The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1126: Chapter 108: Bismarck’s Hell (Part 2)

Those farmers and merchants’ sons simply can’t understand what sense of honor is, nor do they care whether the title of ”Number One in Gottingen” is pinned on a foreigner.

Whenever he thought of this, Bismarck felt a kind of inner rage, as he was the only one in Gottingen to inherit the glorious tradition of Germany.

Great Sword Saint of Germany! Lichtenar, Talhoffer, Von Danitz, Mayer at this moment possesses his soul! He, Bismarck, alone represents the ancient history and tradition of German martial arts. At this moment, he is not fighting alone, he is not alone! Arthur Hastings can do nothing, the blade pierces the left side!

Germany wins! He no longer gives the British any chance! Long live Germany! Long live Germany! Great German martial arts, great German duels! Tonight he is the Paladin of the Teutonic Knights, the Imperial Guard of the Holy Roman Empire, he showed unparalleled bravery! Bismarck stood up!

Clang!

That was the sound of the longsword hitting the ground, also the sound of a young man’s proud glass heart completely shattering.

Bismarck snapped out of his reverie in a daze.

In his ear, that voice like a death knell with a gentle tone sounded again: ”So, what did you learn from today’s event?”

Only then did Bismarck suddenly realize that class had long ended, and he had unknowingly returned to the lawn in front of that British office, swallowing the bitter fruit of nine straight defeats against Arthur Hastings.

Bismarck trembled all over, if there were words to describe his mood, then ”utter hopelessness” would be the most fitting.

Arthur saw that the young man trembled all over but did not give him a response, so he asked again: ”From today’s event, what did you learn, Mr. Bismarck.”

”Learned what?” Bismarck gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, suddenly swinging a punch at Arthur’s face: ”I learned your grandmother’s legs, I hate studying, why do you insist on making things difficult for me!”

Arthur easily caught Bismarck’s fist with his palm and immediately pulled Bismarck’s report card from his pocket: ”Hating to learn, that’s certainly not a problem, I respect everyone’s preferences and believe it’s your freedom. However, Mr. Bismarck, if you hate studying, the least you can do is perform better in duels. With your current level, forget about joining the army, even if I randomly pull two policemen from my old department, Scotland Yard, you couldn’t handle them.”

After saying this, Arthur added: ”Also, your debt problem is quite serious. Many of your classmates have complained to the school, your debts to them have long expired, yet you still don’t seem to want to repay them. If you are not good at studying and cannot join the army, then what job do you plan to do to repay the debt? Do you intend to seek help from your parents?”

Arthur’s words punctured Bismarck’s intentions, the young man pointed at Arthur angrily: ”Letting parents help repay debts, it’s not just me doing this kind of thing.”

Arthur already knew this guy would probably say that, he smiled and pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it over: ”Sorry, Mr. Bismarck, your mother recently wrote to the school expressing her concern for your academic achievements. She also mentioned that if your grades do not improve, she would refuse to pay off your debts. Furthermore, she plans to transfer you to Berlin, to receive a stricter education at Berlin University.”

”Berlin...”

Upon hearing the name of this city, Bismarck’s eyes involuntarily showed a mixed emotion of fear.

Because his elementary and middle school years were spent there.

Actually, for a family like the Bismarcks, nobility living in rural areas, it wasn’t unusual to hire a tutor to educate their children. But for Bismarck’s mother Wilhelmine, who came from a well-read, bourgeois family, it was unimaginable. She believed her sons must receive the values of the New Prussian school system that advocates reform-era ideals as early as possible.

After careful selection, she decided to send them to Plamann School in Berlin.

Because Friedrich Ludwig Jahn taught there, who was the founder of German national gymnastics. Bismarck’s brother Bernhardt moved into Plamann’s student dormitory two years before him and every time he returned home, he expressed subtly to their mother that the school was not as she imagined.

But the always strict Wilhelmine threatened her sons, saying that regardless of what the school was like, if their grades were not outstanding, they shouldn’t come home to see their parents.

Fearing this threat, Bismarck beat his chest to assure his mother he would do his utmost.

Just turned 7, Bismarck sent his first letter to his mother from Plamann School. Although the content in the letter was insincere, it was quite proper — ”Dear Mom! I’m doing well here, my scores have come, I did well, I hope you’re happy because of it.”

In fact, for Bismarck, Plamann School was like a prison. Early in the morning the children were poked awake with practice blunt swords used for fencing, resulting in bruises all over their bodies. They were often beaten and starved.

But what pained these young noble students the most were the teachers from the bourgeoisie who ’hated the nobility class like a bewitching gymnast.’

During such days, Bismarck’s only consolation was gazing out the window at the distant farmland. Each time he saw a few cows pulling carts in the furrow, Bismarck would cry because he missed his childhood in the countryside of Knephof.

Bismarck stared at the letter in Arthur’s hand but never took it.

He bit his lip in silence for a long time, finally gritting his teeth and said: ”That arty-loving mom was really off-putting when it came to educating children. Although she announced she had abandoned that kind of education long ago, that’s only her feeling. It’s because of her that I abhor those petty citizens, and I’ll never love learning any crap!”

Arthur saw Bismarck’s demeanor and immediately realized there was something deeper hidden.

He reached out an invitation: ”Oh, it looks like you’re in a bad mood, Mr. Bismarck. How about we go have a drink? My treat.”

Bismarck slapped away Arthur’s hand with a disgusted face: ”What are you pretending to be mature here? You’re only a few years older than me, you’re just a bookworm who got lucky with a professor title because of your luck.”

Arthur was not annoyed by these words, he chuckled: ”In a sense, your conclusion is not wrong. But does that affect my desire to invite you for beer?”

Bismarck sulked in silence, not saying a word for who knows how long, suddenly he lifted his head and asked: ”Was your mother strict with you?”

”Hmm...” Arthur pondered while rubbing his chin: ”If I had a mother, that’s not impossible.”

”You...” Now it was Bismarck’s turn to be surprised: ”What about your father?”

Arthur smiled: ”Same.”

”Uh...” Bismarck realized he might have said something wrong, he awkwardly took off his hat to apologize: ”I...Sorry, I didn’t know you’re an orphan.”

After saying this, Bismarck felt that these words might lack sincerity, so he added: ”You want a drink? Then let’s have a drink, but I don’t drink beer, do you handle brandy and rum? My treat.”

”Your treat?” Arthur held the envelope up: ”Aren’t you already buried in debt?”

”When you’re drowning in debt, another flea doesn’t bother.” Bismarck snorted: ”As long as you don’t interfere, let those debt collectors come find me directly.”