Tokugawa Iemochi isn't stupid, how could he agree?

But those Western countries flaunt their power on this land, and the thought of xenophobia grows increasingly radical among the people and the Imperial Court.

How can he consolidate his own power?

Tokugawa Iemochi fell into deep thought.

He felt suffocated being the Conquer Barbarian General, with outside countries and internal feudal lords all eyeing him.

Yet the Shogunate currently lacks the power to suppress them.

"Alas."

Tokugawa Iemochi let out a deep sigh.

The light flickered, and in the shadows, a figure suddenly emerged.

"How dare you!"

With a loud shout, a samurai guarding outside burst through the door. He was not tall, but his eyes were fiercely intimidating, and he drew the katana from his waist.

The blade stabbed straight towards the emerging shadow.

The speed was swift.

To the extent that the blade emitted a rapid whooshing sound through the air.

What surprised Aozawa was that there was a streak of pitch-black smoke drifting on the samurai's face, clearly not a normal human.

Are there such differences in parallel worlds?

Aozawa thought, but he didn't take action, the shadow he was cloaked in instantly extended forward.

The blade skimmed past the intangible shadow, failing to sever it, instead allowing the shadow to wind upward and bind the samurai in place.

Tokugawa Iemochi was about to shout for help, seeing this scene, he quickly halted the idea of calling for aid.

He gestured to stop the two samurai who appeared later, "Don't take action."

He said while standing up.

Thanks to the good food of the Shogunate, Tokugawa Iemochi stood at 173 cm tall, wearing a luxurious kimono.

The color scheme was deep purple, embroidered with patterns like dragons, phoenixes, and peonies to signify his noble status.

His appearance should have been handsome, but he purposely kept the chonmage hairstyle.

Few men could pull off this hairstyle.

Tokugawa Iemochi was clearly not the kind who could, making him appear particularly unattractive.

Only his fair skin diminished a touch of the ugliness.

Aozawa couldn't understand why they liked the chonmage hair.

"You must have something to say if you visit at such a late hour."

Tokugawa Iemochi was unattractive, but his personality and abilities were decent; he just had bad luck, becoming the next-to-last Conquer Barbarian General of the Shogunate.

Historically, he initiated two expeditions against the Choshu Domain, attempting to strengthen the authority and unification of the Shogunate.

He died young due to illness, paving the way for Tokugawa Yoshinobu to become the last Conquer Barbarian General at the end of the Shogunate.

Of course, these are the insights Aozawa gained from history lessons.

He saw this figure from history but didn't have many thoughts, indeed he wasn't considered a famous person.

After the end of the Shogunate, he planned to go to the Three Kingdoms to take a look.

If talking about which historic period Aozawa liked most, undoubtedly it's the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Aside from Sun Quan, he liked all other figures from the Three Kingdoms.

The Tang Dynasty also had obvious regrets; Emperor Xuanzong of Tang should have died earlier.

His thoughts involuntarily drifted to the future, not responding to Tokugawa Iemochi in front of him.

The brief silence made Tokugawa Iemochi feel awkward; after all, he was the Conquer Barbarian General of the Shogunate.

Though the authority of the Shogunate had declined, it's not to the point of being ignored while asking questions.

But he didn't say it outright.

The samurai bound by the shadow couldn't help but shout, "You impudent one, standing before you is Tokugawa Iemochi, the Conquer Barbarian General, hurry and answer!"

"Annoying."

Aozawa glanced over, and the shadow instantly transformed into a mantis scythe, severing the samurai's head.

Blood sprayed out.

The two samurai were stunned, wanting to step forward with their swords.

The shadow split in two, swiftly restraining them.

Under the layers of shadow binding, they couldn't even draw their swords.

Tokugawa Iemochi's expression slightly changed, but he didn't make any excessive reaction.

In the end, the samurai were just tools in his hand.

Dead is dead.

The crucial point is the opponent's displayed ability is strong.

Among the samurai beside him, they were not ordinary samurai but Demon Warriors.

The so-called Demon Warriors are humans with yokai blood.

As for ordinary people, they can easily take on a thousand.

Unfortunately, the ironclad ships and cannons of the Western countries are even more formidable.

"I apologize for the rudeness of my subordinates. May I inquire what brings you here?"

Tokugawa Iemochi bowed.

He understood clearly that the authority of the Conquer Barbarian General was built upon power. Without sufficient strength from the shogunate, the authority of the Conquer Barbarian General would inevitably decline.

This is a universal truth, not altered by the arrogance of the Conquer Barbarian General.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have bowed to Western countries.

Aozawa smiled and said, "You certainly have good judgment. I've come here to lend you a hand.

The shogunate has been established for so many years, and I think it's good to continue its existence, without the need for respecting the Emperor and expelling foreigners."

"Are you willing to lend me your support?!"

Tokugawa Iemochi's face was full of delight.

Aozawa withdrew the shadows from two warriors and laughed, "If I didn't want to help you, I wouldn't have shown up here.

Let them leave, I have a secret topic to discuss with you.

Don't worry, if I wanted to kill you, no one could stop me."

Tokugawa Iemochi smiled slightly and said, "I trust you, please come to the next room to discuss important matters!"

...

Due to the previously deceased warriors breaking in, the study was no longer suitable for discussions.

To better talk, Tokugawa Iemochi led Aozawa to another reception room.

The surroundings were elegantly arranged, with lights on, exuding an ancient charm.

Aozawa was not accustomed to the Edo style of sitting, so he sat cross-legged directly on the cushion.

Tokugawa Iemochi saw this and didn't insist on the traditional sitting position, instead mimicked Aozawa, sitting cross-legged on the cushion. "Lord Aozawa, the current domestic situation is dire. Do you have any strategy to save the nation that you can teach me?"

He had a face full of humility.

The hard-won position of Conquer Barbarian General, he didn't want to easily hand over power to others.

Aozawa raised a finger and said with a smile, "The method is very simple, and that is to completely eliminate the Xenophobic faction.

Suppress all discontent with the most iron-fisted means to maintain your ruling position."

Tokugawa Iemochi wanted to roll his eyes.

Of course, he also wished to do so, but the shogunate's power was too weak to accomplish such a thing.

In his view, Aozawa's strategy was like pointing to a small room and saying you could fit a ship inside, without mentioning any methods.

If it weren't for the constraints of power, he would have turned faces already.

He continued to ask, "I am somewhat dull-witted and do not know what specifically to do?"

"Let the people of the Choshu Domain set fire to Kyoto, wipe out the Emperor's family, and then pin the blame on the Xenophobic faction of the Choshu Domain.

By then, in the name of avenging the Emperor, order the various domains to join you in attacking Choshu and kill all the traitors of the Choshu Domain!

This will serve to intimidate any small-minded villains!"

Aozawa's unveiled scheme left Tokugawa Iemochi dumbfounded.

He immediately shook his head and said, "No, how could we exterminate the imperial family? This, this is utterly treasonous!"

Not only was the imperial family noble, more importantly, he had married the daughter of Emperor Komei.

Wouldn't that move mean eliminating his father-in-law and brother-in-law's entire family?

That idea of public-private integration would end completely.

Aozawa's face darkened and said, "At this time, it's either the Xenophobic Patriots and the imperial family die, or the shogunate perishes.

Or do you wish to be remembered in history as the incompetent last Conquer Barbarian General of the shogunate?"

Tokugawa Iemochi furrowed his brows tightly and decided to strike hard internally in dealing with the Emperor, Xenophobic Patriots, and foreign powers.

"People aren't fools. How dare Choshu Domain do such a thing?"

"You needn't worry; I've already received concrete information that people from the Choshu Domain are planning to set fire in Kyoto and abduct the Emperor to Choshu."

Aozawa patted his shoulder and said, "You just need to appoint me as the Kyoto Shugoshoku.

Before September, you can gain the righteous cause and wipe out those from the Choshu Domain."

After much thought, Tokugawa Iemochi gritted his teeth and said, "Everything is entrusted to Lord Aozawa!

However, I cannot revoke the Kyoto Shugoshoku position at will now. How about sending a trusted aide to orally convey information to Matsudaira Katamori to assist you in your actions?"

He chose this approach so that in the event of failure, he could completely deflect responsibility.

Regarding any trusted aide, he claimed complete ignorance.

Once a public official position is granted, people wouldn't believe it had nothing to do with him no matter what he said.

"Alright."

Aozawa laughed and he only needed an identity.

As for status, with his power, who could refuse?