Crouching Marshal, Hidden Commissar [ATTN: Oikawa]

[Socialist Commonwealth]

(...)
"Hency why I think that Carentania must involve itself in this matter and offer its support in resolving the delicate political situation in Touzen."

Commissar Jerman paused to contemplate his next words. Marshal Dorgon was a larger, more impressive man than he had expected. He didn't fit the slightest into the stereotypical portrayal of a Toyouite that the media liked to paint. It was for the better. If there was any hope that the Marshal could calm the east, this natural aura of authority around him would certainly help.

"I would like to hear from you, in your own words, what the situation in Touzen - and beyond, in Jurchen, even Boliatur - presents itself like to you. What is the main reason the situation has detoriated like it did and what can be done to bring the progressive parts of Toyou back to the european stage as active powers, willing to advance the cause of human liberation? More importantly, do you see anything Carentania can do to hasten the consolidation of the political climate?"

He wouldn't say much more than this on Touzen as of now. Certainly, the Marshal had read the public statements the Carentanian Commissariate for Foreign Affairs had made on the situation in the far-eastern country. For now, Carentania would listen, before loading any own words of wisdom onto him. The last that Jerman wanted was to give off any impression that he thought he knew better than the people of Toyou, what was good for them. He was here as a friend, not as imperialist overlord - and from what he had gathered, Toyou wasn't that different than Far Himyar or Occidentia in this regard: show any signs of being more talented, skilled or knowledgeable and they will decry you as racist supremacist.

"I furthermore wish to inquire about the current status of Boliatur and the fate of the Khan and his forces. If we need to renew commitment to the defense of Boliatur, I am more than willing to discuss this with you as well. Same holds true for Yujin, where I hope for your support in aiding the revolutionaries and in particular the city of Liangang, which may soon face retribution for its succesful liberation from the Imperial yoke."

 

[Touzen]

"Ach."

Dorgon's left eye glared at Jerman, the right side of his face still wrapped in bandages, hiding his second eye beneath thick layers of protective clothing. The Marshall had survived last year's attack on the All Citizens' Congress - if barely - but was still forced to wear either the bandages or the eye patch, and his doctors had suggested that it could be months, if not years until his right eye would make a full recovery. Even then, there was an unspoken fear of futile hopes for recovery that always shadowed every public apperance of Fengtian's ruler. If the Jurchen politician worried about his physical recovery, he did not show it, his composure as focused and aware as always.

"I would be lying if I told you that the situation we are facing right now is excellent. But our enemies are also greatly exaggerating their successes."

Dorgon stopped. Jerman was his junior and a representative of a power that directly competed for the support of comparable groups across the globe, two things that would normally not give the rugged veteran of Touyou politics any reasons to be particularly welcoming towards the other man. But Carentania had proven to be a reliable asset before, and unlike many in the Constitutional State, Dorgon did realize the necessity of maintaining working relationships with those sharing common interests in specific issues. He had noticed that until now, Jerman had not made any attempts to patronize his Jurchen partner, a refreshing change of pace from the expected that pleasantly surprised him.

He continued: "We are dealing with a...particularly problematic opponent here. This enemy has been able to hijack an issue unrelated to his political agenda, something that was primarily about wages and work conditions...standard fair domestic politics...and turned it into what we have now. In retrospect, Jurchen help in defusing the situation by providing policing forces neutral in the conflict that engulfed Touzen last summer really didn't help the government in Nokanawa but instead gave our enemies a welcoming reason to decry an alleged invasion and occupation. I don't have to tell you that these claims are absurd."

Of course, Dorgon was not at all unhappy about the original turn of events, merely the persistence and unexpected resistance he had encountered had angered him. The Nokanawa government had been weakened and chained to Jurchen military assistance, but the loss of his primary ally in Touzen, Kaneko, and the return of Taketori from his Sylvanian exile had brought the momentum in Touzen to a point where it was slipping, no, already had slipped from the control of Jurchen agencies. Of course, the Marshall wasn't prepared to admit any of this to his counter-part. The entirety of the plan was even only known to Dorgon himself, and only a select few in Jurchen and Touzen had a general idea of the abridged plan. For the public, there was no orchestration - only a very unfortunate series of events.

"Taketori is a problem, because he still carries the aura of the old guard and claims authority based on his association with Sakai. The last 20 years he has been busy calling for more bombs to kill people and to obstruct the Constitutional State and its allies with his talks of a new revolution. Bloody criminal he is, nothing more."

"Still, we have been surprised by his actual return to Touzen and his ability to concentrate notable economic and military assets in the Touzen mainland. But recently, some Continental Army units that had been near the border to Yujin have also pledged allegiance to his movement under the leadership of someone styling himself 'Dr. Fu', and we are doing our best to deal with the situation without giving Taketoriite propaganda any new material. Still I don't have to tell you how concerning this is for not only my government. And the implications this has for the situation in Yujin."

Yujin. Jerman had come to Fengtian in the hope of getting Dorgon's support in dealing with the Republic's eastern neighbor, but Dorgon was hesitant. Any involvement in Yujin was on its own a massive gamble - the Republic having always existed under the Yujiner shadow during its comparably short existence. The Jurchen Army was also already firmly committed in Touzen, Boliatur and now potentially the Jurchen homeland itself. Reading the files that had been presented to him had Dorgon worrying that if Dr. Fu's movement was able to spread further, even maintaining existing military commitments in Boliatur and Touzen might become impossible. In the case of cases, support for Boliatur would have to be the first to go, as this was ultimately a battle for prestige of maintaining the post-delegationist government there only secondarily related to the events in Touzen and Jurchen. But there was no way he could admit this towards his Carentanian visitor. In reality, Dr. Fu had him worried far more than he was willing to admit.

"But to Yujin in a moment. In Boliatur, the military situation requires my full attention. Several front units have dedicated their military successes to Taketori's 'revolutionary restoration', as you might have deducted from Taketoriite press releases which claim our entire operations in the area in their name. In reality, the situation is more complex, as we have units that are leaning towards Taketori fighting alongside those still fiercely loyal to the democratic governments of the Jurchen Republic and Boliatur, all united against the Khan. There is not much we can currently do about this without risking a serious setback. Already, this infighting has led to the failure of our offensive aimed at taking Mrysini and our goal of capturing or killing the Khan. Luckily, the international volunteers and other supporters have helped us to bolster the lines. Right now, your units that remain in the joint forces base in Mukyang for R&R should, if possible, remain at an increased level of readiness. We seek to take Mrysini before the fall of winter. Hopefully we'll deprive these beginnings of a Taketoriite mutiny of their momentum in this way."

"As you would imagine, the Republic is right now not in a particularly splendid position to assist the struggle for liberation in Yujin with any strong commitment on its own, and I'm genuinely sorry for that. What we can offer right now is to allow Yujin freedom fighters bases for resupply and treating the wounded across the border. Assessing the Yujiner response, we could then begin to also allow military operations to start from republican territory, provided the conditions are right."

He gave Jerman a moment to process what he had just said. After a few moments passed, Dorgon revealed the most important announcement he had to made.

"I'd also like to inform you that as we are speaking, Jurchen and Touzen armed forces are in the process of launching an operation to restore control over all of Nokanawa to the Touzen government. We have kept this operation in total secrecy until now, and we hope to strike a severe blow at the insurrectionists. We expect that retaking the capital will send armed groups into disorganization and sway moderate protesters towards denouncing an armed solution like the one the Hakata Group is seeking. Then, with Nokanawa under our control, we hope to be able to restart focused talks with selected groups to deprive Taketori, Hasegawa and the others of their supporters and hopefully collapse this attack on public order. Direct talks with these people are impossible, but neither do we seek to commit an atrocity against what are ultimately enraged, but misguided supporters of the post-delegationist revolution."

"As for Carentania's role, I'm noticing a worrying trend of Hakata's propaganda geared towards displaying Carentania as an aggressor and counter-revolutionary. Any Carentanian help in fixing the situation in the Constitutional State must be carefully planned to not risk giving this propaganda more support. I do hope though that by emphasizing Carentania's partnership on the international stage not only with the Jurchen Republic, but also with Boliatur and of course Touzen, we will be able to convince the public that there was and is no grand conspiracy against the Constitutional State."

Of course there was.

"For example, dropping food deliveries into those Taketoriite territories suffering from a rice shortcoming might not only improve Carentania's standing with the workers and peasants, but also alleviate some of the suffering that gives the radicals new followers every day."

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

"Yes, I agree," Jerman nodded, "Takatori is dangerous - hence why it was not hard for Carentania to see which side in this conflict is legitimately fighting for the freedom of Touzen."

The Commissar didn't have the slightest knowledge of Marshal Dorgons true goals and the intention of his policies. Had he know, little would have changed though. Quite to the contrary, where Dorgon sought to weaken the dominance of Touzen to allow for the likes of the Jurchen state to act more independently and sovereign, Carentania was more than happy to have Post-Delegationism stripped of its proverbial teeth. Were Takatori and his insurgency allowed to succeed, their ideology which was viewed as little more than petit-bourgeoise anarchism would gain an enormous international boost - and throw the efforts of Council-Communist groups throughout Europe to gain influence behind by decades.

"We need to take the wind out of Takatoris sails and Carentania is more than willing to follow your proposed path of dropping food deliveries. I am furthermore of the opinion that we need to engage Takatori on the field of conversation and ideological discourse. Carentania has little direct control over its socialist brethren in the world, including Touzen. However, our opinion nevertheless carries some clout, our administration includes respected academics and intellectuals and we need to make our voice heard in Touzen. Takatori is not fighting for the sake of the workers and peasants, he is fighting for the sake of his own ego - and he is putting the fate of an entire region at stake. As we speak, the Mezhists are assembling to back the Imperial Yu government against growing revolutionary unrest in their country. Our joint operations in Boliatur are distracted further by Jurchen being called to policing duties in Touzen. And Sikandara is making increasingly aggressive overtures against Vangala, a nation that just recently managed to liberate itself from the colonial yoke and is in the very delicate phase of stabilizing its revolutionary achievements. The aggressions against the Vangalan Republic threaten not only its newfound independence directly by the threat of foreceful subjugation, they also threaten the revolution by creating a conservative climate of paranoia and nationalist defense."

A weaker Touzen wasn't just useful for Carentania for ideological purposes. Had Jerman known about Dorgons agenda, he had still supported him for very pragmatic reasons: Carentania was, in terms of territory, a small country. However, in terms of population it was sizeable and its industry was thriving. The densely-populated Haemian peninsula could only provide so much in terms of food and ressources to feed the population and fuel the industry. It was doubtful that Carentania could expect to buy the needed ressources on the global markets in the future. Europe was polarizing into power blocs fastly in 1953. Carentania needed allies which could supply it with needed ressources and food. The last it could use was a resurgent, aggressive Touzen that contested Carentanias strategic goals, for example by meddling in Yujin.

"I also think that similiar supply drops need to be made to Liangang. If we abandon the city, it will end in a catastrophe and millions will die. The resulting wave of refugees would be a strain on your country as well, so I believe that allowing Carentania to use airfields in Jurchen to establish an airbridge to insurgents in Yujin is in your best interest, too. These supplies would consist of food, medical supplies, but also ammunition and weapons to enable the insurgents to defend against the next Imperial offensive. I know that you are taking some risks in confronting Yujin, especially during such a volatile period - but Carentania will try to approach Liangang indirectly, flying into the city from the coast, hopefully avoiding any proof of having started from Jurchen. Furthermore, I believe that even the Monster of the East can not allow himself the madness of starting a second front when his invasion into Vangala has just failed so spectacularily."

A collapse of Touzen, a continued infighting in the east, however, was of as little use to Carentania as a Touzen led by Takatori. There was use in allying with Touzen and Jurchen. Even when weakened, the two states remained an asset that could be used to confront the increasing Mezhist threat, that could be used to defend the east and to help safeguard the revolution in Yujin. Marshal Dorgon had proven to be a useful and reliable partner during first cooperations between Carentania and Jurchen in the defense of Boliatur. Jerman wasn't the only Council-Communist who saw increasing benefit in forging an alliance between all shades of socialism, even those denying themselves to be one.

"In regards to Boliatur, I agree with your assessment that we need to renew offensives against the Khan and ensure a swift victory. A 'Boliatur First' strategy would improve our public image, if succesful. The Khan also seems like the weakest enemy currently being faced by revolutionaries in the east. If we can deal with him, then that frees up ressources we can commit to stabilizing Touzen and to the liberation of Yujin. Not just in terms of our strategic assets as states, but also in terms of experienced revolutionary fighters who will likely move on to fight for the cause of human liberation elsewhere. Carentania is willing to commit itself further to the cause in Boliatur. We are even considering a full expeditionary force, to put a quick end to this useless war. But Boliatur is far from home, so this will not be feasible without Jurchen and the questions we have to ask at this point are: is Jurchen capable of supplying Carentanian forces in such a battle and can we expect the Mezhist Union not to intervene, when Carentania steps up its game?"

 

[Touzen]

Dorgon nodded as he listened to Jerman drawing up his proposals. He benevolently overlooked the socialist's remarks about the supposedly socialist nature of Touzen or indeed, post-delegationism itself. That was a thesis that perhaps could have struck a certain chord with the likes of Taketori, but Dorgon like most of the Constitutional establishment and its counterparts in Jurchen had been very keen to deemphasize the socialist beginnings of early post-delegationism, or at least its significant initial recruitment from the ranks of unions and leftist workers. For Dorgon, post-delegationism was a tool that emphasized the role of individual freedom, a freedom curtailed by the socialist state and the Taketoriite territories. Unlike his enemies however, Dorgon was not a man of dogma, so he was ultimately willing to convince his partners from Himyar in the long run rather than here and now.

"In its core, this movement...you see, I am even hesitant to use the term 'Taketoriites', since it implies a certain level of ideological distinction...in any case, this movement is at its core a one-man show, an ego trip. Unfortunately it's a relevant ego trip, as it happens to be pursued by a man that we have to accept had significant influence in creating the Constitutional State, even if he later on starting doing everything in his power to destroy it. So there is an element of nostalgia and certain traditional authority with some people, not all of course. The majority of people in Touzen see that we are dealing with a black sheep here I think, and there are after all many known faces from the first generation of post-delegationists who have vocally opposed what Taketori is doing against the revolution, against the people of Touzen, against the international revolution. And of course I have voiced my disapproval as well, I'd like to think."

Dorgon smirked in approval of his own wit.

"The thing is, co..."

Dorgon paused. Colleague? Comrade? What was Jerman?

"The thing with Yujin is, Mr. Jerman", he continued with a certain sense of insecurity, "the thing is, that not only do I, does all of the Jurchen government have to take into account domestic opinion, which is worried about Mr. Fu and his upstarts as well as the security of Jurchen men in the Constitutional State, but also the Mezhist Union's recent pledge of support for the reactionary regime in Yujin. There are certain worries that the Mezhists might seek to justify a direct military intervention, possibly in Boliatur, with our increased efforts in Yujin. Now if you have any intelligence in regards to Mezhist movements that could affect our operations, I'll be all ears."

"Another option we have is launching supply drops from southern Touzen. I'm sure that the National Emergency Council will not need any convincing on my part to approve any such operation. Drops could in the worst case be blamed on Taketori, although we would have to be careful that this does not swing public support in Yujin into an unwanted direction. Maybe this is in fact not so good an idea after all.."

Dorgon pondered. Was he really going to allow the Republic to be drawn deeper into the crisis in Yujin, even as the post-delegationist bloc was undergoing the worst crisis since its inception? He knew Jerman had strong expectations of him, but the Marshall also had clear goals he would have to concentrate on. There was a sense of obligation for him, as irrational as it was - but initial Carentanian help in Boliatur had proven quite substantial to halting the Khan and stabilizing the situation there. The Workers' Republic had helped prop up a regime that didn't share in its political color, and now Dorgon was asked to return the favor. Even if it meant going to some lengths, assisting here now could be the foundation for increased trust in the future in what was beginning to become a working relationship based on shared interests and even a sort of trust, in as far as that was possible.

"Maybe Seorans. Maybe the routes could go over the Seoran peninsula? The planes would start in southern Touzen, but take a detour over Seoran territory. A little information here and there...and suddenly the news will talk about a Seoran uprising offering its cooperation with Carentania. Whether this movement actually translates to factual control on the ground - who can confirm that in all the chaos, anyway? I would still announce the Republic's involvement eventually, but only after we have dealt with Mr. Fu. This is an issue I do not expect to take longer than a few more weeks from now on."

"The Jurchen Army is more than ready to continue the fight in Boliatur. Carentanian support would also free reserves for missions in Touzen once we have engaged militant elements in Nokanawa, which will without a doubt yield in some retaliatory violence. In regards to the Mezhist Union I strongly suggest opening up discussions with our colleagues in Kyiv, who might be willing to step up their verbal game in support of our eastern operations - preventing the Mezhist Union from engaging itself in Boliatur without the potential risk of a threat from the outermost frontiers of Germania."

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

"Seora, hm?"

Jerman smiled at that thought. Seora had been a blind spot up to now when Carentania was forced to formulate a grand policy for the far east and he was more than happy with anything that could tie this country and its subjugated people into the communist schemes.

"I believe this is a most workable solution. If we can make the impression that, indeed, the unrest in Seora is directly linked to the struggle of the Hongmenghui, in fact, one and the same struggle, I am sure the actions of the Imperial government will create the conditions that turn fiction into reality. Mr. Fu will be hard pressed to ramp up further support amongst the populace of the region if we can ensure a succesful defense of Liangang and, by extension, Seora. Even more so if the stubborn and egotistical behaviour of the likes of Takatori is anything to judge by, I am certain he will sooner than later decry the broad alliance of oppositionals that is currently fighting in Yujin alongside the Hong, thus reveal himself to be nothing more than the self-centered megalomanic he is, to whom the overthrowal of the Monster of the East always came second to his own success."

There was a hint of actual anger in Jermans voice. The Commissar - and indeed, Carentania as a whole - had been thrown into the east by the events of the past years, diverting attention from its traditional sphere of influence in the Long Sea. Much could be won in Toyou, but the stakes where, as usual, high. Rhetorics of the ideological enemy spelled doom, should Carentania act too rash and careless - but also should it remain hesitant and indecisive.

"The entire east is in a state of unrest, Marshal. From the northern shores of Boliatur all the way down south to Cantignia. We, children of revolutions of the past, must lend a guiding hand to these people. I understand your difficult position and that Jurchen must be careful not to draw in the Mezhists, especially with Touzen itself destabilized by criminal elements."

The oversight was deliberate. It was for the intellectuals to tie the unrest in Touzen into a greater picture of a 1953 of revolutionary upheavel. For the diplomat that was Jerman, it would have to remain an incident completely seperate from the just fights in the surrounding countries.

"But I think you must agree that failure of the revolution in Yujin would be a desaster that would cast a very long shadow into the future of Toyou as a whole. As for our knowledge in regards to Mezhist plans, I must caution you that we can only speculate, but it seems that they do not seek to involve themselves directly and instead are more than willing to fight this battle by proxy, leasing materiel to the imperial government and financing its battles - much the way Carentania would have preferred to handle the situation in Yujin, had the Emperor not decided so rashly to assault Carentanian citizens and declare war upon us and our allies.

Right now, we are much more worried about Sikandara. If the forces of reaction involve themselves directly in the unrest in Toyou, we assume it will come in the form of a direct assault on Vangala. Carentania is currently doing much to ensure the safety of the Vangalan people and we hope that our open posturing can prevent a desaster there. But I agree that involving Kyiv in the regional strategy will be a necessity, even though both our countries have an uneasy past reaching all the way back to the events during Kyivs revolution." Where the current rulers of Kyiv murdered Council-Communists, Jerman thought to himself with a flash of anger.

"If you agree, Marshal, I would propose we should aim for a great offensive in early August, defeating the Khan with a decisive blow. Carentanian forces could operate in Boliaturan uniforms, though on this scope, I am speaking several divisions here, it would likely spill over into the public. However, that would not be so bad, would it? Carentania could pretend its deployments are to eastern Vangala as long as possible and when our offensive in Boliatur will become public knowledge, it will be too late for the Mezhists to react, Boliatur will be won over by us - and it will be quite a publicity stunt, embarassing Mr. Taketori.

However, as said - while Carentania is willing to provide the necessary manpower and equipment, we will need Jurchen supplies: fuel, food, medicine... If we had to run the supply lines all the way back to Carentania, the operation would fail before it could take off the ground."

 

[Touzen]

Yujin had enormous potential, Dorgon knew that. Potential for revolutionary utilization, yes, but also the potential to ultimately overshadow all other states in Touyou. This was something that frightened Dorgon. Now that his schemes to weaken the currently dominant entity in the East, Touzen, were finally beginning to bring about results, it certainly wasn't in his interest to help Yujin to dominate the area, especially if it was to be communist. Would Yujin cast the likes of him aside and destroy post-delegationism? Would the communists seek to reintegrate the Jurchen Republic and negate the national independence of his people? The Marshall didn't know. And all these thoughts were highly speculative anyway. Even if Yujin was to come under the control of the communists, it would take decades for its industrial base to dominate Touyou and ultimately the world, especially with the destruction that happened in the country on a daily base. Perhaps, Dorgon mused, Yujin's rise could not be prevented, but merely delayed. On the other hand, if Yujin was to be ruled by communists, but weakened and potentially kept below its full potential, perhaps a lasting accord could be struck with the Carentanias? They too, after all, likely had little interest in a socialist Yujin dominating the communist world and denying the Long Sea country its predominant ideological position.

"Whatever happens in Yujin will have an effect on all of Touyou, for better or for worse. The defeat of the Imperialists is imperative, especially with the international alignment of reactionary forces seeking to bolster this regime. This is something my government has no interest in. We do not have any interest in foreign powers medling in a region we consider to be our natural sphere of comfort."

"Except those that share our outlook on freedom and anti-colonialism, of course", he added to assure Jerman that his country's involvement was not unwelcomed.

"What we are seeing is the attempt of establishing a new colonial regime. We can't allow it to happen. Even inter-regional colonialism seems to have emerged as an acceptable political agenda, with Sikandaran designs on Vangala and Yujin giving a hint as to what is to come.

I think your proposal of an offensive at the beginning of August is sound. The bases which are supporting our own troops in Boliatur will of course serve as hubs for your troops as well. I propose that we should also aim at a conference in the Boliaturan capital following victory, both for the publicity of emphasizing that the struggles all throughout Touyou are no singular events, but connected, but also the next step in our regional policy. This conference could also host other parties like the opposition in Yujin and other revolutionary states with a regional agenda."

"The respective Jurchen ministries will liaison with their Touzen representatives immediately to discuss the Seoran strategy and get their clearance. Ideally this route will already be well established by the end of August, so that it will be something we can revisit and potentially adjust at the conference I just proposed."

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Jerman nodded. They had reached an agreement and Carentania was ready to do its part in shaping the future of Toyou.

"A conference in Mrysini is a sound idea. I will try to participate myself when the time comes, once Boliatur is free again."

He smiled and offered Dorgon a firm handshake.

"I am looking forward to seeing our cooperation bear fruits. Together, I am certain we can overcome the threat of imperialism and reaction."