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"Since the last European war ended, eight years have passed, and His Majesty the Emperor has also been in exile in Netherlands for eight years." Seeckt reminisces about the former His Majesty the Emperor Wilhelm II in his office.
"I am constantly looking forward to the House of Hohenzollern being able to return to Germany and reclaim the glory belonging to Prussia."
"General Siket."
Strasser looked at the old general, who was lost in the past, and decided to try to persuade him to change his mind. "People must look forward. Since the House of Hohenzollern has been ousted from Germany, regardless of how much blame for the failure of the European war falls on His Majesty the Emperor, the current German people do not welcome such an emperor. It would be very difficult to bring back Wilhelm II and his descendants."
"I certainly know that this is difficult. In Congress, only the Royalists support my idea; neither the left-wing nor the right-wing parties back me, and the Opposition, specifically the Social Democratic Party, is still the largest party in Congress."
"If it weren't difficult, why would I come to you? I want you to demonstrate the power of the National Defense Forces to those politicians to intimidate them, and if necessary, even arrest some of them," Seeckt said fiercely.
"The consequences of such actions are hard to predict. Are you willing to go as far as starting a civil war just to bring back His Majesty the Emperor?" Strasser asked, posing the most critical question. If Seeckt intended to use the National Defense Forces to eliminate all domestic opposition, there might indeed be a chance of success.
Upon hearing this, Seeckt fell silent for a long time, resting his chin on his hand in thought. Finally, he gave his response.
"I believe the German people will welcome their emperor. I will not allow Germany to fall back into civil war; that would only benefit France."
"I understand, General. I will do my utmost," Strasser said, standing at attention and saluting.
"Very well, Colonel, you have made a wise choice. I have arranged for you to have an office at the General Staff of the Army, located at the end of the hallway from my office.
Additionally, to strengthen the military's influence over the government, I am prepared to use my connections to arrange a position for you within the government. Where would you like to go?" Seeckt was quite pleased to see Strasser willing to join the Royalist cause, and he decided to give this colonel some incentives.
Strasser did not hesitate at all; before coming here, he had already considered that Seeckt might want to place him in a government position, and he had already chosen his next destination in his mind.
"I want to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General."
······
Gustav Stresemann has been very distressed recently. He is racking his brains over the personnel list of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the upcoming meeting in Lugano, Switzerland at the end of this month to discuss the Rhine security zone issue with the UK and France.
As early as 1922, Stresemann traveled extensively to improve Germany's unfavorable diplomacy. He represented Germany and the newly formed Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in signing a new treaty in Rapallo, making Germany the first country to recognize the Soviet Union.
Through this treaty, both Soviet and German countries benefited greatly, and Germany also used it to break the conspiracy of Anglo-French to isolate Germany by seeking an alliance with the Soviet Union.
After becoming the Foreign Minister of Germany in 1924, Stresemann maximized his diplomatic skills, swiftly breaking Germany's isolation by shuttling between multiple countries in Europe.
Originally, according to the plan, Germany was supposed to hold the Lugano Conference with the Anglo-French in October 1925. Historically, Germany used this conference to conclude the Treaty of Locarno, which allowed it to shed its status as a defeated nation and soon after join the United Nations.
However, the assassination of President Albert affected Stresemann's schedule, leading to chaos in Congress. Even Stresemann's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was impacted, resulting in a complete turnover of personnel within just a few months, leaving only Stresemann and Briand at the top.
Authorization for this action was not passed by Congress until early 1926, forcing Stresemann to select personnel anew from the purged Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Unfortunately, his old friend and assistant Briand fell ill at the beginning of the year and couldn't attend the meeting, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn't have anyone he liked. Looking at the calendar on the wall, Stresemann gritted his teeth and said, "Forget it, I'll just go to Switzerland alone."
At that moment, the phone on Stresemann's office desk rang, and he quickly interrupted his thoughts to answer it.
"Hello? This is the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am Stresemann. Who is this?"
"It's me, Stresemann. Do you remember the help that National Defense Forces provided you when you became the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?" came an elderly voice from the other end of the line.
"Of course I remember, General Siket. How can I assist you?" Stresemann immediately stood up and replied.
"I have a talent here that I want to arrange to work for your Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Any issues with that?"
"No problem, I will take care of it."
As the phone rang with a busy tone, Stresemann casually set it down and lay directly on the office chair.
What's going on? I'm already busy enough, and now they want me to arrange a relationship for someone to enter the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Is Seeckt afraid I have too much free time?
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Just as Stresemann was silently criticizing, there was a knock on the office door.
"Come in!"
A man in the uniform of a colonel in the National Defense Forces walked in and saluted Stresemann as he took off his cap.
"Hello, General Siket arranged for me to come. Minister Stresemann, I have admired you for a long time."
"No need for pleasantries. Just go report to the personnel department. I will arrange a position for you to receive a salary," Stresemann said impatiently. He just wanted to get rid of this guy quickly as he had other things to attend to.
"No, Mr. Stresemann, I am not here to receive a salary. I am here to work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
"Since you are a soldier, you should know that it is very unpleasant for an outsider to guide an insider. Similarly, diplomacy is not within the scope of your military duties. You better not cause trouble." Stresemann was somewhat dissatisfied. Does this guy still want to make trouble?
"Yes, I agree with your view. Everyone should do their own job. Military affairs are my responsibility, and diplomacy is also my responsibility."
Stresemann laughed when he heard this.
"Who are you to say that diplomacy is your responsibility? You, who don't even understand politics, should stop messing around, okay? I'm very busy right now."
"In fact, I do have experience in diplomacy. I was once in charge of cooperation matters between the National Defense Forces and the Soviet Union, and I am also a Member of Parliament."
Upon hearing this, Stresemann finally looked at the Colonel in front of him with a more serious expression. He seemed somewhat familiar, as if he had seen his face in the newspaper.
"Who are you?"
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Gregor Strasser, and I have a very close relationship with President Albert."
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