Leadership Crisis

  Mr. Li's right fist pounded his left chest, and he spoke with a pained expression: "Gentlemen, now American and British women have entered the workshops, Russian old men and children are producing bullets, while our women are still strolling with baby carriages. Movies are being shown as usual, symphonies are sounding everywhere, just a month ago, factories were operating in shifts.

  Lee returned to his seat, sat down tiredly, and went to take out his handkerchief but found it empty. He only then remembered that he had given the handkerchief to Nya. He spent a quarter of a minute wondering what she was doing at that moment. Then he spent ten minutes calmly recounting his adventures on the front line, which for most people were unheard of. G?ring stared wide-eyed, Goebbels furrowed his brow, and Himmler first looked surprised, then dejectedly wiped away sweat from his forehead because the Führer mentioned the SS's recklessness, despite cautiously adding restrictive words like "individual", "small number", and "some".

  "Rise up, people of Germany, and fight for the German nation! The rise of the German nation will not be tolerated by America, Russia, and Britain. Do not think that America is a democratic country that will show mercy to Germany. On the contrary, because we do not recognize the dollar's dominant position, broke the gold standard, the upper class in America hates National Socialism with a passion."

  "If we lose the war, 80 million people will become slaves at the mercy of others, men will be slaughtered, women will be enslaved, territory will be divided up, the nation will be destroyed and the German people will fall into a fate worse than death..."

  Although it was already late at night, everyone had no intention of sleeping. One moment their scalps were numb, the next their blood was boiling. After successfully arousing a sense of crisis and mission, Li De returned to "The Wartime Production Law of the German Empire": "I suggest strengthening legal responsibility: if that military enterprise delays, is negative, makes major mistakes, etc., it will be held legally responsible. For individuals, corresponding rules should also be formulated."

  Speer placed a sheet of paper in front of the Führer's desk, which was a major issue that had been discussed all day and had not been decided. Ley waved the paper at the entrepreneurs who were waiting with bated breath: "Everything involved in additional budgeting and compensation for losses is no longer considered. When will it be considered? After your assembly lines are built, production is going well, and output has doubled, then consider it. How to implement it specifically, you can ask Mr. Krupp privately. Other issues will be decided by the National Congress. The meeting is adjourned."

  ……

  Christmas is approaching, German U-boats are fighting with the British in the Atlantic, but due to the Fuehrer's restrictions, they still avoid US convoy ships; In North Africa, Rommel's Afrika Korps was driven by the British to Benghazi; On the Eastern Front, Manstein's offensive is being secretly prepared, and the German army between Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega is withstanding the Soviet Army's desperate counterattacks, while on the Central Group of Armies front, the Russians are constantly pounding against the German winter defense line like a raging storm.

  It's the end of the year, and meetings are one after another. However, none of these meetings is as important as today's, because today, Li De will take a step into the deep waters of reform - political system reform.

  Before the First World War, Germany was ruled by the German Emperor. After its defeat, the Weimar Republic was established. The untimely democratic politics led to chaos, and the cruel exploitation and oppression of the victorious countries caused heroes to rise up, both domestically and internationally.

  On January 30, 1933, the Nazi Party became the largest party in the election, and with pressure from the military and industry, President Hindenburg was forced to appoint Hitler as Chancellor. For years, President Hindenburg had never addressed Hitler by name, instead calling him "the painter", "the corporal", "the upstart", "the Austrian vagabond", "that man who is only suitable for being a postmaster".

  After Hitler came to power, he implemented a one-party dictatorship and managed Germany with wartime decrees. Each large area, state, and county had two sets of personnel: party secretaries and administrative officials. The party was in charge of personnel, while the administrative officials were in charge of administrative affairs. At the top, the regional party secretaries, regional governors, and central ministers all took orders from Hitler alone. This is not the framework structure of a modern society's government; it is almost like a palace, undoubtedly a retrogression in political form.

  Li De firmly believed that in order to win the war, the superstructure must adapt to the economic base. As long as a crucial step is taken, other things will follow naturally.

  Such a major action must first unify the thinking within the party, Li De summoned high-level leaders of the party, government and military to the large glass house in Eagle's Nest, Obersalzberg, in order to eliminate interference and concentrate on holding a good meeting.

  The sky was floating with snowflakes, and after getting off the elevator, you still had to trudge through the snow for a short distance. The stout G?ring clutched the guard tightly, not daring to look at the slopes on both sides covered in white snow. After entering the large room, he suggested to the Führer that guardrails be installed on both sides of the mountain road next spring.

  G?ring, Goebbels, Ribbentrop, Bormann, Speer, Keitel and Jodl arrived. Lied worriedly asked Bormann if Himmler had been notified, Bormann said he himself received the call yesterday, it might snow, and they were delayed on the road.

  While waiting for Himmler, Li De read out the day's news summary to everyone:

  Pacific: Japan occupies Wake Island and renames it "Bird Island".

  Changsha, China - The Japanese launch their third attack on Changsha.

  Molotov, Stalin and British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden held a week of talks in Moscow, reaching an "identity of views" on joint action against Hitler's Germany.

  The head of state burst out laughing: "Yesterday, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal appealed to the British people on the radio to collect waste paper. He told them that old magazines and newspapers, Christmas cards and decorations, food packaging boxes and cigarette boxes are strategic materials that can be used to make shell casings, mine components, machine gun bullets, tank and aircraft wireless equipment parts."

  "It's utter madness, everything is wanted, perhaps even the toilet paper in the bathroom is a strategic material." Goebbels sneered.

  Then they couldn't laugh anymore: The British Eighth Army began besieging Benghazi.

  The head of state asked Keitel and Jodl when the 10th Armored Division would be withdrawn from the Eastern Front. Keitel replied expressionlessly, "It's too late. Even if we start withdrawing today, it will take a month to arrive in Africa."

  Outside, the sound of crunching snow was heard, and Himmler burst in, wrapped in a flurry of snowflakes. He stretched out his hand towards the teakettle: "Ah, how warm! My car broke down on the mountain road."

  As they sipped their coffee and nibbled at cakes or bread, after a brief discussion of the weather, Himmler was the first to ask: "My Fuehrer, you wouldn't have called us together in such haste unless the Russians had broken through the Winterstellung line."

  Goebbels swallowed the cake in his mouth and replied vaguely: "The Eastern Front is fine, but Rommel's defense line in Libya has been breached."

  Li De waited until everyone had eaten enough, then slowly opened his mouth: "Invite comrades to come and study the major issues of imperial system reform. I have given you notice before. Today, we are responsible for Germany's attitude, from the perspective of national and ethnic interests, without considering personal benefits, let's settle this matter."

  Everyone was shocked, only Bormann and Goebbels were calm, Himmler was choked by the cake, hurriedly drank a mouthful of water, and wiped away the saliva from the corner of his mouth.

  An uncomfortable silence was broken by Goebbels, after the Fuehrer's repeated prompting: "In view of the grave tests which Germany faces I agree that a leadership adapted to the new situation should be evolved. As for how this is to be done, I have not yet any matured views and hope that everybody will express his own opinions."

  Gorin looked puzzled: "Isn't it just a complete transition to a wartime system? What other reforms are there?"

  Ximule rushed to Yuan Shou and shouted: "Since you've thought about it, tell us what it is. I've never been good at guessing riddles since I was a child."

  Ribbentrop had just expressed his agreement with the Führer's decision, Himmler pointed a finger at him and said: "Agree? The Führer didn't say anything, what do you agree with? You are a parasite in the Führer's belly! This is a matter of great importance to the empire's future and destiny, not as simple as selling champagne."

  Everyone chuckled, and Gorin said, "Don't laugh, listen to what the leader has to say."

  "The general idea is: to establish a leading core, clarify responsibilities and powers, grasp the big and let go of the small, cancel concurrent posts, study major issues, and divide minor ones. That is to say, those who sit here are all the highest-ranking cadres of the party, from now on they will be members of the national leadership collective, no longer holding specific ministerial positions, like the Soviet Politburo..." Li De didn't finish speaking before Himmler abruptly interrupted him: "That is to say, I am no longer in charge of the SS?"

  "In principle, yes." Li De replied with a hint of a smile.

  Himmler stared at the Fuehrer with a vacant expression, like a sheep's fat that had fallen on a stone, his facial muscles twitching, and after a while, he pointed at everyone: "You... who are you all? Or... am I alone?"

  "I'm the same." The premier replied curtly.

  Himmler's liver fire attacked his heart, and he was convinced that this was the Führer's conspiracy to take away the command of the SS from him. He roared recklessly: "If so, I have a question, you can deal with me after I say it out. I told you earlier that the Führer has changed, and I even suspect that he is not the original Führer, because many of his actions are completely different from before. Bormann, Goebbels, you two were on the train at that time, tell me in the name of God, is this person in front of us the Führer?"

  Bao Man angrily replied: "Who else could be the leader? Are you going to have one drop from the sky?"

  Li De suddenly felt a wave of dizziness, as if floating in mid-air, his face burning hot, his legs numb and tingling, his heartbeat almost stopping.