Chapter 13: The Father of the Navy

  New book on the rise, urgently needs firepower support! Brothers, let's vote!!!

  Before meeting Tirpitz, the largest figure Zhang Hainu had met in this era was his "uncle" General von Lauterbach. These two men were obviously not on the same level. It's inevitable to be nervous when meeting a big man, but at least Zhang Hainu didn't have to worry about his outfit. A clean and ironed naval lieutenant uniform, a pair of spotless leather boots, and wearing all his medals, he followed Raeder on the road.

  The two traveled by train across more than half of Germany, finally arriving in Brandenburg an der Havel, not far from Berlin. As soon as they got off the train, a horse-drawn carriage took them directly to Tirpitz's estate in the suburbs of Brandenburg.

  As they approached the manor, Zhang Hainuo was deeply attracted to the autumn scenery here: The mountains and forests surrounded a lake with crystal-clear blue water like a gemstone, and the trees on the mountain were still mainly green, with clusters of red and yellow scattered among them. In the sunlight, everything here was so harmonious and quiet, with only the sound of horseshoes and birdsong in the forest.

  The estate of von Tirpitz is located in such a picturesque place, the area of the estate looks very large, as soon as you enter the gate, it is a large piece of neatly trimmed lawn, the main building here is a three-story castle-style building, but there are no spires and towers.

  "Should I address him as Admiral von Tirpitz or Count von Tirpitz?" Zhang Hainu asked Redel quietly, since Tirpitz was both a German naval admiral and a count conferred by Wilhelm II.

  "Either way is fine, just follow me in addressing him as the respected Admiral, after all we are now in military service!"

  Rader seemed to be here for the first time too, and he was also curiously gazing at the scenery outside the window.

  The carriage stopped at the gate of the large villa, and after the two got off, they were led in by a servant. The decoration of this hall looks very classic, the large oil paintings on the wall seem to depict some historical events, but Zhang Hainuo can only take a quick glance. The group quickly passed through the hall and entered a long corridor, and when they were about to reach the end of the corridor, the servant finally stopped his footsteps and gently knocked on the door.

  "His Excellency, the Earl! They have arrived!" The attendant announced in a respectful tone.

  "Please let them in!" Zhang Hainuo heard a deep but not aged voice coming from inside.

  The attendant immediately made a welcoming gesture to Rader and Zhang Hainuo.

  Before entering, Raddel and Zhang Hainuo both took off their military caps.

  As soon as he entered, a strong book fragrance wafted up to his nose. Contrary to Zhang Haino's expectations, this place didn't look like an ordinary reception room or study, but rather like a storage room in a library! The four walls were almost entirely lined with bookshelves, and an old man with two peculiarly large mustaches sat behind a desk piled high with books.

  "Respected Grand Admiral, Naval Captain Erich Raeder pays his respects!"

  "Honorable Admiral of the Fleet, Lieutenant Junior Grade Haino von Finkenstein reporting for duty!"

  The old man with the big beard put down the book in his hand and stood up, and Zhang Hainuo could see that he was wearing a somewhat faded German naval uniform, with a large medal on his chest.

  "Ah, Erich, you're here! This is the Lieutenant von Fenkenstein you were telling me about? Well, good, please sit down!"

  Zhang Hainuo found that although there were many books in this room, they did not hinder people from walking inside. After thanking him, he sat down on the chair opposite the desk with Lederle.

  Tirpitz sat down again. At this moment, another attendant walked in and quietly asked if the two needed coffee or tea. Raeder wanted coffee, Zhang Hainuo wanted tea.

  "I've already read your plan book, it's full of novel things, very bold and imaginative!" Tirpitz went straight to the point, which was obviously to the liking of the two young men.

  Raeder looked at Tirpitz with a respectful face, but did not speak.

  "I think it's necessary to hand this plan over to Your Majesty's staff officers. Maybe they'll agree with it and present it to Your Majesty, or maybe they'll treat it as trash and throw it in the garbage. Ahem, please excuse my frankness, but judging from the current situation, the latter possibility seems more likely!"

  It can be heard that there is a sense of helplessness in Tirpitz's words, with a heart full of ideas but lacking the power to implement them. If Zhang Haino had carefully studied the historical records related to Tirpitz before, he would have known that at this time, Tirpitz had already lost the favor of Wilhelm II and was being excluded and cold-shouldered by the naval high-level officials. In fact, since his resignation as Minister of the Navy in March 1916, he had been in a state of retirement.

  Tirpitz's words made Zhang Haino's heart, which had been hot and boiling, cool down again. Why did the tone of this father of the German Navy sound so similar to that of his "cousin"? Was it not because those who held real power in the German Empire and the high-ranking naval officers were resistant to using the navy for war?

  Looking at the two juniors in front of him holding cups and remaining silent, Tirpitz spoke again:

  "No matter what the outcome is, I will give it a try! On the other hand, you two, I saw from you the vigorous vitality of the German Navy, and saw the hope of surpassing the British Navy! Only by daring to innovate and bravely accepting new things can we make progress continuously, just like this plan, I see in it everything that an excellent naval commander must possess!"

  Facing Tirpitz's gaze, Zhang Haino didn't dare to meet his eyes too much, but he still saw a kind of love in those weathered eyes, which was the passion for his career and also a fondness for talent.

  "Listen to a word of advice!" Then Tirpitz said meaningfully: "Your talents should not be limited by that warship which cannot leave the harbor, go out and you will get more!"

  Go out?

  Zhang Hainuo was somewhat perplexed in his heart, did Tirpitz mean to let him leave the Sedlitz?

  "Thank you for your advice, we will take it seriously!" Reddel replied with a practiced and elegant tone.

  "That's great! As for this plan, it is already very perfect and I have nothing to add. Tomorrow, I will ask someone to submit it to the Navy Department for evaluation. And please stay here for a few more days, first, I want to chat with you two more, secondly, if this plan really gets the emperor's recognition, I can also arrange for you to meet the emperor!"

  "Thank you so much!" Redel hurriedly stood up and thanked him.

  Tirpitz motioned him to sit down and said, "Erich, there's no need for thanks here! By the way, Lieutenant von Falkenstein, I hear you're a descendant of Field Marshal Albrecht Conrad Finck von Finckenstein?"

  "Yes, sir, Admiral!"

  "Ah, here and speak with me you don't need to stand up!" Tirpitz similarly indicated that he should sit down.

  "Von Finkenstein, the Field Marshal was also an excellent commander in the history of Prussia Kingdom. It seems that his descendants are equally outstanding! Tell me, Lieutenant von Finkenstein, how did you come up with the idea of using submarines, aircraft and airships as the main attacking force, instead of battleships and battlecruisers which all countries are actively building?"

  Zhang Hainuo looked at Tirpitz, trying his best not to avoid his gaze.

  "This is the case, esteemed Grand Admiral! Battleships and battlecruisers are indeed the most powerful and best-defended of all naval weapons. Using them to threaten enemy coasts and bombard enemy ports would be ideal! However, given Germany's current situation, it will be very difficult to build more battleships and battlecruisers than the British in a short period of time. In other words, we will continue to be at a disadvantage in terms of these main force vessels for some time!"

  Seeing Tirpitz nod slightly, Zhang Haino's heart also settled down a lot, and he continued to say:

  "Recalling the history of Shanghai's naval forces, after each transformation, the old warships would quickly lose their effectiveness. I think that to change the disadvantageous situation of our maritime power in a short time, we must use new equipment and tactics to offset the British advantage in ships and tonnage! For now, let's put aside the main battleships of both countries, our German submarines, aircraft, and airships are not only not weaker than the British, but also have considerable advantages in some aspects! Therefore, I think that as long as tactics, equipment, and command are proper, it is entirely possible to defeat the British Navy with our current forces!"

  Tirpitz lowered his head in contemplation for a while, and when he raised it again, his eyes seemed to be looking at Zhang Hainan with a very complex gaze.

  "How wonderful it would have been if you had appeared before me three years ago and said these words!"

  "Three years ago? I didn't know anything back then!" Zhang Hainuo smiled and replied.