Sultan of the Seas (An HPM Sulu AAR): Part 3: The First Ascendance

Author: taxintoxin
Published: 2017-06-19, edited: 2017-06-20

Part of the campaign:

Sultan of the Seas (An HPM Sulu AAR)

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Game: Victoria 2

Sultan of the Seas (An HPM Sulu AAR): Part 2: The End of the Dark Ages

Images: 38, author: taxintoxin, published: 2017-06-18, edited: 2017-06-19

The first thing we do as a "civilised" nation is agree to sign the Geneva Convention, to help the rest of the world calm down a bit about our previous attack on the Chinese.
Another new political party, the Communist Faction, makes its appearance. They are very similar to the Progressive Faction, but more atheist and less militaristic. For these reasons they are seen entirely as a fringe version of the Progressives.
The populace, still displeased and wishing to revert to the old ways, is made slightly less concerned about reverting to the old ways by reverting further from the old ways.

This makes sense.
The Dutch try to reannex Siak after it broke off, only to find themselves on the end of Germany's beating stick.
In early January 1878, Sultan Mohammad Pulalun Kiram is found dead. He is succeeded by his son, Jamalul A'lam, himself fairly old.
Sultan Jamalul A'lam finds himself in a fairly precarious position, as much of the populace of Sulu feels he is a weak ruler. In order to prove them right while also reasoning with them, he agrees to implement a system through which the rich can vote in legislatives.
The Germans build a canal to link the Indian and Atlantic Oceans through the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, respectively.
The liberals win a completely balanced victory in the first elections of Sulu.
They are not good for the state's economy, per se, but they could be worse.
In the aftermath of whatever wars, the Mughals and Rajputana break free from the Raj.
The second elections of Sulu are slightly more even.
The Sultan decides he cannot really deal with the liberals anymore and appoints the socialists, reminding the people that this is not a two-party system like less enlightened countries would have.
He is then informed that the entire military was crushed by the Hakka when they rose up in revolt.

Damned Chinese.
They are joined by rebels seeking independence for Kalimintan.
The Kalimintan rebels soon decide they're not that bothered anymore and go home.
As do the Hakka rebels.
After yet another outbreak of cholera, it is finally decided that it may be worth it to start looking into medicines that do not involve questionable plants from deep in the jungles of Borneo.
Cholera reaches Jamalul A'lam, unfortunately. He is succeded as Sultan by his son Badarud-Din II.
The Progressives decide to begin attempting to industrialise Sulu, by turning lumber into timber... or timber into lumber... wood into slightly-more-cut-up-wood...

Look, I live on the plains. I don't know anything about your fancy trees.
Some stupid crisis breaks out in the Balkans between Bosnia and Serbia over who is the rightful owner of...SOUTHERN SERBIA.

I mean I'm not trying to cause any sort of tension but when the answer is right in the bloody name you may have a problem.
LIBERALS
LIBERALS
Fun fact: We don't even have half of the population of Denmark. In fact, our current population is only slightly more than half of Denmark's starting population.
We have been incorporated into the sphere of Germany. HUZZAH
We've finally managed to build up another regiment and already it's undermanned.
Oil is found. We have no use for it currently, but the Germans visiting sure seem to take a shine to it.
Communists occupy Bali long enough that they make it secede. It is not Communist, despite having been liberated by Communists.

pdox pls
We are discovered while utilising the ideas of nationalism to say we're really the best Malay state and all of the others should kneel to us.
That does not stop our armies from crushing.
Badarud-Din II appeases any unrest by furthering the power of the people.
And the socialists win the election.
The Germans, our allies, find themselves being attacked by the British! We move out for war.
I see Brazil attack Colombia to liberate Panama basically every game. I don't usually see the opposite happen.
Selangor is brought into the fold. Our outpost on the mainland is established.
and holy hell does it bring cash
The British are heavily regretting this decision.
The war ends fairly quickly in a German victory. White peace, technically.
We ally ourselves with another Malay state under German influence.
oh boo hoo 0.1 infamy what a crime
We have no use for rubber, either, but the Germans are once again interested.
Johore is brought under our control. We now own the full southern areas of the peninsula.
more rubber
We move to invade the northern half.
GOD DAMN IT I was trying to move around that army and they cut me off.

papa Germany pls save me
thank
The old pro rebel strats never fail.
The war ends fairly quickly once the Germans arrive in full from Somaliland. This brings good news.
Badarud-Din II decides he shall no longer be Sultan of Sulu. Oh, no. He goes to crown himself Sultan of the Federation of Malaya, and moves the capital from Jolo to Kuala Lumpur.

A new era of our history awaits.

Next chapter:

Game: Victoria 2

Sultan of the Seas (An HPM Sulu AAR): Part 4: The Philippine Wars

Images: 41, author: taxintoxin, published: 2017-06-20, edited: 2017-06-27

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