Destiny of Empires II [Story Thread]

[Calanthian]

OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION OF ZHENGZONG SUPREME RULER OF CHINA

************************************************** *************************
The citizens of Lhasa have joined the Indian empire. This while we have recently sent Tao missionaries to aid in their needs, spiritual or other. Furthermore we were building a pagode to further the cultural life in Lhasa.

We respectfully ask the Indian empire to let Lhasa return in the loving arms of the mother empire, this to ensure further good relations between our countries. Furthermore we will let the Lhasans, who choose not to be part of the mother empire, travel to India, along with their longbows, which they seemingly acquired from out of nowhere.

We will sweeten this deal further by adding another 50 gold for resettlement costs of the Lhasans who choose to be part of India.

To Lhasa we pledge that Lhasa will become a fully functional part of the Chinese empire, along with all the perks which come with that for the population. Chinese citizens are happy citizens, it seems the Lhasans did not realise that, coming from barbarian roots.

In this fashion we will ensure that all parties involved, India, Lhasa and China can be happy with the results.

[Calanthian]

"Sire are you sure the Indians will react in a positive manner to this?"

"Frankly, yes, as it is a most reasonable proposal..."

And I am sure that they will realize that between Lhasa and the rest of the Indian empire lie the Himalaya mountains which cannot be crossed by any armies. This renders Lhasa virtually indefensable, by any other troops as currently available in Lhasa itself.

So I suppose the Indian generals will be verry hesitant to even suggest they could keep and defend Lhasa against the mighty and technologically advanced Chinese army.

Thus I am confident that I don't even need to make any threats. As history suggests the Indians are a most reasonable people, and they will see that an extra unit of longbows, 50 gold and continued friendship with the Chinese is an excellent result of this unfortunate business.
"

[Calanthian]

"Good we succeeded in making satisfactory arrangements with the Indians."

"Yes, they are a reasonable people.."

[OzzyKP]

[Robert]

When I was younger I thought curfews were silly, but now as the daughter of a young woman, I appreciate them.

lol @ this spambot, had to quote him before he got his ban
Ozzy: you got fanbots!

[OzzyKP]

[2metraninja]

BTW, what is the meaning of this, Ozzy? Is it the fun supposed mistake "daughter" - "father" ?

[OzzyKP]

Yup.

[DNK]

Viet-Japanese Renewal Signed

In the year of the rooster, 1620, His Grice Emperor Nguyen signed the "Pact of Friendship and Cooperation" with Japan, renewing the 250-year-old treaty that has bound these two great nations together. The paper was signed jointly with the representative of Japan's Shogunate in Gia Dinh, while a similar ceremony played out across the waters of the East Sea in Japan.

This agreement included the renewal of the partition of the Southlands and all surrounding isles, as agreed upon by the past leadership of the country. The Emperor was delighted to see the return of the "Disputed Territory" agreed to, illegally colonized by an errant lord of the past Shogunate. Furthermore, both nations agreed to a coordinated defense of the Southlands from barbarians or others who might wish to take the lands that rightfully belong to Dai Viet and Japan.

[Hercules]

Phillip arrived back at court after a harrowing journey to the 'enlarged Spain' , which now included parts of North Africa.

By 'El Cid' it was harrowing. Hot, desert, little water, the sun, camels even worse than riding horses. Still it was 'legibus solutus' and the colonists appreciated the visit. He had even time for a courtesy meeting with some of his French cousins, who also were establishing themselves in these regions.

But it was a task to get building materials to these places and it was too hot to grow vines. Maybe there was better raw material in the jungle further south.

Nevertheless it was good to be back. He decided to send a missive to his cousin Charles in the low countries describing his adventures and also to his brother in law or distant cousin Francup saying how welcoming his compatriots had been to him.

He was seeking to co-operate with both parties.

[Calanthian]

China is deeply worried about the continuing unrest in Korea.
There have been rumours that the Korean government is in disarray.

Message to Korean government officials: please contact us as quickly as possible.

[1889]

THE DECISSION

Monday already. The king adjusted himself, trying to get comfortable on the elaborately adorned throne. He swatted at a fly evidently attracted to the gaudily bejeweled crown. The royal page mistakenly took it as the signal to call in the kingdom’s chief advisors. Before the king could correct the young man’s error the potentates were already filling into the council chamber.

After the brief formalities the Science Advisor opened the discussion. “Your majesty, in the past the Gupta Dynasty has been renowned for its patronage of the sciences. Indian explorers are household names and our maps are prized above all others but as of late we are falling behind. I propose we build more universities and recapture the glory of the Gupta Dynasty.” The king’s face lit-up, “Hmm, a very interesting proposal.”

The Culture Advisor took over the argument. “Majesty, I beg to differ. True glory cannot be found in the fleeting advantage of advanced technology, real glory is made of stone and marble. Only a great wonder guarantees your glory will not fade.” The king began to stroke his beard in thought, “Now that would be impressive, wouldn’t it.”

The Military Advisor however was not impressed. “I say true glory is found on the field of battle, but that is irrelevant because our military forces are currently too weak to expel an invader. My liege, for the sake of future generations we need to train more military units.” The king was brought back to reality; the Military Advisor always said such alarming things, “Of course! That must be corrected immediately.”

The Economics Advisor pushed his glasses back up his nose and adjusted his green visor. “Uhm, actually sire I was going to suggest disbanding some of the less effective troops. You see there is the cost…” The king stared blankly at his economist hoping to affect the expression of comprehension, but in reality he was never quite sure when the man was finished making his point.

The Foreign Advisor came to his rescue. “I believe majesty that all these goals can be accomplished through diplomacy. Astutely fostering friendship can obviate the need for more soldiers, bring money into the treasury, and our universities, through trade all while earning you the respect you so richly deserve.” The king was pleased and thankful, “Diplomacy is the truest mark of greatness is it not.”

The Science Advisor was not so easily distracted however, “But what can we trade? We currently lack the technology to compete. A renewed emphasis on science and invention is needed to attract trade.” “Well your clunky gadgets aren’t nearly as attractive as a fine work of art.” “Fat lot of good all your art will do if our military can’t protect our borders!”

The king rolled his eyes up to the ceiling as the council chamber erupted in a cacophony of shouts and arguments. His gaze lit upon the fly buzzing absentmindedly now around the gilded chandelier. The insignificant creature existed in a world of total freedom, he mused, while the most exalted monarch was shackled to this uncomfortable throne. “Gentlemen please, let us break for lunch” the weary monarch almost pleaded.

***

The king nibbled royal toast and sipped stately milk hopping to settle his regal stomach, but even this pathetic meal was interrupted.

His page bowed deeply as he poked his head sheepishly into the royal private chamber, “A thousand pardons your highness but the Russian Minister is still waiting.”

***

The Russian Minister was direct and blunt as usual. “We can no longer tolerate the vile Arabs. Will you join us in plowing their pitiful civilization under?”

The king thought about the Russian Minister’s simple proposal. Yes, a quick victorious war would be just the thing, he decided.

***

A few moments later when he presented his decree to the council, the king was disappointed with the utter lack of praise and approval for his declaration of war.

The room once again filled with argument and bickering. “Your majesty what will that do to our research budgets?” “War! Oh the humanity!” “Very well, but I’ll need more units right away.” “But we had valuable trade routes with the Arabs!” “Amortization schedules for mines on the frontier will have to be completely recalculated now.”

The king’s eyes wandered back to the fly as it buzzed happily out an open window into the fresh air beyond.

[Calanthian]

A small Chinese expeditionairy force has moved into the Wosan region, to control it.
The moment we are contacted by the rightfull rulers of Korea, we are prepared to transfer control immediately.

[Calanthian]

The royal familiy of Korea managed to regain control of the country.
China has returned the lands it had secured, to keep them from harm from local warlords.

[LzPrst]

The Alsace Town crisis!

For many centuries, the French Kingdom with its tributaries and vassals was ruled by the Dauphine Dynasty of Kings, whom by tradition all took the name Louis after Louis I, who united the 3 cities of France. But the King, despite his status, was never in a position of great power, the entire stability of the Kingdom depended on the goodwill of the many bickering, snobby and prissy nobles whom supplied food, soldiers and money to the King, though only when it suited them. Following the French victory against the Viking armies in Denmark that enabled the Holy German Empire to expand north, securing its northern front, the nobles expected phat loot. When no such loot was given, they became sullen and sulky. When the King Louis the Magnificent (VII) died, the following two Kings were unable to get anything of importance done. The nobles grabbed ever more privileges and the Crown lost power.

Then, the smallest hinge vaulted the unstable Kingdom from unstable feudal state to something else entirely. Due to the dynastic intermarriages of French and German nobles, French lands on the border fell into the Holy Emperor of Germany's hands when obscure laws of inheritance came into action upon the passing of the last member of a French noble house. As a result, the city of Paris could no longer feed all its citizens. A maddening merry-go-round of "grab the farm" began internally in France, but despite many reorganizations of production, the country could no longer feed all its people. As the prices of bread rose, the peasants began protesting. King Louis X, most known for his lavish orgies, decided to become more concerned with actually ruling his country and met with the merchant burghers. They financed several military expeditions across the Atlantic sea, luring the majority of the aristocracy's military capabilities to the new world. The King could now for the first time tax the aristocracy. In return the merchants requested a loosening of aristocratic privilege on trade, granting rights of commerce to any who could afford to join a merchant's guild. The King agreed.

This caused havoc and anger among the aristocracy who protested, refusing to pay taxes. As a result the entire French Empire has grinded to an anarchic standstill for months to come. The King was furious. All caused by some German baron inheriting a town in Alsace. France was in chaos.