Hot diggity! Bremen absorbed within the Swedish Empire AND Paris still in Swedish hands! Now, if the French would just pull out of the Lowlands to be crushed by the Prussians all would be well in the world, eh? 
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Chapter 46
February 6, 1896
February 6, 1896:
“Paris is ours.
30,000 French troops advancing from Laon.
We cannot hold.
Awaiting orders.”
“You know, I should be celebrating this victory Folke. Instead I mourn it.”
Count Bernadotte didn’t answer. He knew that the emperor wasn’t speaking to him but rather the air.
“Are we sure it’s 30,000?”
“That’s as accurate as General Piper’s scouts can estimate. At least, that’s what the generals tell me.”
“What about other divisions? Perhaps there’s a few I’ve missed on my map here.” Gustavus motioned towards a very large map showing France and the Lowlands. One it were little carved figures representing the warring nations. Sweden was light blue, Prussia was royal blue and France was a grayish-blue. Unfortunately, there were many more grayish-blue pieces than there were light blue pieces. “Perhaps we can bring in the troops from Bremen. Or the Baltic.”
Gustavus’ map showing the situation in France:
“Unfortunately they would be of little use. By the time they reached Paris Piper’s army would be long destroyed. Besides, the French control most of the Lowlands and we don’t have a strong enough navy to bring the troops through the English Channel. Piper is all that we have, your majesty.” Count Bernadotte only addressed Gustavus as “your majesty” when he was in his serious diplomat mode. Much the same as a parent using a child’s full first and middle name, Gustavus knew it was serious whenever he heard it.
“Fine, fine. I guess we have no choice.”
“You know,” Folke interrupted, “even if we cut our losses now, this war wasn’t a total loss.”
“In what way? The entire point was for me to secure the southern German nations to keep them from Prussia.”
“True, but we did gain France’s claim on Podor. Perhaps we can trade this back to them soon for a few technologies that we don’t currently posess?”
“Yeah. I suppose we coul— DAMN! I just wish I had been able to get past these French bastards! I could have sworn that Prussia would keep them occupied.” Gustavus stood for a long moment staring out the window. The snow fell lightly on the countryside and off in the distance he could see people scurrying about their daily lives. “I wonder,” he thought, “what they’re doing today. What’s going on in their minds? What do they think of me? Do they love me like they loved my fa—” And just as suddenly he snapped back to reality. A decision had to be made immediately. Thousands of people’s lives were at stake here. “Well, I can tell you one thing, As soon as we have the money, we’re expanding the military and especially the navy. That’s my number one priority. In fact, send the order right now to expand the size of the military. Take a few thousand people from Africa and turn them into soldiers. I want 50,000 new soldiers trained and in uniform by October.”
“Of course Gus, but what about now? What message shall I send General Piper? The French are closing in even as we speak.”
Turning once more towards the window, Gustavus began to rub his chin. Unlike Piper’s, his chin was unshaven. His life of luxury did not require the discipline that Piper’s life as a soldier required. “Tell him to contact Napoleon. Ask for a white peace.”
“Of course.”
“And set some land aside for Piper. My father started the tradition and I’ll continue it. He deserves a reward for getting us out of this war.”
Swedish forces in charge of Paris:
Napoleon accepts a white peace:
The expansion of the navy and army begins:
Next: What A Bargain!
Chapter 47
March 14, 1896 – April 13, 1896
March 14, 1896:
March brought something that seemed strange to Gustavus – peace.
Bremen, France, Hamburg, Netherlands, Belgium. The last few years were filled with one war after another. His empire was larger, but at what price? Looking back now, it’s no wonder that Gävle revolted. Of course, wars would happen in the future, there was no doubt about that. War will remain with humanity until Jesus Himself returns to Earth. But for now, if only for a little while, Gustavus vowed to do whatever it took to keep his people out of harm’s way. Maybe it was just the recent military conflict – one couldn’t quite call it a victory or a loss – or maybe it was a genuine change of heart, but this was something the emperor really wanted for his people.
Of course, he still planned the continued expansion of his military. He was a pragmatist, after all, and knew that the best way to ensure peace was to prepare for war. The first of the new cruisers would be ready by July 22 and almost 60,000 troops would be trained between July and September. While they wouldn’t have been enough to change the outcome of the Franco-Swedish War, a war that still raged throughout much of Europe between France and Sweden’s allies, it was a good start. However, despite Sweden’s impressive military technology when it came to the army, they were still behind certain potential enemies when it came to the navy. Fortunately for Gustavus, the world’s premier naval power was an ally. And even better, Sweden had something that they wanted.
During the Franco-Swedish portion of the recent general European war, Sweden had been able to take France’s claims on Podor, the only land to change hands for either side in the war. Great Britain, always looking to expand its empire, wanted that claim. With claims on Bathhurt and Dakar already theirs and the war still raging, it was not unreasonable to assume that Ziguinchoir would soon fall and, if able to obtain Podor, Britain would have a new colonial post in western Africa. This would provide a fueling station for their ships on the way to India and a wonderful outpost from which to conduct the war against the slave trade, a part of their history of which the British were deeply ashamed.
With that in mind, Gustavus sent Count Bernadotte in person to speak with Prime Minister Robert Cecil, the Third Marquis of Salisbury. Though he had only recently come to power in 1895, the Marquis was no stranger to the post of Prime Minister. Taking over as head of the party after Disraeli’s death in 1878, the Marquis headed his first government in 1885. And, though ousted briefly by William Gladstone in 1886, ruled again from 1886 to 1892. Again coming to power in 1895, he lead Britain down a path towards the Boer War until he left his public life behind him in 1902. However, that was something for the future. For today Gustavus wanted to exploit the war and Sweden’s good relationship with the British.
As it turned out, Gustavus’ timing couldn’t have been better. The British were indeed very eager to obtain this particular trading post and were willing to buy it at a rather expensive price. When the Count made it known that Sweden was willing to part with its newly acquired claim, the British practically threw themselves at the diplomat. At least, as much as the highly refined Brits can throw themselves at someone. In exchange for Podor, Prime Minister Cecil was willing to part with someone of Britain’s most highly guarded secrets – naval and business technology.
April 13, 1896:
Highly pleased with his work in London, Gustavus soon decided to send Bernadotte to Berlin on a similar mission. The time had come, he decided, for Sweden to continue its expansion in the Lowlands. However, he still had not forgotten the lessons from his recent series of wars and wanted to do so peacefully if possible. Additionally, even if he had decided that a militaristic course of action was the best one to take, doing so would have been rather hard since Sweden was still honor-bound by a military pact with the Prussians.
Despite his increased self-confidence from his trip to London, Bernadotte would not find Wilhelm quite as accommodating as his British counterpart. Though the Prussians were still at war with the French, they had not forgotten how readily Sweden sued for peace when the going got rough. Additionally, after crushing the French in a series of battles along the Franco-Prussian border, Prussian troops were penetrating deep into French land and their British allies had recently opened up a series of fronts along Bretagne. Napoleon III was on the run and everything seemed to be going the Kaiser’s way.
However, despite this somewhat pessimistic backdrop, the Kaiser was willing to part with some of his hard-earned land for the right price. Arlon, it seemed, was not quite as important to the Germans as it was the Swedes. The Rhineland seemed able to produce all of the iron and coal that Prussia would need for quite some time. Sweden, on the other hand, was a resource-poor country, relying mainly on manufactured goods to make money. Prussia, soon to become Germany if the Kaiser had his way, would need knowledge of these manufacturing practices if it were to claim its rightful place in the world. This was quite alright with Gustavus who, taking a page from his father’s manual, had no desire to give away his somewhat slim military technological advantage. After hours of negotiations, an agreement was reached and Arlon became Swedish land.
The trade with the British:
The trade with Prussia:
A view of the European portion of the Swedish Empire:
Next: We Must Have Raw Materials
'Tis a shame to have to bow out of the war w/France, but better that than lose a general like Piper. Now, Gus is expanding in the Lowlands, and from your hint, is in need of raw materials. So what's next?
I really enjoyed that interlude in Notre Dame! Quite well done.
And I think you've done quite nicely in your war with France, and the subsequent diplomacy.
Rensslaer
And I think you've done quite nicely in your war with France, and the subsequent diplomacy.
Rensslaer
Yet again, a very good update. Praises to Josh. Anyways, did you mod the Prussians to become Germany? Coz i remembered i saw you posting pictures of germany and you did said that the Kaiser wanted to become Germany as well...
Yeah. I was frustrated that I had to ask for peace with France. Like ya'll said, I'd rather have a draw than lose an entire army, though. Prussia becomes Germany soon. I didn't mod it, though. The UK and Prussia are still fighting France.
And as you can see, I was kind of bored last night. That's why there was two updates.
And as you can see, I was kind of bored last night. That's why there was two updates.
Hey guys.
I know this AAR still has quite a ways to go (I still have 77 screenies left and I'm not even finished with the game if that gives you an indication), but I'm already thinking about my next AAR. So, my question to you is, what, if any, country should I play next? I already have two possible ones with France and Austria. They're coming along quite nicely. I thought I'd get everyone's opinion, though. Oh, and update tonight. I was too busy watching Bush win last night's debate to write.
I know this AAR still has quite a ways to go (I still have 77 screenies left and I'm not even finished with the game if that gives you an indication), but I'm already thinking about my next AAR. So, my question to you is, what, if any, country should I play next? I already have two possible ones with France and Austria. They're coming along quite nicely. I thought I'd get everyone's opinion, though. Oh, and update tonight. I was too busy watching Bush win last night's debate to write.
Austria is quite a nice country to play. It has much to offer a player and the ability to become nr 1.
True. And if you play it correctly, Austria actually becomes an economic powerhouse pretty dang quickly.
I want to see a good Polish AAR... release it from its masters, and let it have its way with them!
Rensslaer
Rensslaer
That's another I'd enjoy seeing!JoshWeber said:That's another consideration. The rebirth of Byzantium.
Rensslaer
Basically, I'd like someone with a few more experience points to tackle Greece so I could see where I went wrong in Iqbal: Mine Enemy. (Well, I wasn't doing too badly but nor was I going anywhere fast.)
I've started a Greek game right now. I'm about to start my first war so we'll see how THAT goes. I could do an interactive Greek AAR, though. Does that sound interesting to anyone?
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