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墨書 Inktalez
Berlin
National Socialist Party Headquarters
In a spacious office, two men dressed in National Defense Forces military uniforms are sitting across from each other, drinking.
A few hours ago, a massacre occurred here. Although the ground has been washed with water, dark red bloodstains still remain on the marble floor, and the faint smell of blood in the air is unbearable for ordinary people. However, these two men are completely indifferent to it.
They were all seasoned soldiers, who had once risked their lives to launch attacks against the enemy amidst gunfire and chaos. Sleeping next to corpses was a daily routine for them; a hint of blood would hardly frighten them. Just moments ago, Strasser had engaged in tough negotiations with President Hindenburg after taking an oath of loyalty before the entire junior military officer corps of the General Staff of the Army.
From the very beginning of the coup, Strasser had been staying in the barracks of the First Division. When Ludendorff and his Presidential Guard arrived at the First Division's location, they were immediately surrounded and captured by soldiers from the First Division who had been lying in wait. The advance knowledge of the situation came from various sources, with some intelligence provided by Goebbels and some by Rom.
As for Rundstedt, the reason he was turned was not complicated. Before the military review began in September, he received a phone call from Berlin, specifically from his division commander. Strasser promised that after the coup was successful, he would promote Rundstedt to brigadier and appoint him as the commander of the newly formed armored division.
Without thinking for too long, as he had already made a decision in his heart, Rundstedt immediately pledged allegiance to Strasser over the phone and revealed the conspiracy between Ludendorff and Hindenburg.
In his report, Ludendorff believed that the First Division would actually follow his orders and unwittingly walk into a trap, while General Siket and others needed to arrive at the presidential palace in time.
However, even having reached this point, Strasser, although seemingly in control of the situation, was not guaranteed victory. He only had two divisions at his disposal, while his enemies were known to have four elite infantry divisions along with four newly formed infantry divisions, and possibly more new divisions waiting to be established.
The First Infantry Division was used to block Berlin to prevent the Opposition from escaping, while the Second Armored Division was deployed on the outskirts of Berlin.
In the three directions near the station of the Second Armored Division, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Infantry Divisions, under the orders of President Hindenburg, were forming a siege around Berlin from the northwest, south, and southeast.
If Strasser had acted a little slower and Hindenburg had discovered something was wrong and sent out the telegram in time, these three divisions would have immediately launched an attack on Berlin.
The Second Armored Division Although elite, it is unable to simultaneously respond to attacks from three directions, and a portion of the troops will definitely break into the urban area of Berlin. At that time, the two sides opening up urban warfare will trigger a larger rebellion in Berlin. Germany It is inevitable that a civil war will ensue.
This is also why, even though Strasser completely controlled Berlin, he still did not dare to let his guard down. The confidence he displayed in front of Hindenburg was actually rooted in deep anxiety; he feared that the bourgeoisie and Royalists behind Hindenburg were truly desperate enough to fight him to the bitter end. At that point, whether or not a civil war would break out was no longer something Strasser could decide. Fortunately, the situation was not as dire as it seemed.
Hindenburg refused to relinquish his influence in Congress and demanded that government members not be replaced entirely, ensuring their safety. However, Hindenburg also acknowledged Strasser's leadership position in the National Defense Forces and agreed to maintain a normal relationship between the government and the National Defense Forces. In summary, the benefits brought by Strasser's coup were quite significant.
He became the nominal Commander-in-Chief of the National Defense Forces and the actual controller of the General Staff of the Army, although much of his power came from the support of General Siket.
He thoroughly purged the right-wing factions within the Nazi Party, and after consolidating the forces of the Nazi Party in Berlin, the Bavarian Nazi Party, the German National Party, and the German People's Party, Strasser had gained nearly one-third of the seats in Congress.
Although the government was still in Hindenburg's hands, as long as Strasser did not make any particularly excessive demands, Hindenburg would agree.
After all, he is now effectively under house arrest in Berlin.
Even though Hindenburg is still the President of Germany, he has been instructed not to leave Berlin, and all governmental political activities must take place in Berlin. Any political tasks that require leaving Berlin are to be carried out by the newly appointed Chancellor.
As for the former Chancellor Wilhelm Marx and the leader of the Social Democratic Party, Hermann Müller, they have both been arrested and imprisoned on charges of attacking the presidential palace.
Yes, although the raid on the Presidential Palace was actually organized by Strasser and the Communist Party, there still needs to be some visible work done. Regardless of whether people believe it or not, a suitable excuse must be provided. Strasser also does not want to push the Opposition too hard; at least some of them can be won over.
Now what he lacks the most is time, and the conditions for launching a national revolution of National Socialism are not yet ripe. Before the next economic crisis breaks out, Strasser plans to focus on enhancing Germany's military strength and political status. "I still remember the first time I saw you; it was at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, when Ludendorff was desperately recommending you to me, saying there was a talent I needed to pay attention to."
Seeckt put down the wine glass in his hand.
"That's right, in just over a year, so many things have happened," Strasser replied.
"When you first started, you were just a lieutenant, and now you are not only a brigadier in the National Defense Forces, but also the Commander-in-Chief of the General Staff of the Army. This is unprecedented in history, and I hope you don't let power cloud your judgment." Seeckt cautioned, having seen too many people lose themselves due to the pursuit of power.
From Albert to Ludendorff, it was all the same; he did not want Strasser to follow their old path. "This is natural; holding power is merely a means, and making Germany strong is the goal. For this purpose, I can employ any means necessary and abandon them." Strasser picked up his wine glass, gazing at the sparkling red wine inside, its rich aroma incredibly tempting.
However, Strasser only took a sip; he did not have a habit of getting drunk.
"Since that's the case, we've finished discussing official matters, now it's time to talk about private matters," Seeckt's words caused Strasser's relaxed expression to change suddenly. The general pulled out a brand new document from his pocket, prominently displaying the title in German—Marriage Certificate of the German Reich.
"Can you please explain to me when you started dating Anna, when you got married, and whether you had my consent as an elder?"
Seeckt turned from his usual calm demeanor; at this moment, he glared at Strasser, looking less like a high-ranking general and more like an irritable village elder.
"General Seeckt, please calm down."
Strasser wore a forced smile, his demeanor a stark contrast to the arrogance he had displayed when facing Hindenburg. At this moment, Strasser's attitude was nothing short of obsequious.
"How can I not be excited? You got married without even telling me, completely disregarding my presence. Now that you need me, you just toss the marriage certificate onto my office desk, along with a note that says, 'General Siket, you wouldn't want your granddaughter to live in widowhood, would you?'"
Just thinking about Seeckt makes me angry. If it were anyone else, it would be hard not to feel upset after raising a cabbage for so many years only to have it trampled by a pig.
"I truly love Anna," Strasser said weakly.
Seeckt glared at Strasser with an annoyed expression. Although he wanted to hit this subordinate, he restrained himself. He knew that even without Strasser, Anna would eventually find her own place in the world. He also realized that he could not be by her side forever. Speaking of which, as a grandfather, he felt inadequate; he was often too busy with work to spend time with Anna. Perhaps he should respect Anna's own choices.
Thinking of this, Seeckt cleared his throat.
"Ahem, as an elder, I shouldn't interfere with Anna's choices. Since she has chosen you, there must be her reasons."
Before Strasser could breathe a sigh of relief, Seeckt made his own demands.
"However, you must take good care of Anna. If I find out that you are fooling around or doing anything to hurt her, I will personally see to it that you face the consequences."
"I just happened to have resigned, so I have plenty of free time now. I will keep an eye on you, Strasser."
Strasser broke into a cold sweat; it seemed he would have to maintain a good distance from the opposite sex at work in the future.
"Don't worry, General Siket, I will bring happiness to Anna."
"What did you call me?" Seeckt raised an eyebrow.
Strasser was taken aback for a moment, then quickly responded, "Good grandfather."
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