Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

The newspaper's cover featured photos of Joachim and the new cabinet members.

Although Joachim had no idea what kind of uproar this message would cause.

But he certainly knew that this would make the current situation in Germany even more unpredictable. After all, he was practically a blank slate in terms of intelligence information from various countries, especially regarding his political career. No one knew how he would play his cards in the future, which presented him with a great opportunity.

Arriving at the entrance of the Prime Minister's Office, the atmosphere here was definitely much more tense than at the Governor's Office in Posen.

People in suits and uniforms came and went in a constant stream, but they didn't make a sound.

It seemed that everyone was deliberately keeping their footsteps quiet here, afraid of attracting the attention of others.

Just like the place that Joachim is currently occupying, which is clearly filled with huge crowds.

But they didn't make a sound; they all held their breath and watched him intently.

The longing look in his eyes made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Has the Danish ambassador arrived?"

Joachim turned and looked at Heinrich.

Heinrich nodded as he flipped through the documents.

The recent heavy workload had overwhelmed him, leaving him somewhat flustered: "He should be here. He should be meeting with Foreign Minister Ulrich von Brodokdorf-Rancho now, to first exchange diplomatic pleasantries and discuss some trade issues between Germany and Denmark."

"Take me directly to see him, and arrange a meeting for me with Interior Minister Hugo Prousz."

"OK."

Joachim has not yet had time to make any changes to the so-called cabinet appointments.

According to him, these people should be used if they are capable, and replaced if they are not, since it takes time for everyone to adapt to a job.

Take Heinrich, for example. Look at him now, he's all flustered and clumsy. It's obvious he hasn't adapted to his job.

Some people share similar ideas with Joachim, and there are certain things they can do.

"Then let's keep going."

Joachim smiled and nodded, then strode forward.

Heinrich walked ahead of him, having memorized the map of the Chancellery by heart, and confidently led the way.

The door opened, and the group entered the spacious and empty office.

Karl Moertek had been waiting here for a long time.

Upon seeing Joachim's arrival, even though he already knew the news, he couldn't hide his surprise.

By the time he realized what was happening, Joachim had already strode up to him.

He had no choice but to lower his head respectfully and hurriedly bow, saying, "Your Highness, it has truly been a long time."

"When did you arrive at the Prime Minister's Office?"

Joachim saw that he did not return the greeting, but instead went straight to the office sofa and plopped down.

Then, with an air of hostility, he beckoned to him: "Come sit here, Your Excellency."

"In a sense, you should call me Prime Minister."

"I believe it won't be long before we can call you Your Majesty, will it?" Karl Moertek removed his hat, sat respectfully beside Joachim, and praised with great emotional intelligence, "The Hohenzollern family will surely regain the German throne."

Joachim was extremely pleased with these words; as the saying goes, flattery will never fail you.

No one dislikes being praised.

"That will have to wait until I turn the tide and ascend the German throne with great merit."

"Then you must work hard, Your Highness, the situation is different now."

Although Karl Moertek offered words of encouragement, a hint of mockery crept into his smile.

Denmark is also a monarchy.

But Karl Moertek is also aware of the current situation in Germany.

Germany is now a complete mess. Although the army has not been completely defeated, it has almost lost its ability to fight.

Morale was extremely low, and almost the entire country was starving.

According to Danish statistics, Germans currently face a food shortage of at least 25%.

Millions of people are starving.

What's even more terrifying is that the British naval blockade has not yet ended.

These food shortages cannot be made up.

In other words, if Britain cannot end the naval blockade in a short period of time, these Germans will continue to starve.

Therefore, Karl Moertek believed that unless Napoleon were reborn in Germany, his adversary, no one could turn the tide.

If the Germans were trying to get the Danes to intercede with the British, then they had really chosen the wrong person.

Because the Danes at this point do not actually want the British naval blockade to end.

Because since the outbreak of war.

Denmark's grain exports to Germany have been steadily increasing.

The large quantities of canned meat and butter generated substantial foreign exchange for the Danes, who amassed enormous wealth from the gold they earned in Germany.

Moreover, the Danes also needed to promote the transformation of the meat canneries established during the war, otherwise Denmark's interests would be harmed by the British lifting the blockade.

Therefore, the Danes would not speak for the Germans on the issue of naval blockade.

If Joachim knew the Dane's statistics, he would definitely scoff at them.

The current food shortage in Germany is not the so-called 20%, but between 30% and 40%.

With the onset of the naval blockade, Germany faced shortages of fertilizer and agricultural labor, and grain production in 1918 was only 50% of pre-war levels.

The food supplies from other neutral countries amounted to less than 25%, but this situation would be alleviated as German soldiers recovered.

"The situation is certainly different now."

Joachim frowned slightly: "We are now at a disadvantage in this truce, and some of the rumors coming from Versailles are not good for us."

"I've heard about it too, Your Highness."

"I can give you a heads-up; it's an absolutely undignified contract."

"How demanding are they?"

Joachim asked the question knowing the answer, but his gaze shifted to the Foreign Minister standing to the side.

He was actually saying this to these Germans, but it's more believable coming from a Dane.

"I've only heard that... it's a treaty no less severe than the Franco-Prussian War that Prussia forced France to sign, and a huge indemnity is inevitable."

Putting aside the naval blockade, Karl Moultke was still happy to let his clients know a little about the situation: "After all, the Germans spent a lot of money buying grain from Denmark, and the Danes sold it to them at high prices, so you should be prepared."

"Indeed, I've prepared myself mentally."

Joachim looked at him: "Do you smoke, Your Excellency?"

"I know a little."

Joachim casually handed it over, then lit one for himself: "Actually, I care more about Denmark's attitude than these things."

"We have no say in these treaties; we are just a small country," Karl Moertek dismissed with a sneer.

But Joachim's next words left him speechless: "Indeed, you are just a small country, but I have always believed in one thing."

"Either coexist."

"Either we all perish together."