Chapter 425: Speer

And this man Speer, so highly praised by the German artillery king and industrial tycoon Krupp, was at this very moment sitting opposite the Führer Akado, smiling as he listened to the Führer ramble on about the German industrial system—a system that appeared incredibly efficient on the surface but was in fact riddled with holes.

“I’m very sorry, and it’s quite unfortunate, to leave you with such a mess,” Akado said apologetically, gesturing to the report in front of him, and then to the meal prepared by a famous French chef. To be honest, if any country’s cuisine could be compared to the great culinary culture of China, only the French had the confidence to step forward. It seemed that countries that enjoyed studying the topic of food were not particularly adept at warfare in modern history; on this point, the two nations shared a certain kinship.

Akado loved to eat French cuisine, because only then could he savor that long-lost, intoxicating taste. He also had a Chinese chef, but unfortunately, as the greatest Führer in Europe, he could not eat Cantonese and Huaiyang cuisine every day.

“My Führer, if it were not a mess, what difference would there be between me and anyone else to you?” Speer elegantly cut a piece of steak and placed it in his mouth to chew. He was very mindful of his words and actions, like a refined gentleman.

After swallowing his food, he wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin before continuing, “I have two methods that will allow you to control Germany’s industrial production and hold all the raw materials and all the production workshops firmly in your own hands.”

Speer spoke unhurriedly, as if the problems that were giving Akado such a headache—the low efficiency of industrial production and the Reich’s inability to forcefully intervene and integrate it—were not difficult to solve at all.

In Akado’s eyes, Speer was like a sagely advisor from an ancient tale, holding a feather fan and three fingers aloft, smiling as he said, “I have three strategies, high, middle, and low, which can help Your Majesty sweep away all rivals and win the hearts of the world.” But Akado had already met too many truly capable men. Weren’t August and Merkel both titans among men? So he simply watched Speer in silence, waiting for him to reveal his plan.

“The difficulty in integrating the Reich’s industry lies in the inability to extend the state’s hand into the industries in the occupied territories, which are controlled by the capitalists who supported the Reich’s expansion,” Speer said, knowing the Führer was waiting for him to produce something substantial. He cut to the chase and stated his idea plainly. “The other problems are relatively easy to solve, so today I will talk about how to integrate the industrial capacity of the occupied territories!”

He pointed to the documents and reports on the table. “Originally, it was an impossible situation, a dead end. But with the Führer’s strategic vision, these impossible tasks no longer seem so difficult.”

Speer pulled a thick report from a stack of documents and pushed it towards Akado. “If the Führer is willing to part with it, then the first method is to sell off shares of the White Orchid Group. Sell half, or even more than half, of your own enterprise in exchange for cash to fill the Reich’s asset loopholes…”

He spoke as if it were a trivial matter, something that had nothing to do with Akado or himself. “The White Orchid Group controls the automotive, tank, and aircraft industries, all of which are making huge profits right now. The big asset tycoons can’t help but be tempted. Originally, this was your personal property, my Führer, so it was inconvenient, or rather, no one dared, to make a move… But if you sell it yourself, the situation is different.”

“Based on the market value and development potential of the White Orchid Group, you only need to sell about 40% of your shares to exchange them for the large industrial assets these people hold in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and other regions,” Speer finished explaining his first proposal and looked at Akado with a smile, as if waiting for his answer.

“This seems rather disadvantageous for me. To have me trade the world’s number one White Orchid Group for a pile of scrap industries abroad,” Akado said, raising his wine glass and taking a sip. He then set the glass down and smiled. “This really is a good method where everyone gets a benefit, and I’m the only one who loses out, Mr. Speer.”

“My Führer, it is only because you asked me that I would dare to make such a bold suggestion. If it were anyone else, I would never say something so reckless,” Speer said, his gaze lowered and his eyes half-closed, appearing quite humble. “Firstly, you are a patriotic leader, which is why I dare to suggest this. Secondly, I believe that with your ability, my Führer, you will not actually lose anything.”

Akado’s smile widened. “Oh? You have that much confidence in me?”

“You single-handedly created the White Orchid Group,” Speer said with great earnestness. “Others can praise the White Orchid Group’s first CEO, Reinhardt (a different one), for his foresight. They can believe that it was Mercedes’ efforts that created the current White Orchid Group. They can say that I, Speer, helped Jelinek develop the White Orchid Group.”

He looked at Akado. “But you are the one behind the scenes whom I admire the most. It was you who integrated the automotive and aircraft manufacturing industries, who determined the correct development path in advance, that allowed the White Orchid Group to become the behemoth it is today.”

“I want to stand at the forefront, to be the witness to the rise of the next industrial group, to become your new representative in the economic world,” Speer said ambitiously. “I firmly believe that you can take the withdrawn capital and invest it in emerging industries to create a second industrial miracle.”

“You really do have faith in me,” Akado sighed with a sense of helplessness. “I’m not an astrologer who can predict the future.”

“You are!” Speer said with conviction.

Akado looked at the devout Speer, who was staring at him without blinking. It took him a long moment to be certain that Speer had not seen through his greatest secret—that his soul had traveled through time. Speer’s was merely blind worship, a blind faith that he could help Akado create another industrial miracle.

“What else? Tell me the other method as well. Let me see if there’s a better way,” Akado said after confirming his secret was safe.

“There is no better option,” Speer said, shaking his head. “The second method is to throw all the capitalists who are unwilling to make sacrifices and contributions for the Reich into concentration camps, and confiscate their property to repay the debts of others. This method relies on brute force to passively patch things up. What the consequences might be, no one can predict.”

Akado picked up the report on the White Orchid Group from the table. “You came here already prepared to have me give up the entire White Orchid Group for Germany. That’s quite thorough and decisive of you.”

“If…” Speer said slowly, looking into Akado’s eyes, “you are willing to give up the White Orchid Group for the German people, I will use everything I have to build a second financial empire for you, a true empire of assets, even larger and more efficient than the White Orchid Group! In two years, every person under the influence of German industry will support your ascen—”

“Hoo…” Akado let out a breath, cutting Speer off. “The White Orchid Group is like a second child to Mercedes. You have truly given me a huge problem.”

Hearing Akado’s reply, Speer knew the Führer had agreed to his integration plan. But instead of feeling relieved, he felt the weight on his shoulders become even more suffocating.

He took two deep breaths and spoke again. “My Führer, what I am curious about now is which future industries you are optimistic about. This will affect our next acquisition plans and industrial layout. We should start preparing immediately.”

“Rocket technology, jet engines, materials science, electronic components,” Akado said with a smile, standing up. He listed a series of future industrial development directions, nearly every one of which would become a dominant industry. He looked at Speer, full of confidence and pride. “Mr. Speer, the Reich’s investment in innovative technology is a true bottomless pit. And these investments are now sufficient to form new industries… The future will belong to us, to us who are always at the forefront of science and technology!”

Akado was not just boasting. His research and development department had already developed new cathode-ray tube technology; black and white television was no longer just an imagination from science fiction novels. Biotechnology was also developing steadily; the famous penicillin, thanks to Akado’s hint, was born in Germany, refined in 1935, and had begun mass production. The development of computers was also in full swing. Although it had not yet achieved satisfactory results, the derivative technologies had helped Germany improve its radar and guidance systems.

Innovative materials had also given the Germans a taste of success. The latest alloy materials were being used extensively in aircraft and tanks, reducing weight while increasing structural strength. These technological developments had allowed the Germans to maintain their lead in weapon performance, reducing their consumption and losses in the war.

In rocket technology, the Germans were even further ahead of the world. After continuous exploration and experimentation, Germany’s V2 rocket had become practical and could be mass-produced. However, the Führer had suppressed the “rocket fever” among German scientists and the military. He preferred to deploy the cheaper and more accurate improved V3 ballistic missile.

The development of any technology is not isolated but is the progress of a complex and vast system. For example, aerospace technology, which may seem to have a low return on investment, drives the development of a wide range of technologies, including precision machining, guidance and control, radio communications, composite materials, chemical propellants, and more.

So, Akado could afford to be dismissive of one White Orchid Group. His confident talk in front of Speer was not empty boasting. He held in his hands the correct development path for the next 70 years, a path proven by tens of millions of people. For other countries or individuals, this path was undoubtedly filled with thorns and traps, forcing them to grope their way forward cautiously. But he was different. He could stride forward, without fear.