A few days before the death of Victoria Adelaide.
"Margaret, I have something I want to ask of you," said the Dowager Empress Victoria, holding the hand of her most beloved youngest daughter.
There was both a trace of guilt in her eyes for about to break the promise with her daughter and a firm determination that she had to do this.
"I intend to leave Friedrichshof Castle and my property as an inheritance to Hans."
"What? Mother, but..."
"Yes, originally all these were meant to be left to you, Margaret."
The apologetic expression on her mother's face made Princess Margaret lower her head.
It was impossible not to be sad.
Princess Margaret desperately hoped to keep this Friedrichshof Castle that was filled with memories of her and her mother.
"Could you tell me the reason?"
Precisely because of this, she wanted to know.
Why did her mother say these words to her.
"...I value Hans, that boy. I believe he will definitely lead Germany in a better direction. But the shackle of race will always be an obstacle standing in his way."
Germany is one of the most conservative countries in Europe.
People of the yellow race can hardly find a foothold in this country.
"Especially the Junkers will never let Hans go."
The operation of Germany is inseparable from Prussia, and the power of Prussia is in the hands of the Junkers.
Those stubborn militarists may seize any opportunity to kill Hans at any time.
Although the Dowager Empress Victoria could not prevent all this, she at least wanted to provide Hans with a weapon to protect himself.
"I just want to offer some help to Hans, Margaret. However, I don't have much time left, and all I can leave him is this castle and some property."
"Mother..."
"I'm really sorry, Margaret. But please do promise my request."
Margaret pondered for a while and finally nodded.
This was her mother's last request.
Although she felt sorry, Margaret was willing to fulfill her mother's wish.
"Besides, that boy Hans won't squander mother's inheritance casually."
"Thank you, Margaret."
"Then shall I go and tell Hans now?"
"No, don't. I will write a will and announce it in front of everyone after my funeral."
Did it have to be like this?
Margaret tilted her head in confusion.
"For such a thing, it's better to give it as a surprise."
When saying these words, the expression of her mother, Victoria Adelaide, was actually like that of her youngest brother, showing a trace of naughtiness and playfulness.
...
The time returned to the present.
"Hahahaha! Congratulations, Hans. Now you've not only become rich overnight but also own a castle!"
"Please, don't make fun of me, Your Majesty."
King Edward VII seemed to find Hans' reaction amusing and laughed even louder.
While Hans was having a headache because of the Dowager Empress Victoria's "little gift".
"Hans, don't feel too burdened."
"Your Highness Princess Margaret, is it really okay for me to inherit Friedrichshof Castle?"
Hans knew that this was originally supposed to be inherited by Princess Margaret.
Feeling as if he had snatched the inheritance of the princess who had always treated him gently, Hans felt somewhat uneasy in his heart.
"Don't worry about that, Hans. Moreover, if it's you, you will definitely cherish the memories of that place and our mother."
"But, what on earth am I going to do with inheriting such a large mansion!"
The center of Germany was ultimately in Berlin, and Potsdam, where the emperor was located, was the core of power.
At least for now, it was of no benefit to Hans to move out of the New Palace and go to the distant Friedrichshof.
What's more, for a mansion of that scale, just managing it was already a headache.
"Then, how about this?"
"Your Majesty the Empress."
Just as Hans was wondering what to do, Empress Augusta put forward a suggestion.
"Hans is still a minor, so before he comes of age, Friedrichshof Castle will be temporarily managed by Princess Margaret on his behalf."
Oh, that was a good idea.
"Your Majesty the Empress, but..."
"Please, Your Highness. For someone as young as me, it's really too difficult to manage the castle."
"Thank you, Hans. Then, I will manage Friedrichshof Castle well before you come of age."
Princess Margaret seemed very happy, with a bright smile on her face as she nodded.
"Then what about the remaining property..."
"Ah, I'll take care of it."
Of course, the more money, the better.
This was also true in the 21st century.
"Ahem, congratulations, Hans."
"Your Majesty."
"I really didn't expect that mother would prepare such a'surprise'."
Kaiser Wilhelm II showed an embarrassed expression and came over to look at his sister, Princess Margaret.
"Margaret, next time you should at least tell me in advance."
"Mother specifically instructed that we must keep it from you, big brother. She said it would be more interesting that way."
"Well, it was indeed quite a surprise, but I'm not so sure if it's interesting or not."
Kaiser Wilhelm II shook his head helplessly.
Fortunately, he didn't seem to be going to say anything about the Dowager Empress Victoria leaving the inheritance to Hans.
'After all, it was originally the property that Princess Margaret deserved.'
For Kaiser Wilhelm II, it probably didn't make any difference who inherited it.
"Willy, don't you have anything to say?"
"Uncle, what do you mean?"
King Edward VII suddenly spoke up, causing Kaiser Wilhelm II to frown.
What was this fat uncle up to?
"Hans is now a lord who owns a castle, so it's only natural to grant him a title that matches it, isn't it?"
"What? A title?"
Kaiser Wilhelm II looked shocked, as if he had been hit on the head with a hammer.
And Hans had the same reaction.
'The "castle" you're talking about is completely different from the "castle" I inherited!'
"Isn't it too early to grant a title now?"
Empress Augusta also showed a surprised expression.
'Too early? Does that mean it will be granted sooner or later?'
Come to think of it, it made sense. After all, he was already living in the palace.
The emperor and empress couldn't possibly let him remain a commoner.
"Since there's such an opportunity right now, why not take this chance to grant it? Otherwise, shall I do it?"
"Hans isn't British. Why are you getting involved, Uncle?"
King Edward VII's words made Kaiser Wilhelm II can't help but turn to look at Hans.
Was Edward really going to grant a title?
"All right, then I'll confer the title of Baron on Hans."
"Your Majesty?!"
Hans couldn't help raising his voice.
He had thought it would just be a knighthood, but he never expected it to be a barony? A barony?!!
'This is really too exaggerated!'
Just imagining how those honorary nobles would shout, "How can we let this Eastern boy become a baron of the German Empire?" made Hans feel a headache.
Could he really enjoy this title?
"Hmph, a baron. This rank is quite appropriate. Come on, everyone, pay attention!"
With King Edward VII's words, the gazes of the surrounding royalty and nobles all focused on Hans.
Surely he wasn't going to do it for real?
Although "strike while the iron is hot", this was too soon!
"Uncle, are you serious?"
Kaiser Wilhelm II had thought of preparing for it and then conferring the title later. He never expected King Edward VII to be so eager and showed a troubled expression.
However, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Kaiser Wilhelm II could only feel helpless.
"Sigh, does anyone have a sword to lend me?"
With Kaiser Wilhelm II's question, a guard officer handed over his sword in confusion.
If he had known what was going to happen next, he would surely have been shocked.
"Hans Joe, kneel down."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
Hans knelt down on one knee in front of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Although the situation was extremely awkward, the order couldn't be disobeyed.
Then, the people around seemed to realize something, and their expressions became diverse.
Most of them were filled with shock.
As for Chancellor Bernhard von Bülow, who always showed an interested expression whenever something like this happened...
This time, he stood in the distance, completely stunned with his mouth wide open.
'Sorry, but this time it really isn't my fault!'
So he hoped that Chancellor Bülow wouldn't hold it against him in the future.
"Hans Joe, do you swear to be loyal to me and the German Empire forever?"
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do you swear to fulfill your duties as a noble of the empire?"
"I swear."
"I, in the name of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of the German Empire and King of Prussia, grant you, Hans Joe, the right to use 'von' and confer upon you the title of Baron of Kronberg."
Kaiser Wilhelm II gently tapped Hans' shoulders with the flat of the sword.
Just like that, the Eastern youth Hans Joe, who had once saved the emperor, became Baron Hans von Joe of Kronberg in the German Empire.
...
"Why does that guy always start causing trouble as soon as he breathes..."
Chancellor Bernhard von Bülow howled, holding his head.
Here it came again. Hans Joe had caused trouble again.
No, should he be called Baron Hans von Joe now?
"That's not the point at all."
The point was that the emperor had actually given Hans a noble title.
And it was at the Dowager Empress's funeral!
"He's been behaving himself for a while recently, but in the end, he still caused such a big commotion!"
Although it wasn't Hans' fault this time, Bülow couldn't help covering his neck.
In comparison, the previous incident in France was simply insignificant.
To be honest, regarding the matter in France, Bülow even felt a bit secretly pleased in his heart.
The reconciliation between Kaiser Wilhelm II and the Dowager Empress Victoria?
That was just a family matter within the royal family, and Bülow had no reason to interfere.
That's why, when Hans inherited the Dowager Empress's inheritance, Bülow didn't think it was a big deal.
But this time it was different.
This matter was simply a bomb that would cause a huge stir throughout the German Empire.
Therefore, Bülow hurried to see Kaiser Wilhelm II to discuss countermeasures with the emperor.
He had to find a solution as soon as possible.
"It's unbelievable! That annoying Asian brat not only inherited my mother's inheritance, but now he's even become a noble of the empire!"
On his way to see the emperor, Bülow heard Princess Charlotte, who had come to attend the funeral, gossiping about Hans with the ladies behind his back and couldn't help frowning.
It wasn't the first time that woman had spoken ill of others, but the problem was that this time the target was Hans.
"The entire upper class of Germany will probably know what happened today by tomorrow."
Wasn't this adding fuel to the fire? Was that woman brainless or did she do it on purpose?
With increasingly anxious steps, Chancellor Bülow roughly pushed through the crowd that was gossiping about Hans and walked straight towards Kaiser Wilhelm II, who was talking with his family.
"Your Majesty, may I have a word with you in private?"
Bülow said in a low voice.
Kaiser Wilhelm II seemed to have expected Bülow's arrival, nodded, and silently followed him away.
After arriving at a quiet place, Kaiser Wilhelm II spoke first, as if making an excuse:
"I didn't intend to do this originally."
"Your Majesty?"
"That kid Hans was also reluctant. He might be the first person in history to accept a title with such a reluctant expression."
"Sigh, then why on earth did you do it?"
Bülow let out a helpless sigh, and Kaiser Wilhelm II also frowned.
"Why else? It's all that damned fat Edward's fault!"
"Do you mean His Majesty King Edward VII?"
"It was my uncle who caused this situation. I didn't intend to confer a title on Hans now."
"If I were to confer a title, I would have waited until he came of age."
Kaiser Wilhelm II added angrily.
"Anyway, you still intended to confer a title on him eventually."
"Ahem, well, he's sort of half my godson."
"Let's put that aside for now..."
Bülow wiped the sweat off his face with a handkerchief and then said:
"Your Majesty, the nobles of the empire, especially the Junker nobles, will never let this go easily."
Up until now, the Junker nobles had merely been observing Hans from the sidelines.
After all, there was some basis for Hans' entry into the palace, and besides, he was just a child.
Of course, that didn't mean they hadn't gossiped about Hans in private.
But now the situation had changed.
The Junker nobles would never allow a person of the yellow race to stand on an equal footing with them.
They would surely try every means to launch an attack on Hans.
"Hmm... But will they really be that radical?"
"Your Majesty?"
Kaiser Wilhelm II didn't seem to take Bülow's concerns seriously.
"Of course, they will definitely have a lot of complaints. But in the final analysis, this is my decision. I don't think they will openly oppose me."
"That's true..."
However, wasn't this a bit too optimistic?
Bülow really wanted to retort like this.
"Over time, it will calm down just like it usually does. Moreover, as long as Hans doesn't actively cause trouble, there's nothing to worry about."
Looking at Kaiser Wilhelm II's confident expression, Bülow thought:
"Will that Hans behave himself?"
Bülow shook his head.
Obviously, it was impossible to expect Hans to live a quiet life.