. Due to the frigid attitudes of Germany and Türkiye, the Italians' proposal at the International Security League summit was not approved.

However, countries still reached a relatively consistent view on the Russian issue, that is, to implement a positive blockade policy and strictly prevent each other from infiltration. This has many coincidences with history.

After the meeting, Chen Tian quickly returned to Germany. At this time, Europe was in the alternation of autumn and winter, and the weather was gradually getting colder. However, as the new parliamentary election approached, the public opinion atmosphere in Germany seemed quite strong. There was no big suspense about the re-election of the 62-year-old current imperial prime minister and Prussian prime minister Gustav Nosk. The competition among political parties in parliamentary seats has become the first focus of people's attention, and the newly rising Socialist Party has also attracted a considerable number of attention with its slogan of "World Peace".

Berlin, Olaf Palace, Royal Cabinet Meeting.

"Look! Everyone, our citizens are now satisfied with the empire's existing territory and international influence. They want to maintain the status quo and do not want to see more people, especially their relatives, die due to war and conflict. This is a very lack of enterprising view! However, now we do not have a good way to convince them, and I feel deeply regretful about this!"

The speaker was burly and had a sad expression. He was the seventh cabinet prime minister since the founding of the German Empire, the leader of the German Social Democratic Party, and a politician who actively participated in military and colonial affairs. He was a loyal supporter and implementer of Germany's foreign expansion policy. During his tenure, Germany launched three large-scale wars and truly gained world hegemony through the German-US wars. The German-Russian-German-Japanese wars also had very positive significance for Germany's global strategy. Despite this, few people still compare Gustav with the most famous prime ministers in German history Otto von Bismarck, because in the eyes of many people, Gustav Nosk was just the policy executor of German Emperor William III, and now he truly ruled Germany. The German nobles and the royal leader with legendary experience are still.

"What the Prime Minister said is that the mentality of our people nowadays is indeed helpless! The number of local anti-war marchs has decreased a lot in recent months, but the morale in all walks of life is generally not high!"

The bitter-looking minister of the Finance Minister von Bitenfeld spoke a deep tone. In the eyes of outsiders, this gray-haired old man was always so smart and capable. He held the imperial financial power and was the most glorious among the cabinet ministers. He did not know that the power in his hands was far less than others imagined. Not only could he not approve any fiscal expenditure alone. He often racked his brains to persuade members of Congress to pass a fiscal bill.

As the saying goes, the troops have not moved, and food and grass are in place. Whenever war comes, the busiest thing in the entire empire is not the marshals and generals, but civil servants like Bitenfeld, who are responsible for the internal affairs and diplomacy of the empire, who coordinate funds, arrange budgets, coordinate distribution, and take into account military and domestic production. It can be said that the generals were drinking coffee in the command center while discussing strategies and tactics. Bitenfeld and others sometimes had to argue fiercely over some funding matters all day long. In his own words, "Parliament is the most difficult battlefield in the world to conquer."

For a diligent cabinet official like von Bitenfeld, retirement is undoubtedly the best relief. He is 68 years old and has long had such an idea, but the empire is still in a war period, so his retirement time has to be pushed back. Judging from the current situation, Bitenfeld, who is a noble person and trusted by the German emperor, will continue to serve in a prominent government department even if he cannot get a second re-election.

"Industrial growth slowed further in the third quarter, and looking at the country, there is only the best situation in the arms and shipbuilding industry!" There was no good news for the Minister of Industry Norendorf. After his speech, a brief silence appeared in the conference room. Although this was not the last imperial meeting of the current cabinet members, everyone knew that the performance of the cabinet in the last few months will greatly affect people's evaluation of this cabinet, and it is also related to the future career of most people here.

In other words, most of the cabinet ministers here hope to deal with the current situation with "change", which is also a point that Chen Tian felt strongly after returning to China.

After looking around at each minister present, Chen Tian said in a peaceful tone:

"I understand your ideas very well! What I want to say is that some history is destined, while others may change due to changes in some small details! Now, we are once again standing at the crossroads of history. Whether to continue the war or end, different choices will allow us to embark on completely different paths from now on! Everyone here, including me, is not a prophet! Most of the time, we have to bear the corresponding risks for every decision we make. This risk is large or small! Take war as an example. Maybe we have seen the outcome before the war begins, but it is difficult for us to imagine how many joint impacts this war will have! Therefore, in the next time, our final determination will determine the fate of this empire!"

The audience was solemn, and everyone focused their attention on Chen Tian, ​​who was dressed in military uniform.

"Some of you already know that during the International Security Union meeting, the Italians said they voluntarily mediate between us and the Japanese Empire as neutral third parties, and we have not clearly accepted or rejected it!"

Chen Tiandi's tone was still calm, and his eyes were silently looking at the reactions of the cabinet ministers. Unexpectedly, the ministers did not communicate in a low voice, but thought seriously.

"If we accept the mediation of the Italians, it also means that the war will end through diplomatic peace talks, which is very different from the Japanese who actively seek peace and we urge them to surrender! It should be noted that the current naval strength of the Japanese Empire has been reduced by 90% compared with before the war, the aviation power has been lost by 60%, the army's troops are basically the same as before the war, but the equipment level has declined, and their air defense and chemical defense forces have been strengthened in particular! Unlike our initial estimates, we found that it would take more time and investment to completely destroy the Japanese Empire through only conventional bombing and chemical bombing, which means that the war will be extended according to our original plan. If we want to end the war next year, we may need to consider landing on the Japanese archipelago for ground combat! I feel very regretful about this!"

Most of the Interior Ministers showed a look of surprise, while the Navy, Army and Air Force ministers seemed very calm. This assessment was obviously made by them and their staff.

After about three or four minutes, the cabinet ministers except the ministers of the three armies ended their eye contact with each other and focused all their eyes on Prime Minister Gustav.

It took Gustav to stand up after a while.

"My Majesty. Do you need a cabinet vote?"

"No need!" Chen Tian refused the suggestion unexpectedly. He was still sitting in his seat and looking at everyone.

"Everyone, those who think that this war is going to continue, please stand up!"

In the next two minutes, the atmosphere in the conference room was a bit weird. Someone moved his body gently, but no one changed his state, and Gustav was still standing there. But it seemed that he could sit down at any time.

The three soldiers on the right side - Navy Minister Boer, Army Minister Oli, and Air Force Minister Zector, all bowed their heads and said nothing. This scene has never happened at the cabinet meeting! Especially Field Marshal Oli, it is hard to imagine that such a meritorious figure who is in a storm on the battlefield and has a bright future within the empire would show such a state, and Boer and Zector also had a defeated expression.

Chen Tian's eyes were not surprised at this. Before that, he had even guessed what expressions everyone would have. The Minister of Finance is always so deep, while the Minister of Foreign Affairs is still the one who seems to be the most guilty, including the Minister of Industry and Agriculture, the Minister of Commerce and Trade...

Chen Tian has never blamed others, he just had a deeper understanding of the saying "plan cannot keep up with changes."

When the bell in the conference room rang 11 times, Chen Tian suddenly pushed away the chair and stood up. This sudden action made all the silent people raise their heads.

"I am deeply regretful that we have not been able to pick the fruits of victory this time and use it to comfort the soldiers who died in the war! However, the efforts we have made before will not be wasted. We must ask for as much as possible at the negotiating table. Even if it is not available at the negotiating table, we will continue to work hard in the future! Please swear, swear, swear, we will always be vigilant against this enemy, and swear, we will always fight to defend the honor of the empire!"

Everyone stood up in unison, "I swear in the name of God..."

One day later, the Roman Prime Minister's Office.

"Hahaha! I knew that the Germans would not and could not continue to hold on. The war exhausted their vitality and they had to accept peace talks! That's great. I seemed to have seen a dynasty begin to decline, and I couldn't wait to see this moment coming soon! Ha, I have said long ago that our ideological system is in line with the trend of history, the most civilized, the most advanced, and the ultimate result of the development of human society! What is the Germans? When our Roman Empire created an extremely brilliant civilization, the Germans still lived an extremely backward and primitive life!"

Mussolini, the real ruler of Italy now, laughed arrogantly in his ornate study, and then showed contempt. However, his confidants knew that he had initially admired the Germans and their leaders, their fighting spirit, and the myths created by their rise. As early as the early stage of his political activities, Mussolini went to Germany more than once to seek support, even when he entered the Italian ruling level,

He still actively showed goodwill to the Germans. After these efforts were hit by the wall without exception, his close friends found that their leaders had changed and became very disgusted with the Germans. Although he always praised the amazing achievements made by the German Empire in diplomatic occasions, he was both hated and jealous in his heart. He vowed to create a great empire like Caesar and then become the most powerful ruler on the planet. The biggest obstacle to this dream is undoubtedly Germany, an extremely powerful neighbor!

So Mussolini began to cooperate with the Americans, followed by the Japanese, but he learned the mistakes that Italy made before 1914. He never opposed the Germans in public. The cooperation with the United States and Japan was also under the banner of friendly exchanges. As long as the German government came out to oppose it, his government would pretend to be well-behaved and repeatedly guaranteed that it would never infringe on Germany's interests.

In this regard, Mussolini undoubtedly made a very wise choice.

"The Head of State is so wise! As long as the Head of State makes a move, even the Germans can't say no! It's so lucky that Italy has a leader like you. I believe the Head of State will definitely become a person greater than Caesar!"

The deputy rushed to offer compliments

"Oh no, Caesar is a great man that we all must respect and worship. I have regarded it as a goal since childhood. My ability is not enough to be comparable to that of Caesar. I have to continue working hard!"

The short and fat "head of state" pretended to be modest.

The deputy seemed to have seen such a twisted expression. He immediately made a gesture of admiration. After Mussolini had enough self-appreciation, he raised the topic:

"So Master, will we tell the Special Envoy immediately this news?"

"Well, that's of course..." As soon as the deputy was about to leave, Mussolini changed his attention. He said with a wicked smile:

"Oh no, you go and invite the special envoy now. I want to tell him the good news myself!"

After leaving the head of state's study, the deputy commanded the attendant next to him: "Go and call Antonio. The head of state is in a good mood now! Also, let him prepare more film!"
Chapter completed!