Chapter 175: Wedding and New Changes
Two days later, at Berlin Cathedral.
Jörg was not particularly invested in his own wedding.
It was not that he disliked Lucy, nor that he regarded the ceremony as unimportant. Rather, there were simply too many matters waiting for him, too many projects whose progress could not be delayed, and too many pieces of Germany's future that required his personal judgment.
Even on the day before the wedding, he was still inspecting the MP submachine guns produced by the Schmeisser Arsenal and the newest tank manufactured by the Imperial Eagle Automobile Factory.
The vehicle was a 24 ton beast.
It had sloped armor, a long barreled 75 mm cannon, and a chassis improved from the experimental Pz.Kpfw. II. Its official designation was Pz.Kpfw. III.
Production testing had already begun this year. If no serious technical issues appeared, mass production would expand by the middle of next year.
After inspecting the vehicle, Jörg was visibly energized.
He had originally intended to continue straight to Hamburg to inspect the navy's first aircraft carrier, which was nearing completion. From there, he planned to visit the top secret nuclear weapons research center and the missile research center.
Only after finalizing the itinerary did he suddenly remember something.
His wedding was tomorrow.
As for her busy husband, Lucy had long since grown accustomed to his nature.
She understood him, but understanding did not mean she had no grievances. Occasionally, when speaking with Leah and Senna, her two closest friends who could share even the same bed, she would tease him with a faint trace of dissatisfaction.
But on the wedding day, as she sat in the custom built bulletproof car and watched the streets pass by, that tiny dissatisfaction disappeared.
Every time Jörg's car drove through a street, citizens who had spontaneously gathered to celebrate the Führer's wedding raised their hands in salute.
There were workers in heavy coats, students with flushed faces, veterans wearing medals from old wars, women holding children, and elderly men who removed their hats with trembling hands.
They were not cheering for a distant ruler hidden behind palace walls.
They were cheering for the man who had given Germany territory, bread, work, pride, and a future.
Lucy watched it all in silence.
To be able to marry such a genius was the greatest fortune of her life.
After the two cars circled the cathedral, the bride and groom followed the ceremonial arrangement and boarded the royal carriage.
The carriage moved slowly through the street, carrying the public's blessings and the new Germany's aspirations for the future.
Lucy sat beside Jörg, her gloved hand resting in his palm.
"My dear," she said softly, "the people's attitude toward you is almost like their attitude toward a king they truly revere."
Jörg held her fair left hand and smiled.
"That is because I gave them a future, one they can touch with their own hands. If that future cannot be realized, I may become a king who is hanged."
Lucy leaned gently against his chest. Her long hair carried a faint jasmine fragrance.
"Then I will accompany you," she whispered, "and become a queen who is hanged."
After saying that, she ignored the attendant's quiet reminder about protocol and kissed Jörg on the lips.
Then, close enough that only he could hear, she murmured, "My dear, I heard Senna is already pregnant. I..."
Jörg nodded.
He motioned for the carriage to slow slightly, then said, "Do not worry. How could I refuse my wife's request?"
Soon, the carriage arrived at Berlin Cathedral.
Amid Berlin's grand reconstruction, this cathedral had not been forgotten. Cardolan Investment Company had specifically allocated funds to renovate it, making it even more solemn and magnificent than before.
The old flooring had been replaced with translucent marble that resembled frozen windows beneath the light. The frescoes had been restored, their colors once again bright and vivid. Candles burned beneath carved arches, and the gold ornamentation above the altar glimmered with restrained grandeur.
Although the wedding was private and did not directly invite politicians from various countries, William II's royal connections ensured that almost every royal house in Europe had someone present.
Edward VIII had come to offer congratulations on behalf of his father.
Beside him sat Ernst August III, son of Ernst August II, the last Crown Prince of Hanover, and husband of Lucy's sister, Princess Louise.
Behind them was Alfonso XIII, who had abdicated under pressure from the Spanish Communist Party. At his side stood a young man unfamiliar to most of the guests, presumably Antonio Goicoechea, a representative of the Spanish royalists.
Beside him was a middle aged man with a two pronged mustache. His bearing was distinctly military.
Jörg was very familiar with that man.
His name was Sanjurjo Sacanell, a Spanish general.
He also had a favored student named Franco.
The moment Jörg saw him, the phrase that appeared in his mind was unmistakable.
The Spanish Civil War.
Soviet Russia did not send a representative, but conveyed congratulations through diplomatic channels.
The right side of the cathedral was much more familiar.
Hindenburg, whose spirits had clearly improved after being relieved of his duties, was chatting with Seeckt, the former Commander in Chief of the Wehrmacht. Unfortunately, William II himself did not attend the wedding.
In truth, Jörg had repeatedly urged the old emperor to come. With William's prestige, even as an abdicated monarch, attending a private wedding was well within his right.
But the old man had merely shaken his head.
He did not wish to betray his oath.
Jörg understood the real reason.
William was afraid of causing him political trouble.
Since persuasion had failed, Jörg could only respect his decision.
Behind Hindenburg sat Jörg's true core team.
Heinz Guderian of the Wehrmacht.
Cardolan of the business world.
Vito, head of the Internal and External Intelligence Department.
And Joseph, second in command of the Progress Party and Germany's Minister of Propaganda.
They sat in the same row, quiet and composed.
In reality, this row of men represented the true holders of German power, spanning the military, police, business, and political spheres.
When they saw the Führer arrive, they all lowered their heads in silent greeting.
After Jörg exchanged greetings with the guests, the wedding began on time.
There followed a long series of Christian declarations, solemn prayers, formal vows, and tedious rituals.
As the protagonist of the wedding, all Jörg needed to do was smile.
And smile.
And smile again.
Only after the ceremony ended and the guests gradually dispersed did he finally enjoy a rare moment of warmth and peace at his estate.
In the main hall, music drifted through the air. Candles burned on silver stands. Servants moved quietly along the walls, refilling glasses and clearing plates.
Jörg held a glass of champagne and danced with Lucy beneath the chandelier's glow.
When the final celebratory toast ended, he finished the last glass of wine with his bride.
Then the two entered the room together.
The wedding night needed no words.
As a rare relaxation after a year of exhausting work, Jörg took advantage of Christmas to grant himself a three day holiday, satisfying the requests of Lucy, Senna, and Leah.
But as soon as those three days ended, he immediately returned to work.
In the office, Heydrich stood before his desk and reported intelligence regarding Soviet Russia.
"Führer, just as you predicted, our spies in Soviet Russia have reported a consistent pattern. Although Soviet Russia's industrial level is rising year by year, it has relatively neglected agriculture and light industry."
He placed a document on the desk.
"As for Ukraine, I have compiled a table based on the information currently available. This year, Ukraine's grain production and expenditure have already become mismatched, yet Soviet Russia continues to requisition grain in order to accelerate industrial and defense construction."
Heydrich's expression became more serious.
"We believe the food crisis you predicted is highly likely to erupt in Ukraine within one to two years."
Jörg nodded and took the table.
He examined it carefully for a while, then said, "Continue observing. For now, there is no need to activate the spies closely connected to those Ukrainian military officers."
He placed the document aside.
"Is the consolidated report on Spain finished?"
Heydrich shook his head apologetically.
"I am sorry, sir. The Internal and External Intelligence Department's funding allocation for Spain has been limited. We still require some time to clarify the complex political situation there."
Jörg nodded in understanding.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
A particularly energetic Leah pushed the door open slightly and greeted him with a smile.
"Mr. President, there is a Spanish military officer who wishes to meet you."
.....
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