Germany: The Thousand Year Empire

Creak.

The door was pushed open, and Ethan walked in to report.

"Your Excellency, the British delegation has arrived. All other European Union member states have also assembled at Charlottenburg Palace."

Jörg nodded.

"I understand."

Then he asked, "How are the negotiations progressing?"

"Miss Leah is leading them."

Ethan's voice was steady.

"The British are being quite difficult at the negotiating table, but Miss Leah said you need not worry. She will secure everything Germany deserves."

He paused briefly, then added, "And wash away all humiliation left behind after the Treaty of Versailles."

Standing before the mirror, Jörg adjusted the corner of his clothing.

"Very well."

"Prepare the car."

"We are going to Charlottenburg Palace."

Wilhelmstrasse.

The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Spring had arrived.

The burning fireplace could no longer offer gentle warmth to dispel the cold. Instead, it released a scorching heat that seemed to penetrate directly into the heart.

At both ends of the negotiating table, two completely different emotions intertwined and clashed.

The German negotiating team, led by Foreign Minister Leah, was cold, excited, and ambitious.

The British negotiating team was decadent, carrying the lifelessness of twilight.

Even Luca, the diplomat known for his eloquence, could only barely hold the line through words and prevent the negotiations from collapsing entirely.

"Madam Leah, we have ceased all military actions in accordance with your country's demands."

He spoke carefully, each word weighed and restrained.

"We have also temporarily handed over primary authority for domestic security and border defense to German jurisdiction."

"Given that we have perfectly fulfilled the relevant agreements, I demand that Germany also fulfill its diplomatic commitments in equal measure."

"Declare the British Peace Government a legitimate regime, and recognize its independence."

Leah took off her glasses.

As a recognized strong woman in Germany, the intensity of the negotiations had added a few faint wrinkles to the corners of her eyes.

"Do not worry, Mr. Luca. We will recognize it."

Her voice was as calm as a blade laid flat on the table.

"But first, we must focus on the content of the peace agreement."

"Firstly, given Britain's repeated violations of the European peace consensus and its disruption of European unity, I, representing Germany and all European Union delegates present, declare that Britain must bear full responsibility for all military expenditures, casualties, and trade damages incurred after France's surrender."

"However, considering that Britain cannot provide the corresponding compensation, we have formulated a series of supplementary guidelines."

Leah's tone remained cold.

Coming from a political family, every word she spoke was impeccable, precise, and almost impossible to attack.

Her deputy, standing behind her, simultaneously distributed the detailed compensation clauses.

Luca looked at the long list of compensation figures and the extremely harsh supplementary explanations.

His expression turned heavier.

"We are willing to pay for a series of military misjudgments, including the invasion of the Belgian border and the invasion of Spanish territory."

"But we believe that Germany's confiscation of the Far East Fleet has already covered a significant portion of the compensation."

"If calculated according to the median price per vessel…"

Before he could continue, mocking smiles appeared on the faces of the German diplomats present.

Leah's reply followed immediately.

"Mr. Luca, who told you that the confiscation of the Far East Fleet can be categorized as compensation?"

"Compensation is compensation."

"The confiscation of military weapons is the basis of negotiations."

"Without the confiscation of the Far East Fleet, you would not even be sitting at this negotiating table."

She picked up her teacup.

"Renner, please reiterate the terms to Mr. Luca."

Leah rested her head lightly against one hand and listened as Renner began reading the terms.

"Out of the European Union's policy of European peace and unity."

"Firstly, Germany will not interfere with Britain's political system, nor will it annex Britain's main territories, including the British Isles."

"It will only establish three major military surveillance areas on the Isle of Man, in London, and in Edinburgh."

"However, considering Britain's military uncertainty and the possibility of exploitation by external illegal regimes, the following restrictions must be imposed."

"In terms of the army, Britain may only maintain a small force primarily responsible for public order and border security."

"The navy will be fully reorganized."

"Britain's territorial water security vessels with actual command authority must not exceed ten."

"The existing navy will be placed under German leadership. Germany will possess full control over ships, sailors, officers, naval bases, and shipyards."

"Britain is not permitted to possess any air force."

"All aircraft factories and research institutes will belong to Germany."

"At the same time, all military research is prohibited until the end of the observation period."

Each line was like flesh being flayed from the British diplomats.

"Secondly, no intelligence organizations may be established within Britain. The European Union Council will conduct three years of oversight."

"Thirdly, Britain may only retain the colonies listed in the annex."

"The remaining colonies, after breaking free from the control of the illegal British government, will be jointly developed by Germany and the European Union."

"Fourthly, the British Peace Government must officially declare the Treaty of Versailles illegal and acknowledge Britain's numerous mistakes during the Great War."

"Fifthly, regarding compensation…"

Unable to endure such humiliation any longer, Luca raised his hand and stopped Renner's reading.

"That is enough."

His voice was hoarse.

"I agree to your demands."

"But we also have one demand."

His gaze hardened slightly.

"British culture must be preserved."

"This is our bottom line."

Leah nodded.

"Do not worry, Mr. Luca."

"We will not eradicate the diversity of another nation."

Compared with the confrontation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs negotiating table, the other meeting seemed far more dignified.

Because the official venue of the European Union had not yet been determined, the first European Union meeting was arranged at Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin.

All those attending were national leaders.

Edward handled these political figures with ease.

After all, compared with his stuttering younger brother, he possessed greater political charm and emotional intelligence.

He skillfully defused one dangerous question after another from reporters, shifting the embarrassment of surrender onto the mistakes made by the Churchill Government.

Finally, he added several remarks about the general direction of peace and unity.

Soon, the small talk ended.

Everyone took their seats.

On the rostrum of the conference hall, Jörg, dressed in a black suit, nodded slightly toward the national leaders and reporters.

"Gentlemen, ladies, and friends of the press."

His voice carried clearly through the hall.

"Today is a day worth remembering."

"Not merely because this is the first meeting since the establishment of the European Union."

"Not merely because today, we will announce countless firsts."

"But because today, Britain, an indispensable part of Europe, has finally emerged from the shadow of war and chosen to embrace a peaceful Europe."

Applause erupted throughout the hall.

Jörg pressed his hands downward, signaling for silence.

Then he continued.

"We are willing to give those who have erred a chance to reform."

"I say this to the current British Peace Government."

"And even more so to all illegal governments that are still engaged in futile resistance and still disrupting European peace."

....

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