Chapter 187 The Meiji Restoration of Japan (2)
Masahiro Abe wanted to go, and the lord of the Satsuma Domain, Shimazu Saibin, was shocked. He flew to Edo and said anxiously: "We are fighting against the barbarians. Looking at the head of the horse, Master Abu, it is so easy for you to leave so easily, which is very chilling."
Abe Masahiro said: The lord of the Sakura Domain, Hota Masamushi, is the Daidai. He has been appointed as the leader of the old army. Neither the anti-barbarian factions nor the founding factions have any complaints. I am behind the scenes and can mediate the relations between all parties.
Shimazu Saibin said: Although Hota Masamitsu has the heart to resist the foreigners, he is too indecisive to plan such a chaotic situation!
Abe Masahiro said: If the general who conquered the barbarians had reformed his old ways and made new efforts and worked hard to govern, how could he be in such a predicament? As long as I have one breath left, I will definitely help Miss Atsushi enter the Great Olympiad.
Shimazu Saibin said: The sooner this matter is done, the better. Saigo Takamori is my trusted servant, and he is temporarily following my daughter in the name of buying a dowry. This gentleman combines knowledge and practice, respects God and loves people, and is the swordsman of Satsuma domain, Komatsu, and the infantry supervisor, Okubo Toshimichi. , are all heroes among men, and Sir Lao Abu has given them many suggestions.
Abe Masahiro said: The three heroes of Satsuma are famous all over the world; it is inevitable to select talents for the country. The year before last, when the American and foreign black ships invaded the territory, Yoshida Shoin, a feudal lord from Choshu, went to Uraga alone and inspected it for several days. However, he said that the location of the forts along the coast was not good and none of them were suitable. He also said that the officials were timid and the thieves were arrogant. Hundreds are uncountable. When the contract was signed last year, Yoshida Shoin climbed the boat at night and asked for directions. Yoshida Shoin's deeds are unparalleled in the world.
Shimazu Saibin said: Yoshida Shoin went to sea without authorization and should be executed according to the law; Your Excellency loves talent as much as his life, so Yoshida can escape death. Only when Mr. Abu sits firmly on the fishing platform can the shogunate, the vassals, the officials and the people all live in peace.
Abe Masahiro said: Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, there has been an undercurrent. The general who conquered the barbarians is weak, and you are trying to repel the barbarians in the name of strengthening the vassal alliance. The barbarians have strong ships and powerful guns, and the country will be destroyed by force. I sit in the shogunate and cannot let you and others do whatever they want. The leader of the Hikone Domain, Ii Naomi, advocated the founding of the country. His strategy of trade, shipbuilding, and weaponry could indeed enrich the country and strengthen its military. Although I hate barbarians, I cannot block it for the selfish interests of ministers.
Shimazu Saibin said: Today’s changes are unprecedented in a thousand years, and there is really no good way to deal with them. My daughter's marriage to Da'ao is also a plan for a rainy day. Please help Mr. Abu to facilitate this matter as soon as possible.
Masahiro Abe said: "It is a matter of course for my daughter to marry into Oo, which was decided by the previous dynasty." However, the changes that have not happened in a thousand years cannot be resolved by openness and confrontation; the turbulence that arises during this period cannot be controlled by a little woman. Even if I resign, it is also for the sake of the national economy. You must do your best to promote industry, build ships and artillery, and plan for it slowly.
Shimazu Qibin said: Today's changes are cloudy and treacherous; if you are not careful, everything will be lost. Lord Abu's decision to go or stay is particularly related to the rise and fall of the country. Please think twice before making any move.
In the next half year, the leader of the founding faction and the lord of the Hikone Domain, Naomi Ii, made repeated advances. Masahiro Abe was so annoyed that he resigned angrily.
On September 14, 1855 AD, the lord of the Sakura Domain, Hota Masumu, took office as the head of Laozhong.
At the time of the transition between the old and the new, Abe Masahiro secretly summoned Hota Masumu and followed the good advice: the founders of the country resisted the barbarians, and those who fought against the barbarians were swept away; those who combined public and military affairs, and those who respected the emperor and overturned the throne, filed endless lawsuits. It is the kingly way for us to mediate in the middle and beware of one family becoming dominant.
Hota Masumu said: Mr. Abu's good advice must be followed carefully.
Abe Masahiro said: Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, there have been various opinions among the shogunate, feudal officials, feudal officials, and local scholars. Yoshida Shoin, a scholar of the Changshu vassal, said that for the current plan, it is better to be careful about the territory and make strict treaties to restrain the British and American captives. Take advantage of the opportunity to cultivate Ezo, capture Ryukyu, capture Korea, pull Manchuria, and approach India. We will use the momentum of advancement to consolidate the basis for retreat. This is a great cause passed down from generation to generation in the world.
Hota Masumu said: Take Ryukyu, take Korea, pull Manchuria, and approach India? Looking at today's chaotic situation, Yoshida Shoin's meditative record is nothing more than an idiot's dream.
Abe Masahiro said: Therefore, we promote talented people, learn skills from the barbarians, colonize industries, build ships and artillery, strengthen coastal defense, and slowly wait for the changes of the times. When a general who conquers barbarians succeeds to the throne, he should select virtuous people, promote them with sincerity and respect, raise up filial brothers, take in orphans and widows, and make up for the poor. In this way, the common people will be in peace and the government will be stable, and the gentleman will be in peace. However, the general was gentle in nature and did not like state affairs; in addition, Tianxin and Chengxin both had no heirs to succeed him. The two factions of Hitotsubashi and Kishu then looked at him with covetous eyes, and the battle for succession was already in full swing.
Hota Masumu said: In the year when the general was established, he was in his prime, how could he have no heirs? If the general gets a tiger cub within the year, everything will be solved; the daughter of the lord of the Satsuma domain should get married quickly.
Abe Masahiro said: In the sixth year of Kayei, the black ships came knocking, and the country's situation suddenly changed; last year, the palace was on fire, and Perry returned; last month, there was an earthquake in Edo, and the Shiba Residence collapsed. The leader of the Hikone Domain, Ii Naobutsu, and other founding factions repeatedly stated that it was inappropriate to marry due to the continuous misfortunes. The weather is not beautiful and we can do nothing. We can only pray for peace and prosperity for the country and the people in the coming year.
At the beginning of 1856, things were calm. At the end of the year, shogun Tokugawa Iedada married Atsuhime, the adopted daughter of Shimazu Saibin, the lord of the Satsuma domain.
Atsuhime entered the great palace and eventually became the royal palace of the shogun's main wife. After finishing the marriage ceremony, Saigo Takamori, a trusted retinue, stayed in Edo for more than a month and returned to the domain to resume his duties.
The Lord of the Satsuma Domain, Shimazu Saibin, said: My little girl is dressed up, and half the work is done!
Saigo Takamori said: "My lord, the Imperial Palace has informed me that the shogunate is weak and weak, and it is difficult for him to do anything."
Shimazu Qibin said: It's expected. The two factions of Hitotsubashi and Kishu are eyeing each other eagerly to fight for succession. What does the imperial government want?
Saigo Takamori said: The emperor said that Ichibashi Keiki is smart and intelligent, but he is unruly and unruly, and it is difficult to achieve great things; Tokugawa Iemo is young and mature, gentle and respectful, and he is really the best among people.
Shimazu Qibin said: Do your best in human affairs and obey the destiny. The Satsuma Domain cultivates industries and develops industries, builds ships and cannons, and waits for the changes of the times.
Saigo Takamori said: For more than a hundred years, the Tokugawa shogunate closed the country and used the emperor to control the princes. The feudal lords were in great distress and the people were in dire straits. Compared with the emperor, Tokugawa was only a little famous and outnumbered. The Lord has occupied Deer Island for three generations. The country is in danger but the people are attached to it, and the virtuous people can use it. Now, if out of righteousness, we lead the king of Ludao to fight against the barbarians, who among the people will not eat pots of pulp to welcome the lord! If this is the case, hegemony can be achieved and the royal family can flourish.
Shimazu Saibin said: The Tokugawa shogunate has lasted for more than two hundred years. Its roots are so deep and its base is so solid that it cannot be shaken by a single blow of the lips and teeth! Don't act rashly before the time comes.
