Chapter 718: Turmoil in Germany (Part 2)

Although Carlo understood the European situation’s reaction after the death of William I, how can he ensure that the world’s European situation will still develop as it did in history?

Any minor change might cause a larger shift in the situation. For himself and Spain, Carlo must pay attention to the movements of all countries.

“At this point, all European countries should have received the news, but so far, no country has shown a significant reaction,” replied Kadir from the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau to Carlo’s query.

“Keep a close watch on France and Russia’s movements. As soon as there is any movement from these two countries, report to me immediately,” Carlo instructed.

For Germany at this time, the death of William I could be said to be the beginning of a disturbance in the situation.

Frederick III’s throat cancer was not discovered after becoming Emperor, but was actually found last year. However, due to a misdiagnosis by British doctors, the operation was canceled at that time.

A month before William I passed away, Crown Prince Frederick had just undergone vital treatment. To prevent suffocation and a life-threatening situation due to the swelling tumor, the Crown Prince’s personal physician had to cut open his trachea and insert a silver breathing tube.

Although this did indeed save Crown Prince Frederick’s life, it also left this soon-to-be Emperor unable to speak, only able to express his thoughts by writing.

The old Emperor has just died, and the new Emperor also faces a life-threatening crisis. At such a critical juncture, Carlo does not believe that France has no thoughts.

It is known that since the end of the Franco-Prussian War, the French have been seeking an opportunity to take revenge on Germany. It’s just that Bismarck had always maintained his diplomatic policy very well, coupled with the stable situation within Germany, making it impossible for the French to find an opportunity to start a war.

Now, the period following the death of William I can be said to be a prime opportunity. Even if they cannot completely defeat Germany, they can make the domestic situation in Germany more chaotic.

Although the Iron Chancellor Bismarck is still the controller of the German Government, he is only 18 years younger than the 91-year-old William I and is himself 73 years old.

The current situation in Germany can be described as highly sensitive, likely to collapse due to small changes.

Will the French let go of such an opportunity? Carlo does not know. Carlo is even unsure whether a Franco-German War at this time would be good or bad for Spain.

But that does not prevent Carlo from ordering the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau to closely monitor the movements of France and Russia. If there are signs of France initiating a war, Spain must prepare in advance.

For Carlo and Spain, they definitely do not want to see France victorious in a war against Germany. Once France becomes the European hegemon again, the colonial balance in North Africa and West Africa will also be disrupted.

Spain can negotiate with the current number two in Europe, France, but cannot negotiate with the number one.

Once France becomes the hegemon of the European Continent again, Spain will have to consider allying with Germany to avoid being invaded or having their colonies seized by France.

But if Germany can defeat France, or if this war does not occur, Spain does not need to worry about threats from France.

After all, the French are most concerned about Germany. As long as Spain does not touch France’s bottom line, France will not tear its relationship with Spain.

The death of William I also cannot be said to be without any relation to Spain. Spain will certainly participate in William I’s funeral and dispatch high-ranking officials at the Prime Minister level to show Spain’s importance to this funeral.

If only officials at the level of Foreign Secretary were sent, it might seem to underestimate Germany. After all, Germany is one of the most powerful countries in the world, and William I was the founder of this mighty Empire.

Of course, Carlo definitely would not actively go to Germany to attend this funeral. There isn’t much difference between Kings and Emperors in Europe. Since Spain and Germany do not have overly close relations, Carlo naturally does not need to attend in person.

Only Germany’s allies like Austria-Hungary and Italy, perhaps their Monarchs would need to attend the funeral in person.

After all, allies still need to express their importance to each other, and the alliance relationship needs to continue to be maintained.

Sure enough, in the following day, the European countries expressed their grief over the news of William I’s passing and announced their participation in his funeral.

The lineup attending the funeral was quite lavish, with emperors, kings, and prime ministers among them.

Among all the guests attending the funeral, the one with the highest status was Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary.

Emperor Franz Joseph I and William I were both emperors of great powers, and due to his old age, being able to attend William I’s funeral in person already gives Germany plenty of respect.

Usually, in such situations, a mature Crown Prince can be sent. It can train the heir and indeed allow the Crown Prince to fully represent the Royal Family externally.

Germany’s other ally, Russia, did it this way. Tsar Alexander III did not personally attend William I’s funeral but sent his Crown Prince Nikola.

Actually, this has to do with the deteriorating relationship between Germany and Russia. Observant people can see that Germany and Russia’s relationship is no longer as close as before.

This has resulted in the two formerly close allies engaging in various forms of defense against each other, almost reinforcing border defenses and shifting troops to border defense.

Of course, a Crown Prince attending the funeral is certainly of sufficient rank. The Crown Prince is the future Tsar of Russia. Besides not having as high a status as the current Tsar, everything else is similar.

That Alexander III can send his Crown Prince to attend William I’s funeral also shows Russia’s attitude. At least Russia does not plan to completely abandon their relationship with Germany, still wanting to maintain an ally relationship with Germany, but they are somewhat dissatisfied with Germany’s coldness towards them, hence sending a Crown Prince with such a middle-ground status to attend the funeral.

If Russia intended to break their alliance with Germany, they could send just a Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend the funeral.

Only relationships that are particularly distant or involve competition and conflict would send officials at the Minister of Foreign Affairs level. Otherwise, they would dispatch a Prime Minister or Crown Prince, at least maintaining appearances.

Even France, which has a poor relationship and is even hostile towards Germany, sent a luxurious lineup led by the Prime Minister to attend William I’s funeral.

From this, it can be seen that European countries place great importance on maintaining appearances, as this also counts as etiquette among the noble gentlemen’s circles.

Spain sent Prime Minister Canovas, while Italy was represented by King Umberto I personally.

Like Austria-Hungary, Italy needs Germany’s diplomatic influence to help enhance its international status. Italy is quite serious about its alliance with Germany, determining King Umberto I’s itinerary immediately upon hearing the news of William I’s death.

The United Kingdom did not dispatch Queen Victoria, as she is famously uninvolved in state affairs. However, the British Government sent Prime Minister Gladstone, fully attending to appearances.

Besides these great power countries, European countries also sent their own grand lineups to participate in this funeral.

This created a record for William I’s funeral, becoming the funeral with the most Monarchs or Prime Ministers participating.

Of course, such a record is not really an honor for Germany itself. The Empire’s successor Frederick III cannot even personally welcome the guests, entrusting German Prime Minister Bismarck and the Foreign Secretary to help receive the guests.

After William I’s death, Crown Prince Frederick had already determined the title of Frederick III. Normally, at this time, Crown Prince William is already the new Emperor of the German Empire.

But this new Emperor is still lying on the sickbed, as the throat tumor has not disappeared, and he even faces a life-threatening crisis at any time.

This has resulted in the awkward scene where the new Emperor cannot attend William I’s funeral. Fortunately, the attending Monarchs and Prime Ministers are all strictly trained; no matter their thoughts on Germany’s awkward situation at this time, they will not show it, only expressing sadness on their faces, and attending the not-so-special funeral as per routine.