Valentin's life had taken another dramatic turn, leaving him sleepless and anxious for several days. In his simple worldview, theft was a grave sin.
However, a radical transformation was about to sweep through Russia, engulfing everyone and shattering and reconstructing all existing values. Capitalism's power would completely reshape the ancient Russian land. Unknowingly, Valentin had already embodied capitalism's greatest virtue: making money.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Nicholas had spent a pleasant half-month with his grandparents, King Christian IX and Queen Louise, who hosted a family gathering for their daughter and grandson. Nicholas's uncle, King George I of Greece, and his wife, Queen Olga Constantinovna, had also traveled from Athens to Denmark with their children.
Despite being royal relatives, their family interactions were much like those of ordinary families, a tradition that persisted from rural society into modern Europe. Conversations revolved around mundane topics—health inquiries, updates on recent activities, and interactions with grandchildren. Fortunately for Nicholas, he was free from concerns about grades, buying a house, or a car, and his marriage plans had already been settled this year.
Time flew by at Bernstorff and Fredensborg Palaces. Nicholas and Maria eventually went their separate ways, with Nicholas heading to Coburg, Germany, to attend various royal family events, such as banquets and weddings. Queen Victoria referred to these distant relatives as "royal vagabonds"—titled but impoverished.
For centuries, German princes had been Europe's marriage brokers. A Grand Duke of Russia, or a prince from Denmark or Britain, might feel disheartened by the limited number of eligible, equally noble families. However, upon arriving in Germany, they found dozens of courts legally their equals, many with eligible daughters. This abundance alleviated their despair, offering a choice similar to that of free love.
Therefore, German nobility was the prime choice for European monarchs seeking suitable brides. The fragmentation of Germany, its constant wars, and growing population reduced the incomes of German princely states, making them willing to marry into other royal families for certain concessions. For instance, the Russian Romanovs, constrained by their Orthodox faith, could only marry Orthodox "princesses," but the only Orthodox regions besides Russia had been conquered by the Turks. They resorted to marrying German princesses willing to convert to Orthodoxy.
The past decades had seen revolutionary upheavals in the Balkans, with numerous Orthodox nations gaining independence. This thrilled the Tsar, as it allowed Russian expansion into the Balkans and provided genuine Orthodox royals for marriage. Tsar Alexander III had arranged for two of his nephews to marry daughters of the Montenegrin Prince. He openly praised the Prince as his "only friend," revealing his intentions.
"Nicky! What are you thinking about?!"
A boisterous voice interrupted Nicholas's thoughts. A heavy hand on his shoulder startled him. The enthusiastic figure was the German Emperor, Wilhelm II. Clad in military uniform, Wilhelm spread his cloak grandly, hiding his withered arm while the other hand patted Nicholas's shoulder.
Nicholas and Wilhelm were inspecting Prussian troops near Coburg. Though the Prussian goose-step was impressive, it became monotonous, causing Nicholas to daydream.
"Nothing much," Nicholas replied.
"Ha ha, if you have any worries, you can tell me," Wilhelm said, treating Nicholas like a junior due to both age and imperial experience, though Nicholas found Wilhelm's reign unimpressive. Wilhelm's condescending manner and frequent jabs, like poking Nicholas's ribs, annoyed him.
"Wilhelm, you seem troubled. Any issues in Germany?" Nicholas deflected, trying to divert Wilhelm's excessive familiarity.
"Yes, yes, Nicky, you hit the mark," Wilhelm nodded, then shook his head, then nodded again. "What else could it be? The storm from Friedrichsruh!"
Otto von Bismarck, the creator of the German Empire, resided at Friedrichsruh near Hamburg.
"There is only one ruler of the German Empire, and that is me! I cannot tolerate anyone else."
Wilhelm's near-outburst seemed to release pent-up frustration, but he quickly shook his head, as if to retract his outburst.
"I have sacrificed so much for him! I even gave him my parents' estate! For years, I endured cold treatment because I regarded him as the living symbol of our Prussian state."
"Calm down, Wilhelm."
"Yes, Nicky, I am calm."
After the review, Nicholas and Wilhelm rested at a countryside villa near the parade ground.
"My ministers fear Bismarck might return to Berlin as a political leader calling for a national referendum," Wilhelm confided, visibly worried.
"I admire Duke Bismarck so much! But he spreads rumors about my mental instability behind my back."
"Did your ministers tell you this?"
"No, no… it was Count Philipp Eulenburg," Wilhelm's close friend.
Wilhelm's statements were disjointed, making it difficult for Nicholas to understand. It took Nicholas a long time to grasp Wilhelm's point. Despite parting ways with Bismarck, Wilhelm was overshadowed by Bismarck's formidable reputation, which made him a powerful opposition figure. Media loyal to Friedrichsruh or funded by Bismarck attacked Wilhelm's policies relentlessly, exacerbating Wilhelm's paranoia and nervousness.
"But are all these actions really Bismarck's doing?"
"What?"
Nicholas's question momentarily dispelled Wilhelm's anger. He didn't understand what Nicholas was implying.
"From what I hear, besides Bismarck attacking your policies, what connection does he have with the Centre Party?"
Apart from Bismarck's shadow, Wilhelm was troubled by the political climate. The radicalized political movements of the 1890s had put Wilhelm's government under scrutiny. Lacking authority, Wilhelm faced relentless media attacks. The Centre Party, a Catholic political faction, thrived in this turmoil. Prussian nobility and Protestants viewed it as a Trojan horse for papal supremacy, poised to undermine the German Empire.
"Bismarck's Kulturkampf targeted the Centre Party," Nicholas reminded, lifting Wilhelm's spirits slightly.
"You're right... but I should…"
Wilhelm rambled on, proposing vague political maneuvers, none of which were concrete or logical, causing Nicholas to silently shake his head.
Foolish Wilhelm!
When Nicholas finished his tour of visiting relatives on the European continent, he arrived at the port of Hamburg, ready to board a yacht to London. However, he was not alone.
"Good morning, Nicky."
Willie, as irreverent as ever, gave Nicholas a playful slap on the backside.
Fortunately, Nicholas wasn't a stern or rigid person, or else he would have been quite offended by Wilhelm II.
"You are now the Emperor of Germany. Even though we are relatives, you might offend others in the future with such actions."
Nicholas' gentle reminder elicited an embarrassed smile from the exuberant Willie.
"Why don't I feel like an emperor..." Willie grumbled, merely expressing his frustration with the German political scene, which constrained his ambitions as a monarch.
"Oh, Nicky, you are so lucky! You should understand what I'm talking about."
Whenever it came to personal power, Willie would turn to Nicholas to share his thoughts as a monarch. In his view, countries like Germany, Austria, and Russia, where the monarch held significant power, were ideal.
"Rulers like us, crowned and chosen by destiny, possess a 'divine' insight! Once you are crowned, you will understand this feeling too! This is an ability only emperors of our kind possess."
To Nicholas, Wilhelm II's notion of monarchical rule seemed rooted in the 18th century, from a time before the Enlightenment and the French Revolution.
"Yes, I suppose few monarchs can endure a parliamentary system."
Nicholas humored Willie's self-aggrandizement, though he genuinely believed most monarchs desired absolute personal power. However, in Western Europe, such monarchs often faced dire consequences.
"Exactly, Nicky, you get me. I'm used to having others obey me," Willie said, strutting ahead of Nicholas with his marshal's baton, always speaking with a pompous air. "The Emperor's words should neither be misinterpreted nor excessively scrutinized. You will understand what I mean when your time comes!"
With another monarch, Willie's overbearing demeanor might have sparked a diplomatic incident. However, Nicholas' gentle and amiable nature inadvertently boosted Willie's self-esteem.
To Willie, Nicholas' affable and reserved manner expressed admiration, attentiveness, and agreement, despite lacking logical foundation.
Moreover, Wilhelm II was a spontaneous individual. Upon hearing that Nicholas was heading to London, he enthusiastically suggested they take his new yacht together, saying, "I was planning to visit our grandmother anyway."
Thus, what Willie perceived as a strong friendship led them both to the port of Hamburg.
Willie's eagerness to be close to Nicholas stemmed not only from their similar ages but also from his desire to strengthen German-Russian relations through a good rapport with the future Russian Emperor.
"Your father also supported my decision to retire Bismarck."
Willie, ever chatty, referred to his state visit to Russia in 1890, shortly after ascending the throne.
During the maneuvers at Narva, Alexander III had inquired about Bismarck's retirement. In Wilhelm II's eyes, Alexander III, usually a stern and silent ruler, uncharacteristically held his hand, thanked him sincerely, and expressed regret over the political situation. This was what Nicholas' father had said:
"I completely understand your course of action. Although Bismarck is capable, he is, after all, your subordinate. If he refuses to follow your orders, you have every right to dismiss him. I have always doubted him and never trusted his words, knowing he was only joking. For our relationship, my dear Wilhelm, Bismarck's retirement is the best outcome. Our suspicions will soon disappear. I trust you, and you can trust me."
That was the only time Alexander III addressed Wilhelm II as "dear Wilhelm."
During the Berlin Congress of 1878, Bismarck had nullified most of Russia's gains from the Russo-Turkish War.
Subsequently, with high tariffs against Russia and favoring Austria-Hungary, Bismarck's policies had strained relations with Russia. Thus, his retirement was indeed good news for Alexander III.
However, if Willie knew Alexander III privately referred to him as a "frivolous monkey," his regard for the Tsar might have been different.
"So, I believe Germany and Russia have no reason for conflict. This is wrong and goes against our long-standing friendship."
Wilhelm II tirelessly harassed Nicholas, as if attempting to indoctrinate the crown prince. Nicholas merely nodded in agreement, maintaining his calm demeanor.
"But I'm not the Tsar yet. Talking to me won't make much difference."
"No, no, you will become Tsar soon. By then, we will both be emperors! I am the sole decision-maker of German policy, and you will be the supreme autocrat of Russian policy. Regardless of our locations, our nations must follow our commands!"
Really?
Nicholas touched his nose, not entirely ignorant of modern politics and mass movements.
"But for now, my father decides Russian policy. As far as I know, in 1890, you ascended the throne, but the Reinsurance Treaty was not renewed."
"Ah, that... Nicky, listen to me, that old fool Caprivi will soon be replaced. Then I will appoint a new chancellor to discuss this matter."
Leo von Caprivi had succeeded Otto von Bismarck as the second chancellor of the German Empire in March 1890.
Referring to his chancellor as an "old fool" before me indicates he doesn't get along well with his civil servants, Nicholas thought.
"And the Foreign Office? Many German diplomats seem to dislike Russia."
"The Foreign Office?" Willie waved his arm dismissively, as if swatting away flies, and said disdainfully, "What about them? I am the Foreign Office!"
"..."
After that, Willie exaggeratedly told Nicholas he believed the entire Wilhelmstrasse stank like manure because of his "shitty" diplomats.
"Wilhelmstrasse" is often used to refer to the German government, much like "Whitehall" is used for the British government.
"Alright, I understand your point."
Nicholas nodded, causing Willie to excitedly grasp his hand.
"But what about those diplomats?"
"I will send someone I trust, who listens to me and follows my orders, to be ambassador to St. Petersburg."
Willie declared decisively.
However, to Nicholas' knowledge, the German ambassador in St. Petersburg was not replaced afterward.