December 25, 1914.
Christmas.
Serbian King Alexander I went to Belgrade to negotiate an armistice with Germany and Austria-Hungary
It's still raining in Belgrade.
When Alexander arrived in Belgrade.
The Austro-Hungarian soldiers around him celebrated, and even though they didn't speak the same language, the emotion could be conveyed. For the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they had won this almost impossible victory, but for Alexander it was undoubtedly a mockery.
Alexander rearranged his collar.
He strode towards the Belgrade Palace.
The Austro-Hungarian soldiers had no intention of humiliating him.
They respectfully opened the door for Alexander.
There were only two people in the luxurious main hall. One was an old man in his sixties wearing a German Empire military uniform, holding a sword with both hands against the ground, his back straight, a lot of medals on his chest, and a signature bull-horn beard. He looked majestic without even being angry.
There is no doubt that this is General Mackensen, commander-in-chief of the 11th Army of the German Empire, who has just arrived in Belgrade.
But the main character today is not this general.
Instead, it was the Princess of the German Empire who sat on the throne, looking down from above and indifferently.
The princess sat high on the throne, she was wearing a black evening dress, her long white hair was tied behind her head, she wore iron cross earrings, and a ruby ring on her slender fingers. It was unknown when this princess had taken control of everything about this war.
Alexander placed his right hand on his chest and bowed to Hilde, who was sitting on the throne, and General Mackensen, who was standing beside the throne.
Hildegard von Alsace-Lorraine.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess of the German Empire and the General of the German Empire."
When Alexander finished his salute.
Hilde stood up from the throne, her slender feet in high-heeled boots stepped on the steps, making crisp sounds, and walked step by step to Alexander's side.
"You have proved your will in this war. You can be proud of it even if you lose. Your Excellency King Alexander I of Serbia."
"We have not agreed to surrender, Your Highness."
"Of course, we are only at an armistice agreement now."
The end of the war will naturally not be that simple.
Even if it is a ceasefire agreement that means the war can't continue.
The reason why Alexander chose to negotiate at this time was that at this time Alexander could strive to gain some rights and interests for Serbia as much as possible, if he waited until the Serbian army completely collapsed.
Then Alexander would not be qualified to negotiate with Hilde.
Hilde continued to ask.
"So, Your Majesty Alexander, what do you want?"
"Serbia can agree to all Austria-Hungary's demands, and all people related to Archduke Ferdinand will be thoroughly investigated.
Serbia will definitely give an explanation, but Serbia cannot agree to Austrian police arresting people in Serbia
right.
"good."
Hilde agreed too readily.
It was so refreshing that it seemed unreal to Alexander.
In the original ultimatum that the Austro-Hungarian Empire gave to Serbia, even Russia had persuaded Serbia to accept the ultimatum, but Alexander could not accept the Austrian police exercising the power of arrest in Serbia, which represented the end of Serbia as an independent country.
this negotiation.
Alexander did not expect his request to be granted, but he had to make it.
But I didn't expect Hilde to agree so easily.
Alexander frowned, but spoke anyway.
"I demand that the territorial integrity of Serbia must be guaranteed, especially the core territories with large Serbian populations. We can make small concessions in other territories."
"good."
"Serbia can undertake a certain degree of limitation of its military size and capabilities, but will not agree to disarmament and militarization.
"good."
"Serbia demands that Serbian culture, language and education be guaranteed within Serbian territory and that the Serbian nation be preserved. It also demands that Austria-Hungary guarantee the rights of Serbs within the Austro-Hungarian Empire."
"good."
"Serbia acknowledges economic difficulties and demands minimum or phased reparations to make up for war reparations."
"good."
Hilde was a little too blunt.
Even Alexander himself had prepared for the worst. What was absolutely unacceptable to Alexander was the destruction of Serbia's culture, the cession of core areas, the cession of sovereignty, and complete demilitarization.
Apart from this, Alexander could accept everything, including cession of territory and war reparations.
But I didn't expect Hilde to be so easy to talk to.
It seemed that he had not thought about Alexander's request at all, or he did not care about Alexander's request at all. These were not within Hilde's consideration from the beginning.
Alexander took a deep breath.
"What are your demands?
"Hmm... Let me think about it. The Austro-Hungarian Empire only has that ultimatum. Germany can guarantee Serbia's status as a neutral country. You are free to trade freely with whomever you want. Germany can also provide Serbia with a loan of 100 million Reichsmarks and help you build some railways and rebuild your homes."
"What's the price?"
"There's no price."
"What did you say?"
"Your Majesty, the King of Serbia, I mean, there is no cost, absolutely free of charge."
Alexander naturally wouldn't believe Hilde's nonsense.
"Do you think we are Bulgaria? If you want to turn me into a puppet and turn Serbia into Bulgaria,
If you want to be a puppet state of Alsace-Lorraine, then I must tell you, Her Royal Highness, that this is absolutely impossible."
"I have to tell you one thing, Bulgaria is not my puppet."
"It makes no difference!"
Hilde smiled.
No answer.
Instead, she turned around and stepped on the steps with her slender feet in high heels, making a crisp sound.
Returning to the throne, he supported his smooth chin with his slender fingers and looked down at Alexander condescendingly.
"I am not interested in the Serbs, I am not interested in your national sovereignty, I only want one thing
Your Majesty, King Alexander I of Serbia, I want you. "
Hilde paused.
It's like talking about something insignificant.
"Kneel down and submit."
Alexander was no longer surprised by Hilde's request.
He just looked at General Mackensen who was standing next to Hilde and acting as a sculpture.
"Do you mean you or the German Empire?"
Hilde smiled.
"Of course it's me."