Chapter 46

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Chapter 46: Anna’s Workday

The Berlin City Palace, built near the Spree River, started construction in 1443. It has been expanded and renovated by generations of rulers. Currently, it is the largest single royal palace within the Berlin city center. In recent years, it had been left unused by the Hohenzollern family, until Prince Regent Redel took over.

This huge single palace by the river is divided into three areas, housing the Berlin City Parliament, Prussian Parliament, and Cabinet Office inside.

On Friday morning at eight o’clock, the gates of the Berlin City Palace opened. Cleaners streamed in to start their day’s work, and Anna arrived shortly after to begin her shift.

The sleepy-eyed guard stood on the steps, blowing on his hands, rubbing his eyes, and stretching lazily.

"Good morning, Mrs. Bismarck," the guard immediately stood up straight and saluted.

"Hmm." Anna nodded and took a few big steps up the dozen or so stairs, disappearing at the doorway.

The gatekeeper saw her walk past the corner of the lobby corridor, then finally relaxed. Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Bismarck, was famous for being fierce. Every day, she came to work holding a long sword in her left hand and a bottle of red wine in her right hand. Anyone who angered her would either have to duel her or have a bottle smashed over their head.

The big shots could challenge Bismarck, but the small gatekeeper dared not provoke her, not even daring to show any problems.

Anna reached the middle office on the second floor, throwing the long sword casually onto the sofa, pouring herself some wine into a cup, and then sat down comfortably in the Minister of Finance’s seat.

As the Chief Secretary, Anna was the top civil servant at the Ministry of Finance, with her own exclusive office. But Anna preferred to directly use the Minister of Finance’s office. It was more spacious and comfortable, with a big enough desk.

As for Minister of Finance Liszt, he hardly ever came to the Cabinet Office. He was busy giving speeches all over the country, persuading various people, hoping to gain support for his ambitious railway development plan.

Anna acknowledged Liszt’s talent as an economist, guiding Prussia’s distinctive capitalist path and playing a key role in industrialization. However, she thought Liszt’s railway plan was rubbish.

Liszt hoped to build a railway network covering the entire German region, despite opposition from the prince regent, parliament, and everyone in the cabinet. He remained stubborn and continued to campaign for it.

This railway business brought countless troubles to Anna.

Today, Anna was getting ready to finish the daily work at the Ministry of Finance first. She was going to meet with the CEOs of nine private banks at 10:30 in the morning, have lunch together, and discuss the interest rate issue for industrial loans.

However, her schedule was disrupted by an unexpected visitor. Anna had to postpone her meeting with the bankers and deal with the unexpected issue first.

"Hello."

"Hello."

Anna stood up and looked at the middle-aged man in front of her, Baden Grand Duke Leopold.

Baden Grand Duke Leopold also looked at the young woman in front of him, the notorious Chief Secretary of the Prussian Ministry of Finance, a proud, arrogant, and rude spokesperson.

Anna said, "We have met before, albeit briefly."

Leopold, "Oh?"

"It was at the royal opera house. I was nobody back then, so I assume Baden Grand Duke doesn’t remember me."

"Oh really… That’s quite a coincidence."

The atmosphere became awkward, falling into a deadlock. This was Leopold’s first meeting with Prussia’s Chief Financial Secretary, and true to his name, he was arrogant, rude, and haughty, showing no respect to the Grand Duke.

But Leopold couldn’t confront her. The Grand Duchy of Baden was almost a puppet of the Kingdom of Prussia. As the Grand Duke, he had to consider Prussia’s opinions. The notorious Bismarck was a favorite of the Prince Regent of Prussia, and one couldn’t afford to provoke her.

Serving Prussia for so long like a dog and still being bullied and controlled by them, Leopold was very discontented. He truly wished to stand up to them one day, but the Grand Duchy of Baden’s power was ultimately crushed by Prussia.

"Well, Mrs. Bismarck, let’s talk about the railway issue. Your country’s Minister of Finance has pressured me multiple times. His railway construction plan is too radical, demanding us to connect the railway to South Germany. This… is something our Grand Duchy of Baden cannot accomplish. You know our relationship with South Germany is tense," said Leopold.

"Of course," Anna sat back down on her chair and invited the other person to sit and chat, pouring them a glass of red wine.

"May I ask… does Minister of Finance Liszt hold much influence in your country?"

"He’s insignificant. He’s just a minister. The Ministry of Finance listens to me."

Leopold nodded, "In that case, please ask Mrs. Bismarck to restrain Liszt. His actions have already impacted the friendly relations between our two countries. We do not want to be disturbed by his railway strategies for no reason."

"This is my fault, and I will take care of it properly."

The two talked for another half hour, discussing the role and interests of the Grand Duchy of Baden in the industrialization process in Prussia. They reaffirmed the earlier agreements on the highway project, customs union, and currency reform. Anna also discreetly apologized for her previous behavior.

When the Baden Grand Duke left, Anna’s face immediately darkened.

She had advised the minister more than once not to promote the grand railway project any longer. Firstly, the scale of the railway he envisioned was too large and impossible to accomplish presently. Secondly, he always wanted the South German princes and Austria to also build railways according to his plan.

This was a completely absurd matter that could never be realized and would lead to serious diplomatic issues.

Minister of Finance Liszt not only ignored Anna’s advice but also used his position as a high-ranking official in Prussia to pressure other German princes.

At lunchtime, Anna invited Cabinet Secretary Schultz to have a meal together.

During the meal, Anna briefed Baron Schultz on the situation regarding the disobedience of the Minister of Finance and his confusing behavior.

Baron Schultz calmly finished the last bites of his steak, took a sip of champagne, and said:

"Actors in a play just need to memorize the lines given by the playwright, stand on stage and perform in order, saying the lines out loud."

Anna nodded, "Some people try to improvise."

Baron Schultz said, "They will soon be kicked off the stage."

In the Prussian government system, the Cabinet Secretary is the leader of all national civil servants, followed by the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of National Defense, then the second secretary of the Ministry of National Defense, the chief private advisor to the Minister of National Defense, the personnel director of the Ministry of National Defense… and the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Finance ranks tenth.

As the tenth person in the civil servant system, Anna should seek help from Cabinet Secretary Schultz first when encountering problems.

Baron Schultz is willing to help. He is Anna’s direct supervisor, the leader of all civil servants. When subordinates ask him for help, it means they recognize him as their boss. Civil servants should be friendly, help each other, mutually benefit, protect each other, and work together for the country.

Anna helped him get a position as a special advisor to the Prussian National Bank, where he didn’t have to do anything and could receive nine pounds a month as salary.

Baron Schultz promised to get rid of Minister of Finance Liszt within a week and replace him with a new minister who is flexible and good at listening to suggestions.

They smiled, clinked glasses, and happily ended this enjoyable lunch.