Re: Blood and Iron

The Kaiser of the German Reich needed to do very little regarding the negotiations between himself and the Kingdom of Italy. As the disputes that existed between them and the Central Powers primarily revolved around claims regarding lands in Austro-Hungary.

Fundamentally, the Kingdom of Italy, the House of Savoy, and any other parties with any stake in the game were required to completely withdraw any claims they may have over the disputed lands in perpetuity, specifically those revolving around lands in Southern Tyrol and Trient.

In addition to this, the Kingdom of Italy was made to pay war reparations in an amount that did not exceed the reasonable. Ultimately, Franz Jospeh was wise enough to understand that with gains made in the Balkans, specifically revolving around Serbia, and the already tumultuous nature of the region. Adding anymore lands to the Austro-Hungarian Empire at this time would be borderline suicidal.

Because of this, he ultimately settled for reparations, and the Italians relinquishing claims they had over lands owned by the Habsburgs. It was a wise decision, made by a man who had been an emperor for several decades, and had listened to several personal lectures by a mind he considered to be perhaps the greatest in the world when it came to Grand Strategy.

Over the years, Bruno had maintained close contact with the three European Emperors and their families. And personally meeting with the Emperor of Austria was something he had done on several occasions when he was granted the means to do so. Discover hidden content at My Virtual Library Empire

In these private meetings, Bruno had spoken of a great variety of topics. As a well-educated man with a vast library of knowledge from past, present, and future embedded within his grand archive of a brain, Bruno could speak like a preacher with divine knowledge regarding the subjects he was so familiar with.

A preacher, who the most wise would listen to, and treat his word as if it were gospel itself. These discussions had reached topics such as overextension, and the difficulties with maintaining the stability of an empire like the one the Habsburgs ruled.

Bruno was a man, after all whose tongue was slightly loosened when he partook of drink. Not even to give away critical secrets, but enough to impart what he believed to be common sense, but in reality, was profound wisdom to those around him.

Hence why Franz Joseph was hesitant to push for a "punitive peace" and to seize any lands from Italy?

The Austrian Emperor would never forget the almost bitter expression on Bruno's face when they shared drinks together many years ago, the look in his eyes that was filled with scorn as he spoke of how a peace based upon punishing the defeated in ways that were excessive and humiliating would only inspire further violence in the future.

It was a topic Franz Joseph had seldom thought about prior to the discussion he had with Bruno, but one that he took to heart. Thus, he was slightly bewildered when the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III approached him in private after the discussions were concluded and the treaty had been signed.

There was an expression of heartfelt gratitude on the Italian King's face as he expressed his thanks in private to the Austrian Emperor.

"I must say, I was dreading this discussion, especially after word reached my ear that the Wolf of Prussia had marched into my lands and captured my cities. I thought for sure once you learned of that you would rake me over the coals.

But in all things, you have been most fair to me, my house, and my nation. I feel ashamed for dragging Italy into this war on the losing side. Especially over such minor and petty grievances now that I look back upon them with hindsight.

The price we must pay is one that can easily be explained to the Italian people, and one that I assure you we will not miss a single payment for. Well, I suppose I should return to my home, now that this gruesome affair has been concluded, you do after all have a war to win in France don't you?"

A war to win in France? It was a thought that made the Austrian Emperor sigh with a heavy heart as he thought about how ultimately despite knocking out Serbia, the Ottoman Empire, and Italy. There were still two more major powers they would have to overcome.

It was his highest hopes by the year's end this conflict would be over. Because it was truly something that had cost far too many lives than it was worth.

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Churchill's death, and the eradication of the Rothschild branch in England had caused major concerns for the United Kingdom. Few wanted to admit it, but war was quickly becoming a real possibility for the British isles.

Irish independence groups were being armed to the teeth by weapons smuggling from across the world. While Marxist revolutionaries and patriotic counter-revolutionaries fought in the streets of London, Birmingham and other major English cities.

The colonies burned through hybrid warfare. Revolutionary groups began popping up in India, and Africa, while the German Colonial forces, under the command of the Lion of Africa pushed back against the British and French armies.

Driving them out of the German colonies and pressing claims for Mittelafrika at a rapid rate. With Germany being completely capable of transporting its convoys to and from its colonies, they were more than capable of supplying the Colonial forces with the weapons and ammo they needed, giving them an enormous boost which they did not have in Bruno's past life.

And as the German Marine Corps underwent its first deployment, some 45,000 German naval infantry were sent to Africa to gain some combat experience before the planned invasion of the British Isles was actually considered feasible.

Finally, the Imperial Japanese Army combined with the Royal Thai Army ravaged British colonial possessions in the east. It was a terrible time for the British Empire, so many fires burned across their Empire, and yet for every one they tried to stamp out, another two were lit in their place.

All the while, the bulk of their forces were still trying their best to aid the French in pushing through Belgium. Hundreds of thousands of Anglo-French soldiers dying with each mile of land gained.

It was a disaster of epic proportions, and when Italy finally announced its surrender, before the alpine theater could even truly began. Defeatist sentiment spread like napalm across the British homeland.

The war was over; the Allies had lost miserably. And now the people demanded to withdraw and leave France to its deserved fate. But would the British government really give up now, after all they had lost in this war with nothing to show for it?

That was the question among those who stood within the hallowed halls of the British parliament, arguing like madmen about how to proceed with this Empire ending crisis they found themselves in.