The debate between the Preservation Faction and the Abdication Faction soon spread beyond intellectual circles.
In most urban centers, posters advocating for preservation or abdication appeared nightly, cluttering walls.
Initially, these posters were filled with Chinese characters, but at some point, posters written in hiragana began appearing more frequently.
Perhaps to demonstrate strong conviction, some posters were written in katakana. Seeing walls crowded with posters in hiragana and katakana, older people clicked their tongues.
“We sent them to those national schools or whatever to study hard and advance in life, and now…”
“Back in the day, when suddenly two Mikados appeared, everyone suffered terribly, but here they are talking about preservation and abdication… This will lead to civil unrest again!”
“Now that life’s gotten a bit better, they’re doing useless things!”
“How many years has it been since we suffered from the war!”
Among those who had struggled during the Northern and Southern Courts period, very few survived to this day. However, countless people still remembered the civil war between the Muromachi Shogunate and Ouchi, and the subsequent civil war between the Ouchi, who had seized power, and the Kuge (court nobles) who tried to take it back.
Those who remembered the pain of these civil wars disliked the heated debate between the Preservation and Abdication Factions.
Despite the fierce debate, the Abdication Faction was generally gaining the upper hand.
Many daimyos and lords of various domains, who could be considered the core of the existing system, had fallen due to civil war and the abolition of the domain system. The Kuge, who could have been the Emperor’s most reliable supporters, had mostly been exterminated during the last civil war.
In this situation, the Abdication Faction’s voice grew louder.
“We acknowledge the contributions of the emperors who have led our Yamato. But even the moon wanes when full. A new era requires a new ruler!”
“The Emperor is a symbol of outdated customs! We need a new symbol!”
“Look at the history of China and the Empire! Emperor Xian of the Later Han abdicated to the founder of Wei, and King Gongyang of Goryeo abdicated to Taejo, the forerunner of the Empire! This is a gateway that must be passed to advance to a new era!”
The moderates within the Abdication or Cession Faction cited Chinese and Joseon history as examples to argue for abdication.
However, some voiced more radical claims.
“The current Emperor lacks legitimacy! He should be expelled!”
“Right! Since the Northern and Southern Courts conflict, the Emperor’s legitimacy has disappeared! We cannot recognize the authority of an Emperor without legitimacy!”
“An unbroken lineage? How can that be proven! He should be expelled, no, purged!”
While the voices demanding abdication grew louder, in some regions, the Preservationists held the advantage.
***
Kyoto was the most prominent such region.
“What? Not only did they secretly take the Mikado away, but now they say he should abdicate? Have you ever seen such traitors!”
“Sellouts! Is power granted by someone who is at best a ‘Commander-in-Chief of Japanese Forces Assigned by Joseon’ so appealing?”
Those who had mocked the Ouchi clan’s assertion that “Japan must abandon old customs and adopt new culture to develop,” known as “talwaeipjo,” attached the derogatory term “hangwae” (Japanese who surrendered to Joseon) to the Ouchi clan.
Kyoto people particularly enjoyed using this derogatory term. They did so out of pride.
It was the pride of being the center of Japan, the capital since the Heian period, home not only to the Emperor but also to the shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate.
“Hmph! Country bumpkins from Kyushu!”
“Mere hangwae who lick Joseon’s rear end!”
When the Ouchi, who had been called hangwae, seized power, they changed the term to “Commander-in-Chief of Japanese Forces Assigned by Joseon.”
“Hangwae calling themselves shogun! Commander-in-Chief suits them better!”
“Right! They should be grateful we even call them Commander-in-Chief!”
Of course, using such terms openly would certainly result in punishment, so even the proud people of Kyoto used them secretly.
However, as the debate between the Preservation and Abdication Factions surfaced, the atmosphere in Kyoto grew increasingly tense.
“What do these traitors plan to do with the Mikado?”
“We must overthrow them!”
And some people began secretly gathering weapons or recruiting fallen samurai one by one.
***
Meanwhile, among the Preservation Faction, some individuals began to decide on using force.
Interestingly, a significant number of those who resolved to use force were moderates.
“They have covered the shogun’s eyes and are leading him down a wicked path! We must eliminate them!”
“We must purge these corrupt officials!”
Their assertions gradually evolved.
“We must eliminate the corrupt officials and enlighten the shogun to return the position of Kampaku to the Emperor!”
“This happened because the shogun also assumed the position of Kampaku! It must be returned to its original state!”
The seeds of “daijōfukan” (returning political power to the Emperor) had begun to sprout.
Those who decided to use force began implementing their plans as soon as they were ready.
Their method was assassination.
***
In the high-class residential area of Yamaguchi.
A palanquin carrying a high-ranking official of the Ouchi Shogunate was moving along an extended wall.
Since it was quite late, people carrying lanterns illuminated the path in front and behind the palanquin.
Meanwhile, in a secluded alley along the official’s route, several people had gathered, eyeing the procession.
“Here they come!”
“Fortunately, there aren’t many guard warriors!”
After confirming the situation, they looked at each other and nodded.
“Let’s do it!”
“Oh!”
“Go!”
Chang! Chwachangt!
The men simultaneously drew the swords from their waists and rushed out of the alley as one.
“Eliminate the corrupt official!”
“Eliminate the corrupt official!”
As the men with drawn swords rushed in, the samurai responsible for protection drew their swords in panic.
“It’s an attack!”
“Protect the tono (lord)!”
Before long, the residential alley in Yamaguchi became a scene of tragedy filled with blood, screams, and death.
**
As such assassinations began occurring not only in Yamaguchi but in many urban centers, Yoshinori immediately made a decision.
He issued the “Sword Prohibition Edict.”
-Those without permission from the shogunate or the court are prohibited from wearing swords.
-Any violators will be immediately arrested and severely punished.
However, the Sword Prohibition Edict provoked considerable opposition.
Although the shogunate had been in power for a significant time, there were still many areas with unstable public security.
“In these times, you’re telling us to go without swords? Are you telling us to just die?”
While some rejected the Sword Prohibition Edict for their safety, others opposed it for different reasons.
They were fallen samurai and descendants of warrior families.
“The sword is our pride! We absolutely cannot give it up!”
In response, the Ouchi Shogunate’s approach was carrot and stick.
-Unstable public security will be addressed by deploying police officers on a large scale.
-If no one carries swords, there will be nothing to fear.
Therefore, those who do not follow the Sword Prohibition Edict will be immediately arrested.
-Those who enter the shogunate’s Inspection Department or military will be permitted to wear swords.
Not only will they be permitted to wear swords, but they will also be given appropriate ranks according to their abilities.
The samurai and descendants of warrior families who had refused the Sword Prohibition Edict fell into deep thought upon seeing these last two clauses.
Most of them had refused to serve due to their opposition to Ouchi and matters of pride.
However, they were also increasingly facing financial difficulties and gloomy about their uncertain future.
But if they joined the shogunate’s security organization or military, they could solve both their financial difficulties and uncertain future.
They just had to bend the pride they had maintained all this time.
Eventually, they split into two groups.
One group decided to join the shogunate, while the other chose to join those resisting the shogunate.
The divided groups vehemently criticized each other.
“Traitors!”
“Fools who cannot see the future!”
***
Although the shogunate strongly pushed the Sword Prohibition Edict, those opposing it continued to resist.
Considerable casualties occurred during the process of subduing them, and officials pondered solutions.
“Confronting swords with swords inevitably results in casualties.”
“That’s right. Especially since it’s too common for the resisters to have superior swordsmanship.”
“We also need to prevent assassinations, but this is such a…”
Those seeking a good solution once again turned to the Empire.
“Import weapons from the Empire?”
“The best approach would be to bring in designs for domestic production. While ammunition might be impossible, we should negotiate to produce the weapons themselves.”
“So what kind of weapons are these?”
To Yoshinori’s question, officials immediately answered.
“The cavalry pistols or short guns used by the Empire.”
***
Under Hyang’s leadership, Area 51 had developed the “Six-Chamber Cavalry Pistol,” based on the “Colt 1860 Army,” for cavalry units.
The cavalry used these pistols quite effectively.
As copper shell casings became established over time, these cavalry pistols were either modified or newly produced to use cartridges.
From this point, the cavalry pistol was no longer exclusive to cavalry units. Selected as the basic armament for Imperial Army officers, the cavalry pistol became known as the “short gun.”
And these short guns weren’t only used by the military. They also became the standard equipment worn by constables of the Police Bureau, alongside their truncheons, iron whips, and arrest ropes.
***
Since the Empire was already using them effectively, the shogunate officials immediately thought to import them.
Many had previously proposed their introduction, but they hadn’t been imported for one reason.
They were quite expensive.
However, given the current situation, importation had become necessary.
“Nevertheless, if we could produce them ourselves, we could reduce costs, which is why negotiations are necessary.”
“Hmm…”
After pondering the officials’ words, Yoshinori made his decision with a resigned expression.
“Select envoys to send to the Empire.”
“Yes, sir!”
Despite making this decision, Yoshinori had concerns.
“While importing short guns from the Empire is the answer, it will take time. We need an alternative to bridge the gap.”
To Yoshinori’s point, an official immediately responded.
“Yes, sir! That’s why proposals have been submitted to select those with excellent swordsmanship from the Patrol Department and military to form a separate organization.”
“Good. Implement it. Has a name been decided?”
“Not yet, sir.”
“Is that so? Then…”
After thinking briefly, Yoshinori picked up his gold pen and wrote a name on blank paper.
“How about this?”
The name Yoshinori wrote was “Battōtai” (Sword-Drawing Corps).
This marked the birth of an organization that would make the Preservation Faction and anti-shogunate activists tremble, and even cause ordinary people to fear its notorious reputation.