Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

Looking at the unusually obedient Manstein, Tirpitz waved his hand: "Since we're discussing business, you don't need to be so nervous. There are no superiors or subordinates here."

"Yes, Admiral."

Although Manstein said this, his body became increasingly stiff.

It wasn't just Japan that had a conflict between land and sea; pre-World War I Germany also had a conflict between land and sea.

The German Empire's navy and army were long independent, with distinct factions and very little interaction between their high-ranking officials.

Therefore, it was no wonder that Manstein was nervous. In front of the Navy's leader, he was naturally nervous and timid.

"Relax a bit."

Joachim smiled and comforted Manstein.

"So Your Highness believes they will succeed?" Tirpitz looked at Joachim earnestly, hoping to get a similar answer from him.

"I think it's impossible." Joachim pondered for a moment and then gave his answer directly: "Completely dismantling Prussia now would not benefit Germany as a whole. None of us would benefit from it. Although it would consolidate democracy, it would also cater to France's ambition to separate the Rhineland from Germany."

He paused for a moment at this point.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, indicating that what he was about to say was the key point: "Don't forget that the guys in Westphalia have never submitted to Prussian rule. They've always wanted to establish an autonomous Rhine-Westphalian Republic, and it's not just them. There are also some people in Upper Silesia seeking independence, especially those Polish separatists."

"Therefore, for the current republican government, establishing a Prussia under its own control is the best option."

"Moreover, a strong Prussian government has greater control over the country, and the power that was originally scattered among various parties will be gradually taken back."

"The Reich couldn't take these powers back to Berlin because its interests were dictated by its own position, but things are different now."

"The guys sitting in Berlin won't be any lenient with localism, and with the war over, Berlin will inevitably need more sources of revenue, and the fiscal sovereignty left to the states is the best way to supplement that."

"So Prussia won't be divided up, right?"

"That's right."

"But given Prussia's conservative nature, they might make some compromises regarding the vote."

Nodding, Joachim's gaze shifted to Tirpitz: "The Marshal already has the answer in his heart, doesn't he?"

"Then let me pour you a glass of wine first."

Tirpitz did not answer, but instead smiled and poured Joachim a glass of wine.

Joachim returned the toast with a glass: "I heard you've recently been compiling your own memoirs, which you intend to publish in the newspapers, is that right?"

"Has Your Highness heard about this matter?"

Tirpitz was quite surprised by the question Joachim suddenly asked.

"Haha, because in a sense, you are my idol."

Joachim said with a smile, "I have read your Ninth Working Memorandum and your ideas on the Great Navy; they are truly heroic words."

"Especially when I read the memo to my father, there was one sentence that left a particularly deep impression on me."

"What did you say?"

Tirpitz became very interested, and his gaze toward Joachim became increasingly different.

A hint of gratitude for being understood was revealed in his cloudy eyes.

Tirpitz's situation is now quite different from before the war.

Before the war, he was a favorite of the German Emperor, and Wilhelm II himself was a naval chauvinist.

Therefore, his naval policies naturally had no opposition; however, now the war is over.

After the defeat, Germans reflected on the reasons for their defeat.

It is said that many people have pointed the finger at him, believing that the reason for Germany's defeat was its competition with Britain.

Now that Joachim is taking the initiative to defend him and take responsibility for the defeat, he will naturally agree from the bottom of his heart that Joachim is telling the truth.

As the saying goes, people are geniuses at self-defense; when they need others to compromise, they speak with righteous indignation.

When they are required to back down, they are always forced to do so due to their own difficulties and lack of control.

They are meticulous about the mistakes of others, yet indulge their own selfish desires without restraint.

Tirpitz could not completely deny himself, even though deep down he felt that pushing Britain to the opposite side was a huge strategic mistake for Germany.

But everyone can refute his strategy except himself; to refute himself is to refute his entire life.

Therefore, he absolutely cannot admit his mistake.

"The deployment of the fleet is, of course, a strategic offensive."

Joachim had specifically read Tirpitz's theories before meeting him.

So he only needed to think for a moment to extract a few striking sentences and gain the other party's heartfelt agreement: "Without a navy, Germany will always be a continental country, not a global empire. Therefore, Germany needs a powerful fleet. Its existence is enough to make the most powerful naval powers think twice before attacking Germany. Because as long as we are strong enough, the British will not dare to start a war easily. Once a war breaks out, even if they win, the world's superpower will be on the verge of collapse."

"Yes, His Highness the Prince is absolutely in awe of your theories."

Manstein, who had been unusually obedient, finally spoke up: "I remember the first time I met His Highness the Prince, I saw him holding your discourse on maritime power and reading it repeatedly."

"And don't underestimate me just because I'm an army officer; I genuinely agree with your ideals."

"Because right after I met His Highness, he specially formed a 'Tirpitz' group to study your remarks and the theories you once proposed for the Empire. My subordinates and I remember these things very well. In particular, when he saw that there was a newspaper in Posen that slandered you, he ordered us to burn the newspaper office down completely. His Highness said that this was an insult to the great Admiral of the Navy and could not be allowed."

"Especially that sentence, it's etched into our bones."

"God gave the sea to great nations; only cowards and lazybones would shun it."

These remarks, delivered in a manner reminiscent of a married couple, caused Prince Leopold's brow to twitch.

Good grief, these two guys look like they came prepared.

That's quite the licking prowess.

And that kid Manstein really knows how to play the innocent card, what's with all the timidity?

Feelings are all faked!

Well, there are four people in one room, two of whom are actors.

Joachim was exceptionally sincere, while Manstein was immersed in the past.

Prince Leopold's brow twitched; Tirpitz...