"The statement ’Prussia yearns for peace’ is the funniest joke I’ve heard today!"

Valerovsky’s sharp reply left a trace of embarrassment on Von Bismarck’s face, as he understood that since its inception, the Kingdom of Prussia has left various European nations with an impression of relentless militarism.

This deep-rooted impression is definitely not something that could be erased by a single phrase of "love of peace" from Von Bismarck!

Despite Valerovsky mercilessly exposing Von Bismarck’s lie, Von Bismarck continued to persistently uphold the ideology of "peace."

"Mr. Valerovsky, the reason the Kingdom of Prussia gives the impression of relentless militarism is entirely because a small group of war mongers in Prussia have incited the monarch, leading to the current situation!

If one day I were to assume the role of Prime Minister, I would certainly strongly advise the monarch to maintain peace and order!

Mr. Valerovsky, Prince Metternich, please believe me when I say that the Kingdom of Prussia is fundamentally a peace-loving nation, and we desire peace as much as any other country!"

Von Bismarck’s expression was exceptionally sincere, and anyone unfamiliar with him would be deceived by his performance into believing that Bismarck was a great political figure dedicated to European peace.

However, Von Bismarck was faced with neither ordinary politicians nor distanced from Valerovsky and Prince Metternich.

The former had already heard from the Emperor about Von Bismarck’s hidden ambitions behind the guise of peace, while the latter was the most outstanding diplomat in European history.

His tricks were simply ineffective against Valerovsky and Prince Metternich, and at most could only deceive the poor Count Baur (the Austrian Empire’s Minister of Foreign Affairs).

"Mr. Bismarck! If you insist on continuing the dialogue with lies, then all you’ll hear is lies!" Prince Metternich lightly knocked on the walnut chair to express his dissatisfaction with Von Bismarck. "Are you really willing to lie to someone who might meet God at any moment?

...

Let us be more honest with each other, as a degree of honesty can better facilitate relations between countries!"

As for Prince Metternich’s appeal for transparency, Von Bismarck clearly had no intention of being thoroughly honest.

Von Bismarck shrugged and said to Prince Metternich, "Your Highness, I have been sufficiently candid, but you refuse to believe my sincerity!

In your and Mr. Valerovsky’s perception, the Kingdom of Prussia has been an instigator of peace disruption all along.

Under such preconceived notions, no matter what I say, you will not believe me!"

"Mr. Bismarck!" Seeing that Von Bismarck continued to insist on the peace doctrine, Valerovsky decided to deliver a "final blow" to Bismarck. "Can you guarantee!

That once you assume the role of Prime Minister, the Kingdom of Prussia will completely abolish the reserve system, retaining only 300,000 troops nationwide!

If you can guarantee this, I’ll be willing to believe the Kingdom of Prussia will become a peaceful nation in the future!"

Von Bismarck’s face changed instantly upon hearing this, and after a while, he finally spoke to Valerovsky, "Mr. Valerovsky!

As far as I know, your country also possesses nearly 550,000 professional soldiers and 300,000 (actually 400,000) semi-professional soldiers!

Your country is the one that should reduce its army size!"

"Mr. Bismarck, I am not like you who ’love peace’!" Valerovsky sarcastically quipped. "France’s army is for safeguarding our national territory and overseas interests, and also to prevent the Eastern giant bear (Russian Empire) from invading Poland again!

Although that giant bear is now suffering from division, it will soon become a unified whole again!

By then, they might invade Poland once more!

At that time, France will, like His Majesty Emperor Napoleon, fight a war against the Russian Empire to defend Poland!

Is Prussia’s army assembled for the purpose of helping the French Empire resist the Russian Empire?"

"Of course not!" Von Bismarck denied flatly; he certainly did not want a simple sentence from himself to trigger a diplomatic crisis between the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia.

Though the Russian Empire is presently embroiled in a civil war, it is evident that this civil war is nearing its conclusion.

Tsar Alexander II of the Russian Empire, relying on external loans (primarily by selling high-quality resources within territorial borders), has formed armed forces that are steadily advancing, while the New Russian Empire troops led by Duke Helicen, having lost the unconditional support from France and Britain, are retreating rapidly.

The battle line of the New and Old Russian Empires has already reached the outskirts of St. Petersburg, namely near the Tsar’s Tsarskoye Selo line.

The Tsarskoye Selo, once a symbol of Tsar’s power and wealth, has now become fragmented under the ravages of the old and new armies, with the paintings and treasures originally stored in the village long sold for New Russian Government troops’ firearms and ammunition. Even the agate walls within the village were also exchanged for military funds by Duke Helicen.

Nevertheless, Duke Helicen still cannot hinder the speed of retreat.

Once Alexander II fully establishes footholds near Tsarskoye Selo, internal unrest will inevitably arise in St. Petersburg due to the inability to break the blockade, and those Royalist Party members hidden within St. Petersburg might incite a rebellion.

Von Bismarck determined that as long as England and France do not dispatch troops to support the Herzen government, the Herzen government would at best hold out until around 1860.

With Austria to the south and Poland to the east, a united Russian Empire is very much in the interest of the Kingdom of Prussia.

Bismarck certainly didn’t wish to cut off diplomatic relations with the Russian Empire due to a momentary accord.

"The army of the Kingdom of Prussia is neither for defending Europe, nor do you have overseas interests!

Why do you insist on universal conscription? This doesn’t seem to align with the notion of peace at all!" Valerovsky aggressively questioned Von Bismarck.

"Universal conscription is an innate tradition of the Kingdom of Prussia!" Von Bismarck attempted to explain using "national character."

"Enough! Mr. Bismarck, I am leaving!" Valerovsky showed undisguised disgust on his face as he rose to respond to Von Bismarck, "I see no honesty in you, and there is no need for our talks to continue!"

Prince Metternich, who was seated on a walnut chair, also made a gesture preparing to leave.

Seeing that Valerovsky and Metternich were about to depart, Von Bismarck became a bit more candid, showing a bitter smile as he said to Valerovsky and Metternich, "Your Excellency Valerovsky, Mr. Metternich, the things I’m going to say next are just the ravings of a drunk man!!

This does not represent the official stance of the Kingdom of Prussia!"

After saying this, Von Bismarck drank down the red wine in his glass.

Only then did Valerovsky and Prince Metternich sit back down, quietly listening to what was on Von Bismarck’s mind.

Von Bismarck glanced at Valerovsky and Prince Metternich and said with a slight touch of bitterness in his tone, "Your Excellency Valerovsky, Prince Metternich, I greatly admire your ability to establish exploits worthy of worldwide praise!

I am now 45 years old, yet still have achieved nothing!

If fate truly favors me to become the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Prussia, I would dedicate my entire life to pursuing a great enterprise!"

With that, a particularly devout expression appeared on Bismarck’s face.

"Mr. Bismarck, what do you mean by a great enterprise?" Valerovsky looked at Von Bismarck curiously, wondering why the Emperor pinned hopes of intervening in Germany on him.

"Of course, it’s the great revival of Germany!"

Von Bismarck steadfastly replied to Valerovsky.

At this moment, he dared not directly convey the wild ambition of Prussia to dominate Germany to Prince Metternich and Valerovsky, so he hid Prussia’s desire for domination under the guise of German revival.

"Mr. Bismarck, which aspect of revival are you referring to when you mention German revival? Is it economic, cultural, or the revival of the nation and state?"

Metternich slightly frowned, speaking in a low tone as he inquired, sensing that beneath the surface of Bismarck’s talk of German revival lay an undisclosed intent.

"Your Highness, I believe the German revival should be a comprehensive revival. We must not only strive to catch up culturally and economically with the Kingdom of Britain and the French Empire, who have left us behind (Von Bismarck flattered Valerovsky with a glance), but also aim to reclaim certain disputed territories for the German Confederation!" Von Bismarck explained to Prince Metternich.

Suddenly, Von Bismarck thought of how the Luxembourg Duchy had now become territory of the French Empire.

To prevent Valerovsky’s misunderstanding, Von Bismarck hurriedly added, "Of course, the contentious territories I refer to do not include the Luxembourg Duchy!

In my opinion, the exchange of the Luxembourg Duchy fully complies with territorial exchange protocols!

The disputed territories I refer to are the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein!"

"Mr. Bismarck, the dispute over the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein was settled back in 1851!

I recall the Kingdom of Prussia raised no objection to Europe’s decision-making at the time!" Prince Metternich emphasized with a furrowed brow.

As one-third and a supporter of German nationalism, Prince Metternich indeed harbored some sympathy for the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, but compared to the overall enterprise of the Austrian Empire, this sympathy was negligible.

Metternich believed that maintaining the current European order was the best way to ensure the Austrian Empire’s greatest interests.

Even if that order was dominated by the French Empire!

Therefore, Prussia’s wanton disruption of order naturally had no support from Metternich.

At this point, Prince Metternich instinctively looked towards Valerovsky, knowing he could also garner some support from him.

However, to Prince Metternich’s disappointment, Valerovsky maintained a silent stance throughout.