Chapter Three: The Road to Empire
While Bismarck and Feng Chengqian were exchanging witty remarks, chaos reigned in the Imperial Study.
Even though the Minister of War was only responsible for military development, the position was far from ceremonial. When Frederick III refused to rescind his decree, Moltke immediately tendered his resignation.
Frederick did not accept it, nor did he show anger; instead, he persisted in persuading Moltke to stay.
Moltke harbored no dissatisfaction with the Emperor; he simply felt that such an important post should not be entrusted to an outsider, especially one of uncertain origins.
Of course, it could also be seen as Moltke’s pretext for retiring from public life.
After repeated entreaties from the Emperor, Moltke agreed not to mention resignation again before the year’s end. In return, Frederick III promised to promote Waldersee to succeed Moltke as Chief of the General Staff.
Waldersee was already the Quartermaster General of the German Army and Moltke’s chosen successor.
The duties of Quartermaster General overlapped with those of War Minister, so Moltke’s resignation at this juncture was clearly an act of support for Waldersee. However, the Emperor remained adamant and would not revoke his decision; Moltke could only settle for a compromise, urging that Waldersee be installed as Chief of the General Staff as soon as possible.
In this, Frederick III also had to yield somewhat.
Having soothed Moltke, Frederick III then received the other high officials one by one.
It was not until evening that Frederick III made his way to the dining hall to dine with his ministers. By then, Bismarck had already introduced Feng Chengqian to the other dignitaries.
This unexpected arrival from the East, who had quickly gained the Emperor’s trust and favor, was the subject of much speculation among the ministers.
What intrigued them most was the relationship between Frederick III and Feng Chengqian.
Not only before Bismarck but in the presence of other ministers as well, Frederick III openly declared his immense trust in Feng Chengqian and even spoke of having sworn a blood oath with him.
As for the nature of this blood oath, the Emperor did not elaborate, and Feng Chengqian remained equally discreet.
One thing was certain: Feng Chengqian had undoubtedly saved the Emperor’s life, curing his throat cancer—this was the foundation of Frederick III’s trust.
In line with the Prussian Junker tradition, the banquet was exceedingly plain, devoid of any ostentation.
This was a Hohenzollern family custom and particularly Frederick III’s personal habit. In his years campaigning on the battlefield, Frederick had always eaten and slept with his soldiers, eschewing all airs and displays of rank, winning the genuine affection of his men. For anything beyond the necessities of life, Frederick had never shown the slightest interest in luxury.
When the dinner ended, the ministers dispersed.
Since he had no residence of his own yet, Feng Chengqian continued to stay at the palace.
“I have already given orders. The Count’s residence will be completed by year’s end. Until then, you shall stay here,” the Emperor said.
“Your Majesty, I fear that may not be appropriate.”
“Why not?” In private, Frederick III shed all imperial airs. “You are my savior, and we have sworn a blood oath. Allowing you—”
“Your Majesty,” Feng Chengqian exhaled deeply. “To receive such favor from Your Majesty is my greatest fortune. Yet, your benevolence is so conspicuous that it may arouse others’ suspicions.”
“You mean, some are displeased?”
“Not exactly, but there must be boundaries between sovereign and subject, so—”
“Very well, since you insist, I’ll have Gustav arrange a temporary residence for you.”
“Your Majesty’s kindness, I am deeply grateful.” Feng Chengqian promptly rose to express his thanks.
“As I’ve told you, in private we are not merely sovereign and subject—no need for such ceremony.” Frederick III waved his hand, waited for Feng Chengqian to sit, and asked, “How did your talk with the Chancellor go?”
“It was most cordial.”
“Is that so?”
Feng Chengqian smiled. “The Chancellor devotes himself to the empire, his achievements are remarkable, and his vision far outstrips my own.”
Frederick III smiled in turn. “If you say so, you are too modest.”
“Your Majesty…”
“I know, you Easterners are by nature humble, but here, humility is not always a virtue.” Frederick III glanced at Feng Chengqian. “To others, your conduct may seem not courteous, but weak. You must understand, in Prussia and Germany, there is no place for cowards.”
Feng Chengqian nodded thoughtfully, indicating he understood.
“It is best that you and the Chancellor get along. But don’t yield in all things; when the situation calls for it, you must show resolve.”
Feng Chengqian smiled. The Emperor’s words seemed easy, but to truly act so was impossible.
After all, the Emperor of the Second German Empire was not the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
“The matter you mentioned is already taking shape.”
“So soon?”
Frederick III nodded. “News just arrived: the French parliament has approved a loan to Russia, and next year the amount will increase.”
“So, the Franco-Russian alliance is all but inevitable.”
“It is not settled yet, but given the current circumstances, the outlook is grim.”
“How does Your Majesty plan to respond?”
“To be beset on all sides is never good. We can only do our utmost to win Russia over.”
Feng Chengqian furrowed his brow in silence.
“What is your opinion?”
“Your Majesty is wise, but I believe this is only a short-term expedient.”
Frederick III smiled, inviting Feng Chengqian to elaborate.
“France’s desire to destroy us is unrelenting; a war is inevitable. The outcome depends on Russia and Britain.” Feng Chengqian paused, then continued, “Competing with France now will only let Russia profit from the rivalry, and we cannot be certain Russia will support us.”
“Why is that?”
“Strategically, we are the barrier to Russia’s westward expansion. Economically, as long as we continue to protect the Junker group’s interests, an alliance with Russia is impossible.”
Frederick III sighed inwardly; Feng Chengqian had hit the mark.
Originally, there had been no conflict between the Empire and Russia. In the Crimean War, Britain and France had supported Turkey, inflicting a resounding defeat on Russia and turning her into Germany’s natural ally. In the subsequent wars against Denmark, Austria, and France, Russia either supported the Empire or remained neutral, providing significant assistance.
But the good times did not last.
After the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck, in defense of the Junker aristocracy, imposed heavy tariffs on imported agricultural products, though the Empire was Russia’s largest export market. This policy caused Russia enormous losses and soured relations, gradually driving the two empires apart.
Of course, such rifts do not form overnight.
“More importantly, even if we can win over Russia, the cost may be greater elsewhere.”
“Oh?”
Feng Chengqian exhaled. “Your Majesty must not forget: the true power behind the scenes in Europe is not France or Russia, but Britain, which supports them from the shadows.”
“You have said this before, but isn’t that a bit far-fetched?”
“Britain’s core interest lies in sea power, its purpose the maintenance of global hegemony,” Feng Chengqian said. He knew changing Frederick III’s view of Britain would not be easy. “For a long time, Britain’s continental policy has been that of an offshore balancer, maintaining equilibrium on the continent not for the sake of peace, but to prevent any single power from threatening its dominance.”
“But Britain is our ally.”
“Only a de facto one, and only for now,” Feng Chengqian replied with a slight smile. “As for the future, whether Britain remains the Empire’s de facto ally, I fear no one can say.”
Frederick III did not smile; he waited for Feng Chengqian to continue.
“In international relations, there are no eternal friends or eternal enemies—only eternal interests.”
“That, you have summed up well.”
“Does Your Majesty believe Britain will always be the Empire’s ally?”
Frederick III shook his head slightly, acknowledging the truth.
The German Empire was now the continent’s foremost power; even France and Russia combined were no match. When Frederick was still Crown Prince, his late father, with Bismarck, had set the national policy for the Empire to expand beyond the continent and become a global power. That was why the Chancellor had advocated for ‘a place in the sun.’
The colonial policy of the Empire had already become a threat to Britain.
As the founding Crown Prince of the Empire, Frederick knew well that as long as the Empire continued on this path, one day it would inevitably become Britain’s adversary.
Even if they altered their policies to avoid clashing with Britain’s core interests, that would only delay the inevitable.
“Your Majesty…”
“I understand your meaning, but…”
“Forgive my candor, but whether it is Your Majesty, the Chancellor, or anyone else, we are all but small pieces on the chessboard of history. On the path of growth and power, countless obstacles and difficulties must be faced. If we cannot change them, we must overcome them and forge ahead.”
Frederick III sighed. “You mean…”
“What the Empire needs is time. Therefore, we must do everything to buy time.”
“That is why you insist the Chancellor remain in office?”
“Your Majesty overthinks it. For now, no one can replace the Chancellor.”
“The Chancellor is indeed a master of diplomacy, the best choice for the present challenges.”
“The real question is: has Your Majesty made up your mind?”
Frederick III was silent for a while before exhaling slowly. “As Crown Prince, I was not responsible for the Empire. But as Emperor, I must be. If I have no choice, I will sacrifice my own interests for the good of the Empire—otherwise, I am unworthy of being Emperor.”
“Such is the Empire’s great fortune.”
Frederick III smiled bitterly and shook his head. “If I had a choice, I would rather be an ordinary prince than Emperor.”
Feng Chengqian wanted to offer a few words of comfort, but none seemed appropriate.
“It’s late. You should get some rest,” said Frederick III, rising. “Tomorrow, I will convene another council to discuss the Franco-Russian situation. Come early and confer with the Chancellor, so you don’t clash during the meeting and give others cause for gossip.”
“Your Majesty should also rest early.”
Frederick III nodded, and Feng Chengqian took his leave.
At that moment, Bismarck had just returned to the Count’s residence, accompanied by Moltke, Waldersee, and Major General Schlieffen, director of the war history division at the General Staff.
The day’s events weighed heavily on their minds, and the three senior officers especially felt the need to unburden themselves.