On the first day of 1916, the German Army and Navy once again launched a joint operation. The 3rd and 8th Armies, with the Navy's assistance, began their expedition. The 3rd Corps was to march directly toward South Africa, while the 8th Corps set its sights on Egypt. Thus, Germany commenced its campaign to reclaim the colonies once belonging to Britain.
As for the colonies of other nations, such as those of France and Italy, the transfer of authority had already taken place. Germany merely needed to dispatch civil officers and a small contingent of troops to take control. Of course, in the long run, to ensure the stability of German rule in these colonies, the formation of colonial forces was inevitable. These forces, consisting of German officers and local native soldiers, would not be expected to exhibit exceptional combat prowess, but as long as they could maintain local order and safeguard supply lines during wartime, that would suffice. After all, colonial armies have never been known for their fighting strength, so any further expectations were unrealistic.
The 4th Army Corps was also in preparation, ready to embark on overseas missions at any moment.
Although the war had not yet fully concluded, operations against the colonies were merely small-scale actions. For Germany, these posed no significant threat.
Once Germany regained these colonies, it would acquire additional resources, propelling its industrial and economic growth to new heights. This would be immensely beneficial in strengthening Germany's power and consolidating its hegemonic position.
The political landscape of the world had already undergone a monumental shift by the end of this global conflict. Germany had rightfully claimed the title of world hegemon, the only true superpower. However, there were still several formidable nations just beneath Germany. The United States, across the Atlantic, wielded considerable power. While its military strength lagged behind Germany's, its overall capabilities were not far behind. Therefore, the United States posed the greatest challenge to Germany's dominance. Unless America was decisively defeated, Germany's hegemonic position would never be truly secure.
Beyond America, the greatest threat to Germany came from the Rus. Although others disagreed with this view, only Qin Tian understood the terrifying potential of this nation once it underwent rapid development. In just a few short years, it had ascended to become Europe's leading industrial power. The thought alone sent a chill down Qin Tian's spine.
Furthermore, the Rus bordered Germany. After the significant eastward expansion of Germany's territory, the two nations had become neighbors. In the event of war, one could easily imagine the intense nature of the conflict. The Rus's vast depth and large population base would pose a nightmare for Germany. If Qin Tian did not want to lose the war like the Führer, early preparations were essential.
Naturally, this Germany was far stronger than the Third Reich of another timeline. Meanwhile, the Rus had weakened considerably due to the loss of much territory. As a result, the likelihood of Germany's victory was quite high.
Other imperial officials had suggested whether to suppress the Rus, particularly targeting their industrial base. However, after much contemplation, Qin Tian rejected this idea. Even if Germany tried to undermine the Rus, it seemed impossible to do so effectively. Germany could halt the sale of machinery to the Rus, but what about other nations? Particularly the United States, which would likely relish the opportunity to see a powerful Rus on Germany's doorstep. They would seize the chance to export vast quantities of machinery to the Rus, profiting greatly. Simultaneously, they could arm the Rus, making it even stronger. It would be a double victory for them!
Instead of letting the Americans profit, it would be better for Germany to capitalize on the opportunity. At least, at present, Germany's relations with the Rus were far more favorable than those of other countries. Moreover, through the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, Germany had gained substantial territory and war reparations from the Rus, which fueled their bitter resentment toward Germany. They were constantly plotting to reclaim the lost lands. However, Germany's demonstrated military strength had made the Rus hesitant to take action. The Rus, in their current state, were far from the formidable power that could dominate Europe. Furthermore, Germany remained the only nation from which the Rus could acquire essential machinery and industrial technology, which made their relationship with Germany particularly crucial.
In exchange for more machinery, the Rus sold agricultural products and mineral resources to Germany, forcing its people to endure hunger and even famine. For the ruling class of the Rus, the key to true power lay in industrialization, not the welfare of the peasantry. The lives of the lower classes, particularly the farmers, were of little concern.
For Germany, this presented an opportunity. In the event of war, Germany could easily garner the support of the oppressed farmers, which would play a significant role in defeating the Rus.
Apart from these two nations, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the island nation posed some threat to Germany, but it was quite limited. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, although seemingly powerful, was in reality weak. Once Emperor Franz Joseph I passed away, Germany would strike, and the empire would soon collapse, no longer posing a threat. On the contrary, Germany could seize valuable resources from the disintegrating empire.
The island nation, though not very strong, was too distant to pose any direct threat to Germany's core interests. However, it could threaten Germany's holdings in the South Seas and the Pacific, particularly India, a colony that Germany valued highly. Once the British had subdued the Indian subcontinent, it had become easy to manage. Germany could exploit India for all its worth, extracting as much benefit as possible. Qin Tian had not forgotten the riches hidden in India's temples. Once the German military occupied India, one of their first tasks would be to excavate these temples, retrieving vast treasures of gold and silver. To leave such wealth to the Indians would be a waste.
Finally, there was the British Empire, which had fled to Canada. The British Empire, once a grand power, was now a mere shadow, struggling to survive in Canada. Were it not for America's protection, Germany could easily obliterate them. However, engaging the United States in war now was beyond Germany's current capabilities. The Atlantic Ocean, too, posed a significant obstacle.