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“Falling as the Cherry Blossom”

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1880-1883


Train rattling through darkness
Plume of smoke rises
Black soot falls on snow


The second Tokyo conference on African activities passed off rather well. The Portuguese and English accepted our activities, and promised not to interfere. The Spanish delegate left under a cloud, but such a second rate nation should not trouble us.

The visitors were able to tour the works expanding the shipyards in Kinki. Many of the nations attending had navies that depended on the vast output of these yards. Our eager minister wanted to show them the glass, steel and fabric works that were also the envy of the world, but time was short. The arrangement of these factories was much developed, with classification, specialisation and control of the process developed to a high standard. Development of railroads across our islands was a national priority, with improvements completed to all parts by mid 1883.

Our colonial department was also thriving, with trade posts in Niangara and Bia, a pioneering coaling station on the shores of lake Haruki (known as lakeVictoria to the English). The brave missionaries in Talodi and Ain Hamed derived some comfort from the fortifications erected in Marsabit. In all, thousands of acres of land fell under our control.

Our armies overseas reminded the peoples of Croatia and Denmark of our might. The home divisions held a parade to celebrate. There are still some remnants of the old Daimyo armies, but these are maintained for ceremonial purposes. The navy and army continued in their expansion, with native cavalry and infantry divisions added.

The new power in Europe, Germany acted to assert it’s new status. They attacked the French in 1881, and even though the French were assisted by the USA, they could not prevent Germany claiming parts of eastern France as their own. How the nation of Napoleon has fallen.

We worked hard to gain support from the Russians, initiating a program of cultural exchanges, also inviting their military advisors to assist us. The effect on the army’s practical organisation was huge. The Tsar acted to guarantee the independence of the Emperor, and later signed a defensive alliance with us. We naturally supported their expansion into central Asia.


Foam crashes on rock
Roots wrapped around
Two pines stand close to the shore
 
1884-1887

The master smiles
The pupil’s confusion
Shows he will soon learn


1884 began with the promise of stability, the Liberal Faction was returned by popular vote, and the new African Colonial Ministry in Shoa opened with a grand ceremony. A full fourteen additional African provinces were brought under our colonial control, although the regional administration is not yet complete.

A ridiculous proposal from a Swedish exploration party was received. They claimed they wished to locate the source of the Nile. If only they would learn a civilised language, and they could read on all our maps the exact location.

Our relations with the Russians continued to develop, with further visits by military advisors on both sides. New methods of war were tested as the Russian moved against Ladakh and Tibet. The British protested, but their sphere of influence was by now somewhat deflated. The revolters of the Ukraine were also reunited to the Imperial Crown.

Borders were also changed in South America, with a Peruvian/Brazilian alliance taking land from the Argentine. Similarly, the Columbians imposed their will on the rag-tag states of Central America. Europe remained peaceful, the Franco-German wars of recent years having left deep scars.

A brief tour of duty for our armies on north Africa took in landings in Copenhagen and Dubrovnik during 1886. Both of these ‘wars’ lasted under four months, and the status quo reigned after their execution.

To complement our industrial advances, the sciences had not been neglected. 1887 was a year of great breakthroughs in the treatment of disease, also in the understanding of the fundamentals of medicine. The army medical corps was naturally keen to implement all of these advances.

Our mature industries were further developed with the Hokkaido steel mills well placed to use local coal. The mill in Shoa was developed on precisely the same plans, but never seemed to be quite as productive. Some labourers, learning strange concepts from a visitor from the so-called Socialist International, were compelled to flee for Hawaii as the Justice Department agents closed in.

The defection of an officer of the Korean army brought us new intelligence. Top secret plans were distributed, and special orders put out to industry.


Black cloth robe
Silk rope garotte
Is the Ninja only in the museum?
 
A ridiculous proposal from a Swedish exploration party was received. They claimed they wished to locate the source of the Nile. If only they would learn a civilised language, and they could read on all our maps the exact location.
Click to expand...

I liked that bit. :D

And watch out for those socialists!! We don't need a revolution now.
 
1888


The prayer is said
Clap of chalky hands
Power glints in the eye


The plan came to fruition. Vast fleets of transport ships were readied, with the navy carrying out numerous drills and demonstration exercises. The various Nippon Armies were readied in Kyushu, paraded with a full complement of highly trained men. The fateful day dawned, and on the 9th of April 1888 our declaration of war was received in Seoul. The Korean’s allies, the Chinese sprang to their defence. The Russians had shortly before terminated our alliance, and were unwilling to renew it. We should not forget that they failed to stand by our side.

Landings occurred across the south of the peninsula, with supporting invasions further north as well. By early May, our occupying forces were in undisputed control of Ichon, Wonsan, Sariwon, Hamhung and Pyongyang. With the beachheads secure, the plan moved into the next phase, and armies spread out across the land. Also, the next waves of forces were shipped over from the mainland. Token defence was offered by the Korean navy, but they were no match for our military technology.

Over the next month, a further five provinces were brought under control. The peoples of the land seem somewhat stunned as our armies march through. They have been a little isolated from the modern world, and do not understand our ways.

July 1888 saw some small conflicts between the remnants of the Korean army making a stand in the hills in the central and northern provinces. Our generals were keen that there was fighting to test the troop’s mettle. Autumn say most of the remaining parts of the country fall to our generals, although the rearguard actions were becoming fiercer. Extensive revolts followed, with armies meeting revolters in fields of mud, and towns lashed with rain.

The final battle around Pohang dragged on over three weeks. The initial skirmishes were small in scale, but the Koreans seemed able to field a rapidly growing army. In response to the increasing threat, armies were shipped in from all around the peninsula to meet them decisively in the field. The battle was finally won on the 14th November. The formal declaration of the addition of the Korean lands to the Empire of Nippon was given on the 16th. A grand addition indeed, and one that would bring vast resources to our industries, and new labour too.



Engage and grapple
Lean and push
Foot falls outside ring
 
Pesky Koreans - just when you think you have them licked, they come up with another 100,000 men. Good thing it was close to a done deal by then. How about the Chinese? Did you make peace with them as well in that truce?
 
1888-1889

Tall vase of blue
Dye from the west
A style of our own


Clearly the Chinese would not simply agree to the loss of their neighbour, and feared for their safety. They fielded large armies, but had been run ragged over the years in conflict with the British and the Russians. Our forces marched on, landing near Peking, also moving across the border from Korea. The feeble Chinese fleet was quickly confined to port, allowing our navies clear access across the sea of Bo Hai.

Coastal resistance was slim, although a sturdy defence of Peking was mounted. The capital fell to our control by April of 1889. Heavy spring rains led to slow advances, but the latest in vulcanised overcoats allowed our troops to advance in the sternest of conditions. Consolidating control around Peking, our operations also spread through old Manchuria, and through the coastal provinces of western China.

The Chinese sent envoys asking for peace, and acknowledging our right to their lands. These were eventually accepted, after the economics ministry pronounced that the lands offered were sufficient to support our projected industry. The economics ministry plan for automation of the productive process was swiftly put into action, and the coal and iron output from the conquered lands increased threefold.

The attention of the world was not upon us, due to the third Franco Prussian war embroiling Europe in conflict again. The Germans brought the Swedes into the war on their side, whilst France was able to muster support from their allies in northern Italy. The efficiency of the Prussian war machine was a sight to behold, as manoeuvres on the open field were carried out neatly under fire.

The industry ministry was pleased to note the new steamer lines established to ferry Chinese product to our islands. The growth in the supply of silk slowed our production of clothes for the rich to be increased greatly. Increased coal and iron supplies naturally led to greater production of all sorts of metal goods.

Our colonial activities did not slack during this period, with eleven new provinces brought into the post routes and trading establishment. These lands now stretched deep into the centre of Africa, and far south, to run up against the lands of the Portuguese. The deserts of the centre of the continent did not slow our advance, thanks to improvements in the canning of food and water supplies.

Diplomatically, we were again pleased to enjoy the support of the Tsar. The world saw in this alliance two strong partners standing together, and it was afraid.


Bear cub snarls
Anger sincere and strong
But with small teeth
 
1890-

This is a little coda to finish off the story.

Japan pushed on with African colonisation, filling out the whole of the continent. It then went on to take all the Spanish colonial possessions, including Cuba, Philippines, and a couple of African colonies. Japan did get involved in a war against Germany, who were getting way to powerful. They started off snaffling all of Germany’s claims, and then went on to take the Italian territories that Germany had. The allies took peace, so the main Japanese action in Germany had to be called off.

At this stage Austria had a huge prestige lead, Germany a huge military lead, and USA a huge industrial lead. Even by lots of factory building, and lots of division building, it was getting pretty tedious to catch up.

I think that if you are really hankering to be #1, you can’t afford to postpone things like annexing Korea. I had avoided it for a while, since it seemed like the easy option to power. I went for it later on, since it did give a big boost to coal & iron, also a big boost to daily income. To be honest I wasn’t thinking about ending up at #1, simply making it to GP status. Japan has huge potential for growth (due to the massive population) so it was tempting as the game went on.

Heretic
 
Too bad it's over. This was a refreshing little AAR. I can see what you mean, though. I always have problems making sure my military is large enough to compete numerically in the standings (as I tend to play peacefully more often than not in Vickie.) I must try Japan one of these days, though. It's funny - I have never, ever played them either in EUII or Vickie. A shame really.

Anyway, very nice effort here and I shall have to try and catch up with your other work soon. Congrats on finishing.
 
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