In a sense.
Trotsky and Adolf were two sides of the same coin of this era, both of them were pursuing the purity in their imagination.
But this world is neither black nor white.
The purity ritual he mentioned was just a lie, and the lie will be exposed one day.
You will eventually drown in your big but pointless dreams.
but.
It is only 1913.
The war to end all wars has not yet begun.
Everything looks beautiful.
December is a busy month for the royal family.
Not only do they have to attend various celebrations, including church halls and royal gatherings, but they also have to attend cabinet and military meetings, as well as the year-end review.
Berlin City Palace.
There are two guests at the Berlin Palace today.
Hugo Adolphe Eugene Victor Stinnes
Gustav Georg Friedrich Maria Krupp von Bøhlenhalbach.
It can be seen from these two names that one is the chairman of the German Empire Employers' Association and the other is the largest arms capitalist in Germany.
They came to talk to William II as a capital cost, but there were many things that were difficult to discuss because William II almost never paid attention to domestic affairs. Domestic affairs were completely left to the cabinet to manage. William II only liked to talk about military and diplomacy.
so.
The nominal target of their visit was William II.
In fact, the person they were looking for was Hilde.
After all, since the Balkans, William II liked to take Hilde with him almost everywhere he went. And unlike the love he had for his simple daughter, Hilde had a strong political attribute. For example, Germany's influence on the Balkans now had to go through Hilde.
Capital investment in the Balkan economy also requires Hilde's approval.
This would naturally make people think that Hilde's meaning was what William II meant, so they would come to Hilde to find out what William II meant.
Hilde was still wearing the same long white military uniform.
The high-heeled boots made a crisp sound as they stepped on the floor of the Berlin Palace.
Gustav and Stinnes followed Hilde.
Hilde said to herself.
"The empire must prepare for war. I want to lead my people to prosperity. Anyone who helps me accomplish my mission will be given a high position.
If anyone opposes me, I will destroy him. Strength is in our hands, our future lies on the water, and our fleet must promote
The people of the whole world exclaimed, "Our German flag." When the world was divided, Germany got less, so we must make up for it.
compensation.
Stinnis said in cooperation.
"The Empire's industry will ensure all the needs of the Empire's war."
"Excellent, Mr. Stinnes. But these cannot be done without workers. Give them some benefits. I have thought of limiting
"We can even raise the wages of children if we give them a week off."
Gustav and Stinnes' mouths twitched.
Even a fool could tell that Hilde was teasing them.
Gustav reminded.
"Miss, the Empire already has laws prohibiting child labor."
"Is there any?"
"Yes, the Imperial Industrial Code of 1869 began to impose restrictions on industry-related matters, including child labor. Even today, the Imperial Industrial Code Amendment has imposed restrictions on child labor. The minimum age must not be less than 14 years old, working hours must not exceed six hours, and children are not allowed to engage in dangerous work or night work."
"Then give the workers two days off a week."
"Excuse me, but this is not a good idea either, Miss. The Empire has a very high demand for labor. Currently, the Empire's labor force cannot keep up with the Empire's industrial needs. Many factories are facing a labor shortage. If we give them two days off a week, our industry will have difficulty operating normally."
"Then give them a raise."
"The wages in the empire are already among the best in the world."
"Keep adding."
"No problem, miss."
Hilde stopped and turned to look at Gustav.
"You just agreed so easily?"
"Yes."
"Your simple agreement makes me feel unfulfilled. You should find all kinds of excuses to oppose my opinions. I force you to increase the wages of the workers, which reflects my authority and level."
"Maybe we can do this again?"
Gustave seemed very cooperative.
Hilde laughed, turned around and continued walking forward.
"You can talk to Mr. Karlekin about the workers' wages. He is very interested, but I am not. Of course, you can also talk to General Falkenhayn about the military affairs. Don't come to me."
Karl Lekin is Chairman of the General Council of German Trade Unions and President of the International Trade Union Confederation.
The issue of workers' treatment is naturally something that should be discussed between capital and him.
General Falkenhayn refers to War Minister Erich Georg Sebastian von Falkenhayn. 1913.
The conservative former War Minister General Herlingen opposed the plan of Chief of the General Staff Moltke the Younger and Colonel Ludendorff of the General Staff Deployment Department to expand the peacetime army strength from 670,000 to 970,000. As the conflict between the War Ministry and the General Staff intensified, William II dismissed General Herlingen from his post.
However, it does not represent a victory for the General Staff.
The new Secretary of War was General Falkenhayn, who had just been promoted to Major General in 1912 and was promoted to Lieutenant General out of the ordinary. Even Hilde would be ashamed of this speed of promotion.
The only problem was that General Falkenhayn was also a conservative, and he was personally appointed by Emperor William II.
General Falkenhayn will be responsible for the reorganization of the Imperial Army.
It can also be said.
General Falkenhayn had no support from anyone in the army or the Cabinet.
But William II supported him.
It can be said that Hilde's position is similar to that of General Falkenham to some extent, the difference is that Hilde is not involved in the power system of the empire.
This is also the reason why Imperial Capital came to Hilde. The interests involved in the reorganization of arms are not a small matter.
In quantitative terms, the matter of raising workers' wages is not worth mentioning at all.
Before coming to see Hilde.
I had already thought about the extent of the concessions I would make to Hilde.
Hilde never thought of getting involved in the power struggle of the empire.
When Hilde came to William II's study.
William II asked while reading the newspaper.
"Why did those two guys come to you?"
"It's about rearmament. They want to influence General Falkenhayn through me."
"What did you say?"
William II was somewhat hesitant. After all, the special appointment of General Falkenhayn was itself a controversial matter.
"Don't employ a man you doubt, and don't doubt a man you employ. Since you have chosen General Falkenhayn, leave it to him to handle the matter."
"This is also true."
Although he said so, W
illiam II still didn't look very happy.
Obviously this is not the main issue.
Hilde asked back.
"What happened?"
"It's still a question of Alsace-Lorraine."