章節 45: Chapter 45
The economic crisis quickly spread from the United States to other industrialized countries. For millions of people, life became a struggle for food, clothing, and shelter.
As Wilhelm expected, the incompetent Weimi government had no effective policies to deal with this economic crisis.
The newly appointed Prime Minister of the government, Brüning, took measures such as expanding exports, increasing taxes, reducing public spending, cutting wages and relief funds to overcome the deepening economic crisis. However, these measures failed to reverse the deteriorating economic situation; instead, they further worsened the situation.
Firstly, Brüning's austerity policies failed to stimulate production but intensified the sales crisis of German products and resulted in massive unemployment among the working people. To expand exports, Brüning significantly lowered the prices of exported goods to make them more competitive in the international market. However, other capitalist countries were also struggling with the economic crisis and adopting similar methods to dump their products overseas.
Furthermore, in order to overcome the crisis, countries implemented increased tariffs to prevent the inflow of foreign goods. Therefore, the devalued German products remained trapped in the country and couldn't enter foreign markets. The unsold products led to an overall decline in German industrial production, with factories operating at significantly reduced capacity. Business owners began laying off workers, and by the eve of Brüning's resignation in 1932, the number of unemployed people nationwide had reached over six million, accounting for 43.8% of the total workforce.
Secondly, Brüning's tax policies led to a drastic deterioration in the standard of living for the people. The additional taxes imposed during Miller's rule had already reached 1.254 billion marks, and Brüning further intensified these measures by introducing numerous new taxes. The newly introduced beer and sales taxes alone added 750 million marks to the burden of the masses. In June 1930, a head tax was introduced, followed by a tobacco tax in December of the same year, which added an additional 800 million marks to the people's tax burden. Moreover, there were crisis taxes, single-person taxes, employment taxes, and numerous other taxes, making the list endless.
Furthermore, while imposing additional taxes, Brüning significantly reduced wages and relief funds, plunging the masses into a deep abyss of misery. During the crisis, the wages of German workers, employees, and civil servants dropped by 50%. In 1932, the average monthly salary for an employee or civil servant was only 150 marks, which was even lower than the 170 marks earned by industrial workers in 1929. In the same year, the average monthly income for unemployed individuals and their families was a mere 15 marks, barely enough to sustain their livelihoods. "Some families can barely survive on potatoes alone, and people are almost in a state of despair."
Brüning's anti-crisis measures not only failed to alleviate the material difficulties of the people but also increased their burdens, plunging millions of Germans into a state of painful despair. The country was in a state of misery, filled with grievances, and Brüning became a true "Hunger Chancellor."
Within just over two years, Germany experienced over a thousand strikes. The German masses, especially the petite bourgeoisie, had completely lost faith in the Weimi government. In search of a way out, they began calling for a return to the monarchy of the German Empire.
Finally, as Wilhelm had hoped, under tremendous pressure, the government was forced to resign collectively, and the parliament dissolved. Wilhelm II not only regained the lost power as he had wished but also consolidated even more centralized authority than a dozen years before.
However, he couldn't find any joy in this. Because he had no way at all to rescue Germany from its current predicament. After a few meetings, he found the solutions proposed by the so-called think tanks to be absurd.
If he couldn't resolve the current crisis, he might become the next King Louis XVI. The only difference would be that King Louis XVI was sent to the savage guillotine, while he might face a more civilized bullet.
Should he just run away?
The absurd thought flashed through Wilhelm II's mind, but he quickly realized that the idea was poisonous. The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was worth a try. Run away after gathering the treasury's gold and silver treasures and live out the rest of his life in another country?
He forcefully slapped his own face, realizing that even if he died, he wouldn't have the face to meet Frederick the Great.
Just as Wilhelm II was sighing, his secretary reported that Wilhelm had arrived. "Let him in."
Only when Wilhelm entered did Wilhelm II reluctantly pull himself together and put on a faint smile. "Wilhelm, you're here? Please have a seat. There are some things I want to ask you."
Wilhelm knew exactly what he was going to ask. He remembered when he first crossed over, Wilhelm II had only half-white hair, but now it was fully white. "Grandfather, it's been a long time since you've seen Miss Susan, hasn't it?"
Wilhelm II leaned back in his chair and sighed. "It's been quite a while, and I do miss her."
Wilhelm nodded. "Then why don't you go see her?"
Wilhelm II looked at him puzzled, wondering what this grandson was implying.
Wilhelm scratched his forehead, sounding somewhat helpless. "It was originally planned to be implemented in a few years, but it seems we have to advance it. Why don't you take some time off?"
As mentioned earlier, several of Wilhelm's close friends were noble Junkers. Over the years, Wilhelm had been secretly contacting other middle and lower-ranking Junker nobles through their family connections, gaining their support.
Although the expected goals had not been fully achieved, executing the plan would not cause any major upheaval.
"You..." Was this grandson trying to force an abdication? However, Wilhelm II didn't feel any anger. Instead, he felt a sense of relief and calmly asked, "Do you really have a solution?"
Wilhelm was also surprised by Wilhelm II's reaction. He had thought Wilhelm would at least slam the table and accuse him of treason. "Rest assured, Grandfather."
After a moment of silence, Wilhelm II nodded slowly. "Alright, I will announce my abdication tomorrow."
Wilhelm shook his head, firm and resolute. "No need, Grandfather. I will redeem your honor in the position of Emperor. Poland, France, and England will all present surrender agreements to you."
...
Perhaps feeling a great burden lifted, Wilhelm II arranged for a cruise ship that same afternoon.
As he watched the ship sail away, Wilhelm turned to the Royal Steward and asked, "How many rooms are there in the palace?"
The Royal Steward replied respectfully, "A total of 1,210, Your Highness."
"Are all the rooms cleaned every day?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Then how many servants are there?"
"If we don't count temporary workers, there are a total of 442, Your Highness."
Damn, how much salary do they get each month? What's the use of having so many rooms? It's not a hotel, after all. "Leave the bedrooms for Grandfather, my parents, and myself. Close off my office, three or four reception rooms, and the conference room. Check for any damages every one or two months. Keep a minimum number of servants and let go of the rest. The remaining staff should not exceed 30. Understood?"
The Royal Steward's eyes showed a hint of astonishment, but he still responded, "As you wish, Your Highness."
Wilhelm thought for a moment and added, "Um, considering the current situation, if they are dismissed, they will be unemployed, and it won't be easy for them to find jobs. Let Speer arrange jobs for them."
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