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Kishiwada Zaibatsu shall continue the development of Hokkido by constructing a fertilazer factory. In addition Kishiwada Zaibatsu shall purchase all of the IJB's bonds, if that cannot be achived then as many as possible.

Funds: £889,130
Hokkido Fertilazer -£17,730
New Funds: £871,400
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ministry of Education Technological plan:

1.Contine reforms to the process of our Army Decision Making.
2.Fund imporoved Metallurgical techniques in order to start producing Clean Coal.
3.Encourage the development of new philosophies especially Analytcal Philosophy.
4.Reform the IJB to start printing money as needed ((Ad-Hoc Money Bill Printing))
5.Create a formal Market Structure.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

((Private Cabinat Meeting)


Minister Yamamoto, while I know that the army must come first in times of war, it is no reson not to ignore what will happen during peace. Currently Japans industry in hurting due to the over consentration of industry, thus we (I and Minister Kusaribe among others) need to build in the less developted parts of the Isles, shuch as Chugoku, Hokkido and to a lesser extent Shikoku. However we do not since there is not enough workers for proper development because of underdevelopment. It is a vicious cycal that must be broken by us- the goverment, and specifically you as minister of the Interior to break it. While I acknowledge the conflict of interest in a Captain of Industry and cabinat member asking for goverment help, unfortunately it must be done.
 
((Private))

"Do it already, you spineless coward."

Count Ito Katashi tried to ignore the Shogun whispering in his ear. He knew action had to be taken, but that was too much.

"You know something must be done."

That, at least, was true. The events in Nippon were not going the way they should be. The opposition openly rallied against the government during a war, an act that if not treason already should be. They undermined the war effort and disrespected the Emperor. It was after all the Emperor who declared war in the end, and thus protesting the war was basically open defiance to the Emperor. The nerve of them all!

"The longer you wait, the more corrupting words they whisper in the Emperor's ear."

Yes, he could well see that. It was not just the opposition that manipulated the Emperor, but the entire Privy Council. The Emperor followed their lead, being so perfect in nature that he did not even consider that their advice could be inspired through selfish desire. As once the Shogun pulled the puppet strings, now the Privy Council had taken up the role of puppet-master. If left unchecked, the Emperor would become a mere figurehead taking direction from shadowy backrooms. The strings had to be cut. The Emperor should listen to no man.

"He won't do it on his own."

That was also correct. The Emperor was too good-hearted to toss aside his advisors. He would follow their advice until the moment it ran Nippon into the ground. They had to be stopped, every single one. Sakamoto, Hosokawa, Uesegi, Oshiro, Nishimura, and even Date. All of them spread poison into the Emperor's ears. Maybe some had good intentions, but they were not Emperor. Ito would not rest until the Emperor took his rightful position as the true and only ruler of Nippon. But the first obstacle had to be removed.

"Save the Emperor; save Nippon!"

As Ito wiped away a trail of blood that had began to leak from his ears, he finally accepted what he had to do. The Privy Council had to die.

((If it's not clear, I'm ordering an assassination attempt on the entire Privy Council. Let the chaos ensue. :D *grabs his katana to prepare for his inevitable seppuku*))
 
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((Private))

"Do it already, you spineless coward."

Count Ito Katashi tried to ignore the Shogun whispering in his ear. He knew action had to be taken, but that was too much.

"You know something must be done."

That, at least, was true. The events in Nippon were not going the way they should be. The opposition openly rallied against the government during a war, an act that if not treason already should be. They undermined the war effort and disrespected the Emperor. It was after all the Emperor who declared war in the end, and thus protesting the war was basically open defiance to the Emperor. The nerve of them all!

"The longer you wait, the more corrupting words they whisper in the Emperor's ear."

Yes, he could well see that. It was not just the opposition that manipulated the Emperor, but the entire Privy Council. The Emperor followed their lead, being so perfect in nature that he did not even consider that their advice could be inspired through selfish desire. As once the Shogun pulled the puppet strings, now the Privy Council had taken up the role of puppet-master. If left unchecked, the Emperor would become a mere figurehead taking direction from shadowy backrooms. The strings had to be cut. The Emperor should listen to no man.

"He won't do it on his own."

That was also correct. The Emperor was too good-hearted to toss aside his advisors. He would follow their advice until the moment it ran Nippon into the ground. They had to be stopped, every single one. Sakamoto, Hosokawa, Uesegi, Oshiro, Nishimura, and even Date. All of them spread poison into the Emperor's ears. Maybe some had good intentions, but they were not Emperor. Ito would not rest until the Emperor took his rightful position as the true and only ruler of Nippon. But the first obstacle had to be removed.

"Save the Emperor; save Nippon!"

As Ito wiped away a trail of blood that had began to leak from his ears, he finally accepted what he had to do. The Privy Council had to die.

((If it's not clear, I'm ordering an assassination attempt on the entire Privy Council. Let the chaos ensure. :D *grabs his katana to prepare for his inevitable seppuku*))
((inb4 Green Goblin Samurai vs. スパイダーマン))
 
((I should also include for assassinations and bomb throwing, you cant do another demagogue ability for 10 years should you be caught))
 
Final Tally:

Guide: Yes/No/Abstain

Parliamentary Plebiscite on the Repeal of the Administrative Representation Act: 20/16/7

The Administrative Representation Act has been Repealed
Minimum Living Wage Act: 17/27/0
Failed
The Reform of Health-care Act: 14/24/4
Failed
Motion to advise His Majesty the Emperor on Stable Government: 6/29/11
Failed
Franchise Reform Bill: 19/25/0
Failed

Rallies Holders:
O5, TJDS, Firehound, Andre, Michaelangelo, Bioiron, you guys cannot rally until after the next election
 
Date (1884-1886) Pt.1: The Katashi Plot

Ito Katashi, Minister of War, founder of the KAP, Count, and Boshin War hero, was the last person anyone expected to be insane. Many people close to him during the last five years have reported that Ito Katashi had begun to experience unusual behavior while he was working. Secretaries reported him talking to himself in his office, and that guests felt uncomfortable in his house when they saw bruises on his servants. While many people shrugged this was a sign of old age, Ito Katashi plotted. Modern doctors today have come to the conclusion that Ito Katashi was suffering from dementia and mild Schizophrenia. If only the doctors back then knew, then they could have prevented what happened next…

Ito Katashi was devoted to the Emperor, almost to a maddening degree. He saw the privy council and the Diet as organs of the Imperial body, and the Emperor loosing true power by taking advice from these men. Ito Katashi in his madness decided the only way to keep the Emperor safe was to kill those who advise him. Thus, the “Katashi Plot” was put into place. The objective was to kill the entire Privy Council and “release the divine from the burden of man”. He hired six like-minded men, one for each of the Privy Council, and put emphasis on certain targets. Who he wanted to kill more than anything still remains a mystery.

Ueda Kenjiro was the first assassin. A devoted Imperial from the early days of the Imperial Restoration movement, his target was Prince Sakamoto Naotari. The plot should have been that once the Privy Council dismissed for the night, each assassin would go after their assigned PC member. Kenjiro was to attack Sakamoto when he went into a tavern for a drink like he always does (Ito kept close watch on the behaviors of the PC before forming the plot). However Kenjiro got drunk before Sakamoto reached the tavern. He stumbled out, caused a disturbance, and was arrested for public intoxication. When it was revealed he was an assassin, he was hanged.

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(Kenjiro)

Ohara Katsunan was the second assassin. He was also a devoted Imperialist who killed many Shogunate forces during the Boshin War, but was discharged for mild insanity. His target was Marquis Uesugi Narinori. He went to the hotel Narinori was supposedly staying, busted into his room, and shot a man. However that man was not Narinori. Turns out the information regarding Narinori was wrong. Narinori, not one to walk around with peasants, often had a correspondent attend the PC meetings, and telegraph the votes and conversations. Narinori was miles away in Niigata. Katsunan was beaten and subdued by the hotel staff. He was convicted for conspiracy and murder, and was hanged.

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(Katsunan)

Abe Tokimasa was the third assassin. He was a loyal KAP member and joined Ito when Ito announced his resignation from the KAP. He was tasked with killing Count Nishimura Hiroshi. Figuring Tokimasa was a KAP member, he could get close to Nishimura. However, out of all the targets, Nishimura was the one Ito wanted to die the least (He was insane, what can I say?). Tokimasa didn't even get close however. Tokimasa was found with a bomb trying to enter the KAP headquarters. Kusaribe Kinzo himself ordered the man to be taken away. When it was revealed Tokimasa was an assassin, he was sentenced to life imprison.

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(Tokimasa)

That leaves three more targets, Marquis Oshiro Kazuki, Count Hosokawa Mitsuhide, and Prince Date Munenari himself. These targets won't be as lucky. Two brothers went after Hosokawa and Oshiro. Inaba and Sada Natsuo where two die-hard imperial siblings. It is said that they were high ranking members of the Imperial Restoration movement, and were brutal in espionage during the Boshin War. They were top spies. Convenient for them that Hosokawa and Oshiro were both in the same hotel. They decided to wait for both of the nobles. Eventually it got to a point where Oshiro was at dinner in the hotel lobby, and Hosokawa had retired to his bed for the night. Inaba went after Oshiro. Hey approached the Marquis who was eating dinner. He sat at the table in front of Oshiro’s and waited. When Oshiro stood up to leave, Inaba stood up and shouted “Long live the Emperor!” before pulling out a revolver and firing three shots. All three hit home, and before anyone could react, Oshiro Kazuki, the first Prime Minister of a modern Japan, was on the floor bleeding out. Guards subdued Inaba, but not before a maid came running from the next floor up screaming “The Count has been stabbed!” During the chaos, Sada had burst into the room of Hosokawa Mitsuhide and stabbed him repeatedly. The police never found him. Sada was a man on the run, and his brother would be hanged along with the rest of the conspirators. Hosokawa Mitsuhide and Oshiro Kazuki were transported to the nearest hospital, but sadly, both men succumbed to their wounds, and died. Two of the most influential men in Japan were now dead, one who led Japan to westernization, another who led Japan as its first true leader.

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(Brothers Sada)

Date Munenari was the last target. Ito Katashi knew that Date was on the front lines, and probably well protected. But Ito was a sly madman, and used money as a tool of persuasion to those willing to join his cause. He recruited Pvt. Tone Kunio to help him. Kunio was a skilled soldier, and took up the task of ridding his superior so that he could possibly ascend the ranks. He joined up with Date’s guard, and waited for his moment to strike. While he and Date were alone, Kunio took his chance. He shot at Date, and hit him, but his gun jammed. Date though staggered to his feet, a bullet lodged in his shoulder, and screamed to get that man. Kunio was caught, and dragged to Ito Mizushima for interrogation. What Ito did is too gruesome for me to explain on this thread, but he got Kunio to speak. It was Kunio who revealed the conspiracy, all the names, and the man who connected them all, Ito Katashi.

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(Kunio)

Date Munenari ordered the nation swept for any more assassins. Anyone who even sided with Katashi when he left the KAP was hunted down and interrogated. Eventually, they came to the Katashi estate. The soldiers busted in, and went to find Ito. What they found was gruesome. Taxidermized soldiers, one from each nation Japan had fought so far, were on display. Servants huddled in corners, and Ito Katashi with his stomach ripped open and head cut off. Ito Katashi had committed Seppuku.

The Katashi Plot left two men dead, a nation in a paranoid state, and nobles who could trust no one. The KAP took a hit for having Ito as their founder. However, it unified the people more towards the idea of peace. Satake Yoshizone called for a week of mourning to mourn Oshiro and Hosokawa, and it is said Emperor Meiji himself would speak at Hosokawa’s funeral. Yet Date could not mourn for his friend and rival. He still had a war to win, and the people had enough of it.

--------------------------------
Player Actions Needed: Pt.2 shall be coming later today, so wait.

Somberg, LordTempest, I am sorry to say that the dice did not favor you when Michaelangelo came knocking. You were both killed. Michaelangelo though was caught, and his character is dead too. Michaelangelo you can not use another demagogue ability for ten years
 
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Date (1884-1886) Pt.2: Conclusion of Warfare

The Empire still had a war to fight. The time for mourning was not now, now Japan has to fight. Date Munenari decided that the best way to force a Russian surrender would be to take the fight to them. In early February of 1884, Japan would begin on the offensive, charging right into Vladivostok. At the same time, a corps would secure the islands Russia owned north of Hokkaido. The Russians were taken back, but prepared to defend. The island of Sakhalin was reinforced with 27,000 Russians. The Japanese assaulted the island, and battle ensued. The Russians were forced back after days of grueling fighting. The island of Sakhalin was half-occupied by the Spring.

TRIdZQE.jpg

(Map of the area of fighting)

In Vladivostok, Russia was not doing well either. It's 30,000 garrison of its vital eastern port was smashed by a huge Japanese army led by Date comprised of 75,000 men. The Russian forces here fled back to Sakhalin hoping to make one last stand on the island. The Russians though could not receive reinforcements, nor could they receive any extra support due to the blockade between Sakhalin and the mainland. It seemed Russia would have to endure a stalemate until one side or the other could strike.

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France was not keen on waiting. In the cover of night, French Foreign Legion slipped into Manila bay, and surprised attacked one of the Corps stationed in the area. The city was taken, and the Corp was pushed back. However, when the Philippine Force reorganized, they pushed down on the Legion, and destroyed it. The Philippines were once again secure. After this, the French basically stopped participating in the war. As the King of France stated, “This was in Asia is a pointless endeavour, and I beg the Russian Tsar to come to peace with Japan”. Russia was not wanting to end the war on unfavorable terms. It still had hundreds of troops on standby waiting for the Japanese to make a mistake.

Date Munenari was under pressure though. Opposition leaders in Japan were gaining strength. With the death of Hosokawa Mitsuhide, the Freedom Party rallied to the cause that this war got Hosokawa, their proud member, killed. Rallies were seen throughout the country as opposition members spurred the population to rally to end the war. Peace rallies were held all over the country, and many felt the government had become too militaristic in dealing with the people. Poor people were enraged over the destruction of the Franchise Reform Act, and act that would have given them the vote. Poor people also despised the destruction of the Health Care Act and the Minimum Wage Act, acts that would have given them better lives. The poor people, soldiers mostly, began to rally against the NLP to the side of the Freedom Party. The Katashi Plot did not help this either. Militancy skyrocketed during the later years of the Date administration, and rebellion was quivering on the lips of many NLP statesmen. Rebel groups, reactionaries, Jacobins, Korean nationalists, all had increased membership. The government was in a pickle, especially this close to the election. They needed to end the war, now.

Date though did not want to destroy Russia and leave empty-handed. Russia actually sent a peace offer for white peace, which Date threw out the window against the wishes of his staff. “If this war drags on for another year, Japan will break itself apart!” said a colonel to Date upon hearing the news.

“We shall still fight” was Date’s reply.

The outcry was immense, the people wanted to end the war, not continue it! Even many jingoists felt that the war had gone one for too long. Date needed to win a battle, and fast! His chance came when Russian troops stationed in Siberia pulled back to regroup with their European army groups. This was his chance, and boy did he gamble it all. he decided to attack the Russian hold on Sakhalin with all he got, 120,000 Japanese against 40,000 Russians. The fighting was fierce. It was a slaughter though. With nowhere to go, Russia made a last stand. Russian troops fought on through the week against terrible odds. In the end, Date was victorious, and all 40,000 Russian troops were dead, wounded, or captured. The Russians had lost a whole army. With this, the Russian Tsar finally had enough. In November of 1885, Russia capitulated, and handed over Sakhalin, and the islands it owned off of Hokkaido. Japan had won the Great Asian War. Peace reigned in our time!

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That peace though was sadly short lived. Spurred on by the rising militancy still lingering after the war, Jacobins rose up and revolted. Many Corps were off fighting the war, with only one Corp still in Japan. Thousands of Jacobin rebels attacked Honshu. Though Kyoto held, the rebels were quick to seize most of Tohoku, Chubu, and parts of Kanto. Date Munenari rushed back to aide the Empire, and drove the rebels out of Kansai and Shikoku. He then met up with the Corp in Kanto, and together they pushed through Chubu. When January 1, 1886 rolled around, Japan became divided. The Jacobins had to be beaten before peace can fully be restored!

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-------------------------------
Player Actions Needed: Get bills in (suggestion is a reform since that will lower MIL greatly and no reform will be forced), and get acts going.
 
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Screenshots

Industrial Wealth:

mrlifeless:
Cash: 1212821
Earned: 341421
Debt: 0

Keinwyn:
Cash: 1084290
Earned: 384381
Debt: 0

Scrapknight:
Cash: 208012
Earned: 179032
Debt: 0

Price for VP is at 150,000 yen per point.
 
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Sakamoto appears before the Diet, clearly shocked by the recent attempt on his life. He shakes his head to get the thoughts out of his head and begins speaking.

Honorable members of the Diet,

We have lost two great men recently. Marquis Oshiro, our first Prime Minister, and Count Hosokawa, a great man who led Japan to glory and prestige, were cruelly gunned down by assassins sent by the traitorous Ito, who believed that us on the Privy Council were taking power away from the Emperor. Let me put this bluntly: I am a loyal supporter of the Emperor. I was among the first to declare my support for the Emperor during the Boshin War. I led imperial troops to victory over the Shogunate forces. That is why I am on the Privy Council, because of my service in the name of the Emperor. It is a misunderstanding that I want to reduce the Emperor's power; in fact, that is something I do not wish to do. Nor do I want to go down the path Ito did and commit treason and claim that it is in the name of "the Emperor." No. That is not the way of a true supporter of the Emperor. Remember that our culture is based on reverence and loyalty to the Emperor. I intend to honor that tradition. On behalf of the Privy Council, which I will make sure to remain primarily as the advising body to His Imperial Majesty, I express my utmost sorrow for the loss of these two men. May they rest in peace with their ancestors now.
((Private))
Sakamoto paused. He was talking positively about Hosokawa. His relations with the former daimyo were quite strained over the last fifty years, and he couldn't consider the man as a true friend, but it was the right thing to do. Despite all of their rivalries and disputes over the years, Sakamoto still respected Hosokawa for his role in modernizing Japan and helping to protect it against the gaijin.
((End Private))
The nation is mourning Oshiro's and Hosokawa's passing. This sorrow has already turned to anger. The people will wonder, why didn't the government catch Ito sooner? Why did his unusual behavior go unnoticed until it was too late? For that matter, when can we please, for the sake of Japan, the Emperor, and the people of Japan, get over our differences and work together for the benefit of all?
I submitted the Reform of Healthcare Act for the well-being of the Japanese people. And yet the fact that I oppose the ruling party's jingoist views is enough to crush this bill and numerous others designed to benefit those who live under the Emperor's guidance. Had this bill been passed by the rational and clear-thinking minds of the Diet, I believe that Minister Ito's mental...irregularities...could have been found sooner and treated; the people wouldn't be up in arms. Please, I urge you, even for just a single day, think not about how bills would strengthen the position of the opposing party; think instead about how they would benefit the people. Ask not what a bill can do for you; ask what a bill can do for Japan and its people's continued well-being.

In light of the Jacobin menace that threatens us at this point, I hereby reintroduce the The Reform of Health-care Act to the Diet for the second time. This time, I urge you to think rationally in voting.

Thank you for your attention.
~Prince Sakamoto Naotari
 
Prince Sakamoto and the other esteemed members of the Privy Council,

In light of these previous events, and the tragic loss of two of our esteemed members, I propose (in my capacity as President of the Privy Council) that Count Asano Hisanori, a proven commander and politician, and distant relative to the Imperial Family, be appointed to the Privy Council so that we can swiftly recover from these shocks. Whilst it by no means fully recovers our honourable body, it will least show the first stages of recover.

However, this proposed reintroduction of the Healthcare Bill is, frankly, alarming; whilst I have no strong issues against the measure in and of itself (though I maintain that it should be further modified), I feel as though it would be merely a means of appeasement, a lesson to those in rebellion that they may use violence to enact change; such a precedent is wholly unwelcome, and I will thoroughly oppose any such measure unless convinced otherwise by future events.

Furthermore, this odd relating of the proposed bill and the mental alacrity of the late Lord Ito is, again if I may be frank, quite laughable; it has no place in serious discussion, and I will not tolerate it being brought up again – it does a once good man disrespect (and even more dishonour to those injured by his actions, including myself), and serves no purpose.


-

Japan is victorious. After years of wars, after needless bloodshed imparted upon us by the French and the Russians, the foreigners have at long last been thrown from every inch of our soil – the homeland is at last unified. The powers of the West have now learned that the Empire of Japan, blessed by the Emperor and our ancestors with strength and victory, is a nation to be feared and respected, not another trifling weakling – an equal rather than an inferior.

With that in mind, we must now move from the war abroad to the war at home; since the outbreak of this conflict, the opposition of my party, the opponents of a war not of our choosing, have acted in such a way, in such a foolish, brutish, and immensely stupid way, that I cannot restrain myself; they have, in short, acted just shy of treason – they have undermined the war, they have fomented rebellion, and now that they have seen the results of their actions, they merely wish to force through their agenda – they have thoughtfully, willingly, and treacherously acted against the Emperor, against all of Japan. They remained safe and content in their estates and lambasted a defensive war, and condemned me – indeed they offered grievous insults upon my person, questioned my loyalty, and a whole slew of other petty insults. I took them in stride, I allowed such cruelties and pettiness to foment, for the simple sake of preserving liberty, for a misguided desire to allow the opposition to fully expose their incompetence and idiocy. And yet, even after I was shot and wounded grievously, overseas in the defence of this nation, for the restoration of our homeland, they continued to condemn me – indeed, their shouts, their shrill, infantalised yowls grew but louder, and they organised more marches, more rallies, inspired more hatred and disloyalty. Whilst I was driving the Russians from our borders, crushing the French under our boot-heels, and ensuring our acquisitions and above all else our homeland was secure, they drove the people closer to this maddening, this unthinkable rebellion.

And yet they have no shame.

They continue to push their agenda, they continue to condemn me for I have done, and they have yet to truly answer for their towering, almost awe-inspiring acts of disloyalty.

I am disgusted by their behaviour, I am repulsed by their actions, and I demand order and peace return to the Homeland at once – we have won our greatest victory; do not sully it by forcing me to spill the blood of my kinsmen yet again. Make peace with the Emperor and the government, or die.

I hereby institute Martial Law throughout the entirety of the Empire; I demand all rebels to lay down their arms and return home; failing that, you shall, unfailingly be shot for treason – those arrested may well be tried via military tribunal, and the leaders certainly shall be. Do not compel me to kill my own countrymen yet again. In the name of the Emperor, make peace, or die.

-

In my capacity as Chief of the General Staff and Prime Minister, I name Lieutenant General Ito Mizushima Governor-General of the Philippines. He shall also serve as interim Minister of War until this present crisis has been dealt with.


~ Marshal Prince Date Munenari, Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan, Chief of the Army General Staff, Chief of the Navy General Staff, Commander of the Northern General Army (First Corps), President of the Privy Council


EDIT: ((Because FH is a whinger, Date also presents the Privy Council with a proposal to advise the Emperor to declare a state of siege))
 
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I hereby institute Martial Law throughout the entirety of the Empire; I demand all rebels to lay down their arms and return home; failing that, you shall, unfailingly be shot for treason – those arrested may well be tried via military tribunal, and the leaders certainly shall be. Do not compel me to kill my own countrymen yet again. In the name of the Emperor, make peace, or die.

((Martial Law:

Martial Law means that elections are suspended, and the government can arrest people for no penalty, at a high price of MIL and CON increasing drastically. The military leader (CoGS), civilian leader (PM), and the Emperor must agree to have martial law. The government rules without much influence from the Diet, and basically acts like a dictatorship. Usually martial law is a temporary action, but it still makes the people angry, like, VERY angry. Those opposed to martial law may call to end it, and if enough VP goes to a yes vote, then the Martial Law ends, and MIL and CON decrease. For now, elections are suspended, which means we wont have any election updates until Riccardo (leader of the military government) declares Martial Law over. If Riccardo continues to have martial law for an entire electoral cycle, then the country shall turn into a military dictatorship, and those opposed will have to call a vote to change the government via political revolution, or coup it.

Riccardo needs to confirm this is what he wants to do. PC should also put this up to a vote to advise the Emperor to do it or not before I can say martial law is in effect.

))
 
((Private))

Count Ito Chosokame shakes his head in disgust Date's warmongering had lead the state into total collapse, and now he leads the state into a Millitary dictatorship!

This is outrageous, a cup goes flying across the room, Date must be stopped.
Ito would Do tours, get the people against this regime, it's dictatorship.

((Political rallies in the capital calling for date to step down, and martial law to be revoked. If the crowd is told to disperse we won't and we will resist it.))
 
((I do confirm))
 
ADDRESS OF SATAKE YOSHIZANE TO THE IMPERIAL DIET

I had originally planned to deliver an address to this Chamber with a degree of hope and resilience. I had sought to inform each and every one of you that I do not condone armed rebellion- I had sought to give a grand speech, and it was this:

Japan is a great nation. No other nation upon this planet has the privilege of holding such glory, such strength within its folds- few other nations would allow for dialogue, for the popular will to be revealed. I have long spoken a message of freedom, of liberty. I believe these are things guaranteed by our Constitution, Penal Code, and judiciary- but some men have twisted my words, the words of my friends, and the words of my acquaintances within the Jiyu Minken Undo. They have grown to believe that it is only through violence and insurrection that they may show the Date Clique what the people want. They are wrong. They have lowered themselves to that of their foes, sacrificing theirs noble and strong spirits, their fierce wills- all reduced to dust by the mere willingness to use violent and undemocratic means to achieve their goals. That, therefore, I seek to encourage the members of my party to join with the Government in opposition to the rebellion...
...But that has all changed. I had once seen Date as reasonable. An inefficient administrator focused upon self-glorification, but nonetheless reasonable. I have heard that our Prime Minister, the symbol of the elected Japanese Government, now seeks to destroy all we have worked towards! To suspend this Constitution in an act of improbable greed. We have a Diet, composed of a great many members, all of whom collectively form the voice of the Japanese People, and Date seeks not only to suspend it, but to throw it out in its entirety, to trample upon his own Constitution with a complete willingness to disregard his own systems and laws. It is disgusting, purely sickening. He no doubt seeks to punish those who disagree with him- violating the rights of the Japanese with a swift and affirmative jurisdiction. It is unbelievably disturbing to me that he has even the slightest thought that such action is acceptable!

In the Japanese Constitution, it is made most plain that "The Emperor, in consequence of an urgent necessity to maintain public safety or to avert public calamities, issues, when the Imperial Diet is not sitting, Imperial ordinances in the place of law, which are to be laid before the Diet at the conclusion of such a period." Despite having an effective, pre-organized system which may be used in this crisis, Lord Date would rather see that the Constitution- his own Constitution- be completely suspended. Need I remind the good gentlemen here that such a course of action would include "That no Japanese subject shall be deprived of his right of being tried by the judges determined by law?" Must I make clear that "Japanese subjects shall, within the limits of law, enjoy the liberty of speech, writing, publication, public meetings and associations?" There are rights which belong to us- all of us! And yet, Date seeks to take them away! Date seeks to rescind our rights- the rights that his own Constitution gives us.


So, why do I come before the Diet to say this? Have I no fear for my own life? Do I not fear that Date will arrest me, torture me, and leave me a husk of myself should he succeed in his nefarious plot? Yes, I do fear- but I do not fear the descent into Yomi-no-kuni anywhere near to that danger which I fear to an inextricable degree- the fear that we may willingly allow one man to trample upon our rights, to trample upon our government, and to dare take away the rights of the Japanese people! I have come here, good gentlemen, to offer this, perhaps my last testament, that we should not allow this to occur. That we should not allow Date this authority- I urge this Diet, the soul and spirit of the Japanese people, to join together in fierce opposition to this action by Date, by passing an amendment to the Japanese Constitution which would explicitly forbid the suspension of the document as well as, perhaps, the prorogation of the Diet without a majority of its approval, even in times of utmost crisis. This is a duty that may only be performed by the men of this grand organization- and is a duty not to be taken lightly, but a duty to be revered, as it is one that will, no doubt, have a great and exceptional importance to our people.

Thank you.
 
1884

Tsuyoshi Tamotsu woke up one morning in his home in Edo. While he prepared for some tea, he walked out to his front door to pick up the daily newspaper He picked up the rolled up newspaper, went to grab his tea and sat on the floor mat and began sipping his tea while he opened the newspaper.On the front page, he read the story of the The Katashi Plot plot in gruesome detail.He mourned the loss of Marquis Oshiro and Count Hosokawa, while he may have disagreed with them on several policies, they were no doubt great men who fought for the emperor and the Japanese people with him. It was that moment that Tsuyoshi realized the seriousness of the situation. Nippon was still it war and knew that this plot would only add to the toxic mix of anger and frustration at the status quo, fueled further by the rejection of the 3 Social Reforms in the sitting Imperial diet. He knew that times were more critical than they have ever been before and Japan's future hung in the balance. He decided that moment that he'd need to move to Kyoto to be close to the heart of Imperial politics.

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Late December of 1885

He'd been in Kyoto for over a year now. He spent most of his time writing articles for newspapers on how he felt about all major issues in the Imperial Realm. About politics, the war, business and labour. He'd also spent some time meting with key officials of both the RPP and FP, particularly on their plans for a renewed social reform effort after their disappointing rejection. Currently, he was on a newly built train, riding first class. He was traveling from Edo to Kyoto, after visiting his relatives. Normally he didn't ride first class, though he could afford it, he had no qualms with mingling with the lower strata every now and then. But today it was different. He needed the space to write a major article on Post-War Nippon. Suddenly, the train came to a stop and Tsuyoshi peeked out the window. The train had been blockaded by "Jacobin" rebels in that had occupied Western Kanto.

Outside, the Engineer was talking to a rebel leader. The conversation turned to yelling and Tsuyoshi worried about escalation. He put on his fur coat and began to walk outside the train door.
The moment he was at the door, one of the rebel soldiers recognized him. He told the Rebel leader of Tsuyoshi presence and he looked and stopped talking with the engineer. Having caught their attention, I intended to keep it.

"Countrymen" I began getting the attention of the rebel forces outside the train car "Subjects to the glory of Imperial Japan" there was some snickering, but I had the attention of all the rebels, who were now informing each other of who I was.

"I am Tsuyoshi Tamotsu. You may know of me as one who's spent much time advocating for popular reform, so we all may come closer to the Emperor and feel the heat of his radiating glow" This speech was tricky, while I believed all I said, I had to sell this to the rebels outside the train as well as the proper subjects within it.

"While is is true that it is vastly disappointing that the government did not except the 3 social Reforms pushed by the FP and the RPP in the halls of the Imperial Diet, this is no grounds for revolt"
"While we may disagree with the National-Liberal administration, they still have the will of the Emperor behind them by and large. This is not a case where a party's will runs contrary to wishes of the emperor, the only legitimate circumstance for revolt"

"The Imperial Diet, represents part of the will of the Emperor in it's sitting, for it is he who allows it to sit."
This line he was particular proud of, as it aligned the Imperial Diet with the will of the Emperor.

"Regardless of the outcomes we receive, all must respect this will. and it's authority as an organ of the Emperor"

"If we are to seek reform, which I am sure will be achieved, we must do so within the organs of the Emperor"

"Therefore, I call on all of you to lay down your arms and return home. If you wish to garnish solidarity, work within your communities and families to make things better. The Imperial diet will inevitable follow the route of progress, the Imperial diet is progress, we must respect it's decisions."

"This post war time is not a time for conflict, it is a time for Ryōyō."

By now, the rebels had calmed down, they seemed willing to let the train pass.

The rebel leader was skeptical at first, but seeing the reaction is men, decided to go alone with their wishes.

Tsuyoshi stepped back into the car as the rebels withdrew and the engineer got back into the train.

He was thanked by the passengers in the train as he returned to his seat.

"The train began steaming away and hit him. Ryōyō would be the theme of his article"

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January 1st 1886

When he got home, on his doorstep sat a newspaper. He read the characters in bold bright font, they spelled out:

Martial Law Declared, Imperial Diet curbed.

Tsuyoshi Tamotsu picked up the newspaper and stepped inside his home.
 
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In response to Mr Satake

I have, in my capacity as Prime Minister and Chief of the General staff, called for a state of siege to be declared, and I have proposed a resolution in the Privy Council to advise the Emperor to do the same, as well as having personally written the Emperor on the matter – whilst yes, you may well have a point that we no official laws in dealing with the matter, we never had such a serious threat of civil war until your party started so vociferously marching against the government. Furthermore, whilst your “devotion,” as it were, to constitutional rule is admirable, we must be pragmatic and face the reality that appears before us – the Empire is at war with itself (due largely through the efforts of your party), and the chaos inspired by this must be brought to an immediate end. To allow the normal forms of governance to remain is to take a far too unnecessary risk, and fails to properly address the matter, hence why these “abuses” must be taken. If you would prefer, we could simply lay down our arms, prostrate ourselves before the rebels, and give them whatever they want, and forever enshrine in the minds of the people the rewards of rebellion; I however am not made of such weaknesses – the rebels will be quashed, by any and all means necessary, and those responsible for these rebellions will be held accountable. I suggest you accept this simple fact, for the sake of the Empire.

I have no desire to see the Constitution I wrote abolished or otherwise ruined; but we must face the realities of this situation and acknowledge the simple fact that constitutional rule is, unfortunately, a luxury we simply cannot afford; the Capital itself is at risk, the Emperor! Why should I sit idly by and allow the Diet to dither, or allow Mr Satake to legislate or judiciate against my efforts to curb this rebellion?

I must further state that those raised in rebellion against the State and against the Emperor surely cannot be considered citizens of the Empire; if they open fire upon my soldiers, or they seek to undermine Imperial governance, I will not hesitate to use all powers available, legal or extralegal, to preserve order and maintain the Emperor's Law; that sacrifices must be made is not unfamiliar to any of us. That so many amongst you are so unwilling to make them, however, is.

Furthermore, all rallies shall, should the Emperor accede to the state of siege proposed by myself, be dispersed; the streets must be kept orderly, and order must be preserved. Should their leadership resist, they shall face punishment.