Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

If a son absconds with his father's property, how can the father react?

Now Wilhelm II cannot afford to worry about that.

Because His Majesty the Emperor is currently fleeing for his life amidst a long and arduous journey.

After leaving the throne, this German emperor revealed his true nature, becoming weak and sensitive.

So much so that the emperor's train had only traveled a few kilometers when he feared that the troops who had once been loyal to him would launch a surprise attack on him.

So I got off the train and switched to a car, fleeing to a small town on the Dutch border...

On the platform of Esden train station.

The German Emperor's old habit had resurfaced; his head was wrapped in a bandage, and aside from his magnificent attire, he looked almost indistinguishable from an ordinary person from a distance.

At this moment, he had fallen from his pedestal and sat on the platform like a wounded soldier.

His Majesty the Emperor is very dejected because he has not received any good news since last night.

"Is there any news about Joachim?" Wilhelm II couldn't help but ask as he watched Crown Prince William approach from afar.

"Not yet, Your Majesty." Crown Prince William nodded gently. "There is no news at all. We don't know whether he is dead or has disappeared. In any case, it's best not to worry about him for now, as we are all too busy to deal with our own problems."

"It seems that's the case. He's out there making his own way in the world, so I should give him a share of my assets."

Wilhelm II remained as dejected as ever, and he sighed.

He looked at his eldest son, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "Money always makes things easier."

Crown Prince William smiled and changed the subject: "Speaking of money, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands has agreed to our request for asylum, and the Count of Aldenburg, who lives nearby, has also indicated that we can stay here for three days. After we make our plans, we can spend some of our wealth here to buy some estates for ourselves to live in."

"Then we'll have good days."

"Good days? Do I, a deposed ruler, still have good days?!"

When the topic of good days came up, Wilhelm II flew into a rage: "I have lost the crown that my grandfather passed down to me, and like a dog, I have been driven out of my own country by my own subjects. Do people like me deserve to live a good life? I am simply a piece of trash."

Wilhelm II grew angrier and angrier, eventually roaring, "Those damned Germans betrayed me! I will return to my empire one day!"

"When the time comes, I will make those who betrayed me kneel down first, and then I will make their heads roll!"

Seeing his father's hysterical state, Crown Prince William just stared at him blankly.

This old geezer not only lost the throne that was rightfully his, but he's also blaming others.

I wish I had abdicated earlier and ascended the throne myself.

He himself was such a wise and powerful emperor.

They will surely govern the German Empire to great prosperity. Why would they need to be exiled here?

The thought of these things made his heart ache.

He had no interest in listening to his father's roars anymore; after all, he wasn't the emperor anymore, so he might as well let it be.

So she turned her head away, trying to sneak away, but as soon as she turned her head, she saw her secretary turning around: "What's the matter? Why are you being so secretive?"

The man glanced at Wilhelm II, then seemed somewhat hesitant.

"What's wrong?" Wilhelm II, who had just been roaring like a dragon, also noticed the secretary. He suppressed his anger: "What else is it that I can't accept?"

"Was it Allied troops that arrived at the border, or...?"

"This is news from Berlin."

Upon hearing that the news came from Berlin, both Wilhelm II and Crown Prince Wilhelm felt a pang of anxiety. What good news could come from Berlin at this time?

"His Highness Joachim returned to Berlin overnight yesterday."

Upon hearing this, Wilhelm II was furious, nearly spitting out blood: "What is he doing in Berlin at this time? Going to his death?"

"Yeah, this guy is always causing us trouble."

Crown Prince William was already dissatisfied with Joachim, and now that he finally had a chance, he naturally wanted to kick him while he was down: "At a time like this, he's still running around everywhere..."

"Say less."

"What is he doing in Berlin at this time?"

"I heard it's to inherit royal property..."

"What a filial son!"

Wilhelm II, who was initially furious that Joachim had returned to Berlin, felt somewhat comforted upon hearing this.

True loyalty is revealed in times of adversity, and filial piety is born from poverty.

Even at this point, Joachim, his most beloved child, actually thought of this.

Knowing that the royal family needed money while in exile, he dared to travel to Berlin alone.

Go and demand the royal property from those damned leaders of the Sow Republic.

I should have made the filial son Joachim the crown prince. Look how filial he is.

And look at the crown prince beside him, he's utterly useless...

Besides their appearance, what else do they resemble about me?

"What a filial son!"

"How much property did he ask for?" While Wilhelm II was still marveling at his son's filial piety, Crown Prince William, who was standing beside him, couldn't wait to ask.

"A total of approximately 6000 million Imperial Marks..."

"That seems pretty good, enough to guarantee a basic standard of living." Crown Prince William nodded slightly at the figure, because in his memory, the royal family's basic annual expenses were about the same. With this amount of money, the royal family could get by this year with dignity.

So he followed up by asking, "Where is he now?"

"When will you come to the Netherlands and join us?"

"Yes, Joachim, when are you going to bring that money and join us?"

As soon as money was mentioned, the other members of the royal family gathered around and asked a barrage of questions.

"Your Majesty... Prince Joachim, he... he..."

"What happened to him? Tell me quickly!"

"He took the 6000 million marks and an army and fled to Romania."

"What?"

This short sentence struck Wilhelm II like a thunderbolt.

Standing there frozen, holding his cane, His Majesty the German Emperor truly felt like vomiting blood.

What did he just hear?

The family's most filial son absconded with his father's money.

The others also fell silent. They exchanged glances, their eyes finally settling on Wilhelm II.

After all, the emperor is currently the backbone of the entire family.

"My money!"

A heart-wrenching scream rang out, and Wilhelm II trembled with rage, feeling somewhat dizzy.

Crown Prince William tried to help him up, but his father roughly shook him off.

He pointed his scepter at everyone present, finally fixing it on Mary Auguste: "Your good husband..."

Before he could finish speaking, everything went black, and he collapsed to the ground unconscious.