Grimacing, you instinctively duck behind a nearby tree. The stolen knife fastened to your belt is little comfort. Somewhere in the distance, cannons roar. You’ve been heading north over the last week, hiding in culverts during the day and moving at night. The state of Georgia will not be your resting place, you are certain of that. The food scavenged from the plantation house at Andersonville is nearly out, and you feel as though you may die of thirst if you don’t find a source of water soon. It is early fall now, but summer has long overstayed its welcome and many of the creeks and streams that cover the land are dry now.

Peeking out from behind the tree, you see no signs of battle, the cannons must be miles away given the softness of their report, and so you continue north, keeping the setting sun over your left shoulder. After not more than fifteen minutes, you stumble upon a grove of rather lush trees. To your relief, there is a small pond fed by a stream in the grove, clearly once a far larger body of water. Kneeling down, you bring your hands into the cool water and drink greedily. The home-made knapsack on your back is quickly discarded beside you as you plan to make this place your campsite. Lately the fever you took on at Andersonville has returned with a vengeance, and you have lost nearly all the weight you regained while recuperating after your escape.

As you go to stand up and survey your surroundings, the click of hammers being cocked gets your attention. Tears well in your eyes as you expect to be hauled back to the place you tried so hard to escape. Turning, your anguish turns to surprise as you see men in blue uniforms standing before you, two privates and a sergeant. “Sir, by law of the United States, you are a prisoner of the Army of the Tennessee,” the sergeant says sternly. “As such, you will be treated accordingly. Now drop the knife.” He frowns as you fail to comply, still too stunned to see actual Union troops this far south. “What unit are you from? A local militia?”

The tears in your eyes expand as you recite your unit’s name. “140th New York. Sergeant Daniel Stockton.” With that, you collapse in front of them. After a short series of explanations and answers to the mens’ questions, the privates quickly gather you up and begin helping you walk.

“We’ve only been here for a little while,” the Sergeant says as his eyes scan the terrain. “The General is pushing south. After taking Atlanta the plan is to march to the Sea, and cut off the Confederate forces in the Carolinas and Virginia.”

“The General?” You raise an eyebrow. “Grant?”

“No,” the Sergeant replies. “I believe he will want to speak with you. We weren’t aware the Confederates were keeping prisoners so close by.”

It is not long before the soldiers get you to within sight of the Union camp. As it would turn out, you’ve made it as far north as Atlanta. A hefty journey, given your current state. As the sun finally sinks over the horizon, you are brought through the trenches. To one side, you see tremendous flashes, and hear the report of the Union guns laying siege to the Confederate city.

“Who’s he?” One soldier remarks as you all move through the trench. “Prisoners go to the rear, you want to go that way.”

“He’s one of ours,” the sergeant replies. “We’re taking him to the General.”

“One of ours?” The murmurs begin amongst the troops you pass. “The rumors must’ve been true.”

You find yourself bought to the front of a large tent, which is guarded by two soldiers. “We need to speak to the General. Let us by.” The men do as instructed, stepping aside and allowing you through. You enter and find a well-appointed field office, with a cot and desk to one side, and a dinner table on the other. A man sits at the desk, pouring over some papers. He is maybe fifty, with thinning red hair and a scraggly beard. The man wears a general’s coat, which has the marks of a battlefield commander: soot and dust permeate the wool, which is frayed at the elbows. “General Sherman,” the Sergeant announces. “We found this man earlier. He says he’s from the 140th New York.”

Sherman looks up, raising an eyebrow. He is clearly tired, with a haggard, battle-weary face that looks as though it were made of weathered stone. “The 140th, you say?” He frowns, looking at you. “Well just by your appearance, I can tell that unit isn’t attached to our army.” He walks over to the dining table, grabbing a chair and sitting in by his desk. “Thank you, Sergeant.” He dismisses the soldiers. Without a word, he gestures for you to take a seat. You do, and the men leave you. Sherman sits across from you, leaning forward as his brow furrows. You sense an intensity to the man, but it is not one which still inhabits him; rather, only the ghost of any fire or steel resides in his eyes. Now, there is only ash and tiredness. “Name and rank, please.”

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“Sergeant Daniel Stockton,” you say weakly. Your throat is still parched, and Sherman seems to notice this, reaching for a canteen and handing it to you. You drink greedily.

“Easy, Sergeant,” Sherman says. “Dehydration is a terrible curse, you’ll only make yourself sick if you drink too fast.” You do as requested, slowing down and eventually stopping. “Now, could you tell me what in the devil you’re doing in McDonough, Georgia?”

“I was captured at the Battle of the Wilderness,” you begin. “May 6.”

Sherman’s expression changes, his brows rising slightly. “It is the first of September. Where have you been all this time?” He looks down at your frame, likely seeing your ribs through the opening in your shirt. “And what happened in that time?”

“There is a prison camp to the south. Andersonville.” You trail off, taking another sip of water. This is the most you’ve spoken in nearly a month, and it is bringing you to the point of exhaustion. “I estimate there were probably thirty thousand of us… I got lucky, was able to escape while I was still strong enough to move.”

All of a sudden, those ashes and embers in the General’s eyes flare up. For the first time, you see real fire in his soul. The only immediate change in Sherman’s demeanor is the clenching of a fist, followed by a simple statement. “You said the camp was at Andersonville, right? That’s merely a weeks’ march to the south. Practically on the way to Savannah.”

You awaken with a start, groaning as you sit up. Looking out through the window of you hotel room you see that the sun is only barely beginning to crest the horizon. Looking over, you see that Nakajima is still asleep, and you decide to leave her be. Getting up gently, you look out over the city of Amsterdam. Today, you will be meeting with business contacts with the goal of enriching the industry of Japan. The negotiations are likely to take up most of the day, and tomorrow you are set to leave for Belgium. Additionally, you only have so much money and resources earmarked for use in the Netherlands. As such, only one meeting will be able to be undertaken. But who will you meet with?

>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.
>A joint Dutch-American investment company is looking to invest in the expansion of overseas steel industries, and have contacted you about the possibility of helping fund a modern steel mill to be built in Japan.
>A wealthy Dutch family has been vying for tea and porcelain export rights for decades, and would be willing to fund the construction of modern textile manufactories.

A little update on life stuff: likely will be working six-day weeks for all of June and July, but I will try to run weekly sessions on Sundays. I will do updates after work tomorrow and Saturday night as well. I want to run more regularly to get us through the Euro Mission quickly. That way we can get into the really exciting stuff going on back in Japan.

>>4294913
Which other countries are we headed for? How does the dutch compare to the other with regards to shipbuilding?

>>4294913
>A joint Dutch-American investment company is looking to invest in the expansion of overseas steel industries, and have contacted you about the possibility of helping fund a modern steel mill to be built in Japan.

Did you know Japan had a thriving human excrement economy at this time? It's a fascinating topic.

>>4294913
>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.

The Dutch is probably are best bet on this trip to get a good navy.

>>4294930
The Euro Mission will visit the Netherlands, Belgium, the North German Confederation, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

Additionally, the Dutch have a long-standing reputation as masterful shipbuilders, owing to their heritage as a global trade power and their coastal location.

>>4294932
>Did you know Japan had a thriving human excrement economy at this time? It's a fascinating topic.
That's cursed, but also fascinating.

>>4294913
>>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.

So Steel, ships. Anything else we should try to work towards or should we then funnel the rest into fostering economic activity?

>>4294945
Coal/oil.

>>4294913
>A joint Dutch-American investment company is looking to invest in the expansion of overseas steel industries, and have contacted you about the possibility of helping fund a modern steel mill to be built in Japan.

>>4294946
Coal/oil from Europe to Japan would be a really long trade route for fuel. Shouldnt that be done closer to home? Like South-east asia?

>>4294949
I thought you asked what we should work towards in general, sorry.
In terms of what to work towards in Europe, I think education and railways.

>>4294913
>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.

>>4294913
>>A joint Dutch-American investment company is looking to invest in the expansion of overseas steel industries, and have contacted you about the possibility of helping fund a modern steel mill to be built in Japan.

>>4294913
>>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.

I'm sure we can find some other company on the continent for steel. Lets grab the best shipbuilders in europe right now.

>>4294937
Wooo, North Germany!

>>4294945
Small arms and artillery production (maybe through licensing), some starter ships, railways.

>>4294913

>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.

>>4294913
>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.

>>4294913
>>4294913
You know, we should have invested in that Steel Mill in America.
That would have allowed us to bring in a Steel industry by having a contact in the business and then allowing us to get them a market they will be the first mover.
The first modern steel manufacturer in the country that is modernising and has gotten all these modern industry contractors that will be more than willing to buy some steel made locally in vast quantities instead of having to wait for shipping it in.

Massive profits. And look, we may have some land over here, in this resource rich region, wont you want to be partner with the landowner in some kind of profit sharing scheme?

Massive profits, and allowing us to offset the steel industry out of the choices of various nations and focus on their specialties.

Hell, maybe even bring in a few of the clans in. Get a seat in the future Zaibatsus, who are going to be the real power in Japan for the foreseeable future. With us being the first steel man, providing it to all the others who have gotten all these interesting investment partners gifted to them - and its only a matter of one or two generations before they are the majority partner in the local branch and in two maybe a completely separate business.

Thus i would go with choosing the specialty , although I am thinking the Dutch family is a better cash money option, as they could also be the first step in such a move as we could get land to grow tea and make it a world consecrated brand as one of the better teas around, play up the tea ceremony thing perhaps, and with a textile factory we would be the main if not sole provider of uniforms to the Imperial Forces.
Thinking, two sets of uniform per soldier one dark and thick set in the darker hue service colour for winter and one breatheable and thin in service colour for summer . All with as many pockets coverd with flap cover and secured with buckles and a cloack with hoodie that can be worn as cape for officers and as rucksacks for soldiers, one side white one side service colour, the winter one being made hard to paint over and order to be kept white, probably kind sheep fur or imitation, and rabbit, fox ,wolf, and other exotics for the officers, while the light one is easy to paint over with the encouragement that they paint nature scenes around them over them, and a small samurai scene in their element, usually some story of ancient times, whatever .

Fun way to make a ton of money.

>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.
However big shipping is great.
>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.
as if we can sent a telegraph message and have our investments changed to participate in that steal mill thing.
If not we will take the money major money to become Zaibatsu.

>>4295497
aim for railroads then
can't have railroads without coal and steel

>>4294913
>>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.

>>4294913
>>A wealthy Dutch family has been vying for tea and porcelain export rights for decades, and would be willing to fund the construction of modern textile manufactories.
Yes, I'm aware I'm late to the party and none of you is going to support me on this one. But let me remind you this:
Textile mill can be set up as soon as machines are transported and fibers can be easily sourced locally, regardless of mineral deposits and the technology we don't have to mine them. It can easily provide a funding then to buy things we need OR invest in further industralisation.
A steel mill requires resources we don't have and transportation infrastructure we don't have either. A shipyard adds to that the fact a ship is going to take a year or a two to build (and that's optimistic), not to mention full dependance on outside experts to make it for entire construction process, giving... a single ship.

tl;dr textiles are the only sane choice

>>4296471
>fibers can be easily sourced locally
That's where you're wrong. Japan has too little arable land to spend it on cotton.

By the way, in case we want to build a navy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgIJEWv7Hdw

>>4294913
>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.

Alright the vote appears to be overwhelmingly toward the shipbuilding firm. Let me mix up a daiquiri and I'll get the next update written.

>>4296498
>Drach
Excellent taste, anon.

>>4297630
Zap why do you hurt me by writing these updates so late at night?

>>4297653
Because overtime pay. I have to make back the money I spent on my CMP Garands.

You don your topcoat over your pajamas, looking at the balcony door as you crave a smoke. Walking out onto the hotel room balcony, you take in the brisk morning air. Lighting a cigarillo, you think ahead to today’s meeting: a major Dutch shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in possibly funding the construction of a new naval arsenal and shipyard in Japan.

After a few minutes, the sun finally breaks over the horizon, lighting up the rooftops around you with a lazy, orange glow. The sounds of the city are muted at this hour, with only the most active of folks getting out to do business. You take another drag of your cigarillo as you hear the door behind you open. “Good morning, General.” Nakajima speaks tiredly as she comes to join you.

“Good morning,” you reply. Pausing, you offer her a drag of the cigarillo. She declines wordlessly, looking out at the city.

“Is all of Europe like this?” Nakajima leans on the wrought-iron railing, sighing contentedly. “For such a large city, it seems… Peaceful.”

You shrug. “I couldn’t tell you. This is my first time in Europe, remember?”

You both chuckle. “Indeed it is.” Nakajima looks back into the hotel room. “Shall I order room service? Breakfast perhaps?”

“That would be lovely,” you reply.

In less than ten minutes, the two of you are enjoying a hearty breakfast of sausage and eggs, with a large pitcher of hot coffee as your drink. The Dutch love coffee, much to your thanks, and the hotel’s brew is particularly splendid. Normally you drink yours with a bit of sugar, but this is so smooth that you don’t need any.

Glancing at the newspaper that came with breakfast, you look over the local news section. It’s all in Dutch, so you can only recognize a few words and guess the meaning of the article. The meeting with the shipbuilding firm will be in the afternoon, but you imagine it would be prudent to make preparations now. In particular, you wonder about what sort of first impression you should make. Up until now, you’ve been wearing your army dress uniform to official functions, but this is the first non-government entity you’ll have formal dealings with.

>Continue wearing your military uniform.
>Wear civilian formalwear to non-government meetings from now on.
>Dress a bit more like a member of the working class. It may help to endear you to any skilled tradesmen you encounter.
>Write-in.

>>4297677
>>Wear civilian formalwear to non-government meetings from now on.

The previous meeting was a ball. From here, formalwear should suffice.

>>4297677
>Wear civilian formalwear to non-government meetings from now on.
I hope we know enough about the dressing etiquette, because it's insane.

>>4297677
>Wear civilian formalwear to non-government meetings from now on.

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>>4296495
>Muh cotton
American, aren't you?

>>4297677
>Wear civilian formalwear to non-government meetings from now on.

>4297677
>>Wear civilian formalwear to non-government meetings from now on.

>>4297902
What, you want to sell hempen textiles abroad? Who will buy them?

>>4297677
>Wear civilian formalwear to non-government meetings from now on.

The latest in western fashion should do.

>>4297677
>keep wearing military uniform

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>>4297995
>hemp
Please tell me you are just kidding and not doing this seriously at this point. Please...
The main source of money for industralisation that Japan had came from silk exports. Raw silk, silk threads, silk fabric. They already had both the resource and skilled manpower, they just added machines to speed things up and remain the main supplier of top quality silk threads and silk textiles until synthetic was developed.
I mean... Japan. What other fiber do you think they could have for export?

>>4297995
Not that it matters, because we are stuck with a shipyard as a choice anyway, so rather than having first shipment ready month after returning from this trip, we won't even have anything build at all until the timeline of this quest is over (unless Zap changed his plans)

>>4298184
... This is probably a better avenue for money making potential indeed.

Hmhhh.
Would we have the cash to import machinery and start one or more up? Perhaps by roping in our officers and such if they want to?

I think we could start up our personal funds faster and help out our friends get richer, while also helping the Japanese cash-flow issue with starting up a major export business...
>>4294913
>A major shipbuilding firm has expressed interest in funding, either partly or fully, the construction of a naval arsenal and shipbuilding center.
>A wealthy Dutch family has been vying for tea and porcelain export rights for decades, and would be willing to fund the construction of modern textile manufactories.

can we meet with more? perhaps with both.

You elect to dress in typical civilian formalwear for any upcoming civil engagements, choosing a black suit that you bought back in Japan as your outfit for today. Thankfully, your instincts pay off, as other members of the delegation are also wearing their civil attire. Soon you all depart via carriage.

The shipyard in question is not the largest in Holland, or even the largest in the greater Amsterdam area, but you note that, upon arrival, every piece of equipment that can be steam-powered is. Cranes, drydock locks, powered saws, small locomotives for shunting car-loads of raw materials around. There are three ships under construction here; all of which appear to be steam-powered as well. Eventually, you arrive at the main office, an older building made from cream-colored bricks.

As you dismount the lead carriage, you are greeted by a Dutchman in a rather plain suit and tophat. “Ah, good morning!” He speaks with a thick Dutch accent, though is clearly making great efforts to pronounce everything right. “I assume you gentlemen are from the Japanese Delegation?”

You nod, shaking the man’s hand. “We are. My name is General Stockton, and these are my cohorts.” You go down the list, introducing everyone that you need to.

“A pleasure to meet all of you,” the man finally replies. “I am Hendrik van Dorn, general manager. Please follow me inside, the owner of the shipyard is expecting you.”

You all walk into the main offices, taking a flight of stairs up to the third floor. Along the way, van Dorn points out the engineering and design offices on the first and second floors to you.

Upon entering the Owner’s office, you are rather surprised. Instead of elegant surroundings, pomp and circumstance, you find yourselves in a slightly more well-appointed version of a design office. “Sir, the Japanese Delegation has arrived,” van Dorn says as he closes the door behind you. From behind a drafting table, a man of about fifty appears. He wears thick spectacles and has a rather large mustache, but dresses with surprising simplicity.

The apparent owner of the shipbuilding firm approaches you, extending a hand. “Good day, sir.” His English is rather flawless, with only a hint of an accent. “My name is Nicholas Hauer. I own the Hauer and Ritter shipyard.”

“General Daniel Stockton, at your service.” You nod as you shake his hand. “These are my peers from the Japanese government.”

“A pleasure to meet all of you,” Hauer says with a single nod. He seems to be a serious man, with rolled sleeves and pencil-lead dust on the tips of his fingers. “Do you have any questions for me before we begin our negotiations?”

>”No, sir.” (begin negotiations)
>”I am curious what sort of ships your yard specializes in.”
>”Your office seems to be geared toward engineering and design. Are you a shipwright yourself?”
>Write-in.

>>4298735
>>”Your office seems to be geared toward engineering and design. Are you a shipwright yourself?”

>>4298735
>”Your office seems to be geared toward engineering and design. Are you a shipwright yourself?”

>>4298735
>”I am curious what sort of ships your yard specializes in.”

>>4298735
>”Your office seems to be geared toward engineering and design. Are you a shipwright yourself?”

>>4298735
>”Your office seems to be geared toward engineering and design. Are you a shipwright yourself?”

>>4298735
>>”Your office seems to be geared toward engineering and design. Are you a shipwright yourself?”

>>4298735
>”I am curious what sort of ships your yard specializes in.”
>”Your office seems to be geared toward engineering and design. Are you a shipwright yourself?”

>>4298414
That's why I originally complained that I'm late for the show. There was a chance to convince people toward this early on, but I was away from PC for entire week and came back when the voting was decided.

>>4298735
Mr. Zap sir, two unrelated questions:
1) How much prep did you put into this quest before starting out? Or you only did that once the ball started to roll?
2) What about Rangaku? Or we ain't that lucky with out Japanese friends and their knowledge?

>>4298735
>”Your office seems to be geared toward engineering and design. Are you a shipwright yourself?”

>>4299488
>Rangaku
one of our merchant origin LTs has dutch learning i think.
Sammy LT is best LT however, leaving the whole waifu business aside.

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>>4299488
>1) How much prep did you put into this quest before starting out? Or you only did that once the ball started to roll?
Well I'm already a huge history nerd, with the 19th Century being an especially interesting time to me. But the initial inspiration for this quest was three things: the AMC show Hell on Wheels, Shogun II Fall of the Samurai, and surprisingly, the Ken Burns Vietnam documentary.

>2) What about Rangaku? Or we ain't that lucky with out Japanese friends and their knowledge?
Major Subaru has been exposed to Dutch Studies extensively, and so has Kojima, to a lesser extent.

>>4300036
Oh crap I left out the actual answer to the first question: about a weeks' worth of actual prep work in terms of research and whatnot. About five minutes of prep for the actual writing of the first post.

“Your office seems to be geared more toward design than management,” you remark. “Are you a shipwright yourself?”

Hauer nods simply. “I am, General. My family have been building ships in Holland for nearly three hundred years.” He looks proudly at his drafting tables. “I suppose you could say it is more passion than occupation that drives me to run this shipyard.”

“I see,” you reply. “It’s always nice to see leaders who actually have an understanding of their discipline.”

Hauer smiles, looking at the other members of the delegation before returning his gaze to you. “Ah, but you are here to talk business, I should not waste your time talking too much about myself. Would you like some coffee?”

You grin. “I’d love some.”

Soon, you are all sitting in a parlor on the same floor, enjoying coffee and little cakes as you begin discussing the terms of the upcoming deal. As negotiations evolve, three potential avenues present themselves.

Firstly, Hauer offers to completely fund the construction of a naval arsenal and shipyard, complete with state-of-the-art drydocks and steam-powered machinery. However, this venture would be under the control of H&R Shipbuilding, through a subsidiary that would be H&R of Japan. As such, they would become Japan’s primary naval contractor. You worry that such a deal might put the realm in a disadvantageous position if relations with the Netherlands were to sour. Plus, any construction undertaken there would incur an additional cost to the Japanese government, as instead of directly building the ships, the government would have to pay H&R of Japan to build the ships. That being said, having a state-of-the-art shipyard and naval arsenal could prove essential, and Hauer says groundbreaking can begin as soon as four months from now, with the first ships able to be built within one year.

The next potential offer is one initially proposed by Sato. Hauer would only send architects and shipwrights, as well as other experts. Japan would, with the expertise of the Dutch, build a shipyard from its own coffers and resources. Such a shipyard would likely have to be far smaller, but would be wholly controlled by the Shogunal government. Additionally, a small group of Dutch experts would be contracted to stay on as resident experts for the first ten years of operation to ensure the first generation of Japanese shipwrights are properly trained. However, Keisuke estimates that using Japanese funding and resources could take considerably longer, perhaps a whole year to break ground and up to five years before ships could be produced in meaningful numbers. Additionally, you worry about the state of the Japanese economy being stable enough to support such a herculean construction project.

The third option is one which seems to form organically through discussion. A joint-company between the Japanese government and H&R Shipyards would be formed. This company would control the construction of the shipyard, which would receive 50 percent funding from the Dutch portion of the company. This would allow a highly advanced shipyard and naval arsenal of larger size than allowed from a wholly government-controlled venture. Though ships built there would be slightly more expensive than those built in a government yard, but far less expensive than those from a foreign-owned yard. Additionally, half of the resources and building materials would be supplied by H&R, lessening the impact of potential shortages caused by escalating internal hostilities. The contract would be written with the expectation that the Dutch portion of the company would be bought out by the Japanese portion within the next 30 years, which could prove very expensive depending on how much the shipyard expands in that amount of time. This option would allow for a better construction timeframe than the previous suggestion, but again could be delayed by supply interruptions from the Japanese side.

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You turn to your associates, conferring as to which option to choose.

>Go with the fully Dutch-owned and controlled shipyard. Though you don’t like the idea of putting such an important industry in the hands of an outside entity, their cash and resources would allow a better construction timeframe and volume of ship production.
>Go with Sato’s plan of inviting Dutch experts but funding the construction effort with Japanese capital and resources. Though your options would be more limited, such an industry must remain under the control of the Japanese government.
>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.

>>4301104
>>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.

>>4301104
>>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.

This is probably the best option. The others have significant drawbacks. And should the partnership prove profitable and the partnership agreeable. Extension of the joint-venture is something that can be negotiated between both parties.

>>4301104
>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.

A modern shipyard in the east? Chances are there'll be plenty of contracts for ships or repairs / refits that'd provide money for the eventual purchase by the Japanese Government given they've got 50% ownership and thus 50% profits.

Plus, should the Japanese Government decide against purchasing (unlikely) this still provides the largest naval industry at the quickest rate so to speak, meaning the creation of additional naval yards under their control would be cheaper and easier.

>>4301104
>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.

>>4301104
>>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.
hopefully the civil conflict will be over by the time we have to buy the dutch half of the compay

>>4300036
>>4300038
Thanks! Won't lie that your quest is an inspiration for me to try running my own, set in the PLC during the mid-17th century period of wars with everyone on every frontier, but I keep postponing it for almost a year at this point, feeling that my prep is insufficient.

>>4301104
>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.
Still salty about the fact we went for a shipyard, but this option doesn't sound all that bad

>>4301104
>Go with Sato’s plan of inviting Dutch experts but funding the construction effort with Japanese capital and resources. Though your options would be more limited, such an industry must remain under the control of the Japanese government.

>>4301104
>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.

>>4301370
More cynically, in 30 years it's not likely to be Stockton's problem anyway.

>>4301104
>>Go with a mix of the two; a jointly-owned shipyard company would allow for greater freedom in what can be built, as well as the timeframe under which construction can take place. Though the clause about the Japanese buyout of the Dutch half of the company could prove expensive, you’ll have 30 years to save up the money for it.

>>4301442
You should do it, anon. Finally hitting "post" on the first thread of a new quest is such a satisfying thing.

Also, story post coming in the next 2 hours. Just got home from work and am making a pan of skillet lasagna.

You eventually agree on establishing a joint company to oversee the construction of a medium-sized, highly-modern shipyard and naval arsenal. The Holland-Japan Company will be the owner of the shipyard, with a halfway split of responsibility and revenue between the Hauer and Ritter Shipyard, and the Shogunal Government. Though the plans for the shipyard’s layout and size remain nebulous, you have good reason to believe it will be a promising venture. There is a clause included in the company’s charter that mandates the buyout of the Dutch half of the company by at least the year 1899, just over thirty years from now.

Additional parts of the contract are gone over in detail, particularly the emigration of Dutch experts to aid in the setup of the shipyard, whose living expenses and salaries will be expected to be paid by the Shogunate. Keisuke assures Hauer that the experts will be treated as esteemed guests during their multi-year stay.

There is also a clause included for posterity’s sake that puts an awkwardness into the air of the otherwise friendly negotiation. In the event of hostilities between the Netherlands and Japan, control of the company will be given to the Japanese government for the duration of hostilities, under condition that all Dutch experts be returned home safely.

After nearly an hour, the finer points of the contract are all known by you and your cohorts. With a series of signatures from both parties, the charter of the Holland-Japan Company is officiated. There are a couple of photographs taken, and then you begin making perhaps the most important decision left to make: the location of the shipyard itself.

>Yokosuka, at the entrance to Edo Bay, is a critical strategic point. Its proximity to Edo would make it the perfect spot to build the centerpiece of Japan’s future navy. However, Edo’s central location would mean any ships based there would have to sail around the length of the country to enter the Sea of Japan.
>Hagi, which has recently come under total Shogunal control, would be an ideal location for such a base. Its location on the western coast of Japan would allow for ships to be launched and based facing Japan’s closest neighbors: China, and more importantly Russia, who could both prove serious threats in the future.
> Uchiura Bay, which lies on the northern isle of Ezo, is a natural harbor with close access to both the sea to the east and west. Though no city presently exists there, it would be a good building site, with immediate access to Russian waters, should hostilities break out. Additionally, the daimyo of Ezo is one of the most loyal to the Shogun, and could prove a valuable ally if internal hostilities escalate.
>Write-in.

>>4302261
>>Yokosuka, at the entrance to Edo Bay, is a critical strategic point. Its proximity to Edo would make it the perfect spot to build the centerpiece of Japan’s future navy. However, Edo’s central location would mean any ships based there would have to sail around the length of the country to enter the Sea of Japan.

>>4302261
>>Yokosuka, at the entrance to Edo Bay, is a critical strategic point. Its proximity to Edo would make it the perfect spot to build the centerpiece of Japan’s future navy. However, Edo’s central location would mean any ships based there would have to sail around the length of the country to enter the Sea of Japan.

Keeping it close to the capital is an obvious choice. Should we need to do so, smaller ports that can hold and service ships but not build them can be established for forward holding areas.

>>4302261
>>Yokosuka, at the entrance to Edo Bay, is a critical strategic point. Its proximity to Edo would make it the perfect spot to build the centerpiece of Japan’s future navy. However, Edo’s central location would mean any ships based there would have to sail around the length of the country to enter the Sea of Japan.

>>4302261
one thing to remember, the loyal vassals have to be constantly bought to stay loyal, or at least once in a generation, tied in such a way that their interests are accommodating to your interests.

>>4302261
>Yokosuka, at the entrance to Edo Bay, is a critical strategic point. Its proximity to Edo would make it the perfect spot to build the centerpiece of Japan’s future navy. However, Edo’s central location would mean any ships based there would have to sail around the length of the country to enter the Sea of Japan.

There is always the risk of a naval landing at or near the capital, better to have to circle ships around the entirety of Japan than to risk your effective weak point being your capital's coast line.

>>4302261
>Hagi

Shipyard is not a port, that for starters.
In fact, you want to keep your shipyards as far away as possible from your strategic ports, since that forces enemy to split up to take more things.
Also, due to whole lot of meta, both political and geological, Hagi is the perfect choice of the three.

>>4302261
>>Hagi, which has recently come under total Shogunal control, would be an ideal location for such a base. Its location on the western coast of Japan would allow for ships to be launched and based facing Japan’s closest neighbors: China, and more importantly Russia, who could both prove serious threats in the future.

>>4302261
>Hagi, which has recently come under total Shogunal control, would be an ideal location for such a base. Its location on the western coast of Japan would allow for ships to be launched and based facing Japan’s closest neighbors: China, and more importantly Russia, who could both prove serious threats in the future.

>>4302261
>>4302409

>Yokosuka

Shipyards should be as far away from enemy assault as possible. Ports should be closer to the action.

We turn Hagi and Uchiura Bay into ports, we keep the shipyard at Yokosuka. Damage from enemy shelling or a naval landing will render a shipyard inoperable for much longer than it will a port.

>>4302683
Why would you keep all the eggs in a single basket?
Not to mention Yokosuka is just a bad location for next... 40? 45 years?

>>4302683
Yokosuka is still going to be a major port for the Pacific coast anyway; even if history is different the geography still hasn't changed.

>>4302261
>> Uchiura Bay, which lies on the northern isle of Ezo, is a natural harbor with close access to both the sea to the east and west. Though no city presently exists there, it would be a good building site, with immediate access to Russian waters, should hostilities break out. Additionally, the daimyo of Ezo is one of the most loyal to the Shogun, and could prove a valuable ally if internal hostilities escalate.

Giving a little pork to loyal subjects keeps them loyal and demonstrates there are rewards for Shogunal loyalty.

>>4302261
>Hagi, which has recently come under total Shogunal control, would be an ideal location for such a base. Its location on the western coast of Japan would allow for ships to be launched and based facing Japan’s closest neighbors: China, and more importantly Russia, who could both prove serious threats in the future.

>>4302261
>Hagi, which has recently come under total Shogunal control, would be an ideal location for such a base. Its location on the western coast of Japan would allow for ships to be launched and based facing Japan’s closest neighbors: China, and more importantly Russia, who could both prove serious threats in the future.

>>4302261
>Yokosuka, at the entrance to Edo Bay, is a critical strategic point. Its proximity to Edo would make it the perfect spot to build the centerpiece of Japan’s future navy. However, Edo’s central location would mean any ships based there would have to sail around the length of the country to enter the Sea of Japan.

>>Yokosuka, at the entrance to Edo Bay, is a critical strategic point. Its proximity to Edo would make it the perfect spot to build the centerpiece of Japan’s future navy. However, Edo’s central location would mean any ships based there would have to sail around the length of the country to enter the Sea of Japan.

>>4302261
>Hagi, which has recently come under total Shogunal control, would be an ideal location for such a base. Its location on the western coast of Japan would allow for ships to be launched and based facing Japan’s closest neighbors: China, and more importantly Russia, who could both prove serious threats in the future.

>>4301442
You're putting me in a complex position, anon. On one hand, this place and time period are, in my opinion, criminally underused, and I always welcome a quest set therein. On the ohter hand, my ancestors would probably be the villains in it.

>>4301442
Run it

>>4302261
>>Yokosuka, at the entrance to Edo Bay, is a critical strategic point. Its proximity to Edo would make it the perfect spot to build the centerpiece of Japan’s future navy. However, Edo’s central location would mean any ships based there would have to sail around the length of the country to enter the Sea of Japan.

>>4303394
17th century plc. not being the villain is impossible.

Listen to this interesting thing, anons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPxCuIspWs

>>4303394
>>4303434
Can't promise anything, but the final decision depends now if I will be able to source two more books to make sure everything is right.

>>4308912
First book sourced, second on the way

>Hagi

>>4311372
Nice

Have another relevant video, anons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drIt0EIIteA

Ultimately, you decide on Yokosuka as the location of your new naval arsenal. Its central location and proximity to Edo make it the most reasonable candidate among your choices. More hands are shaken, documents signed, and then the meeting begins to draw to a close.

As you all leave, you can’t help but feel optimistic about the future of Japan’s shipping industry. Assuming your cohorts are able to maintain control of the nation, a modern shipyard will make Japan a dominant force in the east-Asian sphere. Soon, you all return to the hotel and prepare for the next leg of your journey: a trip to Belgium.

The nation of Belgium is a rather young one, having been carved out of former-Dutch lands after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Though formerly a Dutch possession, many Belgians speak French, and have a decidedly unique culture that is a mix of both Dutch and French.

At first, you were unsure as to the reason why the mission would travel to Belgium, a country with little respective power and no overseas possessions. However, you soon learned of a particular strong-suit of the Belgian people: gunsmithing. The little country has had a long history of skilled tradesmen making fine weapons, even before it was a country at all.

You consider your options for travel, looking at a map of the nation. Belgium’s capital is Brussels, but the trading and finance hub of Antwerp is closer to your current location. Additionally, the city of Liège is the industrial center of the Low Countries, with steel mills and gunsmithing facilities that are considered world-class. Whichever city you arrived in first would likely be the base of all mission-related operations in the country, so you figure you should choose wisely.

>Take a train to Brussels. You wouldn’t want to insult the Belgian government by visiting the nation’s capital second. Though moving the entire mission by train is a bit expensive, the good favor it would provide is worth it.
>Travel to Antwerp by carriage. Its closer proximity means that you will save both money and time. Additionally, you have heard that the city’s trade in diamonds and other gems makes it a financial powerhouse. Money always attracts opportunity.
>Travel by train and then by carriage to get to Liège. Though the most expensive and time-consuming option, this will put you in closest proximity with the industrialists and engineers that call Belgium home.

>>4321281
>>Take a train to Brussels. You wouldn’t want to insult the Belgian government by visiting the nation’s capital second. Though moving the entire mission by train is a bit expensive, the good favor it would provide is worth it.

Politics. We are political mission first and bypassing the government is a major faux pas that would not be overlooked by Belgium OR the other old world nations.

Pay what we must. We must do this in the correct order.

>>4321281
>Take a train to Brussels. You wouldn’t want to insult the Belgian government by visiting the nation’s capital second. Though moving the entire mission by train is a bit expensive, the good favor it would provide is worth it.

>>4321281
>>Take a train to Brussels. You wouldn’t want to insult the Belgian government by visiting the nation’s capital second. Though moving the entire mission by train is a bit expensive, the good favor it would provide is worth it.

>>4321281
>Take a train to Brussels. You wouldn’t want to insult the Belgian government by visiting the nation’s capital second. Though moving the entire mission by train is a bit expensive, the good favor it would provide is worth it.

>>4321281
>>Take a train to Brussels. You wouldn’t want to insult the Belgian government by visiting the nation’s capital second. Though moving the entire mission by train is a bit expensive, the good favor it would provide is worth it.

>>4321281
>Take a train to Brussels. You wouldn’t want to insult the Belgian government by visiting the nation’s capital second. Though moving the entire mission by train is a bit expensive, the good favor it would provide is worth it.

>>4311372
Second book sourced, along with a bonus from friend historian about the exact timeframe I need for additional reading, so I guess... Soon™?

>>4321281
>Take a train to Brussels. You wouldn’t want to insult the Belgian government by visiting the nation’s capital second. Though moving the entire mission by train is a bit expensive, the good favor it would provide is worth it.

You decide to take a train to the Belgian capital city of Brussels, arranging for the entire mission staff to make the journey later this evening. At the hotel, you prepare for the rail journey by packing all your things and meeting with the local stationmaster. As security is of the utmost importance, you are able to arrange a set of private railcars within a standard passenger train’s consist.

Just before the sun sets, you arrive at the station and all board the train to Brussels. You and your two senior officers retire to the car assigned to you, which includes three bedrooms and a small parlor, where you will sleep during the journey. As you head into the single bedroom, you feel the train begin rolling as you close your eyes. Soon, the gentle clicking of the rails beneath you is enough to lull you to sleep.

--

Panic fills you as tree branches fly past your field of vision. There are voices in the brush all around you. Blood runs down from your injured shoulder. How was it injured again? You do not remember. It isn’t important. You need to escape. In your hand is your trusty revolver. As you turn a corner, a man stands there. He’s a Grayback, with an old musket in his hands. He raises it in the darkness, having identified you. Instinctively, you shoot.

“Daniel!” The scent of burnt gunpowder fills your nose. Blinking back into consciousness, you see the form of your Dragoon revolver in your hand, barrel still smoking. Turning to the sound of the voice, you see your fiancé, Sarah, standing in the doorway with wide eyes. Though the two of you share a house, you aren’t yet married and sleep in separate bedrooms. You stand now in the small dressing room that joins your bedrooms. Looking onto the floor, you see the shattered remains of the full-length mirror that was the centerpiece of the dressing room. You feel sick as you look once again to your fiancé; that mirror had been your gift to her, it cost nearly a months’ worth of your army salary. She quite liked that mirror. The look in her eyes is unmistakable. It is a look you’ve gotten several times in the month since you got home from the South. Sarah is afraid. Afraid of you.

“Sorry,” is all you can muster before you drop the revolver, sobbing to yourself. Though she goes to you, your fiancé is hesitant. You don’t blame her. To Sarah, you must seem a monster, a creature unfit to exist in the world of the living. You’ve spent too much time among the dead, after all. You even still look like a skeleton, nearly nine months after escaping Andersonville. Eventually, you convince her to return to bed.

File: Antonio_Jacobsen_-_The_sh(...).jpg (1.41 MB, 4039x2412)

1.41 MB JPG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaMyhV0Z0HQ

The next morning, you packed up your belongings, left behind most of your savings at the house for Sarah to use, and left for New York City. That was the night you realized there was nothing left for you at home. In truth, you realized there was nothing left for you in America. When you got to the docks and looked to book passage with the meagre savings you had left, Japan immediately stuck out as a place you might be able to make yourself useful in. As you boarded the clipper for the first leg of your journey, for the first time in nearly two years, the future truly looked promising.

And that's it for this thread. Thanks for playing! We'll take a break this weekend since it's Independence Day here in the US, but hopefully the week after we can resume our threads with the Belgian leg of our Euro-Mission. As always, any questions, comments, concerns, and anything else you may think of are welcome here. See you next time!

>>4330428
Dope, Thanks Zap.

Also thanks for keeping this alive even through all this hell.

>>4330431
>Also thanks for keeping this alive even through all this hell.
No problem, Anon. Glad you're enjoying it! Writing/planning for this quest is a good distraction from Hellworld 2020 for me as well.

>>4330439
Been here since the fucking start, I'll be here when it fucking ends!

Didn't expect us to be the one to leave, I kinda feel bad now.

>>4330443
So I'm not the only person still being around ever since? Noice

>>4333055
Why did you expect yourself to be the only one?

>>4333055
Checked and ya no, you'd be suprised at how many anons stick around for quests if they are good till the end.

>>4333383
yup, since thread one here too

>>4333055
I've been around since thread 1 decision 1 and I hold no regrets about the decisions we've made.