Here’s the Third Chapter/Strangling the Dragon’s tail/To 1409
Here’s the Third Chapter
Strangling the Dragon’s tail
To 1409
Gentle Readers say:
Outmanoeuvre the Chinese
Look southwards, and east.
Seeking colonies
We must research government
Need our first NI.
Seventeen more years?
Until then, some more advice:
Strike at Ming’s belly.
Like Brunei, Khmer
Has no allies, armies, forts.
Onwards – to glory!
Clouds cover the sky:
Kashiwabara, the Prince,
Is ill, but he lives.
Khmer lies conquered
Like the goat before the wolf.
Now for our peace terms.
We’d like conversion
But the Khmer will not play.
Vassalage will do.
Infamy now sits high.
Like the snake, Japan lies low.
And waits for its chance.
Mortal nemesis –
Korean King’s heir is weak.
Shoe’s on other foot!
Subjects see the light
Civilization’s first steps.
Ancestors be praised!
Mission number three –
We’re back to square one. Perhaps
this one we’ll complete?
Colonists – at last!
It’s off to Taiwan you go.
My prayers go with you.
Good news – and some bad.
Taiwan is ours, the king dead.
Regency ascends.
So why couldn’t I
Force-convert Khmer Buddhists,
As Soarom said?
Here’s the Third Chapter
Strangling the Dragon’s tail
To 1409
Gentle Readers say:
Outmanoeuvre the Chinese
Look southwards, and east.
Seeking colonies
We must research government
Need our first NI.
Seventeen more years?
Until then, some more advice:
Strike at Ming’s belly.
Like Brunei, Khmer
Has no allies, armies, forts.
Onwards – to glory!
Clouds cover the sky:
Kashiwabara, the Prince,
Is ill, but he lives.
Khmer lies conquered
Like the goat before the wolf.
Now for our peace terms.
We’d like conversion
But the Khmer will not play.
Vassalage will do.
Infamy now sits high.
Like the snake, Japan lies low.
And waits for its chance.
Mortal nemesis –
Korean King’s heir is weak.
Shoe’s on other foot!
Subjects see the light
Civilization’s first steps.
Ancestors be praised!
Mission number three –
We’re back to square one. Perhaps
this one we’ll complete?
Colonists – at last!
It’s off to Taiwan you go.
My prayers go with you.
Good news – and some bad.
Taiwan is ours, the king dead.
Regency ascends.
So why couldn’t I
Force-convert Khmer Buddhists,
As Soarom said?
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