Chapter 568 - Gion Blood War (III) (1/2)
There were more than twenty samurai in the room, but Kirino Tos.h.i.+aki, one of the four Hitokiri, was also present.
With only a wakizas.h.i.+, even an excellent swordsman like Zhang Heng would not be able to take them all on his own. Zhang Heng also considered the option of taking a hostage. The person with the highest value was obviously Choshu leader s.h.i.+nsaku Takasugi, who happened to be one anti-Baf.u.ku movement’s most important members. His days might be numbered, but once Zhang Heng put a knife around his throat, not a single soul in the room would move a muscle.
That said, standing right beside s.h.i.+nsaku Takasugi was Kirino Tos.h.i.+aki, clearly here tonight to deal with situations like that. The man was silent as a rock, but Zhang Heng could sense his eyes following his every move.
Although unpleasant, it was expected, since Zhang Heng and Gabriel were the only ones not part of the anti-Baf.u.ku group. And compared to Zhang Heng, who brought a sword with him, the French businessman looked completely harmless. Even an idiot could tell who was more of a threat.
Of course, Zhang Heng was extremely swift with his sword, a lot faster than most people thought.
If Zhang Heng suddenly attacked s.h.i.+nsaku Takasugi, Kirino Tos.h.i.+aki might just be unable to protect him. But Zhang Heng’s goal wasn’t to terminate s.h.i.+nsaku. If he did, it would be like shaking the hornet’s nest. There was no way Zhang Heng would get out of there alive.
If it were a one-on-one fight, Zhang Heng had nothing to worry about. But in such a tight s.p.a.ce, if everyone were to lunge at him all at once, the whole situation would become really dangerous. If threatening to kill s.h.i.+nsaku Takasugi turned out to be unsuccessful, then Zhang Heng would have to settle for the next best thing and use the French merchant as his s.h.i.+eld. The anti-Bakufu clearly needed Gabriel alive. Diplomatic issues aside, if Zhang Heng were to kill him, there would be no one to help them transport weapons and troops into Kyoto.
On the other hand, they had to contemplate one possibility-news that s.h.i.+nsaku Takasugi was alive might get leaked if they let Zhang Heng escape.
Once Tokugawa Yos.h.i.+n.o.bu heard of the news, he would be able to surmise that the anti-Bakufu was cooking up a plan to overthrow him. Even if he was half-witted, he wouldn’t risk his life by coming to Kyoto. Moreover, the Kyoto Mimawarigumi and s.h.i.+nsengumi would most probably gird up their loins—who was to say that the Ikedaya incident would not repeat itself?
Zhang Heng was never the kind to allow anyone to decide his fate. It would not surprise him if these anti-Baf.u.ku warriors chose to sacrifice Gabriel’s life just so they could get their hands on him.
After all, while it might be difficult to find another s.h.i.+pper, losing a partner was better than risking the whole plan being exposed.
So, Zhang Heng decided that in any case, he had to retreat to an open s.p.a.ce outside so that whether he chose to fire or flee, he would still be in control. Halfway through the transaction, after both sides had agreed on a framework and were further refining the contract details, Zhang Heng asked to be excused to use the facilities.
s.h.i.+nsaku Takasugi gave his consent with a nod, even joking that the sky was dark outside and he should be careful not to stumble into the latrine.
Other than Sirino Tos.h.i.+aki, the entire room was filled with laughter and excited chatter, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious. The French businessman even patted Zhang Heng on the shoulder, commending him for his service tonight. He even said that he would raise Zhang Heng’s salary. Nonetheless, Takeuchi, who was sitting at the corner, seemed distracted.
Zhan Heng got up, opened the shutter door, and walked out. When the doors behind him closed, he saw the maid who had previously stopped him in the courtyard.
She was carrying a lantern, and against the darkness, it made her look like a wandering soul.
“The outhouse is the other way.”