Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

"Ah, sob!"

Joachim, who had just woken up from his sleep, sneezed and raised his hand to rub his slightly uncomfortable nose.

Only after he felt a little better did he look at the clock hanging on the wall.

It's already 8 o'clock in the morning.

"Four hours of sleep is enough."

He muttered as he got up, then picked up the phone and dialed the number: "Connect me to the Silesian residence."

"who I am?"

"Surely that's enough for high-ranking officials?"

"He's not in now?"

"Then have him call me back. I'll wait."

Joachim hung up the phone, got up, and dressed.

When he went outside, a newspaper and breakfast were already placed at his door. The visitor was his admirer, Manstein: "Good morning, Erich."

Good morning, Your Highness.

Why are you up so early?

"On one hand, there's the discipline of a soldier, and on the other hand, the information keeps me awake at night."

"He's talking about those leftists from Munich, isn't he?"

"Yes, in addition to these, there are also some left-wing trends emerging in Silesia, and syndicalism is on the rise here."

With that, Manstein handed the newspaper to Joachim.

The latter picked up the newspaper and saw the prominent headline "Munich Revolution" in the political section.

This obviously didn't surprise Joachim: "This is all outdated information. The Munich group had already rebelled on the 8th. You should have thought of this when you heard the Bavarian King announce his abdication."

"Now it's just that the left-wing newspapers are making their efforts to spread the revolution throughout Prussia."

"Your Highness, what must we do?"

"We absolutely cannot let those damned rebels seize our country, or our culture, everything we have will be gone."

"They can't turn things around. Germany is an extremely conservative country; revolution won't work here."

Compared to Manstein's impatience, Joachim seemed more composed: "Those leftists who want to start a revolution here have no chance. Our army protects our people's prosperity, and no one wants to start over unless it's the very last moment."

"However, this has given us a great opportunity."

"We can recruit soldiers openly and legitimately."

"Recruiting soldiers and buying horses?"

Have you spoken with your superiors?

"They're too busy to call me."

"Has the revolution spread to Silesia?"

"Yes, otherwise why would these labor union cultures be so rampant?"

"The phone is ringing, Your Highness."

"I didn't expect to get a call at this time. I was hoping to have a proper talk with you."

As Joachim ate his breakfast, he kept complaining, "What a pity."

He said it was a pity, but his hand honestly picked up the receiver.

The voice on the other end was a deep, Germanic tone, slow and deliberate, with the air of a high-ranking German official.

"Who are you?"

"Alfred, can you recognize my voice?"

"Your Highness?"

"have a good weekend!"

"Why have you come to Silesia at this time?"

"I mean nothing else; I am speaking on behalf of the Emperor."

Joachim directly issued a false imperial edict.

Right now, the only person who can quickly unite people's hearts and establish authority is his cheap old man.

Although Wilhelm II did not look like a ruler, he was still better than the young and inexperienced Joachim.

Having ruled the country for 30 years, he still retains some authority even now.

Not to mention that the current governor and officers of Silesia are themselves extreme conservatives, Junker nobles, and monarchists.

This is precisely why Joachim could directly forge imperial edicts and concentrate his power to the maximum extent.

Sure enough, the latter, upon hearing the word "emperor,"

He immediately became solemn and respectful, his voice even trembling: "It's a pity that His Majesty has abandoned the empire and announced his abdication of the throne..."

"That was Prime Minister Baden falsely conveying a royal decree."

"The situation hasn't escalated to that point yet, which is why the emperor sent me to Silesia."

"Long live the Empire! Long live the Emperor!"

"Yes, long live the Empire!"

"Is there anything I can help you with next?"

"I need to recruit soldiers in the Silesia region."

"And then you took those troops back to Berlin?"

"These are not questions you should be asking, General."

"I understand, Your Highness."

"What do you need me to do?"

"I need to find out the situation in Silesia. And can you guarantee the loyalty of your soldiers?"

Joachim was already waiting for a response after he finished speaking, and his heart was pounding with anxiety.

If Alfred could still control the Sixth Army in Breslau at this moment, everything would be much simpler.

Because he can directly use the other party's hands to integrate the army...

However, the latter's answer clearly disappointed him: "The situation in Silesia is very complicated now. Not only have left-wing revolutionary forces infiltrated, but the Poles on the border are also restless. As you know, there are many Poles living in Silesia on our territory. These people, along with those damned Poles who have broken free of their shackles, have gradually infiltrated our sphere of influence. They are trying to separate Silesia from the empire..."

"Why can't we just use the army to suppress them directly?" Joachim answered slowly, his voice slightly nasal.

"This is actually a very difficult matter, Your Highness." Alfred's voice came from the other end of the phone, weary and pained: "The army is no longer under my command. The workers' union in Breslau has seized power. Although I am in this position now, I don't actually have any authority to command them. Moreover, apart from the freedom to make phone calls, everything else is restricted. I am watched when I go out."

There are eyes in the back of your head.

"Is it possible to contact Ludwig?"

"His situation is similar to mine."

"Those guys knew Ludwig's stance, so they were extremely wary of him and kept a close watch on him..."

"These things are really troublesome."

Joachim was at a loss for words. The situation in Silesia was exactly what he had anticipated, and he shouldn't have placed any hope in Alfred.

He paused briefly, then raised a hand to press his temples. "So I'll have to do it myself. Can you get me some weapons?"

"What kind of weapons?"

"Thousands of rifles, hundreds of artillery pieces, and professional soldiers and officers."

"These are all things I need."