After reading Schlieffen's letter, Hans fell into deep thought with a serious expression.
Alfred von Waldersee, Field Marshal of the German Empire.
This outstanding strategist, who succeeded "the Great" Moltke as the second Chief of the General Staff of the German Army, was also a typical far-right figure who was obsessed with anti-Semitism throughout his life and loathed liberalism and democracy. In the future, he would even carry out actions similar to those of a certain future Führer with a small mustache.
And such Waldersee was about to return to Germany with the Qing Expeditionary Force.
Just a few weeks later.
"The worst-case scenario is that my life might be in danger."
This was a major oversight that Hans had completely forgotten about Waldersee.
Schlieffen had specifically written to him to be careful, and it was clearly not without good reason.
Given Hans's ethnic background and Marshal Waldersee's character, the possibility of Waldersee ignoring him was zero.
Waldersee would definitely try to get rid of him beside Wilhelm II.
Hans knew from history that Waldersee was exactly the kind of person who would do such a thing.
"But at the moment, I have no way at all to stop Waldersee."
Moreover, Waldersee was by no means a person to be underestimated.
He could be said to be an upgraded version of Hindenburg and Ludendorff, and he was one of the most successful political soldiers in the political arena of the German Empire.
During his peak period, even Bismarck was wary of Waldersee, which shows how ambitious he was and how powerful his political skills were.
Although Waldersee was old now and his influence in the military had weakened, he still needed to be watched out for.
If he showed his weaknesses easily, it would only give Waldersee and those Junkers who hated him to the core an opportunity.
"At least Wilhelm II doesn't trust Waldersee as much as he used to, which gives me a bit of comfort."
The reason could be traced back to a military exercise ten years ago, that is, in 1891.
During that exercise, Waldersee not only defeated Wilhelm II in the simulated battle but also publicly mocked him for his ignorance of strategy. Naturally, this enraged our "Willy".
Waldersee, who already had many enemies, completely lost the Emperor's trust because of this incident and eventually had to resign from his position as Chief of the General Staff.
The person who replaced him was Count Schlieffen.
"Anyway, for now, all I can do is wait and see how things develop."
Just like a truly obedient and well-behaved child, he quietly held his breath and lay low.
...
"Whoooa~!"
One day in December 1902.
Berlin, the capital of the German Empire, was filled with the enthusiastic cheers of citizens who had gathered from all over the country.
This was a grand triumphal ceremony held to commemorate the victorious return of the Qing Expeditionary Force from the war against the Boxers and the Qing Dynasty.
Since the fall of Napoleon in 1814, just like their predecessors did after victory, the soldiers of the Qing Expeditionary Force marched in perfect order through the famous Brandenburg Gate.
"Long live the German Empire! Long live victory!"
"Long live the Empire! Eternal and unyielding!"
The excited Germans let out shouts full of the joy of victory towards the soldiers of the Qing Expeditionary Force.
Most of the expeditionary soldiers proudly accepted these cheers. However, some officers and soldiers, it seemed, were reminded of what had happened in Qing China and wore bitter smiles on their faces.
"..."
However, unlike them who could at least manage a smile, Marshal Alfred von Waldersee, the Commander-in-Chief of the Qing Expeditionary Force and the triumphant general, had no smile on his face at all.
In fact, on his way back to Germany from Qing China, he had been in a foul mood all the time.
The reason was Hans von Qiao.
That annoying Chinese man who had curried favor with the Emperor during his absence.
"His Majesty actually made an Asian a noble of the Empire. What on earth was the Emperor thinking!"
One day, after receiving a letter from his homeland, he learned of this matter and was so enraged that his blood vessels almost burst.
As for the fact that Hans had saved Wilhelm II's life, it was of no importance to him at all.
On the contrary, Waldersee simply couldn't understand how the Kaiser could allow that lad to enter the court just because of such a small feat.
What made him even more dissatisfied was that this man seemed to be on very close terms with that British woman.
It was said that he had not only given his property but also his mansion to her?
Perhaps that woman had infected him with the revolting ideas of liberalism.
Waldersee secretly made up his mind that no matter what means he had to use, he must get rid of that yellow-skinned lad.
Just as he had once plotted a coup to prevent Frederick III and his wife Victoria Adelaide from spreading liberalism and democracy like a plague.
"All, halt in place!"
After a brief moment of wandering thoughts, the triumphant procession had reached the front of the Berlin Palace.
Coming back to his senses, Waldersee stood at the front of the procession and looked up at that great building symbolizing Prussian spirit.
"Proud sons and daughters of Germany!"
Before long, Wilhelm II, the Emperor of the German Empire, appeared before the people.
The Kaiser, whom they hadn't seen for a long time, stood on the balcony and delivered a speech to the expeditionary soldiers who had returned from Qing China.
"Seeing you who have completed your mission in the distant East and returned triumphantly, I feel extremely gratified."
"..."
"You have fought against those barbaric acts that attempted to destroy civilization, proving that justice and morality still exist in this land. I am deeply honored to have you as my army and to be your Emperor!"
The Kaiser's speech went on in silence for a long time.
"...Therefore, I sincerely commend you. Long live Germany! Long live victory!"
"Long live Germany! Long live victory! Long live Emperor Wilhelm!"
Aaaaaah───!!
When Wilhelm II's speech ended, the silence turned into enthusiastic cheers that swept across the whole of Berlin.
However, for Waldersee, all of this was of no consequence.
What was most important to him at the moment was to offer advice to the Kaiser as soon as possible and persuade him to expel that cunning yellow-skinned lad.
...
"You've worked hard on the mission in Qing China, Marshal."
"I don't deserve such praise, Your Majesty!"
After the triumphal ceremony.
In order to commend Marshal Waldersee and the generals of the expeditionary force for their performance in Qing China, Wilhelm II personally pinned medals on them and said this.
Of course, Waldersee didn't actually command the war in person.
Although Waldersee was the Commander-in-Chief of the Qing Expeditionary Force and the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces, by the time he arrived in Qing China, the Boxers and the weak army of the Qing Dynasty had already been crushed to pieces by the enraged Allied Forces of the powers.
Therefore, Waldersee's main task in Qing China was to implement the Emperor's "punishment" order against the Qing Dynasty.
And Waldersee lived up to his mission and carried it out thoroughly.
It satisfied Wilhelm II to an extremely high degree.
"Your Majesty, I wonder if I could request a moment of private audience?"
But as soon as all the ceremonies were over, Marshal Waldersee made this request, causing Wilhelm II to frown involuntarily.
He knew too well what this eccentric old marshal wanted to talk about.
"Nine times out of ten, it's about Hans."
Wilhelm II knew Waldersee's character like the back of his hand. After all, he had regarded him as a close courtier for a long time.
Moreover, Bülow and Schlieffen had already issued warnings about this several times.
Therefore, Wilhelm II had already prepared a countermeasure.