I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 94 Persuading the General to Reform
Early the next morning, Yagyu, wearing the official's crimson uniform, entered the Great Oku to meet the general Tokugawa Iemo.

After the two sides greeted each other, Tokugawa Iemo said in a friendly manner: "Jubei, you and I have not seen each other for nearly two years. I have heard about your behavior in Kyoto and you did a good job."

Yagyu saluted and said, "Thank you for the compliment, General. Everything I do is because I don't want to live up to the expectations of you, General."

Ogasawara Nagayuki asked reproachfully: "Humph, I'm afraid that what Yagyu-sama thinks in his heart is different from what he says? The shogunate arranged a meeting in Kyoto to be responsible for the safety of Kyoto. As a result, you alone have the final say in Kyoto's security. I didn’t take the shogunate, Kuwanahou, Aizuhou, and Hitotsubashi-sama into consideration.”

Yagyu explained: "This is the arrangement of His Majesty the Emperor. If the shogunate is allowed to take charge of Kyoto, Satsuma, Choshu and other lords will only take the opportunity to cause trouble and resist the shogunate. Only the imperial court can suppress Satsuma and other lords.

Sir General, in today's world, it is no longer the time for the shogunate to make a single decision! "

"Presumptuous!" Ogasawara Nagayuki was furious and shouted: "Yagyu, how dare you say such rebellious words!"

Yagyu looked directly at Ogasawara and said: "Ogasawara-sama, what are you still insisting on? Outside the Sakurai Gate, Ii-sama was assassinated. In the next three years, the anti-barbarian faction assassinated people everywhere. The shogunate, with the help of the imperial court, proposed the integration of public and military affairs, which gradually stabilized the situation. .

Now that the imperial court is sitting in Kyoto, the male vassal does not dare to act rashly, which is why the shogunate is at peace today. But you and the old and middle-aged people are trying to use the mantis as a chariot, and do not know how to reform and revitalize the country. Instead, they are still thinking about suppressing the male vassal, causing the Choshu vassal to jump over the wall. Today's situation is the same You waited too long! "

"You...you are so eloquent!" Ogasawara Nagayuki immediately looked at Tokugawa Iemo and said, "Shogun, we are loyal to the shogunate and have no ulterior motives!"

Tokugawa Iemo comforted everyone and said: "Ogasawara worked hard for the shogunate and worked very hard. Jubei said it over."

Yagyu looked at Tokugawa Iemo and explained patiently: "Shogun, although I am presiding over the reform in Kyoto, it is limited to Kyoto, Osaka, and ports such as Kobe, and the intensity is limited.

In the eyes of the Western countries, we are still a small and backward country. Once we lose our use value, we will be swallowed up by the Western countries.

If the shogunate launched a civil war and conquered Choshu at this time, this move would only drag down the shogunate's fragile finances. Although the shogunate had French support, their support was not unlimited.

Once they feel that there is no reward for supporting the shogunate, they will stop. How will the shogunate deal with the Satsuma Domain who is supported by the British?

I believe that the current shogunate should work with the imperial court to discuss with the feudal lords to govern the country. During this period of time, the shogunate should reform the administration, improve finances, and establish a new army, so that it can become the head of state leading the country.

If the shogunate still wants to rely on its prestige of more than 200 years, it will only use it once or once.

The Choshu Domain is determined to die this time, and the Shogun must not underestimate the Choshu Domain. "

Tokugawa Iemo nodded slightly and said: "Jubei, I understand your thoughts, and I will consider your suggestions carefully.

Speaking of which, Jubei, you have started to reform in Kyoto. I would like to hear your views on things in Western countries. "

Yagyu did not talk about Western things directly. He first said: "After the reform was carried out, the newly established police station encountered an assassination by the anti-barbarian faction not long after. Four police officers with superb swordsmanship were neatly killed by one person.

I noticed that this man was very skilled in swordsmanship and was not inferior to me, so I lured the opponent to take action alone. This man Kawagami Hikosai was really powerful. His sword-drawing speed was much faster than that of me. However, such a powerful swordsman was forced to use the revolver. Knocked down with one shot.

General, now the police officers in the police station are equipped with foreign guns. If a swordsman like Kawakami Hikosai appears, it will only be a matter of one shot. The era of swords is over, and next is the era of guns.

The general also knows that the swords of the Qing Dynasty have been defeated twice by the guns of Britain and France. "

Tokugawa Iemo nodded and said: "I know, so the shogunate asked the French to help establish a new army."

Yagyu shook his head and said: "Sir General, although guns are powerful, they only depend on the person. If someone else holds the gun, they may not be able to kill Kawakami Hikosai.

Kawagami Hikosai's sword attack was done in the blink of an eye. If a person was weaker than Kawagami Hikosai, he would be slower than Kawagami Hikosai and shoot him because of nervousness.

Learning Western science and technology is just a way to enhance national strength. The real way lies in people.

Lord Shogun, can the current samurai of the shogunate really be able to fight again? "

Ogasawara Nagayuki immediately retorted: "As long as the shogun gives the order, the [-]-strong banner army in Kanto can fight to the death for the shogunate!"

Yagyu said loudly: "Ogasawara-sama, why should you deceive yourself? The current banner of the shogunate, plus the strength, can recruit 5 people. Those low-level samurai are extremely poor. I am afraid they can't even get a decent samurai sword now."

As for the more than five thousand flags of more than a thousand stones, do they still have the courage to fight against others?Years of pampering have already worn away their courage! "

Tokugawa Iemo was slightly dissatisfied and said: "Jubei, what do you want to say?" Yagyu saluted and said: "Shogun, let me make it clear that the shogunate system is no longer suitable for Japan today. The emperor and the court hope that the shogun can Learn from the advanced systems of the West, work with all the vassals in the world, return the books, return the army, and then establish a new system."

"Yagyu Heiyan, you traitor!" Ogasawara Nagasaki glared at Yagyu with his eyes about to split.

"Master General!"

Other ministers shouted.

Tokugawa Iemo raised his hand and said: "Jubei, do you know what you are talking about?"

Yagyu looked at Tokugawa Iemo with a straight face and said, "Of course, His Majesty the Emperor will marry his wife in order to unite the civil service and the military. Now is a good time to realize the integration of the civil service and the military."

"I understand. That's all for today. Please step aside." Tokugawa Iemo said in a deep voice.

Yagyu saluted and said, "I have Emperor Chen Han here, and I need to pay my respects to him."

"Come here, take the imperial envoy to see Lord Hegong."

After a while, Yagyu saw Wagoniya.

As soon as Wagongiya saw Yagyu, he asked, "What's the matter with the emperor sending you here?"

Yagyu replied: "The emperor is very concerned about the palace, so he sent this confidant to come and see with his own eyes."

He Gong smiled and said: "Thank you for your concern, brother. I am fine here. The general is a very considerate person."

Yagyu took the opportunity to ask: "Do you know how the shogun is in good health? This is a critical moment for the country. The emperor is very worried about the health of the shogun. He is also looking forward to the early birth of an heir to the shogun."

Wagongong was a little shy about having a child, but with a hint of sadness on his face he said: "General, your health is quite good, but you have a severe toothache recently."

Yagyu thought of Tokugawa Iemo's record of tooth decay, and asked, "Shogun, do you like sweets?"

Wagongiya nodded and said: "Well, the general will eat a lot of desserts and pastries when he is happy or nervous or anxious."

Yagyu immediately said: "This is probably tooth decay."

"What tooth decay?" He Gong asked confused.

Yagyu explained: "I have heard from Westerners that their doctors found that if people eat too much sweets, worms will grow in their teeth and gnaw at the roots of the teeth, causing toothache."

He Gong was shocked and said: "What? There are worms in the teeth. This is terrible!"

With a worried look on his face, Yagyu saluted and said, "His Majesty the General's physical condition is really worrying. Maybe he can have it checked by a Western doctor."

Wagongong said with a serious face: "I understand, I will tell the general."

Yagyu continued: "His Majesty, the biggest task when I come to Edo this time is to prevent the shogun from personally conquering Changzhou. The conquest will be a great burden for the shogun. I am worried that the shogun will not be able to withstand the hardships. For the expedition, please persuade the general with your Majesty the palace.

In addition, I would also like to ask Your Majesty the Palace to urge the General to implement the integration of public and military affairs as soon as possible. His Majesty the Emperor looks forward to the early peace of the world. "

Wagongiya nodded and said: "I understand."

Yagyu didn't stay for long and immediately stood up and left.

In the general's study, Ogasawara Nagayuki was persuading Tokugawa Iemo.

A samurai came to report that Yagyu had left Oao.

Ogasawara Nagayuki immediately said: "Sir General, Yagyu Kigeon will definitely ask Mr. Godaisho to persuade you. You must not believe it. Now Yagyu Kigeon is no longer one of ours. He is just for his own power. Ichisuke How can someone who is a ronin really be a shogunate?"

(End of this chapter)