1st of November, 2023
Stockholm, Kingdom of Sweden, HRE
Hosted by the King of Sweden in his palace, the Conference of Stockholm was gathering the signatories of the Lancaster House Protocols on Uruguay: the Roman Emperor, the Japanese Prime Minister, the Empress of Brazil, the President of the Federation of Rio de la Plata and Chile and the Prime Minister of the Holy Britannian Empire.
Started on the 31st of October, the conference however turned out to be a failure since the beginning. First, the Platinean President and the Brazilian Empress kept accusing each other of escalating the situation and claimed that the question on the sovereignty over Uruguay should be resolved immediately, then the Roman Emperor stated that in case of an immediate resolution, he would support Brazilian sovereignty, thing that provoked the reaction of Japan, which decided to support self-determination and of Britannia, which instead decided to support the Rio de la Plata claim. When Giulio approached the Britannian Prime Minister, this replied to him that his move was caused by internal pressures coming from the Imperial Resurgence Party, which by now was dictating the rules in Britannia.
Facing this situation, at the lunch break of the second day of the conference, Giulio decided to have lunch away from the other delegates, in the company of Empress Carine of Brazil. They went to the Bakfickan, a Michelin Star restaurant located at the Royal Opera House, an elegant place where they could discuss business without being disturbed.
"I have to say that after so many years in Brazil, I am now suffering much more with the cold." Said Carine as they entered.
"I can imagine."
"No, you can't. You spend half of the year in Saint Petersburg." Joked Carine.
"It's also true... Ehm yes, a table for two, please." Giulio interrupted himself to ask the waiter for a table.
They sat and without waiting for long ordered their dishes and a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino.
"So, this Saturday we go to La Scala?" Asked Carine, referring to something previously mentioned by Giulio.
"Yes, we will, it's the premiére of Verdi's Attila. Will you come?"
"I was thinking of returning to Brazil right after the conference here, but I think I can spend a couple of days in Milan."
"That would be great."
"For sure. Now, you will forgive me if I change argument, but..."
"I know, you want to talk about business."
"Yes."
"This conference won't find a solution, we both know this and if things in Britannia don't improve, which I doubt, I am afraid that when at the end of next year we will hand Cisplatina to Britannia, they will immediately favour their allies."
"So may I annex it?"
"No. If you annex it, this will mean war. I don't think we can avoid a war at this point, but I don't want to cause it and I want to delay it for us to ready."
"Well, so what do you suggest, if we cannot annex it?"
"Within ten days from now you will announce the intention of marching into Uruguay. I will leave the Commissioner aware of this and with orders to hand the territory to your troops without resisting, instead facilitating the deployment of Brazilian forces on the Western borders, so to avoid an attack from Rio de la Plata. Then you won't annex the territory, but appoint a High Commissioner and take it in administration from us."
"It could work."
"It won't take long until the others will abandon the Lancaster House Convention at that point. Then you will declare full annexation of Cisplatina. Deal?"
"Deal." Replied Carine smiling and shaking Giulio's hand.
Press Updates
From LVX News, 2nd of November 2023
"The conference was a fiasco." Declared Emperor Julius I on press conference about Stockholm meeting. No agreement reached on the International Territory of Uruguay.
From BBC News, 5th of November, 2023
On the occasion of the anniversary of the Powders Conspiracy, millions of citizens have celebrated in London wearing masks of Guy Fawkes and protesting against the militarisation of London and executive of Sir Francis Baldwin. Lord Henry de Montgomerie declared his support to demonstration calling for Baldwin's resignation. Empress Nunnally's health worsened. Empress retreats to Balmoral Castle, Scotland.
6th of November 2023
Milan, Duchy of Milan, HRE
It was a cold and humid evening of early November in Milan and there was a dense fog that made difficult to see even at 2-3 m of distance. In the crowded streets of the city centre, the Emperor with his family and guests were heading to the famous opera house La Scala, on five FIAT 2800 Ministeriale, which in the past belonged to the First Consul of the Italian Republic. The Emperor was coming accompanied by Empress Anya, Oldrin Zevon, his lover, Charlotte d'Orleans, his mother, Scipione Valerio Borghese, Chief of Staff and the Reichkanzler Prince Wilhelm von Metternich. Moreover, were coming as his guests Empress Carine of Brazil, with the Brazilian Ambassador to the Roman Empire, Manoel de Albuquerque Lins, Count of Rio Formoso and the Japanese Prime Minister, Marquis Kaname Ohgi.
As by protocol, they were the last to arrive and went to occupy the Imperial Box.
"Mesdames and Monsieurs." Announced the director of the Opera House. "Please, join me in welcoming Their Majesties our Emperor and Empress, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty Empress Carine of Brazil, the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Japanese Empire, Lord Kaname Ohgi, the Right Honourable Reichskanzler Prince Friedrich von Metternich and their distinguished guests."
All the presents in the theatre stood up and applauded the Emperor and his guests. Following their arrival, then the orchestra played in order the national anthem of each of the countries represented, in order: the Inno a Roma written by Lady Guinevere Farnese and Roman National Anthem, the Hino da Independencia, anthem of the Empire of Brazil and finally Kimigayo, the Japanese National Anthem. To this was followed a standing ovation to the Emperor and his guests.
"Nothing like a warm, Italian welcoming." Said Ohgi to Giulio.
"I hope you liked it."
"I did. I have to be honest, I always wished to visit Italy and to come here, since I was a high school teacher in Shinjuku."
"Well, then I'm happy you have had your dream realised."
"I will be more than happy to return the hospitality next June, if you want. I am working with the Imperial Opera House of Rio de Janeiro to have O Guarani, by Carlos Gomes." Proposed Carine.
"That would be lovely." Replied Anya.
"But when will we all be invited to Tokyo for the inauguration of the new opera, Marquis Ohgi?" Asked Prince Borghese.
"Should be next March. We will exhibit Madama Butterfly, by Puccini in partnership with Teatro La Fenice."
"Please, do it! It's my favourite work by Puccini."
"Shh guys!" Intervened the Empress Mother. "It's about to start!"
The lights were turned off and the orchestra started playing the Overture. The first scene was the of the Huns camp, where with the aria Urli, Rapine, Attila's warriors were greeting their leader with that first aria, that Giulio always loved, where the King of the huns was acclaimed for his deeds and depicted as a God of war, destined to the Valhalla.
Watching the scene, Giulio could not refrain from thinking about himself and the spiral that seemed to be, slowly but steadily devouring his empire and the world.
'Back when I fought Charles, the EU and Lelouch I was Attila.' He thought. 'Now however I am like Ezio. Defending my home from the entire world.'
His thoughts then moved on an other aria of the opera, that was to come only in the second act but that described well his feeling at the moment, it was Ezio's complaint, Dagli Immortali Vertici.
Dagli immortali vertici
Belli di gloria, un giorno,
L'ombre degli avi, ah, sorgano
Solo un istante intorno!
Di là vittrice l'aquila
Per l'orbe il vol spiegò . . .
Roma nel vil cadavere
Chi ravvisare or può?
13th of November, 2023
Luoyang, Chinese Federation
Yuan Xiquan was lying on a sofa in his office in the Imperial Army Headquarters, he was having a very strong headache and his eyes were burning. NN arrived putting a humid warm cloth on his head.
"I told you not to abuse of the Geass. You need to be more careful or this might end up destroying you."
"If it does so after I will have saved China, then I will be fine with it." Replied the General.
"If you keep misusing it, it will destroy you much earlier."
"I will be more careful then. May I have some aspirine? I need to give my speech in two hours."
"Sure, take it." Replied NN giving him the medicine. "Do you think it is already the time for that speech?"
"Yes, absolutely, it is. The colonial world is the global countryside and it must rise at the same time that China rises."
"Interesting metaphore."
"Indeed. When you look at many of the revolutionaries of the past, you see that they were always focused on the cities and on controlling the cities. However, it is not in the cities that most of the people lives. Not in China and not in the World, if we look at the main world powers as being the 'cities'"
"So your plan is to encircle Rome, Britannia and Japan."
"Not all them. At least not now. You see, there is a contradiction within the West: the Britannians and the Japanese were left subjugated by Rome and they cannot accept this, so I will exploit this contradiction to make them fight each other and leave them and the Japanese completely isolated."
"I thought you didn't wished to destroy Rome." Observed NN perplexed.
"I didn't in principle. But I came to realise that if not completely destroyed they will rise again and seek revenge. Giulio is not a fool and knows well that should China be allowed to rise and become a major power, his empire would be threatened. Moreover he fears for Siberia and Transamur, where there is little population and many resources that could help China."
"Interesting strategy. But then I would like to understand the rationale behind the uprising that will happen in tomorrow here in Luoyang. Shouldn't we focus on the countryside?"
"Luoyang is the symbol of the old system and of the House of Shikai, that deposed the Qing in 1912, so it needs to be destroyed. When we will assault the Legation Quarter Rome, Britannia and Japan will intervene, destroy Luoyang and crush the rebellion in the cities. We will retreat to the countryside and then I will reveal myself and from there lead the people against the foreigners and the Tianzi, whom by that point will have lost all of her authority."
"Sounds like a good plan. As far as the Guardians of Hel are concerned, I can assure you that we will have soon under our control most of Africa and Britannia. That girl, Kallen Kozuki, is not acting under our directive, but I am sure that she can easily join our side and if not well... you can always use your Geass."
"Indeed. Well, I should get prepared. I will give the speech very soon."
The speech by the Bà Wàng, as General Xiquan titled the character he used to mask himself, gave his speech at 22h. The speech was released through the web thanks to the hackers working for the General, who were able to hack even some Western medias and use them to spread their message throughout the world. In this way, at that time, the people of every corner of the world could see that image of a man in traditional imperial chinese clothes, wearing a mask portraying Qin Shi Huang and sitting on a chair, with behind him a red background with the only image of a sun rising. A Chinese revolutionary song known as The March of the Volunteers announced the beginning of the speech.
"Peoples of the World,
I am the Bà Wàng, the leader of the Chinese people in their fight against their oppressors. Today I come to speak to all of you bringing a message of friendship and peace.
Years ago, we had all seen the struggle initiated by Zero in Japan against Imperialism becoming a global fight for justice. Unfortunately, that revolution was hijacked by imperialists of today. The Euro Britannian nobles, with their Japanese flunkeys and the treacherous Princess Nunnally of Britannia had taken the leadership of it and misled the people into a new system of oppression. Colonialism, racism, inequality and authoritarianism have become the norm under them and we, the Chinese, have suffered just like all of you.
In this moment, as I talk to you, the people of China fights its war against the International Police and the colonial government sitting in the Forbidden city. However, our fight will be vain if you do not rise against those who oppress you and claim your rightful place in the world. It is for this reason that today, I am extending to all of you the hand of friendship and inviting to join the struggle of your Chinese brothers for justice. Our hand is also extended at the peoples of Europe, Britannia and Japan. We know it is not you, common men and women wishing only to peacefully carry on your life, who are responsible for our disgrace. Our fight is against those elites oppressing you, you are our brothers in the global struggle for justice.
The Imperialists are paper tiger and they will fall one after the other when the people will rise. Freedom, Justice, Revolution!"
While the world was listening appalled at the speech of Yuan Xiquan calling for a world revolution, at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to the Chinese Federation the main representatives of the foreign powers had gathered to discuss the evolution of the situation. Guests of the Japanese Ambassador, Baron Hideki Omura, that evening were Prince Schneizel el Britannia, Prince of Wales and newly appointed Britannian Ambassador, Baron Alexander von Falkenhausen, Cécile Clément, the Roman Military Attaché, General Duke Hernan Francisco Moctezuma de Tultengo, the Commander of the International Police, John O'Leary and the Ambassador of the Empire of Brazil, Baron Pedro Henrique Wanderley de Cotegipe.
"The Chinese Federation is in open revolt." Started the Commander of the International Police showing the maps. "The rebels, Boxers and others, are attacking our police forces in the countryside and forcing our and the imperial forces to stay into the city."
"But we do have full control of the cities, don't we?" Asked Moctezuma de Tultengo.
"We do. Problem is that China is a rural country. Even worse: they are threatening the supply lines to the cities, which means that they will make us starve." Replied O'Leary.
"Could we ask for an allied intervention?" Asked Hector Clément. "The assets of the Société and of other foreign companies are being attacked all over in China and this has caused yesterday's drop in both Tokyo, Milan and Frankfurt stock exchanges."
"I have to correct you." Intervened Schneizel. "Yesterday the New York and the London stock exchanges have also gone through heavy losses."
"The Empire of Japan can deploy the 2nd Fleet, the Kwantung Army within nine days, if needed." Said Count Omura.
"The Holy Roman Empire can count on the Transamurian Army Group, the Singapore Station and the Pacific Fleet."
"Well, I am ashamed for saying this but I cannot make any guarantees for Britannia. Beyond that the 100 soldiers of the Black Watch will fight in case of need."
"If Britannia in the moment is not in the condition of helping, I am sure we will all understand." Said Alexander von Falkenhausen.
"In the meantime, I would start worrying about the possibility of an insurrection here in Luoyang." Said the Baron of Cotegipe. "The Intelligence of my country have reported evidences of a possible armed revolt in Luoyang, during the next days."
"Well, we should go tomorrow to the Forbidden City and request an increasing of the security around the Legations Compound." Proposed Hector Clément.
"Agreed, I am ready to go." Said Count Omura.
"Same for me." Said the Baron of Cotegipe.
"No need for an entire delegation." Cut short Falkenhausen. "As the Director of the Legations Compound, I will go on my own, bringing everyone's concern."
"I have no objections to this." Said Cotegipe.
"Neither do I." Replied Schneizel.
"If you all agree, then I will too." Concluded Omura. "And at this point I would like to propose that we drink some Sake hoping things end well." Added the Japanese Ambassador taking out a bottle and some glasses.
It was a silent and cold night in the old capital. Neither in the Chinese part, nor in the foreign compound could be heard any noises, something unusual for a city like that. An observer from above could have thought that the city was peacefully sleeping. Yet, the surreal silence was hiding the preparation for a massacre that history would have remembered for centuries.