Blood and Iron Germany[Part Two]

The German army successfully unearthed tens of tons of gold from an ancient temple in Kerala, located in the southwestern region of India. This discovery greatly inspired other units. General Ludendorff, Commander of the 8th Army Group, and General François, Commander of the 4th Army Group, issued orders instructing their forces to search for ancient temples and extract their hidden treasures.

In no time, hundreds of thousands of German soldiers, organized into battalions and companies, mobilized across India, scouring for temples and excavating their riches. Some temples did indeed yield gold and other treasures, while others turned up empty-handed. 

This large-scale operation incited fierce discontent among the Indian populace. The alliance of the Indian National Congress and the Green Party seized the opportunity to stir unrest. Protests and even uprisings erupted across the country, with some radical locals attacking the German forces who were demolishing temples. However, faced with the heavily armed and battle-hardened German troops, these attempts proved futile. 

Generals Ludendorff and François authorized their forces to retaliate fully in the face of any attacks. This led to significant casualties among the Indian locals, with many perishing under German firepower. In the face of such dire threats to their lives, the Indian populace grew too fearful to continue resisting openly. However, their hatred for the Germans was deeply entrenched, simmering below the surface. 

It was precisely because of this hostility that Germany refrained from directly governing India. Direct rule would subject the Germans to relentless insurgencies, leaving their forces stretched thin. By handing over control to the local princely states, such issues could be avoided. The princely rulers would manage relations with the local populace, while Germany merely collected fixed annual taxes. How the princes dealt with the locals was not Germany's concern. 

The actions of the German army also alarmed the princely rulers of India, who feared that the situation might spiral out of control. Mir Osman Ali Khan, representing the princely states, appealed to the German government to cease the destruction of temples. 

By this time, the German army had already demolished most of the temples in India. Seizing the chance to appear magnanimous, the German government acceded to Mir Osman Ali Khan's request and ordered the cessation of such operations. 

During this campaign, the German forces managed to acquire 3,000 tons of gold from India—wealth accumulated over centuries and buried within the underground vaults of temples. This vast treasure, which had been safeguarded for generations, now fell entirely into Germany's hands. 

The princely rulers, after completing the territorial reassignments in Berlin, returned to India to assume control over their new domains. With German assistance, they also began ensuring stability within their territories. Germany pledged to supply them with weapons, equipment, and military advisors to train their armies. Only after order was fully restored in India would German forces withdraw. 

Germany's military campaigns were far from over. Next on the agenda were offensives targeting Southeast Asia and Australia. It was only after securing these regions that the German military would conclude its operations. 

On September 2, 1916, Kaiser Qin Tian convened a council meeting. With the conquest of India, Germany's colonial empire had largely taken shape. While Southeast Asia and Australia were yet to be subdued, it was anticipated that these conquests would soon follow. 

The primary purpose of this council was to evaluate Germany's recent accomplishments and address pressing issues. Although the German Empire had risen as the world's preeminent superpower, with unparalleled military strength, significant challenges remained. If these problems were not resolved, Germany's chances of triumphing in a potential Second World War would be slim. 

Despite its dominance, Germany still faced formidable adversaries. The Bolsheviks entrenched on the Eastern European plains, the United States across the Atlantic, the remnants of Britain, and the distant island nation in the Far East—all posed considerable threats. Germany's current strength could not guarantee victory against a coalition of these powers. 

"Gentlemen, through your efforts and the sacrifices of our brave soldiers, the German Empire has triumphed in the Great War and ascended to global supremacy. Our colonies now stretch from Africa to Asia, and the Empire has succeeded in replacing Britain as the empire on which the sun never sets," Qin Tian declared. 

The ministers of state and military officials wore expressions of pride. None of them could have foreseen such a resounding victory at the outbreak of the Great War. Germany's newfound dominance astonished even its leaders, leaving some wondering if it was all a dream. 

"However," Qin Tian continued, "the Empire faces numerous problems. As stewards of the nation, you are undoubtedly aware of these issues. Among them, one stands out as the most severe—the Empire's greatest weakness. If we fail to address this problem, our ambitions for global dominance will likely falter." 

The room grew solemn as Qin Tian's words sunk in. His insight and foresight had never been wrong. 

"I speak of population," Qin Tian declared. "Although we have become the world's leading power, our population is alarmingly insufficient. With just over fifty million people, we are far from the numbers required to sustain our dominance. If this issue is not resolved within the next two decades, our position as the world's hegemon will prove ephemeral. The future of the Empire hinges on this."