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Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread] . PART 7 (February 2009)
Hand delivered by a trusted officer, personal from Augustus of Rome to Gojong, Emperor of Korea
Worshipful Gojong,
Your recent letter to me filled be with both joy and horror.
Joy because of the sentiments it expressed, which I appreicated greatly.
Horror because it seems clear to me that someone has been tampering with your correspondance. Hence I have sent this message to be hand delivered to you by a trusted officer.
I believe what you said in your recent message:
Firstly we would like to clarify a few things you have stated. The first is your use of the term mediator. I will be the first to tell you, and readily admit that the monk Ku Kai is not a mediator in any sense of the word. Ku Kai was never sent as a mediator ... Korea never used the term mediator to describe this mission. ... never was Ku Kai sent to be a mediator. Secondly, it is no secret Korea is close friends with the Piercians. We share a common religion, and had recently had great and fruitful political dealings. ...
This does correspond with the facts - that Ku Kai was not a mediator, and Korea is a close friend of the Piercians.
However, in my archive I have an important letter which came to me as if from you. It is filed as January Story #122 in my archive. This stated:
we feel that a truly neutral party may be necessary to assess the situation and provide advice on how to move forward... We are glad that you, Rome, brought the Wyandot into the situation, but we feel that as Buddhists (same as the Piercians) and signed allies with them, we would make a better neutral party.... and believe that Our religious advisor, the Monk Kuk'ai, would make an amazing mediator.
Clearly this letter in the archive must have been a fake! For clearly the Korea Emperor does not contradict himself - neutral or close friend of one party, mediator or not (fogive me for even putting the words Korean Emperor and contradict in the same sentance). But I don't believe the forgery could have happened in Rome, for I know other nations received copies of this letter, and also have it accessible as January Story #122. Therefore all I can conclude is that one of your own ministers forged important diplomatic corresponance from you. If that happened once - I fear perhaps it continues to happen.
You are a great Emperor. My advice must be that you identify and exterminate this forger and deceiver in your court, for otherwise many nations may find it impossible to be sure whether messages which appear to come from you, truly do. Of course it is not my place to give you advice, but I will wait with eagerness to hear of the examplary execution of a senior minister in the Korean court, until then I will request the the Lesser One offers sacrifices for you.
[ooc]All in-game reasons / stupidity / brilliancy / strategy / etc. aside: I want to express VERY MUCH RESPECT to the Piercian player who is staying in character and in the game, eventhough his empire is going through this very very very hard time!
People have left this game for much much much less! This is imho the true diplogame spirit! playing along, even when the game corners you!
Many kudo's, and I won't make it a secret that I'll give you a top-level story post for this![/ooc]
The Assembly chambers began to fill with the newly elected governors from all over Maya. Among them was the Korean Emperor, dressed in Mayan garb so as to not attract attention. Only Ermal and the guards knew he was even in Maya on a diplomatic mission.
The gong gifted to the Maya from the Koreans in the days of Pacal II was rang, signaling the start of the meeting.
The regular topics were brought up, such as whether to continue free silk and dye to Portugal and Rome. New topics as well such as closing boarders with anti-emancipation nations.
Pacal Ermal then announced his guest to the Assembly.
"Governers of Maya, an Emperor joins us today," began Ermal. "He wishes to address the Assembly regarding emancipation. I present to you, Emperor Gojong of Silia, and leader of Korea!"
The governors were shocked at the news, and curiously scanned the room to confirm Ermal's announcement. The Korean Emperor stood tall, and approached the front of the assembly hall where Ermal stood. He gave a short bow to Ermal, then to the Assembly. He then began to speak.
"To all members of this prestigious assembly; I send my warm greetings and well-wishes to you and your people. May your reign be as fruitful, as beneficial, as the reign of my late cousin Pacal Voltan. I come to you as a humble neighbor, one that requires your help in maintaining our security and in maintaining peace throughout our continent. I understand for quite some time your nation has conducted a policy of emancipation. This is extended to low-born peasants, this is extended to minority populations such as the Aztecs. This policy effects more than those within your own borders though; this policy has direct influence over the actions and behavior of the peasantry of my nation Korea. This policy wil extend to afflict other nations such as our friends the Spartans, and our new friends in Portugal. I ask you thusly; was it not a low-born Aztec who presided over the worst period of decline in Mayan history? Was it not the armies of Aztech miscreants who harassed both Mayan and Korean cities alike? Burning down the temples and monastery in Wonsan, and Jogye? Was it not three times Korean armies, Piercian armies, and Mayan armies had to destroy this scourge, only for it to return again each time? And now you want to give these people the same rights as civilized people? I ask this assembly to consider the repeal of emancipation. Further I will remind you that the nation of Maya will suffer for your stubbornness. The proposal I am prepared to sign (holds up the pact) has been signed by Japan, Rome, Russia, Portugal, Spain and of course Sparta. With more nation, including Korea, to come. You will make your country a pariah, a rogue state. That you can ill-afford. You will create strife and upheavals in all other nations upon this planet, they will blame you for this disorder and their wary eyes will be upon your shores. You should consider this, you should consider your SAFETY, and your FUTURE SECURITY!"
He ended the speech with another quick bow, and was escorted out of the Assembly hall by the Mayan guards for his protection. Korea's leadership was not very popular among the Mayans since word that they may sign the emancipation treaty was leaked. Several of the Governors were visibly angry with the speech, most notably the Governors of Durango, Acapulco, and Gaudlahara who could claim either full or part Aztec blood.
Ermal then addressed the Assembly.
"Despite my loyalty to emancipation, Emperor Gojong has valid points. News has reached me recently that our fur and silver supplier, the Wyandots have also signed the treaty. We stand to lose many resources and possibly even friends if we continue with emancipation as it stands. I therefore, in the interest of Maya at large, recommend another vote to repeal emancipation."
The Governors, still in slight shock from Gojong's speech, were once again caught off guard by Ermals statement. Heated debate broke out in the Assembly as the Governors weighed the pros and cons of staying emancipated.
The speech given by Gojong was written by the Korean player, for story/diplo vote purposes.
Last edited by Pitboss Maya; February 7, 2009, 15:24.
All nations of Meduian have declined to sign the anti-emancipation pact except Spain.
This pact effectively is not legal on Meduian. Any nation that adopts emancipation on Meduian will receive the full support of the Khmer.
Spain's role in signing this pact brings up the issue of Spain being legitimately brought into the Hastings Accord. I ask for Penelope's and Jesse Pendragon McFungal for their views on this.
I'm really attempting to not emulate my fathers war like ways and wish to truely negotiate these issues.
In addition, if our Mayan friends decide to stick with emancipation Khmer will support them in any way we can.
To the nations of Meduian,
Lets think of the benefits that Emancipation will bring to you should you decide to follow the lead of Khmer. the basic one is that you will not suffer any unhappiness, but that is the only one that will benefit you, but it s great benefit to Khmer, since they have the strongest economy and will benefit most from the change, which means that we are actually losing out since. Do you really think that Khmer needs help, considering how strong they are? I implore that we sign this treaty as I have done and many other nations, since it is in our best interests.
To the nations of Meduian,
Lets think of the benefits that Emancipation will bring to you should you decide to follow the lead of Khmer. the basic one is that you will not suffer any unhappiness, but that is the only one that will benefit you, but it s great benefit to Khmer, since they have the strongest economy and will benefit most from the change, which means that we are actually losing out since. Do you really think that Khmer needs help, considering how strong they are? I implore that we sign this treaty as I have done and many other nations, since it is in our best interests.
Signed by Penelope, Queen of the Spainish Empire.
Penelope,
Khmer does not want emancipation. We detest it! See earlier communiqes.
Khmer's proposal is that the top four nations NOT adopt emancipation BUT all the other nations (who will mostly take a while to get there) ARE supported by the Khmer in emancipating themselves.
Are you going to stop the Funglish, Celts, America, HRE and Metals from adopting it by imposing sanmctions on them?
Can I say this once more?
KHMER DOES NOT WANT EMANCIPATION for ourselves.
Why are your tones towards the Khmer always so negative when all we are doing is trying to help the non top powers?
I wanted to keep you informed, though I do not have anything of substance to say yet.
I have spent time in the presence of the Lesser One, and in disucssion with my advisors. To avoid the growth of unreasonable expectations, I have to make clear that the terms of the Piecian/Korean peace plan will not be acceptable as they stand. It is a strange world in which the nation with right on its side (you invade us) and with the overwhelming military strength is expected to pay the other nation for peace! The proposal also seems oblivious of the penalties for breaking the previous treaty which were written by the Piercians into that treaty. Also the declarion of Vellitrae has produced peace between us for a far longer period than the previous carefully negotiated treaty did, so there is a reluctance to abandon it recklessly.
I am currently in discussion with Chief Tarhe of the Wyandot Nation. For, while I know it frustrates many, the fact is that Horse Valley and L'Or are Wynadot and have been for many years, there is now much Wynadot culture there, and no Roman armies in the area. I cannot make any pronouncements as to what should happen to Wynadot territory, though I am discussing the situation with Tarhe.
To : Emperor Augustus of Rome From : Aun'O Es'Ther Per'Hyl of the Piercian Empire
Greetings,
I can understand your doubts about the Korean purposal, so I belive that what we need here is some productive talking.
At first, I would like to expose my motivations. As you may have heared, most of my supporters are among the Shas (military caste), but the Por (merchands and scientists caste) hold many opposants to my policy, not to say my reign. I need a much more stable support among the dignitaries of my Empire. For this, I believe, expanding the economical infrastucture and planning on settlements on the new world will be the best solutions.
While the Shas still would support focus on war-industry, I personally believe that the last centuries have shown the long-term impact of Asiz's militarism. My Empire once was among the greatest nations on earth and as a leader, I have to do my best to restore the lost glory.
You may appreciate my good-will on reducing the Shas' budget to a minimum. In fact, the Pax Romana may be a solution for providing security to my people with a minimal actual military investment. I would like to put an end to this "cold" war we have for a too long time now.
I am waiting for your next purposal and I hope you may look at the Korean purposal as a sketch. I am ready to endorse all cons for my Empire from this purposal, including the technology or voucher according to the treaty broken by my predecessor.
It is time to face a future without grudges. This needs to be well-thought. However, I ask you not to delay this too much, for each day is another one lost as a crippled nation.
"I have a petition here signed by sixty thousand citizens of the Empire. There are ten thousand behind me! It is also signed by some nobles and Lama Ji Gong himself! I demand audience with the Emperor!" a merchant from Pyong'yang said to an Imperial servant.
"The Emperor is not at the palace at this time, you will have to wait, and you must remove your mob from the palace grounds! This is holy land!" the Servant replied, a small detachment of Imperial troops were waiting behind, just in case.
"What do you mean the Emperor isn't there, he should be there! He just returned from Greece! We demand audience!" the man again pleaded, as the crowd grew restless.
The servant turned to one of the guards, "They have a petition sir, even signed by the Dalai Lama, what should we do?" he handed the petition to the guard who looked it over.
"You hold them here, I will bring this to General Jumong...."
Inside the Palace...
"...so I said, when I told you to stab all of the women that isn't what I meant Guang!" Jumong bellowed as he enjoyed another taste of wine, "You know what I mean Park!" he asked Captain Park.
"Heh, yes, of course General." he said hesitantly, "Are you sure we should be eating this food? It is the Emperor's?" he asked. The Emperor was secretly away on business to the Mayan lands, in an attempte to get the Mayans to drop their emancipation policy. Gojong had agreed to sign a Greek anti-emancipation proposal in exchange for Greek support of their peace proposal between Rome and Piercia. This would mark yet another foreign-affairs blunder on the part of the Emperor.
"I piss on Gojong!" a drunk Jumong said as he stood up, "That little brat. Did you read the latest reports!?!" he laughed again, "That fool Bak Moon, that sniveling little miscreant, I had him in the palm of my hands. And our boy Emperor Gojong just lets him go. And not only that, brave men of Korea, not only that, but our little Emperor let him be the f*cking FOREIGN MINISTER! Unbelievable!"
"Commander-"
"You'd think he'd have more sense than to let some little twit run our foreign policy!" Jumong continued, unaware that Bak Moon had entered the room.
"GENERAL JUMONG!" he yelled, as the room of soldiers grew silent. "There is some unrest outside of the palace walls."
"Yes, I was wonder what all of that racket was." Jumong replied.
"So was I... But in any event, there is a collection of pesants outside demanding to speak with the Emperor, they have a petition signed by the Dalai Lama as well." he said presenting the General with the petition.
"A petition?" he said, looking at the peice of paper, "Can you believe this boys? These farmers have a peice of f*cking paper, with one of those skinhead idiots' (Buddhist monks) signatures on it!" he said as he held the paper over a candle.
"General, there is a great number of them, and the Emperor is still returning from Maya. We have to disperse this crowd until his return." Bak Moon explained, "I can not find the Prime Minister at all, he has perhaps already left for Wonsan."
"This is what I think of their f*cking petition!" the General said, tossing the flaming petition to the ground, he then promptly began to urinate on it, "Alright boys, let's show these peasants how we deal with impudence!"
"Classy," Bak Moon said, "Commander Jumong..."
Minutes Later, the Palace Walls...
The Korean soldiers, along with their new muskets, rallied to the gates of the palace walls as General Jumong clumsily took to the tower above them. "People of Korea, your Emperor is not here!" the General began, "Even if he were here, he would NOT wish to see you rabble!"
"General, what the hell are you doing?" Bak Moon asked, "Perhaps I should handle this situation."
"No, you have been stripped of your military title, and even your noble title. You should be down there with your people!" he laughed, "If you do not disperse at once, I will have no choice to to open fire upon you." he said, turning to Bak Moon, "finally, I get to put these new muskets to use!" he said smiling like a child.
"Jumong, surely you are too drunk to handle this! If we open fire upon them you are risking an uprising!" Bak Moon pleaded with him.
"Relax Bak, they'll cower, I just want to give them a scare. You will disperse NOW! he yelled out of the window.
"General! General!" a familiar voice called from among the people, "It is I, Ji Gong!"
"Look at at that old crazy bastard!" Jumong said, looking down from the tower, "Crazy Ji, is that you!?" he asked.
"Yes, General, you musn't do this. The Emperor will return in two days, I can convince the crowd to wait until then!" the old Monk said.
"Not an option Ji, you will tell this crowd to leave at once, or we will open fire. Those are your only options!" Jumong yelled down.
"Jumong, that is the Dalai Lama, you can not make these decisions without consent of the Emperor or Prime Minister." Bak Moon said.
"Bak, shut up, why don't you go f*ck up another diplomatic mission, and let me do my job okay!" Jumong turned back to the crowd, "Guards, capture the Dalai Lama, I do not want him harmed!"
The Imperial guards quickly captured the Dalai Lama Ji Gong, he didn't put up much of a struggle though, "Jumong!" he yelled, "I implore you not to do this! Refrain yourself!"
"They have taken the Dalai Lama!" the crowd began to grumble as they slowly approached the gates.
Jumong licked his lips "Well Bak Moon, it looks like these peasants aren't backing down; MUSKETS!!!!" he said, as the musketmen lowered their weapons, "READY!!!!" he said.
"No, you can't!" Bak Moon said.
"YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS TO DISPERSE!!!" Jumong yelled once again, "NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN...."
The crowd rushed the soldiers, as they began to fire before the count of ten. The gates were once again opened as Imperial soldiers flooded into the crowd, hacking, beating and shooting anything that moved. Bak Moon quickly ran from the tower as Jumong looked up in astonishment; this is not what he wanted to happen. He unsheathed his sword and quickly followed Bak Moon.
Captain Park quickly rallied as many Imperial soldiers as possible, he quickly realized that this entire affair had deteriorated into a brawl, and he wanted to restore order to the melee. General Jumong quickly ran up behind him, "Captain, what happened?"
"Not sure sir, when our men captured the Dalai Lama the crowd grew incensed, you couldnt' hear it up there but they were calling us tyrants, they were calling us Imperial dogs. The men must've grown anxious, and shots were fired prematurely." he said, as he hacked another attacker to death.
"Damn it!" Jumong said, "We had better send word to the Emperor, he should be in Wonsan..."
Days Later, Wonsan...
Emepror Gojong and Empress Sinhye decided to stay the night in Wonsan that evening. It was growing cold and they didnt' want to risk the journey back to Seoul; they had recently discovered that Sinhye was pregnant. Wonsan was also the hometown of the Empress, and Gojong felt that the time away from the Imperial court would do them both some good. Recently Gojong's foreign policy efforts had been failures; he managed to anger the Romans, Russians and Greeks with Ku Kai's peace proposal, he managed to strain the relationship between the Mayans and Koreans. Twice the Mayan assembly considered closing borders with Korea. Times were not gonig well for the Emperor, as he slowly began to learn the stresses of the job.
"I put too much faith in your cousin Sinhye!" he said referring to Bak Moon, "All of our efforts have been a failure. We were great friends of the Piercians and of the Romans, and now we look like fools!"
"Emperor, be calm. Their war is long, their hatred is deep, it will be hard to balance. Things may seem bad now, but I believe that while your proposal may not be accepted on its own, many of its tenants will be taken into consideration in the final deal. You must have patience, you are trying too hard to be like your father." the Empress said.
"I do not like to be compared to my father!" Gojong said sternly, "But you are right, maybe I expect too much out of these nations."
"Precisely, you renewed our friendship with Greece, you got us land grants on both New Sparta and New Portugal. You even repaired our relations with the Portugese. You have done a great deal, you just bother yourself with these impossible tasks. You can not control the Mayans my lord, you can not control the Romans or Piercians. These are things you will have to accept!" she said, as they both sat down on the bed.
There was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" the Emperor said.
Bak Moon quickly entered, "Emperor!" he said, he looked worried.
"What is it?" the Emperor said, rising to his feet, "Has something happened with the peace proposal?"
"No sir, no word on that just yet; there is something else though. There has been a massacre, at the palace." he said.
"A massacre!?" the Emperor asked, "Out with it! What happened?"
"Well, in your absence Commander Jumong assaulted a group of peasants, who had a petition for you sir. He told them you were gone, they didn't believe him, and they wouldn't leave. The Dalai Lama organized the mob sir." Bak Moon explained.
"The Dalai Lama? This is insanity!" he said, "I must return to Seoul, I will sign that treaty and put a stop to this madness!"
"I shall fetch Bojong!" Bak Moon said.
"No, he will stay here, so shall you and the Empress. She is pregnant and I will not have her in court during this time. You and Bojong will remain here until I give you further instructions, do you understand?" the Emperor asked.
Imperial Proclamation; these are the words of Gojong of Silla, Warlord of Pyong'yang, King of Seoul, Grand Prince of Wonsan and Emperor of Korea.
Nations of Terra,
As you may or may not be aware there was an attempted peasant uprising at my palace days ago. This uprising resulted in the untimely death of the Dalai Lama Ji Gong. A new Dalai Lama will be named at the Maha Bodhi in the coming days, once the monks make their determination.
Clearly this marks a horrible time in Korean history. One that I will not let continue unabated. As you may have heard I was planning on signing the anti-emancipation pact drawn up by the Greeks. I am now making that official. Korea has signed the anti-emancipation pact. This rabble will not be allowed, ever again, to cause such destruction and death, such wanton disorder ever again. Any peasant who speaks of such policies will be arrested on the spot. Any nation who is found to conspire with such groups within our Empire will be treated as enemies at war. We will follow the guidelines of Greece's pact, but know that we will not tolerate support for such movements, not in the slightest.
As always, thank you for your time,
- Gojong of Silla, Emperor of Korea
"Our cause is in the hands of fate. We can not guarantee success. But we can do something better; we can deserve it." -John Adams
I hereby declare the Anti-Emancipation Treaty to be official!
It has been signed by:
- Japan
- Rome
- Russia
- Portugal
- Spain
- Wyondats
- Korea
- Sparta
New nations are very welcome to join the Anti Emancipation Pact.
Let it be clear that the members of this pact to not want to intervene with local politics of other nations.
We just want to express our freedom to stop trading with any nation that by adopting emancipation influences our people, makes our people unhappy and destabilise our nations.
This pact is not a pact of aggression. We will not use force to serve our needs and fight emancipation.
We also want to express clearly that the signers of this pact do not oppose any form of freedom or suffrage for all. It is just this emancipation movement, that in example has lately done much damage in Korea, that we want to keep out of our lands.
July 18th 1520 AD To Pacal Ermal and the elected governors of the Maya
On behalf of the signers of the Anti-Emancipation-Treaty I ask you to denounce Emancipation in your lands again.
We will enforce sanctions on you if you will not comply to this request within 10 periods from now, effectively on July 19th 1570 AD
If you need more time to consider or comply to this request, and you have valid reasons for this, you can ask for an additional 10 periods.
Orestes of Sparta
Secretary of the Anti-Emancipation-Treaty
Treaty Members
Japan
Rome
Russia
Portugal
Spain
Wyandot
Korea
Sparta
One thing I need to mention is that the newly built "Great Celt City" on our southern Spanish border will have a Courthourse built in 2 periods. This synchronises with a pasture that will also be completed in 2 periods.
Thus the city will then be transferred to Celt control. It has expanded its culture as well. Note that the original Stincan city here was a one size city without any improvements called "Pony Point".
This transfer will complete the Khmer's original Hastings Agreement obligations.
To : Emperor Augustus of Rome
"I have a petition here signed by sixty thousand citizens of the Empire. There are ten thousand behind me! It is also signed by some nobles and Lama Ji Gong himself! I demand audience with the Emperor!" a merchant from Pyong'yang said to an Imperial servant.
The Korean soldiers, along with their new muskets, rallied to the gates of the palace walls as General Jumong clumsily took to the tower above them. "People of Korea, your Emperor is not here!" the General began, "Even if he were here, he would NOT wish to see you rabble!"
"YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS TO DISPERSE!!!" Jumong yelled once again, "NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN...."
"I put too much faith in your cousin Sinhye!" he said referring to Bak Moon, "All of our efforts have been a failure. We were great friends of the Piercians and of the Romans, and now we look like fools!"
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