 On 26 October 1876, Maebara gathered a group of like-minded "samurai" in Hagi, the former capital of Chōshū Domain, and proposed a lightning strike against the Meiji government offices located in Yamaguchi, the capital of Yamaguchi Prefecture.As his forces numbered only around 100 warriors, it was decided to make a night attack, with the date set at 28 October.However, the Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture was informed of Maebara's preparation and sent word to him with news of the crushed Shinpūren Rebellion, and urged that he stand down.