"Your Majesty, the princes of the Kingdom of Nezhi and the Kingdom of Kuwait are expected to arrive the day after tomorrow. Will you have time to meet with them?" asked Foreign Minister Wahit.
When the German forces launched their assault on Egypt, the Kingdom of Nezhi and the Kingdom of Kuwait secretly reached out to Germany, hoping to send their princes for a covert visit. Although the Middle East remained firmly under British control, it was becoming increasingly clear to the nations of the region that the British were no longer in power. This sentiment grew especially after the discovery that the British were retreating from the Middle East, heading toward India.
Both the Kingdom of Nezhi and the Kingdom of Kuwait held significant influence in the Middle East. The Kingdom of Nezhi, in particular, was on the verge of dominating the entire Arabian Peninsula. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Kuwait, though reduced to a British protectorate for over half a century, had ensured the security of its nation. Over the years, Kuwait had cultivated considerable influence in the region, despite its modest size.
In the wake of Britain's defeat, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East was set to undergo substantial shifts. To safeguard their national interests and futures, the countries of the region were left with little choice but to adopt new strategies. The Kingdom of Nezhi and the Kingdom of Kuwait were at the forefront of this shift. They reached out to Germany, seeking to change allegiances and secure their national interests in the process.
Germany, of course, welcomed their overtures. With the vast distance between Germany and the Middle East, direct control was impractical. The only viable strategy was to support local powers, allowing them to assume governance on Germany's behalf. This approach would strengthen Germany's hold over the region while conserving its resources. However, there were risks. As these nations grew stronger, particularly if Germany's power waned, they would inevitably seek to break free from German influence.
Still, as long as Germany maintained its strength, these nations would be unlikely to challenge its authority.
"I heard the prince of Nezhi is only thirteen years old?" QinTian inquired.
"Yes, Your Majesty, but he is the eldest son of the King of Nezhi, the oldest prince," replied Wahit.
"Your Majesty, the actions of the Kingdom of Nezhi and the Kingdom of Kuwait suggest that they are offering their heirs as hostages," Prime Minister Biluo remarked.
QinTian nodded, agreeing with the assessment. He recognized that the kingdoms knew it would be difficult to gain Germany's approval. By sending their heirs, they assured Germany of their loyalty and intentions, fostering trust.
"Given that, I shall make time to meet with them," QinTian decided. Meeting the princes in person would send a clear message about Germany's stance and reassure both the Kingdom of Nezhi and the Kingdom of Kuwait.
"Your Majesty, does the Empire's Middle Eastern strategy require any modifications?" QinTian inquired.
"Not for now," replied QinTian. "The British are retreating, and their departure will create a power vacuum. Our task is to seize this opportunity and fill the void, ensuring the Empire's dominance in the Middle East. Once we control the region, we will be in a prime position to easily control the entire world."
"Your Majesty, does the Middle East truly hold such importance?" Marshal von Falkenhayn asked.
To him, the Middle East was little more than a barren wasteland, with little more than sand stretching for miles and a sparse population. Beyond its strategic location, there seemed to be little of value.
"No, Marshal, you underestimate the region," QinTian responded. "Have you heard of oil?"
"Is there oil there?" other ministers began to react.
QinTian nodded. "Yes, there is vast oil. Especially in the Kingdom of Nezhi and the Kingdom of Kuwait, where there are enormous oil reserves. It is estimated that over sixty percent of the world's oil is concentrated in the Middle East. The importance of oil cannot be overstated. Whether in times of war or peace, this resource is paramount. We must control the Middle East and ensure no other power can lay claim to it."
QinTian's tone was resolute. As someone who had crossed from another timeline, he understood the critical importance of Middle Eastern control. The United States' dominance, after all, stemmed largely from its control of the region. With the vast power of the American military, they could crush any opposition. If Germany could control the Middle East, its own power would be further solidified. At the very least, Germany could use energy to strangle other nations. Without oil, not only would economic development grind to a halt, but military power would plummet. Aircraft, tanks, and automobiles would be nothing but scrap metal without oil.
The other military and political leaders were equally stunned by the figures presented by QinTian. Sixty percent of the world's oil? That was a terrifying reserve. Even now, the oil Germany extracted from Libya was sufficient for its needs, with a surplus. The Middle East, however, offered far more—an immense fortune and a powerful strategic weapon.
"Your Majesty, if that is the case, we cannot allow the Middle East to slip through our fingers. The region must be firmly placed under the Empire's control!" Prime Minister Biluo said gravely.
Although Prime Minister Biluo was usually opposed to using force, the importance of Middle Eastern oil for the Empire's interests led him to support the use of military power if necessary. Given how crucial the region was, he believed that even military intervention would be justified.
QinTian nodded. "The goodwill shown by the Kingdom of Nezhi and the Kingdom of Kuwait is a promising start. Through them, the Empire can easily gain a foothold in the region, filling the power vacuum left by the British. We can then take further steps to solidify our control. The Kingdom of Nezhi has grand ambitions, and the Empire can support them in further consolidating control over the Arabian Peninsula. However, we must ensure that we establish military bases in the region and station troops there. Only then will we be able to secure Germany's control over the Middle East."