With a goodbye, in proper if heavily accented Tibetan this time, Andrew Warden waved farewell to the Tibetan yak herders that had taken care of him for the past three years. They had not only taught him the intricacies of yak husbandry but also- Wait, that's pretty much all they had taught him. It was a wonder he had managed to absorb their language at all, between grueling 12-hour shifts of taking care of yaks so that he could be fed.
But now he was back on track with his mission. He had been planning it for decades. He would reach the leaders that ruled Tibet in their capital of Lhasa, and introduce himself with an introduction so fine and mighty they would have no choice but to give the reins of power over their country to this strange traveller from the future, even as the country's rulers and forms of government changed throughout the ages. He would then use this untrammeled power over every aspect of every Tibetan citizen's life to make Tibet into the biggest empire the world has ever seen! He was sure of it!
He strode into the Archbishopric Palace with his head held up high and his heart full of confidence. He spotted the Archbishop, pointed at him pointedly, and announced-
"Oh, are you that Japanese painter we hired? Tensho Shubun?"
This happened June 1454.
"Uh... Yes! Yes I am that Tensho Shubun. Yes I am him."
"But if you are Tensho Shubun, then who is that behind you?"
He looked behind with dread and saw a bearded Japanese man carrying an easel and some paints.
"Why, that's Japanese painter Tensho Shubun, of course!"
"Oh," said Trakpa. "Then who are you? And why are you here?"
"I, um, am a Japanese diplomat, named... Mochitoyo Tokugawa! Yes, that's Japanese, isn't it? And I've come... to bring news that Japan has offered you a military alliance! Congratulations!"
This happened Oct 1453
"Oh, that's very nice. We will accept. You can go back to Japan and tell your superiors that."
"Uh... wait!" Andrew was panicking again. This was certainly not how he planned for things to go. "But I don't want to go to Japan! I want to stay here and help you Tibetans!"
"Oh really? And how can you help us?"
"Uh... I'm a diplomat, right? I can advise you in diplomat-stuff, I guess?"
"Well, I'm sorry Mochi. But we already spent most of the gold in our treasury hiring the very talented Tensho Shubun there." He indicated the painter behind Andrew, who had set up his easel and was now painting a picture of a nearby yak. "We simply do not have the funds to hire an advisor with any talent."
"But I... uh... Don't have any talent! Yeah that's it! I'm
terrible at this job! I formed an alliance between Tibet and Japan, for crying out loud!"
"I suppose that's true." Trakpa thought for a minute. "Very well. We will hire you. But remember that as the least-skilled advisor you will be the lowest-ranking member in our government."
This happened Jan 1457
As Trakpa Chunge walked away, Andrew realized that his position was not the best one. He certainly did not have the complete influence over every decision Tibet would make that he had originally wanted. He would have to use his little influence in small ways to carefully maneuever the leaders of Tibet into making decisions that would help turn it into the biggest empire. But it would not be easy. No, it would be long and difficult, and he would have to be very subtle.
The next day, he gained military access from Pegu.
This happened Oct 1455. Yes these dates don't fit the story shut up.
And the day after that, he turned Tibet's national consciousness to that of a crusader state, raised a mercenary army, and declared war on the nation of Bengal.