Chapter 1019: Transformation Under French Leadership
Berlin.
The City Palace.
Following the conclusion of the Silesian War, William III had moved his residence here. It seemed that Sanssouci Palace always reminded him of his father's late-year incompetence and decadence, as well as that mistress, Wilhelmine.
In the grand hall, Scharnhorst, wearing his newly awarded Blue Max Medal, presented his vision for military reform to William III. It was precisely because he had used the Universal Conscription System to urgently mobilize forty thousand troops for Prussia during the Silesian War—stabilizing the Glogau line—that he had received this medal, currently the highest military honor in Prussia. The famous Iron Cross would not appear for nearly another twenty years.
"Your Majesty, many of France's experiences are worthy of our serious study," Scharnhorst declared. "For instance, allowing commoners to be promoted to officers and implementing rigorous assessments for aristocratic officers. This involves the military academies I mentioned to you last time..."
At this point, he stole a cautious glance at the King.
William III was different from his good-for-nothing father; he was an ambitious young man. Having experienced two crushing defeats at the hands of France and Austria in succession, he realized more than ever that Prussia had to undergo a massive transformation.
He nodded to Scharnhorst. "I am listening. Please, continue."
The young staff officer reiterated the plan to emulate the French by establishing a three-tier military academy system and an officer evaluation process. He then added, "Your Majesty, a new military academy system will undoubtedly produce a large number of outstanding officers for our country, just as it has for France."
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty," Scharnhorst said with a bow, but then added, "However, relying on me alone will inevitably lead to oversights."
"Who do you wish to recommend?"
Scharnhorst quickly replied, "It is not a specific person, Your Majesty, but rather a structure for managing the army."
"As you know, France established a General Staff System several years ago. It is staffed by a large number of professional officers who can manage everything from conscription and training to logistics and operational planning with extreme precision."
"This is a highly advanced mechanism, and we should establish our own General Staff Headquarters as soon as possible."
If Joseph were here, he would likely feel a bit sheepish, as his General Staff System was largely based on Scharnhorst's theories from a later era. Now, however, it was the Prussians who were learning from the French.
William III had previously read Scharnhorst's report and gave his immediate approval. "In that case, you shall first prepare the General Staff Headquarters, and then have the subordinate departments handle matters like the military academies and officer assessments."
"Indeed, you shall serve as the first Chief of the General Staff."
Prince Heinrich reminded him from the side, "Your Majesty, he currently only holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel."
His meaning was clear: such a low rank was unsuitable for the head of such an important department.
William III declared without hesitation, "From this moment forth, he is a Brigadier General."
Surprised and moved, Scharnhorst placed a hand over his heart and bowed. "Your Majesty, I will not fail you. I shall return to you a Prussian army that is the most powerful in all of Europe!"
William III smiled. "I believe you can do it."
Subsequently, Scharnhorst detailed other specific reforms to the King, such as "copying and mass-equipping the new percussion cap muskets," "adopting the French military organizational structure," and "constructing Chappe signal towers across the country."
It was not until dusk approached that he left the palace, his enthusiasm still burning bright.
In his vision, as long as the military reforms were carried out according to his plan, Prussia would have a brand-new military system, percussion cap muskets, and modern tactics within a few years. They would be able to sweep across Germany until the moment arrived for a final showdown with the French army.
However, he did not know that in distant Paris, the French Crown Prince had already begun a new round of military reforms.
The "most advanced" military concepts and equipment he pinned his hopes on were already becoming obsolete in the eyes of the French military.
If the two armies truly faced off in a few years, it certainly wouldn't be a "final showdown" between equals, but rather another instance of one side being crushed by a generational gap in technology and doctrine...
In a room on the second floor of the City Palace, William III looked out at the empty, desolate streets in the distance and couldn't help but sigh.
He was well aware that he had inherited a country teetering on the brink of collapse after a series of defeats.
They had lost a significant portion of land in Silesia, and the financial situation was on the verge of total bankruptcy. If not for the seven hundred thousand pounds in "sugar prepayments" from Britain, they likely wouldn't even be able to pay the salaries of government officials right now.
A knock came from the door behind him, and his attendant announced, "Your Majesty, Baron vom Stein and Baron Hardenberg have arrived."
The two men entered the room and bowed to William III.
Currently, they served as the Prussian Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, respectively.
Indeed, William III had not sidelined Stein for his previous collaboration with Wilhelmine; instead, he had allowed him to continue as Prime Minister.
He knew that Stein was a capable man. Furthermore, sometimes having a political stain was a good thing—it would make the man work even harder to prove his worth.
William III nodded to the two of them. "Baron vom Stein, I have reviewed your report."
"Regarding the dissolution of trade guilds, the removal of restrictions on establishing factories, and the tax reforms, I believe these can all be implemented gradually."
"However, will the abolition of serfdom not provoke opposition from the nobility?"
Stein stepped forward quickly and said, "Your Majesty, the French have already proven that as long as a redemption system is used, it will not have too great an impact on the aristocracy."
The Finance Minister interjected, "Baron vom Stein, France established the 'King's Fund' and used the proceeds to subsidize their nobles. Our treasury simply cannot afford such a massive sum of money."
Stein nodded and said in a heavy voice, "We can increase the redemption fees for the serfs, letting them compensate the nobles for their losses."
"For example, we could set the redemption period to twenty-five years."
The twenty-five years he referred to was the sum of the annual land rent and labor fees multiplied by twenty-five.
William III mused, "That... might still not be enough..."
Baron vom Stein seemed prepared for this and immediately replied, "Then we shall stipulate that the serfs must cede one-third of the land they redeem back to their masters..."
...
Vienna.
The streets were packed so tightly they were impassable, as everyone craned their necks to look toward the end of the road.
The moment Archduke Charles's emblem appeared in their line of sight, the entire street erupted in thunderous cheers.
Austria's minor gains in Silesia had caused the people to forget the humiliating defeats on the banks of the Rhine and in Italy.
In front of the Schönbrunn Palace square, Cobentzel stood slightly behind Franz II, his face devoid of any joy.
Victory had masked all the underlying problems, which had led His Majesty the Emperor to twice reject his reform proposals. It seemed that, for now, everything in Austria was perfectly fine, and there was no need for any change at all.
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