Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread] . PART 3 (October)

[Pitboss Japan]

To: Marco of Portugal

I wish to visit your lands in hopes of learning more about your great country. Granted it will still take many months to reach your lands but we hope you will honor us and allow my men entrance into your great lands.

Itoku Emperor of Japan

[Pitboss Portugal]

To: Emperor Itoku

You are more than welcome to visit Portugal. There is much that our two civilizations can share and learn from each other. Maybe we will have the chance to meet one of your great samurai warriors. We have heard many legends about them, even Portugal’s best trained macemen have come to respect the great samurai of Japan


King Marco

[Pitboss Japan]

To: Marco
Thank you for allowing us to visit. I hope to learn all I can to make my country as great and powerful as your own.

Itoku Emperor of Japan

[Pitboss Persia]

To: Marco, King of Portugal
From: Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire
Subject: Piercian cartographers in Portugal

Greetings Marco, King of Portugal

I am confused. We do have an open-borders treaty, don't we ? I may call my cartographers back, but that would be the end of our treaty.

Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire

[Pitboss Portugal]

To: Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire
From: Marco, King of Portugal

Greetings to you too Asiz,

Yes we have open borders, mainly for our traders and yours to travel freely. We will appreciate it if you can inform us next time you decide to map our territories out. I hope you see the security concerns that I may have, there are many who may try to buy your updated maps to see Portugal’s layout.

I may call my cartographers back, but that would be the end of our treaty.

Threats are unproductive and especially not welcomed.

[Pitboss Persia]

To: Marco, King of Portugal
From: Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire
Subject: Piercian cartographers in Portugal

King Marco of Portugal,

We had most profitable trade-relations until now, and it would not have been in my interest to express threads against you, I apologize for the missunderstanding. What I meant to say was that I could not live up to a treaty that has been signed without full awareness of it's implications.

Be sure that maps of your lands won't be sold without your prior aproval. As I said, it is in my own interest to keep the trust I have earned from you so far.

Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire

[Pitboss Portugal]

To: Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire
From: Marco, King of Portugal

Emperor Asiz,

First of all thank you for taking on the effort to clear up this misunderstanding. I agree the trade between us has been very profitable and is doing much to heal the dark past. Your people are welcome to stay in our lands for as long as they want to. Now that this smallish foreign issue has been resolved, I wish you well!

Marco

[Pitboss Rome]

Early one morning, after an all night meeting of the Senate, fast messengers disperse in all directions from Rome carrying a message for all:

Nations of the World

The Senate and People of Rome sends greetings

We wish to thank the nations of the world who in so great numbers have sent messengers to us informing us of the attempts by King Alcetas to form an alliance against us, and who have expressed their support for us.

We want to make clear to all the reason for King Alcetas' current rage. The text of our recent exchanges are given below. Some reading these may judge that Rome is indeed faithless and despicable as the Greeks claim. We are prepared to face that judgement.

For those who find reading such correspondence tiresome, let me summarise. In the past Greece threatened for no good reason to invade our dear friends the Persians at a time when Persian forces were engaged elsewhere. They insisted that they would invade Persia unless we agreed to pay them gold for eternity. The previous corrupt rulers of Rome gave in to this bullying intimidation and agreed, though in fact at no time did they pay any gold. We feel shame that they even agreed to give in to this bullying, though acknowledge that this may have been through good motives of wishing to save our friends the Persians from the horrors of war. We also note that they never paid over any gold – who can complain when bullies are cheated?

Rome will not pay tribute. If this gold was owed because of some trade or bargain which had been struck with the Greeks in the past, we would have tried to find some compromise. However, this was simply a bullying threat from a tyrant. The Greeks did nothing in exchange for this gold; they simply did not carry out a threat. Therefore we are pleased to reject these demands and proclaim publicly and proudly that Rome will never give in to these kinds of threats and pay tribute.

Many have urged us to form an alliance against the Greeks in response to their attempts to turn nations against us. We are reluctant to do this. Although we have immense, experienced, armies, and many friends, we are a peaceful nation, and would not enjoy forming alliances against another nation, even the Greeks. However, we are aware that Rome is not the only nation that Greece has tried to bully and threaten. The blessings we have received from the gods means that now we can throw off their intimidation with impunity (indeed it is a reflection of their supreme arrogance that despite the fact they are more backward and weaker than Rome, they still try to threaten us!). But we recognise that other nations may feel less able to resist their intimidation. If nations who are in this position – who wish to reject Greek threats but feel that this would put them at some danger – wish there to be a alliance offering mutual security against Greek intimidation our past history means that we would feel obliged to be part of any such alliance. Ambassadors wishing to discuss this further would be welcome, in secret, in Rome.

Nations of the world, we are content to be judged on this by you. If you believe we should be paying gold to Greece for eternity, then you will judge us at fault. But we trust that you will rejoice with us at the rejection of intimidation, or at least smile at bullies being cheated.

The Senate of Rome.


The text of recent correspondence

King Alcetas has continued to demand an endless supply of Gold as tribute from the people of Rome. His own ambassador in attempting to justify this explained that, we quote:

“May I remind you about the past.

When Portugal and Rome were at war, Rome needed help of their ally, Persia.
Persia however choose to insult Sparta. Sparta had no option except responding to this insult. This response could be either total war with Persia or a gesture from Persia to show their respect.

Persia was not willing or able to do the latter.
But Rome, being afraid to have to fight the Portuguese alone agreed to show respect to Rome by promising to supply Sparta with gold for an unlimited amount of time.

Now I do understand that you do not want to be reminded about the past of the dictators of Rome, but this debt is not a debt of the tirans of Rome only. It's a debt the entire nation of Rome has towards Sparta.

If Sparta would not have been reasonable and accepted Rome's proposal, it would have declared war upon Persia.”

Our response to this was:

“The Senate are thankful for your detailing of the history between our nations. We conclude from this that in the past you threatened to launch a war against our allies at a time of crisis. This threat itself causes many in the Senate to conclude that no friendship should ever exist between our nations.

We understand that the cowardly corrupt former Senators were cowed by this threat, and offered to pay you gold for eternity as the price for you remaining peaceful and civilisaed and not invading weaker nations with whom we have ties of friendship. The Senate and our Generals wish you to have no doubt that if such a threat was made now, we would choose to see your out-of-date phalanxes cut down like ripe wheat by our far superior armies than to even entertain the notion of giving in to such bullying. The fact that the former Senators gave in to such threats only adds to the shame they brought on our nation. Perhaps if this gold was in exchange for some signficant trade in the past, the Senate may have found some compromise. However since it was merely a promise in response to bullying, it will simply never be honoured.

Cool heads do have the upper-hand in the Senate. We recognise that perhaps your nation at the time of this bullying was ruled by corrupt oppressors of the people. Therefore, we are (by a majority vote) content to let go of the dishonour and bad faith Sparta showed in this even in our past. And proceed from this point on, on the basis that our two nations seek good relations based on mutual respect within which threats have no part.

The terms we offered are still on the table [open borders and non-aggression]. If you are still sore that your threats from the past will not in fact result in any payment to you, take it as a lesson from the gods that bullying and threatening does not pay.

Sadly the only response from Greece was:

Excellent. I see that you're not interested in solving issues from the past. I can only conclude that it's impossible for that reason to let any formal trade or diplomacy to happen between our nations. Sparta will not forget.

Alcetas, King of Sparta

[Pitboss Vikings]

Dear King Marcos

We hear of your communciations with nations of the worlds requesting permission to enter your lands.

We do notice that your own units do not do the same. They wander where they want to with no regard to the nations approval or otherwise of such travel.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Unless you believe that a larger nation like your self is allowed to bully other nations.

We do understand your hesitence to allow a former war adversary into your nation but an open letter stating ALL nations must request permission is a littel strange to us.

We certainly dont want a large neighbour like yourself upset with us entering your lands so we do announce our intentions to visit your land shortly.

But we do reiterate that making such a sweeping statement that everyone must ask permission when you dont do the same yourself is not in the spirit of peaceful relations with the world.

King Harry

[Pitboss Portugal]

To: Harry

I am deeply sadden by your statements dear King, I recently offered you my help with the barbarians in your lands. Sadly this seems unappreciated. If you wish me to leave I will leave immediately, our axe scout will be out of your borders in the next few days.

Unless you believe that a larger nation like your self is allowed to bully other nations.

When has Portugal bullied anyone? Please do not be so vague in your statements Harry.

I kindly ask that you stop ballooning this topic, my statement was towards the Pierced ones. But yes generally Portugal will be insulted if it sees open borders misused.

Marco

[Pitboss Khmer]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
The offer was received but was not well explained to our negotiators. Two offers were made and we do not have sufficient gold to cover both offers. Furthermore, your emissary made no mention of "vouchers". We would agree to a straight up trade of a tech for gold with no voucher involved.

tiding.

it offer of tech for gold only. no metal voucher involve.

first offer was refuse so second offer with different tech was offer.

so state if want to give xxx gold for xxx tech please.

it good deal for hindu brother yes with no voucher involve. it design to help metal and free up gold liquidity for khmer which internationally in very short supply.

he.

[Pitboss Khmer]

ooc i think it a weak thing of pitboss that text in diplo screen is not always transmit to other side.

[Pitboss Spain]

OOC. You have to be still inside the text box and press enter and the words show up, othrwise the words don't. It does seem to be a flaw n the game.

[Pitboss Greece]

OOC: You're a strong opponent in diplomacy, Rome, I like that!
----------------------

A letter from King Alcetas of Sparta to all known nations in the world:

Hail Emperor Sejong of Korea, our closest friend and ally!
Hail King Mel Gibson of the Maya, our friend and partner in trade!
Hail Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire, our neighbour, friend and partner in trade
Hail King Marco of Portugal, our new found friend and trustworthy partner

Greetings to King Harry of the Oldonians, our relationship already lasts for centuries!
Greetings to the leader of the Wyandots.
Greetings to the merchant leader of the Russians.

Warm blessings to Itoku Emperor of Japan, we care for your well being like a father cares for his son! We let you down when you needed us most. When your citizen were killed by barbarians our protection failed. We feel terribly sorry and know that we can never repair. We will not forget how your forgave us.

To all nations unknown by Sparta who get their hands on this letter, despite they don't know us.

And to Tribune Hieronymus tirant of Rome, a wolf, dressed like a sheep.

Years ago a messenger from Rome arrived at my palace in Sparta. He carried the following letter:

Tribune Hieronymus sends greetings. Great Alcetas, I hope that we can come to a mutually acceptable understanding. You have to understand that the Roman People simply will not accept any demand that they fulfil deals struck by the corrupt former senatorial families. It is not possible for me to say anything else - in public. For not only with the People not accept any such deals, but we would lay ourselves open to any nation claiming that such deals had been struck.

I understand that you feel aggrieved by this, and perhaps rightly so, but we dipolmats and rulers know we have to deal with the world as we find it, not as we would like it.

What I can offer, though, is a very favourable approach to new negotiations between Sparta and Rome. Perhaps we could strike a deal which goes some way to compensating you for your loss, while allowing me to maintain to the Senate and People that we are not honouring any deals struck by their former corrupt oppressors.

Naturally, any hint of this conversation in public would have to be denied by me - my public line cannot change - and would undermine any possibility of us concluding a favourable agreement to the mutal benefit of our nations.

Never was it an option for me to publish my communications with the Roman wolves. Even though these tyrants have angered me and the Spartan people deeply, I am a man of honour. When Hieronymus the Terrible asked me to keep our conversations disclosed, I vowed to live up to this.

But apparently this act of trust and honour works only one way for the Roman dictators of today. Not that long ago the Romans disclosed a selected part of our communications. I do not feel bound by our agreement anymore and I am willing to show you, fine nations of the Earth, everything. Even those parts that Hieronymus kept away from you eyes. Even those parts that I personally 'd rather keep hidden as well.

In chronological order:

Rome to Sparta

Ruler of the Greeks

The people and senate of Rome send greetings.

We recognise you as a cultured civilization worthy of the friendship of Rome. May the gods bless you with peace and security.

Tribune Hieronymus

Rome to Sparta:

"Tribune Hieronymus sends greetings. Great Alcetas, I hope that we can come to a mutually acceptable understanding. You have to understand that the Roman People simply will not accept any demand that they fulfil deals struck by the corrupt former senatorial families. It is not possible for me to say anything else - in public. For not only with the People not accept any such deals, but we would lay ourselves open to any nation claiming that such deals had been struck.

I understand that you feel aggrieved by this, and perhaps rightly so, but we dipolmats and rulers know we have to deal with the world as we find it, not as we would like it.

What I can offer, though, is a very favourable approach to new negotiations between Sparta and Rome. Perhaps we could strike a deal which goes some way to compensating you for your loss, while allowing me to maintain to the Senate and People that we are not honouring any deals struck by their former corrupt oppressors.

Naturally, any hint of this conversation in public would have to be denied by me - my public line cannot change - and would undermine any possibility of us concluding a favourable agreement to the mutal benefit of our nations. "

Sparta to Rome:

Greetings,

What kind of a deal do you propose that repairs our losses, and keeps you being trusted by your people?

Alcetas

Rome to Sparta

Alcetas, King of the Spartans

We wish to see people among our peoples, and suggest that we do all that we can to promote this. However, currently my traders report that we have no viable trade routes to you, so there is little in the way of trade we can agree. Our wise men report to me that while you are an intelligent people, there are no obvious mutually enriching collaborations in their area either.

Thus all we can propose is:

1. Open borders for our travellers, and hopefully in time our merchants.
2. A ceasing to all building up of spying networks and infrastructure.
3. A non-aggression pact

Furthermore, if you felt it woudl be helpful, we could agree to a map showing spheres of influence.

We recognised that you may wish for more, but I cannot see what more can be agreed at this moment.

Tribune Hieronymus

Sparta to Rome:

Tribune Hieronymus,

I have considered your proposal for a long time.
First I must conclude that your attempts to heal the relations between Sparta and Rome are honest. Thank you for that.
Good relations is definitely what I am looking for as well.

It worries me though that your proposals all ignore the fact that Rome has a debt towards Sparta.
May I remind you about the past.

When Portugal and Rome were at war, Rome needed help of their ally, Persia.
Persia however choose to insult Sparta. Sparta had no option except responding to this insult. This response could be either total war with Persia or a gesture from Persia to show their respect.

Persia was not willing or able to do the latter.
But Rome, being afraid to have to fight the Portuguese alone agreed to show respect to Rome by promising to supply Sparta with gold for an unlimited amount of time.

Now I do understand that you do not want to be reminded about the past of the dictators of Rome, but this debt is not a debt of the tirans of Rome only. It's a debt the entire nation of Rome has towards Sparta.

If Sparta would not have been reasonable and accepted Rome's proposal, it would have declared war upon Persia. Then the Romans would have been alone against the strong nation of Portugal. Roman soldiers would have been killed on the battle fields, cities might have been razed by Portugal, and the cities Rome took from Portugal might still have been Portuguese.

Therefore this debt cannot only be considered to be something from the past. Rome as it currently is gained fortune by the Spartan-Roman deal.
If you want to disrespect this deal, claiming that Rome of now can't be kept accountable for Rome of the past, then you should also return these cities to Portugal and kill your soldiers in the field.

I expect you to be reasonable.
Therefore I offer you to accept all you have proposed, but ask you to give us the technology of Civil Service to pay your debts.
We understand that you do not want to pay gold for all eternity and be reminded about the dictators of the past. Paying Civil Service will be a one time thing, after you have done so, the past will be buried.

Alcetas
King of Sparta

Rome to Sparta

Alcetas, King of Sparta,

The Senate and People of Rome sends greetings.

The Senate are thankful for your detailing of the history between our nations. We conclude from this that in the past you threatened to launch a war against our allies at a time of crisis. This threat itself causes many in the Senate to conclude that no friendship should ever exist between our nations.

We understand that the cowardly corrupt former Senators were cowed by this threat, and offered to pay you gold for eternity as the price for you remaining peaceful and civilisaed and not invading weaker nations with whom we have ties of friendship. The Senate and our Generals wish you to have no doubt that if such a threat was made now, we would choose to see your out-of-date phalanxes cut down like ripe wheat by our far superior armies than to even entertain the notion of giving in to such bullying. The fact that the former Senators gave in to such threats only adds to the shame they brought on our nation. Perhaps if this gold was in exchange for some signficant trade in the past, the Senate may have found some compromise. However since it was merely a promise in response to bullying, it will simply never be honoured.

Cool heads do have the upper-hand in the Senate. We recognise that perhaps your nation at the time of this bullying was ruled by corrupt oppressors of the people. Therefore, we are (by a majority vote) content to let go of the dishonour and bad faith Sparta showed in this even in our past. And proceed from this point on, on the basis that our two nations seek good relations based on mutual respect within which threats have no part.

The terms we offered are still on the table. If you are still sore that your threats from the past will not in fact result in any payment to you, take it as a lesson from the gods that bullying and threatening does not pay.

As your agents no doubt report, we have concluded significant treaties of friendship and mutual support with all the nations surrounding us. We hope that you will follow this lead.

Further messengers making demands of the people of Rome will not be warmly received.

The Senate and People of Rome.

Sparta to Rome

Excellent. I see that you're not interested in solving issues from the past. You're also trying to bend history into your needs.
You claim to be a civilized ruler but you sound like nothing more then a dictator from the past.

Rome is not willing to live up to it's debts.
I can only conclude that it's impossible for that reason to let any formal trade or diplomacy to happen between our nations.

Sparta will not forget.

Alcetas, King of Sparta

Before I will comment on this I care a lot to express my warm feelings towards Emperor Asiz, the Piercian empire and all Piercian people. All that is said below concerning Piercia and the relations between Piercia and Sparta concern the past! I cannot express often enough that the current friendship between Piercia and Sparta is valuable and honest. We are glad that we were able to settle our problems from the past. (Unlike with Rome!)

A few observations:
1. Rome asks Sparta to keep private communication private, but doesn't care to live up to it itself.

2. Rome declares war on Portugal, even draws an ally into this battle. Then it is angered when Sparta treats to invade Piercia because of Piercian insults. Rome measures Sparta with a different measurement then it measures itself.

3. Rome bullies Portugal, razes a Portuguese city, conquers another Portuguese city, puts it's sword on the neck of Portugal and bullies it long enough to let it accept Rome's uneven "deals" to end the war.

That same Rome is now angered by Sparta who tried to stand up for Portugal, tried to end the bullying by invading the Roman-Piercian alliance (after being insulted by this alliance), but was prepared to accept to end all hostilities if Rome would accept to pay a fair price to keep Sparta out of it.

Apparently Rome is allowed to bully and to attack, but nations that come to the aid of the nation being bullied by Rome is not allowed to do so?

4. Now Hieronymus claims to be of another kind then the so called tyrants from the past. Therefor Hieronymus says that he doesn't want to live up to the deals made by Rome of the past. Hieronymus who acts like he's a sheep there for insists on not paying Sparta (and other nations!!) the price they have offered in the past (despite that Rome acknowledges these dealings of the past!)

But if Hieronymus would really be the enlightened king of all goodness he claims to be, then why does he not return to Portugal what he took from Portugal? Why does Hieronymus not end the terrible deals Rome pushed upon Portugal in the past?

That is because Hieronymus is not this new civilized leader. He is a wolf dressed like a sheep. He uses his so called civil attitude to reject Sparta's claims because these claims are so called claims from bullying. But he doesn't put his money where his mouth is by returning to Portugal what Rome received from Portugal through bullying.

Then Hieronymus sends a messenger to Alcetas promising that to any new Spartan messenger that will try again to heal the past horrible things will be done. And then he is surprised that I stop negotiations with Rome? How could I send new messengers to Rome? I care for my messengers. I will not send them as fresh meat to the dragons den.

Therefor great leaders of the civilized world I stress you to break all relations with these tyrants from Rome.
You could ignore my call and believe that Rome will treat you differently. You may continue to live in your dreams believing that Rome really cares for you.

But Rome does not. Rome is the only nation in our part of the world that actually used force to hurt other nations. Rome is the only nation known to betray it's friends and ignore it's deals.
We cannot let this happen.

I do not ask you to declare war on Rome. We should not spill any blood. Enough blood has been spilled by Roman swords already. Let us isolate Rome until it gets rid of it's tyrants.

To Rome I send one last proposal;
If you do not want to live up to the deals you made in the past because you claim that those deals were made by tyrants through bullying, then repair the damage done by the Romans to the Portuguese empire and return the cities you have token from them.

If Rome will return these cities to Portugal, then Sparta will consider our past deals void and respect and honour Rome for really being a civilized nation.

But if you do not, and want to keep on profiting from the tyrants of the past (by occupying Portuguese cities) without being willing to pay Sparta the price you promised, then Sparta will continue it's battle for justice and try to convince the civilized nations on earth to turn their backs towards the Romans.

To Sparta this is not a matter of getting wealth or resources. Sparta has grown big and has plenty resources for itself already.
To Sparta this is a matter of honour and respect, it is a matter of warning small nations to not be used by the tyrants of Rome.

Alcetas, King of Sparta

[Pitboss Korea]

Blood for blood...

Emperor Sejong was happier than he had ever been in his entire life. For one his sister and brother in law (Daemok and Pacal) were deposed from power in the Mayan kingdom, thus allaying his fears of a Mayan-backed coup de etat to put Daemok upon the Korean throne. While this may seem a little harsh at first, this was a huge weight off of his shoulders, and after all Daemok and his nephew Pacal Voltan were safe in Pusan, far from Mayan interlopers. He had also successfully made contact with Piercia and was now sending his delegation (including the Imperial Foreign Minister) to Mi'Ting to represent his Empire at the great summit. Furthermore he was proud of his naval voyage and hoped to hear word of their exploits once the crew arrived in Mayan ports.

Then there was Soheon; he used to think little of raising a family and an heir, but now that he knew her (who he called his flower) he was happy. She was a sad country girl from Wonsan who lost her entire family between wars with the Aztecs and at the hands of northern barbarians. To make things right he sent General Jumong, Corporal Bak Moon (Soheon's uncle, and brother of her slain father Jeong Jung-bu), and two units of soldiers north to find a land-route to the northern Kingdoms.

There were also foreign affairs drumming up contraversey. The Mayans and Piercians were part of a squabble over in island between their two lands; the Piercian's calling it Esther's Island and the Mayans calling it Cozumel. There were also issues between Rome and the Greeks, who were great friends of the Koreans. All of these conflicts seemed far from Sejong's mind though when he was with Soheon, but many of these issues would soon come to a head in the coming years...

Just South of Oldonia...

General Jumong looked accross the vast desert, in the distance he could make out the jungles that took the life of Jeong Jung-bu. "PONG!" he barked at his servant, pong was a short and funny man, who was from Wonsan. The Wonsani people were subjects of Korea but were not considered to be truly Korean, although this never brought harm to their people, "Where is my damn sword!?!?"

The stout servant came running, stumbling forward and dropping General Jumong's large sword, "Sorry, here you are my liege." he said holding it up with two hands.

"Bak Moon!" the General said, sheathing the sword and pulling his hair from his face "What do our scouts report?"

"General, there seem to be barbarian contingents thrughout these jungles, the Oldonians and Japanese both report hordes of them, apparently they have been harassing their farmlands and their citizens since the begining of time." Bak Moon said.

"Good, we should show those Oldonians and those Japanese how to take matters into one's own hands, shall we?"

Bok Moon nodded, he wanted nothing more than to get revenge for the death of his brother, "Their blood shall soak up this desert sir, I have no place for mercy in my heart, these scoundrels must pay!"

The Following is a Transcript of the Letter Sent by General Jumong to Imperial Commander Shin Sung...

Imperial Commander,

I am proud to report that a measure of vengeance has been taken upon the scum that assaulted our scouting party. My Corporal, Bak Moon, has taken great delight in slaughtering all those mewling cowards that surrendered on their side. Our journey goes forth towards Oldonia, where we expect to be treated as noble dignitaries. We shall report on the way they accept us there, but preliminary maps from the Greeks show that the trek to Piercia may be longer than previously expected, although who knows if they are accurate maps. We hope to make it to Mi'Ting in time to catch the ship back to Korea, I ask that you make haste to contact General Han Gong in the Mayan Kingdom and ask him to await our arrival. I can not stand the stench of this vile desert and these open lands, filled with barbarians and cowering Oldonians and Japanese, it fills my heart with disgust and makes me long for home. If the ferocity displayed by these barbarians is even half of what they have to show us, we will cut through them like butter and possibly save Oldonia from this scourge. Although I am ashamed to admit due to a faulty charge my eye was taken, but by one of our own careless spearmen; he was lashed and then executed, so in a way I have given my eye for Sejong's mistake. Speaking of Sejong's mistakes; do not die on me too early old man, I don't want to miss out on taking your job when I return!

-General Jumong

Days Later...

General Jumong stared into the bast jungles, it was nearly nightfall and the soldiers did not want to risk a trip through the jungles at night. So camp was set up, and the men began to cook the food provided by the Greeks. It was a little too salty, and other than that had little flavor compared to Korean food, but it would suffice. The General simply stood there, he was angry that he lost an eye, and was impatient to get moving.

"General, your meal has been prepared." Pong said.

"I am not going to eat, I don't deserve to eat, look at me!" the General said.

"It is a badge of honor sir!" Pong said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Those f*cking barbarians" the General muttered to himself, "Have you anything important to report? Or are you just going to bother me this entire trip?"

"There is word of a ship sir, in the distance, it is flying what is apparently a Piercian flag, I am not sure though, I've never seen a Piercian before." Pong replied.

"Very good, we shall speak with these Piercians, I want to know how to get to their damned city..."

Seoul, the Imperial Palace...

"...and then there is this from Greece, it pertains to the Romans sir." General Shin Sung said, handing Sejong another message.

Sejong sighed and picked it up "More about their stupid gold, what I find funny about this is that Greece did the same to us, regarding the Iron."

"We did get that Iron sir" General Shin Sung said.

"Well, not in the way they said we would, it is no matter, they are great friends of ours. So, it seems things are in chaos between the Greeks and Romans." the Emperor commented.

"So what else is new?" Shin Sung said laughing.

"Exactly" Sejong said, throwing the message into the pile, "This is exhausting, is there a thing we can even do about any of this?"

"You just want to see that girl, you can't hide anything from me Sejong, I've known you since you were born, longer than YOU'VE known YOU!" the General explained.

"Well, be that as it may, have our scribes send a message to the Greeks in the morning, tell them they have our political support at the moment, but without a delegation present in Mi'Ting there is not much else we can do, and have they sent a report on what has transpired? So we can make a proper decision?"

"I am not sure, I wish Hae Mosu was here, no wonder he's always upset, this work is tiresome." the General said, "Oh yes, I told you I had a surprise for you Emperor!"

"That's right, I nearly forgot, what is it?"

"We must go down to the outskirts of town, it is quite a big one..."

Later that Day...

The Emperor couldn't believe his eyes. He knew his engineers were working on something special for his army but he assumed it was a new type of ship. It seemed too good to be true. "General, can I use it?"

"Can I say no?" the General smirked.

"Of course not, but there is nothing wrong with being polite, is there?" the Emperor replied.

"Never Emperor, by all means, it is YOURS after all."

Emperor Sejong got behind the great machine, and fired it...