Ch 3.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

-Niccolo Machiavelli

That quote had more meaning for Yang now, more than ever before.

Because of that he had to act in order to secure a peace, in order to recover from this long war and prepare for the next.

To that end on the very first day of his tenure he had planned the immediate objective of his administration.

"I am still not able to fully stomach that word."

"Ladies and gentleman, I will be brief. The point of this meeting is to work out the details of the following plans: -Item no one reorganizing the military and jumpstarting the economy. We cannot afford to maintain our current lot of men and under the recommendations from Commander In Chief Admiral Sithole, Secretary of Human Resources Hui and Secretary of Finance Rebelo we are committing the following modification, namely we are restructuring our forces from 25 million active troops to 8 million active troops and 17 million reservists, this will solve both issues."

"Chairman, I would recommend that these reservist participate at least once every 2 weeks for military maneuvers in order to maintain some level of skill." Sithole added, to which Yang nodded and made a gesture towards Frederica, who was present in the room as his aide, who made a note of the recommendation.

Yang turned to Trunich, who was still the Secretary of Defense, he was expecting opposition from him, but the man just remained silent.

"Next order of business is the current war. What is our option regarding any treaty with the Empire?"

"Ideally Chairman we would want a peace treaty, realistically I think a cease fire and partial de-escalation is the bets we can get out of them. But that's if they will cooperate with us." The new Secretary of External Affairs Jessica Edwards said to him.

"They have more to loose than gain if they agree to the peace. The problem is that the Empire has a bigger fleet than us and we just deal a devastating blow to it's prestige. I'd say they would probably gamble all in an all out battle before coming to the negotiations table, but we'll think of something to make this work. In the meantime I want you to put together a team for the initial pre-talk negotiations, up to the eventual treaty staff. I'll do everything I can to make them needed." Yang replied and gazed back at Trunich, Jessica did the same, but with more hatred in her eyes. It was understandable considering their history.

"Back to internal affairs, what are our prospects for economic recovery?"

"Not optimal Chairman, we still have outstanding debts to Fezzan. Also in the past five years many Alliance business have been acquired by Fezzan as well, with that the majority of the Tax revenue goes to them." Secretary Hui replied.

"If it's not the Empire it's Fezzan, If it's not Fezzan, it's the Empire…..Anything else?" Yang asked.

"There is one issue. With the new army organization system we will be vulnerable to quick attacks. I have a proposal here that requires your approval." Commander of the Armed Forces Sithole said and handed over a dossier to Yang.

"This proposal lacks the commander for such a task force." Yang deadpanned.

"Yes. This needs to be approved by Admiral Lobos, but up until now he's rejected every candidate." Sithole replied. The edge in his voice making it clear that Lobos was gonna be a problem since Commodore Falk was his protégé and creature.

"The Empire….Fezzan…now our own military…..huh….and it's only my first day on the job….dismissed. We'll reconvene after lunch. I'll have an answer for these dilemmas' by then."

Yang said and as they left he kept his gaze on a still silent Trunich. There and then he realized the man's game.

If his proposals failed then Trunich would get none of the blame, since he did not say a word. If it succeeded, then Trunich will get a part of the glory since he is now a member of Yang's cabinet. Either way Trunich wins.

"So no matter what I do…. I lose somehow….and people want this job willingly. " Yang lamented as he took out a sheet of paper and started writing down ideas.

Xxxx

One lunch break latter that lasted enough for it to be dinner time, the cabined reconvened.

"I have taken the following decision. One: The military will create a new rank, that of Lieutenant Fleet Admiral, which will be higher than Fleet Admiral. It is to be given to our most senior officers as a new rank and if Admiral Lobos wants his, then he better sing of on the new task force paper."

"He might still object unless his own candidate is named for that force." Admiral Sithole replied.

"If that happens then Admiral Lobos will be given his new rank after Admiral Greenfield and Bewcock receive it. I imagine that the situation of having one's subordinate be higher in rank than you the commander of the space fleet is something he would want to avoid." Yang replied and this got a smile of the commander in chief.

"As for Fezzan and the Empire. Well, we why don't we kill two birds with one stone?" Yang asked with a bit of deviousness in his voice, as he stole a gaze towards Trunich.

The man was still silent.

Whatever joy Yang would get out of his plan died there and then.

"And people want this job!"

Xxxxxx

The next day every citizen of Fezzan, the Empire and The Alliance opened up their papers to read this astounding article.

'Peace talks to be put forward. Iserlohn Corridor is to be opened for trade as part of parcel of cessation of hostilities. '

"Clever…very clever." Reinhardt muttered under his breath as he read the headline.

The Empire was currently divided in two when it came to wealth, namely those that benefited from the Fezzan corridor was one half, and those that did not was the other.

With this bold stoke Yang Wen Li just turned half of the Empire into an ally against the other half and Fezzan.

As for Fezzan itself?

'Fezzani consultants to be brought aboard as advisors for potential corridor trade.' Reinhardt recognized the men and women in the picture as belonging to half of the conglomerate son Fezzan, the half that where rivals to the current leader of the planet, namely Rubinsky.

"Divide your foes….I'd expect nothing less from 'Miracle Yang"

At that Admiral Reinhardt pressed the buzzer on his desk.

"Yes Lord Reinhardt?"

"Kircheis contact Oberstein and the rest of the Admiral, we're moving forward with the POW exchange plan. Also have a list made up off those that would benefit from a Iserlohn corridor trade route, I have a feeling that if we lend our voice to potential peace talks, that those nobles will consider us better friends than Braunschweig or Littenheim."

Reinhardt said as he continued to look at the news article.

"You may be able to divide, but know this Yang Wen Li, I will be the one to conquer!"

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