He hesitates for a moment, a slight twitch visible for an instant on his face. "That would not be an entirely inaccurate statement."
I shrug. "We know what happened. Neither I nor his majesty's government will be offended by you mentioning it. Sometimes you just have to man up and face reality, however unpleasant it is."
True, though it still feels rude to say it so plainly, and the Japanese
do dislike
direct rudeness...
He gives me a very shy nod.
I lean back slightly in my chair. "I organised today's display because we want to sell the products of our labours. We would of course have much rather been met with victory in either war, but we are more than happy to sell to you as a consolation prize. I understand that your tanks are… Not as effective as might have been hoped."
Again, very much
understating the facts. Copies of Western designs, made with lower-quality materials and poorly trained crews... Also not that useful in a war across the Pacific Rim, whose islands are many and small.
"Japan is not rich in raw materials. When the British Empire was…"
He looks away, not sure how to continue.
I smile. "Broken up for parts. As I said, we know what happened."
And somewhat less
gently than the way it dissolved in our history.
He nods, looking a little relieved. "Trading with your holdings in India and China was most convenient. Both are now less forthcoming. India is in chaos and China is quite backwards."
I nod sympathetically. "Having an empire sounds good on paper, and then you realise how much effort it takes to get anything done. And how much it costs. India was the only colony that ever actually made us any money."
At the minimum understanding from context, China never underwent its 1911
revolution as
successfully as it did in our world, and parts still
mostly dwell under the old rule of the
Qing? Or perhaps a more
radical conflict that had setbacks it didn't in our history?
Joy of not actually knowing the setting.
"I am part of the Anglophile faction, though if that were common knowledge in Japan I would not have been sent. The other leading faction is comprised of admirers of the German Empire." I nod. "Their efforts to unify the continent of Europe have been successful enough that the German faction would have us replicate what they have done. But China is not Eastern Europe, and the difficulties are greater."
Indeed, the very character of each region is
very different. Which would make a lot of the methods used by the Western powers much less effective for their Eastern colleagues.
"And they haven't taken that well."
He looks even more sombre than normal. "They have not."
Ah. 'Poorly' as in there would likely be a war before long in which the Germans crush Japan? EDIT: Ah, right. Set straight on the meaning of that exchange. More like the results of cultural differences and disagreements in operational doctrines between nominal allies... Resulting in undesirable
atrocities.
I suppose that answers my question as to whether or not Japan was doing the things here that Japan did during the forties on my Earth.
"So, you need a good trade agreement. And you need to make sure that we aren't selling to anyone you might end up fighting."
Even if supplying both sides of a conflict is more
profitable. But your buyers might get a little annoyed when they find enemy materiels basically identical to their own except in labelling.
"I did not see a representative of any of the Chinese factions today."
"I'm not saying that those requests present a difficulty, I am merely making sure that I know what it is that you want."
And while the later Qing tried to institute reforms to lessen internal tensions and keep pace with outside advancements... They weren't always
successful.
"Ideally, we would leave with examples of your work for our military planners to examine."
I frown. "You didn't bring a military representative with you?"
A bit of an oversight. Having someone at least knowledgable about modern military equipment would have been
sensible.
"Not.. one with influence amongst the most significant of our military leaders."
"Ah." I nod. "I imagine that we can arrange for that."
Ah, political skullduggery. Kato being the
least objectionable candidate for the position to the collective command. And as mentioned, he wouldn't have been here if his actual leanings were known.
"We will of course refine the fuel ourselves, but there will be concerns about us relying on… Relying on a supply line that extends to the other side of the world. The German faction will want to licence production, and I doubt that is something that you will agree to."
"No." Hm. "No. It is not an unreasonable request, but it would be strongly contrary to our interests."
Giving them so much as a
jot of... What's the best word... Courtesy? Consideration? ...Being very much beyond their temperament right now, eh?
"I believe that they would be willing to allow the vehicles to be produced by a British company, so long as it occurred in Japan."
"That would rather be contrary to our isolationism."
Especially if they're trying to keep a stranglehold on their
advanced technology. Selling guns and tanks are one thing, but knowledge of their construction methods might be a bit much. Even if they know some of that sold stock will be getting dismantled for study...
"I do not think that you would be willing to train Japanese machinists in Britain."
I steeple my fingers and tap them against my lips. "No. On a related matter, what are the intentions of the Japanese government towards Australia and New Zealand?"
In our history, it was total annexation, if I remember right.
"His imperial majesty's government believes that they will come to be part of our sphere of influence."
That's putting it politely. Still…
Fortunately, Australian soldiers turned out to be a bit
meaner than they expected in the New Guinea jungle, and a full land invasion of a country as large as the mainland US would be a bit tricky without extensive preparation.
"One of the few materials which Britain imports is fuel for our nuclear power plants. That comes from Australia. And most Australians are of British descent. I believe that it will be easier for us to licence an Australian company to produce our equipment, for them to sell to Japan."
Okay, still a risk of plans or the like being stolen outright, but limiting what the local manufacturing has available would help to curb that risk.
"That will meet with disfavour with the German faction."
"Enough disfavour that they will refuse on principle?"
In other words... Will they want the British weaponry enough to decide Germany is... Shall we say,
kaput?
He thinks for a moment.
"They were very impressive tanks. You wish for our agreement with the Australians to include other matters as well."
Very astute. Even if his selection may have been a political one, he does know his stuff.
"Oh, just the normal sort of things that two friendly nations might agree on. Mutual recognition of territory, shipping rights… If things go well, perhaps a mutual defence pact. Japan would be taking on a role that Britain is no longer able to fulfil."
"And Britain has its access to fuel guaranteed."
Quid Pro Quo, after all. You scratch their back...
"Yes."
He nods slowly. "I will need to speak with my superiors, but it is not impossible that an agreement could be reached on that basis. And if our relationship with Australia improves, perhaps we could purchase that fuel as well?"
So there's a good hope of success. It just comes down to horse-trading.
"There's no competition; they've got lots of the stuff." I nod. "It would probably be a good idea, given that Japan has issues accessing fuel."
"His imperial majesty's government is also interested in fission technology, both in bombs-" This time I twitch. "-and for electricity generation."
How ironic. A Japan interested in building nuclear weaponry...
"I am afraid that us sharing fission bomb technology contains too great a risk for us. But we are willing to come to terms regarding-."
An aide opens the door behind him, nodding to me rather frantically.
...Ah, let me guess. the Germans want to talk? That's the only matter
pressing enough for this interruption.
"Regarding civilian power generation, both in Japan and in your…" What's the polite term? "Ally in mainland China. And I am terribly sorry, but I believe that the Kaiser is trying to get hold of me, and given the fact that his ambassador tried to murder me a few hours ago I need to answer right away."
Ah, so the Republic
has been formed, but not pushed away or crushed its rivals
entirely yet. "The Land, once whole, now divides..."
Mister Kato stands and offers me a shallow bow, which I return.
"Of course. Thank you for your time. You are not injured, I hope?"
Japanese politeness in fine display. The depth of a bow is a very significant thing in these matters.
I shake my head as we walk towards the door.
"The panels spread the force of the impact well enough, but they don't absorb much of it. I'm getting a nasty bruise, and it's going to be sore in the morning."
As expected. Very few forms of armour negate the force of an impact entirely and without science-fiction technology, all that kinetic energy has to go somewhere, namely into the soft bits of the torso.
"It is better than being shot."
"It certainly is. The winter version of the armour includes a gambeson, but in hot weather the soldiers tend to faint."
Surprised they haven't been working on a cooling system small enough to be man-portable.
"I.. admit, that some of my colleagues believed that the attempt on your life was staged."
"I'm not that brave. Besides, the techniques we use in our armour are far easier to replicate than the ones we use in our tanks. I doubt that the market will be as profitable."
Never underestimate the value of a living soldier compared to a wounded or dead one.
Though considering the lack of good roads in China and the attrition rates their soldiers have from irregular warfare… And the lack of logistical complexity in the infantry armour, demand may well be higher.
"Would it be possible for us to take examples of that armour back with us as well?"
I nod as we leave my office. "Certainly. Though if your military asks you to test it for them, I suggest that you respectfully decline."
Certainly, the
technology existed back then, it just didn't have as lightweight the materials for plates as we do now.
I took that as Germany not taking the setbacks well and assuming they would take a firmer hand in their Eastern allies' operations. As in conquering them and ruling directly. But the Empire probably isn't at that level yet.
