An Empire Where the Sun Always Rises- A Japan V3 AAR

[hjarg]

Hello, dear readers.

Since Nikolai already opened the floodgates and posted in the main AAR forum, then I will follow suit. In hopes that when the V3 ARR forum magically appears,

To tell you the truth, this AAR has been very long in the making. I originally planned to write a Japanese AAR for Vicky 1. Then for Vicky 2. But never got around to it. Still, over time, you develop your favorite nations to play. Like in the EU series, it is Portugal that I love the most. Or in the CK series, my heart goes to Hautevilles. And for Vicky, it is Japan for me. The nation that gives me the most pleasure to play.

I guess it is the same for all three- start off as lower medium powers. Not like the Krakow-challenge, or Ryukyu one. But still, all the nations have potential, but need some work in order to achieve it.

Japan in Vicky starts off as a backwards, feudal, isolationist country. Yet again, it starts with a large population, a good literacy (though not as good as it was in V1 and V2) and perhaps most importantly- with quite an abundant resources. Including the main thing needed for industrialization- coal.

Feel free to join me in my journey to topple the shogun, make the Japanese Empire an industrial powerhouse, a beacon of knowledge and (perhaps) a bacon (yes, this is intended) of liberty. A nation that others look upon with envy. Of course, as the name “empire” suggests, it also means to spread love around the world. For 0 infamy score is a crime against the nation!

Welcome, hopefully, to a story about an Empire Where the Sun Always Rises.

 

[hjarg]

Dead Calm of Change​

“For centuries, the world was static. When you grow up, you end up doing what your father does. Doing it exactly like your father did. As did your father. As did his father. And so on. The change was a rare and slow event. ” the old man started.

“That is not the way the world works any more. The world is changing at a scary pace, and nothing is the same as it was. And nothing will remain the same as it is.”

“It is a terrible realization that the world will change. That the old ways are dying and you have to change or perish with them” he continued, and after a pause, added: “Especially if you happen to be a young boy.”

Now, imagine a house somewhere in Japan. Built and furnished in a style that is best described as western. A house that would fit perfectly in London, or Paris, or Berlin, or New York. A house that felt a bit out of place in Edo. Yet, there it was. As a testament of change.

Inside the house, there is a room. Again, distinct western style. Despite it being dusk, the room is brightly lit, and not by candles or petroleum lamps, but by electricity. The newest fad of these changing times.

There was a table. A heavy, expensive, mahogany table in the middle of the room. On it, a tea set. Not Japanese, but made of fine Meissen porcelain, made in Germany, being used to serve English style tea. At least the tea was Japanese in origin.

Around the table, there were two men, sitting, sipping the tea and eating biscuits. A younger man and a gentleman who can be described as “past his prime”, if you happen to feel generous. What really stood out were his clothes though. Despite all of the western look of the house, the man was wearing very traditional Japanese clothing. Hakama and haori, or loose pants and a jacket. Being in quite a contrast with the rest of the house.

“It was in Tenpō 6,” the old man started, and stopped promptly, seeing a totally blank look on the younger man’s face.

“6th year of the second era of Ninko-tennō,” he added. The blankness continued, not being bothered at all by the explanation.

“18th year of the rule of Emperor Ninko, and 48th year of the rule of Shogun Tokugawa Ienari” the old man tried differently, and the blankness subsided a little. But just a little.

Then, he laughed and said: “One of my favorite changes is adoption of the Gregorian calendar. It was in the summer of 1835.”

The blankness on the young man’s face was replaced by total understanding.

“My father, a retainer of Ninko-tennō, was sent to Deijima. The artificial island built in the city of Nagasaki. Well, artificial island in a sense that we dug a canal between the peninsula and the rest of the city, making it a separate island. The only place in Japan where foreign ships were allowed to land at the time. And only Dutch, Chinese and Korean.”

The artificial Island of Deijima in Nagasaki

“Ahh, the famous isolationist policy,” the younger man mumbled.

“The Sakoku rules. Almost a total isolation indeed,” the older man nodded and continued.

“My father was tasked to escort Opperhoofd, the chief of the Dutch trading post, to Kyoto and Edo, for his annual tribute to shogun and a little visit to the Emperor on the side.”

“The latter being an unusual exception?” young man enquired.

“Yes, it had taken Ninko-tennō considerable effort to gain permission from the shogun. The Emperor claimed to have an interest in Rangaku, or the Dutch studies, as it was called back then. But that is for another time.”

“We arrived at dawn. Were greeted by Nagasaki bugyō, shogun’s overseer of the port. He apologized profusely, for there had been a dead calm for weeks. Not enough wind, the ships unable to leave the port. Making the crews of several Chinese junks in the harbor more drunk than usual and more restless than usual. And that carried over to the rest of the city.

Indeed, through the morning mists, we saw huge junks, all sails reefed, anchored in the harbor. And indeed, the noise of drunken sailors and laughter of whores, even though it was early hours, was heard even here. Then, we gazed at Dejima, the Dutch compound. There we saw...”

The old man took a small dramatic pause. Then continued. “We saw a Dutch ship. All sails reefed as well. But.. but it was moving. Despite no wind. Instead, huge black puffs of smoke were coming from a chimney stationed in the center of the ship and huge paddles on both sides of the ship were turning slowly.”

“We stood there, on the shore, and watched dumbfounded, as the Dutch ship, despite lack of wind, slowly sped up, moving out of the port. We watched as it passed us, paddles pushing the ship forward. We watched as the ship entered the sea. There, as the ship apparently found some wind, we watched as the small sailors climbed the masts and put full sails on. Majestically, the ship turned westwards and continued her voyage, now apparently, with the power of wind.”

Watching the strange ship that is 100% flying under Dutch colors.

“An early steamer?” the younger man enquired.

“And a primitive model of that, as well,” the old man laughed. “Nothing that amazing to you, I imagine. Perhaps a bit of a curiosity, for it was a paddlewheeler, not propeller-driven. Oh, how the world has changed.”

“For to us, it was a total shock. Realization that the Dutch had freed themselves from being the slaves to the wind and can now rightfully call themselves masters of the sea. Something that we did not think to be possible- or rather something we did not think of at all.”

“It was that morning in Nagasaki,” the old man continued. “That I realized that the world will never be the same. And we can either change with the world or be left behind. Quite a realization if you are 11 years old...”

“Deadcalm of change,” the younger man muttered.

The older man just smirked and nodded.

 

[Wraith11B]

First sub! Again, because I'm not at home, I'm making sure I'm aboard so that I can keep up!

 

[Idhrendur]

This should be fun! At the least it's a reminder to try a Japan game some time.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Glad to see more Vicky 3 AARs in spite of everything. Best of luck with this, @hjarg !

 

[hjarg]

The Power of the Purse​

Jutoku Yoshimichi looked dressed better than your average peasant. Was way wealthier than your average peasant. In fact, was way wealthier than your average samurai and would have dressed better than your average samurai if there were not laws against him dressing better than your average samurai. Yet, in society, he was way below the samurai. And way below the peasants. Just above the Burakumin (you know, the nice folk dealing with interesting jobs like executing people and tanning and such) and these blasted foreigners.

Jutoku Yoshimichi was not happy with the setup, of course. And, he was not alone in this- other merchants felt this way as well. Considered parasites, for they were not producing anything. But gaining some sort of respect, for at least, they were wealthy parasites.

The industrialist

Today though, Yoshimichi was a peasant. Ok, at least he was dressed as one, as he was sipping tea in a quiet corner in a quiet, a bit rundown teahouse in a bit shady district in Kyoto. You know, the kind of teahouse where the owner knew that the popularity of the place depended on their bad memory and bad eyesight.

Your average small rundown teahouse

Just as hei had settled in, another man approached. Also dressed in peasant clothes and in addition, wearing a straw hat that covered his face. You know, the Japanese equivalent of raincoat and sunglasses. He gazed curiously under the hat- and forze. Then, kind of panicked, trying to decide between standing up and kneeling on the floor.

The other man held out his hand, and said: “Jin. Just Jin.”

Then he sat, opposite Yoshimichi.

“I heard you wanted to speak to Me,” Jin said.

“Jin,” Jutoku Yoshimichi said, trying to put as much respect into the word as he could and make a slight bow. “I am Jutoku Yoshimichi, merchant and owner of several textile manufactories in Kyoto.”

“I know who you are,” replied Jin.

“And I represent several like-minded merchants in Nippon,” Yoshimichi continued. “There are a few of us. More textile manufacturers, both in Kyoto and Kyushu. Glass manufacturers in Shikoku and Chukoku. Furniture producers in Tohoku. And such.”

“And what do you, Jutoku Yoshimichi, the textile manufacturer, and your buddies, want from Me?” Jin asked.

“It is about the future of our beloved Nippon, of course,” Jutoku Yoshimichi replied.

“Of course. What else? But what about the future of Nippon?”

Yoshimichi hesitated. Then, he opened his mouth. “Jin, the current situation in Nippon is not a rosy one. Stagnation, starvation, small-scale riots. Our current methods aren’t enough to feed the population or warm them or to clothe them. At the same time, the Shogun and daimyos are unwilling to make any changes. Ienari Tokukagawa is old, set in his ways. An arrogant wastrel. And his son and heir, Ieyoshi, has trouble finding his pants. Literally.”

Shogun Ienari Tokugawa and his heir apparent. Ieyoshi the pantless.

“Meanwhile, the countries far West are changing. Employing new technologies for farming, doing mass-scale manufacturing. They are becoming more powerful, while we are doing our best to keep still...”

“Oh yes, one of my cour.. friends, told me that he had witnessed by his own eyes how the Dutch removed themselves from the shackles of wind,” Jin muttered, half to himself. They, he gazed at Jutoku Yoshimichi and asked. “Well, you have told Me what you don’t like about Nippon. You have not told Me about the future of Nippon as I asked...”

Dreamily, Jutoku Yoshimichi gazed somewhere distant. “A future of Nippon. Without the power of Shogun. Without authority of daimyos. A future where the rightful Yamato Emperor rules over us all,” he said, dreamily.

“And a future when a man is free to make his own fortune,” he added.

“Are you suggesting a revolution? A coup? A rebellion?” Jin inquired.

Jutoku Yoshimichi looked shocked. “No, no, Jin, I can assure you, nothing of a sort. We are merchants, not fighters- if we go to the field, we will surely lose. In addition, wars tend to disturb trade and make us poorer- and unable to pay for the rebellion.”

“How then, pray tell me, do you plan to do it?”

“With the power of the purse. Purse can buy you influence. Purse can gain you laws, officials, institutions. Despite their talks about honor, samurai and daimyos are not above petty bribes...” he replied, with a small smirk.

He continued: “Currently, Nippon is set in a way that almost every law is set to add to the power of daimyos. They control the military, the peasants, they own the land. I suggest we go for their power- slowly, mind you- and at the same time, try to build a new competing power base that is based on a purse, not land. And while doing so, drive a wedge between the shogun and daimyos, making the shogun distrust his base of power.”

“So, in your mind, how will it end?” asked Jin.

“With the shogun resigning, for he has no power left. With the daimyos disbanding their troops, for they have no means to support them left. With the Emperor finally becoming the power in the land of Nippon and leading this country to the new era of prosperity...”

“While you and your buddies getting rich during the process?” Jin asked

Not even trying to look ashamed, Jutoku Yoshimichi just smiled and bowed slightly. “That is the intention, Jin.”

“Just,” he added after a short pause. “Making us rich will make everyone wealthier. We provide stable jobs, not dependent on weather or crops. We will produce items of quality with much lower prices, so everyone can afford them. We will make Nippon an economic powerhouse in progress.”

“You seem to have quite a thought-out plan,” said Jin, thoughtfully. “What do you need Me though?”

“We have our purses and our influence, sure,” replied Jutoku Yoshimichi: “But our influence is nothing compared to yours.”

“I lack the power,” said Jin, with a sad tone. “There are spies of shogun everywhere...”

Jutoku Yoshimichi reached into his pocket, grabbed a small piece of paper and grinning, albeit very respectfully, handed it to Jin. “The list of spies, Jin”

Jin grabbed the paper, eyes widened. He combed through the list, mumbling to himself: “I knew it, him. Oh no, not him too? Her, I didn’t even suspect,”

Then, he gazed at Jutoku Yoshimichi. “How?” he asked, voice full of amazement.

“Power of the purse,” Jutoku Yoshimichi smiled. “Combined with a slight gambling habit of one of shogun’s men...”

“We have to be very careful,” said Jin. Kind of implying that he agreed.

“Believe me, your head is attached safely to your shoulder,” replied Jutoku Yoshimichi. “Ours aren’t. We are very well aware of this fact, and we are quite fond of our heads...”

Jin just nodded. “And when is the famed date? When the shogun resigns and the Emperor takes over?”

Jutoku Yoshimichi smiled sadly. “I’m afraid this is a slow-cooking revolution, Jin. I expect to see first results in a few years, but we are talking at least a decade when we manage to push shogun and daimyos apart and perhaps another decade until the power of the shogun is grinded to dust.”

Jin looked shocked. “Two decades? I might not even live that long...”

“Might be that me neither,” replied Jutoku Yoshimichi. “But look at it this way- Sengoku Jidai, the time of Warring States, lasted for 150 years. And we are making a bloodless revolution, not a bloody civil war. We shall overthrow the shogun and leave the country richer in progress. A revolution unlike any other.”

Jin nodded. Then, he stood up. “I have nothing to lose, and much to gain. I’m in.”

With that , he left. Leaving behind Jutoku Yoshimichi, pretty dumbfounded by the fact that he had called Ninko-tennō Jin, just Jin. And that he was still the proud owner of his head.

A man with title, but no power

As for the future of Japan, it changed forever after this little meeting.

 

[hjarg]

Since it would make little sense for the Shogun to do his best to diminish his own power unless there was really good reason for it, I have invented kind of conspiracy. Would make sense- industrialists behind the scenes, doing things that advance their power. It their way- avoiding violence and rebellion, instead doing long-term bloodless revolution.

Also, referring to the Shogunate faction as daimyos, since it kind of makes a bit more sense. Mostly to differentiate between the Shogun and the Shogunate.

First sub! Again, because I'm not at home, I'm making sure I'm aboard so that I can keep up!

What can I say! Glad to have you on board!

This should be fun! At the least it's a reminder to try a Japan game some time.

It sure is worth it. Awaking the beast is always fun

Glad to see more Vicky 3 AARs in spite of everything. Best of luck with this, @hjarg !

Oh well, I'm sure we'll get the Vicky 3 forum eventually as well. Let's play videos has killed the AAR star though, it seems. Unfortunately.
Thanks a lot though!

 

[Wraith11B]

Since it would make little sense for the Shogun to do his best to diminish his own power unless there was really good reason for it, I have invented kind of conspiracy. Would make sense- industrialists behind the scenes, doing things that advance their power. It their way- avoiding violence and rebellion, instead doing long-term bloodless revolution.

Also, referring to the Shogunate faction as daimyos, since it kind of makes a bit more sense. Mostly to differentiate between the Shogun and the Shogunate.

I do like this explanation. Obviously, certain levels of the levers being pulled by the player are never exactly how the nation would have chosen to go on their own anyways.

What can I say! Glad to have you on board!

Oh well, I'm sure we'll get the Vicky 3 forum eventually as well. Let's play videos has killed the AAR star though, it seems. Unfortunately.
Thanks a lot though!

I disagree: Let's Plays are distinctly (speaking generally) more similar to the original AARs: gameplay focused; generally the AARs have become more prose and story driven between the Narrative or History Book styles of writing. Not that there isn't some blending on occasion, but at least personally, I come here for entertainment, not to watch people play the game.

 

[DensleyBlair]

A very understandable (and entertaining!) means of explaining away the… inconsistencies a player might generate in their own particular vision for a nation. Looking forward to seeing how our slow revolutionaries fare over the coming decades.

I disagree: Let's Plays are distinctly (speaking generally) more similar to the original AARs: gameplay focused; generally the AARs have become more prose and story driven between the Narrative or History Book styles of writing. Not that there isn't some blending on occasion, but at least personally, I come here for entertainment, not to watch people play the game.

I agree. The LP can do a lot, and are obviously great for advertising the game, but until someone makes a full-on narrative series or mock use tray about one of their campaigns I won’t be too worried about the death of the form. (And even then I’d have to take my hat off to whoever pulled off such a thing!)

Thinking about it, the shift in focus from pure gameplay to more imaginative forms is maybe part of the AAR’s ‘downfall’ in Pdx’s eyes. I’m speculating here, obviously, but if AARs don’t advertise how fun the game is (to play) anymore, then I suppose it makes a sick sort of sense why they wouldn’t care that much about people’s fanfic. After all, one doesn’t need to buy HoI, say, in order to enjoy Talking Turkey. (And in my case, of course, there’s no Pdx game one can buy to replicate Echoes…)

Which would be a real shame, were it in any way true. Sure, watching LPs as a 14-year-old made me want to buy CK2 for myself, but it was discovering AARland that has kept me here (and still playing!) for a decade. They’re still very powerful things!

 

[Nikolai]

Ah, @hjarg is at it again! Wonderful! I'm glad to have another AAR from you.

 

[hjarg]

Better Living through Logging​

Jutoku Yoshimichi sighed heavily. Diminish the power of the shogunate, drive a wedge between the shogun and daimyos. Easily more said than done, that is for sure, for the Japanese legal system was set in a way that really-really favors the ruling power. From serfdom to army to police to the fact that the Shogun is dependent on daimyos to rule.

The laws of Japan are really tilted towards keeping Shogunate in power

“Where to even start?” the man called Jin asked with desperation in his voice. “They’re so dug in...”

Yoshimichi smiled a bit. “Fortunately, we have Mori Takachika, head of the Mori clan and unofficial leader of daimyos. Who fancies himself a true heir to Mori Motonari, or even as the reincarnation of the famous warlord of the Sengoku era.”

Mori Takachika, the leader of daimyos. A 16 year old jingoist.

“Mori Motonari was indeed a man of well-deserved fame,” Jin nodded. “Just, what does he have to do with Takachika?”

“Takachika sees himself as great of a warrior as his famed ancestor,” replied Yoshimichi.

“He isn’t?” inquired Jin, curiously.

Yoshimichi just shrugged. “200 years of peace. I doubt any of us are.”

Mori Motonari, the famed ancestor of Mori Takachika

“It doesn't matter though if he is. It only matters that he sees himself as a great military mind”, he continued. “You see, the Samurai have been calling for military reforms, making us less dependent on ashigaru, or the peasant levies, and adopt a more professional armed force. And Mori Takachika totally agreed with it. Even though it goes against the interests of the daimyos.”

“So, you are saying that Tokugawa Ienari just needs a little push towards military reforms and both the daimyos and the samurai will gather behind him in a unified (and very powerful) voice?” asked Jin.

Yoshimichi smiled. “Resulting in more powerful samurai. That is not too bad. And also, resulting in a slightly diminished power for daimyos.”

“Time to push Ienari then. Gently,” said Jin.

The first reform has quite a success chance.

“But to other matters. I see we have quite a catastrophic level of logs shortage,” said Jin.

“And we are going to make the problem worse,” grinned Yoshimichi in return.

“Why?” Jin looked dumbfounded.

“Cause we are giving the shogun a chance- to be a great builder. My agents have been whispering in Ienari’s ear about the great buildings that could be built that will carry his name through the ages. Being an old man, about to die soon, this had him listening and nodding. “

Rough initial building plan- expand construction industry, get some tools up and running and then, iron.

“And that will increase the demand for logs that are already in short supply?”

“Oh yes. And that will make the shogun's ear more open to the reform of the logging industry,” grinned Yoshimichi.

“Privately owned logging industries, with centralized tooling production, followed by the startup of iron mining on an industrial scale in order to make the tools even better?” asked Jin.

“Precisely,” replied the merchant.

“Resulting in a situation where all the money of logging business flows through you and your friends?” replied Jin.

“First, the logging industry, then, the tooling industry and sooner or later, the mining industry as well.” Yoshimichi wasn’t even decent enough to look a bit ashamed.

“Though,” he added. “To be fair, most of the lumber still comes from the more traditional methods. For now, at least.”

Shortage of lumber in Japanese market. Most of it still comes from subsistence farms as well.

“Building is damn expensive though,” said Jin. “Thousands of workers, tons of materials. It can bankrupt a country.”

“You’re wondering about how the shogun will pay for it?´Well, this is easy. No self-respecting autocrat can resist people whispering into his ear about raising taxes and taxing luxuries...”

“But the people...” said Jin.

“To be fair, the tax collection capability of the Shogunate is so atrocious that most will continue paying pretty much nothing to the state,” grinned Yoshimichi. “Still, it is mostly luxuries, so only the rich people like me will notice.”

“You don’t mind?” wondered Jin.

“Sure I do. Just, this is a small price to pay- and we’re planning to get it all back through different means.”

Funding all that future construction

Jin just dropped it and moved on. “So, building- construction, tooling, more tools and construction and then some iron?”
Yoshimichi nodded.

“Then what?”

“Then, more buildings have to be built to meet the growing needs of the growing building sector,” Yoshimichi said. “To an extent where Nipponese finances can sustain it.”

“Anything else?”

“Apparently, the Buddhist monks are a threat to the order of things...”

“Are they?” Jin asked, curiously

“To some extent, yes. Along with the Shogunate, they’re mostly stuck in the old ways. Though, they have nothing in particular they are unhappy about right now. Still, it would be wise to diminish their power.”

“By convincing the Shogun that they are a threat to his power?”

“Not enough threat that the Shogun would do something radical, to really make them a threat. Instead, something simple, like reducing their power in the government administration and restricting their right to be active in urban centers,” said Yoshimichi.

Kicking the monks out of government administration and reducing them in urban centers.

“The Shogun won’t notice that there are actually quite a few changes going on?” inquired Jin.

“He is old, he is arrogant. And we can mostly manage to make him come up with the solutions as his ideas. If Ienari notices anything, it will be that he is more brilliant than he used to be for decades...”

“That depends on us and our agents in the Shogun’s court though,” replied Jin.

“Then, we shall do our best,” Yoshimichi replied. “One final thing, though it is a minor one. I’m not sure this is even worth Shogun's notice. Kyoto is getting a small rework of its urban center. I managed to strike a small deal, and there will be more beautiful markets, with lots of glass being used.”

Jin gave Yoshimichi a suspicious look. “Price of glass too low for your glass manufacturing buddies liking?”

Yoshimichi gave an innocent look. “But, it will be beautiful, Jin. Glorious!”

Kyoto getting new markets- and the price of glass before and after

Jin just left it at that.

“And on foreign policy? Do we even have one?”

“I might have something interesting on that front... but that is for our next meeting, Jin”

 

[hjarg]

And now is the historic moment. I finally press the unpause button and start playing.
To be completely honest, this is my second playthrough. With the same save. I just played a bit ahead while waiting for the AAR forum to appear until I suddenly hit 1936.

But the key of success is industrialization. No surprise here, right. Just, it means building stuff. And building stuff is really expensive and you are always balancing your budget so you do not go overly negative. And of course, the laws. Plus, diminishing the power of monks and aristocracy, for they seem to be taking a serious dislike on everything you do to make the country great. Peasants and petite bourgeoise too, though to the lesser extent.

Anyways, here stuff goes. Expanding building capacity, then making sure I have enough cheap wood and fabric for building capacity, then going iron-framed. Hopefully not going too much into red in process.

I do like this explanation. Obviously, certain levels of the levers being pulled by the player are never exactly how the nation would have chosen to go on their own anyways.

I disagree: Let's Plays are distinctly (speaking generally) more similar to the original AARs: gameplay focused; generally the AARs have become more prose and story driven between the Narrative or History Book styles of writing. Not that there isn't some blending on occasion, but at least personally, I come here for entertainment, not to watch people play the game.

Replying to you both below

A very understandable (and entertaining!) means of explaining away the… inconsistencies a player might generate in their own particular vision for a nation. Looking forward to seeing how our slow revolutionaries fare over the coming decades.


I agree. The LP can do a lot, and are obviously great for advertising the game, but until someone makes a full-on narrative series or mock use tray about one of their campaigns I won’t be too worried about the death of the form. (And even then I’d have to take my hat off to whoever pulled off such a thing!)

Thinking about it, the shift in focus from pure gameplay to more imaginative forms is maybe part of the AAR’s ‘downfall’ in Pdx’s eyes. I’m speculating here, obviously, but if AARs don’t advertise how fun the game is (to play) anymore, then I suppose it makes a sick sort of sense why they wouldn’t care that much about people’s fanfic. After all, one doesn’t need to buy HoI, say, in order to enjoy Talking Turkey. (And in my case, of course, there’s no Pdx game one can buy to replicate Echoes…)

Which would be a real shame, were it in any way true. Sure, watching LPs as a 14-year-old made me want to buy CK2 for myself, but it was discovering AARland that has kept me here (and still playing!) for a decade. They’re still very powerful things!

Or at least explaining inconsistencies on how the ruling class, without any clear reason, goes on to diminish their own power, I guess

As for AAR-s and Let's Plays.
First, i've been here (oh god!) for at least two decades. Let's just say narrative AARs arrived pretty soon after the first gameplay AARs. There has always been mix and match of these, plus interactive ones, plus all sort of different styles. And right, you don't have to buy HoI in order to enjoy Talking Turkey. But you don't also have to buy HoI to watch some dude playing it. But both can be as a motivation for buying one- cause it looks or reads as an experience player is interested in or drawn to.

And yes, AARs can offer you much more wider variety. Want historybook or story or plenty of screenshots and little text- we got you covered in any occasion. LP's are... well, videos of people playing the game. Some do it more entertainingly, others better, some are so incompetent that is painful to watch. But overall, they are all doing the same thing. No variety.

But I personally think it's not the Paradox. It's your average fan. If your average fan prefers to go to youtube and watch some dude to play the game, then that's where Paradox goes as well. "Downfall" or AARs is rather that most people prefer to watch, not to read and I don't blame Paradox for following them. And I truly believe that if AAR forums would get more traffic, Paradox would be behind it again. Beta AARs, not pre-live streams and such.

This might be just me talking too though. For personally, I occasionally watch some LP-s and and glad they're there. Good if I am unsure if I want to buy the game or not. But, watching videos of other people playing the game is akin to watching the paint drying to me.

Still, AARs are part of Paradox and over time, people have written tons of good stuff (and several metric tons of not so good stuff) and for that reason alone, well, there should be V3 AAR forum. It's a week after launch already!

Ah, @hjarg is at it again! Wonderful! I'm glad to have another AAR from you.

Glad to be back. And even more glad to see that you are still around

 

[Nikolai]

Glad to be back. And even more glad to see that you are still around

It’s been 21 plus years. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, if I am to have a say.

 

[Idhrendur]

The unpause point is a big step. Especially in the Vic games.

 

[hjarg]

The Bluff on Pearl Harbor​

To the Other Side of the World

“Little did I suspect that I would soon be on board the new Dutch ship,” the old man continued. “Yet, it was in the beginning of 1836, when I was kind of smuggled on board of the ship”

“Kind of smuggled?” the younger man curiously asked

“Sakoku rules,” the older man replied. “Are actually two-fold. Yes, they forbid foreigners from setting their feet on Japanese soil. But people tend to forget another, equally important part- they also forbid any Japanese from leaving Japan, under the penalty of death.”

“Tokugawa Ienari suddenly decided that Nippon needs to improve relations with Great Britain in January 1836,” the old man continued. “So, he sent out an ambassador. And since there were precious few ways of getting to Great Britain, it was decided that the ambassador will board the Dutch ship from Daejima and sail to Java, then take a bigger ship to Holland and from there, sail to Britain.”

First diplomatic action: be friends with Britain!

“So, how did you get aboard?” the younger man enquired.

“Little did Ieanari know that the ambassador was actually serving Ninko-tenno in secret. And that the Emperor decided to send my father with him, as a guarantee or overseer or something. And my father decided to bring me along. Never to return.”

“Never to return?”

“Until Sakoku rules were in effect. Yes, no-one knew exactly where we had gone, but there was still a good chance that upon return, we would be captured and beheaded for breaking the Sakoku rules- meaning, leaving Japan.”

“What a terrible thing to do to a 12-year old kid,” the younger man was shocked.

“To me, it was more of an adventure. And remember- you can only behead me if I were in Japan. No way Shogun could chop our heads off in London. Instead, I got a chance for something that, well, I was the only Japanese boy that could- see the world outside Nippon.”

“So, how was it?”

“First, we discovered that the Dutch had not mastered the wind quite yet. Most of the journey, the paddle steamer went on wind power, with the crew lighting the engines only when there was no other choice. And for as little as possible. We were told that the coal supply was limited. It was kind of disappointing.”

“But Batavia was amazing. The Dutch capital in Indonesia- a bustling city, totally unlike Japanese cities. Different architecture, different people, different layout. I walked with my eyes wide open- and the goods, in the market, from all over the world. And the people, from all over the world as well. It was mesmerizing."

Batavia, capital of Dutch East Indies.

“What was most amazing though were the ships. The sailing ships, the ones we were to take across the world, to Holland. Huge, elegant, fast. They promised to get us to Europe in just 100 days... I could not wait to be on them...”

And with that, let us leave the people to their journey.

The Bluff on Pearl Harbor

As a ship left Nagasaki towards Java, another ship left Edo and pushed eastwards, towards the endless Pacific Ocean. More than 6000 kilometers separated the ship from her destination, and from there, another 3000 kilometers to the western coast of America. Making it without a doubt the longest journey Japanese had taken thus far for sure.

There of course lies the Kingdom of Hawaii. Isolated between the Japanese islands and American coast, with almost nothing but vast swathes of ocean, with few islands spotted in. The locals were living under an isolationist policy of their own- mostly because few ships even found their way.

The Islands of Hawaii and their ruler

Now, imagine the shock of locals when one fine day, a ship did land. Strange men, most of them clad in armor and wearing helmets with very scary faceplates, came to shore and demanded to speak with the leader. And issued an ultimatum- surrender and submit to the Japanese Empire, or be very dead. For there were thousands and thousands more of these nice people with scary faceplates and sharp swords where they came from.

Just a month with 0 infamy.

Of course, the Japanese were not lying. There were thousands and thousands more. They omitted some minor details though. Like that nation lacked was a fleet to get even a single thousand to Hawaii, but details-details.

King Kamehameha of Hawaii did his best to delay. To find allies. The thing is, finding allies is very hard when you are an island in the middle of the Pacific, away from the world. The only people who cared for that part of the world were Great Britain, who fortunately for Japan did not care. And United Tribes in the Northern Island of New Zealand.

In fact, King Kamehameha, to everyone’s surprise, managed to get their leader, Auha Whaanga, to help him out. Unfortunately for him, the United Tribes had about as much naval capacity as Japan. Meaning, zero. And just a few thousand men, who, even when fully mobilized, were still over 7000 kilometers away. Managing to be even further away than Japan. Making them about as useful as thoughts and prayers.

A mist useless ally

Thus, on 6th of May 1836, King Kamehameha of Hawaii declared his official surrender to the mighty Japanese Empire. The islands became officially part of Japanese territory and all of the inhabitants of the island were promised a safe and fruitful life as second-class citizens of the Empire.

Japan to the left of me, Hawaii to the right. In the middle, lot of water

This was actually a first-time experience for Japan as well, for before, they only had tested the invasion stuff with Korea and this did not work out so well for them. Suddenly, they had overseas territories. 6000 kilometers away. With nice, fertile volcanic soil, forest full of hardwood and climate suitable for growing this Japan was not the best for. Coffee, fruits and most importantly, sugar.

Some lumber camps, bananas, rice and sugar! The latter being the most important,

A worthy first addition to the Empire.

 

[hjarg]

My best guess for today's episode would be that when someone in Paradox designed how AI would react to diplomatic plays, that someone wrote a nice algorithm of AI deciding Hawaii has a snowball's chance in Hell against Japan. But forgot the tiny matter or AI deciding that Japan would have snowball's change in hell of reaching Hawaii and that should have been a primary factor.
For I have over 100 regiments, but don't have a single ship to move them around in.

But as they say, waste not!
Taking Hawaii gives me a nice control over the Pacific, stops US from doing the same in the long term and also importantly, gives me access to sugar- something that I need if I plan (and I do plan) to start the food industry. Since I'm also dealing with isolationism- it means that until I get that revoked, what I need, I must conquer.

It’s been 21 plus years. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, if I am to have a say.

Heh, I actually beat you by a year and half. Though, admittedly, i'm much more on and off then you

The unpause point is a big step. Especially in the Vic games.

Oh yes. It takes quite a while to get a plan of action together. Especially since Japan is kind of big. The next challenge is to keep in unpaused.

 

[Nikolai]

Heh, I actually beat you by a year and half. Though, admittedly, i'm much more on and off then you

Only six months.

So big luck with Hawaii, then! Surely the Americans are fuming.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Even in a century full of outlandish conquests, Japan bluffing Hawaii into submission must go down as one of the most audacious.

 

[hjarg]

First Step​

“So, it is now done. We have a professional army,” said Jin, enjoying a cup of tea in the usual no-questions-asked teahouse.

“And it was surprisingly painless,” he added after a moment.

Jutoku Yoshimichi grinned and replied: “Look at them- Samurai and Shogunate patting each other's backs, feeling so powerful and accomplished.”

First step into more modern Japan

“Now what?”

“I think now it is time for Tokugawa Ienari to realize that perhaps the Samurai have grown too powerful and need reining in.”

“Why, yes, they have been increasingly powerful for a whole day,” Jin agreed.

“Perhaps some whispers in Shogun’s ears that the Samurai would be a lot better off outside the government for now- perhaps it is time to bring the intellectuals in.”

“Intellectuals?” pondered Jin. “What do they want?”

“Koan Ogata is a, well. A moderate, sure. But his entire faction is something of a strange one. Believing in people’s liberties and such. With them, we can attack one of the core pillars of the power of daimyos. Going after serfdom,” replied Yoshimichi, slyly.

Koan Ogata and the Liberals

And the new Japanese government. Did not even lose legitimacy.

“What, already?”

“The time is perfect! For some reason, the Samurai actually hate abolishing serfdom more than the daimyos do. And at the moment, they are thrilled because they have these new professional toy soldiers to play with,” Yoshimichi looked even a bit slyer.

“But why serfdom?”

“Because we are stuck in a traditionalist model for our economy. You know, where the peasant is a property of the land-holder. Unless we want to go towards an agrarian economy- that is basically the same, but looks at the relationship through a romanticized lens. And since we are stuck in a traditionalist economy, that means that we tax people less and also, cannot enforce new laws that would make people pay more taxes.”

This is not going to be that easy. And what's with the Samurai loving serfdom more then the Shogunate?

“So, serfdom bad, plus serfdom adds much to power of daimyos,” Jin summarized.

“Exactly,” Yoshimich nodded.

“So, what construction doing?,” Jin changed the subject.

Japan has twice the building capacity it had half a year ago and the first tooling workshop being built

“That is going alongside the plan. We now have three construction offices in both Kanto and Kansai, a third is being constructed in Chubu and the price of lumber is rising. Soon, the first tooling shop in Edo will be finished and then, the economy of Nippon will start it’s transformation.”

“Ok, I see what I can do about poisoning Ienari’s ear about the Samurai then”, said Jin. He then rose and left.

Into Indonesia

As soon as Hawaii was safely in Japanese hands, the Shogunate turned its collective eye towards Indonesia. The region consisted of Java, Borneo, Sumatra islands, Philippines archipelago and several smaller islands. It’s political variety was as great. There were small independent local states. There were Dutch and Spanish colonial administrations. There were small local states, nominally independent, but under the Dutch administration. There were some areas of islands, especially in Celebs and Papua New Guinea that were still considered uncivilized and tribal. And finally, in Borneo, there was Lanfang, the Chinese tributary.

First, the Japanese gaze stopped at Sulu. A small state with their heart in Sulu islands, just east of Borneo. Controlling half of Palawan island. And most importantly, a small part of North Borneo island itself.

A Sunni sultanate with a combined population actually lower than Hawaii’s. Run by Sultan Jamalul Kiram. Just one minor power in the very splintered Island of Borneo (total 5 independent states, 3 Dutch East Indies puppets and one tributary to Great Quing). Also, with just two battalions to call up. In short, a perfect stepping stone to get Japanese people into the island of Borneo.

Situation in Indonesia, with Sulu territories shown

On 14th June, 1836, Sultan Jamaul got a visit from people similar to the ones King Kamehameha got just half a year earlier. Promising death and destruction on the poor Sultanate unless Jamaul cedes his Bornean territories to Japan. Again, praising the sheer number of Japanese soldiers- and again omitting the minor fact that the Japanese don’t have a single ship to move them soldiers around in case Jamaul decides not to give up.

This is much more crowded then it was during the Conquest of Hawaii

It was not a pure bluff this time though. On 6th of July, 1836, the Japanese found a way to land their troops on the island. Well, at least find some troops that would land on the Island. Great Britain has agreed to joint the Japan on the following terms:Japan gets North Borneo. Sulu can keep the rest, but spend the rest of their lives as a British puppet.

Again, the Sulu were totally not without friends. Aceh from Sumatra island and Minondago from Southern Philippines promised to help the Sulu. Neither of them were actually as awesome as Great Britain though.

Hey, we have some naval invasion capacity this time!

Realizing the futility of the fight, on 3rd of October 1836, Sultan Jamaul gave up. Giving up his Bornean territories while keeping the Sulu islands, half of Palawan and perhaps most importantly, his independence.

Japan now has a gateway to Borneo island. And Japan had struck gold with this one. Literally. Well, if we are true, then Sulu struck gold in late August and just month and half later, Japanese marched in to reap the benefits. In addition to gold, Japan got access to the famous Bornan hardwood (though no lumber mills as of yet) and some fields capable of growing tobacco, fruit, coffee or dyes.

Added bonus- a bit of gold.

Most of the new gold fields discovered in Borneo were property of Brunei though...

 

[hjarg]

First hurdle in topping the Shogunate over. The easiest hurdle as well. Serfdom is going to be tougher, as will be getting rid of hereditary bureaucrats, police force reform and other fun things.

And talk about lucky! Borneo discovering gold just one and half month before i'd bluffed them into oblivion.
Now, I have a foothold in Borneo though. Why is that important, you ask? Simple. You need a navy to do a naval invasion. You don't need one if you can make fronts.

Only six months.

So big luck with Hawaii, then! Surely the Americans are fuming.

You are absolutely right, only half a year. I blame late night for my math!
And USA doesn't even own the East Coast yet. I suspect they don't care and by the time they start caring, it will be too late.

Even in a century full of outlandish conquests, Japan bluffing Hawaii into submission must go down as one of the most audacious.

How about Japanese bluffing Sulu out of Borneo? Though this time, there were troops capable of naval invasion. Just not Japanese.

Try to play the game Ghost of Tsushima, I really liked it. Reminds me of The Last Samurai and 47 Ronin.

Oh yes, Tsushima is one of the greatest. Totally agreed.