Iron Dynasty Chapter 1002

A dark cloud drifting across the sky blocked the sunlight from entering the Zhengda Guangming Hall, leaving the grand space bathed in a subtle gloom.

In the muted glow, Brooke's features blurred slightly, though the palpable strain radiating from him was evident to everyone present.

Truth be told, Brooke's inner world churned with anxiety. The emperor's proposed terms had shattered nearly every limit he had drawn before arriving at this pivotal meeting.

Both Queen Victoria and the Parliament had overlooked a vital truth: this wasn't a bargaining session with some ordinary European power; they confronted a remote Eastern Empire of immense might.

To Brooke, this empire's power outstripped even Britain's, leaving them utterly without leverage in these talks.

“Your Majesty, I cannot agree to any of these demands, as they exceed all the bottom lines we can offer. I hope Your Majesty can propose reasonable suggestions.” Brooke's face hardened with growing gravity.

“Reasonable suggestions?” A sly grin crept across Xiao Ming's lips. “Letting you British set up diplomatic ties with the Chinese Empire, and even trade goods, stands as the utmost mercy I can extend. Southeast Asia lies beyond your European grasp—I warn you to swallow these terms, or I'll personally sweep you from those lands.”

“Your Majesty…”

Despair flooded Brooke's chest. After enduring a journey of over six months to reach this point, failure loomed as he headed home with nothing. “Your Majesty, please let me go back and relay these terms to the British Parliament and the Queen. I'm certain we can forge a solid alliance.”

Whether scheming politicians or the Queen herself pulled the strings no longer mattered, lacking proof to pin down the instigators of this war.

Brooke's complexion darkened utterly. The emperor's recent declaration rang as a blatant threat, especially since wartime measures justified any aggressive moves by a nation.

By the time these exchanges wrapped up, Britain's overseas holdings might already fall under the Chinese Empire's control.

“In that case, I bid you farewell!” Brooke stood powerless; selling off colonies lay beyond his authority.

Once Brooke and his entourage departed the hall, Zhan Xingchang remarked, “These talks with Britain and France are likely doomed to fail. The surest path to force these outsiders to face facts remains through battle.”

Yang Chengye added, “Their visit this time aimed merely to pause the fighting, granting them breathing room to regroup. Plus, through trade, they'd snag our advanced knowledge. These Europeans sure know how to scheme.”

Xiao Ming gave a faint nod. “Elder Yang hits the mark precisely. That's exactly why I laid out those terms. But with talks yielding nothing, war becomes our only recourse.”

“The military overhaul is done. This moment suits perfectly for mobilizing forces,” Fei Ji noted, his fingers gently tugging at his beard with a mild smile.

Pang Yukun observed, “With Britain negotiations collapsed, France won't likely succeed either. As Your Majesty noted, it'll demand extra effort to fully dominate Britain and France across Asia.”

Xiao Ming offered no direct reply. He then instructed Qian Dafu to bring Henry into the hall and presented the same stringent conditions. Echoing Brooke, Henry rejected them outright, his refusal even sharper.

Less than an hour later, the British and French representatives exited successively, sealing the talks in utter defeat.

“Prepare for war!”

Within the Zhengda Guangming Hall, Xiao Ming issued his resolute command.

…

Beyond the palace entrance, Brooke lingered for Henry. Spotting the Frenchman's weary look upon exit, he commented, “Looks like your discussions didn't go any smoother.”

“So it seems your exchange turned sour too.” Henry inferred Brooke's plight from his voice.

With a nod, Brooke stated bluntly, “It collapsed. This avaricious emperor's requests soar too high—Britain can't stomach them.”

“Same for me, though that's the outcome I sought.” A cryptic smirk played on Henry's face.

France projected strength outwardly, yet simmered with domestic strife. The military had grown resentful of André's leadership for ages. A botched Asian campaign would rally public pressure to oust him early, paving the way for a firmer ruler.

Brooke clearly missed Henry's intent. “Odd words indeed. Maybe it's time we explore joint efforts. You can't mean to just abandon your territories?”

“A divided Europe stands no match against the Chinese Empire. Victory dawns only when all of Europe basks in France's radiant supremacy,” Henry replied with icy resolve.

Brooke froze briefly, a chill of foreboding washing over him. Linking this to recent reports, dire events seemed to unfold in France.

This shift betrayed the French Revolution's ideals, haunted by the specter of monarchy's return.

He moved to probe deeper when Tang Wenjie stepped out from the gate and neared them.

“By His Majesty’s order, British and French envoys must not linger in Qingzhou. Depart the Chinese Empire's domain at once.” Tang Wenjie's tone brooked no nonsense.

Brooke let out a heavy sigh. He'd hoped to linger in Qingzhou, soaking in its sights, but that dream now shattered entirely. The emperor showed zero courtesy.

With resigned breaths, Henry and Brooke, trailed by their teams, trailed Tang Wenjie to the outpost. Under his watch, they'd head back.

As Brooke and Henry faced expulsion, Xiao Ming withdrew to the Imperial Study and called for Cui Shang’an, head of the General Staff.

Niu Ben and Luo Quan had submitted official retirement pleas amid the military changes, which he approved. Following that, the Grand Council dissolved, leaving just the General Staff intact.

Cui Shang’an, once Luo Quan's aide in the General Staff, earned his promotion under him. The reforms sharpened the General Staff's roles: orders flowed straight from him to regional commands via them; a logistics unit and gear division took shape; and they handled strategy crafting.

In essence, post-reform, his command over the forces grew far more straightforward.

“Your Majesty.”

Cui Shang’an positioned himself before Xiao Ming, his face alight with thrill.

Merely a year prior, frustration defined his days, and he'd scarcely imagined rising from the old Qingzhou forces into the General Staff—now, swiftly, its top leader.

Officials often viewed Cui Shang’an’s ascent as the Emperor's tactic to curb the Fei family's sway, given his tie as brother to the reigning Imperial Consort. Whispers also swirled of it as imperial thanks, honoring the Prince of Huainan's willing surrender of his domain.

Regardless of motives, Cui Shang’an brimmed with quiet satisfaction.