Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

"Have you heard? Tepkamo has been dismissed."

"As a bureaucrat of the old empire, being dismissed was only a matter of time."

"Your Highness, why don't you report this to Berlin?"

"Can we rely on Berlin? They're doing everything they can to deal with us."

"I heard they're also preparing to bring up our old grievances in Silesia."

"Then let's just let Silesia descend into chaos. It's better for both sides to lose than for one to lose alone."

"Can't you shut up a bit? Do you think we're still in the imperial era?"

"But the situation in Berlin is quite interesting."

"I heard that Albert is demanding provisions to protect the constitution in Weimar."

"Who are you coming from?"

"It comes from His Highness. Members of the royal family are excluded from the right to vote in the presidential election."

"Then we will have no way to legally restore the empire."

"Whether the empire can be restored is another matter. The most important thing is Article 48, which states that the president has the power to issue decrees in emergency situations. That's the key point."

"It does sound somewhat authoritarian."

"In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary."

In Breslau, Joachim's office was already packed with people.

At this moment, his confidants gathered together, discussing the orders from Berlin.

Some people were anxious and angry, some threatened to retaliate, and some discussed the news that had come from Weimar.

Joachim now has quite a few talented people under his command, including not only military personnel but also legal scholars and economists.

"What do you think?" Guderian asked calmly.

"What else can I do? Just deal with whatever comes my way." Manstein yawned, his craving for a cigarette kicking in. "The trouble I've been dealing with on the Polish border lately has really worn me out."

"I heard you burned down quite a few villages over there," Guderian asked cautiously.

"You'll have to ask Wolf about this; he's in charge of those thugs."

Manstein raised an eyebrow slightly, directly shifting all the blame onto Wolf.

Wolf's current role is essentially Joachim's white glove, so it doesn't matter how much or how little he gets involved.

"Isn't this a deliberate provocation?"

"Perhaps what we're looking for is deliberate provocation..."

"But then again, what would you do if Berlin sent the order to dissolve the country to Breslau one day?"

Guderian remained silent for a moment.

Because he's really conflicted right now, yes, he's really conflicted.

Soldiers are duty-bound to obey orders. He came to Joachim's command not because of Joachim's personal charisma, but because he had to obey the government's orders.

But now he was captivated by Joachim's work; the prince's personal charm and abilities were undeniable.

He could definitely accomplish great things under his leadership, but what if the government actually issues a transfer order?

He genuinely didn't know what to choose.

For soldiers, disobeying orders is treason.

"I...I don't know."

"I knew it, I would follow Your Highness steadfastly."

After saying that, Manstein stopped talking, because Joachim should be arriving at this time.

Sure enough, as soon as he shut his mouth, Joachim pushed open the door and came in.

There was no kind smile, only that terrifying poker face.

In Wolf's words, Joachim now exudes a more regal air.

In his words, sometimes if you don't put on airs, the people below you will feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, you can't see into someone's heart; you never know who is who, who is a gentleman, and who is a villain.

Those in positions of authority sit, while those in lower positions must stand.

Those in positions of authority stand, while those in lower positions kneel.

So looking at Joachim's poker face, Guderian increasingly missed the days when he and the prince were laughing and joking together.

Good morning, everyone.

Joachim greeted them.

The people below did not answer, but fell into silence.

"You're aware of Berlin's arrangements for Potsehir, aren't you?" Joachim asked directly. "Recently, we've been consolidating Potsehir's influence in Silesia. We need to focus on dealing with the Poles and leftists entrenched in Upper Silesia."

"So, Your Highness, are we just going to give up everything we have in Pots?" someone asked.

"Otherwise what?"

"Of course we must obey Berlin's arrangements. They are the highest authority, and we are a free, civilian organization, so we must naturally obey their commands."

"But what was the point of all the money and effort we spent in Potsdam?" Heinrich asked. "Did they really steal our victory with just a few fabricated rumors after we did everything?"

"Yes, this is clearly a case of stealing the fruits of our victory."

Some officers couldn't help but agree, given how much effort they had put into Potsbury.

Murder and burning of houses—is this how Berlin treated them?

A single transfer order and a few rumors completely negated their achievements, and now they want to steal their fruits of victory. How can they accept this?

"Isn't our goal simple?" Joachim looked at Heinrich and sighed softly, "As long as we can protect Poz and Silesia, it's all worth it!"

"Worth it?" Heinrich was enraged by these words. He raised his fist in front of everyone, somewhat losing his composure. "We've been working tirelessly in Poz and Silesia, and now they've negated all our achievements. How are we supposed to stay calm? How is this worth it!"

"But haven't we already achieved our goal?" Joachim smiled, then spoke again, this time with provocation.

"This is unfair to all of us, especially to His Highness." Heinrich was furious. "You have given everything for the revival of Germany, and they are still thinking about fighting among themselves, giving you nothing in return."

"I don't want any reward, Heinrich."

Joachim was slightly moved, but his face showed a relieved expression: "In a sense, this is just our Hohenzollern family atoning for Germany's sins. As the ruling family, we have committed so many sins, lost the war, and lost so many lives. To put it bluntly, even if I tried my whole life, I couldn't count all these sins..."

"Were all these sins caused by His Highness?"

Model raised his hand and spoke: "Your Highness has been observing everything you have done these past few days. Looking around, who in Germany today can shoulder the responsibility and truly get things done?"

"The nation has fallen, the war has been lost—is it all Your Highness's fault?"

Manstein also spoke up: "This is not Your Highness's fault. This great war was bound to break out sooner or later. Our struggle for supremacy with other countries has lasted for decades, and in the end, it was bound to end with a war. It's just that we lost this war. The blame can be placed on the Jews, on the Poles, or on His Majesty the former Emperor, but it cannot be placed on Your Highness!"

"Yes, it's all Wilhelm II's fault!"

"It can't be blamed on His Highness!"

"Is that so!"

"This is not fair to us at all!"

Others echoed in agreement!

No one can accept having their hard-earned crops taken away just before harvest.

The fruit was taken away by someone else; anyone would be angry!

Not to mention, Joachim and his group are now echoing each other, stirring up all this anger.

Heinrich raised his arms and roared, "We're going to Berlin to demand justice!"

"March on Berlin!"