Chapter 283: Theresia Military Command Academy
Following the Sultanate of Zanzibar's initial steps toward abolishing the slave trade, legal changes were underway.
In Hechingen, the early morning sun bathed the town halfway up the mountain below Hohenzollernburg. A vast open space had been temporarily cleared amid the surrounding greenery.
"Present arms!"
"Boom...boom...boom."
"Salute!"
Every instructor and student of the Hechingen Military Academy, along with Leopold, had gathered for a solemn memorial ceremony honoring the students who had lost their lives on the Franco-Prussian battlefield. Principal Ernst presided over the erection of a monument and the ritual of offering soil to honor the fallen.
"Today is a somber day for us. Our exceptional students, your fellow comrades-in-arms, gave their lives in the crucible of war, sacrificing for the cause of Germany's unification. The academy will forever remember your contributions, and the Hohenzollern family will hold you in the highest esteem. You have proven yourselves as valiant soldiers. Your courage..." Ernst delivered a heartfelt eulogy, offering the highest praise to these fallen students.
"After this ceremony, we shall descend from the mountain. You still bear important responsibilities, and the future holds many challenges," Ernst declared.
"Yes, Principal!"
"By the way, Heinrich is staying."
At Hohenzollernburg, Ernst, Leopold, and Heinrich gathered in the living room.
"Heinrich, where does your family originate from?" Ernst asked.
"Originally, from Heixingen."
"I meant before coming to Europe."
"Ah, that would be Laiyang County."
"I see, Laiyang County, near Yantai! I remember the place from when I first arrived here. However, from now on, you must remember that you are now German, and your ancestors hailed from the Far East."
"Yes, Principal, I will keep that in mind," Heinrich replied with determination.
Leopold, curious, asked, "Where is Laiyang? You're familiar with it, Ernst."
"Well, I've heard of it. As you know, Heixingen maintains business connections in the Far East, so I have some knowledge of cities in that region."
Leopold's tone shifted. "Never mind, let's leave that aside. Let's discuss the battlefield results. Your students performed exceptionally well in this war, especially Heinrich, who demonstrated commendable leadership. Compared to the Prussian army, the professionally educated Hechingen Brigade showed remarkable performance."
"That's undeniable. Individuals who have received military education generally outperform their counterparts. It's just that their training was shorter, which naturally contributed to their success," Ernst agreed.
"So, what are your plans for them moving forward?" Leopold inquired with interest.
"Emperor Franz and I have made a request. We intend to select a group of students from this cohort for enrollment at the Theresia Military Command Academy in Austria."
"Theresia! That's Austria's most prestigious military command academy, admitting only around 200 students each year. How many positions did Emperor Franz allocate to you?" Leopold asked with fascination.
"Thirty positions, which isn't an abundance, but it surpasses what the Berlin Military Academy offers," Ernst remarked.
In the early days, Konstantin's connections had secured two spots at the Berlin Military Academy for students from the Hechingen Military Academy. This time, Ernst personally approached Emperor Franz, who had agreed to grant the Hechingen Military Academy 30 positions. Theresia Military Command Academy and Berlin Military Academy were both institutions of great importance, closely guarding Prussian and Austrian military secrets and influencing the direction of military command in their respective nations. Therefore, assigning students to these academies was a complex process.
"Thirty positions may not be enough! Austrian candidates don't receive such treatment," Leopold teased Ernst.
Ernst brushed off the jest, explaining, "It's not about quantity. These 30 individuals could impact the future military development of East Africa and signify Austria's influence in the region. It's a matter of mutual benefit."
Leopold jokingly chimed in, "If only things were that simple! Your status as a Habsburg family son-in-law comes in quite handy."
Ernst paid no heed to the teasing but turned his attention to Heinrich. "Among those thirty positions, I intend to reserve one for you, Heinrich. After your admission, you'll need to delve deeper into military studies and evaluate the pros and cons of Prussian and Austrian military concepts. In the future, I plan to establish a military academy in East Africa, and you are currently a candidate for the position of principal."
Heinrich humbly suggested, "Principal, I believe Erich is a more suitable candidate than I am. His academic performance surpasses mine."
Ernst countered, "Don't underestimate yourself. Erich has already garnered the favor of General Moltke and is likely to stay in Prussia or serve the German Empire in the future. His prospects within Prussia are promising. As for you, will you feel undervalued when you relocate to East Africa?"
Heinrich shook his head firmly, stating, "Principal, I will wholeheartedly embrace any mission you entrust me with, regardless of where it takes me."
The discussion continued, with Ernst elaborating on his plans for the students' future and East Africa's development, particularly emphasizing the importance of digesting and developing the newly annexed lands, rich in resources such as iron and coal, crucial for industrial growth.
The conversation eventually circled back to the issue of Zanzibar. Konstantin expressed concern that pushing too hard on the matter of the slave trade might lead Zanzibar to seek British support.
Ernst proposed a subtle approach, suggesting that the Sultanate of Zanzibar could change the identity of slave traders to labor export companies and improve the conditions on the ships. This way, they could continue their activities while aligning with the changing times.
Konstantin was skeptical at first, but Ernst explained that this approach was a form of vaccination. It allowed East Africa to make compromises in advance and avoid potential conflicts with the British. If necessary, East Africa could respond with force.
Konstantin appreciated Ernst's perspective, emphasizing that peace required a strong backing of force, and fear could only lead to territorial concessions. This spirit aligned with the Hohenzollern family's values.