Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

Downstairs at the Prime Minister's Office, several cars full of the National Defense Forces were parked haphazardly on the roadside.

A barricade made of wood and barbed wire blocked the road in the middle of the Prime Minister's Office.

Several soldiers on duty had already put on armbands with the word "Martial Law" clearly written on them in German.

The meeting is now over, and Joachim's car has left.

The cabinet members were left looking at each other blankly, because Joachim had only come to the cabinet to discuss one thing.

That is about activating Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution.

The so-called Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution granted "the power of enforcement and dictatorship".

"Enforcement power" refers to the government's ability to use force to compel states to comply with the federal constitution and laws.

"Dictatorship" refers to the government's right to use force to restore "public order and tranquility" and temporarily suspend constitutionally guaranteed civil rights.

German Vice Chancellor Scheidemann stood on the windowsill of the conference room, gazing down.

Downstairs were several dismissed German ministers who had been taken away by the German military police.

They are all from the same faction as Scheidemann, so the German Vice Chancellor is now experiencing mixed feelings.

"I feel like we made a mistake; we shouldn't have agreed to that proposal."

Hugo Prois walked over to Shedemann and lowered his gaze as well.

At this moment, the German ministers, carrying their dismissal letters, walked out under the escort of military police.

Seemingly sensing something, Robert Schmidt slightly raised his head.

His gaze met Sheldon's.

Despite the distance, Sheldon could still see the resentment in his eyes.

"What can we do if we disagree?"

"Right now, only he can fully mobilize the forces of the left, center, and right wings in Germany. Besides, wasn't this constitution drafted by you?"

Scheidemann turned to Prouss: "It was you who designed this legal text to prevent any one political party from becoming too powerful and imposing their political views on the entire country..."

"You also voted in favor at the time."

Prois exchanged a glance with him, then turned his gaze back down.

Indeed, the Weimar Constitution did have its shortcomings.

Because it has always placed the principle of prioritizing national interests first.

Parliamentary democracy, civil liberties, and indeed, German society as a whole.

They can all be placed above the president and government simply because they use the term "national interest."

"So... will you vote in favor in parliament?"

To pass the "authorization law," at least two-thirds of the parliamentary votes are required, although the procedures Joachim is currently following are somewhat flawed.

However, since the matter is urgent, it's best to wait until he gets formal authorization from Albert before completing the necessary procedures.

"I?"

"That also depends on the opinions within the Party."

Sheldon gave a vague answer.

But Prois understood his thoughts.

If Albert agrees, the Social Democrats will most likely vote in favor as well.

If Joachim then gains the support of the Centre Party, he will be able to have absolute power throughout Germany, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him an emperor who holds absolute power.

"What's so interesting about it?"

The shouts of the German military police downstairs interrupted the conversation between the two people upstairs.

Then, under the gaze of the two of them.

A German military policeman roughly pressed Gustav Bauer's head down and shoved him into the car.

Former Minister of Economy Rudolf Seville was also subjected to the same treatment by the gendarmerie.

Finally, it was Robert Schmidt's turn; he was roughly dragged away by two military policemen.

The military police were just about to shove him into the car.

Suddenly, a military policeman on guard drew his gun.

He then fired a powerful shot into Schmidt's chest.

Blood splattered, instantly killing Schmitt!

Everyone present was stunned.

How could this happen?

The guy who fired the shot turned tail and ran!

The other German military police officers rushed forward and pinned him down!

"Robert!"

Sheldon shouted and rushed downstairs.

When he rushed down, his eyes were red and swollen, as if he had been crying.

Hugo-Prouis followed behind him, staring blankly at Schmidt's increasingly cold body: "Who...who did this?"

"Who else could have done it?" Gustav Bauer, already pinned down in the car, roared through tears, "It was that bastard Joachim, of course! He's two-faced!"

"Yes, it was him! He's the only suspect..."

Rudolf Sewell trembled with fear at the shot: "He has killed so many innocent Poles in Poland, what difference does a few of our lives make?"

"right!"

"He's just like his father, a born villain! A wicked seed in human skin."

"But... he didn't need to do that at all."

Hugo Prois was furious at what the two men said.

I felt an inexplicable fire burning from my feet to my head.

Joachim already suppressed his anger and dismissed you all; there was absolutely no need for him to kill you!

And he killed him right in front of Shederman!

This isn't some kind of show of force; it's blatant provocation!

Should the authorization law still be passed?

Should the left, center, and right wings in Germany unite?

"Of course it's necessary! He's just a bad seed."

Even though he had been pinned down, Gustav Bauer continued to roar at the weeping Sheldon, "This is the master you served, utterly treacherous behind the scenes!"

"Look at him! Look at Robert!"

"Look at him!"

"He's lying right here, what are you going to tell him?"

"How are you going to explain this to him?"

"The royal family are all born evil! They all deserve to die!"

"......"

Sheldon didn't speak; his mind was blank, and his brain seemed to have stopped functioning.

But given how things have developed, he had no choice but to express a stance on behalf of the Social Democratic Party: "Prime Minister Joachim, there must be an explanation for this. We Social Democrats need an explanation... Otherwise, I will definitely persuade President Abbott to withdraw his support for the Enabling Act."

"An explanation is indeed needed."

Hugo Prois stepped forward and gently patted Sheldman on the back, gesturing for him to stand up.

When Scheidemann got back up from the ground,

He cleared his throat and continued, "But I believe Prime Minister Joachim is innocent; as the saying goes, those who are most concerned with personal gain are suspected."

"Joachim would never do something so self-destructive, so I suggest you ask him about some things in person."

"And isn't the murderer here too?"

"It's an interrogation, and I think the killer is very likely..."

"Who is it!" Shedeman's eyes widened as he stared intently at him!