Forbidden Palace, Han Dynasty. February 28, 1929.

The month of February is almost coming to an end, but the civil war that engulfed the country into chaos and destruction still continued. One of the factions that are fighting in the civil war is the government itself, the monarchy.

Inside the Forbidden Palace, the Empress Dowager of the Han Dynasty was sitting on her throne, overlooking her subjects who are bowing before her feet in reverence. Despite their shows of loyalty and allegiance to the Queen, the atmosphere was heavy and thick. Everyone's faces were plastered with grim expressions as a man standing by the stairs was reporting.

"Your Majesty, we have lost Outer Mongolia, Tibet, and Xinjiang and were taken by the Kuomintang led by Sun Yet Sang. The overwhelming firepower they bought from the Ruthenia Empire made it impossible for our troops to fight them head-on so had to retreat. The Communist Party took Hubei, Hunan, Henan, and Jianxi and drove the Boxers out. Your Majesty, our glorious country is in a state of anarchy. People are freezing to death in their houses, people dying from hunger, violence is widespread, and our armies are being cut off."

The woman on the chair remained silent while listening to what the officer reported to her. She knows everything he said was the truth; she has already been informed about the situation from inside the palace during dinner time and the meeting she just finished with some of the generals within the Imperial Army.

In conclusion, the government is losing the civil war and control over their country. There was no hope in this fight. And what's more, the Deutschland Empire and the Britannia Empire tried to invade their lands due to the atrocious acts of the Boxers in the International Legation Quarter. Though it was stopped by the Nationalist Party, there is no way she is going to say her thanks to the party that is inciting insurrection and rebellion.

"I have heard all your reports," Empress Dowager finally spoke. "I understand the gravity of the situation. Our army is losing the war and the longer the war stretches out, the country will fall to ruins. I don't want that to happen so I will give my decision to everyone here right now. We will contact the Communist Party and the Nationalist Party to negotiate peace."

Hearing that, the inner circle of the monarchy reacted repulsively.

"No way, Your Majesty! We cannot make peace with the traitors!"

"That is too much pressure on us, Your Majesty! We do not have enough military power to make peace with anyone!""The Nationalist Party is winning on the northern front because the Ruthenia Empire is supplying them with weapons right? Then why don't we communicate with the Ruthenia Empire and plead to them to stop supplying our enemies."

"And how do you intend to do that? We can't even reach our legation in St. Petersburg. We are a powerless state that can't execute simple diplomatic negotiations."

Someone stood up abruptly and shouted. "Don't be afraid of making a sacrifice! As long as the Imperial family remains strong and powerful, we can win the war for our country. You have seen how many people were fighting side by side to save their country from treasonous and barbarous men."

"The people had enough and took matters into their own hands. If we had only industrialized like the Yamato Empire then foreigners won't even dare come here. I believe you all know that our country's path to ruin started from the westerners coming into our lands, forcing us to sign unequal treaties, making us subservient to them."

"What your mouth, lowly nobleman! You have no right to speak like that in the presence of Her Majesty!"

"Even so, you agree with me, right? That our country will remain glorious if not for the westerners coming here and the monarchy giving them the freedom to do whatever they want in our country."

"Preposterous! You dare speak those treasonous words in front of Her Majesty. You deserve death!"

"I don't care anymore! Our life is in the hands of the people anyway! We will die sooner or later."

"Enough!" Empress Dowager shouted loudly, startling everyone around her. "Stop pointing fingers anymore, there's no use to it. And yes, this won't happen if not for our incompetence and decisions. But that's all in the past now, and that past leads us here. To take responsibility for the fate and future of our nation, not only we are going to negotiate peace but I will abdicate the throne," Empress Dowager declared.

"Your Majesty...No!"

"The people wouldn't even like the monarchy to return anyways, it's either a communist regime or a democratic regime. We have no place in the government anymore. Now, send letters to the Boxers and order them to stand down, Prince Duan. Contact the Kuomintang and the CCP and invite them here to negotiate. It's time to end this war that is burdening our country."

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty."

***

Three days later, the news of the Hanese government offering peace talks to the Nationalist Party and the Communist Party reached St. Petersburg's ears.

Alexander was having a conversation with his National Security Advisor, discussing the move the Hanese government just took.

"So, Your Majesty, that basically sums it all up. Both sides are asked to the talking table to discuss terms and not only that, the Empress Dowager is going to abdicate her throne."

"Good, there's only one thing we have to prevent, the Communist Party taking over the country."

"Yes, Your Majesty. We also have gathered intelligence that the Communist Party is receiving aid from the Deutschland Empire and the Britannia Empire just to counter our influence in the falling country. They knew they can't send troops directly as they'll be sunk by the submarines whom they believe the Nationalists have possession of."

"So they have not found it out yet, interesting," Alexander chuckled. "It seemed as though we had culled the numbers of their operatives in St. Petersburg," he commented.

"That is the Foreign Intelligence Services doing their job perfectly, Your Majesty, as we should always expect from them."

"Continue supporting the efforts of the Kuomintang and the vast wealth of the Han will be ripe for the taking. Though I'm predicting that the peace talks will not end peacefully as the Hanese is going to expect. As both parties literally want to take over the country and rule under their own leadership and ideals," Alexander remarked.

"The perspicacity of His Majesty is unparalleled, I must say..." Sevastian let out a chuckle.

"Oh don't flatter me..." Alexander shrugged. "Anyways, the next step is to focus on domestic affairs, we can hold our ambitions of expanding our territory from all fronts and taking back Alaska from the United States."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."