Nanyang Storm 1864

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister request an audience and humbly request Your Majesty's decision."

"Why are these two people here instead of helping with government affairs?"

"Your Majesty, it is said that there is an important matter to report, concerning Russia's loan and the current situation in Europe. Friendly countries such as Britain and France have submitted written requests on multiple occasions, which will affect the future course of the war."

"Hmph, he can't even sit still after a few words from others. How can I feel at ease passing the throne to him? He can't even have a peaceful vacation." Emperor Zheng Guohui of Great Chu snorted in dissatisfaction, then said helplessly, "Summon him."

"Your humble servant will obey Your Majesty's command." The courtier dared not reply and hurriedly went to deliver the decree.

During his vacation, Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty dressed simply, doing whatever was convenient for him, and his whole demeanor was relaxed and unhurried.

He values ​​vacations. If a person is constantly under pressure and dealing with affairs and governance at a high intensity for decades, then that tension will inevitably break.

Regularly balancing work and rest is very important.

After the grand celebration of his 50th anniversary of ascension to the throne, Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty considered stepping down from the front lines and supporting Crown Prince Chu Zheng Yuan to ascend the throne.

This year, Crown Prince Chu-Zheng Yuan has served as heir apparent for 50 years and has been in charge of government affairs for 26 or 27 years. His performance has been decent and generally considered satisfactory.

Nothing particularly amazing, but it did a good job of following the rules.

However, Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire was somewhat worried about the demands made by the Allied military bloc, fearing that he might not be able to handle the situation.

Judging from the current situation, the fears have become a reality.

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu had no choice but to postpone his retirement and deal with this matter first.

If the Great Chu Empire is to be involved in the current extremely brutal world war, then the only condition is that it must be given a foothold in Europe.

The demands were met, and a formal statement was made in the imperial diplomatic corps.

That is, the Great Chu Empire is willing to contribute to the current stalemate in the war against the new German hegemony and to maintain world peace and stability. This is the responsibility and commitment of a responsible world power, and the Empire is willing to make great sacrifices and unremitting efforts for this.

Whether the Great Chu Empire conquers it on its own or through other means, it must gain the general approval of all participating countries; this is a prerequisite.

The current emperor of the Great Chu Empire, Zheng Guohui, is no longer content with merely having a foothold along the Mediterranean coast.

In order to realize its territorial dreams in Europe, the Great Chu Empire was willing to intervene in the war ahead of time, paying the price of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of lives, and countless riches and efforts, all for the sake of gaining formal recognition from the major European powers.

As long as the ultimate dream can be achieved, any amount of effort is worthwhile.

If the demands are not met, the official diplomatic statement of the Great Chu Empire will be made.

That is:
The Great Chu Empire was alarmed to see that the current European war had escalated to a fever pitch, an unprecedented catastrophe in the history of human development, with hundreds of millions of lives being ravaged by war, a tragedy for the development of human civilization.

The Empire strongly urges all parties involved in the war to return to reason. In order to promote the prospect of peace, the Emperor of the Great Chu Empire is willing to hold face-to-face talks with the heads of state of the major belligerent countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, at any time.

We believe that the hope for peace will always exist, and the light of human civilization will never be extinguished.

That guy, it sounded so touching, absolutely high-sounding words.

Unexpectedly, they actually fooled a fool.

Tsar Nicholas II personally wrote a thick letter to Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire, earnestly requesting in-depth cooperation in various fields, including economy, finance, military logistics, and the prospects for peace.

And that's how... trouble started.
This happened in 1916.

The situation in Tsarist Russia was extremely difficult. Since its defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, there had been numerous uprisings and rebellions within the country. The contradictions between the corrupt ruling class and the vast Tsarist bourgeoisie and the lower classes were extremely sharp and had hardly ever subsided.

After the outbreak of the European war

In desperation, Tsar Nicholas II attempted to resolve internal conflicts through foreign wars, hastily joining the conflict and mobilizing a massive army of over 1300 million men, which surged toward the Eastern Front.

In the past two years, the number of Russian soldiers and officers lost on the Eastern Front alone has reached three to four million.

Some were killed or wounded in the war, while some Russian troops starved, died of disease, or were even forgotten in the harsh battlefield conditions. All sorts of chaotic situations arose one after another.

The severe shortage of weapons and equipment meant that on average, there was only one rifle for every four Russian soldiers. It was unbelievable that children as young as ten were sent to the battlefield with just a wooden stick in their hands.

Insufficient supplies from the rear meant that most Russian soldiers had to fight on empty stomachs, barely able to afford a single loaf of black bread mixed with sawdust each day, which severely hampered their combat effectiveness...

Just as he was pondering his thoughts, he heard footsteps outside.

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire looked up and saw Crown Prince Chu-Zheng Yuan and Prime Minister Li Jingxi arriving together, guided by Deputy Secretary-General Zhou Qing. They respectfully bowed and paid their respects.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully wish Your Majesty a long and prosperous life, and that your blessings be everlasting."

"Alright, no need for formalities, please take a seat."

"We, your humble servants, thank you for your seats."

After exchanging pleasantries

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu sat comfortably on the Nine Dragons Soaring Clouds Imperial Throne, his gaze sweeping over the two men. He saw that Crown Prince Chu-Zheng Yuan was just over fifty years old, but his temples were already completely white, and his face looked much older than his actual age.

He was extremely troubled by national affairs, so it's no wonder he looked so old.

Standing next to the well-preserved Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu, Zheng Guohui actually looked younger.

He asked, "I am somewhat aware of your purpose in coming here. Is there anything else you wish to report?"

Prime Minister Lee Kyung-hee turned to look at His Highness the Crown Prince, and seeing that he had lowered his eyes and showed no intention of speaking, he felt helpless.

They were urged to come to the palace by His Highness the Crown Prince, but once they arrived, they dared not speak.

So, all my emotions are at my beck and call?
While silently pondering these thoughts, Prime Minister Li Jingxi dared not reveal them on his face. He presented a thick, handwritten letter bearing the Tsar's sealing wax seal with both hands, explaining:

"Your humble servant dares to report this."

With the war situation in Europe becoming increasingly tense, leaders of the Allied military bloc, including Britain and France, have repeatedly sent personal letters urging the Empire to respond positively.

In order to maintain the current world order and protect vested interest groups from invasion, the Allied military bloc is fighting against the evil German and Austrian forces, paying a heavy price in lives and property.

As one of the vested interest groups, the British and French leaders hoped that the State of Chu would adopt a responsible attitude, as they urgently needed Chu's strong support in all aspects, including politics, economics, and finance. In particular, the Russian Empire, a member of the Entente military bloc, was the weakest link in terms of logistical support.

The Tsarist Russian Empire, independently supporting the Eastern Front, has now committed millions of troops to fight against the invading, evil Allied military bloc, paying a heavy price. This is the most severe test it has ever faced.

The Allied military bloc hoped that the State of Chu would relax its financial controls over Tsarist Russia, increase its food and military aid to Tsarist Russia, and receive the most genuine assistance…

"Alright, that's enough. What benefits are the Allied Powers willing to offer in exchange?" Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire impatiently interrupted Prime Minister Li Jingxi, getting straight to the point.

He was impatient to listen to this nonsense. The current war in Europe was essentially nothing more than two gangs of robbers fighting over territory.

What justice? What glory? It's all utopia.

After the Allied military alliance defeated the Central Powers military alliance, wouldn't they divide up the post-war spoils?
So what benefits does this grand strategy offer the Great Chu Empire? It makes the Great Chu Empire willing to make a significant bet.

Talking nonsense is useless; we need to show real, tangible benefits.

Whether you lose five million or ten million on the European battlefield is your business; the Great Chu Empire won't even bat an eye.

It's not impossible to get the Great Chu Empire to increase its stakes, but the key question is what price to pay.
At this moment, Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire was as cold-hearted as a stone, directly demanding an exchange of benefits. Offering aid was one price, while directly joining the war was another.

If there's no benefit, I won't talk about it.

Prime Minister Lee Kyung-hee looked constipated as he glanced at Crown Prince Chu-jeong-won, who was staring intently at his toes, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

With a sigh, Prime Minister Lee Kyung-hee hesitated for a moment before saying, "There is no consensus within the Allied military bloc either. France is willing to give up the Crimean Peninsula, Britain has reservations, and other allies... cough cough, express their opposition."

"Absurd! What's the point of discussing this? There's no need for any discussion at all." Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty was indeed displeased. He was a true pragmatist who wouldn't act until he saw a tangible benefit.

The previous whitewashing of his later years in power—his lack of ambition, his focus on posthumous fame, and his dedication to regional peace—was all a facade. It was simply a matter of timing; he was merely lying low.

Like a giant crocodile, once it encounters the right opportunity, it leaps out from beneath the water and begins to plunder and devour without restraint.

Prime Minister Lee Kyung-hee was scolded and became so frightened that he turned into a saw-mouthed gourd.

Before entering the palace, he and the Crown Prince discussed it and both felt that the statements made by the leaders of the Allied military alliance were very sincere and the concessions they made were also very significant.

Considering the difficulties of coordination within the Allied Powers, His Highness the Crown Prince was indeed tempted.

After all, the Great Chu Empire is not short of money or resources. It would be easy for them to come up with a billion or eight hundred million, and they wouldn't need to use the royal treasury's secret vault.

If the prime ministers and chancellors of the Allied military bloc can recognize the outstanding contributions of the Great Chu Empire, then the Great Chu Empire will certainly not be left out in the post-war distribution of benefits.

The ultimate goal is to achieve His Majesty the Emperor's long-cherished wish of occupying European territories. Wouldn't that be a huge plus?
Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire did not tell the two men that the Americans actually thought the same thing.

How is the result?

US President Thomas Woodrow Wilson went to the Paris Peace Conference with great enthusiasm, "bringing the 14-point peace proposal," only to be outmaneuvered by Britain and France and sidelined.

After returning home, the United States was so thoroughly isolated that it shut itself off and started implementing the "Monroe Doctrine," which was essentially a North American version of splendid isolation.

Talking about feelings and promises with these old European colonial powers is like making a wish in a dream—it's just too unreliable.

Seeing that his capable subordinates were intimidated and his chosen crown prince dared not utter a sound, Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty softened his tone and said calmly:

"I am aware of your difficulties."

Let the Imperial Diet draft a bill to fully liberalize Russia's financial and logistical resources, and let the Prime Minister's Office push it forward.

The Prime Minister and ministers can also publicly declare that the Cabinet is determined to pass this important bill, which will be a just act of powerful assistance to friendly European countries.

After heated debate, the Imperial Diet rejected the proposal by a minority vote.

In this way, we can explain ourselves to the friendly countries in Europe, since the empire is, after all, a constitutional state.

If all else fails, then submit the proposal a few more times, and the time will be delayed.

European side
The Prime Minister's Office can consult with friendly European countries on this issue through other channels. Crimea is a viable bargaining chip, but it must be unanimously agreed upon and a secret memorandum of understanding must be signed.

Otherwise, it will be difficult to pass in the Imperial Diet!

As the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire used his Tai Chi-like power-shifting technique to successfully transfer the pressure from friendly European countries to the Imperial Diet.

Faced with hundreds of members of parliament, these European powers must have been dumbfounded.

They talked for a while longer about important national affairs.
Crown Prince Chu-Zheng Yuan and Prime Minister Lee Kyung-hee both took their leave, and the Imperial Study became quiet again.

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty didn't care. He stretched lazily, a little bored, and leisurely sipped the fragrant tea on his desk.

With him in charge, these European Allied military blocs would have to offer real benefits to extract any advantages from the Great Chu Empire.

It is said that the Tsar's secret treasure is gold, with the amount of gold alone reaching more than three thousand tons, but Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire completely scoffs at this.

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty ruled for more than 50 years. The wealth he had painstakingly accumulated over the years, apart from the eight major banks of the empire and the gold stored in the secret vault of the Imperial Household Department, totaled no more than 3720 tons.

He planned to extract at least three thousand taels of gold from Europe through this European war.

This will strongly support the silver dollar paper money issued by the Great Chu Empire. Currently, the highest denomination is ten silver dollars, which is already somewhat insufficient in this increasingly prosperous era with rapidly rising amounts.

The next step is to issue large-denomination banknotes with face values ​​of 20 and 50 silver dollars. The total amount of gold reserves held by the major royal banks will be very important, as this is the source of confidence.

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire never even considered relaxing the financial ban on Tsarist Russia.

Tsar Nicholas II was so rich, yet he couldn't bear to feed the Russian soldiers on the front lines by spending gold to buy grain. Why should the Great Chu Empire be such a good person?
Crown Prince Chu-Zheng Yuan is kind and fair in his dealings with others, and he is quite capable in handling affairs. However, he lacks ruthlessness and cold-bloodedness.

This greatly saddened Emperor Zheng Guo of the Great Chu, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Only after all the major events have been settled, and a complete Great Chu Empire has been handed over to the Crown Prince, can he live a peaceful and comfortable life, leisurely wandering in the mountains and forests.

Hoping that Prince Chu-Zheng Yuan could seize a piece of territory from those unscrupulous European bandits seems virtually impossible; only the Emperor of the Great Chu Empire can do it himself. (End of Chapter)