Chapter 385: Let Sakura Nation Soldiers Wear German Uniforms to the Western Front to Fight England and France

"Erich." Wilhelm II said without turning, "If those eight corps are transferred to the Western Front, how soon could they be thrown into battle at the earliest?"

Fa Jinhan calculated quickly: "Re‑equipping, reorganization, reallocation of supplies, adapting to the new theater's environment… at least three weeks. But if we press the schedule, basic preparations can be finished in two weeks, allowing an initial defensive deployment, then a gradual offensive."

"Three weeks…" Wilhelm II murmured, "Can Verdun hold out for three more weeks?"

"It can, but the cost will be huge." Fa Jinhan's voice was heavy, "If there is still no reinforcement, we may have to halt the large‑scale offensive and shift to defense. That would mean all previous sacrifices were in vain."

Wilhelm II turned, his face no longer hesitant. His gaze was sharp, his jaw clenched—that was the expression after making a decision.

"Mr. Wang." he said, "Please convey to President Chen Feng that Deguo accepts this proposal. We will begin preparations immediately: grant the eight corps of the Sakura Nation official Degjun Army unit numbers, design a dedicated uniform style—modify the Degjun uniform appropriately to fit the Sakura Nation soldiers' physiques. At the same time, we will negotiate with the Sakura Nation government to determine compensation terms."

He walked back to the table and sat down again: "As for you, Mr. Wang, could you, in the capacity of a Lanfang envoy, assist us in communicating with Tokyo? President Chen Feng's prestige, combined with your negotiating skill, might make this matter proceed more smoothly."

"Certainly, Your Majesty." Wang Wenwu nodded, "but before that I need to report your decision to the President. Moreover, I must remind you—"

He paused, his tone turning solemn: "The success of this plan hinges on absolute secrecy. If Yingguo learns of it early, they will launch a massive attack in the international press and may even sway neutral nations' attitudes. Re‑equipping, redeployment, and deployment must all be carried out under the strictest confidentiality."

"Understood." Wilhelm II turned to Fa Jinhan, "Erich, you will personally be responsible for this. Activate the highest‑level secrecy protocols; all related documents should exist only in your safe. The explanation to the troops is… a rotation and rest on the Eastern Front, requiring a change to summer uniforms suited to Western European climate."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Fa Jinhan rose and stood at attention.

"Then," Wilhelm II raised his glass again, this time toasting Wang Wenwu, "to our cooperation, to the hope of breaking the Western Front stalemate, cheers."

The glasses clinked, producing a crisp sound.

The luncheon continued, but the atmosphere was entirely different. The waitstaff stepped forward again to pour wine, and the officials began debating details: how much fabric the uniforms would require and where to source it; the railway logistics for troop transport; how to explain this change to the Sakura Nation soldiers…

Wang Wenwu ate quietly, occasionally answering a few questions. His mission had completed its first step—implanting President Chen Feng's plan into Deguo's highest decision‑making circle. Next came the more delicate part: persuading Tokyo.

The sunlight outside the window gradually shifted westward, and the candlelight in the mirrored hall grew brighter. The Wuyou Palace luncheon lasted until three p. m.; when the waitstaff brought out coffee and desserts, an Encrypted Telegram had already been dispatched from the palace's telegraph room, soaring across the Eurasian continent toward Dubai.

The telegram was brief: "Uniform proposal submitted, Deguo side accepts. Prepare to contact Tokyo. Wang."

June 16, 20:00 Tokyo time.

In the Japanese‑style room of the Prime Minister's residence, Saionji Kōmo knelt on the tatami, several documents spread on the low table before him. Outside the paper sliding door, the stone lanterns in the courtyard had just been lit, their amber glow filtering through the rice paper and casting a hazy sheen inside. In the distance a faint insect chirp could be heard, and the summer night breeze carried the scent of gardenias.

It should have been a tranquil night, but Saionji's brows were tightly knit.

"Prime Minister, an urgent telegram from Berlin," the secretary announced, pushing the door open and presenting a sealed envelope with both hands.

Saionji took it, carefully opened it with a paper cutter. Inside were two pages of telegrams: one from Deguo's Foreign Ministry, phrased diplomatically to request an "adjustment of military cooperation arrangements"; the other from Wang Wenwu, using a private cipher, much more straightforward in content.

He first read Wang Wenwu's telegram:

"Saionji: German Emperor Wilhelm II urgently wishes to transfer the Sakura Nation corps on the Eastern Front to the Western Front, but is constrained by the contract. President Chen Feng has devised a plan: reorganize your country's eight corps into temporary Degjun units, assign Degjun unit numbers, and switch to Degjun uniforms. In this way, the soldiers' status becomes that of German soldiers, and the contract terms automatically become void. Deguo is willing to provide compensation, price negotiable. This matter requires an immediate decision. Wang Wenwu."

Saionji stared at the telegram, reading it three times over. His complexion shifted from initial confusion to shock, and finally solidified into a mixture of anger and absurdity.

"What… what kind of twisted logic is this!" he muttered, slamming the telegram onto the table, "Just by changing the uniform they're no longer Sakura Nation soldiers? What does that make the Imperial troops? A theater troupe?"

The secretary knelt nearby, holding his breath and daring not to speak.

Saionji picked up the telegram from Deguo's Foreign Ministry again. Its wording was courteous, but the core meaning was the same: request that the Sakura Nation government consent to temporarily transfer the eight corps under Deguo Army command for Western Front operations, with Deguo offering "appropriate compensation" and "ensuring soldiers' welfare."

"Appropriate compensation…" Saionji sneered, "that's a light way to put it."

Yet he knew he could not simply refuse.

He stood, walked to the window, and pulled open the paper door. In the courtyard, ornamental koi swam under the light, creating faint ripples. Tokyo's summer night was hot and humid, but his heart felt a chill.

Only he truly understood the current situation of the Sakura Nation.

When the war broke out, the Sakura Nation chose to dispatch eight corps to the Eastern Front under the guise of "labor export." In name they were cooperating with Deguo, but in fact Deguo paid, the Sakura Nation supplied troops, and both sides got what they needed.

Deguo's payments were substantial: twenty pounds per soldier per month; with eight corps totaling two hundred thousand men, that's four million pounds monthly. This sum funded one‑third of the Sakura Nation's military budget and gave many rural youths an income, easing domestic employment pressure.

But problems also followed.

First, relations with the Entente powers deteriorated. Yingguo and Faguo were extremely displeased with the Sakura Nation's "double‑betting" and repeatedly applied diplomatic pressure. Had Russia not been preoccupied on the Eastern Front, a diplomatic crisis would likely have erupted earlier.

Secondly, domestic political pressure. The radical wing of the military views this "mercenary" activity as damaging to the empire's honor, demanding either a dignified, open participation in the war or total neutrality. The conservative wing, however, fears that deep entanglement in the European conflict would sap national strength.

Finally, the actual situation on the front. The fighting on the Eastern Front proved far more brutal than anticipated; Sakura Nation soldiers, though brave, found traditional tactics utterly ineffective against modern artillery, machine guns, and poison gas. Over eight months, the eight corps have suffered tens of thousands of casualties, and anti‑war sentiment is rising at home.

Now the Germans have made this absurd demand—to have Sakura Nation soldiers don Degjun uniforms and fight the English and French on the Western Front.