@HeroCooky, the Industrial automation megaproject was kind of a gnarly mess, so I split it up into a hardware and software project. The hardware project is one action because honestly... it's just making a relatively few simple lego blocks that can be used in building more complex machinery. I really don't think there's much to do there beyond the standardization since we already have all the necessary technology.
The bigger deal is the software ecosystem. While in some respects we have a leg up[ on the West there, our software is probably a bunch of specialized artisan programs coded to deal with specific issues. We're about to enter a period of heavy development and computing rollout, so we really need to clean up technical debt and standardize.
-[] Develop Industrial Automation Hardware
Develop and test the hardware (standardized programmable logic controllers, sensors, and actuators) that form the backbone of any system that seeks to automate the most tedious and repetitive tasks. This will also involve developing the necessary industry standards for things like fasteners, interface ports, and so on to ensure effort is not duplicated and parts are fully compatible. Initial rollout would be limited to the Military-Research-Industrial Complex.
A computer is nothing without the software that runs on it. Develop a high level programming language, an operating system (PinkOS), network protocols, computer graphics, spreadsheet, word processor, and computer aided design programs... all running on a graphical user interface that is easier for people to use than the traditional command line. A easy to follow manual that explains the basics of the graphical user interface would also be included, and a dedicated department in Mingxiang will be set up to provide support and troubleshooting. Initial rollout would be limited to the Military-Research-Industrial Complex.
-[] Twin Hammers Institute of Applied Industrial Automation (Mega-Project - 0/? Actions) (-?? Reputation)
It's all well and good to have the hardware and software that allows you to create digitally controlled industrial automation systems that can automate tasks that are simple and repetitive or finicky, but the specialized hardware configuration and software program needed for each of those tasks still needs to be designed. Trying to do so for the full breath of industrial processes present in a modern nation in a single pass is laughable, but creating a central body that is responsible for the task would let focus on one type of factory at a time, identifying the tasks most suitable for automating with the technology available to us. Twin Hammers' main campus will be located in Mingxiang, and for the first few years, they will be limited to working in the Military-Research-Industrial Complex. (Automatically automates a new type of factory when it is built, to a limit of one type of factory per turn. If more than one new type of factory is built per turn, the others will be automated at a rate of one per turn.)
The trouble is there's so much wild fun stuff it's hard to parse it all.
Which means you've succeeded at foreshadowing whatever surprise you get to drop and it still gets to be a surprise.
Same principle of "count the number of times the girl jumps rope in this gymnasium scene, hey did you notice that Godzilla walked around in that foreground?"
Scheduled vote count started by HeroCooky on Jun 14, 2022 at 1:31 PM, finished with 62 posts and 6 votes.
[X] Plan Name: The Worker's Plan for Eliminating Homelessness and Ensuring the Security and Prosperity of the Glorious People of Guangchou Through Technological Supremacy
-[X]Goals:
--[X] Modernize and expand the military to a degree capable of securing Guangchou against invasion.
--[X] Modernize the military-industrial manufacturing sector as a precursor for wider deployment of these techniques in the civilian economy.
--[X] Construct enough housing and transport infrastructure to keep up with economic and population growth.
-[X] Focus: Development of computing and automation.
-[X] Concrete Promises:
--[X] Complete two units of electrification within the first year.
--[X] Complete Education Reform
--[X] Complete Airy Modernization & Deployment
--[X] Modernize Army Logistical Backbone
--[X] Begin Deployment of Cybernetic Planning
--[X] Establish diplomatic and trade ties with at least one non-aligned nation.
--[X] Begin the Dragon's Rail
--[X] Begin a housing megaproject.
--[X] Have a super duper dope parade to celebrate the (hopeful) success of the plan. (Hint hint, nudge nudge, dramatic wink to your generals who know about ITs.)
[X] Plan Name: The Worker's Plan for Eliminating Homelessness and Ensuring the Security and Prosperity of the Glorious People of Guangchou Through Technological Supremacy
-[X]Goals:
--[X] Modernize and expand the military to a degree capable of securing Guangchou against invasion.
--[X] Modernize the military-industrial manufacturing sector as a precursor for broader deployment of these techniques in the civilian economy.
--[X] Construct enough housing and transport infrastructure to keep up with economic and population growth.
-[X] Focus: Development of computing and automation.
-[X] Concrete Promises:
--[X] Complete two units of electrification within the first year.
--[X] Complete Education Reform
--[X] Complete Airy Modernization & Deployment
--[X] Modernize Army Logistical Backbone
--[X] Begin Deployment of Cybernetic Planning
--[X] Establish diplomatic and trade ties with at least one non-aligned nation.
--[X] Begin the Dragon's Rail
--[X] Begin a housing Mega-Project.
--[X] Have a super-duper dope parade to celebrate the (hopeful) success of the plan. (Hint hint, nudge nudge, dramatic wink to your generals who know about ITs.)
To young Li, it seemed like the entire nation was partying due to the completion of the first Five-Year-Plan under Wei Jungming. Everyone within Capital was out in the colorful streets; giant flag banners, depictions of workers and their achievements, and much more hung on every building. Large parades of actors in colorful costumes awed and entertained; fireworks exploded overhead in vast displays of light and color while music from every nook and cranny played, musicians doing their best to entertain a crowd ready for dancing.
The smell of food was heavy in the air, filling Li's mouth with water, skewers of meat and roasted vegetables being given for free on nearly every street for only a little wait in a line. At the same time, other stalls allowed her to play games or look at the awe-inspiring things that were slowly being created, with dozens of books being bought by her mothers in preparation for the upcoming school being built near them. Artisans and painters offered quick paintings and artistic creations to one and all, with actors prowling the streets in costumes playing out plays like 'The Queen And The Tiger,''A Midnight's Death,' and 'Burning Hearts Of Past Dreams,' interacting and reacting with those fortunate (or unfortunate if you'd asked her boring mom) to be included in the play as impromptu characters. She was even included in 'The Queen And The Tiger!' The shocked gasps of the Court were the funniest thing she had ever seen as she jumped ahead in the play and accused the Queen's newest Courtesan of being a demon in disguise, only for her to rip off her mask to show the Tiger Mask hidden underneath the Geisha's Likeness. She barely managed to "escape" the wrath of the demoness for foiling her plan to seduce the Queen. There were so many things to see and do that she barely managed to find any one thing to hold her attention before another happened to sweep her off her feet!
Of course, all good things must be halted (temporarily!) for the "important" parts of the celebration. More like a tiresome speech by the Great Leader before she could have fun again, this time with her friends she had found in the last hour! Settling down in her vibrating excitement, Li stood by her moms to listen to the speech being sent all over Guangchou, radio's and television's crackling with his voice as she looked at the absolutely awesome uniform Mai wore next to him.
"Welcome," he began, his voice booming from the speakers without the usual crackle and snapping that most announcements had, "To this celebration of your achievements," Jungming continued to the cheer of the people present. "The last five years had been years of hard labor, shocking surprises, twists and turns of betrayal, and diplomatic breakthroughs. We have survived and thrived after a natural catastrophe hitting our shores, bringing us to the brink of war with another nation, yet sanity prevailed, and bonds were made!" He continued, this too followed by cheers and some laughter. "There were those among the people that thought to stamp their version of reality upon us with weaponry and violence, yet justice and law prevailed!" Once more, cheers went up, though Li didn't know what that was about. Maybe someone stole something?
"Science and Technological progress had stood at the side of the latest plan, with the Black Fire Alloy Institute being built, bringing advances in metallurgy and material science. With the aid of our esteemed allies from the Peoples Republic, the Twin Sickles Botanical Research Institute and Silver Pearl Marine Science Institute have managed to discover and leverage thousands of discoveries too vast to boast about. Yet, I am sure our scientists have made all the effort to do so," he spoke, this time with laughter everywhere, intensified when a trio of voices spoke up in indignation.
"Nonetheless, the biggest, and in my humble opinion, greatest, achievement of the workers and people of Guangchou is not the advances in public transportation, industry, or electrification, but our freedom from hunger." A moment passed as people hushed themselves to listen closer to the speech, some leaning forward as Li munched on the goat-skewer in her hands. "Thanks to your hard work, and the many advances in aquaculture and agriculture, we have managed to free ourselves from the specter of starvation, finally able to give each and every person on Guangchou two meals per day, guaranteed!" A cheer went up. "And this is not where we will stop! Food for all is but one of the promises made when my father and the Vanguard stormed the palace of the decadent Last Queen to bring full equality and prosperity to each worker marching with the might of the people! Therefore, after many weeks of deliberation, study, and debate, I am pleased and overjoyed to announce the next 5-Year-Plan! Let us usher in a new age for humanity, using the advances of technology to their fullest to bring about the Old Dream and craft ourselves a New Dream, so we may no longer have to work to live but work to thrive! The first step of The Worker's Plan for Eliminating Homelessness and Ensuring the Security and Prosperity of the Glorious People of Guangchou Through Technological Supremacy will be enacted tomorrow, but let us party today, celebrate what we have done, and welcome the bright future we will bring tomorrow!"
Jubilation went up at that, with a barrage of fireworks lighting up the sky in a beautiful display of colors and light. Jungmin continued his speech, proclaiming the need and advantages of computerization and automatization, with a burning necessity to arm the skies with native planes, but Li didn't listen, already running wild with her friends as the serious portion of the speech had ended.
The future looked bright, and the world was never as peaceful.
The next day, Thailand Police and Military Forces enacted a massacre in their Universities, killing over 3.000 professors and students as tens of thousands were jailed in the beginning days of their Civil War.
{Ambition: +2 to Space Actions (Electronics, Metallurgy, Education)}
{Plan Focus: Automation and Computerization - +1 for 4 (four) Turns.}
[Regional Assessment of Diplomatic / Intelligence Opportunities ("RADIO," 1975) - +2 to Diplomacy Actions in the following Two Turns.]
[Very (But Not Overly (Big Sad)) Ostentatious Plan Name - +1 To All Actions This Turn]
[An Old Man Speaks - +2 to Reputation and People's Opinion.]
+6 to your first Civilian Rocket Project
+4 to your first Military Plane Factory
+6 to all Automatization Actions in one round.
+1 to any Light Industry Action
+1 to all Housing Actions for the Entire 5-Year-Plan
+3 to one Social Roll
+6 to any Political Roll
+4 to all Political Rolls
+2 to Diplomacy Actions in the following Two Turns.
+2 to all Counter-Intelligence/Propaganda Actions
+2 to Weisoft
+2 to any technology
+4 to any Design using Flipper Propulsion
+4 to Designing the Tigerfish.
+2 to Designing a Torpedo
Reputation - (80/100 Reputation - Hail the Leader of the People, Dominator of America, Dove of Peace!) People's Opinion - (75/100 Reputation - Hail The Great Leader! The Silver Tongued Stateswright!) Chinese Opinion - (5/10 - This nation is currently unavailable for comment. Please try again later.) History Page - (A name, some paragraphs of your life, the steelworks incident, and the Iwo Jima Crisis of 1974. Several dates of important milestones in your life, political and private. Some (horny) memes due to your big family.)
Light Industry - Meh Heavy Industry - Adequate Military Industry - Adequate Agriculture - Great (Temporary - Actual: Adequate)- (Big Improvement) - (1 Turn Of American Shipments Remaining)
[] Infrastructure
-[] Das Capital Planned City (Mega-Project) (Trigger Sub-Vote)
-[] Build Your School-System (Mega-Project - 5/40 Actions - +5 Per Turn Automatic Progress)
-[] Build A Monument Within The Capital
--[] A Natural Park/Space/Building (Sub-Turns) (+/-??? Reputation/People's Opinion)
---[] Permaculture Gardens - Mixed-use agricultural/recreational spaces that yield both local produce for the city's population and pleasant spaces to relax and take in nature.
--[] A Statue/Art Installation (Sub-Turns) (+/-??? Reputation/People's Opinion)
-[] Improve Roads (Helpful)
-[] Expand Your Public Transit Bus System (Helpful) (-4 Reputation)
-[] Create New Housing (Helpful)
--[] Use Energy Efficient Housing (Helpful) (+1 People's Opinion)
--[] Use Large-Scale Energy Efficient Housing (Helpful) (+2 People's Opinion) (+2 Reputation)
-[] Design New Housing Concept (Design)
--[] The Universal Building (-8 Reputation)
-[] Improve Medical Infrastructure (Helpful) (+1 People's Opinion) (-3 Reputation)
-[] Build New Police Stations (Helpful)
-[] Durable Goods Libraries (-2 Reputation) (+1 People's Opinion)
(A good way of improving quality of life without needing to produce too many consumer goods is to implement a program where people can borrow more infrequently used goods from a central storehouse - things like vacuum cleaners, specialized cookware, hand tools, etc. The libraries can also double as social and entertainment spaces by including a television or radio, depending on the size of the library and the number of people served. These activities draw people to the library, increasing their familiarity.)
-[] Public Radio/Televisions (-2 Reputation) (+1 People's Opinion)
(Add TVs/Radios to specific public venues where people can get entertained and informed in a social setting. Once again, it lets you have some access to these sorts of luxury goods without needing to make a lot of radios and TVs.)
-[] (WRITE-IN)
[] Light Industry
-[] Increase Electrification (Helpful) (+1 People's Opinion)
-[] Expand Your Train Network (Helpful)
-[] Construct Consumer Goods Factory (What) (Helpful) (-1 Reputation)
-[] Develop Industrial Automation Hardware (Mega-Project - 0/2 Actions) (-10 Reputation)
(Develop and test the hardware (standardized programmable logic controllers, sensors, and actuators) that form the backbone of any system that seeks to automate the most tedious and repetitive tasks. This will also involve developing the necessary industry standards for things like fasteners, interface ports, and so on to ensure effort is not duplicated, and parts are fully compatible. The initial rollout would be limited to the Military-Research-Industrial Complex.)
-[] Develop Basic Software Ecosystem (Mega-Project - 0/2 Actions) (-10 Reputation)
(A computer is nothing without the software that runs on it. So we need to develop a high-level programming language, an operating system (PinkOS), network protocols, computer graphics, spreadsheet, word processor, and computer-aided design programs, all running on a graphical user interface that is easier for people to use than the traditional command line. An easy-to-follow manual that explains the basics of the graphical user interface will also be included, and the THIAIA will set up a dedicated department in Mingxiang to provide support and troubleshooting. The initial rollout would be limited to the Military-Research-Industrial Complex.)
-[] Twin Hammers Institute of Applied Industrial Automation (Mega-Project - 0/2 Actions) (-10 Reputation)
(It's all well and good to have the hardware and software that allows you to create digitally controlled industrial automation systems that can automate simple, repetitive, or finicky tasks, but the specialized hardware configuration and software program needed for each of those tasks still needs to be designed. Trying to do so for the full breadth of industrial processes present in a modern nation in a single pass is laughable, but creating a central body that is responsible for the task would let focus on one type of factory at a time, identifying the jobs most suitable for automating with the technology available to us. The Twin Hammers' main campus will be located in Mingxiang, and for the first few years, they will be limited to working in the Military-Research-Industrial Complex.)
-[] Develop Selkie Dive Suit - A standard dive suit for civilian and military divers. (-3 Reputation) (Suspicious)
-[] Reverse Engineer Western Durable Goods/Appliances (-4 Reputation)
(Acquire western goods/appliances and determine their best and worst features, then create your own - free from the constraints of planned obsolescence and the profit motive and optimized for lifetime cost and performance. "Communist cooktops for communist cooks!")
-[] Construct a food processing factory for frozen and flash-frozen foods. (Very Helpful)
(Primarily meats and vegetables. Keep expansion in mind for either biodegradable boxes for frozen box meals that can be thrown away or nonbiodegradable boxes. You'll pay your people a tiny amount of the price to return to the factory.)
-[] (WRITE-IN)
[] Heavy Industry (+2/+2 to Geothermal Power (Trade/Omake))
-[] Construct Housing Factory - (Design) (-4 Reputation)
-[] Build Structural Insulated Panel Factory Complex (-10 Reputation) (+1 People's Opinion)
(Steel Mill, Glass Factory, and Bamboo Mill for durable, lightweight panels that reduce the need for heating/cooling during summer and winter.)
-[] Construct A Tractor Factory
-[] Construct Another Steel Foundry (Harmful) (+2 Reputation)
-[] Construct A Heavy Machinery Plant (Harmful) (+3 Reputation)
-[] Build Rolling Stock And Rail Factory (Harmful) (+1 Reputation) (Reduced Actions For The Dragon Rail)
-[] Construct A Power Plant (Helpful)
-[] Construct A Geothermal Power Plant (Helpful)
-[] Improve Your Metallurgical Institute (Harmful) (+1 Reputation)
-[] Construct A (Iron Tiger Derived) Electronics Factory (+3 Reputation) (Harmful) (Highly Suspicious) (Steel Foundry Needed)
-[] Expand Your Mines (Harmful)
-[] Construct Another Harbor (Helpful)
-[] Construct Five Merchant Marine Vessels
-[] Establish Mingxiang Research Commune (-15 Reputation) (Suspicious) (Mega Project - 0/4 Actions)
--[] This will be a closed city that expands the Iron Tiger research facility into a bonafide secret research town like Oak Ridge was for the Manhattan Project. Security considerations will be heightened but not too demanding (i.e., the GIB will read your mail, and you can't just leave, but contact with friends and family is allowed over the monitored telephone or through letters). The primary focus will be a central research facility where all your electronics researchers can congregate in one place to facilitate the rapid exchange of ideas. They are to be supported with hardware for fast prototyping systems and comfortable above-ground quarters to live in.
-[] Design A Civilian Vehicle (Describe) (-2 Reputation)
--[] Design Modular Skateboard Vehicle Chassis (Mega Project - 0/3 Actions) (-2 Reputation)
-[] Design A Civilian Ship (Describe) (-2 Reputation)
-[] Design A Civilian Aircraft (Describe)
-[] Design Industrial Automation Equipment (What Plant/Factory) (-3 Reputation) (Suspicious)
-[] Design Cauldrons (Geothermal) (Mega Project - 0/8 Actions) (-3 Reputation)
(Mega-industrial parks that use geothermal power for thermal processes and electricity generation. Self-sufficient in terms of power needs and capable of exporting power to the grid while providing heating to nearby greenhouses and homes.)
-[] Rail Development Design Project (Mega-project - 0/6) (-3 Reputation) (Requires Heavy Machinery Factory) (Reduced Actions For The Dragon Rail)
(Automated Track Laying Machinery, Electric Trains, and Streetcars will be heavily needed in your future projects of tying the people and their work closer together.)
-[] The Dragon Rail (Mega-project - 0/72) (Harmful) (Requires Heavy Machinery Factory)
(Lay The Dragon's Spine, The central trunk line running the island's length, the Dragon's Limbs, branching rail lines headed to major and middling cities, and the Dragon's Claws - Streetcars for the larger cities. With this, your nation will finally be able to fully utilize its breadth and width of all available industrial might!)
-[] (WRITE-IN)
[] Agri-, And Aquaculture
(1 Action Forced)
-[] Farmer's Councils (-20 Reputation) (Gain Another Faction)
(The Agricultural sector was traditionally under-represented under Wei Cai's regime. Giving them a formal voice will help build trust with the rural farmers and ease further development.)
-[] Guangchou Gyre Deep Water Fertilization (Mega-Project - 0/9 Actions) (-8 Reputation) (Extremely Helpful)
(The Bay of Guangchou has a nice enormous ocean gyre spun up by the Taiwan current as it passes by the mouth of the bay, keeping the water relatively contained. If you had enough power, you could sink pumps to the bottom of the bay and pump cool, nutrient-rich water to the surface, where phytoplankton could thrive and become food for larger fish. In addition, nutrient-rich water would help kelp grow in the shallows and regulate the temperature to extend its growing season.)
-[] Construct A Fertilizer Factory (Helpful) (-4 Reputation)
-[] Clear Jungles For Farming (Helpful) (-3 Reputation)
-[] Increase Farming Space (Helpful) (-3 Reputation)
-[] Increase Herd Space (Helpful) (-4 Reputation)
-[] Assemble A Fishing Fleet
-[] Construct A Cannery Factory
-[] Construct A Pre-Made Food Factory (Helpful) (+1 People's Opinion)
-[] Expand The Sea-Forest Project (Mega-Project - 0/6 Actions) (-3 Reputation) (+1 People's Opinion) (Extremely Helpful)
(A massive area for cultivating food, resources, and scientific data, mostly used to gain and harvest kelp, fish, oysters, and mother of pearl.)
-[] Begin Marine Farming (-3 Reputation)
(While naturally occurring kelp forests are an excellent source of food, You can also improve the yield of a kelp farm by cultivating mussels, scallops, and oysters in predator-proof containers and laying traps for shellfish along the bottom.)
-[] Create the Guangchou Survey Corps (-5 Reputation)
(Form a body tasked with systematically surveying and preserving Guangchou's geological and biological resources - from undiscovered veins of minerals to plants and animals that can serve a useful purpose (or can be bred to do so). (Roll 1d20 every turn, on a 20, something useful is found.))
-[] Solar Dehydrator Plant (Experimental) (-3 Reputation)
(Due to the low-temperature drying process, solar-powered food dehydrators are simple and cheap to construct and preserve more nutrients than canning.)
-[] Establish Experimental Farms (-2 Reputation)
-[] Design Omni-Tractor & Modules (0/2 Actions) (-4 Reputation)
-[] Develop And Test Novel Food Production Methods (Mega-Project - 0/14 Actions) (-3 Reputation)
(Cricket and Mealworm Protein Cultivation can be a cheap, plentiful, and versatile way to increase protein in people's diets. Likewise, you can create further ways to make use of your available farming space to boost production with Industrial Mycoculture, Urban Permaculture Initiatives, Forest Farming (though you'll take full credit for that since IJ stole that idea from you!), Silvopasture, and Agroforestry)
-[] Pemican Production Factory (-2 Reputation)
(An ancient recipe from the Americas, made of powdered meat and fat that can store for years in a sealed container. Maintaining a stockpile will be potent insurance against a poor harvest.)
-[] Seed Treatment Factory (-2 Reputation)
(Seeds can be treated with various compounds to increase their chances of germination and their resistance to sickness.)
-[] (WRITE-IN)
[] Military (+4 to Design A Native Ship)
-[] Soldier's Councils (Triggers Sub-Vote)
(Bring communism to the barracks! And the cockpits! And the decks!)
-[] Create A Dedicated Coast Guard (Will massively piss off the navy until you get them some ships+equipment)
-[] Initiate CyberSyn Test (Suspicious) (Extremely Helpful)
-[] Design Two Iron Tiger Systems (Describe) (Still Secret)
--[] The Fateful Seal IT (Iron Tiger Revolver)
(The FS-IT is a Fateful Seal redesigned for iron tiger use, developed to use 130x800mmR shells. The FS-IT, just like the FS, uses a 6-or-7-round cylinder and can shoot HE, SAP, and AP shells.)
-[] Design A Native Tank (Describe) (+2 Reputation)
--[] The Credit Where It's Due (Light Scout Tank)
(Taking inspiration from the FT-17 (shape) and T-55A (armor and suspension), the CWID is the first native LST produced in Guangchou. Weighing 28 tons, this LST is armed with a light cannon, four missiles, a coaxial machine gun, and a heavy machine gun mounted on a pintle on the turret top; it is crewed by four crew and possesses a top speed of 48km/h. Though, it is notably light on the armor for a tank.)
-[] Design A Native Plane (Describe) (+3 Reputation)
-[] Design A Native Vehicle (Describe) (+2 Reputation)
--[] The Police Carrier (Light Assault APC)
(The PC is a simple armored personnel carrier taking inspiration from the BTR-152 (appearance/shape), the BTR-60 (turret), and the M3 half-track (tracks). At 20 tons with a top speed of 75 km/h on-road and 50 km/h offroad, this vehicle can transport its four crew and six passengers where needed. With only light armor protecting its passengers, it utilizes an imported Soviet 2A28 Grom, eight missiles, and a coaxial machine gun for offensive operations.)
--[] The BTR-71 (Light Amphibious APC)
(The BTR-71 has the general shape and appearance of the BTR-60 but has just about nothing in common. Weighing 20 tons, this LST is armed with a light cannon, four missiles, a coaxial machine gun, and a hull machine gun. It is crewed by four crew with place for eight additional passengers and possesses a top speed of 80 km/h on-road and 12 km/h in water.)
-[] Design A Native Ship (Describe) (+3 Reputation)
--[] The Gunagch (Destroyer Escort)
(Weighing at nearly 3kt and a length of 100m, the Gunagch is propelled by two electric drives/propellers, enabling a maximum speed/range of 25knots/20.000km (at 12knots). Armed with four 100m BS-4 guns in 2 twin turrets, eight modified 25mm M/71 autocannons in 4 twin mounts, sixteen 15x115mmR KPVT heavy machine guns in 4 quad mounts, and 80 depth charges.)
--[] The BS-4 (Crewed Anti-Tank)
(The BS-4 is a field and anti-tank gun taking inspiration from the BS-3. Its primary use is for coastal defense forces with a six-meter barrel and 11-meter length overall.)
--[] The Police Carrier Anti-Tank (Self-Propelled AT)
(The PC is a simple armored personnel carrier taking inspiration from the BTR-152 (appearance/shape), the BTR-60 (turret), and the M3 half-track (tracks). At 20 tons with a top speed of 75 km/h on-road and 50 km/h offroad, this vehicle can transport its five crew where needed. With only light armor protecting its passengers, it utilizes an imported Soviet KPVT HMG, rocket-deliver platform, and a coaxial machine gun for offensive operations. Additionally, the passenger compartment of the PC has been removed in favor of an AT Cannon with a gun shield.)
-[] Design A Native Sidearm (Describe) (Choose Any/All)
--[] Fateful Seal (Revolver)
(The Fateful Seal is designed as a top-break gas-seal revolver, using the Webley and the Nagant M1895 for inspiration. Research shows that as much as 26% of propellant gas escapes through the barrel and cylinder gap. Like more or less all gas-seal revolvers, the FS uses the cartridge case to seal the gap between the cylinder and the barrel. It uses a 13.2x55mmSR cartridge; the flat nose boattail bullet is 13.2 millimeters wide and 15 millimeters tall. It has a level on the right side like the Webley revolver and is used for the same purpose. Additionally, with the proposed 4.7-inch to 12-inch long barrels, the FS uses a combination detachable shoulder stock and holster and a 6-or-7-round cylinder.)
--[] Conscript's Friend (Cheap Pistol)
(The CF is a dead-simple integral box magazine pistol taking inspiration from the Steyr Hahn, the FN 1903, the Browning Hi-Power, and the TT-33. The FN 1903 provided the CF with its general shape and appearance, the Steyr Hahn, its integral magazine and stripper clip guide, the Browning Hi-Power knowledge on double-stack magazines, and some more modern safety features, and last but not least, the TT-33 gave the CF knowledge on simplicity. Cambered in an 8x40mmSR cartridge, the CF is designed to be as simple as possible while safely chambering its integral 10-round box fed with striper clips. The handgun is supposed to be so simple that anyone who can rifle the barrel should be able to make the rest of the pistol with hand tools.)
--[] Spook's Squeak (Agent Pistol)
(The SQ is more or less a full copy of the Welrod except for its size and particular cartridge. With a total of 203mm in length, the SQ is chambered in the special 6.5x30mmSR cartridge using a removable 8-shot magazine.)
--[] The Soldiers Pistol (Army Pistol)
The SP is essentially a Browning Hi-Power chambered in 10x37mmSR and fed from a 10 to 20-round detachable double-stack magazine with a barrel length of 12 cm and an overall length of 20 cm, not counting the detachable combination shoulder stock and holster.
--[] Name Pending (Flaregun)
(The NP is a small, light single-shot break-action flare gun taking inspiration from the Sturmpistole.)
-[] Design A Native Service Weapon (Rifle, SMG, Heavy Machine Gun, Rocket launcher, Etc.) (Describe) (Choose Any/All) (+1 Reputation)
--[] The Police's Friend (Bolt-Action Rifle with shotgun+grenade capabilities)
(The PF, just like FS, is meant to be used by police and rear line units and is a bolt-action rifle design taking inspiration from the Lee-Enfield, the Swedish Mauser, and the Fateful Seal. The Swedish Mauser provided the PF with its general shape, appearance, and stripper clip guide, the Lee-Enfield it's magazine and sling mounts, and the Fateful Seal gave the PF the base for its unique 12 g under-barrel revolver shotgun. The PF is meant to be able to use 40mm rifle grenades such as HEAT, HE, and Smoke, with the under-barrel shotgun supposed to be primarily used for riot control in police use and rear line units. Chambered in the same 13.2x55mmSR cartridge as the Fateful Seal, the PF is fed from a 10-round detachable magazine with a 25-inch barrel length and a 40-inch overall length.)
--[] The Militia's Friend (Cheap SMG)
(The MF is a crude SMG taking inspiration from the Sten, PPS, Swedish m/45 SMG, MP 40, and MP 3008. The MF, just like the CF, is meant to be used not by the military but by the militia forces of Guangchou. The Swedish m/45 gave the MF its general shape and appearance; the MP 3008 gave the shoulder stock, the PPS, its knowledge of curved magazines, the MP 40 the safety features and sling mounts, and the Sten its simplicity. With a fire rate of 570 rounds per minute, it is chambering the 8x40mmSR cartridge from a 20 to 30-round detachable box magazine or a 50-round drum with a 20-inch barrel and a 28-inch overall length. The MF is designed to be as simple as possible while still safely chambering its cartridge, and it's supposed to be so simple that anyone who can rifle the barrel should be able to make the rest of the "submachine" gun; using hand tools.)
--[] The Soldiers Friend (Mainstay Select-Fire Rifle)
(The SF is a relatively simple select-fire rifle taking inspiration from the AVS-36, the Fedorov Avtomat, the BAR, and the FG 42. It is meant to be used by professional forces, not police or militia. The BAR provided the SF with its general shape and appearance, the FG 42 the operational and gas system, the Fedorov Avtomat the magazine and dust cover, and the AVS-36 the muzzle break and sling mounts. The SF has a fire rate of 406 to 610 rounds per minute, chambering the 6.5x57mmSR cartridge fed from a 20 or 25-round detachable box magazine while possessing a 28-inch barrel and a 40-inch overall length. The SF is designed to be a reasonably uncomplicated weapon yet modern and meant to be the main arm of the military while still being cheap to produce.)
--[] The Guard's Arm (Costly High-Magazine SMG)
(The GA is a costly high-quality submachine gun taking inspiration from the Browning Hi-Power, the MP 40, MP 5, and the Conscripts Friend and is meant to be used by the secret service and the guards of various military-industrial and laboratory installations. The conscripts friend gave the GA its general shape and appearance, the MP 5 its action, the MP 40 gave the detachable muzzle ring, and the Browning Hi-Power gave it the detachable double-stack magazine alongside modern safety features. The weapon possesses a fire rate of 457 to 800 rounds per minute chambered in a 6.5x30mmSR cartridge feeding from a 10 to 30-round detachable double-stack magazine or 48-round detachable double-stack drum. The GA is 457mm in length, not counting the detachable shoulder stock, and has a detachable muzzle ring that can be unscrewed to attach a suppressor.)
--[] The Workers Might (Crewed Anti-Tank System)
The WM is a recoilless rifle design taking inspiration from the Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle and the german 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 40. It is an anti-tank weapon meant for service with professional forces. The LG 40 gave the WM its general shape and appearance; the Carl Gustaf gave it its hinged breech. The WM uses unique 152x305mmR shells capable of firing HE and HEAT ammunition.
--[] The Soldiers Arm (Mainstay SMG)
The SA is a simple submachine gun taking inspiration from the United Defense M42, and the M50 Reising, meant to be used by professional forces. The UD M42 provided the SA its general shape, appearance, and wooden foregrip, and the M50 Reising gave the sights and sling mounts. The SA has a rate of fire of 570 to 800 rounds per minute, chambering the 10x37mmSR cartridge from a 20 to 30-round detachable double-stack box magazine or a 50-round detachable double-stack drum with a 35.6 cm long barrel and an overall length of 61 cm.
-[] Design Native Equipment (Describe)
--[] Develop Native Aircraft Engine
--[] Develop Native Torpedo
-[] Design Infantry IT-Alloy Bodyarmor (+3 Reputation)
-[] Design Police IT-Alloy Bodyarmor And Shields (+1 Reputation) (-2 People's Opinion)
-[] Import (What) (-1 Reputation)
-[] Construct A Submarine Yard (Submarine) (+1 Reputation)
-[] Construct A Torpedo Factory
-[] Construct A Dedicated Naval Slipway (Ship)
-[] Construct Coastal Defences (+2 Reputation)
-[] Construct Interior Defences (+1 Reputation) (+1 People's Opinion)
-[] Construct An Airfield
-[] Construct Military Building/Factory (What) (Harmful) (-2 People's Opinion)
--[] Construct IT Electronics Factory (Harmful) (-4 Reputation)
---[] The lowest level of the Mingxiang Closed City is to be given over entirely to a sprawling chip fab facility, taking advantage of the highly stable temperature and vibrational isolation of the facility's underground construction to minimize environmental disruptions to the chip fabrication process. The underground nature of the facility also allows for tight security in what will become one of the nation's greatest technical marvels. We will scale the automated material handling and manufacturing techniques used to produce Iron Tiger electronics to allow the mass production of chips in sufficient quantities to supply Guangchou's military before transitioning to civilian use after the west has caught up to our initial lead. While the construction of a chip factory is likely to be impossible to hide, we can use the secure location to obfuscate our opponent's attempts to determine our exact capabilities - we are aided in this by the fact that they will expect our native electronic industry to be sub-par, so confirming their preconceptions is likely to be an effective disguise.
-[] Airy Modernization (Megaproject - 0/8) (+1 Reputation) (Triggers Sub-Votes)
(Develop a Jet Engine, Multirole Fighter, Transport Aircraft, AWACS Variant of the same, SRAAM (Short Ranged Air-to-Air Missile - For WVR combat) and MRAAM (Medium Ranged Air-to-Air Missile - For BVR combat), LRAAM (Long Ranged Air-to-Air Missile - For shooting down the SR-71 and other fast planes), and ASCM (Anti-Ship Cruise Missile - A cost-effective way to sink a lot of metal))
-[] Airy Might (Mega-project - 0/6) (+1 Reputation) (Harmful) (Requires Airy Modernization)
(Build a (Fighter) Factory Complex, which will get us a force of 300 planes in 5 years. That should be enough for immediate deterrence. By also building a (Transport) and (Missile) Factory, we will ensure that we can incorporate the new designs fully without any missing equipment.)
[] Navy Modernization (Mega-project) (0/8)
-[] Expand The Military Academy (+2 Reputation) (-3 People's Opinion)
-[] Raise A New Military Formation (What) (Harmful) (+1 Reputation) (-3 People's Opinion)
--[] Raise a (Mechanized Combat Engineer) Formation
-[] Raise A Iron Tiger Formation (Organization/Loadout) (Sub-Turns) (Secret) (Suspicious)
-[] Recover Your Sunken Fleet (Harmful) (+2 Reputation) (+2 People's Opinion) (+4 to any Naval Action)
-[] Intimidate Taiwan (+5 Reputation)
-[] Commit Exercises (+3 Reputation)
-[] Secure Trade Routes
-[] Raid International Shipping (What Goods) (Helpful/Harmful) (Roll above five, and you won't be caught.)
-[] (WRITE-IN)
[] Social
-[] Establish Comiewood (First Movie/Show - Title, Plot, Animated/Drawn/Live-Action. Will influence native culture immensely.) (+4 Reputation) (+4 People's Opinion)
-[] Expand Your Television Station (New Channel Name And/Or Focus)
--[] The Social Revolution TV Channel (-1 Chinese Opinion)
(Focuses on the social aspects of communism, why they're important, and how they tie into the broader communist project. It covers things like gender equality, the importance of contraception, why you shouldn't discriminate against queer people, readings and debates about Marx's later works where he refutes many of his earlier theories about stages, etc. (Head to Head is a popular segment where they bring the PRC and USSR ambassadors on the show to have them debate over their differing orthodoxies - people have started betting on which one will 'win.'))
-[] Vaccination Campaign (Disease)
--[] Native Production And Doctors (-4 Reputation)
--[] International Production And Doctors (Helpful) (-7 Reputation) (+2 People's Opinion)
-[] Arrest Dissidents (Harmful) (-5 People's Opinion)
-[] Increase Surveillance (Harmful) (-5 People's Opinion)
-[] Purge Undesirable Citizens (Who) (Harmful) (+1 Reputation) (-5 People's Opinion)
-[] Search And Destroy Rebels (Harmful) (-5 People's Opinion) (+2 Reputation)
-[] Increase Social Control (How) (Helpful) (Harmful) (-3 People's Opinion) (+5 Reputation)
-[] Propagandize An Achievement (Helpful) (+2 People's Opinion)
-[] Reduce Surveillance (Helpful) (+1 People's Opinion) (-3 Reputation)
-[] Praise Workers From (Industry) (Helpful/Harmful) (+2 People's Opinion)
-[] Boost (Social Statistic, example: Birthrates) (Helpful) (+2 People's Opinion)
-[] Propagandize Workers Conditions (Helpful)
-[] Implement A Social Policy (Write-In) (Helpful/Harmful) (+3 People's Opinion) (-2 Reputation)
-[] Reduce Social Control (How) (Helpful) (+2 People's Opinion) (-7 Reputation)
-[] Improve Foreign Intelligence Service
--[] Industrial Espionage in Japan (-7 Reputation) (Suspicious)
(Right now, there's a wide variance in the effectiveness of your foreign intelligence agents, which suggests a lack of effective mentorship and information transfer from the more successful ones to the less successful ones. Formalizing a training program means institutionalizing the knowledge of your best agents (with a focus on industrial espionage in Japan) should go a long way toward delivering more reliable results. Of course, industrial espionage may not be as glamorous as the political and military games the CIA and KGB played. Still, it's easier and has a better long-term payoff for the nation. Furthermore, narrowing the focus to Japan due to proximity, an abundance of high-tech industry, and ease of letting your agents blend into the population allows us to get the most optimal results for the effort invested.)
--[] Western Heavy Machinery For Reverse Engineering
--[] (Write-In Target/Activity)
-[] Rationalize the Language (Mega-Project - 0/8 Actions) (+2 Chinese Opinion) (-7 People's Opinion)
(Gunagchow is an unholy combination of Chinese and Japanese, with enough loan words from Korean and Malay to make up a non-trivial portion of the overall syntax and more exceptions than English. And it's written with Hanzi characters that often don't match their Mandarin counterparts, and never mind that the grammar and word construction don't always line up. Even before the systematic destruction of the island's infrastructure by the IJN air raids, literacy in Guangchou was among the lowest in the Asia-Pacific - mainly because the language was simply a massive headache to learn. Before establishing a robust schooling system, we have a golden opportunity to correct this and grant the nation a competitive advantage in international relations in the future. Gunagchou will be rationalized and streamlined to make it easy to understand, pronounce, write, and read.)
-[] (WRITE-IN)
[] Political
-[] Populists & Internationalists
--[] Have our glorified paparazzi help the Nationalists by seeing the value of ad campaigning abroad to increase the desire of our trade goods to increase their market value. (-4 Reputation)
--[] Medical Student Exchange with Cuba (Helpful) (-6 Reputation)
--[] Bother the Cubans for their "Home Self-Reliance And Repair Manual" (-5 Reputation)
--[] (Gay) Immigration Propaganda (-4 Reputation) (-1 Chinese Opinion)
("In Guangchou, you will be free to be and love as your truest self, free from bigotry and oppression based on gender, sexual orientation, or race. If you want to help build a better world, come to Guangchou." The Internationalists will spread the word through their contacts abroad that Guangchou LACKS engineers and scientists, accountants, doctors, and other highly educated workers needed to fulfill the Great Leader's ambitious plans and that Guangchou ALSO has more Gay Liberation than you can shake a stick at. We may be able to attract quite a few learned professionals fleeing persecution in their home countries.)
--[] Send Enbies To Establish A Formal Relationship
---[] The Somalia Democratic Republic
---[] New Zealand
---[] Indonesia
---[] India
---[] The Philippines
---[] Sri Lanka
---[] Myanmar
---[] Thailand
---[] Laos
---[] Cambodia
---[] (Write-In)
--[] Brain Drain Time! (+1 Reputation)
(A lot of nations are currently facing unrest and/or ethnic cleansings. We could take advantage of the fleeing popualtions and persecuted intelectuals to boost our native capabilities. Oh, and help the refugees too.
---[] Thailand
---[] Cambodia
---[] (Write-In)
--[] Southeast Asian Communist Kinship Programm (+2 Reputation)
(Laos shows a number of historical similarities to Guangchou including going from a monarchy to a communist system. They're undergoing big changes in 1975, though they are concerningly fond of atrocities. By stepping in and providing guidance/material support, we may be capable of gaining an ally and putting a stop to the mass murders. Additionally, this could be the firststep out from Chinas Shadow into an alliance of our own...) -[] Progressives
--[] Have their experts focus on the economic issues and suggest how to increase food supply and ideas for a healthier economy. (-6 Reputation) -[] International
--[] BEHOLD! My American Ship-
---[] Russian Ambassador (-1 Chinese Opinion) (???)
---[] Chinese Ambassador (+1 Chinese Opinion) (???) -[] Technologists
--[] Form a Statistics Bureau (Focus) (-7 Reputation) (Political Consequences For Their Findings) -[] Militarists
--[] Create a dedicated branch of Military Engineers (+Allies)
--[] Buy Russian Trucks for native logistics and the military (-1 Chinese Opinion) (-6 Reputation) (Knock-On Effects)
--[] Bugger the Russians for their Rockery in exchange for our knowledge in electronics (EXTREMELY SUSPICIOUS) (SECRET) (-3 Chinese Opinion) (Knock-On Effects)
--[] Bugger the Russians for their Nuclear Technology in exchange for our knowledge in electronics (EXTREMELY SUSPICIOUS)(SECRET) (Knock-On Effects)
--[] Armed Solidarity (+5 Reputation) (+3 People's Opinion) (International (Read: West) Anger) (Repeatable)
(A bloody massacre happened in Thailand, radically altering the political landscape of the country and bringing forth every manner of vermin and recolutionary ally. By using sympathetic and allied forces, we could smuggle arms, trainers, equipment, and supplies to identified and contacted groups to bolster their strenght and capabilities. Even if we fail to ensure a full revolution happens, a coup ending with sympathetic forces leading the nation would benefit us in the denial of yet another region to explout for the West's lust for money.)
-[] (WRITE-IN)
[] Secret Projects
-[] Investigate Applications For WEISOFT Again
-[] Mingxiang CyberSyn System 1.1.0 (Mega-Project - 0/20 Actions) (-10 Reputation)
-[] Develop Native Supercomputer (Mega-Project - 0/5 Actions) (-10 Reputation)
[] Wei Jungming - (RP)
-[] Personal Action (Write In two things he does within the next six months.)
-[] Lover Action (Write-In one thing Wei Jungmin and Wei Mai do together in the next six months.)
Li's Great Play
A child in a festival, entertained by actors and music plays a role to shape the old tale of 'The Queen and the Tiger.'
(+2 to any Social Roll)
International Justice, Useless As Always
Thailand saw a day of blood, of violent revolution, when fascist and militaristic forces tried to claim the throne as puppets from the West in a shadow war planned for years. And as the Justices of the World look on in stony dismissal, the people die and suffer.
(Thailand's Counter-Revolutionary forces are strenghtened.)
A New Nation, An Old Patriot
The last thoughts of those that sacrificed everything for the future are often bitter when that future has become a hell, instead of the paradise they were promised. Yet, one patriot breathes their last amidst a future that may very well become what they dared it to be, so long ago.
(+10 Reputation and People's Opinion)
Yes it should, and, as VillaininGlasses said, you didn't pick the Honeymoon option, which means that you'll now have to deal with the reduced gains/increased losses for your stats for the rest of the Quest.
As advertised.
Edit: Also removed the Plan-Specific bonuses you gained.
Yes it should, and, as VillaininGlasses said, you didn't pick the Honeymoon option, which means that you'll now have to deal with the reduced gains/increased losses for your stats for the rest of the Quest.
Wait, when was this said? I assumed that rep costs/gains would just change unpredictably to reflect new priorities and economic realities rather than being a net malus.
The next day, Thailand Police and Military Forces enacted a massacre in their Universities, killing over 3.000 professors and students as tens of thousands were jailed in the beginning days of their Civil War.
Is... Is Thailand attacking us, or did they do a stupid purge in their own borders?... I think it is within their own borders but this sentence is a bit confusing here.
Like I'm legitimately thinking on the options and literally any definition of "Reputation" I can think of has at least half a dozen entities where I'm like, "Wait, then why does this REDUCE reputation?"
Is... Is Thailand attacking us, or did they do a stupid purge in their own borders?... I think it is within their own borders but this sentence is a bit confusing here.
Like, if Reputation is "political capital" than the Politics section should be filled with options that increase it rather than decrease it.
If Reputation is, "Looking like you got a big dick and swinging it around and cracking down on dissent" then there's at least a dozen Reputation-costing actions that should instead gain reputation.
If Reputation is, "How foreign countries view us" then... that makes even less sense?
I think we can spend our reputation as we want in one turn. Then depending how the turn went, we will have a certain amount of reputation next turn. I dont think actions reduce our reputation pernanently.
Like, if Reputation is "political capital" than the Politics section should be filled with options that increase it rather than decrease it.
If Reputation is, "Looking like you got a big dick and swinging it around and cracking down on dissent" then there's at least a dozen Reputation-costing actions that should instead gain reputation.
If Reputation is, "How foreign countries view us" then... that makes even less sense?
Wait, when was this said? I assumed that rep costs/gains would just change unpredictably to reflect new priorities and economic realities rather than being a net malus.
[] Unending Honeymoon
The people cheer and clap, a jubilee for the completion of the Plan that doesn't seem to end, even years after Jungmin took over.
(The Reputation/People's Opinion gain/cost for Actions/Projects isn't reduced/heightened.)
I can't do anything about your assumptions, so... *shrug?*
And changes to economic reality will be happening/represented (with the altered stats) quite drastically due to your focus of The Plan, so there's that.
Reputation is the catch-all term of Money, Economics, Politics, Trade, Favors Owed/Given, Jungmin's Political Position, Pull of Reality onto Political Entities within Guangchou, etc.
Basically the "Make Stuff Happen" Stat because I didn't want to bother with more than 6/7 numbers to keep track of.
I can't do anything about your assumptions, so... *shrug?*
And changes to economic reality will be happening/represented (with the altered stats) quite drastically due to your focus of The Plan, so there's that.
Reputation is the catch-all term of Money, Economics, Politics, Trade, Favors Owed/Given, Jungmin's Political Position, Pull of Reality onto Political Entities within Guangchou, etc.
Basically the "Make Stuff Happen" Stat because I didn't want to bother with more than 6/7 numbers to keep track of.
[] Plan: Automation rush
-[] Construct A Pre-Made Food Factory (Helpful) (+1 People's Opinion)
-[] Develop Industrial Automation Hardware (Mega-Project - 0/2 Actions) (-10 Reputation) (2 Actions)
-[] Twin Hammers Institute of Applied Industrial Automation (Mega-Project - 0/2 Actions) (-10 Reputation) (2 Actions)
-[] Design Industrial Automation Equipment (What Plant/Factory) (-3 Reputation) (Suspicious)
--[] Construct IT Electronics Factory (Harmful) (-4 Reputation)
---[] The lowest level of the Mingxiang Closed City is to be given over entirely to a sprawling chip fab facility, taking advantage of the highly stable temperature and vibrational isolation of the facility's underground construction to minimize environmental disruptions to the chip fabrication process. The underground nature of the facility also allows for tight security in what will become one of the nation's greatest technical marvels. We will scale the automated material handling and manufacturing techniques used to produce Iron Tiger electronics to allow the mass production of chips in sufficient quantities to supply Guangchou's military before transitioning to civilian use after the west has caught up to our initial lead. While the construction of a chip factory is likely to be impossible to hide, we can use the secure location to obfuscate our opponent's attempts to determine our exact capabilities - we are aided in this by the fact that they will expect our native electronic industry to be sub-par, so confirming their preconceptions is likely to be an effective disguise.
Currently, the only two things Guangchou has going for it is Rare Earths/Metals and Electronics. A large portion if the first is already going to China, and the latter has been jealously guarded and kept secret for self-use.
The only mass-option to make people take Guangchou (and Jungmin by proxy) serious is by having a big cannon.
Remember; you may have done many things to imrpove the nation, but you are barely able to scrape together the personell for anything requiring a college-degree-equivalent due to your secret research and projects, around a tenth of the nation starved or was on the edge of starvation five years ago, with your economy basically being started by Chinese Imports due to you having nothing above cottage industry after the IJA and IJN destroyed the islands you had.
You are, by almost every metric you'd care to name, a third-world nation (by the connotations we think of today) lifting itself up to second-world status.
Currently, the only two things Guangchou has going for it is Rare Earths/Metals and Electronics. A large portion if the first is already going to China, and the latter has been jealously guarded and kept secret for self-use.
The only mass-option to make people take Guangchou (and Jungmin by proxy) serious is by having a big cannon.
Remember; you may have done many things to imrpove the nation, but you are barely able to scrape together the personell for anything requiring a college-degree-equivalent due to your secret research and projects, around a tenth if the nation starved or was on the edge of starvation five years ago, with your economy basically being boosted by Chinese Imports due to you having nothing above cottage industry after the IJA and IJN destroyed the islands you had.
You are, by almost every metric you'd care to name, a third-world nation (by the connotations we think of today) lifting itself up to second-world status.
I see what you mean, it was just that, at the time I wrote that option, I thought the way it was spelled made sense.
Seems like it only made sense to me. I'll endeavor to be more clear when writing future options like that.
But if Reputation is (also) political capital, why wouldn't there be options to increase it in the Political section? Even if it's make-work options where you don't actually improve anything and just throw around a bunch of bribes for particular factions or so on. Or symbolic gestures, or so on.
I will try, is probably not goid enough. Need to try this more often.
A new Nation, an Old Patriot
The festival was in full swing. People were laughing.
Singing.
Dancing.
There was food to eat and games to play.
But one man seemed not happy.
Old man Lee was just... sitting there. Not smiling. Not laughing. Just sitting.
Ming felt her own happiness fade.
Old man Lee was smart. He knew what was going on. He had fought for the Queen as a fresh recruit, then he had switched sides as HE took over.
The man taught her when to shut up. How to seem unassuming. How to find some food.
He had his ears to the ground at all times .
If he was worried, Ming should be worried, too.
So she sat down, right next to him.
And whispered into his ear:
"Why are you worried? Are we in danger? Is the new plan like..."
She couldnt finish the sentence.
Old man Lee slowly looked up .
He was looking a mile away, and was not hiding his voice:
" I am not worried, little Ming, dont be scared. I am just thinking."
Ming relaxed. A little. She was still unsure what was going on. But if there was no danger, there was no time to rush.
She calmly watched the other people. Having the time of their lives.
After a few minutes, old man Lee explained:
" I have done a lot of things.
A lot of things I am not proud of.
Because they were neccessary.
Because they were the only option.
Because anything else would kill me.
I have brought a lot of pain into the world.
I was hoping, always hoping to change the future for the better. That in the end it would all be worth it. "
Ming was listening with one ear. The other and both eyes scanning the crowd for listeners.
Nobody seemed interested in listening in.
Eventually she asked:
" And? Was it? "
Old man Lee finally turned to her:
" Yes."
Ming looked him into the eyes, searching:
" Then why do you look so sad ?"
And he smiled, tears slowly forming in his eyes:
" If I knew what Jungming would do for us, I would have shot his father ten years ago."
