I am happy to say that I am almost at the conclusion of my alternate Qing timeline. I have basically reached a part that I don't know if I want to include in the timeline, but would be fun to share.
Before we get to the main subject, let me give a brief summery of what happens prior. In 1875, Empress Dowager Cixi dies, resulting in Prince Gong ruling as Prince Regent. He modernizes China industrially and militarily until 1887, when the Gunagxu Emperor is able to rule by his own right. By 1890, China has a modern and centralized military. After the Sino-Japanese war, China was able too keep Formosa, but unfortunately lost Korea to Japan. Regardless, Guangxu remained graceful of the situation and decided to learn about Japan's modernization to help modernize China even further. In 1898, the Qing Dynasty is reformed into a constitutional Monarchy with Cen Chunxuan as its first prime minister.
Through out the turn of the Century, China would have developed healthy diplomatic relations with its neighbors as the conditions were impossible for the Boxer Rebellion to occur. During, World War 1, China would remain neutral, but would make profits off the war and have their defenses up along its coast.
And now we get to the subject of this post.
In 1918, Guangxu would grant asylum for the Romanovs and allow them to live in the Palace in Nanjing. (In this alternate timeline, Guangxu has a western style regional palace in Nanjing built on the grounds where the Ming Palace once stood.) In addition, an agreement is made for Gunagxu's son, Crown Prince Jianxin, to marry Tsar Nicholas II's youngest Daughter, Grand Duchess Anastasia. The Prince even agrees to convert to Russian Orthodox Christianity so that the bride and groom are equally yoked. The wedding is held at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin in 1919. By then, Anastasia is 18 and Jianxin is 17.
News of this marriage would spread across the globe. The Bolsheviks don't take kindly to this, believing it to be an attempt by the Romanovs to have themselves reinstated as rulers of Russia via the Chinese military. As a result, the Bolsheviks declare war on the Qing Dynasty.
How the war would end is beyond me. Do the Bolsheviks successfully invade China, kill the Romanovs and the Aisin-Gioros, and set up a communist government? Or do they loose and retreat, leaving the royals alone?
Hello everyone. It's time to talk about royal one, given the news. Maybe you know, there was wedding in Russia But what about China? Puyi was captured by Red Army (some people are still searching Amur river for his gold and jewelry lol), then he was released to Communist China. But what about minor members? Were they shot like most of Romanovs? And who is (if any) the head of this... House? Family?
So I just discovered that its actually possible for Puyi to be removed from the throne (gets shot to death I guess?) and Pujie takes the throne. Ive read some threads over here and there that the event sparks when Puyi annexes Shangqing, causing the Germans to react. I have already annexed Shandong but the event doesn't fire up... So how do I place Pujie on the throne?
I was reading the wikipedia page on Paektu/Baekdu Mountain as it is called in Korean or Changbai Mountain as it is called in China. The mountain is attached a mythical quality to it by the Koreans because they consider it to be the Koreans spiritual home. One other thing stood out to me though that raised a question.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paektu_Mountain
The page reads, "The Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, which founded the Qing dynasty in China, claimed their progenitor BukΕ«ri YongΕ‘on was conceived near Paektu Mountain."
So the ruling Manchu Aisin Gioro clan clearly attached the same level of significance to the mountain as the Koreans do. But does this only apply to the Aisin Gioro clan or to the Manchu people as a a whole? Is it only the ruling Manchu Aisin Gioro clan that consider it their birthplace or do all Manchu people consider that mountain the birthplace of all Manchu people?
I'm just curious if this mountain's mythical quality is part of the cultural heritage so to speak of the Manchu people just like the Koreans. Or is it only specific to the ruling family of the Qing Dynasty, the Aisin Gioro clan?
China then falls apart into various warlord states.
So I was wondering if there is any movement (primarily abroad, seeing as the CCP probably wouldn't be too fond of monarchist talks in China) dedicated to the restoration of the House of Aisin Gioro to the Dragon Throne.
I'd love to get the Eastern Jewel commanding my cavalry divisions again. I realize the particular circumstances have changed (No Concordia Association trying to create a Chinese Joan-of-Arc movie star) but it's still a fun role-play opportunity.
The Naval Jack of the Royal Navy fluttered proudly in the breeze, borne aloft from its resting place upon the stern of the HMS Victory. The ship's wooden deck was alive with activity, lit by the never-setting sun of the British Empire and the fervour of patriotism that was lit in the hearts of every single one of the vessel's crew.
Up ahead, just cresting the horizon, was the port city of Canton. The Union Jack was nowhere to be seen upon its dilapidated walls, much to the indignity of the Victory's crewmen. The bloody Chinamen were worse than the Scots, it seemed; at least those gimps in Glasgow had the sense to keep Her Majesty's banner flying over their castles.
WILLIAM: I say! It seems as though Intelligence was right after all! Canton has fallen to those accursed Chinamen, and with it our Opium profits. Sepoy! Bring me my looking-glass!
Lowly Sepoy: Here, sahib. Please, no more kicking.
WILLIAM: Silence, you dog! Mess up once more, and I just might show you my cane. Now, let us see what sub-par mongrels those Cantonese have mustered to face us with...
Through the telescope, the HERO OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE could note that the Dragon Banner flew above the city's walls, and with it stood tenscore Chinese troops. At least, there were tenscore rice-paddy hats lining the walls. God knows those fools had not a single iota of fashion sense in their bodies.
WILLIAM: Messenger! Run up this message on the flags! "ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO THEIR DUTY AND SMASH THE CHINADOGS WHERE THEY STAND." Is that understood?
Lowly messenger: Aye aye, milord! It shall be done!
WILLIAM: Very good. Now; full sail! Forward to victory! GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
Crew of the Victory GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
Jin Guiying, Princess of the Qing Dynasty and current commander of the Guangdong garrison, tried not to shudder as she read the naval ensigns and pennants flying from the masts of the oncoming British ships. It seemed as though the famed Lord William of York was in charge of this assault, his ridiculously over-fluffed red coat and gold-trimmed tricorne cap visible even from the city's ramparts across the bay.
She gripped her jian a little tighter, knowing full well that the coming fight would be nigh-impossible. Her troops numbered two hundred; barely enough to secure the neighbourhood, let alone stop an invasion force. The British had cannons and rifles, while her defenders were a
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