Chapter Twenty Two - Ninja Looting
Whilst Japan is busy leading her forces to defeat in Kyushu the government is given some hugely worrisome news.
Prussia gaining a direct land border with Sokoto would not be a great thing due to the peaceful Sokoto being inexplicably considered an infamous, warmongering nation. Thankfully though Prussia has not learned from her previous war with Egypt, wherein Prussia demanded Farfara despite having no means to access the province. As once again her cartographers are proving themselves the equal of Sokoto's, having somehow overlooked the fact that annexation of Egypt is quite impossible when Kaf is completely inaccessible to them.
Domestic matters demand the government's attention a month later.
The government handles the issue of widespread unemployment amongst the poor with their usual tact, blithely ignoring the issue. The government instead focus upon the far more important matter of further lowering taxes for the rich. Quite why people think the ruling Conservative government favour the rich is entirely inexplicable.
[In truth I am attempting to increase militancy so that I can pass some more political reforms. Universal Weighted Voting has become the second most important issue for the population, to the detriment of support for jingoism. Thus I need the militancy so as to be able to pass this reform.]
There is pleasing news from Sokoto's academics at the turn of the year as they report that they have finally completed their translation of road signs in Lindi. They are now happy that 'Green Street' and 'New Road' translate into 'Pinkbluewithahintofgold Street' and 'Slightlyold Road' in Hausa. Having completed this vital work the government order them to begin research into 'Machine Guns'.
The research is completed just over two weeks later. The academics working with surprising speed having become, like most of the population, appalled by how dreadfully the Sokot army preforms in comparison to all other major powers. War with Japan the latest proof that Sokoto's army is nowhere near the standard required of a Great Power, Sokoto's army suffering far too few casaulties in comparison. The academics merely hope that machine guns, with their potential to cause massive friendly fire casaulties, will help to address this pressing concern.
Research is next begun into 'Nationalism and Imperialism'. The government keen to see this research completed as they wish to promote support for nationalism and thus love for the nation and all it entails, especially the ruling government. The government supporting research into imperialism as a useful method to ensure the continued growth of the nation, increased font sizes remaining a priority.
Fear grips the country a few months later as reports filter through that Spain has made an amphibous landing somewhere within the Empire. It seems likely Spain has made an audacious landing near Sokoto's capital, intent upon capturing the city and ending the war. Or perhaps she has landed a large force in mainland Spain, wishing to defeat the many Sokot forces busy besieging her nation.
No, Spain has landed a small force in Sokot Italy. This ingenious move will doubtless bring about Sokoto's defeat.
The government is given some very welcome news from Japan a few months later.
In a brilliant display of courage, tenacity and shockingly incompetent stupidity the Japanese army has at last lost the bulk of her forces, having spent more than two years sending her reserve brigades into Kyushu whilst knowing said brigades cannot be reinforced once they enter the island due to continued blocking of the straits by Sokoto's mighty navy. Sokoto's army can only salute such a stupendous performance and hope that one day they too can reach such heights of ineptness. With Japan's forces at last crushed Sokoto's troops can finally move from Kyushu into mainland Japan.
A few months later and the government is left horrified by a display of wholly unjustified warmongering as France declares war upon stricken Spain.
The government cannot understand why a nation would declare war upon a struggling neighbour for no good reason whatsoever, such behaviour clearly unacceptable.
Wishing to stand alongside Spain, the government quickly agree that Spain will receive nothing but aid from Sokoto in her war against perfidious France.
It is then a slight pity that Spain's troops struggle when given some helpful 'training' by Sokoto's forces.
In rather more positive news the government finally agrees peace with Japan after more than two years of war.
The government is reasonably happy with these considerable new gains. The peace deal securing rich industialised lands, a strategically useful foothold in Asia and millions of new citizens for sokoto. However the lack of any new font does make the government wonder if this war was worth all the effort.
Thankfully the cartographers quickly understand the government's displeasure and rush to rectify matters, peace with Chile allowing for this a couple of months later.
Their font cravings satifised for the moment, the government turn their attention to domestic matters once more.
With huge reluctance the government pass the 'Weighted Universal' voting reform, acceding to the growing demands of the public for said reform as they do so. Thankfully the wiser members of society, the Conservative voting rich, do retain most power under this voting system but the government is still dismayed at having to share the vote with common peasants. It is, the government reflects, a sad state of affairs when a democratically elected government is actually expected to abide by the wishes of the electorate.
The despondancy of the government is slightly lifted a few months later as peace is agreed with Argentina, this leading to an increase in Sokoto's font size in South America once again.
Naturally, as this peace deal shows, Sokoto requested only a meagre payment from her great ally Argentina after saving her from Chilean aggression. Argentina is doubtless delighted to have such a steadfast friend and ally in Sokoto.