 He was in favor of "oibara", but first sent a petition to the "bakufu", requesting that the fief be transferred to Asano's younger brother, Asano Nagahiro, titled Daigaku.Before this petition reached the authorities, however, "bakufu" officials arrived at Akō and the fief was surrendered.Ōishi repeated his request for the appointment of Asano Daigaku as the new daimyō of Akō, and while the "bakufu" deliberated, the Akō samurai could take no action for fear of compromising Asano Daigaku.