Preparing to Extort

"Your Majesty, the Empire's ambassador to Switzerland reported that the French and Italian ambassadors to Switzerland had successively proposed peace talks with the Empire. It seemed the effects of the naval victory had already begun to show," Foreign Minister Wacht reported.

"That was hardly surprising. They had pinned their hopes on the naval battle, yet now they had suffered a crushing defeat at sea. Under such circumstances, of course they could no longer hold on." Oscar smiled and nodded.

It could be said that Germany was now only one step away from final victory in this war. Although the British were still putting up a desperate struggle, France and Italy were different. They had no channel to shield them. The powerful German Army could destroy them at any time. To preserve their countries, they could only beg Germany for mercy. And Germany could finally reap the gains it had won in this war.

"Your Majesty, if the Empire does not intend to destroy France and Italy, I believe it is time to hold peace talks with them," Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow said.

"Mm, then prepare for peace talks with them. Let the French and Italian representatives all come to Berlin! Since they are coming to beg for mercy, they must look the part." Oscar said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chancellor Bülow and Foreign Minister Wachth both nodded repeatedly.

"In these peace talks with France and Italy, I hope we can obtain as many benefits from them as possible. To win this war, the Empire has paid an enormous price. The military expenditures alone have drained away all the reserves we accumulated over so many years. The government is even buried beneath a mountain of debt. Now that we have won the war, naturally they must foot the bill for everything."