Chapter 202: You’re Not the First One to Say That

Advanced chapter until 500+ at patreon.com/caleredhair

Akado walked out of the room. Everyone inside was quiet. It seemed that no one wanted to be the first to speak, but there were clearly many things they wanted to say, so no one left.

“What does the Führer mean by that? Of course, we know that the army’s great achievements are partly his credit, but to say it in front of so many of us, isn’t that a slap in the face to everyone?” an old general, over sixty, finally couldn’t help but mutter, his hands behind his back and his lips pursed.

“Watch your words. Criticizing the Führer is no small matter,” the SS commander of the northern front said obliquely, his eyes narrowed. “You had better be careful.”

“That’s right! The Führer has already proven his correctness with his foresight and vision. What we need to do is to help the Führer do what he wants us to do, and that will be enough!” Student, now one of the most steadfast supporters in the Führer’s faction, looked at the old general, snorted through his nose, and walked out of the room.

“I advise you to just go home and retire,” Rommel was even less polite. He snorted and said, “Back when the formation of the armored forces was being opposed, you were the one who shouted the loudest. Now your infantry is still dragging its cannons and advancing west of Pomerania. I really doubt they’ll even make it to the village of Bory by the time we’ve taken Warsaw.”

“You…” the old general said, his finger trembling as he pointed at Rommel. He was about to retort when he was cut off.

“That’s enough! We are all soldiers of the Reich, and we have all sworn an oath of allegiance to the Führer. We should all fulfill the duties that a German soldier should,” the commander of the northern German forces, Wilhelm List, said after a light cough. “Do you all really, as the Führer said, no longer want the virtues of restraint and humility that a soldier should have, just because of a few small victories?”

“The reason the Führer said that is simply because on many occasions, we have not been able to carry out his orders as he wished. We have altered his operational plans on our own authority. At least in the Führer’s eyes, what we did was foolish and interfered with his original plan. These are not things that a good subordinate should do. We should all reflect on ourselves,” Wilhelm List said as he walked toward the door.

When he reached the old infantry corps commander, List stopped, tilted his head slightly, and glanced at the general. “Write me a letter of resignation tomorrow. For the sake of the army’s dignity, I will let you retire.”

“Yes…” the general replied, his voice tinged with tears. As he answered, he bowed his head, which he had not bowed for many years.

Not far outside the door, Akado got into his car. Fanny was already seated inside. Seeing Akado get in, she leaned charmingly on his arm. “What’s wrong, my Führer? What has made you so angry again?”

“I’m angry? You can tell I’m angry?” Akado was amused. Although he hadn’t spoken when he came out, he could guess that his expression wasn’t very pleasant. Because he was afraid—afraid that his efforts would be completely ruined by a few fools.

For now, it was just that the paratroopers had suffered some losses from being frequently sent into battle, and that a destroyer had been sunk carrying out a mission it should not have. These losses were not too great, and in the current situation, they were not enough to cause Germany to be defeated. But what about the future?

For example, if Raeder of the navy made a mistake, or did not follow the rules of engagement for aircraft carriers that Akado had laid down, then the German navy could suffer a devastating disaster, and in the end, Akado’s plan for a strong maritime power would become empty words.

If such a vomit-inducing mistake were to occur at some critical juncture, then this Germany under Akado’s rule would also ultimately come to a similar end. At that end, Akado would have to squat in a basement and, in Hitler’s place, commit suicide to atone to the world.

“You’re not angry?” Fanny said, cooing with a sweet smile, like a spring breeze blowing away the dark clouds. “I can guess. It must have been that group of generals who angered you. Did they not handle things according to your plan?”

“If only they were all as smart as you,” Akado sighed, admitting Fanny’s guess. “But sometimes they are as stupid as a herd of pigs. I really miss the other day. Everything I said, August could immediately understand what I meant. That feeling of having a kindred spirit is really good.”

“My Führer, for Germany to have one Akado is already a blessing from God. To also have an August is enough to look down on all others,” Fanny said. “You shouldn’t hope for more talented people who can keep up with you.”

“Then what should I do? Sometimes I’m really afraid that those people below will ruin my grand plans,” Akado said, glancing at the pilots’ dormitory. He saw Student storm out, look at his car, walk to his own car behind it, and get in directly.

“You’re thinking in the wrong direction,” Fanny said with a smile. “Actually, the problem you’re facing is similar to mine. Too many of my subordinates can’t meet my requirements. The more they want to prove themselves, the more trouble they cause for me. Hugo and I often have to clean up after this bunch of idiots.”

“Oh?” Akado looked at Fanny. “Then how do you solve this problem?”

“You think your subordinates are not smart enough. On the contrary, I think they are too smart! The smarter a person is, the more they think, and in the end, it will affect their judgment,” Fanny said with a smile. “I put the stupidest people in many of the key positions, but they are obedient. They listen to me. This way, it’s actually easier for me.”

Akado’s eyes lit up. He suddenly realized that this was indeed the case, and that there were many people whose loyalty had been proven by history right at his fingertips. As long as he brought them over, they could become the Führer’s mouthpiece in the army, and he could have an even firmer grip on the army and complete his absolute control over it.

It was clear that General Günther von Kluge was such a reliable candidate. This man had always been at the beck and call of the Greater German Party and was a loyal and reliable general. Although he did not have much talent, he still had the ability to handle the daily trivial affairs of the army. To support him to a position of commanding an army group would at least make him feel more at ease about some sectors.

Thinking of this, Akado immediately pushed open the car door and got out. He happened to see Wilhelm List walking out of the room. Akado shouted, “General List! Please come over here!”

When List had come over, Akado said in a low voice, “I plan to form a new Army Group H. I have been considering the candidate for its commander for a long time. What do you think of Kluge?”

“General Kluge is a staid and prudent general. He is very suitable for the command of this new army group,” List certainly knew what the Führer meant by asking him alone. After nodding, he added, “I will submit a letter of recommendation to the High Command. Please rest assured, Führer.”

Akado was very satisfied with this tactful List. His words were tantamount to giving the Führer’s faction a reason and an excuse to make their arrangements. So he nodded and said, “I hear you and Army Group F in the center have meticulously planned a pincer offensive, expected to encircle and attack Warsaw in two days. Is that so?”

“The plan is still under discussion. Many generals are complaining that our appetite is too small, that we shouldn’t cede so much land to the Soviet Union. But that’s the news I received a few hours ago. Perhaps our troops have already begun to attack according to the revised plan,” List said after a moment’s thought. “Everyone thinks that the diplomats are too cautious.”

“I drew that line,” Akado said after listening to List. “Giving up these things is to exchange for greater benefits… I am more concerned about how to secretly transport our main forces to the Western Front before Britain and France discover our secret.”

“Secret? What secret?” List, who had been on the Western Front, did not know the detailed situation there. He frowned and asked, “Has some of the strength of the Siegfried Line been transferred?”

“It doesn’t matter if I tell you now, but please don’t be too conspicuous about it,” Akado said with a smile, leaning close to List’s ear. “The Siegfried Line doesn’t exist at all. The funds on the books were diverted to the construction of hospitals and schools. And the troops there are actually being trained as offensive infantry.”

“Hiss…” Hearing Akado say this, List gasped, looking at Akado in shock. “Füh… Führer… you are truly a genius.”

“I know that,” Akado said with a nod, a faint smile playing on his lips again. “Mr. Krupp said the same thing about me… probably ten years ago.”

He saw that the generals had also come out and were getting into their own cars. He patted List’s shoulder and instructed, “Help the German people hold the eastern region well! There can be no mistakes! Thank you.”

“You jest, Führer. This is my duty,” List said, saluting. “Heil Führer!” Akado smiled, waved his hand, and got into his car.

The convoy set off toward its originally prepared destination. While the dozens of vehicles were still on the road, the German frontline troops in northern Poland began their originally planned operation. The cannons roared, compressing the Polish Pomeranian Army into a narrow area of less than ten square kilometers.

“Tonight, I will have dinner with Rommel,” Akado said to Anna in the passenger seat. “Let’s have the canned meat with the most starch. After all, the trains transporting supplies are very full. We shouldn’t be wasting precious strategic resources.”