Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

"Your Highness, we don't actually need to do that. We just need to work on the voter base."

Manstein stood next to Joachim.

Watching the German thugs dressed in French military uniforms downstairs relentlessly beating a Pole who had voted for Poland, I couldn't help but say, "Isn't it enough as long as the vote count matches up?"

"You're oversimplifying things. Although we've consolidated our rule here, don't forget we're a defeated nation."

Joachim could only point to the men in French uniforms downstairs and say, "In a way, Britain needs us to balance the power of France, but the French will do everything they can to weaken us. They will keep finding fault with the referendum, and what we have to do is not give those French any chance."

"So you know what conditioned reflexes are, Ehrlich?"

"A conditioned reflex?"

"Of course I know that." Manstein was a graduate of a prestigious German university, so he naturally knew the principle: "So, there's really no difference between humans and dogs. They're essentially still animals. When you tap your knee, it will instinctively spring back. When you're hungry, you'll instinctively eat."

"So what we're doing now is making these Poles feel afraid when they see French or Polish military uniforms, a genuine fear from the bottom of their hearts."

"And you must understand, don't think that just because this is our homeland, we can consolidate our rule."

"The French won't come here; what they'll do is exactly what we did in 1871..."

"But Prussia is very far from France..."

"It is precisely because they are far apart that we need to send troops."

Do you understand this?

"Our purpose in doing these things is not to stage a so-called referendum for the French and Poles."

"What we need to do is to prevent the French and Poles from finding any excuse to separate Poz from our land."

"Therefore, every step we take must be flawless."

"As for the method you're suggesting, they'll also realize that the French are normal people, and they'll definitely scrutinize everything that might affect the referendum. Our job is to make sure everything is flawless..."

"Then we can also bring in some Germans to drive those Poles out of our land."

"What if the French nitpick and demand to check pre-armistice household registrations? What will you do then?"

"So young people shouldn't think too simplistically..."

"Long live the great and independent Republic of Poland!"

Just as Joachim continued lecturing Manstein, a deafening shout came from afar!

Their eyes both turned to that corner, where a small commotion had broken out.

There were crowds of people everywhere, but it looked like Polish nationalists were causing trouble.

"You see, I knew these Poles wouldn't give up."

Joachim's smile froze, and he stood there stunned for a long time before shaking his head heavily: "But do people really believe such a fake referendum? It really makes me doubt the intelligence of the Polish people."

"Should we send troops to quell the unrest immediately?"

"no need."

"The louder they shout now, the more gruesome their deaths will be later."

As they were speaking, more Polish nationalists jumped up and shouted, "Long live the great and independent Republic of Poland!"

"I'll go suppress it now!"

These words stung Manstein's forehead, making him wish he could jump right then and there.

"Don't rush, just control your temper."

"Someone will take care of them."

"Who?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than seventy or eighty thugs dressed in Polish military uniforms swarmed over.

"To make you independent!"

"That'll teach you to cause division!"

The people there were fighting each other, and at first, the few Polish youths were able to hold their own.

But as more Germans joined in, the Polish youths immediately stopped shouting.

Are you still independent?

"Can't we just stop being independent? Is that okay?"

Before long, the slogan of Polish independence disappeared, and was replaced by the huge slogan "Long live Germany!"

Immediately afterwards, "French military officers" jumped out and loudly announced their crimes.

It is said that these Polish separatists received money from Russian leftists and conspired to turn Poland into a syndicate state.

Although the Poles below didn't understand the connection between Polish independence and becoming a syndical state, they dared not speak out in the face of these people's fists.

They still shouted "Long live Germany" against their will.

"You see, we should hit these separatists hard," Joachim said with a smile, pointing at the Poles chanting "Long live Germany." "Now these guys have learned how to submit to the majority, haven't they? After living in the German Empire for so many years, they should know how to become obedient citizens."

"Your Highness, I've learned this method today."

Manstein was dumbfounded by what he saw today. These civil officials' tactics were so insidious.

As he spoke, his hands began to tremble slightly. What if those civil officials were plotting against him?

I'm afraid I'll die without a proper burial place in the future.

"You're still young, so learn some tricks slowly." Joachim gently patted his shoulder, comforting him like an elder: "You should know that when dealing with the Empire's enemies, we should stop at nothing. That's the difference between us and them."

We and them, but am I included among them?

Having thought of this, Manstein shook his head, not daring to think about it further.

......

"80% in favor, 20% against, it seems those Poles are quite pragmatic."

Tepkamer looked at the report in his hand and couldn't help but smile: "See, that's how Potts was saved, isn't it, Your Highness?"

"It's too early to say that."

Joachim took the report and couldn't help but complain, "Those thugs you hired today were so unprofessional! What Frenchman speaks German?"

"In a few days, we'll find some professionals to continue testing, or we'll disguise ourselves as gentlemen to investigate from the sidelines. Anyone who dares to tell the truth will be arrested."

"I will, Your Highness."

"Your Highness, a telegram has arrived from Breslau. Do you wish to see it personally?"

Wolf knocked on the door and came in, waving the folder in his hand.

"You can check it yourself."

"It has a security classification, Your Highness."

"Show it to me."

Joachim opened the folder and looked at the telegram, his brow furrowing involuntarily.

"What is it, Your Highness?" Tepkamer asked.

"My older brother has come to Lower Silesia."

Joachim feigned a sigh and handed the telegram to the other party.

While waiting for the other party to review the telegram, his gaze kept lingering on Tepkamo.

He seemed to be waiting for the other party's reaction.