Chapter 0124: The East Prussian Corps

The following evening, Qin Tian made a rare visit to the palace to dine with Emperor Wilhelm II and his consort. In the wake of Crown Prince Wilhelm's incapacitation, the couple began to place increasing importance on Qin Tian. Should the Crown Prince remain in his unresponsive state indefinitely, Qin Tian's significance in their eyes would inevitably surpass that of the Crown Prince, though such a shift would require time to develop.

After dinner, the family strolled through the garden, and it was then that Wilhelm II turned to Qin Tian and said, "Oscar, please go to my office!"

"Yes, Father!" Qin Tian nodded in acknowledgment.

Now not only the heir to the German Empire but also the owner of the German Industrial Group, Qin Tian found himself exceedingly busy. It was a rare occasion for him to return to the palace, and each visit was typically for discussions of considerable importance with Wilhelm II. The emperor recognized that Qin Tian's appearances were never frivolous.

Upon entering Wilhelm II's office, he was greeted by freshly brewed coffee, already arranged by Essen von Jonalett.

"Oscar, speak candidly. What is on your mind?" Wilhelm II asked straightforwardly.

Qin Tian wasted no time, expressing his dissatisfaction with the army's recent developments. "Father, the German Empire's army is renowned as the best in the world. However, over the past decades, it has made little progress, seemingly mired in the glory of its past invincibility. Not only is equipment modernization painfully slow, but our strategic thinking also appears stagnant, as if we remain trapped in the mindset of the last war. This concerns me greatly; if a major conflict erupts, will our army be capable of defeating formidable foes?" Qin Tian's expression reflected deep worry.

Wilhelm II's demeanor turned serious. Indeed, the German army's combat prowess had garnered a formidable reputation worldwide, having established itself as an unbeatable force through successive victories. Such might had effectively deterred other European powers, allowing Germany to emerge as one of the strongest nations in Europe and beyond. Yet, that prowess belonged to a bygone era. Could the current German army still replicate the successes of its predecessors should war break out? Although Wilhelm II held faith in the army, uncertainty lingered.

"The development of the imperial army in recent years has indeed been subpar. However, you must maintain confidence in it. Decades ago, we were able to leave our enemies reeling and exact reparations. Today, our forces retain that capability," Wilhelm II urged, attempting to instill optimism.

"Yes, Father. I do not deny our army's strength. Yet, our adversaries are growing stronger each day. Furthermore, this time we face not just one enemy but a coalition of powers, including England, France, and Russia. While the British army may be disregarded, we must not underestimate the French. Although the Russian army lacks in combat effectiveness, their numbers are vast; given Russia's population, they could mobilize millions against us. Hence, we must approach this impending war with the utmost seriousness," Qin Tian stated gravely.

Wilhelm II nodded in solemn agreement. "So, Oscar, what do you propose we do?"

"Father, to ensure our triumph over formidable foes in future conflicts, we must reform the army. This involves not only upgrading weaponry but also modernizing tactics, allowing our forces to secure victory with minimal cost," Qin Tian asserted.

"However, such actions would likely provoke fierce backlash within the army. The resistance to reform could be formidable. A misstep might lead to significant repercussions, even causing instability within the ranks, which would be detrimental for us," Wilhelm II replied, aware of the need for caution.

"Father, I have a proposal that may be useful," Qin Tian then revealed his intent.

"Oh? What is it?" Wilhelm II inquired.

"According to tradition in the German Empire, as the Crown Prince, I hold the right to command an army in wartime. Although war has not yet erupted, the international situation is undoubtedly tense. I wish to lead a contingent, equipping and training it as per my vision. If this unit performs admirably, it would provide you with justification to instigate necessary changes in the army," Qin Tian explained.

After speaking, he anxiously awaited Wilhelm II's response, knowing the emperor would discern his intentions. He feared the proud and suspicious Wilhelm II might dismiss his proposal, jeopardizing both his ambitions and their relationship.

Wilhelm II furrowed his brow, contemplating for a long while. As a potential emperor, he was certainly astute. He recognized that Qin Tian aimed to leverage this opportunity to gain influence over the military. However, Wilhelm II did not take offense; instead, he admired Qin Tian's ambition. If a Crown Prince lacked such aspirations, it would reflect a troubling lack of drive.

"Oscar, do you truly believe you can accomplish this? While I acknowledge your remarkable talents in business and ship design, your expertise in military matters might be lacking..." Wilhelm II expressed his concerns.

"Rest assured, Father, I will not let you down. Even if I am not a specialist, with the collaboration of two professionals, I believe leading an army would pose no issue," Qin Tian replied, exuding confidence.

After further consideration, Wilhelm II ultimately nodded in agreement. 

"Very well, Oscar. I understand your intentions and concur. At tomorrow's court meeting, I will present this proposal," Wilhelm II declared.

"Yes, Father!" Qin Tian responded, visibly pleased.

The next day, at the court meeting, Wilhelm II formally proposed appointing Qin Tian as the commander of a division in the army. Although faced with strong opposition from Moltke, the support from others rendered Moltke's dissent futile.

Of course, the primary divisions of the German army already had designated commanders. Thus, Qin Tian was assigned to a secondary corps.

Ultimately, Wilhelm II appointed Qin Tian as the commander of the Eighth Corps of the German Empire, known also as the East Prussian Corps.