Chapter 2: Where is the Road?

  "But where can we go?"

  The tone was so calm that it made one feel that there was no connection with interrogation or questioning at all, but rather like asking oneself questions.

  Xiang Hainuo once again turned his gaze to the only nobleman here apart from himself, and also the youngest among these military officers, while Otto von Grenbauer's eyes were also looking at Xiang Hainuo.

  Four eyes were calmly gazing at each other.

  "What sea has the most islands in Europe?" Zhang Hainuo's answer was given in the form of a question.

  Originally Edwin was supposed to answer this question, but Otto opened his mouth without thinking:

  "Aegean Sea!"

  A concise and clear answer made Zhang Hainuo admire the profound knowledge of this Baden nobleman once again. In their previous exchanges, he had already discovered that Otto's knowledge was extremely rich in all aspects. It is hard to imagine that a 20-year-old person has such a broad range of knowledge, covering astronomy, geography, and human history of various European countries, as well as military theories and battles from the past century.

  Is this what someone from a truly aristocratic family is supposed to be like?

  Zhang Hainuo felt somewhat embarrassed because he had to admit that apart from his "precognitive" knowledge of history and economics, he was no match for Otto in terms of learning.

  "That's right, our enemies would never think that we would make a long journey from Wilhelmshaven to the Aegean Sea, let alone by the time they get our ship roster from the Navy Department, U-148 has already been crossed out!"

  This was a long-considered and highly satisfactory "masterpiece" of Zhang Haino's, his first aim being to preserve this advanced ocean-going submarine, in addition to Hersing's U21, the two fish that had slipped through the net would be hidden in the Aegean Sea with its many islands, which was undoubtedly a very precious spark for the German Navy, which was about to lose all its main force ships and submarines.

  Of course, just keeping the submarine was only the first step. Zhang Hainuo's second goal was to combine the salvage plan of the German sunken ship, and obtain precious funds by excavating valuable items from the sunken ship. He had already thought that as long as they had funds, they could buy fuel and food from Turkey. Although Turkey, which joined the Allied camp in World War I, also had to bear the losses brought by defeat, the pro-German tendency of the people and political parties over the years would not disappear overnight.

  "The distance from Wilhelmshaven to the Aegean Sea is approximately 4,500 nautical miles!" As a navigation officer, Drake Lerman can provide this data with mental calculation alone.

  "Although going to America is almost the same distance, we can find a hiding place in the Aegean Sea more easily, and then another German submarine will meet us! I think you've all heard of the Sea Dog's great name!"

  "Madman at sea? Hesson and his U21?"

  Guns and cannons are almost second nature to him, it seems that Hessen's reputation in the German Navy is indeed deeply rooted.

  Zhang Hainuo nodded.

  "Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, avoiding Allied ships, that's not difficult! But, Captain, what will sustain our survival?"

  Oto's words were few, each time it was as if he was asking himself, but each time he would hit the nail on the head. Zhang Hainuo suddenly found that he liked this clever guy more and more.

  "Sunk! Lieutenant Hersing and his U-21 have been operating in the Mediterranean since autumn 1915, meticulously recording every location where a prize was taken. The safes of those sunken ships are our best targets! Whatever is valuable we can take to Greece or Turkey to exchange for what we need: food, fuel, even gold coins! Moreover, Lieutenant Hersing has found an excellent hiding place!"

  After Zhang Hainuo and Pan Tuo said this, everyone's faces obviously relaxed a lot. This was not just an escape trip, but it seemed to have a very wonderful prospect.

  "With gold coins, we can do anything we want! After Germany stabilizes domestically, we'll bring these riches back!"

  Zhang Haino's original intention was to use this money to return to Germany and do something, or directly return to the navy. He believed that with his "advanced knowledge", he would definitely be able to make some effective contributions to the next war.

  Seeing that everyone had no opinion, he took advantage of the situation and said:

  "If anyone has any other opinions, feel free to speak out!"

  Simon hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand and said: "Captain, your plan is perfect, but what if we can't salvage the treasure from the seabed? What if our submarine breaks down?"

  Zhang Haino smiled, he had to use this smile to comfort the crowd, because these possibilities did indeed exist. Previously, when discussing with Hersen, the two had considered this issue, but in economics, gains are always proportional to risks, and there is no such thing as a surefire profit in this world. People often say that war is a gamble, and now Zhang Haino's chosen path was also a kind of gamble - even if it ultimately yielded nothing, it was still better than watching his submarine being towed away by the Allied Powers.

  Perhaps it was U148's outstanding performance that conquered this young man from nearly a hundred years later, or perhaps it was the adventurous spirit deep within him that sparked this "inspiration", but in any case, now that he has set out on his journey, he does not plan to turn back.

  "If we find nothing, then I, Kapit?nleutnant von Feigenblatt, will donate my entire estate to be divided among you all! If one of the two U-boats has a malfunction, all we can rely on is our own hands and the comrades around us! I sincerely hope that everyone understands that no matter how many difficulties there are, we must preserve this precious submarine for Germany!"

  Zhang Hainuo's calmness and righteousness finally dispelled the last doubts in the minds of the officers, and even Otto did not ask any more "pointed" questions.

  "If nobody has any objections, let's proceed with the vote now. Those in favor of this plan, please raise your hands!"

  After saying this sentence, Zhang Hainuo still gave everyone the same firm and confident gaze as before.

  Edwin raised his hand first, followed by Yank, Simon and Giselle, after a moment's consideration, Drekk Leman also raised his hand. At this point, more than half of the supporters had already voted in favor, leaving only three people to raise their hands or not, with the minority submitting to the majority.

  What brought Zhang Hainuo comfort was that, as if sunk in thought, Otto slowly raised his right hand, and then Communications Officer Rots and Medical Officer Kays also raised their hands.

  "Good!" Zhang Haino finally let out a sigh of relief, having obtained the support of these officers, and the sailors were basically no problem, he said immediately:

  "Today is October 22nd, and the situation will be clear in less than 20 days! Rots, you are responsible for receiving telegrams from the mainland. We will gather here every evening at 8 o'clock, and anyone can express their opinions or suggestions. Rots will also convey the latest information to everyone every day! Now, let's go announce this news to the crew members!"