January 5, 310 AD
Chancellor Konrad von Bismarck called the meeting of the Ministry Council to order. “I will ask the Domestic Minister to give his report to the Council. Otto?”
The Domestic Minister took the podium. “My Chancellor, I am pleased to report that the rebuilding of the former Egyptian territories is going well. All of the former Egyptian cities have an Imperial library either built or under construction, and many have churches under construction as well. We will be sending three new settlers deeper into the unclaimed lands in Central Africa. We are also training as many workers as reasonably possible to build a comprehensive rail network throughout our territory.”
“How long will it take to complete this rail network, Otto?”
“It is difficult to say exactly. I expect that the main line linking Berlin with Thebes and Bangalore will take at least ten years to complete.”
“So long? Is there anything we can do to speed things up?”
“My Chancellor, we are doing all that can be done.”
“I understand, Otto. Keep at it, and keep us informed of your progress.”
“It shall be done, my Chancellor.”
“Next, I wish to hear from the Military Minister. Franz?”
The Military Minister stepped to the podium. The Chancellor noted with some concern that Franz, though back at work for the last week, did not look at all well. “My Chancellor, we have developed an invasion plan, as you ordered, for both England and Arabia. We are building two more galleons, to be based in Hamburg, to assist the Wilhelm Tell in transporting our invasion force. The new galleons should be finished by this time next year. ”
The new Cultural Minister, Ernst von Reinhardt, raised his hand. “Yes, Ernst?”
“Franz, have you determined names for the two new galleons?”
“Not yet. Did you have something in mind?”
“Actually, yes. I propose that we name one the Friedrich von Schmidt, after my illustrious predecessor.”
The Chancellor stirred. “Normally we do not name a warship after a living person. I am prepared, however, to make an exception in this case. Are there any objections?” No one spoke, so the Chancellor continued, “Very well. I had intended to pay Friedrich a visit myself after the meeting, and I am certain he will be pleased. I should like to hear the rest of the Military Minister's report.”
“Of course, my Chancellor. To continue, we expect to be able to field a force of at least twenty cavalry divisions to invade England within the next three years.”
“Will that be enough, Franz?”
“We think so, my Chancellor. We do have a plan to help determine the strength of the English defenses. As you all know, we do not have a formal embassy with the English. Creating one will give us valuable knowledge of the defenses of the English capital.”
“Horst, this is your field. What is your opinion?”
The Foreign Minister paused for a moment. “I am still not convinced of the necessity of an attack on the English in the first place. However, there may be an easier and cheaper method. We could send an emissary to the English to obtain their maps in exchange for something simple, such as the knowledge of the wheel. We know the English are quite backward indeed, though in better shape than other small nations. I do not believe we need go to the expense of setting up an embassy, knowing that England will be attacked in three or four years time.”
The Chancellor turned back to the Military Minister. “I think Horst is right about this. At least we should try it before going to the expense of setting up an embassy. All in favor of the Foreign Minister's plan?” Everyone except the Military Minister raised his hand. “Very well, then, Motion approved. We shall send a delegation as you suggested, with one small change. Franz, I want you to select someone from the Military Ministry to accompany this mission.”
“It shall be done, my Chancellor. I suppose it does no harm to at least try to talk to the English.” The Military Minister paused. “To continue, we have also developed a plan for an invasion of Arabia. We will use Elephantine as a base for the attack. We should have at least forty cavalry divisions, plus our three heavy Corps, ready to attack in three years time. I remind the Council that this is roughly the same number of forces we had available to attack Egypt at the start of the war, and Arabia is a much weaker target.”
“There is another matter which I should bring before the whole Council. We have recently discovered that the pirates and barbarians in the eastern Mediterranean Sea are somehow connected to Arabia. We have an agent in Mecca, codenamed “Sparthage”, who has confirmed earlier reports to this effect.”
The Foreign Minister spoke out at this. “Franz, even if the Arabian Sultanate were to be destroyed, the pirates and barbarians would still exist. Why not build warships with these new cannons to battle them if you are so intent upon their destruction?”
“It is not just the pirates, Franz. The Arabs have been hostile ever since Shiek Sadim was overthrown.”
“And that is supposed to give us the right to simply ride in and conquer the Arabs by force?”
The Chancellor stepped in. “Enough, Horst. You have made your point. There are two other matters to address. Have you been able to determine whether the Songhai know about the supposed English pirates off Gibraltar?”
“It does not appear so, my Chancellor. I have heard at least one report that the Songhai are building a fleet to attempt to settle the islands off their western coast.”
“All the more reason to defeat the English before the Songhai can launch ships to locate them,” said the Military Minister.
The new Cultural Minister raised his hand. "Franz, how is it that the Arabs and the English were able to build these vessels undetected, or for that matter, build them at all. I thought both were far too backward to do so."
"A very good question, Ernst. We do not know precisely, but we do have a theory. You will all recall that most of the barbarians in the North Sea were connected at one time with the Vikings. That is one reason why we went to war with them at the time. We believe the current situation is similar. It is also possible that both nations are more advanced in military strength than they are in more peaceful pursuits."
“A good point, Franz. There is one other matter to address before we take a formal war vote. What is the situation with the Indians?”
The Military Minister took the question. “My Chancellor, the treaty with the Indians expires in two and a half years. Tensions are quite high, but there has been little overt movements until recently. Two Indian caravels have been sighted approaching German waters. We suspect they are attempting to land colonists in the land now vacant after the collapse of the Egyptian kingdom.”
“Franz, I wish to be certain on this point. Have the Indians sent any soldiers by land through our territory?”
“No, my Chancellor.”
“I am pleased to hear that. I have not forgotten that a war was started the last time the Indians tried this. I propose that any attack on either England or Arabia be delayed until after the expiration of the treaty with India. We must know whether the Indians will attack us before we commit ourselves. Is there any objection to this approach?” Again, no one spoke.
“Very well. We will then vote on whether or not to invade England and Arabia, assuming that the Indians do not attack. All in favor of the invasion of England?” Everyone except the Foreign Minister raised their hands. “Then the invasion is approved. Horst, I will address your objections shortly.”
“All in favor of an invasion of Arabia?” Again, everyone except the Foreign Minister raised their hands. “Then that invasion is approved as well.”
The Chancellor turned to Horst. “I know you oppose both invasions, and you have explained why. What would it take for you to approve of either invasion?”
“My Chancellor, I simply do not see the true necessity of either invasion. I can agree to an invasion of India, since they are a real threat to us. The Arabs and the English are not. I will bow to the majority opinion in this matter, however.”
“That is what I expected you to say, Horst. I should perhaps add that, as Chancellor, I need your voice and your wisdom at these meetings.”
“It is good of you to say so, my Chancellor. I do have one other request. I should like to lead the delegation to the English myself.”
“As you wish, Horst, unless there is some objection?” No one objected, so the Chancellor continued. “Approved, then. Franz, I want this done as quickly as possible. I also want you to draw up defense plans in the event the Indians attack us when the treaty expires.”
“We have a department at the Ministry working on precisely that, my Chancellor.”
“Very well. There is one more matter before we adjourn. Franz, I believe you mentioned earlier that we have an agent in Arabia codenamed “Sparthage.” Why not use that name for the second new galleon?”
The Military Minister sat back in his chair. “An interesting idea, my Chancellor. My concern is that we might draw unnecessary attention to our agent if we do so.”
“I see. I will ask you to suggest an appropriate name, then. Meeting adjourned.” All stood as the Chancellor left the Ministry Council meeting room.
I hope to read more of "Save the Mongols", "Celtic Fury", "Sealand", and "The Sons of Odin" shortly as well.
