Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Bavaria
stormtroopers headquarters
Rom is diligently reviewing the report on the summer outfit change for stormtroopers.
Strasser was indeed very sincere; he offered a considerable portion of the old-fashioned weapons and equipment that The First Division had replaced, gifting them to Rom to arm the stormtroopers.
Although these were all equipment from World War I, compared to the meager resources Rom had, they could be considered advanced weaponry.
Now, Rom had hundreds of thousands of stormtroopers at his disposal. In his eyes, the stormtroopers had undoubtedly become Germany's most powerful armed force, and he felt no fear even when facing the National Defense Forces.
He once arrogantly claimed at a meeting within the Stormtroopers, "The National Defense Forces only have one hundred thousand, while the Stormtroopers have five hundred thousand; clearly, we are the ones deciding Germany's future."
It is evident that Rom was completely unaware of the fundamental difference between his ragtag group and a professional army. Strasser was only trying to win him over because he had no other options.
Even though many high-ranking officials in the National Defense Forces appreciated Strasser's ideas, they could at most remain neutral and would not stand by Strasser's side.
As for the other non-governmental armed groups, they are even inferior to the Stormtroopers, so Strasser could only seek to ally with Rom.
"Leader, Adolf Hitler has been waiting outside the headquarters for a long time. Are you sure you don't want to see him?"
A mid-ranking officer from the Stormtroopers entered to report to Rom. It was clear that news of Rom's discord with Hitler had spread within the Nazi Party, and now members of the Stormtroopers referred to Hitler as that sergeant or the Austrian, showing little respect for this nominal Führer.
"Don't bother, tell Adolf to go back." Rom didn't even look up. What a joke. He had just received a batch of weapons from Berlin and there was no way he would be cozying up to Hitler at this time. Wasn't it good enough to be the emperor of the stormtroopers? Going back to the Nazi Party would mean being stripped of power by Hitler. This Austrian had completely forgotten the camaraderie they once shared. He had actually appointed that returnee from abroad, Göring, to be in charge of building and expanding the Waffen-SS. It was clear that he was trying to replace him.
What Rom cannot tolerate even more is that this Bavarian sergeant is actually colluding with those financial bourgeoisie, and kowtowing to the royal family. In Rom's view, Hitler's actions are a blatant betrayal of National Socialism. If it weren't for their previous relationship, Rom would have arrested and tried Hitler long ago.
A few days ago, Strasser personally wrote a letter to Rom, essentially asking him to support his bid to become the new chairman at the upcoming eighth National Socialist Party national representative conference this year.
Strasser promised Rom that if he became chairman, he would hand over the Berlin Vanguard and the Waffen-SS from Bavaria to Rom's jurisdiction, meaning that all armed forces within the party would be under Rom's command.
The conditions proposed by Strasser greatly tempted the power-hungry Rom. Although Hitler had been his comrade and brother for many years, the allure of power rendered their friendship pale and powerless in comparison.
"Perhaps I should agree to Strasser's request. As for Adolf, out of years of friendship, I will spare his life." Rom pondered, glancing at the stormtrooper officer who had not yet left. "Is there anything else?"
The stormtroopers officer hesitated, but thinking of the gold bar in his pocket, he gritted his teeth and said, "Leader, Hitler didn't come alone, he also brought Himmler and Göring to visit you. He said he came with sincerity. If you don't see him, he won't leave."
"Hitler wants to threaten me now? Hasn't he understood the situation? He's just a pawn of Hindenburg. Now only I can save him."
Rom sneered, and the nearby stormtroopers officer chuckled in agreement.
"Never mind, let him in. I want to see what he's up to."
······
"So what did you come to see me for today?" Ludendorff glanced at Hindenburg with a displeased expression. "If you're here to mend our relationship, forget it. We haven't been on the same page for a long time."
"Whether we're on the same page or not, we can still cooperate. For example, there are many areas where we can collaborate in the matter of welcoming back His Majesty the Emperor, right?"
Hindenburg is not angry. His many years in the officialdom have made his heart as calm as still water.
"Receiving His Majesty the Emperor? It seems Seeckt has already reconciled with you," Ludendorff said disapprovingly.
"Since you have your support, then it's almost certain that His Majesty the Emperor will be welcomed back. Why did you specially ask me to come and discuss?"
"Who said I wanted to welcome back His Majesty the Emperor."
Hindenburg spoke slowly, but each word felt like a hammer striking at Ludendorff's heart.
"What? Are you against welcoming His Majesty the Emperor back? Aren't you Royalists?" Ludendorff was greatly surprised.
"Yes, we are Royalist, but we protect the throne, not the emperor. Who sits in that position is not the most important for us Juncker nobility, what matters is the interest."
"So, even if your marshal position was personally approved by Wilhelm II, you still wouldn't be loyal to the emperor?" Ludendorff taunted.
"I never expected that Wilhelm II's most favored marshal in the Great War would abandon him. If he had chosen me, I would definitely have been loyal to His Majesty."
"I am certainly grateful to Your Majesty, but personally, I am loyal to Germany. If the German people refuse to have the Emperor return to his empire, then I am against it. Furthermore, the House of Hohenzollern proved their inability to keep up with the times during the last war. They are not capable of leading Germany to glory again, so they should make way for someone who is capable."
"By someone capable, do you mean the arrogant Schleswig on your side, the foolish pig Babben, or have you chosen the sergeant from Austria?"
Ludendorff sarcastically believes that Hindenburg opposes the return of His Majesty the Emperor for his own power. "Think what you want, but I have a deal to make with you. Are you willing or not?" Hindenburg was completely immune to Ludendorff's sarcasm, after all, they had spent four years together and had developed resistance.
"What transaction?"
"The day after Seeckt invites the Prince William for the military review, the Social Democratic Party will initiate an impeachment against Seeckt in Congress under the pretext of opposing the restoration of the feudal monarchy. Given the current situation in Germany, no party will come out in opposition; Seeckt's resignation is a foregone conclusion.
What you need to do is root out all of Strasser's influence within the National Defense Forces and take control of Strasser himself. I will send someone to take over Strasser, and after that, the matter will no longer concern you."
"Then, you will be the Commander-in-Chief of the National Defense Forces. How about it? Do you agree?"
"Such tempting conditions, I seem to have no possibility of refusal."
Ludendorff sighed; he was not a Royalist, and Seeckt's departure was of no concern to him. Instead, it was Strasser who had recently made him feel threatened. This colonel was developing the National Defense Forces too quickly, and Seeckt was ignoring it. To ensure his own peace of mind, Ludendorff could only eliminate them first.
Although Hindenburg had always been the opponent he wanted to defeat, this deal would allow him to clear out other factions within the army and take complete control of the National Defense Forces. By that time, dealing with Hindenburg would be a piece of cake.
Watching the constantly changing expressions of Ludendorff, Hindenburg knew he had succeeded. His old subordinate's military talent was unparalleled, but when it came to politics, he was probably only slightly better than a three-year-old.
He really thought he could challenge his position; what a delusion.
"Deal!" Ludendorff said without hesitation as he sold Seeckt and Strasser.
"Then, there is only one question left: how much influence does Strasser have in the National Defense Forces? Can you control him on the day of the operation?" Hindenburg expressed his final concern.
"Don't worry. Seeckt only gave Strasser a position as acting commander of the First Infantry Division; I am the actual commander and can control him at any time. Besides, I have my undercover agent within the First Division," Ludendorff replied confidently.
Ludendorff's arrogance led him to believe that he could easily dominate the officers and soldiers of the First Division with his prestige and experience, even though he had never visited the First Division's base and was unaware that the current First Division was not much different from Strasser's private army. It seemed that his undercover agent had not informed him of these circumstances.
"Since that's the case, the action plan is set. I will send someone to notify you when the time comes. You can report any movements from Strasser to me at any time," Hindenburg said, still feeling uneasy.
"I got it, I got it. You're as long-winded as you were ten years ago," Ludendorff replied impatiently, waving his hand before leaving the president's office.
Comment 0 Comment Count