Mobilization

The time had reached May 1866.

Today, Ernst attended a class reunion. It was embarrassing to say, but he had gotten into Berlin through connections, only for his studies to ultimately end halfway through.

Today's gathering was held at a grand hotel 960 meters south of the University of Berlin, where many dignitaries visiting Berlin stayed.

Inside the resplendent, gold-and-jade hall.

"Welcome, sir!" The moment Ernst, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, arrived at the entrance, he was greeted by the staff.

Second floor.

"Sir, please show your invitation!"

Ernst handed his invitation to the waiter. After carefully examining it, the waiter said politely, "Your Highness Ernst, this way, please. I hope you enjoy yourself!"

In the ballroom, crystal chandeliers hung high from the domed ceiling, bathing the entire hall in brilliant light. Many people had already arrived.

"Ernst, over here!"

Garrett, dressed in an officer's uniform, waved at Ernst.

"Garrett, you joined the army?" Ernst looked astonished.

Garrett said smugly, "Sigh! The old man said my grades were too poor and insisted on finding me some minor post in the army."

"Which unit?"

"Isn't the Empire expanding its army? The old man told me this was the best time to gild myself. As long as I make one trip through the battlefield, I'll have the credentials for the future. I'm now a staff officer in the 3rd Company under the Kingdom's 23rd Infantry Regiment."

Ernst patted Garrett on the shoulder. "Not bad. Next, it'll be your time to take the stage."

"Ernst, do you have some inside information? Can you give me a little hint?" Garrett said, waggling his eyebrows.

"You've misunderstood me. These days, I'm more of a businessman. I don't have any inside military information. Though I do know a little about military supply procurement, unfortunately, that won't be much help to you."

"Ah! Then forget it. Isn't your father, Prince Constantin, serving in the General Staff? Didn't he tell you anything about the army?"

Ernst smiled. "I'm not interested in military matters, so Father and I have never discussed that sort of thing. Besides, the Kingdom is placing importance on cultivating young people now. You're a University of Berlin student—are you really worried that you won't be able to carve out a world for yourself in the barracks?"

"Haha... not really. I'm just a little curious. After all, everyone wants to sneak a glance at the answers before an exam, don't they?"

Ernst nodded. "Only human nature. I understand."

"The main thing is, Ernst, you've already made a career for yourself. We were both poor students. We agreed to fail together, but you flew solo! Ever since you stopped coming to school, I've become the one with the worst grades."

Garrett said with a laugh, "Business has been good these past few months, right? Our unit has bought quite a lot of your company's products."

"Just a small business. You're the one who'll strike it rich in the army someday. Don't forget to give an old classmate's business a helping hand!"

Garrett said speechlessly, "Stop showing off. Everyone knows about your connection to the royal family. Damn second-generation noble. In the future, it'll still be you helping out your little brother here."

Ernst teased, "Sigh, who can say what war will bring? What if you're a military genius like Moltke? Maybe one day, there'll be a place for you among the Kingdom's upper ranks."

Ernst had originally wanted to say a genius in Napoleon's mold, but considering Napoleon's reputation in Germany, he changed his wording.

"Enough of this. Let's drink. Today, I'm definitely going to get you drunk!" Garrett said fiercely.

Prussian Royal Palace.

King Wilhelm I was discussing preparations for war with Chancellor Bismarck and Chief of Staff of the Army Moltke.

King Wilhelm I said, "Chancellor, how are the preparations coming along?"

"Your Majesty, the war funds have been gathered. At the same time, we have brought the Italians in as allies. Russia currently lacks the ability to interfere in European affairs, and after falling out with Austria last time, even if war breaks out, they will lean toward us. Britain and France have no intention of intervening. They hope that we and Austria will both emerge battered and broken, so we must achieve a swift military victory in order to avoid interference from the great powers. As for military matters, we must look to the army's preparations."

Moltke said, "This time, we have made thorough preparations. The three newly formed corps have been completed, and the railway network has been linked to the military camps. We can rapidly deploy two hundred thousand men to the front. At present, fifty thousand troops are already prepared at the border. With the earlier reforms, we can also use the railways to summon several hundred thousand reservists to the front within a short time. With the Italians tying them down as well, we hold an advantage over Austria in troop numbers."

Then Moltke placed his hand on the map, pointing to the middle of Prussia. "This time, we must first deal with the North German princes. Quite a few of them lean toward Austria, and they lie right in the heartland of the Kingdom of Prussia, where they could very likely cause us trouble. As for the Southern German states, including Bavaria, they do not have much resolve for war. We must strive diplomatically to keep them neutral."

Bismarck said, "You may rest assured on that point. As long as we focus on the Austrian front and remain primarily defensive in Southern Germany, Austria's allies will not fight with all their strength. Once we swiftly eliminate the Austrian army, the other states will inevitably submit beneath Prussia's mighty power."

In short, both men agreed that Austria should be dealt with first. Once Austria was resolved, every problem would be resolved.

King Wilhelm I paced before the table with his hands behind his back, deep in thought. He said, "Even a lion uses all its strength when hunting a rabbit. Austria's prestige in Europe is not comparable to those small states. Though Austria's development has been unsatisfactory in recent years, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Austria's army in particular has not declined greatly overall, so we should throw our whole strength into intensifying our offensive against Austria."

He walked to the desk and sat down, picked up a fountain pen, and crossed out the original plan.

"This time is a battle for Prussia's fate. We must stake everything on it. The previous plan was still far too conservative. General Moltke, from this moment onward, I formally appoint you Commander-in-Chief of the Prussian Army. Prussia shall enter a state of war. All reservists must enter the army ahead of schedule for training. Railway schedules must be increased, weapons must be urgently replaced..."

King Wilhelm I continued, "Chancellor, your government must cooperate with the military's demands and do its utmost to provide convenience for military affairs. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry must closely observe developments among the nations of continental Europe. We cannot allow any unexpected incident to occur..."

Following King Wilhelm I's orders, Prussia began its final mobilization before the war. The three newly established corps were sent directly to western Prussia.

Military trains visibly increased each day, car after car carrying soldiers, artillery, and supplies across Prussia.

Reservists were summoned ahead of schedule, the barracks overflowed with soldiers, and the government began building training grounds in various regions. Idle land was converted into camps for new recruits.

The railway network was rearranged, and railway workers began working overtime to inspect and repair the tracks, ensuring the sudden surge in train traffic could be supported.

At the same time, Prussia stepped up construction of wired telegraph lines from the border to Berlin and swiftly introduced telegraph equipment throughout the army on a large scale.

While Prussia mobilized, Austria and Italy were also preparing, but their results were clearly inferior to Prussia, which pursued militarism.