Chapter 25: The Oriental Hitler

  Those engineers from the Elma factory, although they didn't occupy a seat in the negotiation meeting, still felt that they had gained a lot: under Liu Tai's leadership, they visited the Lingling Ordnance Factory - upgraded from the original small workshop ammunition car and machinery repair shop. This ordnance factory has become quite large in scale with Tan Xiao's continuous investment and improvement of production personnel's proficiency - its overall scale is now slightly larger than that of Guangzhou Shiying Ordnance Factory. However, its focus is on the production of ammunition and recoilless gun barrels as well as research and development of new weapons, without mass-producing any firearms.

  What attracted the Elma factory was a batch of submachine gun appearance designs, said to be new products jointly owned with an Indian arms factory called "Oriental Cobra". Unfortunately, only the appearance, the detailed design inside is in the hands of Master Tan Xiao. When they were like children who saw the best toy but couldn't get it, Tan Xiao came, along with Rong Hui.

  "For the new submachine gun, my design now belongs to 'Dongfang Eyesnake' company. Today is a good opportunity, let me introduce: Miss Ronghui, the person in charge of 'Dongfang Eyesnake' company in China!" Tan Xiao continued his performance after Miss Ronghui's polite greeting, "However, Miss Rong should understand the friendly relations between China and Germany, and allow me to draw the structural diagram for my German friends without providing design dimensions, right?" He smiled at Miss Ronghui.

  A group of engineers followed Tan Xiao's gaze nervously, and when Rong Hui nodded, they were overjoyed as if the beautiful woman had agreed to their proposal, and the whole group cheered!

  "And besides, this is my arsenal, you can all work and experiment here freely until we make a prototype of that assault rifle - I won't provide any data, but I can raise some objections to the manufacturing process, right, Miss Rong?"

  The engineers, after getting Tong Hui's nod again, were eager to try and get that gun out.

  Soon, Tan Xiao drew out the drawings - based on his understanding of various gun structures in the future and his experience of disassembling "Popasha" and his interest in the MP38 party emblem, he can completely draw out all the parts of a gun without any omissions. Of course, there are no specific dimensions, and for this reason, he has never manufactured submachine guns in Zeroling. Now, a group of people who can make this gun have arrived, and this gun will soon be available. Moreover, it is a product that is better than the original historical MP38 - Tan Xiao improved the design of the safety catch based on the drawbacks of this product in the future and appropriately increased the proportion of the hammer, making up for its shortcomings such as being frozen in ice and snow, unable to open the safety, prone to misfires, and slow firing rate.

  The engineers thought the production process was quite fun - Tan Xiao pretended to make suggestions rather than participate in the production of this gun, a bit like children playing guessing games. They didn't know that they were actually helping Tan Xiao create the data - and later, all sorts of PPSHs and STGs would be born from this foundation, of course, they wouldn't be called PPSH or STG anymore.

  Thanks to Tan Xiao's friendly attitude and professionalism - this is important, the engineers took him as one of their own, and their mouths loosened up: complaining that they were treated as mere extras, complaining about Soviet planes, Japanese-provided mixed rice with wheat grains... Of course, most importantly, an important message had already been revealed in their words - the representatives at the talks were not ordinary people. At least, the engineers recognized some of their peers: Mauser, Rheinmetall and Krupp all had people come, and they were from the highest leadership level, so it was natural that Elma factory, which consisted only of designers and engineers, was squeezed to one side.

  Can it be said that those others from different fields and departments are also at the highest leadership level? Tan Xiao began to think about the negotiation strategy that would start in the afternoon.

  The afternoon negotiations began quickly, and Tan Xiao continued to cold-shoulder Bai Chongxi. He explicitly told Bai's messenger that he was currently negotiating with the Germans and had no time to receive him. After receiving the news, Bai naturally became very angry, but there was nothing he could do. Moreover, he was shocked: Jiang Jieshi had entrusted Tan Xiao with the heavy responsibility of negotiating with Germany?! Not Kong Xiangxi or He Yingqin?! Now, he regretted showing his arrogance in front of Tan Xiao - Tan Xiao indeed had reason and capital to ignore him! Should he continue waiting or leave? In the end, he decided to wait for two more days. Would Tan Xiao really completely ignore this Gui system big shot? Moreover, if he were refused permission to visit a division to observe, his face would be lost! Therefore, he decided to send another subordinate, bring gifts, and request to observe the training situation at the garrison base in the most polite manner.

  In the afternoon negotiations, the German delegation had one more person: Alexander von Falkenhausen, advisor to the German military advisory group and assistant to General von Seeckt. He had just arrived from Chongqing's "Bandit Suppression" headquarters, missing the morning's first meeting, and joined in the second half. Due to the high prestige of the German military advisory group within the Chinese army, his arrival boosted the morale of the German delegation.

  Of course, there is also Tan Xiang. Tan Xiang, who had been a soldier in the past but was not truly familiar with history, was relatively more understanding of Falkenhausen, who was about to take over as the head of the advisory group. Unlike his predecessor, he had truly participated in the war of resistance and had assisted China in making important plans in many major battles such as Tai'erzhuang. Moreover, he was a pragmatic and upright military man. He had been scolded by German arms dealers for adopting non-German equipment in military procurement based on China's own situation. He had also tried his best to help the Belgian people and Jews when he was the head of the occupying army government in Belgium... It can be said that Falkenhausen was a military man with very high moral character - although it was he who proposed the plan to blow up the Yellow River to delay the Japanese, but from a military rather than any other perspective, doing so to win three months' breathing space for the defeated National Army was not a big mistake. More importantly, Falkenhausen had deep feelings for China, and he and his advisory group even refused to return to Germany when they were asked to withdraw, until Hitler threatened to accuse him and his family of treason. When leaving, he promised not to reveal any military information about China to Japan, and left behind the inspiring words: "I am convinced that China will win!"

  Tang Xiao believes that Falkenhayn's arrival will bring more help to him rather than the German delegation.

  The Germans showed great interest in Tan Xiao's proposal to cooperate on mining from the start of the afternoon, but they only asked one question: where did the survey data for those minerals come from. This was indeed Tan Xiao's sore spot - he couldn't say that after many years it would become China's famous mine! He could only vaguely indicate that those places had been privately mined by individuals on a small scale for hundreds of years, using this statement to cover up the truth. However, after a brief moment of resistance, he began to counterattack. He hung up a world map and started his speech.

  "Why did China and Germany come together! ? Why! ? Not because of minerals! Not because of arms! But because of blood ties! Anciently transmitted blood ties! We are brothers! In ancient times, now is, the brother's blood quality makes us recognize each other in the vast sea of people..."

  Aryans and Chinese are of the same origin, Hitler's view. He believed that Aryans came from Tibet and had a blood relationship with Iran as well. So Hitler always treated Chinese and Iranians kindly, including Chinese who stayed in Germany during World War II. Moreover, for the upcoming 1936 Berlin Olympics, he undertook all expenses for the financially strapped Chinese delegation.

  Now, the person speaking is Tan Xiao. His expression, his demeanor, everything about him has shocked Rong Hui! Having watched many films of Hitler's speeches in Europe, Rong Hui realizes that the person now speaking is none other than the Nazi leader himself!

  "...We need a new order, a new world order! We can no longer tolerate the British, French, Americans, Soviets, those inferior nations pointing fingers at us! We must teach them our fist! We must let them know what is the spirit of iron and blood!..." Tan Xiao raised his fist in a Hitler-like gesture! This punch shook a 28-year-old engineer in the delegation, who was also one of the top leaders of a military-industrial enterprise. Now he was convinced that his idol, his Führer Hitler, had said that Aryans and Chinese shared the same origin, because in China he discovered this identical blood-quality-evolved Oriental version of Adolf!

  This young man is called Alfred, Alfred Krupp! Of course, he's not the master of "Krupp cannons" yet, but soon will be, after he's been laughed at and enlightened!

  Tan Xiao stared at the map, reflecting on Germany's defeat in World War I: from the massive colonial advantages of the Anglo-French alliance, their maritime transport to Germany's difficult two-front war. "But now there is a possibility that can completely change all this! Completely change everything!!" Tan Xiao hysterically clenched his fists and roared loudly. Now, all Germans listened with reverence as their leader delivered a speech.

  Tan Xiao continued to explain, pointing at the map: "Only Japan! Their fleet has blockaded the Pacific and is attacking Australia..." He began to reiterate his best strategy for Japan, but this time with more certainty, passion, or perhaps madness. After he finished explaining all of Japan's "ideal strategies", his tone suddenly turned gloomy: "But everyone knows that now Japan has set its sights on China, a country without oil, yet with a noble bloodline equal to the Aryans! They think they can conquer 450 million Chinese people with noble bloodlines!!!" Suddenly, Tan Xiao began to roar in anger.

  Then Tan Xiao regained his calmness in an instant, although his face still retained the flush of excitement, but at this moment his eyes became cold and sharp, just like a German leader's sinister.

  He began to analyze what would happen if China's military power were strong, and how China could win this war of brotherly cooperation against the world with Germany: China would sweep across the southwestern peninsula, overwhelm India, and meet Germany on the Mediterranean coast! In the north, China would enter the Soviet Union, thoroughly annihilating the strategic depth of the polar bear in the Far East, and finally, with the German brothers, plant the flags of both sides on a certain peak in the Ural Mountains.

  "But those short-sighted Japanese, those islanders as foolish as the British, they do not see this beautiful future! They stare at China!" Hitler's anger was rekindled.

  "Unless we teach them a lesson! Let them know the power of China, otherwise these foolish dwarves will not get on the right track! China has an excellent army and all armies can become so excellent! As long as they receive sufficient training and equipment! ... Tomorrow! Just tomorrow, I will show you the excellence of the Chinese army, just like their bloodline, they are excellent!" Tan Xiao plans to show off his best-trained troops to the Germans tomorrow, including some amazing tactical details. "Only when the Japanese get back on track, go fight with the Americans and British, occupy Australia, can we thoroughly change the world..."

  During the long pause of Tang Xiao, the Germans were silent as a cicada, they were completely intimidated by Tang Xiao's blueprint for sweeping the world in three countries and the performance of the fake Hitler. Some sober people began to think about the credibility of the Chinese army, whether they could meet such war requirements...

  "If I were you, after seeing the excellent performance of my army - the Chinese army, I would know what to do! You! My brothers, you should take those Mauser rifles! Those MG34s! Those Krupp cannons! And those Rheinmetall anti-aircraft guns! From M16 to M35 steel helmets! The best and unused, everything that can be used on the battlefield! All transported to China, all used to arm your brothers! Drive the Japanese back on track!! Then we'll feast on those John Bulls and polar bears together!!

  Hitler's voice suddenly became soft and ethereal: "Don't bother with those dollars, whether it's thirty-six dollars or ten dollars... Dollars will become worthless! This is war, this is a matter of national survival! Not trade!!

  Finally, Hitler's passion was ignited again..."

  The members of the German delegation seem to be completely conquered by "their Fuehrer". Although most of them are still in a state of stunned shock, many among them have already been intoxicated with the blueprint painted by Deng Xiaoping.

  Before the dinner party, in a short moment on a hillside not far from the reception venue, where peach blossoms were in full bloom, Tan Xiao and Rong Hui relived the awkwardness and sweetness of their recent encounter. Having used self-hypnosis to help him, he had passionately played Hitler for half a day, and now Tan Xiao felt like he was going to faint, so he leaned on Rong Hui's body.

  Last night, Tan Xiao had also exchanged his hostility towards Germany for the support of Britain and France. Today, he became a brother to the Germans, or rather, he was the German leader! The strategy he proposed was very attractive - if the Chinese army was really strong enough or could be strengthened quickly. Was he pro-British and French or pro-German? Rong Hui had been confused for a moment, but soon she understood: everything her man did was for China - his motherland!

  "I really understand your mission." Rong Hui said softly: "In Africa, when those whites walked by, the police would pick up whips to drive away the blacks who blocked the way or were too close... Some ruthless and cold-blooded whites, they would intentionally leave some food or something that looked very novel on the riverbank of a big garden, enticing the blacks on the other side of the river to swim over and steal... Then, they would open fire and kill them, still laughing... I know you, you just can't let this happen to Chinese people, everything you do is for this, right?"

  He leaned against her, feeling the softness, which was his best rest. Even, he didn't want to think about anything related to Germany anymore. He recalled the psychological counselor at the base: "Everyone has their own biological magnetic field. If you encounter another person whose magnetic field resonates with yours, you will feel inexplicable joy when you are together; no need to do anything, just being together is happy. Even if you don't talk, you can understand each other from eye contact and touch... Yes, he and she were like that, a truly perfect match. The only aftereffect was that this feeling would produce dependence, and after being together, they didn't want to be apart. But obviously, after talking with the German, she had to leave. Of course, he understood how important her things were. Just enjoy the happiness of being together! He thought...

  "Oh... yes, it's all for this..."

  "Absent-minded! …… What are you thinking about?" Even when she had an opinion, she was all smiles.

  "Right, I suddenly remembered that you have factories in Vietnam and India, come back to recruit more Chinese workers, the more the better! Let more Chinese workers gain production experience in advanced munitions factories, this is very important!"

  The two of them returned to the topic related to the country and nation. Then they chatted as they walked towards the restaurant, peach blossoms swaying, a pair of lovers in formal attire made the sunset warm and gentle...

  Those Germans who went back to the hotel to change their clothes were now coming to their senses, discussing Tang Xiao's strategy and arguing about it. However, strangely enough, no one mentioned any doubts about the quality and capabilities of the Chinese army, as if Tang Xiao's confidence had already convinced them that the Chinese army was capable of undertaking this strategy.

  "I think that Chinese general is right! Only such a campaign can prevent Germany from repeating the mistakes of the last war and defeat our enemies!" The 28-year-old future head of Krupp spoke up first: "No matter what others think, I will persuade Krupp's board to support General Tan's plan and make the Chinese army strong! And I believe in those minerals! I believe in General Tan!" Several Germans who had also changed clothes and were waiting to leave looked at each other - they were more mature and calm. At this time, they saw a group of people, the engineers from the Erma factory - they had missed the meeting but would not miss the banquet. They looked very excited!

  "Hey! Ruhr, what's got you so excited?" Little Krupp yelled at an engineer he knew.

  "Hey Alfred, our submachine gun! I'd like to see a prototype before we leave!"

  "So soon!?" Little Krober knew why they had come: "That Chinese engineer gave you such a big help?"

  "Oh, a Chinese engineer? Yes, he's an engineer, a great engineer!" Rul laughed: "But he's also a general, that submachine gun was designed by General Tan!" His answer caused a stir of whispers and exclamations.

  "Alexander, can you tell us about General Tan Xiao whom you know?" A middle-aged man asked China's German military advisor Falkenhausen: "How excellent is he? I'm not asking about his level of firearms design, you know." It was clear that he was a military man and familiar with Falkenhausen.

  "Fritz, I've seen some of his training methods, they're very special, and he's also first-rate at managing soldiers, I'm talking about world-class! As for combat, a week ago, one of his battalions was ambushed by the enemy in a single night. You can't imagine the result: six dead, thirty-seven wounded...". He paused for a moment: "They annihilated all 1,012 of the enemy who came to ambush them! They achieved this feat while on the defensive! I can guarantee that it's all true!"

  No one uttered a sound of surprise or astonishment; everyone was stunned into silence!

  "I have no doubt that he will bring us even more surprises tomorrow." Falkenhausen added, "By the way, he recently wrote an opinion on the reorganization plan of the Chinese army, in my personal view, it is better and more feasible than our advisory team's plan!"

  This time, people who had finally come out of their initial shock let out a sigh of amazement!

  At this time, another middle-aged military man who seemed to have snatched the drawings from Lüer's hands said to Falkenhausen's friend: "Hey, Fritz! This is the gun I want, the submachine gun my armored troops need!" He was not originally on the delegation list, but came because he heard that this time it might be possible to find a satisfactory submachine gun at an engineer in China. He was Guderian, Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, the future creator of Blitzkrieg, who had just been promoted to become the Inspector of Panzer Troops in Germany.

  "Now, I am full of expectation for tomorrow's observation!" said that Fritz: "Perhaps the strategic analysis of this respected Führer's brother in the Far East is correct after all!" His full name was Fritz Erich von Manstein. The newly appointed Chief of Operations Department of German Army General Staff.

  Apart from the desert fox, the other two of the three great generals of the Third Empire's future have arrived. Tonight they will dine with the Führer's brother who was left behind in the Far East!

  (The author: I was in a bad state when writing this chapter and the time was also pressing, originally wanted to find more of Hitler's speeches to look at, but didn't manage to...)