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Since the Ruhr crisis, Krupp Company has laid off most of its workers and has been in a semi-idle state. This situation is not due to mismanagement, but rather due to the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, which nearly eliminated the domestic arms market in Germany. At one point, Krupp Company could only sell arms to foreign markets. During the most difficult times, Krupp Company even had to open up some handicraft markets to make ends meet, using production lines that once produced deadly weapons to now produce exquisite toys.
However, in Gustav Krupp's view, all of this is only temporary. He has never forgotten that his family is a dynasty of arms manufacturers. In his own words, he is determined to have the Krupp factory ready to work for Germany's armed forces at the appointed time, without missing the opportunity or losing experience. To achieve this goal, Krupp is secretly building a submarine dock in the Netherlands and covertly improving artillery in Sweden.
Now, he is manufacturing new types of weapons under the guidance of Strasser. Last year's orders from the First Division revived the Krupp Company, and the once desolate factory is now back in operation. The workers at Krupp Company cherish this hard-won opportunity, as the devastating effects of hyperinflation during the Weimar Republic are still fresh in their memories.
They produced weapons with great enthusiasm and ample energy, and within less than half a year, the First Infantry Division had basically completed the replacement of its new equipment.
Of course, such high production efficiency was not without its drawbacks; Strasser was once troubled about how to prevent the Krupp Company’s weapons from reaching the market.
In response to the outbreak of civil war, he planned to ensure that the First Infantry Division would have a crushing equipment advantage over all other forces in Germany by 1926.
At this time, the First Division indeed had this capability. They had nearly twenty thousand troops, and the other National Defense Forces were well-trained, but they were even better trained.
The equipment configuration of the First Division was also extraordinarily lavish; Strasser had invested a significant amount of money, and the results were remarkable.
Based on the standard organization of the National Defense Forces, every member of the First Division was equipped with an STG-44 assault rifle. They had over a hundred Wild Bees Locomotion Artillery pieces and more than three hundred Panther tanks, along with various light weapons. Without a doubt, their combat power was the strongest among the National Defense Forces.
Strasser once discussed with Rommel and others how many divisions The First Division could repel in a frontal assault. After rigorous analysis, he concluded that The First Division should not engage in direct combat with traditional infantry divisions. Although The First Division possesses a large number of artillery pieces suitable for Trench Warfare, the armored strength at their disposal makes them more suited for mobile warfare and encounters. Choosing to engage in direct confrontation instead of utilizing their high mobility would be a waste of their armored vehicles and tanks.
In the worst-case scenario, if Germany were to erupt into civil war, Strasser must secure victory as quickly as possible, as many of The First Division's weapons violate the restrictions set by the Treaty of Versailles.
Usually it's because of the good work in maintaining secrecy, and also because The First Division is stationed in the Berlin area, established after World War I to supervise Germany's military by the Joint Military Control Commission, whose reach does not extend here, that The First Division can develop smoothly.
If a casus belli arises, the strength of The First Division will be exposed to everyone, and then all the countries in Europe will know that Germany has violated the Treaty of Versailles.
Although the "Anglo-German Naval Agreement" has already provided a loophole for Germany to violate the Treaty of Versailles, the UK may not pay much attention to this matter.
However, Strasser could not grasp France's intentions. Even if France did not want to provoke a full-scale war, with Germany's current military strength, if France were to launch an attack with a single division during Germany's civil war, Strasser would likely be in deep trouble. Therefore, it was crucial to achieve a swift resolution before other countries reacted.
This was also the reason why Strasser considered the civil war as a last resort; before he secured the highest power in Germany, Germany had to maintain a weak image in front of the great powers of Western Europe.
"Gustav, I need you to focus all your efforts on producing various weapons and equipment over the next six months, and then equip them for the newly formed Second Armored Division."
Strasser came here today to arm his new troops as much as possible and to form combat effectiveness as quickly as possible.
"No problem, our workers have all returned to their posts. Conservatively speaking, Krupp Company expects this year's production capacity to be five times that of last year, which can fully meet your rearmament needs, and even leave some surplus."
Gustav perked up at the news of a new order, beaming as he assured Strasser.
"Besides that, I require you not to sell your weapons on the market this year," Strasser stated, presenting his most critical demand for this visit.
"Ah? I'm afraid that's difficult for me to do. I have already gathered all the unemployed workers who previously worked at the Krupp Company."
We now have an annual production capacity that could satisfy not just one army, but even a whole military district. If I can't sell these products, Krupp Company will suffer losses. And I can't lay off Krupp Company's workers, otherwise they will kill me. Krupp is in a dilemma; in his view, producing products without selling them is a loss.
"This is just temporary; a year is not too long. As long as we get through this, I will give you generous rewards." Strasser understood Krupp's difficulties. After all, the primary principle of capital is appreciation. If Krupp Company’s performance stagnated, he would be at risk of being overtaken by other faster-growing companies.
"What kind of rewards?" Krupp asked, somewhat curious.
"The entire arms market of the National Defense Forces," Strasser provided a shocking answer.
"How is that possible? Can you really become the Commander-in-Chief of the General Staff of the Army in just one year? General Siket's term isn't over yet, and I've heard that he is in good health," Krupp said incredulously.
Strasser deliberately observed the surroundings, confirming that no one was around before signaling Krupp to come closer. Krupp immediately leaned down next to Strasser, who whispered in Krupp's ear.
"General Siket is about to step down; His Majesty the Emperor is coming back."
"His Majesty the Emperor is coming back, but what does that have to do with General Siket stepping down?" Krupp asked, puzzled.
"General Siket supports the restoration, but Hindenburg does not support it, do you understand?" This sentence contains a lot of information, and Krupp took a long time to understand it. "Are you saying that President Hindenburg opposes welcoming His Majesty back and wants to use this opportunity to suppress General Siket?"
"It's not suppression, it's directly kicking Seeckt out of the game."
Krupp finally grasped the key issue,
"So the position of General Staff of the Army Commander-in-Chief is vacant, as long as you take that position, you can call the shots in the National Defense Forces." Krupp was a bit excited, but then he realized the difficulties.
"But can you actually sit on it?"
"That's exactly why I'm here at the Krupp Company today. I need your help to secure my position as a final safeguard." Strasser finally revealed his true intentions, his sharp eyes locking onto Krupp.
"Once I take the position of Commander-in-Chief of the National Defense Force, you will be my right-hand man, and I have always been generous to my loyal supporters. Do you understand, Mr. Krupp? I need your answer immediately."
"You are committing an illegal act!" Krupp's voice trembled slightly; he was aware of the opportunities this presented, but he also understood the risks involved.
"If I fail, I will return all the shares you gave me. I've already written it in my will. If I succeed, then Krupp Company will become the largest arms company in Germany. Don't you want that?"
At that moment, Strasser resembled Asmodeus from Western mythology, tempting others to fall from grace, or the devil in Eden who led Eve to sin. The stakes he threw into Krupp's mind magnified continuously, as enticing as the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge that distinguished good from evil.
"So, Mr. Krupp, what is your choice?" Strasser extended an olive branch.
The latter did not keep Strasser waiting long. Krupp adjusted his suit, stood at attention, and raised his left hand to give a standard salute to Strasser.
"Long live the Great Leader Strasser!"
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