"Isn’t it so?"
Bismarck mocked: "I have no interest in joining those petty bourgeois organizations. I mixed with them for a ti, but soon withdrew. I found their views not only extrely radical but also ignorant of current and past living conditions, lacking a theoretical system. In short, I think their thoughts are a blend of fantasy and a lack of education.
As for the beer house riot and the Frankfurt garrison incident, such actions of disrupting national order go against the Prussian-style education I received. Like dealing with fencing duels, these petty bourgeois have no respect for established historical life states, and I really don’t want any association with them."
Although Professor Helbart did not agree with Bismarck’s views, upon learning that Bismarck was indeed not involved in the riot, he nodded slightly to Bismarck and said: "It’s rare for you to do a good deed. It would be even more gratifying if you could apply your dueling enthusiasm to your studies."
Bismarck, seeing that Professor Helbart intended to let him off, had a bright smile appear at the corner of his mouth.
He asked, pulling on the dog’s leash: "By the way, may I ask when the school will allow to move back in?"
Helbart, calming his temper, replied: "If you can promise not to violate school rules for three months, then I will propose to the disciplinary committee to allow you to move back from off-campus."
"Three months without violating school rules?" Bismarck, upon hearing this, made a disgusted face as if he had swallowed a fly: "That’d be the devil! I’d rather live in that little stone house under the city wall for a lifeti than promise not to violate school rules for three months!"
After saying this, Bismarck didn’t even say goodbye to Professor Helbart, leading his big wolf dog directly towards the campus gate.
Who knew, just as he was about to exit the school gate, a figure stepped leisurely in front of his path.
Seeing this, Bismarck had no intention of taking a detour. He ordered the wolf dog with an intimidating tone, trying to make the obstructing kid back off: "Go tear him apart for !"
But to Bismarck’s surprise, the three usually loyal and fierce wolf dogs just glanced at the man, then each tucked their tails between their legs, respectfully stepping aside. From the way they crawled, even their bodies were pressed lower than usual, almost belly to the ground.
Even though the wolf dogs chose to avoid him, the man seed intent on blocking Bismarck’s path, stepping back into his way again.
This repeated three or four tis, and finally, seeing they couldn’t get through, the three wolf dogs led their master towards the teaching building.
Witnessing this scene, Bismarck couldn’t help but fly into a rage.
He yanked the leash tight and shouted at the obstructive kid: "Are you trying to provoke ? Doctoral student!"
Arthur, upon hearing himself referred to as a doctoral student, couldn’t help but chuckle.
So after all, Bismarck had mistaken him for a new student under Professor Helbart.
Though, one couldn’t bla Bismarck for not recognizing him—at Arthur’s age, being 24, pursuing a doctorate was quite normal.
Professor Helbart saw that the unruly Bismarck dared to confront the new academic director and couldn’t help but loudly scold: "Bismarck, you bastard..."
But before Professor Helbart had finished cursing, Arthur raised his palm to signal him to stop, then smiled at Helbart and said: "It’s okay, Mr. Helbart. I’ll handle this. In this situation, you should trust my professional expertise."
Helbart hesitated, but finally swallowed back his words.
On one hand, Bismarck certainly needed proper discipline.
On the other hand, he was curious to see what thods the new academic director would use to manage such problematic students.
From the beer house incident, Sir Arthur Hastings apparently seed like a mild-mannered educator.
The problem was if mild thods could work on a student as unruly as Bismarck, it would indeed be an educational miracle.
It’s worth noting that Professor Helbart being revered in educational academia was not without reason.
Because just as he suspected, Arthur did not employ any mild thods nor did he say a word to Bismarck.
Sir Arthur Hastings simply removed his white glove and casually tossed it on the paving stones in front of Bismarck.
For anyone familiar with European dieval knightly etiquette, the aning of this gesture was not hard to understand, and Bismarck was certainly no exception.
Throwing a glove symbolized questioning another person’s honor, indicating a public confrontation and challenge.
Picking up the glove ant accepting the challenge to restore or maintain honor through a duel.
Bismarck first glanced at the glove on the ground, then eyed this doctoral student of similar stature before turning his head with a scornful smile: "Do you know who I am?"
"Of course, I do."
Arthur took off his tailcoat and threw it on the lawn, loosening his wrists as he replied: "Otto von Bismarck, the best fighter at the University of Gottingen. Have you ever lost in a duel until now?"
Bismarck, feigning regret, shook his head with a smile: "Unfortunately, not yet."
"No worries, you soon won’t have that regret anymore," Arthur replied with a smile. "The University of Gottingen isn’t a place that leaves people with regrets."
User Comments
0 comments from readers