Fridericus Page #2

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Tell the men to stop

and get me one of the maneuver leaders.

What are you thinking about?

- Guess.

- A woman?

Are you very much in love?

- Quite.

- Me too.

You, a baby?

Are you in love

with your nanny or your cousin?

You're right.

With my cousin.

And you?

With my wife.

- Your wife?

- Yes.

- You're married?

- Of course.

- How long?

- Half a year.

- Now, during the war?

- I was on leave after my injury.

- And that's when it happened.

- Where is she now?

That's just it. She's followed me.

I got a letter from her a few days ago.

She's with my cousin Barbel Castle,

not too far from here.

- Sounds like a courageous woman.

- You'd have to see her, Schraeble.

Did you say something?

- Are you jealous?

- No.

That's right. I totally forgot.

Poor chap.

""Don't fret,'' said the bird

to the worm before eating it.

We'll stay here until morning,

then we'll try to pass through.

If we fail, at least we'll

have seen another sunrise.

The Prussians must really be tired.

Nothing's stirring over there.

I don't know.

I don't trust the peace.

The quiet is uncanny.

Send in the cavalry.

I don't understand Laudon.

Still no message he's arrived?

I'm afraid not.

You, go find Laudon.

Gentlemen,

we've laid siege to empty tents.

Franzl.

You there.

- Are you listening to me?

- Yes dear?

Talk to the delegates.

They only talk among themselves.

You want to get rid of me, eh?

I don't understand your politics.

I drink to victory and the Marquise's arrest.

I raise my glass to

the order of Maria Theresia.

Save your thirst for later.

Her Majesty will serve champagne later.

- Later?

- Yes.

As soon as Daun has sent final word,

As victory drink.

- Final?

- Isn't it decided yet?

Not quite, but there's no doubt.

The Prussians have been

completely surrounded.

Then this is quite a charming party.

But in Paris, we celebrate only

when there's something to celebrate.

A good idea.

A wedding without a bride

makes for a bad marriage.

- Count Wallis.

-Just back from Paris.

Help me out here. You don't doubt

there will be victory, right?

Not for a second.

The question is whether it will be

a Prussian or an Austrian victory.

What?

You still think the Prussians could win?

The gentleman from Potsdam

is at his wits' end.

You said that six years ago too.

But the gentleman from Potsdam has taught

the war council in Vienna a few lessons.

How can you talk like that

about a scoundrel?

He's a rebel, a robber subject of the Kaiser,

if you ask me.

A robber with a brilliant mind.

Here in Austria, he'd have a noose

Round his neck for his brilliance.

Or a Marshall staff in his hand.

Enough, Count.

Did you learn that in Paris?

Imagine, Chancellor. Wallis has

become a Prussian while in Paris.

I was pulling the war minister's leg.

I enjoy defending the Prussian king,

then you learn how to attack him.

Don't get involved with Wallis.

He's tricked the best.

-Just as Daun has Friedrich.

- Daun?

The Prussians have broken out

and destroyed Laudon's regiment.

The Prussians have broken out

and destroyed Laudon's regiment.

I just received the message.

Count Wallis.

Accompany me to see Her Majesty.

Kaunitz is smiling.

That's never a good thing.

You bring bad news for me,

right, Chancellor?

Come, Franzl.

We must talk to them, gentlemen.

I think it's best if I leave you alone, dear.

And you tell me later.

You think so?

It looks very bad, Majesty.

Make them stop the music.

That evil man.

I don't understand.

Whenever we think he's finished...

and we feel a bit sorry for him...

he goes and does this.

He's the most deceitful

character of all time.

- And he's lucky.

- Why him?

Why not me?

How does he do it?

His soldiers are dwindling, his troops are gone...

his country is poor...

he's running out of guns

and cannons...

yet he succeeds...

again and again.

How he must hate me, Kaunitz.

Somebody speak.

So many men, but no one

helps me against that man.

Let me present Count Wallis,

one of my most trusted men.

I've heard about you.

You've been to France?

Yes, it was a private trip to Paris,

visiting some old friends.

It is my pleasure to bring

you some very good news.

Good news?

His Majesty, the King of France,

and the Marquise of Pompadour...

have decided to send an army

to Selesia against the Prussians.

- Is that true?

- 50,000 men strong.

50,000 men?

But when will they arrive?

In about eight days, Majesty.

I traveled with the French

and told them to hurry.

But will they go up

against the Prussians?

Their orders are to follow

the orders of Your Majesty's generals.

Count, you will travel today

as my special emissary...

to the headquarters

to see Field General Daun.

You will be liaison between Daun's

army and the French troops.

Kaunitz, make sure the count

has all necessary powers.

He has my full confidence.

Let's hope the evil man will

kiss my hand four weeks from now.

In short, we march on.

People don't understand

why anyone would run after winning.

Believe me, we need to.

And we must be like the wind.

Keep up in the back.

Report on the poor harvest

in Pomerania:

Lack of seeds,

famine in Stettin...

factories being shut down

due to lack of hard currency.

Take this down.

Transfer silo contents to Pomerania with no fee.

80,000 bushels of corn...

40,000 bushels of flour...

20,000 bushels of seeds.

My silverware is to be melted down...

turned into money

and sent to Pomerania.

Come over here.

- How are you faring?

- It's bad, Majesty.

- The war-

- I know.

- No cattle?

- No, Majesty.

Whatever was left from the war

has been decimated by disease.

We've lost all our cows.

- You didn't use rock salt, right?

- Oh, no, we did.

But you crushed it.

It must be big enough

for the cattle to lick it.

- Are these your trees?

- Yes.

I can tell. Miserable.

But the fruit is very good, Majesty.

It is?

Let me try.

That's good.

You got that one right.

Thank you for the fruit.

What are you waiting for, Dessau?

Your Majesty's final decision.

Dear Prince. If women can pull plows,

then soldiers can march.

Your Majesty, Dessau is right.

Our soldiers won't last much longer.

- Is that so?

- Really. Why must they keep going?

Pay attention.

I had the Austrian spies spread the word

that my arms supplies were in Schweidnitz.

- I thought so too.

- But it's not true.

Schweidnitz only has enough for a few weeks.

Why are we going there, then?

I need Berlin, and a big transport

from there is underway.

If Daun cuts me off there,

I'll be lost.

- But then we must go to Berlin.

- Wrong.

Daun is a dependable man.

If I go towards Berlin,

he'll cut off my route to Berlin.

If I go towards Schweidnitz,

he'll cut me off there.

So Berlin is open.

- It's that easy?

- People only fall for simple things.

Daun isn't stupid.

But he's dependable.

That's why I respect the man.

I've got a feeling

the Prussian is setting a trap.

Feelings are quite fine,

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