Schloß Schönbrunn, Augsburg
Swabia, Wieserreich - 15 May 2012, 18:00 pm
Prince Schwarzenberg had entered the Emperor's chambers not too long ago, the meeting completely off the record. As the two men enjoyed their tea, they discussed burning matters of immediate national security, the chancellor delivering his cabinet's decisions and actions to the head of state of the country. It had been brief, odd; Schwarzenberg was less subservient than Baden had been, and the Kaiser enjoyed this. This man took initiatives, he needed no directives to rule. It was the CSU's way, as the chancellor had put it; and the initiatives the man had taken were interesting enough.
Schwarzenberg had come mostly with announcements from the war and foreign ministries, top-secret ones. The alert status of the military as a whole had been raised significantly, especially in the southern and eastern military districts. The missile force was at borderline war readiness, the air force shortly behind, and the army lagging behind them in all but border sectors albeit not by far. It was no mobilisation, however; merely anticipation of a great ill befalling the country.
"...And as of the Danes?" Friedrich Wilhelm asked, immediately changing subjects from the military affairs.
"We fully expect the nationalists to score a victory" Schwarzenberg replied with certainty. "The country once again proves itself far too volatile to trust" he added swiftly.
The Kaiser frowned; he did not enjoy such talk of Wieserreich's allies, even if one was about to become just a neutral neighbour.
"The suspension of Danish membership to the Germanian League is a given in our book" continued Schwarzenberg. "The military issues raised are virtually zero beyond what I explained earlier, but the economic fallout... it is going to be critical" he frowned.
The Kaiser nodded plainly.
"We have prepared emergency funds in order to armour the economy from the fallout, as much as possible. A Danish suspension of their League membership means no more free trade, and this in turn means a loss of business. The economy ministry is already reporting corporations are redirecting their businesses to Franken, seen as far more stable" Schwarzenberg continued.
"Of course, this brings up the issue of fallout from other countries..." muttered the old emperor.
"...Not much of an issue, comparatively. Danmark's closest trade relations in the League have been with the Reich and Eiffelland. The more distant members should not be affected as much, and with emergency funds to be poured immediately to the economy, we believe we can limit the issue" replied Schwarzenberg. "And then we have the emergency measures to follow the funds."
"Hrm. You might be overestimating this; our border tariffs are low, no? It should mean higher prices in certain commodities, but no massive hikes or anything unless we are outright embargoed" the Kaiser commented.
"...Perhaps" replied Schwarzenberg. "We are unwilling to risk it, however; so we are holding on for the moment they take a slip and severe our trade agreements. Which the nationalists have stated they will."
The Kaiser nodded quietly, before asking an odd question. "What of Mittelrhein?"
Schwarzenberg arched his eyebrows. "N... Nothing, Your Majesty. Shall I make arrangements?"
Friedrich Wilhelm did not reply.
"Is it an order?" he asked with a slightly defiant tone.
Friedrich Wilhelm did not reply still; Schwarzenberg frowned.
"I shall look into it" the chancellor conceded.
Swabia, Wieserreich - 15 May 2012, 18:00 pm
Prince Schwarzenberg had entered the Emperor's chambers not too long ago, the meeting completely off the record. As the two men enjoyed their tea, they discussed burning matters of immediate national security, the chancellor delivering his cabinet's decisions and actions to the head of state of the country. It had been brief, odd; Schwarzenberg was less subservient than Baden had been, and the Kaiser enjoyed this. This man took initiatives, he needed no directives to rule. It was the CSU's way, as the chancellor had put it; and the initiatives the man had taken were interesting enough.
Schwarzenberg had come mostly with announcements from the war and foreign ministries, top-secret ones. The alert status of the military as a whole had been raised significantly, especially in the southern and eastern military districts. The missile force was at borderline war readiness, the air force shortly behind, and the army lagging behind them in all but border sectors albeit not by far. It was no mobilisation, however; merely anticipation of a great ill befalling the country.
"...And as of the Danes?" Friedrich Wilhelm asked, immediately changing subjects from the military affairs.
"We fully expect the nationalists to score a victory" Schwarzenberg replied with certainty. "The country once again proves itself far too volatile to trust" he added swiftly.
The Kaiser frowned; he did not enjoy such talk of Wieserreich's allies, even if one was about to become just a neutral neighbour.
"The suspension of Danish membership to the Germanian League is a given in our book" continued Schwarzenberg. "The military issues raised are virtually zero beyond what I explained earlier, but the economic fallout... it is going to be critical" he frowned.
The Kaiser nodded plainly.
"We have prepared emergency funds in order to armour the economy from the fallout, as much as possible. A Danish suspension of their League membership means no more free trade, and this in turn means a loss of business. The economy ministry is already reporting corporations are redirecting their businesses to Franken, seen as far more stable" Schwarzenberg continued.
"Of course, this brings up the issue of fallout from other countries..." muttered the old emperor.
"...Not much of an issue, comparatively. Danmark's closest trade relations in the League have been with the Reich and Eiffelland. The more distant members should not be affected as much, and with emergency funds to be poured immediately to the economy, we believe we can limit the issue" replied Schwarzenberg. "And then we have the emergency measures to follow the funds."
"Hrm. You might be overestimating this; our border tariffs are low, no? It should mean higher prices in certain commodities, but no massive hikes or anything unless we are outright embargoed" the Kaiser commented.
"...Perhaps" replied Schwarzenberg. "We are unwilling to risk it, however; so we are holding on for the moment they take a slip and severe our trade agreements. Which the nationalists have stated they will."
The Kaiser nodded quietly, before asking an odd question. "What of Mittelrhein?"
Schwarzenberg arched his eyebrows. "N... Nothing, Your Majesty. Shall I make arrangements?"
Friedrich Wilhelm did not reply.
"Is it an order?" he asked with a slightly defiant tone.
Friedrich Wilhelm did not reply still; Schwarzenberg frowned.
"I shall look into it" the chancellor conceded.