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Ch.04.03 Northern woes part II (self-destruction and rebirth)
Ainxiou reasserts control.
While few chose to accept his authority within the kingdom Ainxiou did have his allies. Mostly those he had worked closely with during his fathers reign. And this support allowed him to maintain at least the official title of king, with several key vassals choosing not to declare their independence outright.
While he would officially retain the title of king Ainxiou II was largely a prisoner within the capital of Axaa. Merely one of the numerous local settlements with their own military forces, albeit a fairly large one. Obviously for the son of a powerful ruler with his own ambitions for power this could not stand.
But the fact was that given his own relatively limited strength Ainxiou could not risk open war against the “vassals” which were being less than compliant wit his will without running the risk of open rebellion. And without the money to afford a larger military it was unlikely that even his present position would continue. And money was something he was increasingly short of as the taxes owed by his vassals were ever more late.
But Ainxiou was not only a competent military leader, who had aided in the conquest of the kingdom in a not insignificant way, but he was also a savvy politician with a keen knowledge of the situation around his kingdom.
Notably Ainxiou was well aware of the ongoing situation in the south. Where the Japanese city states were undergoing the opening phases of their own troubles. Many Japanese were looking to escape the chaos gripping their own homeland, both in the Japanese mainland, and Alyska. These people were looking for land to settle and jobs where they could employ their skills.
As the chaos engulfed the south Ainxiou saw his opportunity. Offering extensive rewards for those Japanese who came north to work for his kingdom. Promising them wealth, jobs, and land in exchange for their service to him. Soon he had thousands of Japanese arriving to serve him.
He did not have money to pay them of course. But he had a plan which he hoped would soon solve all his problems and secure his position as king for some time to come.
While few chose to accept his authority within the kingdom Ainxiou did have his allies. Mostly those he had worked closely with during his fathers reign. And this support allowed him to maintain at least the official title of king, with several key vassals choosing not to declare their independence outright.
While he would officially retain the title of king Ainxiou II was largely a prisoner within the capital of Axaa. Merely one of the numerous local settlements with their own military forces, albeit a fairly large one. Obviously for the son of a powerful ruler with his own ambitions for power this could not stand.
But the fact was that given his own relatively limited strength Ainxiou could not risk open war against the “vassals” which were being less than compliant wit his will without running the risk of open rebellion. And without the money to afford a larger military it was unlikely that even his present position would continue. And money was something he was increasingly short of as the taxes owed by his vassals were ever more late.
But Ainxiou was not only a competent military leader, who had aided in the conquest of the kingdom in a not insignificant way, but he was also a savvy politician with a keen knowledge of the situation around his kingdom.
Notably Ainxiou was well aware of the ongoing situation in the south. Where the Japanese city states were undergoing the opening phases of their own troubles. Many Japanese were looking to escape the chaos gripping their own homeland, both in the Japanese mainland, and Alyska. These people were looking for land to settle and jobs where they could employ their skills.
As the chaos engulfed the south Ainxiou saw his opportunity. Offering extensive rewards for those Japanese who came north to work for his kingdom. Promising them wealth, jobs, and land in exchange for their service to him. Soon he had thousands of Japanese arriving to serve him.
He did not have money to pay them of course. But he had a plan which he hoped would soon solve all his problems and secure his position as king for some time to come.
- Count of Crisco
- Word Count: 370