Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

Chapter 9, titled "My Emperor Father"

Even in exile, Wilhelm II fared better than most people imagined, despite his son having embezzled all his money.

But when the emperor left his empire, he still had a royal train with at least 300 sets of silver tableware on it.

Moreover, out of consideration for the emperor's kindness, the Prussian royal ministers also transferred some royal property to Wilhelm II.

That's why, even while he was in exile, he lived a life free from material worries.

He groggily opened his eyes in the dim light.

Wilhelm II felt dizzy and lightheaded.

He groggily opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was his eldest son. He demanded, "Where is Joachim? Where is that rebellious son...?"

"Did you send him a telegram, telling him to bring those assets back?"

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Finally, Crown Prince Wilhelm stepped forward and, steeling himself, told his father, "Your Majesty... we still don't know where Joachim is. According to reports from Berlin, he went to Romania, but we haven't received any response from Romania. They haven't seen Joachim..."

"Go find him! Go and bring him here!"

Those words ignited Wilhelm II's fury. He was enraged and grabbed the cup handed to him by a servant, smashing it violently to the ground.

"Yes, I'll send him a telegram immediately and ask him to find someone!"

"We must find him!" Wilhelm II roared hysterically, but then he froze, as if remembering something: "Where are his children and wife? We must keep an eye on them and absolutely not let him escape!"

"They...they've been here all along?" Crown Prince William was bewildered by his father's outburst, and the rest of the royal family were equally stunned by Wilhelm II's words. Finally, Mary Augustus stepped forward, carrying Joachim's son, Karl: "We've always been by your side, Your Majesty..."

The emperor immediately froze on the spot, blinked, and remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he looked at his eldest son, Crown Prince William, his eyes full of resentment.

But ultimately feeling he couldn't save face, he tried to reassure Mary Auguste: "I didn't mean anything by it, it's just that he's young, and I'm afraid he's been misled..."

"His mother and I both know that Joachim is a filial son. He would never do such a thing. There must be someone around him influencing him..."

Mary Auguste did not answer, but stood there silently, tears streaming down her face.

They cry and wail every day, as if they're mourning.

My empire isn't over yet...

Annoyed by the crying, Wilhelm II glanced at everyone.

Only then did he see his secretary walking quickly over.

"Your Majesty, you'd better take a look at this..."

Although Wilhelm II's secretary spoke softly, it was enough for everyone to listen attentively.

The emperor didn't understand why his secretary was acting so mysteriously.

But the moment he saw the newspaper, he almost vomited blood.

The title in bold reads "To My Father," which sounds quite filial, but the actual content consists of only a few words: I want to sever ties with the Hohenzollern family. As for the following words about seeking revival and development for Germany, in the emperor's eyes, these are just empty platitudes.

What utter nonsense! Seeking development and revival for Germany?

He's just planning to run off with my money.

"That wretched child!" Wilhelm II, his head wrapped in white gauze, laughed in anger. "Hohenzollern, you unfilial descendant!"

"What a filial son of the Hohenzollern family!"

"From which woman's womb did this wicked creature emerge?"

Wilhelm II roared twice, then felt dizzy, kicked his legs forward, and collapsed again.

Well, the German Emperor has been driven mad by his own son again.

.......

Breslaw

Almost simultaneously, Joachim also received a daily newspaper from Berlin, but he did not care about Wilhelm II's reaction.

After all, His Majesty the Emperor's reputation is now ruined throughout Germany and even the world. Until the other party is able to provide him with assistance, he has no other choice but to do this.

I'll bear the blame for Wilhelm II's suffering.

However, there were some things he felt he still needed to explain, such as the officers who had just gathered around him.

Just as Joachim had predicted, in almost less than an hour,

A large crowd had gathered outside his office; they were all unemployed officers and royalist soldiers whom Guderian had recruited the day before.

Yesterday alone, they recruited more than 500 people, nearly doubling the size of their team.

But to be honest, Joachim's money and Guderian's reputation alone wouldn't have been enough to gather so many people.

Ultimately, they still had to raise the banners of loving Germany and loving the Emperor.

That's why, with today's newspaper article out, these people will inevitably find it hard to resist the urge to confront Joachim and get to the bottom of things.

Wolf and his guards could no longer stop them, so he had no choice but to send someone to report.

A man slipped into Joachim's office: "Your Highness, there are far too many troublemakers. Should we immediately inform Captain Manstein to suppress and disperse them?"

"If he wanted to suppress it, he would have done it now. Why wait until now?"

"This guy is still not on His Highness's side even now?" Wolf was slightly taken aback and was greatly surprised.

"There's no oath of allegiance between us. He chose me, and I chose him." Joachim smiled gently, not finding it a difficult problem. "Now it's time to solve the problem they've thrown at me..."

"So, Your Highness, what do you plan to do? Distribute money, or...?"

"A bunch of arrogant and unruly soldiers, sending them this stuff is useless."

"Then I'll go stop them now..."

"Why stop them? I'll go and persuade them myself."

"But there are too many people outside..."

"What are you afraid of?"

"You all step back, I'll handle them alone."

Joachim lit a cigarette and slowly walked out.

Outside, the place was already bustling with noise, with soldiers dressed in all sorts of German uniforms surrounding it.

Their fierce and indignant appearance suggested that Joachim would not give them a satisfactory answer unless he did.

They would tear him to pieces in an instant.

"Let His Highness come out and explain to us what it means to sever ties."