Chapter 1,145 An Unexpected Promise 1
Chapter 1145 Unexpected Promise 1
Choosing the right boat to retrofit is one aspect, raising funds and supplies is another. Of course, the most critical issue is manpower. Money was not a big problem, the Kaiser had already asked the prince to intervene in the navy's finances. The prince, who had status, authority and strength, was in charge of this project. Neither Tirpitz nor anyone else could cause trouble for the prince. General Liao Le has surrendered. And what about Tirpitz? The prince believed that if it were not for the fact that he wanted to command the Bavarian Army, it would be possible for him to hold three positions in the navy. Money and supplies can be raised quickly, but manpower is more difficult. If three ships were to be modified on the slipway at the same time, it would require at least several thousand additional labor. These all need to be coordinated.
"By the way, Ruprecht, we must not let the British know about our experiments and tactics, and we must keep this confidential." At the dinner that day, the Kaiser emphasized again.
"That should be a matter between Tirpitz and Admiral Loller." The prince frowned.
"It's yours now. Anyway, you will command the fleet to fight in the Baltic Sea next spring. By the way, I will also leave the port affairs to you. If you work hard, the Kingdom of Bavaria may not be able to reach a higher level!" The Kaiser stood up and spoke in front of everyone present. Said all senior navy officials and accompanying senior government officials, including the German Prime Minister. As soon as this sentence came out, some people below immediately started talking.
"Zhou Cao, what's going on?! What do you mean by this?! Why can't I understand?!" Ruprecht was also a little surprised, even a little shocked! It's normal to let yourself be responsible for keeping secrets, and it's okay to take over the command of the Baltic region in the next year's campaign. But the last sentence, the Kingdom of Bavaria can move to a higher level, contains too much meaning!
Of course, this is absolutely impossible to improve the status of the Kingdom of Bavaria, and above it is Prussia. Bavaria is now called Germany's second, which is no problem at all. Then this step to the next level probably refers to other aspects, especially the territorial aspect.
"If your plan goes smoothly, then when it comes to allocating Poland, it will be divided among the three countries! Prussia, Austria and Bavaria can all benefit from it!" said the Kaiser in victory.
"Your Majesty, you are a bit..." The current German Prime Minister Theobaden von Bateman Hollweg, who was sitting next to the Kaiser, spoke out and wanted to persuade the Kaiser. However, a sharp look from the Kaiser made the latter sit down in his seat obediently.
"I am very sober! Extraordinarily sober. I know what I should do better than ever! I say this very solemnly. And the sovereignty of the monarch is unquestionable!" the Kaiser said loudly. "This war has made me understand a lot. It has made me know who is a trustworthy friend, and who is hiding behind our backs to gain benefits, but also wants to take advantage of the opportunity to usurp rights that do not belong to them!"
The following words caused people to speculate more.
However, the Kaiser did not continue speaking. After emphasizing that his decision was serious, he dropped the matter. However, in the minds of the top German officials present, they realized more from the Kaiser's decision. thing.
"Is it starting to become unstable now? It seems that war is never purely a matter of the army, nor is it purely a matter of external factors." The prince seemed to realize something. But he didn't say much, he just welcomed the Kaiser's decision and said he would work hard to fulfill his responsibilities and obligations.
But among Prussian senior officials, this matter was not so easy to downplay. After the dinner, including Prime Minister Holweg, Prince Maxon von Baden of Baden, and the Kaiser’s brother Prince Heinrich, etc. Instead of going to rest, he held a small meeting in the Kaiser's residence.
"Your Majesty, if you really agree that Bavaria has the right to share the newly added territory, then you should at least discuss it with us first. Such a decision makes the government very embarrassed. Today is Bavaria, but what about tomorrow? What about Saxony and Württemberg? And now that Bohemia and Moravia are under the control of the Wittelsbach family, do you want to create a dual empire?"
Prime Minister Hollweg said with an expression of disbelief. He really couldn't understand why the Kaiser made this decision. In his opinion, this might weaken Prussia's dominant position and threaten the safety of the empire. He did not want to encounter a situation where the tail was too big to lose, or in his opinion, Bavaria was already too big to lose the tail!
"Well, actually before the war started, His Majesty the Emperor had agreed in principle to Bavaria's request to acquire additional territory in future wars. We are just fulfilling this promise now." Prince Heinrich explained.
"Before the war? How come I haven't heard of it? Was it during the period of Prime Minister Biaoluo? But this must have been agreed in private, right? Or for some kind of compromise? And now, Your Majesty, once you speak, so many people are If we are there, we really have no room for maneuver. There really is no room for maneuver!”
Holweg kept shaking his head. The Kaiser is not God, but things promised must still be fulfilled, especially since the status of the promisee is also respected. Although there is no agreement, the status and political credibility of both parties will determine what will happen once it is made public. , then the possibility of going back on it is very small. Unless the Kaiser has no power, the price of going back on it will be too high!
"Holweg, you are my prime minister. You only give me advice and have no right to veto my decision. So, after I make a decision, I hope you can keep silent and do things well." The silent Kaiser finally spoke. "But as Prime Minister, I am still willing to explain to you the reasons why I do this. As you can see, the instability that Germany will face after victory in the future is that Bavaria is too powerful, but in my opinion, the empire's biggest The crisis is parliament! It’s the capitalists! And those who clamor to weaken the monarchy!”
"A long time ago, they wanted to promote a parliamentary system of government and establish a three-level parliament. Do you really think I don't know who is behind the actions of the Social Democratic Party?! I know very well who they are! They have already taken control of Prussia The economic lifeline of the empire relies on the mouthpieces in the imperial parliament to obtain benefits. But they are still not satisfied. They believe that the supreme power of the empire should be in their hands and capital should determine the government."
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