On May 7th, Kaiser Wilhelm II urgently convened a meeting of his council, focused solely on the implications of King Edward VII's death for Britain's foreign policy and the selection of a representative to attend both the king's funeral and the coronation of the new monarch.
"Gentlemen, with the passing of King Edward VII, it is certain that Prince George will inherit the throne. Is this favorable or unfavorable for the German Empire?" Wilhelm II inquired, devoid of any sorrow despite the fact that the deceased was his uncle; for him, the paramount concern remained the interests of the German Empire.
"Your Majesty, compared to King Edward, Prince George may prove to be a more formidable opponent. Although he is young, he is a staunch advocate of militarism, favoring the suppression of the Empire's existence. Thus, upon his ascension, Britain's stance toward us is likely to become increasingly aggressive. The Empire must be prepared for this eventuality," Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow asserted.
Wilhelm II nodded grimly; George was indeed a distant cousin. Although they had little personal interaction, he was well aware of George's character and views through various intelligence channels.
"Your Majesty, it is already apparent that the British intend to confine the Empire within the European continent. They have formed an alliance with France and Russia, specifically directed against us. Our only recourse is to triumph in the forthcoming conflict. The Imperial Navy is preparing for this, and I am confident we will achieve victory in the decisive battle," declared Admiral Tirpitz, exuding confidence as the German Navy rapidly expanded its fleet.
"While the British have signed treaties with France and Russia, it is crucial to note that these are not military alliances. Only the pact between France and Russia qualifies as such. Therefore, should war erupt, the British might choose to remain neutral, leaving us to contend only with France," interjected Moltke.
Following his conflicts with Qin Tian, Moltke exhibited a distinct bias against his faction.
Wilhelm II frowned, aware that if war broke out, Britain's neutrality would be ideal, though he recognized the improbability of such a scenario.
"The British will certainly not remain neutral. If we engage France, Britain will inevitably intervene. They understand that without their support, the French would stand no chance against us. Once we defeat France, Russia will pose even less of a threat, and the Empire will dominate Europe. Even with the Channel separating us, Britain will no longer be secure. Their global hegemony will be fundamentally challenged. Thus, I believe that if war ensues, Britain will unhesitatingly join the fray, and we must prepare accordingly," asserted Army Minister von Falkenhayn, whose views starkly contrasted with Moltke's.
Moltke shot a glare at Falkenhayn, who remained unfazed.
"Oscar, what is your opinion?" Wilhelm II asked.
"Father, I also believe that Prince George's ascension to the throne is detrimental to the Empire. We must abandon any illusions regarding the British and focus entirely on military readiness. This war is now unavoidable. Of course, there is a way to avert it: Germany must cease developing its navy, abandon its challenge to British supremacy, and forgo the expansion of overseas colonies," Qin Tian responded.
Hearing this, Wilhelm II's expression darkened, akin to a soot-stained pot. His lifelong ambition was to lead the German Empire to supplant Britain as the world's preeminent power. For him to relinquish this dream was inconceivable. Moreover, with Germany's military prowess advancing swiftly, he saw a glimmer of hope in defeating Britain. Abandoning this pursuit now was utterly impossible.
"Since war with Britain is now unavoidable, let us prepare for battle!" Wilhelm II declared. Although he was still reluctant to engage in conflict with Britain, he recognized that if the nation's interests necessitated war, it was a path he must take. Furthermore, he was convinced that Germany would hold a significant advantage in any future conflict. Given this conviction, he was even less inclined to sacrifice the Empire's interests to avoid war.
"Indeed, Your Majesty!" all the ministers affirmed. While war would bring considerable losses to Germany, victory could yield immense benefits, establishing Germany as the foremost global power and bestowing substantial advantages upon its leaders.
"Now, with King Edward VII deceased and Prince George poised to ascend, who shall we send to Britain to represent the Empire at the funeral and the coronation?" Wilhelm II inquired.
"Your Majesty, I suggest we send the Foreign Minister," proposed Bülow.
Wilhelm II shook his head: "A mere Foreign Minister will not suffice. Oscar, you shall represent the Empire in Britain!"
"Yes, Father!" Qin Tian replied, somewhat surprised by Wilhelm II's decision. However, he was unfazed; as the Imperial Crown Prince, representing the Empire in foreign visits was one of his duties. Moreover, he seized the opportunity to observe the true state of affairs in Britain.