NationStates Jolt Archive

It began in the streets of Tokyo. A ronin, a masterless samurai, stood virtually nose-to-nose with a Westerner, both men shouting insults at each other which neither understood in terms of definition, but comprehended quite well the intentions thereof. Both men seemed to think that the other had failed to show proper respect, and all the Japanese on the street were carefully ignoring the arguement, aside from making sure to stay out of sword range, although a few Imperial samurai were watching with some interest.
After several minutes, both men seemed to become frustrated, the westerner stepped back, reaching into his jacket to draw a revolver, the samurai stepped forward, unsheathing his sword at the same time.
The next few moments were confusing, but the result was plain for all to see. The samurai clutched his arm where the bullet had struck, grimacing, while the westerner lay on the ground, minus a hand and several feet of intestine.
The ronin calmly stepped forward, picked up the gun, inspecting it carefully, wiped the blood on the dying mans jacket, stuffed it into his own robes, and went on his way. Presumably to get some sort of medical care.
Eventually the westerners body was picked up and delivered to his embassy, along with a note explaining the incident.
Up and down Japan, and in China and Korea, wherever there were westerners and samurai, such incidents seemed to occur, although few cases outside of Tokyo were so fourtunate as to be delivered to their embassy. Most simply found anonymous graves in the town where they died.
A sort of movement quickly developed out of this series of killings, all of which were considered quite legal. Samurai were within their rights to strike down any commoner who disrespected them in any way, it was an ancient tradition after all, one which many westerners seemed quite ignorant of, right up until they pissed off the guy with a sword.
The movement was particularly popular amoung ronin, masterless wanderers with no real allegiance as yet. More often than not they were victims of the downsizing of the Imperial and Shogunate forces thanks to the modernization of the army as a whole. More guns required fewer men and all that. As being a samurai meant serving, their anger could not readily be directed to the Emperor or the Shogun, so in a roundabout way, they blamed the Westerners. Often this anger had been simmering for the last decade or so, gently building to the point where casual insults infuriated these wanderers and drove them to simply decapitate rather than debate.
Few cases were tried, and fewer punished. By law, all the samurai had to say was, "He insulted me" and produce a witness to back it up. That was the end of the debate.
Gradually the incidents evolved into gangs of ronin, and even Imperial or Shogunal samurai wandering around in groups looking for westerners to be 'insulted' by, sometimes even resulting in small battles in the cities themselves if the westerners in question happened to be armed.
All this was not unnoticed, and the Emperor issued several decrees stating his disapproval of the wanton killing of anybody who happened to be foreign, with the additional notice that compensation to the families and embassy of said westerner would be paid personally by the samurai in question. This genearlly put a stop to samurai slayings in the areas where the Emperor had a strong influence, although in the outer provinces and rebellious north of China, things were just as bad as always.
It did not help that Japanese civilians and peasants mostly agreed with the ronin. They more of then than not felt that the arrival of westerners was a threat to Japanese culture, civilization and common decency. After all, most people were uncomfortable with these huge, crazy, white people running around their cities with their odd ways, wiered languages and funny clothes. Sometimes they attracted crowds, especially blondes, who the Japanese in general seemed to have a strange fascination with. All in all, it was a mixed blessing, you might get a little discount in the store, but then again, an angry ronin might slice your head off for looking at him funny.
Politics and international relations as usual in Japan.

Henri DuPont twitched nervously behind the great wooden door of the embassy. Shouts in Japanese and German filled the street outside. Then a loud gunshot, Henri heard the bullet strike against the cobblestones of the road. Then a skriek that turned into a gargling noise, followed by a German curse. Then silence.

Perhaps it had been the very guards who had prodded Henri with their bayonets a month earlier when he had arrived in Japan, perhaps it had been a band of wondering ronin, either way a dead or at least severly wounded German man lay outside. Coupled with the events that had transpired over that last year in China, Henri could not help but feel unsave in this distant land. He had wired a telegram to the French Foriegn Minister that morning asking what he should do. He hadn't left the embassy in over a week for fear. Reports had filtered into the embassy walls over the past weeks of bands of roaming ronin and samurai killing innocent Europeans. The other day a dying Frenchman turned up on the embassy doorstep, a wealthy merchant on business in Japan. He died hours later, Henri had wired a telegram to his family in Nantes notifying them of the tragedy. Henri could no help but feel that he could easily be next.

(OOC:
The embassy guards in Tokyo are diplomatic guards, selected for their closeness to the Emperor. Genreally theyre not going to do anything rash like that.
Just an FYI, the embassys are pretty much safe from this sort of thing, theyre in a 'western' part of town, which is well guarded by the more modern sort of samurai. That particular area is safe, even if the rest of Tokyo isnt.)

(OOC:
The embassy guards in Tokyo are diplomatic guards, selected for their closeness to the Emperor. Genreally theyre not going to do anything rash like that.
Just an FYI, the embassys are pretty much safe from this sort of thing, theyre in a 'western' part of town, which is well guarded by the more modern sort of samurai. That particular area is safe, even if the rest of Tokyo isnt.)

Oh okay, sorry. I just wanted to find a way to involve my ambassador and show he was afraid to leave the embassy.

Sir Brian Ramsey of the Alversian Embassy in Tokyo, watched from his window as yet another Western Patriot was shot down by the Japanese Samurai. He shook his head sadly. Japan was a rising power in the Pacific. Aggressive, Passionate, Wise. The Alversian Government had been keen to establish diplomatic relations with the Japanese Empire, but this had been soured somewhat by the killing of an Embassy Official in the streets nearby. The King and Parliament were furious and now he was stuck in his office while another victim, German by the sound of his voice, was cut down. Across from him was the French Embassy, he wondered if they were having the same difficulties. Regardless, he had to try and get a meeting with the Japanese Minister to see what was happening.

"Sir?" Sir Brian turned to see a young member of the Embassy Guard, his red uniform clean and tidy and his new Handsen III spotless.

"We have sharpshooters in the roof in case the Japs attempt to break through. When will your meeting be taking place?"
"As soon as I can arrange it Lieutenant" he we walked over to the nearby Secratary "Please relay this telegram to the Japanese Ministry of the Interior or whatever the hell their equivelant is"

----------------
To: Japanese Interior Minister

We are greaty disturbed to hear of the random and violent killings of several
Alversian Citizens. We feel that a meeting between our Ambassidor and
yourself might alleviate these problems. I await your answer

Sir Brian Ramsey
His Majesty's Ambassidor to Japan
Tokyo

Henri sat upstairs on the second-floor on the the French Embassy. He watched the slow dark gray clouds move across the sky and the drizzle begin to come down. He could see across into the Alversian Embassy. Right now Emperor Alexander I of Alversia was meeting with his emperor and the kaiser in Brussels. Henri looked down at the streets, they were empty except for a group of samurai guards. Henri still hadn't been fully assured that these guards were harmless, they had nearly killed him on his first day in Japan. Henri walked downstairs and into the atrium, then towards the great wooden doors. Two guards tried to stop him from leaving but he pushed by them. Henri stepped outside for the first time in a week. The fresh air smelt beautiful. Then he looked up and down the street, no one was there. He made a hasty sprint across the street and gestured back and forth between his embassy to the Alversian embassy to the guards. They seemed to understand, perhaps they had seen him leave the French Embassy moments earlier. They allowed him to pass and he entered the Alversian Embassy.

"Hello?" Shouted Henri in flawless English.

Somebody coughed behind him, a sound acompanied by the trudge of several pairs of feet coming to a halt. The cougher, as it turned out, was Watanabe, the Foreign Minister, "Dupont-dono, good afternoon." He bowed, very slightly, "I see you to have selected this particularly fine day to visit our Alversian friends. What a fourtunate coincidence."
Behind him a knot of samurai were fanning out across the street, shoeing various onlookers away.

Henri DuPont bowed in Japanese style to the man he had come to be aquainted with over the past month.

"Konichiwa (spelling?)." Said Henri, proud he had managed to learn some Japanese. "How are you?"

The gates to the Alversian Embassy open to reveal a dozen guards standing, weapons raised expectantly. Once they realised who their visiters were, they lowered their weapons and gave a salute instead. Once the French and Japanese Diplomats were inside the door was very hastily shut again and the Guards returned to normal duties. Sir Brian and the young Lieutenant came down the embassy steps to meet the group

"Greetings. I am Sir Brian Ramsey, his Majesty's Ambassidor to Japan. This Lieutenant William Lawford in charge of the Embassy Guard" he gave a small bow "Come in. we have much to discuss"

"Good day," said Henri, stepping foward, "I am Henri DuPont, French Ambassador to Japan. I came here to visit you and see how your people were handling the recent murders and ran into the minister outside." Henri had been speaking English this whole time, then he paused, "What language shall we converse in? I speak fluent French and English but only a little Japanese."

The minister nodded to DuPont, giving him a brief smile before looking to the Alversian, "I am Kuro Watanabe, His Imperial Majesty's minister of foreign affairs. We have much to discuss. And English is acceptable, DuPont-dono. I believe this is Lamsey-dono's language, yes?"

A telegram was sent to the Japanese Interior Ministry.


TELEGRAM

To:
Interior Minister of Japan:

Although we are an African nation, the Empire of Ethiopia is distressed by these clashes between Westerners and the Japanese. Although we are not knowledgable of any violence on Ethiopian people, I wish to speak with a member of the Japanese government.

Signed,
Ambassador of the Empire of Ethiopia to Japan,
Adisu Massala

The Foreign Minister grimaced at the thought of what the Kaisers response to these developments would be. He regularly received lectures from the Kaiser about the lack of intelligence, cheap garments, drugs etc. that the Chinese reminded him of. For this very same reason he refused to open an embassy in China, though the reports of German and Western civilians being killed could not be ignored, and it was time to act.


To:
Interior Minister of Japan:

We are downright appalled and disgusted by the unlawful targeted assaults on Westerners in the savage nation of China. Your security and law forces seem to care little about these deathly clashes in the street and your policing system is obviously either immense anti-Western or flawed and corrupt. If you truly desire your country to grow and industrialize in any way you will have to convince your people that some Westinizing must be done, and these kind of actions are truly horrific in comparison to the civilized world.

The Germanic Prussian Empire will not stand for any more deaths of it's citizens. We demand that your laws are enforced and our citizens are protected, otherwise we will withdraw all foreign Germans in your country back home, and there business, for their safety. If improvement is not shown we will start detaining Chinese citizens who run these public drug houses we have so ignored and shutting down your lucrative Germanic trade. We do not torelate the overseas brutal murders of our citizens, and your lack of justice.

Foreign Ministry of the Kaiser

(this could be a good incident in diplomacy. oh, and the things I said about China are not my own views, just that was my made up Kaiser, encase any are offended)

The minister nodded to DuPont, giving him a brief smile before looking to the Alversian, "I am Kuro Watanabe, His Imperial Majesty's minister of foreign affairs. We have much to discuss. And English is acceptable, DuPont-dono. I believe this is Lamsey-dono's language, yes?"

Sr Brian bowed respectfully as a troop of Alversian guards hustled past towards the gate. He smiled "I suggest, Ambassadors Watanabe and DuPont, that we discuss this inside the Embassy away from prying eyes" his eyes darted left and right. "I also hear that the Germans are threatening action, so perhaps speed is of the essence?"

Ambassador Adisu Massala,
Presently the Minister of Foreign Affairs is meeting with the Antigonal and Alversian ambassadors to discuss the mater. As soon as is possible we will issue a statement on the subject to you, in the mean time, please have patience and be assured that we are handling the situation with the safety of all foreigners in Japan in mind.
It is advised, however, that you do not leave the embassy district without an escort, regardless of nationality. It is requested that you notify the outside embassy guards when you leave, so that they may escort you, as the presence of Imperial samurai near your person will greatly reduce any danger you may be in.

Akasaka Moriya, Internal Affairs

((Its Japan, not China :P))

Foreign Minister of the Kaiser,
The definition of 'unlawful' is different between countries, regardless of the views of your nation, it is perfectly legal for any Samurai to cut down a commoner who gives him offence. While the Emperor does not approve of this, he has little say in the matter, particularly when it comes to Ronin, who are not under any obligation to obey anybody.
It is deeply insulting that you would question our security forces so, and although we are a modern and civilized nation, it is a matter of our national honor when you insult us so, as implying that a majority of the samurai in the employ of the Emperor or his chosen lords is not a statement that we will allow to pass lightly.
Not only this, but you refer to our people as 'savage', and appear to confuse us with China. Both of these insults only compound the first and make clear your disdain of our nation and culture. As this has been brought to light, we have no want or need to trade with you. Do as you will with 'our' drug houses, if your people are so deluded as to seek their comforts in such places then your governments actions will only infuriate them and ferment further rebellion in your state.
Do as you will. Your attitude in this matter is a significant part of the reason for the wave of anti-western sentiment amoung the Japanese public, your vain attempts to enforce your policy and culture on our nation and people will be ignored, unless you choose to pursue it in a military fashion, in which case we will be pleased to meet you in the fields of battle, wherever it may be.


Akasaka Moriya, Internal Affairs

---

The Minister nodded, "The Germans have indeed issued certain economic threats, in addition to a number of insults. The Emperor was most...upset at being refered to as Chinese." Watanabe gestured to his escort, who tromped back out the embassy gates to watch the street, "However, it will take them some time to arrive even if they plan on some kind of military action, and telegraph travels faster than troops."

(Ah, it is Japan :D Well, my Kaiser doesn't mind Japan, it's the Chinese he dislikes mostly cause of opium and drug houses etc., so I'll just pretend he called you Chinese to insult you or something)

The Kaiser, who remained in Brussels, when told of the reply was furious. His thoughts were clear in the telegraph he had sent the Foreign Minister, which included remarks such as "Culture? They allow murder in the streets, I refuse to see how this disorganized nation can say it has a respectable culture if it's laws are so feudal" and "How dare they not trade with us, we accept their citizens into our civilized culture, European culture, and they repay us by killing the small bunch of Germanic people we have over there and relaxing trade!" In fact, the Foreign Minister expected that the Kaiser was secretly quite pleased with the relaxed trade between the nations due to the fact all he seemed to think came from China was drugs, though the Foreign Ministry were not so happy about it.

Nevertheless, it was governmental law to respect the Kaisers wishes and to follow them through, so the drug trade, which had been so lucrative, ceased. All boats coming from China or Japan were now boarded and searched, and in many cases damaged even if no drugs were found. All drugs found were seized, and there was little way to get around the system. The well known drug houses were ordered to be shut, though some survived due to their bribing of the police and army and relative obscurity, and the workers there were detained. A brief letter was sent to the Japanese foreign ministry saying "only the people behind the drug houses and who have supplied the drugs will be charged...more expendable people who worked their will be sent to the Immigration Offices, were we will decide whether they are to leave back for Japan or stay here...".

Rumours flooded the streets however that pleased the helpless addicts. All drugs seized in the raids on ships and homes were taken by the government, and it was believed that the majority of the drugs were to be sold by corrupt politicians in secret, despite the Kaisers strict warnings that this could see them face a prison sentence.

The government did not order all Germans in China and Japan to leave yet however, though it recommended it for their own safety. The Germanic population in Japanese lands was tiny in comparison to the population of Japanese and Chinese in Germany, as they had come over for the rich European trade, and most Germans living in Asia were in their Southeast Asian colonies.

The Emperor chuckled to himself, a sound which the various staff associated with the Imperial Throne had long ago come to associate with trouble for somebody. Presently he was holding the dispatch to the interior ministry in his hand. Why the Europeans persisted in dispatching their letters to that particular ministry was beyond him. It was charged with, of course, INTERNAL matters. The flood of mail had rather overwhelmed their international capability, and most of the letters were now automatically sent to the Foreign Affairs ministry instead.
"Milord?" The internal affairs minister risked a quick glance at the Emperors throne, the Emperor himself was shadowed by an overhanging shade, obscuring his face.
"How easily manipulated these Europeans are...so easy you dont even need to try. I wonder if the 'Kaiser' realizes how long we have been attempting to stamp out that disgusting drug...as to the trade, America is far more profitable, the French and English more amiable and the Chinese more intelligent." Another chuckle, "Ah well...warn our traders to avoid their ports, if they do not want our silver, that is their problem."

Over the next few months the legitimate Japanese trade to the Prussian Empire, what little there had been, gradually ceased. ILLICT traffic, however, grew substantially. The Japanese government in China had taken a hard line on Opium and its derivatives, threatening execution to anybody caught selling it or operating opium dens. Its use in China had dropped sharply. Its export, however, went on quite uninterrupted, the 'white line' having become modestly famous as the conduit for drugs between the Japanese Empire and the rest of the world, the Central Asian poppy fields providing the starting point, and China's numerous ports providing the jump-off to the world.
The Japanese were only too happy to tax this trade as long as it didnt stop anywhere in their empire.

(OOC: Erm, I sent it to the Foreign Ministry as my post says. I'm saying the factory was a weapon one, though if you wish to argue otherwise we will via TG, and if you wish to discuss whether it's allowed. Also, don't just end this spy thing in one post, it has the potential to be interesting, and I'd at least like to start something)


The two Chinese students knew there target, and had a passion in there hearts. They were one of the first activists talked to by the Germans, who had promised them that their contribution the Japanese government could be overthrown in China, and a democracy put in place. They put there beliefs ahead of their brains, and believed everything the Germans told them. And here they were, in Shanghai port, ready to signal the start of the German internal warfare.

They had, over a matter of days, seen and planned there target. It was a large modern for the time factory quite far away from the water supplies of the port and noticeable on the horizon. They had firebombs (? - where they around at the time, they at least had something similar) and fuel wet clothes on them. Security was quite tight at this place, though both students had worked here for a while, and they passed with little care from the guards. Intelligence said the factory produced cannons and weapons of those variety.

As they reached the outer doors which had been, as the Intelligence report had shown, quite easy to nudge open, they saw the great mass of the building. One of a horizon of many, but the burning flames it was to erupt into was to signal a morale victory for Chinese independence. And so, they dispersed the fuel soaked rags, and threw the firebombs, and briskly walked back where they alerted a guard, deathly pills in their pockets which would be taken if they were found. They then walked out, as the commotion began.

-------------------------------------------------

The propaganda Ministry and Intelligence Agencies began there campaign. Granted, China wasn't a place of great presence for them in terms of Intelligence, though there Malayan holdings meant they had some agents there, and the businessman population were more than willing to help. And so the dissent machine began, and the superior European technology came into work. Printing presses created leaflets and newsletters, the odd Chinese freedom activist was employed to speak out against the government, and a massive plan for creating dissent in China began. Japan was the homeland of the Empire, in China more damage could be done.

The Internal War on the Japanese had begun, and whilst at home every Japanese citizen was being checked up on and masses of drug shipments were captured, China was awash with the German citizens trying out there propaganda campaign. If the Germans were found out and killed it would be nearly as good as them escaping - then Germany could begin expanding into China and call on it's British and French allies for their assistance, who already owned parts of the large country.

The Germans were not trying to be fools, the government had order all German trade to stop at Singapore and go no further, and so whilst they had lost cheap garments and drugs, the Japanese had lost the industrial technology and wealth of one of, if not the most economically powerful European nation. Nearly all the German businesses had sent their workers and machinery back home, and most factories, factories that had helped the Japanese economy, were merely empty. Some chose to remain, though the major ones did not. The Printing Presses and HQ's were in secure locations run by the Agents, who though few in number, were skilled and secretive. It would only be so long before the Japanese saw a slight unrest and sniffed them out, and they were forever planning their complex escape routes. Everything would be destroyed, those who remained had a nice pill that would keep them silent.

The German citizens and Intelligence in China and Japan targeted the Communists, and anti-Monarchists, anyone who had influence and who did not like Japanese rule in China. Small scale unrest was beginning to develop, minor protests, strikes and riots. The Germans would not leave China without some damage being done.

In Germany they were doing their best to make sure the Japanese did not do what they were doing to them, and so all known Japanese citizens were checked and if seen as suspicious arrested. Chinese citizens were treated with more respect, despite the fact that they were the ones the Germans disliked, though they didn't want to have to ruin Areas of major Japanese population were heavily guarded, and anti-Japanese propaganda was being slipped into the newspapers and Kaisers talks regularly.

Check your TG's, Honako.

(OOC:
Hello? Anybody home? Dont leave me hanging here, guys.)

(OOC:
Hello? Anybody home? Dont leave me hanging here, guys.)

OOC: I was waiting for your guy o get finished so he can speak with my ambassador, uness u want to do that now.

Henri stepped foward and decided to be the first to speak.

"The French people no longer feel safe in this hostile and foriegn country. We demand the roads be made safe for our people and the families of those who were savagely killed demand reperations for this barbaric activity. What does the Japanese goverment intend to do about this terrible issue?"

Check your TG's, Honako.

Erm, sorry about that. I'm unsure what you want me to do, call it off, tone it down a bit, or say my big accomplishment was the rise of Communism in China?

Henri stepped foward and decided to be the first to speak.

"The French people no longer feel safe in this hostile and foriegn country. We demand the roads be made safe for our people and the families of those who were savagely killed demand reperations for this barbaric activity. What does the Japanese goverment intend to do about this terrible issue?"

The minister sighed, "Blunt, as ever...Mr. DuPont, the primary...perpetrators are...former military, the word is...Ronin, they are..." Watanabe trailed off, thinking, "Unemployed, this is the best word. You have bandits, yes? These men were often once in your armies? You see our problem, then. We cannot simply say 'stop' and these men will obey us." He waved a hand vaugly, "We will do our best to stop these attacks, but we cannot simply say to criminals, 'stop being criminals.'"

OOC: I was waiting for your guy o get finished so he can speak with my ambassador, uness u want to do that now.
(OOC: You could always show up at the embassy :P

Erm, sorry about that. I'm unsure what you want me to do, call it off, tone it down a bit, or say my big accomplishment was the rise of Communism in China?

If you want spies and such in the countryside, go for it. Im not sure how exciting spying on rice production and water buffalos would be, but youre free to do so. Paid informants in the cities are fine as well, but any high-risk cooperation with Europeans isnt going to happen right away.
If theres an invasion, then some Chinese might rise up against the Japanese, but they would be going for independance, not European occupation.)

The minister sighed, "Blunt, as ever...Mr. DuPont, the primary...perpetrators are...former military, the word is...Ronin, they are..." Watanabe trailed off, thinking, "Unemployed, this is the best word. You have bandits, yes? These men were often once in your armies? You see our problem, then. We cannot simply say 'stop' and these men will obey us." He waved a hand vaugly, "We will do our best to stop these attacks, but we cannot simply say to criminals, 'stop being criminals.'"


Lord Brian nodded in understanding "Former soldiers will often lapse into violence because it is what they have trained to do. I understand your problem Minister and I sympathise with you, but my primary focus is on the King's citizens in this country and their safety. I would like to find a mutually beneficial solution to this problem as opposed to pulling everything out like the Prussians. Does your government currantly have any proposals in planning that may combat this violence?"

Lord Brian nodded in understanding "Former soldiers will often lapse into violence because it is what they have trained to do. I understand your problem Minister and I sympathise with you, but my primary focus is on the King's citizens in this country and their safety. I would like to find a mutually beneficial solution to this problem as opposed to pulling everything out like the Prussians. Does your government currantly have any proposals in planning that may combat this violence?"

"We are presently attempting to control the Ronin in Japan and the larger Chinese cities, we are hoping that with these measures that the Ronin will be forced to move out of the cities. We have also begun assigning Samurai to assist in guarding Europeans...there are few enough that it is not a big strain." The minister nodded, "With a Samurai present, a Ronin will first have to challenge that samurai before attacking those under his protection, you see."
"Once we have stabilized the situation here and in the larger Chinese cities, we will expand our protection. In the mean time, please communicate to any of your citizens that they should seek to avoid conflict and be as respectful as possible to any samurai they encounter."

Sir Brian nodded again "We shall of course warn all citizens that being respectful to the Samurai is a top concern. I would feel more confortable however if I knew which Samurai were protecting which family or citizen. Just for the records, you understand" his eyes flicked to the wall beside the embassy gate, where one of the Red-Coated Alversians was signalling for Lieutenant Lawson to join him on the firestep. he ignored it and smiled at the Minister "For the records" he repeated.

(OOC: You could always show up at the embassy :P



OOC: you want to come at my embassy?

Sir Brian nodded again "We shall of course warn all citizens that being respectful to the Samurai is a top concern. I would feel more confortable however if I knew which Samurai were protecting which family or citizen. Just for the records, you understand" his eyes flicked to the wall beside the embassy gate, where one of the Red-Coated Alversians was signalling for Lieutenant Lawson to join him on the firestep. he ignored it and smiled at the Minister "For the records" he repeated.

The minister smiled briefly, "An unterstandable concern. You may rest assured that the Samurai selected to guard ambassadors and their families have been selected from amoung the most loyal and skilled in the service of the Emperor. Even if they do not like Westerners, they will not fail in their duty to guard your life while in Japan. To do so would be a stain on their honor which would require...extreme measures to correct. I am sure you understand. If you wish to meet them, you are quite free to talk to them...they are military men though, and may not be the best company, however, they do know some English. It is a popular language, despite the anti-western sentiments present."

OOC: you want to come at my embassy?

(OOC:
Only if you want. It depends on the character of your ambassador. Is he the sort of guy who will show up to a meeting uninvited?
If not, I can send a guy to meet your guy wherever you'd like said guys to meet ;) )

(OOC:
Only if you want. It depends on the character of your ambassador. Is he the sort of guy who will show up to a meeting uninvited?
If not, I can send a guy to meet your guy wherever you'd like said guys to meet ;) )

OOC: he emperor would, but my guy wouldn't. Yeah, you can come to the Ethiopian embassy

If you want spies and such in the countryside, go for it. Im not sure how exciting spying on rice production and water buffalos would be, but youre free to do so. Paid informants in the cities are fine as well, but any high-risk cooperation with Europeans isnt going to happen right away.
If theres an invasion, then some Chinese might rise up against the Japanese, but they would be going for independance, not European occupation.)

OOC: I can't see much fault with what I did, minus the explosion of the factory. And that was merely one factory - it doesn't even have to be a weapons factory if you don't want, I merely used it as a ceremonial signal of the start of the internal political and spy war in China. Ant said he may try and suggest that the Germans were funding Communists to cause unrest, and if he wants to continue with that, I think it'll be wise to keep my men in the city. I don't wish to go into the rural areas - of all areas those will probably have unrest with working for there Japanese rulers anyway, so the cities, the places under more strict Japanese control, are the areas I'm targeting.

I have no plans to topple your government, just gradually create dissent among the people unhappy in China under Japanese rule. As stated in my long post, I would simply tell them that we desire there independence from the Japanese Empire. I'm sure that for that many would be willing to co-operate for that reason than if I said Europe wished to invade. And anyway, I'll tell you OOCly, I have no desire to invade your country, just cause small unrest. If the rise of Communism in China is linked to the Germans, that'll be cool though, but it's quite a small operation really.

(OOC:
Its not so much the explosion, its chiefly that I dont like people RPing my citizens without at the very least asking first. Anti can do it because he's the admin and all, but other than that I prefer that people get confirmation from me before starting unrest. Like I said in our TG, if I was to RP some Polish rebels blowing up a German factory, how would THAT go over? The Poles are WAY more rebellious than the Chinese.
And we have yet to determine the number of communists, Im talking with Anti via TG on the issue so we can work out a reasonable alternative.
I say again, I REALLY doubt that there are many Chinese who would support Europeans without being paid lots and lots of money, and you probably know the problems you can get with paid revolutionaries.
Anti and myself are working on something though, so there'll be plenty of unrest shortly. It'll just be (IMO) of a type which is more reasonable considering the political and social leanings of China.)

The embassy of the Empire of Ethiopia wishes to invite members of he Japanese government over to discuss the recent attacks on Westerners, and what can be done to prevent them.

OOC: Why hasn't anyone attacked any Ehiopians yet?

The embassy of the Empire of Ethiopia wishes to invite members of he Japanese government over to discuss the recent attacks on Westerners, and what can be done to prevent them.

OOC: Why hasn't anyone attacked any Ehiopians yet?

OOC: I think there targeted Europeans as they are generally seen as the colonists of the world...plus he's targeting Westerners and Ethiopia isn't really known as the Western world, and also surely there wouldn't be a great number of Ethiopians in China?

OOC: I think there targeted Europeans as they are generally seen as the colonists of the world...plus he's targeting Westerners and Ethiopia isn't really known as the Western world, and also surely there wouldn't be a great number of Ethiopians in China?


OOC: Ethiopia is doing trade there, we're more interested in setting up small trading posts throught the world instead of big colonies. DGNT, you go now.

Please contact the Alversian embassy, present a meeting is being held there to discuss the appropriate actions to take on this subject. If the Alversian ambassador is willing, then we have no objection to you being present.
Tohno Keichii, Foriegn Ministry

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Flames did not engulf Nanjing, but the palace there was a smouldering wreck. The Emperor had been (respectfully) hauled from the building just before it was torched, guards and all. The few hundred men of the Order of the Rightous and Harmonious Fists were flush with victory, and the crowd which had gathered was gaping at the success, astonished to even SEE the Emperor emerge from his prison.
There was a speech. It was quite rousing.
The gist of it was that, yes, Westerners were indeed barbarians, but so were the Japanese, and the Koreans and...well...pretty much everybody who wasnt Chinese, or who didnt submit to the Son of Heaven and all that.
It was then, with perfect timing, that a part of the Japanese garrison showed up, a group of some hundred or so Samurai keen on asking pointed questions as to why there was a fire in the middle of their city. They had guns, and swords, and they were not in a good mood.
Neither were the Chinese.
As is usual in this sort of situation, the two groups squared off, and two representatives shouted at each other while everybody else taunted the other side.
In this situation its only a matter of time before somebody throws a stone, or a soldier twitches his finger just so...
As is so often the case, who started it was a mystery, but when the smoke cleared there was an impressive pile of Chinese corpses and the Samurai were fighting their way back to the cities castle, along with a small crowd of European businessmen and traders, several of whom had been hauled from their homes when they didnt pack fast enough.
The crowd of Chinese pried the weapons from the fallen Samurai, usually enough to equip several men each, and, although they were unable to breach the gates of the castle, they did have enough membership to surround the whole structure, by nightfall a vast crowd of Chinese citizens were surrounding the castle, chanting 'foreigners out!' and other various slogans. Various items were hurled at the castle walls, including incindiaries, these had little effect, however, since stone and clay dont burn very well. The laquered gates of the castle burned quite well, but soldiers manning the gates had an ample supply of water and cartridges, and anybody approaching the gate was subjected to a variety of unpleasant projectile fire.
The Siege of Nanjing was not the only event in this rebellion, once events were going, the numbers of rebels rapidly grew, until by the end of the week nearly 300,000 rebels had taken over most of the north of Shangdong, encircling the local garrisons and destroying telegraph lines, roads and pretty much everything else connecting the cities. The Japanese garrison at Jinan fell, chiefly because its members were caught by suprise in a night raid, before the castle gates could be shut the rebels had already stormed the keep, slaughtering the entire garrison and every European (and foriegner) in the city. Yantai, a coastal city, remained under Japanese control, chiefly because its population was mostly Korean, European and Japanese. The city itself was under siege, but the rebels had few boats and the small forts which guarded the cities docks held them off with ease.

It took some weeks for news to get out that half of Shangdong had fallen to the rebels, initial reports had been that it was a small rebellion. The telegraph lines had been cut quickly though, communication had quickly failed at that point, the only way to communicate was via messenger, which obviously took a lot longer than telegraph. Fourtunatly (for the Japanese) the Chinese also respected the ancient protection bestowed on all messengers, and the horsemen werent attacked.
The Emperor was, to say the least, moderatly enraged. After several furious meetings and a number of long sessions with various neighboring Daimyo, action was formulated.
The rebels, now estimated at 400,000 strong, would be crushed the old fashioned way. If the Chinese had not learned their lesson and wanted to get crushed again, the Samurai would oblige them. Assembling a force of nearly 300,000 Samurai and a few thousand local militia. These were rapidly assembled on the borders, and the Imperial Navy was quickly mobilized along the coastline, defending the few ports in the north still open to Japanese ships and ferrying out refugees when possible.
The news was kept mostly within the Japanese Empire, however, a few photos did get out, chiefly from European reporters. Perhaps the most famous was taken from Nanjing Castle, which showed the massive crowd of Chinese rebels encircling it, filling virtually every visible portion of the streets around the castle. Banners and various farm impliments were being waved in a single huge blurry mass of humanity. Recent advances in photographic technology however at least made it possible to distinguish one person from another.

The Kaiser and the Council of Germany had quickly heard the reports of riots in China, and were satisfied with the fact that revolution was in the air and Communism on the rise. The Japanese may win in the end, though the war would be bloody and destructive, fought probably on the streets of cities, damaging their economy. At least Japan would pay somewhat, even though by the Chinese hand not theirs, for there disrespect for the Germans. It was pointless trying to point out that the German spy network had done little but assist in the rise of Communism - he was determined to believe they had started a revolution.

To Shanghai a simple telegraph saying "Singapore is nice this time of year" was sent to the spies. They had lost some of their men they had in the other cities, and many of who remained where ordered to withdraw.

It was good that the Germans had pulled out most of their people, he felt sorry for their allies in Britain and France, who had not seen the sense to remove it's businesses and civilians from China. Sixteen German informants and spies would remain in Shanghai, and the rest would leave for Malaysia straight away.

OOC: Can I just come now or should I wait for Alversia to sign on?

OOC: Can I just come now or should I wait for Alversia to sign on?

OOC: You're welcome to visit the Alversian Embassy now if you want

OOC: You're welcome to visit the Alversian Embassy now if you want

Ambassador Massalla walked out of his carrage. He spotted the embassy guards, nodded at them, and walked into the embassy. He spotted a man, and said,
"Is the ambassador in?"

The Red coated Guard stared at the Ambassador uneasily for a moment before shouting to one of the Guards on the wall. Once he had recieved a decent response he opened the door and snapped to attention, inviting the Ambassador into the Embassy. At the same time a small Servant scuttled up to the Man and said "May I ask your business here? I wish to inform the Ambassador of your arrival"

The Red coated Guard stared at the Ambassador uneasily for a moment before shouting to one of the Guards on the wall. Once he had recieved a decent response he opened the door and snapped to attention, inviting the Ambassador into the Embassy. At the same time a small Servant scuttled up to the Man and said "May I ask your business here? I wish to inform the Ambassador of your arrival"

Massala said,
"Sir, I am meeting with him and the Japanese Foreign Minister to discuss buisness of urgent matters."

A messanger burst into the embassy yelling in French. He sought out Henri and pushed all manner of Alversian guards out of the way.

"Henri!" He shouted.

"There have been rebellions across China, they have killed every European and French citizen they can lay hands on! You must address this immediately, these Chinese threaten to overturn the Japanese goverment."

Henri looked at the messanger with astonishment then slowly repeated the news to the rest of the embassy in English.

The Servant nodded and indicated that the Ambassador should follow him. After travelling through several corridors and halls, many containing terrified Families and Businessmen. He put an arm against the Ambassador, forcing him against the wall as a troop of Alversian Guards dashed past towards the door, fixing bayonets as they ran. "Extra security, Sir" the little man said as he pointed down a corridor "That corridor will bring you to Sir Brian's office. Good Day" and he was off again

Outside the office Lieutenant Lawson and two other Alversian Soldiers stood suspiciously "May I be so rude as ask you to identify yourself?" the young officer said in a polite but threatening tone. Before they could recieve an answer, a young Frenchman galloped past and flung the doors open. The Guards calmly shut the doors again and continued to stare at The Ambassador.

----------------
Inside the office, Sir Brian, who spoke a reasonable amount of French stood up in horror at the news. There were hundreds of Alversian citizens within the Japanese controlled areas of China and although that responsibility lay with the Chinese Ambassador Sir Felix, Sir Brian nevertheless felt he had to ask "What positions have they taken?" he was clenching his desk so hard that his knuckles had gone white "How much?"

A messanger burst into the embassy yelling in French. He sought out Henri and pushed all manner of Alversian guards out of the way.

"Henri!" He shouted.

"There have been rebellions across China, they have killed every European and French citizen they can lay hands on! You must address this immediately, these Chinese threaten to overturn the Japanese goverment."

Henri looked at the messanger with astonishment then slowly repeated the news to the rest of the embassy in English.

The Minister stood, endeavouring to look calm and succeding modestly well, "Where did you learn this, if I may ask?"

The Servant nodded and indicated that the Ambassador should follow him. After travelling through several corridors and halls, many containing terrified Families and Businessmen. He put an arm against the Ambassador, forcing him against the wall as a troop of Alversian Guards dashed past towards the door, fixing bayonets as they ran. "Extra security, Sir" the little man said as he pointed down a corridor "That corridor will bring you to Sir Brian's office. Good Day" and he was off again

Outside the office Lieutenant Lawson and two other Alversian Soldiers stood suspiciously "May I be so rude as ask you to identify yourself?" the young officer said in a polite but threatening tone.

"You will pardon me." The Minister bowed low to those present, "I must consult with the Emperor on this matter. May I use your telegraph?" The last question was addressed to the Alversian.

-snip-

"Sir, I am Adisu Massalla, ambassador of the Empire of Ethiopia to the Empire of Japan."

Sir Brian nodded and indicated to a rooom off the left from his office "Use my private line" was all he said as the doors were opened
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The young Lieutenant took a step back and bowed respectfully "My appologies Ambassador, but I have to be careful in these times" he opened the door as the two Guards stood to attention.

Watanabe bowed to the Alversian again and stepped into the telegraph room. There was much fun had as the minister and operator translated back and forth between English, Japanese, and telegraph code.

Massala walked into the room, saw the Japanese man at the telegraph machine, and waited until he was done.

Foxfire slashed furiously as the Englishman came at him once again with his foolish rapier. The man parried and Foxfire dodged, avoiding a blow that would have rent his head from his shoulders. Then he drove the tip of his katana into the Englishman's gut, blood spilling onto the ground. The man fell into a pool of his own liquid and Foxfire calmly wiped his sword on the dead man's clothing and walked away.
OOC: Not sure what's going on, some interaction would be nice.

((OOC:
Uh, this is from Earth 1860, you need to be registered to RP, and then you'd have your own country. The main thread is floating around on the front page right now, I think.))

OOC: Oh, sorry, I thought this was an open RPG.

Watanabe returned to the room shortly thereafter, looking slightly relieved, "Gentlemen, it seems that there has, indeed, been an uprising in China. However it is localized within a single province and should prove no trouble for the local Daimyo, who has mobilized his men to deal with the issue. Shall we return to our previous topic, perhaps?"

Watanabe returned to the room shortly thereafter, looking slightly relieved, "Gentlemen, it seems that there has, indeed, been an uprising in China. However it is localized within a single province and should prove no trouble for the local Daimyo, who has mobilized his men to deal with the issue. Shall we return to our previous topic, perhaps?"

Ambassador Massalla stroked his chin a bit and then said,
"Sir, Ambassador Adisu Massalla of the Empire of Ethiopia. I, as well as anyone else should be, am disturbed by these attacks on foreigners."

Watanabe returned to the room shortly thereafter, looking slightly relieved, "Gentlemen, it seems that there has, indeed, been an uprising in China. However it is localized within a single province and should prove no trouble for the local Daimyo, who has mobilized his men to deal with the issue. Shall we return to our previous topic, perhaps?"

Sir Brian was still concerned by the uprising in China "What are the casualty reports so far Minister?" the British Ambassador asked. His voice was calm but internally his mind was racing. No doubt the British troops in the colony would be able to repel any rablle which attempted to attack them with their bows and arrows. An Army with Japanese rifles and swords was a different matter all togather. He leant back and awaited the Minister's answer with dread.

The minister smiled at the Ethiopian, "We are already taking steps to resolve the matter, as you have no doubt heard, we are gradually expanding the areas of enforcement from the major cities, forcing the ronin who commit these acts into the open. The Emperor has recently announced that Westerners are NOT, in fact, peasants, and thus any attack on them is quite punishable."
Looking back to the Alversian, Watanabe spoke, apparently quite confident in what he was saying, "The rebellion is centered in Nanjing, however casualties amoung westerners and Japanese are low, thanks to the fast action of the Daimyo, who evacuated them to the castle. Presently they are besieged, but it is only a matter of days before the relief forces arrive. We anticipate the swift crushing of the Chinese in this matter. As to specific casualties, I am afraid the telegraph wires to the castle were cut, however, it is said that no Europeans have been killed, although some may have been injured. We must wait until the siege is lifted in order to know."

DuPont nearly scoffed. Western ambassadors and merchants were certainly not peasants.

"Thank you, this is truely excellent news indeed. So the attacks will cease or at least decrease?"

The minister smiled at the Ethiopian, "We are already taking steps to resolve the matter, as you have no doubt heard, we are gradually expanding the areas of enforcement from the major cities, forcing the ronin who commit these acts into the open. The Emperor has recently announced that Westerners are NOT, in fact, peasants, and thus any attack on them is quite punishable."
Looking back to the Alversian, Watanabe spoke, apparently quite confident in what he was saying, "The rebellion is centered in Nanjing, however casualties amoung westerners and Japanese are low, thanks to the fast action of the Daimyo, who evacuated them to the castle. Presently they are besieged, but it is only a matter of days before the relief forces arrive. We anticipate the swift crushing of the Chinese in this matter. As to specific casualties, I am afraid the telegraph wires to the castle were cut, however, it is said that no Europeans have been killed, although some may have been injured. We must wait until the siege is lifted in order to know."

"Thank you for this Information, I do hope that any rebellion ends quickly. I am a diplomat, so of course I want a peaceful solution to any conflict. I did come here to have a special request. I wish to spread some learning and understanding of Ethiopia and hopefully as a result, my people will learn about Japan. If you are interested, I will tell you some more details."

Watanabe nodded to the Frenchman, "Of course. If the Ronin are driven into the countryside it will be much more difficult for them to attack foreigners, since most travel in caravans which are well guarded." The ambassador stood and bowed, "Now, if you will please excuse me, I must assist in organizing these efforts. Thank you for your hospitality, Brian-dono. We will notify you of the progress of the efforts to calm the situation."

---

The fighting in Shangdong was intense, if somewhat one-sided in terms of casualties. The Chinese rebels fought with a single-minded tenacity though, hurling wave after human wave at the Japanese lines. These efforts were met by disciplined, accurate, and rapid rifle fire, as well as explosive shells which tore ragged holes in both the Chinese lines and the Chinese themselves.
The Chinese 'armies' (loosely organized around villages and towns, with no central command structure except 'the Emperor' who was presently missing) had few modern weapons, mostly relying on swords, spears and bows. Most of them were in possession of 'magic charms' which, amoung other things, protected them from bullets. The Japanese didnt seem to be aware of this though, and employed bullets quite extensivly against the Chinese lines.
The citizens of the province seemed to not be particularly interested in the events at hand, except when they came to town, at which point they packed up and evacuated as fast as possible. Wars in China, especially in cities, tended to be very messy.
Neither side seemed terribly concerned about civilians, they usually simply ignored them unless they got in the way, in which case, if they were lucky, they were shoved roughly off the battlefield.
As the Chinese werent using many firearms and were coming in massive crowds, the Japanese had adopted the European-style close-order lines, which enabled them to put a virtually solid wall of lead across any given plane in front of them, usually with devastating results. If the lines closed, the Japanese usually suffered more casualties, not TOO many more, but in such circumstances the Chinese were able to actually fight back.
Nanjing held out for nearly two weeks until help arrived, the center of the Chinese rebellion suffered extensivly. The Japanese forces outside the city bombarded it extensivly, taking care to avoid the cities many historic sites, knowing full well that destroying too many of those would enrage the Chinese at large, rather than pacify them.
So, the besiegers ended up being besieged while still besieging the original besiegee's. The situation in the city rapidly deteriorated...