Quick overview of some of the new v0.60 mod features via a short Japanese campaign (Part 6)
Our troops have proved their vigour, determination and resilience in the Guanxi campaign. Although the war is not yet over our men act like it already was. We can't blame them and their high spirits though because enemy troops are actually in full flight, surrendering to us or what is more common - swapping their uniforms for the civilian clothes. Many of them also went into guerilla resistance groups which are proving to be a big menace for our transportation capabilities in the area. If we can draw any conclusions from this complication is that security forces are of utmost importance and will be needed en-masse in our future conquests.
Drive towards the west, towards Bosse and it's temporal administrative centre of what remains of Guanxi Clique is just one huge mop-up mission. Success of our troops is being unofficially celebrated trough the Home Islands in cold November days which might be one of the reasons why our home front has been finally united again to a very high degree. Enthusiasm throughout our realm is unrelenting and people just can't wait for the official declaration of war's end and it's accompanying public celebrations to take place.
Purpose Designed Carrier Air-group Policy has been finally adopted by our naval forces at the end of November so we can now use Yamamoto to research Underway Replenishment which will considerably boost our maritime capabilities when implemented.
On 29th November our first produced submarine is put into the sea and assigned to it's home port in the Pacific.
Guanxi Clique surrendered! It's 30th November and our troops stationed in southern China are relieved that some of the men will be able to get home and see their families again. Whole Japan is on it's feet, main streets in Tokyo have been lavishly decorated and people's loud cheering can be heard in every corner of the country. Public ceremonies and celebrations are being held in all major cities and there are huge numbers of spectators attending them.
Local supporters of our cause are not in abundance in Guanxi for now but their numbers are sufficient in order for us to be able to make Guanxi Clique our puppet. New government has been set up on the day of previous government's surrender and will run this state under our close inspection and guidance.
Guanxi secured, winter sets in...
Winter has set foot on the islands and everything seems to have slowed down after our recent triumph - even more so because this winter's temperatures are surprisingly low and there is an abundance of snow which has caused quite many problems throughout our realm. Not everybody was dissatisfied with the frizzy winter though. One could hear this song sung by children eager to go out and play on the snow quite often in those days...
yuki ya konko, arare ya konko
futtewa futtewa zunzun tsumoru
yama mo nohara mo wataboshi kaburi
kareki nokorazu hana ga saku
yuki ya konko, arare ya konko
futtemo, futtemo, mada furiyamanu
inu wa yorokobi, niwa kakemawari
neko wa kotatsu de marukunaru
Frozen landscapes are beautiful but also unconformable. Rumours have been circling that Nationalistic China's government has been gearing up for war. We doubt Nat. China can afford to declare war on us but fear is present nevertheless. We currently don't master enough troops to be able to hold the northern Chinese front. We have high doubts Manchurian units would be motivated enough to hold the currently established borders without our strong troop presence in the area.
Cold winter didn't manage to stop our progress on the military front - by now static defence has been fully implemented by our land army's stuff and first preparations have been undergoing for yet another land doctrine.
In January 1937 a lot of emphasis has been put on the advantages standing army has over the drafted one so once again steps are being made for the new policy to fully set in.
January is also the month when battlecruiser Kongo got re-commissioned and assigned to Carrier Task Force.
While our soldiers guarded newly established borders in Chinese lands our diligent employees finished first set of infrastructural improvements in Fukuoka and Osaka. Japan is modernizing at a very quick rate but those that have been in USA or any other highly developed country know that we still have a lot of work ahead of us.
Spring is slowly chasing the stubborn winter away and as plants and animals started to swap their winter sleep for a powerful desire to emerge so did Mongolian Prince Demchugondrub. He notified us that long forthcoming preparations in Suiyuan are concluded - his troops are ready to attack! What shall we decide - will we give him the green light? Does starting another set of open hostilities suit our gambling nature or would this risk our precarious position too much? Nationalist China is fully aware what kind of game we play and might intervene on their behalf which might end prince's dreams abruptly and get in the way of our long term plans... But opportunity is ripe and Shanxi's forces might be utterly surprised.
Stick around dear readers - I bet you are dying to learn what happened next! 
