Tokugawa Iemo received the order and quickly summoned Hitotsubashi Keiki and Matsudaira Keinaga for discussion.
Tokugawa Iemochi: Mouri Sadahiro, Sanjo Sanimi and others were expelled, and the situation in Kyoto was already peaceful. In the Battle of Sayei, the British and barbarians suffered heavy casualties. The top priority is to prevent the British and barbarians from coming back and starting another war. The Satsuma Domain has repeatedly requested an advance payment of 25,000 pounds. Is this true?
Ichihashi said happily: "To inform you, General, the war resources of the British and barbarians have been exhausted and supplies are not flowing smoothly. It will be difficult to accomplish anything within this year." For the incident at Shengmai Village, our country has already paid 110,000 pounds in advance for the Satsuma Domain. If we can eliminate the risk of war, what's the point of advancing this mere 25,000 pounds!
Tokugawa Iemochi said: According to Keiki-sama's wishes, Katsu Kaishu was carried out on the warship, and Okubo Toshimichi, the Satsuma domain official, followed the instructions. After the peace talks with Yingyi are completed, Qingxi and Qingyong can go to Luo to discuss the integration of public and military affairs.
Matsudaira Keiyong said: I would like to inform my lord, the shogun, that the public and military forces should be integrated and advance hand in hand. This is a huge matter. Unless the shogun comes to Kyoto in person, the accomplished goal cannot be achieved.
Tokugawa Iemo said: The matter of locking the port of Yokohama has not been settled yet, and the barbarians have slowed down. The port is not locked, and we cannot face His Majesty the Emperor.
On the dark day of December, the shogunate came to Luo for an audience with Hitotsubashi Yoshiki, political president Matsudaira Keinaga, Kyoto guardian Matsudaira Yoshiho, Tosa domain lord Yamauchi Toyodo, and Uwajima domain lord Date Munemai.
Emperor Xiaoming said: I want to discuss state affairs with Mao Qing, why doesn't Mao Qing come? The previous decree was not my intention, but what is happening now is what I expected. I still hope that all the vassals will work together to assist Guandong, and the country will be fine.
Kazuhashi said happily: Your Majesty, the success of Yokohama's port lock is related to the foundation of the country. The Kanto General is negotiating with the barbarians, and the matter will be finalized soon.
Emperor Xiaoming said: "I summoned Sanjo Shimei and other seven ministers, but none of them came. Sanjo and others can go and stay at will, which is very heartbreaking to me." The reason for this incident was the instigation of the Changzhou vassal, and the decree was issued. Except for one or two people who were stationed in the residence, all the people in the Changzhou vassal were prohibited from entering Luo. Major national affairs cannot be decided in one day. After Maoqing and the head of the Satsuma clan enter Luo, we can negotiate again.
Mao Li, the head of the Changzhou family, sighed deeply as he respectfully accepted the order.
Sanjo Minoru from Maemasachika Town: In May of this year, Maori-sama dared to take the lead and raised his troops to fight against the barbarians. My emperor likes this move to show off the prestige of the country overseas! Unexpectedly, the Kanto shogunate and the Aizu and Satsuma feudal lords deceived Sheng Cong and slandered us to bring trouble to the country, which is extremely hateful.
Maori Jingqin said: "Sanjo-sama, do you have any good advice to help me?"
Three true and beautiful ways: In today's situation, only by supporting the emperor can we command the princes. Lord Maori supervised the troops entering Luo and held strong remonstrances. My emperor gave an order to unite the whole country to wipe out the barbarians and Di, but nothing can be done! It is true that Mr. Maori’s merits will last forever!
Maori Jingqin said: "Sanjo-sama's words are very close to my heart." In my opinion, my old minister Xin Nong immediately led the vassal troops into Luo, and asked the former White Eagle Si Fuxi and Prince Chiren of Youqichuan Palace to mediate and beg my emperor to withdraw his order. How about it?
The Changzhou feudal lord and Qinxue's royal official, Takakasugi Jinzuo, said: "Your Majesty, if you don't call me into Luo, you will rely on the strength of the army. If things don't work out, our vassal will be the target of public criticism." This is a very dangerous move, so please think twice before proceeding.
Gensui Kusaka, a member of the Chōshu feudal lord and the Kyoto government official, seconded the proposal and said: "I would like to inform you, my lord, that without my emperor's edict, you cannot lead troops into Luo unless it is absolutely necessary, so as not to disturb the population." His subordinates, Takayoshi Kido, Minoru Yoshida, Daizo Miyabe, Junjiro Ishikawa, etc., entered Luo and set fire to the city. Taking advantage of the chaos, they killed Yōho Matsudaira, Prince Nakagawa and other traitors who were causing harm to the country. They chose the opportunity to respectfully ask the Emperor to submit to the planning of our domain. A major event to repel the foreigners. At that time, my lord can go along with the current and carry out righteousness; otherwise, we will disembowel ourselves with swords and have nothing to do with my vassal.
Mao Li Jingqin said: "My emperor has issued an edict that all members of the Changzhou vassal, except for one or two people who are stationed in the residence, are prohibited from entering Luo." If you stay in Kyoto for a long time, the big tree attracts the wind, so there is no need to take risks. Kido Takayun stayed in Kyoto to closely plan this matter, which was justifiable.
Hisaka Genrui said: My lord, there is news from Kyoto. Our emperor has urgently ordered Kanto and other great names to come to Luo to discuss state affairs. If the matter is successful, our vassal is in danger. My lord must urgently order Kido and others to plan the transfer of our emperor as soon as possible. .
Kido Takayun, a member of the Kyoto Government Affairs Office, received the order and was filled with sorrow.
The Choshu feudal lords Yoshida Minoru and Doyoshioka Shosuke, the Higo lords Miyabe Daizo, the Boshu lords Otaka Matajiro, the Tosa lords Mochizuki Kameyata and Ishikawa Junjirō all said: This is a huge matter and cannot be accomplished in one day. Follow the steps and collect firearms, sulfur, cargo and medicine; when the time is right, you will soar into the sky.
Kido Takayoshi said: "General Kanto has not arrived yet, and it is difficult for the public and military forces to be integrated. We will sit back and watch the changes, waiting for the opportunity to move."
The shogun Tokugawa Iemoge delayed entering Luoyang because Yokohama had not yet locked up the port. Hitotsubashi Keiki, Matsudaira Yongho, Matsudaira Keinaga, etc. were very worried and repeatedly complained.
Tokugawa Iemo couldn't bear the trouble, so he entered Kyoto again on January 8, the first year of Yuanji.
Emperor Takamei granted Tokugawa Iemoge the rank of Yumasa for his work in repairing the mountain mausoleum.
Tokugawa Iemo thanked him and said firmly.
Emperor Xiaomei said: Since the time when Prince Heucheng married into Maoqing Kanto, the public and military forces have become one. The urgent task at hand, Maoqing and I will go hand in hand to tide over the difficulties. The battle between expelling the barbarians and founding the country has been going on for more than ten years, and there is no conclusion yet. What do you think?
The head of the Satsuma Domain, Shimazu Hisamitsu, said: Your Majesty, last year, the feudal clan engaged in war with the barbarians and suffered huge losses. The barbarians have strong ships and powerful artillery, which our country's current strength cannot defeat. The most urgent task is to open the country wide, learn from foreigners to learn skills, colonize industries, build ships and cast cannons, and plan for it slowly.
Tosa Domain Lord Yamauchido and Uwajima Domain Lord Date Munemai seconded the proposal.
After seeing the general's appointment, Ichihashi was furious and said angrily: My emperor has repeatedly ordered the barbarians to be plundered, and the general is also negotiating with the barbarians about locking up the port, but you are arbitrarily discussing the founding of the country. What are your intentions?
Shimazu Hisamitsu was also angry and said: For more than ten years, the great lords of Kanto have been talking freely about signing a treaty and founding the country, but now they have suddenly changed. I don't know what your lord is thinking when he sees you as a general?
Ichibashi Qingxi was so angry that he said: "Locking the harbor to repel the barbarians is the national policy established by His Majesty the Emperor and the General. You guys are talking nonsense because of your own desire to advance and retreat. I don't know how to do it."
Shimazu Hisamitsu, Yamauchido, Date Munemai and others looked at each other and left in despair.
Ichibashi Keixi dismissed it and said: Your Majesty, last year due to the incident in Shengmai Village, the peace talks with the British and barbarians resulted in a net loss of 500,000 yuan in foreign silver, all of which was given by the Shimazu family. The five hundred thousand foreign silver was all produced by my country. Shimazu didn't even say anything, but instead used this as a threat, which is extremely hateful!
Emperor Takamei said: The Satsuma Domain suffered huge losses in the Battle of Satsuma, and Shimazu's actions were also self-protection. Last year, I drove Maoli out of the capital of Changzhou. Maori and his son repeatedly complained about their grievances. Qingqing thought, what did Maori and his son think?
Ichibashi said happily: "Your Majesty, the Changzhou Maori have done harm to the country in an attempt to repel the barbarians. What they did has made people and gods angry."
Emperor Xiaoming said: Qingqing's eyes are like a torch, he is well versed in affairs, and he is my guard of honor. According to the decree, Qingqing will be appointed as the governor of the forbidden area immediately. With the barbarians coming in droves, the sea area will be troubled. The post of commanding the defense of the sea belongs to Qingqing. What does Mao Qing think?
Tokugawa Iemo said: Your Majesty has a wise eye, and the candle shines on China, and I am ashamed of myself. Your Majesty, you can give it a try if it can benefit the country, whether it is founding the country or locking up the port. If you are sincere in helping the country, whether it is Changshu or Satsuma, you can accept it and use it.
Emperor Xiaoming said: "Maoqing's words are also reasonable. It is getting late, so we will discuss it again in the Ming Dynasty."
