Located 20 kilometres from the capital Berlin, Brandenburg is an ideal hunting ground for a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Today, Carlo was dressed in a hunting suit, and William, the eldest grandson of the emperor, who was also dressed in the same costume, was holding a shotgun and strolling in the dense forest. However, with the help of the hounds and the guards, the prey popped up one by one, but neither of them paid attention to the prey, but engaged in a war of words.

"William, I don't think there is anything wrong with German diplomacy at the moment, and the joint Russia and Austria can stabilize Germany's eastern and southern fronts and reduce the pressure on national defense. However, there is a worry with this diplomatic strategy, that is, when there is an irreconcilable contradiction between Russia and Austria, which side should Germany stand on? ”

Carlo's words made His Excellency the Emperor's eldest grandson frown, and he was tempted to say that Germany could bind the two countries together. But he couldn't say it, because his skin wasn't thick enough.

"This ...... Question......"

The eldest grandson of the emperor who was asked, stumbling for a long time and couldn't say a result, so he simply shifted the question. "Then you say, what should I do?"

"William, I'm the King of Italy, I'm a stakeholder, how can I answer this question."

In the face of the emperor's eldest grandson throwing the topic to himself, where will Carlo pick it up, this is an unsolvable question. The only answer is to keep one as an ally.

"Then you assume that you are the monarch of Germany and make your choice."

I didn't expect William to press forward step by step, and Carlo had to make a choice, maybe this was to be used as a reference.

"If I choose, then I choose Vienna as an ally."

Seeing that he couldn't shirk it, Carlo gave what he thought was the best answer.

This was not a foolish guess, but a sincere belief that the choice of Austrians was the best choice for Germany.

Although there are countless people in later generations who thought that Germany's choice of allies in World War I was too poor, what would happen if Germany had chosen Russia, and listed countless reasons for this.

But none of these people have really experienced this day and age, and they don't know that choosing allies is not about choosing whoever you want. In terms of maximizing interests, Germany's choice of Britain as an ally is simply the best choice, but has this been asked if Britain is willing?

In the same way, have you considered what Russia thinks when you choose Russia as an ally?

Moreover, Russia is in dire need of funds to complete its own industrialization at this time, can Germany provide Russia with the funds for its industrialization?

Therefore, it was inevitable that Germany would choose Austria as an ally, although there were various other reasons, but the main reason was that Germany could not provide Russia with what it needed for its industrialization. France, on the other hand, has no problem at all, its huge domestic capital is in dire need of profit growth, and as long as Russia is willing to make concessions on interest, then a steady stream of French money will be enough for Russia to complete its industrialization.

Of course, this is Carlo's conclusion based on the present and the trend of history, and it is very suspicious to look at the process of deduction of the answer, but it is also a choice in the interests of Germany, although Austria is weaker, but the dependence on Germany is much higher, and the demand for Germany is not as great as that of Russia. (The idea that German-Russian relations would break down by Germany's grain tariffs alone can be dispelled, and although this is an incentive, the more important Germany cannot meet Russia's need for funds.)

Although Carlo knew all this, the eldest grandson William did not, and at this time he was a little surprised that Carlo actually chose Austria. Everyone knows how bad relations Italy had with the Austrians, and could it be that the Italian king intended to send a signal of reconciliation with Austria.

He didn't have much of an opinion on this, because he was not yet in charge of Germany, but Carlo's words did inspire him.

It is important to know that his grandfather, Wilhelm I and Prime Minister Bismarck, were both Russian-friendly, and his father, Frederick III, was influenced by his wife, Princess Victoria, to be anti-Russian.

Shortly after Wilhelm's birth, a fierce conflict erupted over the "constitutional struggle" between the conservative and princely couples represented by the then King Wilhelm I of Prussia and the Princely Couple (later Frederick III & Princess Victoria). This awkward power structure inevitably led to a conflict between Wilhelm II's educational philosophy, which on the one hand was pro-British, liberal-leaning, and concerned about the importance of the public interest. On the other side are pro-Russian and conservative, focusing on aristocratic values and the cultivation of military skills. His mother, Empress Victoria, tried to instil in Wilhelm II a passion for the sea, England and freedom, and tried to replace his busy military father in the care of his children, but the king and queen also tried to exert their influence over Wilhelm II.

So this also created a complex personality of Wilhelm II, but because of the influence of both sides, it also brought him convenience, that is, he was able to move between his father and grandfather, acting as a lubricant between the two.

Of course, William has now shown his character flaws, which Carlo felt as King of Italy. Because Carlo is the king, His Excellency the Emperor's eldest grandson does not show much of it, but in front of others, he often shows his arrogant side.

But the arrogant eldest grandson of the emperor was impressed by Carlo's Q&A. "I didn't expect you to answer like this, Carlo, it's really surprising."

"It's nothing, but, as you say, from a German point of view."

Carlo said this, and suddenly a new idea came to him. "I heard that the Chinese ordered two Saxony Improved classes from you at once?"

"Yes, this is the business solicited by the Volkeng shipyard, for which our country has also given preferential treatment."

Seeing Carlo mention the construction of warships by the Chinese, although Wilhelm II did not know what Carlo thought, this matter was also a very glorious thing for the German shipbuilding industry, so Wilhelm did not care.

"If we have time, how about we go and see?"

Carlo's proposal surprised William a little, but he didn't expect the Italian king to be interested in these two ships, knowing that Italy's shipbuilding capacity is much stronger than that of Germany now.

Although Wilhelm II was a little surprised, although he had already spent a lot of time on the warships in service, he had not seen much of the warships that were built, and he happened to be interested in taking a look.

"Alright then, we'll take a look at the Volken shipyard tomorrow."

After Carlo and Wilhelm II had made up their minds, the hunting was over, and the two returned to Brandenburg for a short rest, and then began to talk again.

In the evening, Carlo returned to Charlottenburg Palace with a happy mood, but when he returned here, Carlo found that the atmosphere of the delegation was very depressing.

"What's wrong?"

In the face of Carlo's inquiry, someone immediately told the reason. The reason was that diplomatic negotiations with Germany did not go well. Although Germany was very solemn at the welcoming ceremony, the bottom line of the negotiations remained unchanged, declaring that Italy should reach a friendly agreement with Vienna before talking about the issue of a military alliance.

For this reason, Prime Minister De Pretis was already a little anxious, and returned to his residence to complain about the Germans' antiquity.

As for the negotiations between Germany and Italy, Carlo is completely intrigued, but I believe that there will be a way, and I still prepare to go to the Volkeng shipyard with Wilhelm II tomorrow.