Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

Joachim now has a newfound respect for Ludwig Edeler, whereas he previously held these former imperial bureaucrats in utter contempt.

Now he began to look at these guys who believed in Social Darwinism to the core in a different light.

These people never show any mercy when it comes to dealing with these leftists.

After obtaining the specific list through tactful questioning, he did not hesitate to use his judicial connections in Breslau to label all these leftists as traitors and criminals against the state.

He then executed key figures directly, and also won over the minor figures who managed to survive.

They were all sent to Breslau prison...

This left Joachim, the "young man," speechless at his methods. In his view, the political struggles of these Germans were nothing more than locking up opponents and imprisoning them for life. How could they possibly resort to killing so easily? But the ruthlessness of these old German patriots completely shattered his worldview. You see, when Adolf came to power in 1933, after banning all political parties, he did not kill all his opponents; he simply imprisoned them.

"Your Highness, I know what you're thinking... You might think I'm being a bit too cruel." After a few glasses of red wine, Ludwig Edeller, slightly tipsy, spoke frankly to Joachim: "But that's the reality of this world. It believes in survival of the fittest. Syndicalism is completely unworkable. What's with all the clamor for standing up for the poor? What's with all the talk about the eight-hour workday? It's all just a result of their unwillingness to work hard. They just want to pick up their knives and redistribute our wealth."

"As long as we compromise with them, they will eventually become the new rich. That's their true nature."

"So if you really want to rule Germany in the future, then don't be too lenient, and don't lean towards syndicalism."

"There is no need for that kind of benevolent gentleness on German soil. The people on this land who cannot become rich are simply born incompetent."

"Therefore, for us, might makes right."

"Are all the poor people in society simply a result of their own lack of effort?" Joachim's worldview was being challenged. Having received a modern compulsory education, he fundamentally disagreed with this set of values: "Isn't it because those with privileges in society are constantly creating injustice?"

"Isn't this how power is converted into wealth, and corruption arises?"

"......"

Ludwig Edeller was taken aback by the question, and after a moment of silence, he responded.

It's the same familiar Darwinian rhetoric: "Some people have privileges because they are intelligent, while others, when they suffer, wallow in self-pity."

"You can't blame anyone else."

"Actually, it's because they themselves don't work hard enough, so they will struggle below the poverty line for their entire lives."

"For this reason, any welfare that society provides to the people will reduce the necessity for them to strive on their own and will dampen their enthusiasm for doing so."

"So you think Chancellor Bismarck was wrong?" Joachim was so angry at Ludwig Edeler's mind-blowing words that he laughed.

"That's wrong." Ludwig Edeller nodded emphatically: "That's why your rule has become increasingly less swayed by emotions. On the contrary, the more ruthless you are, the more others will benefit. Charity and relief cannot change a person's circumstances, nor can they promote social progress."

At this point, the head of the socialist Darwin movement suddenly became angry: "Look at us, we're the only country in all of Europe that treats the working class so well, and look what happens in the end!"

"Their lack of ambition is simply due to a lack of food."

"They only think about rebellion and don't consider the empire at all."

"So those lazybones are more despicable than those Jews whom I loathe; they were the ones who overthrew our empire."

"Therefore, the greatest act of kindness a person can do is not to help the weak in society out of compassion, but to let these weak people fend for themselves."

"Therefore, a cold-blooded self-label is necessary, and it is inevitable to turn a deaf ear to the poor and the weak."

"This is our era."

"Survival of the fittest, elimination of the unfit."

"..." Joachim no longer wanted to talk to this reactionary leader of social Darwinism. He was not Jesus and could not change other people's minds through words, but he could choose who to have under his command. When he had complete control of Silesia, he would kick this reactionary leader of social Darwinism aside.

Go wherever you want, just don't preach social Darwinism here.

"So what's next?" Having adjusted his mindset, Joachim decisively ignored the message: "Now that the matter in Lower Silesia is settled, we just need to wait for Guderian's forces to be captured, and the entire army of Lower Silesia will fall into our hands..."

"Our next task, of course, is to advance into Upper Silesia."

Perhaps sensing Joachim's displeasure, Ludwig Edeller also composed himself from his reverie: "If Your Highness wishes to further expand your army and complete the great undertaking of annexing the entire empire, then the heavy industry of Upper Silesia is indispensable. The steel, coal, cannons, and rifles produced there are all urgently needed for the army's expansion. These are things that Lower Silesia cannot replenish. This region is a light industrial and agricultural area, and can only provide you with clothing and food."

"Once Upper Silesia is in our grasp, half the restoration will be complete."

"At that time, all we need to do is welcome back the emperor, raise the banner, and Hohenzollern will surely re-enter the empire."

"Hmph, my father?" Joachim was already dissatisfied with Ludwig Edeler's remarks, and now the other party was actually proposing to bring Wilhelm II back from the Netherlands, and doing so openly. How could he accept this? He sneered, "He is no longer fit to be emperor. I heard that he has fallen in love with the work of lumberjacks in the Netherlands. If he wants, I hope he will be a lumberjack in the Netherlands for the rest of his life, rather than return to Germany."

"If he ever returns to Germany, I will absolutely use my power to bring him to court and make him bear the war crimes he deserves."

"The Netherlands..." Ludwig Edeller seemed stunned by Joachim's remarks and stood there dumbfounded.

Manstein, who had been standing silently behind Joachim, suddenly looked at Ludwig Edeler.

Then he quickly turned to look at Joachim, who also seemed shocked by these words.

But is this true?