It has to be said that Ito Hirobumi is still very sober, and he can clearly understand the consequences of "tomorrow's union".
In fact, not only is he sober, but others are also very sober. Everyone knows what will happen once the so-called "union" is carried out.
"Paraguay merged into the Ming Dynasty, but in a few years, Paraguay may only have one place name left. What about Japan?"
Ito Hirobumi's rhetorical question made Okubo Toshimichi fall into silence, and his expression became a little complicated, even
"After all, in this world, Japan is really too weak. When we visited various countries, which country we saw was not stronger than Japan? In today's world, the strong survive and the weak perish. Japan... now...
Once Japan is divided into pieces, will Japan still have a chance to succeed in its reform?"
Looking at the thoughtful people, Okubo Toshimichi said again.
"If Japan wants to rise, firstly it must maintain its unity and not fall into civil war. Secondly, it must have the support of a powerful country. The British and Americans, who are like tigers and wolves, will never want to see a strong Japan. Tomorrow, the same culture and species will be the same. Naturally, they will not
It will exclude Japan. If Japan unites tomorrow, Japan can continue to reform and reform under the protection of the Ming Dynasty, or implement the Ming Dynasty's New Deal. In this way, there will be thirty or forty years of achievements. By then..."
Before Okubo Toshimichi could finish speaking, Kido Takayun said.
"I'm afraid there will be no Japan by then."
There may be Japan in Tomorrow's Empire, but if Japan is completely integrated into the Empire, Japan will eventually disappear completely in the process.
"have!"
Ito Hirobumi interrupted him and said.
"It's just Ming Japan!"
Ming Japan!
Although he only added a few words in front, everyone fell into silence.
"Hey, if the Ming Emperor could marry He Gong, everything would be simple!"
Iwakura Tomomi let out a long sigh, but he also knew that it was just wishful thinking. After all, Wakura... was just a widow!
Moreover, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty also had his own queen, and the queen was born very noble. She was a descendant of Napoleon and a member of the French royal family.
His queen has such a noble status. Others should not have wishful thinking.
"Actually, it doesn't matter even if you don't marry Wagongong. After all, Ming Dynasty is also the patriarch of Japan."
A casual murmur reminded them of their last conversation with the Ming Emperor. What the Ming Emperor said at that time - Japan is a vassal of the Ming Dynasty. At that time, they wanted to argue with each other, but what about now?
Each of them was a little less sure.
There was even another thought vaguely popping up in their minds - if Ming Dynasty was really the lord of Japan, things would be much simpler.
In that case, Japan could not only maintain a certain degree of independence, but also realize their desire to become prosperous and powerful under the protection of the Ming Empire.
As an East Asian country, Japan is very familiar with the "vassal system" in Chinese tradition. In that system, the so-called mother state only maintains nominal rule.
While they were talking, the aide from the other side hurriedly came in and handed a letter with both hands. After taking the letter, Iwakura Tomoshi's expression suddenly changed, and he handed the letter to Okubo Toshimichi and said.
"Telegram from Wakayama, Tokugawa Shigenobu has fled back to Wakayama!"
Tokugawa Shigenobu was the former lord of the Kishu Domain. Together with Owari and Mito, they were collectively known as the "Gosan". As a member of the Tokugawa family who was overthrown by the overthrow of the shogunate, after the shogunate was overthrown, Tokugawa Shigenaki, as the lord of the lord, was among the other lords.
Even though they could all return to their own territory, only he was stranded in Kyoto as a hostage. Being treated by the enemy but helpless, Tokugawa Shigenaki became more and more nervous. In the end, he could only seek help from Mutsu Munemitsu, who was born in Kishu, before he had to return.
Arrive at Kishu Domain.
Three years ago, Okubo Toshimichi and Kido Takayoshi, who were worried that the feudal lords would grow bigger and weaken the new government's strength, went to live in Tokyo, and at the same time implemented the policy of "abolition of feudal lords and establishment of prefectures". Tokugawa Shigenobu also left to live in Tokyo, and the Kishu Domain no longer existed.
Reexist.
Now that Tokugawa Shigenobu has fled back to Wakayama, you don't need to ask anyone to know what he is planning to do - it must be to incite rebellion among the noble clans.
"Who else escaped!"
Okubo Toshimichi said excitedly.
"Quick, send people to control those feudal lords immediately, otherwise Japan will fall apart and the Warring States Period will reappear!"
Looking at the worst news on the telegram, Ito Hirobumi said with some helplessness.
"It's too late! Those old feudal lords who are staying in Tokyo are either unwilling or unable to rebel, or they are substitutes. How could it be possible that only one Tokugawa Shigenaki escaped? Even if the old feudal lord did not rebel, the feudal lords would still persuade the old feudal lord.
The main rebels, after all, this is their only chance to restore their old treatment."
Although Ito Hirobumi was unwilling to admit it, he still looked at Okubo Toshimichi and Kido Takayoshi and said.
"In recent years, we have suppressed the gentry too hard. We may have reduced expenditures by one-third every year, but it has made 420,000 gentry and their families hostile to the new government. Now, all the vassals need to do is arrest them.
Just take the chance, Japan..."
With a long sigh, Ito Hirobumi closed his eyes in pain. Now, it seemed that he had really seen the chaos of Japan's Warring States Period again.
Just as Hirobumi Ito guessed, it soon spread in the local area that the former lords of the Aizu clan, Obama clan, Nishi clan, Sendai clan, Nagaoka clan, Nobeoka clan and Shitatewa clan and other samu clans had returned to their respective places.
News. The return of the feudal lords allowed the unemployed feudal warriors to immediately find their backbone. The abandoned samurai swords appeared in their waists again, and the feudal warriors once again gathered around the feudal lord.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the reform government has reached its final moment. Once the various vassals raise their armies, it will only be a matter of time before the reform government fails.
It was also at this time that Sanjo Mimi, who had been "schizophrenic" for several months due to the dispute between the "Korea-seeking faction" and the "internal governance faction", also returned to normal. This former Taisheng official faced the local problems faced by the reform government.
When the crisis situation was at a loss, he walked into Da Ao.
"I believe that His Highness must inherit the throne of the Emperor!"
Sanjo Mimi lowered her head and said with a deep bow of ninety degrees.
"Your Highness is the sole heir to the throne of the Emperor. Please stop declining. Without the Emperor, Japan will surely fall into disintegration!"
Looking at Sanjo Sanimi in front of him, Wagoniya's mood was complicated. From the perspective of the royal family, Sanjo was a hero. He was the leader who symbolized the collapse of the Restoration in the imperial court. His original purpose of supporting the Restoration was to revive the imperial power and restore
The status of the emperor and ministers.
But it was precisely with the support of him, Iwakura Tomomi, and the planning and overthrow faction that the Tokugawa shogunate became a thing of the past.
"The reason why the nobles are dissatisfied with the new government is more because of the new government's betrayal of them."
Faced with Sanjo Sanimi's persuasion, Wamiya still spoke directly and straightforwardly as when he answered Katsu Kaishu.
"They have high expectations for me, how can I betray their expectations?"
"But, Your Highness, if you don't inherit the throne of the Emperor, how can you possibly fulfill their expectations?"
Sanjo Sanimi's suggestion stunned Wagoniya. She looked at the magistrate in confusion, her eyes full of doubts. What did he mean?
"Your Highness, the most important thing now is to maintain the unity and integrity of Japan, rather than each vassal standing on its own. Your Highness, the country cannot be without a king for a day!"
In fact, Sanjo Sanimi, as an official with a public background, has a very ambiguous attitude towards the Reform and Reform. Compared to the Reform, he desires power more.
Back then, the reason for supporting the reformers was for power, but now everyone is pushing against them!
Moreover, it was true that he was a Taizong official on the surface, but in fact it was the reformers who controlled the power. It was under this circumstance that he supported He Gong's accession to the throne.
He was looking for a way out for himself. As a bureaucrat, he knew very well that if the wall of the reform government really came down, his situation would be very embarrassing.
Therefore, he needed to prepare a way out for himself in advance. And this way out was, of course, to support Wakiya's ascension to the throne.
Since he can support the reform government, he can also support the "integration of public and military forces" in the future.
For example, when the time is right, you can propose that the emperor marry a certain general! At that time, it will be a true "combination of public and military affairs."
"Your Highness, either the hearts of the noble clans will return to the feudal lord and Japan will fall into pieces again, or they will return to the Emperor, Your Highness!"
"But will they still trust the emperor now?"
Wakiya looked at Sanjo Sanimi and asked.
"After all, we have betrayed their trust time and time again. Do they want to trust the emperor or the shogunate now?"
The answer is obvious. Of course they are more willing to believe in the shogunate, because the Tokugawa shogunate never betrayed the samurai family from beginning to end.
But after taking advantage of them, the emperor of the public family kicked them aside like a toilet. Almost all the nobles were laid off. This is how the public family and the emperor treat them.
"But if you don't try, how can you possibly convince them? After all, if there is no emperor, everyone will return to the feudal lord. With the emperor, at least some of them will continue to be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor."
Sanjou Sanimi persuaded her like this.
"Your Highness, the reason why you want to inherit the throne of the Emperor now is for the inheritance of the Japanese royal family for a thousand years! Your Highness, can you really bear to watch Japan fall into pieces?"
"If I succeed to the throne, can I prevent the division of Japan?"
Wakiya's rhetorical question made Sanjo Sanimi silent. After a long time, he spoke with some uncertainty.
"At least we can give it a try, Your Highness. Maybe, now... there is still a chance, Your Highness."
After thinking for a while Sanjou Sanimi said again.
"As for Iwakura and the others, I will definitely convince them." This chapter has been completed!