NES2 V - The Great Game.

[Thlayli]

The following scene takes place in the Shah's Citadel, a large fortress overlooking Shiraz.

"Good morning, gentlemen. I trust the reports from our allies have been...acceptable?"

"Good morning, sire."

"The new operations are set and ready. We seem to have had a setback in the area of the Sikh diplomacy, apparently that several irate members of the Parliament of the Federated Kingdoms actually attacked the Persian ambassador after his proposal of...well..."

"We all know what the proposal was. I didn't expect them to accept it, but we don't want to have to deal with a war on multiple fronts if we can avoid it."

"That is where I come in, sire. The recruitment efforts have met with exceptional success. Our offices in Shiraz have been overwhelmed with volunteers, and we are currently selecting the best for Officer Training."

"Excellent. Will you need additional space?"

"Extra funds to open recruitment centers in Nishapur and Bandar-e 'Abbas would be much appreciated, my lord."

"Done. Meet with Ibrahim tomorrow and he will allot you the required money. Now as for the campaigns for this coming year..."

"We expect to begin in late January, my lord. The Engineering Brigades have completed their technical training, and are proceeding to the final stages of demolition work. They will be ready to work in cohesion with the Army by February."

"Good. As for cooperation with the Army of Afghanistan, what is the progress on that front?"

"Apparently General van Derhuyt is in an uncomfortable position. He has fanatical Turkmenis in front of his soldiers and barbarous Sikhs behind. We have set up a supply route through Kalat, but his hold on Kandahar and Kabul is tenuous."

"See to it that 5 divisions are ready to operate in the theatre we discussed."

"No more, my liege? It might be prudent..."

"We have all the retreating space in the world in Kalat, Mustafa. I think that the situation in Shiraz is more dire."

"I see your reasoning, my lord. However, cooperation with our friends in the Northern Theatre is essential, I must add."

"Don't worry, Mustafa. You will get your operation. I will, of course, hand you full control of all military north of Yazd. Make good on your oath of allegiance."

"As you wish sire."

"And as for you Malik, the defense of Yazd is yours. You will work in cohesion with the Corps to this end. Now, what have the Chinese communicated to us?"

"The Chinese Army has met with excellent success. Samarqand and Bukhara were captured with less than two divisions lost. They maintain at least 32 active divisions in the area, and can move in more, depending on how the Japanese situation develops."

"Good. Send them the tactical maps that you drafted. Now, Intelligence sent me an interesting report regarding your former aide, Mustafa."

"I was notified as well. He has made significant progress. He expects to begin clandestine activity in March, if organization proceeds as planned."

"I see. The Turkmenis may have overlooked several factors in their "lightning war," and now is the time to exploit them."

"Ibrahim. We are going to use the Reserve Fund to continue the Palace. Progress must continue at a steady pace, or the people will lose faith in us. Will you be able to manage the economy with the extra strain?"

"It will be a difficult task, sire. I will rise to the occasion."

"Very well. You all have your assignments, and I expect full reports in three days. Things will begin again soon, brothers, and if Allah is to be with us, we must show ourselves deserving of the honor."

"Aye, Ardashir!"

 

[Insane_Panda]

THE TREATY OF TURIN
Signed 1862 Anno Domini

The Empires of France and Holy Rome, seeing that the continuation of war in Italy will only lead to further chaos and destruction, and that it will solve nothing, propose this treaty of Turin to bring about a ceaseation of hostilities, and to reunite Italy under it's proper ruler.

The terms of the treaty are as follows:

I. Italy shall be reunited under the Kingdom of Italy, and ruled over by Carlo Emanuele IV.

II. The World shall recognize Carlo Emanuele as the proper King of Italy, and will cease recognition of Umberto or Pope Benedict XV as soveriegn rulers of their own states.

III. The city of Venice, being formerly owned by the Holy Roman Empire, will return to the aforementioned State.

IV. The Papal States will be formed as a small enclave consisting of St. Peter's Basilica and the immediate area within the City of Rome. This shall be recognized as Papal and Church Land, and will be the only worldy territory of the Pope.

V. The Pope will cease his demands for an enlarged Papal States or face distruction by the forces of the Holy Roman Empire and the Empire of France. Failure to recognize King Carlo Emanuele IV will cause a failure for the nations of Europe to recognize Benedict XV as Pope, and will cause the dissillusionment of the current Papal States, with all lands being returned to the Kingdom of Italy.

VI. The Pope will not be allowed any military force other than the Swiss Guard, which will number no more than 1,000 men at any given time.

VII. Both the Nations of France and the Holy Roman Empire shall give a garuntee of independence to the Kingdom of Italy, and Italy shall renew its previous alliance with the Empire of France.

VIII. Upon the signing of the treaty, all hostilities are to be immediately ceased.

Signed by Representatives from the Holy Roman Empire and the Empire of France

Awaiting the Signatures of Representatives from the Kingdom of Italy and the Papal States

 

[Thlayli]

Persia joins Europe in praising the Empire of France, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Kingdom of Italy for their wise and prudent decision in restoring order and justice in Italy.

May the Italian Peace last a thousand years.

 

[alex994]

OOC: guess which book I got this story's inspiration from...

As Ming Xi strode towards the door of her chamber, being opened for him by his aide, Fan Le called him back in a soft and weak voice. For a moment, he considered pretending to have not heard her, so avid was the Prince of China to launch into a life of martial glory. But…

She was the Taigu Fan Le after all. Archduchess and Governess of Korea and later the Emperor’s representative to Korea and Japan, daughter of the great Emperor Qianlong and a woman whose life had been illustrious and renowned in it’s own right winning great victories with a stroke of a pen in the diplomatic circles. Even now, on her deathbed, no man could dismiss her lightly. Not even the Emperor of China’s younger brother.

The prince’s aide, certainly, was not inclined towards rebellion. Hong Zhu had the door closed long before the prince had finished making his mind. When Ming Xi turned around Fan Le croaked a laugh at the look on his face. “Oh my dear boy! It’s not so bad as all that! Wasn’t I the one, after all, who told you to leave off all those damned Confucian service clothes and start wearing a soldier’s apparel?”

Grudgingly Ming Xi nodded. Then, not so grudgingly gave his elderly great-aunt a genuine smile. He had not been exactly pleased when the needs of the state and his mother’s will had forced him to take the State Examinations and enter the Confucian Civil Service. Ming Xi had wanted a soldier’s name and titles, not “Inspector-General.” But he was a dutiful son of China for all that he chafed under the necessity and reality of politics.

Once he arrived to take up his new duties in Seoul, however, his grand aunt had urged him to cease wearing Confucian raiment. As she had for decades, Fan Le was trying to bring a final lasting peace to Korea. Confucian regalia, she’d informed the “Inspector-General” would simply inflame many of his subjects. Whereas even the most Nationalists Korean could respect a soldier, especially one who followed the policies of peace and prosperity instead of the iron fist.

Ming Xi had needed no further urging. In truth he was basically inclined to heed Fan Le’s advice. Still, he was a young prince on the very eve of his first great test in battle, and the last thing he really wanted to listen to was more of the cautions of a very ill and elderly lady. “Please Ming Xi, whispered the old woman, the tears of a lifetime beginning to leak into her eyes. “I will be gone soon and can do no more. Please. If you triumph, follow the legacy of peace. My legacy also. Give peace to this long-tortured land.”

Not even a brash young prince could remain indifferent to the appeal in those ancient eyes. He lowered his head. “I promise, Taigu Fan Le. I gave you my word and I will keep it. There will be no “Chinese Fury.” Genghis Khan is dead and buried. Let the savage old man remain in his grave.”

“Not enough!” Tired and sick, the voice was, and quavering with age. But, at least for a moment it was still a voice sired by Qianlong, a voice of authority and strength. “Not enough!” I want your word on the settlement!” The Inspector-General hesitated. He planned to conquer, after all, not to “settle.” And what self-respecting conqueror in history would settle for the same terms which his opponent had turned down in negotiations? Why give back what has been taken?

But… whatever he thought of his great-aunt’s wisdom, he could not face those ancient eyes stricken with tears. And perhaps she was right anyways. She was wise, still, even on her deathbed. “Agreed,” he said softly. Then, more firmly: “I swear, on my honor. Blood of China. Even if I win, after I win, I will impose the terms we advanced at Kyoto. Nothing more.” A last spark of rebelliousness drove him to add: “Nothing less either you understand.”

Fan Le smiled. “Oh to be sure. I am no fonder of Japanese then you are nephew. Especially not those foul fanatics led by Hijitsu.” Firmly: “I certainly see no reason that our own way of life should not be practiced freely in towns with Chinese garrisons!” The smile faded. “But keep that stinki- the Confucians. On a leash Ming XI!”

On that subject, nephew and aunt were in full agreement. The young eyes which met old ones were bred by the same dynasty. The Qing Dynasty of China had often been accused of extravagance and corruption; they had never once been accused of lacking royal will. “The Confucian Bureaucracy serves at the discretion of the Chinese Throne outside of Chinese Proper,” growled Ming Xi. “And I am a Prince of China as well as a Court Official. I will keep them on a leash. A very short leash as a matter of fact.”

Fan Le closed her eyes, nodding. Then waved her hand. “Go, go. Glorious youth, all that. Do try not to get yourself killed.

 

[Thlayli]

OOC: Nice story. Now, about that map, and that other thing?

 

[alex994]

OOC: What other thing? If u mean about the $ yes I agree. The map will be posted tomorrow while I write another story.

 

[Thlayli]

Excellent.

 

[alex994]

Outside, as they walked side by side down the narrow and damp corridor of the palace, Ming Xi glanced at Hong Zhu. “Your job, that. Keep them on a leash, Miguel. Muzzle them, if you have to. I will support you in every particular endeavor.” “Be my pleasure.” Hong Zhu’s growl was that of a man in middle age, not a youth. Different in timbre, different even more in the depth of the gravel. The voice had knowledge, and years of experience behind it. “Damn them, anyway. The grief they caused us, everywhere we went. Ha!” His rough, scarred face broke into a narrow grin. I’ll say this for those cursed Japanese. When those Confucians tried to drive the soldiers back to the walls, their soldiers singled them out for the killing.”

But the grin faded, within three steps. Hong Zhu had been the commander of the Chinese Army destroyed in Honshu and was one of the few survivors who managed to escape across the strait into Korea on a fishing boat. One of the worst defeats in the history of the Qing Dnasty that had been. Precious few times in history had a Chinese Garrison Force been simply wiped out in a matter of months by a inferior force made of natives. Hong Zhu had been lucky afterward to have been simply disgraced instead of imprisoned. As it was, he had spent several weeks in the tender graces of the Confucian Military Inspectors being tested if his failure reflected his lack of “Confucian education.”

He had been about to be “re-educated” and demoted. The Inspector General had saved him, then. Just as Ming Xi had been the man who insisted on adding Hong Zhu to his expedition to Korea and Japan. In the months since, the veteran general had come to have a great deal of respect for the young prince of China. Headstrong he might be, and no “might” b about it. Rash, reckless, given to taking chances… yes, yes, yes certainly. But he listened. And, if nothing else did not share the automatic assumption of a Confucian Official that they already knew all the secrets of the ancient art of war.

The corridors of the palace were a bit chilly and damp, despite the season. But it was not the chill of the evening which caused a momentary shiver in Hong Zhu’s shoulders. He, not self-satisfied Confucians in their villas had been the one who saw the death and slaughter which the Japanese had unleashed upon his soldiers. Like some kind of hideous band of demons out to gain their revenge. And he, not them, had seen the skulls of his soldiers smashed open by samurai swords carried by irregulars.

Reading books and manuals written by brilliant tacticians and strategists centuries ago, the latest being from the Nine Years War was one thing. Seeing the carnage of war in person was another. Talking about massed rifle fire was different then seeing and ordering it out in person. It was easy to read about the terrible wounds of war. It’s totally something else to see the wounds in person. Skin and flesh slashed with swords, entire faces blown off from a piece of building blasted off with cannon. Decapitated heads, severed arms and limbs. It was enough to make a soldier release the contents of his stomach.

The shiver came, and went. Hong Zhu was a soldier after all. And he did have the pleasant memory of seeing the skulls of arrogant Confucians shattered as well. “On a leash,” he repeated. “Leashed and muzzled.”

 

[North King]

You know what, I only need to see the last update's map. I quit.

 

[conehead234]

My orders will be in tomorrow.

 

[Thlayli]

Are you kidding NK? Don't you dare quit! I have read enough of your NESing to know you're not a defeatist.

Our situation is not that bad.

Read your PM box, darn it. And read the update. You aren't going to give up.

Edit: Seriously, you aren't.

Edit2: I'm not joking.

Edit3: In all seriousness, I will hunt you down if you quit.

 

[Insane_Panda]

Mon dieu! Mon dieu!

 

[Thlayli]

Certainement.

Edit: The snipers are in place, North King. Don't you dare bail on me now...

 

[North King]

Look, I could crush them. I could write a dazzling order set, that would win all the wars I'm in. But I'm not going to. Five pages of hard work were lost in the last update due to a single, stupid mistake. Now, just because das has to update offline (*rolls eyes*), half the isles are rebelling, the Sikhs are rebelling, Denmark wants to break off, god knows how many other jerks are trying to nibble away at my empire.

Just so you know, Kal, half your little "strikes" would have failed if I had gotten orders in (I was taking a great deal of measures against all rebels), the Sikhs would have been crushed before they got off the ground; etc. Yes, I can rebuild. But I don't really care anymore.

 

[Thlayli]

Don't give up. You're letting your allies down as well. Write the orders, and win the victories. Prove it to me, I won't see you quitting because of a simple mistake.

Look at the troop strengths of the rebels in the stats. Seriously.

Honestly NK, you're one of the best NES'ers on the forums. Just give it a try, you can't surrender after one turn.

 

[Stormbringer]

If NK is really quitting and not coming back then I am up to the challange of taking the FK and getting them out of this mess. If he changes his mind then I would love to take the Pope.

If Das could let me know which one he would prefer for me to take, and PM me the information I should know about that country I would apreciate it.

 

[Kal'thzar]

Just so you know, Kal, half your little "strikes" would have failed if I had gotten orders in (I was taking a great deal of measures against all rebels), the Sikhs would have been crushed before they got off the ground; etc. Yes, I can rebuild. But I don't really care anymore.

NK, I did say I was disapointed.

 

[silver 2039]

Woot! I finished my Biology, Chemistry, and Physics exam today!!! 30% of my grade...pretty long test 16 pages but it was fairly simple not too difficult. I have my Math exam tommorow.

Anyway I'll try to finish my orders today.

 

[silver 2039]

I can get orders to you by tommorow afternoon my time.

Maybe earlier if I use a school computer but I'm paranoid about getting tracked by the adminstrator so proably in the afternoon.

 

[Thlayli]

Stormbringer, if das says you are the FK, I will make sure to send you the current plans. Please contact me at the soonest opportunity.