'Poor old Germany. Too big for Europe, too small for the world'
Heinz Alfred Kissinger, geopolitical thinker
Administration of Allgemeine Ostasiatische Gesellschaft (General East Asian Company) in 2004.
Field Marshal Gunter von Esling was Governor-General of AOG and commander in chief of colonial troops in its territorial jurisdiction more than long enough to gain some hefty experience on art of local politcs. Old Prussian Junker honed his business skills all the way from his large family estate trough overseeing of all kinds of imperial military logistics to the long streak of military governorships in overseas areas of German Empire. However, shiny career has not blinded him with pride and he was well aware of tragic process of aging empire losing its strength. Still, this did not turn him into pesimistic preacher of doom what was becoming really common in metropolitan areas, affected by political liberalization and thaw in foreign relations. Altough people at home and in colonies were losing faith into old patterns and imperial pomp, there was no way back. His reformist views, dominated by rational pragmatism, pushed him towards constant search for improvements what earned him an informal title of the father of modern AOG.
Ever since he was nominated for his position by imperial authorities and elected by mighty Board of Directors, he tried hard to surround himself with the best people avalible. Improved system of meritocracy which freed up potentials for ambitious locals eventually made this a bit easier. Worsening relations with Qing Empire that was still formal authority in corporate-administrated South China escalated with Sino-Japanese alliance and retaliatory formal German anexation of occupied areas into AOG that was thus promoted into special territorial entity, unique ad hoc hybrid of public and corporate interests. War with Japan was barely prevented by agreement which ceded German colonial possessions in Northern China to Japan in form of an ''act of good will'' in future negotiations concerning the state of Southern China. Declaration of fair negotiations was of course mere face-saving measure for all sides in order to prevent escalation in already fragile region. Qing Empire that left German sphere of influence in order to pursue Japanese path of reforms was rewarded with generous support from Tokyo which featured even mediated re-integration of Fengtian-ruled Manchuria into imperial China. On the other hand, Japan gained privileged economic position in North China and retained right of military control over several Northern ports which were only formally returned to Qing China in spirit of the new alliance of two empire.
But process of reforms was still too slow to bring immediate stabilization to Qing Empire. Theocratic rebel state of Shangqing Tianguo was eventually strangled after failed Qing offensive that turned into prolonged semi-guerrilla war of attrition. In meantime, failed republican revolt in Changsha ejected rebel leadership to Yunnan province ruled by local warlord Long Yun. Alerted by rising power of AOG and Qing dynasty, old dragon accepted most refugees with open hands. Battle-hardened, skilled and experienced guests contributed to Yunnan clique in a way that impressed even Long Yun. Bitter Millenarian guerrillas from failed Heavenly Host and Republican urban fighters joined powers with local forces. Political and economic reforms, spearheaded by new advisors that were once devoted social organizers of the Great Teacher or creative thinkers from various Republican factions, were now turning provincial clique into organized state.
Encouraged by new strength, revived Republic of China was proclaimed by Long Yun as its President who filled goverment with ballanced mix of his old loyalists and ambitious new advisors. Those were later joined by representatives of Ma clique who accepted offer to re-integrate into new-old Republic. However, Tibet which refused both sweetened offers and last ultimatum had to be persuaded to integrate into Republic by force. The only neutral safe haven in China thus remained only treaty ports formally known as Legation Cities, altough their benign status is more result of good international connections of influental Triad families than legal limits of neighbouring countries in relation to those small but wealthy trade hubs.
Encouraged by new strength, revived Republic of China was proclaimed by Long Yun as its President who filled goverment with ballanced mix of his old loyalists and ambitious new advisors. Those were later joined by representatives of Ma clique who accepted offer to re-integrate into new-old Republic. However, Tibet which refused both sweetened offers and last ultimatum had to be persuaded to integrate into Republic by force. The only neutral safe haven in China thus remained only treaty ports formally known as Legation Cities, altough their benign status is more result of good international connections of influental Triad families than legal limits of neighbouring countries in relation to those small but wealthy trade hubs.
Increasing unrest under facade of conservative society was monitored and demanded more attention in order to maintain stability in fragile region. Foreign competition and local political underground were still disrupting regular life with their distractive influences and never-ending work was required to address those rising issues. Von Esling hoped he would be able to achieve at least a bit more before handing things over to a worthy successor. He could not wish anything more than positive legacy for his work and knowledge of good future for his projects. Is this really too much to ask for, or is he only becoming too overdemanding towards himself? In spite of some nasty local crises and everyday trouble that need some attention before turning into real problems, there were no serious threats to his dreams. World was getting more connected, once solid walls were being pulled down, agreements were being made...what could really go wrong now?
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