I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 68 Participating in a meeting for the first time

On the [-]th day of the first lunar month of the fourth year of Bunkyu, the long-prepared Participation Council was formally established, and Emperor Takamei appointed seven people.

Respectively, the shogunate received his post, and the lord of the clan, Ichibashi, celebrated.

The former lord of the Echizen Domain, the former political president, equivalent to Matsudaira Keinaga (Chun Gaku), the elder of the shogunate.

Tosa Domain's former feudal lord Yamauchi Toyonobu (Yōdo).

Date Munejo, former lord of the Uwajima domain.

Lord of the Aizu Domain, Matsudaira Yoshiho, guardian of Kyoto.

The father of Lord Satsuma, Shimazu Hisamitsu.

The inspection was not against the envoy and attendant Yagyu Heiyan.

Among these seven people, six were daimyo and one was a representative of the imperial court. The meeting was held in the small imperial palace inside.

Today, the parliament has just been established. Seven people are sitting opposite each other in the hall, with Yagyu sitting at the bottom.

This was the first time Yamauchi Tang met Yagyu, and he smiled and said: "I have long heard of Yagyu's reputation as an attendant, and today he has truly lived up to his reputation, hehehe."

Date Munejo was a little dissatisfied and said: "I'm just a lucky person, what's there to boast about?"

Matsudaira Harugaku smiled and said: "You can't say that. Lord Yagyu is still very capable, and he knows a lot about Western things. He is a talented man with both talent and practicality. I think the emperor's arrangement is not bad."

Hitotsubashi Keixi said with some displeasure: "Okay, that's enough gossip. The Emperor established the Participating Council to let us handle state affairs. Now let's discuss how to punish the Choshu Domain."

Shimazu Hisamitsu couldn't wait to express: "What is there to discuss? The various evil deeds of the Choshu Domain are vivid in our eyes and are unforgivable. We should send troops to attack them!"

Yamauchi Tang glanced at Shimazu Hisamitsu and said in a calm tone: "Although the Choshu clan is excessive, it is also for the sake of the country. Moreover, the great powers are now closely watching us. It is inappropriate to send troops to Choshu at this time. I think a small punishment is a big warning. That’s it.”

Shimazu Hisamitsu resented the Choshu Domain for assassinating his sister Koji Koji, and blamed his death on the Satsuma Domain. Moreover, he had just received news that the ship lent by the Satsuma Domain to the shogunate was sunk by the Choshu Domain two days ago!

Therefore, he advised: "Mr. Eido, the Choshu clan forced the emperor to tamper with the imperial edict. How can we let go of such treasonous and unethical acts so easily?"

Yamauchido was unmoved. He shook his head and said: "Perhaps it is just the decision of the Changshu vassal. How about letting the head of the family commit seppuku and apologize, and Maori respect his relatives and retire?"

The reason why he saved the life of the Choshu Domain was because the Tosa Domain had been an anti-barbarian faction before, but when he saw that the wind was going in the wrong direction, he immediately sided with the shogunate.

But the problem is that the Tosa Domain has the leverage of the Tosa Kinwang Party and will be attacked at any time.

He was worried that when the shogunate attacked the Choshu Domain, it would also conquer the Tosa Domain, so he tried his best to dissuade him.

"I wonder what Mr. Hitotsubashi's opinion is?"

Shimazu Hisamitsu immediately asked the others.

Although Yoshiyoshi Hitotsubashi didn't like the Satsuma Domain, he hated the Choshu Domain even more.

"The Choshu Domain is indeed unforgivable and should be punished."

Weakening the lord is what Hitotsubashi Keixi is most happy to do, so at this time it is natural to add insult to injury.

Taking into account the current international situation surrounded by wolves, Matsudaira Harugaku shook his head and said: "It is not appropriate to start a civil war."

Date Munejo also nodded in agreement.

Matsudaira Yongho looked at Yagyu who was silent and kept recording, and asked: "Attendant Yagyu, what is the opinion of the court?" Yagyu stopped what he was doing and said: "The emperor is very angry with the Choshu clan and Sanjo Sanimi and others. Evil deeds.”

As soon as these words came out, Shimazu Hisamitsu and Hitotsubashi were delighted, while Yamauchi Do, Matsudaira Chunaku, Date Munejo and Matsudaira Yōho were all a little disappointed.

Yagyu paused and continued: "However, the emperor does not want to ignore the world because of his temporary anger.

The Choshu clan originally came to Luo because of fighting against the barbarians, but it was just that they were rude and too impatient, so they made these big mistakes. Therefore, the emperor is willing to give them another chance, so I support Eitangong's suggestion. "

Shir!
Shimazu Hisamitsu cursed Yagyu in his heart for gasping for breath, making him happy for nothing!
Yagyu continued: "Whether it is a crusade against the Choshu clan or a small punishment but a big warning, you all can vote by a show of hands."

He was the first to raise his hand, followed by Yamauchi Hall, Matsudaira Harugaku and Date Munejo raised their hands to express their approval, Matsudaira Yoho abstained, and Shimazu Hisamitsu and Hitotsubashi Keiki objected.

Yagyu put down his hand and said: "In this way, the first resolution is passed, which will impose minor punishments and major warnings on the Choshu clan."

Originally this suggestion was going to be debated for several days, but Yagyu cut the knot quickly and directly promoted this resolution, which took only half an hour.

Hitotsubashi Keixi said with a displeased face: "Then let's discuss the issue of Yokohama Port."

Shimazu Hisamitsu once again took the lead in saying: "We, the Satsuma Domain, support the opening of the port. The shogunate has always controlled transactions with Western countries. This is very unfair to us!"

Yamauchido continued: "I heard that England and other four countries asked Yokohama to open a port. If these four countries unite, once a war breaks out, our country has no chance of winning. In order to avoid being defeated like the Qing Dynasty on the other side, and ceding territory and paying compensation, I think it is better to open a port. .”

Hitotsubashi shook his head happily and said: "Once the port is opened, cheap rice from abroad will flow into Kanto Tenryo, and the lives of the lower-level samurai will be even more difficult. There will also be a large amount of goods that will bankrupt those merchants and small workshops.

Doing this will only cause turmoil in various places, and the common people and samurai who can no longer live will cause chaos, and the shogunate will be in danger! "

Matsudaira Yongho stood on Hitotsubashi's side this time. He ultimately wanted to maintain the rule of the shogunate.

Matsudaira Harugaku is wavering.Date Munejo also did not express his position.

Yagyu said directly: "This kind of thing was a pain that we could not avoid when we founded the country.

My suggestion is that after the opening of the port, we should actively introduce Western factories and technology, take over the business that they do not do, and then sell the produced goods to the countries on the other side, Annan, North Korea and other countries.

At the same time, we must learn from the Western military, enhance national strength, and strive to achieve fair dialogue with Western countries, so as to prevent them from plundering us. "

Hitotsubashi Yingxi objected strongly: "No! You are destroying the shogunate!"

Yagyu said very calmly: "The warships of the four countries have surrounded Yokohama. It is only a matter of time before we open the port. Why open the port after being humiliated by the big powers?"

Hitotsubashi Yingxi glared at Yagyu and said: "If it doesn't work, it won't work!"

Yagyu could see that this was hitting the bottom line of Hitotsubashi's celebration, and he immediately said: "Then please discuss with the shogunate and the Western countries to open a port in another place, and allow the vassals to trade with the Western countries."

Although Shimazu Hisamitsu hated Yagyu, but in the face of interests, he supported: "Master Hitotsubashi, I think what Yagyu said is right."

"I support it!" Yamauchi Dou said with a smile on his face.

Hitotsubashi Yingxi looked uncertain, glanced at the others, and finally said: "I will go back and contact Edo."

Yagyu nodded and said, "I hope I can give you an answer as soon as possible. Time is running out now."

"I know, I'll take the first step." Hitotsubashi Yingxi left unhappy.

　Thanks to Huang Taiyue Divine Sword for the reward of one hundred!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)