Indeed. If nothing else it's honest and far less hypocritical.Yeah, nothing is as civilized as nuking... :
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Hmm modern samurai do look like the kind of chaps who will need a thorough nuking to stop being utter barbarian bastards.
At this rate I may have to start (hopelessly) rooting for the other side. I suppose the big plus is such modern samurai probably wont have much respect for scientist or engineers so tech wise they'll be awful, thus the enraged Dutch could beat them to the A-bomb and teach them a valuable lesson about revenge.
You'll find out later why they are doing this. Unfortunately for the Samurai it is giving them a bad name, but it is not they who ordered it done.
Tech wise, the Samurai that entered war against the Tokugawa Shogunate (unless I have the name mixed up) were more progressive Samurai than those of the Tokugawa. The Shogun Wars (Samurai Rebellion in the Meiji period) further advanced that progressiveness in the Samurai. You'll see that the majority hold little regard for science - but some see it's potential. It is as if Japan is going through a renaissance period, crossing from traditional thinking to science and technological acceleration.
You'll get to know him more over the AAR. He'll be a major player.
Yeah, nothing is as civilized as nuking... :
Indeed. So the Nuclear Race is ignited between the Dutch and the Samurai ! Knowing the Dutch ways of war, they will make a cardboard missile and throw it at Japan which detonates in a blinding flash, twice the size of Hiroshima ! (Reference to another AAR. Can you Guess ?)
Now we shall see who wins the A-Bomb Race !
We Dutch had some Nobelprize winning physicists at that time.
And everyone knows that a Dutch WMD would involve Cows and Cheese, not cardboard.
And everyone knows that a Dutch WMD would involve Cows and Cheese, not cardboard
.
Now we shall see who wins the A-Bomb Race !
Albania!
We Dutch had some Nobelprize winning physicists at that time.
And everyone knows that a Dutch WMD would involve Cows and Cheese, not cardboard
I always thought a Dutch WMD included Hollandaise sauce.
Blasphemy, Hollandaise sauce is French
. They just came up with a silly name for that sauce.
Old Beginnings - Part 3
19 September 1931 …
Tokyo, Japan ...
“What do you mean you ordered them to expand the attack ? I am the Emperor ! You will follow my orders !” yelled Hirohito. He had been growing increasingly angry and involved over the last few months. Forces in Korea had been expanded to a hundred thousand men. It would be more than enough for what was planned.
“You are Emperor in name only. A figurehead. I allow you to keep up the act, despite how you try my patience. Everyone knows that the Shogun hold the real power. If your dog of an ancestor, Meiji hadn’t begun to limit our power you may have been Emperor in truth” scolded Katsumoto. How dare the insolence of Hirohito barge into his home, Himeji Castle. One of the greatest places in all Japan.
Katsumoto passed a large table in the center of the room. Upon it lay a map of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria, with markers for all of the divisions of the Imperial Japanese Army and the Army of Manchuria. If all went well, the war would be quick and simple.
“Emperor Meiji was more of a man than you shall have ever known. Why I should just-”
“Careful Hirohito … I can have you killed if I would like”
“How dare you speak to me in such a way ! You-”
“How dare I? First you come into my home, uninvited and unwanted. Second you scold me, the man who lets you live. Third, you chastise me, ME ! How dare you ! Emperor! Now. Leave my home at once” Hirohito was stuck on the response of Katsumoto as he stood firm and pointed at the door. Katsumoto licked that. It was one of the fine points of the Shogun. They stood above all others and none of them respected or liked Hirohito.
As expected, Hirohito did not bow. Nor did he respond. With a sharp twist, he marched out of the room, escorted out by the Imperial Guards of the Shogun. Katsumoto turned back to his map and reviewed the positions. Some of the forces would advance conventionally and secure important areas while others would commandeer trains and strike quickly at the cities and industrial areas of Manchuria. If nothing else, it would be a test of new techniques. The mastermind behind it all had been trained at the Samurai Military Academy, a great source of pride for Katsumoto himself.
This man would go on to make great victories and lead Japan to it’s rightful place in the world. He was sure of it. The man was still only a Lieutenant Colonel however this invasion would be his test. Regardless, he would undoubtedly be a very influential man in politics. Hideki Tojo would no doubt become important to Katsumoto, and to the Shogun itself.
Japanese Troops along the Manchurian border.
Aircraft Carrier Hosho ...
Hideki Tojo was standing atop Hosho, the first purpose built aircraft carrier in the world and Japan’s first aircraft carrier. Today was going to be a good day. The Yellow Sea was calm and the winds blew well. Today Japan would truly make its power in the world known. This new tactic was bound to be effective. He still had yet to come up with a name for it. If only the equipment of the Japanese forces had been innovative and home grown as well. Captured Dutch equipment stood alongside that of old World War One equipment donated by the French and British.
Regardless of the equipment the troops were the finest in Asia. Superior to the Chinese, Indians and those of South Asia. Russia’s troops were a joke amongst his men. Personally, Tojo was trusting that the Australians would be the hardest troops. A country who’s founding was a prison was bound to be full of a tough people. Tojo turned to the man beside him as the last of the fighter planes lifted off to bomb nearby transports in the Manchurian ports.
“News from the front ?”
“Yes Sir, the troops are quickly making progress on the ground and the Railway troops are making their way to the trains. With any luck they’ll board them and the Manchurian’s won’t have any idea were onboard” said the Major.
“Like Ninja’s then” commented Tojo.
“Yes Sir. That is, if they are not detected”
“It is a gamble worth taking”
“What if the gamble doesn’t work ?”
“It will work. Have faith in this. It has never been tried before. That is why its going to work”
Good update. Looks like the British Empire has fallen apart, if Tojo sees Australia and India as enemies. Looking forward of reading more.
What else should you add to fries? And you Brits throw vinegar on your fries, now thats just plain weird .
What else should you add to fries
? And you Brits throw vinegar on your fries, now thats just plain weird .
We Dutch had some Nobelprize winning physicists at that time.
And everyone knows that a Dutch WMD would involve Cows and Cheese, not cardboard
As said, reference to an AAR.
Albania!
I always thought a Dutch WMD included Hollandaise sauce.
Albania would indeed be a fearsome enemy, if it had a ruler like TRP.
A Dutch WMD would be too powerful to contemplate, though Hollandaise sauce is a fine part of Eggs Benedict !
Blasphemy, Hollandaise sauce is French
Hollandaise sauce remains a great part of Eggs Benedict.
That would be fearsome.
Good update. Looks like the British Empire has fallen apart, if Tojo sees Australia and India as enemies. Looking forward of reading more.
What else should you add to fries
The British Empire is fractured in 1936, and the Commonwealth is near broken by 1940. You'll find out more in a little bit.
As for Vinegar on fries (chips), I am not one who does such things. I am more partial to salt.
Indeed, he is rather weak at this point. I have described his role in this AAR to friends as being 'The Samurai's Bitch'. Usually get a laugh or an awkward stare
.There are bigger and better things to come my friend.
Interesting picture of the Japs there. Is it the winterized equipment? First time I see such clothing.
Blasphemy, Hollandaise sauce is French
I humbly apologize.
oSuch confidence this man has.
Old Beginnings - Part 4
December 26 1931 …
“And they have surrendered ?” Hirohito asked Katsumoto.
“Indeed. With China divided, they lacked the commitment to commit to the war and with Tojo’s tactics we were quickly victorious. We were inside their cities before they even knew we had taken their train stations. Of course, the west has been rather critical. France is continuing sanctions and Germany is leading the charge against us. Holland’s reparations are making up for it though with enough left over to ensure we can secure our economy until this recession ends. The occupation of Manchuria will only continue to fuel our economy and coupled with the East Indies, we might be able to escape this depression with limited effects”
“What about America? What are they doing?”
At this, Katsumoto paused. The Americans had furiously supported the Emperor in the Shogun Rebellion. Had it not been for the British, the Shogun may have lost that war. If that had happened, no one would recognize the world they lived in today. Perhaps an alliance with the Americans would have been made. It seemed likely looking back. Now, Japan was a rising power in the east alongside Britain, the premier power in the world.
“If you want to know what the Americans are doing, I would advise you to tread carefully. No one cares what it is that happens to you, if the Shogun do it. On the other hand. The Shogun are untouchable”
Hirohito was silent, the man simply stared into the eyes of Katsumoto. Regardless of whatever power Katsumoto had, he still had difficulty with the Emperor’s eyes. They seemed to draw him in. Almost as though they had a power, a hypnotic effect on those they touched. Katsumoto drew away from the gaze, the Emperor smiled content.
“How go our efforts in Italy?”
“You mean the Romanum Legionaries ?”
“We might as well cut off funding. They aren’t making any sort of progress against Mussolini. The British have already cut off funding. Apparently, they suspect the French of helping Mussolini”
“If that is what you want, you may do -”
“I already have” said Katsumoto. Even without funding from Japan and Britain, Mussolini wouldn’t be able to touch the Romanum. Though they numbered few and could not make any entrance, they were the most competent commanders in Italy. Mussolini would not do away with them.
“Well it seems you have everything order. Why are you telling me this?” asked Hirohito.
“Why am I telling you this? I am telling you this because according to the Treaty of Tokyo I have to tell you this”
“You can break the Treaty and not do such things”
“Breaking the Treaty would bring me dishonour. As the leader of the Shogun, I refuse to dishonour myself or them. And we both know what dishonour brings upon the Samurai”
The two men stared at each other for some time. Each trying to read the other. Katsumoto spoke first, as he often did.
“You will be attending a state parade in February. We will prepare the speech for you as always and you will be instructed on what to do, as usual. Any divergence from this will … bring consequences” Hirohito glared at Katsumoto. For all intents and purposes, neither could do anything against the other.
Yet still they quarrelled, still they hated each other. It was a hatred that could be written about in song. A hatred that would undoubtedly, if ever unleashed, spill out in all directions tearing Japan and the world apart.
Emperor Hirohito atop his Horse during the Annual Celebrations for the end of the Japanese Civil War.
Je adore la Empereur Hirohito. Il est "phwoooooar". XDXDXD
In all seriousness, great update, long live Hypnohito. Shame about that twerp in Italy!
In all seriousness, great update, long live Hypnohito. Shame about that twerp in Italy!
Most interesting, I suggest Britain develop a cunning plan to force Japan to do things by invoking the Shogun's honour;
"I politely request you hand over Honshu and pay Britain a trillion billion pounds. I must warn you that should you fail to do so it will forever be a indelibly miserable stain on the honour of you, your house and Japan."
"Damn you Sir Cholmondley-Warner my ludicrous sense of honour compels me to comply. You win again this time!"
"I politely request you hand over Honshu and pay Britain a trillion billion pounds. I must warn you that should you fail to do so it will forever be a indelibly miserable stain on the honour of you, your house and Japan."
"Damn you Sir Cholmondley-Warner my ludicrous sense of honour compels me to comply. You win again this time!"
Do I notice some hostility between the Emperor and his Shogun ?
Quick question: what is the exact status of the emperor? Hirohito was regarded as a living god, the decendant of the Sungodess, during WW2. This limited his actual power, since the Emperor shouldn't be bothered with the petty affairs of state. It seems that this Hirohito is a lot more belligerent, yet even a dutiful and honourbound samurai has no problem insulting him...
?Quick question: what is the exact status of the emperor? Hirohito was regarded as a living god, the decendant of the Sungodess, during WW2. This limited his actual power, since the Emperor shouldn't be bothered with the petty affairs of state. It seems that this Hirohito is a lot more belligerent, yet even a dutiful and honourbound samurai has no problem insulting him...
Interesting picture of the Japs there. Is it the winterized equipment? First time I see such clothing.
I believe it is indeed Winter Clothing. Not certain but with the white fur, it would seem that it is Winter Clothing. Note : At that time the Japanese Army used French Military Equipment which had been given to them at the end of World War I.
I humbly apologize.
Such confidence this man has.
And with good reason. He basically invented Blitzkrieg right there before the Germans. Although in this timeline - Germany didn't look at mobile strategy and stuck to the Superior Firepower doctrine. The in game effect is that I changed Japans Land Doctrine to Mobile Warfare.
I had debated making an Italy AAR with the Romanum Legionnaires in charge of Italy but I really don't feel like modding their minister files.
Japan needs a Lord Halifax style shogun
lol. Lord Halifax ... :rofl:
I must say that I loved that AAR you wrote where you did just that - and inherited the realms of Japan. Unfortunately, a Western Samurai is more willing to bend the rules and when the head of the Shogun is a Western Samurai it is unlikely they would agree.
Do I notice some hostility between the Emperor and his Shogun
Quick question: what is the exact status of the emperor? Hirohito was regarded as a living god, the decendant of the Sungodess, during WW2. This limited his actual power, since the Emperor shouldn't be bothered with the petty affairs of state. It seems that this Hirohito is a lot more belligerent, yet even a dutiful and honourbound samurai has no problem insulting him...
Indeed there is a great deal of hostility between them. Neither would have had the other in the government if they could have - but they had to agree to a joint government in order to get an end to the Civil War.
As for Hirohito, he is regarded by the Public as a Great Man who is the voice of the people on the international scale - while the Shogun are regarded as great soldiers and honourable warriors who defend Japan from all threats and make sure that Japan is an orderly and safe society. Basically - the view is that one cannot work without the other.
The view of Hirohito as just a man may have spiraled into views of him as a God - but the Shogun have ensured that he has publicly denied such claims. Under threats of torture if necessary.
I was a bit surprised to see how quickly Manchuria fell...I mean, three months for a country with bad infrastructure.