Chapter 331: Germany's Turmoil

For European countries, the 1880s was absolutely a lucky decade. Although the situation in Europe was not so calm, it did not have a super war involving the powers.

For Spain, this was a quite precious development time. Spain could develop its industry and economy safely, and quietly launch a chase against the major powers in a corner that no one paid attention to.

For Gao Da, the calm situation represented more leisure time. Gao Da was more willing to accompany his family in his leisure time and jointly pay attention to the growth of his children.

Under such a calm situation, time also quickly arrived in 1888.

Logically speaking, 1888 was also a calm year, but because of the death of a monarch, the originally calm situation in Europe had some fluctuations.

Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany was born in 1797 and was currently the oldest monarch in Europe. During Wilhelm I's reign, the Kingdom of Prussia successively won the Second Schleswig War, the Austro-Prussian War, and the Franco-Prussian War, directly creating the current European hegemon, the German Empire.

But whether it was a king or an emperor, Wilhelm I was just an ordinary person. Since he was an ordinary person, he naturally had to experience the birth, aging, sickness, and death that everyone had to experience.

As of 1888, Kaiser Wilhelm I's age was already close to 91. In an era when the average life expectancy in Europe was only thirty or forty years old, 90 years old was already the oldest among the elderly group.

But it was clear that the life expectancy of humans was about there. From the beginning of 1888, news came from Germany that Wilhelm I's body was gradually weakening, and he could not even handle government affairs.

Everyone understood that this creator of the empire would eventually die. Everyone was currently most concerned about the changes in Germany's political situation after Wilhelm I's death, and whether these changes would have an impact on the European situation.

Even Spain was waiting for news from Germany and was closely paying attention to Germany's allies, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Italy.

It did not make Gao Da wait for a long time; on March 9, 1888, the Chief of the Guard, Bu La De Ai, walked in a hurry and brought Gao Da a piece of news that everyone was waiting for: "Your Majesty, according to the telegram from the German government, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany passed away a few hours ago."

In fact, Gao Da only knew that after Wilhelm I was his son, the Hundred Days Emperor Frederick III. After Frederick III was the Kaiser Wilhelm II that everyone knew.

As for the date of Wilhelm I's death, Gao Da only knew it was this year, and did not know what day it was.

Hearing the news reported by the Chief of the Guard, Gao Da nodded, and there was not much expression on his face.

Gao Da had already experienced the death of his father, Victor Emmanuel II, and his mentor and friend, Prime Minister Pulimo, and had no big touch for this kind of death news.

Moreover, Wilhelm I himself could be considered to have died of old age, and his passing was good news for Germany and himself.

Even if Germany was in its prime at this time, Germany did not need an emperor who had been in power for too long. His son Frederick III was called the Hundred Days Emperor, and the most important reason was that he suffered from laryngeal cancer, which was incurable with the medical conditions of this era.

But then again, if Wilhelm I lived a few years less, could his son enjoy a few more years of imperial life?

Wilhelm I's longevity and Frederick III's short life had a huge impact on Germany, and indirectly led to Germany's defeat in the First World War.

Why say so? Three months after Wilhelm I died, his son Frederick III also followed his father to heaven.

This also led to the imperial throne of the German Empire quickly coming to the head of Wilhelm I's grandson, the doomed monarch Wilhelm II.

At this time, Wilhelm II was only 29 years old, plus his physical defects, which made him very arrogant and sensitive.

A young monarch and an old prime minister who held real power and had extremely high influence, it was very difficult for the two to reach any intimate cooperation.

Facts were indeed so; after Wilhelm II succeeded as emperor, the political career of the Iron Chancellor Bismarck basically came to an end.

The biggest difference between the German Empire period of Wilhelm I and the German Empire period of Wilhelm II was the diplomatic situation faced by Germany.

During the German Empire period of Wilhelm I, Germany's main enemy was only France, but the allies around it were the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy, and Russia.

And during the German Empire period of Wilhelm II, with the German government changing its strategy and exposing more ambition for colonies and sea power, Germany's diplomatic relationship with the UK gradually moved away, and it could no longer maintain a nominal alliance relationship with Russia.

This led to Germany's enemies changing from one France to three powers, Britain, France, and Russia, but the allies were still only the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Italy.

The outcome of the First World War was already very clear; Wilhelm II's German Empire could not only defeat external enemies but also could not solve the empire's internal enemies.

In the later stages of the war, Wilhelm II had basically been hollowed out, which was also the reason why he became the scapegoat after the war and had to abdicate.

There was no time to sigh so much; Gao Da's main concern was still the reaction of European countries to the death of the Kaiser.

Although Gao Da knew the reaction of the European situation after Wilhelm I's death, who could ensure that the European situation in this world would still develop as it did in history?

Any small change could cause a bigger change in the situation. For himself and Spain, Gao Da had to pay attention to the movements of all countries.

"At this time, all European countries should have received the news, but so far, no country has had any big reaction actions." The Royal Security Intelligence Agency's Kadier answered Gao Da's question.

"Closely pay attention to the movements of France and Russia. Once these two countries have any movements, they must report to me at the first time." Gao Da ordered.

For Germany at this time, the death of Wilhelm I could be said to be the beginning of the turmoil of the situation.

Frederick III's laryngeal cancer was not discovered after he became emperor, but was discovered last year. However, because of the misdiagnosis of British doctors, the surgery at that time was canceled.

One month before Wilhelm I died, Crown Wang Chu Frederick had just undergone life-saving treatment. In order to prevent him from suffocation and life crisis due to the swelling of the tumor, the Crown Wang Chu's private doctor had to cut open his trachea and insert a silver ventilation tube.

Although this indeed saved Crown Wang Chu Frederick's life, it also made this guy who was about to become emperor unable to speak until now, and could only express his thoughts by writing.

The old emperor had just died, and the new emperor also had a life crisis. At such a juncture, Gao Da did not believe that France had no ideas.

You must know that since the end of the Franco-Prussian War, the French had been looking for an opportunity to take revenge on Germany. It was just that Bismarck had been managing his diplomatic policy very well, plus the situation in Germany had no turmoil, which made the French unable to find an opportunity to launch a war.

The stage of Wilhelm I's death could be said to be a relatively good opportunity; even if they could not completely defeat Germany, they could make the situation in Germany become more chaotic.

Although the Iron Chancellor Bismarck was still the controller of the German government at this time, he was only 18 years younger than the 91-year-old Wilhelm I, and he was also 73 years old this year.

The situation in Germany at this time could be said to be pulling one hair and moving the whole body, and it was very likely that the collapse of Germany would be caused by some small changes.

Would the French let go of such an opportunity? Gao Da did not know. Gao Da even did not know whether the outbreak of a Franco-German war at this time would be a good thing or a bad thing for Spain.

But this did not prevent Gao Da from ordering the Royal Security Intelligence Agency to highly pay attention to the movements of France and Russia. Once it was discovered that France had a tendency to launch a war, Spain must be prepared in advance.

For Gao Da and Spain, they certainly did not want to see France win in the war against Germany. Once France became the European hegemon again, the colonial balance in North Africa and West Africa would also be broken.

Spain could talk about conditions with France, the second in Europe, but could not talk about conditions with the boss of the European continent.

Once France became the hegemon of the European continent again, Spain had to consider hugging Germany to avoid being invaded by France or having its colonies snatched.

But if Germany could defeat France, or if this war would not happen, Spain would not need to worry about the threat from France.

After all, what the French feared most was still Germany; as long as Spain did not touch France's bottom line, France would not tear its face with Spain.

Wilhelm I's death and Spain could not be said to have no relationship. Spain certainly had to participate in Wilhelm I's funeral, and also had to send high-ranking officials at the prime minister level to participate, so that it could reflect Spain's importance to this funeral.

If only officials at the foreign minister level were sent, it would be difficult not to pay attention to Germany. After all, Germany was one of the most powerful powerful countries in the world, and Wilhelm I was the creator of this powerful empire.

Of course, Gao Da certainly would not actively go to Germany to participate in this funeral. The kings and emperors of Europe were actually not much different, and Spain and Germany did not have too close a relationship, so Gao Da naturally did not need to go in person.

Only countries like Germany's allies, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Italy, perhaps their monarchs needed to go to Germany in person to participate in this funeral.

After all, allies still had to express their importance to their allies, and the alliance relationship also needed to be maintained.

Sure enough, in the next day, European countries all expressed their grief over the news of Wilhelm I's death and announced that they would participate in Wilhelm I's funeral.

The lineup participating in the funeral was also quite luxurious, and there was no lack of emperors and kings and prime ministers of various countries.

Among all the guests participating in the funeral, the one with the highest status was Emperor Franz Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Franz Joseph I and Wilhelm I were both emperors of powerful countries, plus the age was already old, being able to come in person to participate in Wilhelm I's funeral had already given Germany enough face.

Generally, in this case, one could send one's own adult crown prince to participate; on one hand, one could exercise one's own heir, and on the other hand, the crown prince could also represent the royal family with full authority to the outside world.

Germany's other ally, Russia, did so. Tsar Alexander III did not participate in Wilhelm I's funeral in person, but sent his crown prince Nicholas.

In fact, this was also related to the worsening relationship between Germany and Russia. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the relationship between Germany and Russia was no longer so intimate.

This also led to the two originally intimate allies carrying out various defenses against each other, just short of directly strengthening border defense forces and transferring all troops to the border for defense.

Of course, the crown prince participating in this funeral was also absolutely enough level. The crown prince was the future Tsar of Russia; except for the status not being as high as the Tsar now, everything else was about the same.

Alexander III could send his crown prince to participate in Wilhelm I's funeral, which could also see Russia's attitude. At least Russia did not intend to completely abandon the relationship with Germany, they still wanted to maintain the alliance relationship with Germany, but were a bit dissatisfied with Germany's alienation from them, so they sent the crown prince, such a neutral identity, to participate in the funeral.

If they wanted to tear up the alliance with Germany, Russia only needed to send a foreign minister to participate in the funeral to do so.

Only countries with particularly distant relationships, or even competition and contradictions, would send officials at the level of foreign minister, otherwise they would send prime ministers or crown princes; at least the superficial work still had to be done.

Even France, which had a bad or even hostile relationship with Germany, also sent a luxurious lineup led by the prime minister to participate in Wilhelm I's funeral.

From this point, it could also be seen that European countries attached importance to superficial work; after all, in the aristocratic gentleman group, this could also be considered a kind of etiquette.

Spain sent Prime Minister Canovas, while Italy was King Umberto I himself.

Like the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy also needed Germany's diplomatic influence to help itself expand its international status. Italy attached great importance to the alliance with Germany; after learning the news of Wilhelm I's death, Umberto I immediately confirmed the itinerary.

The UK did not send Queen Victoria; after all, this queen was also famous for not asking about government affairs. However, the British government also sent Prime Minister Gladstone, and the superficial work was done very well.

In addition to this crowd of powerful countries, European countries also sent their own luxurious lineups to participate in this funeral.

This also made Wilhelm I's funeral set a record, becoming the funeral with the largest number of monarchs or prime ministers from various countries participating.

Of course, such a record was not any glory for Germany itself. The empire's successor, Frederick III, could not even welcome guests in person at this time, and could only entrust the German Chancellor Bismarck and the Foreign Minister to help him welcome guests.

After Wilhelm I died, Crown Wang Chu Frederick had already confirmed the name of Frederick III. According to normal circumstances, at this time, Crown Wang Chu Wilhelm was already the new emperor of the German Empire.

But this new emperor was still lying on the hospital bed at this time; because the tumor in his throat had not been eliminated, this emperor even had a life crisis at any time.

This also created the awkward scene where the new emperor could not attend Wilhelm I's funeral. Fortunately, the monarchs and prime ministers participating in the funeral were strictly trained; even if they had various ideas about Germany's awkward status at this time, everyone would not show it, and would only express a face of grief, participating in this funeral that had nothing special in an orderly manner.

(End of this chapter) ===== CHAPTER 332 =====