Chapter 287 Imperial Stars

Three identical four-engine planes, escorted by a total of 24 fighters, arrived at a military airport in the outskirts of Paris, France.

The airport had already been tightly guarded by the Imperial Guards. Seeing the three planes gradually descending onto the runway, the soldiers standing around the airport, with serious expressions and puffed-up chests, tried their best to appear imposing and majestic. However, their slightly trembling bodies and the undisguised fanaticism in their eyes exposed their excited emotions.

The three planes landed successively on the runway. Even before the propellers had stopped rotating, the waiting mobile stairs had approached, connecting to the cabin doors of the planes.

As the cabin doors opened, two robust guards, each tightly gripping a black briefcase, were the first to step out of the plane. Their electric gaze swept around, confirming the absence of any threats. After that, they gestured towards the cabin and descended the stairs.

Their steps were steady and powerful, both of them holding a black briefcase tightly in their right hands.

In future images of world leaders traveling, one could often spot bodyguards carrying black briefcases by their side, adding an air of mystery.

As for the contents of the mysterious black briefcase in the hands of the bodyguards, opinions varied. Some claimed it was a weapon, others said it was a bulletproof shield that could unfold in emergencies, and there were also those who believed it contained a first aid kit.

One of the most mysterious speculations was the "nuclear button briefcase". According to later information from the United States, a similar idea was proposed by the 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Later, President Kennedy, after experiencing the Cuban Missile Crisis, was concerned that the U.S. military might use nuclear weapons against the Soviet Union without his approval. Therefore, Kennedy ordered the design of a system that could ensure an absolute level of security for a nuclear button briefcase, allowing only him the authority to issue orders to use nuclear weapons.

However, one could easily imagine scenarios where the President's launch box might be unexpectedly attacked and destroyed in the event of a sudden war outbreak. What if the President were suddenly kidnapped and forced to issue orders to launch nuclear bombs? Or if the President, facing imminent exposure of serious corruption and unwilling to be impeached, decided to take all of humanity down with him?

In summary, it could be inferred that the setting of the "only the President can authorize the launch of nuclear weapons through the launch box" was not possible. There would definitely be additional approval procedures before nuclear bombs could be launched. This overly mythical "nuclear button briefcase" was more of a symbol, its absence would not affect the launch of nuclear weapons.

Of course, even if Wilhelm intended to play the part, no one would be afraid of an ordinary-looking black briefcase.

Therefore, one of the guards held a "briefcase gun", capable of effective firepower suppression at close range. The other guard held a folded bulletproof shield. Pressing a button would unlock and unfold the shield, capable of protecting against one or two people, but only against small and medium-caliber weapons.

Behind them was Wilhelm, dressed in a black trench coat.

Wilhelm, although not fond of such meticulous security procedures, had to endure it for the sake of his own life. Because he led Germany into this war, regardless of the lofty and absurd reasons for starting it, war was war, devoid of any sense of justice.

This war had already led to the destruction of many families, leaving people without a country and separated from their loved ones. The hatred of certain individuals was naturally directed towards him, and over the years, Reinhard had uncovered several assassination plots.

"Hail Hohenzollern!"

Standing beside the gangway, with their right hands raised to greet him, were two prominent figures in the imperial military, Guderian and Rommel.

Wilhelm looked down at the two, noting that Guderian, who was already not particularly good-looking, seemed a bit "inferior" standing next to Rommel, who looked even more handsome with Guderian's presence.

Fortunately, it wasn't an age that judged people solely by their appearance.

Wilhelm descended the gangway and walked up to them. After signaling the completion of the salute, the two lowered their hands. "The military uniforms fit well," he commented. Both were wearing freshly tailored uniforms of lieutenant generals, adorned with the Knight's Iron Cross. "If it were marshal uniforms, it would be even more impressive."

Even fools could understand the implication of Wilhelm's words. The two men raised their right hands again with excited expressions. "Swear allegiance to His Highness! Loyalty to the Empire!"

Wilhelm nodded slightly, gesturing for them to lower their hands before continuing, "Whether it's loyalty or winning battles, to achieve something, one must possess various qualities. However, all of these qualities must be based on one prerequisite—having a healthy physique. I've heard that sometimes you guys don't get a good night's sleep for days. This habit is not good. The road ahead is still long, and I don't want anyone dropping out halfway."

Especially this "Rommel" character, who always seemed to be absent during crucial moments. In the battles of Tunisia, Alamein, and Normandy, he was nowhere to be found.

Some argued that the German forces were already beyond redemption at that time, and it wasn't fair to blame Field Marshal Rommel. However, Wilhelm didn't necessarily agree. At least in Alamein, after Rommel rushed back from Germany, the German retreat was better organized.

Montgomery had planned a full-scale counterattack in Rommel's absence, dealing a heavy blow to the enemy. The plan was to drive the Germans out within seven days. Two days later, Rommel returned to the battlefield and organized the forces to actively respond. After some struggle, Montgomery did not achieve the expected results. In five days, ten thousand casualties occurred, but the German army still stood firmly on the defensive line. However, Rommel lost patience with the poor logistics and ordered the retreat of the troops.

The initial period when the enemy launched an attack was the most critical time. If the commanding officer was not in the command post, effective command could not be carried out. Was there anything worse than this?

Because Wilhelm had arranged personal doctors for each senior officer early on, responsible for their daily needs, Rommel, who had been troubled by stomach problems in the original timeline, was not suffering from them now. However, Wilhelm was still uneasy that this guy might leave the troops and return home to celebrate his wife's birthday at any time. Each time, he would dispatch a capable deputy. In Rommel's absence, the troops could be stabilized, even if the outcome of the battle was uncertain.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will definitely accompany you all the way," Guderian replied with a smile.

"Your Highness, I will also accompany you on this journey," Rommel added.

At this moment, an armored car, unloaded from the plane behind them, slowly approached. "Since that's the case, accompany me into Paris together."