Chapter 17: New Choices

When Zhang Hainuo returned to Wilhelmshaven, the final repairs on the S.M.S. Seeadler had been completed. Seeing the mighty ship restored to its former glory filled Zhang Hainuo with both joy and anticipation. As long as Redel could bring back good news from Berlin, the days when this warship would once again rule the seas were not far off.

Unfortunately, five days later, Redel returned with a weary and disappointed expression. Without saying much, his demeanor already conveyed the outcome of his journey to Zhang Hainuo. When their last hope shattered, Zhang Hainuo remained surprisingly calm. The twists and turns of this process had taught him deeply about bureaucracy and conservatism. He had originally thought these traits were unique to the British, but apparently, Germans were no exception.

Redel handed Zhang Hainuo a personal letter from Admiral Tirpitz, which read:

"To the promising young Lieutenant Hainuo von Finkenschtein:

Regrettably, your and Major Redel's plans have ultimately failed to gain His Majesty's approval. During my tenure as Minister of the Navy, I rejected many plans annually, for various reasons. Few plans were rejected due to incompetence; rather, some ingenious plans were deemed untimely or too risky. Such setbacks, not arising from errors, are commonplace. I hope you can face this matter squarely, without losing confidence and hope.

Like Redel, you are one of the most outstanding young officers I've encountered. I hope you will continue to strive in the days ahead! While remaining aboard the S.M.S. Seeadler, you can learn a great deal, but if you choose to leave, you can always come to me for assistance, or seek Redel's help first!

Yours sincerely,

Alfred von Tirpitz

September 19, 1916"

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"Hainuo, you must understand, life on a submarine is both arduous and perilous. The compartments there are smaller than our lavatories, filled with the stench of diesel and exhaust fumes. For many submarines, going to sea means facing various crises. Mechanical failures or encounters with British ships could easily send an entire crew to the bottom of the sea!"

When Zhang Hainuo expressed his intention to join the submarine fleet, his immediate superior, Admiral Laurenz von Lauterbach, the captain of the S.M.S. Seeadler, and also Hainuo's "uncle by courtesy," strongly objected. However, his opposition wasn't due to an inability to learn or a lack of suitability for Hainuo's "specialty," but rather because the submarine fleet had a much higher casualty rate than the main fleet.

This time, Zhang Hainuo showed no signs of backing down.

"General, I've made up my mind! If I don't go to the submarine fleet, I'll apply to the Navy's Zeppelin Division. Either I'll be on a submarine attacking British ships at sea, or I'll be flying a zeppelin bombing London. General, do you honestly think the latter suits me better?"

General Lauterbach was momentarily speechless. Truth be told, by autumn 1916, the Zeppelin Division was no longer as formidable or fearless as it had been in 1915. The British had devised many ways to counter these behemoths, and the harsh weather often aided the British. Bombing London with Zeppelins had become a costly military operation yielding little result. In fact, just a month after Zhang Hainuo made this statement, the German High Command ordered the cessation of Zeppelin raids on London.

"Hainuo, is the Seeadler really so useless and unworthy of you? Is life here so dull for you? Or are you frightened, perhaps scarred by what we experienced in the North Sea, too afraid to stand in the torpedo room again? If that's the case, you can apply to other departments, even to my command!"

Watching Admiral Lauterbach raise his voice at him for the first time, Zhang Hainuo remained silent for a moment. When the Admiral's emotions calmed slightly, he spoke gently:

"General, please listen to me. My application to the submarine fleet isn't because I want to leave the Seeadler. In my three years on this warship, I've learned a lot and made many friends. Everyone here has taken great care of me! As you know, the plans submitted by Redel and me have been rejected, which means the High Seas Fleet and the Seeadler will remain in port, posing a threat to the British Royal Navy only by their presence. In other words, unless His Majesty and the naval high command change their minds, we will be mere spectators in this war from now on! General, descendants of the Finkenschtein family cannot lack a fighting spirit. Better to die in battle than to live in cowardice!"

At this moment, Zhang Hainuo recalled a phrase from a portrait in the Finkenschtein manor's hall, which Haastin informed him was a maxim left behind by the Marshal Finkenschtein himself, a kind of family motto. Employing this phrase seemed appropriate now, and General Lauterbach was visibly stunned for a while.

"General, I understand your concern and care for me, and I'll never forget it! However, the submarine fleet is currently my best option and the place where I can ultimately realize my ideals!"

If quoting the Finkenschtein family motto was merely a formality, then the last sentence was Zhang Hainuo's heartfelt plea. He didn't want to see the country repeat its historical mistakes. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, he would continue to strive. As Tirpitz had said, staying on the Seeadler would not bring opportunities!

Finally, General Lauterbach relented, with a complex expression on his face. He approached Zhang Hainuo and, for the last time, patted him on the shoulder.

"Very well, Hainuo. But you must promise me that you will take care of yourself and refrain from any reckless or foolish actions! This was also a promise I made to your mother!"

"I promise you, General," Zhang Hainuo said firmly.

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Since General Lauterbach had given his approval, Zhang Hainuo's transfer to the submarine fleet became straightforward. However, before serving on an actual submarine, he had to undergo three months of basic submarine knowledge and technical training at the Kiel Naval School. By the end of these three months, it was nearing Christmas 1916.

Taking advantage of the Christmas holiday, Zhang Hainuo went to the island of Juist. Since returning from injury, he had been corresponding with Anna almost every week. However, if he went out to sea with a submarine, he could only send letters when each mission ended and the submarine returned to port.

After more than two months apart, Anna remained as captivating as ever. They went to the same restaurant they had on their last date, sitting in the same old spot. Everything was just as wonderful, except for the short time they spent together. After bidding a reluctant farewell to Anna, he made another trip to Wilhelmshaven. It was then that a new choice lay before him:

With his rank, he could directly assume command of a coastal submarine, or he could first serve as a deputy on a long-range submarine.