Chapter 47: Better to Take a Break

  When Zhang Hainuo received this transfer order in front of him, he almost didn't dare to believe his eyes. After being asked to go to the Military Police Command "for a cup of tea", he thought that at most he would be detained for a period of time or receive disciplinary action against his military rank and reputation, but he never expected that during this critical war period, the German Navy Department would actually let him, an excellent submarine commander who had just been promoted to ace boat captain, transfer to the logistics department!

  "The title of 'Senior Supervisor of the Arsenal' sounds good, but Zhang Hainuo was not convinced in his heart. He immediately went to find General von Lauterbach on the Sedlitz to see if he had any way out. Unfortunately, his "uncle" told him that his rescue of the survivors of the mail steamer last time had already annoyed some powerful figures in the high-level, and this time again, without the approval of the superiors, privately conducted tactical experiments, being "sent to the border" was also very normal. Lauterbach advised him to stay there for the time being, just as a holiday for himself, and when the opportunity was ripe, he would naturally go to the top to lobby for him."

  What left Zhang Hainu feeling helpless was that he also received the same advice from Riddell afterwards.

  If the arsenal he was assigned to was in Wilhelmshaven, Zhang Haino might have been a little happier. However, that arsenal happened to be located hundreds of kilometers away in Kiel, and it wasn't until then that he discovered what was meant by "senior supervisor" - a completely idle job where his daily task was to check if there were any cases of corruption or embezzlement within the arsenal. But here, the arsenal management system was originally very strict, coupled with the Germans' inherent rigorous work style, Zhang Haino stayed there for a whole month and didn't even find anyone who dared to take a single pipe from the warehouse privately.

  The dull life day after day made Zhang Haino extremely bored, and he increasingly missed the life on U171, missed Edwin and those simple sailors. In these three months, Edwin would send a few letters from time to time. The Navy Department sent a new captain to U171, this captain was not bad, but his experience was still very lacking. Recently, they had launched several attacks on the Atlantic, not only with little gain, but also nearly losing their lives twice.

  Anyway, idle all day is also idle, Zhang Haino went to the personnel department to check and found that he had only taken one leave since the outbreak of war, while the accumulated leave was as long as three months. So, he applied for a leave to his new superior, and the old man who was usually silent also knew what role this "senior supervisor of the arsenal" played, so he readily approved him for a month's leave.

  After getting the leave approval, Zhang Hainuo took the train to Lübeck Island the next day. His last meeting with Anna dated back to Christmas last year, and in this nearly one-year period, the two could only express their longing for each other through letters.

  Kiel and Rügen are not far apart, and after a dozen hours or so on the eastbound train, Zhang Hainu arrived at his destination. He had wanted to surprise Anna, but only found out after arriving at the naval sanatorium that Anna and some other nurses had been temporarily reassigned to a medical ship several days earlier.

  Before this, Zhang Hainuo had heard that the German Navy was about to launch an attack on Russia in the Baltic Sea, but he didn't expect Anna to be transferred to participate in this action. In history, the German Navy not only failed to invade Petrograd from the sea in the subsequent Battle of Moon Sound, but also lost a lot of ships and personnel, it seems that Anna is going to be busy this time.

  Operation Albion, a World War I campaign by the German Empire against Russia in October 1917. The objective was to destroy the Russian naval forces in the Gulf of Riga and capture the islands at the entrance to the gulf, which would then allow for an advance on Petrograd. Both sides suffered losses during the campaign; five Russian ships were sunk at the entrance to the gulf, while mines were laid throughout the gulf, forcing the German fleet to abandon plans to penetrate further into the Gulf of Finland and return to the North Sea.

  Sighing at the untimeliness of his arrival, Zhang Hainuo decided to head back to Fink Manor in the suburbs of Oshelles first. Although it wasn't truly his home, it was one of the few places in this world where he felt comfortable.

  When he saw Hastings again, the old butler was still in good health, with only a few white hairs added to his temples. Barron, who held multiple positions as cook, woodcutter, porter and security guard, was also unchanged. However, Larma, the only female servant in the manor, looked pale. Hastings told Zhang Hainuo that Larma's son had unfortunately died in battle in France recently. Although the government had issued a considerable condolence payment, losing her child in middle age was apparently a huge blow to this single woman.

  Zhang Hainuo was not good at comforting others, he simply said a few words of comfort to Rama, and he was also tired on the way, so he went to bed early after dinner.

  It was still that comfortable big bed, and it was still a good sleep until dawn. After getting up, Zhang Hainuo felt refreshed and his mind was particularly clear.

  It is now October 1917, one year and a month before Germany's defeat in World War I.

  Judging from the current situation, Zhang Haino believes that Germany's surrender is inevitable. As a fallen noble who has just lost his military position, he can no longer make any difference in this regard, or rather, there is now no one who can turn the tide!

  Post-war Germany will face a period of extreme chaos, with huge reparations, turbulent times, and frequent changes in government, civilians have to endure the great trauma brought by war and the severe inflation after the war, while big businessmen continue to make fortunes through various opportunities.

  Although he had a good grasp of advanced economic knowledge and had studied the economic environment of various countries in the 20th century, Zhang Hainuo did not think that he could necessarily find opportunities to get rich in this turbulent era. Firstly, he now has almost no capital for business, with only a few thousand marks that can only be used for small transactions; secondly, just like the saying "a scholar encountering a soldier", people who follow economic common sense may not necessarily become rich in real life, especially when the economic system is imperfect or even chaotic. On the contrary, those who are unscrupulous, cunning, and ruthless often make a fortune, but these are things that Zhang Hainuo is not good at.

  At this time, Zhang Haino thought of Hersen's plan that even in a turbulent era, the value of gold and jewelry would not change much, and treasure hunting was perhaps the most suitable for soldiers like them who were not good at thinking.

  But Zhang Haino thought that Germany would lose all its submarines after the war, and to engage in salvage work, they must have the necessary equipment. Having a submarine would be even better. Not to mention that it was impossible to buy a submarine in Germany after the war, even if French or British shipyards were willing to sell, Hesen and his team did not have enough funds. Were they going to sail on a rented small cargo ship to search for treasure in the ocean?

  After some thought, Zhang Hainuo still felt that something was stuck there, but for the time being, he couldn't think of a reason, so he could only wash his face, dress up and go downstairs to have breakfast.

  When Zhang Hainuo arrived at the hall, Hastings was already waiting there. The breakfast consisted of eggs, bread, small pancakes with bacon and milk, which was so rich that it could be compared to a submarine's breakfast. On this road back from Wilhelmshaven, Zhang Hainuo deeply felt how serious the resource crisis in Germany was. Ordinary civilians were grateful to God if they could eat bread.

  After breakfast, Zhang Hainuo asked about the situation in the manor over the past half year. Hastings told him that fortunately, he had prepared more stored grain when he came back last time. Now not only has the Mark devalued badly, but some food that was still supplied in the first two years of the war is now unaffordable. Fortunately, this autumn's harvest was good, which prevented a terrible famine from brewing.

  At last, Mr. Hastings volunteered the information to Zhang Hainuo that Miss Feina had returned from Berlin and was staying at Lubeck Manor, more than 20 miles away from Fenke Manor.

  For this Miss Fei Na, Zhang Hai Nuo did not inherit the "eternal love" from Hai Nuo, but rather a kind of curiosity, wondering what kind of girl would make Hai Nuo fall in love to the point of death.

  "Has she sent someone with a message?"

  "No!"

  Hastin's words were to the point, but Zhang Haino saw through them. His expression was somewhat hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but didn't dare to, just like last time when he said he didn't want to abandon his army and go into business. This might be a special way that stewards have of reporting certain situations to their masters - not explicitly saying it, but still making you realize that they have something to say.

  "Hasten, say whatever you want, it's alright!"

  "Yes, Baron! I heard that this time, along with Miss Fiona, a young noble from Berlin also returned, whose family is extremely wealthy, but seems to have no military position!"

  "Oh? This is quite an interesting thing!" Zhang Haino suddenly felt that it was good that he was the one to hear this news, rather than Haino. That poor lovesick person would either spit blood and die or immediately rush to find that young noble for a duel if they were to learn of this situation.

  Seeing no great change in his master's expression, Hastings felt both astonished and relieved.

  "Hastin, shall I go and see Miss Fenna?"

  Zhang Hainuo said calmly, but the old steward immediately changed his expression to one of vigilance, fearing that he was going to do something out of line.

  "Baron, please forgive my straightforward words! Since Miss Fiona has already found a new love and the Lubeck family has always been biased against our family, why don't we take the initiative to propose dissolving the engagement? It would be neither humiliating nor degrading!"

  "Hmm, this idea isn't bad!" Zhang Hainuo picked up a napkin to wipe his hands, "But before making a formal decision, I think it's still necessary for me to go there in person! If Miss Fenna really found a suitable partner, I should also generously offer my blessings. Hastings, what do you say?"

  The old steward was still surprised when he heard this sentence, but seeing Zhang Hainuo's serious and relaxed expression, he let out a sigh of relief, then said with great respect:

  "Yes! Honorable Baron! When are you leaving? I'll book a carriage for you in advance!"