Shadow of great britain

Reporter: Recently, the British government has made it clear that if Prussia declares war on Denmark, they will side with Denmark. Your Excellency, Prime Minister, the people of Prussia are very concerned now. How will we respond if the British Army lands in the Baltic Sea?

Bismarck (smiling contemptuously): How to deal with it? If the British Army does come, I will send the police to arrest them all.

Reporter (laughing): This answer is very humorous, but Sir, please stop joking about this issue.

Bismarck (correcting his collar): Are you kidding? I'm not kidding, I think the Scotland Yard police put more pressure on me than the British Army.

——A reporter from "Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" interviewed Otto von Bismarck, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Prussia, before the outbreak of the Prussian-Danish War in 1864

As a usual result of our state education, I graduated from secondary school at Easter, 1832, and entered the University of Göttingen as a pantheist. Although I have not become a republican, I am convinced that a republic is the most rational form of state. At the same time, I am still thinking about what is the reason that makes millions of people obey one person for a long time.

But this question did not bother me for too long, because when I entered my third semester at the University of Göttingen, a person came and revealed the answer to me. The twenty-five consecutive duels I was proud of ended on that day. However, this is not the most annoying thing. The most annoying thing is that after he defeated me, he did not humiliate me arrogantly, but helped me stand up with a smile on his face, and asked me..."

——Otto von Bismarck, "Thoughts and Memories: Memoirs of Bismarck"

Facing Professor Herbart's questioning, Bismarck had no intention of giving in.

Instead of giving in, he raised his head as if his eyes were on his nostrils: "Professor, I don't think the school rules stipulate that students are not allowed to raise dogs. Let alone dogs, even if I raise a bear, you don't I can’t care.”

Professor Herbart said angrily: "Then what about your unauthorized escape from the solitary room? Bismarck, you have only been in Göttingen for only three years, but you have fought 25 duels with your classmates. This does not count, You went to Jena University and got into a fight some time ago. Do you think you are not enough to embarrass the school?"

Bismarck rolled his eyes disdainfully: "Professor, I am a noble, and fencing duels are a traditional noble activity among college students. Although this sport has been canceled in most college student societies in Göttingen, the Prussian fellow I joined The association still retains this project, so I don’t think I made any mistakes by dueling with others, nor do I think I violated any rules. If you punish me for this, then you will never gain my respect.”

Herbart was furious at Bismarck's reply. Although he had known that this guy was one of the most difficult students at the University of Göttingen, this still did not affect his intention to block the source of the unhealthy trend at the University of Göttingen.

"Even so, dueling and dog-raising cannot be regarded as clear faults, but your behavior of participating in the beer hall riot today will still be punished! Report at the door of the Punishment Committee's office at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. The committee will listen to your participation in the riot. After detailed review, we will give you an appropriate punishment result.”

"A riot?" When Bismarck heard this word, his nostrils turned downward and he asked with a puzzled look on his face: "What riot?"

Herbart only thought that Bismarck was trying to escape punishment by pretending to be stupid. He replied with a cold face: "It was the riot in support of the Frankfurt garrison incident at noon today. Bismarck, don't you want to tell me that you did not participate in this event?" Bar?"

"If I knew, I might consider it, but I wouldn't necessarily go...but..."

Bismarck bit his lip and thought about it for a moment, then muttered in a low voice: "Damn it, those idiots from the German Student Union didn't call me. It must be because I beat them too hard before."

On the one hand, Bismarck complained that he was ostracized by his classmates, but on the other hand, he was glad that he was not involved in the riot. For no other reason than simply because at least he doesn't have to go to the solitary confinement room.

According to Bismarck, the solitary cell was simply no place for human beings. Göttingen, a small rural town, was already boring enough, but if he was put in a solitary cell again, it would be like being sentenced to death at the stake.

Bismarck shrugged with a relaxed expression: "Professor, you should know that I never drank beer in Göttingen. My mother did not agree with me to go to Heidelberg University, but helped me choose Göttingen because she was afraid. I developed a beer-drinking habit in Heidelberg, which she hated, so in order not to disappoint her, I never went to a beer hall after arriving in Göttingen, because I fell in love with wine and alcohol. High soju.”

Professor Herbart heard Bismarck's words with distrust written all over his face.

He did not believe that this famous troublemaker in Göttingen did not go to the beer hall to join in the fun. Professor Herbart immediately took out the Göttingen Police Department detention list tucked under his arm.

But no matter how hard he searched on the list, no matter how many times he looked back and forth, he could not find Bismarck's name on the list.

Professor Herbart put away the list, stared at Bismarck and took a deep breath: "You really didn't participate?"

"Isn't it?"

Bismarck sarcastically said: "I don't bother to join those groups organized by small citizens. I hung out there for a while, but I quit soon. Because I found that not only were their views very extreme, but they also did not understand the present and the past. living conditions, and therefore lack a theoretical system. In short, I think their thoughts are a combination of fantasy and lack of education.

As for the Beer Hall Riots and the Frankfurt garrison incident, this kind of interference in national order with turmoil was contrary to the Prussian education I received. Just like fencing duels, these small townspeople have no respect for those existing and historical living conditions, and I don't want to have anything to do with them. "

Although Herbart did not agree with Bismarck's point of view, after learning that Bismarck did not participate in the riots, he still nodded slightly towards Bismarck and said: "It's rare that you can do something good. If you can focus on studying instead of dueling, It would be more satisfying.”

Bismarck saw that Herbart was planning to let him go, and a bright smile instantly appeared on his lips.

He tied the dog leash and asked, "By the way, when will the school allow me to move back in?"

Herbart calmed his temper and replied: "If you can guarantee not to violate school rules within three months, then I will propose to the disciplinary committee to allow you to move back from off campus."

"Three months without violating the school rules?" Bismarck heard this, as if he had eaten a fly, and curled his lips in disgust: "Then to hell with him! I would rather live in a small stone house under the city wall. It’s impossible for me to promise not to violate school rules for three months in my entire life!”

After Bismarck said this, he did not say goodbye to Professor Herbart, but led his big wolfdog and walked directly outside the school.

Unexpectedly, before he left the school, a figure paced and blocked his path.

When Bismarck saw this, he had no idea of ​​taking a detour. He ordered the wolf-dog in a threatening tone, trying to make the obstructive boy retreat before he could: "Pounce on him and tear him to pieces!"

But what Bismarck didn't expect was that the three wolfdogs, who were usually loyal and ferocious, just glanced at the man and then took the initiative to avoid him with their tails between their legs and their eyebrows lowered. And looking at their crawling posture, even their bodies are lower than usual, almost belly-to-the-ground.

But even if the wolf-dog chose to take a detour, the man seemed to be deliberately trying to make things difficult for Bismarck, pacing and blocking him again.

This was repeated three or four times. When the three wolf dogs saw that they could not pass in front of them, they actually took the initiative to lead their owner to turn around and walk towards the teaching building.

Bismarck couldn't help but get angry when he saw this situation.

He tightened the reins suddenly and shouted at the boy blocking the road: "Are you trying to provoke me? Doctoral student!"

Arthur couldn't help but burst out laughing when he heard the title "doctoral student".

After a long quarrel, Bismarck mistook him for Professor Herbart's new student.

However, this cannot be blamed on Bismarck's ignorance of people, because according to Arthur's age, 24-year-old is still in the right age to study for a Ph.D.

When Professor Herbart saw that Bismarck, a free-spirited boy, dared to contradict the new superintendent, he couldn't help shouting: "Bismarck, you bastard..."

But before Professor Herbart finished scolding, Arthur raised his palm to signal him to stop. Then he smiled at Herbart and said: "It doesn't matter, Mr. Herbart, let me handle this situation. Regarding this situation , you should trust my professionalism.”

Herbart hesitated to speak, but in the end he swallowed the words that came to his lips.

On the one hand, this kid Bismarck is indeed too shameless and should be disciplined.

On the other hand, he was also a little curious, what methods would the new superintendent use to deal with such problem students?

Judging from the beer hall incident, Sir Arthur Hastings appears to be a moderate educator.

But the problem is that if a gentle approach can work on an inexperienced student like Bismarck, it would be an educational miracle.

What I have to say is that there is definitely a reason why Professor Herbart can be respected as an academic leader in education.

Because Arthur, just as he guessed, did not use any gentle method, and he did not even say a word to Bismarck.

Sir Arthur Hastings just gently took off his white gloves and threw them on the stone road in front of Bismarck.

For anyone familiar with the etiquette of European medieval knights, the meaning of this action is not difficult to understand, and Bismarck is no exception.

Throwing gloves symbolizes a person's doubts about the reputation of others and represents an open confrontation and provocation.

Picking up the glove meant accepting a duel to restore or maintain honor.

Bismarck's eyes first glanced down at the gloves on the ground, and then he looked at the doctoral student in front of him who was similar in size to him. Then he turned his head and smiled contemptuously: "Do you know who I am?"

"Of course I do."

Arthur took off his tuxedo jacket and threw it on the lawn. He loosened his wrist and responded: "Otto von Bismarck, the most capable student in Göttingen, have you ever lost in a duel so far?"

Bismarck pretended to smile helplessly and shook his head: "Unfortunately, not so far."

"It doesn't matter, you won't have any regrets soon." Arthur replied with a smile: "The University of Göttingen is not a place where people leave regrets."

He may have a harmless appearance, but every word he says is more in need of beating. The more Bismarck looked at this probably newly admitted doctoral student, the more he felt that this guy might want to eat the sword strip too much.

However, seeing how arrogant this guy was, Bismarck planned to humiliate him again before beating him to a pulp.

He deliberately hung Arthur up and asked in a superior manner: "Doctoral student, make no mistake, you are challenging me now. It is my freedom to accept or not accept your challenge. What do I have to do with you?" Clean up your reasons?"

"Reason?" Arthur was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "This is an oversight on my part. So..."

Arthur pulled out the royal sword from his waist. The luster of the steel, the exquisite engravings, and the red and emeralds dotted on the silver hilt made Bismarck confused.

Arthur danced the sword in the air with a sharp sword and sheathed it: "If you can defeat me, this sword will be yours. The sword given by His Majesty the King should be worth what you pay for it. Work hard?"

"Given by His Majesty the King?" Bismarck was stunned for a long time: "Which His Majesty the King?"

"Of course it's King William IV of Hanover."

Arthur's understatement aroused the hidden vanity in the young man's heart: "And this sword was made by Mr. Faraday's friend Mr. James Nasmyth. Mr. Nasmyth is not only a well-known engineer, He is also a skilled swordsman and Mr. Faraday comes from a family of blacksmiths, so he has always had a good relationship with Mr. Nasmyth."

Gift from the King of Hanover...

Forged by Faraday's friends?

Hearing this, Bismarck felt his little heart pounding.

Although he came from a noble family, and his maternal grandfather served as Prussian Minister of the Interior during the periods of Frederick the Great and Frederick II, even so, he did not have a sword given by the king in his family.

If he could get this sword, no matter the price, just walking on the street with this sword would be a great honor.

When Bismarck thought of this, he was afraid that Arthur would regret it, so he hurriedly bent down to pick up the white gloves and put them into his coat pocket.

He looked at Arthur, obviously very excited, but still pretending to be cold: "Doctoral student, you are very lucky. I am in a good mood today, so I will play with you."

Arthur shook his head when he heard this and said: "This is not possible. I took the sword as a bet. What are you going to bet with me?"

Bismarck suppressed his excitement and asked coldly: "Isn't Göttingen's reputation as the best student attractive enough?"

"I'm not interested in that name, but I want to ask you a question."

"Let's talk about it after you win!"

Bismarck took advantage of the gap between Arthur's words and lunged forward with a sword, hitting Arthur directly in the left rib.

However, what he didn't expect was that such a sword from such an old man was easily dodged by Arthur sideways. Before his body could react, he felt the whistling wind coming from his ears.

It was as if a huge iron nail had been driven into the stone pavement on his feet, making him unable to move at all. The wrist holding the sword seemed to be clamped by iron pincers, and then was instantly twisted 180 degrees.

With a choking sound, Bismarck's sword fell to the ground.

He was also pushed to the ground, and Arthur's elbow locked his throat firmly. He tried his best to get up, but he couldn't even break open the arm of this strange doctoral student.

As time went by, Bismarck's face became more and more purple. He used his strong willpower and the usual arrogance, vanity and pride of young people to persist until the last moment, but he still could not escape the fate of begging for mercy: "I give up, give up." !”

Bismarck had just raised the white flag, and the restraints around his neck were immediately loosened. He was breathing heavily, and he vaguely heard the monster doctoral student saying to himself - I thought it was me who was caught by the police. No, after working on it for a long time, my level has not deteriorated.

Bismarck covered his neck, sat on the lawn, panted, and stared at Arthur fiercely.

He knew that he would not be able to escape the humiliation today.

He took the initiative but was countered, and finally ended up locking his throat and begging for mercy. Such a tragic defeat made Bismarck blush. He could only use anger to cover up the humiliation in his heart: "Okay! You won, I admit it, You are now the most capable college student in Göttingen! But I promise, this title will be back in my hands before the sun goes down tomorrow!”

Arthur ignored Bismarck's clamor at all. He just took out his gloves from Bismarck's pocket, then shook the gloves and patted the dust on his body: "I said, I am not interested in that name, and I can't become it." The most aggressive college student in Göttingen, because I am the most aggressive professor in Göttingen.”

"Teach...professor?" Now Bismarck was dumbfounded: "What kind of professor are you?"

This guy who looks a few years older than him is actually a professor?

Aren't all professors old men like Herbart?

"What professor? Professor of Electromagnetism at the University of Göttingen, Arthur Hastings. I'm sorry that I got to know you in this way, Herr Bismarck."

"I……"

Arthur didn't give Bismarck a chance to speak at all. He changed the subject and said, "I said before, I want to ask you a question, and you must answer me now."

"I..." Bismarck came back to his senses, his face was redder than a soldering iron: "I know, I'm not the kind of guy who keeps his word! Come on, just ask, but I don't know You’d better not ask questions. I studied law in Göttingen. If you want to ask questions about electromagnetism, you know more about that field than I do!”

Arthur chuckled softly: "I'm not the kind of guy who deliberately makes things difficult for others. Don't worry, even a three-year-old kid can answer this question for me."

"What do you want to ask?"

Arthur looked at Bismarck's embarrassed appearance, picked up the sword on the ground with his toes, grabbed it, and handed it towards Bismarck again: "Answer me! Bismarck, what did you learn from today's incident? "