Berlin.
City Palace.
After the Silesian War ended, William III moved here to reside. Sanssouci Palace always seemed to remind him of his father's foolishness and degeneration in his later years, and of that harlot Wilhelmina.
In the hall, Scharnhorst, wearing the newly awarded Blue Max Medal, was explaining his military reform ideas to William III. He had earned this highest military decoration in Prussia by urgently mobilizing 40,000 troops for Prussia through the "Universal Conscription System" during the Silesian War, thus stabilizing the Glogau Defense Line. The famous Iron Cross Medal would appear only nearly twenty years later.
"Your Majesty, many of France's experiences are worth our careful study," Scharnhorst said. "For example, allowing civilians to be promoted to officers and strictly examining aristocratic officers. This involves the military academy I mentioned to you last time..."
He carefully glanced at the King as he spoke.
