Chereads / Blood and Iron Germany[Part Two] / Chapter 277 - Chapter 0837: The Crown Prince's Fury

Chapter 277 - Chapter 0837: The Crown Prince's Fury

"Your Highness, Your Excellency, I have gathered the information. The Germans have placed us last in line for the audience!" reported Uchina Kōya, the Ambassador of the Empire to Germany. As the ambassador, he had his own channels of information.

"How dare they! The Germans are pushing their luck too far!" Crown Prince Hirohito exploded in fury.

Kato Takakami's face turned pale with anger as well. To place the Empire at the very end of the audience queue was a clear and deliberate insult—a total disregard for their status. This was nothing less than a humiliation!

"Excellency, what will happen if we leave Germany and return to the Empire now?" Hirohito asked through gritted teeth.

Kato Takakami's heart tightened immediately. He knew the Crown Prince was not one to suffer indignities lightly. However, such a course of action might provide temporary satisfaction but would spell disaster for the Empire in the long run. It could undo the fragile peace they had barely managed to establish with Germany, or worse, spark a new conflict.

"Your Highness, we cannot do that!" Kato Takakami implored. "If we leave now, we give Germany a pretext to mobilize against us again. The Germans have already defeated the British, and they have the forces to strike the Empire. If war breaks out, it will be very difficult for us to defeat them. For the sake of the greater good, we must endure this insult!"

Hirohito trembled with rage. He knew very well that leaving now would create an enormous diplomatic scandal. But the thought of such a blatant disrespect left him feeling deeply aggrieved.

"Your Highness," Kato Takakami continued, "as the saying goes, a gentleman seeks revenge after ten years. Germany may be arrogantly bullying us now due to their power, but one day, when the Empire is strong again, we will have our revenge a thousand times over. That day will surely come."

Crown Prince Hirohito nodded, his anger still simmering but tempered by the wiser counsel. "I understand, Excellency. I know what must be done."

It was true—weak nations have no diplomacy. Even though the Empire was strong in its own right, compared to Germany, it was still too weak to act without consequence. Thus, Hirohito had no choice but to swallow his pride, promising himself that one day he would make the Germans pay.

On the afternoon of December 17th, Hirohito and Kato Takakami were finally summoned to meet with Emperor Qin Tian. They were escorted by German diplomats to the imperial palace.

"This is the German palace?" Hirohito thought scornfully as he looked around. "It doesn't compare to the grandeur of the Empire's palaces at all. How could the world's strongest nation have such a pitiful palace?" He kept his thoughts to himself, though. Despite his youthful impetuosity, he knew when to show restraint.

"Your Majesty, I come on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire, bringing the deepest respect and greetings to you," Kato Takakami said, bowing deeply.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs, convey my regards to the Emperor of the Empire," Qin Tian replied, his tone formal but laced with an undercurrent of sarcasm.

The usual meaningless pleasantries followed, and despite his disdain for the Japanese, Qin Tian did not reveal his feelings outright—he was, after all, the Emperor of the German Empire, the most powerful nation in the world, and had to maintain his dignity.

"Your Majesty, the German Empire is the world's strongest nation. I believe the German Empire should set an example for the entire world," Hirohito said, trying to sound more adult-like.

"Oh? Prince, what kind of example do you think the German Empire should set?" Qin Tian asked with a mocking smile, clearly amused by the Crown Prince's attempt to sound mature. It was evident that Hirohito's behavior was more suited to a child than an adult.

"Your Majesty, at the very least, the German military should not massacre innocent civilians! In the Empire, the German fleet bombarded our coastal cities, causing the deaths and injuries of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. Such actions are hardly fitting for a great power!" Hirohito's voice was firm.

Qin Tian's expression darkened. "Prince, are you accusing me? Are you accusing the German Empire?"

"I dare not, I am simply stating the facts," Hirohito responded.

Kato Takakami, startled by Hirohito's boldness, quickly shot him a warning glance. However, Hirohito seemed oblivious, continuing to press the issue. Every high-ranking official from the Empire had deep resentment for the brutal bombing of their coastal cities, but for the sake of diplomacy, they had learned to overlook it. Hirohito, however, was unwilling to do so.

"As for the war between our nations, I no longer wish to comment," Qin Tian said coldly. "The Empire declared war on your nation because of your own actions! Our peace treaty makes it clear that the responsibility for the war lies with the Empire, not with us. Your greed and ambition are to blame for the conflict. If it hadn't been for your reckless actions, this war would never have occurred."

"The Empire never attacked Germany," Hirohito retorted angrily. "We attacked the British colonies. None of this concerns Germany! Does Germany think it can bully others just because of its military strength?"

Qin Tian's patience was wearing thin. "What, is the Empire now trying to tear up the peace treaty? If that is the case, I will be happy to fulfill your wish."

Hirohito immediately fell silent, knowing that a yes would mean certain disaster. Such a response would give Germany a pretext to break the armistice and resume hostilities. The Empire, in its current state, was in no position to challenge Germany.

This thought left Hirohito seething with frustration. It felt as though Germany was bullying them with its overwhelming power, and yet, the Empire had no choice but to swallow its pride.

"Your Majesty, please, calm your anger," Kato Takakami said hurriedly. "The Prince did not mean what he said!"

"Humph! You may be the Crown Prince, but you are still young. I hope you learn to think before you speak. Otherwise, your country will pay the price for your recklessness," Qin Tian said derisively.

Hirohito clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood.