The Rise Of The Samurai Hound

#159 (1681-1682)

It was in the year 1681, that a Japanese exploratory fleet led by the famed explorer Im Gyeong-won, would finish circumnavigating the land now known as Nambu Daelyug in the east and Australia to some in the west.
Im Gyeong-won was just one of many Koreans who had climbed the ranks of the Japanese army. It is worth remembering that the Admiral of all of Japans navy was Korean too. To help explain this phenomenon, we need to remember that despite being very close to Japan and allowing Japanese citizens free passage throughout the country, it was still a closed Kingdom to many. The ruling class of Korea were heavily split on foreign policy. There were those who hated the idea of foreign influence and new ideas coming in, then there were those who wanted Korea to copy Japan and become open to all. That is a very simplistic way to explain it however as many had their own interests at heart. The opening of Korea, allowed many new ideas to enter Korean society. The most popular one being the notion that even the lowest dregs of society could rise to the top. For a kingdom that still had a caste system this was very dangerous. It gave way to a number of Koreans seeking new opportunities in the trade ports most frequented by the Japanese. Due to a number of factors, many Japanese ships would hire Koreans and all too often, the Koreans proved themselves to be just as capable as their Japanese equivalents. However, not all Koreans who climbed the Japanese ladder were peasants. Many noblemen also found glory with the Japanese. Im Gyeong-won was just one of them. He would become one the most famous explorers in Japanese history as he discovered many new lands, established relations with many distant kingdoms and even chased away several French and Danish fleets.
His first taste of battle was off the west coast of Australia where he was assaulted by three Danish ships in what looked to be an unprovoked attack. After he was victorious, he discovered a Danish colony and expelled the entire community when they refused to be loyal to Japan. Instead they would be allowed to gather their things and sail away. Altogether there 102 colonists and they would end up living in Thonburi. Afterwards the entirety of the continent would be claimed for Japan and Im would return to Japan in glory with stories of adventure, maps and artifacts from the many tribes inhabiting the continent. Soon after he would set sail again to discover more land for his employers.

***

Due to the chaos caused by the death of Azai Nobumasa, the Ikezawa company was free to do whatever it wished. After witnessing the fleeing of his heir and realizing how unpopular the new ruler was, they used the cover to set up their own operations in Africa. Primarily they wished to take advantage of the slave trade and use conflict between the French and Danish in the region to sneak in and become the top dog. Previously Nobumasa had always forbidden them to set up operatiosn in Africa for the slave trade as it was forbidden by him. Although he did allow the company to raid European ships which were complicit in the slave trade.
Finally in 1681, they would use invade the island of Zanzibar and use it as a base of operations in the area. Using a combination of Indian and Chinese mercenaries commanded by company member Ikezawa Yusuke. After the initial attack, he would be named governor of the island and from there the company would have a free base for its operations.

***

As the new Japanese civil war geared up, Azai Hideyasu reluctantly found himself a the leader of the opposition. Backed by the Chosokabe and Sanada clans, as well as the Ikezawa company and many in the government, the odds were heavily stacked in his favour. The civil war would be limited to small skirmishes for all of 1681 and it would escalate in the following year.
Japans tributaries were wary of the events and watched closely while refusing to take a side. Instead most took a neutral approach and simply paid their tribute to the Kingdom of Japan without mentioning any names or mentioning any war that might be happening. They were well aware that backing the wrong side could result in them losing their head. Only the Sultan of Brunei; Azai Muhammed would openly back the current Shogun as he considered him to be family and was even the only foreign power to get involved in the famed sibling war.
By 1682, the civil war would see its first major battle near the bay of Tottori where opposing sides of the Japanese navy clashed. Backing the Shogun was the Japanese Yamada Takayuki and opposing him was the Korean admiral Park Mu-young. It was a tense battle which involved over twenty ships and all but three would sink. It would prove to be a costly battle as five Terumasa ships were sunk that day. Park Mu-young was successful, although he had not planned to get involved in the war. He would then purge the navy of all those who didn't support him and use the rest of his ships to help Azai Hideyasu become Shogun.
On land, there would be another battle just outside of Kyoto. The Shogun would be personally leading this battle with a 100000 strong army and the Chosokabe/Sanada coalition would only have a mere 50000 strong army. These would mostly consist of new recruits. With help from new Army Of Justice commander Li Naoyasu, he was confident of his victory. However, Li Naoyasu would betray his Shogun halfway through the battle and the ensuing choas would cause the Shogun to retreat to Odani. It is unknown why Li changed sides during the battle, Sanada sources claim that Li planned to defect the entire time, although other sources say that he simply had a change of heart. Either way, there would be another battle at Odani as both forces would battle to control the city.
 
That's a lot more internationalism than I expected for Joseon Korea.

EDIT: Ah forgot, Happy Holidays.
 
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That's a lot more internationalism than I expected for Joseon Korea.

EDIT: Ah forgot, Happy Holidays.
It isn't a whole lot. The only foreigners allowed in are Japanese (and a few other Asians) and they're only allowed in because of the benefits. Mainly money and the help they get defending against attacks from China. Joseon has gotten used to not paying tribute and they don't want to start again.
Happy holidays to you too.
 
#160 (1683)

In the early months of 1683, the Shogun was captured by his own men and handed over to the forces of Azai Hideyasu. In a desire for peace, Hideyasu let supporters of the now deposed Shogun keep their titles as long as they stopped resistance and continued to serve the new government. Azai Yoshimitsu however, would not get off so lightly. In a surprise move he was sent to Thailand as a gift to the King in the hope of restoring relations between the two kingdoms. Hideyasu hoped to bring Thailand back into the tributary fold one day, by restoring relations, he knew that Japanese influence would soon return.
Normality soon returned under his rule, however he would give more funding to the navy and gave permission for more ships to go exploring the waters in the hope of finding new kingdoms, new allies and new trade goods.

***

1683 would also see the end of the English warring states period. Arthur Holloway accepted the surrender of the De Birmingham family and enter negotiations with the foreign powers that had interests in the island too. After two weeks of negotiation, it was agreed that both France would get Cornwall and Wales stop all hostile actions within England, although the current borders would remain. Denmark would agree to stop Scottish attacks against England, although current borders would remain.
In return for peace, England would never engage in colonial activities, never sign an alliance that would draw the disapproval of Denmark or France and limit their navy so that it may never be a threat to Denmark or France.
It wasn't ideal and many would go on to say that England had been sold out by its rulers, but it was agreed by all that if England was to be great again, it would have to stop the fighting within its own land.
The real winners though, were the Ikezawa company who had set up trade throughout the British Isles and even had the honour of arming the new English republic. Many were concerned that they had too much influence though as they even had their own self-governing community which consisted of over 500 members.

***

Meanwhile the Dutch nation rebuilt on Hispanola had finally managed to prosper. The challenges from day one were gone and new ones had arrived, but thanks to a lot of hard work and dead slaves, things had managed to be turned around. Sadly a lot of the original Dutch cuisine had been lost and replaced by foods that could be grown locally. Maize and Taro had become the staples of Dutch cuisine and rice followed behind. Dutch immigration had become minimal and many immigrants instead came from England and Ireland, although most of them live no better than the African slaves that were there when the arrived.
The new Dutch government was a Republic in that there was no ruling family. One man would rule for ten years and then hand over rule to another within the committee of Dutchmen who lived in Nieuw Brielle. This committee consisted of 100 men and were made up of the descendants of the first immigrants who had the most money and influence. Under their rule, the survival of the Dutch character was made a priority. Although they welcomed immigrants from all over Europe, you had to be Dutch and Protestant to be granted any rights. Speaking of other languages became publicly prohibited and only Protestant churches were allowed to be built. This would soon lead to many children of immigrants adopting Dutch names, including the children of African slaves. Ironically, this highly racist state made no discrimination when it came to colour as by the 18th century several salve descendants had made the committee of 100. By 1683, the capital of Nieuw Brielle had reached 100000 and the entire island had been mapped and tracked. Every little residence was recorded and taxed accordingly. Despite everything, the New Netherlands had survived the crises of the past and lives were improving for all but the most impoverished. Even the slaves from Africa and the British Isles were starting to eat better.

***

It was just as 1682 began when the exiled Danish colonists arrived in Thonburi. Tired and weary, they were desperate were food and water. They wanted nothing more than to return home, but at the time they were unaware where they were. After they were forced out of their colony, there were packed onto one ship and forced to travel north. Without a navigator or any experienced seamen, they simply hoped they wouldn't die at sea. They first and they spotted was the city of Jayakarta where they docked and were given food and water out of pity, but they were told they would not be allowed to stay there and were forced out. Their best hope was to find a merchant who could find a way for them to get back home. Despite the odds being against them, they never gave up hope and they would eventually end up at a port in Brunei, where once again they would be denied the right to settle. However, it was there they met a Thai merchant who took pity upon them and offered to take them to Thonburi where he knew the new government was desperate for new immigrants to boost the population. Once they arrived, they were given food, water and medical care. They were then assigned homes in Thonburi where they would be free to live their lives. These men and women would go on to create the now famous Danish community of Thailand.
 
#161

Ever since England first went to war with Spain, things in their North American holdings had been tense. When the Royal Navy had proved themselves superior, it served to calm things down, but soon enough even the superiority of the Royal Navy was unable to match the production of both Spain and her reluctant ally France. As England became more concerned with protecting her homeland from invasion, the colonies found themselves more and isolated as time went on. Ideally this was what they wanted as many of these colonies were founded by Puritans intent on building the Kingdom Of God in the new world gifted to them by the almighty himself. However, ideals soon gave way to realism and the decline of the Royal Navy had left them extremely vulnerable to French and Spanish ships who took pleasure in raiding the English colonies that had been set up. The French were mostly interested in preserving their North American colonies which thrived on the fur trade and did wonders for the economy back home.
It was also during this time however, that the English colonists started trying to move inland to avoid the raids that had become commonplace. With populatiosn dwindling and no more people arriving from home they had to do something in order to survive. Moving inland seemed to be the only option. This though, would bring them into conflict with the natives, namely the Iroquois confederacy which held a grudge against the English and took great pleasure in allying themselves with the French in 1641. Conflicts were limited at first, but overtime they became more and more common. By 1674 it had become a full on war. With French help, the Iroquois overcame the English colonists. Some fled south to Spanish territory, some were killed and others were captured. They would live the rest of their lives as slaves.
To many, it seemed illogical to help the Iroquois in a war which was already in their favour, but for the French it made perfect sense. Despite being allied with the Spanish, the French were increasingly aware of the threat they posed and hoed to one day be able to be able to overpower them. To many in North America, helping the Iroquois made perfect sense as they would be essential to controlling the trade of the region and having them able to prosper in peace would make them much more valuable allies in the region.
It is also worth remembering that the French held no hatred for the natives unlike their English or Spanish counterparts. The French saw them as a means to an end, just like any other ally in Europe or elsewhere. In the end, the Iroquois Confederation came to rule over a large area and against the odds they would manage to build a productive state overtime. It wasn't until 1685 though that any attempt at a European style state would come into their minds when a chance meeting with a representative from the Ikezawa company visited and offered them the chance to buy slaves to work their plantations which they had come to control. They rejected the deal, but it did encourage them to seek assistance in the new reforms which their leadership required.

***

Azai Hideyasu was not the most popular man in Japan when he became Shogun. There were many reasons for this, however the biggest reason was because of his grandfather who came from Ayutthaya. Despite being the Grandson of Azai Gozen (the sister of Nobumasa and son of Terumasa) his roots caused problems for many who had to serve him. Even though he was one quarter Thai, he had no feelings for that part of him and saw himself as Japanese through and through. During this time, everyone who served in government knew at least one person who had fought in Thailand and they had each heard the horror stories that came with the war. In the eyes of the average Japanese, Jongmuk was a traitor to his country who betrayed his family for his own gain. This in turn led to a lot of anti-Thai sentiment amongst the Japanese and caused problems for the citizens of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai who were recently forcibly resettled on Kyushu.
Ironically though, Hideyasu had the support of the Army of Justice (who pretty much forced him to the position) and as long they backed him, no one dared oppose him.
Unlike his predecessor, he had no interest in conquest and simply wanted to improve the lives of his fellow Japanese. His only other interest was the world around him, he was curious about what was beyond the borders of his realm and during the first few years he would order many expeditions to explore. It was his dream to map the entire world before his death. This would also lead to a rise of funding for the navy who always felt unappreciated during the rule of Yoshimitsu.
The support of the navy would be crucial to his rule as the extra funding allowed Japan to project its power with ease. This new support coupled along with the Army Of Justice would allow Hideyasu to survive several assassination attempts.
 
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