Chapter 1371 Even Bismarck Cannot Stop It (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

Peace or war?

We talk about "peace" everywhere - peace-loving Rome!

Britain has made the most undignified demands!

They thought we would give in... No!

The giant people are indestructible to any test, and they are not afraid of bloody war, no matter where the threat comes from.

His Majesty the Emperor has granted permission to put the great Roman legions - the army and navy - on a state of war, with February 28th as the first day of mobilization!

…

The German Emperor authorized the ambassador to present a letter of credence, asking us to lift the mobilization!

God can testify!

We are exercising our right to self-defense... They think we will be afraid? Will we be afraid?

...In 1812 and 1813 we humiliated Prussia!

Now, it's just history repeating itself!

…

The war broke out!

A pair of old hands were trembling. The old man in the back seat of the car just looked out the window. Outside the window were cheering people everywhere. Soldiers and civilians were waving the German tricolor flag and singing "Germany Above All".

This kind of exciting scene used to make people's blood boil, but what about now?

But it made the old man look a little frightened, and even made his hands tremble involuntarily.

"Duke, we have arrived at the palace..."

Looking at the familiar imperial palace outside the car window, the Duke of Lauenburg sighed. This was his first time here since he was dismissed from his post by the emperor five years ago.

Why did he come here today?

In order to persuade the emperor not to intervene in this war, but the question is, will the emperor be willing?

Taking a deep breath, he got out of the car.

As soon as he got out of the car, someone asked in surprise.

"It's Duke Bismarck!"

"It's Bismarck..."

Although he had been away from here for several years, when Bismarck, the Duke of Lauenburg and of course the founder of the German Empire, came here again, it immediately caused a sensation. Those who were singing the national anthem were all looking at the duke who had brought glory to Germany time and time again with joy.

"The Duke."

It was not the court officials who came to greet Bismarck, but the Imperial Chancellor Claudewig Karl Victor. After he took office, the relationship between Germany and Britain became closer, because he was expansionist and advocated breaking the encirclement of France, Russia and Austria, and he and the British hit it off immediately.

With the support of Britain, Germany even acquired a Pacific colony last year - German New Guinea, which is Germany's largest colony. And it was Britain that gave it to Germany. Britain's generosity is unprecedented.

While the whole of Germany was excited about Britain's generosity, only Bismarck spoke coldly.

"This is just a dog bone thrown by Britain. He wants to use this bone to exchange for our help in defending Australia!"

His remarks naturally angered Emperor William II once again. After all, in the emperor's view, it was a great diplomatic victory.

Dog bones, if you have the guts, bring one here and let me see.

Of course, neither the Emperor nor Victor would admit that the colony was a dog bone.

"Prime Minister, is His Majesty here?"

"His Majesty is summoning the British envoy."

Victor glanced at the old imperial minister and spoke softly.

"Congress has decided that if Russia does not demobilize, we will mobilize the army!"

After a pause, Victor explained.

"This is for the benefit of Germany. We must break through the French and Russians, and..."

"This is courting death!"

Bismarck said bluntly.

"I advocated signing an agreement with Britain because of the Franco-Russian alliance and the close alliance after the marriage. So we need to rely on the power of Britain to balance everything, rather than going to war with Russia and France for the benefit of the British. My friend, we can't go to war with two countries at the same time..."

In response to Bismarck's reminder, Victor, the Prime Minister of the Empire, spoke directly.

"But, Duke, we have to face the reality that France, Russia, and Austria are all our enemies. If we don't take advantage of this opportunity to break it all, then we may have to face them alone in the future. At least for now..."

As Victor spoke, he led Bismarck into the palace.

"Now the British will guard the sea for us. We only need to use what we are best at - the army, to attack Russia and France. Duke, we all know that Germany is located at the crossroads of Europe, surrounded by powerful countries. It is strategically disadvantageous and it is easy to fall into the embarrassing situation of being attacked from both sides. If we don't take the initiative to break it, then one day, they will take the initiative to attack us. By then, what can we use to resist them?"

Victor's gaze first looked into the distance, then retracted and fell on Bismarck.

"Isn't this what you're worried about? I remember when the Four Emperors' Alliance was signed, you told everyone more than once that the environment Germany was facing was the most threatening in history. We must consider how to break the alliance between France and Russia and deal with attacks from both the east and the west. Now is our only chance, not only a chance to win, but also a chance to realize our dreams."

dream?

What dream?

Build a Greater Germany!

This is the dream of every German.

"This is the gift the British gave to Your Majesty!"

Compared to the excitement of others, Bismarck was very calm even though he had dreams.

"Besides Austria, where in the east? All of Poland? No, the British will be more generous. After all, they are generous to others. To Minsk? Kiev? Even the whole Ukraine?"

It has to be said that Bismarck had an extremely sharp sense of smell. He immediately revealed the bait thrown by the British, or at least part of the bait.

"In addition to the coveted granary, we can also get large overseas colonies. As a country with an ever-increasing population, we need large plains to grow food for us. We need overseas colonies to provide us with supplies and to accommodate our surplus population. All of this can only be obtained through war. Listen..."

Victor said, pointing outside the palace.

"Why are all the people cheering? Are they cheering for military achievements? Yes, but they are also eager for expansion, eager to have colonies as vast as the French and the Ming people. We... Germany should also have colonies under the sun!"

Facing Victor's words, Bismarck suddenly understood at this moment that five years ago, he was not abandoned by Emperor William II, but by Germany... by all Germans. They did not need a conservative prime minister who was unwilling to expand. The Germans - from the emperor to the nobles, from the nobles to the soldiers, from the soldiers to the industrialists, from the industrialists to the workers, from the businessmen to the citizens, all of them were eager for expansion. They all longed to have vast colonies to provide resources and settle the population.

Victor asked, looking at the Duke who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Duke, what are you thinking about?"

Bismarck did not answer. Suddenly, he found himself abandoned by the times.

"It seems that no one can stop the outbreak of this war now..."

(End of this chapter)