Blood and Iron Germany[Part Two]

On August 8, 1916, Emperor Qin Tian of the German Empire was crowned once again in Berlin. This time, he donned the crown symbolizing the Emperor of India, adding yet another title to his growing list of honors. 

Numerous princely rulers from India attended this coronation ceremony, pledging their allegiance to Qin Tian during the event. High-ranking military and political officials of the German Empire, prominent social figures, and diplomats stationed in Germany from various nations also participated in the grand occasion. 

Undoubtedly, the acquisition of India would further strengthen the German Empire, a development that boded ill for the rest of the world. Yet, these nations were powerless in the face of Germany's burgeoning might. With Germany at the zenith of its military strength, any confrontation at this moment would be a futile endeavor. Thus, they could only watch helplessly as Germany's power continued to grow unchecked. 

As Emperor Qin Tian's coronation ceremony unfolded, far away in India, General Ludendorff, commander of the 8th German Army Corps, led a regiment to the southwestern region of Kerala. This mission stemmed from a special instruction given by Qin Tian during the Indian campaign. 

Qin Tian had informed Ludendorff of a treasure trove concealed in the subterranean vaults of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, said to hold tens of tons of gold and other jewels. His command was clear: unearth the treasure and transport it back to Germany. Furthermore, if the discovery of gold proved true, the two German army groups in India were to conduct a comprehensive search of temples across the region, seizing all gold and treasures to be sent back to the empire. 

While this would undoubtedly provoke fierce resistance from the Indian populace, Qin Tian was indifferent. The princely rulers, who would inherit governance over the land, would be left to handle the ensuing chaos. These rulers would certainly have no desire to see their domains descend into turmoil. 

Indian temples, steeped in a tradition of burying gold and precious metals, concealed vast treasures. Rather than leaving such riches to languish in obscurity, Qin Tian saw fit to bring them to light, thereby enriching the German Empire. 

Though Germany had risen as the world's foremost power, Qin Tian recognized its inherent deficiencies. To compensate for these weaknesses, he sought to amass as much wealth as possible, leveraging it to rapidly bolster Germany's strength. This would ensure the nation's dominance and secure victory in the anticipated Second World War. Failure to do so would topple Germany's supremacy, rendering its victories ephemeral, like illusions fading into nothingness—a fate Qin Tian was determined to avoid. 

"How long until we reach the temple?" General Ludendorff inquired. 

"By tomorrow afternoon, sir," the colonel replied. 

Ludendorff nodded silently, but the colonel, driven by curiosity, could not resist asking why they were hastening to an Indian temple. 

"His Majesty received intelligence that the temple's vaults hold tens of tons of gold. We are to retrieve the treasure and bring it back to the empire. If this information proves accurate, we must search other temples across India for similar riches. Such wealth will be an invaluable asset to the empire and must not fall into others' hands or remain hidden in the shadows," Ludendorff explained. 

"Yes, sir," the colonel nodded, understanding the gravity of their mission. 

By the afternoon of the next day, the German forces reached the temple. Without hesitation, the colonel ordered the soldiers to evict the monks from the premises. 

"What are you doing? This is a sacred temple! You cannot desecrate it!" 

"The gods will punish you!" 

The evicted monks cursed the German soldiers, but under the threat of their rifles, they had no choice but to leave. Local Indians soon gathered, enraged at the desecration of their sacred site. However, when the Germans deployed mortars, grenade launchers, and machine guns aimed at the crowd, the protests quickly subsided. 

These locals, long subdued by British colonial rule, perceived Westerners as formidable. While infuriated by the Germans' actions, their survival instincts prevailed. 

"General, the soldiers have completed their search but found no sign of a subterranean vault," the colonel reported. 

Frowning, Ludendorff deliberated before issuing a resolute order. "Deploy the engineers to demolish the temple. Begin excavation immediately." 

"Yes, sir." 

With a deafening explosion, the temple was reduced to rubble. The destruction further inflamed the monks and devotees, who surged towards the Germans in a desperate bid to break their lines. 

"Fire!" the colonel commanded. 

The machine guns roared, mowing down those at the forefront. Terrified, the rest of the crowd retreated, unwilling to risk further losses. 

The engineers commenced excavation amidst the ruins, and within an hour, they unearthed a subterranean chamber brimming with glittering gold bars and ornate chains. 

"Excellent. Continue the excavation and maintain vigilance. If the locals make any further moves, shoot them immediately," Ludendorff ordered. 

"Yes, sir," the colonel acknowledged. 

By nightfall, the Germans had retrieved over forty tons of gold, along with numerous other precious jewels from the temple's vaults. 

When the soldiers began loading the treasures for transport, the locals surrounded them once more. Yet, under the ominous glare of the Germans' rifles, they could do nothing but watch as the wealth of their land was taken away.