A different format again, but it works well. Again, the foreshadowing of FIII raises many questions. But I am glad to hear that people underestimated Freddie.
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My god that is a lot of debt!
My god I want to see a picture of the teacher!!
My God what a good update!!!
My god I want to see a picture of the teacher!!
My God what a good update!!!
A nice break from the usual power hungry Prussian war stories. I am suprised that you even attempt to spent your money in social reforms with the debt you have. $300+ for interest alone. That's the most I ever seen. By the way what's your badboy know and is there anyone at all left in the world that the Prussian feared?
Rensslaer said:
i would like to know more about the effects of unification. your Prussia is large enough that i would not expect unification to change your balance sheet that much.
the reference to a German accent indicates that this third year history class is not in German.
adding the South Germans to the “national roster” would have had a substantial effect on several things. including things like officer [leadership] increases and factory income... how much did this change effect your daily balance and your leadership increase? any other important changes?
killer update! ! !
Catknight - Glad to have you stop by, Sir! Up to this last update, I'd say that my writing over the past several scenes hasn't been my best. Most of the character development happened some time ago, during the war with Britain, or even previously. But I will hope that you stay to watch the new Kaiser!
As for a photo... I feel stupid.o I wrote the character, then tried to figure out who, in popular media, she might look like. I came up with two candidates from American TV shows (which may not do you much good, but if they're not showing Down Under, you can still do a Web search) -- the star of the show Crossing Jordan, who sometimes has her hair done up in a pony tail, and a seasons-past star of Law & Order, named Kincaid, who also had black hair in a pony tail. After some searching I discovered that they are both the same woman! Jill Hennessy is the actresses' name. I can't find any pony-tail photos, though... Such a shame. Very attractive woman, though, with good screen presence.
And I've also broken another "stereotype" of my own -- traditionally I've been very secretive about what is about to happen. Cliffhangers, and the sort... But this time I felt the story had to be told with everything out in the open, with only the details to be filled in. So you shall see, over the next ten or twenty updates... I don't think anything will be lost for knowing how it all ends.
And Friedrich III isn't dead and gone yet... I've increased his time as Kaiser (a hundredfold or more!) over what happened historically, when he only reigned for 2 months or so. And as you can see, there's a lot he accomplishes in this time, however brief.
Thank you, Prussiablue... I take that as the highest compliment! I've taken the way less traveled, and I think it's turned out rather interestingly. While personally, I'm very much against massive government programs, of the type described, I've always played the game as driven by the personalities of the characters in charge. And progressive social policy is the way that Friedrich III would have gone (ironically, these are actually the Bismarckian reforms -- Wilhelm I and Bismarck did them in real life!). It might not make sense in gameplay terms, but as you've seen that's never been a huge concern of mine!
And, yes... The debt is a problem (always has been!). But in light of the improved economy, it's not a crisis this time around. Simply something that needs to be accounted for.
Badboy at this point is about 27, I think. I'm not experienced enough to know how bad that is, but it seemed tolerable in light of the state of the Prussian military. The way I saw it at that point, the world was more or less in abeyance (holding off) -- the world powers Prussia feared at the time had all been neutralized temporarily. That would change, in time...
El Presidentse, Stnylan, Coz, Draco, Ghostwriter... and any lurkers (say hi!) -- thanks for taking the time to stop by! I really appreciate it!
Rensslaer
I am glad to see the "sexy live appearance" from our favorite history author was so well received! I'd hoped for as much. Herz, from the beginning, was meant to break the stereotypes -- a Jewish, female history professor from Germany. But since we'd gotten so used to the textbook entries, I thought it might be interesting to see how she "really" is.BBBD said:
As for a photo... I feel stupid.
o I wrote the character, then tried to figure out who, in popular media, she might look like. I came up with two candidates from American TV shows (which may not do you much good, but if they're not showing Down Under, you can still do a Web search) -- the star of the show Crossing Jordan, who sometimes has her hair done up in a pony tail, and a seasons-past star of Law & Order, named Kincaid, who also had black hair in a pony tail. After some searching I discovered that they are both the same woman! Jill Hennessy is the actresses' name. I can't find any pony-tail photos, though... Such a shame. Very attractive woman, though, with good screen presence.And I've also broken another "stereotype" of my own -- traditionally I've been very secretive about what is about to happen. Cliffhangers, and the sort... But this time I felt the story had to be told with everything out in the open, with only the details to be filled in. So you shall see, over the next ten or twenty updates... I don't think anything will be lost for knowing how it all ends.
And Friedrich III isn't dead and gone yet... I've increased his time as Kaiser (a hundredfold or more!) over what happened historically, when he only reigned for 2 months or so. And as you can see, there's a lot he accomplishes in this time, however brief.
Prussiablue said:
Thank you, Prussiablue... I take that as the highest compliment! I've taken the way less traveled, and I think it's turned out rather interestingly. While personally, I'm very much against massive government programs, of the type described, I've always played the game as driven by the personalities of the characters in charge. And progressive social policy is the way that Friedrich III would have gone (ironically, these are actually the Bismarckian reforms -- Wilhelm I and Bismarck did them in real life!). It might not make sense in gameplay terms, but as you've seen that's never been a huge concern of mine!
And, yes... The debt is a problem (always has been!). But in light of the improved economy, it's not a crisis this time around. Simply something that needs to be accounted for.
Badboy at this point is about 27, I think. I'm not experienced enough to know how bad that is, but it seemed tolerable in light of the state of the Prussian military. The way I saw it at that point, the world was more or less in abeyance (holding off) -- the world powers Prussia feared at the time had all been neutralized temporarily. That would change, in time...
El Presidentse, Stnylan, Coz, Draco, Ghostwriter... and any lurkers (say hi!) -- thanks for taking the time to stop by! I really appreciate it!
Rensslaer
p.s. -- In looking at her bio, I see that she actually speaks German...Rensslaer said:Jill Hennessy is the actresses' name. I can't find any pony-tail photos, though... Such a shame.
Perhaps we can coach her into a charming German accent and sign her up for a guest appearance, eh?
Rensslaer
I was about to suggest the leaders' (monarch's) dates in office were hard coded, but now I remember Victoria actually runs by political parties and general trends in government for full monarchies (if I remember right.) This opens up the question of what happens to poor Friedrich.
We know Friedrich learned quite a bit from his experience in the North Africa campaign, which contributes to his increased effectiveness vs. RL and no doubt helped him push through such liberal reforms. We also know that after the first few years resistance tightens against him. That resistance could easily come from either a democratically elected party that proves the antithesis of what Fried would have wanted, or right-wing reactionaries that want to turn back the clock to before Fried's reforms. Unfortunately, if I were to guess I'd say Friedrich moved too far too quickly and picked up an enemy willing to do anything - including assassination - to stop him.
I'll be interested to see what happened!
(And to help grade the tests!)
We know Friedrich learned quite a bit from his experience in the North Africa campaign, which contributes to his increased effectiveness vs. RL and no doubt helped him push through such liberal reforms. We also know that after the first few years resistance tightens against him. That resistance could easily come from either a democratically elected party that proves the antithesis of what Fried would have wanted, or right-wing reactionaries that want to turn back the clock to before Fried's reforms. Unfortunately, if I were to guess I'd say Friedrich moved too far too quickly and picked up an enemy willing to do anything - including assassination - to stop him.
I'll be interested to see what happened!
(And to help grade the tests!)
Victoria really doesn't script leaders, except occasionally by event. I began the story by killing off the heir to the throne, so that Wilhelm I took over in 1840, rather than about 1861 or so, as he did historically. I remember getting a Friedrich Wilhelm IV event (which I ignored, since I'd already killed him off....). FW IV was... ineffective and immovable as a leader, and was at least toward the end of his life somewhat crazy, so I chose not to deal with him when I had a good replacement for him.CatKnight said:
Victoria's political system is scripted, but doesn't really exist in an absolute monarchy. I'm not spoiling much to tell you that Prussia maintained a Konservativ Parti majority through the entire game, so it didn't much matter. Victoria also scripted Bismarck in, which I also ignored. I took the opportunity to kill off Bismarck through a political assassination event while he was still Ambassador to Russia. He was too much into the balance of power, which I didn't care to maintain. I made up von Kauperke (who also died in an assassination event), whose replacement was von Roon (who was historically War Minister). I am in process of making Caprivi Chancellor (foreshadowing by a few hours), which he was historically, following Bismarck's historical firing.
And, on your other point... I cannot promise that a Kaiser will not fall to an assassin's bullet before the end of the story. But we shall see...
... and I'd meant to go back to Ghostwriter's point about South German and various advantages to adding them to Prussia's home culture.
Actually, that part hasn't happened yet, though I do allude to it for the near future.
But you bring up a point that I had never even considered! I was wondering why I had always struggled to get enough military leader personalities (though I had some great ones!) in the early game, and then toward the end I had passels of them showing up on my doorstep every few months... It never occurred to me that the South Germans would have so many officers (even though, to read the histories, the S. German and Austrian armies were 90% officer and 10% soldier :rofl: ... okay, I exaggerate. Some.
).More to come soon.... Thanks again!
Renss
May, 1881
“Reverend,” said Kaiser Friedrich. “We are grateful that you have been able to join us for dinner this evening, and that you will be taking over tutoring for the children,” he said, referring to the young princes and princesses.
Reverend William Heckler was an Anglican priest, but he had spent most of the past twenty years in the German-speaking realms, once as a royal tutor in Baden, and most recently as the Anglican chaplain of Vienna. He had become a friend to all German nobility, irregardless of their politics.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Heckler replied. “It is a distinct honor for me, as well.”
Gathered, also, were the Kaiserin Victoria, their children, including the KronPrinz Wilhelm, Chancellor Roon, Feldmarschall von Moltke, General Caprivi, and Magister Longanecker.
Roon had become, in recent months, increasingly ill, and so was retiring from the Chancellory to rest and recuperate at his estates. Caprivi, who had long served the Kaiser as his trusted personal aide, would now become Federal Chancellor of Prussia. Longanecker, whose exploits with the Stralsund Cavalry were well known, would take over from Caprivi as the KronPrinz’ tutor – in aspects of cavalry warfare, as well as a number of other subjects, to be divided between him and Heckler and others.
The conversation dwelt upon Heckler, as the newcomer, for some time. His experience and qualifications were impressive. And he was clearly a likeable man. Eventually, he modestly directed the attention elsewhere. “Magister Longanecker,” he asked, “is it true that you have spent a great deal of time in Russia?”
“I have, Reverend,” Joachim said, after wiping his mouth with a napkin.
Heckler nodded. “What is your feeling on what we can expect from the new Tsar?” Tsar Alexander II had been assassinated by radical socialists a few months prior. As Tsar, Alexander III was already setting his own pace. And having his revenge.
Longanecker, who was twenty times more able in the realm of politics than he once was, looked to the Kaiser and the other authorities for permission to speak on the subject. Their subtle nods were his signal to continue. “In my personal opinion, Reverend, the previous Tsar had become rather weak in his later years. It is my understanding that Alexander the Third has been attempting to roll back many of the reforms forced upon his father by the socialists.” Across the table, young Wilhelm nodded approvingly to himself as Longanecker continued. “He has forced down some of the powers of the Duma, and established tighter control over the Army. Whether he can succeed in regaining his former powers is questionable. All that is certain is that it is a time of great turmoil.”
“Indeed,” Caprivi said. “Joachim, have you heard anything of these ‘pogroms’ he has begun? The forcing out of many Jewish families? We have been receiving a great many of them here in Prussia, recently.”
“Yes,” Longanecker confirmed. “The new Tsar has been treating Jews brutally, since the assassin happened to be a Jew. Those who survive have been fleeing. Prussia is a logical destination for them, not just because of geography. Our record of granting equal status between Jews and non-Jews is also very attractive.” The coincidence of Prussia’s recent acquisition of portions of the Holy Land was proving advantageous. Many of the incoming Jews were choosing to move there and build upon the thriving Jewish communities of the Levant, which would eventually benefit Prussia in terms of economic returns.
“It is not just from Russia that they are driven,” Heckler noted. “While that is the most significant example at present, many countries of Europe are following anti-Semitic policies.”
“It is unfortunate that a people such as they should be so mistreated,” KronPrinz Wilhelm ventured. “Those who have served Prussia are some of our most able citizens!”
The Kaiser punctuated the discussion. “It seems that Prussia is richer for the folly of our neighbors.” Those at the table seemed to agree.
“Reverend,” said Kaiser Friedrich. “We are grateful that you have been able to join us for dinner this evening, and that you will be taking over tutoring for the children,” he said, referring to the young princes and princesses.
Reverend William Heckler was an Anglican priest, but he had spent most of the past twenty years in the German-speaking realms, once as a royal tutor in Baden, and most recently as the Anglican chaplain of Vienna. He had become a friend to all German nobility, irregardless of their politics.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Heckler replied. “It is a distinct honor for me, as well.”
Gathered, also, were the Kaiserin Victoria, their children, including the KronPrinz Wilhelm, Chancellor Roon, Feldmarschall von Moltke, General Caprivi, and Magister Longanecker.
Roon had become, in recent months, increasingly ill, and so was retiring from the Chancellory to rest and recuperate at his estates. Caprivi, who had long served the Kaiser as his trusted personal aide, would now become Federal Chancellor of Prussia. Longanecker, whose exploits with the Stralsund Cavalry were well known, would take over from Caprivi as the KronPrinz’ tutor – in aspects of cavalry warfare, as well as a number of other subjects, to be divided between him and Heckler and others.
The conversation dwelt upon Heckler, as the newcomer, for some time. His experience and qualifications were impressive. And he was clearly a likeable man. Eventually, he modestly directed the attention elsewhere. “Magister Longanecker,” he asked, “is it true that you have spent a great deal of time in Russia?”
“I have, Reverend,” Joachim said, after wiping his mouth with a napkin.
Heckler nodded. “What is your feeling on what we can expect from the new Tsar?” Tsar Alexander II had been assassinated by radical socialists a few months prior. As Tsar, Alexander III was already setting his own pace. And having his revenge.
Longanecker, who was twenty times more able in the realm of politics than he once was, looked to the Kaiser and the other authorities for permission to speak on the subject. Their subtle nods were his signal to continue. “In my personal opinion, Reverend, the previous Tsar had become rather weak in his later years. It is my understanding that Alexander the Third has been attempting to roll back many of the reforms forced upon his father by the socialists.” Across the table, young Wilhelm nodded approvingly to himself as Longanecker continued. “He has forced down some of the powers of the Duma, and established tighter control over the Army. Whether he can succeed in regaining his former powers is questionable. All that is certain is that it is a time of great turmoil.”
“Indeed,” Caprivi said. “Joachim, have you heard anything of these ‘pogroms’ he has begun? The forcing out of many Jewish families? We have been receiving a great many of them here in Prussia, recently.”
“Yes,” Longanecker confirmed. “The new Tsar has been treating Jews brutally, since the assassin happened to be a Jew. Those who survive have been fleeing. Prussia is a logical destination for them, not just because of geography. Our record of granting equal status between Jews and non-Jews is also very attractive.” The coincidence of Prussia’s recent acquisition of portions of the Holy Land was proving advantageous. Many of the incoming Jews were choosing to move there and build upon the thriving Jewish communities of the Levant, which would eventually benefit Prussia in terms of economic returns.
“It is not just from Russia that they are driven,” Heckler noted. “While that is the most significant example at present, many countries of Europe are following anti-Semitic policies.”
“It is unfortunate that a people such as they should be so mistreated,” KronPrinz Wilhelm ventured. “Those who have served Prussia are some of our most able citizens!”
The Kaiser punctuated the discussion. “It seems that Prussia is richer for the folly of our neighbors.” Those at the table seemed to agree.
Energizer Bunny
You know, you're like the Energizer Bunny there Renns, you just keep going and going and going and I still haven't caught up yet. At least give me a chance to work on my AAR and my job and studies! I mean sheesh!
You know, you're like the Energizer Bunny there Renns, you just keep going and going and going and I still haven't caught up yet. At least give me a chance to work on my AAR and my job and studies! I mean sheesh!
Well, the newspaper has not been working out. It hasn't grown fast enough to provide a salary I can support a family on. So I am currently unemployed (well, except for 2 part time jobs) and have a bit more free time. Some of it goes to the job search, but I do take breaks.N. A. Kireevski said:You know, you're like the Energizer Bunny there Renns, you just keep going and going and going and I still haven't caught up yet. At least give me a chance to work on my AAR and my job and studies! I mean sheesh!
You are missing a cute commercial here at home. This fellow runs into a genie, and has three wishes... Naturally, he asks for riches, and for girls... and then he asks "to live forever!" Whereupon he turns into an Engergizer bunny.
All right.... I should have another update ready here, fairly soon. Sorry!
Renss
Ironically, as the dominoes fell, throughout the 1860s, in Europe, other powers around the world grew to prominence. One of these was Mexico, a country with great potential and a relatively powerful military, whose government intended to dominate – in alliance or opposition – much of Latin America. The other Latin “big kid on the block” was Brazil, and these two powers contested each others’ leadership in low-level conflicts and intrigues throughout the 1860s to 1880s.
Aside from a brief intervention by European powers, due to Mexico’s bankruptcy in a previous political era, the only major obstacle either Mexico or Brazil had to regional hegemony was the United States of America – a country whose assumptions to hemispherical superiority were well supported by economic and military power.
The United States – a country with enormous capability to extend its vast power – had never had the political will to do so. As a democracy, as a major trading power, and as a country better able to extend its reach through commerce than military exploits, the United States had rarely found itself in a major military conflict.
A combination of factors conspired to drive the United States and Mexico into war in the early 1880s. For one, geography. Yankee settlers had penetrated parts of the American southwest then controlled by Mexico. They agitated for political autonomy, and sometimes for independence or unification with the United States.
Government supported bandits and irregulars then began to harass the Yankees in Mexico. As, gradually, the Mexican government adopted pretensions to a wider role of leadership in North America, they began to believe that war with the United States would be winnable if they could make it costly enough to American financiers and unpopular enough to the American people. They began to allow bandit raids into Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, which drew the attention of United States authorities.
History remains uncertain who was really responsible for escalating the border raids into a war. There were twenty or more incidents between 1881 and 1882 which contributed. Some were private affairs that turned public. Others were sponsored by one government or the other. The final provocation was a raid which killed 20 Yankee settlers in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mexico claimed the killings were the doing of a private gang in the area, and pledged to hunt them down. But distrust had gone too far. The US Congress declared war on February 18, 1882.
Mexico quickly began losing the war on the ground in the north. Diplomats went into action, trying to line up allies. The other powers of the region considered their options. There was widespread jealousy and resentment in Latin America against their richer, pompous northern neighbor. Most countries of the region maintained close ties with Mexico, Brazil, or both. And the United States was an obstacle to both alliance structures.
In April, Mexican diplomats succeeded in bringing the United States of Central America into the war. This sent shock waves through the Latin American alliance structures, as many countries had maintained an alliance with the USCA. Nearby Colombia and Venezuela came in to back up their ally, the USCA. Brazil, whose own power relied upon close ties with Colombia and Venezuela, declared war on the United States to prove her own ability to protect and project through South America.
Ultimately, none of Mexico’s allies really had an impact on the war. The United States Navy quickly isolated the countries which were separated from Mexico geographically. The terrain throughout the region prevented major troop movements, and Mexico’s previous war with the United Kingdom had cost them a critical land border with the USCA. Some infiltration through British territory was possible, but was mainly cut off by a pro-US patrol policy among the British garrisons.
The blockade isolated Mexico from its otherwise impressive alliance, and United States troops mounted several successful campaigns deep into Mexico.
By March of 1884, Mexico City had fallen, and the government of Mexico finally accepted the inevitable. The United States acquired Texas, Colorado, parts of northern California, Utah and Nevada.
Aside from a brief intervention by European powers, due to Mexico’s bankruptcy in a previous political era, the only major obstacle either Mexico or Brazil had to regional hegemony was the United States of America – a country whose assumptions to hemispherical superiority were well supported by economic and military power.
The United States – a country with enormous capability to extend its vast power – had never had the political will to do so. As a democracy, as a major trading power, and as a country better able to extend its reach through commerce than military exploits, the United States had rarely found itself in a major military conflict.
A combination of factors conspired to drive the United States and Mexico into war in the early 1880s. For one, geography. Yankee settlers had penetrated parts of the American southwest then controlled by Mexico. They agitated for political autonomy, and sometimes for independence or unification with the United States.
Government supported bandits and irregulars then began to harass the Yankees in Mexico. As, gradually, the Mexican government adopted pretensions to a wider role of leadership in North America, they began to believe that war with the United States would be winnable if they could make it costly enough to American financiers and unpopular enough to the American people. They began to allow bandit raids into Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, which drew the attention of United States authorities.
History remains uncertain who was really responsible for escalating the border raids into a war. There were twenty or more incidents between 1881 and 1882 which contributed. Some were private affairs that turned public. Others were sponsored by one government or the other. The final provocation was a raid which killed 20 Yankee settlers in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mexico claimed the killings were the doing of a private gang in the area, and pledged to hunt them down. But distrust had gone too far. The US Congress declared war on February 18, 1882.
Mexico quickly began losing the war on the ground in the north. Diplomats went into action, trying to line up allies. The other powers of the region considered their options. There was widespread jealousy and resentment in Latin America against their richer, pompous northern neighbor. Most countries of the region maintained close ties with Mexico, Brazil, or both. And the United States was an obstacle to both alliance structures.
In April, Mexican diplomats succeeded in bringing the United States of Central America into the war. This sent shock waves through the Latin American alliance structures, as many countries had maintained an alliance with the USCA. Nearby Colombia and Venezuela came in to back up their ally, the USCA. Brazil, whose own power relied upon close ties with Colombia and Venezuela, declared war on the United States to prove her own ability to protect and project through South America.
Ultimately, none of Mexico’s allies really had an impact on the war. The United States Navy quickly isolated the countries which were separated from Mexico geographically. The terrain throughout the region prevented major troop movements, and Mexico’s previous war with the United Kingdom had cost them a critical land border with the USCA. Some infiltration through British territory was possible, but was mainly cut off by a pro-US patrol policy among the British garrisons.
The blockade isolated Mexico from its otherwise impressive alliance, and United States troops mounted several successful campaigns deep into Mexico.
By March of 1884, Mexico City had fallen, and the government of Mexico finally accepted the inevitable. The United States acquired Texas, Colorado, parts of northern California, Utah and Nevada.
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Rensslaer said:
work is the only source of wealth! that is why the USA is what it is today - work. both natural born Americans and immigrants who have worked have made America what it is today.
work means the gereration of anything of value, including "works" of art, literature, inventions (both theretical and applied), as well as those things most associated with work as the production of food, "trinkets", ect.
excellent update!
It seems like you are setting the USA up to be something. and I found it interesting how silent Vicky is - symbolic in some ways.
Great updates, not only on Prussia's first steps under the new Kaiser, but also on the flexing of the U.S.'s muscle against Mexico.
I saw the note of this being the First U.S.-Mexican War, I take the Mexican's attempt to get some payback against the dirty gringos of the north sometime shortly? And how did that play out? So many questions, eh?
On a completely off topic issue, sorry to read about your paper not taking off all that well. I know if I lived in the area I'd be subscribing! Hopefully it will take off here soon! Good luck unti then, Renss
I saw the note of this being the First U.S.-Mexican War, I take the Mexican's attempt to get some payback against the dirty gringos of the north sometime shortly? And how did that play out? So many questions, eh?
On a completely off topic issue, sorry to read about your paper not taking off all that well. I know if I lived in the area I'd be subscribing!
Hopefully it will take off here soon! Good luck unti then, Renss
The last update shows that the U.S. is proving to be the powerhouse it becomes in RL. Does this perhaps suggest a confrontation or alliance with them? Or perhaps you were just letting us know what was happening elsewhere.
The other update is quite interesting. It shows that Prussia is certainly heading in a potentially different direction than actual history. As well, it provided a nice little reminder of who all the major players are.
Also - sorry to hear about the newspaper not working as you wanted it to. If anything, you should start a blog. At least it would get your political writing out there and come election time, might get picked up by some of the majors. With blog ads and such, it could be mildly profitable. Plus, you never know who might be reading. No such luck for me, I am afraid, but then I don't advertise very often.
The other update is quite interesting. It shows that Prussia is certainly heading in a potentially different direction than actual history. As well, it provided a nice little reminder of who all the major players are.
Also - sorry to hear about the newspaper not working as you wanted it to. If anything, you should start a blog. At least it would get your political writing out there and come election time, might get picked up by some of the majors. With blog ads and such, it could be mildly profitable. Plus, you never know who might be reading. No such luck for me, I am afraid, but then I don't advertise very often.
Magister Joachim Longanecker reclined on a pillow inside an elaborately accoutered tent, cluttered with yet more red pillows, gold baubles and veiled serving women. Reclining across from him was another man, dressed in white robes with gold decorations. They reached with their right hands into a gilt bowl, from which they pinched tasty morsels of lamb inside a folded scrap of flatbread.
Two attendants – men of lesser rank – sat on either side of the Sheikh. Each of the four men wore ghutra headdresses, held in place by a woven igal headband, which framed their heavily bearded faces.
The atmosphere was light and festive. Mealtime was usually a time of celebration and gaity in the Bedouin culture. Longanecker was very much enjoying himself, as he had missed the company of the desert people all these years.
But there was an undercurrent of business, also in the air. Carefully, casually, and deferentially, Joachim was winding toward a deal with the Sheikh and his people. These were the overland Bedouin traders of the Arabian desert.
“These… you call ‘repeating rifles?’ I like them very much!” Sheikh Abu Ghattarm said, with unconcealed enthusiasm. Longanecker had just delivered a gift of twenty modern Prussian rifles to the sheikh, along with five obsolete naval cannon. It was part of a proposed alliance with Abu Ghattarm’s Qawasim tribe. “But what you ask of us will be impossible with only twenty. I have hundreds of fighters. You must give us one hundred more. Then we will have a deal.”
Joachim demurred, gesturing with his hand and grimacing. “I cannot agree to so many. Remember that you will have Prussian naval and marine support as well. The bulk of the sheikh’s army will be engaged with us, and will be able to pay no mind to your attack from the desert.” He waited just a moment, then added with a raised finger for emphasis. “And, as you know from our demonstration, these rifles will not only be a match for anything the British have supplied to Abu Raifah, but each man armed with one of these will be like twenty against any of your other enemies.”
The two men haggled back and forth until the sheikh insisted on fifty more rifles to complete the deal. Longanecker stopped to consider the offer, gravely. “We provide fifty additional rifles, and then we will have your full cooperation in overthrowing the Bani Yas?” Abu Ghattarm grunted, and nodded assent. Joachim went on. “Prussia will hold an oil concession, allowing us to drill and operate our wells for fifty years?”
“Yes, yes, yes,” the sheikh said dismissively. “What use have we for oil? Give us what we need for our lamps and crafts, and you may have the rest.”
“And the British envoy?” Longanecker probed, returning to an earlier point of discussion.
“We shall have no business with him. He will be asked to leave.” The British had been present in the Persian Gulf, and on the shores of Abu Dhabi, for eighty years. Heretofore, the Qawasim had dealt with the United Kingdom, though the British had always reserved their friendliest of contacts for the seafaring Bani Yas, whose pirate ships had been at first fought off, and eventually bought off, by the British.
“Then we will provide you with fifty more rifles, and we shall be partners.” Both men smiled broadly. They stood to hug each other vigorously.
Two attendants – men of lesser rank – sat on either side of the Sheikh. Each of the four men wore ghutra headdresses, held in place by a woven igal headband, which framed their heavily bearded faces.
The atmosphere was light and festive. Mealtime was usually a time of celebration and gaity in the Bedouin culture. Longanecker was very much enjoying himself, as he had missed the company of the desert people all these years.
But there was an undercurrent of business, also in the air. Carefully, casually, and deferentially, Joachim was winding toward a deal with the Sheikh and his people. These were the overland Bedouin traders of the Arabian desert.
“These… you call ‘repeating rifles?’ I like them very much!” Sheikh Abu Ghattarm said, with unconcealed enthusiasm. Longanecker had just delivered a gift of twenty modern Prussian rifles to the sheikh, along with five obsolete naval cannon. It was part of a proposed alliance with Abu Ghattarm’s Qawasim tribe. “But what you ask of us will be impossible with only twenty. I have hundreds of fighters. You must give us one hundred more. Then we will have a deal.”
Joachim demurred, gesturing with his hand and grimacing. “I cannot agree to so many. Remember that you will have Prussian naval and marine support as well. The bulk of the sheikh’s army will be engaged with us, and will be able to pay no mind to your attack from the desert.” He waited just a moment, then added with a raised finger for emphasis. “And, as you know from our demonstration, these rifles will not only be a match for anything the British have supplied to Abu Raifah, but each man armed with one of these will be like twenty against any of your other enemies.”
The two men haggled back and forth until the sheikh insisted on fifty more rifles to complete the deal. Longanecker stopped to consider the offer, gravely. “We provide fifty additional rifles, and then we will have your full cooperation in overthrowing the Bani Yas?” Abu Ghattarm grunted, and nodded assent. Joachim went on. “Prussia will hold an oil concession, allowing us to drill and operate our wells for fifty years?”
“Yes, yes, yes,” the sheikh said dismissively. “What use have we for oil? Give us what we need for our lamps and crafts, and you may have the rest.”
“And the British envoy?” Longanecker probed, returning to an earlier point of discussion.
“We shall have no business with him. He will be asked to leave.” The British had been present in the Persian Gulf, and on the shores of Abu Dhabi, for eighty years. Heretofore, the Qawasim had dealt with the United Kingdom, though the British had always reserved their friendliest of contacts for the seafaring Bani Yas, whose pirate ships had been at first fought off, and eventually bought off, by the British.
“Then we will provide you with fifty more rifles, and we shall be partners.” Both men smiled broadly. They stood to hug each other vigorously.
Longanecker is certainly working on his cv. The Great Game played out with so many little deals. And very sly. I wonder if the sheik will end up regretting agreeing with the Prussians so easily. It seems that concession could turn into control all too easily.
OIL. BLACK GOLD! what a deal! ! ! ! !Rensslaer said:
perhaps better would have been 50 rifles now, and 50 more rifles in a year! that would take care of things like wear and tear... after all, you want your allies to be strong, and a year would give you time to evaluate how good an ally they are.
hmmm. of course, in a year you could make another gift, this time of the afore mentioned 50 rifles, or any other appropriate number. SHAME on you! have you no faith in our friendly, benevolent, liberal, wise, democratic, all knowing, progressive, and compassionate leader?stnylan said:
:rofl: :rofl: