The Rise of the Third Reich

The conversation with the German Emperor in Charlottenburg Palace seemed to have had some effect. The next afternoon, at a child care group meeting chaired by Ludendorff himself. Hersmann learned of the decision made at the Royal Council held that morning: the goal of the alignment was to "ensure the absolute security of the border." Establish a German sphere of influence on the east side of the German border. In addition to Lithuania, Courland and Poland, the sphere of influence also expanded to Levland and Estonia. To adopt the method of national self-determination to achieve annexation is to hold elections under the control of the German occupying forces, establish a pro-German government, and ask for German protection or merge with Germany; or to implement a united monarchy with Prussian Germany; or to have these The regions declared independence from Russia and then requested German assistance. Germany controlled these countries politically, economically, and militarily, making these countries vassals of Germany. Germany has already done this in Lithuania, Courland, and Poland, and now wants to expand the area...

Ludendorff then told Hessmann and other members of the nursery group: "Germany's open peace conditions are: 1. Poland, Lithuania, Courland, Estonia, Livland, and Livonia should enjoy the right to free self-determination; 2. .First extend the original trade treaty for another three years to establish normal trade relations; 3. Abolish all wartime legislation; 4. Exchange prisoners of war; 5. Russia returns at least 500,000 German residents; 6. Both sides Give up war reparations (referring to public reparations, of course).”

At least in this initial version, Germany dropped its claims to Ukraine and Belarus and made no mention of Finland. If Poland is not considered - even non-Bolshevik Russian revolutionaries, few people will regard Poland as an integral part of Russia, and Poland now has a strong military force (the Polish Army led by Piłsudski) and As an independent government, the current Russia has no ability to conquer it - Russia has lost only 150,000 to 60,000 square kilometers of land. Although it is painful, it is not unbearable. At least it is much more generous than the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk that lost Ukraine and Finland in history.

At the same time, Ludendorff also proposed a "secret supplementary version", which mainly included four items: 1. Russia secretly handed over at least 600 tons of gold; 2. Achieved autonomy in Ukraine and Finland; 3. Established a Russian-German agricultural technical cooperation company, headed by The joint venture between the two parties, with the German side as the controlling shareholder, is responsible for purchasing Russian agricultural products and resource products (currently mainly coal) at low prices, while exporting weapons and equipment to Russia (Bolsheviks) and providing military advisors and technical personnel to help them win the civil war - Russian Bolsheviks A large amount of food and coal must be provided, otherwise Germany will consider supporting the enemies of the Bolsheviks; 4. Transfer Tsar Nicholas II and his family to German protective custody - they are to ensure that the main force of the German army on the Eastern Front will still remain hostile to Germany after the withdrawal. Mortgage Friendly.

"Major Hersman." In a rather secluded conference room within the General Staff Headquarters, a secret meeting of the childcare team was being held. After General Ludendorff, who presided over the meeting, announced Germany's open and secret peace terms, he named Hessmann in a rather low and stern tone.

"Your Excellency, General." Hersman stood up and snapped to attention, waiting for Ludendorff's order.

Ludendorff stared at him for several seconds, then showed a sinister and arrogant smile and said: "It is your suggestion to set up a special company to be responsible for providing assistance to the Russian Bolsheviks."

This is what Hessmann proposed at the end of his report to the General Staff. He hoped to have a semi-official, semi-civilian, and relatively independent agency—a company secretly controlled by the German military—to be responsible for Cooperation with Soviet Russia. This is not only about the present, but also about the long term. Once Germany lost the war and was bound by the Treaty of Versailles, cooperation with the Soviet Union would become very important. As long as Hessmann has this channel, his life after the war will not be too difficult, and such a company is completely within his control as a major.

Ludendorff paused slightly and showed a somewhat regretful expression, "Major Hersman, if I appoint you as the manager of this company's headquarters in Russia, will you accept it?"

Being the manager of a military-controlled trading company with a special mission would definitely be a coveted job in future generations!

But in Germany in 1917, it was not a good job for an army officer who had achieved the rank of major at the age of 25. Starting from his career in the army, Hessmann should have gone to the front line to serve as a battalion commander and participate in several military campaigns. After a bloody battle, he went to the Western Front Headquarters as a staff officer. In this way, he can be promoted to lieutenant colonel after the war is over (the end of victory), to colonel when he is around 30 years old, and he will definitely be a general before he is 40 years old.

But once he becomes a manager, with Hersman's connections in Russia, it is very likely that he will be able to do this job for half his life. He would become a millionaire - doing big business with the Russians would definitely bring him a lot of money, but he would not have the opportunity to gain experience and qualifications on the front line. Lieutenant colonel and colonel would be the end of Hessman's career. The next step is to switch to politics and become an ambassador to Russia or something. Although he is also a big shot, he cannot be compared with the generals or even marshals of the empire.

"Your Excellency, I am willing!" Hessman replied without hesitation. What others consider worthless is just a piece of fat to him, because he knows that the Second Empire has no future at all.

"Okay," Ludendorff said slightly, "only you can do this job. Mr. Ettel and Ms. Heinsberg from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will cooperate with your work as employees of the company. Thor Other members of the team will also be regularly rotated to work in Petersburg. The company's headquarters will be located in Berlin, and the general manager will be appointed by the General Staff. The company's capital will be 400,000 gold marks..."

The fledgling Russian-German Economic Promotion Company was only an inconspicuous existence compared to the General Staff. Even its capital was only 400,000 gold marks, which was almost 100,000 US dollars. However, the responsibilities it has to bear are very important at the moment, so a big shot like Ludendorff will personally take care of it.

"The company's first priority is to purchase Russian grain and coal," Ludendorff squinted his eyes and explained in a serious tone, "It can be exchanged for cannons and shells, or other civilian industrial products produced by Germany and Austria-Hungary... Remember, the more food and coal, the better, and the faster you get them, the better!”

The grain and coal reserves of Germany and Austria-Hungary are already very tight, and this can be seen from the repeated reductions in rations. Hindenburg and Ludendorff are still planning a new large-scale offensive, which will inevitably increase the difficulty of material supply.

Ludendorff added: "The company's secondary task is to transport at least 500,000 Russian Germans to the Gulf of Riga. All expenses will be paid with the company's profits."

"Your Excellency, I will do my best," Hessmann replied confidently.

Ludendorff nodded and smiled: "Very good, Major Hersman, I look forward to your new achievements in Petrograd. Your work in Petrograd will also have a huge impact on the entire war! Work hard." !”

Then the admiral stood up and strode out of the conference room. Today, there is still an important military meeting waiting for the general to chair. The Eastern Front seems to be stable, if a treaty can be signed before the end of the year to obtain gold, grain and coal. Then next spring, the German-Austrian Allied Forces will be able to launch a large-scale offensive on the Western Front!

This will be a battle that determines the fate of the German Empire!

——

The first volume ends, and the next year is 1918. Germany will be defeated, its society will be torn apart, its economy will collapse, and it will be oppressed internationally. And Hersman has found his best position and will become a very key figure.