Chapter Twelve - Russian to War
With the war against the Ottomans going surprisingly well the Sokoto government is pleased that the public seem to be increasingly supportive of Sokoto's non-stop warring.
It of little importance that this report of proceedings is rather innaccurate and should instead read;
'As the soldiers depart from their lodgings and barracks to go off, as no young Sokoto man wishes to, to fight, bleed, suffer injuries due to incompetent officers and bleed some more in the great war, their closed marching columns are heckled on their way by women and children of all ages, standing along roadsides and roadsides alone as Sokoto has no rail, sending them off with tears or insults, dependant upon whether the crowd have loved ones departing or are simply heckling Sokoto's warmongering army, decorating their weapons with funeral wreaths.'
It is a number of years since Sokoto began the process of industrialisation. Already several of her newly created products have found success, selling well. This especially true of her now world renowned, 'I Can't Believe It's Not Wine'.
This alcohol free 'wine' given a wonderful and unique flavour due to the addition of brown foul smelling water, of which Sokoto has a copious supply. Unsurprisingly with such a taste the 'wine' is selling very well the world over, this helping to drive Sokoto's industrialisation.
A week later and the nation is moved to mourning as news that Sokoto's great poet, Abdullah Kabe, has sadly passed away.
Thankfully Kabe's moving last poem at least slightly consoles the grieving nation;
I am without peer,
This is quite clear.
None can challenge me,
This is plain to see.
Thus young poets of Sokoto do not waste your time,
You shall never shine.
In my glory you pale,
I have more ability than you all in my toe nail.
Really none of you cheeky young brats should even consider attempting to assume my mantle,
Otherwise I will make you as sorry as I now am for having used the word 'mantle' as it ryhmes with nothing...-antle.
Mercifully alongside the terrible news of Kabe's passing there is also some good.
Mocambique now has enough bureaucrats to be promoted to a fully fledged state once Sokoto is no longer at war, with all of the advantages this will bring. The people of Mocambique no doubt eagerly awaiting a huge increase in taxes, increased governmental incompetence and forced wearing of pink, all of which comes with statehood. The government next begin 'Encouraging Bureaucrats' in newly acquired Sena, keen as they are to confer the benefits of statehood upon this province too.
There is huge dissapointment within the Sokoto army a month later.
Despite sending thousands of men into a desert province, fighting an enemy in said inhospitable desert province and giving the men the bare minimum of supplies, Sokoto has suffered few casaulties. Clearly Abasama is too gifted a general. It now sadly seems evident that despite the Sokoto army's best efforts Sokoto is unlikely to match the Ottomans impressively high number of self-inflicted casaulties.
The army is slightly bouyed a few weeks later as Sokoto lose a respectable number of men against a hugely outnumbered Ottoman force.
However it is clear this attempt at incompetence has come too late, matching the Ottomans number of casaulties now impossible as they unfortunately have no army left.
With the easy part of the war, mere battles, now seemingly complete the tough work begins. Sokoto's forces settling down to the horrifying task of siege work, many succumbing to dreadful injuries such as sore backs caused by too much napping within the first weeks of siege duty.
The government is left horribly worried a few weeks later.
With an astoundingly high literacy rate of 7% this book is sure to be well read and cause mayhem within Werder.
Months later and Sokoto's government is left impressed by Russia's opportunism as Russia declares war upon the now defenceless Ottomans.
In doing so the Russian diplomats prove themselves as skilled as their Sokoto counterparts, seemingly having overlooked the small and unimportant fact that whilst the Ottomans are now defenceless, they are also within France's sphere.
With the nation still grief striken following the passing of Sokoto's great poet, at last another steps forward to assume his role.
No less a person than Kabe's own son, Abdullah Kabe named after his legendary father. Kabe junior soon proving to a delighted nation that he possesses his father's great ability;
My old father has finally passed away,
This does not make me glad I have to say,
I shall now become Sokoto's national poet,
Of this you all know it,
And unlike the old duffer I can actually make a poem ryhme correct-lay.
With Sokoto's army having somehow won a number of victories over the last few years a reactionary member of the Upper House makes a speech praising their conduct and urging further warfare in the future.
This an impressive speech which would have been well receieved by the House if only the House had actually been in session. As it is a party of children visiting on a school trip are the only people to hear this speech, but they do at least applaud it politely.
The horror of siege warfare is briefly interrupted as the Ottomans recruit a sizeable force which Sokoto need defeat.
Sokoto's army is left once again disgusted however, as Abasama secures an impressive victory over the newly recruited and still disorganised Ottoman troops. Clearly the Ottomans truly have trumped Sokoto in this war as Sokoto is finding it impossible to suffer as many casaulties as them.
As the Russians have been aiding Sokoto considerably in the war against the Ottomans Sokoto is quick to show her appreciation for this aid.
By hurriedly blocking Russian access to further Ottoman land, Sokoto not wishing to surrender any more possible war score.
Sokoto's government is left pleased after an effort to impress the international community goes well.
This event helping to heal the growing rift between Russia and Sokoto caused by both nations racing one and other to grab Ottoman territory. That Russia's ambassador, an attendee to the hunt, is left severally mauled by several 'lions' who look suspiciously like men dressed in suits, is then a much regretted coincidence.
With what is left of Russia's ambassador to Sokoto returning home, Russia seems to get the message, soon ending her war with the Ottomans.
Unsurprisingly with Sokoto having proven a hugely helpful ally to Russia in their war against the Ottomans, Russia emerges triumphant despite also having fought the considerable might of France, as she gains Kars.
The people of Sena rejoice in June as finally they have enough bureaucrats to become a full state once the war ends, taking to the streets in celebrations.
Or rather, whilst perhaps not 'rejoicing' they do certainly take to the streets in what some call rebellion. For some reason they are rather unhappy at the prospect of the 'benefits' of statehood soon being conferred upon them. The government next begins 'Encouraging Clerks' in Werder in a bid to improve Sokoto's burgeoning industry. Sure as they are that a nation with such high literacy is more than able to support many such workers.
Sokoto's diplomats are for once quite happy with their new assignment, as they are being sent to Persia. As Persia considers Sokoto a friendly nation they expect no trouble from this diplomatic mission.
Many months later the gaunt looking diplomats are found wandering western Persia by Sokoto's invading forces. The long suffering diplomats having learned that even 'friendly' nations do not like receiving declarations of war.
[I had to get Persia to friendly status so as to stop any other great power attempting to sphere her. Britain was already at 'cordial' before I had their opinion lowered.]
Persia's forces are soon crushed, their heavy reliance upon irregulars proving their undoing.
With these victories there is considerable embarrassment for the army as once again Sokoto suffers very few casaulties. Clearly the removal of Abasama and Rumfa from active command need be considered.
As the wars against the Ottomans and Persia are progressing astoundingly well the Sokoto government sends the barely recovered diplomats on yet another diplomatic mission.
War is declared against the now much weakened Egypt. Whilst now much weakened, Egypt do still know how to deal with diplomats bearing bad news. The diplomats returning to Sokoto several days later, left badly shaken by the experience of near mummification at the hands of an enraged Egypt.
With war being waged against three nations and Sokoto's forces now stretched thin, the army hopes that fighting in the desert filled Egypt will finally get things back on track, supplying Sokoto with plenty of casualties.
Sadly Abasama dashes their hopes once again. Egypt's forces are quickly vanquished and Sokoto's forces are left to endure the horror of besieging her provinces where many of Sokoto's troops suffer terrible injuries such as sun burn.