29三月 40明治 29/03/1907
It's Spring in Kyoto, according to the official calendar, warm air traps itself in the city under the density of smoke and clouds reigning above it. The humidity was far reaching, covering every leaf and branch in the city and finding it's way into every nook and cranny. In the Imperial Palace, it was no different.
For in a room inside it's dense walls, far passed the Kenreimon and the busy crowds of dignitaries and bureaucrats from the world over. The Emperor Meiji sat, flanked on both sides by his bodyguard and wife The Empress Shoken. In front of him sat a lowly official, obviously nervous by the man's presence, fiddling with a radio receiver. His Japanese was accented with twinges of the East; Edo-Go. He was quiet, his head lowered so that his eyes could barely see the top of the mic stand, let alone the Emperor himself. Who looked on at him with unwavering eyes, staring at this newly invented contraption and the Easterner installing it for him.
"Is it ready?" The Emperor spoke, clearly startling the man in front of him, jumping visibly.
"Almost, Your Excellency, just have to-" The man fiddled with controls, still averting his eyes from the Emperor in front of him. Moving the mic up and around before switching it on with a flip of a switch.
"It should be able to work now, Your Excellency. All you have to do is speak into the mic after I have pressed this button, Your Excellency." The clunky over-formalities in the man's voice brought a smirk to the Emperor's face. He straightened his back, puffing out his chest and clearing his throat into a clenched fist. Motioning to his bodyguard, the man beside him leans closer to the mic.
"Turn it on, I will introduce His Excellency for you, Easterner" The Bodyguard says gruffly
The mic-operator jumped again, as meekly as a mouse he nodded to the intimidating man and raised five fingers. Slowly he began to lower them, his other hand gently raised above the button to send out the signal. All across the Empire, people were waiting for the second ever Address to the Nation. Nearly 50 million working men and 200 million people overall were listening in some manner. Crowding around radios in markets, at home, in police stations and jails. All to hear the Emperor of Japan, Meiji-Tenno, speak to his subjects, the citizens of the greatest nation on Earth.
The Mic Operator nodded, lowering one finger, then another...And another...
2...
1...
He nods and presses the button gently, and the bodyguard speaks into the microphone in an overly dignified tone.
"Citizens of the Greater Japanese Empire
I address you as a humble servant to our Emperor
Our Emperor who is descended from the Gods and Heaven itself, and blesses us with today's address. The second ever on this "Radio" as our Russian Allies so call it.
Be humbled by his presence, his grace, and prostrate yourself to his prestige and strength."
The Bodyguard lifted himself away from the microphone, before turning to the Emperor and bowing low. The Emperor then speaks, suddenly and clearly into the room. His voice booming into the receiver:
Walking out of the room and down the hallway in a brisk manner. A diplomat approaches from a side room, the bodyguard nodding his approval to approach. It is Daisuke Hojo, Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Empire. He hands the Emperor a folder, it's opened swiftly.
The Emperor reads through it briskly, before stopping, turning to the man as the company stops with him, "Take me to General Okū".
The Emperor is then led through another hallway, into a grand chamber. A new addition to the palace that is yet unnamed. In the centre is a large circular table, with a military official sitting at the end with his back to the door. The Emperor walks around, the entourage he came in with all take their places at the table (with exception of the Empress, who has left the room to attend to her duties).
In front of the Emperor, opposite to him with his head bowed. Is Soroku Okū, The General in control of the colonial forces in Cochin China. He is the first haafu** of such a high-rank and prowess in the colonies. His face was round, with the Japanese features of his father coinciding with his Cham mother. His Japanese is perfect, and without accent, he speaks handsomely. One would easily mistake him for a Magistrate in Kyoto if it was not for his appearance. He is the man who put down the rebellion in Dai Nam***, the man who trained personally the Betonamu Defense Force***. Now, as his troops venture further into the colonies and protectorates to oust Fascist rebels in the capital of Thonburi. He sits in front of the God-Emperor he has devoted his life to.
"It is rare for a man such as you to be in my presence, the Emperor of Japan. Is it not? How does that make you feel?" The Emperor spoke, in a startlingly casual way, visibly surprising the general. Who replies in an extremely formal manner, "I am honoured beyond recognition Your Excellency. To be in your presence, as a mere general of your invincible armies, and as a half-blood like myself. It is more than I could have ever asked for in my small life."
"No life is small" Retorts the Emperor
"Of course Your Excellency, forgive me" Responds Okū
Minister Hojo then motions of the General, nodding for him to bring out what he came here to report.
The General opens a satchel on his lap, pulling out a large rolled up piece of paper. Placing it on the table, he unfurls it and rolls it's sides open to lay flat for all to see. It is a map of the Empire, in blood red is the nation itself, and in a soft burgundy is the puppet states it controls. Everyone at that table knows that the influence of The Empire stretches far beyond that. But no one questions that map.
The Young General clears his throat, and begins to point at the map, speaking proudly he says, "With my troops further pacifying the Thais, and the reintegration of Burma into our Sphere of Influence. We have secured our place in South-East Asia. Even with the agitations of foreign agents in what they are calling Nusantara, we stand ready to court the Indian princely states into our grasp. Just as we have done with Persia and the Uzbek Khanate."
He takes his hand off of Asia and points into Europe, continuing, "However with the Elbian Confederacy's recent victory over Burgundy and the subsequent revolution in that country. The balance of Power shifts yet again. I am in no position to recommend anything to you, Your Excellency, but I suggest that even though we have no official influence in the boiling point that is Europe. We strive to include the Elbians in our alliance with the Russians. With the notions of these 'Great Wars' as they call them coming to prominence. We will need a strong bloc to counter any done by a resurgent Burgundy or the Anglois. But our next action is entirely up to you My Emperor."
The Emperor nods in approval, and stands up. Walking around the circular table counter-clockwise, his medals and regalia bouncing gently with every step. He stops just short of The Young General. He places his hand on his shoulder, startling the man further. Such an honour is unheard of for a half-breed, he takes pride in the moment, puffing his chest out momentarily.
"Then we will have to get to work My Subject. Our nation's Great Awakening will continue, and with those in Chugoku and Africa making gains. We must always be vigilant. Even with our nation standing stronger than ever. We must always, always be ready."
The Empire of Japan, at the time of Emperor Meiji's Address to the Nation (29三月 40明治 29/03/1907)
"We must be ready my boy, for the world is boiling under our heat. And the sun.....The Sun Has Risen"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Official English translation services handled by The Northampton English League, who would later approach the Emperor for recognition, as a gift to show their support for the Empire's influence. It is noted that the translators themselves did not know how to understand the over-formalized language of the Japanese court. So a large portion of their transliteration was done by Anglicized-Immigrants living in Anglois-Occupied England.
**A person of Half-Japanese/Half-Foreign descent. Even with the turn of the 20th century, the positions of higher-military officials were off-limits to people of haafu descent. Even with the strict Anti-Discrimination policies of the colonial provinces and Empire as a whole. Even with all the work of the Emperor's father to destroy the Caste System in place since long before visitors touched the shores of the Empire, it still persisted.
***Starting in Hanoi, on January 25th 1905-March 4th 1906 the Government in Dai Nam ( also known collectively as Betonamu in Japanese) underwent several major upheavals and rebellions in accordance to what is known as the "Asian Spring". Where several powers in East and South-East Asia began the process of Civilizing and rebelling from under the Colonial Yolk of Either the Japanese or Taipingguo. After the independence of the Song and capture of Shanghai, Communist revolutionaries rose up in Dai Nam. Inspired by the successful Communist revolts in Ameriga in Matacalpa and Lusitania. They managed to declare a new government in the country just as Japanese troops entered the Capital. In response Japanese troops were expelled from the nation, and in retaliation the personal army of General Soroku Okū marched North from his base in Prey Nokor in Cochin China, to Hanoi, and declared the previous government inept and invalid. The struggle continued, as after his long march back down to his colonial base and home. The government in Dai Nam was overthrown again by Republicans. This prompted a request for reinforcements and the crushing of the government and integration into the Japanese tributary system by a force of over a million soldiers. However even with the pacification, rebels in Thonburi began to revolt, Fascists, inspired by the Vietnamese revolutionaries. General Okū's forces were deployed to the capital of Thonburi just as he arrived in Kyoto. The Spring continues.
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For in a room inside it's dense walls, far passed the Kenreimon and the busy crowds of dignitaries and bureaucrats from the world over. The Emperor Meiji sat, flanked on both sides by his bodyguard and wife The Empress Shoken. In front of him sat a lowly official, obviously nervous by the man's presence, fiddling with a radio receiver. His Japanese was accented with twinges of the East; Edo-Go. He was quiet, his head lowered so that his eyes could barely see the top of the mic stand, let alone the Emperor himself. Who looked on at him with unwavering eyes, staring at this newly invented contraption and the Easterner installing it for him.
"Is it ready?" The Emperor spoke, clearly startling the man in front of him, jumping visibly.
"Almost, Your Excellency, just have to-" The man fiddled with controls, still averting his eyes from the Emperor in front of him. Moving the mic up and around before switching it on with a flip of a switch.
"It should be able to work now, Your Excellency. All you have to do is speak into the mic after I have pressed this button, Your Excellency." The clunky over-formalities in the man's voice brought a smirk to the Emperor's face. He straightened his back, puffing out his chest and clearing his throat into a clenched fist. Motioning to his bodyguard, the man beside him leans closer to the mic.
"Turn it on, I will introduce His Excellency for you, Easterner" The Bodyguard says gruffly
The mic-operator jumped again, as meekly as a mouse he nodded to the intimidating man and raised five fingers. Slowly he began to lower them, his other hand gently raised above the button to send out the signal. All across the Empire, people were waiting for the second ever Address to the Nation. Nearly 50 million working men and 200 million people overall were listening in some manner. Crowding around radios in markets, at home, in police stations and jails. All to hear the Emperor of Japan, Meiji-Tenno, speak to his subjects, the citizens of the greatest nation on Earth.
The Mic Operator nodded, lowering one finger, then another...And another...
2...
1...
He nods and presses the button gently, and the bodyguard speaks into the microphone in an overly dignified tone.
"Citizens of the Greater Japanese Empire
I address you as a humble servant to our Emperor
Our Emperor who is descended from the Gods and Heaven itself, and blesses us with today's address. The second ever on this "Radio" as our Russian Allies so call it.
Be humbled by his presence, his grace, and prostrate yourself to his prestige and strength."
The Bodyguard lifted himself away from the microphone, before turning to the Emperor and bowing low. The Emperor then speaks, suddenly and clearly into the room. His voice booming into the receiver:
** "My Subjects, citizens, colonists, sangokujin and otherwise. I speak to you humbled, not by the presence or achievements of man, but by the extent of our Empire into the heavens. We stand, an Empire United under the watch of heaven. Stretching from Yupik in the far North, to the-cold-island (Makariri) in the Far-South of Oceania. With arms outstretched like a giant from Panama. From the canal we dragged shovels through mountains for. To the Western reach of Aceh and the Cocos Islands.
We stand above all else. Whether that is the Anglois, the Burgundians, nor the Septimans or the Germans. No one else bares the weight of civilization like we have, and always will.
For we stand greater than all.
Our feet are planted firmly in China, in Arcadia and Ameriga. Oceania and Asia. We are everywhere and we are plentiful. Nearly 50 million... I am so proud of you all, my subjects. Whether you are pure-blood or not. For we have propagated, and we have thrived in a harsh world such as our own.
Years before I was born, our empire was small. Great it's destiny may be, it's reality...was war. Between brothers and sisters, colonies and masters. But now. We are the masters of our fate, and this continent.
I am humbled by such grace, by such formidable armies and strength that our will has shown.
So please, as I address you from the centre of the world, here in the land of the Rising son....No...Our sun has already risen, and as Europe licks its wounds from its "Great War". We stand stringent, and tall in our prose and regard. We area proud people, we are conquerors and leaders. Liberators and Leaders. Stemming from all corners of this great Empire, and this feeble world.
And as I depart from this message, and you leave for your homes. May our industry prevail, our allies hold true.
For you are citizens of the Greater Japanese Empire. Whether you are in the far reaches, or in Kyoto itself.
May you find resolve in knowing we will succeed. Forever and always. As you always have
Thank you"
The Emperor nodded at the mic-operator, who lifted his hand from the button, ending the transmission. Two hundred million had heard the address of this man, the leader of the greatest nation on Earth. In Prestige and Military might, and then. Then he stood up, rising high above the table, gently nodding in thanks for the hard work of those around him. Then he leaves.We stand above all else. Whether that is the Anglois, the Burgundians, nor the Septimans or the Germans. No one else bares the weight of civilization like we have, and always will.
For we stand greater than all.
Our feet are planted firmly in China, in Arcadia and Ameriga. Oceania and Asia. We are everywhere and we are plentiful. Nearly 50 million... I am so proud of you all, my subjects. Whether you are pure-blood or not. For we have propagated, and we have thrived in a harsh world such as our own.
Years before I was born, our empire was small. Great it's destiny may be, it's reality...was war. Between brothers and sisters, colonies and masters. But now. We are the masters of our fate, and this continent.
I am humbled by such grace, by such formidable armies and strength that our will has shown.
So please, as I address you from the centre of the world, here in the land of the Rising son....No...Our sun has already risen, and as Europe licks its wounds from its "Great War". We stand stringent, and tall in our prose and regard. We area proud people, we are conquerors and leaders. Liberators and Leaders. Stemming from all corners of this great Empire, and this feeble world.
And as I depart from this message, and you leave for your homes. May our industry prevail, our allies hold true.
For you are citizens of the Greater Japanese Empire. Whether you are in the far reaches, or in Kyoto itself.
May you find resolve in knowing we will succeed. Forever and always. As you always have
Thank you"
Walking out of the room and down the hallway in a brisk manner. A diplomat approaches from a side room, the bodyguard nodding his approval to approach. It is Daisuke Hojo, Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Empire. He hands the Emperor a folder, it's opened swiftly.
The Emperor reads through it briskly, before stopping, turning to the man as the company stops with him, "Take me to General Okū".
The Emperor is then led through another hallway, into a grand chamber. A new addition to the palace that is yet unnamed. In the centre is a large circular table, with a military official sitting at the end with his back to the door. The Emperor walks around, the entourage he came in with all take their places at the table (with exception of the Empress, who has left the room to attend to her duties).
In front of the Emperor, opposite to him with his head bowed. Is Soroku Okū, The General in control of the colonial forces in Cochin China. He is the first haafu** of such a high-rank and prowess in the colonies. His face was round, with the Japanese features of his father coinciding with his Cham mother. His Japanese is perfect, and without accent, he speaks handsomely. One would easily mistake him for a Magistrate in Kyoto if it was not for his appearance. He is the man who put down the rebellion in Dai Nam***, the man who trained personally the Betonamu Defense Force***. Now, as his troops venture further into the colonies and protectorates to oust Fascist rebels in the capital of Thonburi. He sits in front of the God-Emperor he has devoted his life to.
"It is rare for a man such as you to be in my presence, the Emperor of Japan. Is it not? How does that make you feel?" The Emperor spoke, in a startlingly casual way, visibly surprising the general. Who replies in an extremely formal manner, "I am honoured beyond recognition Your Excellency. To be in your presence, as a mere general of your invincible armies, and as a half-blood like myself. It is more than I could have ever asked for in my small life."
"No life is small" Retorts the Emperor
"Of course Your Excellency, forgive me" Responds Okū
Minister Hojo then motions of the General, nodding for him to bring out what he came here to report.
The General opens a satchel on his lap, pulling out a large rolled up piece of paper. Placing it on the table, he unfurls it and rolls it's sides open to lay flat for all to see. It is a map of the Empire, in blood red is the nation itself, and in a soft burgundy is the puppet states it controls. Everyone at that table knows that the influence of The Empire stretches far beyond that. But no one questions that map.
The Young General clears his throat, and begins to point at the map, speaking proudly he says, "With my troops further pacifying the Thais, and the reintegration of Burma into our Sphere of Influence. We have secured our place in South-East Asia. Even with the agitations of foreign agents in what they are calling Nusantara, we stand ready to court the Indian princely states into our grasp. Just as we have done with Persia and the Uzbek Khanate."
He takes his hand off of Asia and points into Europe, continuing, "However with the Elbian Confederacy's recent victory over Burgundy and the subsequent revolution in that country. The balance of Power shifts yet again. I am in no position to recommend anything to you, Your Excellency, but I suggest that even though we have no official influence in the boiling point that is Europe. We strive to include the Elbians in our alliance with the Russians. With the notions of these 'Great Wars' as they call them coming to prominence. We will need a strong bloc to counter any done by a resurgent Burgundy or the Anglois. But our next action is entirely up to you My Emperor."
The Emperor nods in approval, and stands up. Walking around the circular table counter-clockwise, his medals and regalia bouncing gently with every step. He stops just short of The Young General. He places his hand on his shoulder, startling the man further. Such an honour is unheard of for a half-breed, he takes pride in the moment, puffing his chest out momentarily.
"Then we will have to get to work My Subject. Our nation's Great Awakening will continue, and with those in Chugoku and Africa making gains. We must always be vigilant. Even with our nation standing stronger than ever. We must always, always be ready."
The Empire of Japan, at the time of Emperor Meiji's Address to the Nation (29三月 40明治 29/03/1907)
"We must be ready my boy, for the world is boiling under our heat. And the sun.....The Sun Has Risen"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Official English translation services handled by The Northampton English League, who would later approach the Emperor for recognition, as a gift to show their support for the Empire's influence. It is noted that the translators themselves did not know how to understand the over-formalized language of the Japanese court. So a large portion of their transliteration was done by Anglicized-Immigrants living in Anglois-Occupied England.
**A person of Half-Japanese/Half-Foreign descent. Even with the turn of the 20th century, the positions of higher-military officials were off-limits to people of haafu descent. Even with the strict Anti-Discrimination policies of the colonial provinces and Empire as a whole. Even with all the work of the Emperor's father to destroy the Caste System in place since long before visitors touched the shores of the Empire, it still persisted.
***Starting in Hanoi, on January 25th 1905-March 4th 1906 the Government in Dai Nam ( also known collectively as Betonamu in Japanese) underwent several major upheavals and rebellions in accordance to what is known as the "Asian Spring". Where several powers in East and South-East Asia began the process of Civilizing and rebelling from under the Colonial Yolk of Either the Japanese or Taipingguo. After the independence of the Song and capture of Shanghai, Communist revolutionaries rose up in Dai Nam. Inspired by the successful Communist revolts in Ameriga in Matacalpa and Lusitania. They managed to declare a new government in the country just as Japanese troops entered the Capital. In response Japanese troops were expelled from the nation, and in retaliation the personal army of General Soroku Okū marched North from his base in Prey Nokor in Cochin China, to Hanoi, and declared the previous government inept and invalid. The struggle continued, as after his long march back down to his colonial base and home. The government in Dai Nam was overthrown again by Republicans. This prompted a request for reinforcements and the crushing of the government and integration into the Japanese tributary system by a force of over a million soldiers. However even with the pacification, rebels in Thonburi began to revolt, Fascists, inspired by the Vietnamese revolutionaries. General Okū's forces were deployed to the capital of Thonburi just as he arrived in Kyoto. The Spring continues.
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Hey Y'all, it's me, the Author Aliasing. I'm super excited to actually try and do an AAR again. This time I'll be playing Japan in the Divergences mod series. It'll take place 1907 and onwards and will focus on the Greater Japanese Empire dealing with the Modernizing world and everything that will take place in it. I don't know exactly how long this will last, but I'm aiming to finish the game with y'all, and am aiming for a schedule of about once or twice a week in between schoolwork, maybe more or less, it'll be a thing.
It should also be noted that all the languages not in English, except for what's going to be Rohnst will be google translated. So I apologize if I butcher the language you speak when having a conversation between two people in difference language. It won't be super heavily featured but definitely will be in a few chapters. Especially when the 2nd Great War hits, and when rebellions start popping up (Spoiler: It's because I'm not good at the game TBQH, so the latter is bound to happen), because language means a lot and can tell a lot about a person.
I look forward to updating y'all with this, as I'm playing along post 1907 with the chapters. Will be writing as I go. So I hope we both enjoy this ride.
It should also be noted that all the languages not in English, except for what's going to be Rohnst will be google translated. So I apologize if I butcher the language you speak when having a conversation between two people in difference language. It won't be super heavily featured but definitely will be in a few chapters. Especially when the 2nd Great War hits, and when rebellions start popping up (Spoiler: It's because I'm not good at the game TBQH, so the latter is bound to happen), because language means a lot and can tell a lot about a person.
I look forward to updating y'all with this, as I'm playing along post 1907 with the chapters. Will be writing as I go. So I hope we both enjoy this ride.
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