Chapter 74

On the other hand, even though Germany made mistakes due to "Emperor Wilhelm's foolishness" and his ambitions for expansion, they were considered natural brothers to the British. The British believed that it was the Latin people of France who pursued their desire for revenge, to reclaim the territories lost to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, and to dominate the European continent. They dragged the British into a war with their own brothers, serving the national interests of France with their selfish, cunning, and unethical qualities.

After the First World War, France hoped to dismantle Germany, depriving them of any chance of revival. However, Britain opposed any such actions and even harsh punishments against Germany.

The British were unwilling to believe that there would be any further wars between Britain and Germany, and thus opposed France's aggressive behavior on the European continent. To the British, Germany represented the most dynamic race, while they regarded the Latin and Slavic peoples as troublemakers.

"As Crown Prince Wilhelm himself said, he is self-aware and knows the cost of starting another war. So, I am not worried about Germany; I am more concerned about that damned Red Empire. I don't know if Wilhelm II has gone senile; he actually sold designs for such super tanks and super battleships to the Soviet Union." Whenever Prime Minister MacDonald thought of the data Crown Prince Wilhelm had mentioned about those super weapons, he felt a chill down his spine.

The UK's strength rested on sea power, and after centuries of effort, they had built the "empire where the sun never sets." But the "super battleships" mentioned by Crown Prince Wilhelm clearly threatened the status of the British Empire as the maritime superpower.

The Deputy Prime Minister raised his doubts. "Can a country like the Soviet Union, with its industrial capabilities, produce such massive warships?" The Europeans were disgusted, or rather fearful, of the Red Empire, which was full of expansionist desires, but many of them looked down on it, considering it backward and uncivilized.

The Defense Minister's expression didn't look too good as he nodded. "It's possible. In these past years, not only Germany and the United States but even we have sold them quite a few equipment. Combined with their own developments, we can't be sure if they can create it or not."

Prime Minister MacDonald looked at the Minister of the Navy not far away. "If those bears indeed create such 'super battleships,' can we withstand them?"

The Minister of the Navy looked even more grim; 460mm cannons! They would be deadly! The Germans were so insane to conceive such colossal dimensions! "Prime Minister, we'd better obtain the blueprints for those 'super battleships' and carefully study them before making any decisions." Just relying on data, the battleships of the British Empire couldn't match any of them. Even if they swarmed at once, they might not gain the upper hand and might even be counter-killed by the enemy. Besides, it's impossible for the Soviets to only produce one or two, right?

The best course of action was to obtain the blueprints and meticulously study for any weaknesses.

The Chief of the General Staff added, "And also the blueprints for those 'super tanks.'"

Blueprints?

Prime Minister MacDonald sighed with a touch of regret.

They could only ask the Germans for them. If only they had exchanged those "super weapons" blueprints with the condition of the Rhineland back then. Now, the Rhineland had already returned to German hands, and if they asked for the blueprints now, who knew what conditions the Germans might put forward.

In distant China,

"Xiaohan, why have you come back?" Emperor Wilhelm II, comfortably basking in the sun while sitting on a lounge chair, saw his granddaughter rushing back in a flurry and kindly asked.

The girl waved the newspaper in her hand and exclaimed loudly, "Grandpa, I just received news that Crown Prince Wilhelm has led the Imperial Guards into the Rhineland."

Wilhelm II was taken aback and almost jumped up. "And what about France...?"

"France hasn't reacted at all. Not only France, but even Britain and the United States have just let it slide," she replied.

Wilhelm II couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, shaking his head slightly. "Well, this kid is still too impulsive. Isn't he afraid of sparking a war with such actions?"

Meanwhile, in Germany's Berlin, all the big shots, except for Wilhelm, were anxiously waiting for the response from other countries. Of course, Wilhelm knew that since France didn't send troops to drive them away immediately, it meant they had missed the opportunity entirely.

One hour, two hours, three hours.

One day, two days, three days.

France and Britain, facing their entry into the Rhineland, haven't made any response! They've just let this open violation of the Treaty of Versailles slide?!

Following Wilhelm's instructions, Joseph Goebbels' propaganda department started enthusiastically broadcasting this uplifting news.

"Extra! Extra! German Imperial Guards recapture the Rhineland!"

"Come and see! Rhineland regained! Germany redeems its honor!"

"Crown Prince Wilhelm personally leads the troops crossing the Rhine! Germany stepping out of the shadows of war!"

"Crown Prince Wilhelm is about to lead us out of the economic crisis!"

Compared to the terrified high-ranking officials, the common folks didn't have so many worries. Under the oppressive atmosphere of the economic crisis, hearing some uplifting news was a great comfort for the working class. They knew that their homeland had once again regained its dignity, the economy was looking up compared to the past, and the street order had improved quite a bit.

Wilhelm not only launched nationwide construction of highways and magnificent buildings showcasing the German spirit, but also emphasized the development of "people's cars," "parking lots," "free trade centers," "parks," and "green zones." Full employment was achieved across the nation. Now, every citizen was earning a living and able to put food on the table.

In reality, this could only be considered a short-term solution to Germany's economic problems. Expanding the military and all these constructions were financed through various loans and inflationary expenditures, but initially, the German people didn't understand all that, and the pressure of inflation would only become evident after several years.

Victory!

In Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, and other major cities, including Cologne, Koblenz, Frankfurt, and Mainz, which originally belonged to the Rhineland, jubilant parades were held, turning into a genuine carnival night.

Various dazzling fireworks, as if they cost nothing, shot into the sky, bursting into dazzling rays of light.

Women stood on carriages, riding horses, posing elegantly with their bodies half-exposed, their tall figures seemingly molded from silver foil, and their graceful curves resembling music, as if they were inspired and created by God. Every German present couldn't help but feel joy and pride...

Victory! Now, Germany's economy had developed sufficiently, and politically, it was making continuous progress!

Just as the whole nation was celebrating, Wilhelm received another piece of good news: the Soviet Union agreed to construct a railway, starting immediately!