1st of December, 2023
London, Holy Britannian Empire
The general strike called by the Central Workers' Committee had the desired impact and managed to paralyse the Holy Britannian Empire. Indeed, from London to San Diego, passing through all the British Isles and North America, the whole country had stopped. Large demonstrations were taking place in all the Empire's main cities, including London where a very large crowd had gathered in front of Buckingham Palace, displaying red flags, protesting against the monarchy and singing songs such as Bread and Roses and The Internationale.
While the whole Holy Britannian Empire was in turmoil, Lord Henry de Montgomerie, Duke of Mercia, had called the Secretary General of the Central Workers' Committee, William Ablett to his palace in Piccadilly Avenue, to negotiate a convenient resolution for the crisis.
The two figures sitting in a Victorian sitting room at the aristocrat's residence could hardly have been more different. Duke Henry, on one hand was a charming gentleman in his 30s. He had long blond hairs falling on his shoulders and wore a scarlet tail-coat with below a dark grey coat, with tie and trousers of a similar colour. Furthermore, the golden ring on his right hand with his family's crest, his way of sitting and his polished speech revealed his aristocratic background. On the other hand, David Ablett was a miner, who had worked since his 12 years old and despite being in his 20s, appeared to be older. He had red hairs and beard, had large hands and wore blue trousers, a Scottish shirt and a red jumper, finally, his way of speaking revealed clearly his affinity with the Welsh lower classes.
Ablett was examining the papers the Duke of Mercia had handed to him.
"Isn't this a bit too much?" Asked then the miner. "I mean, we would be happy with some reforms and the end of the abuses by the nobility but this..."
"This is what you need to help your workers." Replied the nobleman.
"I don't understand... Replacement with the House of Commons by the Assembly of the Workers? Suspension of the Empress' powers and appointment of a Lord Regent? Isn't this a coup?"
"The House of Lords needs to be satisfied, for now, while the House of Commons is of no use whatsoever and the Imperial Family a parasite."
"So you plan on becoming Lord Regent?"
"And to make of you People's High Commissioner, which will replace the Prime Minister. You see Ablett, we need to get rid of that part of the nobility that exploits our land and people as well as of those useless and corrupt politicians."
"And what about the Empress? She might have made mistakes, but doesn't deserve to end badly, she is sincere in caring for her people, even though she might not be very capable."
"The Empress is seriously ill and I am afraid she might not survive for very long. She has been well intentioned towards the people, yet she has been a puppet in the hands of Prince Schneizel, Princess Cornelia and the Kinghts of Round. I plan on suspending her powers for now, yet on a longer term I think the country would have a better future if the monarchy would be abolished and instead of an Emperor we would have a Lord Protector elected by the House of Lords."
"This while the Central Workers' Committee would run the government."
"And most of State Agencies." Completed Lord Montgomerie.
"And do we have the means for enacting this?" Asked the syndicalist.
"Just tell your people to support the Imperial Resurgence Party. In the meantime we will make sure to have a snap election."
David Ablett nodded. "Very well, things being in this way, I think we have an agreement." He then said signing the document.
Duke Henry of Mercia smiled and shook his hand.
"It's a pleasure to make business with you, sir."
6th of December, 2023
Balmoral Castle, Scotland, Holy Britannian Empire
Nunnally was lying in her bed, looking at the snowy landscape outside her window. Over time her disease had worsened more and more and she was growing paranoid and depressed. She was getting the impression that the food was poisoned and for this reason she had started refusing it. Moreover, with the country in turmoil Cornelia had now to stay in London, away from her, while Schneizel was trapped in China. Giulio and Anya were also forced to stay away from Britannia, due to the worsening of the diplomatic relations between the countries. The only friends she could still see were Gino Weinberg and Nonnette Enneagram, who would spend long time with her. Even in this way however, she could not recover from her depression, that was forcing her to constantly take medicines.
On the morning of the 6th of December, an emissary from Downing Street reached the Palace with a document signed by Prime Minister Baldwin. She received the document in her chamber by the hands of Gino, while on the TV the BBC News was showing the syndicalist leader David Ablett pledging his support to the Imperial Resurgence Party.
"Nunnally." Called Gino.
"Yes?" She asked with her feeble voice.
"This is for you."
She took the document and read it.
"Oh no..." She murmured. "They want a snap election."
"You can always put your veto on it."
"It would be a civil war." She replied taking the Imperial Seal. "I won't be spared when the Imperial Resurgence Party will take power. So I hope at least my sacrifice will spare the lives of many more Britannians."
With these words, she placed her seal on the paper, giving the Imperial Assent.
7th of December, 2023
Tokyo, Empire of Japan
"Why are you chatting with Kallen?" Asked Lucrezia seeing Giulio typing on his cellphone.
"I plan on stopping in Singapore to meet her after this meeting. If you don't want to come it's fine."
"What? This will cause a diplomatic incident with Japan!"
"Don't worry, I will just want to see a friend."
"I think it's dangerous." Insisted Lucrezia. "Still, I will come so that later I will be able to go with you to Teheran."
"That's great!" Replied Giulio with a smile.
The Imperial Airplane landed shortly afterwards at the Narita International Airport, in the outskirts of Tokyo. The city was covered by snow, something unusual during that season. At the terminal, waiting for the Emperor and his entourage was a company of the Imperial Guard, five Mercedes and the Minister of the Colonies, Kaguya Sumeragi, who was sent to welcome the Romans, due to her close friendship with the Emperor.
Giulio was coming with Lucrezia, the Reichskanzler Wilhelm von Metternich and the Minister of War, General Ulrich von Moltke. All them were coming dressed in their military uniforms, as by tradition. For the occasion, Giulio and Metternich were wearing their Imperial Navy uniforms - Giulio due to his condition as Supreme commander of the Imperial Armed Forces, metternich due to his past military experience in the Britannian first and then Euro Britannian Imperial Navies - with the ranks of Commander-in-Chief for the former and of Commodore for the latter. Lucrezia and Moltke had instead their Prussian-styled Army uniforms, both with the ranks of Generaloberst.
Kaguya on the other side was covered by a white coat and had an equally white busby fur hat. When Giulio was in front of her she smiled and breaking all the protocol rules hugged him. The reception was warm, yet quick, due to the cold and soon the Roman delegation was accommodated in the cars and escorted to the Park Hyatt Hotel, in Shinjuku, where the other delegations were also accommodated and where the summit on China was supposed to take place.
The following day, the summit was opened by a military parade in which troops of the Japanese Imperial Army and of the Imperial Navy marched in front of the Imperial Palace, at the presence of all the international delegates. Giulio was left particularly impressed by the new generation of Shinkiro knightmare frames, that - he thought by himself - in battle may well challenge the new generation of Alexanders. Other element that positively impressed Giulio was the discipline of the Japanese soldiers, who marched in perfect synchrony goose-stepping at the sound ot Battotai March.
Afterwards, the delegations were received by the Emperor in the palace, in order to begin the conference. At the meeting were present Giulio, with his delegation, the Emperor Naruhiko of Japan with Prime Minister Marquis Kaname Ohgi and the Chief of Staff, General Kyoshiro Tohdoh for Japan, for the Holy Britannian Empire were sent the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Spencer and the Minister of War, Lord Herbert Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, for the Empire of Brazil were present Empress Carine and her advisor, Prince Bertrand of Orleans-Bragança, finally, for the Union of South Africa were present President Johannes Verwoerd and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord James Graham, Duke of Montrose.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my palace." Started the Emperor when they gathered. "As the Emperor of Japan, We are very honoured to receive you all in Our residence. Yet We are deeply saddened by the circumstances of this meeting. As a matter of fact while we talk, several citizens from our countries are kept hostages in China. For this reason We do sincerely hope that this summit will reach a solution to the current tragic impasse. During the meeting We wil moderate the discussion, while Marquis Ohgi and Duke Tohdoh will speak on Our behalf."
Lord Wellington asked to be recognised.
"Lord Wellington, you may speak first."
"Your Majesty, leaders from the allied countries, me and Minister Spencer bring the greeting of our Empress Nunnally vi Britannia, who could not attend the meeting due to a health issue. Despite its internal turmoil, Britannia has followed with attention the facts of China and while it would be more willing to support a diplomatic solution, it is ready to assist the allies in case of military intervention."
"Thank you Lord Wellington." Said the Japanese monarch. "Emperor Julius, you may speak."
"Your Majesty, fellow colleagues, the Holy Roman Empire is outraged by the fact that Roman and other foreign citizens are kept hostages by Chinese rebels. To the outrage, it is added indignation facing the fact that the Empress of China has showed contempt towards international law and customs and decided to support those rebels. It is for this reason that last week We have declared for the Ober Ost, the Pacific Fleet and the Singapore Station the Defcon 2 level of alert. Rome has no wish to begin a war, but if her sons are to be endangered, then like the she-wolve that raised Romulus and Remus, she will fight with all her forces to protect them."
"Marquis Ohgi, you are allowed to speak on Our behalf." Said then the Emperor.
"Dear colleagues, while we understand your willingness to defend your citizens, we would like to urge all of you to rely on diplomacy in first place. China has not only large territory and population, but also an excellent system of coastal defence and a sizeable army. We may well win a war against the Chinese Federation, but the price could be higher than we can possibly think."
"Minister von Moltke, you may speak."
"With all respect to Herr Ohgi, the Chinese Imperial Army is large, but relies on largely obsolete equipment and has faced several cutting of funds, while the Boxers are little more and an exalted mob. It is my impression as Minister of War and veteran of the Britannian wars in Middle and Far East that a well coordinated action against them could lead to a quick victory by our coalition."
"Well, in 2014 the European United Republic got soundly beaten by the Chinese Federation." Observed Carine.
"This happened due to mistakes made by the incompetent Republican military staff." Replied Moltke.
"Other than by the fact that the Panzers Hummel were a total disgrace, even worse than the Chinese knightframes." Added Lucrezia.
"Please, order!" Said the Japanese Emperor. "President Verwoerd, you may speak."
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Union of South Africa is deeply concerned by the wave of instability that is hitting the world. Back in Africa, native uprisings are posing a threat to white rule, while here in Asia, the Chinese and others rebel against the white man and its Japanese brethren. It is common belief in South Africa that it is about time to take a stand and fight this revolt against the natural order. For this reason I intend to communicate that the Union of South Africa is willing to commit a naval task force and 5,000 soldiers to a war against China."
"I knew we could trust the South Africans, even if they are Christians." Said Giulio with a smile.
"Thank you, Emperor Julius, the people of South Africa is proud to have a leader like you at the head of the civilised world."
"Empress Carine, do you wish to speak?" Askes then the Japanese Emperor.
"The Empire of Brazil has little to say on the matter. While most of our efforts are concentrated in protecting our borders, we would be willing to support an international effort to pacify China. Nonetheless, we would prefer to avoid a war without having first issued an ultimatum demanding that they cooperate with us against the rebels."
The discussion continued for three more hours. All the presents agreed on Carine's idea of issuing an ultimatum against the Chinese Federation and then proceeding with war only in case of a refusal. After agreeing on this point, they addressed the details of war plan against China. The Roman Empire would have attacked from Siberia towards Mongolia, while the Japanese from Manchuria would have taken Peking and Tien Tsin first and then advanced towards Luoyang. Moreover, Japan would have led a multinational force which included South African, Britannian and Brazilian forces to land in Taiwan and then in the Chinese coast, while another multinational force composed by Brazilian and Britannian forces would have attacked from the South, invading the Chinese tributaries of Philippines, Burma, Siam, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
8th of December, 2023
Konstanz, Grand Duchy of Baden
General Friedrich Rommel was still at bed with his wife in their house in Konstanz, facing the Lake Constance when the Emperor called.
"Who in the Hell is calling?" Asked Rommel irritated, answering at his phone located next to the bed. "Ah... Your Majesty! I'm sorry... I was still sleeping." His wife, who was also sleeping, looked at him with surprise.
"No General, I am the one apologising for disturbing at this time, but I urgently need you." Replied the Emperor, who was speaking from his suite in Tokyo.
"Need me? Of course, how may I help?" Asked the Rommel.
"As you know I was here in Tokyo discussing which measures should be taken on China and well, our conclusion was that we will issue an ultimatum, which is to be officialised tomorrow. They will be given 12 days to satisfy our demands, if they don't, then we will go to war with China."
"I see, so I am supposed to take the lead of some field army?"
"No, Rommel. You will take the lead of the Army Group Centre of the Ober Ost, I am promoting you to Generaloberst."
"That's a honour Your Majesty..."
"No time for this, Rommel. I need you to fly still today to Irkutsk and take the command of the troops. Your mission is to prepare a quick invasion of China from the North. I want our troops to reach Luoyang in 20 days worst case scenario. You are one of the main experts on mobile warfare in this country, so I expect nothing less than a total victory. Generalfeldmarschal Lothar von Liechtenstein will meet you in Irkutsk to discuss the plan in detail." Said firmly the Emperor.
Rommel had a moment of hesitation, but then looked at the photo of his grandfather, the legendary Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, that in the 1940s led the EU Army to defeat the Britannians in the Great African War and in this way felt the courage returning to him.
"Your Majesty, I will be departing today in the afternoon. You won't be disappointed, I can assure you that we will raise the Eagle with the Fasces on the Forbidden City if needed."
"Magnificent, Sir. Roma Victrix!" Exclaimed Giulio.
"Roma Victrix!" Echoed Rommel.
Bajkal'sk, Imperial Territory of Irkustsk
Leila was lying on her bed, looking at the ceiling of the dorm. She was exhausted, due to the long and extenuating training at extremely low temperatures. She came to find out that the life of an Imperial soldier was much harsher than she expected: not only they were submitted to very heavy trainings and exercises, evolution of the practices of the Britannian Armed Forces, but to this she had to add the humiliations and mistreatments coming from more experienced soldiers and at times even from the corporals.
It was already night and they were getting ready to the lowering of the flag when Sergeant Major Robespierre entered the dormitory. All the girls stood up.
"Very well ladies, I have just received some news from our superiors: from tomorrow we will conduce exercises near the Mongolian border. According to what has been sent to us from the Army Command, Rome has issued an ultimatum against China and we are expecting to be very soon at war with the Chinese Federation..." The sergeant, having a strong anti-monarchist familial background and being republican herself had a moment of hesitation. "Roma Victrix!"
"Roma Victrix!" Replied all the others, Leila included. Unintentionally, she said it louder and with more convinction than the others.