In August, 1859, the government gave a secret Imperial decree to Mito Domain (who had been carrying out covert action against the Imperial Court), and at roughly the same time the chief adviser to the Emperor, Hisataka KUJO who was a government sympathizer was forced to resign his position.
1859年8月には朝廷工作を行なっていた水戸藩らに対して戊午の密勅が下され、ほぼ同じ時期、幕府側の同調者であった関白・九条尚忠が辞職に追い込まれた。