The Junker aristocracy

"Your Majesty, General Ludendorff requests an audience."

Several days later, Eitel was dealing with the issue of getting factory workers back to work. The earlier workers' movement had left many factories at a standstill.

But thanks to national policy and the efforts of Eitel and the Reichstag, the factories were recovering at an astonishing pace.

The downfall of the Spartacus League also marked the utter defeat of this workers' movement.

Apart from a handful of workers and political parties that adhered to revisionism and were still calling on workers to keep up the struggle, most workers had been persuaded by Eitel's words and thrown themselves into factory production.

The tension that had gripped Eitel for days finally eased somewhat.

Then one day, while the German Empire was preparing for its new emperor's coronation, Rommel came to Eitel's desk and reported General Ludendorff's arrival.

Eitel was not at all surprised by the news. Ludendorff and Hindenburg were known as the twin heroes of the Eastern Front. He had already spoken with Field Marshal Hindenburg, and this time, he had quelled the domestic workers' movement and naval mutiny.

General Ludendorff's arrival was therefore foreseeable.

Eitel closed the document in his hands and looked up at Rommel. "Show him in."

At the order, Rommel turned and walked out of the office. Before long, General Ludendorff entered.

General Ludendorff's somewhat aged face was full of resolve, his uniform immaculate, a gleaming black Iron Cross neatly fastened at his collar.

"Your Imperial Majesty!"

Ludendorff said nothing more. He simply removed his military cap respectfully and gave Eitel a textbook imperial military salute.

Eitel calmly regarded the old general before him and sat up straight.

"You must be General Ludendorff. I have long heard of your reputation. What brings you to see me today?"

Faced with Eitel's question, Ludendorff straightened, neither servile nor overbearing.

"Your Imperial Majesty, allow me to congratulate you in advance on becoming Emperor of the German Empire."

"His Excellency Hindenburg and I have already heard of your great achievements at the front. I have returned to preside over your coronation ceremony alongside the Prince of Baden."

General Ludendorff certainly lived up to his pedigree as an old-school Junker aristocrat. The moment he opened his mouth, that flavor was so pungent that even Eitel found it overpowering.

Still, Eitel treated these Junker aristocrats quite well. Though they often behaved in ways unworthy of human beings, they also formed the backbone of the German Empire.

Whether in the Second German Reich or the Third German Reich, these Junker aristocrats were staunch German nationalists.

They had contributed greatly to the dignity and revival of the German nation.

Even in defeat, they had never chosen to concede.

Besides, Eitel still needed them now, so he did not make things too difficult for General Ludendorff.

Though this General Ludendorff did not exactly have a good reputation.

With mixed feelings about General Ludendorff, Eitel spoke. "Thank you for your efforts, General Ludendorff."

"To think you would still choose to arrange my coronation personally at a time like this."

"But as for the front..."

Ludendorff keenly grasped what Eitel meant and answered without a moment's hesitation. "Your Majesty, the situation at the front has now stabilized, and we have destroyed all orders concerning the retreat."

"As long as you hold the rear, there is absolutely no possibility of the front collapsing."

"You are now the spiritual pillar and faith of the German Empire's people and soldiers."

At this point, Ludendorff brought his legs together and looked earnestly at Eitel. "Your Majesty, we unanimously believe that your coronation takes precedence over everything else."

"And your oath must be authenticated by someone of sufficient standing."

"The Prince of Baden and I are the only suitable choices."

There was nothing wrong with General Ludendorff's words. Eitel had also been cramming knowledge about imperial coronations over the past few days and had learned that the German emperor's coronation ceremony did indeed require someone of sufficient standing to authenticate the oath.

Only afterward, with everyone bearing witness, could he truly be crowned Emperor of the German Empire.

In light of Ludendorff's earnestness, Eitel finally nodded and agreed to their decision.

Seeing His Majesty Eitel's response, Ludendorff gave another military salute, then turned and left the office.

Only after Ludendorff disappeared around the corner of the corridor did Rommel enter.

"Your Majesty, the date of your coronation has been set. It will be in ten days."

Eitel was not at all surprised. Although he too wanted to ascend the throne sooner, the old-school Junker aristocrats who valued ceremony would not agree to forgo these necessary preparations.

Besides, compared with other countries, the German Empire's preparations were already fairly quick.

Other countries routinely began preparing months in advance.

France, of course, was not among them.

"There is another matter."

"This is the schedule for the Versailles Conference, delivered by the Allies' diplomatic envoy."

"The meeting is scheduled for eight days from now, two days before your coronation, and they have specifically requested your attendance in person."

At this point, Rommel stole a cautious glance at Eitel. After all, this news was rather... provocative.

"Is that really what they decided?"

At the news, a dangerous glint flashed through Eitel's eyes.

They mean to slap the entire German Empire in the face.

Bang!

Eitel slammed his fist on the desk, fixing Rommel with a wolfish stare. "These jackals want to force me into submission."

"Once I refuse their terms, they will delay the assembly's proceedings indefinitely."

"And keep me from returning in time for my coronation."

Eitel's words brought a fierce glint to Rommel's eyes as well. "Your Majesty, why should we listen to them? When the time comes, we can simply send an officer to haggle with them."

"Besides, that is their territory. If you go now, you will effectively become a hostage in their hands."

Eitel looked at the utterly loyal Rommel and slowly sat down.

"They wouldn't dare. Rather, they think they have me figured out."

"A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall, but they have already put a knife to our throats."

"At a time like this, reason will not get us out of the tiger's jaws. Since they want me to go, I will go."

Rommel silently straightened and looked at His Majesty Eitel. "Your Majesty, wherever you go, I will follow you."

Eitel walked up to Rommel and gently patted his shoulder.

"Even now, they firmly believe that the German Empire is doomed to defeat, that they will be free to strip the blood and sweat from our bodies as they please."

"But I will tell them that the German Empire never concedes defeat."

With that, Eitel draped his military uniform over his shoulders and headed for the door.

"Tell the Prince of Baden and General Ludendorff to wait for me to return and attend the coronation as scheduled."

"As for me, I will now go to Versailles and tell them this fact-a fact they refuse to accept."