"He's an interesting young lad."
As Edward VII recalled his conversation with Hans, a long-lost look of pleasure appeared on his face.
At first, he approached it with a half-playful and half-curious mindset, much like an old man who enjoyed playing pranks. He deliberately posed some difficult questions, hoping to see the true nature of this boy. However, this young man named Hans Joe was more interesting and more intriguing than he had expected.
"Your Majesty speaks of him so highly?"
"He reminds me of the time when I met Bismarck."
Bismarck.
Upon hearing this long-forgotten name, the Marquis of Salisbury slightly narrowed his eyes.
As a figure of the same era, the Marquis of Salisbury had a deep understanding of Otto von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of the German Empire.
He also knew the weight that this name carried.
"He's a fearsome yet admirable diplomatic genius."
Even the Marquis of Salisbury, during the tenure of his respected Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, had served as the Foreign Secretary and had clashed with Bismarck on multiple occasions. Each time, he was overwhelmed by Bismarck's political skills.
Therefore, the Marquis of Salisbury found it difficult to readily accept Edward VII's assessment.
"Ahem. Bringing up Bismarck, Your Majesty's joke might be going too far. After all, he's just a young lad of Asian descent."
"Robert, skin color is not a criterion for judging human intelligence."
As a person with rather open-minded ideas in that era and someone who opposed racial discrimination, Edward VII continued,
"Of course, compared to Bismarck, he still has a long way to go. But his insight into the world situation and his firmness in his own ideas even surprised me. To be honest, it's a bit chilling."
"What exactly did Your Majesty talk about with that young man?"
"He mentioned the Anglo-Japanese Alliance."
"!"
Upon hearing the term "Anglo-Japanese Alliance", the Marquis of Salisbury's eyes widened instantly.
This was clearly something that was being secretly carried out within the British government.
"Could it be that there has been a leak of confidential information?"
"No, that's not the case. It seems that he reached this conclusion entirely through his own thinking."
"Oh."
"After all, he's still a child. His intention to make us British feel a sense of crisis regarding Russia is far too obvious, and it's rather endearing."
Edward VII said with a smile. He was a monarch whose diplomatic abilities were second to none in Europe, and he was no less capable than Wilhelm II.
This young man was intelligent, but he clearly lacked the experience of conversing with a diplomat of his own caliber.
Despite his young age, there was ample potential for growth.
"The boy also understands that the continuous mutual containment between Russia and us is beneficial to Germany."
"Even a nine-year-old child understands this, yet Kaiser doesn't."
"Hahaha. Billy is my dear nephew, but in this regard, I don't know what to say. However, I can't simply dismiss the boy's words as 'a childish effort'."
Edward VII, apparently with a craving for a smoke, lit a cigar and continued,
"He said that if Japan forms an alliance with Britain, it will definitely launch a preemptive attack on Russia first."
"War?"
The Marquis of Salisbury pondered for a moment and then said,
"There is a very real possibility of that. In fact, it can be said that the Japanese government is absolutely capable of doing so now."
As Hans had said, Japan once launched a surprise war against Qing China, which was much larger in size, without even declaring war.
Considering that the Japanese government at that time was known for its bellicosity, it was highly likely that they would go to war with Russia, which was an obstacle to their continental expansion.
"That's right. That's why I praised the boy's insight."
"Is Your Majesty worried that Japan will be defeated, leading to an increase in Russia's influence in the Far East?"
"Yes. The possibility of Japan defeating Russia is almost non-existent, isn't it?"
The Marquis of Salisbury nodded in agreement.
Although it is well known that the actual result of history was completely the opposite.
But for the Marquis of Salisbury and Edward VII, who lived in the era of imperialism, they could not come to any other conclusion.
In their eyes, Russia was one of the world's top powers, while Japan was just an emerging country that had only recently taken shape.
Of course, in the early stages of the war, Japan might gain the upper hand.
The battlefield was in the Far East, which was close to Japan's home ground, while Russia's elite troops were stationed in Europe.
However, even so, Edward VII and the Marquis of Salisbury still believed that if a war between Russia and Japan broke out, in the end, the possibility of Japan being defeated was greater.
Because Russia's national strength was still far stronger than that of Japan. Even if Britain provided support, it would be difficult for Japan to overcome such a gap.
"We would actually be glad to see Russia and Japan go to war. If they wear each other down and weaken Russia's strength, it will be beneficial for us. But what if Japan is defeated? At that time, Russia will be able to expand its influence into the Pacific Ocean."
"Hmm..."
The Marquis of Salisbury's expression turned serious.
Britain had spent countless efforts over the past century to prevent Russia from entering the ocean.
These efforts could not just go to waste.
"Ahem! It really feels terrible to know the possible outcome but be unable to stop it."
Of course, they would not just stand by and watch Japan be defeated.
But upon hearing that there was a possibility of a war between Russia and Japan, Britain had to start being wary of Russia.
This made the Marquis of Salisbury's mood rather complicated.
"Did that young lad really calculate things to this extent?"
"Perhaps. Isn't the recent turmoil in France a good example?"
"Ah!"
The Marquis of Salisbury seemed to have finally remembered, and his mouth opened wide in surprise.
Now France was plunged into serious political chaos due to the sudden resurgence of the Dreyfus Affair.
And the trigger for this turmoil was an interview report in France, and the interviewer of this report was precisely—
"Hans Joe!"
"At first, I thought Billy was behind it. But now it seems that it was the doing of that Hans fellow."
"How insidious."
"Exactly. It's simply in our style."
"With an Oriental body, a German mind, and a British tongue, he's just like a chimera."
The Marquis of Salisbury said casually. If Hans had heard these words, he would probably have frowned involuntarily.
However, while Edward VII laughed at the Marquis of Salisbury's joking remarks, he vaguely felt a sense of unease.
"Come to think of it, what on earth was the purpose of that fellow's initiative to talk to me about the war between Russia and Japan?"
Of course, it couldn't be out of kindness.
Judging from what he had done in France, Hans Joe was by no means a lad with an angelically pure heart.
Rather than an angel, he was more like a little devil.
For someone like him to reveal his cards on his own initiative usually meant that he had other motives.
Or maybe he was just bluffing.
"Hmm... It's really hard to figure out. What exactly is that fellow aiming for by saying all this?"
Was he trying to use Britain to contain Russia?
If it were the German Empire, that would make sense, but for Hans Joe, it might not be the case.
"For now, let's just wait and see, Robert."
"Your Majesty?"
"That boy is a rather interesting card. Let's calmly observe as elders to see what will happen."
As for whether they would eventually make use of that card or be used by that card, it remained to be seen.
...
August 13, 1901.
Finally, the last day of the funeral had arrived.
The coffin of Empress Dowager Victoria Adelaide was covered with the Union Jack of the United Kingdom and the black-and-white flag of the German Empire, in accordance with her last wish.
According to historical records, she originally only requested that her coffin be covered with the Union Jack for burial and made no mention of the black-and-white flag. However, due to the improvement of her relationship with Wilhelm II, this seemed to have influenced the content of her last wish.
"Prepare! Aim! Fire!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
When the coffin of the Empress Dowager Victoria was carried onto the hearse and transported to the Mausoleum of Frederick III in the Peace Church in Potsdam, the gun salute team fired the salute guns in mourning under the command, and the people watched this moment solemnly.
Hans, along with Wilhelm II and the family members of the Empress Dowager Victoria, slowly walked behind the hearse towards the Peace Church under the gaze of the crowd.
After the hearse arrived at the Peace Church, the sons of the Empress Dowager, including Wilhelm II, Prince Heinrich, Edward VII and other relatives, lifted the coffin of the Empress Dowager and moved it into the mausoleum beside the church.
"Now, let's offer the final prayer for the deceased."
According to the Lutheran funeral ceremony believed by the German royal family, the final prayer was offered for Empress Dowager Victoria under the gaze of her family members, and then the burial began.
"Now we entrust the soul of our brother to the Almighty God and lay his body to rest in the earth. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, dust to dust."
Edward VII, who had been silent all this time, suddenly began to recite softly.
This was a famous line from the Anglican Requiem Prayer, "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Wilhelm II was taken aback for a moment, but quickly calmed down. He silently stared at his mother's coffin and listened to Edward VII's requiem prayer.
"We believe that through our Lord Jesus Christ, we will obtain eternal life with the hope of redemption. When the Lord comes in glory to judge the world, the earth and the sea will give up the dead within them.
The Lord will put all things under His feet and perform His wonderful deeds; the embrace of the Lord will shelter the bodies that lie in the dust, transforming them to be like the glorious body of the Lord. In the Garden of Eden, the Lord created Adam from the dust and Eve from Adam's rib. Death is a sacred ritual of returning to the origin.
"Dust to dust, ashes to ashes."
As Edward VII's words fell, the coffin of Empress Dowager Victoria Adelaide was covered with soil.
From then on, she would lie in eternal rest here with her beloved husband, Frederick III, and the children who had died prematurely in her embrace.
"Please stay calm and be patient for a while, would you?"
After the funeral, just as the royal family and mourners were about to leave the Peace Church, Princess Margaret suddenly spoke up.
"According to my mother Victoria Adelaide's entrustment during her lifetime, I will publicly announce her final wish here."
"Margaret?"
There was a murmur among the crowd.
Princess Margaret's sudden statement surprised everyone, including Hans and Wilhelm II.
The Empress Dowager's final wish? What on earth was going on?
"So, I earnestly request all of you present here to be the witnesses of this will."
"If it's my sister's final request, there's no help for it. I agree."
After Edward VII readily nodded, Princess Margaret carefully took out Empress Dowager Victoria's will.
"To my beloved family members."
Princess Margaret read out the beginning of the will.
"When this will is made public, my funeral should probably be over. However, I have no regrets. Although my life was full of hardships and misfortunes, I can proudly say that in the end, I lived a happy life."
"Mother..."
The Crown Princess Sophie whispered with red eyes.
Princess Margaret tried to stay calm and continued reading the will.
"However, this was not something I could have achieved on my own. I owe it all to the little friend who came to my side one day."
"Hmm?"
"Hans Joe."
Wait a minute, why was my name suddenly mentioned?
"My dear friend and also a lovely child. Without your warm help, I couldn't have closed my eyes with such a relieved mindset."
"..."
"Therefore, as a return, I leave all my properties, including the Schloss Friedrichshof, to you."
"What?"
Hans couldn't help but let out a stunned voice.
What on earth did I just hear?
"I hope you will like my little gift. The German Empress Dowager, the British Royal Princess, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa."
As Princess Margaret finished reading these words, the eyes of everyone present were focused on Hans.
This was by no means a "little gift" at all.