Backroom Capital Theory #1
At this point, Germany's gold reserves were flowing straight into the Soviet Union. And that Soviet gold was, in turn, pouring into the Korean Empire. But when had Germany ever been truly wealthy? There were bound to be limits to this. Especially since there was zero chance of the gold that had flowed into the Soviets ever coming back to Germany.
Even if Germany somehow won and secured peace amid all this, their gold holdings would be depleted, leaving only a ravaged economy and scorched homeland. There wasn't even a prospect of a decisive victory that could extract any real gains. Right now, Germany was painfully aware of its limits as its own diligently produced tanks clashed with Western models. The oil-guzzling Western tanks versus the more efficient German ones—it was clear their power outputs differed fundamentally. The sheer volume of supplies shipped by sea or rail couldn't be the same either.
Germany had reached a point where it was seriously contemplating Wilson's 13 Points, or was it 14, or 15? They were hitting limits on every front. And in that context, the sudden emergence of an Italian front was downright absurd.
"We must bring Italy in!"
"If we pull Italy to our side, we'll have to divert our already scarce divisions to Italy."
It was far better for Italy to stay neutral and keep exporting resources to Germany. Their entry into the war would be a disaster of the worst kind. If Italy got conquered by the French and then pushed into Austria, it would be a catastrophe beyond imagining. Austria's uncharacteristically poor combat performance stemmed partly from the stork incident—some ridiculous curse or whatever.
Sweeping aside the Junkers' opinions and the ministers' advice, the Kaiser pondered. From prior contacts with Korea's Kaiser, he'd heard that the Korean Supreme Leader was an anti-war isolationist. He'd only engaged in wars out of necessity and stepped onto the world stage when required. The fact that Korea, which could extract gains right now, was holding back only confirmed this.
There had to be war hawks in the Soviet Union too. In the Kaiser's view, that Red Army of theirs was weak, but surely they had their advocates for war. And the reason the Soviets weren't acting rashly was precisely because of Korea's dominant position over them.
They claimed to be focused on popular activities, but were they really? Korea was genuinely engaged in grassroots mobilization at this stage, but Germany didn't see it that way. Korea had used this war to seize the remaining half of Russia. Unlike Britain and France, who were losing territories at America's behest, Korea was clearly a beneficiary. At least up to now—and if he truly was an anti-war type who'd already gained plenty...
'Then we can compromise with Korea.'
The thought suddenly struck the Kaiser. Having already secured gains, they'd fear losing them, right?
So the Kaiser received a telegram he hadn't wanted. Unlike with America—where he'd endlessly preached abdication to Wilson, agreeing to abandon occupations, scrap submarines, and even establish a democratic government—this very same Kaiser now found himself negotiating directly with the architect of that abdication rhetoric. But Korea's response made him doubt his own ears.
'Our POWs are dwindling, and if that leads to renewed hostilities, we'll occupy Vienna ourselves.'
An utterly shocking statement. But the even more shocking one followed.
'If we occupy Vienna and liberate Hungary, will Germany reclaim Vienna from Korea?'
Reclaim? That was occupation, plain and simple. Korea's words implied stabbing their ally in the back to forge a Greater Germany.
'You get Austria, I get Hungary, and we both get peace.'
That wasn't even implication anymore...
It was a deal that outright denied the existence of God. But if they could reorganize that low-combat Austrian rabble into the German federation, Germany could fight on a bit longer. Merging forces with Austria would boost their bargaining power too. And if, as suggested, a massive influx of POWs from a shattered Austria led to a new gentlemen's agreement with Korea, those POWs returning to Germany would provide manpower while extending the truce with Korea.
But... who would trust Germany after that? It would be shameful before God. No matter how pathetically Austria had performed, he was duty-bound to aid his fellow Germans. As Kaiser of Germany, he had to reject this proposal.
The Kaiser began to voice his refusal.
'After plundering Vienna's gold, I'll fill the vaults with gilt.'
Whether they printed marks with that gilt or not, he'd recognize the mark's value and turn a blind eye to Soviet trade. But conversely, it implied that rejecting the deal meant no more supplies, even if real gold was offered.
The Kaiser was convinced. His abdication stance had been right. This man was a heretic. Anti-war my ass. He was a beast who understood civilization all too well.
But for a Germany starved of gold and materiel, there was no real choice. If a two-front war reopened as he threatened, Germany had no path to victory, short-term or long.
Yet as protector of Christian civilization, the Kaiser had to ask Khan this one thing. Starvation was one thing, but he couldn't accept defeat.
'What if we hold them off? If we defend Vienna against your invasion plans, doesn't that derail everything?'
Khan fell silent for a moment before ending the conversation with an ominous reply.
'Germany is already isolated.'
Implying he feared nothing but a gang-up from Britain, France, Germany, and America. Or perhaps that he had isolated them. It was blatant intimidation, the kind without equal.
But like most bluffs, it worked. Bluffs are made against plausible targets in plausible situations by plausible actors. Unless the Soviets suddenly lost their minds and blindly sided with Germany over Korea—which was impossible short-term, even if feasible long-term—it held.
The war between Italy and France was drifting aimlessly due to tangled heads of state. Italy's pretext was the murder of missionaries. Protecting missionaries' lives was justification enough for mobilization, but against a fellow European power, it felt flimsy—more the sort of excuse used against Africa or Asia. In already Christianized Europe, it even risked accusations of interference in internal affairs.
Or rather, it plainly was interference. France argued exactly that.
But the issue lay in defining "missionaries." France had long recognized the Vatican—and even praised Duce. Yet depending on interpretation, every Catholic missionary held Vatican citizenship. The Pope himself had recently insisted no secular power should touch him and even discussed sealing borders with Italy. That meant the Pope was claiming secular protection for himself—which logically extended to bishops, ordained priests, and missionaries under Vatican influence.
They weren't formally registered as Vatican citizens yet, but weren't all priests extensions of the Pope? Any believer could become Pope, proving the point. Interpretively, it was like saying no American could become President without American identity—unless they weren't American.
The Vatican pushed this hard, against Catholic elder brother France of all places. France could only sputter, "Dad, why?" As the nation that had forced "civilization" and conversion on others via interference, one slip meant fatal damage.
In that light, Korea's recent proposal was refreshingly novel: prioritize civilization over missions. Build primitive blast furnaces across colonies, Korea suggested, to stockpile iron ore long-term. Sure, they'd mine ore and burn peat for now, but how long would those furnaces last?
Korea would provide funds and manpower; France, influence and expertise. Scatter primitive furnaces worldwide, and global iron mining infrastructure would emerge. Korea pitched this directly to France: shift colonial management from humanities and missions toward sciences and industrialization. Not a bad deal for France.
Not because iron ore was irresistible, mind you. The catch was the steel from those furnaces. France knew it: such primitive output crumbled easily. The furnaces wouldn't endure. So even with Korea's surplus manpower and experts, strict quality control was essential—and only globe-spanning France could manage that.
A bit more work for France, but not bad. With Korea as partner, Britain and America couldn't meddle casually. They'd just feign ignorance.
If Korea wanted to irk Britain and America by partnering with France, France had incentive to dodge Anglo-American pressure by allying with Korea.
With Hungary liberated from Austria-Hungary, Chinese steel experts' nationalities laundered en masse, and suspicious smokestacks rising in former colonies, the world was clearly eyeing the post-war era.