Chapter 57: Difficult Reunion

After arriving in Munich for a week, Zhang Hainuo would walk half an hour every morning to the headquarters of the National Socialist Party. Little Beard usually lived in the attic above the office. By the time Zhang Hainuo arrived, he was already busy. As one of the most important leaders of the National Socialist Party, he not only had to deal with propaganda affairs but also had to hustle for fundraising and handle external party contacts. The time and effort he put into his work made even Zhang Hainuo feel inferior!

Now, in addition to assistants like Rom and Hans, there were some new faces that Zhang Hainuo hadn't seen before: Alfred Rosenberg, born during the Tsarist rule in Tallinn, one of the main theorists of the Nazi Party, referred to as the "philosopher" by Hitler; Ulrich Graf, an amateur wrestler, butcher's assistant, and famous troublemaker, Hitler's personal guard; Max Amann, Hitler's sergeant in the List Regiment, adept at organizational work, and the current party's chief of staff.

After having breakfast with Little Beard, Zhang Hainuo would walk back to the hotel, buying a few newspapers on the way, and then spend the day waiting for news from Anna. During this time, the real Anna didn't show up, but there were plenty of people claiming to know Anna's whereabouts. Unable to distinguish the truth, Zhang Hainuo had to verify each one, but he was deeply disappointed because it was evident that these people were only after the 1000 marks reward.

In the evening, Zhang Hainuo would spend half an hour walking to the Schottenhammel Brewery, where he would spend some money to fill his stomach, chat with the workers, and then listen to Little Beard's speeches.

Finally, one day, as soon as Zhang Hainuo arrived at the National Socialist Party headquarters in the morning, Little Beard called him into his office alone.

"Hainuo, why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" There was a copy of the Munich Morning News on Hitler's desk, and it was clear that he had also seen the missing person notice.

Zhang Hainuo calmly explained, "I was afraid I couldn't do more for the party, so how could I dare to bother everyone with my personal affairs?"

"Hainuo, don't say that! You are the most loyal partner of the party, and your affairs are the party's affairs too! How about this, tell me the details of the person you're looking for, and I'll have everyone keep an eye out! Also, we're planning to buy a newspaper soon. If the deal goes through, we can use it to help you find people in the future!"

Adolf seemed very generous this time, but he didn't mention the next step—although this was Zhang Hainuo's personal matter, it would be better to use the money elsewhere, such as donating it to the National Socialist Party.

Finally, he smiled and asked, "This Miss Anna, is she your fiancée? I remember you mentioned looking for someone last time you came!"

Zhang Hainuo didn't know if this kind of sentiment would stimulate Hitler, but he nodded, "Yes, we got separated at the end of the war and I've been searching for her ever since!"

"In that case, leave this matter to us!"

After that, Adolf revealed his true intention: "Hainuo, will your ship be going to America soon?"

"After seven days!"

Hitler paused for a moment and asked thoughtfully, "Hainuo, do you think it would be effective if our party sent someone to America to raise funds?"

Zhang Hainuo was surprised. It seemed that Little Beard didn't fully trust him yet. He stared at Hitler's eyes and said bluntly, "Sir, do you doubt that I haven't tried my best to raise funds for the party? Or do you think I'm the kind of person who would embezzle part of the donations?"

"Haha, Hainuo, you're too sensitive!" Hitler laughed, "I just think that you alone going to America to raise funds might only cover a few places! If we send one more person, perhaps we could double the results?"

After hearing Hitler's explanation, Zhang Hainuo quickly apologized for his earlier words and said, "Sir, your point is good, but I think we need to send someone trustworthy, someone with excellent eloquence! If you can decide on a candidate now, I can arrange a free berth for him on our ship!"

Little Beard's eyes turned back to his desk, his thumbs touching each other, while the other fingers moved slightly, obviously considering something.

"What about Hans?"

"Mr. Lomester?"

Zhang Hainuo was surprised. If Edwin went to America with him, there would be no confidentiality issues, but what worried him was why Hitler asked this. After a moment of thought, he said, "It's clear that Mr. Lomester is extremely loyal to you and the party! But in terms of fundraising..."

Hitler's fingers stopped moving. "There are no outsiders here, speak freely!"

"Mr. Lomester is loyal and reliable, which is his greatest advantage! Based on my contact with him these days, he is frank and friendly, and should have a good reputation. However, he's not very flexible and lacks eloquence. It's not enough to persuade strangers to donate! If you must send someone to America, I suggest someone like Mr. Rosenberg to achieve better results!"

Little Beard's gaze lingered on Zhang Hainuo's face for a long time, as if trying to find some flaw, but at this moment, apart from sincerity and a little apology on Zhang Hainuo's face, there was nothing valuable.

After about a cigarette's worth of consideration, Hitler said, "Hainuo, I have to admit, sometimes you have a keen eye for people! Although Hans has only been here for half a year, I have no doubt about his loyalty! However, his organizational skills are indeed not as good as Rom's and Amann's. Although most of the comrades in the Security Department trust him, and even Rom speaks highly of him, I think he should be trained more in various aspects before being entrusted with heavy responsibilities!"

"Sir, are you implying that this trip to America will train Mr. Lomester's organizational and eloquence skills?"

"I do!" Hitler stood up, walked to Zhang Hainuo's side with his hands behind his back, "Rom has a military position and is not suitable for long-distance travel. Rosenberg is busy improving the party's ideological outline and external propaganda affairs recently. Mr. Drexler is the honorary chairman of the party, Mr. Eckart is in poor health, and Fiedler is good with finances, but when it comes to dollars..."

At this point, Hitler shook his head, "For now, only Hans can go, although his work in the Security Department is equally important, Rom can spend more effort on training!"

Since Hitler had made a decision, Zhang Hainuo didn't hesitate much. However, this result seemed too dramatic to him—bringing Edwin back to stay for a few months, then giving him thousands of dollars when he returned, was this Little Beard's idea of training?

"Gruff!" Hitler called his personal guard, "Fetch Hans to my office! Right now!"

After Edwin arrived, Hitler personally briefed him on the mission of this operation. It was clear that although Edwin was somewhat surprised, he accepted his superior's arrangement.

Although Hitler promised to help find Anna, Zhang Hainuo didn't have high expectations for his "help". Just when he was about to give up hope of finding Anna in Germany this time, there was suddenly a turning point— a middle-aged woman claiming to be Anna's aunt found Zhang Hainuo. She said that Anna's father was seriously injured in a battle before the end of the war and passed away a few months later. After enduring the winter, Anna, her mother, and her injured discharged brother moved to her aunt's house in Denmark.

After questioning the woman about Anna, Zhang Hainuo was sure she wasn't a fraud. He paid her 1000 marks and got Anna's aunt's address in Denmark from her.

After Edwin packed his belongings, Zhang Hainuo set off with him. This time, Hitler generously sponsored them with 50 dollars each in his personal capacity, for their accommodation and meals when fundraising in America.

This amount was insignificant for Zhang Hainuo or Edwin. On the way back to Bremen, Edwin detailed his experiences after returning to his country to Zhang Hainuo: as soon as he got off the ship, he bought a fake identity at a high price in Bremen according to Zhang Hainuo's advice, then joined the German Workers' Party in Munich, and donated money to the organization under the guise of selling family property to attract the attention of the upper echelons. At that time, the party had few members, so he easily rose to the position of Deputy Chief of Security.

Edwin's resourcefulness pleased Zhang Hainuo. If he could maintain and develop this calmness and wisdom, he would have a complete chance to survive and even get what he wanted in the fiercely competitive Nazi Party.

In addition, Edwin also told him that the day before leaving Munich, Hitler specifically talked to him for more than two hours. In addition to urging him to raise funds for the party, he also gave him an "important task"— to pay attention to everything related to Hainuo von Fenshtein overseas, understand as much as possible about the people and organizations he contacted, and if necessary, closely monitor him to determine his true identity and character.

Unfortunately, this significant task seemed ridiculous in front of the real relationship between Zhang Hainuo and Edwin. Little Beard would make such a move, which wasn't surprising to Zhang Hainuo because he was originally a suspicious person. Trust was only built on the basis of being able to control and have utility. Once someone posed a threat to his position, he would ruthlessly eliminate them— Rom, Goering, and even Rommel's experiences could prove this.

After arriving in Bremen, Otto and the others were ready to depart, and Kloster had sent the first batch of experts as agreed, who would return to Brazil with the Fast No.1. As for the machines mentioned in the agreement, Kloster would commission the largest shipping company in Sweden to ship them directly from Stockholm to El Salvador.

Considering that the experts had already boarded the ship, Zhang Hainuo decided to accompany them back to Brazil first, while he and Edwin would take the train to Denmark together— Anna's aunt lived in the port city of Aalborg.

In post-war Scandinavia, compared to the devastated landscapes of Western Europe, it was undoubtedly a sanctuary. The Danish autumn presented a fairytale-like beauty, with the train traversing through golden fields, everywhere filled with the joy of harvest.

If history followed its original course, Denmark's peace could only last another 20 years. After that, this beautiful country would face the invasion of Nazi tyranny. Thinking about this, Zhang Hainuo was filled with conflicting emotions—Germany's occupation of Denmark undoubtedly brought immense suffering to the people here, yet, Denmark served as a crucial stepping stone for Germany's conquest of Norway. Without Norway, the German Navy's strategy would face unimaginable obstacles.

As evening approached, the train slowly pulled into the platform at Aalborg Station. With a mix of anxiety and eagerness, Zhang Hainuo hired a carriage right outside the station with Edwin. They didn't have time to admire the city's scenery; they headed straight for their destination.

Following the address written on the note, the carriage eventually stopped on a cobblestone street at the edge of the city center. By now, dusk had settled, and the streetlights emitted a soft, yellow glow. After getting off the carriage, Zhang Hainuo glanced around at the distinctly Nordic-style buildings before knocking on the corresponding door as per the address on the note.

At that moment, Zhang Hainuo took a deep breath, awaiting the judgment of fate.

"Who is it? Please wait!"

A young voice came from inside, followed by brisk footsteps.

While Danish was the official language, English was widely spoken in Denmark. So, Zhang Hainuo asked in English, despite not being fluent, "Hello, is Miss Anna living here?"

The door opened only a crack, revealing a youthful face, probably belonging to a boy of about ten years old.

"Sir, who are you looking for?" the boy asked in Danish.

Although Zhang Hainuo didn't understand Danish, he could guess the gist of it, so he repeated in English, "Anna, does Anna Tifet live here?"

"Anna!" the boy called inside.

That single call prompted Zhang Hainuo to exclaim, "Thank goodness," though his heart raced with anticipation.

"Morti, who is it?"

Though the woman's voice was speaking Danish, Zhang Hainuo could immediately identify it: it was Anna's voice!

Moments later, the familiar and beautiful face appeared behind the door. Though the lighting wasn't great, the person inside screamed.

"Hainuo!"

"Yes, it's me!" Zhang Hainuo almost choked up.

The door opened, and Anna threw herself into Zhang Hainuo's arms without hesitation. However, Zhang Hainuo couldn't smell that familiar medicinal scent; instead, there was a sweet, creamy aroma.

"I thought you were dead... sob, sob!"

Anna's emotions burst out like a floodgate. She cried, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Anna, I'm fine! I promised I would come back!"

Closing his eyes, Zhang Hainuo held Anna's frail body tightly.

Anna had lost weight. Zhang Hainuo knew that in the two years since the end of the war, Anna must have endured a lot.

Anna continued to cry, her body trembling with sobs.

"Anna..."

Zhang Hainuo heaved a sigh of relief. He was genuinely worried that he might never see Anna again, or that if he found her too late, she might already be married with children, which would have been a tragic turn of events.

Anna remained silent for a long time. In the corridor behind her, aside from the boy who had opened the door earlier, Zhang Hainuo soon noticed three more people: a frail, slightly hunched woman, a tall young man standing beside her, and a woman with an apron, neither too thin nor too fat, standing farther away.

"I saw... the newspaper... with the casualty list, and your name was on it, so... I thought..."

Amidst her tears, Anna spoke haltingly, her words deeply moving Zhang Hainuo. When Hasting saw his name on the casualty list in the newspaper, he had a vague feeling that Anna might have also seen it, leading her to believe he was dead. Yet, despite that, the Navy still listed him as missing. This only indicated how much damage that wicked newspaper had caused to their relationship.

"Anna..."

After a while, the frail woman, supported by the young man, came up behind Anna. She gently stroked her daughter's back, her eyes filled with kindness and relief.

In the young man's gaze, Zhang Hainuo saw a mix of nostalgia and pity. He thought that, if he wasn't mistaken, this must be Anna's older brother, Boas Tifet.

Suddenly, he noticed the peculiar way the young man's left sleeve was tucked into his pocket. That must be the main reason he retired!

Finally releasing his hold on Anna, Zhang Hainuo felt moved beyond words.

At that moment, the slightly plump woman gestured to the boy, who nodded and ran off.

"Anna, I've been searching for you in Germany. I finally found your cousin recently, and she gave me your new address, so I came right away! I'm sorry you've suffered!"

"Don't apologize!" Anna whispered. "I'm just glad you're back!"

"Anna's father was seriously injured in Ypres and died less than a month after being sent back! Bosse lost his left hand in Ypres, and with the ongoing revolution at home, life in Bavaria became unsustainable for us. That's why we came to Denmark to stay with my sister's family!" Anna's mother spoke with a tone full of sorrow. At this point, neither Anna nor Hans needed any explanation. Hans understood why Anna hadn't gone to Finken Manor—what would it matter if she brought her family there as a widow?

"I feel deeply saddened by Anna's father's passing," Hans said, addressing not only Anna's mother but also comforting Anna beside him. When misfortune strikes repeatedly, one can only wonder how she endured those most difficult times. Hans felt guilty whenever he thought of it—perhaps he wouldn't have made the decision to flee with the submarine if he could go back.

Thankfully, the worst hadn't happened yet. At least he didn't have to regret it for the rest of his life.

"Tell me, Anna, how have you been these days?" Hans gently stroked Anna's once soft and smooth hands, now roughened from hardship, feeling even sadder.

Anna spoke slowly and calmly, "We buried Father, and when Bosse's injuries began to heal, we made our way to Denmark. Aunt has been kind to us, but their family isn't wealthy. Mother isn't well, and she spends her days making paper boxes to sell for money. I work as a laborer at a dairy processing factory nearby, and Bosse works the night shift there. Although life is simple, at least we no longer live in constant fear like before!"

The last sentence struck Hans deeply. Despite his hunger, the dinner left him pensive for a long time. While he lived comfortably in Brazil, Anna suffered here.

"I plan to take Anna and her family to Brazil soon. We've established a shipyard there, and life will start anew," Hans said to Anna's aunt, the lady of the house, formally. Since she was Anna's mother's sister, Hans assumed she understood German.

The middle-aged woman nodded, exchanging glances with her husband and children, then looked at Anna. Finally, Anna conveyed the message to the man in Danish.

"My sister was born mute!" Anna's mother explained softly.

Afterward, the burly man rattled off a long list of demands. Anna, with a troubled expression, told Hans that her uncle demanded they pay for their stay and meals for the past year, plus the money he lent her mother for medical expenses twice.

Although Hans had felt grateful to Anna's aunt for extending a helping hand to her family, this demand left him feeling anything but grateful. It reminded him of "Grave of the Fireflies" by Hayao Miyazaki—how the siblings, orphaned by the war, were similarly mistreated by their aunt, and eventually, they lived in an abandoned mine pit, leading to a tragic end.

"How much does he want?" Despite his disdain, Hans calmly asked Anna to convey the question to her uncle.

The man eyed Hans and Edwin up and down before stating a sum—a considerable amount for the poor but negligible for the rich: 2000 Danish krone!

Anna's gloomy expression made it clear to Hans.

Frowning, he quietly asked Anna about the exchange rate between dollars and Danish krone, but Anna shook her head. She wasn't familiar with such matters, working at the dairy factory.

Before leaving Bremen, Hans had exchanged some Danish krone on the black market, but the rate there often differed significantly from the official rate. After paying for train tickets and the carriage ride earlier, he had less than 500 krone left. Although he had plenty of dollars and marks, he doubted he could find a place to exchange them after dark.

Given this, Hans told Anna's uncle that he would pay him by noon the next day and then leave with Anna's family.

After dinner, Hans followed Anna upstairs. He learned that Anna and her mother squeezed into a small room—Bosse worked night shifts, so he slept during the day. In other words, the small room, barely fitting a bed and a table, housed the three of them.

Seeing the cramped quarters, Hans felt shaken again. The room smelled of decay, sweltering in summer and probably as cold as a cellar in winter. The conditions here might even be worse than his captain's cabin on the submarine!

"Anna, we're staying in a hotel tonight! Tomorrow, I'll exchange the money at the bank, and then we'll leave this place forever!" Hans finally gave in to his anger. Clearly, Anna and her family were treated as refugees.

Anna leaned gently on his shoulder. "Hans, I know you're doing this for me, but it's unnecessary! Think about it, Aunt and Uncle were very kind to take us in when we were penniless and homeless after the war ended. If we leave like this today, they will be upset."

Looking into her spotless eyes, Hans's heart almost broke.

"Anna, you're too kind-hearted!"

That night, Bosse went to work his night shift at the factory. Anna and her mother slept in the small room as usual, and Hans, unwilling to leave Anna's side, slept on the floor downstairs with Edwin.

The next morning, Hans sent Edwin to the bank to exchange dollars for Danish krone, while he accompanied Anna to the factory to resign. Perhaps due to the difficulty of finding work nowadays, the boss didn't hesitate to agree to Anna's resignation, but she would lose her salary for the month.

The greedy and heartless capitalists, along with the harsh working conditions, made Hans refrain from commenting further. He only thought about providing Anna and her family with the best living conditions in the future.

By noon, Edwin exchanged the money, and Hans counted out 2000 krone for Anna's uncle. Originally, he planned to have Anna pack up and leave, but at her mother's insistence, they stayed for one last meal together. Perhaps because they received a large sum of money, Anna's aunt bought many delicious foods, including steak. However, it didn't change anything. After dinner, Hans took Anna's family to the hotel they had booked for the afternoon, where they would catch the next ship to England before transferring to Brazil.