Rise of Empires [IC]

by **The Traansval** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 3:01 pm

by **The Manticoran Empire** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 3:10 pm

Rule Britannia. First Post Forthcoming.

by **Kirdon** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 6:26 pm

Tokyo, Japan
January 8, 1871

Emperor Mutsuhito walked about the new Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Outside the palace, and throughout the city streets of Tokyo, the Japanese people moved about on their business, feeling protected and secure under the reign of their Emperor. However, Mutsuhito was somewhat troubled, partly due to the fact that he and his Council of State, implemented during the revolution against the Shogun, would be meeting shortly. The meeting would be about the restructuring the patchwork of the domains into so-called "prefectures", which would grant power over the nation to the Emperor and the Council. He was worried that, by doing this, the old samurai would rise up against him, throwing the country into a civil war. The Emperor simply hoped the Council would find some way to placate the samurai and prevent another war.

1 Hour Later

The Council of State had already gathered by the time the Emperor arrived. He was met by Sanjō Sanetomi, the "leader" of the Council, who greeted him and ushered him into the room. As he entered, the members of the council went silent as he was escorted to his throne above all of them. The room was very spacious, with large rows of seats the the sides of him, each sat at by a minister, and three larger seats accompanied by desks in front of him. The center seat was empty, although technically held by Sanetomi, he was still officially the "Minister of the Right" and relegated to the right seat. Sanetomi was, however, also technically "minister of the Left" as well, giving him near total control of the Council. As the Council prepared to discuss the matter of the domains and prefectures, Mutsuhito indicated that he wished to speak before the proceedings begin. Sanetomi bowed, and gave the floor the the Emperor.

"Leaders of the ministries, administrators of our land, councilors of great importance, lend me your attention. While I know full well that this Council will come to a good and honorable position on the prefectures, I wish to ensure you all know this. Japan must westernize at all costs. Japan must become a first-rate nation within the world, able to compete with the nations that are our would-be conquerors. The army and navy must be expanded and modernized to allow our defense and survival against foreign enemies, and the Japanese economy must move away from farm and peasants, and instead to factory and steam. Japan must become as modern and powerful as the West itself. If we do not do this, then we will eventually be destroyed by one of our Asian neighbors who has taken the chance the Westernize themselves. For the sake of our people and culture, we must do everything in our power to become as strong as the West."

As the Emperor moves to sit back down, the Council, breaking most court etiquette, begins to roar in cheer and clapping. Within minutes, the issue of the prefectures has already been decided, and the ministers now put their combined might into drafting new decrees and, with the allowance of the Emperor, Imperial Edicts that will be issued to seemingly change Japan overnight. After nearly an hour of drafting and thinking, the ministers finish by drafting 2 letters to be sent by boat immediately.

by **The Traansval** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 6:42 pm

Written from the stationary of President Ulysesses Grant
Sent to the Emperor of the Japanese empire

The United States would be glad to assist the Empire of Japan in its modernization efforts in exchange for these concessions to be added alongside those offered by the Imperial Government;

1. Japan allow access to US Naval ships to dock in japanes ports
2. Japan allow for greater freedom of American investors and merchants within the country

In return; the United states will offer Commisioned and Non Commission officers from the U.S. Armed Forces to Japan as instructors to train their armed forces, along with allowing for US arms manufacturers to manufacture military contracts on Small Arms for the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces.

by **The Manticoran Empire** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:52 pm

To: Japanese Foreign Ministry
From: British Foreign Office
I have been charged by Queen Victoria to inform you that the Empire is interested in pursuing closers relations. We shall be sending an envoy as well as a small military cadre.

by **South Vict** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 3:05 pm

Beijing, China
January 12, 1871

Emperor Guangxu walked about the new Imperial Palace in Beijing. Outside the palace, and throughout the city street of Beijing, the Chinese people moved about of their business, feeling protected and secure under the reign of their emperor. However, Guangxu was somewhat troubled, partly due to the fact that the Empire have a terrible economy because of the Opium Wars. The meeting would be about restructuring the economy and planning to make the Yunnan region an "Autonomous region to the Qing Empire" as well as restoring relations with Great Britain. He was worried that, by doing this, One of his officials will turn against them and will make his Empire unstable throwing the country into a Civil War. The Emperor simply hoped the Officials would find some way to placate the rebels and prevent another Civil War.

by **Yurizlansia** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:48 pm

Vienna, Austria

The room was very quiet at this point. Franz Josef I had just finished reading a report on the state of the army, which was not so good. Less than a decade ago, Austria lost a war that only lasted for 7 weeks against their former rival, Prussia. Since then, however, Germany was united, and although Austria was left out of it, they felt it to be more important to move forward with an alliance with Germany, especially because another war with Germany may go just as bad as the war in 1866 did. However, some attempts at improving the army were made such as the introduction of the M1867 Wendl-Holub rifle which were an improvement on their former muzzle loading weapons in both accuracy and time to reload. Another thing they learned from their war with Prussia was the need for artillery, and Franz Josef was a fan of it. The Emperor was an old man, but he knew of cannons, but the newer, heavier artillery interested him more. The idea of being able to destroy fortification within a day, to be able to destroy entire infantry formations amazed him.

The Franco-Prussian War, which only recently ended, was apparently decided by artillery, further exciting the old emperor about the power of artillery. In order to do this, at the cabinet meeting, he ordered additional funding in the amount of 12,000,000 gulden to be taken away from the navy’s ambitious shipbuilding program, much to the detriment of many old sailors. However, it was believed by the Emperor that in the long run, the artillery would do more for Austria-Hungary than a rust-bucket of a fleet ever would. Of course, this ruffled a few feathers of the aristocratic class who believed that heavy artillery was a spit in the face of the old order of artillery. However, in order to prove the effectiveness of heavy artillery, to his advisors he equipped his army in the Croatian Military Frontier to deal with a an uprising that was taking place in Hédervár.

Hédervár, Croatian Military Frontier

The newly-formed IV Army had just recently arrived in Hédervár from Zagreb, the capital of the Kingdom. The army, under the command of Eduard Clam-Gallas, a man who served in the Austro-Prussian War, and was called out of retirement to command this new army due to his openness to new technology. Clam-Gallas was a complicated man to say the least. After seeing superior Prussian technology destroy his army at the Battle of Jičín, he was court-martialed, forced into a seemingly meaningless position as the general of the Croatian military frontier. His job, until now mainly consisted of administrative work, but he felt invigorated at the prospect of a battle.

The battleground was chosen to be around 30 KM North of the actual town of Hédervár, a hilled terrain. The hilly terrain was going to be used to the Austrian advantage, as field guns roughly equivalent to the German C64 were placed on a tall terrain in order to give it a good arc of fire. The rebels, commanded by Božidar Lončar, who fancies himself the true King of the Croats set his men up in defensive positions designed to protect themselves from horse artillery, not the newer, heavier artillery. The battle began around noon the next day, after several probing attacks by Austrian cavalry in order to determine weaker spots in the formations of Croats. One such area at the first layer of defenses was on the left flank of the main formation. Reconnaissance by both infantry and cavalry scouts was used in order to aim the first battery of guns, and after about 10 minutes of maneuvering, the battery opened fire. The first layer of defenses made by the Croats was shattered, and many rebels were killed or injured in the first barrage. Quickly, Austrian infantry and cavalry rushed in to widen the gap, and take advantage of the new opportunity, and despite inflicting severe casualties on the rebels, it was determined that the position could not be held for long, so the men fell back to their original positions. Then, even more artillery pieces were placed, with a total of 400 being used in the battle. However, due to logistical reasons, only half of these pieces could fire at a given time, with an approximate one hour respite to further gather information, and aim the other batteries to open fire,

At 3 o’clock, 200 of the newly placed artillery pieces opened fire in different areas among the first layer of defense. By 4:30, after the other half fired its shells, the first layer of defenses were abandoned. These defenses were occupied by the I, II, and III corps of infantry, while the artillery pieces were moved forward. After a continued cycle of bombard, attack, occupy, the rebel army had been defeated, and nearly annihilated by Austrian cavalry. A report was sent to Franz Josef I, who declares, “Damn the old fools! Artillery has won me over!” Thus, the Battle of Hédervár ushered in a new age for the Austrian Army.

Statistics from Battle of Hédervár

Austrian forces: 56,000 strong
Rebel Forces: 18,000 strong
Austrian loses: 7,000 total casualties
Rebel losses: 15,500 total casualties

by **The Traansval** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:47 pm

IE

From: Emperor Wilhelm I
To: Emperor Franz Joseph

The German Empire would be more then happy to accept this alliance. As you say, the nations of the world look down on the Germans; its time we united together, Germans helping Germans survive in this unforgiving world.

by **South Vict** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 2:02 pm

From: Emperor Guangxu
To: Emperor Franz Joseph

The Qing Empire would be more likely to propose an Trade Agreement with you. We are currently lacking on Economy right now.

by **South Vict** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 2:46 pm

Beijing, Qing Empire

The Palace was very quiet as usual. Emperor Guangxu had just finished reading a report on the state of the Officials, which was not so great. Less than a decade ago, China was forced to handed over Hong Kong to the British after the Opium Wars. Since then, However, The Qing Empire has remained unstable since and is heavily under Foreign Influences. They've felt like this is a time for Qing China to make contact with Foreigners and expand further west to Central Asia. To be able to do this they need to lift up the ban of trade which Emperor Guangxu might be able to do that. They're were attempts at improving the Military by sending them to Russia to become heavily trained. This is a beginning of China's progress towards modernization.

by **South Vict** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 4:30 pm

Battle of Kyrgyzstan

The newly formed Tibetan army had just recently arrived from Russia only to be ready to expand through Kyrgyzstan. The army under the command of Zhan Lingxin, a man who served in the Opium Wars, Legend saids that he survived the Artillery fire from the British in which he survives. Lingxin was a confident man to say the least, After training his troops with severe hardship throughout the months he is ready to bring the Kyrgyzstan People under their knees. The Warzone he chosen to be around 60 KM East of the town of Karakol, a hilled terrain. The hilly terrain was going to be used to the Kyrgyz's advantage, as cannons roughly equivalent to the Mughal ones were placed on a tall terrain in order to give it a better advantage against the invader's. However, as the Chinese may not know that Kyrgyzstan is part of the Khanate of Kokand headed by the Khan.

Casualties from the battle of Kyrgyzstan:
Chinese forces: 76,000 troops
Kyrgyz forces: 22,000 troops
Chinese loses: 9,000 casualties
Kyrgyz loses: 12,000 casualties

by **Yurizlansia** » Sun Jun 25, 2017 8:42 am

Vienna, Austria

Reading the battle reports from Croatia, Franz Josef was suitably pleased. He not only proved von Hotzendorf’s criticisms of the new artillery to be invalid. The rebel army was soundly defeated, and their men faded into the dust, with the exception of a few who would likely continue to pursue their cause in the form of banditry. Franz Josef quickly used the allocated funds he took from the naval program to specifically fund ordinance factories in order to create a large amount of artillery for the Austrian Army. At the same time, he ordered a smaller portion of the money to be directed towards munition factories, as well as other supply depots to ensure a positive state of the Austrian military. More importantly, Franz Josef also directed another 3,000,000 gulen toward the rail network project, which is devoted towards creating, and maintaining rail networks throughout Austria-Hungary. The most important of which was the Vienna-Zagreb rail line, which connects the main arm headquarters in Vienna to the Croatian military frontier, giving vital mobility for Austrian soldiers to reach lands near the Ottoman border. The Ottomans, of course, being a hated rival of the Austrian Empire.

On a diplomatic note, Germany accepted the alliance request sent only 4 months ago, which made Franz Josef, as well as other members of the Austro-Hungarian government ecstatic. First of all, this dispels any fears of a possible German invasion of Austrian lands, and it could even lead to German aid in the inevitable military action inside of the Ottoman’s European provinces, particularly Bosnia-Herzegovina, a vital region for Austro-Hungarian for goals due to its rich in salt, iron, coal, and of course, rich arable land for the Habsburg’s to exploit. Not only this, but the Catholic minority in the area, which had been stirred up by various Austrian agents have been pushing for a regime change in the area. However, in order to accomplish this, it is necessary that Austria-Hungary knows that Germany will support the invasion, and even contribute some resources to the cause.

On a more administrative note, the actions at Hédervár , which resulted in a resounding victory, it got him thinking. Von Hotzendorf’s constant derision of the ideas of artillery amounted to treason. His incompetence was evident when his rejected war plan, a frontal assault without much support from the artillery would result in many thousands of casualties. He decided not to fire Hotzendorf, but to relegate him to a useless position as the military governor of Galicia, that way he still retains his title, and nominal prestige but will no longer be a thorn in the side of modernization. In his place as a ranking general, he placed Eduard Clam-Gallas, the commander at the recent battle, and a distant cousin of a Croat noble. Not only will this choice appease some of the Croatian population, but a proven commander with battle experience would be a welcome addition to the rank and file of the military. The commander, who was allowing his newly-formed IV Army to rehabilitate was set to arrive in Vienna soon, and he accepted position on the condition that he remain a field commander. Once he arrived there, they began to draft a campaign map of the invasion of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The battle plans were somewhat simple. Use the I, II, III, and IV armies to initiate the invasion. The different army groups were using plenty of artillery, which will hopefully render some of the medieval fortresses in the region rather useless. The immediate invasion, which is not including reserves will consist of 91,900 infantrymen, slightly more than one third of Austria’s active military population, 441 pieces of artillery (200 of which are considered heavy artillery), roughly one-third of Austria’s artillery pieces, and approximately 15,000 horses. The horses will be used for several reasons. Surprisingly, the main reason is not for cavalry charges, as only 5,000 total cavalry will participate in the immediate invasion, but the main reason is for logistics, and maneuvering. Many of the horses will be used to pull the heavy artillery pieces, and the rest will be used to carry supplies, and messages between the armies. Telegraph lines will also be placed as the invasion continues, but as they will be deployed behind enemy lines, they will be in an especially precarious position. Clam-Gallas chose the commanders of each of the 30 corps (roughly 3,000 men in each corps) himself based on his experience in the Austro-Hungarian military, most of the men chosen were young officers, and many of those had an engineering background. If need be, additional reserves could be called up if the Ottoman forces seem to be overwhelming. In order to protect the town of Dubrovnik, as well as other areas in Southern Croatia, Provisional defense groups A, and B, which consist of provincial militia, who are effective at defending areas, but totally useless in an offensive are guarding the areas. If the plan works as Franz Josef and Clam-Gallas hoped, then Sarajevo would be in Austrian hands within a few months.

Rise of Empires [IC]

Rise of Empires [IC]

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