Chapter 2 Where the Road Leads

"But where can we go?"

The voice was calm, so calm that it seemed to have no connection at all with questioning or blaming, but rather like asking oneself a question.

Zhang Hainuo turned his gaze once again to the only aristocrat here besides himself, and also the youngest among the group of officers, and Otto von Glenbrook's eyes happened to meet Zhang Hainuo's.

They stared at each other calmly.

"Which sea in Europe has the most islands?" Zhang Hainuo answered in the form of a question.

Although Edwin was originally supposed to answer this question, Otto didn't hesitate to speak up:

"The Aegean Sea!"

His crisp answer made Zhang Hainuo once again admire the profound knowledge of this Baden noble. In their previous interactions, he had already discovered that Otto was extremely knowledgeable in various fields. It was hard to imagine that a person just barely 20 years old had such a broad knowledge, encompassing astronomy, geography, the human history of various European countries, and even military theories and examples of the past hundred years.

Was this the typical upbringing of someone from a truly aristocratic family?

Zhang Hainuo felt a bit ashamed because, apart from his "forward-thinking" understanding of history and economics, he couldn't compare in terms of knowledge.

"Yes, our enemies would never expect us to embark on a long journey from Wilhelmshaven to the Aegean Sea, especially when they get hold of our ship roster from the Navy Department, U148 will have already been removed!"

This was a "grand plan" that Zhang Hainuo had been pondering over for a long time and felt quite proud of. His first objective was to preserve this advanced ocean-going submarine. Coupled with Hess's U21, these two escaped fish would hide in the numerous islands of the Aegean Sea, undoubtedly a valuable asset for the German Navy, which was about to lose all its main surface ships and submarines.

Of course, merely preserving the submarine was just the first step. Zhang Hainuo's second goal was to combine Hess's plan to salvage sunken ships, using the recovered valuables to obtain precious funds. He had thought about it; with funds, they could purchase fuel and food from Turkey. Although Turkey, having joined the Allied Powers during World War I, also had to endure the consequences of defeat, the pro-German sentiment among its people and political parties wouldn't vanish overnight.

"The distance from Wilhelmshaven to the Aegean Sea is approximately 4,500 nautical miles!" As the navigator, Derek Lehmann could provide this data with just mental calculation.

"While going to the United States is also about the same distance, we can find hiding places more easily in the Aegean Sea. Moreover, there will be another German submarine rendezvousing with us! I believe you've all heard of the name of the 'Madman of the Sea'!"

"The Madman of the Sea? Hess and his U21?" Gunner Yang Ke almost blurted out, indicating that Hess's fame in the German Navy was deeply ingrained.

Zhang Hainuo nodded.

"Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, avoiding Allied ships, all of this is not difficult! But, Captain, what will we rely on for survival?"

Otto's words were few, and each time it sounded like he was asking himself, but each time he hit the nail on the head. Zhang Hainuo suddenly realized that he was growing more and more fond of this shrewd guy.

"Sunken ships! Captain Hess and his U21 have been operating in the Mediterranean since the autumn of 1915. He detailed the location of every success he achieved in sinking ships. The safes of those sunken ships are our prime targets! As long as it's valuable, we can exchange it for what we need in Greece or Turkey, whether it's food, fuel, or even gold coins! In addition, Captain Hess has also found an excellent hiding place!"

After Zhang Hainuo laid out these plans, the expressions of the group visibly relaxed. It seemed like there was not only an escape trip ahead but also a wonderful prospect.

"With gold coins, we can do anything we want! After stability returns to Germany, we can bring this wealth back!" Zhang Hainuo's original intention was to use this money to return to Germany and embark on a career or directly return to the navy. He believed that with his "forward-thinking" knowledge, he would surely be able to make a meaningful contribution to the upcoming war.

Seeing that everyone had no objections, he seized the moment and continued:

"If anyone has any further suggestions or objections, feel free to speak up!"

Simon hesitated for a long time before raising his hand and saying, "Captain, your plan is perfect, but what if we fail to salvage any treasure from the depths? And what if our submarine malfunctions?"

Zhang Hainuo smiled. He had to use this smile to reassure everyone because these possibilities did exist. When discussing with Hess earlier, they had both considered these issues, but in economics, profits always corresponded with risks. This world didn't always present a win-win situation. People often said that war was a gamble, and the path Zhang Hainuo had chosen today was, to some extent, a gamble as well—even if they ended up with nothing, it was still better than watching their submarine being towed away by the Allied Powers.

Perhaps it was U148's outstanding performance that won over this young man from nearly a century later, or perhaps it was the adventurous spirit deep within him that ignited this "inspiration", but regardless of the reason, now that they were on the road, Zhang Hainuo had no intention of turning back.

"If we find nothing, then I, Hainuo von Finkenstaedt, will donate all my family's assets to everyone! If one of the two submarines malfunctions, we will have to rely on our own hands and our companions! I sincerely hope everyone understands that even in the face of many difficulties, we must preserve this precious submarine for Germany!"

Zhang Hainuo's composure and righteousness finally dispelled the last doubts in the hearts of the officers, and even Otto refrained from posing any more incisive questions.

"If there are no objections, let's proceed with the vote now. Those in favor of this plan, please raise your hand!"

After saying this, Zhang Hainuo gave everyone the same firm and confident look as before.

Edwin raised his hand first, followed by Yang Ke, Simon, and Giselle. After some consideration, Derek Lehmann also raised his hand. At this point, the supporters had already exceeded half, and the remaining three whether they raised their hands or not would follow the majority.

To Zhang Hainuo's relief, Otto, who seemed lost in thought, slowly raised his right hand. Then, almost immediately after, the communication officer Rott and the military doctor Kais also raised their hands.

"Good!" Zhang Hainuo finally breathed a sigh of relief. Having obtained the support of these officers, the crew members would be less of a concern. He then said:

"Today is October 22nd, and in less than 20 days, the situation will become clearer! Rott, you're in charge of receiving telegrams from the homeland. Every night at 8 p.m., we will gather here, and any opinions or suggestions can be brought up. Rott will also convey the latest information to

 everyone each day! Now, let's go and announce this message to the crew!"