After the fall of London, the German offensive did not cease. Several of their main army corps began advancing toward other regions of Britain.
Wales, Scotland, and Ireland were each sent their own contingents. Although Germany had already backed Sinn Féin and the Irish Republican Brotherhood in Ireland, they remained too weak to overcome the tens of thousands of British troops stationed there. Without direct German intervention, the conquest of the entire island of Ireland would have required much more time.
Having wiped out the bulk of the British forces in the Battle of Canterbury and the London Campaign, the remaining British troops, though numbering over a million, were little more than a disorganized rabble. Many were poorly equipped, inadequately trained, and some could not even fire their rifles. In such a dire situation, what combat effectiveness could one realistically expect from these scattered remnants?
Faced with the unstoppable German advance, the surviving British forces were left with only one option: immediate surrender. This, at least, might spare their lives. Otherwise, the consequences would be far graver.
A few British units, however, chose to resist. They retreated into the mountains to make a stand. But the German military soon surrounded them. While some of the British soldiers, like weeds, stubbornly survived, they no longer posed any significant threat. On the whole, Britain had been thoroughly occupied by the German forces.
In Berlin, as the Emperor QinTian received the telegram from General von Falkenhayn reporting the successful subjugation of London, a wave of joy swept over him.
"My lords, the war, which began over a year ago, is now nearing its conclusion!" QinTian exclaimed with evident delight.
Though the area occupied by Germany in Britain was still limited, the defeat of the British main forces meant that the total occupation of Britain was now a certainty.
"Your Majesty, the war is nearly over. We can now shift our focus toward domestic reconstruction and consolidating control over the occupied territories!" Prime Minister Bilow said, his face beaming with relief.
The end of this protracted war brought a deep sense of respite to Prime Minister Bilow. While Germany had emerged victorious, it was clear that the costs had been enormous. The war expenditure alone was a staggering sum, and even the vast reparations extracted from the defeated nations would not entirely fill the fiscal gap.
Of course, if one considered other benefits, Germany had still profited greatly. Vast swathes of new territory had been annexed, expanding Germany's living space. The fertile plains of Eastern Europe promised self-sufficiency in food production. The empire's sprawling overseas colonies would provide enormous markets and raw materials. Germany's industries, already poised to soar, would now take flight once more.
"Prime Minister, I must correct you," remarked Admiral Tirpitz, "The war is not over—only the major conflict has ended. Smaller wars are bound to continue for some time."
"Oh? How so?" Prime Minister Bilow asked, taken aback.
"To seize all of Britain's overseas colonies, we will inevitably have to resort to military force. India, Australia, and South Africa alone will require a substantial military commitment. However, the intensity of these future engagements will not match the ferocity of the European theater," Tirpitz explained.
Bilow nodded. He understood. The British colonies were still firmly in British hands, despite the fall of the British Isles. The British would not simply cede these territories without a fight. To claim them, Germany would need to deploy troops.
Whether it was India, South Africa, or Australia, these colonies were rich in resources. Even with Germany's current colonial acquisitions, these territories remained highly coveted. The strength of the British Empire, which had once dominated the world, was primarily derived from these vast holdings. If Germany could seize them, it would solidify its position as the world's dominant power.
"Those colonies are of utmost importance. We must claim them—there is no debate about it," Prime Minister Bilow declared.
Though continuing the war would mean further substantial expenditures, the acquisition of these colonies was deemed well worth the cost. Moreover, the upcoming conflicts would not be as intense as the previous European battles, and the funds required would be manageable for Germany's government.
"Your Majesty, how should we handle Britain itself? Once our forces have occupied all of Britain, we will need to sign a peace treaty with them," Foreign Minister Vacht inquired.
"We should install a compliant British government," QinTian replied. "With over forty million people in Britain, direct rule would be unfeasible. We cannot afford constant resistance from the British populace. If we attempted to govern them directly, Britain would become a quagmire, dragging Germany into an endless quagmire of rebellion. That is not something I am prepared to undertake."
"Understood, Your Majesty. We will identify suitable candidates for the new government," Vacht said.
"Furthermore, the dismemberment of Britain can begin," QinTian continued. "According to our plan, Britain will be split into three independent nations: England, Scotland, and Ireland. Let them balance each other, which will also make it easier for us to control the British Isles."
Initially, QinTian had hoped to see Wales also gain independence, but that proved more difficult. Even with England split off, its sheer strength—especially in terms of population—would remain formidable. After the split, Ireland would have only 4.5 million people, and Scotland would be home to just 4.8 million. But England and Wales, combined, would number over 36 million, more than four times the population of Ireland and Scotland combined.
Therefore, Germany would need to support both Ireland and Scotland, particularly in strengthening their military capabilities, to counterbalance the might of England. Only through this would Germany ensure its dominance over the British Isles.