Meiji - an Empire under the Sun (Japanese AAR)
Game settings:
Version: 1.01
Difficulty: Very hard
AI Aggressiveness: Normal (to avoid the AI bleeding itself to death)
Scenario: Grand Campaign
NOTE: I studied the Japanese event file carefully before starting, to make sure I avoided all the "wrong" choices. I have not presented any screenshots, as Japan's territorial growth were fairly limited, but there are screenshots taken at certain points, should anyone be interested.
Goal:
To make Japan a great power
Limitations:
I set out to follow a historical course as closely as possible regarding conquests. No cheap shots against easy targets.
Oh, and pardon the English, and stuff.
1836:
World ranking: 94
Prestige: 1
Ind. Power: 28
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 40% literacy / 0 techs discovered
Population: 27.3 million
The tranquil years preceding the birth of the most honourable Mutsuhito, emperor Meiji, barely deserves mention, but for the sake of comparison, I will provide a brief description.
In 1836, Japan was a poor agrarian country, without much industry or military, save a few distilleries and feudal armies. Our economy would not allow any education or army spendings, nor were such extravagant expenses necessary to preserve our way of life. The Shogunate [reactionary] ruled our country, isolated from the rest of the world, and by the look of things, the situation would not - or could not change - without drastic measures.
1844:
World ranking: 48
Prestige: 15
Ind. Power: 19
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 34.7% literacy / 0 techs discovered
Population: 29.0 million
In February 1844, the Dutch sent us an envoy, asking us to open up for foreign trade. We promptly refused, as we always will, to fold to overseas nations, with no understanding for our ways.
At this time, Japan's main exports was silk, grain and coal. As we lacked the and the technology to found new factories, the population slowly degraded into an even more agrarian status. In order to supply our distilleries, we were largely dependant on import of glass, which was not any incitament to support industry any further.
[Hence the reduced industrial power. The export income was roughly 110 pounds per day, which translated to a net income of 10 pounds per day with as low taxes as possible and no expenses at all) - glass import necessary to supply the industry would result in a _negative_ net income, if taxes were to be kept low.]
1850:
World ranking: 37
Prestige: 29
Ind. Power: 29
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 32.8% literacy / 0 techs discovered
Population: 30.2 million
As we would later learn, the English and the United States of America had struck a deal in 1846, the so-called Oregon Treaty, dividing between themselves the American continent along the 49th degree. This gave USA access to western ports, and opened the Pacific for American exploitation. Most of the Pacific islands were subsequently colonized by them, save the Ryukyu islands, which had fallen into Spanish hands in 1843.
[I realized a bit too late that although I could not build new factories (except for distilleries, but Japan already had plenty of those), it was possible to extend the already existing glass factory. After that, I could increase the production and convert some farmers to craftsmen, without having to import glasses - hence the increased industrial power. I still didn't have much income, so the converting of farmers to craftsmen went slowly, as can be seen by the much (well, comparatively, at least) larger industrial power in 1856 and 1860. The export income would not increase above 120 pounds per day, though.]
In 1850, the Americans sent their lackey Perry to try to force Japan into submission and an opening up for trade with the overseas nations. Just as we had done with the Dutch, we refused submitting, and sent Perry home with his tail between his legs. However, his expedition had set in motion a chain of events that could not be stopped. If the west would dare to come to our land, and threaten us with force, we had to make sure they would not succeed.
1856:
World ranking: 53
Prestige: -10 (some unfortunate random events)
Ind. Power: 41
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 30.2% literacy / 1 techs discovered (due to random events)
Population: 32.0 million
The year 1852 would see the birth of the boy emperor Mutsuhito, to the world known as Meiji. His Japan was a country in turmoil. The shogunate abhorred the very idea of breaking isolation, but as the large contingent of our people no longer supported them [actually, noone supported the reactionary party, but the court faction - conservatives - had a support of 39%], and as the clash between the shogunate and the emperor's court grew stronger, open violence ensued. The court party climbed to power, and the shogunate was forced to accept the more moderate Tokugawa Nariakira as their Shogun. Nariaka started the constitutional reform which would enable eemperor Meiji's "restoration" to power. The dissent within the shogunate resulted in assassination, but the growing power of the court faction once again forced the shogunate to accept a moderate shogun, Satsuma.
1860:
World ranking: 19
Prestige: 71
Ind. Power: 68
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 28.4% literacy / 28 techs discovered
Population: 33.3 million
As Emperor Komei died, Mutsuhito inherited the throne, backed both by the shogun Satsuma and imperial court. What the shogun had not counted on, however, was that he would be faced with all but open revolt following the coronation. Faced with either a disgraceful resignation and the honorouble, yet preferrable, alternative, his choice was simple. Following his death, the shogunate was abolished, and emperor Meiji claimed the supreme power over Japan for himself.
Japan quickly absorbed the technology known to overseas nation, and initiated the most rapid industrialization known to man. All over the country, railroads were built. New factories, mostly for ammunition, small arms and canned foods were built, but also steel plants, artillery factories, and any industry that would support a military and naval expansion in one way or another.
1874:
World ranking: 15
Prestige: 25 (some more unfortunate events)
Ind. Power: 351
Mil. Power: 68
Education: 47.1% literacy / 37 techs discovered
Population: 40.5 million
In just few years, the number of factories increased manyfold, from 10 to 42, even more railroads were built, and our military power now numbered 120.000 soldiers even better than those to those of overseas countries [well, 12 division with guard brigades]. Our reserves encompassed 600.000 men, and the feudal armies were abolished, along with the entire samurai institution. As craftsmen and clerks now made out 60% of our population, emperor Meiji gave power to the liberal faction. From his coronation, up to his death, Japan would never once see a revolt on her own soil. Our navy was small, but powerful, consisting of 12 of the most effective raider ships, along with an equal number of transports able to bring our standing army overseas.
Emperor Meiji was finally ready to take up the challenge of bringing home our lost sheep, the Ryuku Islands, the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and Formosa. Spain, who occupied the Ryukyu, would be the first to fall.
1878:
World ranking: 13
Prestige: 28
Ind. Power: 407
Mil. Power: 102
Education: 53.8% literacy / 41 techs discovered
Population: 45.2 million
Japan declared war on Spain on March 17, 1875. Our fleet had divided into two separate units, led by the finest admirals our military academies could present, taking equal parts of our army with them. Shortly before the declaration of colonial war was presented to the Spanish embassym our fleets had already positioned themselves in a strike position outside Okinawa. Following the DoW, the Spanish fleet in Okinawa tried to escape, only to be brutally defeated by our fleet. Following the naval victory, 60.000 men stormed the island, and defeated the garrison after only 11 days.
Amami followed 2 months later, and our fleets turned south, to the rich provinces of the Philippines. Our objective was not to conquer them for any longer period, but doing so would benefit our peace negotiations. Almost to the day one year later, March 18, 1876, Spain surrendered the Ryukyu islands [and, actually, Mindoro too, but I gave that back immediately due to the limitations I set up before the game. Anyway, I was delighted to see that both Okinawa and Amami both belonged to the Japanese Shikokoku district, rather than making up a district of their own].
We had shown the world our power, and not a minute too soon. During the war with Spain, Korea had dared attacked our sailors on the Kangwha Island while they were foraging for wood. The following bombarbed resulted in the death of many of our sailors, and insult that could not be forgiven. Korea accepted resonsibility, and to open up for trade, but we would not forget so easily. Korea should suffer harshly. In 1878, with a standing army of 180.000 men and 900.000 men in the reserves, our fleets positioned themselves in order to strike against the continent.
1884:
World ranking: 13
Prestige: 43
Ind. Power: 658
Mil. Power: 133
Education: 63.7% literacy / 48 techs discovered
Population: 53.9 million (not including 7.5 million Koreans)
The first Korean war was not as simple as we had expected. We fell upon them on February 28, 1878. On July 15th, we had captured 10 of their 19 provinces, including their capitals. But all over the country, rebel forces rose, numbering between 5 and 7000 men each. Meanwhile, their forces gathered, and finally managed to defeat our 1st army in Pohang. On January 22nd, we had liberated 16 provinces [and it would have been more, if not the peace treaty bug had turned the last 3 provinces back to Korean hands, since they were under seige].
But the tide turned. Korea had amassed almost 800.000 regular troops, not counting the rebel forces slowly recapturing the provinces. On May 21st, they had recaptured 3 of their provinces, and although our forces fought bravely - and won - against their much larger armies, we could not win in the long run without mobilizing our entire reserve, disrupting out new railroad projects. We accepted their plea for peace on June 7thm 1879, giving us 6 provinces. It was not much, but it was a foothold on the continent, and we would make them pay double for humiliating us twice.
In 1884, as soon as the treaty had expired, we decided to strike again. Our army now numbered 216.000 men, with 1.250.000 men in the reserves.
1890:
World ranking: 7
Prestige: 185
Ind. Power: 1076
Mil. Power: 200
Education: 71.6% literacy / 55 techs discovered
Population: 63.8 million (not including 49.6 million Koreans)
The war against Korea was swift. We quickly conquered and annexed them. As could be expected.
The the process of industrializing this country of savages started. We built iron railroads and at least 4 factories in each of their provinces, but despite our best effort, the backwards country remained a stronghold for socialistic filth. Constant revolts put off our invasion of the Kuriles for a few years longer than necessary, but in 1890, we were ready to strike against the mighty Russia.
During that time, we had improved our navy to include ironclads, able to defeat Russia's mighty Pacific navy. Our standing army now numbered almost half a million men, and or reserves almost 4 times as many men. Whatever surprise Russia held for us, we were ready. In spring 1890, we attacked, using the same tactic as with Okinawa, by placing our fleets just outside their ports. And the Russians died just as easily as the Spanish.
Since we had declared a colonial war, we were limited to attacking them in Alaska, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. In July 1891, we had completed our conquest of their Pacific colonial empire, and we had fought off every attempt to strike back at us. They refused to sign a peace treaty, however, until we had sunk their entire Pacific navy in the Yellow Sea, but they eventually folded, as we knew they would. [Just like Spain, they gave up more provinces than I wanted, so I gave most of them back, and only kept the Kuril Islands - which, just like the Ryukyu, proved to be an integral part of the Hokkaido district.]
All the while the Koreans had been inciting rebellions against us, and our emperor Meiji graciously decided that they had learned their lesson and it was time for us to set them free. Korea was created as a satellite nation the same year.
1898:
World ranking: 7
Prestige: 286
Ind. Power: 2045
Mil. Power: 221
Education: 81.1% literacy / 62 techs discovered
Population: 81.7 million
The years after setting Korea free was a period of rapid expansion of industry. Steel railroads, aeroplane and automobile factories had enabled us to triple our industrial output, and clerks and craftsmen now made up 80% of the population. Ironically, during this time, Korea had kept an even pace with us thanks to the industrial and technological inheritance.
Out of our original goals, only Formosa and northern Sakhalin remained - both owned by China. But taking on the sleeping giant required more than just 500.000 men, and we started preparing for a long war.
1904:
World ranking: 7
Prestige: 382
Ind. Power: 2874
Mil. Power: 286
Education: 87.3% literacy / 73 techs discovered
Population: 99.5 million
840.000 men, 2 million reserves, and 66 ships stood ready for the attack on China. The plan was to conquer Formosa and Beijing first, with Fukia and Manchuria as our secondary objective. We declared war on September 25, 1904. Their allied Tibet sued for peace almost immediately, a fact we knew how to exploit.
Our first attack wave with 240.000 men landed in Andong on the Korean border, with orders to get to Beijng. Our second wave with as many men in Lüshun, with orders to capture Manchuria, and try to encircle the Chinese army. The third and fourth waves followed in Andong to try to sweep up among the armies that somehow magically appeared behind the front line. By February 1906, we had driven a wedge to Beijing, captured Mongolia and reached as far as Punjab in India. But in Tianjin, just outside Peking, our forces were driven into a standoff. The Chinese armies were far more numerous than anything we had expected. Despite our mobilization, their forces just kept on coming faster than we could slaughter them, and they were gradually started to take back some territories.
When they offered us peace - any peace - we were willing to accept it. As luck would have it, Formosa was among the provinces offered to us, along with half of Fukia and Manchuria. A peace treaty was signed on November 13th, 1906. Only too late did we discover that we had forgotten to occupy northern Sakhalin, as required to claim the colony. But emperor Meiji had proved to be wiser than any of us could imagine. Since Tibet had withdrawn from the war more than 2 years earlier, we did not have to wait for the treaty with China to expire - we could declare war on Tibet instead, as China would not leave their closest friend is such dire straits.
3 years of rebuilding what was lost proved to be more than necessary.
1910:
World ranking: 7
Prestige: 398
Ind. Power: 3154
Mil. Power: 266
Education: 92.2% literacy / 82 techs discovered
Population: 119.5 million (not including 10.4 million Chinese)
With strongholds on the continent, we mobilized our forces in good time, and deployed them on the Chinese mainland. The plan was to drive four wedges: two towards Beijing from both north and south, one south from Fukia to Hongkong, and one west from Manchuria to Tibet. With 3 million men already inside China, it should be a simple task at hand.
And so it began. We stormed over them in August 1910. A year later it was over. Although a great victory, my conscience must admit it was also a defeat. Our armies spread all over China, following the master plan. But each time the wedges was about to meet and destroy their amassed forces, their sheer number proved it impossible. With 800.000 men in single armies, led by skilled commanders, they managed to break our encirclements one after one, despite the fact that we owned more than 50 provinces. Their armies were bleeding Japan dry, and finally we accepted their peace. It gave us all we hoped for: Sakhalin, all of Manchuria, and all of Fukia.
Our objective was complete in 1912. Was it fate, perhaps, that our glorious emperor Meiji died just a week after the peace treaty was signed?
Aftermath:
I never made it higher than 7th greatest power, (with Korea as 8th
. But I had a great run as Japan. They are an extremely retarded country until 1860, but then they go through a period of rapid industrialization and militarization. I never once had a rebellion on the Japanese mainland - which was a first for me, actually, since the spoiled Germans (not to mention Russians) seemed to do it all the time.
I can't see where I went wrong - expect underestimating China twice, but I really want to know if I could have done much about the low prestige. There really are no civilized nations to fight against, so... well... yeah. There you have it. Hope you enjoyed.
Game settings:
Version: 1.01
Difficulty: Very hard
AI Aggressiveness: Normal (to avoid the AI bleeding itself to death)
Scenario: Grand Campaign
NOTE: I studied the Japanese event file carefully before starting, to make sure I avoided all the "wrong" choices. I have not presented any screenshots, as Japan's territorial growth were fairly limited, but there are screenshots taken at certain points, should anyone be interested.
Goal:
To make Japan a great power
Limitations:
I set out to follow a historical course as closely as possible regarding conquests. No cheap shots against easy targets.
Oh, and pardon the English, and stuff.
1836:
World ranking: 94
Prestige: 1
Ind. Power: 28
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 40% literacy / 0 techs discovered
Population: 27.3 million
The tranquil years preceding the birth of the most honourable Mutsuhito, emperor Meiji, barely deserves mention, but for the sake of comparison, I will provide a brief description.
In 1836, Japan was a poor agrarian country, without much industry or military, save a few distilleries and feudal armies. Our economy would not allow any education or army spendings, nor were such extravagant expenses necessary to preserve our way of life. The Shogunate [reactionary] ruled our country, isolated from the rest of the world, and by the look of things, the situation would not - or could not change - without drastic measures.
1844:
World ranking: 48
Prestige: 15
Ind. Power: 19
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 34.7% literacy / 0 techs discovered
Population: 29.0 million
In February 1844, the Dutch sent us an envoy, asking us to open up for foreign trade. We promptly refused, as we always will, to fold to overseas nations, with no understanding for our ways.
At this time, Japan's main exports was silk, grain and coal. As we lacked the and the technology to found new factories, the population slowly degraded into an even more agrarian status. In order to supply our distilleries, we were largely dependant on import of glass, which was not any incitament to support industry any further.
[Hence the reduced industrial power. The export income was roughly 110 pounds per day, which translated to a net income of 10 pounds per day with as low taxes as possible and no expenses at all) - glass import necessary to supply the industry would result in a _negative_ net income, if taxes were to be kept low.]
1850:
World ranking: 37
Prestige: 29
Ind. Power: 29
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 32.8% literacy / 0 techs discovered
Population: 30.2 million
As we would later learn, the English and the United States of America had struck a deal in 1846, the so-called Oregon Treaty, dividing between themselves the American continent along the 49th degree. This gave USA access to western ports, and opened the Pacific for American exploitation. Most of the Pacific islands were subsequently colonized by them, save the Ryukyu islands, which had fallen into Spanish hands in 1843.
[I realized a bit too late that although I could not build new factories (except for distilleries, but Japan already had plenty of those), it was possible to extend the already existing glass factory. After that, I could increase the production and convert some farmers to craftsmen, without having to import glasses - hence the increased industrial power. I still didn't have much income, so the converting of farmers to craftsmen went slowly, as can be seen by the much (well, comparatively, at least) larger industrial power in 1856 and 1860. The export income would not increase above 120 pounds per day, though.]
In 1850, the Americans sent their lackey Perry to try to force Japan into submission and an opening up for trade with the overseas nations. Just as we had done with the Dutch, we refused submitting, and sent Perry home with his tail between his legs. However, his expedition had set in motion a chain of events that could not be stopped. If the west would dare to come to our land, and threaten us with force, we had to make sure they would not succeed.
1856:
World ranking: 53
Prestige: -10 (some unfortunate random events)
Ind. Power: 41
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 30.2% literacy / 1 techs discovered (due to random events)
Population: 32.0 million
The year 1852 would see the birth of the boy emperor Mutsuhito, to the world known as Meiji. His Japan was a country in turmoil. The shogunate abhorred the very idea of breaking isolation, but as the large contingent of our people no longer supported them [actually, noone supported the reactionary party, but the court faction - conservatives - had a support of 39%], and as the clash between the shogunate and the emperor's court grew stronger, open violence ensued. The court party climbed to power, and the shogunate was forced to accept the more moderate Tokugawa Nariakira as their Shogun. Nariaka started the constitutional reform which would enable eemperor Meiji's "restoration" to power. The dissent within the shogunate resulted in assassination, but the growing power of the court faction once again forced the shogunate to accept a moderate shogun, Satsuma.
1860:
World ranking: 19
Prestige: 71
Ind. Power: 68
Mil. Power: 1
Education: 28.4% literacy / 28 techs discovered
Population: 33.3 million
As Emperor Komei died, Mutsuhito inherited the throne, backed both by the shogun Satsuma and imperial court. What the shogun had not counted on, however, was that he would be faced with all but open revolt following the coronation. Faced with either a disgraceful resignation and the honorouble, yet preferrable, alternative, his choice was simple. Following his death, the shogunate was abolished, and emperor Meiji claimed the supreme power over Japan for himself.
Japan quickly absorbed the technology known to overseas nation, and initiated the most rapid industrialization known to man. All over the country, railroads were built. New factories, mostly for ammunition, small arms and canned foods were built, but also steel plants, artillery factories, and any industry that would support a military and naval expansion in one way or another.
1874:
World ranking: 15
Prestige: 25 (some more unfortunate events)
Ind. Power: 351
Mil. Power: 68
Education: 47.1% literacy / 37 techs discovered
Population: 40.5 million
In just few years, the number of factories increased manyfold, from 10 to 42, even more railroads were built, and our military power now numbered 120.000 soldiers even better than those to those of overseas countries [well, 12 division with guard brigades]. Our reserves encompassed 600.000 men, and the feudal armies were abolished, along with the entire samurai institution. As craftsmen and clerks now made out 60% of our population, emperor Meiji gave power to the liberal faction. From his coronation, up to his death, Japan would never once see a revolt on her own soil. Our navy was small, but powerful, consisting of 12 of the most effective raider ships, along with an equal number of transports able to bring our standing army overseas.
Emperor Meiji was finally ready to take up the challenge of bringing home our lost sheep, the Ryuku Islands, the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and Formosa. Spain, who occupied the Ryukyu, would be the first to fall.
1878:
World ranking: 13
Prestige: 28
Ind. Power: 407
Mil. Power: 102
Education: 53.8% literacy / 41 techs discovered
Population: 45.2 million
Japan declared war on Spain on March 17, 1875. Our fleet had divided into two separate units, led by the finest admirals our military academies could present, taking equal parts of our army with them. Shortly before the declaration of colonial war was presented to the Spanish embassym our fleets had already positioned themselves in a strike position outside Okinawa. Following the DoW, the Spanish fleet in Okinawa tried to escape, only to be brutally defeated by our fleet. Following the naval victory, 60.000 men stormed the island, and defeated the garrison after only 11 days.
Amami followed 2 months later, and our fleets turned south, to the rich provinces of the Philippines. Our objective was not to conquer them for any longer period, but doing so would benefit our peace negotiations. Almost to the day one year later, March 18, 1876, Spain surrendered the Ryukyu islands [and, actually, Mindoro too, but I gave that back immediately due to the limitations I set up before the game. Anyway, I was delighted to see that both Okinawa and Amami both belonged to the Japanese Shikokoku district, rather than making up a district of their own].
We had shown the world our power, and not a minute too soon. During the war with Spain, Korea had dared attacked our sailors on the Kangwha Island while they were foraging for wood. The following bombarbed resulted in the death of many of our sailors, and insult that could not be forgiven. Korea accepted resonsibility, and to open up for trade, but we would not forget so easily. Korea should suffer harshly. In 1878, with a standing army of 180.000 men and 900.000 men in the reserves, our fleets positioned themselves in order to strike against the continent.
1884:
World ranking: 13
Prestige: 43
Ind. Power: 658
Mil. Power: 133
Education: 63.7% literacy / 48 techs discovered
Population: 53.9 million (not including 7.5 million Koreans)
The first Korean war was not as simple as we had expected. We fell upon them on February 28, 1878. On July 15th, we had captured 10 of their 19 provinces, including their capitals. But all over the country, rebel forces rose, numbering between 5 and 7000 men each. Meanwhile, their forces gathered, and finally managed to defeat our 1st army in Pohang. On January 22nd, we had liberated 16 provinces [and it would have been more, if not the peace treaty bug had turned the last 3 provinces back to Korean hands, since they were under seige].
But the tide turned. Korea had amassed almost 800.000 regular troops, not counting the rebel forces slowly recapturing the provinces. On May 21st, they had recaptured 3 of their provinces, and although our forces fought bravely - and won - against their much larger armies, we could not win in the long run without mobilizing our entire reserve, disrupting out new railroad projects. We accepted their plea for peace on June 7thm 1879, giving us 6 provinces. It was not much, but it was a foothold on the continent, and we would make them pay double for humiliating us twice.
In 1884, as soon as the treaty had expired, we decided to strike again. Our army now numbered 216.000 men, with 1.250.000 men in the reserves.
1890:
World ranking: 7
Prestige: 185
Ind. Power: 1076
Mil. Power: 200
Education: 71.6% literacy / 55 techs discovered
Population: 63.8 million (not including 49.6 million Koreans)
The war against Korea was swift. We quickly conquered and annexed them. As could be expected.
The the process of industrializing this country of savages started. We built iron railroads and at least 4 factories in each of their provinces, but despite our best effort, the backwards country remained a stronghold for socialistic filth. Constant revolts put off our invasion of the Kuriles for a few years longer than necessary, but in 1890, we were ready to strike against the mighty Russia.
During that time, we had improved our navy to include ironclads, able to defeat Russia's mighty Pacific navy. Our standing army now numbered almost half a million men, and or reserves almost 4 times as many men. Whatever surprise Russia held for us, we were ready. In spring 1890, we attacked, using the same tactic as with Okinawa, by placing our fleets just outside their ports. And the Russians died just as easily as the Spanish.
Since we had declared a colonial war, we were limited to attacking them in Alaska, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. In July 1891, we had completed our conquest of their Pacific colonial empire, and we had fought off every attempt to strike back at us. They refused to sign a peace treaty, however, until we had sunk their entire Pacific navy in the Yellow Sea, but they eventually folded, as we knew they would. [Just like Spain, they gave up more provinces than I wanted, so I gave most of them back, and only kept the Kuril Islands - which, just like the Ryukyu, proved to be an integral part of the Hokkaido district.]
All the while the Koreans had been inciting rebellions against us, and our emperor Meiji graciously decided that they had learned their lesson and it was time for us to set them free. Korea was created as a satellite nation the same year.
1898:
World ranking: 7
Prestige: 286
Ind. Power: 2045
Mil. Power: 221
Education: 81.1% literacy / 62 techs discovered
Population: 81.7 million
The years after setting Korea free was a period of rapid expansion of industry. Steel railroads, aeroplane and automobile factories had enabled us to triple our industrial output, and clerks and craftsmen now made up 80% of the population. Ironically, during this time, Korea had kept an even pace with us thanks to the industrial and technological inheritance.
Out of our original goals, only Formosa and northern Sakhalin remained - both owned by China. But taking on the sleeping giant required more than just 500.000 men, and we started preparing for a long war.
1904:
World ranking: 7
Prestige: 382
Ind. Power: 2874
Mil. Power: 286
Education: 87.3% literacy / 73 techs discovered
Population: 99.5 million
840.000 men, 2 million reserves, and 66 ships stood ready for the attack on China. The plan was to conquer Formosa and Beijing first, with Fukia and Manchuria as our secondary objective. We declared war on September 25, 1904. Their allied Tibet sued for peace almost immediately, a fact we knew how to exploit.
Our first attack wave with 240.000 men landed in Andong on the Korean border, with orders to get to Beijng. Our second wave with as many men in Lüshun, with orders to capture Manchuria, and try to encircle the Chinese army. The third and fourth waves followed in Andong to try to sweep up among the armies that somehow magically appeared behind the front line. By February 1906, we had driven a wedge to Beijing, captured Mongolia and reached as far as Punjab in India. But in Tianjin, just outside Peking, our forces were driven into a standoff. The Chinese armies were far more numerous than anything we had expected. Despite our mobilization, their forces just kept on coming faster than we could slaughter them, and they were gradually started to take back some territories.
When they offered us peace - any peace - we were willing to accept it. As luck would have it, Formosa was among the provinces offered to us, along with half of Fukia and Manchuria. A peace treaty was signed on November 13th, 1906. Only too late did we discover that we had forgotten to occupy northern Sakhalin, as required to claim the colony. But emperor Meiji had proved to be wiser than any of us could imagine. Since Tibet had withdrawn from the war more than 2 years earlier, we did not have to wait for the treaty with China to expire - we could declare war on Tibet instead, as China would not leave their closest friend is such dire straits.
3 years of rebuilding what was lost proved to be more than necessary.
1910:
World ranking: 7
Prestige: 398
Ind. Power: 3154
Mil. Power: 266
Education: 92.2% literacy / 82 techs discovered
Population: 119.5 million (not including 10.4 million Chinese)
With strongholds on the continent, we mobilized our forces in good time, and deployed them on the Chinese mainland. The plan was to drive four wedges: two towards Beijing from both north and south, one south from Fukia to Hongkong, and one west from Manchuria to Tibet. With 3 million men already inside China, it should be a simple task at hand.
And so it began. We stormed over them in August 1910. A year later it was over. Although a great victory, my conscience must admit it was also a defeat. Our armies spread all over China, following the master plan. But each time the wedges was about to meet and destroy their amassed forces, their sheer number proved it impossible. With 800.000 men in single armies, led by skilled commanders, they managed to break our encirclements one after one, despite the fact that we owned more than 50 provinces. Their armies were bleeding Japan dry, and finally we accepted their peace. It gave us all we hoped for: Sakhalin, all of Manchuria, and all of Fukia.
Our objective was complete in 1912. Was it fate, perhaps, that our glorious emperor Meiji died just a week after the peace treaty was signed?
Aftermath:
I never made it higher than 7th greatest power, (with Korea as 8th
. But I had a great run as Japan. They are an extremely retarded country until 1860, but then they go through a period of rapid industrialization and militarization. I never once had a rebellion on the Japanese mainland - which was a first for me, actually, since the spoiled Germans (not to mention Russians) seemed to do it all the time.I can't see where I went wrong - expect underestimating China twice, but I really want to know if I could have done much about the low prestige. There really are no civilized nations to fight against, so... well... yeah. There you have it. Hope you enjoyed.
