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Chairman Stein
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The Xian Clique
Upright and Equal
Even though the war had begun in full in Sarelia and Serrathia, the battle had yet to begin in Faresia. Thus, life continued in the same tense way it had for weeks upon the Soroyan-Xianese border in the North and South. Each morning, Xianese regiments would rise from their barracks and continue drilling in how to properly enter, exit, and re-enter trenches, hand to hand combat within the close-quarters of the trenches, and finally firing and reloading. Command called this 'the three basics' and they were strictly drilled for the inevitable day that these tasks would cease being training and become reality. It was drilled into the minds of the Xianese soldier that soon their sparing partner would be a Soroyan soldier and the target dummies would be living, breathing, and moving enemies to the Xianese revolution.
Xianese soldiers practicing firing and reloading as quickly as possible, this drill would eventually become a sort of game within Xianese regiments in the calm days before the war.
While the men trained, the general staff panicked as the issue of logistics and supply became the debated argument from the moment the sun rose to the moment the sun fell in the west. A heavy rationing on munitions and food-stuffs would become the norm in the first months of Xian's entry into the war. Some blamed the General Staff's lack of foresight, and some blamed the droughts in the south-east as the source of the rationing. Regardless of who was to blame, morale suffered as the portions became smaller and smaller and their gifted rounds fewer and fewer.
Civilian life also faced change with the coming war and the subsequent rationing. While ordinary life remained the same as it did a year prior in Beiqling, in the southern cities such as Changtan the price of grain skyrocketed and many Xianese civilians began resorting to other means to get food-stuffs such as bread and rice. Thus, the civilian and the soldier began to become equal in their fears for Xian's entry into the war...
A Xianese child-farmer scrounges for surviving, edible, crops during the drought of 1907.
Flulin Jazz
While morale already faced a crisis in Xian itself, in the Soroyan colonial capital of Flulin a new age of culture had begun. For those living the high life of the Flulin elite, the new music craze of Varian-influenced 'jazz' flooded night clubs and bars with it's new sound. The forerunner of this new 'Shidaiqu' music was Li Shiyun, known anti-nationalist activist and leader of a group of musicians and artists who wished to harmonize Varian and Faresian styles into a new golden age for both cultures. The regime in Beiqling viewed this differently however. Known nationalist and White Tiger sympathizer Jang Winghau decried the movement as the beginning of an 'age of decadence' in Xianese culture and that for Xian to survive she would have to 'stay the course against the Varian whale'.
Flulin, circa 1905
While the music was decried by the more hardliners in the Liberation Council, the populace embraced Shidaiqu and the sound of traditional Xianese folk music mixed with Deltoran saxophones or Kalpian trumpets filled the streets of Changtan and other southern cities even with the war drawing near. It was even suspected the President-General had grown a soft-spot for the music, though largely due to the Madame Ye Liu's rather open sympathy for Varian art and culture.
Interested in possibly taking the DPRK (North Korea), though I am a little turned off by the predominantly character based nature of the RP.
In
Time's a Changing - a Steampunk NRP set in a Psuedo-Earth
→
9 yrs ago
Forum: Nation Interest Checks
I'm certainly interested!
I'll get my app up tonight, I just have to go out to dinner with some family and friends first.
The Xian Clique
Emergency Meeting of the Liberation Council
With only a mere three days left for the Societatem to agree to the demands of the Restoration Movement, the Liberation Council came together for a final time before the final day of the Ultimatum. Before the meeting began Divination Priests from the Marble Monastery were brought to the headquarters of the national government to perform a ceremony and blessing on members of the Council and to all of Xian in the coming days...
A cloud of cigarette and cigar smoke hung over the meeting room. President-General Chiang Cai Xiao held his place at the center of the table, beside him Shiu Fuhua and General Jan Shinguo. Among other influential Council members sat Jang Winghau and recently promoted General Lang Shao-Ren, who had been called upon first.
"With the most pressing matter at hand, the Council would like to hear the current situation of our border with the Kingdom of Soroya. We presume you both have organized your trench lines and rationed out equipment according to regulation?" Chiang began, gesturing to the two chiefs at the table.
The older Shinguo took a moment to rise to his feet, his hands pressed to the table to support his movement. "Aye, President-General. My command has already established machine gun emplacements and artillery lines along our Northern border with the Soroyan-devils. If our demands are not met, we can begin immediate operations when given the order. As we speak I have my junior officers doing inspections on a hourly basis across our trench line."
"And you, General Ren?"
"The Southern Army Group currently anticipates a swift and deadly victory on our front, President-General. I have learned from the mistakes of the Yamarano-Basai war and do not intend to allow the casualties of that conflict be on my hands once again. Though General Shinguo and I disagree on strategy, I believe both of us shall serve the Xianese people proudly in the coming conflict sir." Ren gave a bow and took his seat once again, Shinguo following shortly after.
"Very well then. What of the current state of our, to put it simply, war economy?" Chiang continued, adjusting his glasses and turning his gaze to Jang Winghau.
Jang took a long draw from his cigarette, said cigarette placed neatly onto a jade holder that looked as though it had hardly been used up until that point. "The Type 98-07's production line has finished and the product has been shipped both north and south to the front. We expect another batch within a years time alongside new artillery designs and munitions. While we are the lesser economic power in the Restoration, I believe thus far we have most properly used our available budget in gearing for this conflict against the Societatem." Jang finished, taking another draw and giving a self-satisfied smile to the President-General.
Jang had become snarky as he gained more influence in the Faresian markets, this led to him quickly becoming the black sheep on the Liberation Council and rumors against him spread ear to ear rapidly. However, his knowledge of money and finance alone kept him alive and sitting before the President-General.
"And finally, mister Fuhua. What is the status of our foreign affairs?"
Shiu Fuhua grinned and bowed to the President-General and the Council. He strode across the room to a map of the world that hung on the wall. "Now, gentlemen, we are on the eve of a war that will change the face of our world for decades to come. With our recent friendship with Manyeong, we are at a optimum position to dominate against any warlord state like Yamarano or the Varians who still encroach on our borders. Our only concern now lies in the fact that we have no major ally in Faresia. Our alliance leader and every other member of the Restoration lies an ocean away, and thus in this coming conflict we must rely on ourselves alone. Unlike mister Winghau, I still remain opposed to this conflict and wish to make that position heard to this council, President-General." Fuhua removed his glasses and wiped them with his handkerchief before returning to his place at the table.
Fuhua was an awkward gentleman, but when it came to writing legal documents on a international level he was a master of diplomatic action. Some would dare-say his often innocent awkward appearance and mannerisms made him seem less intimidating and therefore a better diplomat, while others viewed him as merely weak willed and easily influenced. Regardless, he would state his mind in the Council and openly disagree with the President-General, which in turn earned him respect by Chiang.
"Thank you Ambassador Fuhua. Your concerns are duly noted. Now, if there is no other voices to be heard I believe we can end this meeting. Mister Winghau and I shall be going to Jiangpo to continue trade negotiations with Manyeong and for a full inspection of our naval assets. Ambassador Fuhua shall be traveling to the Grand Empire of Survaek, the Societatem would not dare commit a war crime by harming an unarmed vessel so soon into this inevitable conflict. Generals Ren and Shinguo shall return to their posts and await further orders. Are we all clear of the tasks that lie ahead of us gentlemen?"
The room echoed with 'Yes, President-General's and nods as the Liberation Council disbanded and filed from the room, the grey cloud of smoke following them out of the room...
The Liberation Council's ministry and general staff, circa 1907.
I'll get something up tonight hopefully
The Xian Clique
With the death of President Poullain in Salardia and the subsequent Aontan intervention, the Liberation Council began to view a 'Great War' as less of a theoretical situation and more of a reality. So, soon after the Aontan statement was released, the National Revolutionary Army was given an official order to mobilize on the border with the Kingdom of Soroya's colonial lands. For the first time in over two years, President-General Chiang Cai Xiao and Madame Liu were in the presence with another 'Changtan-Five' Founder publicly. Former Jiangpo business man and current economic minister Jang Winghau. Winghau made his claim to fame in the prelude to the Revolution when he began shifting funds from his steel mining operations and towards nationalist organizations within the former Yong Dynasty's empire. During the Revolution Winghau organized resistance against the Jiangpo garrison. However, his forces were defeated and he fled the city south to Changtan where he'd spend the rest of the war. After the war he quickly was assigned to the Ministry of Economics and Industry, where he has held a shadowy position hidden away in his office in Jiangpo for years.
Minister of Economics and Industry and CEO of the Jinqianpo First Machinery Building Group, Jang Winghau
At the public ceremony announcing Xian's military mobilization and recognition of the Grand Duchy of Salardia, President-General Chiang Cai Xiao once again called for Faresians to unite against 'Varian Imperialism' and unite under the banner of Restoration 'Co-Prosperity'. The President-General compared the Imperial Restoration Movement to the noble warriors of old Xianese lore fighting against the 'Dark Divines'. After the spoken announcements, NRA soldiers were paraded through Beiqling for the following hour before marching off to the border, where trenches faced new improvements and the creation of Machine Gun nests.
With mobilization beginning and men marching from home once again, the Jiangpo FMBG revealed the finalized design of the Baishan Type 07-98. Unlike the Baishan Type-95 the 07-98 was a lighter, carbine-esque rifle designed for higher accuracy and the capability to carry more rounds. After the final design was chosen, the FMBG announced production over 30 thousand of the new design to be sent immediately to the border for 'field testing purposes'. It is yet to be known how the new rifle will fit within the current NRA arsenal.
NRA Soldiers on the Xianese-Soroyan border testing the Baishan 07-98, circa February, 1907.
Late in December of 1906 Foreign Minister and Head Delegate of Xian to the Imperial Restoration Movement Shiu Fuhua traveled to the capital of the Republic of Manyeong for diplomatic negotiations. Since the formation of the Republic of Xian the Liberation Council kept close relations with Manyeong. The two nations sharing a similar history of republicanism and anti-Yamarano sentiments. It was unknown until after the negotiations that Ambassador Fuhua had traveled to Manyeong for reasons involving binding the two nations by diplomatic and trade ties. However, by January government trade ships from Manyeong were met at the Jiangpo harbor and Xianese corporate and government vessels began shipping to Manyeong in return. In addition, it was revealed that discussions involving joint military training operations within Xian were a possibility within the future, as both the NRA and the Manyeong military were in need of new ideas and minds militarily.
Head of Foreign Affairs and Xianese Delegate to the Imperial Restoration, Shiu Fuhua.
The Xian Clique
With all the troops finally home and the lessons of the Xianese-Yamarano war finally being used by the minds of the Xianese state, new weapon designs began to fill the boards of Jiangpo Machinery Group offices. The best minds the state-funded company could find were brought into the fold and tasked with revitalizing the National Revolutionary Army so it could compete with the armies of Xian's enemies. By the end of September a design model that finally been chosen.
Heavily based upon the design of Aontan hand grenades. The Type-23 Hōng, also known as the 'Bamboo Bomb' was a concussion grenade weighing 0.60 kgs and a effective range of 32 meters. To maximize the accuracy of the grenade, Xianese designers utilized the wooden handle so that the grenade would not roll like those with the 'pineapple' design. From the time of being unscrewed and subsequently thrown, there would be a maximum of 5 seconds before the grenade detonated. While other designs relied more upon the fragmentation of the grenade, the Hōng relied purely on her blast. Like the Aontan designs, the Hōng used a pull cord at the bottom of the handle that, once pulled, ignited the grenade to be thrown. The entire process of unscrewing, pulling, and throwing could be done within the span of eight to ten seconds, while designs using the 'pineapple' model could be thrown within five. However, the pure blast power the Hōng possessed gave it the edge it needed to be accepted and begin production.
NRA soldiers assembling test grenades, circa 1906.
In addition to the issuing of grenades into the national arsenal, the Jiangpo offices were tasked with the work of designing more modern rifles based upon the designs of Mille-Sessau and Survaek's equipment. Though Xian lacks the resources for such a task, new designs for the Baishan began appearing shortly after the release of the Bamboo Bomb. It is expected that test models of some designs will be released and given to the NRA for testing by the end of the year.
With 'Vakellia Fever' spreading across the western world the Liberation Council was forced to state their own opinion on the matter of colonization of the Vakellian lands. It came to no ones surprise that the Council voted against investing in Vakellia what-so-ever. Xian had neither the resources, money, or interest in sending Xianese expeditions across the sea to a land that would inevitably make them the same imperialists they had revolted against and actively protested against on The Continent. With the matter agreed upon, a national press-release was made stating that Xian gives its emotional support to those fighting against the 'Varian-menace' in Vakellia and condemned Varian expansion into the continent. However, no support besides that would be given for fear of causing new tensions with the western powers.
The Xian Clique
It was raining again... For over three days Changtan had faced seemingly endless rain, and for the fourth day it rained again. Shin dropped the remnants of his cigarette from his mouth and onto the sidewalk, stamping out the embers with his boot. He looked to his watch... Ten past midnight.
They're late.
Almost on cue, three men slid out of the darkness and into the light of the lantern that hung above the small shop Shin had stationed himself at.
"Sorry Shin, we got stopped by some NRA thugs." Tao said quickly, giving a nod to Shin. "Don't worry though, we haven't been followed."
"Good, last thing we need is bloodshed tonight." Shin replied, looking past Tao to the other two men. "Your men armed?" He asked.
"Aye, newest model revolvers you can buy, thanks to our trader friends in the Soroyan colonies." Tao chuckled, opening his suit jacket to show a steel revolver perched in it's holster.
"Good, then let's go."
The quartet quickly strode across the empty street with Shin leading the way. He knocked three times in quick succession upon a rusted iron door, the sign next to it written in simplified Ximin 'Changtan Beauty'. A moment later a brute of a man opened the door. He looked like a typical Mongshu bouncer, a long beard and bald besides a single braided hair that went past his shoulders.
"Password?"
"The Moon shines on the western shore." Shin said, and the bouncer nodded.
"Mister Shao is expecting you." The Bouncer said, stepping aside and letting the men in.
The Changtan Beauty was, to put it simply, a brothel. Organized and run by a Varian woman who went under the alias of 'Madame Lee'. When the NRA began marching the streets and Varians were forced to leave the country. Many young women fled to Madame Lee and were able to stay in Xian under the condition that they worked in the Changtan Beauty. However, Shin and Tao were not there for the women. The Changtan Beauty was also a local hot spot for black market trading, housing of illegals and criminals, and meetings between those the government called unsavory. The NRA knew of this place, though so many officers fancied Madame Lee's girls and the occasional 'donation' that fell into their pockets that Changtan Beauty never had faced a raid.
Upon walking into the main lounge Shin and his group were hit face first with all too familiar smells... Alcohol, incense, and opium smoke being the least distasteful of the aromas that filled the air. However, through the smokey haze they saw him.
"Shao!" Shin said as he approached the seated man.
Yon-Shao was an artist, and like most artists was prone to vice. Among those vices was an addiction to girls and drink. In fact, as Shin and his group approached Shao appeared to have just finished with both and was quickly filling another shot glass as a dark-skinned Sumayan girl quickly covered herself and lounged next to the robed man.
"By the Divines, Shin! Shin my dear boy it's been ages! What brings you to Changtan so early in the year?" Shao proclaimed, rising to his feet and spilling his glass onto the floor as he drunkenly hugged his nephew.
"Business, dear uncle." Shin replied, gesturing to the Sumayan girl to pour him a glass as he took a seat on the couch to the right of Shao. "In fact, it's why I came to you this evening."
"Oh? Do go on my boy." Shao slurred, groping the girl's behind as she leaned over to hand Shin his drink.
"Well, as you know, all Varian imports have ceased flowing into the country. No more alcohol, guns, or anything of the sort. This wouldn't be an issue if the NRA hadn't begun cracking down on the black market last year. Due to some Hmu snitch my benefactor has lost a lot of product, specifically liquor."
"And you think I know where to find a good dealer? Ha! If I could get a damn good rum at home I wouldn't be spending my money here boy!" Shao roared with laughter and took another drink. "B-b-but-" he hiccuped loudly and took in a breath, "but I do know a guy."
Shin leaned in closer to hear his uncle's voice as it turned to whisper.
"He works with the White Tigers, danger sonva-sow by the name of Qao Ping. He'sa captain of a-a merchant ship! Runs lotsa stuff from Manyeong into Xian." Shao continued, his slurring becoming worse the more he drank.
"And? Where can we find him?" Shin inquired, his eyes locked to his uncle."
"Jiangpo. He's got a -".
Bang.
The lounge filled with shrieks as a gunshot rang from the hallway. Before Shin or his associates could pull their revolvers the door burst open and NRA soldiers marched into the room, their rifles unslung from their shoulders.
"Nobody move! By orders of Commandant Kao Yongrui this illegal establishment is being shutdown!" An officer shouted, his revolver held high as he marched down the lounge.
"What is the meaning of this? Commandant Yongrui and I have an arrangement! We're committing no crime here!" Madame Lee shouted as she burst through the curtains of a private room, her boney hands tossed in the air and her jewelry rattling with each step.
Before the Madame had time for further protests, the officer lowered his revolver and fired twice. Madame Lee was dead before she hit the ground. Chaos erupted in the lounge as the soldiers began firing off at random, most of their shots either missing or hitting unarmed girls and guests. Whoever these men were, they were not the NRA.
Shin unholstered his revolver and tossed the table he and his uncle sat at on it's side to make a cover. With one hand he fired off a shot at the attackers while with his other he shoved his drunken and panicked uncle onto the ground and into cover. Within moments Tao and his associates followed suit and unholstered their own guns. A firefight had begun...
The Changtan Chronicles
January 25th, 1906
Issue 127
CHAOS AT THE CHANGTAN BEAUTY
Yesterday evening men under the guise of National Revolutionary Army peacekeepers raided 'The Changtan Beauty', a lounge under the ownership of 'Madame Lee'. Upon receiving resistance from the lounge occupants the criminals fled into the night, within half an hours time NRA peacekeepers arrived on scene and are still searching for the perpetrators. Ten casualties have been confirmed thus far, among them being Madame Lee and one of the attackers. The former revolutionary militia turned nationalist movement 'The White Tigers' have taken claim to the attack, though it has yet to be confirmed or denied of their involvement.
More on Page 8.
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