Uicheon [ATTN: Crown of Ebria]

[Imimoya]

[Uicheon]

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Uicheon, the capital of the Republic of Tianlong, is located on the east coast of the Touzen mainland. Here the emperors of 6 dynasties lived. The city is a modern metropolis that, however, boasts an ancient culture. It is home to numerous historical remains and monuments such as the Tomb of the Empress, the Confucian temple, the Imperial Garden, the surrounding walls dating back to the time of the First Emperors and the oldest pleasure district in the entire southern continent of touzen. Uicheon is known as the "green capital and cultural city" and is famous for its city walls, stone-paved and tree-lined alleys, gardens, parks and beautiful lake. Seen from afar, Uicheon appears as the most typical of modern cities, dominated by skyscrapers that stand out towards the sky. Stopping at such a superficial view, however, would be completely deceiving: it is true, the very central Financial district breathes according to the rhythms of international businesses and stock exchanges and is structured accordingly, but the Nanjing that lives all around is very different. and discovering it above all means coming to terms with its millenary history. The Crown of Ebria delegation is awaited at the airport by Tianlong officials, including the President of the Republic Zhuan Lingxin himself, a man close to his sixties, wearing a modest dark-colored ensemble with a small gold brooch of a dragon on the jacket. Together with the local politicians there was also the music band for the classic hymn ceremony. This arrival is officially the first foreign visit that took place during the Lingxin presidency.

 

[Natal]

The Ebrian delegation came on a governmental plane which was built in Rheinbund. It was lead by Siveri Massanas, the Prime Minister, a man in his late 40s, wearing a black business casual suit, with a golden pin showing the emblem of the Ebrian Crown, with a greying hair, which showed that he was dark blonde in his youth, but he went grey far too early. At first you would say he was older, but closer you would see he was quite young. He was followed by Ada Valen i Codony, a woman in her mid 60s, wearing an even more casual outfit, with a poncho over a cashmere sweater, instead of a suit. She had short brown hair that clearly was dyed.

They came off the plane and were greeted by their Tianlongese hosts. Ada Valen looked at the city's skyscrapers in the background, thinking that the great economic rise of Tianlong, especially in the last decades can be easily seen. The Ebrian delegation greeted the Tianlongese politicians, both the higher ups and the local ones, went through an inspection of the honour guard that greeted them and then listened to the anthems of the Ebrian Crown and the Republic of Tianlong, sung by the military band.

After this greeting, both delegations hopped in the motorcade, with their destination the Forbidden City, the seat of government of the Republic of Tianlong, to discuss the business at hand.​

 

[Imimoya]

The motorcade of cars, escorted by local police motorbikes, immediately headed for the Forbidden City, which was the largest palace complex in the world. Once an Imperial residence, today it houses several museum complexes and a part is reserved for the Presidency of the Republic of Tianlong. The Forbidden City was located in the heart of Uicheon, a city that alone by population surpassed several nations of Gaul-Germany. During the delegation's journey, observing from the window, one could admire how the heart of the city, the oldest part, still preserved many green areas and palaces from the imperial period. Each of these buildings was well kept by its residents, as if it were a pride for the citizens to still reside in these houses and not in the grataccieli that increasingly appeared on the horizon.

The procession of cars headed for the gate of peace, the main entrance, consequently the largest and most majestic of the whole complex. Unlike the other gates, the gate of peace has two arms or wings that extend outward and "embrace" the visitors. Crossing the gate, painted in crimson red, you enter an internal courtyard, also surrounded by walls and crossed by an internal moat, which can be crossed by three bridges. The car of the President and the foreign delegation continued their journey using the central bridge, the security cars used the side bridge and stopped shortly afterwards at the side of the inner garden.

The Forbidden City is the most representative and greatest example of traditional Tianlong architecture and engineering. The best wood was chosen for the construction of buildings and pavilions and no nails were used, seen as elements that would interrupt the harmony of the forms and the complex.

The presidential car and the foreign delegation car will continue further to the end of the inner garden, where both vehicles approached another door, the Harmony Gate, which can only be crossed on foot. The presidential staff were waiting for them, opening the doors of the presidential vehicle and the delegation at the same time. President Zhuan Lingxin got out of the vehicle and, as befits a homeowner, led the way for the delegation from Ebria. Crossing the gate of Harmony, one entered another internal square, dedicated to imperial ceremonies in the past, but today used by the Presidential Guard for ceremonies and honors to foreign delegations. After another exchange of hymns and salute to the flag. Zhuan Lingxin and the Ebria delegation were able to enter the Forbidden Palace itself, passing from the Dragon Throne room to one of the many reception rooms.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take a seat, a refreshing tea will be served shortly." The President exclaimed in a calm tone, sitting in one of the vacant seats around a large round table.

 

[Natal]

Siveri Massanas was the first to take a seat, followed by Ada Valen, and the rest of the Ebrian delegation, such as representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and translators. As the tea was served, the Ebrian delegation was prepared and followed the strict Tianlongese protocols for the tea ceremony.

"I know good manners say that we should do some introductory small chat, asking about each other's families and children and probably if we're in this position, about the nations we represent and administer too, but I would say, the best thing would be to jump right right into the subject," Ada Valen said. She was known for being like this, taking no shit and leaving behind what was called "Pelasgianism", talking a lot while saying nothing.

"The world today clearly forgot about the suffering, death and destruction the Great War brought upon us all, and as much as the EF did its best to keep us away from such horrors, we have returned to a pre-war status where colonialism still is the norm and where every power sees fit to carve out new nations or to sell out others. From Tarusa propping up Csengia, to the Scanians forgetting to leave Hajr. From the Franks carving the Patois republic out of Bourdignie, to the Far Westerners forgetting Zara exists after they destroyed it with their socialist coup," Siveri Massanas continued, taking over from Ada Valen.

"That is why, defense takes again an important position, and that is why, Ebria, as a Meridian Sea nation, needs to continue to provide to its people, while also doing its best in defending them. The Royal Army and the Navy are capable, but its sometimes easier to deter, than to fight devensively. That is why, we are here to show that the Crownlands are important for Tianlong too, especially in its World Belt Initiative, as investments in Ebrian naval infrastructure are important for the increase in efficiency of the Initiative and the greater trade taking place around the world," Massanas continued, offering the Tianlongese a file with the projects proposed, their feasibility projects and tables of expected profits in the years to come.​

 

[Imimoya]

"I understand, the concern is palpable in your words and therefore it will certainly not be an offense to skip some ceremony." The president replied by placing his cup of freshly poured tea on the table.

"The safety of navigation in the Meridian Sea is a key policy of our economic presence within the Gallo-German continent. We have full confidence in the means of the Republic of Radila because like us they know the importance that free and secure trade has on the economy of a nation. However, the security of the Gallo-German continent has deteriorated, currently we could say that Gallo-Germany is in the firm hands of the Empire of Tarusa and HFE, with only small pockets of free resistance to the south. To date, we still do not know what the two nations will do as their next moves and how they will consolidate the power obtained on the continent."

"As it stands, neither the Tarusian Empire nor HFE have acted against the World Belt Initiative. But this possibility nevertheless becomes more and more probable once their hunger for conquest rests an eye outside the continent of Gallo-Germany. However, I find myself forced to state that TIB would have no reason to refuse your investment and development requests, so I wonder if there is anything else you would like to ask me. But before that I must warn you, if you are looking for weapons, Tianlong's foreign policy to date is very simple, we do not sell offensive weapons to any nation."

 

[Natal]

"We know of the politics of the Tianlong Republic. What we ask for, isn't offensive, but defensive. Considering the way warfare is being waged in the 21st century, it is clear by now that dominance over the skies and missile are what can change the course of war. What we ask, is for some aid from the Tianlongese to set up a missile shield around the three main areas, Ebria itself, the Island of Nuoria and the Island of Hamrun. We ask at first for some numbers as to what a system based on the Blue Shield system would mean for the defense budget," stated Siveri Massanas.​

 

[Imimoya]

"The Blue Shield program is a very vast and complex program, it includes the use of various platforms, such as the identification of the launch of an ICBM through our satellites, up to new generations of installed or mobile radars throughout the country. It's not as simple as selling you some ABM missiles. The Blue Shield system allows warships to take down enemy ballistic missiles by expanding the West Wind Combat System with the addition of new radar and standard missile technologies. It is an ideal system for nations like yours and Radila."

"Without too many words, as you said, our men need to integrate you into our system, and to do that we have to build it and train you to use it. To make a play on words, we can't sell you one of our umbrellas, but we can make our larger umbrella that protect both of us."

 

[Natal]

Ada Valen and Siveri Massanas listened closely, but they were taken a bit aback by the Tianlong response. After their the president finished, they shared a glance, and at first were a bit reserved to answer back.

"You excellency, Ebria's position is... peculiar, if not overly complicated. Much of Gallo-Germania is under the influence of the Pressburg Pact, especially as the HFE is in our eyes colluding with Tarusa, while Serbovia, Csengia and Pojazerna are open allies of Kremlyov. This means, the nations that are still outside of their influence are pretty much in a very difficult position. It is sadly impossible for them to work together, so they either collaborate or expect to be future victims of such expansion of Tarusan and reactionary and traditionalist influence," stated Siveri Massanas.

"What his excellency, the Prime Minister wants to say, is that we know, that there is a growing, and by now a pretty open rift between Tianlong and Tarusa. We pretty much see it as a cold war that was declared when the Tianlongese representative attacked their representatives in the EF, prompting the vacation of the Frankish and Tarusan representatives. This means, that we are now walking on a minefield and Ebria would stand alone in Gallo-Germania if it gets integrated within the Tianlongese system. The issue is geography. Tianlong has the joy that its faraway from Tarusa and its friends, so it can play a riskier game. We are not yet ready to do it. We fear that if we get to be integrated within the Tianlongese system, we won't aid Tianlong, as geographically, the Tarusan and Pressburg Pact ICBMs will go east, towards Uicheon, not south, so they can be intercepted by the Ebrian shield, while at the same time, it will sadly put a huge target symbol on Ebria from the absolutists," stated Ada Valen i Codony, building over the response of PM Massanas.

"Our goal is to make Ebria a fortress so that if there are nations with ill thoughts on us, they can know that we won't go down without a fight, and with that, deter them from attacking us. That is why, we ask, if possible, for an independent system, like Dragonfire," she continued.

 

[Imimoya]

"No man, at least who is not foolish, would contradict your political analysis. We understand your position and we share the idea that including you in the Blue Shield program would make you targets for our possible adversaries."

For the Dragonfire program, I believe it is perfect for your situation. It intercepts conventional missiles and more, with a 90% effectiveness in tests. Perfect for protecting populated areas from possible attacks on civilians. The price per battery is about 50 million euromark, the radar is already included and capable acquire the objectives and we will teach you to use this defense system."

 

[Natal]

The two nodded. "Yes, that would be perfect. We would gladly take that," Siveri stated.

 

[Imimoya]

"I will make sure to notify the Ministry of Defense regarding your order in order to prepare it as soon as possible." Zhuan Lingxin said.