However, at the time, the principal figures of Saccho (Satsuma, Choshu, Tosa Domains) (Koin KIDO, Toshimichi OKUBO, Takamori SAIGO, Taisuke ITAGAKI, Aritomo YAMAGATA, and others) had left Tokyo leaving their complete trust in Sangi (councilor) Saneomi HIROSAWA and others, to recruit the members Goshimpei (army to convoy the emperor) and gather them in Tokyo as a preparatory measure prior to the Haihan-chiken (abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures), and to promote further reform of domain duties of their respective provinces.
しかし、この当時、薩長土の枢要（木戸孝允・大久保利通・西郷隆盛・板垣退助・山縣有朋たち）は、廃藩置県の準備として御親兵を東京に集めるため、また自藩の藩政改革を更に推し進めるため、参議広沢真臣らに全幅の信頼を置いて東京を留守にしていた。