Decisions
In 1802, the young boy was only 8, and he just could not understand why nobody would make eye contact with him. It would seem that everyone in the city: adults, children, the elders
they merely bowed to the ground whenever he walked by.
Not that he was allowed so much freedom as to have this happen often. His uncle had tried to explain that for some reason he was special; that he needed protection from the commonality that surrounded him. The boy did not know why, but he figured that the world would someday make sense.
Even at 8, the boy knew the meaning of war and of death. He heard his uncle and those that surrounded him curse the names of the foreigners that would threaten the Empire. He approached his uncle in this year and asked him what it was that was frightening the leaders.
My nephew, he said, These are trying times for the Chinese people. Our efforts to better ourselves and our society have made the other people of this world jealous. These people would like to take the knowledge that we have striven to discover, destroy our cities, and kill our people for no other reason than to make themselves seem the more powerful.
But Uncle, the boy replied, If we can learn so much, can we not discover a way to protect ourselves.
His uncle smiled at the budding wisdom that they boy was demonstrating. He knelt in front of the boy and said, One day you will rule this land alone and you will understand. Sometimes one must perform violence to prevent a greater violence, and this is what we are considering now.
The boy again asked, Uncle, what of the men with guns and those that ride the horses? Could there be others out there more powerful?
His uncle smiled, stood, and strode over to a large map on the wall. It was a map of the known world. As he looked at the map he answered almost absently, Ah nephew. Would that your father were here now and not gone as the result of an attack by these men more powerful as you mention. Very soon we will have knowledge even greater and then no one will be willing to attack us at all.
The boy joined his uncle at the map. I see, uncle, that these other cities have great walls around them
that they are well protected from our men on horses. I hear the elders talk that these men also have guns some with more powerful guns than even ours. Surely these guns, any guns, behind these walls would protect all within. Please, uncle, tell me that we will not challenge these men until we can be sure that we will be the ones who win. If our knowledge is what made them all jealous in the first place, why do we not get more and more until we know how to defeat them without loss?
The uncle smiled once more. The childish wisdom cued his own thoughts. Why indeed should he send relatively inferior units against the walls of the enemy? Even with muskets, they would be well defended. Why not put the money, time and effort into building the civilization gaining knowledge, building infrastructure and wonders, growing the population where he can, and ensuring that the people of his cities would no longer be tempted by the monies from other lands.
A revolutionary thought for one so young, and he knew the prophecies of the boy and his leadership would be a reality soon. By for this revolutionary thought, a revolution on a larger scale was needed. It was done.
As the dust was building and the revolution of light continued, word reached the uncle that the Mongols had discovered philosophy and began to industrialize. The Zulus and the Russians declared war upon one another, and the Zulu allies came to the palace to seek audience with the Chinese. The meeting went poorly as the Zulus requested the Chinese declare war upon the Vikings who the violent Zulus were also fighting. The Chinese did not wish to go against the treaty and declined. This made the Zulus cancel their alliance with the Chinese, and the Chinese were without a friend in the world.
1804 (1):
The boy was now 10 and was showing a great deal of inquisitiveness. Why is our democracy so great uncle? Our people do not seem to care for any warfare, and we are threatened by many other lands.
True, said the uncle, but you will learn that knowledge is the greatest weapon of war. Within our democracy, thoughts and ideas are shared freely and will greatly enhance the discovery of new and great things. Also, are people are actually quite happy. They respond to trade with great joy, and our free market gives us a great deal of gold with which to build in all of our great cities. There will also be no interlopers with deep pockets to entice our poorer, outlying cities to turn their back on their heritage.
I see, uncle. But what shall we do if we are attacked before we find out how to stop it?
Ah nephew, our stance on warfare has not ended. Indeed, in strategic areas we are gathering forces to make surgical endeavors. He walked to the map which looked much the same as it did two years ago. Here in SpanishOverlook we are gathering a small force to see what it might do against a Spanish city. All calls to the Spanish have led to their demanding money, so it may only be violence that brings us peace. Here in Tundra Fortress we will also build some forces, but to be more defensive really. We may wish to settle eastward into the coal hills, and we will need to fend off the Mongol forays. In our inner cities, we can no longer depend upon the Zulus to keep their peace. They have much contact with the world now, and I fear that power may give them the idea that they can attack our centers. These inner cities need defenders and attackers alike to deter these. Finally, in the Duchy of China, our forces there will try to do what they can against the Greeks.
Uncle, my teacher of warfare says that it is not good to fight a war in the front a lot.
Laughing, uncle replied, I think you mean to say on too many fronts, and it is true. However, we are not planning full-fledged wars my nephew. We could not afford the money and loss while other civilizations are allowed to discover what the Chinese should discover. No, we will have to find the right time to strike, if at all. This is the true wisdom of a leader.
To the south, a Chinese knight destroys a Mongol cannon but little else.
To the east, freights and diplomats are ready to visit the Vikings.
To the west, all is quiet.
To the north, exploration near Greek Point and other areas
At home, the Zulus are researching Corporation as the Chinese are doing. However, uncle has no wish to wait for them to study it. He does not want to deliver caravans if he can help it for soon they will be freight, but the two caravans in Russian lands are in danger so they are delivered for goodly sums. With democracy, the Chinese should be first to Corporation.
But the Zulus are not still. They make peace with the Russians and receive Chemistry and Theory of Gravity from the Russians while giving away Medicine, Sanitation and Electricity. They then form the Hlobane pact to contain Chinese aggression. The Mongols and Spanish also trade some technology most notable is the Spanish garnering steam engine.
1806 (2):
The boy was now 12, and his uncle was showing him a change in the map on the wall. Do you see this city? It is called Phocaea and it once belonged to the Greeks. The Vikings have lured the citizens with money and now they call themselves Vikings. Be proud of your heritage, nephew, and this will never be seen in Chinese lands.
Indeed uncle, this is why even with a normal allotment of luxuries, many cities are celebrating and growing in population. This is why we are close to discovering something new for our land. Likely it is why the Zulus have decided to also try democracy themselves.
You are learning.
1808 (3):
The boy, now 14, ran in to see his uncle.
Uncle, uncle, he cried, Weve done it, weve done it!
What is it nephew?
Uncle, I have just some from the university. The formulation of a corporation is complete, and we now can double our production from trade. How great. Whats more, we are now laying the groundwork for electronics which might allow us to tap the power of water itself.
Glorious news indeed. I have some additional information for you as well. I believe that you are old enough to read our intelligence reports from the field.
The boy took the scroll and unrolled it before him. He tried to act as if he did this every day, but failed miserably to hide his awe at being able to be so intimately involved in this activity. The scroll read:
Sire: Our plans went as expected. We landed our newly designed coal freight in Viking lands and were immediately approached by the Viking emissary. He demanded 1,000 gold which we refused (as per your orders). This has brought us to war with the Vikings, but the latter part of our plan was then put into order. The coal was delivered to Trondheim (which seems to be a coal repeater btw) and then our sly diplomats went into Viking lands. One went to Hladir and learned the secret of conscription while the other went to Trondheim and learned tactics. This will surely help us to defend our land, though war with the Vikings may be troubling. Our only other report is that the Greeks have become a Monarchy with the Russians have followed us into a Democracy. For the empire
Three valuable bits of knowledge, nephew, which will have repercussions across our entire land and affect every caravan, musketman, dragoon and knight that we have.
1810 (4):
At 16, the boy was told that he was ready to be the head of the Chinese state. The ceremony was short as there was much to do. He would still rely greatly upon the advice of his uncle. Much was being built, including many factories and barracks for what might one day be his own war-making machine. In many other areas, harbors, marketplaces and aqueducts were being rushed to accommodate what might one day be a large population boom. He was also shown that all cities were to have defenders for one knew not where an attack may arise.
The latest intelligence report was of special interest to the boy. The Greek city of Apollonia was found, and as a newer city it did not seem to have city walls. A disturbing note saw that the Russians had discovered something called Atomic Theory and was beginning to research conscription.
1812 (5):
At 18, the boy no longer needed the consent of his uncle, but he still needed the advice.
What shall I do, uncle? I can take this city, I know I can, but we are in a mode for peace. The Greeks will not heed my calls, however.
I remember when you were much younger, I once told you that you would have to decide when you must use violence. For what purpose did I say this?
Uncle, you said that violence is sometimes necessary to prevent a greater violence. That being so, could the taking of their city produce a peace later on?
His uncle merely shrugged. The decision had been made, however, and the newly created Chinese Cavalry attacked the city of Apollonia. The only defender (musket) fell while the cavalry was wounded. A second cavalry then marched into the city and claimed it for China. With fire in his eyes, the young man decided to do the same for Greek Point, and this city was also taken. He thought to ignore the pleas of the Greeks until his uncle brought him to his senses merely by placing tea in front of him.
The new leader smiled and accepted a cease fire with the Greeks. Let them fight the Vikings and spend their money and Greek lives there.
More tech trading had the Chinese leader worried. The Russians received economics and Theology from the Zulus while the Zulus received Atomic Theory, developed corporation and then started conscription.. The dastardly Zulus then stole Tactics from the Chinese, and while the young man wanted war, it was not the time yet.
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:rocket: :tank: :die:
Several of our eastern cities near the Vikings are undefended (Nanking and Chinan are especially vulnerable). Move some defenders there from inland cities that do not need any defense. Rearrange workers in a few cities to get them to celebrate. Rush buy barracks for $160 in Barcelona, there are lots of highly damaged units there. Rehome some units in Barcelona. Population about 19,000,000.
