Peking Lihong

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:51:15 AM

Her Imperial Majesty urges for innovation.

Our esteemed Emperess Tzu Hsi, long may She reign, has decided to bring the Center of the Earth to greater heights of achievement and prosperity and has instructed Her Government to implement the proper policies for this worthy goal. It has been established by our highest-ranking scientists and government officials that, being the paragon of civilisation, our dearly beloved Empire nevertheless needs the occasional input of new ideas and products if we would prosper in ever-growing superiority. This worthy goal will partially be achieved through renewed vigerous trade with the barbaric lands outside of the Empire, and in order to do so our great merchant houses have been granted the right to start negotiatons with merchant houses from abroad, although under strict official supervision and merchant management by the Provincial Governors.
For the same purpose Her Imperial Majesty has authorized the noble Commanders of the Imperial Navy and the Imperial Army to seek technical innovations abroad to add them to our current superior designs. This humble newsgatherer has learned that the Naval Commanders have lately noted the unusual designs of barbaric warvessels and are interested in observing these differences so as to broaden the Imperial Navy's knowledge-base.

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Ithekro
Posted: Oct 4 2005, 11:41 AM

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And so speaks the Middle Kingdom, Center of the World.

They don't look like elves, yet they have that air about them

(Nicely put while in the Imperial Chinese mindset from what I remember from class. I'll assume this will not be the historical Qing/Manchu Dynasty, at least in full?)

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Phoenix
Posted: Oct 4 2005, 12:23 PM

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The current ruling dynasty is indeed the Qing (from Manchu origins). The ruling Emperess was a wife of the late Emperor Xianfeng, who was the 9th Qing Emperor. When he died in 1861 (your year reckoning, I will use it during this explanation) 2 of his wives: the Emperess Cian and Tzu Hsi, Mother of the Heir Tongzhi, ruled as regents until his coming of age.
Emperor Tongzhi died at age 19 in 1875. Emperess Cian died in 1881. In 1889 the young Prince Guangxu was elevated to the Dragon Seat but the rule over the Center of the World proved a tad too challenging for him, and at the behest of the Imperial Government Emperess Tzu Hsi took over again in 1898. Emperor Guangxu died shortly thereafter in the Summer Palace to which he had retired. Stomach problems.
Possibly.

In barbaric countries the Emperess is perhaps better known as Emperess Cixi.

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swamphen
Posted: Oct 5 2005, 08:21 PM

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And a "welcome aboard" from the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg.

That is an excellent piece, far in excess from anything I could come up with. smile.gif Having China participating will certainly be good for the sim...both as providing "interesting times" for the other nations...and in the quality of the sim itself.

(It will also be interesting to see if the Middle Kingdom aspires to bring the Eastern Kingdom back into the fold.)

---

If the Naval Commanders of Her Imperial Majesty wish to examine the latest innovations in German warship design, it is possible that the First Battle Squadron of the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg, the battleships Kaiser Freidrich III and Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, could make a courtesy visit early in the coming year.

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Phoenix
Posted: Oct 12 2005, 01:06 PM

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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Ji-hai, month 11, day 21

Historic visit expected at cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month 2, day 3 !

The Tsungli Yamen has decreed that the Middle Kingdom will receive the visit of a delegation from the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg. The delegation will be transported to the Center of the World by the illustrious vessels the battleships "Kaiser Freidrich III" and "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" of the DKB's honorable Imperial Navy, and grace the harbour of Tianjin with their presence at (in their words) the Third of March, Ninteen-Hundred, the anniversary of the crowning of Kaiser Freidrich II of the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg.
The population of Tianjin is encouraged to arrange for suitable festivities and entertainments, but is warned at the same time that the yang guizi have different views on what is proper than The People do.

Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Ji-hai, month 11, day 20

The concept of distance

At the request of several yang guizi merchants this humble writer will try to explain the concept of "li".
Li is sometimes translated to a half kilometer or a third of a mile in foreign languages. The problem is that the yang guizi do not understand the concept of terrain changes and thus fail to see how the numbers of li can change.
As is well established and everybody knows the number of li from one point to another varies with the steepness of the road. Thus it is perfectly possible for a farmer who travels 5 li towards the city, but travels 3 li back from the city to his farm because the latter voyage is uphill. The more effort is needed for walking, the more li's are counted.
We fail to see why this baffles the yang guizi and causes them to accuse honest businessmen of trickery.

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Ithekro
Posted: Oct 12 2005, 01:23 PM

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How is that accounted for? I guess the better question would be, "how is a Li measured?" Paces?

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Phoenix
Posted: Oct 12 2005, 01:29 PM

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QUOTE (Ithekro @ Oct 12 2005, 01:23 PM)
How is that accounted for? I guess the better question would be, "how is a Li measured?" Paces?

No. Time and effort.

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Ithekro
Posted: Oct 12 2005, 03:00 PM

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Then a more western accurate concept for this would be a measure of labor, not distance.

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Phoenix
Posted: Oct 24 2005, 07:55 AM

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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Strange explosions in the northern skies

Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month, 1 day 18

Wang Wen-shao, Governor of province Heilongjiang, has reported a strange occurence on cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month, 1, day 14, coming from Russian Siberia: a great booming sound was heard and the sky was illuminated as if the sun had come down to earth. Animals have panicked and farmers fled their villages when everything fragile shattered, but peace was restored a few days later when further mishaps failed to manifest themselves.
One is wondering what dire omen this strange occurence brings so early in the new year.

Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Trains on oil humbug says Superintendant of Lu-Han

Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month, 1 day 9

Governor Hu, Superintendent of the Lu-Han Imperial Railways of the Middle Kingdom, after having taken notice of the incredible news from the continent on the other side of the Great Sea, that their trains can run on petroleum, has dismissed this news as being "humbug". According to Governor Hu this new invention "has no future at all and will be a fast-fading novelty. Trains will always have to depend on coals and our mines are overflowing with that precious black gift from the Heavens anyway."
Governor Hu has announced at the same time that the expansion of the railroads towards the north and west is going according to schedule and that the famous "Iron Coast Line" is almost completely in place.


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Phoenix
Posted: Oct 26 2005, 03:25 PM

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Shenbao

March 5, 1900

The redaction of the Shenbao, published in Shangai, has managed to get into its possession a most alarming pamphlet. We have translated this for the convenience of our customers.

QUOTE
Prepare yourselves with resolve of steel and unwavering courage !

It has come to the knowledge of the Righteous Harmony Society that the Imperial Palace and the Tsungli Yamen are seeking to foster closer contacts with the "New Swiss" foreign devils. The Righteous Harmony Society has always felt that the presence of barbarians on our soil, acting as if they own it, is a festering sore in the Middle Kingdom and that the Heavens would not tolerate this for long.

Our pleas to Their Imperial Majesties and to the Grand Secretary of the Foreign Office have fallen on deaf ears it seems, and now we feel that we have been entrusted with the Heavenly Mandate for action... just remember the strange earth-shattering explosion that happened recently, so close after the beginning of the New Year, in the far north as reported by Wang Wen-shao, Governor of the province Heilongjiang ! This is a most powerful omen of dire consequences that would befall our most venerable Middle Kingdom if we would not take instant measures in order to ward off more and closer catastrophies !! It is no mystery that such an auspicious Celestial Warning has occurred in the lands of a foreign country that has recently been assured by the Tsungli Yamen of their ownership of Dalian and most of the province Lianing for another 100 years. What woe would befall us next we ask ourselves ?
Yu Hsien, the most honerable Governor of Shandong, has already expressed his worries to the Imperial Court and the Tsungli Yamen. As Governor of one of the provinces most closely positioned to New Swiss territory and colonies we can trust his judgment when it comes to these foreign devils and their malicious ways. He has confided to several of us that he is most worried over this enchantment by the foreign devils that the Imperial Court seems to have fallen under.

It IS time for action brothers ! We must safeguard our most venerable Middle Kingdom from the evil doings of these foreign devils ! We must stand steadfast, with courage steeling our hearts, and the protection of Heaven steeling our bodies !
The Righteous Harmony Society counts on your resolve dear brothers. Prepare and be ready. And spread this message to others, that they might heed the call of duty and join us in this most righteous of struggles.

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Desertfox
Posted: Oct 26 2005, 06:05 PM

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The sky must be falling. First the convoy gets past Constitution, then the Neatherlands leaves the Alliance, and now this. huh.gif

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swamphen
Posted: Oct 26 2005, 07:38 PM

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"The sky is falling. Details at eleven."

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Ithekro
Posted: Oct 26 2005, 08:09 PM

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Well for the first one, I guess the local commander felt outnumbered and decide life over valor. The second is a logical dediction when your capital is within easy striking distance of the "enemy" that happens to be the biggest power on the planet, and you have no nearby support to stop them.

The last is historical (roughly, Boxer Rebellion if I recall).

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Desertfox
Posted: Oct 27 2005, 09:17 AM

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Well the sky IS falling literaly at least for the russians tongue.gif

To NSN and Ally forces: Execute, Red Tide. Repeat. Execute, Red Tide.

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olekit
Posted: Oct 27 2005, 09:49 AM

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The problem is in powers and population of Lianing.
It is a bad thrick to rebell there. The edges of Siberia are free and welcomes all of rebellons.

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:52:29 AM

Shenbao, published in Shangai

QUOTE
March 30, 1900

More and more rumors abound regarding the organisation know as the "Righteous Harmony Society". It has come to the knowledge of this humble reporter that the Society is preparing itself for a series of massive and violent protests against the Foreign Devils' presence in our Middle Kingdom. These men have trained themselves into physical perfection and fear weapon nor death. Our foreign friends should be warned that their safety is in jeopardy, that dire events are set to happen, and that their businesses may well be destroyed if these rebels had anything to do about it ! But who will protect them ?
It is well known that Governor Yu Hsien of Shandong Province is a sympathisant of this Society. And who will say that other Governors do not harbour similar thoughts ? How far has this Society infiltrated into the ranks of not only our government officials, but also of the army ? We know that Prince Tuan, Chief of the Beijing Field Forces, belongs to them. We know they have "friends" everywhere !
One wonders why the Department of Internal Affairs does not investigate. One wonders why notorious sympathizers of this organisation are allowed to work unhindered and to spew forth their hatred for our guests and trade-partners. The latest treaty with the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg seems to become the proverbial drop that makes the bucket overflow.
We know that orders have been given.
Does the government know ? Do they WANT to know ?

Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month 2, day 30

Alarming news regarding Righteous Harmony Society

The Government has seen fit to declare that anyone found helping to incite riots, or participating therein, will be arrested and brought to trial. Penalties may include execution by beheading, but also banishment and the payment of hefty fines by the families of the wrongdoers.
This declaration is spurred by the growing unrest regarding the ever-increasing presence of yang guizi in the ports and harbours. Lately unrest has been growing, especially so since the declaration of a treaty allowing one of the yang guizi nations to establish themselves inland at Wuhan. It is well known that the Righteous Harmony Society seeks to chase away the yang guizi from the Middle Kingdom, back to the wildernesses that spawned them. The Government however warns that any member from this society will be severely persecuted if caught in the act. The Green Standard Army has received orders to shoot to kill if a riot breaks out.

Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month 2, day 30

Beautiful Spring

Spring has come, and this humble newspaper received a most gracious gift from The Most Honerable Kang Yi, Inspector of Fortifications and Garrisons and Tax Collector of Arms Purchases. He explained in a letter to this humble redaction that during his travels this New Year's Spring has been most beautiful and he has rarely seen nature so lush. He captured his rapture in most elegant lines, the following poem from his hand:

Blossom fragile over chattering brook
Promise of goodness happy youth
Play in the sun's rays blessed
A beginning

One can only marvel at such talent and this humble redaction is most proud to be able to publish some of his finest writings.

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Phoenix
Posted: Nov 9 2005, 01:38 PM

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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month 4, day 10

CHILLING FIND - ABANDONED VESSEL FOUND NEAR HANGZHOU

Fishermen have spotted a derelict vessel at the islands close to Hangzhou and have alerted the Coastal Navy as to their dire findings. The Coastal Navy immediately dispatched a war vessel in order to investigate this strange matter. These men valiantly braved the unknown and had to be strong in mind and heart indeed !
They found an apparently abandoned ship, languishing forlorn on anchor, its hull name was rudely scratched away, and no living or dead man was found on board. All of the usual references towards the identity of the vessel seem to have been destroyed and likewise its logs are missing. We wonder as to what dire event must have happened to these unfortunate souls that no sign of them has been recovered. Not a name, nothing. What terrible terrible fate !
There was, however, upon closer inspection, still a full load of cargo in the hull. It consisted of utensils and materials for the use in war and killing. A most chilling find indeed !!
Suspicion has been aroused because the shape and design of the derelict vessel are remarkabely similar to the ships of our neighbouring country of New Switzerland. Our Most Esteemed President of Foreign Affairs has sent inquiries as to that matter to his colleague in New Switzerland.
In the meantime the derelict vessel has been towed towards Hangzhou where an inventory of its cargo will be made and the investigation will continue.

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Phoenix
Posted: Nov 11 2005, 01:52 PM

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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month 4, day 18

ABANDONED VESSEL EXAMINED - ILLOGIC FIND

The Naval Department has issued a press release concerning the conclusions of their examination of the strange derelict vessel that was found near Hangzhou last week.
The vessel was abandoned, no trace of its occupants was found - strangely enough except for a few short black curly hairs, and all references as to the identity of the vessel and its occupants seem to have been destroyed on purpose.
The find of the few strands of hair indicates that at least one occupant of the vessel cannot have been a subject of the Middle Kingdom !
Furthermore the vessel is similar to the design of the sea-going ships that our neighbouring nation New Switzerland deploys. Their Office of Foreign Affairs has however denied any disappearances of their fleet, both military and trading. All ships are supposed to be accounted for, even a recently lost one.
As to the cargo, even more questions are raised: the hull was stacked with all kinds of implements of war and killing. After having consulted with yang guizi traders the examiners conclude that these implements can be traced back to a mixture of several nations, such as our neighbour New Switzerland, our most recent trade partner Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg, but also United Kingdom of America, France, Confederate States of America and even a few Anahuac weapons. A stash of seemingly African spears might point towards the country of Malawi. Why that stash of obviously obsolete implements was included in the -for the rest relatively modern- cargo is still a riddle !
The Tsungli Yamen has announced to be worried by this strange occurence, but denies any plausibility to stories of haunted ships and warns sternly against the spreading of such. For the record: "No blood has been found on the vessel's walls or hull."

Shenbao, published in Shangai

QUOTE
May 14 1900

Warm reception in the Forbidden City for Ambassador Luietenant Colonel Ceeta of New Switzerland

Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi has invited Her Excellency New Swiss Ambassador Luietenant Colonel Ceeta for an informal dinner and stage performance in the Forbidden City. Since most yang guizi envoys are male, and their entrance in the Women's Quarters of the Forbidden City is hence anathema, it is a rare opportunity for both Empresses Dowager to meet with an envoy in an informal setting.
As is generally known amongst the people of the Middle Kingdom our Most Beloved Majesty Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi is very fond of Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy, who is supposed to have a thousand hands with an eye in each in order to better see misery amongst the people and do something about it.
The dance to be performed therefore is called the " Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva Dance" and is most spectacular. New staging tricks with mirrors and directed beams of light are to be expected and a whirlwind of colours and hands will enrapture the onlookers.
user posted image

OOC Those who like it can watch the movie here.
It might surprise you, but the dancers are all deaf.

Edit by maddox. the website doesn't allow hotlinking, a copy paste action does work.

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Phoenix
Posted: Nov 17 2005, 04:51 PM

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Peking Gazette

QUOTE

Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month 4, day 25

IMPLEMENTS OF WAR FROM ABANDONED VESSEL TO BE STUDIED

The Naval Department has given the implements of war, recently found in the abandoned vessel near Hangzhou, over to the Military Department, which has in turn turned over these tools of destruction to the New Army for study and training. A part of the weapons are given over to the scientists for study, the rest will be tested for use if more modern or seemingly better than our existing weapons. The New Army Corps in Nanjing will undertake this important task and volunteers have already been selected to familiarize themselves with these new implements of war. When proficient in the use thereof these valiant men will train the troops. They are conscious of the dangers involved in using unfamiliar weapons but these brave men have sworn to serve Country and Emperor and will boldly face the hazards of the unknown.
The vessel itself will be studied in a drydock by the Naval Department and afterwards released to the highest-bidding Merchant House.
Unless the owner comes forward and states his claims of course. It has been said to this humble reporter that officers in the Naval Department are awaiting this with happy and eager anticipation.

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Phoenix
Posted: Nov 18 2005, 01:36 PM

Hegemon
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Shenbao, published in Shangai

QUOTE
May 23rd, 1900

Lately rumours have been circulating about massive sudden deaths, caused by an unknown illness, amongst the peasants who live in the Mainland South-West from the Capital Beijing. The Government of His Imperial Majesty Kaili has issued a decree that rumour-mongering serves no other purpose but chaos and that it is a punishable offense when it threatens the stability of the country.
All local magistrates have received orders as to how to handle this matter if it occurs in their jurisdiction.
A quick review in history books has taught us that such outbreaks of lethal illness are not unheard of and have taken place in the past before.

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Phoenix
Posted: Nov 24 2005, 12:26 PM

Hegemon
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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month 3, day 11

OUTRAGEOUS NEWS AND UPROARS

France gives part of Indochina to The Netherlands, an obscure little country at their own border. Local dignitaries and the population themselves have erupted in anger over this news and there is word of revolt and demonstrations.
What angers the local dignitaries and population most is that the Government does not undertake any official action at all regarding this cheap give-away of original Chinese soil ! Rumour has it that local divisions of the "Righteous Harmony Society" have been arranging for the protests and are gearing up for -in their words- "the reclaiming of our Ancestral Lands".

Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Geng-zi, month 3, day 9

MYSTERY DISEASE SPREADING

Despite the best efforts of doctors and scientists to curb its spreading, the strange and apparently very contagious disease that has befallen the farmers of the provinces Hebei, Shanxi and Henan has not been contained to these 3 provinces alone. Reports from the provinces Anhui, Inner Mongolia, Zheijang and Ningxia speak of dozens of people ill and dead, figures mounting even as we write this.
The doctors and local dignitaries are wondering why poultry has been dying in large numbers as well in those provinces, but also in Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai and Shaanxi.
People are warned to cease all non-necessary travel and to stay in their cities or villages. Those who appear to have the following symptoms: fever, coughing, black spots on the body, should be brought to designated buildings for proper care. Relatives should not visit them. Bodies of the deceased and their clothes and bed linens must be burned immediately, as well as furniture and other things that the deceased touched.
Dead poultry should not be eaten but burned on the spot.

Advise from the Government is as follows: bathe daily, wash clothes and bed linens daily, smoke out your homes with incense or wood, burn whatever an ill one has touched, and don't panic. This has happened before and experience tells us that this will cease soon and most people will survive if living according to the advise.
The Government has also ordered the military troops, who are not necessary needed for the maintaining of order, from the stricken provinces to converge outside of them, in the neighbouring provinces of Shandong, Jiangsu, Zheijang, Sichuan and Yunnan

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 5 2005, 03:24 PM

Hegemon
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Shenbao, published in Shangai

QUOTE
July 28th 1900

IT IS OFFICIAL: AN EPIDEMIC !

The Government has seen fit to send out dispatches to all the Yamens about measures to be taken in order to stop the spreading diseases that kill both humans and fowls. Strict travel regulations are now enforced, and our Esteemed Readers of Foreign Countries will receive notice soon on how to proceed in this matter.
The Government had hoped to contain the epidemics in the Mainland Interior, but rumours have it that birds are starting to drop dead at the Coastal Lands as well as in the Barbaric Regions past the Great Desert.
It appears that the human disease too traveled, it seems to have reached the river cities and is spreading downriver.
We urge our Most Esteemed Readers to take proper caution and limit social events, gatherings and travel.

Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 7, day 15

EMERGENCY MEASURES REGARDING THE EPIDEMIC

The Government Yamen has sent out directives to all Yamen in order to safeguard the Fall crops. Volunteers have been dispatched to farms struck by the Plague in order to take up the farmers' work and safeguard the food supplies for next Winter.
The people are warned not to eat birds who have died from illness, but to burn them when found. Likewise all buildings should be cleansed with incense, rubble and waste removed, and the bodies of victims of the plague burned. When having touched a dead bird or human one should bathe in hot water.

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:52:38 AM

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swamphen
Posted: Dec 9 2005, 10:21 PM

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So...is it the (IMHO rather overhyped) Avian Flu, or something else (SARS)?

***

"The DKB extends an offer of medical personnel and equipment should it become necessary for combating this tragic situation."

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 11 2005, 03:00 PM

Hegemon
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Shenbao, published in Shangai

QUOTE
August 17, 1900

OUTRAGEOUS RUMOURS ABOUT EPIDEMICS

The Government wishes to express its assurances that the current epidemics raging amongst humans and fowl are not to be inflated like a hot air balloon. The epidemics we have known before and always managed to contain and then solve them. If people would simply follow the official instructions as on how to deal with the restrictions on travel, the treatment of ill people, and the care for their lifestock the current new outbreaks would not have happened !
Now rumours abound that the Government wishes to increase its authority over the trade cities and harbours by amassing military troops around those cities and harbours. The Goverment wishes to make clear that this is merely a safety precaution, moving troops out of infected areas and making sure that no infected people would bring disease to our Esteemed Trade Partners.

Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 7, day 23

MILITARY TROOPS REDEPLOYED

The Government has announced that all military troops, deployed in those areas infected by the Pest and the Bird Killing Disease will be re-deployed to safer environments. For safety reasons many of these troops have been stationed around trade harbours and cities, and also our borders. The Government is confident that the local militias are more than capable of maintaining law and order in their provinces.
At the same time the Military Commanders consider this to be a good training excercise for the troops involved. The people may expect to see our valiant soldiers training in their neighbourhoods and on those fields where the harvest has already been completed. People are warned to be carefully keeping their distance during the excercises but their shouts of encouragement will not doubt be appreciated by our hardworking troops, and the offering of proper refreshments will certainly be greeted with enthousiasm.

Beijing Lihong and Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 7, day 30

EPIDEMIC STILL SPREADING

It is the sad duty of our Government to announce that all efforts to contain the epidemics to the interior of our great country have been in vain. Fresh outbreaks have been reported in coastal cities, on our borders to the North, West, South and East, even to the Capital Beijing itself.
This has been caused mainly by foolish people disregarding the warnings and the travel restrictions and brings great grief to our nation ! All those now traveling without permission will be executed immediately, then burned to ashes.
In the meantime volunteers are being asked to come forward in order to bring in the harvests in the disease-stricken areas, the Government assuring those that the strictest and most stern precautions will be undertaken in order to ensure their continuous good health.

Shenbao, published in Shangai

QUOTE
August 23rd, 1900

ASSOCIACAO COMERCIAL DO MUNDO SEEMINGLY CRUMBLING, LOCAL DIRECTOR AT LOSS, TRADE BAD AND INCREASINGLY DETERIORATING

There have been alarming developments and panicky rumours in the trade city of Macau. Trade has increasinly deteriorated and the local dignitaries are behaving oddly. They wish not to comment on rumours that the ACM is losing its cohesion, being a conglomorate of several different countries, and that the local director might be entertaining thoughts of independent action.
The Tsungli Yamen has asked the Military Command to deploy troops to the city as fast as possible. Since troop re-deployment has been in effect because of the inland epidemics this caused a rapid response and the New Army Infantry Unit of Guangzhou is already in place. Their mission is to protect the Foreign Traders and Dignitaries against any unrest or mishaps that may befell the city until this situation has been cleared up. Two Güsa of the Xianglanqi have been moved by Iron Road Transport to the city as well, while the other two will travel to Kumming.
The Tsungli Yamen expects this situation to clear up soon, in order to restore peace and quiet in the city of Macau and its harbour as well.

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 12 2005, 12:50 PM

Hegemon
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Shenbao, published in Shangai

QUOTE
August 24th, 1900

TRADE PORT OF MACAU IN DISARRAY, ACM SHIPS IMPOUNDED

Following the wild rumours about the seemingly desintigration of the Associacao Comercial Do Mundo the Govnerment has deployed troops within and around the city of Macau, which is a trade concession of the ACM. All offices of the ACM have been put under military protection and surveillance. The Tsungli Yamen has declared that the ACM has not been resptecting their contracts for the leasing of the port as a trade center and has subsequently annulled the contract as per the clause about violations against the agreement. All assets of the ACM, including ACM merchant and navy ships in the harbour, have been impounded and will be held until the situation has been cleared up.
Several Esteemed Readers of this humble newspaper have informed the redaction that they have witnessed a massive deployment of not only the infantry troops but of the mobile cannons as well. We have received several telegraphs hinting that the Government is concentrating a lot of firepower at the coast.
Needless to say this is a massive blow for the trade in the South Eastern part of our country, but the Government is temporary taking care of the existing trade and has promised the Foreign Traders that They and Their Families will receive Their due income. The crews of the ships have equally been assured that the Government will supply them adequately, even allowing the sailors to spend their leisure time in the harbour town (and making it possible that they can pay for it), but the ships themselves have been put in chains.
The rumour is circulating that New Switzerland has bought the port lease contract from the current Director of the ACM. The Tsungli Yamen wishes to ask him a few pointed questions about this matter but he seems to have gone into hiding.

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 13 2005, 12:39 PM

Hegemon
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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 8, Day 2

IMMINENT HOSTILITIES WITH NEW SWITZERLAND ?
BELLICOSE BRAYING HEARD FROM THEIR SIDE REGARDING MACAU

The Government has informed this humble redaction that lately the relations with New Switzerland have been something less to be desired. They claim that they have bought the treaty port Macau from the Associacao Comercial do Mundo. The ACM seems to be desintegrating as a nation and all kinds of rumours abound. The Government has noticed that they are late in their payments, that their own personnel has not been paid their monthly wages, including sailors on their ships in the harbour, and has decided to step in and help these poor yang guizi. Apparently this has somehow disturbed the New Swiss in the nearby treaty port of Hong Kong.
Due to the epidemics in the mainland troops have been deployed and some 45.000 men have now been stationed in and around Macau. They consist of Two Güsa of the Xianglanqi and the New Army Infantry Unit of Guangzhou.
The Government has also informed us that Their Most Imperial Majesties have been insulted by a letter from New Switzerland about this matter. It seems as if these yang quizi doubt Their Heavenly Mandate...

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swamphen
Posted: Dec 15 2005, 11:39 AM

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"The Kaiser urges that both sides exercise restraint in this volitile matter, and offers the services of the Second Reich as mediator."

(ooc: if the Chinese see the DKB as being too close to NS, perhaps the Thais would be a better choice?)

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 19 2005, 10:19 AM

Hegemon
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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 8, Day 15

HOSTILITIES WITH NEW SWITZERLAND ESCALATING

The Government has deigned to provide this humble newspaper with a missive from the New Swiss yang quizi government... the letter most insulting to Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Hzu Tsi:

Official letter to the Empress

We have tried to be reasonable, We are not responsible for what the ACM Director did. But Chinese troops in our territory is a problem. We offered to pay the ACM debt, we even gave reasonable terms. Macau would have been yours, all we asked was for the ACM troops, some ships, and the Heavy Factory. It was us who suggested we pay for our territory. But time and time again China has asked for more payments for our homelands. Even then we try to be reasonable.

We again make our last proposal, if it is not accepted and China is unwilling to negotiate we will not sign any treaty with China. We will not make any payment for lands we hold. We are not afraid your majesty. Now we ask a question: Would your majesty be remembered for a peaceful and productive reign or for one which brings death and destruction to China? We do not wish for war, and if it comes it will be by your hand. Think it over your Majesty and choose wisely.

Indeed, the people of the Middle Kingdom should be most angry. Who treats a Venerable Elder in such a hideously impolite way ? What do these yang quizi think they are doing ?
First they steal a treaty port, then they dare to state that they bought it from the ACM. When our Government tried to explain to them in a friendly way that the ACM officials did not have the right to sell Chinese soil to strangers they started issuing threats and withdrew their negotiators who still had to find an agreement with us regarding the treaty ports they did lease from us, not to mention several islands and a peninsula that they have taken with guile and broken promises ! Even their Ambassadrice, who has delighted Government officials with her diplomatic skills, has been instructed by her government to deny further negotiations.

And mind you, most esteemed reader, that they already occupy 2 treaty ports, Korea, Taiwan and Hainan for years but have so far FAILED to pay their dues and now even refuse to establish them.
This is most grieveous, more so now that our people have to deal with the Pest and the Bird Illness.
Our Most Beloved Empress Dowager has however answered to this insult with the following poem from Her Own Hand:

"Lightening strikes the mountain
but the mountain hardly shakes
the storm clouds however are torn asunder
when the mountain spews forth
the very fire of divine wrath"

And has thus made clear to the Government as to how to proceed with this matter. The troop-redeployments caused by the epidemics inland have been a most fortunate occurence, implying mayby that the Heavenly Mandate is still endorsed by the very Gods Themselves, so now the treaty ports are surrounded by our valiant warriors and their instuments of war.
Let us pray that the yang quizi will see reason soon and make proper amends.

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 19 2005, 10:31 AM

Hegemon
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Shenbao, published in Shangai

QUOTE
September 7th 1900

MASSIVE AMASSING OF TROOPS AROUND OUR CITY

Due to the redeployments of the military from the inland to the coasts, provoked by the epidemics inland, some of our esteemed readers have not failed to notice that quite a lot of soldiers happen to be stationed around our harbour and have informed this humble newspaper of this and of their worries.

Indeed... we have made inquiries as to the troops stationed here and have learned that the 4 Güsa of Zhenghongqi, the 4 Güsa of Xianghuangqi, and the New Army Infantry Unit of Nanjing have been ordered to set up camp here until the epidemics have finished. We are speaking of a total of 132.500 men.

Similary, the ports of Hong Kong and Macau have been ordered to allow the encampments of certain troops in and around their cities as well, we have learned that some 120.000 man are now stationed there, they may consist of several Banner troops and New Army Infantry troops but we don't know yet their unit names.

There has also been much military traffic on the railroads near the coast and around all harbours.

This is a most worrying situation and we urge our esteemed readers to take caution because rumours from Beijing speak of a diplomatic crisis between New Switzerland and the Middle Kingdom, provoked by the annulling of the ACM treaty port of Macau.

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Desertfox
Posted: Dec 19 2005, 10:35 AM

Commander Johann Wyss
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Who treatens Who?

We revealed that letter before hand. We are not massing troops. We have said it before and will say it again, We do not desire war. We gave China reasonable terms, they refused them. Why should we pay for the soil on which we stand?

People of the world see here who is the warmonger. Not us, but if neccesary we will fight to the last man!

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:53:19 AM

Phoenix
Posted: Dec 19 2005, 10:59 AM

Hegemon
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QUOTE
Why should we pay for the soil on which we stand?

Because you've stolen it ?

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Desertfox
Posted: Dec 19 2005, 11:29 AM

Commander Johann Wyss
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What need is there of bloodshed, if China feels insulted lets duel (with warships!)

Either you pick time and place or what type of warships. What do you say?

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Ithekro
Posted: Dec 19 2005, 01:16 PM

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Note from Rohan's Diplomatic Advisor to Asia:

While the Kingdom of Rohan understands the New Swiss mentality on the ownership of the land on which they hold in Asia, Rohan agrees with the Middle Kingdom as to who the land actually belongs. (Taiwan) and (Korea) may be another matter, but the trade ports are clearly Chinese cities just as San Fancisco is a California City, and the Grand Canal is now Rohirrim territory. Other nations might be using the land, but once those treaties expire, or the nation leasing the land breaks its contract in one fashion or another, the land returns to the land owner. Europeans do not come from this part of Asia and are recent immigrants. The Chinese have been there since at least the middle of the Fifth Age of Man.

So if Rohan is asked to mediate between the Chinese and Swiss, they will likely side with the Chinese unless a more amicable agreement can be reached between these two respective nations.

(That is unless the Swiss took these land in war and have managed to hold these lands without leases...then Rohan would side more to those that took the land "fairly" in war. But this would bring the situation more to a nuetral setting.)

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Desertfox
Posted: Dec 19 2005, 03:05 PM

Commander Johann Wyss
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OOC
I actually was fully prepared to pay for the treaty ports, the problem rested on Korea and Taiwan, and the fact that China would not even negotiate on Macau. See the Phoenix Daily Star Special Edition

Well it was never really resolved how I came to posses Hong Kong and Taiwan, but I just noticed that I came into possesion of them around the time of the historical Opium War. Also NS has not payed lease for them since it came to hold them.

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 21 2005, 02:06 PM

Hegemon
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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Leap Month 8, Day 19

MASSIVE GATHERING OF "Righteous Harmony Society" IN THE NORTH-EAST

A stalwart reporter of this humble redaction has just returned from the city of Shenyang, in the province of Lianing, with a worrying tale about the "Righteous Harmony Society". According to our sources this organisation has been amassing men in this province with the goal of -in their own words- "cleaning up our Motherland's soil from yang quizi".
Although the Gouvernor of the province has instructed his militia to take firm action against any group of men bearing arms not many arrests have been made. It is feared that the Society has sought refuge amongst the peasants. Our reporter also found out that apparently a weapons depot of the army near Changchung in the neighbouring province of Jilin has been plundered two weeks ago by a band of thieves but it is unclear as to whether the Righteous Harmony Society has been involved in this or not.
Despite our Government's warning about the epidemics many men have been seen traveling towards the north-east.
This humble redaction has also heard news from the province of Yunnan that the same Society has been seen amassing there. There has been talk of avenging the Dead from the French who have taken land there and have now sold it to another nation.

Shenbao, published in Shanghai

QUOTE
October 15th 1900

GOVERNMENT LOCKDOWN ON NEW SWISS TRADE !!

The Government has issued a decree that all trade with the yang quizi of New Switzerland must be stopped immediately. This means that in the treaty ports of Changhai and Hong Kong all trade with New Swiss merchants has effectively been banned and servants of these merchants have been ordered to quit their jobs. Likewise all trade with the islands of Taiwan and Hainan has been forbidden and any Chinese ships venturing out to these islands are stopped by the Coast Guard.
Trade with Korea has also been banned.
In effect, the only official trade with yang quizi left is in the city of Wuhan, although non-News Swiss merchants are allowed to continue selling or buying in all treaty ports. There will be however a strict supervision on the origin of the goods, in order to prevent New Swiss merchants trading through proxies.

Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Leap Month 8, Day 22

GOVERNMENT BANS TRADE WITH NEW SWISS MERCHANTS

Their Most Serene Majesties the Empresses Dowager have further instructed the Government in the continuing crisis with New Switzerland. Since the New Swiss are so keen on rattling their sabres and showing off the prowess of their war fleet Her Most Serene Imperial Majesty Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi, in Her typical Grandmotherly Style, has stated: "Let the children play around, but adults don't indulge in such little games". Meaning that the Middle Kingdom has nothing to prove, and surely sees no need to engage in petty wars, since this is beneath our station and dignity.
The Government, in awe of Her Imperial Majesty's Wisdom, has agreed that this is the most wise course to maintain, but certain groups have been agitating against this policy, chief amongst them the "Righteous Harmony Society". It is thus feared that the rabble this Society usually attracts might be considering foolish actions. They have been known for several months now to gather their followers near the provinces which border the Korean and Indochina lands.
In the meantime all trade with New Swiss merchants has been forbidden, effectively making most trade action in the treaty ports of Shanghai and Hong Kong impossible, although other yang quizi are permitted to continue their businesses. The islands of Hainan and Taiwan, also leased to New Switzerland, are under this ban too, ship captains are warned not to carry goods from the New Swiss in their boats towards and from these 2 islands.

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 23 2005, 05:31 PM

Hegemon
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Shenbao, published in Shanghai

QUOTE
October 30th, 1900

MORE DETAILS KNOWN ABOUT TROOP RE-DEPLOYMENTS

Our humble reporters have been able to glean more information from the local Yamens about the troops stationed around this beautiful city... and found that our initial findings were a bit wrong.
As far as we know now this is the situation:
-> 4 Güsa of Zhenghongqi = 60.000
-> 4 Güsa of Zhengbaiqi = 60.000
-> New Army Infantry Unit of Qingdao = 12.500
-> New Army Cavalry Unit of Zhengzhou = 12.500
A force this great leaves even the most stalwart man with some trepidation. But Government officials have assured this humble newspaper that Her Most Serene Imperial Majesty Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi has stepped down firmly upon the more bellicose members of the Government and ordered only a blockade and ban on all New Swiss trade in the Middle Kingdom. Likewise, the Chinese who are in service of New Swiss merchants are told to tender their resignations and to seek other employers. This is a serious blow to the welfare of our city, no doubt about that, and we are unsure about the future. Will New Switzerland retaliate ? Will they enforce trade at gun-point ? (Mind you, Esteemed Reader, we do know that their boat-guns are not something one desires to have a deep look inside the barrels...)
We have also found out that troops have been gathering at the Korean border and around Hong Kong, of a slightly less number as the one that graces our surroundings. Maybe that is something to be proud of. We seem to be more important to the Government.
But it leaves us worried, and many are taking their kinfolk out of the city while they can.

Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 9, Day 9

NEW SWITZERLAND PLAYING THE INNOCENT FOOL

After reading many yang quizi newspapers in order to gauge the international response to our troubles this humble redaction has concluded that the New Swiss have resorted to playing the innocent fool.
This despite the fact that the Very Venerable Nation of Rohan, which is located on the other side of the Large Sea, has let it known to the rest of the world that the Middle Kingdom, and our Beloved Imperial Majesties in particular, are the rightful and truthful owners of the treaty port of Macau, that one cannot buy what is not owned by the seller and that New Switzerland is clearly in fault here. The Venerable Nation of Rohan, ruled by the Valiant King Theocro III, has offered to lend advice and mediation, a most generous and wise offer which their Imperial Majesties the Empresses Dowager are currently pondering.
Other nations, some neighbouring, have uttered their neutrality and seem not to care about the claims of New Switzerland, although France (the enemy who took Indochina several years ago), bothered by the same ridiculous claims of New Switzerland in their own territories, denounces the actions of this rogue nation as vehemently as our own Government.
We can but hope that a solution to this crisis will soon be found. With the epidemics still raging our beloved nation cannot be bothered with a fracas caused by fools.

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 9, Day 9

EPIDEMICS SLOWLY DIMINISHING ?

We have hopeful news, and pray it may be so ! According to the Yamens of the Provinces where the human and bird epidemics have begun the diseases seem to be under control and less people and birds are falling ill, there is even recovery to be noted. The stern measures imposed by the Yamens have paid off and hope is dawning once more Inland.
In the meanwhile there are flare-ups of the diseases at river, coastal and border towns but there too control seems to be increasing and less fatalities are being counted. The toll Inland however has been gruesome... hundreds of thousands of peasants have perished, and millions of fowls have had to be culled or destroyed after they died.
Countless volunteers are now readying themselves to move Inland and help repopulate the many decimated villages there, in time for the spring plantings. As Winter begins the darkest days rule but the waning sun at the horizon, valiantly struggling against the Cold Darkness, promises a new dawn, a new life that will surely grow once more in abundance.

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 25 2005, 11:32 AM

Hegemon
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Ofiicial notes from the Shanghai Yamen and the Hong Kong Yamen (unknown date):

QUOTE
All properly obedient Children of the Dragon Throne are to leave this treaty port immediately. No further aid shall be rendered to the yang quizi from New Switzerland, no food sold, no services performed. They are to be shunned.

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 30 2005, 03:58 PM

Hegemon
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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 11, Day 6

STRANGE AND WORRYING HAPPENSTANCES IN LIANING AND JILIN PROVINCES

Reports from the Lianing Province and the Jilin Province state that large gatherings of men who claim to adhere to the "Righteous Harmony Society" have dissappeared overnight at the first day of Month 11. No-one knows where they have gone, with what mischief in mind, but it is feared that they may have gone into the Korean lands. We all know the dire warnings of New Switzerland that any invasion of troops there may be seen as a formal declaration of war from the Middle Kingdom, but what can one do about the rabble ? How can one restrain simple men who sneak past the most valiant of guards in the deep of night ? We can only hope that they have sought to disperse into our own mainland, wary of the Pest which still rages here and there.
But in one of their latest pamphlets they claimed that the land of Korea itself cried out for deliverance, that any man worthy of being called so must heed the call and not be found wanting. They fear not death, believing that their righteous purposes, ordered by the very Heavens Themselves, will make them invulnerable to any kind of projectile or sharp object as long as the heart is true. What can one accomplish against such madmen ? Where have they gone to wreak their havoc ?

Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 11, Day 6

NOBLE KINGDOM OF ROHAN TO MEDIATE IN CRISIS, AT RUSSIAN TREATY PORT

The Tsungli Yamen has confirmed that emmissaries of the Kingdom of Rohan, located on the other side of the Great Sea, have agreed to mediate in the current crisis of our country with New Switzerland.
The negotiations which they will oversee will take place in Port Arthur, the treaty port that Russia has leased from the Middle Kingdom, and that has been graciously offered by the Russian Tsar for this most important occasion. In order to arrive there the delegation of Rohan must brave the fierce winter storms of the Great Sea, an undertaking not without mortal danger ! This only shows the determination of these worthies to ensure peace and good neighbourship.
The Kingdom of Rohan is proud to have a civilisation older than that of the Middle Kingdom and our scholars duly acknowledge this. Witness the wisdom of age !
The Rohan Delegation will sail with full battle protection of their finest, but their flag - sporting a white horse running on a green field - has been declared a Travel Pass by His Most Serene Majesty the Emperor, as in the times of old when Kublai Khan ruled. This means that the delegates, bearing this banner, must be treated with utmost courtesy and honours and be allowed unhindered passage.
Likewise the delegation of the New Swiss yang quizi has been told to uphold the same token for free passage to Port Arthur.
We can only hope for a fortunate outcome, before the Year of the Oxen begins.

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:53:27 AM

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Ithekro
Posted: Dec 31 2005, 12:17 AM

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The Flag of the Westron Merchant Marine to be given high honor in the Middle Kingdom. The flags will wave proudly and respectfully with the national standards, or the King's Flag on the Ships of the Fleet of the Mark that venture to Port Arthur.

Westron Merchant Marine Flag
user posted image
The King's Flag
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National Standard of Rohan in 1901.
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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 6 2006, 12:36 PM

Hegemon
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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Geng-zi, Month 11, Day 20

OPIUM, BANE OF TROOPS

From the Army Headquarters this humble reporter has learned that they are currently battling a veritable epidemic of opium-use amongst the troops stationed along the Korean border. One can easily imagine the boredeom of stalwart fighters who are forced to lie fallow in trenches and barracks for many weeks now. Despite the efforts of their superiors some soldiers have resorted to the use of the mind-dulling opium. Since the trade of this insidious drug is forbidden in the Middle Kingdom one wonders where it may have come from, but many eyes look accusingly towards the Korean border.
Several soldiers, and even officiers, who have been caught dealing the stuff have been executed on the spot, thus providing a sobering lesson indeed. It's hard to count your money when your head is no longer present, one could say.
Those wretches using the opium are severely punished and threathened with decapitation when caught again. In this the Army must act like a stern mother and rightly so.
There are also investigations ongoing as to how this poison has been brought into military barracks. This humble reporter was assured that death is too kind for such despicable traders and that they will in the end beg for it, after the Army is done with them.

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 12 2006, 03:55 PM

Hegemon
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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 1, Day 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

As now the Year of the Ox has begun this humble redaction wishes to wish all the Venerable Readers a Happy New Year and Much Luck. Of course our most heartfelt wishes go towards our Most Serene Majesty the Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi, may She continue to reign us unworthy subjects in good health and strong spirit !
We also dare to extend our well-wishing to Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Longyu and Her Illustrous Imperial Son His Shining Majesty Emperor Kaili.

We now live in the Year of the Ox, and many fear its influences. Indeed, such years are reputed to be hard on all, weighing the yoke of responsibility heavily on our shoulders, but it is the perfect time to clean house and settle domestic affairs.

Politics and diplomacy may find obstacles, but when one remains firm and holds to our Ancerstors' principles and teachings the hard work will always yield a good crop. Better to apply oneself diligently, because the Year of the Ox favors discipline.

Most conflicts this year will arise more from a lack of communication and refusal to give in on small technicalities than anything else. Another hard lesson from the ever-patient Ox. Our Government's dealings with the yan quizi shows that the obstinate will try to work their confusing tactics but it pays to be patient. Everything will be sorted out and we will be rewarded for our efforts, so long as we remember to do things the Venerable Ancestors' way. This is no time for swift talk and so-called modern ways.
Indeed, the negotiations with the New Swiss at Port Arthur, under the appreciated guidance of the Most Wise Emissaries of the Noble and Venerable Kingdom of Rohan, are trundling along the long-worn wagon-ruts of acccusations, insults and innuendo. The latest this humble redaction has learned is that the biggest cry-out from the New Swiss delegates consisted of this: their worries over the Troops' being stationed around their treaty ports and the border with Korea. Oh well... such a mighty nation, trumpeting its superiority in modern warfare, trembling in the presence of a mere 2 Güsa....

And... for any rebels out there... it may be worthwhile to point out that although the stoical Ox is soft-spoken, he carries a big stick, and this is his year. Somehow this humble redaction doubts that the Government would lean towards leniency with so many crises on its hands and that retribution could be as swift as it would be pointy.

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 23 2006, 12:33 PM

Hegemon
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Shenbao, published in Shanghai

QUOTE
February 22nd 1901

NEGOTIATIONS DRAWING TO AN END ?

It has been difficult to get news from the delegations who are currently negotiating to end the crisis between the Middle Kingdom and New Switzerland. However, we have managed to catch a few snippets of news from aides of the Chinese delegation (who decline to have their names published) and it is dire news indeed...
According to our sources the New Swiss seem to be playing the injured party while the Middle Kingdom tries to point out that the New Swiss have always sought to evade responsibility for parts of Chinese soil under their control.
Reasonable proposals for lease payments, which have been accepted without objections by other foreign parties in the past, seem to infuriate the New Swiss for some reason. The fact that they virtually kept the ports of Shanghai and Hong Kong occupied after a shady war in the past seems to be -in their eyes- a mere trifling and they have always sought to avoid a proper conclusion to these matters, grabbing the smallest least excuses in order to reach an understanding time and time again. As has happened this time.
Land-grabbing in other parts of the mainland, notably Korea, is their landmark, and they refuse proper compensation for taking an entire peninsula. Likewise they seem to regard the Isle of Taiwan as their personal playground.
All in all, the delegates of the Middle Kingdom have tried to maintain a civilized composure, graciously ignoring insult after insult for the sake of peace. The Government has been kept informed about the proceedings, and it is said that the Emperesses are displaying a most admireable patience and leniency. But patience has borders and leniency can go only so far... one wonders whether the Heavens Themselves would have been as strong as Their Most Serene Imperial Majesties.
There has also been a rumour that the Mediator of the Venerable Kingdom of Rohan has at one point drawn his sword and struck it into the table with force, demanding that the negotiations should be held in earnest and proposing 3 solutions. We have been unable however to persuade our sources to divulge more information as to what these were. Likewise we have no information about payments or other solutions.

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 24 2006, 09:00 AM

Hegemon
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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 1, Day 11

NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE NEW SWISS FAILED ! GOVERNMENT ACTS WITH FIRM RESOLVE

Following the complete failure of the negotiations with the New Swiss yang quizi the Government has decided to evict all New Swiss from our Land. The negotiators have stated that New Swiss' opposition to any reasonale solution have thwarted the best efforts of the Venerable Kingdom of Rohan to mediate in this crisis.

Subsequently, the following message has been sent to the New Switzerland Government:
QUOTE
From the Tsungli Yamen,

Sirs,

You are hereby notified that your countrymen, traders and military are immediately to leave the Middle Kingdom, more specifically the following places, leaving all infrastructure intact, taking only what they can transport:
- the port of Hong Kong
- the port of Shanghai
- the Isle of Hainan
- the Isle of Taiwan
- the Peninsula of Korea
They have 1 week to complete the evacuation of these places.
Failure to do so will result in the incarcaration of said people and confiscation of their posessions.

All New Swiss nationals are no longer welcome in the Middle Kingdom.

Your servant,

Liaing Tung-yen
President of the Board of Foreign Affairs
on authority of His Most Serene Majesty Emperor Kaili

Yu Hsien, Governor of Shandong but visiting the Capital of Beijing for the New Year, has stated that this confirms his firm beliefs that the New Swiss are land-grabbing greedy barbarians who prefer theft and shady dealings above proper statesmanship. Various Princes and Governors have joined him in this statement. There are signals from the Forbidden City that Their Most Serene Majesties The Empresses Dowager are enraged by the New Swiss claims and have issued orders to the various Departments to implement the Eviction Order with due diligence.

When visitors invade your house, claim several rooms for themselves and try to steal and sell the furniture, one has the right to kick them out and demand restitution for the damages.

Shenbao, published in Shanghai

QUOTE
March 1st, 1901

NEW SWISS TO LEAVE THE CITY IMMEDIATELY

Following the failure of the negotiations with New Switzerland, the Government of the Middle Kingdom has decided to evict all New Swiss people from Chinese soil. This means that the New Swiss merchantmen in this city must leave immediately and all ships under New Swiss flag are to set out to sea as soon as possible. The evacuation might become chaotic, but one wonders what the reaction of New Switzerland will be.
In any case, this deals a serious blow to our local economy. Hopefully this crisis will be resolved in a peaceful way and commerce may once again bloom in this good harbour.

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Ithekro
Posted: Jan 24 2006, 11:26 AM

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Rohirrim Rider

March 7, 1901
(It takes time to get news across the seas)

The Middle Kingdom has given its notice to the nation of New Switzerland. While the Kingdom of Rohan can understand the local mindset where land matters are concerned, Rohan has declared that they do not recognize the Emperor's claim to the lands known as Korea, Taiwan, and Hainan. While Rohan does not actually recognize the New Swiss claim to Hainan, seeing that its population seems to be made up more of the inhabitants of Indochina than the Middle Kingdom or New Switzerland, the lands of Taiwan and Korea have a history of fighting against the Middle Kingdom before the coming of the Europeans, and later joining with the Norman, Dutch, and Swiss colonists against the Emperor of the Middle Kingdom over the last few hundred years. A week's notice might be enough for the two cities, should the ships be avalible, but the entire land of Korea and Taiwan would be difficult to evacuate in such time. It would be difficult to even inform the people in many areas of Korea in a week's time given the mountians of that land. But this is a matter for the Asian peoples to resolve. The Kingdom of Rohan will inform the Westron merchantmen to avoid mainland Asian ports and the disputed lands until the situation is resolved.

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The Rock Doctor
Posted: Jan 24 2006, 12:55 PM

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Editorial: La Prensa Nacional, 7 March 1901

With one international crisis apparently and mysteriously averted, another quickly lurches forward to take its place. Mediated negotiations having failed, the dispute between the Middle Kingdom and New Switzerland threatens to plunge Asia into a bloody war if neither side backs away from the brink.

We at La Prensa Nacional know that in international politics, there are at least two sides to a story, and usually more. It is therefore difficult to know the reality of what has happened and why, and to make an informed decision or take an informed action. This is no doubt why our own esteemed president has resolved to keep peaceful Gran Colombia out of the fray, and we agree with his wisdom. This is not a case of white and black or right and wrong; indeed, we the editors see validity in the cases of both sides.

We will be interested to see how the Middle Kingdom acts over the coming weeks. It will be difficult for them to back down from their position without losing face, so we expect they will take action. But can they actually evict the New Swiss from their enclaves - especially those on islands or peninsulas, where the New Swiss would seem to have a naval advantage? How will neutral traders and businessmen be treated by the Middle Kingdom, and do other nations such as the DKB need to wonder if their enclaves will be next?

And the New Swiss - how will they react to Chinese action? If pushed, will they shove back at the risk of turning their enclaves into ruins? If they lose, will they withdraw gracefully or destroy everything they leave behind?

And, since wars usually end with at least one loser - does the rest of the world need to worry about the reaction of an angry, powerful and humiliated major power - Swiss or Chinese - after this crisis is ended?

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:54:17 AM

swamphen
Posted: Jan 24 2006, 01:29 PM

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QUOTE
in international politics, there are at least two sides to a story, and usually more.

"Truth is a three-edged sword..."

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Ithekro
Posted: Jan 24 2006, 01:50 PM

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It is tough being on that third edge. smile.gif

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Earl822
Posted: Jan 24 2006, 02:11 PM

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New York Times
March 8th

New York

The Foreign Office has ordered by the authority of the King that all UKA shipping is to leave the territorial waters of the New Swiss & the Middle Kingdom. Any UKA nationals who remain are at their own risk, and cannot be guarentted safety in a possible conflict. Also the Coldstream Guards are to be posted to protect the embasies of the New Swiss & the Middle Kingdom in New York.

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 25 2006, 01:17 PM

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Peking Gazette, Beijing Lihong, Shenbao (published outside Shanghai), Official Release towards Embassies

QUOTE

March 7th 1901
Cycle 76, Year Xin-Chou, Month 1, Day 17

PORTS OF SHANGHAI AND HONG KONG UNDER FIRE

Following the failure of peace negotiations and according to our laws regarding Treaty Ports the Government declares that as of midnight last night the mighty 250-mm cannons of our army have been firing at the cities of Shanghai and Hong Kong, with the purpose to destroy. The firing will stop at daybreak tomorrow.
The Government wishes to call this "pest-control".
This drastic measure follows the stubborn refusal of New Swiss authorities to vacate the premises they wish not to pay for and to evacuate their people from the ports and other disputed territory when they were warned to do so. The Government declares that we are simply defending what is ours and are cleaning house in order to renovate it.

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swamphen
Posted: Jan 25 2006, 02:36 PM

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The shots heard 'round the world...

"The Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg deeply regrets that hostilities must be undertaken between two countries that we consider friends. We hope that this conflict can be resolved quickly and with a minimum of bloodshed."

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Ithekro
Posted: Jan 25 2006, 02:39 PM

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March 11, 1901

The Kingdom of Rohan finds the Middle Kingdom's act of eviction highly disturbing and the act used to carry out said eviction uncalled for without a declaration of war. The eviction notice to the New Swiss read that, "Failure to do so will result in the incarcaration of said people and confiscation of their posessions." It did not mention nor call for the deliberate shelling of the ports of Hong Kong and Shanghai. Given the large numbers of railguns in those areas, Rohan expects high casualties in both cities before the local military and police forces move in to "incarcarate and confiscate". "A new age of indiscrimanate killing has begun," declared Theocro King of Rohan yesterday after hearing the news. The negotiation group aboard Fengel, Battleship of the Mark is not expected to return to Rohan until March 19th.

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Desertfox
Posted: Jan 25 2006, 03:17 PM

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Whoa! Slow down a minute, I havent even replied to the notice, (in news)

QUOTE
Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
-- Sun Tzu, "The Art of War"
Maybe you should follow your own counsle. biggrin.gif

Arent you killing your own people by shelling a "chinese" city?

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Maddox
Posted: Jan 25 2006, 03:37 PM

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OOC, The middle kingdom ordered her citizens out of the cities a serious time ago. Also, most other nations did the same...

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The Rock Doctor
Posted: Jan 26 2006, 12:02 AM

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Actual Events: 11 March 1901

President Enrico Alizandro laid back on the sofa, a copy of La Prensa Nacional in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other. "The marvel of the telegraph, no? 'China shells Treaty Ports'", he read the headline aloud. "'Hundreds or even thousands feared slain.'" He sipped at the coffee, smacked his lips. "'Chinese government terms actions pest control."

He looked over to his brother Ricardo, who lay on the other sofa in the Presidential office. "Pest control", he repeated. "Pest control."

Ricardo eyeballed his older brother. "So?"

"You don't find the description amusing?", Enrico asked.

"Not especially", Ricardo replied.

"You have no sense of humor."

Ricardo shrugged disinterestedly. "What do I care? We've got no stake in China or the treaty ports."

"Don't a few of the families have some assets in Shanghai?"

"Most likely they did, and if those assets are still there, the fools deserve whatever happens to them", Ricardo groused. "All that arguing between the Swiss and Chinese made it clear that this was going to happen."

"I thought it was a rather interesting interplay - Chinese understatement contrasted with Swiss hyperbole. Guaranteed turbulence", Enrico observed. "Who would you place your money on?"

"The Chinese", Ricardo replied. "Their advantage in quantity outweighs whatever qualitative edge the Swiss have. But honestly, brother, I'm content if they just beat each other senseless." He sighed. "Still, you should probably say something about peace and harmony and all that bunk."

"Probably", Enrico said.

La Prensa Nacional: 12 March 1901

President Alizandro says that he hopes New Switzerland and the Middle Kingdom can resolve their differences despite the start of armed conflict. "War benefits nobody; I urge both parties to make a last effort to reach peaceful resolution to this crisis before more lives are lost."

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:54:25 AM

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 27 2006, 08:48 AM

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Peking Gazette, Beijing Lihong, Shenbao (published outside Shanghai), Official Release towards Embassies

QUOTE
Edict issued by Her Most Serene Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager
Tzu-hsi-kuan-yu-k'ang-i-chao-yu-chuang-ch'eng-shou-kung-ch'in-hsien-chung-hsi
of the Empire of the Great Qing to her viceroys, governors, Tartar generals and the commanders-in-chief of the provinces, dated Cycle 76, Year Xin-Chou, Month 1, Day 15 (March 5, 1901)

"Our empire is now labouring under great difficulties which are becoming daily more and more serious. Various Powers cast upon us looks of tiger-like voracity, hustling each other in their endeavours to be the first to enter our trade with priceless goods to be had, but some also to seize upon our innermost territories at the first sign of weakness.
"Some have come as friends, have been welcomed most warmly, and indeed they seek only honest trade and exchange of cultural masterpieces for all to enjoy and to be inspired with. These seek no conquest, but a true Friendship Of Peoples Under The Heavens. Blessed be they and no harm should come over their heads for they are True Children of the Heavens.
"But others have come wearing smiling masks of deceit, wanting only to destroy our land's integrity and dignity, having only their own enrichment and empowerment in mind. They think that the Middle Kingdom, seemingly having neither money nor troops in their eyes who believe their own military equipment to be superior above ours, would never venture to go to war with them. They fail to understand, however, that there are certain things that this empire can never consent to, and that, if hardly pressed upon, we have no alternative but to rely upon the justice of our cause, the knowledge of which in our breasts strengthens our resolves and steels us to present a united front against our aggressors. No one can guarantee, under such circumstances, who will be the victor and who the vanquished in the end. But as the country of France has bitterly learned in the past we are not the deer they perceived us to be, but tigers who will lash out in force when threathened.
"I must speak of an evil habit which has become almost a custom among our viceroys and governors which, however, must be eradicated at all costs. For instance, whenever these high officials have had on their hands cases of international dispute, all their actions seem to be guided by the belief in their breasts that such cases would eventually be 'amicably arranged.' These words seem never to be out of their thoughts: hence, when matters do come to a crisis, they, of course, find themselves utterly unprepared to resist any hostile aggressions on the part of the foreigner. Sadly, recent history teaches us of this folly. We, indeed, consider this the most serious failure in the duty which the highest provincial authorities owe to the throne, and we now find it incumbent upon ourselves to censure such conduct in the most severe terms.
"It is our special command, therefore, when any high official finds himself so hard pressed by circumstances that nothing short of war would settle matters, he is expected to set himself resolutely to work out his duty to this end. Or, perhaps, it would be that war has already actually been declared; the Imperial Government has learned to its chagrin that a conference for the restoration of peace has failed due to New Swiss greed. We have therefore ordered them to leave the Middle Kingdom before tomorrow but they stubbornly refuse to take this logical step. It behooves, therefore, that our viceroys, governors, and commanders-in-chief throughout the whole empire unite forces and act together without distinction or particularizing of jurisdictions so as to present a combined front to the enemy, exhorting and encouraging their officers and soldiers in person to fight for the preservation of their homes and native soil from the encroaching footsteps of the foreign aggressor. Never should the word 'Peace' fall from the mouths of our high officials, nor should they even allow it to rest for a moment within their breasts. With such a country as ours, with her vast area, stretching out several tens of thousands of li, her immense natural resources, and her hundreds of millions of inhabitants, if only each and all of you would prove his loyalty to his Emperor and love of country, what, indeed, is there to fear from any invader? Let no one think of making peace with the New Swiss barbarians, but let each strive to preserve from destruction and spoliation his ancestral home and graves from the ruthless hands of the invader. What the agressor has already spoiled, alas, must be cleansed by fire, that most generous yet dangerous gift of the Heavens. May the ancestors resting in Shanghai and Hong Kong have mercy on us and forgive us from what we are about to do.
"But this is our solemn duty to ALL ancestors and our progeny to come: to protect the Middle Kingdom from foul barbary and decline."

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 28 2006, 07:40 AM

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Liaing Tung-yen, President of the Board of Foreign Affairs, hurried through the intricate maze of the Forbidden City for his morning rendez-vous with the Elder Empress Dowager. Passing check-point after check-point he performed his little rituals of announcing his arrival and having himself recognised by the guards.
He had reports to make, about the scourging of Hong Kong and Shanghai, and his mind was feverishly working on phrases most pleasing to the Imperial Ear. It had gone well, despite extensive damage to one Coastal Battleship (self-inflicted of all things !) and the two forts near the two cities. But the yang quizi have proven to be sneaky snakes indeed and managed to destroy several running cannons, this is most surely a matter to touch upon with some gravity. But he felt confident that Her Majesty would be pleased with the first blow landing so hard.
Now to explain to Her that certain concessions are in order for making sure that neighbouring countries and other foreign forces would not see the Middle Kingdom as the kind of greedy land-grabbers we had accused the New Swiss to be. It was not a matter of greed really, it is just that the sea makes for such great frontiers... Oh well, deal with that monkey when it pops up his ugly little head.
At last he found himself in the anti-chamber, waiting with some other dignitaries. He recognised several generals, and admiral and 2 fellow ministers. Fun fun fun. So he wouldn't be the only one facing the Dragon Lady this morning...
The doors swing ponderously open, wafts of incense fill the room, and the dignitaries are bid to enter. They approach the Dragon Throne with reverence and kow-tow in unison, giving Grand Obedience as is proper. Then they turn towards the stately lady sitting on a lesser throne next to the Dragon Throne and repeat their oblations. A bit more nervous one might notice. There sits the Mother of Dragons. Do not risk Her Wrath.
She gestures with a long-nailed hand towards Liaing and he immeately starts reciting his carefully prepared speech. Her face remains impassive, but the glittering in Her eyes is clear for all to see and at least one general discovers he slightly trembles, remembering a disastrous she-tiger hunt just a few years ago. But the speech of Liaing apparently meets Imperial Approval. The Empress nods and then gestures again: he can stand aside at ease. Then the 2 ministers are to be heard.
Prince Su, Chief of the Naval Department, spoke first. He explained the deployment of the war vessels, stressing on the necessity to protect the strait between Dalian and Yantai. Then he explained how the vessels QH Xinglong, QH Wanglong, QH Hezhonglong and their supporting flotillas of torpedoboats helped bombing Hong Kong, how the vessels QH Tianlong, QH Tianlong and their supporting flotillas of torpedoboats assisted in the bombing of Shanghai, and then tried to gloss over the apparent self-mutilation of the QH Xinglong by an exploding turret. "Apparently our Coastal Battleships have never before been so thoroughly tested and because of the amazing fire rate our cannons could apparently sustain some crew members got over-enthusiast, leading in one exploded cannon destroying the entire turret it was part of. A hard lesson learned, indeed, but such is the pain that comes from war." Her Imperial Majesty frowned slightly, pursing Her lips in discontent, but then waved the second minister onward to begin his report. Chang Chih-tung, Minister of Infrastructure, immediately started his report by summing up the damages inflicted by the enemy: the Fortress of Hong Kong had been severely damaged and 5 railguns stationed nearby took extreme damage from enemy sabotage efforts. The Fortress of Shanghai has been completely destroyed by enemy artillery and must be rebuild after the war, 7 railguns had been destroyed and the New Army Infantry took the heaviest losses so far: 3700 valiant heroes who have joined the Ancestors in glory. But most distressing still, the railroad shunt complex has been destroyed, effectively cutting Shanghai off from its 3 railroads. But strong coolies with the necessary equipment are standing by to start working as soon as the fighting is over. Her Most Serene Majesty was not looking all that pleased, but the men could clearly see that she was taking the bad news as being the expected toll of war. Her nod was curt and the ministers stepped back with relief.
The military men had clearly decided to let only one of them speak, and General Li Ping-heng, Generalissimo of the forces of the Yangtse, took the word. He assured his Sovereign that losses were expected to happen anyway, but that all troop commanders take great care that their men are well-fed and well-equipped. Next he defended the decision of striking the first blows by bombing the cities as being most assuredly the right one, saying that: "The great strategist Sun Tzu has noticed in Chapter 5, line 13 of his great work about the art of war: "The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim." and in line 14: "Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision." Thus we felt that we should linger no more and strike the blow which would make the yang quizi reconsider their foolish decisions.
Sun Tzu, ever inspiring has written elsewhere in his most excellent work, in chapter 11, line 29: "The skillful tactician may be likened to the SHUAI-JAN. Now the SHUAI-JAN is a snake that is found in the Ch`ang mountains.
["Shuai-jan" means "suddenly" or "rapidly," and the snake in question was doubtless so called owing to the rapidity of its movements. Through this passage, the term in the Chinese has now come to be used in the sense of "military maneuvers."]
Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both." We must heed his advice well, but should also notice that elsewhere in his book he warned the commanders of being too complacent regarding their pet strategies and that they should be inventive when the situation allows for it. Has he not written in chapter 8 line 4: "The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops." ? We are constantly contemplating the information we get from all our forces."
And thus having spoken his due he bowed reverently and stepped back.
The old Emperess nodded. The dignitaries, sensing that the audience was over, kow-towed and hurridly made their exit. After all, one does not want to linger in the lair of a Dragon for too long... lest the dragon grows hungry or vexed.

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swamphen
Posted: Jan 28 2006, 11:02 AM

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QUOTE
But the yang quizi have proven to be sneaky snakes indeed and managed to destroy several running cannons

"sssssssssssssssneaky snake". wink.gif

Great stuff. smile.gif

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 30 2006, 01:40 PM

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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 1, Day 22

DASTARDLY ATTACK ON THE ELDER EMPRESS DOWAGER

It has been announced by The Forbidden City that last night several yang quizi tried to infiltrate the Palaces in order to bring harm to Her Most Serene Majesty the Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi !
This most despicable act was carried out in the dark of night, by men concealed by black garments and face-paints sneaking like thiefs over walls and through empty corridors, with hideous purpose in mind. They were discovered near the Yen Hsi Gong and apprehended by the Palace Guard. Not without inflicting severe damage to several buildings and causing the deaths of several loyal eunuchs and valiant palace guards first though. We bitterly mourn their deaths.
This morning the miscreants have been taken out before the eyes of Her Most Serene Majesty the Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi and were subsequently flayed alive and laid into basins with brine before being put on stakes. An invoice regarding the damages and guard fees has been sent to the New Swiss government, along with a letter in which Her Most Serene Majesty has remarked upon the horrendous incident with a certain anger that one can only describe as "worse than the Krakatau".
This most despicable act has roused sentiments in the capital of Beijing and messengers are already riding out towards every nook and cranny of the Middle Kingdom in order to announce how these cheating thieves have dared to attack a Venerable Elder, the Beloved Mother and Grandmother of Emperors, the Light of our Nation, most revered by Her subjects.
What will follow next ? A murder-attempt on our 5-year old Emperor ?

Beware princes of other lands ! Beware of New Swiss killers of the Elderly and Youngest in your royal families !! They have done it once, for sure they will try it again.

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The Rock Doctor
Posted: Jan 30 2006, 10:48 PM

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"Are you sure this was translated correctly?", demanded President Alizandro, looking up from his newspaper at his aide. "Did the Chinese really pickle the Swiss assassins?"

***

Nicely done, both that and the preceding piece. Invoicing the New Swiss is priceless.

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 11:12 AM

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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 1, Day 24

INCENTIVES FOR CIVILIANS CONTRIBUTION TO WAR

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of War have been working out a program that will certainly appeal to the many fishermen and farmers who are being cut off of their livelihoods by the war along the coast. Pamflets have been issued in which civilian volunteers are called up to leave family and home in order to defend their loved ones and the Land itself. Their valiant courage will be rewarded as their families will be well provided for, and they will be able to look forward to a generous pension at old age.
A special incentive is a new program that asks for a certain bounty in return for tax-exemptions, namely to bring in 3 thumbs of New Swiss soldiers - the thumbs to be accompanied by the soldier's military insigna.
People have already been reported doing daring deeds of bravery, grimly willing to revenge the horrible insult that happened to our Most Venerable Emperess Dowager Tzu Hsi, May She Reign In Prosperity For A Hundred Years More.

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:54:50 AM

Desertfox
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 03:22 PM

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By arming civilians China has forfeited their rights from now on Civilians will be treated as combatants.

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Maddox
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 03:31 PM

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Be welcome , you have 32 milion enemies at the coast.

You don't even have enough bullets.

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Ithekro
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 04:19 PM

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That's a lot of level 0 or 1 type troops. Even if level 4 troops are superior, they don't have armor, and they will eventually run out of ammunition. Think Zulus with lighter skin coloration, better manners....and in greater numbers Also think Vietcong.

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swamphen
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 05:20 PM

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"True History"

"The fools!"

Count Bernhard von Bülow, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs for the Second Reich, couldn't believe what he was reading. Did the Swiss actually believe that they could take on 32 million Chinese? Did they really think that they could still win after taking such a step? Or had they simply taken leave of their senses (again, he was tempted to add)? He re-read the message for the fifth time, still not sure as to whether he should simply refuse to believe that such a preposterous thing could be happening. He then dropped it on his desk, shook his head sadly, and walked to the door of his office.

"Call Admiral von Letters and Feldmarshall von Moltke," von Bülow told his secretary, "and have them come over at once." He paused. "Tell them to bring along folders Crimson and Gold..."

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Phoenix
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 06:02 PM

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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 2, Day 19

ATROCITIES BY NEW SWISS YANG QUIZI: WOMEN AND CHILDREN TARGETED

So, it has begun, the New Swiss have finally dropped their masks... they shoot harmless civilians now... women, children, Venerated Elders. No life is sacred, no age sacrosanct. They kill without distinction, without mercy, and according to some survivors, with clear and unsuppressed glee.
When our Government, in their wisdom, has allowed the women and children of Hong Kong and Shanghai to evacuate before starting the hurt of war, the New Swiss see every moving human as a threat to be destroyed.
Remember that the women and children of Hong Kong and Shanghai had been forbidden by the New Swiss government to evacuate, causing their deaths during the bombing of both harbour cities. One can only conclude that these New Swiss are true and gruesome devils. Evil has finally revealed his true face, for he cannot hide behind the semblance of innocence for long, this being against his character. And character must out.
This, more than anything else, will arouse the Sons of the Dragon Throne to make death unto those devils. Let he who has honour take up the implements of destruction and rid the Middle Kingdom of these devils that disguise as human beings.
Take heed not to confuse these fiends with other foreigners, who have shown to be peaceful and gentle in nature. You can recognize the real devils by their colors and insigna. Pamflets with pictures of those will be distributed for easy identification. But any foreign devil at our shores and bearing a weapon, who is not escorted by our own troops, is to be considered a minion from the hells. To be dealt with in a resolute manner and the proper way.
DOOM TO THE FIENDS OF HELL !!

(OOC for those not conversant with the Chinese calendar, it's April 7th.)

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Desertfox
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 06:33 PM

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Wait a minute. I never said anything about shooting civilians. My troops are not doing that.

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The Rock Doctor
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 06:46 PM

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Whether or not it's what you meant, you can't fault the Middle Kingdom for making use of its propaganda potential.

I'd suggest maybe you folks consider keeping all in-character items in the form of news stories, because I'm having some trouble discerning in- and out-of-character comments in some threads.


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Desertfox
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 06:52 PM

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Thats true Ill ave to be more careful. And for all of you reading the news, we are having some problems over Hongk Kong and Shangai (OOC problems) so the news might not be accurate.

One last thing, Phoenix can you slow down a bit on news? Im having trouble keeping up, and some problems could have been avoided.

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Ithekro
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 07:13 PM

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(OOC: Personally I would think it would take longer for a European or American stylized mindset to start shooting women and children. Once it starts its hard to stop I would guess, but it would take a lot to get soldiers that are trained not to hurt civilians to start shooting them (among other things). Even in Vietnam and the more recent wars it took heavy casualties from people who were thought to be civilians before soldiers would just start killing everyone just to be sure their fellow soldiers were safe.)

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 1 2006, 09:09 AM

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QUOTE (The Rock Doctor @ Jan 31 2006, 06:46 PM)
Whether or not it's what you meant, you can't fault the Middle Kingdom for making use of its propaganda potential.

I'd suggest maybe you folks consider keeping all in-character items in the form of news stories, because I'm having some trouble discerning in- and out-of-character comments in some threads.

Yes. Use the quotes function in the posts to do that, it's what I try when I do official messages. But because I do use quotes for responses as well, using the headline in capitals is my trick, besides clearly indicating from whom it comes, like the Tsungli Yamen.
And yes, agitprop was not invented by Soviet-Russia alone. cool.gif

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Maddox
Posted: Feb 1 2006, 10:10 AM

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A big OOC , or "diplomatic dispatch" does the trick too.

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RLBH
Posted: Feb 1 2006, 04:27 PM

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I use OOC to precede any message which is either ambiguous or which contains both OOC and IC components; in this case, I precede the relevant components with the acronyms.

I originally had 2 accounts - one for IC, and one OOC - but that fell through in about 2 days...

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 3 2006, 01:55 PM

Hegemon
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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 2, Day 25

SPRING INUNDATIONS EXPECTED TO BE WORSE BECAUSE OF EPIDEMICS AND WAR

With the melting of ice in the Large Mountains and the spring rains the large rivers and all their tributaries are overflooding. Of course we are well used to this annual event and our Government always prepares for it, ordering the reinforcing of existing dykes and the building of new ones where needed. But due to the epidemics of last year and this year's war efforts this has been neglected a tad. And thus the plains and the large harbours at the estuaries will get wet feet.
The Huang He (Yellow River), the Chang Jiang (Long River) and the Xi Jiang (Pearl River) are well known for overflowing and wreaking havoc, but this year little work has been done and thus our Eastern Provinces below Beijing will feel the impact for sure. Let us think about the war-torn places: Shanghai, located in the very large floodplain and estuary of the Chang Jiang, but also the patch of land between Zibo and Qingdao can suffer from the Huang He. Fuzhou and Xiamen are supposed to be relatively flood-free although Xiamen does have a river entering the sea close-by so one is left to wonder what fate will befall those living there. Macau and Hong Kong are also located in an estuary, that of the Xi Jiang.
All in all, the inundations are a normal occurence and not a Warning from The Heavens. We can only pray that The Gods have mercy and hope for better times.

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 5 2006, 08:50 AM

Hegemon
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Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 4, Day 1
May 18th, 1901

In the soft light of the morning's rising sun the train slowly started to move, billowing steam everywhere, while the distinghuished guests settled themselves in the luxuriously furnished wagon. Kang Yi To, Grand Secretary of the Army Department, and Chang Chih-tung, Minister of Infrastructure, wearily eyed their foreign guest. This "Señor Leon Burgos", new Ambassador of the Empire of Spain in the Middle Kingdom, for which they had had to dash off across the entire Middle Kingdom - no mean feat when you know that's more than 2000 Li !! - seated himself with an expression that to the 2 consumate bureaucrats could only be interpreted as anxious apprehension mixed with self-importance and happy anticipation. It was well enough, mused Kang Yi To, that they had brought along a young eager yang quizi tradesman who spoke that strange language of the new Ambassador. Nobody civilized would have been able to understand that insane babble foreign devils are wont to use. And apparently the young lad had done his work well, the new Ambassador seemed pleased.
Kang beckoned the translator, it was time to get some business done.
"Ask His Excellency what again the propositions were that His Noble King had offered. We should write them down for the Government and Their Imperial Majesties to peruse. Maybe start discussing some details too."
And so they set to do what bureaucrats love most: the endless haggling and bean-counting that could warm only their hearts and would bore and baffle any other man to no end.
After the noon-rice, when the "Señor" went to perform a strange ritual of his people called a "siësta", Chang Chih-Tung smiled at his colleague. "You do know what this means hm ?"
"Oh, I more than you old friend," grinned Kang, "This would certainly boost our war-capacities in years to come. My people have not yet reached that level of technical sophistication these yang quizi are maddingly enough capable of performing. Our generals will love those new guns ! Heck, I predict that they will like them so much they would take those guns into their beds if they could."
After sharing a hearty laugh with his colleague Kang leaned backwards in his large couch and stared pensively out of the window: "You know, the price might be a bit high, but if we can lure them in with a treaty port or a similar concession in order to lower it a bit..."
"You know how 'Ten Thousand Years' feels about new treaty ports. It's best not to rouse Her anger," warned Chang.
Kang grinned like a child caught with his hands in the honey jar: "You forget that new pet project of Her Majesty's, the one about allowing girls and women to study and to apply for a degree exam. I think this is the time to make 'Ten Thousand Years' really happy. And then add the little matter of giving the Spanish traders 'their own trading booth' as an aside. It will work."
Chang shook his head: "You devious devil. Would you really have women appointed to government positions ?"
But Kang only grinned: "We're already having 2 at the highest positions in the world ! Do you doubt their capabilities ? Besides, the war might cost us valuable government officials, how to replace them hm ? No, we can be a bit sterner than usual when setting the exams for women and thus be certain that we will only have the best of the best of them, we must make better use of our current resources."
The 2 men turned around when their guest appeared again in the wagon. He looked well-rested and at ease.
"I trust Your Excellency would like to continue our litlle talk ?" smiled Kang, with the translator doing his job.
"Oh si, si, by all means !" Señor Burgos smiled: "I believe we were going to discuss a financial matter ?"
"Ah, yes. The loan You Most Generous Majesty proposed," said Kang: "I hope not to insult Your Excellency and Your Honorable King but the Middle Kingdom is quite competent when it matters to her finances. Unlike many foreigners' lands who always seem to be lacking funds for this or for that. It is always a pleasure to meet a Representative of a Nation who is as financially sound as Yours. One doesn't need to take pains in order to satisfy the other when both are at equal status. No, but the trade will be most welcome, and Your Honorable King's open support for our Middle Kingdom ismost appreciated. Those are our needs indeed. To find a civilized opinion in the wide wide world, civilized friends."
"We will see then," answered Señor Burgos:"You are right that we should keep our real talking for the Palace. I intend to enjoy Your hospitality on this train and admire the view."
"Then You are in for a treat Your Excellency," promised Chang: "This railroad passes some spectacular vistas, especially now when the Huang He and the Chang Jiang are flooding. Your Excellency will be able to establish with His own eyes why we call them the 'yellow river' and the 'long river'."
"Will the rails not be flooded ?" inquired the Ambassador a bit surprised.
"No," said Kang: "In fact, the railroad tracks are the most stable, strong and high structures in the landscape. That is why we use them so profusely instead of roads. It is most safe. Please allow this humble amateur-historian to tell Your Excellency a bit of lore of the lands You now see passing yon that window..."
And the train chuck-a-chucked on in the vast vast land of the Middle Kingdom.

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 10:30 AM

Hegemon
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Beijing Lihong, Peking Gazette, thousands of pamphlets spread in the country

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 4, Day 2

HORROR OF HORRORS: THE EMPEROR ABDUCTED !!!
-- EMPRESS DOWAGER TZU HSI DYING --

Just when one thinks a depraved people could not sink deeper the unspeakable happened: last night New Swiss assassins managed to enter the Forbidden City once more in order to ply their deadly trade. Despite higher security they did manage to kill a large number of guards and eunuchs, and reach the Imperial Palaces where they broke into His Imperial Majesty's appartments in the Palace of Heavenly Purity and took Him away from His faithful servants. Needless to say the devils had to literally wade over the dead bodies of these loyal servants and guards but their valliant self-sacrifice could not keep the devils from taking their Youthful Charge and whisking His Imperial Majesty away to places unknown and horrors unimagenable.
Other assassins breached the Sacred Rooms of Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi and did their deadly handiwork there. True to Her Majesty's Most Revered Ancestry Of Warriors Of Renown She immediately picked up a sword from the dead hand of a eunuch and defended Her Imperial Person wich courage and honour such as the Hallowed Halls of the Forbidden City have seldom seen. But Her Great Heart could not for long withstand the raging Power of Her Righteous Wrath and as guards came pouring in to Her Majesty's rescue She had collapsed.
Now Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi lies in the Hall of Earthly Peace, the finest doctors giving Her Majesty the best care, but who can heal a Broken Heart ? The Light Of Her Life is gone, the 5-year old Treasure of the Middle Kingdom has been taken and must be feared dead. He was as a Son to Her, the Warm Live-Giving Sun of Her Aging Years.
But how bitter more must feel His Imperial Majesty's Mother, Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Longyu ?
The Government was called to the Palace of Supreme Harmony this morning, where they trembled at the magnificient sight of Motherly Rage Incarnate. Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Longyu has spoken to them thus: "Most insidious demons have dared to breach the Hallowed Walls of the Forbidden City again, shame on the guards' commanders !!
But more shame on the denizens of the terrible demon's liar called New Switzerland. These yang quizi did not join their peers in honourable battle. No ! They choose instead to sneak like thieves in the night and that speaks volumes of the character of the New Swiss leaders who have sent these fiends on their evil errand.
How have they dared to attack a Venerable Frail Old Lady in Her quarters ? What further dire mishaps would have befallen Her in their hands if She had not fought like A Dragon and the Eunuchs and Guards not rallied to Her aid ? But now the Dragon Lady lies dying and Her children weep and rage.
Attacking an Old Venerable Widow in Her appartments may be gruesome enough, but their other deed demands the very Wrath Of Heavens. Your Imperial Lord, My Son, has been taken from His Palace and is now gone. THEY HAVE TAKEN A 5-YEAR OLD CHILD OUT OF HIS BED ! My Heart shudders as only a Mother's Heart can at the thought of the pain and distress He must be feeling for sure. He may be the Dragon, but He is young and vulnerable. Hence the reason why these fiends from Hell have taken Him away. They could not face the Dragon Lady and so they took the Hatchling. Most shameful !! Most low !! Most atrocious !!
This, Grand Secretaries of the Middle Kingdom, this is the final blow that shatters Imperial Leniency. And thus let these words from my lips be sent to the New Swiss devils: "You have forfeited your right to live on this earth and under the Heavens. You will be eradicated from this existence, all of you, your soldiers, your leaders, your men, your women, your old and your young. You may have succeeded in killing the Dragon Lady, we know not yet. You may harm or kill the Emperor and your evil demise will be razed until no sign of its former existence can be found by all of posterity !
Beware, for you have aroused the Ire of the Tiger Lady and She defends Her Cubs most ferociously. Surely you will come to know She will avenge the taking of a Cub, and not rest until Her Cub is safe once more. Fear Her wrath for it is your Doom !"
And, shaking, the Grand Secretaries kow-towed and left in silence. When exposed by such rage words of mere mortals cannot survive being uttered.
And such is the Imperial Command to the Sons and Daughters of the Dragon Throne:
Raise ! Raise and rally ! Death to the yang quizi who dared touch The Emperor ! DEATH TO THEM ALL !!!

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:55:15 AM

swamphen
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 10:57 AM

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Following reading the lastest news from Beijing, Kaiser Wilhelm II frantically scribbles a note, then calls for Count von Bülow. "Make sure this is delivered to the Swiss with the utmost haste," says the Kaiser. "And call a meeting of the War Council immediately upon their reply."

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JLDOGG
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 11:39 AM

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Queen Wilhemenia issued the following statement:

We condem the actions of the New Swiss. Their attack on the Imperial Palaces is an outrage on all Royality though out the world.
We pray no harm has come the young Emperor and we also request, no, demand He be returned to his home. How would the Swiss feel if their president were to assasisnated by their enemies??? They would feel violated and outraged
Until his safe return We are ordering a trade embargo with the New Swiss government. All Dutch will be ordered to return to Dutch waters immediatly and all Swiss shipping will be turned away from Dutch Ports.

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Ithekro
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 12:21 PM

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Theocro King reserves judgement on this matter until he has heard the Swiss side of things. As the Queen of the New Swiss surely has a reason for this action. As during war, the rules are not as clear, and the facts from one side or the other, might not always be the truth.

(Remember: Queen Elizabeth II: Queen-in-exile of the Kingdom of "England & Normandy".)

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 02:12 PM

Hegemon
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Beijing Lihong

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 4, Day 2

NEW SWISS FLOTILLA DESTROYED

Amidst the furor of the terrible New Swiss crimes other news drowned but they need attention too.

The Naval Department has issued a press statement, saying that the Valliant Vessels of War have achieved a stunning victory while waiting in ambush for the Enemy Vessels that wanted to stop the help to the Fortress of Yantai.
Though it pains us to report that the QH Bialong and 8 Torpedo Boats have been sunk the cost for the enemy was dire. The flagship Alliance, a "super-cruiser" as this class is called, was sunk and several of her companions went down with her.
There is a report of the QH Tianlong that it has sustained damage in this battle. The Admiralitiy wishes to state that it "is slightly non-sunken and currently awaiting repairs".

Yes, Heavenly Wrath is descending on the foreign devils for sure.

The Fortress is Yantai has in the meantime fallen to the enemy and the last defenders have blown up the ammunition storage, a most courageous deed because it would take their lives as well. But, according to reports from the Fortress of Dalian, the Heroes maneged to get a telegraph message through the under-sea wire in the Strait to them in order to inform Their Imperial Majesties that they would prefer death over dishonour of being captured and leaving implements of war for the enemy to use.
They also reported that the Fortress was being bombed by an awfully powerful gun and that it came from the sea.

This humble reporter is not usually religious-minded, but after writing this he has gone to temple and burned joss-sticks for the Dead Heroes' Rememberance. May Their Ancestors welcome Them with Honour.

The Army Department has issued a statement regarding the state of the troops and the war:
"Using our forces with restraint we have succeeded in killing a far greater number of the enemy than losing our own. Thousands have perished in Shanghai and Hong Kong, hundreds who tried to sabotage railroads and railguns have paid with their lives. It might seem to some that we have lost harbours and fortresses, but this is only a strategical decision in order to ensure victory. After all, has not the Great Sun Tzu written: "The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. " and "Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy." ?
We will prevail."

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Desertfox
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 03:43 PM

Commander Johann Wyss
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Official reply

The young Emperor was not kidnnaped, he was captured in a military operation. He is alive and well, he is being taken care of as besteems his rank. We ask any neutral nation to send observers to see that this is so. He cannot be return as he is considered a prisioner of war. But we will exchange him for a Chinese official of similar rank.

There was no assasination squad, had there been one the Empress would now be pushing up daisis.

OOC Strange that you can kill 6,000 civilians without backlash, but just kiddnap a single person and everyone just about jumps on you.

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 04:05 PM

Hegemon
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Official reply:

The Middle Kingdom will never forgive -nor forget- the insult. There should not be any bartering or pandering of The Imperial Person. His Imperial Majesty must be returned in good health immediately. The Rage of the Middle Kingdom People is a Formidable Power, as formidable as natural disasters. The longer the return of His Imperial Majesty is delayed the less our Government will be able to contain this Rage.
Know that the further existence of your entire nation and its inhabitants hinges on the life of a 5-year old Child and the return to the Loving Arms of His Mother.

QUOTE
OOC Strange that you can kill 6,000 civilians without backlash, but just kiddnap a single person and everyone just about jumps on you.

OOC The difference, in my humble opinion, may lay in the fact that one has warned beforehand what where and when military action would be taken and that immediate evacuation of women and children was to be - as contrary to sending secret suicide squads into the home of royalty, taking its heir, and perhaps succeeding in killing his great-aunt (a reigning monarch) as well.

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Ithekro
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 04:08 PM

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Rohan will send an observer to confirm the Emperor's health, and should the statement prove true, then Rohan will support this action as the situation in a time of war, had the Swiss left in the manner reported, would have placed the Emperor in an unacceptible amount of danger which could have easily lead to his death had they not taken him with them. The people of the Middle Kingdom should rejoice at he fact that fate has allowed their young emperor to live and may one day become a great leader where as his father did not live long enough to become great.

(OOC: I somehow think the empress is more worried about her own power than that of the boy, because without him, she may loose her throne. If I recall she was historically not a very nice lady...quite treacherous, and known to kill people.)

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 04:23 PM

Hegemon
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QUOTE (Ithekro @ Feb 9 2006, 04:08 PM)
(OOC: I somehow think the empress is more worried about her own power than that of the boy, because without him, she may loose her throne. If I recall she was historically not a very nice lady...quite treacherous, and known to kill people.)

OOC You're thinking about the wrong person. That one lies in a very critical condition close to dying. Not much is known of the Empress Dowager Longyu... standing in the shadow of such a formidable aunt she couldn't have begun to establish a reputation yet. dry.gif

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Ithekro
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 04:40 PM

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(OOC: I see my confussion, I missed that Cixi's near death. However I've found no record of Empress Dowager Longyu having children...at least historically. As for her reputation, we will see. Rohan bases its knowledge on that of the Aunt Cixi.)

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Marek Gutkowski
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 04:42 PM

Hegemon
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QUOTE
The King Juan III is choked by the New Swiss doing assasination and now taking a member of the Royal family hostege.Thaking prisoners of war is one thing but children and then demanding ransom is just un speakeble.
This fact only straigthen the kings resolve to halp the Middle Kingdom in any way nesesery.

(OOC:Well presonaly i have no problem with this practics assasinatios kind naping let it rip less people die that way that in a all out war.(not realy remember the what hapend in sarajevo in 1914) but If im playing a King that kind of action cannot be aloved by him.

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 05:47 PM

Hegemon
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QUOTE (Ithekro @ Feb 9 2006, 04:40 PM)
(OOC: I see my confussion, I missed that Cixi's near death. However I've found no record of Empress Dowager Longyu having children...at least historically. As for her reputation, we will see. Rohan bases its knowledge on that of the Aunt Cixi.)

OOC
That is why we have "The Powers that Be" - "Palace"... see the Imperial Line here. Remember that this is a world where history might have gone a bit different than in "reality".
Also, there are Imperial Family Members that are not shown in the lineage or talked about officially, mostly female but also rather insignificant male princes... until the Throne finds itself without occupant that is. (For example, in the real history Emperor Xianfeng (Cixie's late husband) had 7 brothers. Only one is mentioned in the lineage I made. That might not mean the others did not exist in this simulated world. It only means what the Government and/or the Palace wanted outsiders to know. There could be a lot of surprises in the Forbidden City that might rear up their ugly little heads.) cool.gif

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swamphen
Posted: Feb 9 2006, 09:22 PM

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actual events
sometime in early June

The Kaiser's War Council was in session. Oberst Walther Nicolai of the Abwehr, Feldmarschall Helmuth von Moltke of the Heer, Großadmiral Allard von Letters of the Kriegsmarine, Count Bernhard von Bülow of the Foreign Ministry, and Kaiser Wilhem the Second himself had reviewed the circumstanses of the abduction of the Chinese heir by the New Swiss, the response of the Swiss to the international repercussions, and the possible responses of the DKB...

"So," the Kaiser said around his cigar, "the Swiss believe that their actions are justified by the war, and the Rohrrim are backing them up?"

"Indeed, Your Highness," confirmed Oberst Nicolai. "Apparently they both believe the old saying about fairness and love." This drew a chuckle from around the table.

"Well I must say that while I can see their arguments, I, as royalty!, cannot abide by their actions. But we must tread carefully, as much of our trade has become entangled with the Swiss." The Kaiser paused. "Herr von Bülow, I would like you to deliver an official, public, strongly-worded protest to the New Swiss embassy. Copy it to the Embassy of the Mark as well, if you please."

"Indeed, Your Highness. It shall be done."

"Feldmarschall, admiral, there is to be a slight revision in your current operational plans. Operation Orange is to be scaled back, to encompass only Orange-Klug. I wish for Hochrote-Gezeiten, and especially Hochrote-Dammerung, to be given increased planning priority..."

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Ithekro
Posted: Feb 10 2006, 12:57 AM

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Official Responce of the Kingdom of Rohan:

With the capture of the Emporer of the Middle Kingdom in a time of war, the New Swiss have effectively placed the valiant knight in the position of taking the king and declared "checkmate". As this is the goal of both chess and war, to take the king, then Rohan views, and rules, that the New Swiss have won this conflict. The war is to end with the New Swiss as the victor. Terms should be settled in a fair fashion in the near future.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ask:
If the enemy is large in number and advances, what should be the response?

I say:
Seize what he values, and he will do what you wish."

"The ruler may not move his army out of anger"

"The general may not do battle out of wrath"

~ Sun-tzu, "The Art of War"

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Earl822
Posted: Feb 10 2006, 03:02 AM

Hegemon
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New York Times
New York June 1st

The King has condemmed the vicious attack on the Empress, the kiddnapping of the Emporer of the Middle Kingdom. Despite this he will not condone any actions of reprisal against this attack. He has now called that all sides involvled in this conflict are quick in coming to the peace table.

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 10 2006, 10:28 AM

Hegemon
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From the Tsungli Yamen

Dispatch to the Venerable Kingdom of Rohan.

It is not your place to decide whether a war has been won or not. There is no "valiant knight", there were black-clothed assassins who would kill old women and young children in the middle of the night because their armies are too weak and their generals too stupid to conquer with success. No, rather be a thief, they must have reasoned. Does the Venerable Kingdom of Rohan condone thiefs and assassins ?
Would the Venerable King of Rohan sit meekly when His Infant Son would be taken out of his bed by enemies and His Elder Relatives murdered in the night ?

This is not a game, but the Face and Honour of the Middle Kingdom at stake. The People of the Middle Kingdom are enraged and nothing will stop their anger but the immediate return of their Emperor safely to The Dragon Throne.
Already masses of peasants and coolies are gathering and demanding to use implements of war. Generals have no command over these men who voluntary want to avenge the terrible insult to their Emperor and their Kingdom.

Borys · March 25, 2007, 03:57:02 AM

Phoenix
Posted: Feb 10 2006, 10:34 AM

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In the meantime, actual event on a train speeding towards Beijing...

On their way to Beijing the train stopped at one of the bigger stations, and Chang perused through the stack of paper with telegraphed messages the Railroad official had given him. Frowns on his face grew deeper and deeper and he sighed, dropping his hand holding the papers to his side.
Señor Burgos ambled closer, a most worried look on his face and he signalled the interpreter for work.
"Your Excellency, I trust the papers you hold convey the same dire message I received ?" he asked.
Chang looked up and smiled a wan little smile: "Yes, your Excellency, probably a bit more detailed than the telegraphs you must have in your hands. I'm terribly worried, your Excellency."
"Call me "friend" my friend, for I believe our peoples will have a deeper friendship still in the days to come."
"I... thank you, ... friend. It is hard to let go of soothing rituals in these dark times, " Chang said: "but I appreciate the friendship."
Señor Burgos nodded, then: "I would like to express my symphaties, on behalf of my King who has sent his, " holding up one of his papers, "but also my symphaties as someone who is slowly coming to know your people. I would so much have liked to spend a moment in your Elder Empresses' formidable presence, but it seems God's is taking precedence over my own desire.
I'm also worried about your Emperor. Taking child-monarchs hostage as a security for peace is an old but quaint custom of my part of the world, where the New Swiss originate from. But such hostages have always been asked to come, or taking during hot battle, not taken from their beds in the middle of the night by thieves. It's so... barbaric."
"True, " mused Chang: "But I have some more details than you have, my friend. The New Swiss agents killed a fairly large number of palace guards and eunuchs in order to reach the Imperial Appartments, and the New Swiss government claims they have taken Him thus in military battle. I shouldn't be amazed that our Revered Empress Dowager had taken up the sword in order to defend Herself, knowing whose daughter She was. But Her collapse is making situations at court terribly complicated. Some Princes might decide it's time to take matters away from the Empresses. But I agree with my fellow Grand Secretaries: the Empress Dowager Longyu seems to be a true shoot off the old branch, She has asserted dominance immediately and my colleague who sent this message confesses he literally trembled when She uttered Her Edict. But still I'm worried."
"Oh ? " Señor Bugros asked: " How so ? I thought your Imperial House identified themselves with dragons ? The Old Dragon Lady can pass her dominance over to the Younger Dragon Lady ?"
"Uhm... initially only the Emperor is associated with the Dragon. The Empresses are associated with the Phoenix. But very powerful Empresses, and we had some in the past, can take after Dragons after all if they are strong enough. The Older Empress Dowager is truly a magnificant personality. The Younger is proving right now that she's inherited that force. But..."
"What ? " asked Señor Burgos quietly.
"She calls Herself the Tiger Lady. Probably out of deference to Her Imperial Aunt. But this worries me... you see: Dragon is associated with a vast wisdom. Tiger is not. Tiger is just very very dangerous."
"Oh my..." whispered Señor Burgos.

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P3D
Posted: Feb 10 2006, 06:05 PM

Hegemon
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The Orange Republic expresses its sympathy to the Dowager Empress for the abduction of her son, and wishes that the son would rejoin its family soon. It also regrets that both warring parties resorted to means which has no place at all in a war between civilized nations.

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Desertfox
Posted: Feb 10 2006, 06:44 PM

Commander Johann Wyss
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The Emperor as a Goverment official is a legitimate target. We have offered to exchange him for another high Goverment official, there has not been any response. We have lost many soldiers to the barbaric acts of the Chinese, we cannot return him.

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Ithekro
Posted: Feb 10 2006, 09:30 PM

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While it would be wrong to say Rohan see's this as an acceptable act in normal situations, your two powers are at war. I believe even your great teacher Sun Tzu would find this tactic useful were he in the New Swiss's situation.

Rohan will allow your two nations to continue their struggle without direct interference, and would advise other nations to do so as well. Rohan managed to gain enough respect among other nations that none got directly involved (to Rohan's knowledge) aside from mercinary units. Rohan expects the same courtesy from the other great powers in the conflict in Asia. This is their fight, don't make it your own as well.

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P3D
Posted: Feb 10 2006, 10:08 PM

Hegemon
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QUOTE (Desertfox @ Feb 10 2006, 06:44 PM)
The Emperor as a Goverment official is a legitimate target. We have offered to exchange him for another high Goverment official, there has not been any response. We have lost many soldiers to the barbaric acts of the Chinese, we cannot return him.

The official dispatch hasn't really mentioned anything about unilaterally handing the Emperor back. A government won't officially praise the abduction of any head of state, however. Orange is not a monarchy, but the lack of condemnation of the perpatrators is ominous. It might be due to the fact that neither of the two governments (the acting and the elected ones) want to alienate itself from either of the power. China is too far from the Cape.

One editorial of the Courier, however, was not too far from openly praising the "Bold Swiss Raid on the Chinese Imperial Palace", calling it a "Stratagem of the Century" - nevermind that this is the first year of it. NB. the Courier is notorious about its anti-Asian (or generally anti-foreign) sentiments. But there's a free press fown under, and the government does not lean (too often) on the papers about their contents.

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 11 2006, 12:11 PM

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Beijing Lihong, Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-chou, Month 4, Day 8

RAGE OVER ABDUCTED EMPEROR GROWS

The uprising of our people, in their rage for the abduction of His Most Imperial Majesty Emperor Kaili, and the attack on Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Hsu Tzi, is taking massive proportions.
The Army Department has confirmed the rumours that angry peasants have been storming weapons and ammunition warehouses and taking everything they could find.
The railroads have been swamped by peasants and coolies wanting to travel towards the shores. Already large gatherings have been spotted traveling towards the directions of Shanghai and Qingdao. This troubles our Generals because they have no command over these mobs. Although they fear this might be a bad tactic, they have decided not to stand in the way of our angry people. In fact, the Generals themselves have been seen girding themselves with the implements of battle.

In the meantime the news from the Forbidden City is not good. The condition of Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Hsu Tzi remains critical, although She has woken up and spoken with several Government Officials, and of course with Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Longyu.

It seems that the New Swiss demons have called for a Government Official in trade for His Majesty The Emperor but none of them dares to assume he is as worthy as Our Imperial Lord. The New Swiss demons claim His Imperial Majesty is in good health, but we are certain that this is a most insidious lie, and that they try to trade off His Imperial Majesty before He dies because of this ordeal.

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Ithekro
Posted: Feb 11 2006, 06:47 PM

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(The boy that was worth 10,000 generals.)

Rohirrim Rider

June 12, 1901

With the chances of the conflict speading to other nations Rohan hopes to project its sediments that the peoples anger over their beloved Emperor being used as a weapon may not be the wisest tactical move for the Middle Kingdom, as while anger may serve, it also clouds judgement, and allows one to make mistakes. Perhaps the peoples feel their Emperor is worth dying for, but what do feel they have that is worth living for? That is a worthy question. It is easy to find something die for, yet harder to find something to live for and fight for. Should one side or the other come to grips with their anger and find something worth living for, the other side is doomed to defeat.

However, several warships of the Mark have been released from their regular duties to patrol Pacifc trade routes, Clipperton Island, Rohan and Gondor's coast lines as normal, and the combat cruiser Ostoher has been released to patrol near the Isles of Hawaii to maintian the supply line to the soon to begin New Beleriand Canal Project.

(The something worth living for question is almost straight from Babylon 5.)

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 12 2006, 03:39 PM

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QUOTE
"People of the World. I am a queen too. My son is right now fighting for his country. You have comndemed the kidnnaping of the Chinese Emperor, but I ask you, What if it had been my son? Would the Chinese have treated him as kindly as we have treated the Emperor? Or would they have roasted him like they barbariously did to POWs? See here, China has killed innocent civilians in their sleep, she has condoned the murder of those who preach a gospel of peace. Woe on to those who support this Evil Empire!"

The Empress Dowager crumpled the paper in anger and threw it against a wall. "Her son ?" she shrieked. 'HER son ?" An adult man probably fighting their war from the warm comfort of a palace room with a nice view on the harbour. HAH ! Her son wouldn't even recognize honour if it hit him on the head with a stick !"
She saw a minister trying to scurry away from the corner of her eye, and stopped him out cold with a "YOU !"
"How may this most humble servant serve Your Imperial Anger ?" he stammered.
"Get an edict out to the world, normally we would be above such mundane squabbles, but we think a lesson is in order: have that ridiculous statement quoted, and then our answer: there is a difference between an infant seized by state-paid assassins from his bed in the dead of night in a blood-bad, and an over-pampered adult nitwit who's pretending to play general from the safety of his appartments. At least the Middle Kingdom is honourable and does not kill monarchs' children.
Second, the Middle Kingdom is not in the habit of ordering its civilians to stay put when an enemy has just explained they should leave the premises because it's to be destroyed in a week and thus condemn them to a certain and ugly death. One has seen the picture with the weeping child. Its tears, its horror, is on that Bloody-Queen's head. Cursed she be for a 100 generations and cursed her secretaries for a 1000 generations because it is they who have done this and make no mistake.
For the taking of a child, that most precious all honourable men hold most dear, the People of the Middle Kingdom are raising up in anger, and on that fake queen's head, and those of her secretaries, will be the blood of all those slain. On their head will be the total destruction of their people. What has been aroused can not be quenched: the volcano has erupted. Beware of the lava-flow because nothing can stop it.
And in the centuries to come people all over the world will know what stands for honourless death... "New Swiss" they will whisper. But know not who they once were... or where they used to live."

Borys · March 25, 2007, 04:01:01 AM

Phoenix
Posted: Feb 19 2006, 08:29 AM

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Actual Events

Shanghai, Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 5, day 7

(22nd June 1901)

General Hou sighed with exasperation. You could plan, you had the best tacticians, the enemy was doing exactly what you wanted him to do, exactly to the Book. Sun Tzu's at least.
And then you get a howling mob of peasants, waving pitchforks in the air (and occasionally wounding each other), hell-bent on destroying the yang quizi, and not a single one would listen to reason. Or orders for that matter. This was going to be a BAD day.
"WHO IS YOUR LEADER ?" he shouted. But they just stared at him with blank expressions on their faces. Clearly they lack intelligence, he thought. Would they understand words with more than 2 syllables, sentences with more than 2 words ? Apparently not.
Where to put them ? How to feed them ?
He turned his back to the rabble, face contorted by anger, and his aides scurried out of his way. "You !" he yelled at one of them, jabbing a finger as if he wanted to impale the poor sod, "you will try to find to whom these maggots answer. Try to get them organised, herd them into a corral, don't matter. But I don't want these howling dogs to attack the enemy before we are ready to make the best use of their madness anyway."
The poor aide, a lieutenant he thought, just paled and bowed and scampered away. And the others looked at him from a distance. He sighed.
"Come here, you idiots, I ain't gonna bite your heads off. But you'd better come with good ideas for this situation."
"Uhm... Magnificent One... I thought The Revered Sun Tzu had a solution for that ?"
"Yeah," Hou snapped, "in the chapter: Things Not To Do, he did."
"Honourable General, we can use them to engulf the enemy with..."
"And then have your men wade through their entrails and bits and pieces ? Have a go at it, but it'll be a mite slippery I warn ye."
A colonel bravely dared a suggestion: "First a bit of shelling, then the howling lunatics, our troops coming in from aside ?"
"You mean first a diversion and then a classic pincer ?
"Yes, Your Magnificence, You mentioned once that sometimes the simplest of plans can do wonders at the right time and moment. I guess this might be one of them. The yang quizi have to concentrate on the masses coming at them, their cannons cannot fire at 3 directions the same time..."
Hou fixed the now visibly shrinking aide with a steel glare: "Cannons as in 'many cannons', they can fire several guns in several directions."
"Yes, Your Incredibleness, But that means they cannot concentrate all of their fire at us, now can they ?"
"You know son, this might just work..." Hou smiled.

Well, it did work. Sort of, Hou mused, watching the casualties mounting. Literally mounting. But you have to give those peasants credit, they climb well and were quite enthousiast about it all. Of course, knowing that our artillery is behind them is a good motivater to surge forward, but I didn't even had to threaten them. "Point towards enemy", that aide said, "they know what to do now." Boy, was he right. Ought to promote him.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lieutenant Wu wasn't so happy with his sudden promotion to peasant-shepherd but if he wanted to keep his rank he'd better do something constructive. Like convincing this particular mob of peasants to stop shouting would be a good beginning, he thought glumly.
A wizened old man appraoched him with a benign smile. His attire bespoke some military background, and the men around him moved like soldiers, but they were all civilians. Old civilians.
"Lieutenant," smiled the old man, "allow me to introduce my humble self ?"
"Yes sir," sighed Wu.
"I am Peng Chenghao...", *smile*
Lieutenant Wu stared at him. "You mean... Peng Chenghao as in... General Peng ?" ... "Sir ?"
"Yes," the old man nodded, "but retired many many years ago. I doubted I would see battle again, but Fate has granted me the opportunity to avoid dying peacefully in my bed after all."
"But Most Honourable General..."
"A General no more, Young One," said Peng patiently, "but a civilian who has decided to help those poor peasants who are so enthousiastically trying to be soldiers." The old man winced as a peasant turned around to speak to a friend behind him and his scythe nearly decapitated the man standing next to him.
"Oh, but how should one like me adress You, oh Venerable One ?"
"Peng is just fine, Lieutenant."
"And you speak the dialect of these farmers ? You are a known Elder to them ?"
"Yes. That is why I spoke to you. I know how to handle these peasants. They're not too bad you know, just feeling very heroic at the moment and mightily pleased that I taught them how to count to five."
"So you could relay my orders to them ?" the Lieutenant asked with a dawning hope shining in his eyes. The old man chuckled. "Oh yes, that I can. But don't expect miracles. With this people you must be as plain-spoken as a brick. Hard and to the point."
"As in... go and kill ? Or... stop and come back ?"
"Something like that yes. But we have to explain to them that heavy cannons will fire at them and that their best hope to survive converges with their best hope to make a fortune... reaching those yang quizi alive."
"You do that, Venerable Peng, I'll listen and try to learn. Just tell me when they're ready."

It wasn't so difficult after all, the Lieutenant thought when watching the charge of the peasants. Old Peng was leading them and he and his small cadre of experienced but old warriors were actually herding the peasants along on the battlefield, like horsemen herding a stampede of cows. It seemed as if sheer stupidity could actually keep these peasants alive, but they did suffer terrible losses anyway.
And the Old General did get the heroic battle-death he wished for. Lieutenant Wu silently vowed to write Peng's descendants, so that they could add this new Ancestor's Name to the Rolls with honour.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Shanghai, Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 5, day 11

(26th June 1901)

The rain kept falling and falling. General Hui sighed as he surveyed the battlefield and the enemy's defenselines. Thousends of bodies lay strewn around, many no longer recognizable of once having been humand beings... fathers, sons, brothers, husbands... Goddess of Mercy but he hated this war ! The senseless throwing away of lives sickened him, who had been reared with the noble Teachings Of Kong Fu-Tzi and the honourable warriorhood Sun Tzu so admiringly described in his magistral work "The Art of War".
He looked aside at the recentely-promoted Colonel Wu, who -truth to tell- was looking a bit ashen-faced and gently patted the younger man on the shoulder. "You know, "Qi huo" (bitter harvest) I think we will call this battle. But maybe soon we will have "Shi yi" (red/anger daybreak/next day")".
The younger man smiled wanly, "You are as ever quite the poet My Lord."
"Nonsens. But you, my peasant-tamer, you have a new batch to work with. They're coming in with more and greater numbers every day."
"My Lord ? Can this humble subordinate risk Your Ire by asking a too-frank question ?"
General Hui nodded.
"Why do I have this feeling that I'm managing a slaughter-house ?"

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 19 2006, 09:31 AM

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Beijing Lihong, Peking Gazette, pamphlets all over the country

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 5, day 18 (3rd July 1901)

FROM THE ADMIRALITY: SUCCESSES OF OUR VALIANT FLEET

FLAGSHIP OF ENEMY RUNS AWAY FROM BATTLE LIKE FRIGHTENED CHILD

It has been reported through small harbours that our largest fleet, which broke out of the Bo Hai, and ambushed a large New Swiss flotilla with stunning perfection, has continued to reap victory on victory while continuing South towards Hong Kong. Despite the loss of Coastal Battleship Guolong and several Torpedoboats they managed to send a New Swis Supercruiser running away like a mangy mutt with its tails between its legs !
Yes, the once-so-proud Constitution has been liberally lathered with shame !
We will never forget the date of Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 5, day 3 (June 18th 1901), nor should it be forgotten that two days earlier our same Fleet sunk a Destroyer and a Cruiser. Alas, the price Valiant Guolong paid dearly for our victories, damaged in the first battle she was destroyed in the second and had to be scuttled rather than risking to put Her Honour in strangers' filthy hands. May She rest in peace and be remembered with Honour forever.
On Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 5, day 5 ( (20th June 1901) our Honoured Fleet reached the harbours of Hong Kong and Macau and have started the long-awaited punishment of yang quizi-forces in Hong Kong who hide there in shame and fear. It has been rumoured that the Unknown Scourge of the Fortress of Yantai is amongst them. We can be certain that just punishment will be meted out to the Butchers of Yantai.
The River Monitor Jiangtong can no longer assist in this Worthy Battle, for She perished in fire with a New Swiss enemy. But She did not go down alone, such is the fate of all who dare threathen Us.

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 5, day 18 (3rd July 1901)

FROM THE GENERALITY: HEAVY BATTLES ENGAGED BUT STILL RAGING

The New Swiss quizi have learned to their detriment that trying to invade Our Middle Kingdom is A Bad Idea. Not to say A Capital Mistake. Their forces in Korea are stalled and find no victory there.
Their hellish forces in the Shandong Peninsula, Shanghai, Fuzhou, Xiamen and Hong Kong are still raging their evil, killing thousands of innocent city-dwellers and farmers. Refugees tell sad tales of being sent out of their homes, with barely a blanket and some rice, and to wander throught the defense-lines in dire danger. Thousands have been reported dead, and thousands more have been reported slain by these devils who care not that a child or a young mother received the savage blows of their brutality.
On Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 5, day 7 (22nd June 1901) our Great Armies finally decided that the yang quizi have shown their weaknessses now and that the atrocities must be put to an end. Our Glorious Armies have engaged the New Swiss quizi in battle and seek to meet out just punishment ! Although the battle raged for 4 days heavy rains have hindered our Most Courageous Volunteers, who came from Inland in order to serve our Great Country and bring down our Righteous Wrath on the wretched devils' heads. Their losses were staggering, but their blood will in the end not be spilled in vain. A "bitter harvest" General Hui reported, but he anticipates an "angry dawn". Even more masses of Volunteers are now gathering around Shanghai and have vowed no mercy. It is said that their numbers have already passed 200.000 men.
On Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 5, day 13 (28th June 1901) our Valiant Forces around Hong Kong brought down death and destruction on the yang quizi there, predictably resulting in terrible losses amongst the Peasant Volunteers, but it has been said that more than a 100.000 are already standing ready to take their places. Verily, this is The Flower of the Middle Kingdom standing proud here. Our historians will do good not to forget the tremendous sacrifices made here. Soon however there will be Precious Victory to celebrate. Standing side-by-side with Our Valiant Armies Our Courageous Volunteers are determined and steadfast, their hearts beating with Righteous Vengeance, and their hands shaking with the implements of peaceful farming turned into implements of bitter war.
Woe unto the New Swiss quizi !

Borys · March 25, 2007, 04:01:09 AM

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 20 2006, 12:33 PM

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Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Xin-Shou, month 6, day 5 (20th July 1901)

PALACE IN UPROAR: REVOLTING PRINCES ?

It has been understood by this humble redaction that lately there has been much unrest in the Forbidden City due to the lingering illness of The Elder Empress Dowager and the absence of His Imperial Majesty, still in enemy hands. It appears that the Younger Empress Dowager has encountered increasing pressure by Princes to re-marry or abdicate. Apparently the Princes have already written off our Most Imperial Majesty as dead and are now struggling for power. A most despicable chain of events has resulted in open rebellion during a Grand Audience earlier this week. Much indignified shouting has been observed and all Government Dignitaries, but even some Princes too, have stated their disgust for the revolting Princes' indignified squabbling and downright threatening attitude against Her Most Serene Majesty Empress Dowager Longyu.
The instigator of this most outrageous incident, Prince Zai Feng "the Second Prince Chun", has been denounced by the Government and the Empress Dowager and Forbidden City Guards have been called to restore order. The rebellous Prince has been taken outside and decapitated as an abject lesson towards all Princes to remember their places. And to their proper loyalty to the still-reigning Emperor !
Her Most Serene Majesty the Empress Dowager Longyu, however, has showed Her Endless Motherly Kindness and Great Wisdom by taking his now-orphaned sons Pu Yi and Pu Jie under Her care. Rumour has it that She hopes to find some solace in the soothing presence of their youthful innocent characters. It has been observed that Her Imperial Majesty has said: "Children should not be punished for the sins of their fathers."
But one question remains, which even the Government has been forced to examine: is an Imperial Marriage the solution to the future of the Dragon Throne ?

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Phoenix
Posted: Feb 27 2006, 03:29 PM

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Actual Events, sometime in July 1901

Captain Gao smiled as he walked towards the waterfront of the Tianjin harbour. People greeted him with deferrence, noticing the sparkling medals on his chest, and he was finally getting used to it. Captain Liu, walking next to him, chuckled. When Gao turned to look at him and raised one eyebrow in an unspoken question his friend chuckled even more. "I do hope you remember that you are still mortal..."
Gao burst out in laughter. "Ah my friend, trust me, my bones remind me all the time."
"Funny that you didn't know you had a broken rib until you came ashore."
"True." Gao mused. "But I had so many things to worry about, pain in my chest was just not distracting enough. And speaking about pain, how are you faring ?"
"Fine." Captain Liu answered. "The wounds have healed well, hardly any infection. Sea-water may sting but it sure kills the little devils."
"Ah yes, those "little devils" the foreign devils have been talking about."
"Well, I saw them !" Liu retorted. "The doctor let me look through his magnifying tube and there they were: tiny, wriggling, but there. And glad I am to be rid of them."
They walked towards a building that said "Naval Department". Inside they were ushered into an office and told to wait. Liu looked at Gao, who shrugged. "No, I don't know either why we had to come here. And no, neither did I receive a new commission. Maybe they'll punish us with office-work."
A smallish old man scurried into the office. "Pardon me. A thousand excuses. This unworthy one begs for your indulgence. So sorry."
When both captains bowed, more because of this man's white hairs than for whatever rank he held, he looked up and then smiled. "So, at last I meet the infamous Captain Gao and equally infamous Captain Liu from The Battle Of The Rusted Bucket And The Careening Cruisers. It is soo wonderful to meet you."
The Captains looked at each other and then stared back in utter bafflement at the elder. Who, unrepentantly, continued to cheerfully describe their blunders. "The herrings who dared attack the shark. The men who managed a Ship With Three Captains. Who must have disgusted the Sea Gods so hard that the bullet-riddled leaking boat on which they sailed in a severe storm was repulsed rather than be received in The Undersea Realms." The old man finally collapsed in laughter, taking his seat behind his desk.
When he was done laughing he looked at the two chastened captains with gentle eyes. "You must know by now all the jokes that have been going around about you. But I couldn't resist the temptation. Please forgive an old man in his dotage for getting some mirth."
"It must be good for your Yang, I suppose, oh Revered Elder," Captain Gao noted.
The Elder grinned. "Oh yes it does. But it does nothing for your careers hm ?"
"Sit down. We need to talk. Has nobody told you who I am ? Curious."
"We don't dare to be overly curious Revered Elder," Gao said. "We are still stunned we got medals out of this."
"Ah yes, and an Imperial Audience to boot. You seen the Tiger Lady ? She is magnificent. A worthy successor of the Dragon Lady, May She Heal And Live A Thousand Years More." The Elder looked sober now, grim even. "But we are not here to discuss Empresses, nor shiny trinkets on one's chest. We are here to discuss progress."
Liu looked up. "Progress ? When we are in a war ?"
"Progress. Especially because we are in a war. Young man, wars are won by the far-seeing, by the good planners. In the end it matters not what you can throw into the battle, it matters what wins the battles. We need better ships."
Gao was amazed. "Better ships ? Those Cruisers were awesome but sunk quite quickly anyway."
"Yes," grinned the Elder. "That is why I, Prince Ching, wanted to have you at my office. Do you realize that you and your crews are the only Sons of the Dragon who have witnessed such a battle from up close ? Experience is the best teacher, I always said."
"Prince Ching ?" Gao was startled.
Yes." The old man smiled. "I must confess that one of my brothers once was an Emperor. Xianfeng to be precise. The late husband of Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi.
Oh no, there's no need to kow-tow lads, others are far more worthy of that. And besides, it's awfully abusive of your knee joints, I can tell you."
The captains hurridly took back their seats. And the Elder Prince continued. "When I was young I was fortunate enough to have been sent to other parts of the world for an education in the foreign technologyies. Father, May He Repose In Peace With The Ancestors For Million Years To Come, wanted Xianfeng to have the best advisors possible. After coming back -and glad I was !- I became Grand Secretary of the Tsungli Yamen. But young Liaing Tung-yen has taken over nicely and now this old man dabbles a bit in the Naval Department. You know: odd ends and sorts, the kind of elder eccentric that infests any Yamen and can't be rid of." He smiled. But then his grin grew feral.
"You know, the kind of idiot that would take 2 crazy captains and ask them on how to build better boats..."
The captains stared at him with complete bewilderment, eyes huge, faces blanched. "I just want to know how you would feel about deciding what kind of deadly war-vessel to build. You can choose your weapons, motors, armor, the works. I design the hull. You gather the toys."
Gao's eyes started to shine.
"I think..." the old prince continued, "I would call this project "The Fast And The Furious"... Would you be interested ?"

Needless to say, the answer was most definitely and empathically NOT "no".

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The Rock Doctor
Posted: Feb 27 2006, 07:17 PM

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Nice work. I'm curious to see if the two captains develop a Diesel-powered vehicle.

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Desertfox
Posted: Feb 27 2006, 10:57 PM

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Might be interesting to see what the Chinese have in mind. We should compare our future designs based on actual experience.

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Maddox
Posted: Feb 28 2006, 09:59 AM

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OOC, I'm afraid diesel won't cut the cheese the firstcoming decades. Not according to springsharp. Even petrol doesn't work fine until the 30's

Engine weight is just to big. And it's a solid number in SS. Small ships are a pain to sim.

But I have seen part of what Phoenix has in mind. I love the story behind it all.

Borys · March 25, 2007, 04:01:45 AM

5 PAGES MISSING

Borys · March 25, 2007, 04:02:27 AM

Phoenix
Posted: Sep 30 2006, 01:28 PM

Hegemon
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OOC
Naaaahhh... when telegraphs are being used we pay per letter. Chinese are thrifty. And telegraph messages are influencing bureaucrats-lingo now... slow changes but inevitable.

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Phoenix
Posted: Oct 11 2006, 03:01 PM

Hegemon
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My apologies for the delay, but you know why.

Beijing Lihong, Peking Gazette, Shanghai Shenbao

QUOTE
Cycle 76, Year Gui-mao, month 2, day 17
(March 15th 1903)

LAUNCH OF NEWEST BATTLESHIP QH SHENZI

With well-deserved pride the Bingbu Yamen has launched the newest gem of Our Fleet, Treasure of the Waves: the coastal battleship called "Victory".
Our newest class of coastal battleships weighs no less than 12.000 tonnes and is the biggest ever built by our shipyards so far. The lauch of the Shenzi was thus a marvel to the eye of all onlookers. Although some might have winced, not because of the price this ship has cost, but of the bottle with very good wine that was smashed against its bow in order to "bless" her.
Prince Su, Chief of the Naval Department, was observed beaming broadly while his Number 1 Wife did the honours being the ship's Blesser. This quaint custom has been taken over by our Naval Department from foreigners. It is claimed that a ship's Godmother (as the Blesser is called there) brings much good fortune to the vessel and her crew. The crew is supposed to always have a bond with the Godmother until she ascends the rainbow (and even then remembering her with awe), inviting her for celebrations and solemn occasions. Godmother Lady Su has certainly won the hearts of Shenzi's sailors when at her orders several casks of wine were opened for all to celebrate with.
The launching has been recorded with those "filmboxes" that can catch movement on ribbons, and the "movie" will be shown to Her Most Serene Majesty the Empress Mother for Her Enjoyment.

-------------------------------------------------

In the meantime... actual events...The Fast and The Furious - Wet Feet Division..

Cycle 76, Year Gui-mao, month 2, day 13

Captain Gao smiled when he entered the sick-room. His smile hovered a bit uncertainly on his lips when he saw the bandaged figure in the bed but then he started to smile broadly and with a false cheerfulness he greeted Captain Liu. "Well now, still in one piece hey ?"
"Mumble."
"Hmm ?" He leaned closer.
"I said I hate you !!"
"Now, now. That's not the way to greet an old friend..."
"May the devils flay you alive and feast on your entrails while you serve them up on a red-hot plate !"
"That painful huh ?"
"YES !"
"Well, you shouldn't have been in the boiler room during that test. A wise captain remains on his bridge you know."
"I wanted to instill some confidence in those fools. And prince Ching did vouchsafe that his calculations were accurate."
"Well... they were accurate. We found the problem."
"Oh ? And would you care to enlighten this poor Dim Sum's feeble mind as to what caused me being steamed alive ?"
"Pfff... somebody was trying to make a handsome profit by whittling down on the quality of the materials he had to deliver. Like those steam-tubes whose rupture cooked your crew."
"And what has happened with that criminal so far ?"
"Oh, he's in prison. Awaiting a private discussion with somebody as soon as that somebody has healed sufficiently."
Liu started to grin evilly: "You mean ?"
"We figured you might want to spend some quality time with him."
"Good. I'll need steam and a hose."

Gao left the hospital with a warm feeling in his heart. It's always so nice to be able to bring some pleasure and consolation to a wounded man.
And afterwards he had to find a way to gently break the news that the next ship with new machines was waiting for Liu to try out. Maybe he should chain him to the bridge of that ship first.

Cycle 76, Year Gui-mao, month 2, day 18

"Captain Gao ! We are ready for the test run."
He nodded to the engine room technician who had stuck his head through the bridge's door for the message and turned towards the helmsman: "Good. Let her slowly come up in order to ease the strain on the new motor. You know they can't start cold, just let her go slowly and easy, then build up speed."
The small test-vessel left the harbour at a steady pace through the heavy surf. Its new motors were humming nicely and Captain Gao smiled. Today they were going to test it in heavy weather, see if she can keep her speed up in the biggest waves. He liked the sea, he liked to ride her hard and fast, and this new motor-system was going to make it happen.
Alas, Prince Ching's calculations have been off for once.
As the test-vessel was cresting the waves, by times the propeller would come out of the water and turn freely in the air. Since in the air the resistance of the water was lacking, all the power would go into speed. And speed became the problem: the new turbines were just not strong enough for such a high level of stress. They desintegrated and subsequently made interesting things happen in the engine room. There were no survivors there.
What probably saved Captain Gao's life was that -a moment before the disaster- the engine room technician, who was still at the bridge's door, mused: "hey, that sound is odd..." The Captain followed the man outside, descending a ladder that hung alongside the bridge, when all hell broke loose. The deck simply desintegrated. Whoever had the misfortune to be standing there was shredded in an instance. Pieces of metal tore through decks and bulkheads, killing most of the crew outright and maiming the rest. The bridge turned into a sieve, and both Captain Gao and the technician at the ladder were knocked off into the sea by flying debris and the bucking movement of the ship.
Other schrapnel tore into the bottom of the ship, blasting holes under the water-line. When sea-water cheerfully roared through the newly made holes and reached the boiler room the end was quick and merciful.
There were only 2 survivors that the sharks didn't get: that technician and Captain Gao. They were the only ones who hadn't been bleeding.

------------------------------------------------------
In the meantime... actual events...The Fast and The Furious - Fly-By Division..

Cycle 76, Year Gui-mao, month 2, day 3

"WHEEEEEEHHHH ! WOOHOO !"

"How does he do that ? And without falling down ?"
"We don't know Sir. But at least these days he keeps the thing in one piece."
"How is the training of the others coming along ?"
"As soon as we can convince them that the Gods won't be angry, and the birds won't fall down laughing, they can start the practical training. Maybe it was not such a good idea to use such young peasant boys for this."
"They weigh less. And their parents don't care what happens with them after we've paid them."


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Phoenix
Posted: Nov 2 2006, 02:32 PM

Hegemon
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June 20th 1903 and following days - Taku - Tianjin- Beijing

A large delegation of dignitaries waited on the quay for the arrival and mooring of the SMS Jan Sobieski. When the honorable Emperor of Austria and his Lady Empress walked down the walkway the assembled all bowed deeply. Then Lei Wenhui, Grand Secretary of the Libu Yamen, humbly extended his welcome in the name of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Kaili and bade the Imperial Guests to indulge and allow him to escort them to their transport: a huge horse-drawn carriage painted in the brightest red and yellow. It drove them to the trainway where the Imperial Carriage lay waiting. The train spurted on towards Beijing where the next day, June 21st, the Imperial Spouses were gently carried into the Forbidden City. As they entered the Hall Of Supreme Harmony a surprise waited for all. They were warmly greeted by Her Majesty the Empress-Mother but then, on a signal, suddenly the entire assembled Court fell silent and next - on the floor. A high children's voice piped in reasonable German: "Wir wilkommen Sie im Mittler Königreich und grüssen Sie wie Bruder und Schwester."
It was the Emperor Himself. Little Kaili smiling like a little sun walked towards the Emperor and Empress of Austria, then stopped and opened his arms. "Sie sind Unsere Gäste und ganz Unserer Königreich freut sich."
Then he walked over to the Dragon Throne and a translator once more spoke up, trembling though because nobody had expected the Emperor being taken out of his seclusion even for this Imperial visit. Empress-Mother Longyu smiled a knowing
little smile as she gauged the reaction of the courtiers. "So... secrets could be kept even in the Forbidden City", she mused, while presents were being brought before the visiting Imperial Spouses: the finest silks for Her Majesty, a splendid lacquered Armour for His Majesty, a lovely brooch-necklace-earrings-bracelets set in the palest of greed jade for Her Majesty, a fine sword for His Majesty... the list went on and on.
Next came the Grand Banquet and the Festive Garden Lantern Display, celebrating the longest day of the year with fireworks and all kinds of acrobats. When the Austrian Monarchs retired for the night they bade the Emperor goodbye, for he was to return to his secluded monastery, there to take up once again his education. In a private conversation the Austrian Emperor heard from his young peer that he was actually enjoying himself: "I get to do all kinds of things I was forbidden here. It's hard, often, because we get up real early, we eat only rice and vegetables, and the exercises are really hard, but you know, I feel great ! When I grow up I will be the wisest and strongest Emperor of all !" The boy-Emperor fell silent for a moment, his seriousness creasing his brow: "You'll be older by then, but I can stand by your side, and when I am older your son will do the same for me; thus will we be good rulers of this world. You should speak to the lower people sometimes you know. A good ruler does that. The monks I live with were children of peasants and beggars, but they are real wise and they know all about the world. Stuff the eunuchs and the Mandarins didn't know about when I lived here." Stefan was both amused and surprised that one so young could be so serious. Must be the upbringing he thought.
The following days were a myriad of colours and sounds, smells and sights. One day fiery warriors showed their prowess on swift little horses, the other day lovely dancers whirled delicately amidst sweetly scented petals strewn over the floor, followed by a day of countless children bringing flowers and singing songs, their laughter ringing towards the heavens and filling the Empress's heart with delight. Craftsman proudly showed their best work, calligraphers and painters delighted all with their art. When a painter saw how the eye of the Foreign Empress was drawn towards a delicate painting of a singing bird on a peon he crawled to her on his knees, humbly offering the painting held high over his bowed head. In the meantime the Emperor was regaled to a showing of troops and an exhibition of the men's prowess with their weapons. Several aides of His Majesty took notes.
But to all good things comes an end eventually, and so once more the throng of dignitaries was assembled at the quay of Taku, bidding their August Guests a fond and respectful farewell.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Gui-mao, month 8, day 5

(September 25th, 1903)

BAD HARVEST EXPECTED DUE TO INCESSANT RAINS

Worries are rising all over the Southern, Eastern and Northern provinces where incessant rains continue to drench the farmlands for more than a month now. Although the rivers have not yet flooded to an extent that the situation can be deemed critically dangerous, it is nevertheless expected that much of the harvest may be lost due to the constant humidity if the rains continue as they are. Even the rice, though harvested plentiful earlier, is rotting in the stores due to the moisture that seeps through each and everything. Animals are taken down with illnesses and sores from the humid conditions. Those who keep animals are urged to inspect their animals' feet every day for sores and such and to keep them dry at night. A goat is not a fish, she cannot spend much time underwater and prosper.

Many people have been taken ill by the bad fumes that this constant rain brings over the land, even though the weather has been pleasantly warm lately, which has the doctors worried for the cold season to come. All kinds of respiratory diseases abound and the doctors warn that all those ailing from sniffles or lung problems should seek to ingest at least the following herbs: Hoelen, Dong Quai, Kao-Pen, Chiang Huo, Ma huang, Xing ren, Gui Zhi, and Gan cao. Be sure to demand some of these at your local herb-doctor ! Those still in good health are encouraged to seek remedies that reinforce their bodies and help them fight the bad influences.

Those who live alongside the Great Rivers and their tributaries are called upon to report with their local dyke-managers and stand by with shovel and basket, whilst preparing reed bushes and wooden stakes.

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Borys
Posted: Nov 2 2006, 03:18 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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God spaeketh through the mouths of Babes.

Off the record: "Did you know the sweet darling greeted us in German?"

Stefan, when asked of his talks with the Manchu Monarch

This post has been edited by Borys on Nov 3 2006, 05:26 PM

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Desertfox II
Posted: Nov 2 2006, 07:37 PM

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Looks like he learned something while in New Switzerland smile.gif he might even know Norman (English).

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Phoenix
Posted: Nov 3 2006, 02:16 PM

Hegemon
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What part of "his education" did you miss ? Longyu is very determined to give her son the best training possible.
But the boy was taught the 2 sentences in German by a translator before his appearance, because it would be a masterstroke in mutual relations, and he's quite bright.

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Desertfox II
Posted: Nov 3 2006, 06:05 PM

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But he was also educated while in captivity and German is spoken in New Switzerland so he might have picked up more.

Borys · March 25, 2007, 04:03:05 AM

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Phoenix
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 03:41 PM

Hegemon
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Beijing Lihong, Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Gui-mao, month 11, day 11
(December 29th, 1903)

HARDEST WINTER IN MILLENNIA - FAMINE SPREADS - RUMBLINGS AMONGST THE POPULACE

Reports from all over the Middle Kingdom speak with sadness of this Winter, by far the harshest in living and written memory. After an unusually wet and warm Fall, during which most of the harvested and stored food has rotten away, we now face a most frigid and bitter Winter.

Reports of famine abound. Scores of peasants have died already, more often than not the elderly and youngest. People froze to death in their dwellings, or suffocated from deadly smoke-emitting furnaces in their desperate attempts to stay warm. One most upsetting rumour has it that peasants in the region around Changsha have resorted to cannibalism. In the meanwhile hungry coolies in the harbour cities have attacked fishermen for their catches. A most distressing time has befallen us, certainly.

The members of the Imperial Court and High Families, as well as the Governors and Mandarins of all ranks, have been ordered to diminish the quantity of food they eat as a sign of solidarity with the countless starving peasants and coolies, and to divert some of their food stores to local yamens who will subsequently distribute them to the needy. Her Most Serene Imperial Majesty the Empress-Mother has decreed She will not touch meat until all subjects have sufficient food again, preferring instead to have the meat meant for Her table doled out at Buddhist monasteries in an act of penance to placate the Heavens. Many members of the Imperial Court and countless Patriarchs of the High Families have followed this most noble example. The monks distribute the meat to the poor since they are strict vegetarians themselves.

Relief efforts by the Government have been sent to the province capitals in the form of food stocks. It is expected that the Governors dole out the food as fairly as possible.

The Tsungli Yamen has purchased food stocks abroad. It is told that this food has had to be found all the way on literally the other side of the world. Most astonishing. It seems that the entire world is suffering, not just the center of it.

Related to all the hardship is possibly the current unrest in Hong Kong, being rebuild after the horrendous war with the New Swiss Quizi. It is reported that a certain Sun Rixin is sowing unrest amongst the citizens there, claiming that the Imperial Court and the High Families care not for the poor and hungry. Investigation of your local reporters has unearthed that this man was originally called Sun Yat-sen, but he is a Catholic convert and has changed his name to "Daily Renewal". It appears he has studied at an university abroad, sponsored by the New Swiss Quizi, and has been an agitator in the quizi's pay for years. He is currently being sought by the local authorities, who have some very pointed questions to ask of him.

Beijing Lihong, Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Gui-mao, month 10, day 28
(December 16th, 1903)

DISASTER BEFALLS WIND-BOAT - ENTIRE CREW PERISHED

The Bingbu Yamen has finally seen fit to elucidate the masses regarding the fireball that completely ate up an experimental wind-boat being tested, which was seen by many citizens of the city of Hohhot last week. According to a spokesman of the Bingbu Yamen the rather spectacular accident was caused by crew members having alighted a small stove they had brought onboard in order to warm themselves. Apparently, when a strong gust of wind upset the wind-boat, the stove fell over and set the wooden cabin alight, which in turn ignited the gasses that keep the wind-boats in the air. The name of the ill-fated wind-boat was "Chenghao Feng Cha" ("Honest greatness Wind-Boat"). It had a crew of 25. None survived.
It is uncertain whether a new experimental craft will be built. It is rather expensive in silk and special paints. And the Bingbu Yamen has other priorities at this moment, as we are all painfully aware. Even the Ministry of War has to feed its minions...

Beijing Lihong, Peking Gazette

QUOTE
Cycle 76, year Gui-mao, month 12, day 2
(January 18th, 1904)

WORKS AT PEACE CANAL SUSPENDED

The Gongbu Yamen has decreed that all works at the "He Yun He", the Peace Canal bordering Korea, have been stopped in order to cope with the hardships there. The soil is frozen solid and the coolies suffer from famine.

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dougwise13
Posted: Nov 29 2006, 01:28 PM

California
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QUOTE (Phoenix @ Nov 3 2006, 02:16 PM)
What part of "his education" did you miss ? Longyu is very determined to give her son the best training possible.
But the boy was taught the 2 sentences in German by a translator before his appearance, because it would be a masterstroke in mutual relations, and he's quite bright.

Perhaps the Austrians are just being condescending. smile.gif

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Phoenix
Posted: Dec 28 2006, 09:43 AM

Hegemon
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The Forbidden Palace, April 14th 1904

The Austrian Ambassador entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, followed by a servant who carried a parcel under a cloth. He approached the Dragon Throne but stopped at the required spot and bowed deeply. "Your Most Serene Imperial Majesty, this humble servant is overcome with joy that Your Majesty would bestow upon him the honour of seeing him in audience."
The regal figure, seated next to the empty throne, nodded and the Ambassador continued: "It is with a gift of my most esteemed monarch and his warriors that this humble servant approaches Your Most Serene Majesty. The armies of my people have a custom to honour other monarchs than our own and such has now also been offered to Their Most High Majesties who do not share the faith of our people."
"Yes," Lei Wenhui, Grand Secretary of the Libu Yamen (Board of Rites) interrupted gently, "You are of the Christian faith are you not, Your Excellency ? It is so strange for a people to remember their dead god by eating him..."
"We partake of His Essence Your Excellency," the Ambassador corrected him politely, "it's the idea that counts..."
"Hmm, yes, it's difficult to eat the flesh of someone who died 1900 years ago," Lei smiled.
"But we digress My Lord," the Ambassador chided him oh so politely: "It has been established that a regiment of most ferocious and brave horsemen will be named after Her Most Serene Majesty. Bearing in mind that the Imperial Dynasty descends from brave horsemen Themselves... it is only fitting that a Hussar Regiment would do the honours. And thus the KK Hussaren Regiment "Tottenkopf" 8 will be renamed as of tomorrow the KK HR Kaiserin Witwe und Regentin der Mittler Kaiserreich Longyu "Tottenkopf" 8."
A murmur arouse from the gathered courtiers and dignitaries.
"A dead's head ?" Lei inquired.
"To show their contempt for death, to show their devotion to a revered ruler long dead, to inspire fear into their enemies, for a lot of reasons really. Their uniform is rather gay, even to our standards, with lots of gold embroidery, buttons and tassels. Not to mention the hat. You might say the Hussars are the most elegantly and dashingly dressed warriors of our people... they have a reputation for being utmost brave, utmost celebrating, utmost dashing to the rescue, utmost wo-...aahhh..." the Ambassador stumbled a bit on his words but Grand Secretary Lei continued the sentence for him: "utmost ladies' gentlemen hm ?"
"You might say so Your Excellency..." the Ambassador blushed, "They say they can have everyone running: the men away from them and the woman towards them." He smiled apologetically: "I guess of all the regiments Hussars would be most delighted at having an already legendary exotic beauty for Inhaber." He was sweating and he knew it. All of his preparations for his speech and then he would do this ? Oh no... this gaffe was for the records.
But the Empress Mother smiled. She actually smiled and beckoned to her Grand Secretary of Rites. She whispered something in his ear and he blushed in turn. But he regained his composure and asked: "And the present you brought ?"
The Ambassador had to use every inch of willpower not to brush his eyebrow in relief. But then the thought chilled him: are they going to like this ? "It is the uniform of course." He gestured towards his servant, who took a few steps forward, got onto his knees and offered the parcel, the ambassador removing the cloth. "As per regulations riding breeches are included, but my people's women wear long skirts for modesty and we weren't sure how Your Most Serene Majesty would dress when amongst our people. Your Excellency Lei, I have sent you a preparatory explanation... as to when wearing the uniform would be appropriate..."
The Empress Mother gestured to a couple of young eunuchs and gave an order in a low voice, impossible to overhear, then they approached the servant and politely took the uniform from his hands.
Then, surprising all, she spoke: "If ever I would visit your land, Ambassador of the Austrians, I would visit the Regiment that has honoured me. And of course..." <impish smile> "... dress to fashion. I would ride with the Hussars. I would ride and have the wind of your land play through my hair. I would ride and fear nothing for I would be riding with the best and the world would know it !"

When the Ambassador left the Hall Lei Weihui accompanied him. "You know, Your Excellency," the Grand Secretary mused in a low voice, "it is a peculiar custom. But you might want to send for a few of those Hussars. Her Most Serene Majesty adores riding. It is one of the few pleasures She has left. And when I briefed Her for this audience She got mightily curious and would really see it for Herself..."
"Oh ?" the Ambassador whispered.
"Yes. Something about those big moustaches I believe." the Grand Secretary said with a straight face.

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Ithekro
Posted: Dec 28 2006, 12:55 PM

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OOC:

Interesting reactions. Be interesting to see the Empress in uniform...or see how her people make the uniform to fit her or what she thinks it to be to "...dress to fashion".