Chapter 0067: Assassination

William's patience with Qin Tian had reached its limits. He viewed the throne as his rightful possession, a personal treasure that he would never allow anyone to usurp. Should anyone dare to attempt such a thing, he would resort to any means necessary to exact revenge—even if that person were his own younger brother.

"Oscar, even though you are my brother, you have harbored ambitions that should not exist. The throne is mine, and you cannot take it from me. Since you seek to claim my crown, it is clear you do not regard me as your brother, and thus, I feel no obligation to show you mercy," William rationalized, concocting this flimsy justification to persuade himself. In truth, it was simply his belief that Qin Tian wished to lay claim to his throne that fueled his murderous intentions against his own brother.

Swiftly, William penned a letter and dispatched his trusted confidant to Mecklenburg-Schwerin to deliver it to his father-in-law, Friedrich Franz III. He hoped that Friedrich would send someone to eliminate Qin Tian. Once Qin Tian was dead, there would be no one to rival him, and his claim to the throne would be secured. As for his other brothers, William paid them no heed.

"Oscar must die. Only then will Father cease to chastise me. My throne will be secure," William thought darkly. After repeating this mantra several times, any trace of hesitation on his face vanished, replaced by a steadfast resolve. In his mind, he had already marked Qin Tian as a target for assassination.

"Moreover, Oscar possesses considerable wealth. If I could seize that, it would be even better. With that money, I could provide the navy with more funds for battleship construction and equip the army with advanced weaponry. They would surely pledge unwavering support for me. In future wars, I will defeat the British, the French, and the Russians, becoming an emperor even greater than William the Great!" William was lost in his delusions, believing himself a deity whose will must be obeyed.

Consumed by jealousy over Qin Tian's vast wealth, William fantasized about how he would manage such riches. However, he did not contemplate how to generate additional wealth.

Unbeknownst to Qin Tian, William's machinations unfolded. Although he was aware of William's growing dissatisfaction with him, he never imagined that William would resort to desperate measures. After all, this was Germany, and Wilhelm II was still in power. Given Wilhelm II's grip on the nation, he would never permit the Crown Prince to hire an assassin to eliminate other princes. Such an event would undoubtedly lead to a scandal that would tarnish the Hohenzollern family's reputation across Europe, rendering them the subject of ridicule for a century.

Qin Tian believed that even if William harbored resentment towards him, he would be unable to act against him. After all, everything he did was intended to bolster Germany's military strength for future conflicts, and Wilhelm II had tacitly approved of his actions. With Wilhelm II's endorsement, what could the Crown Prince possibly say?

The evening after receiving William's letter, Friedrich Franz III locked himself in his office to contemplate its contents.

As the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Friedrich was undoubtedly a prominent member of Germany's upper crust. Marrying his daughter to the Crown Prince had initially promised to elevate their family's status. Once William ascended to the throne as the Emperor of the German Empire, Friedrich would be able to leverage his daughter's royal connections for further family gain.

However, the situation had shifted dramatically. Qin Tian's sudden rise had placed the Crown Prince in an awkward position. While his title still made him the heir apparent among the princes, his brilliance was overshadowed by Qin Tian. Especially since Qin Tian had amassed a fortune but chose not to indulge in excess, instead investing in other industries and supporting military development. This garnered him favor among the military, posing a direct threat to the Crown Prince's standing.

"Alas! I had thought Cecilia's marriage to the Crown Prince would bring us immense benefits, but it seems the risks have become unacceptably high!" Friedrich sighed.

The Crown Prince's demands left Friedrich feeling conflicted. To refuse would not only incite William's wrath but also render their previous investments in him utterly futile—an outcome that was equally untenable.

After much hesitation, Friedrich made his decision. He resolved to send someone to assassinate Qin Tian, naively believing that if they acted discreetly, they could escape the repercussions. Even if their actions were eventually uncovered, it would be difficult to trace back to them.

As time passed, autumn descended upon Germany. The weather turned crisp, and Qin Tian finally found himself with some leisure after establishing several ventures. He could now await the growth of these enterprises into towering giants in their respective industries, a process that required patience. Once they flourished, he would command one of the foremost industrial groups in Germany and the world.

On October 24, Qin Tian and Karl exited the building of the German Lottery Company, preparing to return to Potsdam. While waiting for their driver to bring the car, a young man approached them, holding a map.

"Excuse me, sir, I'm a tourist visiting Berlin for the first time. Could you please tell me how to get to the Brandenburg Gate?" the young man inquired as he approached.

Just as Qin Tian was about to respond, a sudden unease washed over him, and every hair on his body stood on end, as if calamity were imminent. This instinctive reaction prompted him to take a step back.

Karl, noticing Qin Tian's distress, turned his attention to the young man, who was now close enough for them to see that he was holding a pistol beneath the map.