I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 1029: Kill the Emperor! Establish a new ruler! [4600]

I'm not afraid of god-like opponents, but I'm afraid of pig-like teammates - at this moment, Qing Deng sincerely felt the weight of this sentence and the helplessness behind it.

The "vulgar theory faction" was a bunch of stupid teammates, which caused Qingdeng's strategic plan of "pacifying the Western Kingdom without firing a single soldier" to completely fail.

Although there has been no news of the execution of important officials of the "Secular Theory Faction", it is impossible for Katsura Kogoro not to purge the rebels.

It must not be long before Qing Deng will receive the news that "the 'secular theory faction' has been completely physically eliminated."

Today, the Choshu domain has been unified, there is no longer any constraint between the two parties, and Katsura Kogoro holds sole power.

It is impossible to make Choshu surrender without using swords and guns.

——In the end, we can only fight with swords...

Thinking of this, Qing Deng couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

If he had a choice, he certainly wouldn't want war to break out.

Although he enjoyed the thrill of battle, he was never one to take pleasure in killing.

However, given the current situation, war with Choshu is inevitable.

——Now that the confrontation has been contained, we can only weaken the opponent as much as possible.

As for how to pacify the Western Kingdom, Qing Deng never planned to act recklessly.

He always regarded "sending troops" as a last resort.

Before officially launching the war, the first thing he had to do was to weaken and alienate the Western feudal lords as much as possible so that they could not unite.

Choshu was a mortal enemy and there was no room for negotiation.

Therefore, if one wanted to alienate the western feudal lords, one could only make trouble among the three feudal lords of Satsuma, Tosa, and Hizen.

In fact, Qing Deng had already started taking action long before launching the "Mito Campaign".

He sent envoys to Satsuma, Tosa, and Hizen, promising them huge benefits and trying his best to win them over.

He had only one request for the three feudal lords: even if they did not side with the shogunate, at least remain neutral.

Just because of the wolfish ambition shown by Saigo Yoshinosuke (the actual leader of Satsuma) during the "Choshu Conquest", Qing Deng could no longer trust Satsuma.

Because Satsuma is unreliable, the focus of this attempt is on Tosa and Hizen.

The Tosa Kinno Party, which advocated the rule of Tosa no Ryūryō, has completely disappeared, and the current leadership in Tosa is the "Three Heroes of Tosa" headed by Goto Shojiro.

Goto Shojiro's uncle was Yoshida Toyo, a former Tosa councilor who opposed the Sonnō Jō Movement.

Perhaps influenced by his uncle, Goto Shojiro has not shown any hostility towards the shogunate so far.

If you want to win over Tosa, the success rate is not low.

As for the Hizen Domain...it's hard to say.

Compared with other feudal domains such as Satsuma and Choshu, Hizen Domain was not active, had a low presence, and always appeared as a "transparent" domain.

But in fact, neither Aoto nor Western leaders such as Saigo Yoshinosuke and Katsura Kogoro dared to underestimate the Hizen domain.

The reason for this is very simple - the Hizen Domain, which seems to have little presence, possesses the highest technological power in the West... no, in the whole of Japan!

Satsuma started its modern reforms very early, and Hizen Domain started its reforms even earlier than Satsuma!

The current lord of Hizen Domain (the tenth generation), Naomasa Nabeshima, is a wise leader with extraordinary abilities.

Because of his proficiency in business operations, he was praised by businessmen as the "Abacus Master".

Because he was very interested in medicine and Western studies, he was also called the "orchid-loving daimyo".

While other feudal lords were living in confusion, Naomasa Nabeshima was the first to realize the importance of Western science and actively carried out reforms.

As early as 1831, 22 years before the "Black Ship Incident," the Hizen Domain had already begun military reforms, purchasing advanced guns and artillery and hiring Western instructors.

In 1852, one year before the "Black Ship Incident", Naomasa Nabeshima established the "Fire Technology Research Institute" and the "Seirein Technology Research Institute" to specialize in scientific and technological research.

Today, the Hizen Domain has a reverberatory furnace that produces iron, the Mietsu Naval Institute that can build warships independently, a refinery that can make guns and cannons independently, and the Kodokan that specializes in teaching Western science...

The biggest help that supported Naomasa Nabeshima to complete this series of achievements was the extremely terrifying talent pool of the Hizen Domain! It was really full of talents!

Naomasa Nabeshima recruited a large number of scientific research talents, including inventor Hisashige Tanaka and industrialist Tsunetomi Sano.

Speaking of Tanaka Hisashige, this man is truly a god.

This person showed a talent for mechanical manufacturing since he was a child, and in his twenties he made a mechanical puppet that did not require human power.

After being recruited by the Saga Domain, he served in the Seirei clan as a samurai, and participated in the manufacture and research and development of steam machinery, ships, and guns and cannons. He made many achievements and became famous throughout the world.

With the full support of these top talents, the technological level of Hizen Domain is increasing day by day.

You know, Qin Jinfan only recently built a military factory.

As for scientific research departments and modern educational institutions... they are far inferior to those of the Hizen Domain.

Because of its extremely high technological level and its stably operated military factories, the Hizen Army had an extremely high rate of firearms assembly and extremely strong firepower.

This is the strength of the Hizen Domain...it should not be underestimated!

To give a vivid example - the Hizen Domain is like an overweight weight. No matter which side it falls on, it will cause the scale to tilt significantly!

In recent years, Naomasa Kojima has rarely interfered in world affairs and has always remained neutral.

Because he kept a certain distance from the imperial court and the shogunate, Naomasa Nabeshima had another nickname: "The Monster of Hizen".

It is not difficult to see that Naomasa Naoto was unwilling to "place a bet" too early and wanted to wait until the world situation became clearer before choosing sides.

It is unclear whether the Hizen clan can be successfully won over.

After all, no matter how many benefits Qing Deng gave, they could never be more than the profits earned after "destroying the Edo Shogunate"!
Defeat Qing Deng, eliminate the shogunate, and establish a brand new country... Is there any benefit in this world that can be greater than the achievement of founding a country?

Qing Deng had no idea what the leaders of Satsuma, Tosa, and Hizen were thinking. Did they want to maintain the status quo or covet higher power? He could only take one step at a time...

……

……

Choshu Domain, Hagi Castle——

Katsura Kogoro stood on the castle tower of Hagi Castle and looked out at the magnificent scenery in the distance.

——I won…

Although he regained control of Choshu several days ago, he still finds it hard to believe it today.

Even though his feet were firmly on Hagi Castle, he couldn't help feeling dazed.

——I actually won…I actually won…

Since he dared to revolt, he naturally had the confidence to defeat the "secular faction".

But... he never expected that he could win so easily! So quickly!
During the entire uprising, not a single tough battle was fought. Whether it was the initial surprise attack on the Shinchi Club or the subsequent strategic decisive battle (Battle of Ota), it was the same process: a charge, the enemy collapsed, and the battle ended.

After only a few battles, the "secular school" collapsed.

After the war, the casualties of the entire army were counted and the number of casualties was less than three digits.

Katsura Kogoro truly experienced the pleasure of the Jin Dynasty when it destroyed the Liao Dynasty and the Northern Song Dynasty with a crushing force - the enemy looked very powerful, but was actually vulnerable.

Because he won so easily, he had an odd feeling that he had "picked up a regime for free."

——If I had known this, I should have risen up earlier.

Thinking of this, Katsura Kogoro couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook his head.

After the fall of the "Secular Faction", he became the undisputed supreme leader of Choshu.

After taking power, he immediately put forward various demands to Maori Norihika: re-employ "righteous" officials, liquidate the "secular faction", and make "respecting the king and expelling the barbarians" the basic national policy...

The flag on the city wall was changed, and overnight, the political landscape of Choshu changed dramatically again... Mori Yoshichika was very calm about this.

Anyway, no matter which faction is in power, what he wants to say is the same:

"Well! Let's do it!"

This morning, at the strong request of Katsura Kogoro, Mori Takashige and his son held a temporary sacrifice to apologize for the riots and pray to the ancestors to bless the Choshu domain so that there will be no more thorns on the road.

Indeed, it is cause for celebration that we defeated the "secular school" at lightning speed before Qingdeng intervened.

However... the real challenge is yet to come! Compared with the "Secular Theory Faction", the shogunate forces headed by Qing Deng are the real threat!
Just like Katsura Kogoro unified Choshu, Aoto also unified the entire shogunate not long ago!
From then on, there was no longer any distinction between "Nanki" and "Hitotsubashi" within the shogunate.

Tokugawa Iemochi is in a coma, the "Ichibashi faction" has been expelled... Under such circumstances, the Tokugawa shogunate has become the "Tachibana shogunate"! All shogunate retainers obey Aoto!
For Qing Deng today, his sphere of influence is no longer limited to Qinjin, and he can now call upon all the resources of the shogunate!

Although the two successive "Edo Siege Wars" caused heavy losses to the shogunate and greatly damaged its strength, the situation in Choshu was even worse!

Since the Battle of Shimonoseki, Choshu has suffered repeated heavy losses and its national strength has continued to decline.

Yesterday, Katsura Kogoro carefully inspected the existing troops in Choshu.

After receiving the exact data, he couldn't help but gasp - he couldn't even gather a regular army of 2,000 people!

Qin Jin alone is enough to make the current Choshu unable to cope, let alone the combination of "Shogunate + Qin Jin".

If you want to compete with Qing Deng... the only way is to unite Satsuma, Tosa, and Hizen to establish the "Western Alliance"!
Only in this way can we have the capital to fight against Qing Deng!

But the question is...how to do it?

How much profit must be offered to win over Sa, Tu and Fei?

Katsura Kogoro looked up at the sky, his mind drifting to the distant three feudal lords of Satsuma, Tokugawa and Hiba, and he unconsciously fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, Omura Masujiro's voice came from behind him:

"Mr. Gui! Mr. Gui!"

Omura Masujiro once again demonstrated his ability to "appear suddenly" and appeared behind Katsura Kogoro out of the blue.

Katsura Kogoro has gotten used to this.

"Mr. Omura, what's wrong?"

"Iwakura Tomomi of the imperial court requests an audience!"

"Iwakura Tomomi?"

Upon hearing this familiar name, Katsura Kogoro's eyes widened and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

The shocking "Keio Incident" made the world remember the name "Iwakura Tomomi" forever.

After Iwakura Tomomi kidnapped the emperor, the crown prince and the two sacred artifacts, he seemed to have evaporated from the face of the earth and no trace of him could be found.

Without thinking too much, Katsura Kogoro said:
"Bring him here!"

Omura Masujiro agreed and slowly retreated.

In a moment, he brought a middle-aged man back to Katsura Kogoro - the other party was Iwakura Tomomi whom he had not seen for a long time.

Looking at the dusty Iwakura Tomomi, Katsura Kogoro smiled:

"Mr. Iwakura! Long time no see!"

Iwakura Tomomi smiled:
"Mr. Gui, long time no see."

Katsura Kogoro has always valued Iwakura Tomomi and always kept in touch with him.

In 1862, he was ordered to resign from his official position, become a monk, and was forbidden to go out. However, Katsura Kogoro did not ignore him and continued to visit him as usual.

The reason why Katsura Kogoro favored Iwakura Tomomi was because of his outstanding talents and his prominent status as a court official.

Having an ally of extraordinary talent among the court officials is definitely a matter of great benefit with no harm.

"Mr. Iwakura, where have you been all this time? I've been looking for you, but I can't find you."

Iwakura Tomomi smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"I am ashamed to say that after rescuing Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, I headed straight to Changzhou."

"I never thought that before I even reached the border of Changzhou, I would receive news that the 'Secularism Faction' had launched a coup."

"As a last resort, I can only find a place to hide and wait and see how the situation develops."

"Thanks to Mr. Gui's heroic power, the 'popular theory school' will be wiped out in a matter of seconds, just like a grasshopper in autumn."

"After receiving accurate information that the 'Justice Faction' had regained control of Choshu, I rushed to join you without stopping."

After saying this, Iwakura Tomomi paused, then put on a faint smile.

"Mr. Gui, now that things have come to this, there is no turning back. I can only fight alongside you and make a big fuss together!"

After hearing this, Katsura Kogoro nodded vigorously with an excited expression.

"Mr. Iwakura, let's turn this upside down together!"

Iwakura Tomomi brought the Emperor and the Crown Prince to Choshu... For Choshu, this was undoubtedly a timely help.

Although the emperor has no soldiers under his command and only has a resounding title, this may be a trump card as long as it is used properly!
The Emperor and the Crown Prince are in Choshu - if this matter gets out, it will surely greatly inspire the fighting spirit of those who advocate national independence!
Thinking of this, Katsura Kogoro couldn't help but feel his heart surge.

However, at this moment, he suddenly thought of a very important question, so he immediately asked:

"Mr. Iwakura, where is His Majesty?"

The physical conditions of the royal children and court officials were so weak that one was weaker than the other!

Their daily entertainment is reciting poems and writing essays. They are extremely lacking in exercise and have an unhealthy diet. No matter what dish they eat, it all tastes the same - tasteless and without any nutrition.

The distance from Kyoto to Choshu is not short.

It was a long journey, and the fragile bodies of the Emperor and the Crown Prince might not be able to withstand the fatigue.

Fortunately, Katsura Kogoro soon received a reassuring reply:
"His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are both safe. However..."

The last word "but" made Katsura Kogoro's heart, which had just been relieved, hang in the balance again.

"Just what?"

Iwakura Tomomi replied with a complicated expression:

"Your Majesty does not want to come to Choshu, does not want to be an enemy of the shogunate, and does not want to participate in the Sonjo Movement."

"He has been on a hunger strike recently in protest."

"No matter who comes to persuade, it's useless."

After hearing this, Katsura Kogoro was stunned.

"Your Majesty is on a hunger strike... this..."

As he murmured, he grinned, revealing a complicated expression.

The political stance of the current emperor is known to the world.

He had no intention of changing the current political order of "politics is controlled by Tokugawa, sacrifices are controlled by me", and only wanted to maintain the status quo.

The fuse of the "August 18th Coup" that year was that the Emperor was unwilling to get involved in the Sonnōjō Movement, and even more unwilling to be a puppet of the shogunate, so he sent a secret order to Matsudaira Yoshiyasu (Lord of Aizu Domain), and only then did Qing Deng and others have the righteous intention to start an uprising.

Although he was the supreme leader of the Sonjo camp (in name), his heart was with the shogunate... This is what is called "black humor".

Although he felt helpless, Katsura Kogoro still calmed down and said to Iwakura Tomomi solemnly:

"Iwakura-kun, please advise His Majesty. The dragon's health is the most important."

Iwakura Tomomi nodded slightly:

"It's natural, I'll do the best I can."

Having said this, he paused.

He seemed to be organizing his words.

About 5 seconds later, he spoke again - his tone became lowered:
"Mr. Gui, we can persuade you temporarily, but not forever."

"If Your Majesty keeps going against us, we will be in trouble."

"So, it would be better..."

Having said that, he raised his right hand and made a "beheading" gesture at his neck.

"Kill the Emperor! Put Prince Mutsuhito on the throne!"

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