Chapter 6: War is Coming
January 14, 1864.
Recently, Ernst began to restrain himself because Prince Constantine was coming to Berlin.
Prince Constantine came to Berlin from Hechingen on business. Constantine rarely left the countryside, and every time he left it was usually when something big was about to happen.
Ernst was busy with industrial expansion every day, traveling back and forth between the factory and school. The study tour he had promised to do turned into a permanent residence in Berlin, so he still felt a little guilty and lacked confidence.
Of course, Ernst knew that these "little things" of his were not worth Constantine's personal trip to Berlin, and must be important military and national affairs.
Prince Constantine's status in Prussia was equivalent to that of a prince. Although the Principality of Hechingen was incorporated into Prussia, its status was retained.
The Hexingen family basically all held the traditional rank of field marshal, and Constantine also held the honorary title of marshal and worked in the General Staff.
This trip to Berlin was probably also to participate in discussions on major events and prepare for war.
Ernst's grandfather had participated in the war against Napoleon. Of course, at that time Hechingen participated in the war as one of the many German states. Previously, Hechingen was a member of the Rhine Confederation, a puppet regime supported by Napoleon.
Seeing the growing strength of the European anti-French alliance, Frederick the Elder, Marquis of Hechingen, defected in time and joined the victorious camp.
Later, after the war, Marquis Frederick turned to education until his death.
Later, Constantine and Prince Karl, the leader of Sigmaringen, joined Prussia after a joint resolution. After all, they were all members of the Hohenzollern family, and naturally had no objection to responding to Prussia's "call" to unify Germany.
If successful, he would be regarded as a hero of the empire in the future. If he failed, at worst he would maintain his status as a vassal state.
Both were members of the Hohenzollern family. In Europe, where bloodline was valued, natural interests led the two branches to move closer to the increasingly powerful Prussian main line.
The New Hohenzollern Province where Hechingen is located is located in the southwest of Germany. There are many princes here. To the east is the important German state of Bavaria. To the west is very close to France. It is surrounded by Baden and Württemberg and has a very prominent strategic location.
As the birthplace of the Hohenzollern family, it is an important military fortress in itself. It is located in the southern German region where Prussia's influence is relatively weak. Prussia attaches great importance to the Hohenzollern Province.
As far as Ernst himself is concerned, the future war between Prussia and Austria will have no impact on his own country. Hechingen is surrounded by Württemberg on three sides and the Duchy of Baden on another side. The main battlefield is in Bohemia, which borders Prussia and the Austrian Empire. Even if Austria and Prussia do not follow the script to launch a sneak attack, Württemberg and Baden will be the first to be hit.
As expected, the Franco-Prussian War that followed was mainly fought within French territory, so Germany basically suffered no losses in Germany's series of wars of unification.
Before Ernst started his business, the Hechingen system was a traditional military-landlord group whose main industries were agricultural rents, income from real estate in various places, and Prince Constantine's salary in the army. Even if a war broke out, no important industries would be threatened.
Moreover, Ernst's own factories were all in Berlin, and Berlin would never fall unless there was a world war.
As for the future, if the industry is transferred to a safe area before the outbreak of World War I, there will be no impact. Even if the world changes drastically, it will not affect the wealth of the Hohenzollern clan.
As for the big talk about saving Germany, Ernst said he couldn't afford it, as Europe is so competitive and there are many capable people.
If you want to have a great time in Europe, you need top-notch resources and intelligence. A small place like Hechingen cannot afford it. Small countries like Bavaria and Belgium, which have a certain influence and size in Europe, can only get an admission ticket.
Only by relying on Prussia can Hechingen make a lot of money and accumulate capital in the future.
Ernst was thinking about historical events. It was very likely that the Prussian-Danish War was approaching (the Second Schleswig War), so he had to speed up the construction of the tobacco and lighter factories.
The army is a big consumer of tobacco, not to mention lighters, a sacred weapon of war. Considering the current popularity of matches, Ernst feels that kerosene lighters still have a large market.
It is necessary to ensure the large-scale production of these two items before the war begins, and then use the natural platform of war to accelerate their recognition in the civilian market.
These soldiers come from all over the country, and when they return to their hometowns they become natural propagandists.
While Ernst was still making plans, Constantine had already returned from the palace.
The place where Ernst lived in Berlin was actually the ancestral property of the family. After the rise of the Hohenzollern family in Brandenburg, the Hechingen family acquired a manor in Berlin as a liaison office. It has a history of 100 years.
Constantine would stay here every time he came to Berlin. Constantine's carriage was parked in the yard, and Butler Kaino urged the coachman to take the carriage away.
"Ernst!" Constantine greeted Ernst's name affectionately.
"Father, why are you in Berlin? Has something big happened?" Although Ernst knew that his father might have come to Berlin on official business regarding the war against Denmark, he still pretended to be confused.
"Well, I came to Berlin to contact the royal family about some matters, and of course I also came to see my son's career." Constantine said happily.
Ernst felt a little ashamed. He had been busy with business in Berlin and had not gone back to see his old father. Although they usually communicated through letters, he had been away for almost a year and had only been back once last Christmas.
"Father, I will spend more time with you in the future. I have been too concerned about business and have lost myself in it." Ernst said to Constantine.
"Well, why do I need someone to accompany me when I'm old? I came to Berlin this time because big things are going to happen, so you don't have to think too much." Constantine stroked Ernst's head and then said, "You really gave me some surprises. I didn't expect that our family has a talent for business. I was prepared for my investment to go down the drain, hahaha..." Constantine joked.
"Father, is the kingdom preparing for war?" Ernst changed the subject.
"Well, that's right, but where did you hear this news?" Constantine asked seriously.
This kind of thing is confidential before the war, and it cannot be taken lightly. Ernst is still a child, and the royal family will not tell him actively, so Constantine asked cautiously.
"Father, you also know that the Kingdom's army is an important customer of mine. Recently, they have begun to place large orders for new supplies, and some factories around Berlin have also begun to work overtime to produce them. This is obviously to prepare for the army."
Seeing Constantine frown, Ernst began to increase his persuasiveness.
"Of course, some business owners have business dealings with us, so we can get some gossip. And the new prime minister of the kingdom is obviously not an ordinary person. When he first took office as prime minister, he threatened to use iron and blood to solve major contemporary problems. Now, it is obvious that he wants to use force to solve the kingdom's troubles."
Ernst expressed his "guess" in just a few words.
Constantine looked at his son with satisfaction and said, "Well said. It seems that the Hohenzollern family has produced another outstanding person. Hahahaha..."
Stop laughing.
"The kingdom is contacting Austria and is preparing to use force to force the Danish government to abandon the two German states of Holstein and Schleswig. At present, the German Confederation has sent troops to Holstein, and Prussia also intends to promote the independence of the Duchy of Schleswig." Constantine continued.
"At present, other countries on the continent are watching. The only countries that can really intervene are Britain, France and Austria. The Russians are still licking their wounds from the Crimean War, and the French dare not act rashly to avoid the reappearance of the anti-French alliance and the triggering of a continental war. The British navy will have the strength to intervene by then, but the British would rather drag the Russians into the water. As for Austria, this time we will join forces with the Austrian Empire to jointly participate in safeguarding the interests of the German region."
Constantine talked eloquently, but in fact this was a gamble. William I and Bismarck used the intrigues among the great powers to achieve a delicate balance in the international arena. At the same time, the Danes' new draft constitution aroused the anger of the Germans and found an excuse for the war.
If national sentiment is used well, it can realize what Bismarck always emphasized: using iron and blood to decide major contemporary international issues.
Bismarck could unite the many states and free cities in the German region by safeguarding the interests of the German region, and unify the power of the German region by righteousness.
At least in northern Germany, Bismarck could achieve the penetration of Prussian influence and prepare for the future unification of the German region.
(End of this chapter)
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