War Approaches

January 14, 1864.

Lately, Ernst had started to become more reserved because Prince Constantin was coming to Berlin.

Prince Constantin was coming to Berlin from Hechingen on official business. Constantin rarely left the countryside, and whenever he did, it usually meant something significant was about to happen.

Ernst was busy with the grand undertaking of industrial expansion, commuting between his factories and schools. His initial promise of traveling abroad had turned into a permanent stay in Berlin, leaving him feeling somewhat guilty and lacking confidence.

Of course, Ernst knew that his own "minor affairs" weren't worth Prince Constantin's personal trip to Berlin; it must be about important matters of state and military affairs.

Prince Constantin held a status equivalent to that of a feudal lord in Prussia. Although the Principality of Hechingen had been incorporated into Prussia, his status had been preserved.

The Hechingen line was essentially composed of traditional Field Marshals. Constantin also held an honorary Marshal position, attached to the General Staff.

His visit to Berlin this time was likely to discuss major events and prepare for war.

Ernst's grandfather had participated in the wars against Napoleon. Of course, at that time, Hechingen had fought as one of the many German states, and previously, Hechingen had even been a member of the Confederation of the Rhine, a puppet regime supported by Napoleon.

Seeing the strength of the European anti-French coalition, the old Marquis Frederick of Hechingen had wisely switched sides and joined the victors.

After the war, Marquis Frederick turned his attention to education and continued in that field until his death.

Later, Constantin and Prince Karl, the head of Sigmaringen, made a joint decision to join Prussia. After all, they were both members of the House of Hohenzollern, and responding to Prussia's "call" to unify Germany was a natural and unquestioned choice.

If successful, they would be considered heroes of the future empire; if they failed, they would at worst maintain their status as sovereign princes.

As members of the House of Hohenzollern, in a continent that valued lineage and origin, their natural interests led the two branches to align with the increasingly powerful main branch of Prussia.

The new Hohenzollern Province, where Hechingen was located, lay in southwestern Germany, a region with numerous principalities. To the east was Bavaria, a significant German state, and to the west, it was close to France, surrounded by Baden and Württemberg. Its strategic position was prominent.

As the ancestral home of the House of Hohenzollern, it was itself an important military stronghold, situated in the southern German region where Prussia's influence was weaker. Prussia attached considerable importance to Hohenzollern Province.

As for Ernst himself, the future wars between Prussia and Austria would have little impact on his family. Hechingen was surrounded on three sides by Württemberg and on the other by the Duchy of Baden. The main battlefield would be in Bohemia, bordering the Austrian Empire and Prussia. Even if Austria and Prussia deviated from the script and launched surprise attacks, Württemberg and Baden would be the first to suffer.

The subsequent Franco-Prussian War would also primarily take place within France, meaning his family would essentially suffer no losses in Germany's series of unification wars.

Before Ernst started his ventures, the Hechingen line was a traditional combination of military aristocracy and landowners. Their main industries were agricultural rents, real estate income from various locations, and Prince Constantin's military salary. Even in times of war, these important industries were not under threat.

Furthermore, Ernst's own factories were located in Berlin. Unless it was a world war, Berlin was unlikely to fall.

As for the future, he could transfer his industries to a safe zone before the outbreak of World War I, and they would not be affected. By then, even if the world underwent drastic changes, it would not impact the wealth and status of the Hohenzollern of the Hechingen line.

As for grand pronouncements like "saving Germany," Ernst felt he couldn't afford to play that game. Europe was too competitive, with plenty of talented individuals.

To make a significant impact in Europe required top-tier resources and intelligence. A small place like Hechingen couldn't afford it. Only smaller countries with some influence and standing on the continent, like Bavaria and Belgium, could even get a ticket to participate.

Hechingen could only rely on Prussia to accumulate capital and reap significant benefits in the future.

Ernst pondered historical events. It was likely that the Danish War was imminent (the Second Schleswig War), and he needed to accelerate the construction of his tobacco and lighter factories.

The military was a major consumer of tobacco, and lighters, being essential tools of war, were even more so. Considering the widespread popularity of matches, Ernst believed kerosene lighters still had considerable market potential.

He needed to ensure large-scale production of these two items before the war began and then use the war as a natural platform to accelerate their acceptance in the civilian market.

These soldiers came from all over the country, and when they returned home, they would naturally become promoters.

While Ernst was still making plans, Constantin had already returned from the royal palace.

The place where Ernst lived in Berlin was actually ancestral property. After the House of Hohenzollern rose to prominence in Brandenburg, the Hechingen line had acquired a manor in Berlin to serve as a liaison office. It had a history of a hundred years.

Constantin also stayed here whenever he came to Berlin. Constantin's carriage was parked in the courtyard, and Butler Keno was urging the coachman to take it away.

"Ernst!" Prince Constantin called out to Ernst affectionately.

"Father, why have you come to Berlin? Has something major happened?" Although Ernst knew in his heart that his father was likely in Berlin on official business related to the war against Denmark, he feigned ignorance.

"Yes, there are some matters to attend to in Berlin with the royal family, and of course, I wanted to see my son's endeavors," Constantin said with a smile.

Ernst felt a pang of guilt. He had been so busy with his business in Berlin that he hadn't visited his old father. Although they communicated regularly by letter, he had been away for almost a year, only returning once last Christmas.

"Father, I will spend more time with you from now on. I've become too engrossed in business and lost sight of other things," Ernst said to Constantin.

"Alright, at my age, what need do I have for someone to constantly accompany me? I'm here in Berlin because something important is about to happen, so don't worry too much," Constantin said, stroking Ernst's head. "However, you've truly surprised me. I never thought our family had a talent for business. I was prepared for my investment to go down the drain, hahaha..." Constantin chuckled.

"Father, is the Kingdom preparing for war?" Ernst changed the subject.

"Yes, you're right. But where did you hear that?" Constantin asked sternly.

Such matters were confidential before the outbreak of war and could not be taken lightly. Ernst was still a child, and the royal family would not proactively inform him, so Constantin asked cautiously.

"Father, you know that the Kingdom's army is my most important client. Recently, they've started placing large orders for new supplies, and some factories around Berlin are also working overtime. This is clearly preparation for the military."

Seeing Constantin frown, Ernst added more convincing points.

"Of course, some business owners have dealings with us, so I've managed to pick up some rumors. Moreover, the Kingdom's new Prime Minister is clearly no ordinary figure. Upon taking office, he declared his intention to resolve contemporary major issues with iron and blood. Now, it's clear that force will be used to solve the Kingdom's troubles."

In a few words, Ernst laid out his "speculation."

Constantin looked at his son with satisfaction. "Well said. It seems the House of Hohenzollern has produced another outstanding individual, hahaha..."

After laughing.

"The Kingdom is coordinating with Austria, preparing to use force to compel the Danish government to relinquish the two German duchies of Holstein and Schleswig. Currently, the German Confederation has already dispatched troops to Holstein, and Prussia also intends to push for the independence of the Duchy of Schleswig," Constantin continued.

"Currently, other countries on the continent are observing. The only truly influential powers that can intervene are Britain, France, and Austria. The Russians are still licking their wounds from the Crimean War, and the French dare not act rashly, fearing a repeat of the anti-French coalition and the outbreak of a continental war. Britain's navy has the strength to intervene, but the British would prefer to draw Russia in. As for Austria, this time we will join forces with the Austrian Empire to jointly safeguard the interests of the German region."

Constantin spoke eloquently. In reality, this was a gamble. King Wilhelm I and Bismarck were leveraging the rivalries among the great powers to achieve a delicate international balance. At the same time, the Danes' new constitutional draft had ignited the anger of the Germans, providing a pretext for the war.

National sentiment, when utilized effectively, could achieve what Bismarck had always emphasized: resolving major international issues through iron and blood.

Bismarck could use the pretext of safeguarding German interests to unite the various German states and free cities, using a righteous cause to consolidate the strength of the German region.

At least in northern Germany, Bismarck could establish Prussia's influence and prepare for the future unification of the German region.