Oshiro (1874-1876): The Second Japanese Invasion of Korea Pt.1
Seikanron, the advocacy of a punitive expedition to Korea, took full swing in the Diet during the months following the Bussan incident. Supporting it were the great military minds of the day. People like Date Munenari, Yamamoto Hirakuni, along with many National Liberal members and Kamikaze Party members, supported the idea that enough was enough, and that Korea should be punished for the past decade of stuff done to Japan. The tension was building up in the region. During the waining hours of the debate, Date Munenari ordered the Southern General Army to Kyushu to prepare to move across the Sea of Japan to attack Korea. The time for peace between these two nations was over. On October 30, 1874, Japan's Diet voted to declare war, and the Emperor upon their suggestion confirmed war. Japan and Korea were now enemies. The friendship between Japan and Korea had ended in fire and blood.
(Pre-Invasion Kyushu)
The invasion would begin immediately. Date Munenari would deploy Corps I and II to assault the port provinces of Pusan and Kwanjo, which were quickly secured to make room for the remaining invasion force. Corps III would land in Inchon, a coastal province directly west of Seoul, the Korean capital. From there, two beach heads would be establish, and the flow of supplies between Korea and the mainland secured. However, dire news was received. China, Korea's long standing ally, and Belgium, the European power who had great influence over Korea, declared war on Japan to protect Korea, and soon 1.1 Million Chinese troops would prep for war. Surprisingly, none of China's vassals were called into the conflict...
(Fronts of the war, end of 1874, start of 1875 respectfully)
The first battle of the war would be in the small province of Pohang. The battle would pit Takeda Taro and the Corps II against the Korean 2nd Army. The advanced military machine of the Japanese Imperial Army was better equipped then the petty uncivilized Korean forces. New breech-loaded rifles would have devastating effects on the Korean army. When the dust settled, the entire Korean 2nd Army was smashed, with the Japanese forces suffering minor casualties.
Following this defeat, the Korean army would move west to seize Inchon to prevent a supply route of ships from reaching the area and supplying a siege of Seoul. They would be met by the combined force of Corps III and IV, led by Kusanagi Miroki, the son of Kusanagi Motoro. Unlike his father, Miroki would not fail in his endeavors to secure victory. Unlike his father, he would prevail. The Korean advance was shattered due to the technological superiority of the Imperial Army, and fled towards Seoul. Miroki would be in hot pursuit.
Seoul would be put under siege by Miroki following that battle. The retreating forces decided to make their stand in the walled city of Seoul, praying that the walls could protect them. They did, for as the Japanese soldiers had better siege guns, they suffered immense casualties trying to take Seoul. Miroki himself would be injured when a stray arrow hit him in the foot. Yet, at the end of the day, Seoul was taken, and the Korean capital was firmly in the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army. Date Munenari sent word back to Emperor Meiji exclaiming "The enemy's back has been bent, I shall break it in two."
The remaining Korean forces would camp out in the city of Kangnung, praying that Chinese or Belgium relief could come. Yet it did not. China was having communication difficulty with its vassal Manchuria, preventing Chinese troops from crossing the border into Korea. Belgium was tied down in a crisis involving the lands of the Poles, and could not send aid right away. Korea was all alone. As the forces waited in Kangnung, the Imperial Army encircled them. There would be not escape for the Korean forces without going through the valley of death first.
The following week, Date Munenari gave the order to attack on all sides...
The Battle of Kangnung would be a slaughter. Thousands of Koreans were butchered by the superior technology of the Imperial Army. For every dead Japanese soldier, 4 Koreans piled on top of him. It would be a blood bath as both sides fought viciously for survival. Some Koreans jumped off cliffs into the Korean Bay rather then face capture by the Japanese. In the end, Kangnung would be littered with the dead, dying, and maimed of over 50,000 men from both sides. Kangnung would go down as a Japanese victory.
With the Korean army in full retreat in a desperate hope to reach Chinese borders for reinforcements, the Japanese army received word from Emperor Gojang. He wished to conclude peace with Japan. The terms of the treaty were simple. Korea would become a satelite of Japan, and all political rights be handed to the Japanese Crown, as long as the Korean Emperor maintained his title and prestige in Korea. Date Munenari thought twice about this. He wanted Korea to become a state under Japan, with Japan exerting full control. Munenari already made points about the Koreans should war be made between them. Yet, in the end, Date decided to use the democratic process his nation developed to help. He messaged Emperor Meiji and Prime Minister Oshiro Kazuki to call for an emergency meeting of the Diet. They would debate the treaty. Should the treaty not be accepted or a counter-offer given in two weeks, Date would accept the peace. The Diet had to decide, continue the war, or accept peace.
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Player Actions Needed: The update is not over, it is going on hiatus for this moment. There will be no screenshots, not wealth calculators, and all bonuses from the last update shall be passed over to here. What I need you to do is to quickly vote on whether or not to make Korea a satellite, continue the war, or perhaps have a counter-offer.
Sample Ballot:
Accept Peace and Make Korea a satellite state: Yes/[Insert Counter-Offer Here]/No/Abstain
[Specialty]
[Political Bonus (If Applicable)]
[Economic Bonus (If Applicable)]
[Bonus/Penalty (If Applicable)]
Political Bonuses:
Somberg: +3
LordTempest: +2
Michaelangelo: +2
EmperorBasilius: +2
LoggingOut: +1
Economic Bonuses:
liefwarrior: +3
This is a short vote, voting ends Saturday at 9:00 PM EST or Sunday at 1:00 AM GMT.
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