The Phoenix and The Dragon: A New Start

[Tokugawa Empire]

Gianfranco Cruz was sitting at his desk in the Casa Parlamentaria in Beunos Aires reassessing the current standing of the Argentinisches Reich. It had only been months ago that he and other lesser command staff had heard of plans drawn up by the inner circle to mobilize the Wiedergänger to round up and "Terminate" the local population. Fast acting and some deliberate leaking of information to hostile parties ended with the beheading of the ruling party. The lesser staff had now seized power and must build a better party for a better future and placed him as the acting Führer. "What would my father think. Would he approve of what I've done and what his work has been used for?" Cruz muttered to himself just as he got a knock on his door. "Come in." He said as the Minister of Defense walked in. Santiago Trevisan had been helpful in the "Coup" that would have had him and his fellow countrymen rounded up and killed. "What is it my friend?" Cruze said looking up at the well decorated man before him. "The Qi Empire is moving troops and preparing for a possible military offense." The Defense Minister said plainly. "And how would this action involve us?" Asked Cruz quizzically. "Our agents in the area believe that the Qi may be a suitable partner and accept or even reciprocate help in the future." The words struck the Führer and it all came rushing back. "A possible ally in this. Send a delegation, if needed I'd be willing to meet with the Emporor himself." Cruz said standing up and giving him a closed fist salute which was returned by the Minister. As he left Cruz turned to the window behind him looking out over the capital. "So it begins." He mattered.

[Tokugawa Empire]

@Qi Empire

[Alanston]

Following the request to meet, the Argentinians would receive a response, inviting their foreign affairs minister to meet at the Grand Lisboa hotel and casino in Macao at their earliest convenience. They are informed that Chief Steward of Foreign Relations Ren Yahui will be meeting them at the Grand Lisboa.

Meanwhile, the hotel and casino is visited by a "maintenance crew" who would clean up several of the rooms, taking extra care to clean behind closets, under the beds, under lamp shades, the tops of curtains, the phones, and any other difficult to notice locations. Nearby rooms would also be visited by the "maintenance crew". The phones in the meeting room, along with the seats therein, would also be "cleaned". This cleaning service would, of course, be top secret. Also top secret, would be the fact that the cleaning staff are all on the payroll of the Censorate.

[Tokugawa Empire]

Later that day the response arrived. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ángeles Santos was made aware of her new travel arrangements. Delighted she packed her things and boarded a private jet liner destined Macao.

[Alanston]

[secret] Four members of the Censorate 'clean' several cars and bring them to the airport in Macao to wait for the arrival of Minister Santos. [/secret]

Several well dressed Chinese men in suits would be waiting at the airport in Macao for the arrival of Minister Santos. Upon his arrival, they would approach him amicably. "Welcome to Macao, sir. Please, if you would come this way we have several cars waiting to take you and your entourage to the Grand Lisboa Hotel, where you can freshen up prior to your meeting with Chief Steward Ren Yahui." The men escort the Argentinians to the waiting cars, and then drive them to the hotel. At the hotel, the men help bring the Argentinians to their rooms, where they are allowed to freshen up. They are given two sets of adjoining rooms. The men waiting outside for them. Once they are ready, they are brought to the meeting room. [please mention if they discuss anything during their drive or when freshening up]

At the meeting room Chief Steward of Foreign Relations Ren Yahui is waiting for them. "Welcome, please have a seat! Would you like anything to eat or drink?" Chief Steward Ren would ask, shaking both of their hands warmly, before gesturing to their seats. If they want anything, several stewards would go and collect the items for them. Once they are seated, Chief Steward Ren would continue. "Tell me, what brings the Argentinians to request this meeting with us today? I must say, it came as quite a surprise for us to receive your inquiry for a meeting, we rarely get requests from South Americans requesting meetings. Tell me, how are things in Buenos Aires? I understand there was some political unrest there recently?"

[Tokugawa Empire]

(They would only talk about food and drink of the Qi Empire as well as the goal of the meeting.)

Minister Santos smiled, "Ma'am please." She Laughed as she brought out a nice bottle of tequila brought all the way from East Coast of The Reich land. "I brought three bottles, one for now and two for later. One mostly for the Emporor." She gestured to the bottle. "Hand painted by the families that made the tequila." Her smile beamed with happiness of showing off the artwork.

"We are pleased to be one of if the the first in South America to reach out. As you know there was a recent power shake-up following a terrorist attack from a communist aligned Faction in the North. It was delt with at cost. With the old guard gone, the new Führer would like to open up the nation to new friendships. That being said, we see that the Qi Empire is mobilizing troops.... War movements." She thought to herself for a bit. "We would like to at least normalize relations from this meeting. But I would like to possibly see us become military partners. We are outnumbered by those who look down on us." She said softly.

[Alanston]

Chief Steward Ren takes the offered bottle of tequila. "I am certain that the Emperor will appreciate this gift, thank you. Our mobilization efforts do not concern you." He pauses for a moment, considering how best to proceed. "What would the normalization of relations between our nations look like to you? As for a military partnership, I am afraid that we are not seeking partners outside of Asia at present."

[Tokugawa Empire]

Minister Santos nodded at the word. "Would an embassy in your capital and trade interest your government?" She asked with a newly formed smile.

[Alanston]

"We could discuss trade agreements, though to be honest I'm not sure what Argentina has that we would want. But first, tell me about how others are treated in you nation." He gives Minister Santos a hard look, implying that she knows what he means be others.

[Tokugawa Empire]

Minster Santos was more than willing to fill the Cheif Steward on the matter. "The previous leadership had less than stellar track record of treatment of non-Germans. That way of thinking is over, dead with those who harbored those ideas. The current administration and Führer dismantled plans that were in the works to "deal" with the native population. We took exception to that." She said as her cheerful tone was replaced with a cold, stern tone that she had inherited from her German mother.

[Alanston]

"I think you may misunderstand. I am talking about foreign immigrants here. We know that Argentina is not a ... prime destination for immigration, but it is a destination. So I want to know how you treat the foreigners who move to your nation looking for work. Especially those who are not European."

[Tokugawa Empire]

Minister Santos looks back to the Cheif Steward. "Every immigrant has the same opportunities as natural born citizens as long as they follow the path for citizenship."
She says while handing over a paper outlining the steps for citizenship.

[Alanston]

"Hmm, thank you. Tell me, what exactly were you looking for with regards to trade agreements, again?" Chief Steward Ren asks, looking over the paper briefly, whilst also noting that Minister Santos did not exactly answer his question.

[Tokugawa Empire]

She can see the dissatisfied look in the Stewards eyes and fills in the blanks. "Every citizen is treated with respect as long as it is given in return." She says. "On trade I would like to start small. How is your nation with citrus fruits and grapes?" She asked trying to peak interest.

[Alanston]

"We could discuss a lowering of tariffs on grapes and grape products, but with regards to citrus fruits, I think you forget that they are native to our part of the world. What would you look for in exchange?"