Since the Austrians had not anticipated the Prussian withdrawal, they hesitated for a few days after discovering the Prussian retreat, and Marshal Lassi believed that the Prussians were luring them until he learned that the Prussian crown prince had fallen and that Frederick had returned to Potsdam before marching to the Austrian border.
And when the European countries learned that Prussia had given up at this once-in-a-lifetime time, they all felt sorry for Frederick, and when the Russian Tsarina Catherine II learned about it, she lamented to her subordinates: Frederick gave up the last chance in his life.
However, Austria did not launch an offensive against Prussia, and Maria Theresa feared that there would be no room for détente between her and Prussia, and although there was no direct evidence that the Crown Prince was killed by the Austrians, it was irrefutable evidence that the Crown Prince's assassin was an Austrian.
The European countries strongly condemned the Austrians for their blatantness.
Under external pressure, Joseph II of Austria had to renounce his territorial claims to Bavaria.
On the first day of October, today was the funeral of Frederick Wilhelm II, and the nobles who had received the news gathered in the cathedral in Potsdam that morning.
William Jr. stood in the first row with Frederick in a crisp gown, and his mother, Princess Louis, stood behind him with several of William's siblings.
As the last note fell from the mouth of the Bishop of Potsdam, everyone in the church bowed their heads and began to pray.
Amid Louise's sobs, Frederick Wilhelm II's coffin, covered with the flag, was buried in a garden behind Sanssouci Palace.
After the funeral, Frederick dragged William into his study, where he pointed to the map of Europe on the table: "William, because of this sudden accident, our army has been completely contracted, but the envoy I sent to Austria came back and told me that Joseph II did not want to end the war like this, what do you think our army should do next?"
William knew that this was Frederick's test for him, and he said calmly: "I don't think it is suitable for a large-scale war with the Austrians at the present time, and although our army still retains most of its strength, it is not stable at the moment, and we do not know how many Austrian spies there are among us.
So I think the main forces of Saxony should be ordered to dig deep trenches and assume a defensive posture.
The Bohemian Front, led by Prince Henry, should have sought an opportunity to teach the Austrians a lesson, to make the Audis understand that the armistice was a gift to them."
After listening to William's words, Frederick nodded and said: "Wilhelm, if Prussia wants to rise, it must unite the entire Holy Roman Empire, and the Habsburgs of Austria in the current empire are our greatest enemies.
When I was a teenager, I used to go to Vienna, where I was warmly received by the then Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, who adopted me as his godson, and I am very grateful to him, he was really kind to me.
But in Vienna I also knew the gap between Prussia and Austria, and I swore that sooner or later Prussia would overtake Austria.
In the autumn of that year I met a girl at the Viennese court, who was very beautiful and cheerful and generous, and that the company with her always made you feel warm and not troubled.
Later I learned that the girl was my godfather's daughter, Maria Teresa, and I asked my father to ask my godfather to marry him, and the godfather agreed.
But later, under the opposition of Maria and Prince Eugen, he reversed his promise to me, I was not reconciled, why, on what basis, on what basis was the husband that woman was looking for, which point was stronger than me, as long as we were together, the Holy Roman Empire would become the most powerful country in the European world.
Later, after the death of my godfather, the war of the Austrian succession broke out, and I told Maria that I would help her as long as she would give me Silesia, and that I would personally go to Vienna to fight for her, but she refused.
When Austria was at its most dangerous, she promised to give me Silesia, and I immediately ceased my attack on Austria, and all the countries, led by France, accused me of being despicable, but I really could not bear to hurt her.
But after she had gained the upper hand in the war, she wanted to reclaim Silesia, and I was at last enraged by her, and I could not tolerate her repeated teasing of me.
I decided to go with her, and she would fight for as long as she wanted, and I would never make concessions to her.
Including the Seven Years' War that followed, it was a game between me and her.
Now I don't see it all, William, I just want to tell you that there is no emotion between countries, if you want, then don't care what others think, do what you think.
People always have to take several risks in this life, William, the future of Prussia is up to you" After Frederick finished speaking, he motioned for William to leave, and William saluted Frederick and left.
"Maria, you don't have a few years, haha、、、 days are not off, hahaha," Frederick's laughter echoed in the room.
When William returned to his room, he found that Old Hans, Locks, and Old Ziten were in his room.
"William, from tomorrow onwards, you will learn more things, I hope you will work hard," Prince Henry said immediately after seeing little William "Yes, Your Highness, you have to grow up as soon as possible, Your Majesty's body is really worrying," Locks also said on the side William Jr. thought for a moment, although in the original history, Frederick died, but now his cheap fathers have died early.
Under the influence of the bad news, Frederick's body will definitely be affected.
"Thank you for your concern, I will definitely do my best, and please do your best to teach me, thank you very much," William said to the crowd.
"Your Highness, I must explain to you if you have any opinions, and now with the change of your status, I will conduct a strict review of your attendants, please understand," Locks said apologetically to William.
"It's okay, Lord Duke, I can understand what you're doing.
By the way, I don't know if those damn assassins have caught it," William said, looking at Locks.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I didn't find Lichtenau and his butler Ryan despite all the men searching, but found their carriage by the woods outside the city," Locks replied.
"Are you all looking for it in the city?"
"I've found them all, Your Highness" "I guess the woman must still be in the city, she can't run far, Lord Locks, I beg you to search the city again."
"Yes, Your Highness, as you wish," Locks promised in a low voice.