Chapter 1,707 The Kaiser’s Thoughts 3
Chapter 1707 The Kaiser’s Thoughts 3
Therefore, from an implementation point of view and from an effect point of view, this proposal can really defeat Bavaria without any solution! And he couldn't say anything yet. As for whether Ruprecht will retaliate against the parties or individuals who proposed the proposal in the future, it is difficult to say, but what does this have to do with the Kaiser?
And now, the only problem why the Kaiser still hasn't taken action is that Russia is not finished yet! Wilhelm II was not an impatient man and, like Ruprecht, he also set a timetable. A schedule that handles both domestic and foreign matters.
The Russian government will definitely not be able to survive this winter. If the Russian government collapses, Mackensen will immediately launch an attack. Even in the middle of winter, he will still attack, and then strive to sign a treaty with the Russian government in the spring of next year. In this case, in At least half of the 400,000 Prussian regiments on the Eastern Front can be withdrawn. At this time, relying on these hundreds of thousands of troops, even without the help of Ruprecht, the Kaiser is still not afraid of domestic troubles! This calculation can be said to be very sophisticated, and for the Kaiser, the deterrent power of the Bavarian Army is only useful this winter, and then it will be dispensable, and by then, he can naturally burn bridges across the river!
As an emperor, you may take into account some personal feelings, but you will never hesitate to do it. It is William II's established national policy to weaken Bavaria and ensure that Prussia's control is further strengthened after the war. This is the first step, but it is definitely not the last step!
And what to do next? There are also people in the parliament who have ideas for the Kaiser, that is, the unification of railways and postal routes in the newly occupied areas and the penetration of capital! By now, Saxony has succumbed, Württemberg has softened, but Bavaria remains strong…. The railways in the Kingdom of Bavaria are still not fully compatible with those within Prussia. And with Princess Mary becoming the Grand Duchess of Bohemia-Moravia. The administration of Bavarian railways and mail routes extended into the areas controlled by the Archduchess….
This issue is difficult to handle because it is an internal matter of the Kingdom of Bavaria. If they don’t want to, your Federal Parliament has no jurisdiction over it. The other two kingdoms are giving up because they are not able to withstand pressure, but Bavaria is fine. But this time the war gave the Kaiser a chance!
In this era, large-scale land transportation over long distances could only rely on railways. Therefore, while the army was advancing, the German railway troops and engineers also extended the railway all the way to the front line. In addition to using the railways left by the Russians, both the Mackensen Army on the northern line and Bavaria on the southern line The legions have built many new railways. At the same time, in order to connect the northern and southern fronts, the Germans also built several longitudinal railways. And because it was a war period, the railways on both sides were of the same standard, and this time, Ruprecht agreed to adopt Prussian standards and management.
And this is a very good start! Because this involves the issue of new regional railways after the war, temporary narrow-gauge railways and wooden tracks can be removed at any time, but the two main lines running across the north and south are not so easy to remove! Well then,
Even if some places are within Bavaria, should you change them or not? The war also consumed a huge amount of money for Germany. If they wanted to occupy the new areas, Bavaria would be under greater pressure than Prussia! At this time, the Kaiser planned to use political and economic means to force Bavaria to surrender on the railway and postal route issues.
As for financial penetration, the Kaiser had already thought about it. After the war, the Kaiser would establish a special agency for the development of new territories. The role of this agency was to provide financial assistance to the empire and private parties for the development of these new territories. Compared with Bavaria, Prussia's foundation is much better, especially in the financial industry. And other kingdoms and grand duchies will not give up this opportunity to make money.
There is no doubt that control of this financial institution must be in the hands of the German government. There are also various ways to repay the loan, such as buying shares or profit sharing! In this way, through financial means, the Kaiser could infiltrate control into places he was interested in, such as Ukrainian farms and Baku's oil fields. This was a slow but fatal process that weakened the Bavarian government's economic and industrial influence. Why are the Bavarian Legion so fierce? A very important factor is that the family is rich and the industry is good!
"So, Ruprecht, tell me, what will you do when you learn this news?"
After William II took a sip of coffee, he looked at the documents on the desktop and said to himself. What was discussed in the German Parliament will definitely reach Ruprecht's ears. After all, the establishment of the so-called Kingdom of Poland did not happen overnight. Polish people have already had such public opinion, and this matter must be discussed publicly in the Imperial Parliament. It may be implemented, and Ruprecht will definitely react, but from which side? Will he communicate with himself first, or will he start to take revenge? What will be Bavaria's retaliation? William II was very interested.
It is said that there is endless fun in fighting with others. William II is a competitive person, so he likes challenges. Abroad, he regards challenging the old empires of Britain and France as his mission, while at home, he regards establishing incomparable The imperial power as his goal.
"If Ruprecht was born before the Austro-Prussian War, or came from the royal family of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then Prussia would not have any chance of winning. But, it is a pity that you were born in what is now Bavaria. So, you are destined to only He can be an accomplished king instead of an emperor!" In William II's diary, he wrote proudly.
At this time, as happy as William II were some people in Berlin. When an oriole looked at the singing cicada on the tree and was eager to catch it, a bird catcher took a slingshot and quietly aimed at the oriole!
William II may have realized that some people behind this proposal were ready to kill with a knife, or he may not have realized it, but in the end he took action. In a letter to Prime Minister Holweg, he first affirmed the correctness of the proposal, but At the same time, he said that coordination and more support are still needed.
Prime Minister Holweg also felt a little uneasy about William II's order, but in the end he decided to implement it. And with the issuance of the Kaiser's order, a political storm sweeping across Germany finally kicked off!
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