16 Wright Brothers

In response to Empress Cixi's trolling, the west formed the Eight-Nation Alliance (Austria, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States).

But the united front was already showing cracks before they even started. The Germans wanted to do all sorts of crazy shit, interpreting the Kaiser's speech as orders. Meanwhile the Russians sent a force of 100,000 to swallow the entirety of Manchuria. Thankfully the Japanese of this time weren't the blood crazed maniacs of WW2 yet, so they stayed behaved wishing to learn from Western military operations.

Eventually the alliance postponed their quarrels and soon set out for Beijing. Arriving in Beijing the commanders of each force met to decide the actions for the siege. The meeting was normal at first but a quarrel soon broke out when the German commander insisted on flattening Beijing.

Marshal von Waldersee was previously ordered by the Kaiser to behave barbarously, because in his words the Chinese were 'by nature, cowardly, like a dog, but also deceitful.' But because the alliance was unequivocally against such savagery, the Chinese were spared an early 'Nanking.'

Unfortunately, even if the commanders of the Eight-Nation Alliance wanted to spare the Chinese, the Germans did not. Following the fall of Beijing, and the subsequent occupation of Northern China, German troops committed an orgy of madness. Savagery equal to or surpassing that of the original Boxers.

The alliance witnessed these atrocities of the Germans, but even if they wanted to help the victims, none were willing to cause an diplomatic incident with the powerful German Empire. Meanwhile, hostile nations to Germany firmly engraved this violence in their minds. Using this as an example to fuel anti-German sentiment in their respective nations.

As the Kaiser wished, the Germans soon became known to many as Huns.

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Ignoring the depravity of the orient, I am now celebrating my 10th birthday. In line with tradition, I was also commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards. Now I can comfortably join in the military cosplay culture of the German Empire. This country seriously has a military fetish, during this time not only soldiers wear military uniforms but civil servants, administrators etc. Its the visible proof that reinforces the saying 'whilst most states have an army the Prussian army has a state.'

More time passes and I'm meeting more legends of history, the Wright brothers. In my previous life I originally wanted to be a pilot, but my conservative parents was against it, saying stuff like its dangerous or an unreliable career. But that didn't stop my fascination of airplanes, although I'm weak in the technical aspects I know enough history to maybe help accelerate the Wright brothers' progress.

"Hello! Nice to meet you two!"

I greet them excitedly in English.

"Greetings your highness, my name is Wilbur Wright."

"Gre.. greetings your highness, I'm Orville Wright."

At their awkward and stiff introduction I laugh and ask them relax.

"Hahaha! I'm a big fan of you guys so there's no need to be so stiff."

"Kuhm. Alright your highness."

"May I ask how his highness knows about us?"

"Simple, its always been a dream of mine to fly. Humans have already conquered the land and sea, in my opinion the skies are the new frontier. And maybe in the distant future beyond it."

"Because of my fascination, I've always kept up to date on people working on this shared dream. And I was told that you gentlemen were some of the best and most passionate pioneers of aviation."

At my words, the Wright brothers look at me like they've found a comrade.

"With that in mind, I'd like to give you two an offer, will you hear me out?"

The Wright brothers nod with stiff faces.

"I'd like to sponsor you two, I'll help you with anything you need; money, employees, resources, researchers, anything. I also own an automobile company, and I was recently told that they've successfully built a prototype 35hp engine. My idea is that this engine can be attached to a glider as a method of propulsion."

"If you accept my offer, I'm ready to provide for you a workshop in Kiel for your experiments. You can also work together with my automobile company to build an engine to your liking."

At my generous offer, the Wright brothers sit there dazed. Eventually after some thinking they accept my offer.

"We accept your highness."

"Great! I'll lend you my aide Julius, if you need anything just relay it to him and he'll get it done. If you two are successful I promise great rewards."

We shake hands to seal the deal.