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Hey, Dragoon probably has real life stuff, like the rest of us. He'll update when he's ready. Just give him time.
Chapter 21: Bled Dry
Chapter 21: Bled Dry
The War for the mandate had now entered its most crucial point. General Marzuban had retaken Canton province but the Chinese army was once again marching south with full force. Time and again the Chinese had underestimated Marzuban's will and it had cost them twice, there would be no third great mistake.
The second phase of the war had been fought with mainly locally recruited mercenaries, given roughly a months training and then armed and sent to China. While this was effective in bleeding the chinese even mercenaries and local colonial militias had a limit and so once again the Imperial Army all the stronger from its experiences in the opening chapters of the war were ready to deploy and reinforce the asian theatre. The Finest troops in the Empire, Trained for years and confident in their ability to finally put the dragon down were finally ready.
After a series of skirmishes and brief sieges outside Canton Province Imperial reinforcements arrived, enmasse, with modern training and a crucial replenishment of cannons and ammunition prepared for yet another long campaign but this was not Marzuban sole plan, a force of Fifty Thousand elite regiments was also enroute with a different goal in mind.
For nearly a week the Imperial army stood firm taking massive casualties and dealing them in turn. Marzuban's plan had been adapted after years of long and hard warfare. The Chinese weakness was in its artillery. Ever since its inception as a modern army the Chinese always favored speed, and so went with smaller artillery pieces or had forgone them entirely to quickly move around the vast land area of the country and defeat local warlords, rebels or barbarian invaders. This left them open in field battles where thier only options were to use Cavalry or infantry tactics without indirect fire support.
This had been the strategy for the majority of the war, and the Chinese leadership remained entrenched on an infantry first doctrine despite years of bloody victories against the Khitan. The common consensus remained that once the war was over, China could rebuild her fleet and run the Invaders from her shores thus removing the need for enhanced artillery tactics. Generals on the ground however were unhappy with this doctrine but due to a lack of facilities to order artillery from, had to rely on captured or bought european designs.
This was why General Marzuban continued to value his artillery above all else in each engagement, alongside training it was a crucial edge that won him battles against a numerically superior foe. Now, fully arrayed with a fresh frontline straight from the homeland the Chinese military was being pounded by Khitan artillery and flanked by Cavalry on what was expected to be a flat, infantry filled battlefield.
The Battle would be a bloody victory on both sides, but the Chinese fared far worse. This time they had brought artillery but no cavalry, and the guns that made it afield were woefully out of date. Despite having Twice Marzuban's number the Chinese were utterly humbled taking brutal casualties and sending the entire Chinese army into chaos.
The Final attempt by the Chinese to mount a concentrated counter attack would come at Waichow where the Chinese hoped thier superior numbers could once again provide victory after wearing down the Cathayan army. What the chinese did not anticipate was the arrival of Swedish reinforcements from Europe, allowing Marzuban addition manpower in which to send the Chinese back north yet again
Sailing into the Bohai bay, Imperial Marines marched north for the Imperial capital. Left unguarded after years of war in the south all that stood in the way of Khitan forces was the Imperial Palace itself recently finished. The Marines marched on the capital in record time, quickly setting up a siege and barrage until they had taken the city, a war winning prize on its own that also came with members of the Imperial Harem and several of the Emperor's sons and daughters and members of court. All the prisoners were brought back to the Imperial navy while the capital city was sacked and put to torch, Brutality not seen since the days of the Mongols.
Left with Little Option Ziahou II finally agreed to peace terms, and they would be harsh. Several lands in southern China would be ceded over to the Cathayan East India Company as well as a return to Japan's territorial integrity. The largest of all would be the acknowledgement of Diane's claims to Dominion over the North Khitan peoples, and her right to rule as an Empress, and the passing of that right to Isabella and now the Crown Prince.
Exhausted from war and his legitimacy and prestige already forever tarnished Zaihou II agreed. Peace had finally come after a million combatants had died, and millions more civilians in china proper. The Highest military losses yet seen in the world over a small stretch of chinese coastline and a title.
All the While the consequences brought by his forebears would set another aflame.
Sorry about the Delay, I moved cross country in the last week, Had an update planned before, but life intervened so its here now. Though I;ve been working on a little side AAR that will make up for lost time that I plan to release very soon.
Think Client states like occitania was. Members of the Holy Roman Empire, but seperate Kingdoms as well. Whereas Bohemia and Italy were merged with the central government.
I generally dont plot that far out ahead, I tend to find that makes thing a bit more boring when I know whats going to happen. Take Stellaris for example, I've done it about 4 seperate times, and thanks to Utopia and a few incredible mods its been different every time. One Run had me forming a federation only for Space Fascists to take over and start purging all the xenos unfortunate enough to immigrate into the empire. Then there was that time we all turned into robots..
The default state of Karling is death, It is our duty as paradoxians to always ensure they return to such a state
I mean I won several brownie points awards, so maybe but so have lots of mega campaigns (including yours)
I think the only AAR people like to reference by name is Cook's Crown Atomic, for obvious reasons. everyone else gets a scavenger hunt
Oh I will certainly do a megacampaign with Imperator. Its too juicy to pass up. Hell i've been waiting to do one with WTWSMS for a while now as well but ive been waiting on the mods ability to allow modern recognizable cultures to form out of it. I imagine its really hard for alot of people coming into this AAR to figure out whats going on what with Cathay being in France. Thankfully Bohemia, Italy and Scandinavia are recognizable names for other powers in europe so that probably helps.
Think Client states like occitania was. Members of the Holy Roman Empire, but seperate Kingdoms as well. Whereas Bohemia and Italy were merged with the central government.
I generally dont plot that far out ahead, I tend to find that makes thing a bit more boring when I know whats going to happen. Take Stellaris for example, I've done it about 4 seperate times, and thanks to Utopia and a few incredible mods its been different every time. One Run had me forming a federation only for Space Fascists to take over and start purging all the xenos unfortunate enough to immigrate into the empire. Then there was that time we all turned into robots..
The default state of Karling is death, It is our duty as paradoxians to always ensure they return to such a state
Worm shenanigans, obviously. They will know, they always have known.
Edit: Not trying to complain, but why do I keep finding references to the Annionaverse in random AARs I'm subscribed to? Is there something in that megacampaign that gives it a bigger appeal than most megacampaigns (mine included)? Is the worm sending me a message?
I mean I won several brownie points awards, so maybe but so have lots of mega campaigns (including yours)
I think the only AAR people like to reference by name is Cook's Crown Atomic, for obvious reasons. everyone else gets a scavenger hunt Oh I will certainly do a megacampaign with Imperator. Its too juicy to pass up. Hell i've been waiting to do one with WTWSMS for a while now as well but ive been waiting on the mods ability to allow modern recognizable cultures to form out of it. I imagine its really hard for alot of people coming into this AAR to figure out whats going on what with Cathay being in France. Thankfully Bohemia, Italy and Scandinavia are recognizable names for other powers in europe so that probably helps.
No worries for the delay. I hope the move went well.
The blood price has been high indeed.
The blood price has been high indeed.
I really want to do a mega campaign as the Ostrogoths in wtwsms but I'm waiting on someone to make a submod where you can dismantle the default wtwsms de-jure and put vanilla dejure in it's place
I see but sometimes it does benefit to think ahead even if it's a little bit and also I do have plans to make a discord for the Hohenzollern and Anniona verses soon,
But maybe there could be a poll or something like that?
https://www.strawpoll.me/16338007
here's a poll i made for you to use for your next mega campaign (don't worry you can declare the winner after this mega campaign is done)
here's a poll i made for you to use for your next mega campaign (don't worry you can declare the winner after this mega campaign is done)
Chapter 22: Contemplation of the Sky
Chapter 22: Contemplation of the Sky
Alexander's 'Ahsoka' Caetye's first acts as the new King Emperor of Cathay were a set of laws mainly focused on the reconstruction of the military and infrastructure the Empire after the costly chinese campaign of his mother isabella and his father the Prince Consort. News of the Ming Empire's defeat spread far and wide over the world but ultimately Alexander had seen through much of the glamour and saw a massive undertaking the country could not under any capacity achieve without moving the centers of powers to China itself.
This of course did very little for the situation as Emperor Zaihou II had taken ill during campaign in Western China and now had died of illness, leaving his Son now Emperor Zhousi Zhu in charge of Nation wracked with the greatest crisis that had arisen since the Mongol Invasions. Worse still Zhousi had no major achievements to his name and was widely considered a laughing stock by Zaihou's Generals, and eventually put to useless assignment in the Northern territories to avoid a repeat of his several humiliating defeats at the hands of Emyrs Marzuban.
Of course under Zhousi's watch his understaffed guard in the North could do nothing to save Beijing for a Sack and so the Young Chinese Emperor now had a restless court, unrest in the outer territories and Power Hungry European Traders rubbing their hands in hopes of opportunity.
The Chinese of the new Occupied territories around what would be Known as Hong Kong meanwhile had hoped for the continuation of Prince Regent Doumerage's policies, proposing that confucian bureaucracy and principles be brought to Europe and thus the Khitan Court. Emperor Alexander responded with a swift, and firm denial. To Alexander the Chinese Colonies were just that, Colonies and they would remain such, Despite large populations the Collaborationist government was silently phased out in favor of the East India Company and local landowners and nobility.
Alexander's stance on the new conquests was felt everywhere even at court where his Father's plans for a local marriage to a Chinese noblewoman from Taiwan was adapted to one of Alexander's cousins while the Emperor himself married Beatrice of Westminster, a natural born daughter of King Edward II of the United Kingdom. Their firstborn daughter, Diane would be born a year and a half after their marriage and would be named Heir.
Emrys Marzuban, Hero of the Great Conquest was a similar casualty. A Man respected throughout the east and by military leaders across the globe recieved no true acknowledgement from Emperor Alexander. Assigned to remain in China after his successful Campaign, The Great General died with his men, given a funeral befitting of his rank, and he drifted into memory and record. The Man who broke a Civilization would be remembered by his legend and not by Royals he served.
The Ming dynasty meanwhile was a wounded beast. With the army in shambles and an Emperor completly unprepared for the coming storm, the Manchu people of the North invaded in force, meanwhile Hui Linghu a General under Zhousi had led a successful revolt in Suzhou allowing the nobility and peasantry of the region to flock to his promises of reform and a new Dynasty, under himself. The Son of Heaven however was not about to let an upstart general be his doom and rallied what remained of the army North to defeat the usurper and run off the Northern Barbarians.
Like so many times against the Europeans Zhousi was utterly humiliated on the field and Hui had been allowed to March North into Beijing after a decisive victory, however The Manchu had arrived first, with their superior cavalry they surrounded General Hui and his weakened force, annihilating it wholesale and setting the Great Chinese capital aflame for the second time. The Dragon was bleeding but it was not yet dead, Zhousi still lived at least for the moment but soon he would land in unlikely as it was, British Custody, after trying to enlist the help of Europeans ironically enough in retaking Bejing.
The British, Knew an opportunity when they saw one, Despite close relations with the Khitan in recent years they were not about to risk Cathay helping itself to the whole of China in the chaos. Zhousi was bartered with and traded for the next three years of his life like a perfumed slave until finally privateers unknowingly sank an Indian Galleon that was to deliver Zhousi to the Subcontinent from British South Africa. With the loss of the Ship the Chinese Imperial dynasty was now headless, the Chaos within the country grew worse and ultimately Local Warlords took matters into their own hands, declaring themselves the rightful rulers of all of China and raising personal armies to fight not only the Manchu but other foreign invaders.
Further south the Conquest of Hong Kong had incited a rush for colonies in East Asia. The British who made much of their profit off the spice Islands soon found their share being tampered with by the Indian Empire who rather than compete with the Europeans merely seized the land. This prompted a response from Alexander who also demand the East India company expand his own colonial holdings in the region.
The Persians who already held colonial holdings within the region also expanded and soon the Spice trade which had been dominated by just the English and Khitan was muddied by the very powers that forced the original exploration around the cape in the first place. Needless to say, European Traders were furious at this change of events.
In Eastern Europe major events were also underway. Kievan Rus had utterly collapsed to Pressure from the Persian and Bohemian Empires and had now become a Carcass for both expansionist powers to prey Upon. Meanwhile The Georgian Empire, hardly an Empire in terms of prestige but ultimately an important buffer state, consolidated its hold over the Crimean Coastline separating Greece from the Titanic Persian Empire while the Despotate of Nikea and the Kingdom of Sicily continued to battle for control over the city of Men's desire.
There was now only two successors of Mighty Byzantium left, and only one would win before the East would know peace, but who would remain the ever present question.
Organized now under the Kingdom of Portugal, the new Portuguese King Laid claim to all former territories of the Knights of Santiago but was even more interesting was the organization of the Portuguese government, which remained wholly democratic more so than even the Bavarian System.
While skepticism remained, the Portuguese state ensured despite Granadan attempts to subdue the Rebels. The Legacy of the Knights lived on in Portugal who remained Unbowed and Unbroken despite overwhelming odds.
Josu would ironically enough lay claim to the Chinese Throne as well, despite absolutely no legitimacy. Norton however remained, Emperor of California as he was supported by the British who stood just over the border and had an interest in ensuring that Californian Goldmines benefits the British over all others. Emperor Josu despite his eccentricities would prove no Fool, and would cement his claim to royalty through the Marriage of a British Princess, Thus making Emperor Alexander of Cathay, Henry II of Britain and Emperor Josu of California, all Brothers through marriage.
The Japanese, angry that their own plans to reclaim California had been thrown awry positioned themselves instead to invade mainland Asia proper. In this they sought aid from Emperor Alexander, prompting would many would see as the point of No return.
Both for the Ming Dynasty, and the Future of Asia itself.
Sorry about the delay, secret project coming soon,
Who are the Atropatene?
There goes Ming...
I hope your move went well.
Who are the Atropatene?
Wow. Didn't expect things to go THAT badly for Ming. The Mandate of Heaven has a better, more worthy holder now though. China falling to warring states would he interesting to see how it played out, but we know that power vacuum will be filled soon.
They're a Persian nation near the SelucidsSorry about the delay, secret project coming soon,
Who are the Atropatene?
Personally, while Japanese Emperor Norton is fun, I feel we've been down this path before. We have the Ming exploding again, your dynasty conquering land in Asia, conquests and vassalizations everywhere, and putting your dynasty on other countries through marriage and conquest. I'm wondering, how can you make sure this doesn't become a rehash of the Annionas and their expansion in your previous megacampaign?
Also, Japan conquering China would be really immersion-breaking. A colonial China exploding in a similar way as real life is already bad enough. There's no way Japan can take over all of China and keep it, in any time period.
I'm sorry for the rant, I just needed to vent a little.
Also, Japan conquering China would be really immersion-breaking. A colonial China exploding in a similar way as real life is already bad enough. There's no way Japan can take over all of China and keep it, in any time period.
I'm sorry for the rant, I just needed to vent a little.