Berlin Railway Station is one of the largest platforms in Germany, and it is extremely busy with railways all over the country.

Today, however, the station was temporarily closed, a large number of passengers were ordered not to step out of the waiting room, and the platform was also full of officers and soldiers. Well-informed Berliners know at a glance that there must be a big man visiting, either the prime minister or the king.

Didn't you see the Foreign Secretary, Count Carl von Weizsäcker, waiting on the platform, and if the Foreign Minister could go out in person, it must be the Prime Minister or the King of a big country, if you were to know a little about the international news, then it would be easy to guess that the young King and Prime Minister of Italy are coming to visit Germany, and today is not the day of their arrival?

They guessed correctly, today is the day the Italian delegation arrives in Berlin. Although there was an unexpected incident of the death of a national hero in the middle, this still did not change the time of Italy's visit to Germany, but many things were just accelerated.

"Whoop Woohoo ......"

A train arrived at the station in anticipation, and the icons on the carriages all showed that it was the Italian delegation.

Without a conductor, the orchestra that had already been prepared immediately began to play, and the prepared welcoming crowd immediately smiled and waved the national flags of the two countries, completely setting up the atmosphere. There were also two well-dressed children, under the command of adults, holding flowers and preparing to lay flowers.

And in the carriage, Carlo was ready with the Prime Minister.

"Your Majesty, don't be nervous, just like ordinary sightseeing."

"The Prime Minister doesn't have to worry about me, I'm not nervous at all."

The two leaders, who had given each other encouragement, both smiled after looking at each other, and pretended to be relaxed and walked off the platform.

Of course, Carlo, as the king of Italy, was at the front, and the prime minister was half a position behind, and then the other members of the delegation walked out of the carriage in turn, according to the level and importance of their positions.

"Welcome King Carlo to Berlin. It is believed that the arrival of His Majesty will lay the foundation for friendly relations between the two countries. ”

Count Weizsäcker, who was the German Foreign Minister, immediately greeted him and opened his mouth to give a welcome speech to Carlo.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for your welcome, and wish you and us closer relations."

Carlo is not bad, and he can also be neither humble nor arrogant in the face of this foreign secretary. And immediately after greeting Carlo, the Count of Weizsäcker extended his hand to Prime Minister de Pretis.

"Prime Minister de Pretis, welcome to your visit to Berlin."

"Thank you Earl for your welcome."

After a brief handshake between the two, Count Weizsäcker greeted several ministers behind them.

At this time, the children who were instructed by the adults to present flowers to Prime Minister Carlo and De Pretis. Looking at children who are not much younger than him, respectfully offering flowers, Carlo always has an indescribable weirdness.

There are other procedures to go through the welcome ceremony, and Carlo, as one of the main characters, participates like a marionette according to the previous rehearsal. For example, after receiving the Italian compatriots in Germany, giving a short speech, giving interviews with reporters, and so on, Carlo and the delegation rode in a horse-drawn carriage to the residence prepared by the Germans.

Carlo and his party were placed to live in the Charlottenburg Palace, built by Frederick I for his wife Sophie Charlotte, and now an important residence for the Hohenzollern family in Berlin. It can be seen from here that the Germans still attach great importance to Carlo and his party.

"Ladies and gentlemen, in order to welcome friends from Italy, our country has prepared a welcome dinner, and I invite you to attend it at that time."

After bringing them here, Count Weizsäcker, as Foreign Minister, extended an invitation to a welcome dinner for Carlo and his party.

This is the diplomatic practice of Europe, and generally the visit of the monarch or head of government will have a welcome dinner, unless there is something important, otherwise as a guest will not refuse the host's kindness.

"Then I will thank you for the invitation on behalf of everyone, and we will definitely attend on time."

After receiving a reply from the Italian delegation, Count Weizsäcker went away satisfied.

And now the delegation has no rest, and needs to take out their carefully prepared clothes from their luggage and prepare for the dinner. If you don't dress properly, it's a shame, and no one wants to make such a mistake.

At a quarter past six, the members of the delegation, dressed in new clothes, got into the carriage prepared by Germany and hurried to the banquet hall.

The dinner was held in Whitehall at the Royal Castle, which was the main venue for various solemn events and festivals of the monks' and monks' order, the opening of the work of the local self-government and the National Assembly, and other ceremonies. And it goes without saying that the German side put a dinner to welcome the Italians here.

"Hello, Kaiser Wilhelm."

"Hello, Prime Minister Bismarck."

"Hello, Marshal Moltke."

As soon as Carlo entered the door, he saw three people who were famous even in later generations, but compared to others who could only look at pictures, he saw three living people.

"Hello, King Carlo. Welcome to Berlin. ”

As the emperor of Germany, the gray-haired Wilhelm I stretched out his old age spotted hand to hold Carlo, and said words of welcome.

And Carlo faced William I, who was a round older than his grandfather, and it can be said that he was completely a grandchild, so he naturally came with all kinds of flattery.

Of course, Carlo doesn't think that these three are just to greet him, and nine times out of ten are for the Prime Minister De Pretis behind him. So Carlo, after saying a few words, immediately handed over the position to the prime minister.

Sure enough, when facing Prime Minister De Pretis, they obviously spoke a lot more, not only Wilhelm I opened his mouth, but Bismarck and Moltke talked cordially with him.

However, the conversation was not long, and it did not make people feel impatient.

William I then picked up a glass of red wine and tapped it with a small spoon.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome our friends from Italy."

"Cheers!"

Carlo also stood aside, holding a glass of juice and shouting about it.

Then, after a few brief words, the old emperor went back to rest. Bismarck and Moltke were left to entertain the Italians.

Carlo, on the other hand, took the opportunity to sneak into a corner of the hall and silently watched the lively dinner.

"Why, I don't like this environment."

Suddenly, a voice came from behind.

Carlo turned his head to see a young man in his early twenties, holding a wine glass.

The young man, who was not much older than him, was dressed very well, though his face he had never seen before, though strangely enough that he had gloves on both hands.

Wearing gloves?

Carlo immediately guessed who it was.

"Yes, I don't like such a lively scene, does Your Excellency the Emperor's eldest grandson like such a scene?"

"I don't like to be as noisy as you are."

Wilhelm II, whose name was broken, shook his head and replied casually.

"Instead of participating in such an event, I might as well go to the barracks for a while, at least I don't have to fight with these people."

In order to get closer to the eldest grandson of Emperor William, Carlo turned the conversation to the army, although he had not been to the barracks a few times.

"Not quite as I thought."

Although I don't know what Carlo asked, William, who was about to enter the army at that time, was indeed full of yearning for the army. As a German prince, it was his inevitable obligation to join the army.

And William's education also made him yearn for an army full of honor.

So the two young people chatted separately at this cocktail party. They talked well about the sea, the military, political ideas, etc.,

After some chatting, Wilhelm II thought that the king of Italy, who was younger than himself, was very good, and both men had similar opinions.

Carlo, on the other hand, believes that the only thing he has gained from this boring dinner party is to meet the future Kaiser Wilhelm II. This harvest brings the goal of visiting Germany close to half.