After concluding his conversation with Crown Prince Hirohito and Katō Takaaki, Bryan found himself deep into the night. Though fatigued, his spirits were electrified. He had expended every ounce of effort in his quest to forge an anti-German alliance among various nations, uniting them against Germany.
Bryan was acutely aware that relying solely on America's strength to defeat Germany would be a Herculean task. Especially now, with Germany's acquisition of vast colonies, its industrial power was poised for an extraordinary leap. If America aimed to confront Germany, the challenge would only grow insurmountable.
Thus, the only feasible path for America to defeat Germany was through collaboration with other nations. By enlisting as many countries as possible into the anti-German coalition, America stood a chance at victory. This strategy extended not only to nations harboring grudges against Germany but also to neutral states—and even Bolshevik Russia, regarded by some as a devil incarnate.
"Summon Crown Prince Karl," Bryan ordered.
"At once, Your Excellency!"
Crown Prince Karl of Austria-Hungary was a focal point of Bryan's diplomatic outreach. As a victorious power in the Great War, Austria-Hungary remained formidable. Its industrial prowess ranked just behind the United States and Germany, and its military strength even surpassed that of the United States. More importantly, Austria-Hungary had long been Germany's steadfast ally, the second pillar of the Central Powers. If Austria-Hungary were to abandon Germany, it would deliver a severe blow to Germany's prestige.
Moreover, as a neighboring power to Germany, Austria-Hungary could launch direct assaults on German soil if war broke out, posing an even graver threat to Germany.
Of course, Bryan understood that Austria-Hungary alone stood no chance of defeating Germany. It couldn't even withstand Germany's offensive might. But if Austria-Hungary could hold its ground for a time, the anti-German coalition could strike Germany from other fronts. Better yet, they could leverage Austria-Hungary's territory to wage war against Germany directly. Even if Austria-Hungary were to be devastated in the process, it was of little concern to America; after all, the conflict wouldn't unfold on American soil. Such an approach might even serve to eliminate potential rivals, ensuring America's dominance in the postwar order.
As for whether Crown Prince Karl would agree to such a plan, Bryan had little doubt. According to intelligence, the Crown Prince harbored a deep-seated animosity toward Germany. Were it not for Emperor Franz Joseph I's lingering influence, Karl might have openly opposed Germany already. This animosity marked him as an ideal potential ally for Bryan's strategy.
At that moment, Crown Prince Karl was the center of attention at the banquet. Though young, his charisma was undeniable. Even as a married man, his status as Austria-Hungary's Crown Prince made him the object of fascination for many aristocratic ladies.
Though monogamy was the norm across Europe, it was hardly unusual for a man of stature to have a string of lovers.
"Your Highness, the Secretary of State requests an audience," whispered the U.S. ambassador to Germany.
Nodding, Crown Prince Karl extricated himself from his admirers and followed the ambassador to a secluded chamber.
"My apologies for disturbing you, Your Highness," Bryan said with polite humility.
"You are too kind, Mr. Secretary," Crown Prince Karl replied with a smile.
Though occasionally brash and prone to oversimplifying issues, Crown Prince Karl was no fool. In fact, he possessed a keen sense of crisis. This awareness fueled his persistent distrust of Germany.
As the core of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria's Germanic heritage and shared language with Germany made Karl wary of Germany's growing power. He feared that a resurgent Germany might one day subsume Austria—or even the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire—ending Habsburg rule. This looming threat drove Karl's resistance to Germany's ambitions.
Karl also recognized that Austria-Hungary alone lacked the strength to challenge Germany. Only by securing powerful allies could his empire hope to succeed. The United States, despite being an ocean away, was undeniably formidable—its overall strength rivaled Germany's and far surpassed Austria-Hungary's. Karl had been contemplating ways to forge ties with America but had yet to act decisively, given his limited authority as crown prince.
Bryan's banquet presented the perfect opportunity. For Karl, it was a chance to establish connections with the Americans. He hadn't expected, however, that the Americans would have the same idea, creating an instant sense of accord.
"Your Highness, may I ask your opinion on Germany's recent military and naval parades?" Bryan inquired.
Crown Prince Karl raised an eyebrow and replied, "The Germans have demonstrated their formidable military prowess. There's no denying their strength. Compared to them, Austria-Hungary is leagues behind. Frankly, I no longer have the courage to consider opposing Germany."
"You jest, Your Highness. Austria-Hungary is Germany's staunch ally; the idea of conflict between your nations is unthinkable," Bryan remarked with a smile.
Karl cast a glance at Bryan and shook his head. "True, we are allies now. But German ambitions know no bounds. As their strength grows, will they tolerate the existence of another great power on their borders? I think not. We must prepare, or Austria-Hungary faces inevitable ruin."
Bryan nodded in agreement, recognizing the validity of Karl's concerns. After all, the United States itself had a history of suppressing neighboring powers. The annexation of vast western territories from Mexico was a stark example. A resurgent Mexico would undoubtedly seek to reclaim its lost lands, a scenario the U.S. was determined to prevent.