The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1122: Chapter 107: Bismarck, Are You Really That Tough?

Reporter: Recently, the British Government has clearly stated that if Prussia declares war on Denmark, they will stand by Denmark’s side. Your Excellency, the people of Prussia are now very concerned; if the British Army lands in the Baltic Sea, how will we respond?

Bismarck (with a disdainful smile): How to respond? If the British Army really comes, I’ll send the police to arrest them all.

Reporter (laughing heartily): That answer is very humorous, but Your Excellency, on such matters, please refrain from joking.

Bismarck (straightening his collar): Joking? I’m not joking. As far as I’m concerned, the pressure from Scotland Yard police is far greater than that from the British Army.

——”North German General Report” journalist’s 1864 interview with Otto von Bismarck, Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of the Kingdom of Prussia, before the outbreak of the Pruso-Danish War

As a usual result of our national education, I graduated from middle school at Easter in 1832. Upon entering the University of Gottingen for further studies, I became a pantheist. Although I did not become a Republican, I was already convinced that the Republic was the most rational form of national government. At the same time, I pondered over the reasons why millions of people long willing to obey one individual.

But this question did not trouble me for long because, in my third semester at Gottingen, the arrival of one person revealed the answer to me. My proud record of twenty-five consecutive dueling victories was terminated that day. However, this was not the most annoying part. The most infuriating was that after defeating me, he didn’t arrogantly humiliate me but helped me up with a smile on his face, asking me…

——Otto von Bismarck “Thoughts and Reminiscences: Bismarck’s Memoirs”

Facing Professor Helbart’s questioning, Bismarck showed no intention of backing down.

Instead of yielding, he held his head high as if his eyes were located up his nose: “Professor, I don’t think the school rules say students aren’t allowed to keep dogs. Let alone dogs, even if I keep a bear, it’s none of your business.”

Professor Helbart, fuming: “And what about your unauthorized escape from the confinement room? Bismarck, you’ve been at Gottingen for only three years, yet you’ve had 25 duels with classmates. This was not all; recently, you even went to Jena University to brawl with others. Are you not satisfied with disgracing the school enough?”

Bismarck disdainfully rolled his eyes: “Professor, I’m a noble, and fencing duels are a traditional noble activity among university students. Although this sport has been abolished in most student societies at Gottingen, the Prussian Regional Society I joined still retains it. So I don’t think I’m wrong in dueling or violating any rules. If you punish me for that, you can forget ever earning my respect.”

Professor Helbart was infuriated by Bismarck’s response. Although he knew this guy was one of the most troublesome students at the University of Gottingen, it did not deter his idea to block the source of bad practices there.

“Even so, dueling and dog-keeping can’t be counted as clear wrongdoings, but your participation in today’s tavern riot will still be penalized! Report to the office of the punishment committee tomorrow morning at eight. After listening to the details of your involvement in the riot, the committee members will give you an appropriate punitive result.”

“Riot?” Upon hearing the word, Bismarck’s upturned nose lowered, and he questioned with a puzzled look: “What riot?”

Helbart assumed Bismarck was playing dumb to evade punishment, coldly replying: “It’s the riot today at noon in support of the Frankfurt garrison event, Bismarck. You wouldn’t tell me you didn’t participate, right?”

“If I’d known, I might have considered it, but not necessarily attended… However…”

Bismarck bit his lip, pondering and muttering softly: “Damn, those idiots in the Deutsch University Student Union didn’t invite me; surely it’s because I beat them too fiercely before.”

Bismarck complained that he was being excluded by classmates, but on the other hand, he was quite relieved he hadn’t gotten involved in that riot. Not for any other reason, just simply because at least he wouldn’t have to be confined.

In Bismarck’s view, the confinement room was an unbearable place. Gottingen, being a small town in the countryside, is already boring enough. Being locked up in the confinement room would be like a death sentence by fire.

Bismarck shrugged casually: “Professor, you should know that I’ve never drunk beer at Gottingen. Originally, my mother disagreed with me going to Heidelberg University and chose Gottingen for me because she feared I’d develop a habit of beer drinking at Heidelberg, which she utterly loathed. Thus, not to disappoint her, since coming to Gottingen, I’ve never been to a tavern, for I’ve fallen in love with wine and stronger spirits.”

Professor Helbart listened, his face full of disbelief.

He couldn’t believe this notorious troublemaker at Gottingen hadn’t joined the tavern commotion. Professor Helbart immediately produced the list of detainees from Göttingen Police Station that was tucked under his arm.

But no matter how he searched the list or scrutinized it repeatedly, he found no trace of Bismarck’s name.

Professor Helbart put the list away, took a deep breath as he stared at Bismarck: “So, you really didn’t participate?”