l_russian:

### Table of Contents ###
# Section 1 and Section 2 are separate event chains that fire alongside each other

### Section 1 - Starting Event Chain and determinants of ANQ, LEP and QIE paths ###
# (league_collapse.1) - (league_collapse.49)
# NOTE: EVENT CHAIN HERE MUST CONCLUDE BEFORE EVENT league_collapse.59 fires!

### Section 2 - Black Monday Event Chain and Start of the League War ###
# (league_collapse.50) - (league_collapse.99)
# Note: league_collapse.59 determines the paths for ANQ, LEP and QIE

### Section 3 - League War Defections and Secessions of HNN and GXC ###
# (league_collapse.100) - (league_collapse.150)
# Note: is part of Section 2 event chain

### Section 4 - Flavour Events About the Collapse ###
# (league_collapse_flavour.1) - (league_collapse_flavour.9)
# These are part of all above event chains

### Section 5 - League War Events ###
# (league_war.1) - (league_war.100)

### League Collapse Events ###

### Section 1 - Starting Event Chain and determinants of ANQ, LEP and QIE paths ###
 league_collapse.1.t: "Сунь Чуаньфань встречается с губернаторами"
 league_collapse.1.d: "Сегодня в Нанкине собрались некоторые из самых важных и значимых людей Лиги в клике Южного Чжили. Призванные в Нанкин великодушным Улыбающимся Тигром, такие сцены - обычное дело для руководства Лиги восьми провинций. В Лиге не место для фривольностей, подобных тем, что происходят в Пекине, и это совпадает с новогодней речью президента Цао Куня. Сунь Чуаньфан обычно проводит такие встречи в маршальском дворце, чтобы обсудить общую политику Лиги, передать поручения губернаторам и укрепить свои позиции в провинциях.\n\nНа встрече присутствовал губернатор Цзянсу Ци Сеюань, возможно, самый большой союзник Суня и одновременно самый большой соперник в самой Лиге. Накапливая противоречия в течение многих лет с тех пор, как его вновь приняли в Южный Чжили, Ци, пожалуй, больше всех поддерживал злокачественную политику уступок в рамках этого неофициального совета. На совершенно противоположной стороне спектра, как за столом переговоров, так и в политике, находится губернатор Чэнь Тяоюань, курирующий предприятия в провинции Аньхой. Хотя Чэнь был принят довольно недавно, он позиционирует себя как антиконцессионист и открыто выступает против Ци.\n\n Конечно, присутствовали и другие губернаторы, такие как жестокий губернатор Фуцзянь Чжоу Иньрэн, который в редкие дни отдыхал от своей должности, проводя кампании по окружению против повстанцев Мингана. Аналогичным образом поступили губернатор Цзянси Дэн Жучжуо и столь же осмеиваемый губернатор Чэнь И из Чжэцзяна. Зловеще то, что после бойкота Чжили губернаторы Чэнь Цзюньмин, Лу Жунтин и Чжао Хэнти не прислали никакого представительства, даже телеграммы о своем отсутствии.\n\nНеважно, это новый процветающий год в Лиге. Однако губернаторы Чэнь И, Ци Сеюань и Чэнь Тяоюань были явно обеспокоены присутствием ближайших доверенных лиц маршала Лиги - Се Хунсуня, Мэн Чжаоюэ и Ли Баожана. Возможно, они пытались вычислить крыс в правительстве, так как репутация Суня как сверхбдительного человека привела к тому, что его ближайшие помощники были друзьями, врагами и врагами, притворяющимися друзьями."
 league_collapse.1.a: "Кинжалы прячутся за спинами в логове тигра"

 league_collapse.2.t: "Железная дорога Чжегань"
 league_collapse.2.d: "Сегодняшний день знаменует долгожданное открытие железной дороги Чжэгань - предприятия, спланированного маршалом Лиги, губернаторами Чэнь И, Дэн Жужуо и Aufsichtsrat der Ostasiatischen Generalverwaltung. Пытаясь продолжить индустриализацию и устранить разрыв между разрозненными железнодорожными линиями в пределах провинций, железная дорога Чжэган изначально была обязана своим появлением начинаниям династии Цин. Изначально железная дорога была построена в 1899 году под названием Чжучжоу-Пинсян, но ее строительство заняло шесть лет и было завершено в 1905 году.\n\nВ 1908 году Чжэцзянская железнодорожная компания начала исследовать железнодорожную линию от Чжэцзяна до Цзянси, сотрудничая с Цзянсийской железнодорожной компанией. Однако из-за последствий Синьхайской революции эта работа была отложена на неопределенное время. Только в 1929 году под эгидой маршала Лиги правительство провинции Чжэцзян во главе с Чэнь И решило собрать собственные средства на модернизацию уезда Цзяншань, расположенного на границе провинций Чжэцзян и Цзянси. Благодаря их усилиям была построена железная дорога Ханцзян.\n\nПоскольку железная дорога Ханцзян приносила огромную прибыль правительству провинции Чжэцзян, собрание пришло к выводу, что необходимо продолжать ремонт железной дороги, соединяющей Чжэцзян и Цзянси. Начав строительство в 1932 году и завершив его через год, правительство провинции модернизировало железную дорогу, отремонтировало 68 мостов и укрепило 16 из них, а также создало станцию и депо Юйшань.\n\nВ конце концов, губернаторы Чэнь и Дэн организовали совместное предприятие по соединению ряда мелких железных дорог, в результате чего Наньчан вышел на прямую линию с Шанхаем. Несмотря на то, что строительство обошлось дорого, во время него погибло более 2000 рабочих, завершенная железная дорога Чжэгань стала заметным пропагандистским произведением китайского патриотизма. Общество "Цзинсин" провозгласило строительство железной дороги фантастическим успехом.\n\nНесмотря на то, что менее оптимистично настроенные люди поспешили заявить, что ОАК получила доступ к богатым месторождениям полезных ископаемых, а также к цзиндэчжэньскому фарфору, который, как говорят, продается по высоким ценам в Берлине. К счастью, несмотря на опасения в обратном, нападения гоминьдановцев на церемонию открытия не произошло."
 league_collapse.2.a: "Железные дороги приносят процветание!"
 
 league_collapse.3.t: "Неожиданное объявление"
 league_collapse.3.d: "Вдыхая свежий воздух Нанкина, маршал Лиги не мог не представлять себе, как бы он жил, если бы не взялся за укрепление Южного Чжили. Может быть, полководцем в армии У? Или даже буддийским монахом? Такие праздные мысли не могли не плясать в его голове. Быть маршалом Лиги - нелегкая работа, тем более когда враги находятся в твоем собственном лагере. Открыв газету, Улыбающийся Тигр нахмурился. Крупными, жирными буквами: ПРЕДАТЕЛЬ. За ним следовало изображение маршала Лиги.\n\n Едва успел он обдумать эти вопросы, как в его спокойствие вторгся Цянь Цзунцзе со своей свитой солдат. Цянь - командир низшего ранга, отвечающий за безопасность железных дорог Чжэцзяна и провинциальной полиции, поэтому его присутствие в маршальском дворце, а тем более обсуждение вопросов в такой импровизированной обстановке - довольно странное зрелище. Но прежде чем Сунь успел задать вопрос, Цянь опередил его.\n\n"Маршал Сунь, приношу свои глубочайшие извинения, я путешествовал так быстро, как только мог. Я не мог рисковать, что эта информация просочится сквозь щели в телеграмме. Губернатор Ци, выходя за рамки своих полномочий, заключил соглашение с ОАК публичном приобретении и консолидации ряда восточных железных дорог от имени Шаньдун-Айзенбан-Гезельшафт, одного из ее составных концернов. В том числе и недавно построенной железной дороги Чжеган."\n\n Хмурое лицо маршала стало еще глубже, он махнул рукой, чтобы Цянь замолчал, и вернулся к бумаге. Просматривая ее содержание, он подробно описал соглашение между губернатором Ци, его открытую поддержку такой покупки и мстительную расправу со стороны губернатора Чэнь Тяоюаня. Назвав Ци, а вместе с ним и Сунь, предателем китайской нации, он поднял антиконцессионное движение. Подливая бензин в огонь, Ци тем самым развеял надежды тех, кто верил, что новая железная дорога может обеспечить более равное будущее для немцев и китайцев.\n\nЗалаяв, Тигр выскочил из своего логова. В последующие дни многие представители власти в Лиге начали разрывать контакты как с губернатором Ци, так и с губернатором Ченом. Аналогичным образом, реакция полиции на антиконцессионные протесты была медленнее, чем обычно. Несомненно, Ци и Чэнь пожнут то, что посеяли. Маршал позаботится об этом."
 league_collapse.3.a: "Одну вещь Тигр не выносит. Когда тебя называют предателем"

 league_collapse.4.t: "Беспорядки распространяются"
 league_collapse.4.d: "Неудивительно, что получившая широкую огласку консолидация Центрально-китайской железной дороги под управлением ОАК и последовавший за этим медиа-ураган, раздутый Чэнь Тяоюанем и антиконцессионистским движением, вызвали широкую критику. Представители интеллигенции из Движения за автономию Чжэцзяна, Федерации национального спасения, Партии молодого Китая и даже Общества "Упор" осуждают маршала Лиги и губернатора Ци как продажных, предателей, беспринципных изменников. Их красноречивые слова печатаются в отечественных газетах, за ними следуют видные англо-американские издания из Шанхая, им вторят периодические издания китайской синдикалистской партии, которые можно найти в заводских цехах. Хуже того, кажется, что истина была вытеснена народным любопытством.\n\nСоединившись с абсолютным негодяем губернатором Ци, Сунь Чуанфан получил осуждение от таких организаций, как Ассоциация торговцев Нижней Янцзы, и даже от своих друзей в Обществе Цзинсина. Новости быстро распространялись из уст в уста и переросли в яростный прилив негодования, возможно, даже фантастического. Обычно способный и ловкий Улыбающийся Тигр наконец-то пойман.\n\nРассказы старых жен теперь описывают обширные сети заговоров, исчезновения известных личностей, предполагаемый перевод миллионов юаней в карманы маршала Лиги. Общественность, естественно, отреагировала с предсказуемой яростью, и протесты уже распространились от Чжэцзяна и Цзянси до крупных прибрежных городов, включая иностранные поселения.\n\nВ пределах владений Суня, однако, лежит сравнительно сломленный человек. Неужели все, что он сделал, стало крахом его империи? Не может быть, он был выше этого. Ведь так? Его предали не только крестьяне, о которых он по-отцовски заботился, но и люди слова, которых он уважал. Конечно, он не может сидеть сложа руки! Улыбающийся Тигр пережил и не такое, и его амбиции гораздо выше этого. Несмотря на это, даже его ближайшие доверенные лица, такие как Се Хунсунь и Лю Цзунцзи, видят, как изнашивается легендарный маршал."
 league_collapse.4.a: "Разве они не видят? Я тоже люблю страну!"

 league_collapse.5.t: "Нападения на иностранцев"
 league_collapse.5.d: "Пробудившись от беспокойной дремоты, маршал Лиги вновь был потревожен своими всегда послушными сотрудниками разведки. Следя за стремительно развивающимися событиями, они начали рисовать гораздо более тревожную и поразительную картину. Начиная с нападений на видных немецких граждан и бизнесменов, быстро перерастающих в практически повальные, нападения на иностранцев, поддерживаемые так называемыми "патриотически настроенными" гражданами, стали возникать в провинциях Фуцзянь, Цзянси и Аньхой. Хуже того, народные настроения и жажда крови привели к тому, что подобные действия распространяются как лесной пожар, практически захватывая целые уезды.\n\n В ответ на это немецкое консульство в Нанкине посоветовало подданным кайзера вооружаться, и другие европейские правительства дали аналогичные рекомендации. Предупреждения о том, что иностранцы должны путешествовать только в случае необходимости, похоже на то, что даже самые ненавистные союзники маршала Лиги начинают ополчаться против него.\n\nВлияние этих атак на бизнес и инвестиции еще предстоит выяснить, но недавняя история показывает, что Шанхайская фондовая биржа не останется незатронутой. Его просвещенное правление, осаждаемое со всех сторон. Над Нанкином сгущаются тучи..."
 league_collapse.5.a: "Карточный домик начинает трещать"

 league_collapse.6.t: "Бойкоты и Пекин"
 league_collapse.6.d: "Вечно ненадежный и всегда настойчивый, оппортунистическая крыса, возможно, сам родоначальник преувеличенного возмущения, губернатор Чэнь Тяоюань начал подстегивать дискуссии в интеллектуальных и крестьянских кругах о всеобщем бойкоте всех немецких товаров. Подобные разговоры быстро распространяются и сопровождают растущие протесты по всему Восточному Китаю, в результате чего от первоначального послания губернатора Чэня они перешли в полномасштабное восстание с участием агентов Гоминьдана Дай Чуньфэна, интеллектуалов и националистических идеологов.\n\nСамым тревожным, однако, является новость о том, что некоторые местные гарнизоны в Аньхой, Чжэцзян и Цзянсу отступили, позволив волнениям расти. Не желая рисковать, чтобы на них навесили ярлык "ханьцзяней" или "предателей расы". Губернаторы Дэн и Чжоу поддерживали маршала Лиги во всех государственных делах, зная за кулисами, какое отвращение питает Сунь к уступкам. Губернаторы Лу Ронгтинг и Чэнь Цзюнмин, в свою очередь, хранят молчание по поводу разворачивающейся сцены, хотя Сунь знает их достаточно хорошо, чтобы быть осведомленным, по крайней мере, о молчаливой поддержке Чэня.\n\nГубернатор Чжао Хэнти, в свою очередь, положительно высказался о бойкоте в провинциальном собрании Хунани, но одновременно заверил, что он остается приверженцем нейтралитета Хунани. Что еще хуже, похоже, что разворачивающийся хаос в Лиге не остался незамеченным ни Нефритовым маршалом, ни королем Баодина. Маршал Сунь получил сообщение, что Северный Чжили, возможно, готовит расследование. Скудные по правдивости сообщения попали в Пекин, поэтому очевидно, что Нефритовый маршал пытается добиться от своего протеже четкого ответа.\n\nЧтобы предотвратить вмешательство Пекина, советники в Нанкинской комиссии, такие как Чжэн Цзюньянь и Се Хунсюнь, предложили маршалу Лиги публично и в частном порядке объявить, что ситуация находится под контролем. Оставив нас в изоляции, он не позволит губернатору Хубэя Сяо или губернатору Хэнани Ли мобилизовать свои силы. Непривычно спокойный в отношении подобных событий губернатор Чэнь И наконец-то установил контакт с Сунем, предложив перебросить части нескольких своих дивизий, базирующихся в Нанкине и Чжэцзяне, в города вдоль нижнего течения Янцзы, где протесты наиболее многочисленны. Одновременно провинциальные гарнизоны запросили "зеленый свет" на принятие любых мер, которые они сочтут необходимыми для подавления открытого несогласия."
 league_collapse.6.a: "Тигр знает, когда нужно пустить в ход молот"
 league_collapse.6.b: "Но он также знает, когда нужно быть милосердным. Накажите только виновных."

 league_collapse.7.t: "Бомбардировки железных дорог"
 league_collapse.7.d: "В провинциальных территориях Лиги появились новые тревожные новости. Похоже, что серия взрывов потрясла несколько станций и железнодорожных линий, которые должны стать частью Центрально-китайской железной дороги. Одна бомба разорвала вагон поезда на переполненной станции в Ханчжоу, в результате чего десятки людей были убиты и ранены. Такие новости наиболее ярко потрясли государственных служащих, бюрократов и губернаторов, а смерти и задержки оставили множество семей без чувств. С прагматической точки зрения, такие вопиющие акты анархического разрушения также привели к остановке транспортного сектора во многих районах, что препятствует быстрому развертыванию дополнительных сил маршала Суня, пытающихся подавить растущие беспорядки и сместить губернаторов Чена и Ци.\n\nВину за нападения возлагают на различные цели, а офицеры разведки Суня не могут разобраться в хаотической обстановке. Местные бандиты, желающие устроить хаос, чтобы не мешать грабежам? Гоминьдан, надеющийся подготовить почву для более масштабного восстания? Губернатор Ци или Чэнь, надеющийся предотвратить возмездие из Нанкина? Или даже японцы, чтобы посеять семена несогласия. Некоторые особо конспирологически настроенные личности предполагают причастность Германии, которая, по их мнению, нацелилась на свои владения, чтобы подготовить почву для интервенции."
 league_collapse.7.a: "Вновь проливается кровь невиновных..."

 league_collapse.8.t: "Сообщения с Cевера и Юга"
 league_collapse.8.d: "Кажется, что каждый новый день приносит плохие новости, Год Крысы уже доказал, что это неконтролируемое бедствие. Более того, тревожные сообщения доходят до дворца маршала как из Сюйчжоу, так и из Цюаньчжоу. В повстанческой зоне Мингана партизаны Гоминьдановской национально-революционной армии совершили серию все более дерзких набегов на внутренние города Юндин и Лунъянь. Губернатор Чжоу Иньрэн исторически долгое время боролся за контроль над своей горной провинцией, и его реальный контроль часто ограничивался побережьем и крупными внутренними городами.\n\nТеперь, с ростом упорства и дерзости НРА, железная хватка Чжоу становится все более непрочной. Тем временем на северной границе Цзянсу губернатор Ци, что довольно необычно, прислал сообщения об усилении волнений со стороны сельских бандитов и, по-видимому, о захвате деревень этими кланами. Маршал Сунь, очевидно, не дурак, и ему хорошо известны шарады Ци с так называемыми "бандитскими кланами", которые на самом деле являются его собственными солдатами. Это давний повод для недовольства и разногласий между губернатором и маршалом, а их новое участие может способствовать росту беспорядков.\n\nКак бы ни был благоразумен маршал Сунь, он решил отправить ряд дивизий, которые помогали поддерживать порядок в Цзянси и Фуцзянь, на север, оценивая шансы и предпочитая, чтобы более ценная Цзянсу оставалась под железным сапогом. Однако некоторые в его окружении высказывают мысль, что Улыбающийся Тигр еще туже затягивает петлю на губернаторах Чэнь и Ци."
 league_collapse.8.a: "Этот ублюдок что-то замышляет!"

 league_collapse.9.t: "Телеграмма из Пекина"
 league_collapse.9.d: "Несмотря на наши притворства и махания руками, настойчивый Нефритовый маршал и король Баодина отправили шквал любопытных телеграмм в Нанкин. Явные правители страны со времен Третьей войны Чжифэн, маршал У Пэйфу и президент Цао Кунь имеют непомерное влияние даже на маршала Лиги. Несмотря на их разногласия, зарождающуюся гонку вооружений между Улыбающимся Тигром и Нефритовым маршалом, а также многополярный мир Северной и Южной Чжили, У Пейфу все же остается наставником Суня, и это связывает их нерушимыми узами. Так же и те, кто входит в окружение Суня, боятся военного мастерства У, политических возможностей Цао и всей мощи Северной Чжили, обрушившейся на них.\n\nВ послании содержится просьба предоставить подробный отчет о текущей хаотической ситуации, сложившейся на юго-восточных территориях. Красноречивая, непреклонная и требовательная, телеграмма явно составлена с целью заставить маршала Лиги признать некую слабость или трудности, чтобы дать повод центральной армии выдвинуться и "восстановить контроль". После образования Лиги в 1928 году, они неоднократно пытались захватить, контролировать и расширить свое влияние на юге, но их попытки были блестяще пресечены Сунь. \n\nВсегда способный государственный деятель, Сунь должен быть взвешенным, осторожным, учитывающим все величины, которые он должен уравновесить. Наставник и протеже, Север и Юг, стабильность его царства противопоставляется стабильности нации. Сотрудничая со своим близким и харизматичным советником Вэй Даофэном, маршал написал..."
 league_collapse.9.a: "Все под контролем!"

 league_collapse.10.t: "Инцидент в Уху"
 league_collapse.10.d: "Город Уху, расположенный на окраине Нанкина и якобы находящийся под властью губернатора Аньхой Чэнь Тяоюаня, был особенно ярким очагом несогласия и беспорядков. Нанкин, находящийся под непосредственным контролем маршала Лиги, оставался довольно спокойным и стабильным, по сравнению с такими очагами беспорядков, как Сямэнь или Сюйчжоу. В результате большинство несогласных в Нанкине, желающих, чтобы их голос был услышан, присоединились к протесту в Уху, действуя вместо каких-либо серьезных действий прямо под носом у Суня.\n\n Благодаря поддержке и благодушию губернатора Чэня, им удавалось действовать относительно беспрепятственно, постепенно приводя ситуацию в городе к анархии. При таком падении авторитета власти неизбежно должен был произойти последний инцидент. В ходе регулярных протестов, ставших уже обычным явлением в Лиге, которые прошли вчера во второй половине дня, выяснилось, что они получили необычайно активное участие. Подстрекаемые китайской синдикалистской партией, бастующие рабочие с близлежащих немецких заводов усилили беспорядки, быстро вырвавшись из-под контроля полиции.\n\nГарнизон, усиленный недавно прибывшими из Нанкина немецкими войсками, попытался восстановить порядок, но в неразберихе группа людей начала стрелять. Виновные остались неизвестны, но последовавший за этим хаос оказался катастрофическим. В считанные минуты полиция, гарнизон и подкрепляющие их войска начали обстреливать толпу, получая ответный огонь. Более двухсот человек погибли, в четыре раза больше раненых, а возмущение вызвало протесты в близлежащих районах.\n\nСитуация усугубляется тем, что в городе находится небольшое иностранное поселение. Многие уже утверждают, что смертоносная сила была применена только для защиты иностранцев, а об убийствах, скорее всего, уже завтра утром напишут международные газеты. Более того, губернатор Чэнь воспользовался ситуацией, чтобы официально потребовать, чтобы все солдаты Лиги восьми провинций покинули провинцию Аньхой, упреждая возможное отделение. Такие действия привели к тому, что маршал Лиги и его окружение считают, что во всем виноват Чэнь Тяоюань..."
 league_collapse.10.a: "Этот предатель! Чего же он добивается?!"

 league_collapse.11.t: "Аньцин отказывается от дальнейшего сотрудничества"
 league_collapse.11.d: "В ответ на свое требование губернатор Чэнь объявил о своем официальном отделении, не получив ответа от маршала Лиги. Ссылаясь на недавний инцидент в Уху, его требование трансформировалось в ультиматум, требующий полного и абсолютного вывода всех непровинциальных сил из провинции Аньхой, а также немедленной передачи офицеров, ответственных за инцидент в Уху. Чэнь довольно унизительно заверил маршала Лиги, что его солдаты будут продолжать "подавлять распространяющиеся беспорядки и волнения", как будто он вообще что-то для этого делал.\n\n Отказавшись от дальнейшего сотрудничества с властями Лиги, он, кроме того, осудил создание Центрально-китайской железной дороги, обвинив ее в том, что она "толкает патриотических граждан на край отчаяния". Долгое время бывший занозой в наших рядах, "Дурак", похоже, показал свою силу. Пособничество и разжигание ада народного возмущения против Лиги и ее маршала стало очевидным, что Чен просто искал повод для официального объявления о своей независимости от власти Улыбающегося Тигра.\n\nПри любых нормальных обстоятельствах такое поведение было бы встречено немедленным, быстрым и жестоким возмездием. Однако позиция губернатора Чена, его связи с антиконцессионистами и кампания в СМИ, превращающая его в некое подобие националистического героя, вызвали опасения у маршала Лиги. Решительные действия сейчас вполне могут привести к еще большему расколу хрупкой Лиги. Не желая сидеть сложа руки, маршал Лиги Сунь официально попросил своих самых верных генералов Се Хунсуня, Лю Цзунцзи, Мэн Чжаоюэ и Ма Юрэна подготовить своих солдат к столкновению с армией Аньхой."
 league_collapse.11.a: "Его время придет, но не скоро"
 league_collapse.11.b: "Давайте присоединимся к губернатору Чэню! (Играть за Аньцин)"

 league_collapse.12.t: "Secret Negotiations with Shangguan Yunxiang"
 league_collapse.12.d: "With Chen Tiaoyuan's faithless grandstanding and anti-concessionist rampaging to our west, and the Kuomintang's marauding chaos to the south, the primacy of Zhejiang province, beyond its opulence, has become strategically vital towards the League's conduct in the conflicts to come. With it lying just south of Jiangsu, and connecting Jiangxi and Fujian to Nanjing, it is imperative that it remain within the League's sphere.\n\nLong estranged, only owing personal loyalties to Sun Chuanfang, not Qi Xieyuan, Zhejiang Governor Chen Yi has proven his allegiance to be tenuous. With numerous reports of his contact with Chen Tiaoyuan and even the Japanese. His possible defection would be utterly disastrous, as it isolates Governor Deng and Zhou, strengthens Governor Chen Tiaoyuan, and no-doubt would result in some of our brightest commanders following with him.\n\nNonetheless not all those under Governor Chen's command retain similar Zhejiang loyalties. One endeavouring Shangguan Yunxiang, nor a formal subordinate but nonetheless siuated within Zhejiang, has tacitly proven himself receptive towards possible advances. Never content and always ambitious, League Marshal Qi could potentially offer him the governorship, though he is a greedy man and may desire far more than what we could offer. Of course, there is always the choice to trust in Governor Chen and the Zhejiang clique."
 league_collapse.12.a: "Offer him Zhejiang."
 league_collapse.12.b: "Offer him Zhejiang and Anhui."
 league_collapse.12.c: "Chen Yi is trustworthy."

 league_collapse.13.t: "Tension on the Yangtze"
 league_collapse.13.d: "Outrage echoes in the streets of Anhui - 'Justice for Wuhu; expel the foreigners!' Governor Chen Tiayouan has risen to the challenge, and already agents of the Nanjing government are being expelled from the province. Virtually overnight Chen has been branded a defender of the people, but now his forces are locked in a series of standoffs throughout the lower Yangtze, and the question looms- what next? Some have called for a complete overthrow of the Nanjing regime, but more cynical voices point to strategic opportunity.\n\nChen has long been known for his tendency to take calculated risks and this moment is no different."
 league_collapse.13.a: "Long Live the Governor!"

 league_collapse.14.t: "A Request to Wu Peifu?"
 league_collapse.14.d: "With chaos erupting all across the Eight Provinces, Chen is fully aware that his own situation may soon be threatened as well. To avoid immediate collapse or decisive military action by one of our enemies, we will therefore need allies. Wu Peifu, the Jade Marshal and true head of the Qing government, possesses the largest military force in Eastern China and could prove to be an asset, as it is rumoured that he may possess hidden loyalties and wishes to aid our anti-concessionist cause. It may not be wise to immediately ask for his full backing, so instead, we should simply ask him to help provide funding for our troops."
 league_collapse.14.a: "Send the telegram."

 league_collapse.15.t: "Chen Tiaoyuan Sends a Telegram"
 league_collapse.15.d: "\"To the eminent President Cao Kun, and Imperial Minister Wu Peifu,\n\nI, Governor Chen Tiaoyuan, humbly ask for extrajudicial funding for my troops. As outlined in the constitution of our great nation, it is the responsibility of the national government to provide funds to provincial governors to suppress unrest. With the situation of League-Marshal Sun Chuanfang in Nanjing unclear, I have taken the responsibility of protecting the province of Anhui against bandits and leftist agitators.\"\n\nDelivered in the form of a telegram to Cao Kun and forwarded to Wu Peifu this morning, the tone surprised both men in its boldness, appearing to proposition the Jade Marshal and King of Baoding by holding them to the merits of the constituion. Appearing to have restored order to his province, Chen is clearly gambling for support from the Central Government in order to expand beyond Anhui.\n\nFaced with a rather difficult choice, Chen could potentially remove a chess piece from the board, wipping it clean with a man beholden to his support, as opposed to the rather unyieldy League. However with the baggage of a firm anti-concessionist following, Wu and Cao's support could see the long-term alienation of Germany, something Cao has delicately cultivated for years. At the same time, standing with the anti-concessionists would allow Wu and Cao to once again bend to the opinion of the popular masses, riding the wave of support akin to 1922."
 league_collapse.15.a: "Send the funds, it'll secure our interests."
 league_collapse.15.b: "Refuse. No funds for rebels!"

 league_collapse.16.t: "Wu Accepts our Request"
 league_collapse.16.d: "Marshal Wu Peifu has returned our latest telegram expressing his deep sympathies for the people of Anhui, and his admiration for their dedication to Chinese exceptionalism. In this grandiose letter, however, Marshal Wu never authoritatively states whether Beijing will move to help Anqing. Governor Chen is left with a quandary and little time to decide. Is it worth it to continue to engage with Marshal Wu, or are our precious few days of peace better spent on a different plan for diplomatic survival?"
 league_collapse.16.a: "See? What did I tell you!"
 league_collapse.16.b: "No point. He's little more than a German lapdog."

 league_collapse.17.t: "A Letter Of Thanks From Governor Chen"
 league_collapse.17.d: "Writing in his most eloquent calligraphy and finest ink, Governor Chen has addressed a letter writing his sincere thanks to Marshal Wu Peifu and President Cao, complimenting the Cabinet and Ministries in their dedication and consolidation of Chinese Solidarity. Assuring Beijing of his intentions to truly prioritise the defence of Chinese sovereignty, he has declared the end of Western interference in the Yangtze Valley, lavishly affirming the government's belief in Chinese unification and the ejection of foreign imperialists forces with which they face.\n\nReacting rather reserved in private circles, Wu and Cao conferred a mutual appreciation of relief at the stabilisation of the situation. With the securing of a popular Governor within the League provinces, perhaps a new era of prosperity free of imperialist influence is but on the horizon."
 league_collapse.17.a: "Quite the charmer, isn't he."

 league_collapse.18.t: "Betrayed by the \"Fool\""
 league_collapse.18.d: "In light of the Central Government's attempts to coax and welcome Governor Chen into the Zhili fold, through diplomatic manoeuvring on Cao's front, financial aid from Wang Kemin's banks and military aid from the Jade Marshal, it would appear that Governor Chen has rebuffed our attempts to parley. Growing increasingly distant and out of our reach in our recent contacts.\n\nOne of our own border guards discovered refugees arriving in our lands, carrying pamphlets from the infamous Japanese paramilitary Black Dragon Society. Now in the vacuum of silence from Anqing's leaders, it would appear further disturbing impressions are upon us. Governor Chen Yi of Zhejiang Province, infamous for his association with the Black Dragons, has been spotted in Anqing by other refugees. Our intelligence operatives highly suspect that the Governor is attempting to not only betray President Cao, Marshal Wu and the Emperor, but also that of the Chinese nation itself by establishing contacts with Japan's intelligence ring."
 league_collapse.18.a: "Damnable Japanese!"

 league_collapse.19.t: "Wu Refuses Chen Tiaoyuan's Request"
 league_collapse.19.d: "In another letter sent by Marshal Wu, it appears that any common ground between him and Governor Chen has broken down. Marshal Wu's letter chastises Chen for the incredible gamble he is taking with the people of Anhui, and cautions him towards what could only mean Chen's death via appeasing Nanjing. This development has pushed back our attempts to gain support in Beijing considerably, and our time is becoming ever more scarce.\n\nA second opportunity may have opened itself up in the shape of the controversial general Chen Yi however whose rumoured connections with the Black Dragon Society could help us gain an audience with the Japanese ambassador in Tianjin, and through that, the Fengtian Government. [ANQ.GetLeader] is fully aware of the risk association with Fengtian may pose to the goal of the anti-concessionist movement but with Wu still adamantly refusing, we have little other choices."
 league_collapse.19.a: "It is time to visit Fengtian."

 league_collapse.20.t: "Chen Tiaoyuan Approaches Chen Yi"
 league_collapse.20.d: "Chen Yi, governor of the powerful Zhejiang province still within the League, has approached Chen Tiaoyuan to discuss possible cooperation. Urging his colleague that the true future of China lies with the Fengtian government and not with the Qing, he promises that if Chen Tiaoyuan pledges himself to Zhang Zuolin, the leader of Fengtian, Chen Yi will offer his full support in the coming war.\n\nAs Chen Yi's position within the Zhejiang does provide him with a sizeable capital and force to back up these promises and with Wu Peifu remaining supportive of Nanjing, it seems that we have little choice but to take the chance and hope for the best."
 league_collapse.20.a: "What choice do we have?"

 league_collapse.21.t: "Anqing Asks Our Support"
 league_collapse.21.d: "Chen Tiaoyuan, governor of the Anhui province within the League of Eight Provinces, has asked for our support in their coming struggle against the Qing and the League. Whilst Chen takes a strong anti-concessionist viewpoint and receives most of his support from this movement, he also recognises the position he has found himself trapped in. Either he sticks with his ideals and loses his land, his army and likely his life or he reaches out and comes knocking on the door of the only other national government in China, no matter what foreign powers they may be working with. Urged by the governor of Zhejiang, Chen Yi, to establish contact with us, it seems that he has chosen the latter option.\n\nThis has provided us with an excellent opportunity to secure a potentially powerful ally in Eastern China and cause damage on the Southern flank of the Qing centre of power, something we should exploit as much as possible."
 league_collapse.21.a: "Another piece has entered the board"

 league_collapse.22.t: "Another Offer to Chen?"
 league_collapse.22.d: "Following our refusal of aid to Anhui Governor Chen Tiaoyuan of the Anqing Clique, worrying reports have begun to emerge that he has reached out to Zhang Zuolin, leader of the rogue Fengtian government in the Northeast. Even more worrying is his use of a Japanese interlocutor to facilitate the conversation. Several of Wu's advisors are suggesting the Marshal reach out again to Chen with an offer of direct support in his rebellion, lest we end up with a Japanese lapdog right on our doorstep.\n\nBeyond just Japanese support for Chen, however, it also seems that non-intervention could lead to widespread domestic unrest. Many in both the opposition parties and the Zhili Clique itself are itching for an opportunity to extend our control in the chaos of the collapse, and already small protests in favour of Governor Chen's anti-concessions stance have broken out across urban areas. Staying silent could result in these protests escalating, further destabilising our increasingly unstable regime."
 league_collapse.22.a: "Let's see what he has to say."
 league_collapse.22.b: "This is too risky."

 league_collapse.23.t: "Wu Peifu Reconsiders his Position"
 league_collapse.23.d: "Likely having received word of our connections to Shenyang and Tokyo, Wu Peifu has rescinded his original demand that we stand down and surrender to Nanjing. He now offers his full support and praises [ANQ.GetLeader] for his decisive action during China's time of need. To reinforce his words, he as well has authorised the transfer of gold and weapons to Anqing with more on the way if we accept his offer and break off all contact with the Fengtian Government and Tokyo."
 league_collapse.23.a: "Who says he won't betray us a second time?"
 league_collapse.23.b: "We are grateful for his support"

 league_collapse.24.t1: "Chen Tiaoyuan Rebukes our Offer"
 league_collapse.24.t2: "Chen Tiaoyuan Reconsiders His Position"
 league_collapse.24.d1: "Likely frustrated by our earlier betrayal, the governor of Anqing has refused to meet his demands and has clearly pointed out that the interests of his people lay with the Fengtian government. To give strength to his words, he has also handwaved the bribe we sent to bring him in line to ensure that he no longer has any obligation to the Qing."
 league_collapse.24.d2: "Despite all pretence to cast Governor Chen to the dogs, it would appear that the Zhili's swift backtracking has saved it from the worst of Fengtian's intrigues within the League. Either swayed by Wu's poignant words, the materiel and funding, or out of almost a full decade of previous support and backing, Governor Chen has granted the Jade Marshal and King of Baoding a green light for a continued cooperative arrangement.\n\nOn the back of this, Zhang Zhitan has informed Luoyang that Dongbei advisors and Japanese officers have already begun to be shuttled out of Anhui, or otherwise apprehended, reinforcing Chen's re-alignment with his true masters."
 league_collapse.24.a: "This is unfortunate."
 league_collapse.24.b: "Let's see how the gamble plays out."

 league_collapse.25.t: "An Offer from Marshal Qi"
 league_collapse.25.d1: "With the refusal of Governor Chen's telegram, it would appear that the ambitious, opportunistic Qi Xieyuan has caught wind of the rebuttal. All but usurping Sun Chuanfang's role within the League, Qi has proclaimed himself to be the new \"League-Marshal of the Eight Provinces\", despite Sun having not officially been declared dead to the public.\n\nAddressing a flowery letter to both Cao and Wu, he has directly requested aid in suppressing what he has deemed to be \"a minor rebellion in Anhui province\", despite our intelligence and Chen's telegram clearly indicating otherwise. Insisting that since we are the rightful authority in the Central Government, it is \"only proper conduct that we support the rightful Marshal of the League\".\n\nThe pompous tone has left Wu and Cao suspicious of Qi's request, considering that some sort of upstart warlord who has already caused trouble in 1924 would make demands of them. Even worse Qi could theoretically easily crush Anhui and the Kuomintang Uprising with German Aid alone. However Cao and his advisors, Gao Lingwei among them, still suggests that a strong League and a strong relationship with Germany is the way forward for progress."
 league_collapse.25.d2: "With the acceptance of Governor Chen's telegram, it would appear that the ambitious, opportunistic Qi Xieyuan failed to catch wind of the alliance. All but usurping Sun Chuanfang's role within the League, Qi has proclaimed himself to be the new \"League-Marshal of the Eight Provinces\", despite Sun having not officially been declared dead to the public.\n\nAddressing a flowery letter to both Cao and Wu, he has directly requested aid in suppressing what he has deemed to be \"a minor rebellion in Anhui province\", despite our intelligence and Chen's telegram clearly indicating otherwise. Insisting that since we are the rightful authority in the Central Government, it is \"only proper conduct that we support the rightful Marshal of the League\".\n\nThe pompous tone has left Wu and Cao suspicious of Qi's request, considering that some sort of upstart warlord who has already caused trouble in 1924 would make demands of them. Even worse Qi could theoretically easily crush Anhui and the Kuomintang Uprising with German Aid alone. However Cao and his advisors, Gao Lingwei among them, still suggests that a strong League and a strong relationship with Germany is the way forward for progress."
 league_collapse.25.a: "Let's hear him out - we could gain some leverage here."
 league_collapse.25.b: "He can handle this on his own."
 league_collapse.25.c: "The die is already cast."

 league_collapse.26.t: "Wu Accepts!"
 league_collapse.26.d: "It would appear that our plea to the Central Government has been answered with good news! Accepting our, quite frankly, humble request for aid Wu Peifu and Cao Kun have indirectly recognised our authority over Nanjing and the rest of the League Provinces. With their finances and armaments, we can finally venture to secure even greater territory, and vanquish the rambunctious glorified bandits occupying Anhui. However, this does rather mean that we must kowtow, on paper, to their auspices, albeit our rule in the League Provinces now has legitimate backing."
 league_collapse.26.a: "Excellent!"

 league_collapse.27.t: "Wu Refuses!"
 league_collapse.27.d: "Utterly damnable, that glory-hogging \"Jade Marshal\" and his perfidious \"Bribing President\" have utterly rejected our request for aid. Refusing to address our need for aid, they have thrown our backs against the wall, and once more we must turn to our German benefactors. Turning their back on the true Southern Zhili, the Central Government clearly has designs on instituting a more \"loyal\" government within the League territory."
 league_collapse.27.a: "Damn!"

### Section 2 - Black Monday Event Chain and Start of the League War ###
 #Black Monday 2.3.36 February 3rd 1936
 league_collapse.50.t: "Black Monday reaches the East"
 league_collapse.50.d: "Thoroughly enwrapped within the global German economic powerhouse since their intervention in 1927, and the following negotiations between President Cao Kun and German Emissaries, the League of Eight Provinces would actually opt to maintain course with the Central Government in relation to the German issue. A patriot and anti-concessionist, League Marshal Sun would only fold to the German bulwark after 1928. As following a build up of tensions between the North and South Zhili, the Smiling Tiger would reach his zenith following the creation of the League of Eight Provinces in 1928, and its further expansion into Guangdong, Guangxi and Hunan the following year. Flouting disarmament directives from Beijing, Sun would instead increase the size of his army.\n\nThis would of course, promote a curious dilemma for the League Marshal. Strongly against extensive taxes on the peasantry, he would be backed into a relative corner. Qi Xieyuan and Li Linsi, who had both recently returned to China, would advise the League Marshal on his one sure-fire out of this predicament. Taking on significant loans backed by concessions to the Germans and Legations, he would receive the necessary funding to construct an army to rival that of the Jade Marshal's.\n\nFollowing on from his increased oppression of socialist rebels and democratic thinkers, political manoeuvres in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hunan would see the League further decline in strength. And so it would be, the anti-concessionist Sun further thrust into the arms of the Germans, much to his personal distaste.\n\nAnd although it began a world away, Black Monday's fallout has already cleaved through Chinese markets. The Shanghai Exchange plummeted before closing at numbers unseen since the financial tumult of 1925, and local institutions are already mobilising what they can to mitigate the damage. Fortunately, the average Chinese citizen, and the nation as a whole, are unlikely to feel any immediate impact. But the AOG, already staggering under an extensive retaliatory boycott faces dire financial circumstances.\n\nIts clerks have already issued notice that it may be unable to pay the usual rents for its various concessions within the League provinces, and that the final payment promised for the ZheGan Railway has been \"indefinitely postponed\". The already despondent Marshal has been sent further into the chasm of darkness, as without this planned revenue, vast swathes of budget cuts are necessary to stay afloat. News even abounds that Governor Chen has begun mobilising forces directed at Nanjing..."
 league_collapse.50.a: "\"The longer I go on, the further I sink\"."

 league_collapse.51.t: "Dissension in the Ranks"
 league_collapse.51.d: "Already within this miasma of misery news has spread rather rapidly. Whilst the League Marshal has taken no direct action insofar economic measures to prevent an absolute halt to business ventures by the Jiangnan Consortium, the news of supposed \"budget cuts\" and suspended pay has travelled by earshot all throughout the League's junior officer corps. Predictably, their reaction has been rather negative to put it mildly.\n\nFor some this signifies the end of their lifestyles of vice and extravagance, at least for the time-being, but for many a common soldier it's the difference between life and starvation. Similarly rumours abound, perhaps spread by Governors Qi, Chen and even the Kuomintang, that the deprivation of pay will be unequal. With many of these whispers insinuating that the League Marshal's elite direct forces under the command of Li Baozhang, Xie Hongxun, Ma Yuren, Meng Zhaoyue and Liu Zongji will retain most if not all of their pay. Similarly it is rumoured that Qi Xieyuan's German trained divisions are exempt from such hardship.\n\nThe officers' grumbling is made all the worse by a small but vocal clique of nationalistic officers led by the young guard of Tang Enbo, Guo Chan, Lin Wei and Ge Jing'en. They rally and argue that the League should never have become so dependent on German \"handouts\" in the first place, albeit their rhetoric is combatted by the likes of Governor Qi, and to a lesser extent Li Rentao and Xu Peigen. In secret of course, the League Marshal agrees with their sentiment, but too much has been staked on the Germans to burn the bridge now.\n\nWorse still, our ever faithful adversaries within the National Revolutionary Army and the Kuomintang's League of Ten continue to hide in the shadows, disseminating propaganda and denouncing \"imperialist collaboration\". Nothing has yet come of these particular activities, but what was once routine unrest is now threatening to undermine the very foundations of the League."
 league_collapse.51.a: "\"It's burning all around me...\""

 league_collapse.52.t: "A Heinous Crime"
 league_collapse.52.d: "Sun Chuanfang's youth was one riddled with hardship. With his father dying soon after Sun was born, his family would be abused by his aunt, resulting in Sun, his mother and his three sisters fleeing to Jinan to pursue some form of meagre happiness. Sun and his mother would fall into the care of Wang Yingkai. With this, the Smiling Tiger would first bear his fangs, shooting up the ranks of the Baoding Military Academy. Throughout his career Sun would meet and befriend numerous people of all shapes and colours, from Yan Xishan to Deng Yanda.\n\nLiked by many, the Smiling Tiger was still after all, a tiger. None knew this better than Zhang Zongchang subordinate Shi Congbin. Engaged in conflict with Fengtian in 1925, Sun's subordinate Xie Hongxun would annihilate the forces of Shi. An old man, Shi saluted Sun Chuanfang when the Smiling Tiger came to meet him. Despite this Sun decreed that Li Baozhang, \"General Guillotine\", should execute Shi immediately to prevent retaliation. Brutally beheaded and left to rot, Sun had far moved on from that event a decade ago. But some have not.\n\nOverseeing a training drill outside his Marshal's Palace, the cool Nanjing air washed over the League Marshal. Soothing the stress and aches of recent events, if only for a moment. Reminiscing idly, staring up at the sky, Sun's mind couldn't help but wander to a place he held so deeply.\n\nWhen he was a subordinate of Wang Zhanyuan, Sun had utterly fallen for a maid of Wang's wife, He Jiexian. Sun would hold He deeply in his heart, and so it was fate that they would be betrothed only a year later.\n\nAnd yet fate is a fickle thing. Jiexian had contracted tuberculosis when she was a maid, and so the joyous life of Madame Sun ended only a year after it began. Forever committed to his one true love, Sun personally buried He, and hid her favourite white handkerchief in his shirt pocket forever. An open display that he was always with his beloved wife.\n\nRecalled back to the present, if only for a moment. A sharp pain would shoot through his body. Yelling, calamity. Turning around he could barely see the serving-woman and her Luger pistol. His bodyguards rushed to overpower and imprison the woman, and yet Sun's body would plummet. He Jiexan's handkerchief. The last memory of her, its stunning purity, its beloved shining white. Stained by a tide of the Tiger's crimson."
 league_collapse.52.a: "\"I'm joining you, Jiexian.\""

 league_collapse.53.t: "A Telegram from Nanjing"
 league_collapse.53.d: "Rushing to his home in the middle of the night, Wu Peifu was awoken by his secretary, Bai Jianwu, and his Chief of Staff, Zhang Qihuang, rousing the Jade Marshal from a restless slumber. Ushering Wu towards his desk, the duo slid an emergency telegram report in front of the Marshal, for his eyes only. Enquiring as to if President Cao has seen the same telegram, he learned that Wang Yujia and Liu Menggeng are already explaining the situation to the President. Glancing his eyes over the confidential telegram sheet, awe washing over his face, it read:\n\n'Sun Chuanfang shot 8:55 AM STOP\nPerpetrator unknown STOP\nIn coma STOP\nUnlikely to wake STOP\nRiots widespread STOP\nFleeing with gold and documents STOP'\n\nTwo hours later, Luoyang became a frenzied hub of activity. Documents concerning Sun's more salacious dealings with Beijing burnt in furnaces, while groups of Jinbao and Luoyang Zhili members argue over the Smiling Tiger's connections. In an unprecedented move, Cao Kun has invited several Manchu nobles, notably the Emperor's brother Pujie, to be present for the drafting of some form of unified statement in response to the assassination, perhaps desiring a united front in these troubling times.\n\nBeyond it all, the Jade Marshal can't help but feel sorrow for the fate that has befallen Sun Chuanfang. His protégé, his original successor, for all they shared in ideology and memory, to be sullied like this?"
 league_collapse.53.a: "\"Farewell, Sun...\""

 league_collapse.54.t: "Spreading Insubordination"
 league_collapse.54.d: "In the absence of the League Marshal, telegrams have begun flooding in all morning, accompanied by the ding of ringing telephones throughout the League Marshal's palace, together they join in communion to paint a rapidly deteriorating situation across much of the League. With supposed reductions or no promise of pay, soldiers in Xuzhou, Nanchang, Quanzhou, and several other cities are either refusing to act or outright joining the spreading violence and looting, while police and garrisons in Hangzhou and Wuxi have gone on strike.\n\nRiots there and elsewhere are gradually escaping all semblance of control, made all the worse by Sun Chuanfang's recent incapacity. Furthermore, Governor Chen Yi has once again begun refusing to maintain contact with Nanjing, with our intelligence operatives reporting increasing contact with Governor Chen Tiaoyuan. Soldiers guarding the northern reaches of Jiangsu have been recalled to Nanjing, with Governors Deng and Zhou reporting defections of units to the Kuomintang.\n\nTroublingly, telegraph lines south of Fujian appear to have been cut, leaving the League entirely in the dark as to the likely worsening situation within Guangzhou and Guangxi. Governor Zhao of Hunan has offered clearly reluctant condolences for the disaster that has struck Sun Chuanfang, granting his condolences but refusing to say anything close to official support in these troubling times. For Nanjing itself? It is now practically in the throes of violent revolution. The League Marshal's inner-circle are scrambling to compose a form of regency council, but Governor Qi might have different ideas..."
 league_collapse.54.a: "Marshal Sun must wake soon..."

 league_collapse.55.t: "Imperial Navy Flees North!"
 league_collapse.55.d: "With the securing of Shandong by hostile forces rampaging and ruining the port of Yantai, alongside Qingdao and Weihaiwei being under the official de-facto control of Germany's colonial project, the land directly controlled by the Central Government concretely lacks any properly suitable ports to maintain the Beiyang Fleet. In such a sorry situation, the Beiyang Fleet was moved to Nantong, ostensibly within the League, since the end of the ZhiFeng Wars.\n\nWith rioting, civil unrest, and general chaos enveloping the city due to the League Collapse, the Minister of the Navy, Admiral Sa Zhenbing, has been ordered to mobilise the fleet to flee the city, heading north for the small ports surrounding the urban city of Tianjin. The fall of the Nanjing docks has resulted in a navy without a home, lacking the shipbuilding capacity to do anything more than maintain the current fleet.\n\nAddressing the Jade Marshal, Sa Zhenbing and Yang Shuzhuang both insisted that the admiralty necessitates the ports of Shandong, or otherwise that of Zhejiang or Fujian, if it is to protect China's coastal waters."
 league_collapse.55.a: "\"That will have to wait, gentlemen.\""

 league_collapse.56.t: "Riots reach the Marshal's Palace"
 league_collapse.56.d: "With the League Marshal's subordinates struggling to put together any sort of front or authority resembling that of Sun Chuanfang's skillset, many local and provincial authorities begging Nanjing for an answer or order have been left afloat and isolated. The Nanjing Police, for their part, have been unable to contain many of the riots spreading across the capital, as radical officers defect to Governor Chen Tiaoyuan or sit idle, and onlookers join in on the chaos; looting and burning homes, businesses, and now government offices.\n\nThe hasty arrival of elite German-trained military units under the command of Governor Qi Xieyuan, who has been watching the situation closely, seemed to have saved the Marshal's Palace from becoming a martyr of revolutionaries. But the roar of flames and the burgeoning crowds are audible even within the chamber where Sun Chuanfang lies, deep in a coma. Receiving visits day in and day out by his closest staff, many have been brought to tears by the state of things, pleading with Sun's unconscious body to awake and fix the situation as he always does.\n\nFor those less loyal however, those who are merely in it for their own gain, they've already begun their great escape. Like rats fleeing from a sinking ship, unscrupulous officials have been observed scurrying away into back streets and alleyways, arms burdened by silver coins, papers, and incriminating governmental secrets."
 league_collapse.56.a: "What are we to do?"

 league_collapse.57.t: "The Illusion of Qing Hegemony Shatters"
 league_collapse.57.d1: "The facade of Chinese unity, having held together for nearly a decade, has begun to crumble.\n\nRising unrest in the League of Eight Provinces, the economic shock of Black Monday portending German retrenchment, and the inability"
 league_collapse.57.d2: "$league_collapse.57.d1$ of the national Government to deliver a decisive response to either has made one thing clear; Beijing's monopoly on power is broken"
 league_collapse.57.d_qie: "$league_collapse.57.d1$ of our government to effectively deal with the crisis has made one thing clear: our monopoly on power is broken. We must now attempt to deal with the chaos."
 league_collapse.57.d_fng: "$league_collapse.57.d2$.\n\nAn opportunity to strike south has never presented itself so clearly, but is the Northeast ready?"
 league_collapse.57.d_anq: "$league_collapse.57.d2$.\n\nPerhaps we can turn this opportunity, which began by playing Beijing against Nanjing, into something much more. The time has come to roll the dice."
 league_collapse.57.d_shd: "$league_collapse.57.d2$.\n\nPerhaps we can redeem the Chinese people from our humble province of Shandong? Armies and levies to the South must be tired of their mercurial leaders, and the common Chinese cries out for our assurance."
 league_collapse.57.d_szc: "$league_collapse.57.d2$.\n\nThe old order upon which we built our alliance of Sichuanese warlords is broken, and the future is uncertain indeed."
 league_collapse.57.d_sik: "$league_collapse.57.d2$.\n\nHowever, so long as our rule is secured, it matters little."
 league_collapse.57.d_tib: "$league_collapse.57.d2$.\n\nThe future is uncertain, but the time to find our Dalai Lama is fast approaching."
 league_collapse.57.d_mon: "$league_collapse.57.d2$.\n\nPerhaps the time has come to look once again to so-called 'inner Mongolia', where many Mongolians still live at the mercy of their Han masters."
 league_collapse.57.d_jap: "$league_collapse.57.d2$.\n\nThe situation on the continent has shifted decisively in the Empire's favour."
 league_collapse.57.d: "$league_collapse.57.d2$, and now the future is any man's game."
 league_collapse.57.a: "This will not go well..."
 league_collapse.57.b: "China is finally divided."
 league_collapse.57.c: "The end of an era."

 league_collapse.58.t: "Uprisings in Fujian!"
 league_collapse.58.d: "Long a sticking point for the good conduct of the League, the continued existence of the so-called \"MinGan\" rebellion has time-and-time again proved itself annoyingly resilient. Initially born from the ejection of one Tang Shengzhi in the Northern Expedition, with his 8th Army adjorning remnants of the National Revolutionary Army's 4th Army, the MinGan rebellion would turn into what was practically the genuine authority of some areas following the failed 1932 Shanghai Uprising.\n\nSeeing the famed \"Red Napoleon\" Deng Yanda and Madame Song Qingling join their brethren in Fujian and Jiangxi. Trumping our encirclement campaigns, advised by the Germans and implemented by Governors Zhou Yinren and Deng Ruzhuo, the NRA proved itself an ever reliable foe.\n\nReports are arriving in the Palace of the very same Kuomintang rebels, fighting for the dream of their prized Dr. Sun Yat-sen, successfully beginning a mass general insurrection and uprising in Fujian province. Emerging from their mountains and hideouts, they have managed to seize a number of villages in the province's interior. The MinGan Insurgent Zone was always a known danger, but it was isolated and so deeply alone.\n\nWith the chaos now gripping the League however, there is every possibility that they will cut a path to the coast, opening the way for aid from their Syndicalist allies, and the return of Wang Zhaoming from Parisian exile. At present, Governor Zhou is known to have several of his divisions in and around Quanzhou, but this is unlikely to be enough to stem the revolutionary tide. In conjunction, troops loyal to the Kuomintang have risen up along the border with the Shanghai Concession, threatening the heart of our power. Albeit they are likely to be annihilated by Governor Qi's forces."
 league_collapse.58.a: "Syndicalist scum!"
 league_collapse.58.b: "(Play as the Kuomintang)"

 league_collapse.59.t: "Governor Qi Assumes Control"
 league_collapse.59.d: "Still lacking in any legitimate central authority, the League has been in an utter death spiral of its disparate parts. Left to fend for themselves without central management from Nanjing, reports rage about the wild situation within Fujian, Jiangxi, the amassing of even more soldiers within Anhui province, the untenable situation within Shandong, and all other matters of chaos. Indirectly acting in the role of the League Marshal following Sun's coma, Governor Qi of Jiangsu has attempted his best efforts to stem the League's rapid bleeding. Unable to command other Governors due to lacking in authority, his actions have been blunted.\n\nMeeting behind closed doors within the relative safety of the Marshal's Palace, Governor Qi had assembled the military men of Ma Yuren, Xie Hongxun, Zheng Junyan, Meng Zhaoyue, Wang Haoji, Zhou Fengqi, Li Baozhang and Liu Zongji. Closely behind are the intellectuals and bureaucrats of Tang Erhe, Li Linsi, Ding Wenjiang, Wei Daofeng, Yang Wenkai, and of course Qi's right-hand man Tian Wenbing. Having gathered all of the most important, and available, figures within the League into one meeting chamber, the same one the Governors had all met in not so long ago, few had any pretences of what Governor Qi was about to propose.\n\nDrafting a formal petition to those assembled, in lieu of any formal succession, to declare Qi as acting League Marshal, the Governor of Jiangsu has finally shown his hand. Immediately chaos ruptured within the room, with Generals Xie Hongxun, Li Baozhang and Meng Zhaoyue accusing Qi of masterminding Sun's assassination attempt. Similarly Yang Wenkai brought forth the fact that the culprit carried with her a German pistol. Turning his head to Tian, Qi's subordinate nodded, as he disappeared from the chamber for a brief moment. Upon his swift return, he was flanked by a series of Chinese soldiers sporting German weaponry and equipment.\n\nEmerging from the meeting to declare himself acting League Marshal, Qi Xieyuan has broadcasted his intentions to restore order to the fractured League. Already his forces have begun asserting control over Nanjing's arsenal, military headquarters, and major thoroughfares, broadcasting his ascension by megaphone and clearing the streets with enfilades of rifle fire. Cities along much of the Lower Yangtze have already begun declaring for Qi, with Governors Deng and Zhou going along with it. Albeit Governor Chen Yi has wavered on declaring support, with Chen Jiongming, Lu Rongting and Zhao Hengti refusing to acknowledge the news."
 league_collapse.59.a: "A coup in all but name?"

 league_collapse.60.t: "Indecisiveness and Inaction"
 league_collapse.60.d: "With the Central Governments decision to back neither the League nor the Anti-Concessionist Revolt in the League War, the Chaos that has gripped the nation's popular masses for the past weeks has developed into near anarchy. With initial silence from both the Marshal and President, small protests began to emerge in the urban centres, spurned on by journalists and intellectuals alike. Clamouring for anti-concessionist intervention, the deafening silence would continue. As a result, the few gatherings would develop into blazing street protests, infernos of popular anger directed at the blood being spilt on the Yangtze.\n\nConvening behind closed doors for numerous days, it was decided that some sort of response was necessary. Sitting at his desk with a microphone pointed at his face, and hundreds of thousands tuning in all across the nation, President Cao Kun would, evidently reluctantly, announce that the Government will not deign to grant any support to either Qi Xieyuan or Chen Tiaoyuan, citing dissatisfaction with both men and their conduct.\n\nWith the protests turning into an inferno of dissent, Beijing and other major cities have become seized by the unrest, utterly paralysed. With both the Germans and people against the government, a sense of dismay has overtaken the Assembly. Near total denunciation of our government lead to our downfall once before, and it is possible it will do so again. With the military police under Wang Yujia having been sent to ensure order, it is perhaps only a moment of time before the situation deteriorates further."
 league_collapse.60.a: "And to think we thought we had learnt our lesson..."

 league_collapse.61.t: "The Moment of Truth"
 league_collapse.61.d: "With the tensions escalating to a breaking point between Governor Chen Tiaoyuan and Marshal Qi Xieyuan, a series of regular skirmishes has bloated into open battle along the Yangtze on the outskirts of Nanjing. With the initial battle resulting in a League Army victory, Governor Chen has launched a full scale offensive, timed with Uprisings in the MinGan insurrection zone, and the prospect of intervention from Shandong province.\n\nWith the League War in full swing, the time has come for the Jade Marshal and President Cao to honour the commitments made to League-Marshal Qi Xieyuan, and support the restoration of order and authority within the League Provinces."
 league_collapse.61.a: "We march to restore order!"

 league_collapse.62.t: "Drama in the Assembly"
 league_collapse.62.d: "Listening to Cao Kun's request and intervening in the League War on behalf of the League itself, many within the assembly and inner Zhili circles were all the more aware that such a choice was bound to be an unpopular one. With the broad populace roused up by the anti-concessionist intellectuals, Chen Tiaoyuan's defiance, and the anti-imperialist sentiments that have remained a continuous undercurrent for years, it was nonetheless decided that the storm can be weathered to preserve the special relationship with Germany.\n\nGranted the entirely unenviable job of delivering the news of their intervention to the Assembly, Cao rather reluctantly called forth an Assembly meeting to officiate the intervention on behalf of the League. With Minister Gao Lingwei and Minister Wang Kemin standing with him, Cao began: \"My dear cherished friends, I gathered all of you here today to convey to you rather important new concerning the Government's decision in regards to the unrest in the South\". The assembly perking up with bated breath, he continued. \"Marshal Wu, his command staff and the cabinet have all elected to support League-Marshal Qi Xieyuan in his struggles against the rebellious province of Anhui and its traitorous Governor Chen Tiaoyuan. With our limited intervention marching south as we speak, it is expected that a quick, decisive and total vict-\".\n\nCao would cease his speech as members of the Young China Party stood up and silently started to march out of the hall. Soon after, they were followed by members of the Chinese Empire Reform Association, the Independents and even some members of the Zongshe Party. Appearing sombre, Cao would glance at the few remaining Harmony Association and Prosperity League members remaining within the Assembly. Stunned, Cao put down his papers."
 league_collapse.62.a: "A deafening weight on his conscious."

 league_collapse.63.t: "Gifts of the Prosperity League"
 league_collapse.63.d: "Exiting the Assembly Hall carrying himself in a mixture of fury and consternation, the President would bark orders at his assistants and Minister Gao, clearly aiming to find methods in which he can reprimand the protesting politicians of the Assembly. Nonetheless, as he exited the hall he would be swarmed by reporters, and members of the Prosperity League.\n\nQuick to congratulate the President, they produced various luxuries from the German Economic World. Rhenish Wine, Cuban Cigars, and other foreign delicacies were offered to Cao and his assemblymen. Yet met with distant glances and even scorn, few participate in their \"Prosperous\" goodwill.\n\nIn contrast of the usual dour-faced Manchu nobles who would normally greet the President outside of the building, German bureaucrats and representatives from the Southern Zhili kleptocracy welcomed the President with open arms, dressed in the latest Berlin finery and offering even more exorbitant gifts to Harmony Association lawmakers, the likes of Wang Chengbin and Cao's faction within the military would quickly whisk the President away, allowing him to escape the embarrassment."
 league_collapse.63.a: "Contempt from the nation, contempt from the people."

 league_collapse.64.t: "The Moment of Truth"
 league_collapse.64.d: "With the tensions escalating to a breaking point between Governor Chen Tiaoyuan and Marshal Qi Xieyuan, a series of regular skirmishes has bloated into open battle along the Yangtze on the outskirts of Nanjing. With the initial battle resulting in a League Army victory, Governor Chen has launched a full scale offensive, timed with Uprisings in the MinGan insurrection zone, and the prospect of intervention from Shandong province.\n\nWith the League War in full swing, the time has come for the Jade Marshal and President Cao to honour the commitments made to Governor Chen Tiaoyuan, and support a limited intervention for the anti-concessionist movement."
 league_collapse.64.a: "Our troops march south to defend China!"

 league_collapse.65.t: "Popular Support for the President and the Marshal"
 league_collapse.65.d: "Following President Cao and Marshal Wu's decision to attack the League of Eight Provinces, Cao himself has chosen to make a public appearance and statement on the Government's conduct and intention behind the decision. Whilst Cao himself holds reservations about burning the bridges to Germany so resolutely, he nonetheless is staunch in carrying his Presidential duty.\n\nBroadcast from a balcony in the Forbidden City to a crowd gathering below, Cao was adjourned by the Emperor, the Emperor's brother, Pujie, and Wu Peifu himself. Notable amongst many other speeches held in the same location, this particular one was transmitted over the radio — a first in China.\n\nCarrying himself with a steeled vigour, President Cao called for the citizens of China to rally together. \"For a whole century of humiliation have we suffered and lamented under foreign oppression! For too long have we been lapdogs to the whims of the British, Japanese, French and Germans! But no more! Today we stand defiant, casting off the shackles of imperialists with our first step into true independence! No more shall we be in the iron grasp of the Kaiser! No more shall we suffer indignity, and no more shall the Chinese be second-class in their own homes! Saying this once and for all, China is free once again!\"\n\nMet with resounding applause, cheers and the sound of bugles, sections of the speech with Cao and Wu's face were plastered over newspapers, pamphlets and magazines all over the nation. Similarly, the intellectual societies and book clubs have raised their token support for our regime."
 league_collapse.65.a: "A free China free of Imperialism!"

 league_collapse.66.t: "The Peking-Kommission Withdraws from Beijing!"
 league_collapse.66.d: "Immediately following President Cao's incendiary speech, plumes of smoke began to emerge from the streets outside the German embassy and the offices of the Peking-Kommission. A vast mob had formed outside the gates, chanting anti-concession slogans and burning German-made clothes, furniture, and even a hastily-constructed effigy of the Kaiser.\n\nWith the military police swiftly arriving to prevent the scene from turning into a massive diplomatic dispute, the German bureaucrats in the Peking-Kommission have, through their voices in the Prosperity League, announced to the Assembly the immediate withdrawal of the Commission, and the rather unfortunate disbandment of the majority of their support programs for the Government.\n\nWhilst a serious blow for our relationship with Germany, and of great concern for President Cao and Minister Gao Lingwei, it has dealt an even more significant attack on the Prosperity League within the Assembly. With the political grouping all but losing their primary backer and source of funding, a large chunk of their assemblymen have defected to the Political Science Clique, experiencing a resurgence in independent, middle-class liberal members and support."
 league_collapse.66.a: "A small price to pay for National Salvation."

 league_collapse.67.t: "[QIE.GetNameDefCap] Pledges its Support"
 league_collapse.67.d: "The League lies weak; smouldering ruins show where German fatcats once dined with Nanjing officials whose armies are disorganised and squabbling amongst themselves. Not only have our troops the courage and dedication to bring our goals to a successful end, but we also have the support of the great Wu Peifu himself, and with him, the Imperial Army. All the pieces have been set in motion; the time has come to put the League out of its misery. As a phoenix rising from the ashes, so will Chen watch over the rebirth of China!"
 league_collapse.67.a: "Mobilise the troops!"

 league_collapse.68.t: "Meeting with Fengtian"
 league_collapse.68.d: "Working in shady backrooms and through the network of the Black Dragon Society, [ANQ.GetLeader] has been able to establish contact with [FNG.GetNameDef]. Although the influence of the Japanese in the affairs of their government threatens to make satire of Chen's anti-concessionist pledges, he is fully aware that he has little choice in the matter and that their request to recognise Fengtian as the sole Chinese government is more than reasonable in exchange for sorely needed support.\n\nNow that the first shipment of gold and small arms has arrived in Anqing, showing that Fengtian is ready to stand by its word and with the Nanjing military mobilising for an invasion of our domain, it seems that the time for waiting is now fully over. We will strike first and we will strike hard, ensuring that the German stooges on the coast will be incapable of oppressing China any longer!"
 league_collapse.68.a: "Declare war on the League!"

 league_collapse.69.t: "Chen Sides with Fengtian"
 league_collapse.69.d: "The collapse of Sun Chuanfang's League of Eight Provinces has caused great disarray in China, and with the region quickly slipping into all-out-war, it seems that [ANQ.GetLeader], the head of [ANQ.GetNameDef], has been forced to look beyond Beijing for help. His decision to recognise Fengtian as the legitimate government of China signals a major blow towards the Germans and their Qing lapdogs. By allying with [FNG.GetLeader], [ANQ.GetLeader] has become our ally, yet Chen's anti-concessionist stance stands a major barrier to cooperation and brings to question his usefulness as a proxy for Japanese interests. Nevertheless, discrete support for Chen will weaken our enemies and strengthen our allies - a worthwhile goal."
 league_collapse.69.a: "We will watch with interest"

### Section 3 - League War Defections AND beginnings and secessions of HNN and GXC ###

 #league_collapse.100 is a hidden event

 league_collapse.101.t_1: "Governor Chen Remains Faithful!"
 league_collapse.101.t_2: "Governor Chen Deposed!"
 league_collapse.101.d_1: "It would appear that our manoeuvres within Zhejiang have been answered gracefully! Governor Chen Yi, estranged at best but nonetheless reliable, has reassured League Marshal Qi of his continued persistence within the League of Eight Provinces. Perhaps convinced by Chen Tiaoyuan's unruly qualities, or valuing provincial stability that can only be ensured by the established political order, Chen Yi and his Zhejiang Clique have mobilised their units for the League once more.\n\nEven better, Commander Shangguan Yunxiang, stationed within Zhejiang, has joined Chen Yi's rallying cry, establishing his forced in the perimeter of Jinhua. Intent on marching west to seize the provincial capital of Anhui, and restore order to the League oncemore. Although we should still remain vigilant, as the entrance of Zhejiang into the conflict leaves the province susceptible to advances from the Kuomintang or Anhui armies."
 league_collapse.101.d_2: "It would appear that our manoeuvres within Zhejiang have been answered gracefully! General Shangguan Yunxiang, estranged at best but nonetheless reliable, has reassured League Marshal Qi of his continued persistence within the League of Eight Provinces. Perhaps convinced by Chen Tiaoyuan's unruly qualities, valuing provincial stability that can only be ensured by the established political order, or enticed by our rewards, Shangguan and his subordinates have mobilised their units to depose Governor Chen Yi.\n\nWith his seizure of the provincial capital, the League now formally controls Zhejiang province. With his forces cemented around Hangzhou a stable corridor south to Fujian and Jiangxi has been preserved, with Governor Deng and Governor Zhou no doubt breathing sighs of relief.\n\nAlthough we should still remain vigilant, as the entrance of Zhejiang into the conflict, alongside the regrouping of the Zhejiang Clique, leaves the province susceptible to advances from the Kuomintang, Zhejiang or Anhui armies."
 league_collapse.101.a: "A fantastic effort!"

 league_collapse.102.t_1: "Shangguan Rises in Zhejiang"
 league_collapse.102.t_2: "Chen Yi Rises in Zhejiang"
 league_collapse.102.d_1: "Shangguan Yunxiang, one of Sun Chaunfang's most capable generals has sided with the Anqing clique in this most desperate hour. His forces have rallied around Jinhua and are preparing to march north to take the provincial capital of Hangzhou and kick out the forces of [LEP.GetLeader]. Shangguan has long chafed under the leadership of Chen Yi, and should we find ourselves victorious, it is highly likely that he will demand his former master's position as governor of Zhejiang."
 league_collapse.102.d_2: "As he promised us, Governor Chen Yi of the Zhejiang province has risen up and joined our forces! With his help, we now control Hangzhou, which provides us with a port to accept Fengtian and covert Japanese supplies. Nonetheless, the Anqing-Hangzhou corridor is far from secure as it forms an easy prey to the superior forces of [LEP.GetLeader]."
 league_collapse.102.a: "Our ally joins us."

 #Shangguan Yunxiang joins Anqing:
 league_collapse.103.t_1: "General Shangguan Rises in Zhejiang!"
 #Chen Yi joins Anqing:
 league_collapse.103.t_2: "Governor Chen Yi Rises in Zhejiang!"
 league_collapse.103.d_1: "Having long been an estranged, borderline isolationist, Governor within the League, Chen Yi has lead one of the nation's most prosperous and financially profitable provinces under a steady hand. However he was no friend to the League itself, with his loyalty cemented only by a personal friendship between himself and Sun Chuanfang. Remaining uneasily neutral in recent months, it would appear that he has finally revealed his hand.\n\nCiting the necessity for the League to maintain stability and order not just within Zhejiang but also within the broader provinces, Governor Chen has joined with the Acting League Marshal in condemning Governor Chen Tiaoyuan's depravity and blatant power grab, blaming him for fanning the flames that led the usually vigilant Sun Chuanfang to immense weakness.\n\nHis news was not well received all throughout his province however, as the infamously not that popular amongst his subordinates. However he retains a retinue of some of the League's best and brightest, and most absolutely will prove a boon for the Acting League Marshal. Nonetheless, General Shangguan Yunxiang, citing the abuses of his superiors, has rallied the Hangzhou Garrison and the units under his command to Chen Tiaoyuan's cause, and agaisnt Governor Chen Yi.\n\nWith Chen reinforcing the city's core and awaiting reinforcements, it would appear that Shangguan's long held shameless ambitions has spurned his defection. This rapid spread of insubordination is increasingly concerning."
 league_collapse.103.d_2: "Having long been an estranged, borderline isolationist, Governor within the League, Chen Yi has lead one of the nation's most prosperous and financially profitable provinces under a steady hand. However he was no friend to the League itself, with his loyalty cemented only by a personal friendship between himself and Sun Chuanfang. Remaining uneasily neutral in recent months, it would appear that he has finally revealed his hand.\n\nUtilising his contacts and pulling on his sympathies to the anti-concessionists, Governor Chen Yi has joined Governor Chen Tiaoyuan in his condemnations of the Acting League Marshal, and the overall state of the League. Rallying his forces in Zhejiang, Chen has accused League Marshal Qi of ordering the botched assassination of Sun Chuanfang.\n\nBroadcasting his official secession from the League of Eight Provinces, Chen Yi has joined forces with Governor Chen in engaging in open hostilities with the League. Chen is a capable commander, and carries with him some of the League's brightest and most talented minds. Albeit not particularly popular amongst his own soldiers, his subordinates are, and his defection to Anhui has utterly decapitated Nanjing from Jiangxi and Fujian province.\n\nGeneral Shangguan Yunxiang for his part, and already active in the area, has assured League Marshal Qi of his unwavering loyalty and commitment to defeating the traitorous Governors. Known for his shameless ambition, Shangguan is surely anticipating more than a medal for his efforts."
 league_collapse.103.a: "Damnable Zhejiangers!"

 league_collapse.104.t: "\"The Fool\" Declares War"
 league_collapse.104.d: "The ascension of Governor Qi to the position of acting League Marshal was naturally not well received by most. With Beijing refraining from comment, as it struggles to handle its own issues, the various provinces have ranged from refusing to acknowledge Qi's authority to downright declaring him a traitor and autocrat. Some magazines and newspapers have started drawing relations between Qi's succession of the League Marshal and his similar immediate succession of Governor Li Chun in the 1920s, after Li's \"suicide\".\n\nNonetheless Qi wasted no time in wielding his sabre, demanding fealty from those Governors whom have not formally granted it. Threatening swift retribution against all those he has deemed traitors, he has demanded recognition from Hunan, Guangdong and Guangxi, to no avail. Similarly, he has threatened Chen Yi directly with notions of invasion in order to ensure loyalty within Zhejiang. Most pressingly however is the demands made to the estranged Governor Chen Tiaoyuan.\n\nHaving been militarising the border with the League ever since his informal secession, few understood what Chen's game was. Was he waiting to strike Nanjing when an opening presented itself? Or merely defending his domain against the wave of chaos. Following League Marshal Qi's demand for Chen to submit to League Authority however, Chen retorted with a strike of his own.\n\nCalling upon his fellow governors and the central government to aid him in his cause, Chen Tiaoyuan has denounced Marshal Qi's ascension as \"totally illegitimate\" and a \"farce\", accusing him of planning Sun's assassination and his following grab for power well in advance. This argument, held by many of Qi's new subordinates and former superiors, has already proved convincing. A number of younger officers have begun defecting and deserting to his ranks. With this, a series of units from the Anhui army have begun crossing into the borders of Jiangxi and Jiangsu, intending to render Nanjing under their domain."
 league_collapse.104.a: "Intolerable swine!"

 league_collapse.105.t: "Liangguang Secedes!"
 league_collapse.105.d: "Ominously silent following recent events, Liangguang has long been aloof and disconnected from the broader League structure. Originally the Southern Zhili and Northern Zhili squabbled over the implementation of their own governors within the provinces of Guangxi and Guangdong. With the Old Guangxi Clique under the aging Lu Rongting having been reluctantly recognised by Beijing, Governor of Guangdong was a free-for-all before the return of Chen Jiongming. With League forces retreating from Liangguang provinces following the 1932 Shanghai Uprising, the League would never again extend any measurable influence within Guangdong or Guangxi, besides nominal fealty.\n\nSilence from the South was formally broken however, as this evening a joint declaration from Governor Chen Jiongming and General Lu Yuguang (speaking on behalf of his elderly father) announced the formal secession from the League of Eight Provinces. With their declaration's effects applying immediately. The Governor and General denounced the League's \"disregard for the rights and needs of the people\", and singled out the Acting League Marshal for special criticism, but stopped short of outright declaring hostilities.\n\nWith Governor Chen Tiaoyuan and his Anhui army already openly engaging in conflict with the League, this turn of events has truly proven disastrous, and in most cases would merit a response. However quite evidently Acting League Marshal Qi is particularly tied up at the moment."
 league_collapse.105.a: "We will extinguish their flame soon enough."

 league_collapse.106.t: "Hunan Secedes!"
 league_collapse.106.d: "Already the most autonomous province within the League, Hunan has lied in wait as events have unfolded since the start of this year. Governor Zhao Hengti being reinstated by Wu Peifu, he only joined the League to secure material support in restoring order in Hunan. The province distanced itself notably in 1932 after a brief scare, when General Ye Kaixin's forces moved to the Jiangxi border to keep the socialists out of Hunan. With the Jade Marshal's intervention, Hunan secured enough autonomy to keep our forces out of the Province, and our grip over Hunan has only faltered since.\n\nBut with Liangguang seceding, Governor Zhao has decided that it is the time to act. Ever the democrat, he presented a Bill to the Provincial Assembly to formally secede from the League. Personally sponsoring the Bill, Zhao gave a speech on how Hunan can no longer tie itself to the corruption of the League, that it's failed to provide any stability, and that if they don't break with the League the fires of war will rage across the entire Province.\n\nThe Assembly seemed to be moved by these words, the majority of it voting heavily in favour of secession, and with the vote Governor Zhao formally declared all agreements Hunan had made with the League Marshal to be null and void. While we'd like to move against Hunan for this intransigence, Chen's army already on our doorstep means we must tolerate this insubordination from Hunan's Governor, at least for the time being."
 league_collapse.106.a: "They can enjoy their autonomy while they still have it."

### Section 4 - Flavour Events About the Collapse ###

 league_collapse_flavour.1.t: "The Sale of the ZheGan Railroad"
 league_collapse_flavour.1.d: "The past few weeks have seen a great deal of economic activity in the League of Eight Provinces, the southern conglomerate of provinces ruled by our nominal subordinate, Sun Chuanfang. Even more heavily influenced by German economic support than we are, the League just finished construction on a major railroad, the ZheGan line. Though funded by the Germans, it was largely built by Chinese labour, leading many to hope for a more equitable relationship between German and Chinese in the League, at least in economic affairs.\n\nA few days ago, in a surprising move, the AOG publicly announced its plans to purchase and consolidate a number of eastern railways on behalf of their subsidiary group, the Schantung-Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft - including this new ZheGan route.\n\nThis move angered many native Chinese residents of the League, who saw the ZheGan line as a potential building block in an equal relationship between Europeans and Asians. Widespread protests have broken out, inflamed by conspiracies of fraud and embezzlement on the part of Sun's cronies."
 league_collapse_flavour.1.a: "We need to keep an eye on this."

 league_collapse_flavour.2.t: "Widespread Attacks on Foreigners"
 league_collapse_flavour.2.d: "Following the unrest surrounding the ZheGan railroad, a number of German investors and businessmen have been savagely attacked by rabid anti-foreign mobs. To make matters worse, widespread boycotts of German goods have began in the South, and this morning reports reached Beijing of bombings of railway stations in Hangzhou and other cities on the Central China Railway. Transportation has ground to a halt in many regions of the League, and Kuomintang guerrillas within MinGan have used this opportunity to stage increasingly daring attacks on isolated League garrisons.\n\nThe German ambassador in Beijing has demanded accountability, and while the League is largely autonomous from our control, it is still under our auspices officially. Wang Chengbin and other Zhili officials have long pushed to exert greater control over the League, and are urging Wu to use this crisis to leverage greater influence over the south. Wu, having long sought an excuse to contain Sun is currently drafting a telegram to demand accountability from Sun and offer our help should he need it. Unsaid, of course, is the demand for increased control over League affairs should he accept our help."
 league_collapse_flavour.2.a: "Let's see what Sun has to say..."

 league_collapse_flavour.3.t: "The Wuhu Incident"
 league_collapse_flavour.3.d: "Troubling information reached Luoyang and Beijing this morning. While reports are somewhat contradictory, it appears there was some sort of a massacre of peaceful protestors by League and German troops in the city of Wuhu. Some claim German troops simply mowed down the protestors, while others claim a group of Kuomintang radicals attacked the Germans and League troops first. Whatever the cause, the city has fallen into anarchy and protests have sprung up all over the League.\n\nIronically, at the same time as we received this information we received a report from Sun Chuanfang claiming he has the situation under control. Some Zhili generals such as Cai Chengxun are pushing for a major intervention in the south should the situation deteriorate further, but Wu has yet to take a clear position on the issue, fearful of intervention from Zhang Zuolin.\n\nFurther exasperating our problems, Bai Jianwu has informed the Jade Marshal that the Chinese Empire Reform Association have somehow received information on the situation, perhaps from contacts within progressives dotting the legations. It would seem they are planning to hold a scathing speech later in the assembly today, criticising the Zhili's lack of action. Cao Kun's Harmony Association assemblymen are swift at work collaborating with the president on preparing a response, but it would appear we have been caught off guard."
 league_collapse_flavour.3.a: "\"Under control\" my ass..."

 league_collapse_flavour.4.t: "Anhui Breaks Free"
 league_collapse_flavour.4.d: "The province of Anhui, long chafing under Sun Chuanfang's autocratic rule, has essentially declared independence from the League this week. In a widely-distributed pamphlet, Governor Chen Tiaoyuan claimed that the Wuhu incident \"shows that Sun cannot manage this crisis, and essentially abrogates him from any responsibility in Anhui.\"\n\nXiao Yaonan, Wang Chengbin and Li Jichen, governors of Hubei, Zhili and Henan, have unilaterally begun to mobilise their troops against prospective \"Kuomintang incursions\", though Zhang Qihuang has advised Wu that their true intention is likely to prevent the chaos from flooding into the Central Plains, potentially escalating things with Chen, Sun or even [SHD.GetLeader]. Seeking to undercut their opportunity to invade and create another calamitious war in a similar vein to the conflict that pre-empted the Second ZhiFeng War, Wu declared a \"national state of readiness\" this morning to all assembled Beiyang Army Staff, he urging them to ready their troops for \"any possible armed conflict\", and placed the garrisons on the Shaanxi and Fengtian borders on high alert. Confused Zhili troops have largely fallen into line with Wu and any premature attack south was effectively ended before it began."
 league_collapse_flavour.4.a: "Let's hope this keeps them in line"

 league_collapse_flavour.5.t: "Refugees Flee League Chaos"
 league_collapse_flavour.5.d: "With widespread unrest sweeping the League of Eight Provinces, Governor Li Jichen of Henan and Xiao Yaonan of Hubei have telegrammed to President Cao and Marshal Wu, informing them both of increasing numbers of refugees flooding into their provinces, requesting any possible governmental response or assistance. Although it initially started as a trickled, over the course of the last few days the flow has dramatically increased, with whole families fleeing the explosive tornado of violence and banditry.\n\nSending further followup telegrams there afterwards, the Governors have indicated to the Cabinet that after sending their men to organise and interview the refugees, it would turn out that the authority within the League provinces has collapsed far more than what was previously believed. Furthermore, they have requested from Beijing additional food and supplies to handle all of the refugees. Marred by inefficiencies in bureaucracy, provincial government and insufficient finances, any support that the Cabinet deigns to provide would be of great cost, even if it is the humane course of action."
 league_collapse_flavour.5.a: "Terrible news. Send the supplies."
 league_collapse_flavour.5.b: "With a heavy heart, we must refuse."

 league_collapse_flavour.6.t: "Bloodbath on the Yangtze!"
 league_collapse_flavour.6.d: "In spite of their best efforts, the influx of refugees to the southern provinces has proven too much to handle. The Governors themselves have sent numerous telegrams to the Cabinet and President requesting additional assistance to alleviate their overwhelmed governments. Following a province-wide declaration of martial law made in Hubei, Governor Xiao Yaonan has ordered his troops to shut down all bridges and roads leading into the province from the League's former territory, denying all entry to all refugees, A large number of them, dessicated, homeless and angry, began to mass at a bridge over the Yangtze River on the outskirts of Wuhan.\n\nInsisting on entry into the province, it initially began as a peaceful protest, rallying for proper responsible government action. However it quickly escalated into a borderline full-scale riot, as refugees began to react violently against Xiao's troops, chucking rocks at the border guards. Eventually a group of men who had somehow armed themselves with stolen weapons — perhaps due to the carelessness of Xiao's troops — began to shoot at the border guards, who responded by opening fire, first warning shots, and then at the opposing gunmen. Those not actively participating in the fighting fled, stampeding other refugees and leaving their friends or family for dead on the bridge. Such grisly events have been repeated up and down our border with the League, Sichuan and Shandong, as mobs of refugees fleeing civil war and suffering find their way into even more bloodshed."
 league_collapse_flavour.6.a: "A calamity! The horror!"

 league_collapse_flavour.7.t: "Southern Governors Cut Contact"
 league_collapse_flavour.7.d: "With the violence within the League escalating daily, the governors of Yunnan and Guangdong, [YUN.GetLeader] and [GXC.GetLeader] have all but stopped responding to official government requests for information and status reports on the events unfolding within their territories. They have long despised our government, with both being similarly opposed to what they view as petty Warlords stretching their authority too far and corrupt bureaucrats too foolish to see the light — even to the point that Governor [YUN.GetLeader] waged a war in conjunction with Fengtian not too long ago. Whilst not unexpected, and in-fact quite foreseeable given the circumstances, this represents perhaps the final nail in the coffin regarding their official demeanour in regards to our government.\n\nMany in the Zhili's inner circle fear that this heralds a complete collapse of our authority, and news from out of Shanxi Province further confirmed these fears. The traitorous Feng Yuxiang, having once been an integral member of the Zhili Clique himself, was ousted from his control in Beijing in 1926. Exiled to Shaanxi once the Ma Governors of the Northwest came to their senses, he has formally denounced the actions of our government in what is now being internationally termed the \"Yangtze Incident\" earlier in the week. Referring to the recent events unfolding between the provinces of Hubei, Henan and our de-facto land of Shandong and Shaanxi.\n\nDeclaring our government completely unfit, with \"no capacity to rule China\", his nominal ally in Taiyuan, our estranged Governor Yan Xishan, has decried the violence as nothing more than barbarity but has stopped short of condemning the Cabinet, Wu or Cao personally. Clearly not willing to compromise his neutrality. Nonetheless, it is clear that the national order so hard fought for is heavily breaking down."
 league_collapse_flavour.7.a: "The vast inferno of rage devours us."

 #league_collapse_flavour.8 uses loc from league_collapse.57

 league_collapse_flavour.9.t: "The Smiling Tiger Fades Away"
 league_collapse_flavour.9.d: "Shadows have long loomed large over the League Marshal's chambers. Almost delicately, there he lay, Sun Chuanfang, once the third most powerful man in the whole nation, reduced to nothing more than dead weight. At least, that's what his detractors think. To others, to his thousand friends, their sadness is deep, their grief everlasting, and the memories permeable. Visited frequently by his closest associates, his friends, and of course his own children. Weeping rivers of sorrow, they could only hope for Sun's recovery, as German doctors worked around the clock to resuscitate the Tiger, so he could bear his fangs once more.\n\nIn the midst of the night of Nanjing, amongst the echoing firefights, the explosions, the yelling, only a singular figure sat in the room with League Marshal Sun. Playing with a lighter, dressed in the shadows of the room, Acting League Marshal Qi Xieyuan watched over Sun Chuanfang's comatose body. The German doctors of course, were under his retinue. He was the one sustaining Sun's timid grasp on life. And he could so easily snuff it out, like the flame of his lighter.\n\nFlicking his lighter, igniting it, and closing it again. Qi repeated this motion for what felt like hours. Much toyed with the mind of the General. Sun and Qi, they were comrades, truly. Both born of the Southern Zhili, having fought in the Southeast for a decade. Yet Qi never forgave Sun for his inaction in 1925. When Qi needed help most as Governor of Zhejiang, he desperately pleaded with Sun, Governor of Fujian, for help. Together they could've withstood the onslaught of Lu Yongxiang and Zhang Zongchang. And yet, Sun instead built up for a year, instead of immediately counter-attacking.\n\nSuch betrayal, it had cost Qi dearly! Struggling to make his comeback, he would be \"graciously\" accepted by Sun after the formation of the League. Working his magic, Qi did the dirty work for Sun, and now here they are. The helpless Sun, and the all-powerful Qi. Who could stop him? Pulling the plug?\n\nReports flooded in the next morning. Sun Chuanfang finally succumbed to his wounds, having passed in the middle of the night. With the newspapers drafting an eulogy remembering him in a mixed nature, praising his \"authenticity\", patriotism but decrying his brutality. A funeral will reportedly take place once order is restored to the League. Although Sun's demise made the front page of morning headlines, it was surrounded by reports of troop movements, student massacres, and the utter collapse of his empire."
 league_collapse_flavour.9.a: "\"It is 1000 times better to die at the hands of my compatriots than to live as a traitor.\""

### Section 5 - League War Events ###
 league_war.1.t: "Our Men Defect!"
 league_war.1.desc: "Day by day, our morale collapses. We have no victories to show, no glory to held, and have been sent into a spiral of death from which we may not return. Close confidants of [THIS.GetLeader] have urged him to flee to safety, but while he refuses and holds on to faith in victory, our soldiers have already begun to melt away..."
 league_war.1.a: "We just need more time!"

 # league_war.2 (hidden event)

 league_war.3.t.good: "Motivated Soldiers"
 league_war.3.t.bad: "Increasing Desertions"
 league_war.3.desc.good: "When a man believes that victory is close at hand, he will fight harder and better, it is often said. Whether or not this is true, recent battlefield success have done well to boost morale, having a positive effect on the war effort."
 league_war.3.desc.bad: "A string of mistakes, setbacks, and plain bad luck have meant that our forces have been unable to meet their objectives. We are failing to make significant gain, and as the war drags on, more men begin to question our cause, leaving the army to return home or become bandits."
 league_war.3.a: "Well done..."
 league_war.3.b: "Terrible..."

 league_war.4.t.good: "Enemy Stockpile Captured"
 league_war.4.t.bad: "Equipment Losses"
 league_war.4.desc.good: "With recent victories on the battlefield, our men have recently captured a supply depot full of enemy weapons! Though retreating forces had tried to leave nothing for us, the speed of our advance caught them off guard."
 league_war.4.desc.bad: "With a series of defeats on the battlefield, morale has sunk to a new low. While retreating from advancing enemy forces, a group of soldiers sent to bring supplies further towards the capital instead deserted and took the supplies with them. This represents both a breakdown in general discipline and a heavy loss for our logistics situation."
 league_war.4.a.good: "Excellent!"
 league_war.4.b.bad: "Crooks, the lot of them"

 league_war.5.t.good: "[THIS.GetLeader] Praised"
 league_war.5.t.bad: "[THIS.GetLeader] Attacked"
 league_war.5.desc.good: "Recent advances in the war have done well to strengthen [THIS.GetLeader]'s position. Members of the government once critical of his rule have begun to fall silent, while supporting voices have grown louder. If this trend continues, the war will see a swift conclusion."
 league_war.5.desc.bad: "Recent setbacks in the war have brought increasing criticism upon [THIS.GetLeader]'s leadership. Voices opposed to his rule have grown louder, with rumours of plots to remove him circulating, while promised victories seem to be slipping further and further away. If this trend continues, [THIS.GetNameDef] may collapse along internal divisions long before an enemy army takes [THIS.Capital.GetCapitalVictoryPointName]."
 league_war.5.a: "It's only right"
 league_war.5.b: "Can't they just shut up?"

 league_war.6.t: "Defectors from Anqing"
 league_war.6.desc: "It seems that with the collapse of the Anqing Clique, a number of warlords, generals, and petty despots tainted by Chen Tiaoyuan's association with the Japanese have chosen to place their bet on [SHD.GetLeader] rather than risk retribution from the Kuomintang. Their skills will surely prove an asset to us."
 league_war.6.a: "Welcome!"

 league_war.10.t: "Anqing Is Victorious!"
 league_war.10.d: "Great news has been telegrammed to President Cao and Marshal Wu! With the guns in Nanjing having mostly fallen silent, it would appear that Governor, now the newly inducted League-Marshal, Chen Tiaoyuan has successfully ousted Qi Xieyuan's corrupt kleptocratic government, with the German investors, businessmen and Southern Zhili demagogues having either fled to the Legations, German East Asia, or folded into governments more accepting.\n\nSecuring control over territories that are on the periphery of Anhui province, our support in the war no doubt served utterly crucial in Chen's swift victory over the League. Whilst unrest and fighting still continues on in other parts of the former League's territories, the Central Government has earned itself a steadfast ally within China, firmly integrated into our sphere of influence."
 league_war.10.a: "Fantastic work Chen!"

 league_war.11.t: "Nanjing Is Victorious!"
 league_war.11.d: "Great news has been telegrammed to President Cao and Marshal Wu! With the guns in Nanjing having mostly fallen silent, it would appear that League-Marshal Qi Xieyuan has successfully ousted Chen Tiaoyuan's unstable, illegitimate and chaotic regime, with the firebrand anti-concessionists, radicals and intellectuals of Chen's government having fled to neighbouring provinces, or even the Kuomintang.\n\nSecuring control over territories that are on the periphery of Nanjing province, our support in the war no doubt served utterly crucial in Qi's swift victory over the rebellious upstarts. Whilst unrest and fighting still continues on in other parts of the former League's territories, the Central Government has earned itself a steadfast, if ideologically corrupted, ally within China, firmly integrated into our sphere of influence."
 league_war.11.a: "Stability ensured under the League-Marshal!"

 league_war.12.t: "Nanjing Is Defeated!"
 league_war.12.d: "Having all but staked our government's finances, national credibility and legitimacy under the pretenses of supporting the continuation and stability of reliable government within the League, it would appear that it has all been for naught. Despite Qi's extensive support from both our erstwhile German allies and our own capabilities, he has managed to fumble it all into the pit of despair.\n\nWith his machinations behind his rise to power coming to light, it would appear that Qi's ambition was his ultimate downfall. Desiring the League for himself, he would inadvertently doom not just himself but his men alongside him. With his kleptocrats fleeing to the League or into our borders, the League-Marshal himself is reportedly missing, fleeing the capital with as much wealth he and his direct entourage could carry.\n\nWithout League-Marshal Qi to guard our flank and revive the South Zhili, Nanjing and the League provinces are beholden to only nefarious and hostile regimes, all with machinations on Beijing."
 league_war.12.a: "You were a crook, but you were our damned crook!"

 league_war.13.t: "Anqing Is Defeated!"
 league_war.13.d: "Despite their convictions to anti-concessionism, despite their patriotism, despite their valour, it would appear that the noble forces of Governor Chen Tiaoyuan have been utterly crushed and repelled from their home province. With his provincial government all but destroyed, the \"Fool\" General reportedly is rumoured to have died in the fighting, or otherwise fled into the shadows of the urban underworld, or even that of any regime that will accept him.\n\nAs for his lieutenants and intellectuals that backed him, they too have followed a similar fate, fleeing to Hunan or otherwise. Whatever the fate of these men may be, it is a grave, disastrous day for our government, as the victory of the anti-concessionist movement is something many of our leading officers, politicians and intellectuals had placed stakes upon.\n\nWithout Chen, we are left with only potentially hostile regimes to control some of China's most profitable and well developed provinces, leaving a serious security threat on our direct periphery."
 league_war.13.a: "You were a brave man Chen, defeated by ambition."

 league_war.14.t: "Governor Chen is Defeated!"
 league_war.14.d: "Today is a glorious day! Governor Chen Tiaoyuan, fitting of his moniker \"The Fool\", has finally been vanquished! With his Anhui Army utterly helpless against the onslaught of the League's finest, his forces crumbled and fled to the hinterlands. Seeking employment wherever they can. The traitorous Governor is rather unfortunately nowhere to be found, having fled Anhui province upon the encroachment of League soldiers.\n\nNonetheless, the great progenitor of it all, the one who poured gasoline on the fire, the one who surely led to the incapacitation of the great Sun Chuanfang, he has been cast away into the dustbin of history. And with him, the anti-concessionists are sure to follow. Now however, we must continue to look onto the horizons, for League Marshal Qi Xieyuan has many ambitions to fulfil."
 league_war.14.a: "Really was rather Foolish."

 #league_war.15 hidden event
 #league_war.16 hidden event
 #league_war.17 hidden event
 #league_war.18 hidden event
