This is my first serious attempt at an AAR. Though I did a little bit of research, I'm not a historian. Remember that if anything is wrong. 
Well, that's it. Enjoy.
Yongle Emperor - May 16th, 1418 - Nanjing
The Middle Kingdom prospers. The Mongols are momentarily dispersed. The Great Wall and Grand Canal are in good repair, better than they've been in years. Ships of the Imperial Fleet, under the brave Zheng He, roam to the ends of the earth and bring back riches and promises of tribute from distant and exotic lands. The people eat well and flourish because of the benevolent agricultural reforms of my father, himself a peasant born. And yet, there are insidious plotters in every shadow, the bulk of them spawning from Nanjing, that thieves' den which I call my capital. I must ever be careful of hidden threats and plots against my person and the accomplishments of my dynasty. My subjects, I am led to believe, have grown idle in the prosperity my mighty father and I have given to them, and this is how they now chose to pass the time. Perhaps I should give them something to do.
In addition, the Manchus to the north have grown belligerent, and must be shown the harmony of the Middle Kingdom. Before we can bring them harmony, unfortunately, we must bring to them the chaos of war, for they are like children who must be forcefully shown that something is good for them before they will accept the logic of it.
It occurs to me that both problems can be solved with one action. This is why I have decided to invade the Manchu next spring.
Yongle
Admiral Zheng He - January 2nd, 1419 - Liaoning
My lord and master, the Yongle Emperor, has lost much to age. Where his efforts were once concentrated on the defense and prosperity of the Middle Kingdom, he now wastes them on imagined plots. I fear that his dark path to the throne has planted a paranoia within him long ago. And now, after it has had years to fester, it is taking control of his faculties.
As I leave, by his grace, on yet another expedition to lands unknown, he is preparing a campaign into Manchu. It is my hope that a glorious venture such as this will restore the benevolent energies within him.
Yongle Emperor - January 21st, 1419 - Hebei
When a general takes the offensive, he fights war on his terms. He forces his enemy to act merely by reacting, and thereby introduces a greater chance for mistakes. Why is this so hard for my officers and men to understand? Alas, I think I have finally made some progress on indoctrinating my armies with this idea, but they resist and grumble at every turn. (went offensive +1...stability -1)
Zheng He
Admiral Zheng He - January 23rd, 1419 - Nippon
The stopover in Nippon has proven fruitful. I have, on the Emperor's behalf, come to a lucrative agreement with the Nippon concerning trade. We head toward the South Seas tomorrow.
Yongle Emperor - January 29th, 1419 - Hebei
I have word that Mengge Temur, the unwashed king of an unwashed people, has split his army and repositioned it ever closer to our borders. Has he gotten wind of my plans? Does he expect an attack? Are my enemies hoping to somehow benefit from this war by siding with the barbarians?
Is *he* still alive?
"Mengge Temur has split his army and repositioned it ever closer to our borders." - Yongle
Governor San Jaesun - January 30th, 1419 - Hebei
The Emperor is a suspicious buffoon. He stations 70,000 troops just outside the Manchu border for months on end, and is then surprised when the enemy becomes suspicious. He is intent on the notion that half my scribes are spies, and honestly, I find the accusations quite insulting. I may even have said something if half the money from the imperial coffers weren't presently being poured into my province in support of the army.
Yongle Emperor - February 1st, 1419 - Hebei
San Jaesun's refusal to root out the spies in his beaurocracy borders on treason. I shall deal with him after the Manchu campaign, for I am far too busy at this time. Today my army is on the move again. We march into Liaoning province, and thereafter into Manchu lands.
Admiral Zheng He - April 21st, 1419 - Hainan
We have arrived in Hainan today, the southernmost bastion of the Emperor's lands. After replenishing our stores, we sail south to explore the unknown waters around the island kingdom of Bali.
Yongle Emperor - May 2nd, 1419 - Liaoning
After a long wait, ten thousand new troops are finally ready for action. They bring my army's numbers to eighty thousand, roughly one third of which is cavalry. I have stared down the Manchu across the frontier for nearly two months now, and I find them to be nothing more than uncultured savages. My army is anxious for battle, and my resolve for this war is strengthened. As I write this, a dispatch is on its way to the Manchu with a declaration of war.
I have given Colonel Wong Hau command of nearly half the army. He is to stay behind for the moment while I move to Liaotung and deal with the larger of the two Manchu armies. Should the second army in Jehol try to enter our borders in the meantime, it is up to Wong to deal with them.
Colonel Wong Hau - May 16th, 1419 - Liaoning
Five thousand Manchu horsemen have moved into Hepei and seiged it. I am assured that the garrison there can hold for up to a year, so I am setting out for Jehol. The bulk of the second Manchu army is still there, and we outnumber them by more than ten thousand men. If both the Emperor and I are successful in our respective actions, I suspect the enemy will be broken.
Yongle Emperor - May 17th, 1419 - Liaotung
Not long after entering Manchu lands, we find ourselves in the midst of battle. The Manchu fools have no cavalry! What madness is this? There will be no escape and no mercy for them!
"Not long after entering Manchu lands, we find ourselves in the midst of battle." - Yongle
Colonel Wong Hau - May 17th, 1419 - Liaoning
Our scouts tell us that the army in Jehol is again on the move. About ten thousand of them are coming right for us. Fools. We will stay put and give them a warm welcome.
Yongle Emperor - May 25th, 1419 - Liaotung
Our cavalry ran circles around the enemy while our infantry stoutly advanced and cleaved into their ranks. We have decimated the enemy, and watch as they run to Jilin. The remainder of the army in Jehol is now headed our way. With over forty thousand men at my command, all healthy and eager for more blood, I am ready for them.
Admiral Zheng He - July 21st, 1419 - at Sea
Today I have been witness to a miracle. The sea is still rough as I rest briefly and put my thoughts to paper, but hours ago we were beset by immensely strong winds and rough waters - a hurricane. My mighty navy was tossed about like so much driftwood. I was preparing myself to see Allah, while my crew prayed to the Celestial Spouse, for we all thought this storm would surely destroy us. Then, a divine light suddenly shone at the tips of the mast. As soon as this miraculous light appeared, the danger was appeased. I'm a certified believer.
Colonel Wong Hau - June 6, 1419 - Liaoning
The ten thousand Manchus, all of them on horse, first engaged us on May 28th. After a week of skirmishing we have sent them running back to Jehol. We are right behind them.
Yongle Emperor - June 15th, 1419 - Liaotung
It appears that we caught the Manchurians totally off-guard. Their entire cavalry was in Jehol, while their infantry was in Liaotung. Fools. Nevertheless, we just finished dealing with the bulk of their cavalry. They are currently on the retreat as well.
The war has quickly turned entirely in my favour. Wong Hau has proven himself quite capable and has dealt with the remains of the second army, all cavalry though it was. Presently I have initiated a siege of Mukden and have bid Wong do the same when he reaches Jehol.
Admiral Zheng He - August 11th, 1419 - Jakarta
We have discovered a new land. The natives, who are few and harmless, call it Jakarta. It is a bountiful and lush place, suitable for a grand colony from where more expeditions can be mounted. I am confident that the Emperor will see the wisdom behind such a colony, and hope that his war in the north goes well so that the resources for such a task may be available.
Yongle Emperor - October 6th, 1419 - Liaotung
Silly fool that he is, Mengge Temur has sent a peace delegation offering tribute. I came for more than tribute. I came to assimilate the Manchus into the harmony of the Middle Kingdom. They should be grateful. Instead, they send delegations to insult me.
On a more serious note, the Manchu have regrouped in Baicheng. Their power there grows every month while we wait in front of these miserable walls. Thankfully they and the miserable garrison within them are showing signs of strain, both here and in Jehol. We will be able to deal with the new Manchu menace soon.
"[Manchu] power [in Baicheng] grows every month while we wait in front of these miserable walls." - Yongle
Yongle Emperor - December 13th, 1419 - Liaotung
The accursed walls of Mukden have finally been breached. Thanks in part to an infusion of five thousand fresh troops in mid-November, we are now ready to march on Jilin, the Manchu capital. Daily I am plagued by my advisors to wait out the winter before initiating another siege. They are fools with no foresight. If we give the Manchu the winter to regroup, then all our victories this year will have been in vain. We march on.
Yongle Emperor - December 24th, 1419 - Liaotung
As I write these words, I strive hard to control my anger at the news I have received today. My ministers in Nanjing, my distant capital, are traitorous curs. Because of their treasonous plotting with the Mongols, I am forced to journey to Nanjing to restore loyalty, thus leaving my army behind during the bleakest time of the year.
It occurs to me that perhaps my servants in Nanjing have become too accustomed to their importance. The whole city has become a cesspool of treason. There is also the matter of my ascent to the throne. The murder of my nephew is still a black stain on me in parts of that city, despite all the good I have done for the Kingdom since then.
The north is where I have spent most of my life. This is where the focus of my many campaigns is, and where it should be, for the Mongols will not stay harmless for long. It is also where the most loyal of my subjects are. It makes sense that I should immediately move my capital north to Beijing.
Yes. I shall build a magnificent fortress and it shall protect me from any and all who would use the specter of my nephew to further their ambitions. There are so very few who I can trust.
More to come. Praise, comments and criticism are welcome.
Well, that's it. Enjoy. Yongle Emperor - May 16th, 1418 - Nanjing
The Middle Kingdom prospers. The Mongols are momentarily dispersed. The Great Wall and Grand Canal are in good repair, better than they've been in years. Ships of the Imperial Fleet, under the brave Zheng He, roam to the ends of the earth and bring back riches and promises of tribute from distant and exotic lands. The people eat well and flourish because of the benevolent agricultural reforms of my father, himself a peasant born. And yet, there are insidious plotters in every shadow, the bulk of them spawning from Nanjing, that thieves' den which I call my capital. I must ever be careful of hidden threats and plots against my person and the accomplishments of my dynasty. My subjects, I am led to believe, have grown idle in the prosperity my mighty father and I have given to them, and this is how they now chose to pass the time. Perhaps I should give them something to do.
In addition, the Manchus to the north have grown belligerent, and must be shown the harmony of the Middle Kingdom. Before we can bring them harmony, unfortunately, we must bring to them the chaos of war, for they are like children who must be forcefully shown that something is good for them before they will accept the logic of it.
It occurs to me that both problems can be solved with one action. This is why I have decided to invade the Manchu next spring.
Yongle
Admiral Zheng He - January 2nd, 1419 - Liaoning
My lord and master, the Yongle Emperor, has lost much to age. Where his efforts were once concentrated on the defense and prosperity of the Middle Kingdom, he now wastes them on imagined plots. I fear that his dark path to the throne has planted a paranoia within him long ago. And now, after it has had years to fester, it is taking control of his faculties.
As I leave, by his grace, on yet another expedition to lands unknown, he is preparing a campaign into Manchu. It is my hope that a glorious venture such as this will restore the benevolent energies within him.
Yongle Emperor - January 21st, 1419 - Hebei
When a general takes the offensive, he fights war on his terms. He forces his enemy to act merely by reacting, and thereby introduces a greater chance for mistakes. Why is this so hard for my officers and men to understand? Alas, I think I have finally made some progress on indoctrinating my armies with this idea, but they resist and grumble at every turn. (went offensive +1...stability -1)
Zheng He
Admiral Zheng He - January 23rd, 1419 - Nippon
The stopover in Nippon has proven fruitful. I have, on the Emperor's behalf, come to a lucrative agreement with the Nippon concerning trade. We head toward the South Seas tomorrow.
Yongle Emperor - January 29th, 1419 - Hebei
I have word that Mengge Temur, the unwashed king of an unwashed people, has split his army and repositioned it ever closer to our borders. Has he gotten wind of my plans? Does he expect an attack? Are my enemies hoping to somehow benefit from this war by siding with the barbarians?
Is *he* still alive?
"Mengge Temur has split his army and repositioned it ever closer to our borders." - Yongle
Governor San Jaesun - January 30th, 1419 - Hebei
The Emperor is a suspicious buffoon. He stations 70,000 troops just outside the Manchu border for months on end, and is then surprised when the enemy becomes suspicious. He is intent on the notion that half my scribes are spies, and honestly, I find the accusations quite insulting. I may even have said something if half the money from the imperial coffers weren't presently being poured into my province in support of the army.
Yongle Emperor - February 1st, 1419 - Hebei
San Jaesun's refusal to root out the spies in his beaurocracy borders on treason. I shall deal with him after the Manchu campaign, for I am far too busy at this time. Today my army is on the move again. We march into Liaoning province, and thereafter into Manchu lands.
Admiral Zheng He - April 21st, 1419 - Hainan
We have arrived in Hainan today, the southernmost bastion of the Emperor's lands. After replenishing our stores, we sail south to explore the unknown waters around the island kingdom of Bali.
Yongle Emperor - May 2nd, 1419 - Liaoning
After a long wait, ten thousand new troops are finally ready for action. They bring my army's numbers to eighty thousand, roughly one third of which is cavalry. I have stared down the Manchu across the frontier for nearly two months now, and I find them to be nothing more than uncultured savages. My army is anxious for battle, and my resolve for this war is strengthened. As I write this, a dispatch is on its way to the Manchu with a declaration of war.
I have given Colonel Wong Hau command of nearly half the army. He is to stay behind for the moment while I move to Liaotung and deal with the larger of the two Manchu armies. Should the second army in Jehol try to enter our borders in the meantime, it is up to Wong to deal with them.
Colonel Wong Hau - May 16th, 1419 - Liaoning
Five thousand Manchu horsemen have moved into Hepei and seiged it. I am assured that the garrison there can hold for up to a year, so I am setting out for Jehol. The bulk of the second Manchu army is still there, and we outnumber them by more than ten thousand men. If both the Emperor and I are successful in our respective actions, I suspect the enemy will be broken.
Yongle Emperor - May 17th, 1419 - Liaotung
Not long after entering Manchu lands, we find ourselves in the midst of battle. The Manchu fools have no cavalry! What madness is this? There will be no escape and no mercy for them!
"Not long after entering Manchu lands, we find ourselves in the midst of battle." - Yongle
Colonel Wong Hau - May 17th, 1419 - Liaoning
Our scouts tell us that the army in Jehol is again on the move. About ten thousand of them are coming right for us. Fools. We will stay put and give them a warm welcome.
Yongle Emperor - May 25th, 1419 - Liaotung
Our cavalry ran circles around the enemy while our infantry stoutly advanced and cleaved into their ranks. We have decimated the enemy, and watch as they run to Jilin. The remainder of the army in Jehol is now headed our way. With over forty thousand men at my command, all healthy and eager for more blood, I am ready for them.
Admiral Zheng He - July 21st, 1419 - at Sea
Today I have been witness to a miracle. The sea is still rough as I rest briefly and put my thoughts to paper, but hours ago we were beset by immensely strong winds and rough waters - a hurricane. My mighty navy was tossed about like so much driftwood. I was preparing myself to see Allah, while my crew prayed to the Celestial Spouse, for we all thought this storm would surely destroy us. Then, a divine light suddenly shone at the tips of the mast. As soon as this miraculous light appeared, the danger was appeased. I'm a certified believer.
Colonel Wong Hau - June 6, 1419 - Liaoning
The ten thousand Manchus, all of them on horse, first engaged us on May 28th. After a week of skirmishing we have sent them running back to Jehol. We are right behind them.
Yongle Emperor - June 15th, 1419 - Liaotung
It appears that we caught the Manchurians totally off-guard. Their entire cavalry was in Jehol, while their infantry was in Liaotung. Fools. Nevertheless, we just finished dealing with the bulk of their cavalry. They are currently on the retreat as well.
The war has quickly turned entirely in my favour. Wong Hau has proven himself quite capable and has dealt with the remains of the second army, all cavalry though it was. Presently I have initiated a siege of Mukden and have bid Wong do the same when he reaches Jehol.
Admiral Zheng He - August 11th, 1419 - Jakarta
We have discovered a new land. The natives, who are few and harmless, call it Jakarta. It is a bountiful and lush place, suitable for a grand colony from where more expeditions can be mounted. I am confident that the Emperor will see the wisdom behind such a colony, and hope that his war in the north goes well so that the resources for such a task may be available.
Yongle Emperor - October 6th, 1419 - Liaotung
Silly fool that he is, Mengge Temur has sent a peace delegation offering tribute. I came for more than tribute. I came to assimilate the Manchus into the harmony of the Middle Kingdom. They should be grateful. Instead, they send delegations to insult me.
On a more serious note, the Manchu have regrouped in Baicheng. Their power there grows every month while we wait in front of these miserable walls. Thankfully they and the miserable garrison within them are showing signs of strain, both here and in Jehol. We will be able to deal with the new Manchu menace soon.
"[Manchu] power [in Baicheng] grows every month while we wait in front of these miserable walls." - Yongle
Yongle Emperor - December 13th, 1419 - Liaotung
The accursed walls of Mukden have finally been breached. Thanks in part to an infusion of five thousand fresh troops in mid-November, we are now ready to march on Jilin, the Manchu capital. Daily I am plagued by my advisors to wait out the winter before initiating another siege. They are fools with no foresight. If we give the Manchu the winter to regroup, then all our victories this year will have been in vain. We march on.
Yongle Emperor - December 24th, 1419 - Liaotung
As I write these words, I strive hard to control my anger at the news I have received today. My ministers in Nanjing, my distant capital, are traitorous curs. Because of their treasonous plotting with the Mongols, I am forced to journey to Nanjing to restore loyalty, thus leaving my army behind during the bleakest time of the year.
It occurs to me that perhaps my servants in Nanjing have become too accustomed to their importance. The whole city has become a cesspool of treason. There is also the matter of my ascent to the throne. The murder of my nephew is still a black stain on me in parts of that city, despite all the good I have done for the Kingdom since then.
The north is where I have spent most of my life. This is where the focus of my many campaigns is, and where it should be, for the Mongols will not stay harmless for long. It is also where the most loyal of my subjects are. It makes sense that I should immediately move my capital north to Beijing.
Yes. I shall build a magnificent fortress and it shall protect me from any and all who would use the specter of my nephew to further their ambitions. There are so very few who I can trust.
More to come. Praise, comments and criticism are welcome.
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