As your party strolls the still-busy streets of Berlin, you check your watch. It’s only a little past 7, and Zorn has spent the better part of half an hour showing you all of the most tantalizing spots that this city has to offer. You’ve mostly been walking near the back of the group, taking time to admire the storefronts and rows of buildings, glittering in the light of gas lamps. From what you hear, Paris is a more modern and metropolitan center, but you can’t help but feel a certain sense of astonishment at this center of human activity.

“Of course,” Zorn continues from the front of the group. “Our nation is still young, and in fact was a loose confederation of smaller states just recently.” He pauses for a moment. “I can actually draw some rather accurate comparisons to Japan.” The German puffs on his meerschaum pipe between bits of his speech. “In fact, I think that once Japan is stable again, reforms will likely need to be made.”

“Such as?” Keisuke takes interest at Zorn’s proposition.

“Japan, much like the German states prior to unification, has far more government authority collected at the local level. Provincial governors possess their own armies, levy their own taxes, and write their own laws.” He shakes his head. “There is no form of central governance beyond the Shogun’s authority, which risks being challenged by a governor with a larger army.”

“Technically, the Emperor’s authority is greater than the Shogun’s,” Keisuke clarifies.

“Which limits the Shogun even further,” Zorn continues. “Imagine if Japan had a national Diet, made up of the Daimyos, with the only army permitted to exist being a national one?” He pauses again. “Of course, with the Shogun acting as the commander-in-chief, and having a general staff running the day-to-day operations.”

Sato speaks up next. “The Daimyos would never agree to having their armies disbanded.” He shakes his head. “If such a program were initiated, it would have to be by the decree of the Emperor, and even then there would be dissenters.”

“That is the purpose of the national diet,” Zorn retorts. “The local lords trade their military power for political agency. The shaping of a nation not by steel and gunpowder, but by words and letters.”

You’ve been quiet for a while, and can sense that some of your party must be waiting for your input. Both arguments, to a degree, make sense…

>”A formal national assembly could prove beneficial to the Japanese nation.”
>”The local lords care too much for their military honor. They would have to forcibly be brought to heel first.”
>”If one man controls the national army, then the Diet doesn’t really hold all that much power, does it? Sounds like an army with a state instead of the other way around.”
>”Having hereditary nobles in a national assembly doesn’t go far enough. We’d need elected officials too.”
>Write-in.

>>5299823
>”Having hereditary nobles in a national assembly doesn’t go far enough. We’d need elected officials too.”
>”The local lords care too much for their military honor. They would have to forcibly be brought to heel first.”

>>5299823
>>”A formal national assembly could prove beneficial to the Japanese nation.”
>>”The local lords care too much for their military honor. They would have to forcibly be brought to heel first.”
>>”Having hereditary nobles in a national assembly doesn’t go far enough. We’d need elected officials too.”

"The british have something similar do they not? A figurehead monarch, a house of lord and a house of commons? It would bear further study."

>>5299823
>”If one man controls the national army, then the Diet doesn’t really hold all that much power, does it? Sounds like an army with a state instead of the other way around.”

>>5299854
This. Though I wouldn't call the Emperor a 'figurehead' monarch given his role, both perceived and real, in Japanese politics at this point.

>>5299854
>”A formal national assembly could prove beneficial to the Japanese nation.”
>”The local lords care too much for their military honor. They would have to forcibly be brought to heel first.”
>The british have something similar do they not? A monarch, a house of lord and a house of commons? It would bear further study.

>>5299823
>”If one man controls the national army, then the Diet doesn’t really hold all that much power, does it? Sounds like an army with a state instead of the other way around.”
>”Having hereditary nobles in a national assembly doesn’t go far enough. We’d need elected officials too.”

>>5299823
>The british have something similar do they not? A monarch, a house of lord and a house of commons? It would bear further study.

Works for the britbongs, could work for us.

>>5299823
>”If one man controls the national army, then the Diet doesn’t really hold all that much power, does it? Sounds like an army with a state instead of the other way around.”
Pre-20th century Americans did not like large peacetime armies.

>>5299823
>”A formal national assembly could prove beneficial to the Japanese nation.”
Just not interested in the election meme

>>5299823
Sounds like a way for the Jews to get hold of power. Japan had Christian Daimyos thanks to Jesuits before the battle of Sekigahara.
The Daimyos are right in their hesitancy.

>>5299823
>>”If one man controls the national army, then the Diet doesn’t really hold all that much power, does it? Sounds like an army with a state instead of the other way around.”

just read through all of these and holy shit this is good, also kinda feel like we should speed run the rest of europe though cause i cant wait to get back to japan again.

>>”A formal national assembly could prove beneficial to the Japanese nation.”
>>”The local lords care too much for their military honor. They would have to forcibly be brought to heel first.”
>>”Having hereditary nobles in a national assembly doesn’t go far enough. We’d need elected officials too.”

>>5299823
>>>”A formal national assembly could prove beneficial to the Japanese nation.”
>>”Having hereditary nobles in a national assembly doesn’t go far enough. We’d need elected officials too.”
>The british have something similar do they not? A monarch, a house of lord and a house of commons? It would bear further study.

You frown momentarily, considering the possibility. Your own roots make it quite easy to accept the idea of representative government, but you wonder about the Japanese people. “I certainly agree that a national assembly could prove useful.” You pause. “But the nobles wouldn’t like having their military authority curbed. They’d have to be brought to heel.”

“Not a far cry from what we’re doing now,” Sato chimes in. “Once we unify the nation and dispose of the dissenters and rebels, those who remain would be keenly aware of our military might.”

You raise an eyebrow. Though Sato has expressed such notions to you, this is the first time he’s said it publicly, as far as you know. “Perhaps,” you reply.

Keisuke nods. “All of the world’s developed nations have centralized governments, we would need to follow suit.”

“But,” you continue. “And this may just be the American in me, but simply having an assembly of nobles wouldn’t be enough to form a strong government. We’d need elected officials too.”

Nakajima rubs her chin thoughtfully. “Like the British system? A house of lords and a house of commoners?”

“An astute observation,” Keisuke replies. “The common people have already started clamoring for reforms, though in small pockets, and such notions will likely only intensify as the years go on.” He nods once. “Perhaps it would do us well to be proactive.”

Zorn takes the opportunity to speak. “Giving people agency in their nation’s politics is sometimes the best way to prevent revolution. If the common folk don’t feel like they are being heard, things can get out of hand quickly.” He frowns in disgust. “Like what happened in France before Napoleon.”

You instinctively tug at your collar. Though history might absolve you, it would be preferential if everyone kept their heads. Truly, you think an integration of the commoners would be necessary. At least at some point.

“While I admire such forward thinking,” Sato remarks. “Perhaps we should focus more on the immediate threats to the Bakufu.” He pauses, looking at the other members of your party. “After all, we aren’t here to study politics. We’re here to prepare for war.”

>”We are here to enrich the Japanese government and society in all aspects, Major.” (reiterate the mission’s stated purpose)
>”Agreed. We should focus on more immediate concerns.” (agree to focus on military matters)
>”If we can’t win the peace, winning the war won’t matter.” (chastise)
>Write-in.

>>5303938
Thanks Anon! Always good to hear people are enjoying the quest. I know what you mean about speedrunning Europe. I've been worried about pacing during the Eurotrip. Particularly with my working schedule.

Also sorry all for the radio silence. Been hell at the store. Just got someone back from medical leave so I should be able to update more frequently again.

>>5314976
>”We are here to enrich the Japanese government and society in all aspects, Major.” (reiterate the mission’s stated purpose)

>>5314976
>”We are here to enrich the Japanese government and society in all aspects, Major.” (reiterate the mission’s stated purpose)
>>Write-in.
Would Stockton be well-read enough to parrot Clausewitz's "war is but the extensions of politics by other means"?

>>5314976

>”We are here to enrich the Japanese government and society in all aspects, Major.” (reiterate the mission’s stated purpose)

>>5314981
I know that feeling, In the oil field at the moment and its all fucked.

>>5314976
>”If we can’t win the peace, winning the war won’t matter.” (chastise)

>>5314976
>”We are here to enrich the Japanese government and society in all aspects, Major.” (reiterate the mission’s stated purpose)

>>5314976
>>”We are here to enrich the Japanese government and society in all aspects, Major.” (reiterate the mission’s stated purpose)
Also
>>”If we can’t win the peace, winning the war won’t matter.” (chastise)
but in a professional manner.

>>”We are here to enrich the Japanese government and society in all aspects, Major.” (reiterate the mission’s stated purpose)
>>”If we can’t win the peace, winning the war won’t matter.” (chastise)

We're not going to let things go too far here. Ambitions like this could turn our men against the shogun and straight into the arms of our enemies.

We're leading loyalists. Remember that.

File: Major Sato, 1866.jpg (33 KB, 564x811)

33 KB JPG

“Our mission is to enrich every aspect of the Japanese economy, military, and society.” You nod once. “That means pursuing every avenue in the search for an advantage.” Pausing, you take a moment to rub your chin thoughtfully. A cold breeze whips up the street, biting at your skin wherever it is not covered. “Our enemies are doing the same, likely with a level of aggression that we can’t even anticipate. If we can’t stay ahead of them, if we even fall to parity with the forces that seek to undo the Shogunate’s rule, we will fail.” Your expression turns grim, and the severity of your speech dawns on the members of your party. “And failure simply isn’t an option.”

Keisuke clears his throat. “General, you don’t mean to suggest that the Shogunate would fall, do you?”

You shrug. “The Romans never thought Rome would fall. The world is changing, and the Shogunate is an old government with an old army. If we can’t keep up with change, we’ll be left behind, and in the best case scenario, be rendered irrelevant on the world stage.” You frown deeply. “The worst case scenario is something I don’t want to think about.”

“We possess the strongest fighting force in Japan, sir.” Sato interjects with a surprisingly assertive tone. “And as long as we continue our program of military procurement and training, I don’t see us losing on the field of battle.”

“Winning the war doesn’t mean anything if you lose the peace, Major.” You sigh, rubbing the bridge of your nose. “If our victory leaves Japan weakened and destitute, we’ll be an easy target for revolutions, or worse, colonizers.” Flipping your collar up to shield your neck from another cold gust, you continue. “We need to lay the foundation for a strong Japan, and a strong Japanese people. That will mean guiding the country into the modern age, in every aspect.”

There is silence as your cohorts mull over what you’ve just said. Keisuke’s expression is one of grim understanding. Nakajima seems horrified at the thought, resting her chin on a clenched fist. Sato’s expression is hard to read, though you notice his eyes dart back and forth a couple times as he seems to consider a reply. Finally, he speaks. “You are right, General. We will need to pursue every advantage.” He removes his cap, slicking his hair back with a gloved hand. “To fade into irrelevance is a greater dishonor than any defeat.”

Zorn interjects, getting the group moving along again as he guides you all toward what he claims is the best beer hall in all of Berlin. You fall toward the back of the group, somewhat puzzled by Sato’s quick change in perspective. Were you really that convincing? As you feel yourself get lost in thought, Keisuke gets your attention. “General?”

File: Keisuke Otori.jpg (94 KB, 381x533)

94 KB JPG

“Yes, Keisuke?”

He frowns. “May I speak candidly?”

“Of course,” you reply.

There is a long pause. “Considering your experience, and our current situation…” He trails off, his eyes more serious than you’ve ever seen. “Do you think we can maintain the Bakufu?”

>”Something will have to change radically. Whether it’s a representative system or not, the Shogun can’t hold onto absolute power forever.”
>”I have full faith in you and my officers. As long as we stick together, Japan will only grow stronger.”
>”Honestly? I’m not so sure…”
>Write-in.

>>5326560
>”Something will have to change radically. Whether it’s a representative system or not, the Shogun can’t hold onto absolute power forever.”
In times of war a "dictator" is nice, but in peace... hooo boy.

>>5326560
>>”Something will have to change radically. Whether it’s a representative system or not, the Shogun can’t hold onto absolute power forever.”

"And the shogunate will need to willingly give up that part of the power if it wishes to have a say in the future of Japan."

>>5326560
>”I have full faith in you and my officers. As long as we stick together, Japan will only grow stronger.”
>We must learn from history, Not repeat it.

>>5326765
>support

>>5326560
>Write-in.
Yes, but the Bakufu may be unrecognizable.

>>5326560
Happy 4th of July Zap

>>5326560
>Write-in.
The Imperial Family shall reign again.

>”Something will have to change radically. Whether it’s a representative system or not, the Shogun can’t hold onto absolute power forever.”