Re: Blood and Iron-Chapter 351: Armistice

Historically speaking, at least from the perspective of Bruno's past life. Kaiser Wilhelm II had been boastful, temperamental, and in many cases, belligerent.

As if he had a chip on his shoulder due to a birth defect he suffered from, the man in that life had been rather difficult to work with, especially when it came to the British who he in many ways had a desire to prove to be better than.

This was not the case in this life. Many of the personality changes which Bruno noticed had been present in the Wilhelm of this timeline were no doubt to a greater degree of self confidence resulting from the mere fact one of his arms was not vastly shorter than the other.

This was a birth defect he had suffered from in Bruno's past life, and if the historical record was to be believed had nothing to do with his genetics, but rather was the result of the way he had rested in his room stunting the limb's growth.

It was a crippling condition, one that had allegedly inwardly caused many emotional problems for the Kaiser. Perhaps God had changed this fact within the timeline, as he had also made several other minor alterations in order to give Bruno a better chance at changing the world for the better?

Frankly speaking, Bruno did not know, nor did he really care for the reason why these subtle changes existed. But what he did know was that the negotiations between Britain and France perhaps would be much smoother this time around than they were in his past life.

Unfortunately, Bruno himself was not called to act as council for the Kaiser. At least not at first. King George had after all agreed to meet with his cousin so long as they were alone, and on neutral ground.

King George V sat across from Kaiser Wilhelm II. Both men were in very different states of emotion. The Kaiser, perhaps elated with how dominantly his armed forces had demolished the pride of the British Navy on the seas, and massacred the British Army on the land, was in a rather jovial mood.

While King George V looked haggard, and aged. The stress he was under these last few weeks as he single-handedly began taking over affairs that were normally handled by Parliament, and enacting policies to try to put out the fires which burned across his Empire had been enough to age him by several years.

In fact, the moment he realized his German counterpart did not appear the least bit affected by the War, his expression grew sour, compelling the man to call out Wilhelm on his rather pristine appearance.

"Well, don't you look healthy and vibrant? I would have assumed this war and the suffering your people have endured would have taken a far greater toll on you, but it appears I was mistaken in that regard."

Had it been in Bruno's past life, Wilhelm might have jumped at the bait to insult his cousin with his need to prove his superiority. Or perhaps he might have taken offense to the implication that he did not care the slightest bit about his people, enough that the stress of their misery had not affected his appearance.

But the man had learned a lot from Bruno over the years. There were indeed times to be ruthless, and flaunt your strength, but that was not at the onset of negotiations. To do so would set a tone that would only provoke the hostile power into acting with stubbornness. And getting the British to surrender here and now, rather than fight until the bitter end to protect the French was paramount to Germany's plans for the future. As a result, the Kaiser seemed completely unaffected by his cousin's spiteful words. And instead acted responsibly. "Oh, I assure you, cousin, we each have our crosses to bear. But let us not speak of who has suffered more than whom these past few years. Such a discussion is pointless, and only serves to deepen whatever animosity may currently lie between us, no?

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I am offering you terms that I think you will find quite favorable. Though your ministers provoked me into a naval arms race that lasted the better part of twenty years, as far as I am concerned, we have won that war already and there is no point to flaunt my victory here and

now.

Perhaps in the past, I would have been persuaded by men among my inner circle to make great demands of your colonial territories, but the truth be told, I am starting to rethink such ventures. This war has taught me the price that is associated with protecting lands far away from home.

And I have you to thank me for that. I suppose if we had been fortunate enough to have as many colonial possessions as you currently have now, then by all means it would be I in your shoes at this moment.

As a result, I do not ask for colonial territories of any kind, nor any soil from your homeland. I am sure the amount in reparations can be discussed, as you have indeed caused quite some damages to the lands your men have invaded. But that would be a discussion for the House of Luxembourg and the King of Belgium to have with you.

Me personally, representing the interests of the German Reich, I want your armies to stand down and withdraw from any theaters of war or combat zones they may currently be involved with. I want your formal surrender, and to also immediately cease any other forms of aid that the British Empire and its citizens may currently be granted to the Allied Powers.

Either directly or indirectly. Privately, or publicly. It ends here and now.... Today... That is my largest request. Agree to this, and we can proceed towards a proper and formal negotiation between the British Empire and the aggrieved parties of the Central Powers... What do you say?"

King George was stunned by the requests that the Kaiser was making of him. He thought at the very least Germany would demand reparations to be paid out to the families of the men slain and battle, and the damage done to their colonial territories.

But Wilhelm was offering him a white piece. To cease hostilities without expecting anything of one another. For a man who had done everything except march his armies straight into the British capital, this was an unusual request, as more often than not when in the position of strength that Germany had, they would demand everything they could realistically get. King George realized he would have to be a damned fool to not accept a white peace, especially when this war had already taken such a massive toll on the British Empire. A fool or an absolute madman! Who could spit in the face of such a generous offer and chastise the man who tried to broker it with a formal declaration of his intent to fight to the bitter end? Despite knowing that some form of compensation would have to be paid to Luxembourg and Belgium, of whom suffered the most damage at the hands of the British Empire during the war, Wilhelm's opening offer of a white peace from the get go made the King of England far more inclined towards entertaining such negotiations rather than continuing with the war

altogether.

And because of that, he was quick to agree to a formal conference to discuss the formal surrender of the British Empire from the war altogether, and it's withdrawing from the Allied Powers as a whole.

"Alright, I'll do as you ask. I will begin to withdraw my men and supplies from the front lines in the Western Front, while immediate giving the order for all forces to surrender within colonial territories. As for the British Navy, it will stand down the moment these discussions

are over.

In exchange, I expect you to stop hunting our trade convoys and any other aggression your troops might take toward the British Empire. This includes arming, training, giving safe haven, and supplying any potential rebellious entities within our realm. Agreed?" The Kaiser did not outright admit to doing the last part of what the King of England had indirectly accused him of, but he was quick to accept the terms, nonetheless. "Then, under these terms, we officially have an armistice until the official treaty negotiations can begin. As for France... We are still considered in a state of war against them until they too come to the negotiating table. And any British citizens who have decided to stay behind, and volunteer to fight for the French will be considered enemy combatants and will naturally be treated as such.

I look forward to meeting with you again when the time comes to do so. Until then, do take care, cousin..."

After saying this, Wilhelm left his cousin George to sit in silence, as the man sighed heavily and reflected on how the British Empire ended up in such a sorry state.