Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread] . PART 7 (February 2009)

[The Capo]

A Tale of Two Cities...

Part Two: Wonsan

The nobility of Wonsan had recently come into great prominence. The ruling family there, that of Prime Minister Bojong of Wonsan, now boasted an Empress and a Foreign minister. The Empress was pregnant and the Imperial Court waited with baited-breath for a new heir to the Imperial throne. While the purgings of Gojong did much to limit the power of the nobility, the authority of Bojong's family was greatly increased. Much of the old holdings and wealth of dispersed noble families came under his control. Partially due to his own corrupt practices, but mostly due to his connection to Gojong (Bojong was the father of the Empress). Recently his cousin Bak Moon was appointed to the position of Imperial Foreign Minister (and thus spared from Gojong's purgings, despite the protest of Imperial Commander Jumong). At the behest of the Emperor, Empress Sinhye was ordered to remain in Wonsan at her family's estate until the birth of her child. The Emperor also ordered Bak Moon and Bojong to remain there with her until they got further instructions. Korea had made many missteps in foreign policy, formerly one of their strong points, and new issues had arisen that left Korean foreign policy in a state of disarray. Gojong left Bak Moon (who he saw as the origin of their new foreign policy blunders) in Wonsan so he could return to Seoul alone and handle the foreign policy himself.

....................

The entire family of the Wonsan nobility had gathered, as they expected a royal birth any day now, a great feast was being prepared for later in the evening as the family gathered in one of Bojong's many parlors for tea, as well as to take the Taoist sacramental mushrooms (with the exception of Sinhye of course, as she was pregnant). The mushrooms had yet to take effect, "And General Jumong fired upon them?" Bojong asked, horrified.

"Unfortunately yes, he was quite drunk at the time." Bak Moon replied, "Why Sejong appointed him Imperial Commander is beyond my comprehension, and yet we are stuck with him."

"He had his reasons Moon" Bojong replied, sipping some tea, "Jumong is a good commander, he is well-liked by the soldiers, and that is important. Considering they have all of the true power in Korea."

"Well, what little power Korea has is certainly waning, the decision to send Ku Kai certainly backfired. The Piercians hardly pushed for the proposal and the Romans and Russians were quick to call it into question. Even our Greek friends found it offensive!" Bak complained, "And of course I get all of the blame, sometimes I think he appointed me just to take the fall for all of this."

A servant brought in some pastries and desserts, as well as grapes from Pyong'yang, "Well that is partially true, but that is the lot of all of the Imperial ministers. The Emperor can do no wrong, so it must be the fault of his ministers!" Bojong laughed. "But soon that will change, we will be in a great position, for our Sinhye will produce an Emperor!" he said proudly as he smiled at his daughter.

Sinhye blushed proudly, "It could be a girl, you never know father."

"In fact, if that is the case, we could be in a much greater position. I could have her married to one of your couins, and we would claim the Imperial throne!"

"Father!" Sinhye said sarcastically, "Are you sure it is only tea in that cup?"

"Perhaps the sacrament has begun working" he chuckled, "You can not blame me, this Gojong is spoiled. He is of uncultured blood anyway, his grandfather was an uncivilized brute from Pyong'yang, that blood still courses through his veins."

"I have even heard" Bak Moon began, "Now mind you these are only rumors, but I have even heard that Wang Geon may not be his true grandfather! That it was some low General in his service."

"I never said Wang Geon WAS the uncivilized brute! Did I?" Bojong replied.

"Hah hah" Bak Moon laughed, "I guess that is so." he said, taking a bite of a Greek Dolma, "Ugh" he said throwing it on the floor as the servant rushed to pick it up, "Greek garbage!" he said, in reference to the Dolma. "How do you eat this stuff?"

"What can I say?" Bojong replied as another servant filled his cup of tea again, "I have an affinity for foreign delicacies. You would do well to adopt this trait, being foreign minister."

"True." Bak Moon replied.

"So, why did it all happen?" Sinhye asked.

"Why did what happen?" Bak Moon asked, the mushrooms began to take effect on him.

"The massacre, what provoked it?" Sinhye asked.

"Oh, the farmers were complaining that the taxes had been raised, but it is necessary. They complain that the cities are overcrowded, so we gain new territory from the Portugese and this is how they thank us, by storming the Palace? All over a small increase?" he scoffed. Of course the nobility was free of any taxes.

"Some people do not appreciate all of the work that goes into their safety and security," Bojong said, he looked around the room, "Where is that damned servant?" he said looking around. "I'm out of tea again, and that damn boy is nowhere to be seen! This is why I miss slavery..."

[The Capo]

TO: King Orestes
FROM: Gojong of Silla, Emperor of Korea

Honorable Orestes,

We appreciate any opportunity to visit Sparta. However at this time the Emperor himself is quite busy with some scant internal issues as well as some greater diplomatic pursuits. As you know we are still handling our new colony in New Portugal and the Emperor will not be able to travel to Sparta anytime soon as he has just returned from a trip to Maya.

In his stead, however, he shall send the Prime Minister Bojong of Wonsan. Bojong is a trusted member of the Imperial Family and is father to Empress Sinhye. He will also travel with a small band of soldiers as well as a General as per your request. We hope this will suffice. Please respond in haste.

And as usual, thank you for your time,

- General Jumong, Imperial Commander of Korea

[Pitboss Rome]

The Treaty of Horse Valley



The Treaty of Horse Valley

The Roman and Piercian people, recognising each other as honourable brothers, brave warriors and peace-loving neighbours, leaving behind all that has happened in the past, this day make this declaration:

The Pax Romana will be extended to include all the land from Eastern Oldonia and the shores of the Inland Sea, to the Eastern Ocean beyond the city of Minsk, taking in all the land between the Northern and Southern Seas. All Roman, Russian, Wynadot and Piercian people now rejoice to live under the security of the Pax Romana.

The Pax Romana offers peace and security to all those who live under it. Within it different nations live in trust and security with each other, without need of opposing armies and conducting no espionage and building no espionage networks against each other. All borders are open to all its people. Any threat to the Pax Romana will be taken as a threat against every nation within it; all will defend the Pax Romana against any who wish to threaten the peace and security of its peoples.

To establish the Pax Romana it is necessary to deal with the tensions and hopes of all our people, and to bring to an end the conflict between Piercia and Rome.

Therefore:

• The areas given to Rome in the Declaration of Vellitrae remain Roman. Roman borders are neither expanded nor contracted (for the avoidance of doubt this means The City of the Guard and the City of the Oath remain Roman).
• The Romans arrange for the Wynadot people to hand over the cities of Horse Valley and L’Or to the Piercian people.
• The Romans give to the Piercian people two groups of settlers to allow them to settle two new cities to satisfy the needs of the Piercian people, and Rome gives a supply of Iron to the Pierican people in perpetuity, recognising that the traditional source of Piercian iron is now within Roman territory.
• Recognising the penalities written into the Treaty broken by Emperor Asiz, the Piercians instruct the Romans in the art of Printing Presses.
• Recongising the it will take time for the tensions between the Rus and the Piercians to be fully healed, and that in the meantime it would be difficult to guarentee the security of Russian merchants in Piercia, the Piercians are allowed temporarily to keep their borders closed to the Rus.

Peace and security to all within the Pax Romana!

Emperor Augustus and Aun'O Es'Ther Per'Hyl


Annex of sequence for implementation

Immediately:
Proclamation of the treaty of Horse Valley
Peace treaty signed and borders opened.
Printing press given by Piercia to Rome.

Then, within 1 periods
Horse Valley and L’Or handed to Piercian control

Then, within 2 periods
A group of settlers given by Rome to Piercia

Then, within 15 periods
A second group of settlers given by Rome to Piercia

[Pitboss Khmer]

Tidings Roosevelt.

A group of two workers was gifted to you as part of our deal a few periods ago. They were in the city of Boston. Can you confirm the transfer as you queried this via the diplo channel (screen).

May many hands make light work!

Tidings,

Suryavarman 3

[Pitboss Khmer]

No Defensive Pact between Portugal and Spain?

Dear Penelope,

I write to you to reassure you that Portugal will stay loyal to our ancient ties and warm relations. Portugal and Spain have a very special relation; your honor is our honor. The Portuguese people are here for you if you need them. There is no other country on the world that we feel so close to.

I wish you much prosperity dear queen!

Xristo

Suryavarman 3 is curious about the need for this communique. With the return of Penelope and cessation of the Stincan war, border tensions between Khmer and Spain are relaxed. Khmer troops have all returned home. In addition Spain is secured by a defensive pact with the Funglish.

Xristo, I admire your leadership and the magnificent progress of Portugal but am also surprised by your recent signing of a defensive pact with Sparta, who were not so long ago enemies or very close to potential enemies of Portugal.

Would not a defensive pact with Spain have made more sense? You have VERY long historical ties with Spain who have always been your trusted and best friends.

I fancy that a defensive pact between Spain and Portugal makes far more sense than the Spainish/Funglish pact.

But who am I to say anything?

I have questioned the Funglish on the reasoning behind their pact but have not received any replies. Spain is not yet a member of the Hastings group but I hope to hold talks in Hastings soon to propose a vote on the matter.

Subsequently I anticipate strengthened security for Spain so have no fear Xristo.

Great tidings,

Suryavarman 3

[Pitboss Greece]

[ooc]fyi: neither Sparta nor Korea know where the story below will lead us to! Korea didn't even know I started it[/ooc]

It was 3 o'clock in the morning, a dark, moonless clouded night.
Three masked men closed in to the palace of Emperor Gojong of Korea.
They made no sound, gave hand signals to each other, and operated as smoothly together as the fingers of one hand.

They walked on their bare feet.
Spartans.

The palace was very well guarded since the latest uprisings.

Quickly they climbed over the walls.
Nobody heard them. Then suddenly two Korean guards saw them.
The guards were about to scream for assistance when a 4th and a 5th Spartan hit them from behind with a stone.
The 5 completely in black clothed men split up and tried to enter the palace from different angles.

Without making any noise they entered the palace one by one, mostly through open windows.
One of them found the housekeeper on his path. Quickly the Spartan well trained soldier put his hand on the housekeeper's mouth.
"Tell me where the emperor is" he whispered in his ear "or you'll die!"

While Emperor Gojong was sleeping the doors to his room opened.
Both guards lied on the ground. No blood, apparently they were still alive.
Two men entered the bedroom.
The windows opened, another man walked towards the bed of the Emperor.

One putted his hand on the mouth of the emperor.
Then the Emperor woke up. There was fear in his eyes.
Two more men in black entered the room. The doors were closed

Then all Spartanians, except the on holding the mouth of the emperor, bowed for the Emperor.

"You highness, In name of Orestes of Sparta we apologize for our uninvited entrance of your bedroom." one said.

"You are in great danger, Emperor!" another one said.

"I know" Gojong said, while putting the hand aside. "5 masked unknown men enter my room, what are you? Farmers? Did you come to kill me?"

"No, we are from Sparta. You do not need to fear us.
Orestes has sent us to bring you to Sparta, to secure you from dangerous people inside your palace and your inner circle." the leader of the men in black said.

"What do you know?" Gojong said.

"You majesty, we urge you to come with us. In Sparta our king will tell you everything. Please trust us! You are in great danger!"

[Pitboss Greece]

Suryavarman 3 of the Khmer,

Great King of both the far west and the far east,
In your latest communications you suggest that there have been hostilities between Sparta and Portugal.
May I learn you about the ancient old bounds between Portugal and Sparta?
Never have there been any harsh words or evil deeds been shared between the two great Empires of Portugal and Sparta.

I hope that you are willing to update your history books with this very important information.

King Orestes of Sparta

[The Capo]

"You majesty, we urge you to come with us. In Sparta our king will tell you everything. Please trust us! You are in great danger!" the Spartan said, cloaked in dark clothing.

"Where are my guards!" the Emperor yelled, in an attempt to call upon them.

"They are disabled, but they are alive." One of the Spartans said, the others stayed near the door. Two arrows shot them directly in the throat.

"EMPEROR!" a familiar voice said from the hallway outside, it was General Jumong, "ARE YOU WELL?"

"There's three more General!" he yelled as the Spartans took fighting positions.

"Emperor, you do not understand, you are in great peril."

"So are you, you greasy Greek bastard!" Jumong said as he and a troop of guards marched into the room, the Spartans were hesitant to attack them.

"STAND DOWN!" the Greek who seemed to be in charge said. The two other Greeks put their hands up.

"Kill them." Jumong said bluntly as the guards shoved their pikes into the Greeks. Leaving the one alive. "I suggest you move away from the Emperor, if you kill him another will take his place, but you will still die." he said approaching the Greek, "You've interrupted my drinking session, you dumb bastard."

"General Jumong" the Greek said, the General was surprised he knew his name, "I apologize for doing this, but you must understand. We must take the Emperor to Orestes, under cover of night! I did no harm, we didn't kill your guards."

"The two guards you knocked out in the hallway? Yeah, *I* killed them myself. Such is the fate of traitors. There's no way of knowing he was sent by Orestes Emperor." Jumong said as the Emperor rose to his feet.

"Emperor, I implore you to hear me out. These men did not die in vain, we have come to protect you from your own court!"

The Emperor thought for a moment, "Very well Spartan I will go see Orestes. General, jail this man." the Emperor said.

"But Emperor..." the Spartan said.

"DO NOT KILL HIM!" The Emperor said to Jumong.

"You're lucky Spartan." Jumong said, "Emperor, take Captain Park Long with you, I will select your finest guards. I do not trust these Greeks, not after snatching those deserts from under our noses, and especially not after this insult."

"Very good General, get this man from my sight!" the Emperor said, his heart was still beating from the fraucus.

"C'mon" Jumong said to the Greek, "I am going to give you the grand tour of our dungeon..."

[The Capo]

TO: Orestes of Sparta
FROM: Gojong of Silla, Emperor of Korea

Orestes,

It is not often I send foreign missives in my own hand.

You have done great insult to me, and my Empire. Your men, unannounced, entered my home and threatened the lives of my servants, courtiers, concubines, guards, and ministers. You should consider yourself lucky that my pregnant wife, Empress Sinhye, was not on the premises; for all of your spies would have been tortured. We would have had no choice but to declare war upon you.

Because of your carelessness, four of your men are killed, and two of my guards are dead.

A Greek spy, spared by my Imperial Commander General Jumong, is currently in captivity and will be tried for attempted regicide pending your words to me. You will be careful what you say to me, for I am incensed with rage. You have already angered us over snatching the eastern deserts from under our noses, so I come to you in very tedious friendship. I pray that your information was worth the death of four of your men, and potentially a fifth death.

I am a reasonable man, so I will come to you in peace but will be accompanied by my finest men. I hope that these men did truly come to help Korea, for if they did you should be ashamed of your handling of the situation. You did invite me back to Sparta, and I replied offering to send my Prime Minister instead. Rather than reply and say this was insufficient you broke into my Palace and caused six fatalities. There were no messages, whether private or to my foreign minister. I hope you have something good to say to me.

I shall arrive in Sparta in one week (OOC: so begin your posts whenever you want... I hope this is good ).

- Gojong of Silla, Warlord of Pyongyang, King of Silla, Grand Prince of Wonsan and Emperor of Korea

[Pitboss Khmer]

Suryavarman 3 of the Khmer,

Great King of both the far west and the far east,
In your latest communications you suggest that there have been hostilities between Sparta and Portugal.
May I learn you about the ancient old bounds between Portugal and Sparta?
Never have there been any harsh words or evil deeds been shared between the two great Empires of Portugal and Sparta.

I hope that you are willing to update your history books with this very important information.

King Orestes of Sparta

dear Orestes. alas the Great Library is now burned down and much historical record is lost; save for the memory of some.

There is a tale from an old woman in the jungle near Angkor Thom, not far from the fire ravaged library, who's father escaped the wrath of Rome on the western badlands. It is said that much blood flowed as sword stood tall to the bullet. Yet it was the swords and arrows that lay in the blood in the end. She says that these futuristic weapons came from Portugal but she is a madwoman and I apologise for repeating her rantings and getting into a diplomatic bungle.

tidings.

[Pitboss Khmer]

On another point Orestes, in terms of accurate records, Khmer has never had what the West would call, a King.

For eons we were ruled by despots until the passing of my father.

We are Representative Government now with me as their first truly representative leader.

Surayavarman 3

[Pitboss Portugal]

Greetings Surayavarman 3!

I would like to confirm my dear friend Orestes words. Portugal and Sparta have always been close friends. I can reassure you that our relations are stronger then ever. Our people have traded and exchanged much knowledge, I spend many years living and studying in Athens, we both are members of the Emancipation Treaty, a defense pact and there is so much more, but due to security concerns some things can not be shared.

Best

Xristo

[Pitboss Portugal]

Meeting

A photograph taken during a Portuguese and Spartan meeting in Athens.

[MMC]

What's a Photograph?

[Pitboss Greece]

Gojong immediately headed towards his castle in the Spartan hills.
When he arrived at the castle he saw that it was heavily guarded by Spartan soldiers.
Gojong was not chancing his route and still headed towards the castle.
When he arrived at the gates, the Spartan soldiers made the way free for Emperor Gojong. They bowed their heads.

Inside the castle, Orestes was waiting.
The Spartan servants had cleaned the castle carefully and a table with a lot of food and wine as waiting for the Emperor.

"Take your time to regain your strength after this journey, great friend" Orestes said, while pointing at the table and the Emperors resting and bathing room.

Gojong had some anger in his eyes: "I hope that you have a very good reason for what you have done.......... friend" Gojong said. The last word wasn't spoken with much sympathy.
"You are sure that you do not want to take some rest first?" Orestes asked.
"No." Gojong countered immediately.

"5 of your men, masked men, have intruded my palace and my bedroom....." Gojong whispered.
"If my pregnant wife would've been there, she might have given labour too early." Gojong's eyes were flaming when that thought crossed his mind again.

"I am sorry, mighty emperor" Orestes said "that I had to do what I have done, but I would do it again, if I had the choice."

Orestes eyes were both curious and angry.

"For why would your wife give birth to a child that has no father. A child that would be trained by a corrupt family member, teaching him things you would never teach to you child.. A new emperor, too young to rule he empire, being used as a puppet by a man uncapable to lead Korea, but full of himself. Altering your bloodline forever, with lies and corruption." Orestes continued.

"Speak out clear, no riddles anymore" Gojong ordered.
Orestes hesitated a bit after this very direct order he received. Something that had never happened before. But then he continued.

"Sir, I have a letter for you, which I received from your minister of foreign affairs" Orestes handed the letter to Gojong.

Gojong read it. Then he looked at Orestes and asked: "Is this a forgery?"
"No, it is real."

"So, Bak Moon thinks it is difficult and hard to serve a young and arrogant emperor like me..., that's what you called me for?"

"This is not all" Orestes sad.
"My informants have handed me many signs that Bak Moon's family is after your throne."
"Bojong...." Gojong let some breath escape between his teeth.

"Yes sir, Bojong.... wants to kill you, put his grandchild on the throne, and rule Korea on behalf of the baby-emperor."

Then Gojong quickly looked at Jumong.
"You can trust him!" Orestes said.
"I have reasons to believe that Jumong shot at the mob only because he believed that Bojong was behind it, trying to set the ordinary people up against their emperor."

Sejong bowed his head.
"Are you sure?" Gojong asked.
"I can't be sure on all the details, but yes, I am sure that this Bojong desires nothing but your had. That's why I wanted to bring you to Sparta as soon as possible. You were not safe in Korea.

You can bring Spartan soldiers with you, if you want to.
But I believe that if you let Jumong and his young soldiers stay close to you, you can be unbeatable!"

"I must think about this..." Gojong said.
"Take your time. Ask for anything you need, and Sparta will support you!" Orestes said.
"Now first take a bath and eat some food! You have had a long journey" Orestes concluded.