Chapter 0652: The Harsh Terms

"Minister!" Washit continued, shaking his head resolutely, "two hundred billion marks is utterly insufficient to compensate the Empire for its losses. One thousand billion marks—this is the only condition the Empire will accept."

This was a golden opportunity to extort the French, one that could not be passed up. Such a chance might never come again. The Emperor of the Empire had made it clear that France must be squeezed dry of every last ounce of wealth. Even though Germany had won the war, vast sums were still needed to restore its economy and absorb the newly acquired territories.

For instance, the vast tracts of land Germany had seized from Russia were mostly in remote areas with poor infrastructure but abundant resources. Developing these regions to contribute to Germany's strength, rather than burdening the Empire, would require massive investments. Such funds were not readily available in Germany, so the only avenue for securing them was through reparations. This was why Germany would exert every effort to extract as much compensation as possible from the defeated nations.

"Minister," Delcassé countered, "Your country received a mere two hundred billion marks in war indemnities from Russia. Why, then, should France pay five times that amount?"

Washit smiled coldly, answering, "Minister, I will address your question. First, the harm and damage caused by Russia to the Empire was nothing compared to what France inflicted. Second, Russia is far poorer than France. Third, though Russia's reparations were modest, they compensated in other ways—territory, for instance. Russia ceded vast lands to the Empire. If France wishes to follow Russia's example and offer land in exchange for reparations, I would have no objections."

Delcassé fell silent. France's entire territory barely amounted to half a million square kilometers; how could it compare to Russia's vast expanse of twenty million square kilometers? If Germany were to carve up French land as it had done to Russia, France would face insurmountable losses.

"Minister," Delcassé said through clenched teeth, "Four hundred billion marks—this is double the amount your country received from Russia, and eight times the indemnity you claimed after the Franco-Prussian War."

"Four hundred billion marks?" Washit responded, unfazed. "Still not enough. How about six hundred billion marks? This would be a generous concession from the Empire."

"Six hundred billion marks is still too much," Delcassé insisted. "The French Republic cannot possibly provide such a sum."

Yet the Germans were beginning to relent. This, at least, was a sign of progress. Delcassé hoped that the price might be lowered even further.

The two sides haggled for a long while, wavering between six hundred billion and four hundred billion marks. Eventually, the reparations were set at five hundred and fifty billion marks—fifty billion more than QinTian's original demand.

Delcassé, though begrudgingly, had no choice but to accept. The German position had grown increasingly inflexible, and if the negotiations collapsed, it would be disastrous for France.

"Minister," Delcassé said, his voice heavy with resignation, "Five hundred and fifty billion marks is an enormous sum. I cannot guarantee the government will agree to it. If the French government finds this amount unacceptable, I will be powerless to act."

"I understand," Washit replied smoothly. "However, I am confident your government will agree. After all, this is the Empire's bottom line. Should your government refuse, the German army will continue its advance."

Delcassé caught the subtle threat in Washit's words, but had no retort. After all, Germany held all the cards now.

"The second condition," Washit continued, "is that the French government must transfer all of its overseas colonies to the German Empire. France, as a defeated power, no longer has a need for them."

Germany had long coveted France's colonies. While these colonies might not be as rich as Britain's, they were vast and plentiful. For Germany, a nation with few colonies of its own, France's territories were a prize. 

Before the outbreak of the war, France had controlled vast overseas holdings: large territories in Africa, a portion of South Asia and the Indian Ocean islands, Indochina, Caribbean islands, South American colonies, and a number of Pacific islands. These colonies, once ceded to Germany, would instantly transform it into a formidable colonial empire, providing raw materials and markets for its burgeoning industries.

For France, these colonies were of immense strategic importance. While the French government had long understood that losing the war would result in the loss of its colonies, it still hoped to retain at least some. 

"Minister," Delcassé said, "The French Republic is willing to cede our colonies in Asia and the Americas to your country. As for the African colonies, might we be allowed to retain them? After all, those territories are mostly deserts and rainforests, poor and barren. Even if Germany were to possess them, they would serve little purpose."

Washit shook his head firmly. "The Empire's demand is clear: all of France's colonies must be handed over. There will be no bargaining."

Though seemingly poor, France's African colonies were of immense strategic value, especially the oil-rich regions of North and West Africa. These resources, though not immediately exploitable, would become vital for Germany in the future.

"Very well, Minister," Delcassé sighed. "Since the German Empire insists on these colonies, we agree to transfer them."

Washit nodded in satisfaction at France's compliance.

"The third condition," Washit said, "is that the French government must cede all territories north of the Loire River, as well as Corsica, to the German Empire. There will be no negotiation on this."

Delcassé's face tightened, but he remained silent. The terms had been set.