Iron and Blood: A Triumph of the Will

Joachim arrived at the presidential palace in a Mercedes-Benz.

He walked down the long corridor and arrived at the center of Germany’s current highest power.

I remember the last time he came here, he waited for Albert for a long time.

However, now he can simply give a heads-up and meet directly with the busy Albert.

"Give me the briefcase, and wait outside."

Joachim took the briefcase from Heinrich and then gave him a few instructions.

He then ignored him and strode into the president's office.

Albert, with a cigarette between his fingers, stared silently at Joachim.

Joachim remained silent.

He simply lay half-reclined on the sofa, just like the owner of the place.

Both sides were waiting for the other to speak.

Joachim was thinking that Albert would talk to him about the authorization law, because on the way here, Sheldman had every reason to make a phone call to Albert.

As for the content of the phone call, Joachim had no need to speculate.

They must be supporting themselves, otherwise the other side wouldn't have cast that vote.

In a sense, Joachim's guess was correct.

Sheldon did call Albert and discussed the authorization law with him, but he also included other information.

The two men smoked in silence until Albert finally couldn't help but speak up.

However, his first words were so shocking that Joachim was almost deafened: "Robert is dead."

"Who?"

"Robert Schmidt is dead!"

"How did he die? Did he die from a sudden heart attack?"

"The person who was shot was right downstairs from the Prime Minister's Office."

"......"

"How could that be! Who delivered the message to you?"

Joachim was shocked and stopped smoking.

He casually stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, then sprang up from the sofa: "Who dares to kill someone in front of me?"

"Sheldman told me that; he said he saw it with his own eyes."

Albert stopped smoking and stared intently at Joachim's face.

They seemed to be trying to find the real answer in his face.

"This matter must be thoroughly investigated!"

"How do I check?"

Joachim grabbed his briefcase and strode over to sit opposite Albert. "We must catch the murderers and bring those behind them to justice!"

"The murderer has been caught, but no one can get him to talk."

"Someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"You don't suspect that I ordered his murder, do you?"

Joachim saw the suspicion in the other man's eyes.

Even after Joachim laid everything bare, Albert remained silent.

She simply continued to gaze at him in silence, her eyes conveying a clear message.

"I had no reason to kill him. I had already taken his position, and Sheldon can testify to that."

Joachim explained.

"You really didn't need to assassinate Robert at this time."

Perhaps it was because they trusted Joachim, or perhaps it was because of their inherent weakness.

In short, Albert reluctantly believed Joachim's explanation: "Let's talk about the issue of the authorization law."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Joachim nodded, took a large stack of documents from his briefcase, and placed them in front of President Ebert: "Given the backdrop of the French invasion, we must unite the strength of all of Germany. Therefore, everyone must be responsible for the interests of the nation. We should stop the infighting..."

Looking down at the report, Albert picked up his pen, but stopped just as he was about to sign it.

"But the Social Democratic Party needs a reason, we need an answer."

"Who exactly assassinated Robert?"

"I cannot give a definite answer right now."

"No investigation, no right to speak."

As he spoke, Joachim shifted his position.

The hard wooden chair made him very uncomfortable to sit in.

"It seems you still need to investigate further, right?"

"Then I can't sign it."

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Perhaps Robert's death is a good opportunity," Albert said casually, flipping through the documents. "This is a perfect time to end the nationwide riots. You should know what to do, Prime Minister Joachim, right?"

So you killed Robert?

Joachim remained silent, a ridiculous thought popping into his head.

But why did you do that?

"I...I don't know."

Joachim never responded to vague or ambiguous orders.

His fingers trembled slightly, and his gaze toward Albert shifted repeatedly.

So, could it really be him who did it?

"That assassin won't be able to open his mouth for a while."

Seeing that Joachim wasn't taking the bait, Albert had to be more explicit: "What I mean is that when we enact the authorizing law, we shouldn't pin the blame on the French, but rather on those far-left elements. You know, Rosa and Karl have a strong influence among the working class in Berlin; they are factors that could destabilize the Republic's future. We can't let what happened in Bremen happen in Berlin. Also, order in the Ruhr must be restored."

"......"

Joachim listened in silence.

He was beginning to have a much higher opinion of Albert.

This guy is incredibly cunning and malicious in the shadows.

What he is announcing now.

Isn't this exactly the same approach taken by the previous cabinet in Upper Silesia?

The workers went on strike demanding better treatment and nationalization.

However, the Sheldman cabinet directly labeled their actions as being instigated by foreign forces.

In particular, the instigation of Polish separatism, attempting to split and subvert Germany.

So is it really him?

But isn't the price of one Robert too high?

So who exactly did this?

"So you should understand how important the order in the Ruhr region and the whole country is to us."

Seeing that Joachim remained silent, Albert emphasized his point.

"I understand, Your Excellency President."

"I will complete these tasks simultaneously."

"You don't need to worry about the parliament."

Having received the correct answer, Albert no longer hesitated.

He picked up a pen and signed his name on the authorization document: "I will complete this procedure."

"I definitely will."

Joachim accepted the authorization document with both hands, looking at the signature on it and the conclusions he had been pondering.

"So how does it feel to have complete control for the first time?"

Albert stared at him and suddenly asked.

"I'm a little scared, but also a little excited."

"This is the first time I have reached the pinnacle of power in Germany."

Joachim looked at him and said frankly, "It's been an adventure, and I feel a little foolish right now."

Upon hearing this, Albert didn't speak, but reached out and grabbed him: "Remember this feeling, you are now standing at the pinnacle of power."

"Now all of Germany's eyes are on you."

"So now you only have to win; if you back down, you'll die."

"I've never cared what others think of me. I'll do what I believe is right. If people misunderstand, that's their problem."

"But the question is, why do you think I'll win?"

"Shouldn't you expect me to lose?"

Looking at Albert, Joachim felt confused for the first time.

"You will definitely win!"

"But why?"

Under Joachim's questioning gaze, Albert forced a smile: "Because once you stand at the pinnacle of power, whether you fail or not, you've already won."

"So, like I said, I hope you can dedicate yourself wholeheartedly!"

"Go ahead and do what you want to do, young man."

"So you killed Robert?"

Joachim finally couldn't suppress his doubts and asked the question.

Albert's expression turned strange, and after a moment, he gave a precise answer: "No..."

"This world is really strange," Joachim murmured to himself.