With Bismarck's remark the atmosphere turns awkward and I reply a bit timidly.
"Uhhh... uhm.. Yes I am Joachim, his majesty the Kaiser's sixth son."
"Huh. I heard you wanted to meet me? I bet that father of yours threw a tantrum when his beloved son said he wanted to meet me."
At the man's blunt remark I was surprised, I've never met someone other than the royal family take the Kaiser so lightly. I reply with an awkward laugh.
"Hahaha your excellency, my father isn't that petty."
He replies with his eyes furrowed.
"I know the kind of the man the Kaiser is, he definitely would have had a seizure or two with your request."
"Anyways enough with the guy, let's talk about why you wanted to meet this old man."
"I simply wanted to have a conversation with the Iron Chancellor, and if he can possibly impart some wisdom on my immature self."
"Enough with the flattery, what would a child want from me other than to satisfy one's curiosity."
"It's true sir, I enjoy to read and learn history, I was particularly impressed with his excellency's story and achievements."
"I also read your remarks during the Bulgarian Crisis in 1888, it made curious about the insights of the chancellor, especially since I am of the same mind."
Bismarck dispelling his prejudices, curiously asks me to continue.
"Hmmm... continue."
"I believe his excellency is right when he said "One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans."
At my words, Bismarck replies with a smirk and explains his thoughts.
"Indeed, the Balkans is a powder keg. From muslims, catholics, and orthodox christians, the region is religiously complex. And the region's ethnic composition is equally colorful. Greeks, Bulgarians, Serbs, Croats and even Jews, the place is chalk full of people who ready to kill one another."
"Not to mention that centuries of autonomous Ottoman rule prevented these groups from having a clear dividing line. Macedonia for example can have a Greek village in one place, then next door you can find an Albanian village, then a little further away you might end up with a Serb village."
"These disparate groups of people, and the nations of the area all have competing and ambiguous claims. Areas that the Greeks lay claim to be their homeland can justifiably be claimed by opposing powers."
"The Russians with their madness of Pan-Slavicsm doesn't help either. Not to mention the Habsburgs that de-facto rule Bosnia. Austria has never hidden its ambitions on the Balkans, even when it own empire is deep in ethnic dogshit."
"Italy is quiet right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if they start saying that Dalmatia is suddenly Italian."
"Austria and Germany are allies, and depending on the temperament of the Russian Tsar he can either participate in détente with the us on the Balkan issue, or join hands with the frogs in Paris to swallow it whole."
"But knowing the temperament of the Russian military that shout Pan-Slavicism I think the latter is more likely. Which is why we have to appease Russia, so as to either keep quiet about France or delay an alliance."
"That said, the next European war would most likely be between us and Austria, against France and Russia."
"You didn't mention our ally Italy, your excellency."
"Hmph! As I said those pasta eaters are only staying quiet because of their lack of strength. For them Südtirol and Istrien would be enough motivation to lick French feet."
'This is it! This is the Iron Chancellor that unified Germany and had Europe at the palm of his hand!'