several times.

It is not difficult to see that he is at a loss for words... Even if he wants to refute the other party, he cannot think of suitable words.

Before he could say anything, Takasugi Shinsaku continued quietly:

"Gui, now that things have come to this, I will open the skylight and speak frankly."

"Honestly, I think the 'Eastern Expedition' is not entirely a bad thing."

"You should also know the proverb from Tang Dynasty - 'A blessing in disguise is a blessing in disguise'."

"'Blessing' and 'misfortune' are twins."

"It seems to be a 'disaster', but maybe it is a 'happiness'."

Speaking of this, Takasugi Shinsaku lowered his head slightly.

A dark shadow cleverly hides his face, making it difficult for people to see the changes in his expression.

"The radical elements led by Kusaka have taken control of the feudal kingdom."

"Today's Changzhou seems to have fallen into a situation of 'no destruction, no establishment'."

"The time is not yet ripe, and it is far from the time to have a decisive battle with the Samu faction."

"If we rush to the east now, we will most likely be beaten and lose our armor."

"Although there will be heavy casualties, but... in this way, Kusaka and the others may be able to wake up completely."

"In this way, Changzhou can be reborn! Get rid of the current crazy and unethical situation!"

"Or, to put it more directly...if Kusaka and the others are all killed in this Eastern Expedition, it will have the same effect!"

"Maybe the effect will be even better!"

Before Takasugi Shinsaku finished speaking, Katsura Kogoro's eyes widened.

His eyes were as wide as copper bells, and his two eyeballs seemed ready to fall out of their sockets at any time.

His mouth was slightly open, his face was pale, and his face was full of disbelief - he couldn't believe that these words came from his classmate!

Before Takasugi Shinsaku finished speaking, Katsura Kogoro jumped out, pounced on the opponent, grabbed his clothes, and pushed him to the ground.

With a thud, Takasugi Shinsaku's back came into close contact with the tatami, and the shamisen in his hand was released and rolled to the side.

"Takasugi Shinsaku! Are you crazy?!"

Katsura Kogoro raised his eyebrows and called him by his name, his expression dominated by strong excitement and anger.

"Why can you say this so lightly?!"

"Isn't Kusaka our companion?!"

"He is not only our companion in advancing and retreating together, but also a former classmate!"

"Have you forgotten the time when we studied under Mr. Yoshida together?!"

"Are you going to watch him die?!"

"We studied knowledge and practiced swordsmanship together back then. Is it just for the fights we have now?!"
To be continued...