silver or lead

The World as We Know It [19th-20th Century Nation RP]

Dominion of Meung

The retreat from Hatze had been a bloody disaster.

In the space of four hours, half of Huang Jian's platoon was dead, wounded, or missing. The fighting force of the 'Liaohuan Expedition' had been reduced to a ragtag group of mixed units that had been hastily re-organized into new combat formations. The private paused, alongside the rest of his ad-hoc squad outside a nearby farmhouse. The local peasents had long since fled or been conscripted into the Xiang Army.

A careful inspection of his rifle revealed that Jian was down to thirty rounds of ammunition, half a canteen, and he now had a rapidly expanding hole in his boot left his foot exposed. He had carefully wrapped it in rags to avoid the punishment from the march. Sergeant Wen Xi now Lieutenant Wen Xi carefully moved from man to man, speaking soft words of encouragement or issuing a harsh rebuke when he found something to his dislike.

Further down the road, came the one source of source for the lost expedition. They were disheveled peasents, often carrying guns older then he was. They lacked uniforms or anything even resembling that of a modern soldier. Yet what the volunteers lacked, they more than made up for in enthusiasm. Groups of volunteers, sometimes accompanied by women made their way up and down the company line carrying water and water.

General Xiao Cai had sent several of his staff officers in an attempt to organize the Volunteers into something resembling a fighting force. When his chance came, Jian gratefully refilled his canteen. Soon, whistles were sounding and Jian was back on his aching feet. Can Tho lay up ahead and Xiao Cai saw it as his last great chance to recapture it.
With a core of professional soldiers and thousands of youthful volunteers, the 'Xiang Liberation Army' as it would be christened by its commander would begin its advance.
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Grand Prince Yuzhen Moves Imperial Court:
The Imperial Court has been moved from Yujiin to Xiuying for the duration of the Southern Campaign. Prince Yuzhen has determined that the threat from Xiang must be ended at once and the people of Xiang liberated from the cruel grip of warlords. In an address to a delegation from the House of Lords, Yuzhen praised '' the justice of our cause and the spirit of the Xiang people, many of whom have taken up arms with us to overthrow their oppressors. '' Prince Yuzhen visited troops on the border, along with Major General Liaohuan. It is expected that the Dominion will dramatically increase its military presence in Xiang.

First Army Advances:
The Grand Prince in conjunction with his military advisors had determined that the Southern Expedition requires more men and materials. The First Army will advance across the border to support the brave forces of Xiao Cai who are currently engaging Xiang forces near the city of Can Tho. Major General Liaohuan will command the advance.

Reforms to the Six Codes (Anti-Corruption Policy):
The Six Codes, the Constitution, Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Criminal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Administrative Laws have governed the Dominion since the Reforms of 1842. Grand Prince Yuzhen with support the Prime Minister has pushed for reforms to both Civil Procedure and the Criminal Code to crack down on corruption. The reforms are expected to tackle the Imperial Bureacraucy, specifically the sale of positions and reported kickbacks to government ministers. The Government has appointed the respected Magistrate Lian Bao to head a Commission of Experts to recommend reforms in a report to the government.

The World as We Know It [19th-20th Century Nation RP]

Dominion of Meung

Hiron withdraws from negotiations; Meung condemns Hiron:
The Imperial Foreign Ministry condemned Hironese withdrawal from Redanan sponsored mediation talks before they had even begun. Foreign Minister Xi in a statement released to the international media meant that '' Meung and Hiron can now no longer negotiate in good faith. It is clear that the Imperium knowing that its negotiating position is weak must now resort to strong arm tactics to influence the region.'' The withdrawal from the talks was also followed by the complete withdrawal of all Hironese diplomatic staff in the Dominon. In effect, relations between the Meung have been severed.

Tsardom and Dominion Reach Agreement:
With Hiron's sudden withdrawal from mediation talks, despite agreeing only weeks earlier, Radenan diplomats were left to press on with negotiations with the Dominion alone. Ambassador Yeryomin Vladimirovich and Foreign Minister Xi agreed to cede control of Wenshou Island to the Tsardom of Radena in exchange for twenty million dollars, Radenan military advisors for the Meung Imperial Army, and a license for the Kirov .88 to be produced locally in the Dominion. Foreign Minister Xi in a statement said he hoped the sale of the island '' would help to cool tensions in the region by adding a deterrant to Hironese expansionist claims. The Treaty will be a pillar of Meung security in the future. '' The Treaty of Wenshou is expected to be ratified in a special session by the House of Lords. All civilians have been offered a chance to resettle in the Meung heartland, if they so desire. Local administration is expected to be turned over in the next few weeks, though Meung Imperial soldiers will remain until December to maintain local security.

The World as We Know It [19th-20th Century Nation RP]

Dominion of Meung

The Meung Dominion had existed as a state for a thousand years. Grand Prince Yuzhen was the eighteenth member of the current Imperial Kian Dynasty, a Dynasty thad had seen the Meung state expand and collapse before expanding once more to reclaim its rightful glory. The Meung were the shore surrounded by a sea of barbarians. They were a crude peoples, unsophisticated, brutish, and quick to use force to achieve their aims. The shore was beginning to show signs of erosion...
In the past, Yuzhen's forefathers had relied upon thick stone walls and the men behind them to ensure that the Dynasty survived. The Grand Prince and his Ministers were being forced to play the same game that his ancestors had mastered. Chancellor Yue Fei was an old player at such games in the Imperial Court and he used the same tricks he had honed on the Hironese to delay their aggressive neighbor from taking per-emptive action.

The Hironese Delegation was welcomed by an honor guard at the Imperial Palace but there would be no formal audience with Prince Yuzhen, only a brief meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Wei to explain that negotiations on a treaty could not begin until the House of Lords had returned from its summer recess. Fei was also quick to leak the arrival of the Hironese to western reporters based in Yujinn of Hironese aggressive demands that the Meung hand over Wenshou island or '' face war '' while Foreign Minister Wei had made visits to the Veletian and Tsardom of Radena's embassy in an attempt to drum up support for Meung resistance to Hironese claims. By contacting these foreign embassies, news of Hironese demands were sure to leak to the international stage, and the outrage would magnify if Hiron attacked.

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Foreign Minister Xi was under no illusions to Hironese aggression or that of its neighbors but nor did he seek to give the Hironese more Meung territory in exchange for assurances that could easily be broken when the Hironese army was at full strength. The Meung needed something far more concrete, if they were to lose Wenshou to one hungry neighbor, then let it be for the highest price...and preferably to a nation that was in a major position to influence Hiron.
It was that in mind that Xi had requested mediation from the Dominon's other massive neighbor, the Tsardom of Radena. While the Diplomatic Corp stalled in the Imperial Capital for as long as possible, Xi was securing a Radenan embassy to mediate proposed talks as soon as possible.
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**********************EYES ONLY: CLASSIFIED***********************

To: General Ziang Gao / Wenshou Island Garrison Commander
From: Minister of War Mai Fen
General, situation between Hiron and Meung growing increasingly tense. You are advised to place your forces on high alert in anticipation of Hironese landings. Additional supplies of food and ammunition have been sent. Preparations should be made to evacuate civilians from Cao and Mung to highlands in anticipation of Hironese bombardment. Ensure proper security protocols are put in place to burn all viable intelligence that could be captured by the enemy. All VIP's should be evacuated immediately.

(Military details will be PM'd later today)

The Eastern Star

'' The only Western newspaper to bring you the important news of the East! ''

House of Lords recalled from Summer Recess:
The House of Lords has been recalled from its summer recess for an emergency session. The House is expected to debate Hironese efforts to secure Wenshou Island. The Meung Dominion has officially disputed all Hironese claims to Wenshou Island and has stated when asked for comment that the ' legal standing of ownership is beyond question '. A meditation effort, led by a Radenan embassy is expected to take place soon. The House has already voted to authorize the Foreign Minister to open talks and lead the Meung delegation.

Meung Imperial Army Launches Punitive Expedition:
The Meung - Xiang border awoke to fierce artillery fire on August 12th at dawn as elements of the First Army, Third Corp, crossed the Xiang border in force. It was rumored that as many as 30,000 Imperial troops are taking part in the expedition to clear the border of what the army described as '' bandits and insurgents ''. Major General Lihuan, placed in command of the expedition, said in a statement that the Lihuan Expedition was expected to last several weeks as the Meung Army destroyed '' weapons caches and bases that Xiang insurgents have long used to conduct cross border into Meung territory. '' It is reported by confidential sources that the timing of the expedition was in response to a demand by Xiang for tribute to maintain peace on the border. The lawlessness of Xiang and lack of central government has meant that a Meung response has been 'long time in coming' according to Foreign Minister Xi.
(Military details will be PM'd later today)

Ministry of Interior Slashes Budget:
The Ministry of the Interior has slashed its projected budget for railway improvement by 8 million to make up for a projected deficit. Ministry of the Interior Tian Fen has stated that 'further cuts may be anticapated in the governments efforts to balance the upcoming budget'. The Woosung Railway hub is expected begin construction on a hub in the capital of Yiijun and eventually link to Zhong and expand further towards the coast.

The World as We Know It [19th-20th Century Nation RP]

Dominion of Meung

Minister of War: Mai Feng

Mei Feng had a particular distaste for fanatics. They were prone to irrationality, stubbornness, and incapable of compromise. As a member of the Imperial Bureaucracy such an attitude was inconceivable. A pragmatic and calculated approach was needed in all things, with the ability to change positions based on changing circumstances. Nevertheless, the Minister was facing a crisis in the Imperial Army. A malignant tumor was spreading borne of corruption, incompetence, and nepotism. For the Dominion to survive the next decade changes would be needed, drastic ones.

It was for that reason that Mei Feng had appointed General Xiao Cai as Chief of Staff. The General was hardly the picture of a fanatic that he had envisioned and Mai Feng was left slightly dissapointed by their first meeting. This was no ancient warrior with top knot frothing at the mouth but a well polished professional military officer with a waxed moustache and spectacles. Yet his reputation as a hard line nationalist preceded him. His distaste for foreigners aside, it hadn't blinded Cai that the Veletian's could be useful. He had been at the forefront of championing the modernization of the Meung from a ramshackle army to a professional and modern force, capable of dealing with the Imperialism of its neighbors who had developed an unhealthy appetite for trodding on Meung territory and violating the Dominion's sovereignty.

Xiao Cai would have his uses. He was from a minor landowning family, meaning the fact that he had risen so far on his own had been based on merit and not political connections. A rarity in the Meung forces which was dominated by landowning aristocrats. It would mean that he would owe no outside favors and his experience as Commander of the New Model Corp meant that he was familiar with the Veletian's and their training methods.

The newly minted Chief of Staff was also on hand to see the seeds he had planted begin to take shape as the 1st Battalion of the 86th Infantry Regiment marched past the review stand. It was the first such battalion to complete its training under the guidance of its Veletian military advisors and many Imperial functionaries were on the review stand at the Shenzhou Barracks.

The New Model Corp had received the best in training and equipment that the State had to offer and it showed. With expertly drilled precision, the troops faced left to the review stand to receive the salutes of their commanders. Mai Feng joined in the applause, one careful eye on his new Chief of Staff.

Yes, he would be one to watch indeed.

[ Post will be edited with images at a later point. ]

The New World - OOC IS UP

Is there still room for another player? I'm interested and would like a roll

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

Duke Conrad Sforza

The crunch of two thousand hobnailed boots did not fill Duke Conrad Sforza with joy nor was this how the newly raised Duke had envisaged commanding royal troops for the first time. Yet, this was the duty he had been given by his newly crowned sovereign. A thousand knights and two regiment of men at arms had been dispatched from the capital. It was meant as a projection of power, clearly more than enough for an escort for the grain that Sforza was bringing for the starving populace of the Summit.

Would the show of force be enough for James to see reason? It remained to be seen. It had been weeks since the Council to elect a new King and already Duke James was choosing to defy his sovereign lord. While Sforza could sympathize with his former master, acts of rebellion before God or King had to be punished. He only hoped that Duke James would see reason.

‘’ If I do not return, ensure that this reaches the King and my bannerman. ‘’ The Duke said to his wrinkled old steward who watched his master with a mixture of concern and righteous anger that he was not accompanying him. The sealed parchment was placed into his hands and fixed with the Duke of Lussex’s seal.

It wouldn’t be the only raven that Blackmore would be sending. A second letter had been sent to Duke James himself.

Your Grace,

I have been charged with delivering a summons from His Majesty, King Alaric, for you to return with me to the capital. The convoy I travel with carries valuable grain for the King’s suffering subjects in the Summit. In the interests of preserving the bonds of friendship and peace between us, I hope you will do me the honor of granting me an audience and allow me to distribute the Kin’s bounty to your people.

Respectfully,
Duke Conrad Sforza

Slowly but surely, the King’s army began its slow march up the mountainside. Sforza had been careful on not raising his own levies to join the march. This was not meant to be seen as an invasion though he was aware that James may see it as such…

Attacking the King’s men would mean open war. The Duke himself rode at the head of the column, the banner of Lussex and Osteria flapping in the breeze.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

Rav, find me on steam tomorrow and I'll help you out.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

Conrad Sforza: Baron of Lussex

The third knock went unanswered.

A frown creased the craggy and weathered features of Tyrum Blackmore, Lord Chamberlain of House Sforza. With a sigh, gnarled fingers applied pressure to find the door unlocked. The stench of sex and sweat struck the Chamberlain like a slap to the face. A woman lay in the bed, jumping to hide her exposed breasts with an outstretched hand. It did nothing to save her modesty. Blackmore dispassionately recognized her as one of the kitchen wenches that had served the Baron the previous evening at last nights supper.

A snarl of agony from the adjacent chamber drew Blackmore’s attention.

‘’ Out! ‘’ The word was a growl, the girl hastily slipping into her dress and fleeing for the doorway as fast as her feet would allow. He caught her arm, even at sixty years of age, Blackmore was still surprisingly strong.

‘’ If word of this…incident.. becomes common gossip, you will find yourself on the street…and then I will find you, do you understand? ‘’ He said in a soft whisper, his voice not once rising. But Blackmore's grip was so strong that he had left marks in the soft and yielding ivory flesh of her arm to drive home his point. With a nod of understanding and animal fear lingering in those pretty blue eyes, she fled. Tyrum pivoted and marched towards the adjacent chamber, another grunt of pain eeking through the doorway.

Baron Conrad Sforza was an imposing man. He stood well over six feet, his face was scarred by old wounds and the Red Pox that had claimed the lives of his family. However, it was the righteous fury that Blackmore now found himself on the receiving end of that most concerned the Chamberlain. Conrad held a light whip in his hand, his back bearing the self-inflicted wounds of flagellation.

‘’ I have sinned. ‘’ The Baron explained simply, a scowl sliding over once handsome features turned grotesque. ‘’ I am a slave to the flesh and so the flesh must be punished. ‘’ Sforza said, dropping the bloodied whip at his feet. Blackmore was already fetching a basin of water, after many such incidents, the Chamberlain was adept at cleaning the Baron’s wounds so that they wouldn’t be prone to infection.

Regardless, the Baron wouldn’t be able to wear a shirt for the next week without wincing in pain. There had to be a red tunic here somewhere….

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Sforza found himself sitting at the King’s Council three hours later, evaluating the now former Duke that he had cast his support behind. The Baron had gambled hard for King Gyre’s promises, a chance for Lussex to achieve true independence from his fellow sovereign Lords. The Baron toyed with his signet ring, his mind coming to focus on the task at hand.

‘’ No doubt there are better and more qualified men who could lead the Black Army. Unfortunately, many of them lay dead on the field alongside our former King. I, Baron of Lussex, Conrad Sforza put my name forth to lead the Osterian Army as Marshal and in King Gyre’s name continue the Crusade against the South. ‘’

Lussex was not a rich territory and the Baron (soon to be Duke) could afford to leave the daily administration to his retainers. Though no doubt many more nobles would seek to burnish their own ambitions.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

‘’ The forces of Duke Stolt are not invincible! ‘’ Baron Sforza snapped, becoming incensed by the Council’s determination to sit upon its hands as the foe in the South grew in strength and numbers. ‘’ All of us will learn that to our peril when the Orc’s mass in a few months’ time. Now with final victory potentially in our grasp we are to stop and dig in? No. God is on our side and He is watching. The Crusade must go on! God wills it! ‘’ It was a sharp break with Duke James but in this instance the Baron felt he had no choice.

While Sforza was a spiritual man, he was not without his own ambition. The chance to match the title of the men in this room was a tempting one. Yes, it could potentially bring consequences with his liege lord but in the end, he doubted that Duke James would bring his army down from the Summit to punish his vassal.

‘’ I vote for Duke Alaric Gyre. ‘’ Sforza said flatly, not wishing to embarrass Duke James any further with public protests.

(Sforza votes for Alaric Gyre)

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

Conrad Sforza

'' My Lord's and Ladies we are missing the larger point here. '' Sforza said, his voice cutting into the chatter sharply. The Baron was not one quick to react to anger but the display put on in this room churned his stomach. '' The King was slain by filthy abominations! Monsters that now are licking their wounds. They have killed the King, do you not think that Gorguth will not use that as a rallying cry to call the other clans to his banner? If we wait, with respect Your Grace, we will face a foe that is two if not three times as strong when he returns. '' The Baron declared, his hand closing into a fist. In his haste to speak he found himself standing.

'' I would beseech all of you to consider our options. Yes, we suffered a grievous loss...but these men can be replaced. Revenge must be now, the people will demand it, and this defeat is a stain on the honor of Osteria. If needed, the Duke's and Baron's should muster our own forces and join Duke Stolt for a new campaign in the South. If we press now, perhaps we can expunge the Orc threat forever. If we wait, it is at our own peril. '' It was a sharp break with Duke James but Sforza felt as a loyal vassal, he had to speak his piece. The Baron knew about dealing with monsters, he had been fighting creatures on the Floodplains for decades. The Orc's were little better, part of the same cancer that would devour the Realm of Man if cowardice allowed it to.

'' I myself would offer my own troops to serve under you Duke Stolt. '' The Baron said with a nod at the other man. '' Though I would be keen to hear your own views. You have fought these creatures far longer then any of us. What do you advise? You know the state of the Royal Army. Could they be mustered for another campaign to avenge their King? ''