flstandardbreds Chapter 166 Diplomacy
Chapter 166 Diplomacy
"On behalf of Queen Eliza I of the Kingdom of Burnia and the Parliament, I present my credentials to your country and hope to promote friendly relations between our two nations."
The large sailing ship docked at the port of Hira, and the port director and customs officials suddenly received a request for diplomatic relations from Burnia.
In this world, diplomatic practices originated from a diplomatic activity between Burnia and its neighbor Toscama. The combined effect of envoys and contracts ensured that diplomatic practices were passed down. As for the Demon Kingdom, it has been blocked by the Church for thousands of years, making it difficult for the southern countries to communicate with it.
Now that the church fleet has been destroyed, the western ocean is unobstructed, and under the leadership of the open and advanced Federal Republic of Amelansi, people's interest in Amelansi has been rekindled.
Before and after the War of Unification, the first group of Burnian merchants and explorers who ventured to the port of Hira brought back advanced industrial products. Business opportunities spurred the development of shipping, until this vast unified nation on the continent became an undeniable force in the world situation.
Burnia's diplomatic proposal was sent from the port office in Hilla to the local telegraph office, and then via telegraph line to the government building in Trian.
In the southwest, the operation led by Alice achieved final victory. After several hours of bloody fighting, the remnants of the Balkan Empire intervention forces were unable to break through. The battlefield stretched from Syldavia all the way to the Tadak River. Alice destroyed the only bridge across the river, while the armored forces behind her broke through the enemy's defenses.
Then came the surrender ceremony. Alice took the enemy commander's sword and boarded a DC-3 transport plane bound for Trian amidst dozens of urgent phone calls.
When Alice arrived in Trian, several days had already passed. The envoy from Burnia was staying at the Burnia Chamber of Commerce's residence, a rented two-story building equipped with modern plumbing and magical power supply.
"Yes, Minister, their technology is incredibly advanced in every respect. These demons have gathered the most brilliant minds to produce the best products and buildings. Everything they do is incredibly expensive, yet they achieve the greatest results."
"Their military strength has not only surpassed that of the kingdom, but also the combined land and sea forces of various countries. Have you seen that massive steel warship that's as huge as a mountain?"
"Are you referring to that terrifying behemoth with its enormous cannons?"
“That’s right, that’s their second-generation battleship, the Dreadnought. Just one of these fearsome behemoths could turn the entire kingdom’s navy into dilapidated planks. Mr. Minister, wooden warships are outdated. Even the Church has begun to install iron armor on their warships.”
"In the next twenty years, the kingdom will not be able to compete with them at sea."
The ambassador and the president of the Chamber of Commerce talked about this land all night. The fact that Amelansi has come this far is inseparable from its modern production technologies. Once they came into contact with these technologies, the ideas and advantages of these new technologies spread. The Chamber of Commerce of the Kingdom of Burnia, which is based in Port Hira, has become familiar with the daily life of this land in the years since it entered Port Hira.
"You mean, the daily average price of goods is clearly displayed on the exchange in Hilla Port?"
"That's right. In every city in this country with a trading post, you can buy a booklet that tells us what items have gone up or down in price today. And... you might not know this, but these demons have actually discovered another continent across the sea!"
"Oh my god! Isn't that hell over there? Poor Parva..."
"No! Sir, there are safe passages between those so-called hells, large enough for ships to pass through. Once these gaps are found, after sailing for about 300 chains, we can pass through these so-called hells and continue sailing west. It will take about two weeks to reach the New World, where the demons have already established their own colonies."
"Your Excellency, if the Kingdom of Burnia wants to become powerful, colonies are indispensable!"
"Have these demons blocked the sea routes?"
"In fact, I don't see any need for them to block the shipping lanes, but according to their maritime laws, unless they have authorization, anyone entering the 12-nautical-mile identification zone will be considered an enemy, and then there will be no room for leniency!"
The envoy nodded, then thought of the dreadnought again, and immediately put force last.
"Then tell me about their rulers? What is this 'republic' they established?"
"Ah, Minister, speaking of their system, I can only say that, in my view, it has many similarities to our system. Their citizens' council is our lower house, and the so-called president is a king with real power who changes positions."
"Hmm... then tell me about their president? Before I came, I heard of Miss Alice. She was a member of the royal family, but after unifying the country, she took over her mother's power as empress, yet she made such a change? What kind of person is she?"
"Ah... Lady Alice, as far as the nation's people are concerned, her prestige is as high as that of His Excellency Oliver. We all have reason to believe that it was she, not her mother, Queen Alicia, who led the country to its current state of unity. In general, she is a brilliant military strategist and tactician. Whether a few years ago or now, the country's internal and external wars have undoubtedly been commanded or guided by her. The current Amelansi Armed Forces have benefited from her reforms."
The president recalled visiting the Amelansi Museum, where a third of the exhibits were about her: the battles she led, the items she used in the war, the uniforms she wore, the weapons she used, and the sketches or portraits she left behind.
"She is also a passionate reformer. You can see many of Amelansi's policies in the newspapers today. Most of the gradual reforms have achieved good results, and 70 percent of these policies are her work."
"So, she was a powerful and wise ruler?"
"At the same time, he was a popular public servant who was dedicated to upholding justice."
The envoy nodded. The demons had likely sent a powerful figure like Alice. Without Alice, this country wouldn't be in its current state. The entire kingdom was now facing the threat of the southern Toscama Empire. Although the agreement reached after twenty years of war had given them a long respite, the other side's territory and potential were ultimately greater than their kingdom's… If they could forge an alliance with this powerful force…
The envoy remained silent for a long time, imagining the scene of the dreadnoughts annihilating the Tuscan Empire's fleet, and the future of the Kingdom's fleet becoming the overlord of the ocean... She suddenly remembered that the Kingdom's young Queen Eliza had just celebrated her 16th birthday this year.
"If only their president were a man..."
The minister sighed, but then suddenly remembered something. He sat up straight, recalling something:
Queen Eliza belongs to an ancient race whose bloodline allows them to reproduce without male offspring.