Chapter 149: parade
After Qin Tian arrived in London, he stayed at the hotel prepared by the British side, took a short rest, and took the time to have a brief meeting with the German ambassador to the UK. From the ambassador to the UK, I learned about the current situation in the UK.
That night, Prince George held a grand welcome dinner for Qin Tian's arrival at Buckingham Palace. British military and political officials, nobles and social celebrities, as well as those special envoys or representatives from various countries who arrived in the UK first, all attended the banquet. Welcome dinner.
Prince George left after only half an hour at the dinner because he had to prepare for the funeral of Edward VII and his rank ceremony. Prince Edward accompanied the guests who came from afar on his behalf.
The young Prince Edward obviously couldn't attract everyone's attention. In contrast, Qin Tian really became the focus of the dinner.
As the crown prince of the German Empire, Qin Tian is not very old, only twenty-two years old. In the eyes of everyone, he is already quite young. What's more, Qin Tian is also in control of wealth that can rival a country, which makes him even more eye-catching. I don't know how many noble wives and young ladies want to climb into his bed, even if it's just for one night, they can only wait for it.
However, among these noble ladies and young ladies, although there are many beauties. But Qin Tian is a clean freak. Unlike the princes of the British royal family, he doesn't like buses. In his eyes, there is only Princess Gondlinde. In comparison, those other people are just vulgar fans.
After one after another noble ladies and young ladies offered to invite Qin Tian to dance and were rejected, no one continued to try. After all, they are people with status, so naturally they don't want to be slapped in the face again and again.
"His Highness Oscar, good evening. I really envy His Highness, who has become the focus of the entire dinner. But I have heard complaints from those ladies and ladies that His Highness is a man who doesn't understand style." A man with a beautiful horoscope Hu's middle-aged man came over with a wine glass.
"His Excellency, good evening." Qin Tian knew this person. He was Germany's most loyal ally—the crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Ferdinand. He was also an extremely tragic figure.
A few years later, this crown prince with a heart higher than the sky will become the fuse of a world war. And his ambition will disappear because of his death. The powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire will disintegrate because of this war.
Of course, Qin Tian knew all this, but he would not remind Archduke Ferdinand. Although Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire are close allies, this is because both sides are under huge external pressure, which makes them have to hold together for warmth. If the outcome of the war is rewritten and Germany wins the war, will the future Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire still be close allies? The continent of Europe is too small for two large countries.
What's more, Archduke Ferdinand is also an ambitious person. Qin Tian didn't want Germany to have another big country with great ambitions after defeating Britain and France. In this case, after winning the world war, Germany has to deal with an ambitious ally. In contrast, Qin Tian thinks that Archduke Ferdinand should die.
"Your Highness, look over there. The Russian Foreign Minister and the French Foreign Minister have joined together. The Italians are also with them. This makes me wonder what the Italians stand for!" Archduke Ferdinand Said.
Qin Tian couldn't help but frowned. The Italians were double-faced, and he knew it very well. Even on this occasion, the fact that the Italian foreign minister got together with the French foreign minister and the Russian foreign minister did not mean anything. However, this is enough to cause people to be wary.
"Your Excellency, you are too sensitive. Perhaps, they are just ordinary chats."
Archduke Ferdinand smiled and did not continue this topic.
After chatting for a few words, Archduke Ferdinand left with a glass of wine. There is a full twenty-five years difference in age between him and Qin Tian, and it is difficult for the two of them to have a common language.
Qin Tian left before the dinner was over, and von Kidren Wascht took advantage of this time to learn about the situation.
In the next few days, Qin Tian mainly visited the scenic spots around London.
On May 20, the funeral of Edward VII was held. The people of London cried together. It can be seen that the British royal family in this era has undoubtedly had a great influence on the British people. There are indeed many people who love the royal family. Far from being like a hundred years later, many British people have already regarded the royal family as parasites.
The people who saw Edward VII off almost included all the major powers in the world, including the Crown Prince of Germany, the Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, the Prince of Italy, the Prince of Sweden, the Dutch Special Envoy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Secretary of State of the United States, and the Foreign Affairs Office of Japan* Minister and so on.
"If Britain was not the hegemon of the world, I am afraid that so many people would not have paid attention to the death of Edward VII! But, because of Britain's hegemony, everything is different!" Qin Tian sighed in his heart. This also strengthened his determination, and he wanted Germany to take advantage of this war to overthrow Britain and replace it as the world's hegemon.
Prince George's coronation ceremony, on the third day after Edward VII's funeral. Witnessed by British cabinet ministers, celebrities, representatives of various countries and envoys stationed in the UK, the archbishop of the British diocese put on the crown symbolizing the British throne for Prince George. Prince George, officially King George V.
The next day, everyone went to Portsmouth Naval Port to attend the grand ship review held by the British Navy to celebrate George V's accession to the throne. Warships from various countries also arrived at Portsmouth Naval Port from Grace.
Outside the naval port of Portsmouth, hundreds of warships of the British Navy passed in front of the cruise ship where King George V and others were located. Among these warships, the most cutting-edge dreadnoughts of the British Navy were included. "St. Vincent-class" battleship, "Bellerophon-class" battleship, "Invincible-class" battlecruiser, "Dreadnought" battleship, one is not bad.
In addition, there are more than thirty pre-dreadnought ships. Although, after the advent of dreadnoughts, the combat effectiveness of these former dreadnoughts has been greatly questioned. However, the dozens of former dreadnoughts of the British Navy still have considerable combat power.
The ship parade is more shocking than the military parade. In this era, only the Royal Navy of the British Empire can hold such a shocking ship review ceremony. Of course, the reason why the British held the ship review ceremony was to celebrate the enthronement of George V on the one hand, but on the other hand, it might not be to deter other countries. For example, ambitious Germany.
