Alright, already. Enough mustache twirling! Oh, by the way Myth, excellant job as usual. Always nice to show up at work and have more updates to read. Muhahahaha. Crap, now I've been infected. 
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Li Jishen started toward the British delegation before checking himself and moving to sit down behind his desk again. Folding his hands above the papers on his desk, he merely watched as the British officers approached, flanked by Li Zongren and Wang JingWei. Stretching out a solitary hand, he motioned for them to take seats in front of the desk, and motioned with his eyes for Li Zongren and Wang JingWei to sit by him, behind the desk. As they all moved to obey, Li Jishen spoke.
“I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting any of you three gentlemen before.”
As they opened their briefcases in their laps, one of them looked up. “I am General Auchinleck, commander-in-chief of the Indian Army. With me is my chief-of-staff, Major General Murray-Lyon and the commander of the Hong Kong garrison, Lieutenant General Dobbie.”
Li Jishen smiled pleasantly and nodded. “Well met, I do hope. Now, what is it you wished to speak about?”
Murray-Lyon coughed as Dobbie spoke. “We wish to have your guarantee that China has no designs on Hong Kong, Burma or any other British possession in the region.”
Li Jishen nodded again. “Very well, you have it…”
The three British officers were slightly taken aback by the ease with which Li Jishen had given up what were undoubtedly his true ambitions in the region.
“…except for Hong Kong. I am sure you understand. The British seized it illegally during the last century. It is doing you no good at all now, as China is now not a decaying kingdom or a collection of squabbling warlords that you may ruthlessly exploit however you wish…”
Murray-Lyon bolted to his feet and pointed an accusatory finger at Li Jishen. “We have done no such thing!”
Li Jishen smiled pleasantly at him. “Then I suggest you study your history, as it was obviously not your strongest subject in school.”
He continued as Auchinleck put out an arm and guided a chastened Murray-Lyon back to his seat. “Now where was I? Ah…yes. China is united once again, and Chins is strong once again. The people would not understand if I let the European imperialists retain their stranglehold on even an inch of Chinese soil, especially not after the just return of Macao.”
Auchinleck nodded. “Fair, though I am not empowered to speak on the transfer of territory even if I wished to. You, however, give us your word that you have no designs on Burma, Malaya or any other British possession in Asia or the Pacific, excepting Hong Kong?”
Li Jishen smiled. “Of course. As you can quite clearly see on this map behind me, we have only claims to press on the British government concerning Hong Kong.”
Auchinleck persisted. “We have received word that there is a worrisome concentration of Chinese divisions along our border. We have identified twenty-four infantry divisions as well as a headquarters unit. What would such a concentration be doing there if it is not preparing for invasion?”
Li Jishen replied airily, waving his hand at the British as if to sweep away any allegations. “They are there on maneuvers, nothing else.”
Auchinleck frowned, but said nothing, he looked beyond Li Jishen to study the map. Dobbie, however, spoke aggressively. “That had better be the truth! With the United States of America now part of the Grand Alliance, we are strong enough to smash all dictatorships wherever we see the need to!”
Li Jishen blinked, almost as if taken aback as Auchinleck shot a furious glance at Dobbie. “Please don’t mind him, he is fairly excitable and a true patriot, but cannot see that sometimes the best way to move forward is to first take a step back.”
“I am, of course, aware that the United States had entered the war. I am pleased, as, you may have forgotten, I am at war with Germany as well. However, you also forget that I have not yet waged a war of aggression, I have merely responded to others’ aggression and have unified China.”
Dobbie refused to let go, however. “You attacked the Nationalists! You conquered Japan!”
Li Jishen smiled condescendingly at Dobbie. “You appear to lack necessary information, such as the fact that Japan was the aggressor during the Second Sino-Japanese War. As for the Nationalists, not only was Chiang Kai-Shek a Japanese puppet but the Geneva Convention quite clearly condoned preemptive strikes, which our attack was.”
Auchinleck opened and closed his mouth several times before speaking. “Please, may him no more heed. It is true, he doesn’t really know what he’s talking about. I must say however, that China has laid claim to vast tracts of Soviet territory.”
Li Jishen nodded. “Yes. They had stolen all that from China in the last century, much as you British had stolen Hong Kong. I do not believe that there will be hostilities concerning this territory, as the Soviet Union could not wish for such a thing, looking at the situation in which they find themselves, being under assault by the Germans.”
Auchinleck appeared suspicious. “Why, then, has the border been sealed?”
Li Jishen laughed mockingly at him. “If you know the border’s been sealed, then you certainly know why. The Soviets had long attempted to infiltrate agents into China, seeking to unbalance the country. We have discovered links between both the recent Japanese and Korean rebellions and Moscow. Moscow has failed to reply to our satisfaction—indeed, they have failed to reply at all.”
Auchinleck sighed tiredly. “Very well. I am glad that we have at least established that the vast majority of British possessions in the region are not looked upon by China as native Chinese soil. We shall leave you then, until such a time when another delegation, with further-reaching powers, arrives to discuss Hong Kong in greater detail.”
Li Jishen stood, inviting everyone to stand as well with a gesture of his hands. As they moved to obey, Li Jishen spoke. “I am glad that this was resolved without too much bitterness. I will certainly welcome such a delegation, so that any friction between the empire of Great Britain and the Empire of China ceases to exist.”
He nodded, and the British delegation saluted and withdrew. Turning to Li Zongren, Li Jishen said. “Gather the council. Go!”
“I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting any of you three gentlemen before.”
As they opened their briefcases in their laps, one of them looked up. “I am General Auchinleck, commander-in-chief of the Indian Army. With me is my chief-of-staff, Major General Murray-Lyon and the commander of the Hong Kong garrison, Lieutenant General Dobbie.”
Li Jishen smiled pleasantly and nodded. “Well met, I do hope. Now, what is it you wished to speak about?”
Murray-Lyon coughed as Dobbie spoke. “We wish to have your guarantee that China has no designs on Hong Kong, Burma or any other British possession in the region.”
Li Jishen nodded again. “Very well, you have it…”
The three British officers were slightly taken aback by the ease with which Li Jishen had given up what were undoubtedly his true ambitions in the region.
“…except for Hong Kong. I am sure you understand. The British seized it illegally during the last century. It is doing you no good at all now, as China is now not a decaying kingdom or a collection of squabbling warlords that you may ruthlessly exploit however you wish…”
Murray-Lyon bolted to his feet and pointed an accusatory finger at Li Jishen. “We have done no such thing!”
Li Jishen smiled pleasantly at him. “Then I suggest you study your history, as it was obviously not your strongest subject in school.”
He continued as Auchinleck put out an arm and guided a chastened Murray-Lyon back to his seat. “Now where was I? Ah…yes. China is united once again, and Chins is strong once again. The people would not understand if I let the European imperialists retain their stranglehold on even an inch of Chinese soil, especially not after the just return of Macao.”
Auchinleck nodded. “Fair, though I am not empowered to speak on the transfer of territory even if I wished to. You, however, give us your word that you have no designs on Burma, Malaya or any other British possession in Asia or the Pacific, excepting Hong Kong?”
Li Jishen smiled. “Of course. As you can quite clearly see on this map behind me, we have only claims to press on the British government concerning Hong Kong.”
Auchinleck persisted. “We have received word that there is a worrisome concentration of Chinese divisions along our border. We have identified twenty-four infantry divisions as well as a headquarters unit. What would such a concentration be doing there if it is not preparing for invasion?”
Li Jishen replied airily, waving his hand at the British as if to sweep away any allegations. “They are there on maneuvers, nothing else.”
Auchinleck frowned, but said nothing, he looked beyond Li Jishen to study the map. Dobbie, however, spoke aggressively. “That had better be the truth! With the United States of America now part of the Grand Alliance, we are strong enough to smash all dictatorships wherever we see the need to!”
Li Jishen blinked, almost as if taken aback as Auchinleck shot a furious glance at Dobbie. “Please don’t mind him, he is fairly excitable and a true patriot, but cannot see that sometimes the best way to move forward is to first take a step back.”
“I am, of course, aware that the United States had entered the war. I am pleased, as, you may have forgotten, I am at war with Germany as well. However, you also forget that I have not yet waged a war of aggression, I have merely responded to others’ aggression and have unified China.”
Dobbie refused to let go, however. “You attacked the Nationalists! You conquered Japan!”
Li Jishen smiled condescendingly at Dobbie. “You appear to lack necessary information, such as the fact that Japan was the aggressor during the Second Sino-Japanese War. As for the Nationalists, not only was Chiang Kai-Shek a Japanese puppet but the Geneva Convention quite clearly condoned preemptive strikes, which our attack was.”
Auchinleck opened and closed his mouth several times before speaking. “Please, may him no more heed. It is true, he doesn’t really know what he’s talking about. I must say however, that China has laid claim to vast tracts of Soviet territory.”
Li Jishen nodded. “Yes. They had stolen all that from China in the last century, much as you British had stolen Hong Kong. I do not believe that there will be hostilities concerning this territory, as the Soviet Union could not wish for such a thing, looking at the situation in which they find themselves, being under assault by the Germans.”
Auchinleck appeared suspicious. “Why, then, has the border been sealed?”
Li Jishen laughed mockingly at him. “If you know the border’s been sealed, then you certainly know why. The Soviets had long attempted to infiltrate agents into China, seeking to unbalance the country. We have discovered links between both the recent Japanese and Korean rebellions and Moscow. Moscow has failed to reply to our satisfaction—indeed, they have failed to reply at all.”
Auchinleck sighed tiredly. “Very well. I am glad that we have at least established that the vast majority of British possessions in the region are not looked upon by China as native Chinese soil. We shall leave you then, until such a time when another delegation, with further-reaching powers, arrives to discuss Hong Kong in greater detail.”
Li Jishen stood, inviting everyone to stand as well with a gesture of his hands. As they moved to obey, Li Jishen spoke. “I am glad that this was resolved without too much bitterness. I will certainly welcome such a delegation, so that any friction between the empire of Great Britain and the Empire of China ceases to exist.”
He nodded, and the British delegation saluted and withdrew. Turning to Li Zongren, Li Jishen said. “Gather the council. Go!”
What are all those divisions doing on the Indian/Burma border? You now outnumber the brits 2-1. Dont get ahead of yourself, Mongolia and the Ruskies first.
Among the great traits of Li Jishen, we also know he is a liar too. (with a diplomatic twist)
Great! every great leader needs to be a liar too.
Great! every great leader needs to be a liar too.
abdul-jabar said:Among the great traits of Li Jishen, we also know he is a liar too. (with a diplomatic twist)
Great! every great leader needs to be a liar too.
Liar!? I am sure you meant diplomatically astute.
The Great Emperor of China, Li Jishen, would never need to lie.
Edit: The troops are of course there in order to prevent any british agression
Edit: The troops are of course there in order to prevent any british agression
i must admit i was a little disappointed when there were no pictures, but i read it anyway.
The_Carbonater said:The Great Emperor of China, Li Jishen, would never need to lie.
Edit: The troops are of course there in order to prevent any british agression
But of course, how silly of me. The naked aggression of the British imperialists can clearly be seen by the extent of their colonial possessions. Li Jishen is merely being prudent to disuade them from making any hasty decisions.
He should deal with the Brits ASAP so he can claim India and Burma before waves of Americans come in.
Li Jishen sat in his garden underneath the cherry blossom tree transferred from the slopes of Mount Fuji with Wang JingWei as Li Zongren returned with the rest of the Imperial Guangxi Council. Seeing that Li Jishen wasn’t in his office any more, Li Zongren looked out the window and saw him in the palace gardens and led the remaining council members outside. Li Jishen beckoned with his hand for them to sit on the carpet of cherry blossom petals. As they sat, perhaps uneasily, on the ground, Li Jishen sighed.
“It is time to act.”
The council members looked at each other uncertainly before Jiang Baili spoke. “Against whom? The British and their allies? They are suspicious of us, yes, but now cannot be the time as we would not be able to turn our plans of Oceanic conquest into reality. The Soviet then.”
Li Jishen nodded. “Yes. The Soviets. Zhang Xueliang, do you have intelligence on their armies, those that could respond immediately to invasion?”
Zhang Xueliang nodded. “They have nothing west of Mongolia. To the east, they have anywhere between one and two dozen divisions but the majority, if not all of them, are moving westward to join the battle against the Germans.”
Li Jishen stroked his beard, in thought. “What would you suggest, Gu Zhutong? Wait, or strike now?”
Gu Zhutong smiled fiercely. “Now. Taking undefended territory is not glorious, but to defeat and destroy the enemy in decisive battle, that is what armies are for.”
Li Jishen nodded. “Dai Li, what would our people think of such a war?”
Shuffling his papers, Dai Li raised his eyes from them to look at the other council members. “Due to our continued policy of intervention, most have grown to believe that our claims on our neighbors are righteous and must be reintegrated into China, by force if necessary. Only a small segment of the population will be disgruntled by a war.”
Wang JingWei shifted to look at Li Jishen. “A declaration of war, so as not to break international law?”
Li Jishen nodded. “Yes. See to it.”
Wang JingWei smiled. “I already have.”
The Empire of China declared war on the Soviet Union.
Li Jishen smiled. “Very good. Jiang Baili, you had been tasked with developing a plan of operations. I trust they are complete? If they are not, perhaps someone else may become Chief of the Imperial Staff?”
Jiang Baili blinked at Li Jishen, unfazed by the threat. “They are being put into effect as we speak. In Sinkiang we have four armies—two border and two reserve. The reserve armies will move up to the border as the border armies advance into Mongolia and the Soviet Union, reclaiming our lost territories. We expect that Soviet resistance will be virtually nonexistent for the first weeks, but that they should soon enough appear in enough strength to pose a fun challenge.”
Initial Chinese operations out of Sinkiang.
Smiling, Jiang Baili continued. “In Xibei San Ma, we have one border and one reserve army. They will push northward up the center of Mongolia until they Ulan Bator is reached and flanked. Then, they will attack the Mongolian capital and, with Ulan Bator fallen, Mongolia will finally be reincorporated into the Empire.”
Initial Chinese operations out of Xibei San Ma.
Looking at his last map, Jiang Baili traced the last theater of operations. “In Manchuria we have two border armies and two reserve armies. One border army moves to attack Vladivostok and attempt a minor encirclement of the Soviet forces at the southern end of the Amur province. The second border army will move its flanks but not center, to instigate a wider encirclement of the entire Amur province as well as add another potential flanking attack on Ulan Bator. One reserve army will remain motionless for the moment, the other will move up to protect the right flank of the north Manchurian border army.”
Initial Chinese operations out of Manchuria.
“That is all.”
Li Jishen nodded. “Very well, that is good. As I will be remaining in the capital, I will not have the opportunity to lead this campaign. Thus, I will require constant reports of operations.”
Jiang Baili nodded in return. “Of course.”
Yawning, Li Jishen stood. “It is late, gentlemen. Let us retire all to bed now. You are dismissed.”
“It is time to act.”
The council members looked at each other uncertainly before Jiang Baili spoke. “Against whom? The British and their allies? They are suspicious of us, yes, but now cannot be the time as we would not be able to turn our plans of Oceanic conquest into reality. The Soviet then.”
Li Jishen nodded. “Yes. The Soviets. Zhang Xueliang, do you have intelligence on their armies, those that could respond immediately to invasion?”
Zhang Xueliang nodded. “They have nothing west of Mongolia. To the east, they have anywhere between one and two dozen divisions but the majority, if not all of them, are moving westward to join the battle against the Germans.”
Li Jishen stroked his beard, in thought. “What would you suggest, Gu Zhutong? Wait, or strike now?”
Gu Zhutong smiled fiercely. “Now. Taking undefended territory is not glorious, but to defeat and destroy the enemy in decisive battle, that is what armies are for.”
Li Jishen nodded. “Dai Li, what would our people think of such a war?”
Shuffling his papers, Dai Li raised his eyes from them to look at the other council members. “Due to our continued policy of intervention, most have grown to believe that our claims on our neighbors are righteous and must be reintegrated into China, by force if necessary. Only a small segment of the population will be disgruntled by a war.”
Wang JingWei shifted to look at Li Jishen. “A declaration of war, so as not to break international law?”
Li Jishen nodded. “Yes. See to it.”
Wang JingWei smiled. “I already have.”
The Empire of China declared war on the Soviet Union.
Li Jishen smiled. “Very good. Jiang Baili, you had been tasked with developing a plan of operations. I trust they are complete? If they are not, perhaps someone else may become Chief of the Imperial Staff?”
Jiang Baili blinked at Li Jishen, unfazed by the threat. “They are being put into effect as we speak. In Sinkiang we have four armies—two border and two reserve. The reserve armies will move up to the border as the border armies advance into Mongolia and the Soviet Union, reclaiming our lost territories. We expect that Soviet resistance will be virtually nonexistent for the first weeks, but that they should soon enough appear in enough strength to pose a fun challenge.”
Initial Chinese operations out of Sinkiang.
Smiling, Jiang Baili continued. “In Xibei San Ma, we have one border and one reserve army. They will push northward up the center of Mongolia until they Ulan Bator is reached and flanked. Then, they will attack the Mongolian capital and, with Ulan Bator fallen, Mongolia will finally be reincorporated into the Empire.”
Initial Chinese operations out of Xibei San Ma.
Looking at his last map, Jiang Baili traced the last theater of operations. “In Manchuria we have two border armies and two reserve armies. One border army moves to attack Vladivostok and attempt a minor encirclement of the Soviet forces at the southern end of the Amur province. The second border army will move its flanks but not center, to instigate a wider encirclement of the entire Amur province as well as add another potential flanking attack on Ulan Bator. One reserve army will remain motionless for the moment, the other will move up to protect the right flank of the north Manchurian border army.”
Initial Chinese operations out of Manchuria.
“That is all.”
Li Jishen nodded. “Very well, that is good. As I will be remaining in the capital, I will not have the opportunity to lead this campaign. Thus, I will require constant reports of operations.”
Jiang Baili nodded in return. “Of course.”
Yawning, Li Jishen stood. “It is late, gentlemen. Let us retire all to bed now. You are dismissed.”
So it has started, good luck. I have ever disliked fighting in Siberia, huge low infrastructure provinces, but I have no doubt that you will succeed, glory for Guanqi
So it begins. The Dragon vs The Bear. And thus the provinces shall be united under a Mandate from Heaven.
Kick butt Myth!
Kick butt Myth!
The_Carbonater said:How will you handle the Germans once Siberia is yours?
they will be lied to, of course!
or shall we say,
Li Jishen will be more diplomaticially astute than Hitler!
abdul-jabar said:they will be lied to, of course!
or shall we say,
Li Jishen will be more diplomaticially astute than Hitler!
Bravo abdul-jabar, Bravo.
