Chapter 19

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Chapter 19: Bismarck Turns Out to Be Soft

"Anna, what is your dream?"

The candlelight flickered as Anna’s face was lit up by the warm glow. She felt her eyebrows getting warm and scratched them.

Five years ago, in a classroom at Berlin University, Leader One also asked such a question… back then, Anna didn’t know what she wanted.

Five years later, in the glass house of Redel-Catherine Palace, the two enjoyed a candlelit dinner under a clear glass ceiling, with a dazzling starry sky above them.

Anna didn’t directly answer Leader One’s question; she said:

"For a candlelit dinner, can you make some steak or something, what about braised pork knuckle."

Leader One laughed heartily, "Sauerkraut, pork knuckle, why are you surprised, aren’t these your favorites."

"Actually, they are not," Anna shook her head.

"Let’s eat, let’s eat," Leader One poured red wine for her.

Dreams are a difficult topic to explain, Anna couldn’t explain before, and still can’t now, before there were none, now there are too many.

"I want a strong Prussia, I want my name to go down in history, I want a unified German Empire, I want to witness a parade at the Arc de Triomphe, I want to travel the world, I want to fly to the sky, oh and I especially like that airplane from your novel, I also want…"

Leader One, "Stop, stop dreaming, where do you get so many dreams."

Anna von Bismarck of Blue Star, due to various changes, had many differences from the Iron Chancellor in Earth’s history.

Anna’s childhood and youth, basically set the tone for the Iron Chancellor, meeting Leader One in her youth slightly changed this female prime minister’s thoughts, although still conservative, not extreme.

For example, in this Junker issue, Anna gave in and agreed to Leader One’s harsh suppression plan.

Anna was actually very upset, and she directly expressed her feelings at the candlelight dinner.

"My top priority is to ensure the country’s interests, and the second is to protect my own class interests. To be honest, I do agree with weakening the Junkers, it’s beneficial to suppress the Junker class’s influence on the Prussian state. We should address the Junker issue."

"But I disagree with your overly intense suppression plan, I think it’s too much."

Leader One, "Then why did you agree this afternoon?"

Anna shook her head, "I considered many things and decided to go along with you since you believe it’s beneficial for the country. Let’s do it your way."

Leader One said, "Our core goal is the same. We are both striving for a powerful Prussia. I believe we must take strong measures on the Junker issue, and time will prove me right."

Anna, "I hope so."

Since childhood, Anna received education from her father about being a small Junker landlord. Besides loyalty and patriotism, she was deeply instilled with a strong sense of honor and defense for the Junker class. She has always been proud of being a Junker and didn’t want anyone to take away what belonged to the Junkers.

When the country and the class it represents clashed, Anna chose to support the country. She always sided with Leader One in oppressing Junker. Anna thought it was okay to be a bit forceful, but Leader One believed in being very strict.

Besides thinking about patriotism and righteousness, Anna also considered her own interests. Going against Leader One would not end well. When Your Highness the Regent had a strong opinion, Anna knew she shouldn’t oppose it.

"I never understood, Anna, what comes first in your heart – the country or yourself?"

"They are equally important."

"What about me?" Leader One asked shamelessly.

"As the monarch represents the will of the country, in my eyes, the country and you should be considered the same," Anna calmly replied.

This candlelit dinner was not going smoothly. The glasshouse had a draft, and the March night was quite cold. Leader One wanted to give his coat to Anna, but she refused.

Anna, "I just finished eating a pig’s trotter and I was feeling warm."

Leader One, "Well, that took the fun out of it."

The two of them picked up the remaining red wine and went back to the palace. They sat on a small sofa in the living room to rest.

They sat a bit far away, and the Regent was hesitant. Even though Anna was lying with her eyes closed, he didn’t dare to come closer.

After a few minutes, Leader One finally bravely held Anna’s hand.

Catherine, who was peeking outside the window, almost burst out cursing, saying something like, "You are so worthless!" Catherine wished she could join them. As the number one fan of this couple, Catherine was going crazy.

"Hmm?" Anna opened her eyes and looked at Leader One.

In a low voice, Leader One said, "People like us find it really hard to have a proper romantic relationship. Love, you know.. is so desirable. If there was another world, and I wasn’t a prince regent, and you weren’t a minister.. if we could just live as ordinary people for a lifetime, that would be nice."

Anna smirked, "If you weren’t a prince regent, would I even look at you? You wouldn’t even be able to touch me."

Leader One chuckled, "I remember there was this one time a lady rogue wanted to marry me."

Anna whistled and avoided eye contact, pretending as if nothing had happened.

In March, the evening wind in Berlin was very cold. But Catherine, who was leaning against the window, felt hot with anger. She was getting really mad as those two silly people sat in chairs talking and holding hands from 8 o’clock in the evening until 10 o’clock.

Won’t you do something else? Do something meaningful, okay?

Leader One, Anna: Okay.

At ten o’clock in the evening, at the Redel-Catherine Palace, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Prussia held a meeting with the Chief Secretary of Finance and Foreign Affairs. The Regent Highness instructed to carry out reforms, listen to the opinions of the people, and ensure the implementation of tax reform policies by the relevant financial departments…

The two suddenly started talking about work, catching Catherine off guard. This is not something humans do normally!

Leader One was waiting for Anna to make the first move. He was always cautious about emotions, thinking that Anna should be conservative in this regard. He might face rejection if he acted too hastily.

Anna was waiting for Leader One to make the first move. According to the advice of the emotional mentor Schultz, the woman should just follow the lead of the man in a relationship and not do anything.

The two tough figures in politics were actually weak in love. It’s not that surprising.

Catherine couldn’t take it anymore. Leaning against the window all night wouldn’t lead to anything. She went inside the palace and pretended to pass by the two of them casually.

"Oh, it’s really late, why aren’t you going to bed yet? (strongly hinting)"

Leader One, "You’ve come at just the right time."

Anna found out that a member of the lower house of parliament was deliberately evading taxes, and that old man is against my unlimited royal powers constitution. Catherine, you go take care of him tomorrow.

What else could she say, "As you command, Your Highness."

Catherine had originally planned to give up. She had already found a place to rest, but lying in bed, the more she thought, the angrier she got, and eventually stormed out to find Leader One and Anna.

She had used magic energy, lifted the two people and threw them into a bedroom, where they thudded onto the bed.

Leader One (shocked and scared), "What are you going to do!"

Anna (shocked and scared), "What are you going to do!"

Catherine spoke, if she didn’t see blood when she woke up tomorrow morning, Leader One wouldn’t be able to sleep for the next week.

After saying that, Catherine happily ran back to her room to sleep, dreaming of the intense battle between the couple.

Awkwardly, a man and a woman looked at each other, the candlelight extinguished…

Leader One always thought he was in control, but that night he realized he was actually being dominated.

Anna thought she was the one in control, pretending to be dominant, but that night she discovered she was truly submissive.

Iron Chancellor Bismarck, surprisingly turned into a soft mess within half an hour, with eyes rolled back and tongue sticking out, looking like a toy that had been played with too much, completely different from Catherine.

Leader One knew a secret that could completely control Anna, so if they ever clashed in the future, all he needed to do was to make a mess of Anna~

The next day at noon, Catherine brought lunch for the two and also checked on the situation of the battle.

Bismarck, who had just woken up, was too embarrassed to face anyone, refused to be interviewed, and limped away, avoiding Leader One for the following week.

It wasn’t until the end of the month’s court meeting that Anna had to finally appear in front of Leader One.

Anna always thought she was the strongest person, and never felt embarrassed before. But now, she feels very ashamed and doesn’t want to look Leader One in the eyes. She spends the whole meeting avoiding his gaze.

The Chief Secretary of the other department feels very strange, wondering what secret the Regent has caught hold of.

The usually bold Bismarck has a surprising appearance, leaving the secretaries puzzled.

This incident became a mystery in the entire political circle of Prussia. What really happened in March of 1839?

The unusual situation only lasted for a month before things returned to normal. Leader One knew he had to give Anna some time to recover, and she quickly regained her composure and normal image.

With recent busy government affairs, Leader One barely has any spare time, being heavily relied upon by Catherine. He feels both helpless and concerned about Anna.

During these turbulent times, focusing on national matters is more crucial than personal relationships.

"Regarding the need for entertainment activities for the public, especially to fulfill the leisure needs of the workers who now have one afternoon off every two weeks in Prussia, how do you plan to address this?"

The Revolution has indeed brought direct results, leading to the implementation of a 13-hour workday in Prussia, with an optional Sunday afternoon off every other week.

People who need more money usually work overtime, but many workers choose to relax instead. They want more entertainment, which is also important for the middle class. The activities originally for the nobility are not suitable for common people.

Sports Department Chief Secretary, "Your Highness, I suggest promoting football. Football is a low-cost activity that can entertain many people. By building a football field, thousands of spectators can participate in a match. Other entertainment activities would cost much more."

Leader One was overjoyed. "Football is indeed a low-cost entertainment that can involve a large number of people. Prussia has a desire for unity and a deep cultural passion for roaring together. Besides war, football is the answer."

Leader One, "I think Prussia’s national football team can win the World Cup, if there is one. If not, I’ll create it!"