What Tokugawa Ieyoshi feared most was his frail son.
He had fathered many sons, yet all had died young, and the only one who survived to adulthood, Tokugawa Iesada, had been left weakened and lacking sharpness due to childhood illness.
If his son had been even an average talent, Ieyoshi would not have acted so forcefully.
That was why, before passing on his position, he had tried to restore the authority of the shogunate to its early strength, using every means to pressure the powerful domains.
If he had only lived another year or two, his plan might have succeeded.
Satsuma and Chōshū had even formed an alliance in desperation, yet in terms of raw strength, the shogunate still held the advantage.
But just before reaching the summit, Ieyoshi died of old age.
And the position passed to Iesada, who was still immature.
His weakness was widely known, not only among the shogunate's officials but also among the daimyō.
It was only natural that Satsuma and Chōshū would see this as an opportunity.
There were even voices suggesting that everything should simply be reset now that Ieyoshi was gone.
But such opinions were dismissed outright.
This was no minor conflict.
The shogunate had clearly intended to crush them.
Even if Iesada lacked the will, his retainers might act in his place.
"The conflict has already begun."
"Until the Shogun submits, we must not stop."
"Tosa and Saga have joined us. This is our chance to force the Tokugawa to relinquish the title of Shogun."
Because Ieyoshi's plan had failed midway, it only left fear behind.
Even those who had not sided with Satsuma and Chōshū began to support them in debate.
Their demand was simple.
Return political authority to the Emperor.
If that happened, the Tokugawa would no longer rule as dictators, but merely as the leading daimyō.
Naturally, the shogunate could not accept this.
Even the timid Iesada felt unease.
"They are demanding the return of authority… should we accept?"
"Nonsense. These are the ravings of desperate men. You must stand firm."
"But…"
"If you speak firmly, they will retreat. There is nothing to fear."
Encouraged by his retainer Ii Naosuke, Iesada regained some composure.
Still, he could not hide his anxiety.
"But… what if things go wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"They might actually start a war…"
"That will not happen. Weak dogs bark the loudest. Trust me."
In the end, the weak Shogun followed his retainers and issued an official statement.
The Tokugawa had ruled as loyal deputies of the Emperor for two hundred years.
To deny that was to insult the Emperor himself.
Those who persisted would be punished.
In short—
Be silent, or die.
By invoking the Emperor directly, the shogunate made clear it would accept no opposition.
The choice left to Satsuma and Chōshū was simple.
Submit.
Or rise.
They chose to rise.
"The true ruler is the Emperor!"
"Overthrow the corrupt shogunate!"
They were not acting blindly.
They had already acquired modern weapons.
Other domains, uneasy with the shogunate, supported them.
And they had legitimacy.
Not rebellion.
But restoring imperial authority.
"This is not war. It is a mission to rescue the Emperor."
They even framed it carefully to avoid foreign intervention.
Still, the situation had already passed the point of no return.
If Ieyoshi had lived—
If Iesada had been more capable—
Perhaps this would have been delayed by years.
Instead, it exploded now.
"Punish the traitors who insult the Emperor!"
"Do not forgive the shogunate!"
The entire Japanese archipelago mobilized.
Both sides claimed the Emperor.
Both sides prepared for war.
From an outsider's perspective, it was absurd.
But if both victory and defeat led to ruin—
then it was better to win.
News of Japan's internal war reached me shortly after returning from Joseon to Shanghai.
I had heard hints during the farewell banquet, but chose to ignore them at the time.
Now, I reviewed the reports.
Some predicted the collapse of the shogunate.
Others believed it was an opportunity for consolidation.
Both were possible.
Japan was clearly heading toward chaos.
"Your Highness, should we take measures to protect British citizens?"
"Of course."
Both sides in Japan claimed they would not harm British nationals.
Still, that meant little.
"Your Highness, what are your intentions?"
"The decision has already been made. Let them rest for now."
"…You intend to go personally?"
"Not as a guest this time. As an admiral of the British Navy."
With the naval forces in India, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, Britain could easily overpower any Asian state.
Japan, divided, was no exception.
"We have authorization from Parliament."
Everything was prepared.
"Would this not create diplomatic issues? They claim it is not a war."
Normally, yes.
But I had a justification.
"A dear friend of mine, the late Shogun, entrusted his son to me. As a member of the Tokugawa family, I cannot ignore this."
"…I see."
There was no proof.
But none was needed.
If I said it, it became truth.
"Then the navy…?"
"Think about it. A relative of the royal family has requested aid. We accepted. This is now our responsibility."
The logic was complete.
No other European power could intervene.
"Then we proceed?"
"Of course."
For the sake of a friend.
For the sake of family.
For the sake of the Empire.
And so—
I prepared to enter Japan's war.