AWWA Part 2-The Second Thirty Years War(IC)

[Shrillland]

By four in the afternoon, the Infantry now advanced on the Chelsea artillery positions, and the remaining artillery prepared to start blasting away buildings if it came to that. They used a strategy that would one day be used at a place called Isandlwana, with infantry at the northeast and northwest corners of Chelsea waiting for the bulk, led by Ishikawa himself, to come in from the north.

[Ruridova]

By four in the afternoon, the Infantry now advanced on the Chelsea artillery positions, and the remaining artillery prepared to start blasting away buildings if it came to that. They used a strategy that would one day be used at a place called Isandlwana, with infantry at the northeast and northwest corners of Chelsea waiting for the bulk, led by Ishikawa himself, to come in from the north.

The Americaners responded as able.

[Unicario]

February 1838

The Japanese government sent letters to several major states, proposing something unheard of.

To the United Kingdom, German Empire, Kingdom of Italy, Sublime Porte, Qing Empire, Confederate States of America, Republic of Guyana, Union of South Slavs, Russian Empire.
From: The Empire of Japan

Greetings friends, nations of the world. We propose to you the foundation of a peace-dedicated collection of both old and new sports to be celebrated and performed in a world-wide symphonic competition. Recall the days of lore, the old Roman and Greek Olympiad, and see that this could be a great benefit to the world. Japan already celebrates these types of events every four years since the peace of 1332 that ended the Genkai War.

The Japanese Empire formally invites athletes of the world to the 127th Sengoku Games, to be held in Seoul between the days of September 1 - 14, 1840. Games of all sorts shall be played, both old and new. And from September 14 to September 16, the Heiwa Celebration shall be held, and thousands of Japanese gymnasts, acrobats and dramatic actors will perform for the first time to foreigners, demonstrating our nation's solidarity to bring an end to Shogunate oppression, and her amicable relationship with the Great Nations of Europe.

All proceeds garnered from this event shall be put towards reconstruction of Tokyo's Merchant Row, which was devastated by an incident in recent weeks.

Best regards,
Emperor Alexander
Emperor of Japan, Son of Heaven

---

Through early 1838, Japan's religious beliefs, that being State Shinto, changed significantly. Many Japanese priests began to preach that Empress Akiko, the Meiji Empress, was in fact the goddess Amaterasu in a human form. This became central doctrine of the Japanese Shinto churches.

The Anglicans didn't go as far as to call her the reincarnation of God, but they did call her a "Prophet of the Christ's Word". The Anglican Church of Japan formally declared Empress Akiko a saint on March 3, 1838, naming her St. Anne, Patron of the Sun. "Anne" had been a nickname given to her by British nobility during her youth, since they couldn't pronounce "Akiko". An almost sudden cult of personality had appeared around the Meiji Empress, as she was now hailed as Amaterasu, the Goddess of the Sun, and the Divine Empress of Japan.

Similarly, the late Emperor George was beatified by both Anglicans and Shintos alike. The Shintos referred to him as "the Holy Martyr", who gave his life so that the Shogunate could finally be driven out from Japan. He was elevated to the same status as the mythical Emperor Jimmu, the son of Amaterasu. The Anglicans also canonized him as St. George the Martyr, one of the many Saint Georges.

Excerpt taken from Kamikōgō, published 1838 by the Archpriest of Kanto.
"We are not mistaken in this. The Empress Meiji is but truly the mortal form of the Great Kami Amaterasu. Her life and wisdom exceeded that of any known man, woman or child. Her divinity cannot be rejected, as she was born during sunrise, and her life disappeared when the sun set here in Japan. Through her, she has borne the children who now rule the Seas and the Sun. Through her, Japan has ceaselessly strived to assert her hegemony in the great Pacific Sea. The reason Amaterasu became to Earth to invest her bright wisdom on humanity through the Meiji Empress, is simple.

Humanity needed her. Without her, the United Kingdom would be no more, as her daughter, the Holy Guardian of the Ocean, Queen Victoria, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, rules an empire on which the sun never sets, the Japanese sun. Warm to her friends, cold to her enemies.

---

For the 127th Sengoku Games, a new play was composed by the man who had composed the Seigi no Gen'in play in 1835.

Several scenes taken from it:
The play began in total darkness, the sound of "Tennouheika Banzai!" and "Shōgun no tame ni!" and the cacophony of swords clashing and men screaming. A lone light illuminated a male figure kneeling at a Shinto shrine. He wept upon it. He said, "O Kami... when will this madness finally end?"

A woman clad in white descended from the ceiling, and she spoke, "Greetings, my son, Go-Daigo... your cause is noble, your heart is true." She smiled and said, "I am Amaterasu."

The Emperor gasped and fell backwards, "Kami-sama!" He bowed deeply, "My apologies!"

She smiled and said, "Oh, my son. You shall lead Japan to glory." She unsheathed a sword and placed it before him, "Shake the foundations of the world from my grace, and from your skies. For look, my son..." she gestured to a rising sun and she said, "The sun rises for Japan. The sun rises for an eternity, and it shall not set until the last of the faithful are gone."

She rose towards the ceiling and said, "Take heart in your own power, my son. For Japan."

Go-Daigo was left alone staring at the sky and he raised his sword, "Tennoheika Banzai!"

The entirety of it went dark, before the cacophony of war began again.

[...]

The sun shone over the Empress Consort, Nijo, as she laboured in pain. Her labour had not ended for nearly 36 hours, and the Doctors grew grim. However, she remained firm. A woman in white appeared again, smiling, "Nijo-san... your daughter shall lead Japan... and she shall through this, become a Kami herself." The bright light grew before dying out, and all that could be heard was the crying of a baby girl.

The doctors shouted, "Your Majesty! It is a girl! Princess Akiko has been born!"

[...]

"On behalf of Her Majesty, Elizabeth the First of Her Name, Queen of the Kingdom of England, we have come to your kingdom." the British man stated, before bowing to the Japanese Emperor. The Emperor stared at him for moments and said, "So... the Great West has come to our lands now. Tell me, what has become of the Great Khan. His disappearance from the land of China and Korea has made me understand that he has finished his conquest of Europe, and has moved everyone there."

The Japanese Emperor shifted and said, "The Spanish and Portuguese have made threatening moves towards my nation. Britain and Japan have a common position, both isolated islands in an ocean, with hostile neighbors on their flank. We should be kin, not enemies. What say you, white man?"

[...]

"Do you believe I should depart this land, father?" Princess Akiko asked Emperor Momozono, who stroked his beard, "Yes, my daughter, I do. You shall be Empress one day, and only Britain can teach you to control yourself and be a strong woman, much like Elizabeth the Provider."

Akiko nodded and said, "I shall do my duty, father. For the Empire, and for you." The British diplomat clasped a hand on Akiko's shoulder and said, "Ak-ak... Anne. It is time for us to depart."

Akiko turned and bowed to her father, and to her brother, Sakuramachi. "Many blessings upon you by the Kami. I shall return as Empress."

She disappeared off stage.

[Shrillland]

February 5, 1838
Chelsea, Massachusetts

The cavalry were in the midst of a fight for East Boston, and had lost another 200 men, while at Chelsea the "body of the bull", the bulk of the infantry, now began pouring into the Americaner positions. Overwhelming force might succeed where flank attacks and endless bombardments had failed.

Buckingham Palace
London

Queen Victoria was the first to accept her nephew's invitation to the Sengoku Games, and wrote:

My dear nephew Alexander,

I'll be honoured to send a party of athletes from throughout the Empire to the games in September, and if possible, I will attend the games myself. I've wanted to see you for a long time since your dear grandmother died, and hope that we can catch up, both as leaders and as kin.

Your loving aunt,
Victoria

She did consider saying something about inviting the Confederacy as well, but Victoria was sure it wouldn't be needed. Ishikawa and Keane would crush them by the autumn.

As she sent out this letter, William Howley, the Archbishop of Canterbury, strove up to her, looking positively livid.
"Forgive this intrusion your majesty, but something's happened in Japan." and with that he gave a translated copy of the Japanese Book of Common Prayer, in which her mother and her brother were both now considered saints. Victoria was flattered. Howley, on the other hand, was beside himself. "With all due respect to you honourable mother and brother, they were not of the true faith of Christ! They were heathens who did not follow the cross! And now the Japanese church dares to call them saints of Christ! They have not followed the customs needed to be canonised..."

"And what customs do we have?" Victoria asked, "There has been but one man canonised by this church since we split from the Bishop of Rome, and that was St. Charles Stuart(King Charles I). And Parliament now wants to see him stricken from the Book, though the Empire won't stand for it. In any case, the Japanese church enjoys a great deal of autonomy within the Anglican Communion, and only a direct command from me could remove them from sainthood."
"Well then, will you give the command?"
"Not yet. We want to see how the rest of the church around the world handles this news first, before we make any irrevocable decisions about who is in Heaven or not."

Victoria was sure that the rest of the Church would have mixed feelings, but even if just one part of the communion supported her, than it would be enough.

Outside Belfast, Antrim, Ulster

The Anglo-Japanese force now had Belfast in their sights, and a messenger was sent in to ask that the rebels surrender, though the British did not know if they were even there.

[Luziyca]

Belfast

After they have voted to conduct a "strategic retreat," they asked their families to leave Belfast for Tristan da Cunha. Quite a few Irish families also left Belfast, intent on going on the retreat, many taking their possessions. Over the next few days, they were loaded onto ships, until all of the ships were full. They then set sail, to head to Tristan da Cunha.

Later that day, the messenger would arrive, finding a few defectors who surrendered. However, some were intent on fighting a geurilla war.

[Shrillland]

Belfast, Antrim, Ulster

The city was devoid of Irish rebels, or at least that's what they thought when the Anglo-Japanese force arrived. It seemed that the city Ireland was now free of the rebels, and the British flag was hoisted in triumph. But even on the first day guerrilla activities were beginning to plague the British who would face a malaise of terror and sabotage for decades to come.

[Ruridova]

February 5, 1838
Chelsea, Massachusetts

The cavalry were in the midst of a fight for East Boston, and had lost another 200 men, while at Chelsea the "body of the bull", the bulk of the infantry, now began pouring into the Americaner positions. Overwhelming force might succeed where flank attacks and endless bombardments had failed.

The Americaners decided to try and hold the line in face of it all.

[Luziyca]

Belfast, Antrim, Ulster

The city was devoid of Irish rebels, or at least that's what they thought when the Anglo-Japanese force arrived. It seemed that the city Ireland was now free of the rebels, and the British flag was hoisted in triumph. But even on the first day guerrilla activities were beginning to plague the British who would face a malaise of terror and sabotage for decades to come.

As the 5,000 Irish persons left Belfast to sail to Tristan da Cunha, they decided that the best course of action would be to sail through the Irish Sea disguised as British ships. The ship names were painted on, the one carrying timber, several families, food and water as well as Eoghan calling itself "HMS Cromwell," and others naming themselves after Tudor era figures, Jacobists, or even the HMS Queen Victoria.

[Unicario]

((Hint: The British monarchy wouldn't name a ship after Oliver Cromwell, or name it after the reigning monarch. There's only one ship named "Queen Elizabeth II", and it's an ocean liner.))

[Luziyca]

((Hint: The British monarchy wouldn't name a ship after Oliver Cromwell, or name it after the reigning monarch. There's only one ship named "Queen Elizabeth II", and it's an ocean liner.))

Well, their only intent is to use these names to sail the Irish Sea. Once they go into the Atlantic, they will choose a new name for their ships.

[Ruridova]

((Hint: The British monarchy wouldn't name a ship after Oliver Cromwell

There were Earls of Essex, Lord-Deputies of Ireland, and Barons of Oakham named Cromwell. The name comes from the term 'of Cromwell', which is in Nottinghamshire.

[Unicario]

February 11, 1838

"Alexander, Son of the Martyr, Grandson of Amaterasu, do you promise to protect the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, uphold her laws before the highest divine powers that be, and ensure racial, religious, gender, and ethnic equality for all men, women and children in this Empire?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to provide for the defense of the Empire, to ensure that it never falls to foreign invasion, and that it will remain a bulwark of freedom and democracy for the whole world to see?"

"I do."

The Shinto priest in charge of the ceremony bowed to the Emperor and handed him three things. The Blade of Amaterasu, which was stained with blood of the Assassin and the Martyr.

"The Blade of Amaterasu, forged by the fires of the Heaven, wielded by Jimmu, and by Meiji, from which the blood of evil and purity comingle.."

The Mirror of Jimmu, to self-reflect on his powers as Emperor.

"The Mirror of Jimmu, from which you shall reflect on yourself as Emperor to provide a better rule..."

The Necklace of the Kami.

"The Necklace of the Kami, to ward off great evils from you."

"By the blessing of the Kami, you are now Emperor Alexander of Japan, King of the Sun, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Son of Heaven."

The Archbishop of Honshuu bowed to the Emperor and said, "By the Grace of God, and by the Will of the Head of the Anglican Church, Her Majesty Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, the Anglican Church hereby invests you as the Emperor of the United Commonwealth of Asia, and may God's blessing shine upon you, your Majesty."

Alexander rose and walked down the front-steps of the Meiji Shrine, which had been called the "Tokyo Shrine" before Meiji's death in 1837.

As he walked, the commander of the Imperial Guard shouted, "PRESENT ARMS!" "FIRE!"

The sounds of rifle fire, a 21 gun salute, echoed as the Emperor entered the carriage. At sea, the IJN did their own salute.

Peasants followed the carriage singing the national anthem. "Kimigayo wa..."

As the carriage pulled Alexander along, he realized he had no wife yet. He needed to marry a princess or something of the sort. When his carriage reached the palace, he sent letters to Germany and Britain, looking for either an English wife, or a German wife, preferably one of higher title.

To: Victoria
From: Alexander

Dearest aunt,

I'm glad to hear Britain wishes to attend the Sengoku Games. You were always so interested in the Sengoku Games. Remember when you were part of the gymnastic group when we were kids? If I recall, you were given a gold medal for your prowess. It'll be refreshing for all those athletes and dramatic actors to see old Vicky back!

In any case, I ask your aid in more than one situation. I am still unwed, and Japan calls for an heir, for if I don't, the Anglo-Japanese Empire will be borne (which in itself wouldn't be too bad, but would be absolute chaos! Maybe in a few decades (I'm kidding of course!))

So I ask if Her Majesty has any Princesses available to marry off to Japan. If not, I'll probably go ask the Germans.

Signed,
Alexander

To: Friedrich Wilhelm, The Great Khan of Germania, Sacker of Rome, Lord of Ten Thousand Years, Son of the Franks.
From: Alexander, The Great Emperor of Asia, Protector of the Great Oceans, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Son of Heaven

Greetings.

The Empire of Japan is interested to see if any German princesses are unwed and wish to be married to Emperor Alexander of Japan.

Signed,
Alexander
Emperor of Japan

[Shrillland]

Boston, Massachusetts

The British used their two-to-one advantage in numbers to try and flush out the area of its Union forces, using rifle, pistol, and sword and destroy all that they could find. The Cavalry in East Boston were now nearing the shores of the Inner Harbour, and began to place the Artillery in position to attack Charlestown and the North End. But once placed, the Army wouldn't be heading to either.

[Unicario]

Constantinople

The after-effects of the January Revolution had ended with the South Slavs, or the majority of them anyway, achieving independence from the Ottoman Empire. The rest of the Empire had maintained peacefully, and it had given Sultan Mehmet II the catalyst to institute his far-reaching and radical reforms. The Empire was reformed along sectional lines, leading to the establishment of long-since dead Byzantine-styled "Thema", or Vilayets. These Vilayets were all given representation in the Sublime Meclis, the legislative body of the new "Red Guard" government.

The Red Guards had reformed into the first Ottoman government that involved Socialists. They instituted all of their reforms, and put most of reactionaries to death for crimes against the "Sublime Porte". The Empire began a long process of healing that gave most of it's citizens a brighter hope to look forward to.

---

The Hague

The Netherlands maintained a course. Discontent had forced Willem to abdicate to his grandson, the young Willem II (OTL Willem III). The new young monarch plotted a course for a liberal Netherlands with a vast colonial empire. He gave permission for his officers to continue to expand the Dutch East Indies colonies to the greatest extent without intruding into Japanese or British claims, and to as well begin reforms of the army and navy to be fitting a proper glorious empire.

---

New Kyoto

The new state was beleaguered by starvation. North Australia's poor crop yield had made an effect, with a good number of the Shogunate loyalists perishing in the first few months. Aborigine slaves/serfs had been brought in for mating and for work, but it did little to prevent the mass death of numerous the Shogunate's men. They were unsure if they'd survive the year.

[Ruridova]

Boston, Massachusetts

The British used their two-to-one advantage in numbers to try and flush out the area of its Union forces, using rifle, pistol, and sword and destroy all that they could find. The Cavalry in East Boston were now nearing the shores of the Inner Harbour, and began to place the Artillery in position to attack Charlestown and the North End. But once placed, the Army wouldn't be heading to either.

The Americaners tried, with increasing desperation(and thus increasing fury and suicidalness), to repel the British.

To: Friedrich Wilhelm, The Great Khan of Germania, Sacker of Rome, Lord of Ten Thousand Years, Son of the Franks.
From: Alexander, The Great Emperor of Asia, Protector of the Great Oceans, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Son of Heaven

Greetings.

The Empire of Japan is interested to see if any German princesses are unwed and wish to be married to Emperor Alexander of Japan.

Signed,
Alexander
Emperor of Japan

Eine Nachricht von dem König des Deutschen Volkes und Kaiser von Deutschland
Wilhelm Friedrich der Dritte, König von Preußen, des Hauses Hohenzollern
Berlin, Preußen, Deutschland
Um Seiner Kaiserlichen Majestät, Kaiser von Japan und dem Osten, Alexander
Edo bekannt Tokio, das Japanische Kaiserreich

Princess Alexandrine of Baden, the unwed eldest daughter of King Leopold von Zähringen, is looking for a spouse after the man she was set to marry, Duke Ernst of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, was assassinated.

Gott mit uns,
Alle Heil, Durch die Gnade Gottes, Seine Königliche Majestät und Kaiserliche Hoheit, König des Deutschen Volkes und Kaiser von Deutschland, Wilhelm Friedrich der Dritte, König von Preußen, Chef des Hauses Hohenzollern

[Unicario]

"Princess Alexandrine of Baden... eighteen years old, she was going to marry Ernst von Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, ironic, considering my aunt married his brother, Albert." Alexander gave a chuckle as he looked at her credentials. "She seems fertile enough to provide heirs for Japan, and she seems strong enough to fit the status as a Empress Consort..."

He set her aside and said, "I'll keep an eye on that... I just wait for Victoria to reply with any means of providing princesses for me to marry, and then we'll see what happens."

To: Friedrich Wilhelm, Great Khan of Germania, Sacker of Rome, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Son of the Franks, Conqueror of the Eastern March, Protector of the Magyars
From: Alexander, The Great Emperor of Asia, Protector of the Great Oceans, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Grandson of the Great Amaterasu, Protector of the East Asian Realms

I find satisfaction in your offered spouse for me. However, I am remaining open the candidacies of the future Empress Consort. That being said, Princess Alexandrine is invited formally to come to Edo where she will be a guest of the Empire until I decide on who my new spouse will be.

Tennouheika Banzai,
Alexander
The Great Emperor of Asia, Protector of the Great Oceans, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Grandson of the Great Amaterasu, Protector of the East Asian Realms.

The Ottoman Empire and Netherlands both dispatched princesses to Japan. The Netherlands dispatched the fourteen year old Sophie of the Netherlands, sister of the reigning monarch, WIllem II, daughter of the passed-over Willem, Duke of Oranje. The Turks dispatched the eighteen year old Fatma Sultana, heir to the throne. The Ottoman Empire understood the potential ramifications, but they at least wanted to make up appearances. The chances of the Japanese accepting a marriage proposal by Fatma were abysmal at best.

It would really end up being a three-way battle between the British candidate, Alexandrine of Baden, and Sophie of Orange-Nassau.

[Ruridova]

"Princess Alexandrine of Baden... eighteen years old, she was going to marry Ernst von Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, ironic, considering my aunt married his brother, Albert." Alexander gave a chuckle as he looked at her credentials. "She seems fertile enough to provide heirs for Japan, and she seems strong enough to fit the status as a Empress Consort..."

He set her aside and said, "I'll keep an eye on that... I just wait for Victoria to reply with any means of providing princesses for me to marry, and then we'll see what happens."

To: Friedrich Wilhelm, Great Khan of Germania, Sacker of Rome, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Son of the Franks, Conqueror of the Eastern March, Protector of the Magyars
From: Alexander, The Great Emperor of Asia, Protector of the Great Oceans, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Grandson of the Great Amaterasu, Protector of the East Asian Realms

I find satisfaction in your offered spouse for me. However, I am remaining open the candidacies of the future Empress Consort. That being said, Princess Alexandrine is invited formally to come to Edo where she will be a guest of the Empire until I decide on who my new spouse will be.

Tennouheika Banzai,
Alexander
The Great Emperor of Asia, Protector of the Great Oceans, Lord of Ten-Thousand Years, Grandson of the Great Amaterasu, Protector of the East Asian Realms.

The Ottoman Empire and Netherlands both dispatched princesses to Japan. The Netherlands dispatched the fourteen year old Sophie of the Netherlands, sister of the reigning monarch, WIllem II, daughter of the passed-over Willem, Duke of Oranje. The Turks dispatched the eighteen year old Fatma Sultana, heir to the throne. The Ottoman Empire understood the potential ramifications, but they at least wanted to make up appearances. The chances of the Japanese accepting a marriage proposal by Fatma were abysmal at best.

It would really end up being a three-way battle between the British candidate, Alexandrine of Baden, and Sophie of Orange-Nassau.

Eine Nachricht von dem König des Deutschen Volkes und Kaiser von Deutschland
Wilhelm Friedrich der Dritte, König von Preußen, des Hauses Hohenzollern
Berlin, Preußen, Deutschland
Um Seiner Kaiserlichen Majestät, Kaiser von Japan und dem Osten, Alexander
Edo bekannt Tokio, das Japanische Kaiserreich

She has been put on her way.

Gott mit uns,
Alle Heil, Durch die Gnade Gottes, Seine Königliche Majestät und Kaiserliche Hoheit, König des Deutschen Volkes und Kaiser von Deutschland, Wilhelm Friedrich der Dritte, König von Preußen, Chef des Hauses Hohenzollern

[Shrillland]

February 14, 1838
Buckingham Palace
London

St. Valentine's Day, a prudent time to think about what Queen Victoria's nephew was placing before her. Her only kin were Alexander's aunts and uncles in Japan, so she had to look through the family history to find a suitable candidate. Even then there were few hopes of finding a candidate, as all of Britain's other available princesses were in their 50s. In this situation she did find someone of noble blood however, Augusta Emma D'este, the daughter of her uncle , Prince Augustus Frederick, the Duke of Sussex. King George III had not supported his first marriage, from which this daughter was born, but there were no other options that she could think of. After informing her uncle of her plans she sent Augusta to Tokyo. She sent no note, since she though he might like the surprise.

And soon, Prince Albert would arrive in London, and there would be plans for a June wedding.

Boston, Massachusetts

In the meantime life went on throughout the Empire. Here in Bostom the British had successfully taken most of Chelsea, but the desperate American resistance did absorb a lot of Ishikawa's manpower. Nearly 1,400 had died so far in the city, and the infantry had not yet advanced on Charlestown due to the Americaners. In the East however, things were starting to take shape. A large supply of rafts had arrived from Maine this morning, and that night a new assault would begin. Ishikawa would withdraw Infantry from Chelsea while still giving the impression of the entire force, and they would row southwards from East Boston to Dorchester Heights, the Artillery still positioned over the North End.

Shores of the RIver Tugela, Natalia Republic

Dingaan made is move on the 6th, after two days of feasts and celbrations, he turned around and had Retief and his entire diplomatic party killed. He then sent his Impis to flind and destroy the nearby Boer encampments of Bloukrans, Moordspruit, Rensburgspruit, and others on the river Bushman, south of their present location. They would soon arrive, but Pretorius had received knowledge of the situation, and did his best to defend his camp.

[Unicario]

1838
Egypt

In the three years since the "Suez Incident" had nearly plunged China and the Ottomans into a war with each other, the Ottoman Empire had been building a canal. Prisoners from various parts of the Empire, and poverty-stricken persons were put to work on the canal, for modest pay that would fit their meager lifestyle.

With the political revolution in Constantinople, the Suez Canal was put under the political authority of the Vilayet of the Nile Delta, which spanned from the mouth of the river east to the Suez Canal's eastern tip.

The canal wouldn't be ready for years to come, but progress was going on at a good pace. Many workers and bureaucrats estimated the canal to open to the public in 1845 at the earliest. Japan began to invest in the Canal in January 1838 hoping to shorten shipping times between Japanese Africa, Japanese India and the Empire itself and Europe.

[Ruridova]

February 14, 1838
Buckingham Palace
London

St. Valentine's Day, a prudent time to think about what Queen Victoria's nephew was placing before her. Her only kin were Alexander's aunts and uncles in Japan, so she had to look through the family history to find a suitable candidate. Even then there were few hopes of finding a candidate, as all of Britain's other available princesses were in their 50s. In this situation she did find someone of noble blood however, Augusta Emma D'este, the daughter of her uncle , Prince Augustus Frederick, the Duke of Sussex. King George III had not supported his first marriage, from which this daughter was born, but there were no other options that she could think of. After informing her uncle of her plans she sent Augusta to Tokyo. She sent no note, since she though he might like the surprise.

And soon, Prince Albert would arrive in London, and there would be plans for a June wedding.

Albert King of Saxony was also preparing for the trip, and also trying to figure out the best way to ask Victoria a very awkward question about how the Wetting line would continue.

Boston, Massachusetts

In the meantime life went on throughout the Empire. Here in Bostom the British had successfully taken most of Chelsea, but the desperate American resistance did absorb a lot of Ishikawa's manpower. Nearly 1,400 had died so far in the city, and the infantry had not yet advanced on Charlestown due to the Americaners. In the East however, things were starting to take shape. A large supply of rafts had arrived from Maine this morning, and that night a new assault would begin. Ishikawa would withdraw Infantry from Chelsea while still giving the impression of the entire force, and they would row southwards from East Boston to Dorchester Heights, the Artillery still positioned over the North End.

The Americaners returned fire.

[Luziyca]

As the Chinese accepted the invitation to attend the Sengoku games, it began to invest into the Suez Canal. At the same time, Xiunkun of Manchuria had quadruplets: Prince Henry (b. Feb. 19, 1837), Princess Diana (b. Feb. 19, 1837), Princess Mary (b. Feb. 20, 1837) and Prince James (b. Feb 20, 1837), and they are now a year old. She also had twins: Prince Christian, born on Dec. 25, 1837, and Prince Joseph, also born on Dec. 25, 1837. Xiunkun soon realized that she may need to marry a few of the princesses off.

Meanwhile, the Daoguang Emperor decided to farm off 8-year old Princess Xiao to the Japanese as candidate. He also had another daughter, Princess Chun, born in 1836.

從天朝官方公報
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE

---

From: Emperor Daoguang of the Celestial Empire of China
To: Emperor Alexander of the Empire of Japan

---

On behalf of the Empire of China, we accept the offer of attending the Sengoku games and we will muster a team of Manchus, Chinamen, Tibetans, Mongols and Dzungars.

We also nominate a candidate for a Princess for the Emperor to marry: Princess Xiao of China, who is my youngest daughter who has not been married. If accepted, Xiao will renounce any Chinese title that she will have and adopt a Japanese name. Despite her young age (she is eight years old), she will prove the best opportunity for any effort to breed a heir for the Imperial Throne of Japan, for she has just entered reproductive age.

Should you wish to defer the offer for Princess Xiao until she is of age to marry you, we shall accept, for it shall enable us to focus to train her for the role she may have in Japan.

Signed,
Daoguang Emperor
Emperor of the Celestial Empire, King of Manchuria, Head of the House of Aisin-Gioro and the Qing Dynasty, Overseer of the Khans of Mongolia and Dzungaria, Protector of Tibet and Guide to the People no matter where they reside

[Unicario]

Alexander replied to the Chinese offer.

To: His Majesty, Daoguang, Great Khan of the Manchus, Holder of the Cup of Gold
From: Alexander, Emperor of Japan

We welcome our Chinese friends to the Sengoku Games with a very warm reception.

On the topic of your fair daughter, Xiao, I believe that her age is too far of an impairment for the Empire. I am a man who needs a wife already ready to create child with me, and an eight year old is too long of a wait for me.

That being said, I do have a person who is perfect for your daughter. I believe that he is more than capable of being a good betrothed for her. He is Prince Nicholas, only eleven years old, my cousin.

Signed,
Alexander of Japan

[Luziyca]

Alexander replied to the Chinese offer.

To: His Majesty, Daoguang, Great Khan of the Manchus, Holder of the Cup of Gold
From: Alexander, Emperor of Japan

We welcome our Chinese friends to the Sengoku Games with a very warm reception.

On the topic of your fair daughter, Xiao, I believe that her age is too far of an impairment for the Empire. I am a man who needs a wife already ready to create child with me, and an eight year old is too long of a wait for me.

That being said, I do have a person who is perfect for your daughter. I believe that he is more than capable of being a good betrothed for her. He is Prince Nicholas, only eleven years old, my cousin.

Signed,
Alexander of Japan

To: Emperor Alexander of the Empire of Japan
From: The Daoguang Emperor of the Empire of China

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We shall accept your offer of the marriage of Prince Nicholas and Princess Xiao. We also allow Prince Nicholas to give her a new name that she will be known as in Japan.

Signed,
Daoguang Emperor of the Celestial Empire

[Unicario]

February 1838

Before the arrival of the Emperor's probable wives, the Chinese princess arrived on Japan's shores after just a few days. Princess Xiao was escorted to the Imperial Palace, where she talked with the Emperor and Prince Nicholas for some time. Xiao was given a Japanese name, formally renamed to Hanako Aisin-Gioro. She was betrothed to Nicholas, and they were to marry upon both of them reaching the age of sixteen. Her education was assumed by Professor Hiroshi of the University of Edo, who was to teach her Chinese and Japanese both.

The young Chinese princess would be integrated into the Japanese society, slowly, but surely.

[Shrillland]

February 14-15, 1838
Boston, Massachusetts

The battle in Chelsea continued, but not with the same force as before. That night, Ishikawa withdrew 11,000 infantry from there to launch the southern assault. 70 men died amidst the artillery fire on their way to the embarkation point in East Boston, where just after midnight, they rowed south into the old Harbour, making a landing in Dorchester Heights. Here they would march westward until reaching Massachusetts Avenue, and then go along that road to the site of the modern-day Harvard Bridge on the River Charles, thus sealing Boston off from the south.

Irish Sea

The fleets at Liverpool, Falmouth, and Bristol remained unaware of the mass exodus of the Irish.