Compared with the tense Ruhr front line, in a hotel room in Berlin, an equally tense discussion was going on: "Sickert must step down and be convicted. If he hadn't gone to war and kept applying for military funds, how could the government not get it?"
How could France and Belgium send troops to the Ruhr Industrial Zone if they pay compensation?" A seemingly gentle and elegant man said in a ferocious tone that did not match his appearance.
"You're right, we can't let them go on like this anymore. It is said that the SS that broke out this time was formed by Sickert with tacit approval and even support. If it angers the French side, we will wait until France launches a large-scale attack.
They will all die without a burial place!" A fat man with a big belly shouted, foaming at the mouth.
After the two representatives spoke, a noisy discussion immediately erupted in the hotel secret meeting room.
"You are all wealthy people, unlike those poor people. The situation has begun to get out of control. If we don't take action, we will have to be buried with Sickert and his National Defense Forces!" said Rong, a fourth-generation inheritor of the family business.
The nobleman reminded him.
In the eyes of these people, Germany's collapsing prices, struggling people, and even the glory of the country have nothing to do with them. All they care about is their own selfish interests. Sadly, such a group of people can influence the political situation in Germany.
a group of people.
Upon careful observation, it is not difficult to find that everyone here is the boss of major German groups, political tumblers, and leaders of opposition parties. They are all mature, prudent, and far-sighted. They did not agree to fight this battle in the first place!
In fact, they were successful. Under their manipulation, the Weimar government had given up resistance to the French invasion. Ludendorff, one of the emerging imperial heroes, also acquiesced in his actions.
However, an SS member who claimed to belong to the German Socialist Workers Party appeared on the way. They had never heard of the German Socialist Workers Party, it was nothing more than a small party. But they could not ignore the SS, this was a real fact
What's more, this uncontrolled force has already exchanged fire with the French army.
At this time when the outcome can be seen at a glance. Surrender! This word that I didn't dare to disdain before is no longer taboo. Kaiser Wilhelm was so proud back then, but he didn't surrender in the end.
However, there are some people who are so ignorant of current affairs and do something even though they know they cannot do it. This makes the vested interests here feel uneasy. They are afraid that if the war breaks out, they will lose what they already have.
A middle-aged man sitting in an important position snorted disdainfully at the concerns of these "big men". This man was the uncrowned king of German industry, Krupp. As one of the few people who knew the SS,
Krupp was more or less aware of the relationship between his brother-in-law and the SS. Personal relationships aside, Krupp's passion for Germany did not allow him to associate with these unscrupulous businessmen and degenerate nobles.
A group of weaklings hiding in the capital who have never been to the battlefield have tried to betray the country again and again. They spread shameless remarks about surrender. They only care about their own lives and interests. Regarding the German flag stained with blood on the battlefield,
They don't care!
Okay, let’s talk about interests, right? My Krupp Group’s interest is to manufacture arms. According to your logic, I really have to support this war.
In anger, Krupp stood up and shouted: "Our Krupp Group will never collude with you, and I will not participate in your dirty deals."
As soon as Krupp finished speaking, a young and outrageous young man also said: "Rheinland will not participate either."
Krupp didn't know much about this young man. He only knew that this young man was the general manager of Rhine Company, which has been developing rapidly in recent years.
The young man issued a kind invitation to Krupp: "Mr. Krupp, the air here is too turbid. I wonder if you are interested in changing places and having a cup of coffee with me."
Krupp, who accepted the invitation, immediately held the secret meeting with the young man, leaving a group of stunned nobles and politicians behind.
"Let me introduce myself again, my name is Hjalmar Salibin, and I am currently the general manager of Rheinland." Sitting in a comfortable cafe, the young man introduced himself to Krupp with a smile.
Krupp was stunned for a few seconds and asked tentatively: "Halma, Salibin. What is your relationship with the German Minister of Economy?"
Shalibin shrugged helplessly, "Okay, I knew you would have an impression of my father. Yes, Hjalma, Schacht is my father. But this is not the topic I want to talk to you about today. I
I know that Krupp has secretly received a large number of orders from the Soviet Union. Don’t interrupt in a hurry, our Rhein Company also has business dealings with the Soviet Union. I came to see you today in the hope that we can further deepen our cooperation."
Krupp obviously did not expect that other companies besides himself could receive orders from the Soviet Union. Obviously, this was also related to his brother-in-law.
"So, how do you want to cooperate with us?" Krupp preemptively asked the other party's conditions.
However, Salibin responded casually, "To be precise, this is not cooperation. We are unilaterally providing more advanced production technology to Krupp for free."
Krupp obviously didn't believe Salibin's answer. Businessmen can't afford to be early if they don't make a profit, and pie-in-the-sky things are impossible in the business world.
"What is your real purpose?" Krupp stared fiercely into Salibin's eyes, completely ignoring the kindness that Salibin had released before.
"Hahaha" Sharibin laughed and replied to Krupp, "As for the purpose, I think it is to hope that Krupp can accumulate more and better technical reserves so that it can produce more and better weapons for Germany in the future.
."
Krupp still disagreed with this answer and still stared at Salibin.
"Okay, I surrender." Sharibin raised his hands as if joking. "Let's just say that our chairman is your brother-in-law, Colonel Reinhardt. You should believe it."
Salibin continued: "We didn't share technology with Krupp before, simply because we were afraid that the technology was immature, so we piloted it ourselves. Now that we find that the technology is feasible, won't we contact you at Krupp right away?"
When he thought of his brother-in-law, who went to the Soviet Union, which was ideologically hostile to Germany, to stay for two years for the sake of the country, Krupp's wariness about Rhein Company was reduced by half. However, Krupp could not figure out that this man
When did your brother-in-law become the chairman of Rhine Company again?
In addition, Krupp did not believe that Salibin technology was immature. Krupp believed that there must be mature technical support behind Zhang Chengtian's drawings of the 88mm anti-aircraft gun. The other party has only now proposed technology sharing.
It was probably because he was sure that he was not of the same type as those Junker nobles that he released his trust. It seemed that his brother-in-law was not as careless as he seemed.
As if feeling that someone was thinking of him, Zhang Chengtian sneezed in Sickert's office.
After receiving the report of the conflict in the Ruhr Industrial Zone in the morning, Zhang Chengtian was quickly called to the office by Sickert. Along with him was Ross, who was temporarily pulled in by Zhang Chengtian.
After arriving at Sickert's office, Zhang Chengtian and Ross witnessed Sickert busy processing a large number of urgent documents. It was not until 1 p.m. that everyone had lunch.
After lunch, Sickert asked Chang Chengtian enlighteningly, how long can Steve persist in this situation?
"At least 7 days" Zhang Chengtian answered without thinking.
"What's your basis?" Sickert asked calmly.
Zhang Chengtian took a sip of coffee and slowly listed, "First of all, Steve's telegram in Chinese stated that he defeated the Belgian attack of 10,000 people in the morning. The morale of both sides waxed and waned, and we had the advantage."
Seeing that Sickert did not speak, Zhang Chengtian continued to add: "According to my estimation, the French-Belgian coalition forces, which suffered losses in the first battle, have been damaged and have to stop the attack. I am afraid they will not attack within today."
"Are you finished?" Sickert asked abruptly.
"That's it." Zhang Chengtian replied innocently.
"Go back and copy the analysis of the Battle of the Marne I told you 10 times." Sickert's face quickly darkened. "Look at Steve's report. At the end, Steve mentioned that we need to strengthen our vigilance. You, your superior
Since you still dare to relax, if the frontline commander is you instead of Steve, the Ruhr Industrial Zone will be in danger!"
Realizing that he had taken things for granted, Zhang Chengtian immediately put on a humble demeanor and waited for Sickert's teachings.
Facing his careless disciple, Sickert explained in detail how urgently France needed a victory and how unstable the combat effectiveness of the SS was.
Under Sickert's explanation, Zhang Chengtian quickly understood the French army's urgent desire for victory. The current Franco-Belgian coalition was in urgent need of a victory to restore morale. The next attack must be dispatched by the elite French army that far surpasses the Belgian army.
Attack. The offensive must also be very heroic.
On the other hand, the SS lacked anti-tank weapons, heavy weapons, and even combat personnel!
If Steve hadn't seized the opportunity when the Belgian army was at a disadvantage and took the initiative to attack. He fought a battle of annihilation in advance, defeated the Belgian army and narrowed the gap in strength. It would have been impossible to defend against the Franco-Belgian coalition.
At this time, Zhang Chengtian's phrase "at least 7 days" was like a joke.
