This development did not surprise Bismarck in the slightest.
Karl Anton von Hohenzollern was a man Bismarck knew well. Back when Bismarck was just a young parliamentary representative, he had worked alongside Karl Anton, who was then the king of a small German state.
At first, Bismarck's impression of Karl Anton wasn't too bad. He appeared to be a dignified and articulate man who seemed to understand the times. Among the various German states, his reputation was decent, suggesting he was a reliable figure.
However, it didn't take long for Bismarck to see through the facade. Beneath Karl Anton's dignified appearance lay a superficial and unimpressive character. His articulate speech masked poor execution skills, and his supposed pragmatism was nothing more than opportunistic rhetoric.
By the early 1850s, Bismarck had already formed a low opinion of Karl Anton. Yet, thanks to his excellent performance skills, good looks, and the influential Hohenzollern name, Karl Anton managed to maintain a degree of support in Prussian politics. His occasional displays of liberal leanings even earned him favor in parliament. William, then Prince Regent, appointed him as prime minister, partly to balance political interests.
But as soon as Karl Anton took office, his true abilities—or lack thereof—became glaringly apparent. When entrusted with real responsibilities, his performance was underwhelming. Both the king and the parliament quickly lost faith in him. Given Prussia's complex domestic situation, replacing the prime minister had long been overdue.
The question was, why had King William delayed this decision until now?
Bismarck, well-acquainted with the Prussian political system—of which he was one of the architects—knew the answer. For the Prussian king, a prime minister's loyalty was far more critical than their competence. Absolute loyalty was non-negotiable. A lack of complete loyalty was tantamount to betrayal.
In cases where a prime minister's loyalty was assured but their abilities fell short, the king could assign capable secretaries or ministers of the interior to assist them. This arrangement functioned like a team of advisors, with the prime minister ultimately making decisions in line with the king's interests. Before Bismarck volunteered to serve as an envoy to Khitan, King William had hoped to appoint him as Minister of the Interior to "support" the prime minister—or, more bluntly, clean up his messes.
This context revealed the crux of the issue: at the time, King William believed Karl Anton's loyalty was intact, and only his competence was lacking. But now, the king wasn't even mentioning the Minister of the Interior position; he was directly proposing a change of prime minister. Did this mean the king now doubted Karl Anton's loyalty?
Although Bismarck had been stationed far away in Khitan, he had kept himself well-informed about domestic political developments. He was particularly aware of the "Succession Crisis" that occurred the night King Frederick William IV passed away.
It was evident that during this pivotal moment, Karl Anton had failed to align himself with King William. In other words, he had "chosen the wrong side."
The consequences of such a misstep were severe. By standing on the wrong side, Karl Anton lost the king's trust and even appeared to align himself with the king's political opponents. King William, a staunch military man, was not one to forgive or forget. Unlike his predecessor Frederick William IV, who had grown weak and indecisive in his later years, William was still vigorous and shrewd. He had both the energy and the means to deal with his adversaries.
From that moment, Karl Anton's political career was effectively on borrowed time. The king's patience had merely been a matter of waiting for the right moment, and now, it seemed, that moment had arrived.
Why, then, was the king discussing this matter with Bismarck?
The phrase "A king does not speak in jest" applied universally, especially in a formal setting like this. As for the prime minister position, Bismarck had long coveted it, and the king was undoubtedly aware of this ambition. That the king chose this moment to broach the subject with Bismarck was a signal too clear to ignore.
"The king is testing me," Bismarck thought.
To become Prussia's prime minister, absolute loyalty to the king was paramount. Only after demonstrating such loyalty would one's abilities and political acumen come into play. Karl Anton's downfall was a stark reminder:
"When I trusted him, I even appointed you as Minister of the Interior to assist him. But now that I no longer trust him, he must go!"
This was a warning.
The question now was: Had Bismarck earned King William's trust?
Not yet.
Bismarck understood that while he was tantalizingly close to the prime ministership, reaching for it prematurely would only push it further out of his grasp. This position could only be bestowed by the king; it could not be claimed.
"Your Majesty is wise. The prime minister has indeed failed to ease your burdens. I fully support your decision," Bismarck said, adopting a posture of utmost deference.
This was no time for bold displays of personality. Instead, it was an opportunity to demonstrate loyalty. Bismarck could only align himself with one position: the king's.
"Good," the king said, evidently pleased with Bismarck's response. He nodded subtly before shifting the topic. "In your opinion, who would make a suitable next prime minister?"
This question was a trap. In Bismarck's mind, there was no doubt that he was the most qualified candidate for the role. None in Prussia could match his vision, strategy, or skill. Yet, self-recommendation at this moment would be disastrous.
"I have just returned from abroad," Bismarck replied evasively. "Having spent over a year as an envoy to Khitan, I am unfamiliar with the recent domestic developments and cannot propose a candidate."
"Situations may change, but the people remain the same," the king said, adopting a coaxing tone.
Bismarck remained silent.
"Today is an honest conversation between two men—you don't need to hold anything back!" King William pressed Bismarck once again.
"This is a matter of great importance, Your Majesty; I dare not speak lightly," Bismarck replied cautiously, knowing he couldn't avoid speaking any longer. He decided to take a circuitous approach. "However, I believe the new prime minister must be someone of great moral standing, respected both in government and parliament. Perhaps we could select someone from the old Junkers who fought in the War against France?"
"That makes sense," King William nodded, dropping his line of questioning. He knew that pressing further wouldn't yield any new insights from Bismarck. In truth, this conversation was more of a test—a way to gauge Bismarck's tact and judgment. So far, King William found his performance satisfactory.
As for the candidate, the king already had someone in mind.
"What do you think of Prince Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen?"
"Just as I thought!" Bismarck felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. His earlier suspicions had been correct. If he had been rash enough to nominate himself earlier, his political career might have faced serious setbacks.
Bismarck was well aware of who Prince Adolf Karl zu Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen was.
The prince, born in 1797, hailed from the Principality of Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen. His father, Friedrich Ludwig, was a celebrated general. During the Seven Years' War, Friedrich Ludwig served under Frederick the Great, earning the admiration of his troops for his capable leadership and care for their well-being. In the Bavarian War of Succession, he displayed valor, rising as a star in the military. Even during the early Napoleonic Wars, he turned the tide in unfavorable situations, securing morale-boosting victories for the beleaguered Prussian army.
Blücher himself once remarked that Friedrich Ludwig might be "the most admirable general in the Prussian army." Even after Prussia's devastating defeat at Jena and Friedrich Ludwig's subsequent capture, he remained a national hero, celebrated for his military brilliance.
Influenced by his father, Prince Adolf Karl entered military service as a youth, fighting in the pivotal battles of Leipzig and Waterloo. He upheld his family's martial reputation and became one of the few remaining Franco-Prussian War veterans still active in public life.
During the 1848 revolutions, the prince refrained from taking sides, indirectly aiding the bourgeoisie and proletariat. This won him favor among parliamentarians.
Most importantly, unlike the politically ambitious Karl Anton von Hohenzollern, Prince Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen was a pure soldier. He viewed obedience as his highest duty, showed little interest in political affairs, and had no political ambitions to speak of. Consequently, he lacked political acumen—something King William didn't mind at all. What the king valued most was the prince's loyalty.
"Prince Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen fought alongside you against the French invasion. As things stand, there's no one more suitable for the role!" Bismarck quickly responded.
"Hmm," King William murmured, stroking his beard. Then, shifting the topic, he asked Bismarck, "Establishing diplomatic relations with Khitan is indeed significant for our nation, and your contributions are widely recognized. What are your plans moving forward? You know, the position of Minister of the Interior is still waiting for you…"
Bismarck knew exactly what being the Minister of the Interior entailed, and his stance remained unchanged from over a year ago: a firm refusal. While Karl Anton von Hohenzollern was hardly an ideal prime minister, he at least had years of experience navigating parliamentary politics. The prince, however, was a straightforward military man who would almost certainly clash with parliament. Serving as his Minister of the Interior would mean constant conflict from all sides.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Majesty," Bismarck replied, "but I believe that the more severe our domestic challenges become, the more crucial it is to maintain strong and beneficial relations with our allies. France has recently triumphed over Austria, and Napoleon III is riding high. He may use this momentum to pressure the German states. In such a situation, Prussia must strengthen its alliances to stand a chance against him."
Bismarck paused, glancing at the king's expression. Seeing no objection, he continued, "Among Prussia's many allies, Russia holds the most strategic importance. If conflict with France arises, Russia could be the key to victory. For the long-term interests of our nation, I am willing to serve as an envoy to Russia and secure their support."
"I see…" King William stroked his beard thoughtfully, then rose and paced to the window. After a long moment of contemplation, he nodded.
"Very well. I entrust you with the mission to Russia."