07-24-2021, 03:32 AM
Palace of Flowers
In the Throne Room, Prime Minister Toquihu waited patiently as the Empress read the entire report. When she was done, she handed the tablet back to Toquihu. "It seems like the roster of nations who are hostile to our agenda is growing."
"Surely you didn't think Laeral was truly neutral towards us? They did harbor Texōccoatl during the war, after all."
"I am not naïve, Toquihu. But this.....I traveled to Jinyu, and endured that insult of a peace treaty, thinking that we were dealing with a nation that was, at least, not outright hostile towards us. I was even hugged by Liu," the Empress replied, a grimace of discomfort at the memory of that unexpected personal contact crossing her face. "And now, they're signing deals to rebuild Huenya. We can truly trust no one, it seems."
"This is why we must pursue the XCP 'Empire First' program," Toquihu replied. "We cannot trust nor rely on other countries, especially the democracies. They will never understand or tolerate us. We must be prepared to accept that they will be inherently hostile to our Empire, and act accordingly."
Calhualyana sat back in the Obsidian Throne. "We cannot trust the democracies, clearly. However, I am not convinced that we cannot deal with other countries. There are countries out there, I believe, that will not be as hostile to us. We will seek them out, and will form our own ties to counter whatever our rivals do. But in the end....I am by no means a slow learner. I tried cooperating, and this is the result - polite words to us in public, while striking deals to support our enemies in private. If cooperation does not get us the results we desire....then I no longer have an incentive to cooperate. From now on, the Empire shall do as it pleases."
The Empress placed her hand in her chin, thinking. "What can be done, in Huenya, can also be undone. IIA has been feeding weapons and supplies to the Golden Blade, yes?" Toquihu nodded. "Double the supply of both to them. I want them blowing up Huenyan infrastructure as fast as the Huenyans can rebuild it. We'll see how well their little agreement with Laeral works out for them while they're dodging explosions. Also.....double our current shipments of supplies to the new Aurian government. If I can't ensure existing governments are friendly to us, I can damned well replace them with ones that are."
The Prime Minister nodded, a small smile crossing his face as he left to execute the orders of the Empress.
In the Throne Room, Prime Minister Toquihu waited patiently as the Empress read the entire report. When she was done, she handed the tablet back to Toquihu. "It seems like the roster of nations who are hostile to our agenda is growing."
"Surely you didn't think Laeral was truly neutral towards us? They did harbor Texōccoatl during the war, after all."
"I am not naïve, Toquihu. But this.....I traveled to Jinyu, and endured that insult of a peace treaty, thinking that we were dealing with a nation that was, at least, not outright hostile towards us. I was even hugged by Liu," the Empress replied, a grimace of discomfort at the memory of that unexpected personal contact crossing her face. "And now, they're signing deals to rebuild Huenya. We can truly trust no one, it seems."
"This is why we must pursue the XCP 'Empire First' program," Toquihu replied. "We cannot trust nor rely on other countries, especially the democracies. They will never understand or tolerate us. We must be prepared to accept that they will be inherently hostile to our Empire, and act accordingly."
Calhualyana sat back in the Obsidian Throne. "We cannot trust the democracies, clearly. However, I am not convinced that we cannot deal with other countries. There are countries out there, I believe, that will not be as hostile to us. We will seek them out, and will form our own ties to counter whatever our rivals do. But in the end....I am by no means a slow learner. I tried cooperating, and this is the result - polite words to us in public, while striking deals to support our enemies in private. If cooperation does not get us the results we desire....then I no longer have an incentive to cooperate. From now on, the Empire shall do as it pleases."
The Empress placed her hand in her chin, thinking. "What can be done, in Huenya, can also be undone. IIA has been feeding weapons and supplies to the Golden Blade, yes?" Toquihu nodded. "Double the supply of both to them. I want them blowing up Huenyan infrastructure as fast as the Huenyans can rebuild it. We'll see how well their little agreement with Laeral works out for them while they're dodging explosions. Also.....double our current shipments of supplies to the new Aurian government. If I can't ensure existing governments are friendly to us, I can damned well replace them with ones that are."
The Prime Minister nodded, a small smile crossing his face as he left to execute the orders of the Empress.
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