Chapter Nine, The Peasant from Königsberg

Hehe, Your Highness, I have not concerned myself with state affairs for a long time. I am old and only wish to spend my later years in peace.

"But you are a prince! How..." Reni was puzzled

Those who come here are all young masters from noble families, so don't pay them any mind! Let's go check in instead!" As Chen Tian said this, everyone indeed noticed that the military uniforms and boots of those few individuals were very extravagant, while most others on the road were similarly dressed. Only this group of people was wearing the military uniforms of a youth military academy, making them appear quite dull amidst the crowd

Greetings, Prime Minister! Chen Tian stood respectfully to the side

"Company Commander, what should we do now? They have the high ground and artillery support, making it very difficult for us to defend ourselves!" Chen Tian asked as he approached their company commander. The company commander was a very young instructor, seemingly only in his twenties. He sat down on the ground and lazily replied.

"Look! Just take a look at the others in our squad. It's already impressive that they can make it to the training ground; they won't be able to stop those guys at all!" Thomas pointed to the individuals behind him. Having only run a little over half the distance, many had already fallen far behind, and those who could keep up were basically just Chen Tian and his group.

Chen Tian and the others were assigned to a company of 100 people. On this day, they, along with two other new student companies, were fully armed and heading to the training ground 10 kilometers away. Their opponents would be an equal number of graduating students. These students had already completed examinations in other subjects, and this final exercise was a practical simulation with a parade-like nature. For past graduates, this was the easiest examination, as they were up against new students who had just entered the academy. Often, at the beginning of the exercise, the new students were so frightened by the sound of gunfire that they could hardly put up any resistance. Of course, the nobles and generals who came to watch the graduation exercise would be able to appreciate the "power" of the imperial army.

Half a month later, at the entrance of the Imperial Royal Army Academy, a group of young boys stood there in a daze, gazing up at the statue on the gate

On Chen Tian's side, there were only about thirty to forty people still running in a relatively orderly line, while the others were scattered behind.

After Christmas, there are still two weeks until the Royal Military Academy opens. Chen Tian decided to pay a visit to the most renowned figure of the 19th century—Otto von Bismarck, the former Chancellor known as the Iron Chancellor. Since his resignation in 1890, Bismarck had been living in leisure at his home in a small town west of Berlin. Chen Tian recalled that in about two years, this old man would pass away. He still had not had the opportunity to converse with this legendary strongman.

An hour later, Eureka appeared at the top of the hill with his squad. Indeed, the opposing defensive position had only a shallow trench, where the new recruits were half-squatting inside, with half of their bodies exposed, staring blankly in this direction

The Bismarck family's estate is quite large. Under the guidance of a servant, Chen Tian traversed the long corridor and arrived at a secluded study. Inside the study, an elderly man with white hair sat in a large armchair, lost in deep thought.

Even a black bear finds it difficult to deal with a pack of wolves. Germany now needs to recuperate, to develop its economy, and to establish a long-term stable and peaceful environment. Bismarck then quietly closed his eyes and finally said: "What I can say is just this; the rest is for Your Highness to ponder on your own"

Oh, Your Highness! You have arrived!" Bismarck slowly opened his eyes and said gently, "It has been many years since we last met, and you have grown so much! Come, sit down!

Where did these country bumpkins come from? Hmph... At this moment, a few senior students walked by arrogantly, sneering at this group of young boys dressed in old gray military uniforms.

Where did the opponent initiate the attack from

Alas... it seems they will all have to wait until next year to graduate! Oh God!" The other generals sighed helplessly, as they knew that Prince William was on the defensive side, and they had no way to favor the attacking side. Initially, they only hoped to show Prince William the offensive power of their troops, but they did not expect the defensive side to come up with such a move, and the rules did not state that the defensive side was not allowed to counterattack.

Did you not hear what the referee said? Just dig a trench casually to make it look good, and then fire a few shots at will later

No, I am just like you; we are country folk from Königsberg, haha! Chen Tian laughed while holding his shoulders

"You all..." Matthew wanted to rush up and say something, but was pulled back by Chen Tian.

"Your Excellency, the General, congratulations!" a noblewoman said with a charming smile to the General beside her

The attacking side set out from that position, and Eureka, who had already been "killed" more than three times, helplessly watched the group of youths before him. Not long ago, he had mocked them as country bumpkins, yet now they walked past him with their chests held high.

Dear Prime Minister, I have long wished to seek your guidance on certain issues, but I have not had the opportunity until now

Indeed! I should not have secretly replaced the wine in his bottle

"Jiji, why don't you prepare some nice clothes for us! We really feel like country bumpkins!" complained one of them named Leini. After 6 years of living together, they had become very familiar with each other and were accustomed to calling Chentian by his name.

Well, it is acceptable

Due to the influence of Chentian, all twenty-four students from the first graduating class of the Königsberg Cadet School were granted direct admission to the Royal Military Academy. However, the Academy stated that they would need to assess their performance before deciding whether to accept future graduates from the Königsberg Cadet School. According to what they had learned, the entrance examinations at the Königsberg Cadet School consisted of some peculiar questions, which made them somewhat apprehensive about the graduates from there.

Ha ha! The army of our empire is the strongest! Next, let us see our warriors reap the fruits of victory

In fact, life at the Royal Military Academy is not significantly different from that at the Königsberg Cadet School; both are equally monotonous and arduous. The only distinctions are that more knowledge is required here, the training intensity is greater, and the competition is more fierce

"Go wherever it's cool! How could I possibly be eliminated? Just look at my chest muscles..."

Oh, not bad at all, there really is chicken to eat! Hahaha!

The generals and nobles sat on a distant hillside, observing through binoculars, while the exercise referee reported on the progress of the drill

This place is quite impressive

Rest assured

Alright, everyone pay attention. The attacking side is the graduate troops, and the defending side is the freshman troops. From now on, the defending side has one hour to construct trenches, and after one hour, the attacking side will begin their assault. After the exercise referee announced some other exercise rules, he took the freshmen to their defensive positions

Alas! It seems we should not have teased that little mustached instructor who always forced us to run around the playground back in the day. Do you remember? One time I put a mouse in his shoe, and as a result, we were all caught by him in the middle of the night and made to run around the playground, hahaha

However, I would like to know your perspective on the future of Germany

To become a qualified commander, there is still much for you to learn

Boom... Boom... The attacking side's mountain artillery has opened fire

Alright, everyone, charge with bayonets! Quickly maneuver around to the back of the hill, where there are 5 mountain guns and 6 machine guns, with only about 30 personnel left to guard them. We will swiftly eliminate and capture them, then take control of the machine guns and fire from behind the attacking forces! Move out...

Let's go! We will be staying here for four years

Oh... so it was you two who caused us to be punished and made to run for no reason

Did you not notice? When the attacking force advanced to the hillside, their starting position was seized by the defending side. Then, the attacking troops were fired upon from behind by machine guns. They stood in place for five minutes to reorganize their formation. By the time they charged back to the starting position, based on the rate of fire of the machine guns, the hit rate at that distance, and the formation of the attacking side, each of them would have been killed at least three times over! The referee had not yet responded when another general stood up, put on his military cap, and angrily left. Another general stood up, put on his military cap, and angrily left.

Wow! Our family will surely take pride in me

Haha! Easy victory! Let us start setting off fireworks! Then we will go over and clean them up!

Indeed! Matthew, you always slack off during training. Don't get eliminated in the first semester!

"Referee, what is going on? Why is the attacking side deemed to have lost?" a portly nobleman exclaimed in surprise, addressing the referee of the exercise.

Alright, in order for our future juniors to come here to study, we must perform well! Chen Tian has evidently become the leader of this group of young men

Oh ... ... the nobles applaud.

"Aopang, can you still hold on?"

My lord, His Royal Highness Prince William has arrived My lord

We are country folk after all! So what if we are from the countryside? We can endure hardships, we can bear the burdens! Let them see the strength of us country people, and let them think twice before looking down on us!" Chen Tian said with a smile as he patted Reni.

"You... can I take us around here for a bit?" Chen Tian really wanted to hit this cowardly guy

Hehe ... ... Haha ... ...

After bidding farewell to Bismarck, Chen Tian has been silently reflecting on his words. This person, known worldwide for advocating the use of force to resolve issues, why did he become a pacifist in his later years? Could it be that he coveted the Nobel Peace Prize?

Hi! Jiji, look! Aren't those the guys who looked down on us the day we entered the academy? Just look at their arrogant demeanor; they clearly don't think much of us! We must teach them a good lesson later! It seems Matthew is ready to confront those people!

Oh, Your Highness, I am no longer a Prime Minister! Haha! How could you think of visiting this old man!

Based on the defensive position of the defending side, in the face of the attacking side's overwhelming firepower, it is determined that the personnel casualties on the defending side amount to seventy percent, with an estimated remaining force of fewer than one hundred soldiers, while the attacking side has suffered no casualties at all

"You little brat, smiling so happily, soon you won't be able to cry!" Leading another team on this side of the road was a young man named Eureka, who glanced over at Chen Tian's team and said disdainfully. Their team was jogging in an orderly manner, with only the sound of footsteps breaking the silence; this was a typical German army.

"Here they come! They will start their attack from that hillside, their starting position is over there," the referee pointed to the distant hillside and then smiled, saying, "No need to be nervous! We have never had a rookie who could hold this position, so you don't need to feel any pressure, just have some fun with them!"

I seem to have been here in a dream before

Hahaha ... ...

Matthew, keep up and don't fall behind

A quarter of an hour later

Isn't it better to wait here and surrender? But it's up to you, just remember to come and surrender in an hour

Ten minutes later, Eureka's company and two other companies began to march in an orderly formation towards the defensive position, while on the other side of the hill, Chen Tian and his squad were quietly lurking in the bushes.