Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

"That was a brilliant move, Your Excellency President."

When Prime Minister Shedeman learned that Abbott had dismissed him and appointed Joachim as prime minister, he was not angry at all. Instead, he praised him repeatedly, saying that it was a brilliant move.

Albert was stunned by his old friend's praise.

what?

How is that so ingenious?

Isn't this just him giving up because he couldn't withstand the pressure anymore?

Logically speaking, he should have felt resentful, even if he didn't fly into a rage, after being suddenly removed from his post as prime minister!

Why are you praising it instead?

Is this sarcasm, or a genuine exclamation?

Albert became increasingly confused, so he pretended to be deep in thought, took a drag of his cigarette, nodded silently at Sheldon, and gave him an encouraging look, signaling him to continue.

"Let's take this opportunity to make him look foolish."

"If Joachim dares to accept, I'll hand over the position to him and let him experience firsthand just how difficult it is to be the Chancellor of Germany."

"At that time, we will not only be able to suppress the right wing, but also put their role models in a difficult position and force them to cooperate with us."

"If they don't dare to take the position—that would be even better."

"We have already given the right wing the opportunity to come to power, but they themselves are afraid to take responsibility."

"If any problems arise in the future, don't blame us."

As he spoke, Sheldon gave Albert a thumbs-up.

Those who can sit in the presidency are indeed extraordinary; they are incredibly cunning, even capable of such scheming.

Aren't you right-wingers determined to put Joachim in power?

Okay, I'll give you the chance to go on stage.

If they do a good job, fine; if Hohenzollern is restored, so be it.

Since they're all your stuff anyway, here they are!

What if I don't do a good job?

You're the ones who made a fool of yourselves and took the blame!

Suppressing the left wing is not an easy task to begin with, so it's perfect for the right wing to do it.

"His Excellency the President is very thoughtful."

Upon hearing this, Albert's lips twitched involuntarily.

Well, this has really backfired.

But since Sheldon had already put it that way, he had no choice but to accept it. Albert nodded solemnly: "They forced me to do this..."

"However, this plan is still a little short," Sheldman suddenly said.

"Which point?" Albert immediately became interested.

"We should send a nationwide telegram," Scheidemann thought seriously. "Too few people know about this appointment right now, and the scope of the announcement is too small. Even if Joachim doesn't take the bait, it'll only be a small-scale embarrassment."

"What do you want to do?"

"We want to make a public telegram so that all Germans know that we are sincerely inviting the right wing to step forward and solve domestic problems."

Scheidemann reached out and stroked his chin, his eyes turning cold:

"If Joachim refuses, we can take advantage of the situation and control the military. If he agrees, then we might as well let this young man give it a try."

"Anyway, Germany is currently engulfed in war. Judging by the time, the Paris Peace Conference will soon finalize the peace treaty. We can make him sign it then and completely ruin his reputation."

.......

The left wing is known for its swift and decisive actions, and the telegram was quickly sent throughout the country.

"How dare they do such a thing!"

When Wilhelm II received the telegram, he was so angry that he almost fainted.

Are they really going to let that greenhorn Joachim rise to the pinnacle of power in Germany so casually?

Albert and Scheidemann, these clowns who overthrew the empire and betrayed the monarchy, are so brazen!

He actually handed over the position of Prime Minister of the Empire directly to his own son?

He even publicly invited Joachim to Berlin to assume the post of Chancellor.

Good heavens, this isn't appointing a prime minister, it's putting Joachim on the hot seat!

"Where are the German right wing! Where are my trusted confidants! Help them!"

Wilhelm II roared inwardly.

"This is clearly an attempt to embarrass Joachim, given how much he craves power."

"If he likes being in power so much, then let him be the Chancellor of Berlin."

Crown Prince William, who had narrowly escaped death in Silesia last time, spoke with a tone full of schadenfreude.

He had long hated Joachim, and now that he saw the opportunity to humiliate him, he immediately stepped forward and stomped on him.

"What do you think this is all about?" Wilhelm II turned and stared at his eldest son. "I know you look down on him and hate him."

"But brothers may quarrel within their own walls, but they unite against external threats! Right now, if we want to restore the monarchy, we can only rely on Joachim."

"Hopefully, we can't rely on him?"

"Ha—we're all useless, okay!"

After Crown Prince William returned from Silesia, his attitude toward Wilhelm II deteriorated.

Since Wilhelm II was no longer the emperor, he no longer needed to show the same respect as before.

Moreover, even if Joachim were to successfully restore the monarchy, he might not necessarily relinquish the throne to him.

Rather than continuing to be subservient to her father, she might as well indulge herself for once.

Wilhelm II was so angry with his eldest son that his mouth twisted into a crooked grin, and he glared at him for a long time.

In the end, she sighed and decided not to argue with him.

How could he not understand his son's thoughts?

No one wants to easily give up the status they once had, let alone have it taken away by someone close to them.

But the times had already changed, back when the empire collapsed.

Crown Prince William failed to shoulder the responsibility, and now that his position has been taken over, he has no one to blame but himself.

And it's not that he didn't give them a chance.

In Silesia, he gave Crown Prince William so much support, and what was the result?

Wasn't he utterly defeated by Joachim, suffering heavy losses, and finally only managing to escape back in a sorry state with two or three men?

As the crown prince, he is utterly incompetent and cannot afford to lose.

However, on second thought, Wilhelm II felt that this might be an opportunity to ease tensions between him and Joachim.

If Joachim were to actually restore the monarchy, he might be able to return to Germany.

As for the former emperor's throne, he might be able to take advantage of Joachim's youth and slowly reclaim it.

After all, Germany is full of my confidants!

Then we can make Joachim the crown prince, which will be a way of compensating this son.

With that in mind, he disregarded Crown Prince William's feelings and directly ordered his secretary: "Use our radio station in the Netherlands to send a telegram to Joachim."

"What is the contents of the telegram, Your Majesty?"

"No need for further explanation, just two words—patience."

.......

However, his telegram was ultimately sent too late.

By this time, Joachim had already made his choice.

He sat in his office, quietly smoking.

His loyal subordinates looked at him.

After a long silence, Joachim turned his head, looking out at the gloomy sky, his tone calm yet incredibly firm:

"Call them back."

"I'll take this premiership."

"I hope I can do my best."

Yes, everyone knows it's a trap, but he insists on walking right into it.

So what if I don't have the qualifications? So what if I don't have a political base in Berlin?

Joachim wanted to use this method to tell all Germans.

Joachim was the undisputed "savior" of Germany!