"Your Majesty, over the past month, our garrisons in Persia have suffered eight terrorist attacks. The local garrison has now placed the region under military control.
"According to our investigation, these terrorists are all remnants of the Pahlavi Dynasty. Their main base lies within the British sphere of influence.
"Their main force is still locked in a bitter struggle with the British. The ones attacking us are merely small detachments. Their chief objective is to sow chaos, draw our attention, and prepare for an armed uprising!" Chief of the General Staff Christoph said.
"Our garrisons in Persia... have suffered terrorist attacks?" Ferdinand asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Christoph replied firmly.
After a pause, Ferdinand calmed himself and asked, "What plans does the military have to deal with this crisis?"
"The Middle East Military District plans to implement a system of collective liability locally, making the residents monitor one another. Should strangers enter, everyone who fails to report them to the local garrison will be held collectively accountable!
"Those who have not caused serious consequences will all be exiled to Africa. Those who have caused serious consequences will be sent into the mines to dig ore!" Christoph answered.
"Not enough! That alone cannot solve the problem. The greatest issue behind this is the hearts of the people. At a time like this, we need to kill a chicken to frighten the monkeys!
"Send all the young and strong locals from the sites of the incidents into the mines. Exile all the old and weak to Africa, as a warning to others!" Ferdinand said viciously.
"Your Majesty, that will not be necessary. There is no one left there already!" Christoph said after some thought.
Ferdinand froze, then immediately grasped the implications behind those words. They seemed to carry more than one