The time comes to May 1866.
Today, Ernst attended a class reunion, feeling quite ashamed because he relied on connections to study in Berlin, but eventually his studies were abandoned halfway.
The venue for today's gathering was chosen to be a grand hotel located 960 meters south of the University of Berlin, where many dignitaries coming to Berlin stay.
In the lavishly decorated hall.
"Sir, welcome!" As soon as he reached the entrance, Ernst, dressed in a suit and tie, was greeted by the staff.
Second floor
"Sir, please present your invitation!"
Ernst handed the invitation to the attendant, who, after carefully inspecting Ernst's invitation, courteously said, "Welcome, honorable Lord Ernst, please come inside. I wish you a pleasant time!"
...
In the ballroom, crystal chandeliers hung high from the dome, illuminating the entire hall brightly, and many people had already arrived at the venue.
"Ernst, here!"
Garrett, dressed in an officer's uniform, waved to Ernst.
"Garrett, you joined the army?" Ernst exclaimed with surprise.
Garrett replied smugly, "Ah! The old man said my grades were too poor, so he insisted on getting me some position in the army."
"Which unit?"
"Isn't it because the Empire wants to expand its army! So the old man told me that now is the best time to gild my status. As long as I have a campaign, I'll have credentials for the future. I'm currently the staff officer in the third company under the Kingdom's 23rd Infantry Regiment."
Ernst patted Garrett on the shoulder: "That's great, next is your chance to shine."
"Ernst, do you have insider information, can you give me a hint!" Garrett said with a wink.
"You've got me wrong. My current identity is more of a businessman and I don't have insider information from the army, but I do know a little about military equipment procurement, though it won't help you much."
"Oh, forget it then. Doesn't your father, Prince Constantine, work at the General Staff Department? Didn't he talk to you about the army?"
Ernst smiled and said, "I'm not interested in the military, and I never discuss this with my father. Besides, the Kingdom is focusing on nurturing young people, as a student of the University of Berlin, are you really worried you won't make a name for yourself in the military camp?"
"Haha... not really. I was just curious, after all, who doesn't want a peek at the answers before an exam?"
Ernst nodded: "It's human nature, I understand."
"Mainly because Ernst, you've already established your own career, leaving me, also a poor student, behind. Ever since you stopped coming to school, I've been the one with the worst grades."
Garrett laughed and said: "Business has been booming these past few months! Our troops have been purchasing quite a lot of products from your company."
"Just a small business, it's you, in the future you make it big in the army, don't forget to support an old classmate's business!"
Garrett said indignantly, "Don't show off, everyone knows your ties with the royal family, you privileged scion, the future still depends on you to lend your little brother a hand."
Ernst teased: "Ah, war is uncertain, who knows, maybe you're a military genius like Mochi? Perhaps in the future there'll be a place for you among the Kingdom's high officials."
Ernst originally intended to say a Napoleon-like genius, but reconsidered due to Napoleon's reputation in Germany.
"Alright, enough of this, let's go drinking, today we must get you drunk!" Garrett said fiercely.
...
Prussian Palace.
William I was discussing the war preparations with Prime Minister Bismarck and Army Chief of Staff Mochi.
William I: "Prime Minister, how are the preparations?"
"Your Majesty, the war funds have been gathered, and we've also aligned the Italians as allies. Russia currently lacks the capability to intervene in European affairs, and they had a falling out with Austria last time. Even if war happens, they would lean towards us. Britain and France have no intention of interfering; they hope for mutual destruction between us and Austria. Therefore, we must achieve a rapid military victory to prevent interference by major powers. As for the military side, we rely on the army's readiness."
Mochi said: "This time we've prepared thoroughly, the newly built three corps are complete, the railway network is linked with army camps, enabling us to quickly deploy 200,000 troops to the front. Currently, 50,000 troops are ready at the border, and due to our reforms, we can swiftly call up hundreds of thousands of reservists to the front using the railways. With the Italians' distraction, we have a troop advantage over Austria."
Then Mochi pointed his hand on the map towards Prussia's center: "This time, we must first resolve the North German aristocrats, many of whom lean towards Austria, and they are positioned in the middle of Prussia, likely causing us trouble. As for the Southern German states including Bavaria, their resolve for war is weak, we should aim for their neutrality through diplomacy."
Bismarck said: "We can rest assured on this point. We need only focus on the Austrian front, adopting a defensive stance in the Southern German region. These Austrian allies will not fully commit; once we swiftly resolve the Austrian army, other nations will surely yield to Prussia's formidable power."
Both agreed to prioritize resolving Austria, as all issues would be resolved once Austria is dealt with.
William I pondered while pacing before the desk, saying, "Even a lion uses all its strength to hunt a rabbit. Austria's reputation in Europe isn't comparable to those small countries, although Austria hasn't developed satisfactorily in recent years, a dead camel is still larger than a horse. Especially Austria's army hasn't significantly declined overall, so we should fully intensify our offensive against Austria."
He sat down at the desk and picked up a pen to scribble out the original plan.
"This time, it's Prussia's battle of destiny, we must go all out. The previous plan is still too conservative. General Mochi, I hereby officially appoint you as Prussian Army's Commander-in-Chief. Prussia is entering a state of war, all reservists must enter the army early for training, railways should enhance scheduling, weapons must be rapidly upgraded..."
William I continued: "Prime Minister, your government must cooperate with military demands, striving to provide maximum convenience for the military, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should actively monitor the dynamics of European countries to prevent unexpected occurrences..."
With William I's orders, Prussia began its final mobilization before the war, with the newly established three corps deployed directly to Prussia's western region.
The number of military trains visibly increased daily, as trains loaded with soldiers, artillery, and supplies moved within Prussian territory.
Reservists were called up early, army camps overflowed with soldiers, and the government began constructing training grounds in various locations, repurposing idle land into new barracks.
The railway network was rearranged, with railway workers working overtime to maintain the lines, ensuring readiness for the sudden surge in train schedules.
At the same time, Prussia intensified the construction of the telegraph line from the border to Berlin, rapidly deploying telegraph equipment extensively within the army.
While Prussia mobilized, Austria and Italy were also preparing, but the effects noticeably fell short in comparison to the militaristic regime of Prussia.