In May 1902, Buckingham Palace, UK.
"Alas, that tiresome war in South Africa has finally come to an end."
King Edward VII of the United Kingdom let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had finally shed a huge burden.
This was only natural.
The Boer Wars—
This long war that had twice dragged the British Empire into a quagmire finally came to an end in South Africa.
In the long war with the United Kingdom, the Boers, who were no longer able to fight, finally accepted the rule of the British Empire and surrendered to the United Kingdom on the condition of being allowed self-governance.
Just like that, the countries of the Boers, the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic) and the Orange Free State, which had continuously tormented the United Kingdom through guerrilla warfare, faded into the background of history.
Of course, this process was not exactly glorious.
And precisely for this reason, Edward VII could not simply be happy about the victory in this war.
In order to completely eliminate the Boer guerrillas, the United Kingdom, after suffering repeated humiliations on the battlefield, was almost driven crazy. Not only did they imprison the Boers in concentration camps, but they also burned all their villages to the ground through a scorched-earth policy.
This naturally drew strong condemnation from the international community towards the United Kingdom.
What's more, the Boers were not the black people commonly seen in Africa.
They were descendants of European pioneers. In other words, they were real white people.
Doing such things to the indigenous people of the colonies would already draw criticism, and perpetrating such atrocities on the Boers, who were also white, made it impossible to escape the censure of public opinion.
Therefore, for both the victors and the vanquished of the Boer Wars, it ultimately turned out to be a disaster that weakened national strength and international reputation.
Although the victory in the war brought the South African colonies completely under the British territory, for Edward VII, who attached great importance to diplomacy, this fact was extremely distressing.
"When is the signing of the peace treaty expected?"
"Ahem! On May 31st, we will sign an agreement (the Treaty of Vereeniging) with the Boer leaders in Pretoria, Your Majesty. Ahem, ahem, ahem!"
The Marquess of Salisbury answered with difficulty while coughing intermittently.
His complexion was even worse than when he attended the funeral of Queen Victoria Adelaide, the Dowager Empress, with Edward VII a year ago.
In the end, the Marquess of Salisbury decided to resign as Prime Minister, and Edward VII accepted the resignation of this great Prime Minister who, together with Gladstone and Disraeli, had led the British Empire through its golden age.
"Robert has also come to this point, hasn't he?"
Thinking of the contributions made by his former close friend, the Marquess of Salisbury, to the British Empire, Edward VII felt deeply sorry. However, even in his opinion, the Marquess of Salisbury's health was no longer sufficient for him to continue holding this position with heavy responsibilities.
Therefore, Edward VII had to start considering the arrangements after the Marquess of Salisbury stepped down.
For the British people who trusted and supported him, and also for the future of the British Empire.
"After Robert resigns, he should be the next Prime Minister, right?"
Edward VII looked at the young politician (compared to Edward VII and the Marquess) standing next to the Marquess of Salisbury.
Arthur James Balfour.
The nephew of the Marquess of Salisbury, and also the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Speaker of the House of Commons.
His titles were by no means nominal. If there were no accidents, he would succeed the Marquess as Prime Minister.
He actually led the cabinet in place of the Marquess of Salisbury, who was unable to work properly due to illness, and also enjoyed extremely high support within the Conservative Party.
Not to mention the victory in the Boer War this time, and the upcoming coronation ceremony of Edward VII that he would preside over. All these would further enhance his prestige among the people.
"But this is really strange."
Perhaps it was the intuition of an old man who had weathered many storms. Edward VII always felt that Balfour wouldn't stay in the position of Prime Minister for too long. For some unknown reason, he just had this premonition.
"By the way, I've heard some interesting things recently. Arthur, do you know about it?"
"Interesting things?"
"Yes. My dear nephew-in-law 'Nicky' seems to have been up to some dangerous things in the Far East recently."
As Edward VII's voice fell, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy.
The British king's nephew-in-law "Nicky" was none other than Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.
And once Russia took action, it usually wouldn't be beneficial to the United Kingdom.
"Yes, I've heard about it too. It seems that Russia has imported a large number of weapons from Germany this time."
"What do you think they are doing this for?"
"Of course, it's to prepare for the war with Japan, isn't it? If the Russians still have some sense, they should be able to sense that the tense situation in the Far East has reached a dangerous level."
Balfour replied confidently, showing that he didn't obtain the title of "future Prime Minister" by luck.
Edward VII also nodded in agreement with Balfour's answer.
This was only natural, because Balfour's answer was a valid argument in itself.
From a common sense perspective, Russia's action this time could only be explained as being caused by the friction with Japan.
Moreover, the Japanese also made no secret of their intention to go to war with Russia.
It would be even stranger if Russia didn't make preparations.
However, Edward VII still felt somewhat uneasy.
Especially the fact that the Russian Empire had imported "German-made" weapons made him unable to let go of his concerns.
"Do you think the German Empire will stand behind the Russian Empire?"
"Ahem, You mean the German Empire?"
"Your Majesty, forgive me for being blunt, but this speculation seems a bit too far-fetched."
Balfour answered the king cautiously.
After all, since William II ascended the throne, the relationship between Germany and Russia had been deteriorating continuously.
But why would Germany send weapons to Russia, which was practically an enemy country in reality?
From a logical point of view, this made no sense at all.
"Cough. Of course, I know that Your Majesty's nephew, the German Emperor, harbors great hostility towards Japan. But that has always been limited to words. Moreover, even if the German Emperor really wants to assist Russia in the war with Japan, will the Junkers in Germany really allow him to do so?"
What's more, the shortage of weapons in Russia had been a long-standing chronic problem, and it was also common for the German Empire to sell its own country's weapons everywhere.
Therefore, it was entirely possible for Russia, which was short of weapons, to purchase German weapons.
"Hmm... Arthur, you're right. You're quite right, but..."
"Ahem! Your Majesty, is there someone who makes you feel worried?"
Someone?
Arthur Balfour didn't know who "that person" was referring to, and he tilted his head in confusion.
Balfour's question was soon answered by Edward VII's next words.
"Yes, it's the dear Baron Hans von Joe. For some inexplicable reason, I can strongly sense his presence in this matter."
"Hans von Joe? Do you mean that young man from the East who once saved the German Emperor?"
"Yes. I'm afraid you don't know. Robert and I met him at my sister's funeral last year."
"Your Majesty, ahem! You had a deep impression of that boy at that time."
What's more coincidental is that, according to the news sent back to the UK by the British Embassy in Russia, Hans von Joe had accompanied another nephew of Edward VII, Heinrich, on a visit to Russia just a few months ago.
"Of course, according to the report, although he always indulged in hunting and parties with Nicky..."
Could that kid named Hans actually be of the same kind as himself?
Anyway, there was always an inexplicable sense of unease in Edward VII's heart.
"But Your Majesty, no matter how intelligent that boy is, he's just a child. Unless the Germans are crazy, how could they let a child get involved in politics?"
"Hmm."
Arthur Balfour expressed another reasonable opinion.
In fact, Balfour never understood why the king was so persistent about that child named Hans Joe.
"No matter how intelligent and capable he is, he's just a yellow-skinned kid."
This was Balfour's opinion of Hans, and it was also the opinion of most Europeans about Hans.
"Even so, we should still pay more attention to Germany. Having lived for so long, I know very well that the world doesn't always operate according to common sense."
In the end, Edward VII could only give such instructions to the next Prime Minister.
This was the greatest effort he could make.
Just like his mother, Queen Victoria, as the British monarch, Edward VII also had to adhere to the principle of "reigning but not ruling".
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Balfour's response was still very cold.
"Robert, I already miss you."
"Hahaha, Your Majesty, my old bones can no longer serve the country. Please let me enjoy my old age in peace. Ahem! Ahem, ahem!"
Dong dong dong—
Just as Edward VII was whispering with the Marquess of Salisbury, the door of the king's office was knocked.
"What is it?"
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, Ambassador Lascelles has sent a telegram."
"Lascelles? Is he the Ambassador to Germany?"
When Balfour asked the question, the Marquess of Salisbury nodded.
It was Germany again.
While Balfour was seriously thinking in his heart what kind of day it was today, the valet entered the office and handed the telegram to Edward VII.
Then, the king frowned.
"Germany will launch a new type of warship next month."
"A new type of warship?"
Balfour vaguely remembered that the German Empire seemed to be building a new type of warship with new technologies.
Ambassador Lascelles was obviously taking this seriously, but the British Navy didn't think much of it.
Because the concepts and theories of the German Empire's new warship had actually been put forward by the British Navy long ago.
And at that time, the conclusion reached by the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom was that it was just a meaningless waste.
Therefore, the British believed that the new warship built by Germany was just an experimental product resulting from Kaiser's obsession with the navy.
Upon hearing this opinion, Balfour no longer paid much attention to this matter.
After all, he was a busy man.
"It seems that the name of the ship has not been officially announced yet."
"Yes, it is usually announced during the launching ceremony. However, the German Navy seems to temporarily call it 'Furchtlos' internally."
Furchtlos?
Fearless?
"Come to think of it, there is also a ship with a similar name in our British Navy, isn't there?"
"Ahem, ahem, ahem! You mean the battleship 'HMS Dreadnought', right?"
Upon hearing his uncle's words, Balfour couldn't help laughing.
It seemed that the Germans not only copied the technology of the British Empire but also stole the traditional ship name of the British Empire.
"However, Ambassador Lascelles said that the atmosphere in the German Navy seems a bit abnormal."
It was said that they were as excited as children who received Christmas gifts.
"It's just worrying needlessly."
"Hmm... but..."
Edward VII knew that Ambassador Lascelles was an excellent diplomat.
If there was nothing to worry about, he wouldn't send a telegram for no reason.
The Marquess of Salisbury also agreed with the king's view.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem! I've known Frank for many years, and he's not someone who talks nonsense."
"Uncle, but..."
"Ahem, Arthur, don't forget that I'm still the current Prime Minister. Tell the Admiralty to send a naval attaché to Germany and let them observe with their own eyes and investigate thoroughly."
"Yes, I understand."
Balfour muttered in his heart that the old people were really timid, but he obediently agreed on the surface.
After all, as the Marquess of Salisbury said, he wasn't the Prime Minister yet. At least not for now.
"It will be different when I become the Prime Minister."
"Alright then. We can adjourn the meeting today. Arthur, don't forget what I said."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Arthur Balfour and the Marquess of Salisbury bowed to the king and then left Edward VII's office.
However, even after repeated reminders from Edward VII and the Marquess of Salisbury, Balfour didn't change his mind.
"What kind of strange movement could there be in the German Navy? It's just unwarranted panic."
Hadn't the Royal Navy already made it clear that there was no need to pay attention?
Could it be that the respected naval generals of the mighty Royal Navy of the British Empire could really make a misjudgment?