Published at 13th of February 2023 07:01:42 AM

"Your Majesty, the Germans must have failed to invade Gibraltar militarily, because they were afraid of being condemned by the international community. Then they wanted to put pressure on us through diplomatic means to make us give up." Prieto looked very determined.

"Is that so?" Alfonso XIII hesitated. He is very independent, he will think whatever the ministers say. This undoubtedly made him waver on this issue.

He was afraid of the outbreak of war, afraid that the Germans would destroy Spain, making him a king of subjugation. At the same time, he lingered at the glory that would come with the recapture of Gibraltar.

"Your Majesty, it must be like this. The Germans want to intimidate us and make them compromise and retreat, so that they can realize their dream of occupying Gibraltar. If we are determined not to compromise, the Germans will definitely retreat." Prieto said.

King Alfonso XIII couldn't help but believe most of what Prieto said.

"Your Majesty, why don't we summon the German ambassador and see what conditions they have before we talk about it!" Prime Minister Count Romanones suggested.

"Okay, let's do this." Alfonso XIII said.

The palace immediately sent someone to summon the German ambassador, and within half an hour, the German ambassador appeared in the palace.

"Your Excellency, Gibraltar has always been the territory of the Kingdom of Spain. It was just occupied by the British before. Now, we have recovered Gibraltar, which is legal and reasonable. I hope that the German Empire will not interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Spain." Alfonso XIII said.

Although he is an idiot, he has been the king for so many years, and he knows what to say in this situation.

"Your Majesty, I have already discussed this issue with your country's foreign minister. Therefore, I don't want to waste any more time here." The German ambassador was not humble in the face of Alfonso XIII.

Alfonso XIII's face suddenly turned ugly, and Prieto had already told him about the conversation with the German ambassador. He was also very dissatisfied with the Germans' unreasonable words.

"Your Excellency, our country needs to tell your country that we have not colluded with the British, let alone joined the Allied Powers. Germany cannot just fabricate charges and impose them on us." Count Romanones said.

The German ambassador nodded: "Well, if you insist on this, then the German Empire needs to see your sincerity. If Spain has not joined the Allied Powers, it is not an ally of the British. Then, Gibraltar is not for you. It is of great use. The German Empire hopes that the Kingdom of Spain can lease Gibraltar to us. In this case, the German Empire will recognize that the Kingdom of Spain has sovereignty over Gibraltar."

Alfonso XIII and the others immediately began to think about how this would benefit them. If Germany can recognize the Kingdom of Spain's sovereignty over Gibraltar, then no one can deny this. At the same time, this can be regarded as a step up for Spain. It is much better than falling out with Germany and breaking out of war. In addition, it may be possible to earn a rent from the Germans. Such a result seems to be very good.

"Your Excellency, I don't know how much rent your country is willing to pay? How many years is the lease?" Alfonso XIII asked.

"Your Majesty, we hope to lease Gibraltar for ninety-nine years at the price of one mark," said the German ambassador.

"One mark? Rent for ninety-nine years?" Alfonso XIII was dumbfounded.

Similarly, Romanones and Prieto couldn't believe what they heard.

"Your Excellency, this is too bullying. How can you get Gibraltar on loan for one mark a year?" Prieto said angrily.

"No, Your Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, you heard it wrong, not one mark a year, but ninety-nine years, a total of one mark!" said the German ambassador.

"There is a total of one mark in ninety-nine years, so what is the difference between this and giving it to you for free?" Count Romanones looked gloomy.

"Of course there is a difference, at least the sovereignty belongs to you. After ninety-nine years, Gibraltar will belong to Spain. At that time, no one will raise any objections."

"Hmph! Who can tell what will happen after ninety-nine years?" Alfonso XIII was also very angry. He hated the Germans for treating him like a fool. He is almost certain that if he accepts the terms of the Germans, then Gibraltar may not belong to Spain. After the ninety-nine-year lease expires, the Germans will definitely think of other ways and ask for an extension. Unless the German Empire has collapsed by then, or the Kingdom of Spain has become extremely powerful, it will be possible to take back Gibraltar. However, both of these possibilities are too small.

"Your Majesty, this is the condition of the empire. It is up to your country to agree or not. Of course, if your country does not agree, then I am afraid that you have to be prepared to bear the wrath of the empire." The German ambassador said.

"His Excellency, are you threatening us with war? Spain and Germany have no enmity. If Germany attacks Spain recklessly, it will make the whole world laugh!" Earl Romanones yelled angrily.

"No, Your Excellency the Earl. This is not a threat of war. The German Empire does not want to break out of war with the Kingdom of Spain. However, the prerequisite is that the interests of the Empire will not be damaged. Otherwise, the Empire will use all means to ensure the Empire's The interests will not be harmed!" The German ambassador smiled. However, his words made the monarchs and ministers of the Kingdom of Spain feel a chill from the depths of their souls.

"Okay, Your Majesty the King. I hope to get a reply from your country tomorrow morning. May God bless the Kingdom of Spain!" After the German ambassador finished speaking, he bowed to Alfonso XIII and left.

"God! This is really a threat of war! The Germans have threatened us with war. What should we do now? Can our army beat the Germans?" Alfonso XIII asked in panic road.

Obviously, the attitude of the German ambassador just now frightened him. Now he suspects that if he does not end the conditions offered by the Germans, the Germans will not hesitate to go to war against them.

However, if he was to accept the German offer to lease Gibraltar for ninety-nine years for one mark, he couldn't do it. In that case, his face and the face of the Kingdom of Spain will be completely lost.