On November 18, 1915, Emperor QinTian of the Empire personally traveled to Wilhelmshaven to greet Marshal von Falkenhayn and the other generals returning from the British front, along with the first batch of troops withdrawn from Britain.
For the generals and soldiers of the Imperial Army, this was undoubtedly the pinnacle of honor. After all, it was QinTian who played a monumental role in securing the victory in this war for the German Empire. Across the Empire, whispers of his near deification were already beginning to spread.
This filled QinTian with both joy and concern. The joy stemmed from the fact that this would further consolidate his power, even enhancing it to the point where his personal will could become the will of the entire nation, transforming him into a supreme, indisputable dictator. Yet, his concerns lay in the fate of such figures. History provided a clear example in the Führer—such individuals often met tragic ends. Thus, QinTian continuously sought ways to avoid such a downfall, determined not to bring ruin upon his nation through his own mistakes. Fortunately, for the time being, he remained clear-headed, though he could not be certain whether the passing years would erode his sharpness.
Of course, this was a distant worry for QinTian. At just 27 years of age, he was already the emperor of the world's most powerful empire—arguably the most influential man on Earth.
At 9 a.m., the transport ships carrying Marshal von Falkenhayn and the others docked. The marshal led the way, descending the gangway, followed by Admiral Crook, Admiral Haussen, and General Ludendorff.
"Well done, my Marshal! And to my generals!" QinTian exclaimed. "I am incredibly pleased to have such commanders by my side! You have made enormous contributions to the resurgence and strength of the German Empire!" He never hesitated to praise his loyal marshals and generals, and indeed, they deserved it. While QinTian was not a military expert, he knew well that without these professionals, Germany's victory in the war would have been far from certain.
"Your Majesty, it is our honor to serve in the Empire's rise. The soldiers of the Empire will forever remain loyal to you, to the German Empire!" Marshal von Falkenhayn replied.
The other generals also voiced their loyalty, their faces beaming with satisfaction. After their triumphant return, they were certain that applause, flowers, and promotions awaited them. Many of the division commanders, previously only admirals, would finally see their long-awaited elevation to the rank of Marshal. For many, this was the pinnacle of their careers.
QinTian did not engage in lengthy conversation with the generals, as the soldiers had already begun disembarking. While these soldiers seemed small in comparison to the great generals, they were, in truth, the foundation upon which the German Empire stood—its guarantee for global dominance. Without their sacrifices and bloodshed, victory in this war would have been an impossibility. QinTian felt immense gratitude for these brave and skilled soldiers.
"Soldiers, thank you for everything you've done for the Empire. Thank you!" QinTian addressed them, shaking hands as he expressed his appreciation. After all, these soldiers had risked their lives on the battlefield, where even the slightest mistake could cost them everything.
"Your Majesty... it is what I am duty-bound to do!" one soldier said, his face flushed with emotion.
He had probably never imagined that the Emperor himself would be so down-to-earth and approachable.
"Well done! You are the finest soldiers of the Empire. I am proud of you!" QinTian said, patting the soldier's shoulder.
Though only a select few had the honor of shaking the Emperor's hand and speaking with him, these fortunate individuals became the envy of their comrades. This interaction further solidified QinTian's influence within the military. The soldiers now regarded him as a god, and no one in the German Empire dared oppose him. After all, in any nation, those who control the military wield true power.
The soldiers' triumphant return was met with applause, flowers, and passionate kisses from young women. These warriors, who had fought and bled on the front lines, were overjoyed. Despite the hardships and dangers of war, this homecoming made it all worthwhile.
After the welcome ceremony, QinTian and the Empire's military and political leaders returned to Berlin. On the special train, QinTian found himself lost in thought.
He had been reborn into this world over a decade ago. It was only at this moment that he felt his efforts had borne fruit. Though his rebirth had placed him in a privileged position, and with his knowledge of another timeline's history, he had always been anxious, fearing Germany's defeat in the war. If that had happened, even as a prince, he would have been powerless.
To ensure his survival, to live a better life, QinTian had worked tirelessly to strengthen Germany's military, hoping that victory in the war would secure the future of his empire.
At last, his efforts had borne fruit. Germany had defeated one enemy after another, emerging victorious in the Great War.
QinTian had finally rewritten history. The once-glorious British Empire was now crushed beneath his feet, while the German Empire, which should have faced ruin due to the war, was now basking in unprecedented glory. The German Empire had replaced the British Empire as the new global hegemon.
What's more, the German Empire was even more powerful than its British predecessor. With the world's strongest army, navy, and air force, and having absorbed half of Europe's industrial capacity, once fully integrated, Germany could surpass even the United States. Coupled with vast overseas colonies, Germany's comprehensive strength would undoubtedly make it the world's foremost power. Any nation wishing to surpass Germany would find it an insurmountable challenge.
However, in order to firmly solidify the German Empire's hegemonic status, Germany could not afford to relax. Whether it was the Russian threat to the East, the distant United States across the ocean, the revenge-seeking British, or the distant island nation of Japan, all were enemies Germany still needed to defeat.