Wilhelm was caught by surprise at the rapid advance of Persian forces through what had been a well trained Babaloynian Army. Further, he was about to begin a new trading partnership with Daedlus when this sudden attack, previously described as unlikely began. This was quite troubling.
Wilhelm called Bismark to the room. He instructed the General to deploy his strategic reserve (20 elite rifle divisions and 15 Calvary divisions) in position to assist either Russia in the east or at Germany's border with Greece. The new railway system allowed Bismark exceptional mobility within Germany's interior.
The standard garrison fortifications already in place to Germany's south would receive additional Cannon regiments. Germany would be alert for any such blitz attacks from her neighbors,
Clearly the battles in the mid-east had hinged on the leadership vacuum that existed at the top of their government. No one had heard a peep out of old King Babalous in decades.
But now Wilhelm knew that the King's son had escaped to the Georgian provinces in Russia. A stable Europe was a principle that guided Wilhelm's thinking. Clearly he could not stand behind the establishment of a puppet state in Turkey. The affairs in the Mid-East itself were little of his concern, simply religious disputes that had raged for centuries, but Turkey was the door step to Europe, and a strategically vital one at that.
A interesting parallel was occuring in France even today. No one had seen Joan in public for two years....hmmm...perhaps Rome, England, Russia (who might like a warm water Atlantic port) and Germany could cement a friendship there someday...
Wilhelm knew what his position on Turkey would be though, and he sat down to write.
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To: PM Sanford and Tsar Romanov
Subj: Persian attacks in Babalyon
Hail friends,
I am as surprised as you are that Persia struck so quickly against her neighbor. I am also impressed by the speed at which the Babalyon army was defeated.
I will join you both in not recognizing a illegitimate government in Ankara. I have recently agreed to trade oil for iron with Persia, and now will emphasize to Daedlus that we will not tolerate an incursion into Europe, and wish to have the son of King Babalous installed immediate into the Turkish Free State.
As a further precaution, I have mobilized my elite strategic reserve, and they are ready to assist you Romanov should events continue to destabilize. I recommend that we connect our rail nets.
Regards
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To: Daedlus, Ruler of the Greater Persian Empire
URGENT MATTER
Hail Daedlus,
I will be direct. I was heartened by our recent agreement to begin trade, however you have placed me in a untendable position with my closest allies through your sudden assault on Babalyon. The instability caused by the current Turkish situation only threatens my allies further with an agressive neighbor in Greece.
I would like to continue our trade relationship that had started so promisingly. However, I must ask you to strongly consider supporting the son of King Babalous as the rightful ruler of Turkey with a peace agreement. Now that you have impressively gained control of the crossroads of the world, I hope that you will halt your expansion westward. Germany has little interest in your activities in other parts of the world, so long as they do not threaten our close friend Tsar Romanov.
Please do consider my request re: Turkey. This solution holds benefits for you as well, as having a buffer between you and the aggressive Alexander may not be a bad idea in these turbulent times. My first shipment of ore is ready to leave, but it is best if we wait on that until I hear your response.
Best regards,
Wilhelm
