Re: Blood and Iron

Chapter 898: Financial Stabilization

The votes were held on the same day, the Netherlands had spent the last few months juggling an economic crash. But they could not avoid Germany’s offer in the end.

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands stood in the depths of Parliament. His head was downcast, his words weighed down by a weight that was too heavy to bear.

“The vote has passed… the Netherlands will accept the proposal from the German National Bank for economic stabilization packages.”

The chamber broke out into outroar. Accusations of cowardice and treason were levied against those who had voted in favor by those who had not.

But few among them stood up and retaliated. In fact, many of them had smug expressions while sitting calmly.

The rot in the Netherlands had gone so far that many of its Parliamentary Members were already loyal to the German Reich. They had simply cast a ballot to secure their place when the New Order came to power.

Even if they were called traitors, they didn’t stiffen or shout. Because from their perspective the Reich had already won.

The Prime Minister did not demand order, instead he left the scene, allowing Parliament to shout and debate all they pleased. It wouldn’t change a thing.

He returned to his office where he saw a letter written on his desk. Belgium had begun further economic entanglements with the German Reich. So much so that there was practically no difference between Belgium as a sovereign actor and as a federated state of the Empire.

A loud clack rang out throughout the office as the Prime Minister sat down and poured himself a stiff drink. Looking at the papers, he couldn’t help but spit at the photo of the Belgian King.

“King Albert I the so called Soldier King… Laying down and accepting the Kaiser’s demands without a fight. You spineless wretch!”

The Dutch Prime Minister threw his glass across the room after realizing it was empty. Staring at the Dutch flag, which flew proudly in his office.

“How could things have come to this?”

Within hours of the vote, the German National Bank issued its formal statement. The language was clinical, devoid of triumph.

Emergency liquidity facilities would be extended. Dutch sovereign debt would be restructured under “mutual European stabilization frameworks.” Joint oversight committees would be established.

The markets reacted immediately.

The Amsterdam Exchange, which had hemorrhaged value for weeks, steadied. German capital began flowing quietly into Dutch infrastructure bonds, port authorities, energy grids.

Across the Rhine, the Reichstag held no emergency session. There were no speeches, or major declarations. The machinery had been prepared long ago.

Within days, German “advisors” arrived in The Hague. Technocrats, economists, and even a few security analysts. They were polite and professional… but most importantly they were permanent.

Dutch ministries began coordinating with Berlin on budgetary policy, customs oversight, and monetary alignment.

Publicly, nothing had changed. The Netherlands functioned day to day as a sovereign actor. Just as they always had.

But privately, that sovereignty had begun to dissolve. The Prime Minister watched the numbers stabilize on his desk terminal and felt no relief.

Stability had a price, and it had already been paid. Like so many other nations that had accepted German financial stabilization in the wake of crisis. The Netherlands had now left themselves open to the wolves at the door.

—

Across the border in Belgium, King Albert I met with Bruno in his office in Brussels. Though their interactions were limited during the Great War, Albert had always perceived Bruno with a great deal of respect.

The two of them had even forged a friendly correspondence in the decades since the Weltkrieg had come to an end.

Seeing that his illustrious guest had finally gotten settled, Albert raised his cup in a toast.

“To the continued prosperity of the Reich….”

Bruno scoffed when he heard this, rolling his eyes as he did so.

“Honestly, you sound as if you have already been integrated into the fold. Are you really so excited to lose your sovereignty?”

Albert’s eyes shifted to the flames raging in the fireplace in front of the two of them. He looked as if he were in that moment reliving his entire life.

“I’m not a fool Bruno… I can more or less guess who is actually behind the current compounding crisis in the Netherlands and the Swiss Confederation. Frankly speaking, if it weren’t for the bonds forged between our soldiers during the last two wars, I am certain Belgium would be suffering similar hardships right now, would it not?”

His eyes subtly shot Bruno a glance, but Bruno pretended not to notice, chuckling as he drank from his glass of wine.

“It is truly hard to say…. Our people have bled together in two of the most fierce wars in human history. We share a common origin in language and culture. And our divergence stems from a mistake made long before any of us were ever born. One might even say that it was fate that brought us back together again during our lives. I’m aware of the promises the Kaiser has made you, and I ensure you I fully intend to honor them. Within a year… Perhaps two, the Netherlands will have no choice but to submit to the will of its people. And when that happens, re-integration of the Low Countries will be inevitable.”

Albert didn’t disagree with Bruno. Instead, he seemed to be focused on particular memories. Memories that haunted him.

“The truth of the matter is, Bruno. Belgium has only survived as a sovereign state until now because of the aid you gave us during the Great War. I made a mistake… and it cost my people dearly. I refused to listen to the intelligence the Reich provided me about the French and their plans to invade. And we nearly lost everything.”

Bruno nodded his head… In 1914 he was fighting in the Balkans, but he was naturally aware of what had happened on the Western Front. Hell, it was his strategy that made it possible.

Albert continued to drone on.

“You were right about one thing… Our people bled together to re-shape the world into what it is now. And I’m not so stubborn as to realize the benefits that could be gained for them by surrendering my sovereignty. Tell me something. You’re the Grand Prince of Tyrol, a monarch subordinate to the Kaiser, and yet many would say you really wear the crown. I’m sure that if you asked the German Army to march on Berlin, it would be you who is named Kaiser. So why not?”

Bruno smirked, it was a question none had ever asked him before. Not because they weren’t curious, but because the mere idea of speaking it aloud was almost treason.

But Bruno found Albert’s blunt way of speaking strangely endearing ,as if he were speaking to himself in a mirror.

He placed the wine down on the table in front of him, and looked over at Albert, deigning the question worthy of a proper response.

“You’re a soldier, Albert… Surely you understand that it is not my place to usurp the rightful monarch. What would the Reich gain by having me wear the crown that in any way could possibly justify the damage that would be caused by attempting such a foolhardy endeavor? My duty is to the people, it doesn’t matter to me who wears the crown, only that he doesn’t betray the fatherland.”

It was Bruno’s turn to look to the flames, as his thoughts continued to spill from his mouth.

“I was born the ninth son of a Junker’s family…. All that I am, all that my children are in this life was forged by my own two hands, and given to me by Wilhelm as reward for my deeds. I was never meant to wear the crown, only to serve and protect the man who wears it. Does my answer satisfy your curiosity? Or was it too simple of a response to excite?”

Albert nodded his head, a subtle smile etching itself across his face.

“Wiser words have seldom been spoken. And it would appear that you and I are in agreement then. It doesn’t matter who wears the crown, only that the realm is safe and prosperous. So with that said you have my answer. I am not eager to relinquish my sovereignty, what man would be? But why would I not, when so much more could be gained by bending the knee to the Reich?”

Bruno didn’t respond, not immediately, he picked his glass back up and sipped from the wine. Albert’s resolve was admirable. Few kings in history had the ability to suppress their own pride and vanity and to surrender their sovereignty in exchange for peace, security, and prosperity that another monarch could provide better.

Naturally, his thoughts shifted in this regard.

“If only the Netherlands were led by men as wise as you…”

Albert nodded.

“If only…”