Moltke the Younger’s words caused Albert II to fall into hesitation.
Although he frequently advocated in public that “Saxony needs its place in the sun,” and stated that he would not shrink from a war with the Britannians to achieve this goal.
And he vigorously promoted army construction, especially tirelessly expanding the navy…
Honestly, he and the entire Saxon Empire were not yet prepared for a full-scale war against the world’s leading power.
The Empire’s economic transition was not yet fully complete, the total size of the naval fleet still lagged behind the Britannians by a certain margin, and the colonial territories’ contribution to the homeland had only just begun to show improvement…
Rationally speaking, the timing for starting a war now was not right.
But emotionally, if they dared not start a war now, they would be utter cowards.
“Helmuth…”
Albert II stared at his Chief of Army General Staff with a solemn expression.
“Tell me, is the Army prepared for a full-scale war?”
The answer from Moltke the Younger to the Emperor’s question was somewhat unexpected.
“Your Majesty, the Saxon Imperial Army’s mission, since its inception, has been to enter the battlefield when the Empire needs it, not only when it is ‘prepared.’ ”
“Therefore, with just one word from Your Majesty, the General Staff will immediately begin formulating detailed attack plans. All the Army officers and soldiers of the Empire will fight to the end for the Emperor and the Empire without hesitation!”
These words were powerful and resounding, brimming with that unique, no-holds-barred loyalty and determination characteristic of Saxon soldiers.
Of course, this was speaking from the perspective of the high-ranking General Staff officers…
Albert II looked at the steadfast Chief of Army General Staff before him, deep in thought for a long while.
Moltke the Younger’s answer actually evaded his question, and judging by his manner of response, the answer was clearly implied—the Army was not fully prepared.
But having reached this point, he had no retreat.
If he flinched now, he and the entire Empire would inevitably slide into the abyss.
All the efforts and plans the Saxons had made over the years for a ‘Second Rise’ would be for naught.
Finally, Albert II slowly rose from his chair, walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window, and looked at the cityscape of Dresden outside.
“I approve General Mackensen’s request…”
He spoke with his back to Moltke the Younger, his voice low but filled with undeniable authority.
“General Mackensen is to immediately lead the assembled troops to depart. He must open the lines of communication with the Expeditionary Force in the shortest time possible!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Albert II paused, then summoned the chamberlain from outside the door.
“Immediately summon the Minister of the Navy, the Minister of the Air Force, and the Chiefs of Staff of the Navy and Air Force… Furthermore, summon the Imperial Chancellor and the Foreign Affairs State Secretary!”
Half an hour later, the atmosphere in a large reception room at the Dresden Royal Palace was tense.
Almost all of the Saxon Empire’s high-level military and political figures were gathered here.
Having received prior notice of the situation, the Imperial Chancellor, the Foreign Affairs State Secretary, the three Service Ministers, and the three Service Chiefs of Staff all wore grave expressions.
Moltke the Younger first briefly explained the current critical situation in the Kingdom of Aragon and General Mackensen’s plan to relieve the siege.
Upon hearing that the entire Expeditionary Force faced the risk of complete annihilation, the high-level officials of the Empire present all reacted with shock.
“This… this is impossible?!”
“Before the Expeditionary Force departed, didn’t the General Staff confidently guarantee that this was only a low-intensity armed intervention?”
The Imperial Chancellor looked at Moltke the Younger in surprise, as if he and the Chief of Army General Staff had not been the ones to persuade the Emperor at the time.
Moltke the Younger ignored the Chancellor’s questioning, not only because he was accustomed to it, but because he knew this was no time for mutual recriminations.
He simply cast his calm gaze toward the Emperor at the head of the table.
Albert II cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.
He looked around the room, then let his gaze settle on Grand Admiral Tirpitz and General Schubert, the Chief of Air Staff.
“Field Marshal Tirpitz, General Schubert…”
The Emperor’s tone was calm, devoid of the panic he had shown upon first hearing the bad news.
“Are the Imperial Navy and Air Force prepared for a full-scale war with the Britannians?”
Hearing Albert II’s question, Grand Admiral Tirpitz, the founder of the Imperial Navy, Chief of Naval Staff, creator of the High Seas Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet, and proponent of the Naval Risk Theory, rose to his feet.
He stroked his iconic bifurcated beard and spoke in a deep voice:
“Should Your Majesty give the command, the Imperial Navy Fleet will sail toward the ocean without hesitation. That is the very reason the Imperial Navy exists.”
General Schubert, the Chief of Air Staff, immediately followed suit: “Your Majesty, all Armored Airship units are ready to be deployed, except for a portion retained along the border with the Gallic Republic. Furthermore, two more Armored Airships, refitted with new type naval cannons, will be completed by the end of this month.”
The answers from these two military giants mirrored Moltke the Younger’s earlier response.
They both expressed the military’s determination to obey orders absolutely, while cleverly sidestepping the core question of ‘Are we prepared?’
Albert II understood in his heart that the Navy and Air Force, just like the Army, were not entirely ready to cope with a full-scale war—but that no longer mattered.
After deep consideration, he finally delivered his ultimate decision.
“Good! I command that the three services immediately enter a state of full war readiness, making all preparations for a comprehensive war against the Britannians! At the very least, our stance must demonstrate to the Britannians our resolve to fight if necessary!”
“For the Army, General Mackensen’s plan is to be executed immediately! I authorize him to command the twelve infantry divisions on the border to immediately cross the border and engage in the fighting in the Kingdom of Aragon, relieving the crisis of the Expeditionary Force with the utmost speed!”
“For the Navy, the Mediterranean Fleet and the High Seas Fleet are to set sail immediately! Commence combat patrols to demonstrate our strength to the Britannians!”
“For the Air Force, all Armored Airship units are to enter Level One alert status! The Air Force General Staff is to formulate a deployment plan for the Armored Airships, ready at any moment to support operations for the other services!”
A series of commands were issued by the Emperor.
The atmosphere in the entire conference room was instantly ignited.
Although they were currently facing a crisis, and the Saxon Empire was not fully ready to go toe-to-toe with Britannia, the eyes of these high-ranking military officials still gleamed with excitement and zeal.
However, after issuing the commands for war preparations, Albert II turned his gaze to Gottlieb von Jagow, the Foreign Affairs State Secretary.
“Maintain constant contact with the Britannian side, preparing for negotiations… Should they give any signal of willingness to communicate, you must follow up promptly to secure the most favorable terms for the Empire. War is always the last resort.”
“As you command, Your Majesty!”
With the conclusion of the emergency meeting, a flurry of encrypted telegrams flew from the three General Staff Headquarters to operational units across the Empire.
Along the border separating the Saxon Empire and the Kingdom of Aragon, twelve infantry divisions that had completed their readiness, under the personal command of General Mackensen, crossed the border into the Kingdom of Aragon by military train.
They would disembark and deploy upon reaching the frontline area, then launch an attack on the enemy forces in Cuenca and Valencia with the utmost speed.
More infantry divisions within the Empire also began mobilization and were gradually assembling near the border.
Partial call-up orders for the Army reserves were issued, and Chief of Staff Moltke the Younger had drafted a full mobilization order, pending only the Emperor’s final signature.
(End of this Chapter)