Crown Prince Frederick?

"Very welcome!" Guan Zhuofan said, "I remember that in the Austro-Prussian War, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was the commander of the Second Army, right? The Second Army was ordered to cross the Sudetenland, which was an unusually arduous march, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince carried out the orders of Moltke's Chief of the General Staff without any compromise, and in the face of a long and tired march, routed the main Austrian army and completed the pincer offensive plan planned by the General Staff. Well, I feel very honored to be able to host such an excellent military commander in China! ”

This passage scratched the itch, and Li Fusi said with a dazzled smile: "Your Royal Highness, I admire your profound knowledge!" There is a saying in your country that 'heroes know heroes', and Crown Prince Frederick will be very honored to have your approval! Well, I think you and him will become very sincere friends! ”

After a pause, he continued: "Oh, by the way, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess will also accompany Her Royal Highness the Crown Prince on her visit to China. ”

Guan Zhuofan was quite surprised: "The crown princess? If I remember correctly, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess...... It is the ...... of Her Majesty Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom Eldest princess, right? ”

"Yes, Your Royal Highness, you are indeed very knowledgeable, Crown Princess...... Well, the eldest princess's name, which is the same as her mother's, is also called Victoria. ”

The Prussian crown princess and the eldest British princess came to China across the ocean, which is a bit interesting.

"Welcome!" Guan Zhuofan said happily, "I hope that my two Fujin can become good friends with Her Royal Highness the Crown Prince." ”

"There is no doubt about it - as far as I know, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, like His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, is very much looking forward to this trip to the East."

"I believe it. They'll be worth it. ”

Guan Zhuofan's mind was spinning rapidly: Crown Prince Frederick. It was the future Frederick III. However, the second emperor of the German Empire, who had only been emperor for 99 days because of a quack doctor's misdiagnosis, hung up. His disease is throat cancer, which sounds scary, but if he had surgery earlier, he might not have lived longer. Maybe...... Can I save his life?

The more years he lived, the more his son who started the First World War, would have to succeed to the throne a few years later......

Well, think about it, what good is it if I do that? Is there any harm?

However, at this time, he should not have this disease yet.

Also, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is about thirty-five or six years old this year. His crown princess is much younger than him. Approximately...... Twenty-four or five-year-old, right? This, hehe......

While he was thinking about it, he said: "I think that His Majesty the King is wise after all, and with your personal letter from His Royal Highness, and the ...... 'appearance' of Crown Prince Frederick, it will not be difficult to persuade him to agree to war against France next year." ”

Ah, I understand that the main purpose of Crown Prince Frederick's visit to China was to examine China's war capabilities as an ally, as well as ...... "sincerity and determination".

Li Fusi was euphemistically reminding Guan Zhuofan: If China had enough war capabilities, Wilhelm I would have more confidence in going to war with France; If China has enough "sincerity and determination," His Majesty's "sincerity and determination" will naturally be strengthened.

No wonder he sent his son.

"Thank you for the reminder, or that sentence, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will definitely make this trip worthwhile."

After a deep sigh, Guan Zhuofan said again: "However, I have heard such a statement, Crown Prince Frederick seems to be a little unimpressed with Prime Minister Bismarck's tough policy......"

Li Fusi smiled slightly and said, "Compared with the chief, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is more gentle, and even, a little ...... Liberal tendencies, these, are indeed true. However, this disagreement is mainly confined to domestic policy, and externally, especially with France, there is no substantial difference between the two of them, and you can rest assured. ”

After a pause, he said: "Besides, it is precisely because His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bismarck have normal differences on certain matters that His Majesty the King will feel that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's words are ...... More objective - and not just because he is his own son. ”

"Makes sense - for advice."

"You're so polite."

After a pause, Li Fusi said: "His Majesty's attitude is not a big problem, and the military preparations are also sure enough to be completed within a year, but the political and public opinion preparations are ......."

Speaking of this, Li Fusi hesitated for a moment, and was considering the wording, Guan Zhuofan smiled and said: "Politically, in public opinion? Well, let me guess, approximately...... There are two problems. ”

Li Fusi's eyes flashed: "I want to hear it in detail." ”

"First," said Kwan Zhuofan, "is the problem of South Germany. ”

Li Fusi's gaze jumped, and then he breathed a sigh of relief lightly and said, "Your Royal Highness, you are really like a torch!" ”

After a pause, he said: "In the Austro-Prussian War a year ago, the southern German states supported Austria, and at that time, the southern and northern Germans fought against each other, and Prussia was still the enemy of the southern German states. Now, although the two sides have ...... Hehe, this turned hostility into a jade silk, but a year later, that is, in 1868, this, only two years after the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, in such a short period of time, how to ensure that North and South Germany are united with the outside world regardless of past suspicions, this ......"

He shook his head slightly: "Even Prime Minister Bismarck is not completely sure. ”

"I think there is someone who can help with this."

"Oh?" Li Fusi hurriedly said, "Ask His Royal Highness, which one is it?" ”

"It's the proud Emperor of France."

"Huh?"

"Threats and pressures from the outside," says Kwan Zhuofan, "are the best glue to overcome internal differences." What territorial claim did France make to Prussia - not to Prussia itself, but to Prussia to agree to which part of the South German States to be assigned to France? ”

Li Fusi's eyes widened, and after a moment, he patted his thigh lightly: "Okay! This will inevitably arouse great fear and antipathy from the South German states towards France, and South Germany and North Germany will inevitably cling together and hate the same enemy—"

His nostrils twitched slightly, and it was difficult to hide his excitement: "Your Royal Highness, this is really a ...... Coup! ”

After a pause, he frowned slightly: "It's just-"

"Just how do you tell the French emperor to open this mouth?" Guan Zhuofan said, "Your Excellency, rest assured, this is easy, similar thoughts, only afraid of Louis Napoleon. Bonaparte has been there for a long time! During the Austro-Prussian War, France did not directly support Austria and adopted a 'conservative and neutral' position, and the French emperor always felt that Prussia should give him something in return. The people in the French Congress are about the same opinion. Perhaps, in a few days, without any action from us, the French will jump out on their own! ”

Li Fusi nodded deeply, and at the same time could not help but be slightly shocked in his heart: how could this Royal Highness the Prince know so deeply about France, not only France, but it should be said, how could he have such a deep and thorough understanding of the political situation in Europe?

Such people, not to mention the unique ones in Asia, are in Europe, I'm afraid I can't find a few!

Even Prime Minister Bismarck, nothing more!

Admire, admire.

"In case the French don't take the initiative to make similar requests," Guan Zhuofan said, "it doesn't matter, we can 'replace' them for ......!" ”

That is to say-

Li Fusi understood and said, "We can let out the news that the French are asking Prussia for ...... Well, will ...... The territories on the west bank of the Rhine were annexed to France? Bavaria, for example? ”

Guan Zhuofan said with a smile: "How about Hesse and Darmstadt? ”

Li Fusi laughed: "Good, good, this is like Louis Napoleon. Bonaparte's appetite! ”

After a pause, he said, "Tomorrow I will send a secret message to Berlin asking for the implementation of this plan!" ”

Okay, plant a swag.

"This first problem," Guan Zhuofan said, "is roughly solved, this second problem—"

He paused slightly, saw the expectation on Li Fusi's face, and then continued: "I think it is about this: this war must be provoked by France on its own initiative, and France must declare war on Prussia first. ”

*(To be continued.) )