Chapter 114: The Passing of an Era

In the center of a luxurious hotel in Vienna, the German Chancellor, Akado Rudolph, was delivering a rousing speech. This speech was held to celebrate Austria officially becoming Germany’s Eastern Province.

“Everyone! The era of Germany’s rise has arrived! We will jointly witness the revitalization of the entire Germanic nation! The Germanic people, as the most superior race in this world, will prosper forever!” Akado raised his wine glass high and declared to his new supporters.

“Long live Akado Rudolph!” everyone shouted, raising their glasses in response. Present here were the celebrities of Vienna, industrialists, real estate magnates, bankers, and even famous musicians. They were filled with anticipation for the vision of common prosperity for the Germanic people that Akado had outlined, and they madly supported this new master of Vienna.

The news of Germany’s control over Austria had already been announced. The streets and alleys of Berlin were filled with cheering crowds. Since the defeat in the last war, Germany, under Akado’s leadership, had first taken back its Rhineland and then annexed Austria. For a time, the name Akado Rudolph had become the most fanatical symbol for the German people.

The moment Germany annexed Austria, the United States sent a congratulatory telegram, stating that it “fully understands Germany’s desire to maintain national unity” and reiterated American support for the series of eastward actions Germany was taking.

Subsequently, Britain also held a press conference, announcing that it would strictly adhere to neutrality on the Germanic national question and would not provide support or protection to any side, but that Britain unilaterally hoped all parties would maintain due restraint.

A Soviet foreign affairs spokesman stated that they would pay close attention to the eastward expansion of Germany’s borders and hoped that Germany would develop German-Soviet relations in a spirit of friendship and mutual trust. But in the end, the Soviet Union very tactfully acknowledged Germany’s position in Austria and the Sudetenland and stated that the Soviet Union completely understood.

Italy, contrary to its usual stance, supported Germany, directly selling out Austria. France remained silent on the incident, right up until the very last second.

Just a few days later, Austria held a national plebiscite under German supervision. The result was not unexpected: everyone agreed to Austria’s merger with Germany, with supporters of the proposal accounting for 99% of Austria’s total population. In accordance with the law, Austria announced its official accession to Germany on the same day, becoming Germany’s Eastern Province.

Everyone knew that things were not over yet. After all, German influence was still growing in the Sudetenland region of northern Czechoslovakia. With the Rhineland and Austria as examples, almost everyone in Germany felt that the Sudetenland was already in the bag. Everyone was discussing Germany’s incomparably bright future, that wonderful future of once again becoming the most powerful nation on the European continent.

At the same time, in another place, medical personnel were urgently trying to save an old man on a hospital bed. A nurse nervously watched the IV drip hanging by the bed, while a doctor periodically performed cardiac compressions on the old man. A priest stood by the bed, praying softly, hoping that God might step in to help the dying man.

Finally, an elderly doctor sighed and shook his head. Powerless, everyone stepped away from the bed. Two men in suits stepped forward, pressed their fingers to the old man’s carotid artery, then looked at each other and nodded. “It’s time to record the time of death.”

Just as the banquet reached its most fervent point, a lieutenant colonel hurried toward Akado and whispered an urgent matter in his ear. “Mr. Chancellor, news just came in. President Hindenburg has passed away.”

Akado was stunned. He remained silent for a few seconds. Finally, he put down his wine glass, walked onto the stage, and signaled for the music to stop. When the hall had quieted down, Akado spoke in the most solemn voice he could muster. “I’m sorry, everyone. I’m afraid today’s banquet can only go on until here.”

He looked around and continued, “I have just received news that our beloved President, former Imperial Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, left us forever just an hour ago.”

“Oh, my God!” the guests below exclaimed. Some ladies covered their mouths with handkerchiefs, their eyes wide with disbelief. The male guests all put down their wine glasses. Many replaced their smiles with standard expressions of mourning. Anyone able to attend a banquet here had a very versatile face.

“For these past few days, I have been managing Germany on behalf of President Hindenburg, carrying out the powers and duties of the German President, so I must return to Berlin as soon as possible,” Akado said, his face filled with regret and sorrow. “I hope you will all continue to support me as you always have, and I will do my utmost to repay you.”

Akado knew he had to rush back to Berlin to preside over President Hindenburg’s funeral, and then firmly grasp the presidential powers in his own hands. The Greater German Party had long since prepared everything. All they needed was for him to return to Berlin to become Germany’s true dictator.

In fact, the process of Germany’s annexation of Austria had not been as smooth as it appeared. During the short twenty-day takeover, the SS and Wehrmacht had to arrest approximately 3,000 non-cooperators. These people refused to recognize the German occupation and takeover, even creating obstacles for it. On Akado’s orders, these people were sent to concentration camps to manufacture quilts and tents for Germany.

Hindenburg’s death removed the last stone on Akado’s path to absolute power. Akado knew that from this moment on, there would be no more obstacles before him. Like Hitler before him, he would become the undisputed emperor of all of Germany.

Hindenburg’s departure marked the end of an era—an era that belonged to Moltke, to Ludendorff, to Hindenburg. Although that era of the German Empire was full of heroes, its inglorious end unfortunately made these figures lose their luster. Akado respected them, but he had long resolved to surpass them.

Two hours later, Akado was on a plane back to Berlin, returning at top speed to the German capital, the base of operations he had painstakingly built. When his plane landed, the generals of the German army, navy, and air force had all been assembled at the Wehrmacht High Command, waiting for the arrival of their de facto commander.

“Immediately order the army to begin executing ‘Project Bleaching Powder’! Purge some of Field Marshal Hindenburg’s old guard, but do not cause any deaths! All generals stripped of their military authority must be properly settled! Give them property and monetary compensation!” Akado began assigning tasks to his subordinates the moment he got off the plane.

As he walked, he continued to arrange things with his secretary, Cindra. “Notify Fanny! Launch a public opinion offensive at once! I want to hear the voice of the people by tomorrow morning! Go now! Immediately!”

Cindra nodded, immediately took a few steps back, and headed in another direction.

“Anna! Notify the SS! Place the families of these people under surveillance! Do not be exposed! Just keep a close watch on them from a distance! If you receive the order, arrest them all!” Akado said to Anna, who had not left his side, as he walked toward his car.

An officer ran over from a distance, looking anxious. Arriving before Akado, the officer snapped to attention and saluted. “Mr. Chancellor! We just received news! Upon hearing of President Hindenburg’s death, Mr. Stresemann was flying back from France to Berlin to attend the President’s memorial service. But we just heard that his plane crashed on the Franco-German border due to heavy fog.”

“What?” Akado was stunned. He had once tried to extend the life of a known historical figure, Karl Benz, but had failed. Later, he had made some attempts with Stresemann, successfully extending the life of a man who should have died at the end of 1929.

Unfortunately, the long-lived Stresemann had lived for three more years only to die in a sudden accident. Did this prove that the lifespans of historical figures could not be changed? Akado thought about this, then shook his head. He felt that their lifespans could be changed, but a person whose life was changed would encounter many other problems and would ultimately die at some point. That explanation was more reasonable.

“Has it been clearly investigated?” he asked, turning back to the officer who brought the news. “Call the French government immediately to confirm this news! Also, confirm with the garrisons at the border to see if there was really heavy fog and if a plane really crashed!”

Then he turned back to Anna beside him and ordered, “You call Gascoigne. Have him contact our spies in France. I want to know who Stresemann met, where he last boarded a plane, and who was on the plane with him. Understood?”

Only after giving these orders did Akado get into his car. With a long motorcade, he rushed to the Wehrmacht High Command, and then he had to rush to the Presidential Palace, where he would preside over President Hindenburg’s memorial service and give the old man, who could be described as conventional, a dignified funeral. As the car swayed, Akado thought of many things. He thought that if he continued to succeed, he might become the emperor of all of Europe. He thought that if one day he failed, he might have to put a gun to his own head in a dark basement like Hitler. He even wondered a little who would preside over his own funeral.

Just after he had changed his clothes, arranged all the Wehrmacht’s tasks at the High Command, he rushed nonstop to the Presidential Palace. There, he finally confirmed the death of his old partner, old friend, and old comrade-in-arms, Stresemann.

The people of the previous era were leaving one after another. Akado increasingly felt that his own era was about to begin.