(Open) IC 1870 REAL-WORLD RP

[Jamessonia]

Bismarck looked Count von Bray-Steinburg in the eyes and accepted his handshake. He retracted his hand and said gruffly,
"Ja, die Reise war nicht schlecht. Ich hoffe dieses treffen, und das Resultat ist halb so gut."

[Gibberan]

As the ships landed men began to come ashore, and Captain McFly was the first US soldier to step foot on Argentine soil. They were on the far northern coast of Argentina. Although they didn't have many men, they were well-supplied and had several of those new Gatling guns with them. It had taken days for this 'Expeditionary Force' to arrive. They hadn't encountered any resistance so far, but they were on their guard.
"Fan out! Secure as much land as you can! Squads Two and Three, you're with me! Other groups, head toward the valley. We'll meet at the reandevous at 1500 hours. Move out!" he yelled. And they were off.

[Yalos]

The Joseon Dynasty,
Pyongyang


Court was in session. Dozens of red garbed high ministers lined the walls of the throne room, humbly lowering their heads as the boy Emperor, Gojong, and his father, the regent Daewongun, the notable Korean statesman responsible for many of Joseon’s recent modernization attempts, paced towards the throne at the end of the room. True, the nation still didn’t have the industrial capacity to build a car, but things like this had to come in small, easy doses.

Gojong was almost cute, sitting on the throne, his father to his right. The Imperial crown was too big for him, and slid over his ears, as the massive, flowing robes were just as mismatched. In the end, he ended up having a pair of servants help him hold them up so he could walk about without hinderance. Contrasted with the grey bearded, wise old men all about him, Gojong was only 14 years old, with no beard, no moustache even, and too small for his clothing.

“Court is in session!” wailed the court crier. “Let us begin!”
The Ministers of Military affairs and the Minister of Public works bowed before the Emperor before returning to their spots. After about ten minutes of this reposing from each of the individual ministers, Emperor Gojong nodded, and looked to his father to begin procedures.

“Let us begin!”
Silence.

Daewongun gulped nervously as the crier opened the first scroll.
“Today, Emperor Gojong has decreed that Korea must open its borders to the outside world, and welcome in foreigners. He hopes that this action will be smiled upon by the Mandate of Heaven, and hopes that the ministers will find it agreeable.”

The ministers began to stare at one another frantically, with the Governor of Wonsang province being the first to voice his opposition.

“Jeonah!*”, he began. “We’ve enjoyed peace and prosperity without the influence of the corrupt and soulless Westerners! I implore you, you cannot allow foreign shipping within this nation, or the virtue of Joseon shall be lost!”
*Your majesty

“He’s right your majesty!” continued the Minister of Military affairs. “If the westerners were to come, they would bring fog and smoke and destruction as they do everywhere they go! Look at Vietnam! Look at China!”

“There’s no denying it Jeonah!” the Right State Councilor asserted. “Those brutes will try to stain our nation. We canno-”

“SILENCE!” roared Daewongun. The Court fell silent as he angrily walked amongst them and began to slap certain ministers in the face.

“Look at us. We can’t even build a modern warship! Meanwhile, Japan has a modern army and navy! China, has a modern military!”
The ministers were too ashamed to respond.

“We’re being left behind, and if we continue to sit around like hermits, we’re going to go the same way as all of those black nations! In the hands of colonial rule! We need the
West for self defense! You know what they call us? The Catholic missionaries call us hermits. HERMITS! No more questions, I don’t want to hear anymore about this.”

Korean decree to the Western World,
June 11th, 1870

Greetings! People of the west!
By the degree of his Royal Majesty, Emperor Gongjo of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, foreign shipping and business are hereby permitted within Korean borders with valid permits, which can be received in the foreign office in Busan. Such permits are to be limited to 5,000 in number, so it is necessary to purchase one, for only 30 British pounds, as soon as possible.
Possible trade agreements to allow for larger economic ventures and such can be discussed with Daewongun, the Regent father.

[Bolovia]

King Amadeo I was sipping on his tea when his Minister of Foreign Affairs entered the room.
"My liege, we have a telegram from Korea decreeing they are open for investment."
" Excellent, send them a telegram saying we wish to meet them in Korea and discuss more advance diplomacy options."
"As you wish my lord."

King Amadeo I went out to the nearby military base to review the new assembled "Retaliatory Reserve". He was pleased with its progress.
"General, how is it so far?"
"My lord, I think you'll be pleased with our progress."

22nd Rifles division


10th Grenadier division


13th Rifles Division


5th Artillery Regiment


" My lord this is only a sample of the fully assembled force"
"Excellent, you have proven yourself worthy in tactics during the Spanish-Moroccan war, I'm promoting you to Chief General of the "Retaliatory Reserve". Its time to put this new army to the test, I'm assigning you a new military campaign. Your new goal is to take the rest of Morocco, this will show the world the strength of Spain. You have 3 months and a blank check to prepare for this invasion. Viva Espana!
Gen.Mariano clicked his heels, bowed, and gave King Amadeo I a salute.
" Viva Espana!

Telegram from the Foreign Office of Spain
To: The Nation of Korea
From: The Spanish Empire

Greetings,
Spain has noticed that your humble nation has opened itself to the world for development, Spain would like to aid you in your process of becoming a modernized and developed country. We see potential in your nation and would like to establish bilateral ties and cooperative agreements with your leader. Our current Ambassador in the region is on a trip to Japan, but with your consent of course, we would like to send him to your nation for diplomatic talks in a week or two. We hope your agree and are eager for your response. Viva Espana !
Regards,
The Spanish Empire

[Sibator]

London, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

"You did what!?" the Prime Minister shouted at one of his secretaries, who had declined to inform him of King Ludwig's arrival in London out of petty racism. Apparently the man didn't like Germans very much, and would have done the same to King Wilhelm.

"You are fired, obviously, and I assure you I will bring you up on charges. Guards, throw this man out!"

The secretary was thrown out, and several policeman began to gather evidence to petition a warrant.

"Now, quickly, send a Royal Guard contingent to meet King Ludwig, at least he was given appropriate accommodations."

King Ludwig's Location

Colonel John Macovel was in charge of the contingent to meet King Ludwig. He brought with him a German translator like the one brought to King Wilhelm.

The Guard marched towards the luxurious hotel, and announced that they wished to meet King Ludwig when they entered the bottom floor. King Ludwig and his attaché met them in the main room on the bottom floor. Colonel Macovel began to speak.

"We offer our most sincere apologies for the delay of our arrival. The person responsible for the delay has been fired and will be further punished with the utmost severity. I would like to add we are overjoyed to see that you are attending the Conference, and we hope that the previous incident has not hurt relations. We have carriages outside for you and your attaché to see where the Conference will be held if you so wish. If you would rather tour the city on your own time, I am here to serve you and protect you. If you wish to use your own bodyguard instead, we understand."

The German translator repeated what he said.

The Royal Palace

Prime minster Gladstone had received two telegrams, one from Bolivia, and a message from Korea. The message from Korea announced the opening of its business to foreign businessmen, but given the plans Queen Victoria had given him, it was probably best not to reply and get entangled in Korean industry if Britain was just planning on destroying it later.

However, the telegram from Bolivia declared an interest in trade, something Gladstone could not resist.

To: President Melgarejo Valencia of Bolivia
From: Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

I am glad that you wish to eliminate trade restrictions between our nations and operate on a policy of economic co-operation. I shall make sure that any British investors that wish to invest on Bolivian business will be notified of this new trade agreement, and the British government is willing to invest in the Bolivian economy. I shall send a diplomat to meet whomever is tasked with the responsibility to iron out the details of the treaty.

Sincerely,
Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone

[Shimon-Zhivago]

München, Hauptstadt des Königreich Süddeutschlands,
12. Februar. 1870

Count Steinburg smirked, and motioned over to a chair at the table which was reserved for Bismarck. The old Junker nodded and sat himself down. Steinburg returned to his own chair.

The King of Baden, Frederick Wilhelm Ludwig the First, leaned forward in his chair and said, "Thank you kindly for showing up to this meeting, Herr Bismarck. It is our hope that our two nations can live in peace, harmony, and alliance for many years to come. As a blood relative of several royal families in Europe, including the Hohenzollerns, I wish for unity and stability to come forth from this meeting."

"Indeed," added Karl Friedrich Alexander the First, sovereign of Württemberg, "and since our two nations are bound not only by royal blood but by race and nationality, we hope that a strong military and economic alliance can come of this meeting, for the good of both Prussia and the Kingdom of Southern Germany."

This was met with resounding approval from the South German delegates gathered at the table. Bismarck remained silent.

Count Steinburg brought the conversation back to a relevant topic; "Both our nations need resources from the other: Prussia has vast amounts of coal, steel, and iron, while our new Kingdom has an incredible bounty of food, salt, wood, and stone. I believe that relaxing trade restrictions and opening up political relations between our two nations will allow us all to reap the benefits of these resources. What say you to this proposal, Bismarck?"

---

---

London, England, 12. Februar. 1870

King Ludwig II scratched his chin in deep thought, and asked the British contingent, "Is it necessary to punish the man responsible with the highest severity? Surely such punishment won't result in anything that would improve or harm the situation."

"Additionally," he continued, "I would love to tour London with you as a guide, but before we do so, I must ask, when do you plan on holding this meeting? If Wilhelm and Grant...wait, Grant was assassinated, my apologies...whoever the new President of America is, if they are both here, I would like to start the conference, and I can tour London afterwards."

[Marsisian]

The King was telegramming the Prussians about the deal of the Invasion of Belgium.
So, in return for us attacking and annexing Belgium, we will let you have the city of Bastogne, and give you a trade agreement.
Do you accept our deal? The King waited anxiously for their answer.

[Jamessonia]

München, Bavaria

Bismarck looked at the figures across the table. With their coordinated comments and confidence, they seemed liked they might even have been attempting to intimidate or force his hand. He would teach these young ones the true art of diplomacy.

In reality Otto was only silent for a few seconds, but it seemed like and eternity. He thought frantically. Should I press for trade rights beneficial to Prussia? I believe that the diplomatic value could be worth its weight in gold, in the long run. Should I press for a military alliance as well? No, I believe not. It is better to hide my time. He finally was ready to speak.

"I believe an economic agreement would be beneficial to both our nations," he said. "Bavarian raw materials will be a great asset to Prussian factories, and the finished goods will be a boon to the Southern economy." As he finished, an aide rushed to his side.
"An important telegram from Berlin has just arrived, sir. It is urgent."
Bismarck looked at the kings and count, only to sigh.
"Your Majesties, you must excuse me for a moment. I will certainly attend to this in the most timely fashion humanly possible."

Berlin, Prussia

Young Herr Friedrich Flück looked up at the telegraph machine in alarm. His boss looked at him with an expecting gaze, and Flück began to scribble down the transmission. As he wrote, his face grew pale and sickly, but he refused to falter. As the noise stopped, Flück looked at his superior. The other man, sensing something was wrong, said:
"What's the matter, Friedrich? What did it say?"
Flück stared up at the standing man. He gulped, and replied:
"We must send this to Herr von Bismarck at once!"

[Shimon-Zhivago]

München, Hauptstadt des Königreich Süddeutschlands,
12. Februar. 1870

Nodding his head, Count Steinburg, said, "Of course, mein guter Herr." After Bismarck left, he motioned for two guards to follow him.

The men gathered at the table waited patiently. General Pranckh was a bit upset. He was ready to propose a military alliance, in hopes that Prussia would be an ally in the new Kingdom's attempt to annex Tirol.

[Marsisian]

The Hague
Let us see what Bismarck thinks of my proposal, Ramden. Put the UPA on alert. Get the 27th Regiment put in South Holland along with the 87th.
This will be a test of our Military Capability. We will surely crush the Belgians! RULE THE NETHERLANDS! Yes….RULE THE NETHERLANDS!
Get the Navy to be stationed near Knokke and Zeebrugge. We will attack from the West and North.

[Jamessonia]

München, Bavaria

Bismarck was led into a small room, with only a telegraph operator and his political assistant in attendance. The assistant looked at Bismarck with a scared look in his eyes, and said:
"Sir; the Netherlands is currently about to invade Belgium."
Bismarck started thinking. Then he started asking questions.
"How far are they gone? Why would they do such a thing? Also, why tell us?"
"Sir, we don't know much. We think they have begun to mobilize, and we know their navy is in action. No motive has been presented, it's so sudden! Why would they do it? Also, there is another part of the message."

"They are offering us Bastogne and a trade agreement, in exchange for our neutrality." The assistant finished.

"This puts us in a very interesting position. Very interesting, but potentially good. We have the chance to gain, not only by agreeing to a Belgian partition, but by alerting the English. I wonder which will give us the best deal? English friendship is worth many Bastognes. I have a counter-proposition. Send this statement to Amsterdam."

This is from Bismarck STOP I have received your offer, and I return to you with a counter STOP We will remain neutral in the conflict in exchange for the entire province of Liége and a trade agreement STOP Accept or we shall inform the English STOP Do not make it public that this conversation happened STOP

Bismarck then waited a few minutes before the affirmative response arrived. He ten smiled and stood up.
"I must rejoin my Bavarian friends. If you will excuse me."
Bismarck then stood and walked out the door to find his aide waiting outside. They both walked back into the conference room. Bismarck sat down, and addressed the southerners.
"I am so sorry about that. It is over, and we may resume. Where were we?"

[Marsisian]

München, Bavaria

Bismarck was led into a small room, with only a telegraph operator and his political assistant in attendance. The assistant looked at Bismarck with a scared look in his eyes, and said:
"Sir; the Netherlands is currently about to invade Belgium."
Bismarck started thinking. Then he started asking questions.
"How far are they gone? Why would they do such a thing? Also, why tell us?"
"Sir, we don't know much. We think they have begun to mobilize, and we know their navy is in action. No motive has been presented, it's so sudden! Why would they do it? Also, there is another part of the message."

"They are offering us Bastogne and a trade agreement, in exchange for our neutrality." The assistant finished.

"This puts us in a very interesting position. Very interesting, but potentially good. We have the chance to gain, not only by agreeing to a Belgian partition, but by alerting the English. I wonder which will give us the best deal? English friendship is worth many Bastognes. I have a counter-proposition. Send this statement to Amsterdam."

This is from Bismarck STOP I have received your offer, and I return to you with a counter STOP We will remain neutral in the conflict in exchange for the entire province of Liége and a trade agreement STOP Accept or we shall inform the English STOP Do not make it public that this conversation happened STOP

This is from King William, we accept your offer.

[Baja California y Sonora]

Republic of Bolivia
Sucre

It had been at least a month since the president had left for Cochabamba to control the riots, no good news had come since then. Due to Sucre being quite elevated the citizens could see the flames of villages or of governmental buildings. Fear had become as common as the rats that ate the limited food, yes the situation in Sucre was quickly deteriorating. Rumors had it that Brazilian troops had marched into Bolivia to stop the rebellion themselves. Other rumors included the coast declaring it's independence. Bolivia was at a breaking point with barely any troops and with political insurgency rising inside Sucre. Hope was fading and the first shot of revolution was heard on February 12, as a group of conservatives and a few soldiers had barged in the congressional building only to be met by the troops that defended the city. The results would be written in Bolivian history and later be called the Sucre massacre..the stepping stones that would lead the city to become an inferno.

Arica
Unknown to many back in Sucre the young Frenchman was in Arica...ruling as president. While the interior suffered from political instability the coast remained rather isolated. Rene had arrived weeks ago and quickly begin to redraw Bolivia. His rule had not been opposed yet and of course to ensure that investors would not be frightened by the situation in Bolivia, he cut off communication with the interior. With that he begin making new rules that would increase mining productivity in the coast and begin to indirectly regulate the influx of Chileans.
A day or so passed and a ship arrived at the harbor but not just any ship...a British ship ,in about an hour the British letter was in Rene's hands. His eyes grew wide and his mouth twisted into a wicked smile.
He ordered his assistant to gather some fine rock samples.

However that night a second ship arrived with news of a war south of Bolivia.

Cochabamba

The shelling had stopped, the siege of Cochabamba had only lasted a week and the Indians where running out of supplies. The shelling had stopped for the night and it was clear the Cochabamba would be captures soon...well to the natives it was clear. Knowing that they would lose Cochabamba, they decided to bug out. But how? with the city surrounded, how could they get out? well they had a plan.They gathered the remaining ammunition and stuck it the governmental palace. A brave man then went inside and threw a torch inside.....then a loud Bang shook Bolivia. The resting troops quickly scattered in all the commotion while the Indians escaped through the unguarded southern wall. They left as the city burned to the ground, with the troops trying to stop the fire.

[Marsisian]

To ensure that the UPA maintains total dominance in the invasion, before the planned invasion, a recon team of 4 soldiers, dressed up as civilians, infiltrated
Turnhout to see how much Belgian Forces were in the area. Do you see anybody? No.
I think total resistance in the city will be 5,000 troops. Good. We must return to South Holland.

[The Norrland]

Stockholm, Sweden
Charles XV stood on his balcony, overlooking the large park in front of the palace, thinking about the dwindling power of his nation, and the growing power of this 'Prussia' to the south. "Karl!" He called, "Karl, come here!" A few moments passed, and then the door to the kings chambers gently opened. Karl, Charles' personal servant, slid into the room, gently closing the door behind him. "Yes, your majesty?" Karl asked politely.
"Karl, you are my friend and advisor. What do you think of us making our once great nation, great once more?" The king asked.
"Well, I would think that it would be a splendid idea. After all Europe is ripe for the taking, a war with France will put Prussia out of the picture till the end of the year. And our already firm grip over the Norwegians could be improved to subjugating them outright."
"Yes, yes." The king considered this. "Our first task would be to prove our strength as the dominant power in Scandinavia though. Annexing or subjugating Norway would be the first step." The two stood in silence for a moment, before the king turned on his heels, and walked into he middle of the room.
"The question is, how we would go about doing that." Karl thought out loud.
"If there was some way to surround the key areas of their country, they would be force to surrender if we demanded it." The king said.
"How about," Karl started, "We move our troops in under the disguise of them only being there to defend and improve the defences around the key port - Stavanger - and Chritiania itself."
"That's perfect Karl! You see, this is why I keep you around. How long will it take to mobilize and transport the men to Norway?"
About two weeks for each sir. By March, they should be ready to move."

[The Norrland]

Stockholm Barracks
"Sir! General Gustav sir!" A private ran into the general's office panting. "Sir," he began, between breaths. "Sir, the palace has sent this letter! It's from the king himself!" The general looked up at the private from the paperwork on his desk.
"Well don't just stand there drooling, give me the damn thing!" The general replied, holding out his hand. The private gave him the paper then moved back form the desk. Karl Gustav began reading over the letter.

To General Gustav,

The king sends orders to mobilise immediately. You are to gather the entirety if the standing army, but not the reserves, and board the trains heading to Norway. You are to surround Christiania, Stavanger, and other areas you deem key to Norway's survival. Please find the enclosed document, which is to be copied out and shown as proof of 'your mission' to upgrade the old defences and infrastructure in and around these areas. You are actually being sent there to use your positioning as a threat to Norway, so we can subjugate them.

Yours faithfully,
Charles XV

The general looked up from the letter and at the private, who had managed to get his breath back. "Order the men to ready for transit by the end of the week. I want rifles found and repaired, Uniforms cleaned, boots scrubbed. This army hasn't been used for years. I will not have their debut being riddled with missing or broken rifles, ripped uniform or dirty boots. Now go tell them!"

[The Norrland]

Stockholm Palace

The king sat down on the armchair and waited. After a minute or two, Karl came back into the room.
"The message is sent, your majesty." The servant told the king.
"Good, good. Now, the next order of business is to abolish this "Riksdag" as it calls itself. I will not have my authority over written by some jumped up commoners, no matter how popular it is. The old way, where "the king alone rules the nation" is much more quick and efficient than Parliament arguing over it for hours. But that, that can be left for tomorrow. It is getting late. I need some sleep." The king called for the servants to help him undress. Karl nodded and left.

[Granadeseret]

Topeka Palace, Constantinople, 13th of February 1870 A.D (Gregorian Calender) 12th Thw al-Qi`dah 1286 A.H.(Islamic Calender)

How had it come to this?

Ever since he had been a young boy, the now-Sultan, Caliph of All of Islam, had been raised on the stories of his glorious predecessors; the illustrious Osman for who his line was named, blessed by Allah himself with the visions of the great empire. Mehmed, the man who had done what Attalia and many nations after him had failed to do: bring an end to the Roman Empire. And Suleiman... the great Suleiman who's dedication to the advancement of law and justice were matched only by the breath of his conquests. Back in those days, young and foolish, he'd assumed his empire stood at the top of the world, the envy of all who surveyed it and kneeled in supplication before it.

And yet, as he had grown older and watched first his father, then his brother sit on the throne, he'd come to realize the cold truth that that wasn't so. If any nation deserved that kind of label, it was Great Britain: her royal navy ruling the waters from the Americas to the far Pacific, from the former domains of the Mughal to the Cape of Good Hope; recently the route to Asia until it had only a few months before been surpassed by the work of his Khedive in Egypt. He could still remember his glorious visit to London... a city who's art was only matched by the output of her factories... something is own domains had little enough of. Under the reign of their Queen Victoria, it seemed like the British fortunes just kept rising, and their coffers grew more and more bloated while his own never seemed quite full enough. They were, perhaps, the world's best place for him to learn the methods developing his Empire...

And yet, despite all of that, there was the issue of France to consider. Despite all of his countries recent issues with the secondary giant: their unprecedented occupation of his brother's vassal in Algeria, their forceful exploration of Egyptians in building the Suez Canal, and the rather... unpleasant debacle involving their monarch's namesake, Abdülaziz himself had a soft spot in his heart for the French; Turkey's traditional allies for centuries. Perhaps the British had more colonies, more factories, and a better navy, but they lacked a certain style, their greatest successes being mostly haphazard affairs by private companies. Not to mention, their concrete civil code had been so much easier for his father and brother to adopt: having been the basis of the Tanzimat reforms which were slowly bringing The Empire to par with its Western European counterparts. At the moment, it was hard to say which was the better choice...

No, it was not the Ottomans who were the envy of the world, but rather the British and French... but that did not mean that he couldn't yet reach their heights. His father and brother, the great Sultans Mahmud Abdülmecid, had laid a great deal of the groundwork for him: the abolition of the Janissary corps who'd been a plague on any earlier attempts to modernize, and already may of the Tanzimat reforms had been implemented, opening up markets for private enterprise, creating schools, banks, and stock exchanges, and investment in rail and telegraph lines which now connected the once divided Empire. In some ways, yes, they were more backward and unstable then their rivals... but they were improving, and were certainly no more backward then the Russians or less stable then the Austrians... indeed, their traditional Hapsburg rival was constantly looking more and more like a promising target to solidify Ottoman rule in the Balkans.

However, it was late, and already he could feel the heaviness of sleep on his eyes. There were rumblings in Western Europe, he had been told: the British making a rather large spectical of moving their Monarch through the Suez to visit Japan, the Spanish finally starting to modernize their fossil of an army, and the ever-present tensions between France and Germany that needed no reporting. Yet, as of now, this was nothing that concerned him: at the moment, he needed to focus on the development of his own Empire... and the health of his own body.

[Gibberan]

Argentina
As more troops arrive on the beaches, the 3rd and 3th Illinois Volunteer Regiment sets off. Waldo Company and 1 platoon of Beta Company breaks off in a move to engage a possible Argentine supply convoy while the rest of the unit head toward a bridge. They are now 16 miles away, and have paused to replenish their supplies from the rear. No resistance has been met.

Meanwhile, F Troop of the 13th Cavalry set off as scouts towards the capital. Again, no resistance has yet been met.
OOC: Waiting Argentina's response
London
John sat in his hotel room, waiting. No news of the conference had been recieved.

[The Time Alliance]

República de Argentina

The Battle of Asunción

Sides
Paraguay: 2,000
Argentina:3,000

Loses
Paraguay 1,567
Argentina 1,645

The Battle Description- Part 1
Lieutenant Esteben West peered through his binoculars. As he peered towards Paraguay's capital city he began to see shadow's in the mist. He Peered at them even closer and soon was able to make out many human shapes. Out of the mist came hundreds of enemy soldiers marching in a line towards the entrenched Argentineans.

"Me make sure you fire as soon as they enter range." The Lieutenant yelled as the enemy got closer and closer. Suddenly a cannon was fired and the rear trench was blown up killing at least 10 Argentineans. The Lieutenant was able to here more cannons being fired. He knew exactly what to do. He ordered his men to get out of the trenches and charge at the enemy. The Argentinean soldiers jumped the trench and began to run towards the Paraguayan forces. The Paraguayan forces lowered their guns and fired killing many more Argentineans. The front most Argentina Soldiers stopped and fired back then continued the charge. The Argentineans were upon the Paraguayan army before Paraguay's forces were able to fire another shot. The Paraguayan Army began to falter as their front line was broken by Argentina's forces. The Paraguay general ordered the men to retreat and regroup back inside the city. As the Argentineans watched their enemies retreat they fired a few shots at the remaining men. That was when the General ordered them to march into the city.

The Argentinean Forces marched into the city. As they marched they began to worry. The Paraguayan forces did march into the city right? That question was answered as shots were fired from the windows killing many more Argentinian troops. The Troops scattered as more shots went off from the windows. Some troops ran into the buildings while some hid inside other non-occupied buildings. The Lieutenant gathered 5 men and they ran inside the closest building. Running upstairs they were able to get 6 shots off before the enemy turned around. They were surrounded. All according to plan. Meanwhile on the streets Argentina's inaccurate guns were finding it hard to fight back against the Paraguayan Forces that had a huge Height advantage.

[The Time Alliance]

República de Argentina

Argentinean Convoy Heading towards the capital

The sun was beginning to set upon the road as the military convoy continued toward the capital. With Argentina's Main army away the smaller army as well as militias were in charge of Argentina's safety. This convoy was carrying back replicas of the Gatling gun given to Argentina by Japan.

At a Port-Not named-

It is here when the first supplies heading to japan are shipped off. Supplies included Iron, Food, Copper and gold.

[Fijorondland]

Francais

Consul Louis Was weary about a with Germany he was not about to lose Alsace-Lorraine to them.He reorganized the French foreign.The French were ready to defend their territories from the German speakers.A letter was sent to to his Generals Auguste Dubail,Noel de Castelnea,and Ferdinland Foch were ordered to Blockade any Germans into Alsace-Lorraine.

Consul's Note to the French General

From:Consul Louis
To:All Generals in Alsace-Lorraine

Do not let the German Speakers cross through Alsace-Lorraine.

[The Norrland]

February 14 1870

Stockholm, Sweden 10:13am

The king sighed as he pushed away the empty plate that once held a hearty breakfast. He leaned back into his chair, thinking of a way to abolish parliament, and return Sweden to a land where the king ruled alone and unchallenged. He could just march in a say "That's it, no more Parliament for Sweden, go home everyone" but that wouldn't be the best way to earn the people's love. He needs to slowly abolish it's power. After all, I you crank up the heat, then the frog jumps out of the pan.

The first step would be to abolish their power of overriding the king. This was something he needed Karl's help for this. The king summoned Karl, and he was a few minutes longer than usual.
"Excuse me, your majesty, I was just eating."
"It's fine Karl." The king replied. "We need to start abolishing the parliaments power. We need to start by stopping them from overriding my decisions. But I will still take their views and ideas into account. Can you draft up a formal letter for this?"
"Certainly your majesty."

[The Norrland]

Stockholm, Sweden

2:14pm

The king was in the Storkykan, praying for the Rikstag's compliance with his new policy. When he finished, he stood up and walked out to the coach waiting for him. The time in the cathedral had cleared his mind. He realise that he didn't have to maintain an isolationist policy forever. After all, trade, alliances and agreements with other nations such as Britain and USA could be very profitable and advantageous for all involved. After all, Sweden had an abundance of metal and lumber ready for export to countries needing them, and Britain has anything but a close-to home resource supplier. India, though resource rich, is by no means close to Britain, even with the Suez Canal completed. Sweden has lumber for building and rifle butts, and the metal for the barrels and inner mechanisms, and then Britain could produce them, then Sweden can import them for it's to-be-expanded military. It's a win-win deal. The Britons are reasonable Protestants after all, and must see the value of this proposal.

When King Charles arrived back at the palace, he was greeted by Karl.
"Greetings your majesty, I have finished the letter to the Rikstag. Would you like to review it?"
"Definitely, I shall look over it momentarily." Replied the king.
"Shall I bring it to your chambers?" Karl asked. The king nodded before walking to his chambers. There a servant took off his boots, and helped him change out of prayer clothes into his royal court garbs. The king only wears the royal crown when he receives foreign delegations.

Karl entered a few minutes later. The king was sitting in the armchair opposite his 4-poster bed, reading a novel from the bookshelf in the room. He looked up when Karl entered the room.
"Here is the letter your majesty."

[Granadeseret]

Constantinople ,14th of February 1870 A.D (Gregorian Calender) 13th Thw al-Qi`dah 1286 A.H.(Islamic Calender)

Mehmed Emin Aali Pasha, Grand Vizer and Most Trusted Adviser to the Sublime Porte, found himself once again handling a good deal of day-to-day business: the Sultan having taken to his room this morning, persueing his own private project. Not that he particularly minded of course: if nothing else, Abdülaziz had proven that he was not one to waste his time, either elevating the culture through his music or communicating his his counterparts in Europe... the later probably being more important at this delicate time. What that did mean, however, was Mehmed was the one who had to sit behind the veil, listening to the endless stream of courtiers and petitioners. And it woulden't have been so bad, expect nearly half of them were hear to complain about the side-effects of the new reforms: the Rabbis of the hebrew Millit complaining about the lose of their exclusive privileges to try causes, a well-titled rider from the Kars region calling for the reestablishment of his family's right to collect taxes, or an officer of this or that division complaining about how his new soldiers drank wine right in front of his face... these people barely qualified for a direct audience as it was, and they though they could dictate terms to him? It almost made him want to order them suffocated, like the old Sultans used to do to those who annoyed him.

Thankfully, though, the man before him didn't look like he was here to complain: he appeared to be presenting something. What else could that sheet be covering, dragged in on a hand-cart? He'd been told this man was a cousin of the Minister of Education: some Bulgur paleness mixing with his otherwise Turkish blood. "You may speak." Mehmed stated clearly, after having waited for a few moments for his guest to begin. The protocol for standing in for the Sultan was always a little fuzzy."

"Of course, Esteemed Vizer." The man made a supplicationary bow, as were the rules of the court, before standing up, and delicately pulling the sheet from his load: revealing underneath some kind of mechanical contraption, a great wheel on the side, something like an astrolab atop it, and a deal of tubes and pistons, all bound by a base of metal and a small steel cask. "If I may present to you the kerosene engine; my personal alteration of the mechanical devices used in the European nations." Now that he looked closer, Mehmed did see its resplence to a steam engine: the space for water was far too small though, and there was no visible turbine.

"Interesting..." the Vizer responded, though he clearly wasn't that impressed yet, judging from his tone (his face hidden behind the curtains) "Though, it doesn't seem to me like a matter of Royal importance."

"A wise observation, but allow me to explain." The man continued on, slightly nervous as he rung his hands. "You see, this device can preform all the functions of a steam engine, without the need for all the extra water and coal... two resources that are rather scarce in the Empire. Its ability to facilitate our industry, once I get it into mass production, will certainly be notable. And I have investors, you don't need to worry about that. However," his voiced trailed off for a moment. "There are a pair of my assistants who, shall I say, stole my designs and are trying to produce them themselves, and I'm worried such competition will be bad for our industry. All I ask is that my company, at least for now, be granted an Imperial monopoly on the production of kersone engines. Is that acceptable?"

"Indeed it is sir." Mehmud responded rather quickly, taking note of his acceptance. "I shall petition the Sultan for his seal personally... in the mean time, I trust you'll make progress in hiring the proper artisans."




Somewhere in the province of Jabal Shammar, 14th of February 1870 A.D (Gregorian Calender) 13th Thw al-Qi`dah 1286 A.H.(Islamic Calender)




It was a commonly known fact that the Emir of Jabal Shammar was the least prestigious position in the entire Imperial power structure. Despite it being only one of the two hereditary Wali positions in the Empire (The other of which was Egypt), Jabal Shammar's leadership basically feel to whatever son haden't already left for greener pastures in the Imperial court: and the son who was left was heir to nothing more then sand and camels.

Yet... Muhammad Abdullah wanted more then that. He had seen how the other Wali mocked him, with their fancy houses and a population that wasn't constantly trying to raid them. No, he was a man of ambition, and wanted to prove to the Sultan that he was just as important to the Ottoman's economic and military power as anybody else. Which is why, when his staff had been digging away the sand to lay pipes for a fountain in Ha'il, and instead of striking more sand had struck a pocket of oil, he had almost jumped for joy from his chair.

As it turned out, some other villages around his domains had discovered the same thing: large deposits of oil scattering the desert as they tried to dig for water, or to clear out a spot to build their houses, or what not. Though most of them diden't know what to do with the stuff, Abdullah had heard that it was valuable as a fertilizer and lamp oil in the other parts of the world. So, on the site of where the fountain was supposed to be, he ordered the construction of the first Jabalian oil rig (an extremely primitive model, really), and started to scrounge up money for the building of more. Indeed, he even sent the following message to the Sublime Porte: first via camel rider to the telegraph hub in Baghdad, from which the rider was ordered to send it to Constantinople.

Sultan Abdülaziz STOP

Titles removed for cost STOP Petroleum deposits discovered in your domains STOP Boon to the development of our lands STOP Poverty compels request for investment STOP Please send surveyor to estimate costs and potential STOP

Loyal Servent COMMA Emir Abdullah Jabal Shamar STOP