Hanseatic Embassy, Beijing - April 21st, 1940, Noon
It was already noon when the car carrying the two Hanseatic captains approached the familiar gates of the Hanseatic Embassy in Beijing. The vehicle had separated from the imperial convoy shortly after entering the city's limits, while the royal procession continued on toward the Forbidden City with all appropriate ceremony and fanfare. In the backseat, Kylian and Wolfgang lay sleeping soundly, both utterly exhausted from multiple nights of poor sleep at the Chang'an estate, where anxiety and surveillance had made genuine rest almost impossible.
The journey from Chang'an had been long but uneventful. The imperial convoy had moved at a stately pace appropriate to the dignity of the princesses it transported, stopping at designated rest stations where food and fresh horses were provided. For most of the journey, both officers had alternated between fitful dozing and staring out the windows at the Chinese countryside rolling past—endless fields of rice and wheat, small villages clustered around ancient temples, the occasional fortress town built during some long-ago dynasty to guard against now-forgotten enemies.
Throughout the journey, Kylian had caught only fleeting glimpses of Princess Changning. The imperial family traveled in separate, elaborately decorated carriages positioned at the convoy's center, surrounded by guards and attendants. He had seen her only at rest stops, and then only from a distance, a graceful figure in traveling robes, always attended by her ladies-in-waiting, always maintaining the formal dignity her position required. They had not exchanged a single word or glance. The Consort's warning had been clear, and he understood that any interaction would be dangerous for her above all.
Wolfgang was the first to wake as the car slowed at the embassy gates, rubbing his eyes and looking around with confused disorientation. He had fallen into deeper sleep than intended. The car had already stopped, and through the windows he could see the reassuring sight of the embassy compound, solid walls, well-maintained buildings, the flags of the Hanseatic Empire flying above the entrance.
A Chinese worker employed by the embassy emerged to open the gates, bowing as the car drove through into the familiar courtyard. Kylian had already woken by then, though his eyes remained drowsy and his expression carried the confusion of someone still straddling the boundary between sleep and wakefulness.
"Young Masters, how was the journey?" Mr. Yu, one of the senior Chinese staff members who had worked at the embassy for decades, asked cheerfully as he opened the car door on Wolfgang's side. His lined face creased with genuine pleasure at seeing them return safely.
"It was excellent, Mr. Yu," Wolfgang replied with equal warmth as he climbed out of the car, stretching his stiff muscles after hours of sitting. "I managed to catch up on much-needed rest. I feel almost human again."
Kylian followed soon after, emerging from the car with slightly less energy than his friend but relieved to be back on what amounted to Hanseatic soil.
"Oh, that is very good to hear, Young Masters," Mr. Yu said, his smile widening. "And did you have a pleasant time at the imperial estate? We were all quite curious about what such a place would be like. Very few foreigners ever get to visit the ancestral properties of the imperial family."
Wolfgang turned his head back toward the elderly servant as they began walking toward the embassy's main entrance. "Of course, Mr. Yu. I learned many things about Chinese culture that I never knew before, despite all my reading. It was quite an experience, truly memorable."
He smiled as he spoke, and his words were genuine even if they left out significant details about surveillance and veiled threats.
The servant smiled back, clearly pleased, and watched as Wolfgang turned around to continue toward the building. But before they could enter, Kylian paused and called back with a question.
"Is everyone here at the embassy, Mr. Yu? I imagine there are many official functions happening right now with the wedding approaching."
"The Ambassador is currently attending an important meeting at the Forbidden City. Final preparations for the wedding ceremony, I believe," Mr. Yu replied thoughtfully. "But Minister von Hausen is here. He's been in his study all morning working through correspondence. I'm sure he'll be glad to know you've returned safely."
"Thank you, Mr. Yu," Kylian said simply before disappearing through the main doors into the cool interior of the embassy building.
The weather was genuinely beautiful today, one of those perfect spring days that made Beijing's harsh winters and sweltering summers seem worth enduring. The carefully manicured gardens inside the embassy compound reflected the sunlight in a way that made everything appear almost impossibly green and vibrant. Various flowers bloomed in profusion—cherry blossoms in delicate pink cascades, roses in deep reds and soft yellows, exotic Chinese flowering plants whose names neither officer knew but whose beauty needed no translation.
Days like this in Theodosia, both officers knew, the Hanseatic nobility would be out in force, taking leisurely lunches in garden restaurants, strolling through the Palace Gardens, perhaps attending afternoon concerts in the outdoor amphitheater. On such days, wealthy families would set up elaborate picnics, servants would serve chilled wine and delicate pastries, and the capital city would take on a festive atmosphere that made everyone forget, temporarily, the weight of imperial politics and international tensions.
It was, Kylian thought with a pang of homesickness, exactly the kind of day that made him miss home.
After the two officers retreated to their quarters and changed out of their formal uniforms into much more casual attire, loose linen shirts and comfortable trousers that felt like luxury after days of maintaining strict appearance standards, they decided to take full advantage of the embassy's private gardens for some much-needed relaxation.
The servants, anticipating their needs, had already prepared everything. A pitcher of pink lemonade sat on a small table between two cushioned lounge chairs positioned to maximize sun exposure. A silver tray held an array of freshly cut fruits arranged with artistic precision, vibrant dragon fruit with its shocking pink flesh and black seeds, fuzzy kiwi sliced into perfect circles, golden pineapple chunks, and ruby-red watermelon. A smaller plate offered various cheeses, both European imports and some interesting Chinese varieties that Wolfgang had learnt to grow fond of.
"I feel like I can finally breathe again," Wolfgang declared with profound relief as he settled into one of the lounge chairs. He had removed his shirt entirely, intent on soaking up as much sunshine as possible. The tension that had kept his shoulders tight for days seemed to drain away in the warmth. "You have no idea how oppressive that estate felt. Every moment, knowing we were being watched..."
"It's not as though anyone was actually trying to kill you, is it Wolfgang?" Kylian replied with a smirk from his own chair, reaching for the lemonade pitcher. "You might be overstating the danger just a bit."
"You're one to talk," Wolfgang shot back good-naturedly. "I'm genuinely impressed with how calm you remained throughout that entire ordeal. I would have done something rash if it had been up to me alone. Probably would have confronted the Consort on the second day and gotten us both thrown in a dungeon or worse."
Kylian turned his head toward his friend with an easy smile, pouring himself a generous glass of the pink lemonade. It was perfectly made, sweet but not cloying, with just enough tartness to be refreshing. "It's just training, my friend. Nothing particularly impressive about maintaining composure under pressure, it's literally what we were taught to do at the Academy."
"Are you trying to suggest that my training was somehow inadequate?" Wolfgang asked with mock offense, though his smirk betrayed his amusement.
"Oh, I would never dare say such a thing, Captain von Witzland," Kylian replied with exaggerated formality, then continued with a mischievous glint in his eye, "but His Excellency von Hausen might have a rather different opinion on that particular matter."
Wolfgang chuckled at this, reaching for a piece of watermelon. "Now that you mention it, I genuinely hope His Excellency will have something positive to say about our conduct now that we're back and haven't created any major diplomatic incidents. That would be a pleasant change from his usual assessments of our performance."
His tone, despite the humor, carried genuine concern underneath.
"Are you really so worried that the Foreign Minister would send unfavorable reports back to Theodosia?" Kylian asked, studying his friend's face. "His word isn't absolute law, you know. You'll be fine regardless of what he says."
"Hah! I wish it were that simple," Wolfgang replied, his expression becoming more serious. "My father is quite close to Minister von Hausen, they've known each other for twenty years. Father will take his every word as gospel truth, you can count on that." He paused, chewing on his watermelon before continuing. "And I genuinely doubt von Hausen will give us credit for the things we did right, following proper etiquette, maintaining protocol despite everything. He'll focus on whatever small mistakes we made. It's rather tough, actually, knowing you'll be judged so harshly no matter what you accomplish."
"Bare minimum, as Minister von Hausen would say," Kylian observed with a small laugh, and Wolfgang could only smile ruefully in acknowledgment of the truth.
"Ahem!"
A deliberate throat-clearing came from behind them near the embassy building's rear entrance. Both officers turned their heads in unison to see Foreign Minister von Hausen approaching slowly across the garden path, his demeanor calm and unreadable as always. He was dressed more casually than usual. No formal coat, just shirtsleeves and a vest, suggesting he had been working in his private study rather than conducting official business.
Both officers turned back around and remained lounging in their chairs, though they straightened slightly in acknowledgment of their superior's presence.
"Good to see you both back safely, Captains," von Hausen said as he came to stand beside them near the carefully maintained flower beds. "I hope you had an enlightening time at the estate. The opportunity to see how the imperial family actually lives, rather than how they present themselves at formal functions, is quite rare for foreigners."
"Thank you, Your Excellency," Kylian replied, taking another sip of his lemonade. "We certainly had a memorable experience. But we'd be lying if we said we didn't miss Beijing. There's something to be said for familiar surroundings and the security they provide."
"Interesting," von Hausen mused, reaching for the lemonade pitcher and pouring himself a glass. "What could possibly have made you miss Beijing so much? I am well aware that neither of you distinguished gentlemen particularly enjoys restricted surroundings or close supervision. Yet the estate should have been more open, more free, than the capital city."
"Well, Your Excellency," Wolfgang interjected, pausing to chew a piece of watermelon before continuing, "if our hosts hadn't been quite so intrusive in their attention, we might have actually enjoyed the estate much more. It's truly a shame, because rural China is extraordinarily beautiful. The landscapes, the peace and quiet, the traditional way of life, all of it was fascinating. But it was somewhat spoiled by the circumstances."
Von Hausen's interest was clearly piqued. He pulled over a small garden stool and positioned it between their lounge chairs, settling himself comfortably before speaking again. "My curiosity is aroused, Captains. Tell me more about this intrusiveness you experienced. What specifically made you uncomfortable?"
His tone was light, conversational, but both officers recognized interest beneath the casual demeanor.
"I don't know if they were expecting you to accompany us, Your Excellency," Wolfgang began carefully, "but they were definitely eavesdropping on us. Surveillance was constant and quite sophisticated. It was not easy at all trying to pretend we didn't know anything, to act naturally when we knew everything we said and did was being monitored."
"That's quite a significant accusation to make against our hosts," von Hausen observed, though his tone suggested curiosity rather than dismissal. "Do you have any concrete proof to support this claim? Without evidence, it remains merely an uncomfortable feeling, however justified."
"Yes, of course we have proof, Your Excellency," Wolfgang replied with quiet satisfaction. "We found a listening device hidden in our quarters."
The air became suddenly still. Even the birds in the garden seemed to pause their singing.
"A listening device?" von Hausen repeated, his eyebrows rising considerably. "You're certain of this?"
Upon hearing this exchange, Kylian immediately set down his glass and stood up. "Give me just a moment, Your Excellency. I'll retrieve it."
He disappeared through the embassy doors at a quick walk, returning several moments later with the small metallic device resting in his palm. He approached von Hausen and opened his hand, displaying the surveillance equipment in the afternoon sunlight.
"By the Gods," von Hausen breathed, setting down his own glass and reaching for the device with careful fingers. He held it up to the light, turning it slowly to examine it from every angle, his expression one of fascination mixed with concern. "This is quite something indeed. This is the first time I've encountered such sophisticated surveillance technology anywhere in Asia, and you're telling me it came from a remote imperial estate? Who would believe it?"
His voice carried both admiration for the technology and worry about its implications.
Wolfgang and Kylian exchanged meaningful glances while von Hausen continued his examination, his diplomatic mind working through the various implications and potential sources.
"Your Excellency," Kylian ventured after a moment, "do you have any idea where such a device might have originated? The craftsmanship and technology seem quite advanced for what we observed of Chinese industrial capabilities."
Von Hausen turned the device over one more time before responding simply: "The Soviet Union."
Both Wolfgang and Kylian's eyebrows shot up simultaneously in shock.
"Wait, that's extraordinary," Wolfgang said, leaning forward with sudden intensity. "Does this mean the Chinese are secretly allied with the Soviets? Are we witnessing the formation of some kind of Communist-Imperial coalition?"
"It's not nearly so simple as that, Captain von Witzland," von Hausen replied, his tone patient but firm. "While this device may have originated in Soviet factories, there are numerous ways to acquire sophisticated technology without forming political alliances. Black market sales, intermediary brokers, technology transfers through third parties, the intelligence world is far more complex than simple bilateral agreements."
He paused, studying the device again before adding, "But you've done excellent work, Captains. This is a significant piece of intelligence. One learns something new every day in this business."
"How would such a device end up in the Consort's estate, though, Your Excellency?" Kylian pressed, his analytical mind working through the puzzle. "From what we observed and learned during our stay, the Consort essentially functions as a queen in all but name. She commands her own military forces, controls her territory absolutely, and the fortifications we saw suggest she's preparing for something, either to defend her autonomy or to project power beyond her current borders."
Von Hausen nodded slowly, his expression growing more serious. "I am well aware of Consort Wu's position and influence, Captain von Reichsgraf. She is indeed one of the most powerful regional figures in China, arguably more powerful in practical terms than many of the warlords who openly challenge imperial authority. The Consort maintains the fiction of loyalty while operating essentially independently." He held up the listening device, letting it catch the sunlight. "But this changes the equation considerably. It suggests connections to external powers that we hadn't fully appreciated."
"Changes the equation how, specifically, Your Excellency?" Wolfgang asked, his interest growing by the minute. This was exactly the kind of intelligence work that fascinated him, piecing together political puzzles from fragmentary evidence.
"It means she's far more connected to outside powers than our initial assessments suggested," von Hausen explained. "We knew she had commercial relationships with various foreign interests, that's common for powerful regional figures in China. But sophisticated Soviet surveillance equipment suggests something deeper. Either she has direct relationships with Soviet intelligence services, or she has access to black market networks sophisticated enough to acquire and deploy such technology."
"Your Excellency," Wolfgang interjected, "does this mean the Consort could potentially be conspiring with the Soviets? Could she be planning to align her forces with Moscow against the central government?"
"No, not at all," von Hausen replied with firm certainty. "That would ultimately threaten her own power base as much as anyone else's. Communists and imperial families, even members like the Consort who operate semi-independently don't make natural allies. Their ideological differences are too fundamental. The Communists would eventually move to eliminate her just as they would any other representative of the old order." He took a thoughtful sip of his lemonade. "No, I'm quite certain this is purely business. She's purchasing technology and equipment to strengthen her position, nothing more. The Soviets are happy to sell to anyone who can pay, regardless of ideology."
"That's fascinating, Your Excellency," Kylian observed, reaching for a piece of kiwi and popping it into his mouth. "And from our observations during the audience with her and conversations with Captain Song, I think we can conclude that she still recognizes the Emperor's authority at least nominally. She hasn't openly broken with Beijing."
"Nominally is indeed the correct word, Captain von Reichsgraf," von Hausen agreed. "China's internal politics are an absolute mess right now, dozens of warlords and regional strongmen all playing complex games of loyalty and betrayal. But that's ultimately not our problem to solve. What matters from our perspective is that the Consort is a member of the imperial family, however distant or difficult her relationship with the court might be. She will not allow her own legitimacy to dissipate by openly rejecting the Emperor's authority. She needs that formal connection to justify her power over the territory and population she controls."
"Your Excellency," Kylian said slowly, recalling the tense audience in the estate's main hall, "I'm fairly certain the Consort knows we discovered the listening device. The day before we left, she summoned us for an audience and delivered what amounted to a series of veiled warnings and implicit threats. It felt very much like she used the telegram from Ambassador von Rottberg as a convenient excuse to summon us, when her real purpose was to warn us off and make clear that we had overstepped boundaries."
Von Hausen nodded thoughtfully. "That's an astute observation. It's quite plausible that she removed you from the estate because you had learned too much or more accurately, because she wanted you to know that she knew you had discovered her surveillance capabilities. It was a demonstration of power as much as anything else." He paused, then added with genuine warmth in his voice, "I must say, I'm genuinely impressed with both of you, Captains."
"Was this assignment actually a test for us, Your Excellency?" Wolfgang asked directly. "Were we sent to the estate specifically to see how we would handle a difficult situation?"
"No, it wasn't designed as a test," von Hausen replied honestly. "The Chinese government requested that we send representatives from our delegation to witness traditional ceremonies at the ancestral estates as part of the pre-wedding rituals. It was intended as a diplomatic courtesy, an opportunity for cultural education and relationship-building." He smiled slightly. "But it would be wrong to say you accomplished nothing of significance. In fact, I'm quite impressed that you both went to the estate on your own without my direct supervision or guidance and emerged without creating any diplomatic controversies, while simultaneously gathering valuable intelligence. You navigated a completely alien environment with its own rules and power structures, maintained your composure under surveillance and implicit threats, and brought back concrete evidence of foreign involvement in Chinese internal affairs. The Hanseatic court will be impressed when they learn the full details."
The excitement and gratitude on Wolfgang's face was plainly visible. Both he and Kylian felt immense relief wash over them, relief that their conduct would be viewed favorably rather than criticized, that they had proven themselves capable of independent diplomatic work in challenging circumstances.
"Regardless of all this," von Hausen continued, standing up from his stool and brushing off his trousers, "I strongly suggest you make full use of your free time today, Captains. Enjoy this beautiful weather, rest properly, perhaps explore the city if you wish. Tomorrow will be an extremely long day. The spectacle of a royal wedding between two ancient dynasties,Chinese and Japanese will be quite an experience, I assure you. The ceremony alone will last hours, followed by banquets and receptions that will continue well into the night."
"Of course, Your Excellency," Kylian replied, preparing to resettle himself on his lounge chair. "We're genuinely looking forward to witnessing such a historic event. It's not every day one sees the union of two imperial families."
"Are you not going to enjoy the sun yourself, Your Excellency?" Wolfgang asked as he noticed von Hausen beginning to turn back toward the embassy building. "The weather is perfect, and you spend so much time in your study. Surely you could use some relaxation as well?"
"I'm afraid there's no time for leisure, Captain," von Hausen replied with a slight grimace. "I'll be departing for Berlin a few days after the wedding concludes. The situation in Europe requires immediate attention and direct consultation with German officials. There are many preparations to make, many reports to finalize before I leave Beijing."
He disappeared through the embassy doors, leaving Kylian and Wolfgang staring at each other across their lounge chairs, silently contemplating the significance of a diplomatic visit to Berlin at this particular moment in history. If von Hausen was being sent to Germany, it meant the Hanseatic government believed war was not just possible but imminent and wanted direct intelligence about German intentions and capabilities before making final decisions about the Empire's position.
The two officers tried to clear their minds of these heavy geopolitical concerns, refocusing on the immediate pleasure of beautiful weather, cold lemonade, and fresh fruit. The pitcher was still more than half full, and the fruit remained as inviting as ever. The afternoon sun warmed their skin, and for a few precious moments they could almost pretend they were back home in Theodosia, enjoying a lazy spring day without any concerns beyond deciding whether to have more watermelon or try the dragon fruit.
But Kylian found his mind wandering despite his efforts to remain present. He replayed the events at the estate, particularly that final audience with the Consort. He suddenly remembered her specific warning about "curiosity" and how it made people "oblivious to danger" and his thoughts immediately went to Princess Changning.
The memory hit him with unexpected force, a mixture of longing, guilt, concern, and something deeper he still couldn't quite name. He could still feel, as vividly as if it were happening at this moment, her fingers on his shoulder as she brushed away that leaf. He could see her walking along the moonlit forest path with such natural grace. He could hear her voice asking why he didn't join Wolfgang and Song in catching fish, the way she spoke English with that musical accent that made even simple questions sound elegant.
Everything came back to him with crystalline clarity, and he felt his chest tighten with the force of it.
He tried to bury his feelings,reinforcing the Consort's stark warning that any contact endangered the Princess most of all, a risk he refused to take. Yet for all his practical resolutions, Kylian knew the truth: he was lying to himself. Despite every logical reason and very real danger, he desperately wanted to see her again.
Taking a deep breath, he tried his best to remove thoughts of the Princess from his mind and focus instead on the present moment, the sun, the lemonade, the peaceful garden. He needed to prepare himself mentally for tomorrow's wedding ceremony, to be ready to observe about Chinese-Japanese relations, to represent the Hanseatic Empire with appropriate dignity.
The sun continued its slow arc across the sky. The lemonade gradually warmed in its pitcher. The afternoon wore on toward evening. And Kylian lay on his lounge chair in the peaceful embassy garden, torn between duty and desire, between wisdom and want, knowing that tomorrow would test his resolve in ways he wasn't entirely certain he was prepared to face.