Chapter 12: Another Side of Oblique Politics

  April 10, 1932, on a clear morning before dawn.

  The lights in the Bo Lin family's residence were turned on, and a woman's voice came from inside the house: "Lu Ou, you must not go against your conscience, vote for that person!"

  Luo, an ordinary worker, did not wear his work overalls today, but instead chose a black suit. This suit was only worn by Luo when attending special gatherings, and at other times it would be washed and folded by his wife. Today, no one had invited Luo to attend any gathering, for today was the day of elections in Germany where people voted for their ideal leader with the ballots in their hands.

  He kissed his wife's cheek, "You don't have to get up, I can just go out and buy something to eat."

  At this time women did not have civil rights.

  Lu Ou quickly got dressed. He came to the street and found that his neighbors' homes were also bright, and he was not the first person to go out. There were already many pedestrians on the street, and everyone's walking direction was towards the nearest polling station.

  "Hey! Hey...... Lu Ou!" Xie Pu is Lu Ou's work partner and they are neighbors.

  Lu Ou stopped in his tracks and saw that Sai Pu was still wearing his work clothes, seemingly a bit dissatisfied. "Do you know what day it is today?"

  Cai Pu was clearly embarrassed, "Ah? Uh... I, I had the laundry washed yesterday, it's all because of that damned little cat..."

  "Alright." Lu Ou couldn't accept Sai Pu's explanation. "You'll be beaten to a pulp!"

  It seems that people on the street are all dressed formally today, and even the streetlights that would normally go out at 5 am are still on to illuminate the pedestrians.

  Lu Ou didn't buy breakfast, he would rather save the money to buy more grain for storage. However, it turned out that not buying was the right decision, as they hadn't even approached the polling station yet when they smelled the sweet milk and slightly burnt bread aroma.

  "Hah! I knew it would be like this!" Seppu said another provocative sentence.

  In front of the polling station, people lined up in a long queue. They were given a small cup of milk and a piece of toasted bread. Although the food was meager, it had already moved many to tears. In these difficult times, few people are willing to give out food like this.

  It is said that distributing food is the behavior of the current government, so people also don't have spiritual burdens and won't feel difficult to cast their votes in hand because of a cup of milk and a piece of bread.

  People who came to the polling station today, everyone's face is very calm, they have found a way to vent their emotions, no need to gather and march on the streets or make passionate speeches as individuals. These are all past tense activities, nowadays people know what to do; participate in the construction of the country with the most sincere enthusiasm!

  ……

  The National Socialist Party's campaign headquarters on Bodhi Tree Street is packed with people. Senior officials of the party are holding files and shuttling back and forth in the corridors, looking very busy. The grassroots workers will post the selected flyers and new propaganda posters in every corner of the street before voting.

  Every face is beaming with a smile of impending victory, some of whom have been struggling for nearly 10 years. And now, it's finally time to taste the fruit of victory!

  Hitler's new office still looks as monotonous as ever, forever a desk, an old sofa set, and the eye-catching party flag hanging on the wall. Perhaps... the only difference is that this office is much larger than the one in Munich.

  There were many people standing in the office, while those with permits sat on the only sofa inside. Old Xi stood quietly at the side of the room with the only window that had ventilation, looking up at the eagle decorated on the window, its wings folded. The eagle's eyes were always so sharp, as if it was constantly searching for food, and the claws hooked onto the window frame were always so powerful.

  "We are like two old friends who haven't met for a long time, and now we can finally sit down and have a good chat."

  The people of the Nazi Party were accustomed to Hitler's sudden outbursts and no one was surprised.

  Hitler turned slowly around, "How are things prepared?"

  Himmler, the powerful head of the Waffen-SS, stood up. "The SS under my leadership is ready!" He raised an eyebrow and looked at Halder with a scowl. "But...the Wehrmacht refuses to carry out my orders under the Deputy Führer's leadership!" The words 'Deputy Führer' were spat out.

  Harold didn't explain, he continued to leisurely puff on his cigar, blowing out one beautiful smoke ring after another.

  Hitler fell silent for a moment, seemingly pondering something. After about five minutes, he smiled and said, "It's all right. This is also an equal deal I made with the Junkers. Alright! However, Strasser, are you certain that the Defense Army won't interfere? Last time they entered the city, their behavior was really bad, really bad."

  "Well, since you all think it's no big deal, I... am fed up!" Himmler sat down with a sullen face.

  Hitler continued: "In the last uprising, I was hit by a bullet in my left shoulder and still have the scar today." He was referring to the time several years ago when the Beer Hall Putsch was put down by the Reichswehr and he was shot in the arm.

  Harrer said nothing, he looked up and met Hitler's gaze.

  Strasser, Goebbels, Hanfstaengl... and others, seven high-ranking Nazi officials either stepped forward or stood up, saying in unison: "My Führer (Your Excellency), do you still have doubts?"

  "Heh heh!" Hitler rubbed the spot on his left arm where the bullet had hit. "You're good."

  Everyone was stunned and obediently returned to their own positions.

  G?pel slapped himself on the face with a look of regret and sat down. This time... he lost big!

  "General, this is what you agreed to," he said, picking up his briefcase and pulling out a folder. "Regarding this agreement, do you think it needs any further modifications?"

  Everyone held their breath, eyelashes quivering rapidly, they had a bad premonition.

  Hal put the file on the desktop, "We are fighting for the same great cause together. However, unfortunately, my compromise has been regarded as a coup, at this moment of victory, I want to know, my partners want to know, and the General Staff of the National Defense Army wants to know; Is this agreement still valid?"

  Hitler did not go to pick up the folder, he hesitated.

  Haller continued: "We are all striving for one ideal; the revival of Germany, our homeland. To this end we Junkers have paid a heavy price to stabilize the economy at home, and the government under President Hindenburg has negotiated with various countries on several occasions. Without these efforts it is hard to imagine that we could be sitting here waiting for news of victory."

  He raised his voice: "For this cause, I myself - Harald von Stauffenberg, have joined your party and paid with everything in the effort for our common cause! The armored vehicle assigned to the Party Guard was obtained by me through great efforts from the Defense Forces! The legitimacy of the Party Guard is also something I fought hard for!"

  Sometimes, using a high attitude to clarify a complex thing can make things much simpler.

  Hitler soothed Hal's emotions, he didn't want everything to turn into nothing on the eve of victory. "All agreements are still in effect! My partner, my business partner, no one suspects you. Just... I need absolute power! This country can only have one voice, and that is my voice!"

  "Of course!" Harl's purpose was achieved, and he collected his emotions. "You have absolute power. Don't you? After your election, you will abolish the titles of President and Prime Minister, combine the powers of both positions into one, and be called the Supreme Leader."

  Himmler jumped out, "But what does the last article of that agreement mean? What is called a threat to national security, the leader must step down!? And, originally the agreement stipulated that the National Defense Army could only expand to 3 million... But! What have you done? The SS?! Good heavens! That's simply another National Defense Army!"

  No news of victory has been heard yet, because of Hal's strong presence, the National Socialist Party already has two voices. Is this a good thing? I don't know! Who would know?

  "That's enough!" Hitler slammed his fist on the table, "How many times have I said it?! Unity, unity, unity!!! Our enemies are not fellow Germans, but Jews and those who infringe upon our national sovereignty - France, Poland, and that small, pitiful country Luxembourg!"

  He changed his tone: "My companion (referring to Hal), I understand, I indulged... But you must understand one thing, this does not mean that I am willing. One day, you (Junker, the military... and all those who disagree with Old He) will know how right I was!"

  The whirlpool of political power is deep... and black..., once you enter, don't think about escaping unscathed.

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