A Tale of Devil and The Tigress: Story of AOG in 21st Century

[Kurt_Steiner]

Suddenly I feel an urge to annhilate the Traids, the Yakuzas and to promote good old Teufel to another post.

 

[Asalto]

Nanjing

EAA Ceremonial Guard Battalion performs the Großer Zapfenstreich (Military Grand Tatoo) in honor of German Chancellor during his visit in AOG.​

Finally, the time to wrap up the post-war order in East Asia has arrived, together with Chancellor of German Empire Wolfgang Schauble who has finally decided to give a chance to President-General Teufel. Situation in the ground had been cemented and Kaiser's loyal goverment in Berlin who wasn't really too fond of shady AOG governor Teufel had no other choice but to accept the new order and try to get as much as possible out of it instead of trying to undermine Teufel's dreams. President-General himself was careful to show enough strength and bargaining power to impose his terms but still not too much to alienate the Metropolis. He knew German imperial goverment and meritocratic top military brass in Berlin will always look down at him as corrupted colonial cop who somehow forced his way into power, but it was still better that they feared him instead of trying to constantly sabotage him. He was also aware that some of those of Berlin surely had to be involved in his assassination attempt but the art of ruling kept him obligated not to succumb to primitive passions in lucrative situation like that. The deal he had made with Triads helped him to shape suitable order that should be still acceptable for Berlin and strong enough to guarantee relative stability in incoming time of much needed preparations for very possible future escalations. AOG (and subsequently also allied) relations with Atlantic Treaty bloc and Syndicalist Internationale were now crashed to lowest scale in decades and there was no time to sleep on past victories, no matter how fresh they were.

Triads (and especially Leang's Garde) were offered deal acceptable enough for them, Teufel's circle, Empire and also the smaller partners that have now arrived into the bigger play. For the start, most of Garde demands were met with Teufel allowing Guard Corps to raise own commanders for their combat units. Such big concession was really positive shock for them and Teufel used the oportunity to enforce some of his interests under the cloak of his generous offer. With growing influence of AOG in Imperial sphere, some Triad activities started to bother President-General, the biggest of them being the massive international drug trade that was not starting only to cripple Chinese society almost to pre-Opium Wars levels but also negatively affected allied nations that were now starting to pay more attention to origin of those problems as well. While Lao Che and his directors were now already deep in legitimate business activity (term might be relative but at least it describes industrious behavior that is not strictly illegal not only by AOG but also by Imperial standards). However, Garde remained biggest drug peddler by abusing their status as state security body and Teufel decided to tackle this by offering Garde bigger political subjectivity with stronger inclusion in governing that will also come with more responsibilities and slightly less grey areas. Thus Guards Corps was allowed to become a real authority in designated areas (delegated to them by Presidency) like it already was the case with Tibet. This meant that there was no need for Garde to enforce their de facto rule trough puppet local civilian authorities or its own military occupation power but would be granted with authority to govern the area on their as special organization of delegated state power. This also provided them with ability to set up own corporate entities and thus invest big part of wealth gathered trough criminal activity into legitimate business in a way that Triads ruling in the coastal cities have been doing under cloak of existing legal structures for years.

The danger of those Garde-ruled territorial commissariats (the largest one being Tibet which was immediatelly evaluated into new legal status) turning into increasingly independent fiefdoms was decreased with chance of separation from less militarized coastal Triads that prefered to conduct their operations under cloak of civilian authorities supervised by Lao Che and his henchmen. Friendly governors in their city-forts already provided everything they needed for them and they were also in no need of heavily armed Garde embarrassing them in their fine commercial centers. This way, Teufel also put a bigger wall between Lao Che and Leang as they both were now counting their own coins. This also allowed to strengthen position of Leang's rivals in Lao Che's entourage and thus prevent too fast ascension of Tigress in grand Triad family that dominated AOG. The girl was still too big wildcard for Teufel to be left totally unrestrained even if relations between the two will continue to improve in the long term.

But even if Leang wouldn't really fall for this trick, she surely did start to enjoy the new rights. She still was Chief of Police Forces (altough this position was not really useful for micromanagment as local Polizeitruppen were mostly responding to their increasingly corrupted and self-serving bosses who were now mostly offering their services to the highest bidder thanks to adoption of best Triad practices) while her position of the Commander of the Guards Corps (which was both administrative and military function) was evaluated to one of Captain-General that gave her real political powers in relation to delegated govermental tasks (including regular/non-martial administration and regulation of Garde-owned legitimate business subjects and controlled areas) while still allowing her to offer strategic and tactical guidance to both combat and security units in person as commander-in-chief of entire corps). But what was even better for her was new ability to promote own generals into combat Garde general staff. Those commanders would be still obligated to follow directives of EAA Supreme Command and coordinate their activity with their Army counterparts. However, Garde combat groups would not fight under direct command of East Asian Army generals anymore.

​

Fortunately for her, the Tigress has gathered enough capable cadres for leading roles by recruiting some Imperial Chinese Army officers captured during the fights against the forces of Qing Empire. Former Qing Colonel Sun was among those that especially proved themself in service of the Tigress by providing his knowledge and experience to Garde troops what was (most likely) the key reason for his promotion to rank of Lieutenant General and also to position of a Chief of Staff of the Garde Combat Forces.

Lt. General Sun became first Chief of Staff of the Guards Corps Combat Forces by the order of Garde's Captain-General Leang Chen. ​

All this allowed Teufel to get more maneuvering space in creation of post-war order. Since Triads agreed to reduce the quantity of drug export (however, this trade was not nullified but just reduced in exchange for concessions in legitimate commerce), President-General was not opposed from expanding his influence in Indochina. Triads were promised continuity of their access to Golden Triangle but have agreed to redirect what was left of once overflowing export away from friendly states towards the less friendly ones what was seen as additional hit against already increasingly hostile powers like North American states, India and Soviet Republic. Berlin would happily complain more about the AOG refusal to restore sovereignity of Indochinese federation but Metropolis was put in front of finished business and had also received AOG guarantees for establishment of good governance in former Imperial protectorate. After all, Berlin already did transfer some of its possessions on AOG before for sake of easier administration and cost efficiency what means that AOG is only doing a friendly favor to His Imperial Majesty. Indochinese rulers agreed to that setup in exchange for concessions like lucrative jobs and businesses or just big sums of money and nice retirement in more pleasant places. Members of old federal goverment and rulers of constituent regions even agreed to rubber stamp transfer of sovereignity to AOG by disolving federation and turning its components into separate protectorates of General East Asian Company. Former federation of Indochina was thus divided into AOG protectorates of Tonkin, Annam, Cochinchina and Laos.

Similar fate was forced upon occupied Thailand where the captive king Rama IX and remaints of old parliament had to nominate new goverment which under continued military occupation accepted ''fair'' treaty with Nanjing. While this show was meant to give AOG actions international legitimacy (at least in front of German Empire if not anyone else), Teufel still tried to take care not to hurt defeated side to extent that would trigger nasty revolt. Thai kingdom had to rename to Siam and relinquish its sovereignity to AOG which was (like in protectorates of Indochina) to be represented in Bangkok by Special Resident. AOG wisely decided not to provoke Berlin too much and regular Resident-General title was not adopted in order to dismiss impression of AOG building colonial empire on equal footing with Berlin. Nanjing even stated that like AOG, those lands also belong to Empire and are merely ruled by authorities of German China in the name of the Kaiser. Like in rest of Indochina, local goverments continued to deal with local matters under the watchful eye of Special Resident and his administration, and local monarchs retained their titles (together with all ceremonial splendor but without ability to represent their sovereignity anywhere else but on the paper). In Siam, goverment was formed under the leadership of General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the feared ''Tiger of Malaya'' who was barely stopped at the gates of Singapore. AOG decision to chose such popular and distinguished commander gave Sino-German policy in Thailand some more credibility, but strong local goverment had to face tough responsibilities as well. The treaty with AOG forced Siam to transfer part of Yunnan that was taken by Thailand from defunct Republic of China to AOG, and same proces happened in relation to forgotten chunk of old Burma on former RoC-Thai border that used to be ruled by Bangkok. However, Siam was allowed to keep everything else with exception of Cambodia that was separated from Thailand as ''independent'' Khmer State which succumbed to the fate of the rest of Indochinese protectorates of AOG.

While the rest of Indochina was too busy with divide and conquer game initiated by Nanjing (not to mention the Red insurgency that abused chaos caused by big war to regroup what also gave Indochinese capitals something to think about), old regional player like Siam needed something more to be content with new order. While the rest of Indochinese protectorates had their local forces simply absorbed into regional EAA commands that then dubbed them as own territorial armies, the remaints of Royal Thai Army were honored by being transformed into Army of Siam that was not only EAA territorial command but also represent Thai national army inside EAA. Command over those AOG-equiped Thai troops was given to General Chan-o-cha who was thus from the leader of local royal goverment also promoted to supreme commander of army that was both own force of the Kingdom of Siam and special army corps of East Asian Army, making him effective warlord of Siam. This way, Tiger of Malaya and his supporters also won the fight with their Shinawatra rivals who fled the country. In addition to that, Teufel also tried to boost his support among new Thai allies by transfering all confiscated property of prewar goverment (with inclusion of impressive Shinawatra-owned business network in former Japanese sphere) to new goverment of Siam.

The reform of AOG overseas territories was also initiated in order to legalize new possessions in best manner possible. The insular cluster of German New Guinea that had been transfered to AOG decades ago as unprofitable colonial protectorate of German Empire was turned into a role model for similar territories. Previous administrations in Canton didn't really change anything there but to use those lands as junkyard for undesired cadres that were usually put in position of local military governors under pretext of boosting defence of forgotten islands in face of Japanese threat. The last governor of such kind was Heinrich Jingwei under which the image of living museum didn't only survive but was actually reinforced with his love for everything related to vintage imperial glory. But now it was time for AOG to show the world it actually cares for its possessions. The Iberian colonial concept of Captaincy-General as form of governorship (title not fully related to similar office granted to Leang Chen as chief of Garde altough both styles were partially connected with their governing powers) was Germanized and applied to AOG insular areas. The main reason for specific choice of name was of course again the Berlin which could feel threatened by the use of mainstream terms like Goverment-General (moreover, in spite of Teufel's changing the name of his office, Berlin still treated his rank equal to one of the regular Governor-General of German Empire and imperial standards did not allow Teufel to abuse levels of existing system outside his own domain). However, in relation to New Guinea, not much has really changed. General Jingwei received title of Captain-General (Generalkapitän) which was simply a renaming of his old governor rank and not new military rank. While the office Captain-General was meant to represent the will of presidency/main governorship in Nanjing, the overhauled governorship also received more visible component of local representation that was vested in hands of Chief Executive who is supposed to run day-to-day business of local rule. This was not a real shock for Jingwei as new Chief Executive Julius Chan already used to work in his office as silent workhorse who kept the things in order while honorable governor could take care of more pressing matters (like attending Kübelwagen races). The only real refreshment in this territory was addition of some newly aquired insular areas (a collection of secluded Japanese islands taken by AOG during the time of war) to its jurisdiction.

The new system proved to be more useful for newly gained territories such as Philippines. Recognizing the local component was important for areas that could be hardly ruled just with brute military force. The new Captaincy-General of Philippine Islands thus featured AOG governor who represented his ''Metropolis'' that was still an outpost of its own Metropolis (Imperial representative in AOG, the Resident Minister Graf von Thale, coined the term ''indirect rule of Berlin'' for such system), was like in other Captaincies also trusted with supervision over defence. Due to such type of authority that features also coordination of armed forces in area of their jurisdiction, those governors were being selected exclusively from military ranks while their executives were meant to play the role of local administrators with all needed functions of civilian goverment. AOG choice of the chief of local goverment of Philippine Islands was influental mayor of Davao city Rodrigo Duterte who offered his cooperation in exchange for getting free hands in his trademark war on crime that often exceded constitutional boundaries of defunct republic.

In spite of usefulness of Captaincy model, such system was not really applicable for country like Japan. Teufel wanted to retain his reputation of the ''Conqueror of Japan'' and annoy international rivals by refusing to restore Japanese sovereignity, not even by the name only. Mlitary occupation was not suitable solution while creation of any kind of even quasi-independent state represented too big loss of face for someone so ambitious as President-General Teufel. The deals had to be made and out of bloody quagmire that occupation of Japan was turning into (especially for Leang's Garde) the solution suitable for most parties has emerged.

The concept was slightly similar to one used for Siam, but Japan has received much more in exchange for her loyalty. Garde had to retreat from Japanese home islands what was a guarantee good enough Yakuza and nationalist resistance to lay down their arms. Once again, the key to peace was distinguished General Oriki who took part in bloodiest battles of war for Japanese isles. The old general and respected war hero agreed to attract the attention of disgrunted men of old imperial military who were still resisting the AOG occupation of Japan. The basis of this deal was founded on three pillars: Autonomy of local goverment, special defence position for Japan and inclusion of Yakuza in economic life. The hardest part was probably Triad-Yakuza reconciliation that soon eventually happened after the clear lines for new order in Japan were drawn. The flag of new Japanese autonomy actually resembled the one of Tokugawa Shogunate and this was not pure coincidence: The new regime for Japan was actually very similar to rule of Shoguns. AOG was not even interfering with local goverment (in technical sense as refered to lower tiers of local state administration) in order not to shake up local society too much. The most drastic changes were applied to central goverment that became the bearer of national autonomy which was in fact fussion of provincial self-goverment, remaints of armed forces and Yakuza economic lobbies. Japanese autonomy was actually represented by federation of prewar prefectures that retained their identity inside the system of AOG (technically, Japan was not enjoying even a status of protectorate but was turned into mere cluster of devolved local goverment with diffrent features than regular integral provinces of AOG and with central level representation). Since Yakuza were not too fond of idea about Triad-dominated Board micromanaging Japanese economic assets, the special executive board of directors for Japan was formed. Obviously, this was the place of Yakuza lobbying that was thus centralized and even put into AOG service. While Board in Nanjing was providing general directives, one in Japan was free to run its own operations but was expected that in the end the plans, strategies and requirements of general company were being met. Japan was still considered developed enough to fund its own reconstruction and part of Triad-Yakuza reconciliation was even achieved by transfer of some Japanese industrial assets to China (Triads claimed this was just demand that represented payment for damage done with past activities of Japanese organizations in business life of Legation Cities when those Triad-ruled fiefdoms were still independent treaty ports where interests of various international groups and diffrent nations were constantly clashing).

The self-governing Japanese provinces that were formally known as Prefectures of Nihon were trusted with survival of their own prewar local goverments that continued to run most aspects of public life, were jointly represented by a Council of Prefectures consisting of their governors that coordinated their joint projects and especially represented Japan in relation to central goverment of AOG. For better coordination of Japanese autonomy, this council was chaired by General Oriki who also served as chief of the Army of Japan that represented Japanese-run EAA army corps in islands of Japan. Apart from that, the new military ruler of Japan also chaired Executive Board in order to keep smooth cooperation between military, civilian administration and economic policy what also clearly represented the three pillars of Japanese autonomy that were supposed to be held together by what was supposed to be modern version of bakufu, the Shogun's office. The Imperial Household was given no role in governing and even power of symbolic nomination of goverment officials was absent. Emperor's ceremonial authority was limited only to self-governing Prefectures and not Japanese nation as a whole while he was still allowed to retain his ritual duties in regard to State Shinto. Japanese autonomy was seen as concession from AOG and nothing more, and that concession could be withdrawn by Nanjing at any sign of the breach of trust between two parties. However, AOG still tried quite hard not to turn every provocation into conflict as quite a lot of work was invested into suitable solution for Japan. Both China and Japan were now united under the rule of German chartered company which was trying to keep all this together with help of constant negotiations (sometimes the term ''horse trade'' would be better expresion for that), sabre-rattling and repression. Still, the attempts to forge common East Asian identity under German watch were soon launched and even Teufel himself assembled some academics with orders to find some common grounds like shared Confucian and Buddhist legacy to promote much needed unity in this massive conglomerate.

The EAA Army of Japan corps was put together mostly from remains of Imperial Japanese Army. The Imperial Japanese Navy was not trusted by AOG due to strong connections with North American powers like Canada and NCR that performed regular joint naval exercises with IJN. Army was seen more pragmatic and in spite of establishment of the joint chiefs of staffs and unified war ministry already happening long decades ago, rivalry between IJA and IJN remained. While most of ships located at Japanese ports did surrender to AOG, almost none of those at high seas returned home after Japan surrendered and rather followed the call of exiled goverment which ordered them to find a new home in ports of North America. All this persuaded AOG that IJN is not worthy of any real attention and seized captured Japanese ships just to be taken to Chinese ports. Newly established Japanese EAA corps of the Army of Japan was also barred from deployment of any blue-water naval assets. Apart from Army of Japan being allowed to feature ground forces, air service, coast guard and even its own marine infantry command, AOG also noticed that old Military Police Corps alias Kempeitai could be put to good use due to its strong secret police nature that used to go far beyond the boundaries of any regular Gendarmerie. AOG leadership thus allowed Army of Japan to retain its own Military Police Corps which was seen as useful tool against potential Syndicalist infiltration with its (counter)intelligence abilities and also overral guardian against the unwanted political changes in Japan.

Imperial Japanese Army was now a history. EAA Army of Japan corps was now its one and only successor in Japanese islands.​

The third and last Captaincy-General established was located in Taiwan. Altough a natural claim for any legitimate Chinese state, the Japanese rule has (unlike in less strictly ruled Korea) deeply changed local identity. On the other hand, this has given AOG another chance to push for Sino-Japanese reconciliation. Captaincy was trusted to another Japanese general that was willing to cooperate for greater good of both nations (Army of Japan however was granted no jurisdiction in Taiwan) while local goverment was trusted to Chinese politician with strong Confucian platform that should provide strong common fundament for mutual cooperation and fruitful co-existance. Even if everything was still standing thanks mostly to ruthless art of deal and threat of brute military power, some well-intended philosophy can do no harm in such ambitious project.

All those changes of course demanded reform of central goverment of AOG as well. Altough there were no drastic moves, the establishment of AOG colonial office got the most attention in spite of its most boring name. However, German Empire seemed to be content with well-thought explanation of ''AOG just exercising indirect rule for German Empire in this region'' that was put forward by Resident Minister Graf von Thale who used to be most loyal and modest imperial representative of Berlin in China but has eventually evolved into de facto foreign minister of German China, devoted to his service to AOG which he is happily representing as the long arm of German Empire in East Asia. This (and very boring name) was probably enough to make Berlin forget about ''AOG Mainland Commissariat for Execution of Imperial Policies in Outer Overseas and Insular Territories under the Company Jurisdiction''). But in AOG, most people who knew what's going on (or were just tired of long names) refered to this office simply as ''Colonial Ministry''. President-General Teufel also didn't forget to give more representation to Northern China by assigning new commander of the ground forces Fang Fenghui from Shaanxi that used to serve in Qing army (obviously in attempt to counter Leang's collection of former Imperial Chinese officers). Interestingly, fighter ace Fernando Wang from Macau who rose to even greater prominence after his last battle when he provided cover for ground operation in Amami isles was promoted to Chief of Air Forces after retirement of air force marshal Voigt who departed back for Germany in order to dedicate himself to party politics. Some more AOG influence in Berlin should come in handy anyway.

The might of AOG was revealed in expanded cabinet with 2 extra posts and unique offices. Mind the special corruption slider that is providing IC boost in exchange for a slight loss in money production.^^

​

 

[Socdemparty]

You couldn't resist putting Duterte in the Philippines, could you?

 

[Kaiser_Mobius]

Hooray for Shogunate Japan! I wonder how long that system will last, not to mention all of these other Captaincy-General's Teufel has set up.

Also, does Berlin have the authority to simply tell Teufel to pack his bags and head for a new assignment in Africa or something like that? I guess if the German government tried such a trick, Teufel would just declare a UDI and tell Berlin to go away in not so polite terms.

I am also half expecting The Tigress to assassinate Teufel and declare some sort of Chen Dynasty or something.

Great update!

 

[der Kriegsherr]

@Kaiser_Mobius

Yeah, I can see this arrangement going to hell pretty quickly without the iron-fisted brutality and animalistic cunning of Teufel and the Tigress, both international politics and human nature being what they are. But yes, our friend Asalto does have quite the knack for dredging up anachronistic government forms and bringing them into the 21st century (of the Kaiserreich universe anyway), no?


@Asalto

I'm impressed! Can't wait to see the next hotspot for conflict in the world and what changes come about afterwards.

 

[HIMDogson]

Dammit! Not Duterte! He's worse than bringing back Carthage!

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Washington must be quite worried with this state of things...

 

[Lelouch_DK]

Woah unexpected. Duterte? Can't really think of him cooperating with the AOG though.

I hope Teufel declares an empire and breaks free from Germany.

 

[Tus3]

A german colony which has colonies?
This must be the first time I see this many recursive colonies.

 

[Ericafaq]

I'm know,it is not important.But,as I'm can see most of flags in your AAR have a DH format,when flag of AOG has a hoi-2 formal (classical format for a kaiserreich mod)

So I'm re-worked AOG flag in a DH style.Always glad to help

 

[IconOfEvi]

Well shit, this is rather a crazy update. Don't even want to begin to speculate at the work it took to shove in an extra slider and more posts into an already running savegame.

 

[Bergioyn]

I wasn't expecting a Ryukuyan Republic, that's for sure! Interesting developements with Japan as well.

 

[Asalto]

@Socdemparty It was just to tempting to use him for that position...

@Kaiser_Mobius It's not typical colony as AOG is goverment-founded chartered company where governor is answering to Board of Directors and not directly to Metropolis. The only real connection with Berlin is imperial Resident Minister in AOG. Everything was fine and well until hostile takeover from Legation Cities happened and Board doesen't represent German interests anymore. So German Empire actually prefers Teufel for the sake of his origin already. He was born in China but is at least of German origin so he's kind of German ''Pied-Noir'' that should be still aware of his roots (altough he could be also idealistic Sinophile who wants to found his own Chinese dynasty but I'm not sure if he has such sublime ideals).

@der Kriegsherr Thank you! I hope Japanese situation looks fine enough, I was afraid it would come out as too messy.

@HIMDogson Oh really? Where am I supposed to get all that Legionnaire armor for my massive army in order to conquer it? Hopefully Marshal Dassault isn't going to release Carthage Operational Command in North Africa yet...

@Kurt_Steiner Washington not that much...but Ottawa and Sacramento, people over there are really getting worried about the rise of AOG.

@Lelouch_DK I think it'd be possible to get him collaborate if suitable concessions are offered to him. Like getting free hands with his political agenda, this usually works fine.

@Tus3 All those colonies...they can make you mad!

@IconOfEvi I couldn't really expand actual ingame cabinet and add new sliders (that's probably hardcoded), I just modified the picture to suit my presentation better. Only smoke and mirrors I'm afraid...altough even that takes some time indeed.

@Bergioyn Because nobody expects the Ryukyuan inquisition.

@Ericafaq Thank you, that's beatiful conversion!

NOTE: Ericafaq has now converted some more flags into much better looking DH format for what I'm really grateful.

Thanks for comments, everyone! Also I apologize for not responding to previous comments in last update as my responses got lost when I was correcting the text and pictures, but they were noted and I'm happy for every comment I get as they are really great for motivation.

Nanjing

​

President-General Teufel watched the news on big plasma TV in his lavish residence. He didn't really have to watch the news as he got every needed info before the most of other people could ever get, but he did enjoy listening to his own propaganda. He was creating new reality for millions now. But everything was not just political boasting. The actual results he was getting on his table were indeed inspiring. AOG was doing well, Metropolis was cooperating, rivals were afraid of our military might. Soviets didn't even know what were they supposed to do with their newly aquried lands in Asia while North was already nicely integrated in AOG and many capable (you could also say well loaded, that's probably the same) people fleeing the Soviet-occupied lands in order to save their property. Among those were many who weren't too fond of exile in North America as imigrants there were under watchful eye of NCR and Canadian authorities looking for the AOG spies or just people with suspicious background (in spite of all the reforms, Qing Empire was not the ideal of transparency and corruption and injustice flourished on all levels of state aparatus, not to mention the repression of unwanted political activity that was seen as a threat to the ''liberal empire''). And there were many people like that in former Qing China. AOG offering them some motivation like jobs in new administration, science, economy and military helped many of them to decide in correct way. And it was already worth to come to Teufel's China for the sake of patriotism as AOG performance in international affairs already made many aware of new Chinese empire rising, even if it was hidding under the German cloak.

​

Dietrich Teufel was just thinking about Soviet stupidity which was so enourmous and dominated by ideological fluff that Moscow couldn't even decide if they should go for world-wide revolution (or at least liberation of Eurasia) that would unite all Soviets under one roof, or if socialism should be encouraged to be built according to national specifics trough cooperation between the free socialist nations. At very that moment, Teufel finally got his answer with help of unpleasant surprise. Syndicalists must have hacked into centralized (and very advanced) media control system of AOG (what obviously became its weakness in this case) which was usually used for extraordinary messages that were pushed trough by Teufel regime during state of emergency and similar situations. But this time, President-General himself was duped by enforced broadcast. All over AOG, networks were stuffed with Red Korean expat cultural and propaganda production from 1980s (or was it 1960s or even early 2000s, you couldn't tell over odd quality).

Apart from vintage footages, there were also videos of supposed happenings in ''liberated Korea'' with ''Korean People's Army'' parading the streets and cheerful population delivering gifts and flowers to the passing soldiers. Viewers could swear this was very old material but after some time it was clear that there was no diffrence in quality concerning the date of origin and that vintage style was actually Korean trademark developed in Siberian seclusion that turned everyday life into living museum, similar to one in German New Guinea. At least General Heinrich Jingwei, chief of operations staff and Captain-General of that territory will probably find some new ideas for his vintage cultural productions in these videos.

​

Teufel soon passed from state of shock into territory of amusement and almost forgot about the time after listening to some very catchy karaoke-like performance. He didn't even call for anyone and only the request for audience from imperial Resident General Von Thale woke him up from his trance. The hijacked program continued its performance as without Teufel's order nobody really dared to do anything yet. After Teufel received imperial representative (who was now more like Teufel's de facto foreign minister than real voice of Berlin by now), the old count enlighted him with news that suddenly made everything making sense again. It was no wonder that most oftenly displayed song (in its hundred versions) was something apparently called ''Look at us''. New Soviet puppets were obviously making a big entry.

​

- Your Excellency, this arrived to the Resident Minister Office in the morning.

Teufel looked at the paper - A damn ultimatum?

- Not ultimatum, more like request. A show of force, apparently.

- We're supposed to fear few hours old People's Republic of China that was declared in midnight?

- They are just a mouth trough which the Moscow is speaking.

- But those drunken commissars couldn't even decide if their part of China should be ruled by local Soviets united with Supreme Soviet in Moscow for the sake of global revolution, or kept under Red Army thumb. I guess we won't be seeing world-wide Soviet Republic after all. This is obviously sign of weakness. On their side. They didn't even have the guts to dismember old empire, anex Sinkiang, enlarge Mongolia and set up a puppet in Manchuria. So much about Red Tsar Cherdenko. Peasant in general's uniform is still a peasant.

- I wouldn't underestimate them, Sir. It's true they might lack Han people up in the North while we have them in abundance, but united China sends a strong message.

- To whom?

- To us, Sir.

- With that pathetic basket of Turks, Mongols, Manchus and half of Shaanxi?

​

- Yes. Since Qing goverment surrendered to them, they have declared that Red China is lawful successor of the fallen Empire and had inherited Qing claims as well. Except for those which would bother Soviets and Indians of course. But even without Outer Mongolia, Tuva and some rocks in Himalayas, they are laying claim on most of AOG.

- I'd answer them to stick their claims somewhere where the sun doesen't shine.

- We must not forget their claims are backed by Soviet bayonnets.

- Of course I know, I'm not stupid. Just give them strongly worded reply since it's not ultimatum. It's probably mostly for home consumption. You know those Syndies and their politics.

- Indeed, but their message is quite attractive for this region and we shouldn't neglect its threat.

- How so?

- Well, Comrade Premier Cherdenko has announced ''New East Asia Policy'' that will be based on establishment of ''sister people's republics'' that will show the revolutionary way to people of this region. It's dangerous because even India agreed to this policy and Soviets managed to achieve quite a strategic balance with those moves. s

- Syndies are really coming back together. Like it or not, we'll need Berlin and they will need us. This time mistakes will not be allowed.

1st cabinet of the People's Republic of China. The absolute rule was vested in hands of Chairman and Secretary-General Xi Jinping, Syndicalist activist from well-known revolutionary family that was opposing Qing regime and its Japanese overlords for long decades. Soviets strongly encouraged formation of vanguard revolutionary goverment that wouldn't succumb to fragile ethnonationalism of Northern China. Society was kept busy by a push against traditional institutions and social inequality. Special care was taken for the empowerment of women that can be seen even on highest levels of PRC goverment. Not only the foreign and interior ministries got women in charge (altough their actual control over those fields is questionable due to untransparent system of goverment), the command over People's Liberation Army Air Force was given to first female military pilot in China that managed to achieve such a high position. Apart from propaganda aspects, AOG should be concerned about greatly increased Soviet support for PLA that is rapidly turning from Soviet-trained Chinese militia to real military force. Soviet and Northern Chinese industries have united their powers and resources, bringing massive ammounts of armaments into the world every day (altough industrial power of Soviet-allied China still leaves much to be desired and can't be compared to AOG-controlled South, it is pretty much acting as extension of Soviet economy with which it is already strongly integrated and can't be judged on its own numbers).

Radical Socialists in India have purged their Social Democrat rivals and other rivals, establishing full control over all state institutions. Altough they were unable to turn army into their own private militia, military still suffered heavy infiltration and was also attracted to their side by promises to reinforce national defence capacities and impose tougher policy towards the AOG. Overhauled Red India has consolidated surprisingly fast and is back in the game, even issuing a pledge to Internationale military structures that there will be no more cases of non-participation in any kind of future international conflicts. Those were worrying news for AOG indeed.


Altough the Red China wasn't born united, Syndicalist Korea had more luck and this was probably the reason for such pompous entry. New Soviet-supported poster child that the People's Republic of Korea is made even Teufel angry as he remembered in what disgracing manner AOG troops were kicked out of Korea during the height of war against the Japan. Not only that, the KPA which turned from Red Army division dedicated to Korean exiles in Siberia was turned into real national army that immediatelly started with recruitment of new cadres that should soon serve the new regime equiped by brand-new Soviet arms that were delivered to Korea by generous goverment of the Soviet Republic. Once again, Teufel was reminded that Premier Cherdenko was not an idiot that should be underestimated. If things will continue to go this way, Red Koreans alone with all those new weapons and inherited industrial power (that for diffrence from economy of Northern China actually survived the war almost without a scratch just like area would be still in the era of late Japanese-controlled Goverment-General of Korea) could soon pose a threat even to AOG-supervised Prefectures of Japan. Teufel was not sure if EAA's territorial Army of Japan would be ready to stand on its own feet by then, especially in the face of rivalries between Oriki's ''Shogunate'', Triads in corporate executive board for Japan and provincial ''Daimyos'' (alias prewar governors of Japanese prefectures) that were constantly playing their own games in general political struggles of AOG-controlled Nippon.

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Similary to AOG-ruled Japan, the regime of Red Korea is mostly military dominated due to evolving from Korean division of Red Army. After joyful reunion of new KPA with local Red activists, new goverment was declared under leadership of KPA field marshal O Kuk-Ryol who is coming from the notable family of Red Korean exiles in Siberia that was considered to be second strongest clan in relation to now deceased political dynasty founded by Kim Il-Sung. The almighty Syndicalist dynasty disappeared in explosion of airplane that was supposed to be a Soviet gift to leading family of Korean Syndicalist exiles but instead it had brought them to their doom instead to enjoyable visit of Soviet dignitaries in Moscow. O Kuk-Ryol has surprisingly not established his own cult of personality yet but has instead thanked to departed Kim Il-Sung for his hard work concerning the establishment of Korean Red Army in the icy exile of Soviet-ruled Siberia. But now they were back and ready for revenge against the powers that have desecrated holy Korean soil with their foul presence. Supreme leader especially targeted AOG for its attempts to subdue Korea and underlined the fact that old Japanese oppressors have now oportunistically switched sides and pledged their loyalty to AOG that is just a dirty tool of German imperialism in Asia, stressing the importance of defeating all those forces that pose a theat to free Korea.

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Soviets also finally decided what to do with Mongolia. This country used to be ruled by shy ''Mongol people's goverment'' set up by Soviets after the fall of Mad Baron and even acting rulers of the Soviet protectorate of Mongolia never knew if they are going to be forced to cede power to local Soviets that would fully integrate the country into the jurisdiction of the Supreme Soviet next moment, or if Moscow has something else in store for Mongolia. However, with Moscow aquiring control of large new territories in Asia, Premier and his Commissars discovered that creation of world's Soviet Republic is not most plausible situation and thus new Soviet client states were being formed instead. People's Republic of China, altough still weak at the moment, might turn into a real wildcard in case of victory over AOG and Moscow decided it might be the best option to preserve Mongolia as at least nominally independent buffer between Red Russia and China. Moreover, with the Mongolian People's Republic being proclaimed as the new ''sister republic'' of newly formed Asian ''People's Republics'', Soviet narrative about socialist liberation for Asia was reinforced even more. The expansion of Mongolian People's Army was launched with generous Soviet help as well in hope for Mongol troops also contributing in defense of East Asian flank of Internationale if the need arises.

Expansion of the Syndicalist Internationale military structures.

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Altough Soviets obviously supported reinforcement of its Asian frontier with independent local structures in fear of being forced to fight two-front with German Empire and its ''East Asian Viceroyality'', it was Berlin pact that had more to be afraid of. Even formal military bloc of Internationale alone was impressive enough, but there were also many other subversive Internationale-supported movements like insurgent groups and de facto allies in 3rd world. Like the ''Little Internationale'' in Africa that was gathered under the roof of pro-Syndicalist ''Organization of African Unity'' that also featured self-styled African rebellious movements like FRELIMO, MPLA, SWAPO and others as its members apart from actual sovereign states like South African Socialist Republic and Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Or FAR-GC and its Latin American collaborators, Kurdish Syndicalists fighting Ottoman rule, Left-Wing nationalists in Indonesia and radical socialist extremists in Indochina and even Malaya where insurgency was never fully subdued. Berlin could also never know where will METO (Middle East Treaty Organization) turn its attention next. Alliance of Arab and Iranian nationalists united in anti-Ottoman hatred and vague anti-colonial progressivism (be it ''Arab Socialism'' of Egyptian Nasserites, social liberalism of Hashemite monarchy or neo-Mosadeghist ideology of Iranian empire taken hostage by leftist nationalists) was successfully dancing between two anti-German blocs and using occassional sympathies of both Internationale and Atlantic Treaty to gain military aid and diplomatic support). Even this puny alliance could cause enough trouble alone by its support for subversive groups but picking side in a major conflict could really harm German strategic position. World was getting more dangerous every day and not many didn't have bad feelings about the future. Everyone could just pray their side is better prepared for trouble than the other one.

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[Otlaktoprak]

Well Internationale strengthen themselves really fast and successfully (Especially India), I hope Berlin Pact survives from this threat.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Well, well, well... now Teufel has a big threat in the North...

Good, very good.

 

[der Kriegsherr]

Well, I did ask for a tinderbox just on the brink of the next Weltkrieg....

 

[Kaiser_Mobius]

Peoples Republic of Korea is Best Republic of Korea!

Good update!

 

[Giotin]

It's nice to imagine a Kim-free Korea. Hurray for the Internationale!

 

[IconOfEvi]

Well fuck...that changed rather fast.

I don't want to say the powder keg is about to blow, but this is bad, really bad for the AOG. Interesting the things you did with the socialist states though! I wonder though, DPRKorea must be pretty nightmarish for any Japanese or hafus. Considering Nipponification went on a lot longer, and looking at how far things were gone in those terms by even 1945 OTL, things are going to be especially bad for them.

Speaking of flags, is there any way you can get them all into DH or HOI2 style? The MDS ones juxtaposed with others and now that other style of flags is just sort of visually jarring. I see you've started on that.

 

[RyuDrago]

The Soviets moved enough well their places in Far Asia. Considering the AOG annexed Indochine and Philippines, they would look far better than Teufel. (Honestly I would have liked to see Philippine and Indochinese praefectures but at this point every IC counts)

Japan honestly went far better one would have expected. Guess 20th century refeudalized and shogunate Nihon would have its own charmes from China.