Chapter 43: A Political Alliance

A major general in the army at the young age of 26 was, in everyone’s eyes, something worth celebrating. And so, hosted by Gustav Krupp, a grand reception was held, with countless magnates from the business and military worlds invited.

“A reception held for me?” Akado asked with a smile to Krupp’s personal head butler, who had come to inform him of his attendance.

The butler bowed and replied in a very humble and polite voice, “Yes, Mr. Akado. A reception carefully prepared for you.”

As Akado’s status within the military rose, the Greater Germany Party also expanded rapidly within the German Reichswehr. The number of officers joining the party grew, and their importance became ever greater. This imbalance made the businessmen, scholars, and other factions within the Greater Germany Party feel uneasy. Holding this reception, it seemed, had some other purpose.

Akado smiled after hearing this and nodded in agreement. “No problem. Tell Mr. Krupp I will attend.”

The music of Bach filled the air. Akado, holding a wine glass, was conversing with several Reichswehr generals. These generals were all very interested in the Greater Germany Party. Some of them were already Akado’s loyal followers, while others tacitly allowed the Greater Germany Party to recruit members within their own troops. They were talking and laughing together, appearing to be in perfect harmony.

A young major general who could chat casually with five Reichswehr generals—and a tall, handsome one at that, with short blond hair—was practically a dream lover tailor-made for the ladies. Many young women and ladies in magnificent gowns had already gathered around with wine glasses in hand, presumably waiting for the conversation between Akado and the generals to end so they could rush up and express their admiration for him.

However, this attempt was thwarted by an unexpected guest. The president of the Daimler-Benz company, Karl Benz, walked up to the small circle of conversation and apologized very politely, “Excuse me, gentlemen. I have some business with Mr. Akado Rudolph.”

He addressed Akado as “Mr.” because Akado was not just a Reichswehr officer, but also the chairman of the Greater Germany Party. As a businessman, he preferred to reinforce Akado’s second identity, rather than that of a military officer.

The generals, mostly from noble backgrounds, were very polite. They raised their wine glasses, drained them, and then, with a smile, dispersed, to be immediately snapped up by a crowd of women who could no longer bear their loneliness.

“What is it?” Akado asked with a smile.

Karl Benz took a sip of wine before speaking. “You have purchased approximately 54% of our company’s stock. You are my boss. Of course, when I seek out my boss, it is to do business for my boss.”

Akado shrugged and pursed his lips. “I have never thought of you as my subordinate. I have always thought of you as my friend.”

“And that is where your strength lies. You treat us as friends, yet we revere and obey your leadership. The relationship is very good, and the efficiency is very high,” Karl Benz laughed heartily. “I’ve come this time on a private matter of yours.”

“A private matter? What private matter could I have? Every day after work, I go back to my apartment and spend the whole night reading through two dozen ledgers and plans,” Akado said helplessly, seeing that Karl Benz was getting to the point.

Karl Benz smiled and said, “Akado, don’t you think there’s a problem with you like this?”

Akado was taken aback and looked at his subordinate. “What problem? What problem could I have?”

“A 26-year-old major general in the Reichswehr. The rank is too high. That in itself is a big problem,” Karl Benz said, swirling the wine in his glass.

“That’s because, at the age of 26, I have accomplished things that many 50-year-old men haven’t accomplished in 20 years. And if Seeckt hadn’t blocked my promotion papers when he was around, I would be a major general by now,” Akado said with a smile.

“But you’re not yet married,” Karl Benz pursed his lips and gave Akado a look of great regret.

“Not married? What’s wrong with not being married? What’s the problem with that?” Akado asked, a little puzzled.

Karl Benz laughed. “A problem? It’s a huge problem! A 26-year-old major general in the Reichswehr, with his own famous car and luxurious mansion, with his own company, yet not a single girl pursuing him. That in itself is a big problem!”

“What kind of problem?” Akado asked, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“If you continue like this, rumors that you’re a homosexual will soon start appearing everywhere! Believe me! There might even be some young master from a great noble family who will take the initiative to contact you! I hear many of them are into that sort of thing,” Karl Benz said, leaning in close to Akado’s ear.

Akado retorted, “But I like women!”

“Who can prove it for you?” Karl Benz asked back, throwing up his hands.

“What proof is needed for that? Then what do you suggest I do? I usually just work in the office, and I spend most of my time in the barracks with a bunch of grown men. Where would I find the time to meet girls!” Akado said, somewhat annoyed.

If it were possible, what hero would want to solve things by himself with his own hand, right? Akado screamed in his heart. I also want to find a beautiful blonde, blue-eyed woman! Since I’ve crossed over, I haven’t even met a handful of women! How am I supposed to choose?

“That’s why I’m here!” Karl Benz proclaimed with great pride.

“You’re here? What are you trying to do?” Akado looked at the man before him warily. He can’t be gay, can he?

“Don’t misunderstand! I’m here to play matchmaker for someone else! The head of my sales division in Austria has a daughter. She’s 19 this year, and I’d say she’s the most beautiful and elegant girl I’ve ever seen. Because she’s so beautiful, there’s an endless stream of suitors at her door,” Daimler quickly clarified. He had no special interests of that kind.

Akado watched his subordinate babble on without saying a word. “You will definitely like her temperament. I was moved by her beautiful appearance the one time I saw her! You have no idea, the newest model of our Mercedes-Benz cars will be named after that girl. Mercedes-Benz. How about it? You two should meet when you have time.”

Akado smiled. He knew the main course had arrived. Capitalists didn’t throw a party just to find a place to eat and drink. They wanted to get more benefits from this reception. They never made an investment that didn’t pay off, and the same principle applied even to inviting someone for a meal.

“If I meet her, are there any other benefits?” Akado asked, looking at his subordinate and swirling the wine in his glass.

This was a transaction, a balancing act and a marriage of various interests. Recently, the power of the military faction within the Greater Germany Party had grown to an unprecedented extent. The businessmen needed a balance, which was why this conversation between Daimler and Akado was taking place.

“You will receive the support of more businessmen. Everyone will feel that you are an indispensable part of balancing the economy and the military. More businessmen will also believe that under your leadership, the Greater Germany Party will be more fair. They will consider joining, or at least not oppose their children from joining.”

“I need them to be more proactive. For example, to stop funding the Nazi Party,” Akado said, looking at Daimler and playing his own chip.

Daimler nodded. “They will stop funding any political party, because the Greater Germany Party is the party that represents their interests.”

“Alright! You’ve persuaded me! When you have time, bring her to meet me. I find that when attending these kinds of banquets, I really should bring a female companion to keep those flies from buzzing around me,” Akado agreed unexpectedly.

It wasn’t just the businessmen who needed to balance the growing power of the military faction. Akado also needed to gain more support from the businessmen. He had to get more people on his side to be able to effectively counter the challenge from the Nazi Party. He knew that businessmen were often typical fence-sitters, always swaying towards the side with more people and greater power. In the words of a political science class, this was the “compromising nature of the bourgeoisie.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Here is a small gift for you from several deacons of the German Business Federation,” Daimler said with a smile, handing a check to Akado. He had seen the number on the check; it was no small sum.

“Keep half for yourself, as an advance payment for the research and production of new aircraft engines,” Akado said, glancing at the number on the check before handing it back to Daimler. “Give the other half to the head of the MAN company. It’s time to settle the final payment for the Reichswehr’s secret weapons.”

Sometimes, Akado really felt like a fool. He hadn’t even pocketed the millions in bribes before he had spent it all on his so-called cause. The Reichswehr’s funds couldn’t cover its expenses, so he had no choice but to use every penny he got to arm his own troops.

Seeing Daimler walk away happily, Krupp and Stresemann came over together. It seemed they had already gotten the good news from Daimler. Their faces were adorned with brilliant smiles, like two millers.

“Chairman Akado, I was very happy to hear of your choice! Your wisdom shines with brilliance! You will have the support of the Chamber of Commerce and all the financial groups,” Krupp said, almost patting his chest to guarantee it. “If you run in the next election, I can mobilize at least two hundred businessmen to fund your campaign.”

“You have gained the goodwill of the government officials. They have privately assured me that they will not interfere with the activities of the Greater Germany Party within the government. At the very least, they greatly admire your open-minded attitude,” Stresemann also said happily from the side.

Akado looked at the two of them and spoke, “I have agreed to the demands of the businessmen and politicians. So now, the Greater Germany Party must get a corresponding return from them!”

“What return?” Krupp asked, puzzled and nervous.

“Have your company’s employees, and even your relatives and friends, join the Greater Germany Party. We must step out of the shadows and stand on the stage to face the challenge of all our enemies,” Akado said, his face stern and fierce. “Strike down all enemies who stand in our way!”

After thinking for a moment, Stresemann nodded. “I will handle the Foreign Ministry side. I will issue a brief statement tomorrow, announcing that I am joining the Greater Germany Party.”

Krupp was silent for a while, and finally, he also agreed to Akado’s proposal. “I understand. All the workers of the Krupp factory will swear an oath to join the Greater Germany Party.”

Akado stood up. “Then we have a lot to do tonight. For example, giving the Greater Germany Party a clear party program!”