On September 21, Qin Tian's special train arrived in Berlin. The Minister of the Imperial Army, von Falkenhayn, personally came to the station to welcome him.
"Your Highness, welcome back to Berlin. Under your command, the 8th Army Corps has achieved a magnificent victory on the Eastern Front. His Majesty is exceedingly pleased, and the entire German Empire rejoices at your triumph!" von Falkenhayn exclaimed, his weathered face beaming like a blooming chrysanthemum.
Indeed, von Falkenhayn had ample reason to be delighted. First, Qin Tian's 8th Army Corps had defeated over nine hundred thousand enemy troops, a tremendous victory for Germany. As a member of Qin Tian's faction, von Falkenhayn naturally felt elated. Additionally, the First Battle of the Marne had concluded. Although the German forces suffered losses of two hundred twenty thousand men, they had failed to advance to the outskirts of Paris. Instead, the British and French forces had managed to hold their ground against the fierce German onslaught, bolstering their resolve to resist further. The initial plan for a swift conclusion to the war had collapsed, which was undoubtedly disheartening news for Germany. However, for von Falkenhayn, this meant significant trouble for his old rival, Moltke.
Von Falkenhayn had long aspired to replace Moltke as Chief of the General Staff, striving to become the military's foremost figure. Yet, he had been consistently stifled by Moltke. Now, with Moltke's blunders, an opportunity had arisen. Furthermore, Qin Tian's resounding victory on the Eastern Front had elevated his stature domestically. Even Kaiser Wilhelm II could no longer dismiss Qin Tian's opinions. If Qin Tian fulfilled his promises to support him, von Falkenhayn believed his chances of ousting Moltke and assuming the position of Chief of the General Staff were significantly increased. It seemed he could almost see the office beckoning him.
"Your Excellency, you are far too gracious! I am honored by your personal welcome!" Qin Tian replied with a smile. He understood von Falkenhayn's intentions clearly and was pleased to assist him in achieving his ambitions, especially since von Falkenhayn had chosen to ally with him. It was only fair that he help von Falkenhayn take another step forward.
"Your Highness, let us proceed to the palace; His Majesty awaits you," von Falkenhayn said.
Nodding in agreement, Qin Tian and von Falkenhayn shared a car to the palace.
The war had now raged for over a month, leaving its mark on Germany. Even Berlin, the capital of the Empire, bore a somber atmosphere. The streets were less bustling than before. From what Qin Tian had gathered, Germany had not yet faced shortages of supplies, thanks to ample pre-war stockpiles. However, if the conflict continued, shortages would inevitably arise and worsen. Yet, there was little to be done; such was the impact of war. Qin Tian's only course of action was to find ways to expedite an end to the conflict.
"Your Highness, the First Battle of the Marne has concluded, and we have lost two hundred fifty thousand men. Although the British and French forces suffered slightly more, we failed to achieve our strategic objectives. Paris remains just kilometers from our reach, tantalizingly within grasp, yet we have lost the opportunity to capture it," von Falkenhayn lamented.
"Indeed, none anticipated that the situation on the Western Front would deteriorate so severely," Qin Tian responded. He was aware that, in another timeline, the German forces had ultimately met with failure at the Marne. For the next two years, regardless of their efforts, they would struggle to make any breakthroughs. However, in this timeline, thanks to his influence, the strength of the German forces had improved. He had hoped this might effect some change, but the inertia of history proved formidable, resulting in yet another missed opportunity.
Von Falkenhayn nodded in agreement: "In this campaign, we have not only lost significant troop numbers but also expended vast quantities of resources. Our soldiers, having fought continuously, are now thoroughly exhausted. Thus, it seems unlikely we will be able to mount another offensive in the immediate future. This war is inevitably headed for a protracted struggle."
"Your Excellency, there is no need for such pessimism. Although we may have missed the chance to seize Paris this time, it does not mean we shall never have that opportunity again. The 8th Army Corps will continue its offensive against the Russians. If we can achieve a fundamental shift in the Eastern Front's situation, we can end the two-front war and concentrate our forces against the British and French," Qin Tian asserted.
"Your Highness, do you truly believe we can defeat the Russians with only the 8th Army Corps? That seems exceedingly difficult!" von Falkenhayn furrowed his brow.
"Your Excellency, I cannot disclose our precise plans at this moment as they must remain confidential. However, the 8th Army Corps aims to collaborate with the Austro-Hungarian Empire to engage the Russian Southwestern Front. Have discussions been finalized regarding our alliance with them?" Qin Tian inquired.
"The General Staff is making progress on that front. However, due to certain individuals being somewhat out of sorts recently, progress has been slow. Nevertheless, I believe we should not encounter significant obstacles. The Austro-Hungarians have suffered numerous defeats against the Russian Southwestern Front. If we can join forces to eliminate that threat, it would be an excellent opportunity for them. As long as those Austro-Hungarian leaders are not completely daft, they should not object," von Falkenhayn replied.
"Has the Emperor's stance on Moltke changed?" Qin Tian asked.
"Following the defeat at the Marne, His Majesty's attitude toward Moltke has significantly shifted," von Falkenhayn said, a smile creeping onto his face at the thought of Moltke's misfortune.
"That's good to hear! Moltke, ambitious yet incompetent, recklessly altered the Schlieffen Plan, leading the Imperial Army into a disadvantageous position. He must be held accountable for this. I intend to recommend you to His Majesty for the position of Chief of the General Staff," Qin Tian declared.
"Thank you, Your Highness! I assure you, I will always follow your lead!" von Falkenhayn said, exhilarated by Qin Tian's assurance.