700-799 (Abrittus)

Still writing on this one...

World powers remodel Türkestan
The new Persian Republic reaches out to all sides, attempting to establish good neighbourship relations.

One of these initiatives brings Rome, Persia and China together in talks about securing safe trade on the Silk route. The talks last several years; they are the world´s first semi-institutionalised co-operation of the two major world powers (plus Persia).

Chinese ambassadors surprise their dialogue partners with plans circulating among the Tang dynasty`s higher officials, which would transform China´s yeomen army into a professional army led by district commanders. Tang China announces it is going to strengthen its control over its borders, including its Göktürk-inhabited end of the Silk route, by this measure.

Representatives from Persia`s new republic strongly advise against these plans, giving vivid illustrations from their own recent history of the infights, instability and oppressive potential of professional armies. Rome´s ambassadors concur.

But what else could be done? ask the Chinese. Our task of securing both our northern border and the trade route to the West cannot be tackled by our yeomen army anymore.

Persia and Rome know they must provide relief, but neither want to overstretch their powers by permanently stationing tens or even hundreds of thousands of soldiers to control the entire steppe. If only the nomads from the steppe would see the opportunities that the trade route through their territory provide! If only they decided to work together with the world powers instead of raiding them! But nobody has any idea how to convince them...

But then, the Persians propose to invite the kingdom of Tibet into the talks, too. The Roman ambassador asks what Tibetans might be... Tang China is reluctant at first, but finally accepts the idea.

And the Tibetan ambassadors have a great idea. /// to be continued ///

Centennial developments and trends
Co-operation between Rome, Persia and China to keep the Silk route open has far-reaching implications, first for the central Asian steppe and later due to intensified contacts between Europe and China.

Religion

 * Imported from Tibet, Lamaist / Tantrist Buddhism takes deep roots in Göktürkestan. This is perhaps the last major step in Buddhism`s ascent to world`s no. 1 religion.

Nations of Europe

 * Celtic explorers discover Nova Hibernia (Newfoundland). Here and in Polaris, first contacts between Europeans and Northern American indigenous people occur. So far, Celtic and European interest remains marginal.
 * Roman Empire: Anarchist terrorists and revolts increase, but only cast a slight shadow on a thriving world power.
 * Ostrogothic sea merchants explore ever new parts of the world, including an island far away across the Atlantic Ocean inhabited by Taino people.