June 1914 On the afternoon of Sunday the 28th, German Emperor Wilhelm II and Crown Prince Oscar were on the yacht Kiel on the sea, visiting the nearby scenery. Also accompanying him is Field Marshal Count Tirpitz, the First Sea Lord.
Another very important purpose of this tour is to inspect the expanded Kiel Canal. After Kiel Canal is widened, Naval Warship parked at Kiel can pass through the canal and go directly to Wilhelmshaven without having to go around Jutland Peninsula. This not only saves a lot of time, but also ensures the safety of the fleet. After all, if you go around Jutland Peninsula, you are very likely to encounter Encirclement Offensive from British Royal Navy.
"Your Majesty, Kiel Canal have been widened across the board. In this case, we no longer have to worry about the separate deployment of the fleet." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said with a smile on his face.
"Well, Imperial Navy is becoming more and more powerful, and I am very satisfied. This time, the possibility of us defeating Britain's people will be very high." Wilhelm II is very satisfied with having such a powerful navy. He seems to have seen that his goal is succeeding step by step.
"Your Majesty, Crown Prince is indispensable for the reason why the navy is able to have its current scale! Without Crown Prince's support and the warships he designed, the navy would not be so powerful." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said with praise.
"Your Excellency is serious. It is my duty to do my best to make Empire strong." Oscar is very humble.
At this moment, a staff officer walked onto the deck of the yacht.
"Report Your Majesty, Austro-Hungarian Empire has an urgent call." said the staff officer.
"Oh? What happened?" Wilhelm II asked.
Oscar's eyes flashed with joy, and he knew that that must have happened. You know, he has been a little on tenterhooks today, for fear that history will change. Now, he could finally put his heart back into his stomach.
"Austro-Hungarian Empire Crown Prince Archduke Ferdinand and his wife was assassinated at Sarajevo." The officer continued.
"What?" Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz both exclaimed.
But then, a smile appeared on both of their faces. They don't care about Archduke Ferdinand's life or death. What they care about is what kind of opportunity this incident brings to Germany.
"Your Majesty, great! Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated, which undoubtedly gave Austro-Hungarian Empire an excuse to go to war with Serbia. Russians will definitely not watch Serbia. was attacked by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They will definitely send troops to help Austro-Hungarian Empire, and according to our covenant with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, we are obliged to help Austro-Hungarian Empire!" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said excitedly.
Wilhelm II nodded repeatedly. Once Russia and Germany both take action, Britain and France will inevitably be involved. This war will break out because of this.
"This is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Wilhelm II said with emotion.
"Return to Berlin immediately and gather all the main generals of Army and Navy. The war is about to break out!" Wilhelm II ordered.
For Germany, who is determined to change the current national structure through war and obtain a broader colony and market, this Sarajevo incident is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Germany's military preparations have been completed long ago. The mobilization of the troops had been completed secretly as early as March, and the attack could be launched at any time.
As for Germany's main opponents, Russia and France, their armies are still undergoing reorganization. This gives Germany a greater advantage in the war.
After Russia capital Moscow, Summer Palace, Nicholas II met with Serbian Ambassador to Russia, they summoned the senior military and political officials of Russia.
"Gentlemen, Serbia has asked us for help. They are about to face the invasion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. And we must not let Austro-Hungarian Empire invade Serbia. Once they occupy Balkan Peninsula, it will be a disaster for the Russian Empire!" Tsar Nicholas II's attitude is very tough.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Regardless of whether Archduke Ferdinand's death has anything to do with Serbia. Once Austro-Hungarian Empire takes over Balkan Peninsula is very detrimental to the Russian Empire, so we must stop them!" Prime Minister Vyacheslav Plehve said.
"When will our army be able to complete mobilization?" Nicholas II looked at Minister of War Sukhomlinov.
"Your Majesty, our mobilization will take at least three months." Sukhomlinov replied.
Nicholas II couldn't help but frowned. Three months was obviously too long. However, there is no way around it. Who makes Russian Empire's territory too vast, its infrastructure construction extremely backward, and its mobilization system also full of loopholes?
"Your Majesty, even if the mobilization is not completed, we don't have to worry. The main force of the Germany people is on the Western Front, and our standing army is enough to attack East Prussia and defeat them. If we are lucky, we can even attack Berlin!" Grand Duke Nicholas, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army said with a smile on his face.
Tsar Nicholas II couldn't help but laugh. If the Russian army could hit Berlin, he would be very happy. He wanted to see what his arrogant distant cousin would have to say.
"Where's the navy?" Nicholas II asked.
"Your Majesty, the navy is not the opponent of Germany people. But there is still no problem in ensuring the safety of St. Petersburg." First Sea Lord Admiral Ivan Grigorovich replied.
Nicholas II nodded with satisfaction. After the Russia navy experienced the disastrous defeat of Russo-Japanese War, it began arduous reconstruction. Although, it develops very quickly. But there is still a big gap between it and German Navy. However, Russia's most powerful is the army, not the navy. Therefore, Nicholas II did not expect the navy to create any miracles. It is enough if the navy can cooperate with coastal defenses to ensure the security of Russia's homeland. What's more, although German Navy is powerful, their enemy is not Russia, but the maritime overlord Britain.
"Everyone, I have promised Serbia that once they encounter an invasion by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, we will immediately attack Austro-Hungarian Empire and support them. If Germany people dare to intervene, we will attack East Prussia!" Nicholas II said with high spirits.
Russia had made concessions and retreated three times in the past during the international crises of 1909, 1912 and 1913, but this time, Tsar Nicholas II decided not to give in or retreat this time.