FOTS: Making friends and influencing people?

[Ifernat]

Okay, started a Satsuma campaign and to my annoyance the Imperial faction got virtually crushed. I mean at one point I was literally the only Imperial faction left on the map. Now on the plus side I have a solid grip on Kyushu and a fairly solid economy thanks to some raiding which also caused a number of clans to reemerge as rebels. Perfect...only they hate me (since we're technically at war) and they're all pro-Shogun since the province revolted with close to 100% Shogun support.

Long story short I could use some info on the faction loyalty mechanics and how best to go about raiding to carve some friends out of opposite faction AI clans. I flooded one of the revolter clans with ishin-ishi but despite Imperial support over 85% they still haven't flipped. I'd just establish a string of vassals (which immediately flips their faction loyalty) but those seem to count towards the realm divide trigger.

[♔The Black Knight♔]

If your having this hard a time trying to fight the shogunate forces just convert to their side as it will give you some leeway. Then when you hit real divide since there are no other enemy clans just turn rebublic and attack the shogun with your new forces. Usually on lower difficulties the clans will convert easier if you keep your clan support high. Always try for good honor to increase dimplomatic realations and research techs that help too.