Voices yearning for peace

Eitel's cutting words left Clemenceau struggling to speak. In the end, his face turned red from holding it in, but he failed to utter a single word.

After all, he had promised to bring news of peace home this time.

If the peace talks failed because of him, it would not just be these colleagues he had to face. If he dared return home,

the gallows of the furious French masses would await him.

One could only say that this was worthy of a veteran revolutionary stronghold-splendid France.

When it came to rebelling against their superiors, they were professionals. As the president of France, Clemenceau did not dare provoke the French people, who were already deeply weary of war, at a time like this.

On that point, Louis XVI would have said that if he really did that, someone would be coming to keep him company.

After thinking all this through, Prime Minister Clemenceau finally spoke with great reluctance. "Then please calculate the price of those industrial facilities and repatriating the Germans."

Eitel watched Clemenceau's aggrieved expression with interest and smiled. "Don't think of it that way. You're getting an enormous bargain. After all, losing those rich mineral deposits pains us terribly."

"As for the price, it isn't much. Let's value it at fifty billion gold marks. Being magnanimous, I'll allow you to offset it against the war reparations."

"Fifty billion!"

Hearing Eitel open his lion's maw with such an outrageous demand, Clemenceau shot back to his feet just after sitting down. He had already lost count of how many times he had done this.

But after doing it so often, whether from anger or moving too quickly, his vision went black, and his body slumped limply to one side.

Supported by the guards beside him, Prime Minister Clemenceau slowly recovered his senses and took two deep breaths.

Then he heard Eitel speak with an exaggerated expression. "Good heavens, I never imagined that the renowned Prime Minister Clemenceau would still work so hard for the French people despite being in such poor health."

"Your spirit has moved me."

Just as Eitel's words nearly made Clemenceau pass out again, Prime Minister George spoke.

"Your Majesty Eitel, please stop provoking Prime Minister Clemenceau."

"As for your proposed valuation of fifty billion gold marks to offset the reparations, isn't that a little excessive? After all, we all know that all of Lorraine's industry combined isn't worth that much."

"As for the Germans remaining in Lorraine and Alsace, I believe Prime Minister Clemenceau will make proper arrangements for them."

At this point, Prime Minister George began smoothing things over like an obliging peacemaker. "I think it would be better for both sides to shake hands and make peace. After all, I believe we are all sitting here for the same goal."

"We came to strive for peace."

With these words, Prime Minister George deftly dealt both sides a heavy blow without favoring either, while fully claiming the moral high ground.

As Eitel listened to Prime Minister George, the corners of his smiling mouth drooped.

After all, Clemenceau, this "Tiger," was easy enough to handle, but Prime Minister George was rather more difficult.

Still, he was not entirely without options. After a moment's thought, he said, "Very well. Since Prime Minister George has put it that way, I'll give my uncle some face."

"After all, by blood, we are family."

Eitel's words also caused the ever-smiling Prime Minister George's smile to fade somewhat.

The two looked at each other and could not help thinking,

A true expert, just as I thought.

Although they crossed swords at the negotiating table, both knew that the other was a great source of support for their side.

England could not maintain its policy of a continental balance of power without their German Empire.

And the German Empire needed England's policy support to develop rapidly after the war.

As for France, they could not let it gain too much.

A situation in which France stood alone as the dominant power on the European Continent was not what they wanted to see.

"Then how about a valuation of thirty billion gold marks? The money and material resources we have invested in Lorraine over the years surely amount to at least that much."

"Our German Empire will also need money and all kinds of supplies to rebuild after the war."

"Also, how have your discussions on reducing the reparations gone?"

After some thought, Eitel did Prime Minister George a favor, and Prime Minister George accepted it.

Prime Minister George glanced at Prime Minister Clemenceau, then raised his head and made a gesture.

"We intend to halve them. You will only need to pay the various countries sixty-three billion gold marks in reparations. Our allocation of these sixty-three billion gold marks is forty-two billion for France, sixteen billion for England, and two point two billion for America..."

"With Lorraine's industrial facilities valued at thirty billion gold marks, you will only need to pay France twelve billion gold marks in the future."

"There is also the matter of reducing your armed forces, including the navy and air force."

"The size of your navy must be limited, and you will not be permitted to develop an air force. What do you think?"

Hearing Prime Minister George's consultative tone, Clemenceau nearly died of anger, but he no longer had much say.

After all, this Eitel seemed to have come specifically to target him, constantly making things difficult for him.

In all his years, he had never encountered such a thuggish approach to negotiations.

Germany's young emperor could even discuss things politely with everyone else, yet whenever he faced Clemenceau, he seemed bent on infuriating him to death.

Little did he know that this scene was exactly what England and America wanted to see.

That was why no one supported his proposals. They all appeared to stand with the Allies, but everything they said favored Germany.

At that moment, Clemenceau felt utterly betrayed, yet he could say nothing and could only swallow this grievance in silence.

Eitel listened to Prime Minister George's proposal and nodded in approval.

"I have no objections. As for the navy, I will discharge some of its personnel once we reach a treaty. Regarding the handling of the High Seas Fleet, I will need to consult the ministers back home before making a decision."

"But everyone here also knows that we need to discharge an enormous number of army troops."

"We are also responsible for these soldiers' discharge payments, so please be understanding about the matter of repayment."

At this point, Eitel looked at the people opposite him. "After all, our German Empire can barely keep the pot boiling now. We truly have no means to repay what we owe you."

"Once we have developed, we will repay you both principal and interest."

Hearing Eitel's earnest words, Prime Minister George nodded and was just about to speak.

Then President Wilson, who had not spoken since the meeting began, spoke up.

"I agree with the German emperor's proposal."

Hearing President Wilson's words, George gave him a long look, then raised his hand. "I agree as well."

As for Prime Minister Clemenceau, the last to respond, seeing that no one would speak for him, he could only hold his nose and raise his hand. "I agree as well."