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墨書 Inktalez
The German People's Party Headquarters
"Are you kidding? Are we supposed to ally with a party that has fewer seats in Congress than we do? Chairman Stresemann, are you out of your mind?"
In the center of the hall, German National Party Vice Chairman Müller stood up and loudly criticized Stresemann for his absurd idea. In his view, if there were to be a merge, it should be the National Socialist Party joining the German National Party.
"Schmidt, can you share your thoughts on whether you support Stresemann's idea?" Müller turned to Schmidt who was quietly drinking tea in the corner, also the vice chairman of the People's Party. Schmidt set down his teacup and calmly replied,
"I definitely support Chairman Stresemann's decision," he continued without waiting for Müller to get angry. "However, I don't understand why our party is merging with Strasser's National Socialist Party. As far as I know, that Strasser is just a local leader of the Nazi Party in Berlin. Although he holds a higher position within the party than Hitler, he is still nominally the second-in-command. Power determines status, and I don't think we need to rely on them."
"That's right! Strength determines status, and we definitely don't want to become their vassals!" Muller nodded repeatedly.
"Is that what you all think?"
Stresemann asked all the party members present in the hall, and about half of them raised their hands.
Stresemann sighed. He knew this was already a good outcome; at least half of the party members were willing to follow the orders of their leader. The remaining die-hard faction had been resistant to his persuasion for a long time and remained unmoved.
In fact, the main reason for the opposition from this half was that the mid-level and senior members of the People's Party feared losing their positions within the party after merging with the National Socialist Party, so they incited their subordinates to oppose it.
The primary constituents of this group were wealthy capitalists and large entrepreneurs. To them, Strasser's new program seemed like a threat to their very existence, so they naturally could not comply willingly.
"Very well, strength determines status. I also like this saying."
Just as Stresemann was deep in thought about how to persuade those die-hard factions, the main door of the hall was suddenly pushed open with great force. Hundreds of soldiers dressed in National Defense Forces uniforms rushed in, brandishing brand new STG44 assault rifles, surrounding everyone present.
Then, a defiant voice rang out; it was Strasser.
"What are you trying to do? Are you trying to rebel?" Mueller was a little frightened, waving his arms and shouting.
"Bang!"
In response, a gunshot rang out, and the bullet grazed Mueller's hair, leaving a line on the top of his head.
Strasser gently blew away the white smoke rising from the newly manufactured Schall 38H pistol. "Oh dear, I'm sorry, the gun went off accidentally. I didn't hit my target, please forgive me."
The people present trembled in fear; it wasn't just an accidental discharge, was it? How could he say he missed?
Müller’s legs went weak, and he fell directly to the ground, with faint signs of moisture seeping from his lower body.
"What a bunch of rats."
Strasser said disdainfully, then turned his gaze to Schmidt.
"Do you have any opinions on merge?"
"No, no, no, not at all," the latter shook his head vigorously like a rattle.
"Well then, since you believe that strength determines status, I think my strength is relatively strong, so it makes sense for your People's Party to join we National Socialist Party. Does anyone have any objections?" Strasser asked fiercely towards the members in the hall.
Under the strong persuasion of hundreds of heavily armed National Defense Forces soldiers, no one raised any objections.
Seeing Strasser's glance, Stresemann knew he had to step forward; some things were only appropriate for him to handle.
"Since no one has any objections, then this matter is approved."
In addition, given that there are certain speculators within the party who obstruct the party's development for their own interests, it is necessary to eliminate these reactionary elements. "Today, I bring a list of those to be expelled. Those whose names are called will no longer be part of us from today onwards." Stresemann began reading the prepared list, which mainly consisted of die-hard opponents who have been strongly resisting in recent days, as well as the big bourgeoisie and large landlords within the party.
"Does anyone have any objections?" Stresemann asked again, a pointless question.
"Then from now on, I announce that the German People's Party officially joins the National Socialist German Workers' Party, and I will transfer all party positions to Chancellor Strasser."
Scattered applause erupted in the hall, mainly from the Independent Armored Regiment brought by Strasser and Stresemann's loyal supporters.
"Then I will start arranging the work within the party. What is your name?" Strasser asked a young member of the German People's Party who was closest to him.
"My name is Speer, sir."
"Starting today, you... wait, could you say your name again?" Strasser was somewhat surprised; this guy couldn't possibly be the Equipment Minister from the Third Reich, could he?
"Berthold Kandra Herman Albert Speer, is there a problem, sir?" Speer replied, a bit confused.
"Nothing's wrong. Just hold off on your position for now. Come to the National Socialist Party headquarters in Berlin tomorrow, and I will arrange a position for you."
Strasser was somewhat surprised; he didn't expect to find a treasure here. The genius behind the equipment manufacturing of the Third Reich actually appeared at the headquarters of the German People's Party, which was truly unexpected.
Strasser clearly remembered that this architectural genius implemented sweeping reforms in Germany's weapon production after taking over as Minister of Armaments, significantly improving production efficiency. Even in 1944, when Germany was being bombarded by the Allies, the production of aircraft in Germany still showed an upward trend.
"Alright, sir."
Speer did not object to working for the National Socialist Party. This 23-year-old young man had not raised his hand earlier; to him, it was all the same where one worked, merely a matter of the size of the power involved.
"Given that those dissenters have been expelled from the party, there are now vacancies in the party positions. Therefore, all party members in this hall who did not raise their hands just now will be promoted one level in their party positions."
Strasser understood that, aside from threats of violence, he also needed to offer incentives to these individuals so that they would willingly work for him.
"We firmly support the People's Party and National Socialist Party to merge!"
The crowd immediately erupted into excited cheers. Those party members who supported Chairman Stresemann were thrilled to hear that their positions within the party could be promoted, and any resistance in their hearts completely disappeared. They immediately embraced this new leader from Berlin.
In fact, only a few people join the party purely for their ideals; most join to protect their own interests.
"Besides that, unemployed members of the party can work for the National Socialist Party in Berlin. You can join the Vanguard or work at the headquarters. We, the National Socialist Party, will provide you with food, accommodation, and a salary."
Strasser threw out more incentives to win over the party's proletariat.
Upon hearing this, the representatives of the workers in the hall immediately became elated; at that moment, they had already regarded Strasser as their savior.
"Chairman Stresemann? I'm sorry, I'm not very familiar with him."
"Join the National Socialist Party! Long live Chancellor Strasser!"
The hall erupted with enthusiastic applause and cheers as more than two-thirds of the People's Party members shouted hoarsely for their new leader.
Strasser knew that he had succeeded in expelling the big bourgeoisie from the party. The People's Party was essentially no different in composition from the National Socialist Party, which was also why he was willing to cooperate with Stresemann.
Strasser raised his left hand at a forty-five-degree angle, pointing straight to the sky. This had now become a signature gesture of the left wing of the National Socialist Party.
Immediately, soldiers from the National Defense Forces followed suit and raised their left hands, followed by members of the People's Party who strongly supported Strasser. Those other party members who had doubts, either to avoid appearing out of place or to be swept up by the atmosphere, also raised their left hands.
In an instant, the scene in the hall was magnificent. Among the crowd, Speer looked up at Strasser on the podium with admiration; this was the position he had longed for. "Is this the allure of power? One day, I too will step into the center of the stage!"
Speer secretly made up his mind.
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