Chapter 6

Chapter 6: War Looms

January 14, 1864.

Ernst's life in Berlin had been consumed by his business endeavors, shuttling between his factories and school, leaving little room for anything else. His promise to study abroad had been overshadowed by the demands of his growing enterprise.

Now, the arrival of Prince Constantine, Ernst's father, from Hechingen added a layer of complexity to his daily life. It was a rare occurrence for Constantine to leave the country, and his visits typically heralded significant events.

Although Ernst knew his current concerns were insignificant compared to the matters that brought Constantine to Berlin, he still felt a twinge of guilt and self-doubt.

Constantine, holding a position akin to that of a prince, had a prominent status in Prussia. While the Marquisate of Hechingen had merged into Prussia, its noble status remained. The Hechingen family traditionally held the rank of field marshal, and Constantine temporarily served in the General Staff.

Constantine's presence in Berlin was undoubtedly tied to important military matters and preparations for impending war. Ernst's grandfather had participated in the Napoleonic Wars, switching allegiances to align with the victorious powers after assessing the European anti-French alliance's strength.

Later in life, he dedicated himself to education. Constantine and Prince Karl of Sigmaringen had joined Prussia through a mutual resolution, as both were part of the Hohenzollern family. They had little resistance to Prussia's call for German unification.

Success would elevate them to hero status in the empire, while failure would likely only maintain their vassal state status. As branches of the Hohenzollern family, blood ties and mutual interests naturally drew them closer to Prussia's main line.

Neu-Hohenzollern, home to Hechingen, was situated in the southwest of Germany, surrounded by important German states like Bavaria in the east and neighboring France in the west. Its strategic location made it a significant military fortress, particularly since Prussia had limited influence in the South German region.

For Ernst personally, the upcoming war between Prussia and Austria held little direct impact on his family. Surrounded by Württemberg on three sides and the Duchy of Baden on the other, Hechingen was situated away from the main battlefield in Bohemia.

Even in a series of unification wars across Germany, starting with the Second Schleswig War and followed by the Franco-Prussian War, Ernst's family faced no significant losses. Before Ernst ventured into business, the Hechingen estate relied primarily on agricultural rents, real estate income from various regions, and Constantine's military salary.

Ernst's factories, all located in Berlin, would remain secure unless a world war erupted. Regarding the future, shifting industries to safer areas before World War I's outbreak would safeguard Hechingen's wealth against the tide of global change.

Ernst knew his limits. While he dreamed of contributing to Germany's unification, he recognized that Europe was vast, and the competition fierce. Hechingen, a small entity, lacked the resources and intelligence to vie for power in Europe's grand stage. Only mid-sized countries like Bavaria and Belgium held the coveted admission ticket.

Hechingen's future prosperity would depend on its alliance with Prussia. With a stable foundation, Ernst focused on accelerating the construction of tobacco and lighter factories, anticipating their high demand during the impending conflict. Soldiers consumed tobacco, and lighters, specifically kerosene lighters, remained a potentially lucrative product.

Ernst aimed to secure mass production of these items before the war began, capitalizing on the natural platform of warfare to establish recognition in the civilian market. Soldiers returning to their hometowns would naturally become propagandists for these products.

While Ernst continued his planning, Constantine returned from the palace. The residence where Ernst lived in Berlin was the family's ancestral property, acquired after the Hohenzollern family's rise in Brandenburg.

Constantine typically stayed there during his visits to Berlin. With Constantine's carriage parked in the yard, Butler Keino ensured the carriage was properly attended to.

"Ernst!" Constantine greeted his son warmly. "Father, why have you come to Berlin? Has something of great importance occurred?" Ernst feigned ignorance, even though he suspected that Constantine's visit was related to the Danish war preparations.

"Well, yes, I've come to Berlin to address some matters related to the royal family, and, of course, to visit my son's burgeoning career," Constantine responded with a cheerful tone.

Ernst felt a twinge of guilt. His preoccupation with business had kept him from spending quality time with his father. Though they communicated through letters, it had been almost a year since Ernst had last visited home for Christmas.

"Father, I promise to dedicate more time to you in the future. I've become overly engrossed in business," Ernst said with genuine remorse.

Constantine reassured him, "Don't worry, I don't need constant company in my old age. I came to Berlin this time for something significant, so you needn't fret."

Ernst inquired further, "Is the kingdom preparing for war?"

Constantine nodded, and Ernst suspected as much. "Yes, but how did you come by this information?" Constantine asked cautiously, as war preparations were typically kept secret.

Ernst, elaborating on his "guess," explained, "Father, you know that the kingdom's army is one of my main customers. Lately, they've placed extensive orders for new supplies, and several factories around Berlin have started working overtime. It's clearly in preparation for a military conflict."

Noting Constantine's raised eyebrow, Ernst continued, "Moreover, some business contacts have shared certain rumors with me. Additionally, the kingdom's new prime minister has made bold statements about using 'iron and blood' to address contemporary issues. It's apparent that force will be employed to resolve the kingdom's problems."

Constantine regarded his son with pride, stating, "You've displayed impressive insight, Ernst. It appears the Hohenzollern family has produced another remarkable individual."

Constantine went on to explain that the kingdom was seeking to resolve issues with Denmark. They aimed to force the Danish government to relinquish the two German states of Holstein and Schleswig. The German Confederation had already sent troops to Holstein, and Prussia intended to support Schleswig's independence.

Ernst realized that this was a strategic move. Bismarck and William I were using diplomacy, international intrigue, and national sentiment to realize their ambitions. They aimed to unite German states and free cities, consolidate Prussian influence, and set the stage for the future unification of Germany.

Constantine and Ernst discussed the delicate international balance in play. The participation of Austria, France, and Britain could significantly impact the unfolding events.

(End of Chapter 6)