However, he escaped harm with the assistance of his uncle Masayuki HOSHINA, the former Tairo (chief minister) and Lord of Obama Domain in Wakasa Province (from the time of Iemitsu) Tadakatsu SAKAI and Roju (member of shogun's council of elders) Nobutsuna MATSUDAIRA, Tadaaki ABE and Tadakiyo SAKAI who were able retainers called Iro (old retainer) of the Kanei era.
しかし叔父の保科正之や家光時代からの大老・酒井忠勝(若狭国小浜藩主)、老中の松平信綱、阿部忠秋、酒井忠清ら寛永の遺老といわれる名臣の補佐により、この危難を乗り越えた。