The History of the World VII . . . .

[Robert]

Asoka, King of India



After the murdering of Ghandi, his brother, Asoka was able to regain his strength. The people talked about Asoka, who came back from mental death. Asoka informed himself on the situation on Terra and made his conclusions. "There's war all around us, we can not stay unprotected and wait till the barbarians come and cover us in darkness!" he said. He ordered the training of an army. He trained himself and prepared himself to lead his people if he needed to.

He also ordered many of the best Indian soldiers to go to Bulgaria and investigate the murdering of his father. For his father was death. He knew that by now. He had talked to him, moments before the death of his brother. He had healed his spirit and explained the golden path to him. Asoka knew what he had to do.
And he had found peace in it.

"India will not fall as long as I am alive!" he said to his people! "We will train an army big enough to counter all peoples of Terra together, if they decide to march against us!".
Asoka knew what he was about to do. India was in good hands. His father would be proud on him. The people whispered to each other that the wisdom of his father was shining in the eyes of Asoka. Asoka heard them and he knew that they were right. He would be remembered as the King of India who brought wealth and happyness to the cold fields of Rho-Delhi.

"India will not fall as long as I am alife!" he had said.
And that would appear to be a long time. Asoka did not die. He barely aged at all in fact. "That's because I'm chosen to fullfill the golden path" he said.

The golden path of Asoka!
The legendary golden path of Asoka!

[OzzyKP]

Umar ibn al-Khattab inherieted a strong Arabia that had fought the mighty Choson to a standstill while simultaneously vanquishing the Celts and reducing them to a client state of the strong and growing Islamic Empire.

His immediate predacessor, Abu Bakr, the first Muslim Caliph negotiated an end to the Choson war, an important move that promised to secure Arabia's southwest border for many years to come. Caliph Abu Bakr's reign was short but important.

Abu Bakr died on in Medina. Shortly before his death, likely of natural causes (one tradition ascribes it to poison), he urged the Muslim community to accept Umar ibn al-Khattab as his successor. The community did so, but the succession continued to inflame matter of controversy. Many Muslims believe that the leadership should have been assumed by Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet.

Umar, as the second Caliph, continued the holy Jihaad started by Muhammad himself years ago. Like the Celts, the Kushren to the north were monotheistic people but suffered under a Buddhist ruler who silenced their pleas to worship Allah in peace. With the Choson war over, Umar was able to divert his full attention to striking the Kushren. He sent the renowned General Khalid bin Walid, hero of the Celtic war, to subdue the Kushren menace.

Some felt that General Khalid bin Walid had been too quick to invade the Celts without waiting for a proper answer to their demands. So with this campaign Caliph Umar traveled to Jerusalem to oversee negotiations personally before Genral Khalid was allowed to attack. A significant attempt both publically and privately was made to convince the Kushren king to embrace the teaching of Allah and his prophet Muhammad and listen to the pleas of his people to avoid bloodshed, but the tyrant refused. No matter what Umar offered, the Kushren refused to negotiate and refused to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

With a heavy heart, Umar released General Khalid upon them. Khalid's troops were hardened veterans of both the Celtic and Choson wars and easily captured the Kushren city of Paris. To be sure the Kushren put up far more of a fight than the Celts, but the outcome was never in doubt.

Liberated from their cruel masters in Rice City, the Kushren people of Paris readily adopted the revelations of the Prophet Muhammad.

Once again Caliph Umar attempted to negotiate with the Kushren, but again they were ignored. General Khalid once again prepared his men for battle....

[OzzyKP]

Crisis in Arabia & Civil War

Umar would not live to see the conclusion of the Second Kushren War however. A Celtic slave in the house of the deposed King destroyed his life with the assassin's blade.

On his deathbed, Umar picked 6 men and told them to elect from their number his successor. The two leading candidates were Uthman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abi Talib. After three days of deliberation, Uthman was elected the third Caliph of the Muslims.

Uthman, was a member of the leading Meccan family of Ummaya and was indeed the sole representative of the Meccan patricians among the early companions of the Prophet with sufficient prestige to rank as a candidate. His election was at once their victory and their opportunity. That opportunity was not neglected. Uthman soon fell under the influence of the dominant Meccan families and one after another of the high posts of the Empire went to members of those families.

The weakness and nepotism of Uthman brought to a head the resentment which had for some time been stirring obscurely among the Arab warriors. Uthman's rule seen as corrupt by many detractors widened the split between his supporters (Sunnis) and the supporters of Ali (Shi'a).

Despite many detractors, Uthman was the first to begin writting down the Qu'ran, out of fears that different versions of the oral tradition passed down since Muhammad would lead the growing Muslim community to further divide.

Ali accepted the council's decision and served under Uthman faithfully, however not all his followers joined in his obedience. After a few years of rule, Uthman was assassinated. Ali denied involvement, but Uthman's family accused him of planning (or at least not opposing) the assassination plot.

The people rallied behind Ali though to become the next Caliph. Initially he refused, fearing it would look opportunistic and make it seem like he had a hand in the assassination, however he eventually relented and was named the 4th Caliph.

The Sunni supporters of Uthman did not accept Ali as the next Caliph. Most vocal of these opponents were Uthman's kin, and governor of Damascus, Mu‘awiyah and Aisha, one of Muhammad's wives and the daughter of the first Caliph, Abu Bakr.

Both raised armies against Caliph Ali and a full fledged civil war was upon the Arab world.

Aisha struck first. Her army marched on Ali's stronghold in Baghdad but was defeated in the Battle of the Camel, so named for the many camel archers employed in the battle. Ali was a righteous man and spared Aisha allowing her to live out the rest of her natural life in Medina.

Despite the victory over Aisha, Ali's forces were weakened from the battle and unable to defeat the forces of Mu‘awiyah. The civil war waged for several years of battle, arbitration, and ultimately ending in Ali's assassination.

At last the Muslim world was again united. Mu‘awiyah was declared the sole Caliph, but not without heavy cost. Shi'a Muslims harbored deep resentment toward Mu‘awiyah and indeed even his supporters proclaimed him to not be a Rightly Guided Caliph like the previous four.

[deity]

Choson Strategic Update for Tan-gun II [private]

Arabian wars
The war with Arabia is ended. The terms of peace, not to be disclosed, are mutually beneficial; and the Celts are also now a free nation.
Advise troop redeployments.

The Arab attack on the Kushrens is believed to be a technicality but our old friends have become quite stubborn and protracted this conflict unnecessarily.
Advise that we do not get involved as Kushren leadership is in turmoil and any efforts on our part may be wasted.

Arabian bloc
There appears to be a powerful tech trading bloc between England, Bulgaria and Arabia. One has learnt Education and now believed to be on Liberalism. Without the Arabian war the Choson would have been ahead in this tech race so it is believed that the Bulgarians benefited from the Arab attacks on us and at the same time Arabia was updated with technologies. This is not precise intelligence but a probable estimation.
Advise that we continue to re-build as fast as possible since this destructive war and continue our settlements and joining of tribal cultures in the New World. But we are forced to maintain the burden of high maintenance and high troop costs – something the Bulgarians have clearly not had to worry about.

The Vikings
Our secret arrangements with the Vikings are currently null and void, pending re-negotiations. Their leadership is also in turmoil and for hundreds of years we were dis-allowed from negotiating with them. They were our best hope of countering the Arab/Bulgarian/England tech bloc. But they did not send troops quick enough to the Arabian war, nor did their much touted Western Alliance ever amount to anything which forced our hand to make peace. It should be noted that the Choson would have held its ground indefinitely if war had continued but at huge cost to both sides. Things would have been different with Haakon back at the helm when a key technology was gifted to us along with significant gold.
Advise that we re-negotiate with the Vikings as soon as possible.

The New World
Astronomy has not been traded with any other nation. All our New World plans have been much delayed. This has been detrimental to all the Western nations and in particular the smaller nations who would have settled in the New World by now.
Advise that we keep Astronomy to ourselves and gift a galleon to at least two of the neediest nations.

Technologies
I advise that we maintain our current course and attempt to establish a counter bloc to the Arab/Bulgarian/England tech bloc. Most likely candidates are Vikings and China or Egypt. All deals must be within international laws that restrict tech trading.

Dipomatic credit for the Choson
I advise that now we are at peace your original diplomatic program can truly unfold.
* Earn respect through peaceful integration with the New World villages
* Loyally support friends
* Provide gifts support for nations in need of help regarding land area and terchnologies

NB Historically the Choson have gifted technologies with no strings attached to: China, Celts, Kushren and the Bulgarians(!)
Nations likely to receive future support include India and Carthage.

Wang

[OzzyKP]

TWELFTH SESSION 1140 AD

India(Gandhi) - CyberShy
Egypt(Ramses) - condor223
Vikings(Ragnar Lodbrok) - AI
China(Qin Shi Huang) - Kunolijm
Choson(Wang Kong) - Deity
Inca(Huayna Capac) - Levi_the_Oracle
Kushren(Napoleon Boneparte) - AI/Conquistador45
England(Victoria) - AI
Celts(Brennus) - AI
Arabs(Saladin) - OzzyKP
Carthage(Hannibal) - Rykoffe
Bulgaria(Cyrus II) - Toni


Session 12 Number of Cities (since session 11)

Choson - 13
Inca - 10 (+1)
China - 10
Bulgaria - 10
Arabs - 9 (+1)
Celts - 8 (+1)
England - 7
Kushren - 6
Vikings - 6
Egypt - 6
India - 5
Carthage - 4

[condor223]

The Warrior's Pool
======The Warrior's Pool======
Heavenly Blue, Pool of delight
Cleanse my wounds, heal my limbs.
Rest this old soldier, worn by trouble.
I, a whirlwind from the desert,

The smoke of burning towns.
Of willing hands, the working mounds
The past unrolls in my mind, to sit before this pool.
Words are no solace, old man, he grumbles to himself,

Your life fades into crimson sheets
Lances of sunlight, swords of purple, blue and rose,
The banners of many nations have passed beneath your feet!
The ride across the sea, the terror of the deep.

Your feasts, the fears, the joys,
The chosen life of camaraderie.
The grip of death, the enemies defeat..
Thunder wrenched the ground beneath your feet.

As you mounted the stairs into the enemies' keep
Lifting up your sword, with steeled, clenched teeth!
The light.. and rain.. so foreign, so sweet.
Stripes of men upon the sand, hurtling to each other.

Horses scream, metal glints,
The smell of war in desert sands.
Now and again we fought at home and in those foreign lands
Ahh, to hold the ring of gold, right from Pharaoh's hands!

"All I remember now," he nods,
..... "is the taste of blood and sand."

"Grandfather wake up! Tell me again! Tell me about the Hyksos and your adventure with Pharaoh."

"Well, Little Hawk, if you could fly, to see my world... I went so far away...... I will tell you the story of.....:"

The child ran with his ball, and grandfather reclined remembering more.. Ah yes, the Bulgarians, two decades of promises and then the betrayal. India was right, they had no gifts for us in good faith. It was only for betrayal and false alliances. Why did I tell the Indians that Bulgaria was a friend? Is it not true our capitol is starving, the people have left.

Indeed, we were willing to ask India to restrain herself, but without the promised research, we knew instantly that they only abused our good faith. Ah the dead! Nevermind that later they offered again. It was not intended as a gift from an open heart.

It is silence needed now. The big eat the small, like here the crocodile will eat the bird.

[condor223]

With the mass exodus from Thebes, Hatshesut ordered the closing of palace doors. Her nephew was on a ship, and was not aware of Egypts losses.

There are no builders of boats left in the city for our exploration. A generation will pass before more people come to Egypt.

[Robert]

The books of Asoka - Diaries of a madman

Below you can find the diaries of my brother, Asoka.
I found them in his office and decided to publish them to the world to expose what really happened during his reign. I do denounce all of his actions and India cannot be hold responsible for the actions of a madman. Not even if it was my brother.

January 13th 1023 AK
Father left to negotiate peace between the Romans and the Bulgarians. I'm putted in charge to lead the Indians. His command to me was: "Lead our people in wisdom and peace. Love them like they are your own children. Rule them till I return. I can see that my spirit is upon you. May the grace of Krisna bless you". The words of my father brought tears into my eyes. I feel proud, proud that his spirit is upon me. Proud that he is my father. And I'm also humble, a lesser son of a greater king. I will do all that's in me to lead our people to a great future.

December 24th 1024 AK
No word from father yet. Ghandi and I discussed some issues regarding the training of our troops. Eventhough there's no king leading our nation Ghandi, Ila and me are being respected and obeyd by our people. Some tongues claim that our father will never return.

March 11th 1025 AK
The war between the Romans and the Bulgarians is over. The Romans were totally defeated. Many of the Roman people came to India and are among us now. Many of them protest in front of the gates of our palace. No word from Father.

November 28th 1025 AK
Eventhough the Roman was is over for months already we didn't receive a word from father. A messenger has been sent to Bulgaria to gather more information.

January 8th 1026 AK
We still didn't got an official response from the Bulgarians. Our messengers didn't return. No word from father. I insisted that we should do all that is in our power to find out what happened to him. Ghandi fears for the worse. I cannot believe that my father is death! Who would kill such a powerfull man? Another messenger has been sent to the Bulgarian capital.

August 18th 1029 AK
Arabian troops invaded Celtia.
The Celts were not capable to defend their cities. Before help could be requested from other nations the Celts had to surrender. The Arabians fight for their new religion, Islam. The world is in fear. No word from the Bulgarians regarding our father.

August 23th 1029 AK
The Choson have declared war upon the Arabas to help their friends the Celts. Arabian troops invaded Choson territory. Many casualties have been made. Bulgaria sent false claims about my father. An angry response has been sent to the Bulgarians.

April 2nd 1031 AK
Our allies let us down once again. Not only are they tightening their relations with the Bulgarians. They also hardly supply any technological advancements to us while their research is being funded by Indian money. Indian techs do spread to Egypt and China very regularly though. Word has been spread that there's no research happening in the Chinese cities at all.

June 14th 1036 AK
My father where art thy?
Why do you let me down?
You promised to return to lead us once again!
My father why do you not respond to me?
Why do you let me feel so cold and so alone?
Come back to me and save my soul!
Please speak your words into my ear.
Show me the road show me the way.
I will obey.

June 24th 1036 AK
Ghandi suggested that we would officially announce the death of our father and crown me king. I have summitted him to go away and not speak about these things again. I cannot claim the throne of India while my fathe is still alive.
Our allies once again publicly showed their doubts regarding an invasion of Bulgaria. It seems like the Bulgarians have casted a spell upon them. They believe that Bulgaria will help us. I do not believe these untrustworthy barbarians. Their words are filthy.

October 1th 1037 AK
The war between the Choson and the Arabians has ended. I have sent a secret messenger to Muhammed and asked if the old pact made by our forefathers would still be honored by the Arabians. The pact was signed centuries ago and contained that the Indian would not investigate the secrets of Divine Right while no Arabian troops would ever harm the Indians or it's allies.
The messenger returned to tell me that Muhammed had died and I was the first to hear about it. His successor promised to honor the pact of old and greeted us and wishes us well.
He wished that Islam would bless us one day.

Extracts of the message from Abu Bakr, First Caliph of Arabia:

please note that our ancient pact is always at the forefront of our minds, and it shall be honored to the letter. Of all the heathen religions of the world, your Krishtianity is the least objectionable and thus we mean you no harm.

I am certain you will find the wisdom of Allah to be as life changing as have the Arabs and Celts.

Finally, the original terms of our agreement extended to you and your allies (Egypt and China), so please make it known that Arabia will honor that agreement and does not plan to invade or harm any of the SouthWest Alliance.

October 2th 1037 AK
Returned a message to Abu Bakr and asked him to send Islamitic missionaries to India since his wisdom impressed me. If Krishnianity means allies like weasels who'd rather comfortably ambrace the help of our arch-enemies, then I'd rather be a muslim.
No word from father. It's driving me crazy.

October 15th 1038 AK
I'm currently in the Viking cities at the meeting of Haakon to discuss the terms to end the Arabian agression against the free nations. I do not feel any need to limit the Arabians. Their leaders seem to be wise and I admire their strength. Sent a message to Abu Bakr:

I send this letter in the spirit of this pact.
As you may have seen am I, on behalve of my father, on behalve of the Indians, taking part on the Viking meeting against the Arabian agression. I want to suggest the following to you and I trust you to keep this letter secret, since nobody knows about it. It's written by myself and not by my secretary, as you can tell by the ugly handwriting.

- I will stay in the Viking meeting and try to be a prominent member of it. I will ask for sanctions against Arabia but insist that no aggression against Arabia must be done for the sake of peace. I think that serves you best since you will never be able to fight all nations of Terra at once.
- I am interested in Islam. Like I have sent Krishnian missionaries to Arabia in the past to teach you all about Krishnianity, I ask you to send muslim missionaries to India and spread the news of the Qu'ran in all cities of India. If the message appeals to us we will concider to make it our state religion.
- You support India when India will claim the Bulgarian cities in the west that are clearly build in Indian territory. Long have the Indians accepted this, but now the Bulgarians may have killed my father, we still haven't heard anything from him, we can no longer tolerate their presence in our regio.
- Our phylosophical identity and the knowledge that spreads from the Great Library brings forth many great people whoms insights help our civilization forth technologically very much. So far we have shared our insights with the behind Egyptians and the behind Chinese. We do not believe that this brings the Indians much further since even their research rates are high because of Indian money. Krishnian money I must say. I am willing to sign new trade pacts. If I share my knowledge I must receive protection in return.

I am looking forward to your reaction on this letter.
The answer will be kept confidentially.

December 25th 1038 AK
Many nations in Terra are grouping together to fight the Arabians. I have used all that's in me to stop them to fight my friends the Arabs. Some nations agree with me. Time has been bought for the Arabians.

December 27th 1038 AK
A message came in through China to Egypt and India. The Bulgarians are willing to protect us against Arabian agression. (As if I need protection against my friends the Arabs!). The Bulgarian claim that their friendship is growing cold and they seek to join the alliance against Arabia.

A 2nd Bulgarian message comes to me. It contains more lies regarding my father. I cannot trust the wolves. Their messages stink. I can never allie with them. And I never will. Ghandi urges me to not end any connections with Bulgaria right now. Asked China to keep in touch with Bulgaria and asked them what they can offer us in exchange for our friendship.

Sent a message to Mecca:

I send you the letter I received from Simeon of the Bulgarians. Pay good attention to the bolded out part in which Simeon promises to help us against any Arabian invasion. Apparantly the friendship between Bulgaria and Arabia is not so solid from the Bulgarian point of view.

In response to your message, we are aware of the new shores of Tan in the west of Terra. The Choson have offered us to bring three Indian armies to it so we may colonize the barbarians on the northern island.
It must be said though that I prefer a more solid Indian precense on the old continent. The current presence of the Bulgarians is an insult to both Egypt and India. As we speak are the Egyptian borders already pushed back far into Egypt.

As we speak an alliance is formed against the Bulgarians. Not by me but by other nations who are offended by the large territory occupied by these warmongers. I am looking for what is the best interest of the people of India to push the Bulgarians back. And I also seek revenge for the loss of my father for whom I blame the Bulgarians.

I will be open and clear with you.
I can continue the current Indian-Chinese-Egyptian alliance, but I do not see much profit in it for the Indian sake. They are backwards, their economy can only exist because of Indian contributions. The Chinese haven't discovered new technologies for a long time and the Egyptian research rate is low and not inspiring.

I'm looking for a strong allie who can help me serving the best for the people of India. I will be loyal to these allies. I am willing to forsake the old religions of India since I have no joy in them. They couldn't protect my father, so why would they protect me?

If the Arabs are willing to be this new allie then I offer you my services. All I ask in return is help in defeating the Bulgarian cities near the Indian territories.
It's up to you, what do you prefer. An alliance with the Bulgarians who'll most probably turn against you soon because of international pressure, or an alliance with the Indians, who will grow strong and are known for their technological and financial strength?

I will seek revenge for the death of my father, no matter what. With or without your help.

Asoka, Prince of the Indians.

Eventhough the Choson are willing to help us to get to the new world I may value a friendship with Arabia over that. They promised ships and technology as well. Sent a letter to the Choson as well in which I try to delay any decisions. I cannot publicly chose side with the Arabians at this moment. The world will not understand. Not to mention that I still didn't receive any official word from Arabia that they will allie us.

I cannot lose the friendship of the Choson, the Chinese and the Egyptians before I'll be assured that Mecca will offer me all we will lose in return. Not to mention that I cannot counter any Viking agression, if they decide to fight the Arabs they may start with their small friends. Right now the only conclusion is: stay in touch with everybody.

January 13th 1042 AK
The Indian army is growing. Macemen have been trained and catapults. I decided to start to whip the people to hurry the production. Sacrifices have to be made. I must be ready soon to invade Bulgaria, with or without the help of my so called allies. Bulgaria must pay for the loss of my father. Whip them harder! Build more troops!

September 24th 1043 AK
Didn't leave my room at all.
I am missing my father. It's killing me.
Ghandi has been pressing me to do all that's not good. He doesn't understand that our future doesn't lie with our so called allies. We have to procueed.

March 25th 1044 AK
Ghandi is becoming annoying. I'm not sure if I can still trust him. Words are saying that he's preparing to crown himself because I would not be capable to lead the Indians. I order Ghandi to be murdered. It's not that important that I am king, it is important though that father will be revenged and the Bulgarians will pay! I am the only one who can lead the Indians into a glorious future. Ghandi must be dealth with. Eventhough he is my brother, I am sure that he can't be trusted. All he cares for is his own pride. He must be killed.

December 1th 1044 AK
Ghandi crowned himself king.
Sent a message for help to Mecca:

Greetings to Abu Bakr,

I seek your help in times of trouble.
Mahatma Ghandi, the son of satan himself, has besieged the throne of India. An insult to my father, the king, an insult to me, his lawfull son, and an insult to all people of India!

I seek your help to regain the throne of India.
I fear that Ghandi will deliver my nation to the Choson, the Viking and the Chinese leaders. This idea terrifies me. Not only do I fear that my father will never be found again if we do not take Bulgarian territory to search for him. I also do fear that a big alliance may be formed against the Arabian, now my brother is about to pledge loyalty to the leaders of the so called free nations of Terra.

Therefor I want to ask you once again to respond to my offer to sign an alliance between you and me to connect the people of India, spiritually and by the sword.

I cannot fight both the Bulgarians and my brother allone.

Signed in despair,

Asoka, the lawfull Prince of India

December 1th 1044 AK
Mecca responded that it values the friendship with the Indians. Arabia hopes that we'll turn Islamtic as soon as possible, and we will! More missionaries are already being trained in Alexandrie to bring the faith to Rho-Delhi. Arabia will defend India if Bulgaria will invade us. Unfortunately Arabia will not join our war against the Bulgarians. They cannot fight both the Kushrens and the Bulgarians, they claim.

China and Egypt press me in the meantime to accept the Bulgarians in our alliance. The chinese messenger smells out his mouth. I hate him. The Bulgarians claimed to give Astronomy to us as soon as they discover it. As if we can trust them, the dogs. Egypt is in hunger for more territory. Therefor they desire Astronomy as if it's the port of heaven itself. Mecca advised me to invade Egypt to enlarge my territory. Eventhough India may succeed in such a thing and take all of Egypt, that would not still my hunger for Bulgarian blood. Not to mention that the people may rise against me for the Indians love the Egyptians. Eventhough I do not care for their friendship I cannot and will not ever invade Egypt.

July 6th 1046 AK
I receive messages from all around Terra all the time. From the Choson, the Chinese and the Arabians. The Bulgarians still beg me for peace and offer all that's in them to search for my father. It's too late for that now.
It's too much for me. I can't think clearly anymore. I went back in my room and I have slept for many days.

July 8th 1046 AK
I heard the voice of my father today. He's death. He told me to be king in his place and revenge him. I ordered Ghandi to be killed earlier this morning and received message from the Chinese Mandarin that Ghandi is death. The appalling Chinese Mandaring knew that it was me, but he couldn't proof it. I wish I could have killed him, but I couldn't. I cannot fight both China and Bulgaria at the same time.

The road I have to go is clear. The Golden Path is visible. I will denounce my friendship with my so called allies today and march to Bulgaria.

July 18th 1046 AK
The Egyptians report that Bulgaria didn't give them Astronomy. I meet with the Chinese and Egyptian leaders. I was right after all! The Bulgarians can't be trusted! Now all the three of us hate Bulgaria. China agrees with me that we must invade Bulgarian territory and claim their cities since they belong to us. Egypt can't promise us any help since they are too backwards. China insists that we fight for the Egyptians and save one city for them. I agree.

This changes much. I am not alone anymore. The alliance with China and Egypt will not fall. Egypt gives a few troops, they are upgraded by me and will aid us inthe war.

January 31th 1047 AK
I am terrified! Arabian Camels are spotted in Bulgaria! The Arabians are actually defending the Bulgarian cities! They have broken their word!
We declare war upon Arabia!
The city of Delhi is being invaded immediately and totally destroyed. All people have been murdered by the evil Bulgarians. The Galleon we received from the Choson has been attacked immediately by the bulgarians. The attacker sinks. I am in despair! How can we ever counter both the Bulgarians and the Arabians! The Incans declare war upon as well.

I have been betreated by the Arabians! Their pacts mean nothing. Their words are empty! What can I do? In despair I order all troops to enter Bulgarian land. There is no time for tactics, we must fight now.

February 3th 1047 AK
Most of my troops have been killed by the Bulgarians and Arabians. The Chinese are losing ground in the north as well. Father! You told me to follow the golden path! Father...! Help me now!!
I will order all civilians of India to march to Bulgaria and fight! We must fight now! Even if we all will die, then that's what we must do to honor my father! I am going to give the order now and march to the battle!

End of the diaries

Note from Ila: shortly after the last chapter had been written my brother has been trialed and executed. I have besieged the throne of India, established peace with the Bulgarians again. I have sent a letter to Arabia as well to ask them why they have broken their promises to not harm the Indians or it's allies.

Delhi has been rebuild.
Right now nothing has more priority to appologize to our allies, the Chinese and Egyptians most of all, and also to the Choson, that my brother has insulted you in many ways. I beg you to not hold the Indians responsible. I assure you that our long old alliance will be honored now and in the future!

Ila, King of India
Son of the wise, brother of the fool

[Toni]

History in the making

Tsar Simeon was a 'child of peace', for he was born after the conversion of Bulgaria to Taoism. His father Boris had earlier made plans for him to take the helm of the Bulgarian church. He sent still immature Simeon to the Madrassa school in Mecca, it being the only intellectual center on Terra at that time, considering the curriculum and the level of its presentation. The young Bulgarian manifested rare gifts and graduated from Madrassa with Hying colors. Such was the situation that Simeon's headdress was not the tiara of an archbishop as Boris had intended, but the crown of the Bulgarian head of state.



The new Bulgarian ruler had been only a few years in power when his abilities and determination were 'tested' by the so called western alliance. They decreed that the Bulgaria has stolen lands from them in the past. Simeon tried to seek solution to the problem through diplomatic channels, but to no avail. Also Bulgaria was being blackmailed by some nations and falsely accused for the death of the King of India by other. Reading the western alliance's act as casus belli, Simeon started a full mobilization of his army, diplomatic convoys were send to friendly nations to request assistance in case of an invasion. A great camel cavalry was hired as a mercenary army from the Arabs, talks with the great Incas from the north concluded with a great success where an agreement was reached that the Inca will come to the aid of Bulgaria if China invades. The Bulgarian armies grew with every passing season more and more becoming more ready to meet the western aggressors.

The cause for the conflict was obviously neither the death of the King of India nor our past western expansion but nevertheless this was a great insult to the Bulgarian state. The reasons for such aggression did not relate to the disputed possession of one region or another. The roots of the crisis laid in the inevitable resentment that other nations felt toward our country. Also the collision of two mutually incompatible views towards other nations, trades and political conceptions made the situation even worse.

As was expected the India declared war on us and invaded from the south, Simeon was quick to respond against this malicious act, by sea and land. By sea the Bulgarians were quickly successful to raze an Indian outpost city in the freezing south. On land the Bulgarian army met the advancing Indian army south from the town of Pasagradae, where a great battle took place; the whole Indian army was utterly defeated. The India fled for their life into the forest near by, but they were all cut down by the pursing Bulgarian light cavalry.

In order to drive off the Bulgarian troops from the avenues of approach to Indian territory, India’s ally China declared war and invaded Bulgaria from the west.
The Chinese incursion on the west Bulgarian lands forced Simeon to make peace with India and to hurry the better part of his army westwards. Because he did not succeed in winning the field, Simeon had to encamp his troops behind the walls of the great Bulgarian fortified towns of the west and rest his armies. The Chinese advanced on Veliki Preslav, the religious Bulgarian capital, and besieged it.

The situation in the Bulgaria west was full of drama. With the Bulgarian elite troopers confined to the castles by the river east from city of Boyana, Veliki Preslav was left to the weak and unfit for action volunteer forces consisting of adolescents, old men and women.
The town of Veliki Preslav was obviously the target of a most ferocious warfare. The voluntary forces had hard times driving back a series of attacks on the well fortified city, with their strength wearing thin and their water and food supplies running low. The Chinese were preparing themselves for the zero-hour assault.

At this juncture, Boris, Simeon’s father who had retired to a monastery in the vicinity of Veliki Preslav cast off his monastic cassock to head the defending troops. The appearance of the 90 year old former ruler in full armour, flourishing a sword in front of the voluntary forces defending the capital, revived the general public enthusiasm which, at times, verged on religious ecstasy. The young saw him as a saintly man who had just come back to life. The elderly perceived him as a relic of their heroic military past. So inspired, the volunteers did not even wait for the actual assault to start but left the holy capital walls into the fields encompassing them and threw themselves into a fight against the Chinese armies.

The battle was ruthlessly fierce. The Chinese crack besiege army was defeated and pushed back into Chinese territories . The siege of Veliki Preslav was raised. Boris was still putting back on his monastic cassock when the Bulgarian crack regiments left the fortifications and took the offensive. Having driven the remains of the Chinese troops out of Bulgaria, Simeon made his way into the territories occupied by the Chinese. The enraged Bulgarians destroyed and razed everything that crossed their path. The Chinese at once offered capitulation when they saw Simeon’s approaching grand royal army ready to invade and seek retribution.

On his way back to Veliki Preslav later that week the tsar after seeing all the devastation done to his western lands by the Chinese withdrawing armies suffered a heart attack and died. His successor and only son, tzar Peter signed a peace treaty with the enervated Chinese, which became vassals to Bulgaria that year. By this act the Chinese recognized not only Bulgaria's supremacy and territorial integrity but also the king's title of the Bulgarian ruler. The political goals of Bulgaria and its ruler had been achieved and China was allowed to continue to exist. The time of tzar Simeon's rule was, without any doubt, a pinnacle in the Bulgarian political might and main on Terra.

[Toni]

Soon after his coronation tzar Peter requested the gathering of the great consul at Veliki Preslav. Where he sat down with his advisers and generals to decide what is to be done about those defeated western nations which have been accused of genocide during their war of aggression towards the Bulgarians people. The direct consequences of Western war brought many old believes crashing to the ground, and ultimately, would lead to the end of 100’s of years of Bulgarian policy of working towards an diplomatic understanding. No more will Bulgaria seek a way to repay and make up for its past expansion into these territories which was claimed by these nations. This land is holy to us and our holiest cities are build here. We will never give it up.

Peter ordered a revision of the peace treaty to be sent to the Chinese, the consul agreed that China as a vassal wasn’t beneficial to Bulgaria and because of that the tzar is willing to free that nation of its vassal obligation in exchange for resources and annual gold tribute of 10 million gold coins for 50 years (turns).

Peter ordered his army to move near the borders where it will wait for the diplomats to deliver the new demands. The tzar last orders to his diplomats were tell the Chinese if they do not agree on what we demand they will feel our blades again.

[OzzyKP]

Despite his unpleasant rise to power, Caliph Mu‘awiyah was a man of honor. Despite possessing the clear upper hand against the stubborn and corrupt Kushren leadership Mu‘awiyah decided to hold back further conquests into Kushren territory as they were going through a leadership crisis. It would be dishonorable he thought to invade a nation going through such internal chaos and anarchy. Mu‘awiyah dreamt of a day when Paris could be reunited with her people, an Islamic Kushren people.

This certainly didn't mean Mu‘awiyah was content to sit around and wait. The first Umayyad Caliph made a large effort to spread the truth of Islam further and faster than any of his predecessors. Half of the English and the Incans embraced the words of the Prophet Muhammad during Mu‘awiyah's reign in addition to gaining a toehold in Bulgaria.

The righteous sword of Islam would not be silent during his reign either. Mu‘awiyah responded to a plea from help from Arabia's long time Bulgarian ally when it appeared clear they faced invasion from both their west and south. Driven by greed and envy the Indian and Chinese armies marched on Bulgaria intent on her destruction.

Mu‘awiyah would not stand for this so sent his best general, Tariq ibn-Ziyad with Arabia's most fearsome collection of Bedowin warriors. These mighty camel archers fought bravely in the Celtic war, the Choson war, and the Second Kushren War. Indeed they were the most feared warriors in the world. Their mere presence in Bulgaria caused the Indian invaders to quake in fear.

To lead such a feared and powerful collection of troops, General Tariq ibn-Ziyad was indeed a brave, tactical genious. His troops followed him loyally and fought in his name and in the name of Islam against all odds.

When Tariq had been informed of the approach of the Indians, he rose in the midst of his companions and, after having glorified God in the highest, he spoke to his soldiers thus:

"Oh my warriors, whither would you flee? Behind you is the sea, before you, the enemy. You have left now only the hope of your courage and your constancy. Remember that in this country you are more unfortunate than the orphan seated at the table of the avaricious master. Your enemy is before you, protected by an innumerable army; he has men in abundance, but you, as your only aid, have your own swords and bows, and, as your only chance for life, such chance as you can snatch from the hands of your enemy. If the absolute want to which you are reduced is prolonged ever so little, if you delay to seize immediate success, your good fortune will vanish, and your enemies, whom your very presence has filled with fear, will take courage. Put far from you the disgrace from which you flee in dreams, and attack this monarch who has left his strongly fortified city to meet you. Here is a splendid opportunity to defeat him, if you will consent to expose yourselves freely to death. Do not believe that I desire to incite you to face dangers which I shall refuse to share with you. In the attack I myself will be in the fore, where the chance of life is always least.

"Remember that if you suffer a few moments in patience, you will afterward enjoy supreme delight. Do not imagine that your fate can be separated from mine, and rest assured that if you fall, I shall perish with you, or avenge you. You have heard that in this country there are a large number of ravishingly beautiful Bulgarian maidens, their graceful forms are draped in sumptuous gowns on which gleam pearls, coral, and purest gold, and they live in the palaces of royal kings. The Commander of True Believers, Mu‘awiyah, son of Abu Sufyan, has chosen you for this attack from among all his Arab warriors; and he promises that you shall become his comrades and shall hold the rank of kings in this country. Such is his confidence in your intrepidity. The one fruit which he desires to obtain from your bravery is that the word of God shall be exalted in this country, and that the true religion shall be established here.

"Remember that I place myself in the front of this glorious charge which I exhort you to make. At the moment when the two armies meet hand to hand, you will see me, never doubt it, seeking out this Ashoka, tyrant of his people, challenging him to combat, if God is willing. If I perish after this, I will have had at least the satisfaction of delivering you, and you will easily find among you an experienced hero, to whom you can confidently give the task of directing you. But should I fall before I reach to Ashoka, redouble your ardor, force yourselves to the attack and achieve the defense of this country, in depriving him of life. With him dead, his soldiers will no longer defy you."

[deity]

Tan-gun II was really old now. Some say he didn’t exist but not the Choson Buddhists. Loyalty to the legend runs deep. Wang Yung was one of the few who knew the truth. At government level he was the face of Choson Foreign Affairs. Primarily focussed on trade and the economy he was also praised for his tight national security.

Wang Yung ran the monarchy based Buddhist Bureaucracy with little opposition – loyalty to the Tan-gun legend allowed him to rule as if he was the monarch himself. His young son, who was now in the New World guiding the Carthaginians and Indians in their quest for tribal assimilation, was gaining much political experience. He had maintained a close eye on the western Terra nations as well reporting to his father that the Inca were possibly not to be trusted.

The warning was too late, not that Wang Yung could do anything. The peaceful western nations and kingdoms were slow at responding to the Choson’s cries for help in time of need. But that was now past and healthy relations existed with most of the West. The Chinese attacks on Bulgaria were understandable to some extent, given territorial claims, although the Indian attack made no sense what so ever. But what made less sense was the Incan attack on the Chinese. As one of the smaller nations that was expected to join an alliance of mutual self protection it came as a shock that both Chinese diplomacy had failed with the Inca, and that the Inca were actually willing to attack China whilst China was at war with Bulgaria.

Incan foreign policy made no sense at all – except, instead of joining with the smaller nations it joined with the two super powers and presumably sought their protection.

The Choson had little choice now. Peace was settled with Arabia long ago and relations with Bulgaria had improved. India and Carthage had no ability to grow other than in the New World; same with Egypt and China. The Viking and Celtic leadership may return from its’ turmoil and allow a balance of power to be restored to Terra.

Without this and with a continuing age long alliance between Arabia and Bulgaria, no other nation can ever advance in step with them. Maybe this is a good thing for Terra. All nations continue to develop at the pace they can. No nation will ever find itself at war with the big alliance for their technological advantage will always maintain the military edge. Peace will reign on Terra for ever more!

[Conquistador45]

The Kushren Kingdom has come to an agreement with Arabia............

Kushren will allow a single Islamic missionary within its borders...spreading Islam to one city. Slowly Islam, and the other religons currently residing within the Kingdoms borders, will be spread to all cities. At this future date the Kushren Kingdom will convert to Islam and Paris will be returned. All claims of vassalage by Arabia are to be dropped......

Long live the Royal line of Conquer the 45th.

[OzzyKP]

"Your excellency, our spies among the Choson have intercepted an internal memo."

"Great Yusef, you may enter."

Yusef the Caliph's assistant enters the Caliph's office in the grand palace of Mecca. Ancient marble covers the floor, once shiny but now covered in dust from the ongoing renovations. Once beautiful frescos and mosaics on the walls have been torn down and now artisans are replacing them with intricate geometric designs in the new Islamic style.

Yusef sits down on a plush cushion and addresses the Caliph, "There is much here that interests us about Choson policy. Indeed there is much that discusses the Umayyad Empire directly. Here look at this passage:"

Arabian bloc
There appears to be a powerful tech trading bloc between England, Bulgaria and Arabia. One has learnt Education and now believed to be on Liberalism. Without the Arabian war the Choson would have been ahead in this tech race so it is believed that the Bulgarians benefited from the Arab attacks on us and at the same time Arabia was updated with technologies. This is not precise intelligence but a probable estimation.

Advise that we continue to re-build as fast as possible since this destructive war and continue our settlements and joining of tribal cultures in the New World. But we are forced to maintain the burden of high maintenance and high troop costs – something the Bulgarians have clearly not had to worry about.

Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, the new Caliph and successor to Mu‘awiyah studies the document closely and then finally speaks, "Ah, the Choson are not as stupid as we believed."

He stands up and begins lecturing Yusef, "The Choson thought they won a victory against us by fighting us to a standstill, but they assumed our sole objective was capturing territory. Only now perhaps do they realize the consequences of that war for the Choson and the benefits to us. As they mobilized to scape together a spirited defence of their land their economy suffered and long term plans were put off. Meanwhile Arabia contined forward only strengthened. Thus was the wisdom of Muhammad, peace be upon him, and Abu Bakr the first Caliph. And by crippling their nation from our war they loosened their grip on their subjects, the Celts & Kushren, which allowed us to advance unfettered."

"Indeed, God was with our leaders as they formed their strategy."

"Yes, it is only now that the Choson appreciate the wisdom of our leaders. Only now that they realize the hole they have dug themselves. Allahu Akbar!"

"Allahu Akbar!"

[deity]

To: Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, the new Caliph of Arabia

From: Wang Yung

Re: Our peace agreement

We wish to inform you that, in line with our peace agreement, the Choson now choose to share it's world map with some of the western nations.

We agreed that we would notify the other party and allow each party to do the same.

Yours truly,

Wang Yung