Chapter 62 Banquet at Berlin City Palace

The distance between Hamburg and Berlin is not far, about 230 kilometers. If you take a horse-drawn carriage, it may take more than ten hours.

Fortunately, cars have been born at this time. Although they have not been widely promoted for various reasons, they have become a new type of transportation with luxurious style and are loved by some nobles and wealthy people.

Although the current production of cars is not high, even the annual production of cars in Europe and America combined is less than 10,000.

But as one of the most powerful industrial countries in the world, Germany not only has the production technology of cars, but is also one of the earliest countries to invent cars.

It is precisely because of this advantage that cars are a more convenient means of transportation that German nobles can afford. As a guest of William II, William II specially prepared several brand new cars for Arthur on this trip to Berlin.

Although the current automobile technology is not yet mature, there are a lot of problems in terms of speed, stability and safety.

But compared with the slower horse-drawn carriages, cars have certain advantages at least in terms of speed.

For a horse-drawn carriage, a speed of about 20 kilometers per hour is considered a relatively good speed. Even if it can reach a speed of more than 20 kilometers per hour, it will basically not choose to run so fast.

Because too fast a speed will make the horses more tired, and the carriage will also have problems due to bumps, which will greatly reduce the comfort of riding.

The problem of cars in this regard should be reduced. Generally speaking, it is safer to maintain a speed of about 30 kilometers per hour.

At about six o'clock in the evening, Arthur and the diplomatic delegation officially arrived in Berlin.

The palace where the German royal family lives is the Berlin City Palace, a huge palace with a history of more than 400 years.

The Berlin City Palace was the royal palace of the former Kingdom of Prussia and the current German Empire, located in the center of Berlin.

When everyone arrived at the Berlin City Palace, a welcome ceremony had been prepared for Arthur in the square in front of the palace.

Under the Neptune Fountain in the square, a neatly arranged guard of honor was waiting in full battle. Next to it was a military band in another row, and cheerful music had been prepared.

The moment Arthur got out of the car, the guard of honor immediately saluted Arthur, and the military band began to play music.

"Dear Arthur, the Duke of Australia, on behalf of the respected Emperor, I welcome you. His Highness is already in the Berlin City Palace, and has prepared a sumptuous meal and a welcome banquet for you. Please follow me." The old gentleman on the side stepped forward and said humbly.

Crossing the huge square and walking into the interior of the Berlin City Palace. Arthur found that this palace was not as monotonous and simple as he imagined. After hundreds of years of expansion by monarchs, the Berlin City Palace has become a luxurious palace that is not inferior to Buckingham Palace.

Passing through the garden inside the palace, they came to the huge reception room area. Under the leadership of the old gentleman, Arthur and his party came to a huge restaurant, which was already full of food and many servants were busy.

"Your Highness, everyone. This is where the banquet will be held. His Majesty the Emperor will come soon. Please wait a moment." After taking Arthur and others to the place, the old gentleman said politely.

Arthur nodded, took a quick look at the banquet arrangement, and then began to wait patiently.

Not long after, William II and Crown Prince William arrived one after another.

At this time, William II had finished a busy day, changed into more daily clothes, and walked over with a smile on his face.

"His Majesty the German Emperor!" Arthur led the diplomatic delegation to salute.

Because it was a more public occasion, it was natural to abide by the rules. According to the status of Emperor William II, it was natural to call him His Majesty.

"Arthur, everyone, please sit down. I know you have come all the way from the UK and have been in the car for a day. Today's welcome banquet is a little simple, and there are not so many etiquette and customs. Sit down and taste the German food." William II walked into Arthur, patted Arthur on the shoulder, and said to everyone with a smile.

After William II sat in the main seat, everyone sat down one after another. The huge long dining table was occupied by everyone, and there was a space of more than one meter between each person, which was enough to place various delicacies and drinks.

At the signal of Crown Prince William, the maid began to step forward and pour red wine into everyone's glasses.

"Come on, taste the German red wine. Cheers to the friendship between Germany and Australia!" William II raised a glass of red wine and said to Arthur with a smile.

"Cheers for friendship!" Arthur also raised the red wine and said with a smile.

Others followed suit and quickly raised the red wine in front of them.

Arthur took a sip and then gently put down the wine glass. The red wine at the banquet was produced by William II's private winery. Even the most ordinary bottle was sold at a relatively expensive price in the market.

What's more, the red wine that William II used to entertain guests was naturally selected from the red wine with better grape products that year. Coupled with careful brewing and preservation, the taste and flavor were absolutely impeccable.

"Arthur, I have also heard about the treaty you signed with Britain. Although the conditions seem good, the support is indeed a bit lacking. Germany lacks everything except industrial equipment and funds. Don't worry, Arthur. I have communicated with the government, and all the conditions promised to you before will be implemented. We have truly seen the potential of Australia and hope to establish good relations with Australia." William II put down his glass and said to Arthur with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Arthur smiled and thanked.

"Okay, let's not talk about those government affairs for now. Come, everyone, try the German food and see how it tastes different from the British and Australian ones." Looking at the servants serving the food one by one, William II also stopped his conversation and said to everyone with a smile.

What William II said was right, this is indeed a German-style food.

The Germans are a nation that eats meat and drinks a lot, among which sausages and beer are the Germans' favorite food and drinks.

Although there was no beer at the banquet, there were many authentic German sausages, accompanied by Königsberg meatballs and cheese noodles, as well as beef rolls and stewed horse meat in vinegar, which formed a relatively simple main course.

The staple food was a portion of mashed potatoes and potato pancakes, and the side dishes were beef soup and half a chicken. Coupled with a few desserts and many cakes, it formed an ordinary but very rich feast of food.

The long run made everyone feel hungry, so they were not polite and began to taste the dishes one by one as the servants served them.

However, after all, it was someone else's home court, and there were high-ranking nobles such as William II and Arthur present, so everyone ate very civilized, not only chewing slowly, but also very cautious, for fear of making a fool of themselves in such an occasion.

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