Tyranny of Steel

Word quickly spread of the Japanese Empire's conquest of Maguindanao, so much so that the Ming Emperor was quick to call a meeting with the German embassy in Beijing. Currently, Ambassador Gerhard von Graz sat in his seat, while being attended to by two young Chinese women. These girls were twins, and they poured a cup of tea for their master with the utmost grace and civility. After filling his cup, they turned to the Ming Prince and did the same for him before scurrying off out of earshot. 

That's right, the Ming Prince. Although the Emperor had called for this meeting, he would not dignify a mere ambassador with his esteemed presence. Thus, he had sent his son Prince Zhu Li to speak with Gerhard.

The German ambassador was accustomed to meeting with the crown prince. Unfortunately, Zhu Zhi was the general placed in charge of the conquest of Indochina. Thus, his younger brother, a man who had served as ambassador to Japan in the past, was reassigned to speak with the Reich's representative. 

Zhu Li was not a tenth of the man his elder brother was. He was neither an intelligent nor a cunning man. He also had a misplaced sense of pride both in himself and his family's empire, which, combined with his low intellect, made for a rather laughable ambassador. It was no wonder that he had failed so miserably to move Empress Itami's heart.

Though Gerhard was aware of the rumors surrounding the young prince, he still treated the young man with respect. After all, he could not afford to damage relations with the Ming Dynasty. He had already committed one grave mistake against the Kaiser in years past, and spent nearly a decade making up for it. Now that he had a comfortable position in Beijing, why would he screw it up? Thus, the man's tone was filled with reverence as he spoke with the haughty prince. 

"It is my pleasure to host your highness. Tell me, Prince Li, what is so urgent that I must clear my schedule for this meeting?"

Zhu Li was entirely unaware of how advanced the German nation had become. He knew not of their supreme military might that even the Japanese Empress feared deep within her black heart. The Prince also had a general disdain for Germans and what he perceived to be an air of arrogance that surrounded them. In other words, his ignorance and pride had caused him to behave in a less than friendly manner when Gerhard spoke to him. 

"Who do you think you are? You cleared your busy schedule for me? As if that is supposed to be a problem? You should feel blessed that I decided to grace an ambassador from a backwater nation like you with my presence. You have no right to speak with me with such a tone, barbarian!"

It surprised Gerhard that the Ming Prince would act this way. After all, he said his words with an irreverent tone, and meant no offense whatsoever. He had heard stories that the man was rather incompetent, but he never knew it was to such a degree.

When Zhu Li was enamored with Itami's beauty, he had never raised his voice to her. Even if she was a barbarian, he would never say such uncouth words to her pretty face. However, at the moment, he was speaking to a man from the western world. How could a man as esteemed as a Ming Prince possibly bite his tongue for such a person? 

Despite the misunderstanding that had just occurred. Gerhard did not grovel and beg for the Ming Princes' forgiveness. He could not afford to sully the reputation of the Reich, and its glorious Kaiser. Even in a private conversation between two ambassadors.

After all, Germany only treated the Ming as an "equal" because they did not wish to worsen relations between them, and East Asia, which they had no long-term ambitions for. If Berengar really wanted to, he could utterly crush the Ming dynasty with his vast military power. As a result, Gerhard had lost all respect in his tone when he responded to the Ming Prince's harsh words. 

"If this is how you speak to foreign ambassadors, it is no wonder that you were kicked out of Empress Itami's palace. Though why your father would send such an utter buffoon to my residence is beyond me. Perhaps he was hoping you would reflect on your previous actions and learn from your past mistakes. It is clear the man has put too much faith in you.

Let's cut the bullshit. You're here because your father is worried about the Han Minority within the Islands that the Japanese Empire is currently invading. It is the Ming Emperor's concern that if the Imperial Japanese Army were to push even the slightest bit north, they would be attacking another Ming tributary, and he wants to know what our stance on the issue is?"

Zhu Li's expression soured when he heard this. He was about to open his mouth when Gerhard interrupted him after taking a sip of his tea.

"Judging by the look on your face, I'm right, aren't I? Let's save us all some time, and allow me to convey to you our Kaiser's will. It is his belief that should Empress Itami send her forces northward towards Caboloan, then the only solution is economic sanctions.

Withholding trade from the Japanese would cripple their economy, and would force Empress Itami to print large quantities of paper currency to compensate. In doing so, she would most certainly cause hyperinflation to occur, which would only lead to future problems for her Empire. 

The Kaiser will do his part to rally his allies so that they all agree to engage in these economic sanctions. However, if we wish our response to be truly effective. The Ming Dynasty, as the Japanese Empire's largest trading partner, will have to do its part and cut off all trade with Empress Itami. 

I'm sure you have no idea what I'm talking about, but if you repeat my words to your father, he will understand the Kaiser's intent. Now, were there any other questions your father had for me, or do you plan to continue to waste my precious time?"

Gerhard's words incomparably offended Zhu Li. It was one thing for Itami to kick him out of her palace. As angry as he was when she had done so, he could tolerate it. However, this western barbarian was asking for a beheading. Thus, the Ming Prince rose from his seat with a fierce glint in his eyes before rebuking the German Ambassador for his vicious remarks.

"You will come to regret your words today! I, Zhu Li, am not a man you can so easily afford to offend! I will be back, and when I have done so, I will have your tongue removed!"

Gerhard was not the least bit intimidated. The Ming Emperor needed Germany's aid if he were to resist the rising threat of the Japanese Empire. Because of this, Gerhard could fearlessly provoke the foolish Prince. However, just to ensure that the idiot did not deliberately misinform his father of their meeting out of pure spite. The German Ambassador made one final remark before sending the Ming Prince on his way.

"Just for the record, I will send over an accurate report of what we have discussed today to your father in a few hours. I'm sure he would like a written copy for his records. He can consider this a gift from the Kaiser..."

Zhu Li's face turned ghastly when he heard this, wondering in that moment how he could have been seen through. It was exactly this clown's intent to go back to his father and say that Germany intended to do nothing, and gave no suggestions whatsoever, before rudely sending the Ming Ambassador packing. Gerhard had enough experience with dullards and fools to know their thought processes. Thus, he could accurately predict and preempt Zhu Li's intended actions with a single sentence. 

Ultimately, the Ming Prince was speechless as he trotted out of the German Embassy in a huff. He swore one day he would have his vengeance on Gerhard and the Reich as a whole for treating him this way. As for the German Ambassador, he sat back in his seat and sipped on his tea in silence.

As he did so, the two Chinese maids from earlier entered the scene and kowtowed before their master. There was a look of worry on their faces as they silently conveyed their thoughts with their mind. Ultimately, the elder of the twins spoke up and inquired about the sincerity of the situation.

"Master, is something wrong?"

A slight sneer appeared on Gerhard's face as he placed his teacup down on the saucer which sat upon the table. A clank resounded in the air as he shifted his gaze over to the two women and glared sternly at them before responding to their question.

"Send a message to Imperial Intelligence. Prince Zhu Li is going to be a problem..."

The two Chinese maids had worked for the German Embassy long enough to understand what these words meant, and because of this, they silently nodded their heads before departing from the room. One of the two young women entered a secret room and sent an encrypted radio message back to the Reich. Informing them of the German Ambassador's words.  As for Zhu Li's ultimate fate, that was up to Linde to decide. 

For now, both the German Empire and the Ming Dynasty would watch and wait to see how the Japanese Empire proceeded with their invasion of the Philippines. One wrong step, and they could find themselves buried by international sanctions. 

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