Chapter 193: The Same World
"They are right."
Feeling the breeze slowly carry away the warmth from his fingertips, Jörg continued in a quiet voice, "The Europe of today is indeed not the Europe I want."
He looked beyond the sanatorium wall, toward the pale forest under the autumn sky.
"And the world of today is likewise not the world I want."
After a brief silence, he suddenly asked, "Do you have a cigarette?"
Jörg, who had quit smoking several years earlier, unexpectedly wanted to light one for the future forming in his mind.
Unfortunately, Heinz Guderian searched his pockets for a while, only to realize that he had also quit smoking because of the Führer. In the end, all he found were a few pieces of chewing gum.
The two exchanged glances and smiled.
Jörg took the gum and continued, "Military production not only cannot stop, it must be increased. How many armored vehicles can an automobile factory produce in one month now?"
"Between one hundred and two hundred units a month," Guderian replied.
More than a thousand mechanized vehicles a year was already the highest output in Europe.
But to Jörg, it was still far from enough.
"I want production gradually expanded before 1937," he said. "Monthly output must exceed four hundred units. At the same time, the army formations in Czech and Austria will be reorganized, expanded, and mechanized."
His voice was calm, but the scale hidden behind each word was enough to make any general feel pressure.
"As for how much they expand, that will be determined according to the scale of a possible war to unify Europe."
Guderian's eyes moved slightly.
Jörg continued, "In addition, Rommel will lead the organization of a standby army for North Africa. I will notify Spain to deploy this force in Morocco."
He turned his gaze toward Guderian.
"Apart from the current fifteen armored divisions, the Wehrmacht will add ten more. Infantry divisions and other branches will also begin conscription at the same time."
The fallen leaves rustled beneath the wind.
"From now on, the General Staff will formulate military plans for the Balkans and Italy."
Guderian immediately understood.
Jörg was not merely preparing for a border war.
He was preparing to tear open the map of Europe.
Jörg lowered his voice.
"In addition to the oil pipeline through the Mediterranean, we also need a more stable land transport route."
Guderian reminded him, "Führer, this may require sacrificing the civilian economy."
"I understand the consequences."
Jörg nodded.
"There is no gain without sacrifice. Do not look only at the present, Heinz. Taking over Spain came at a cost. Our benevolent facade has already been half torn away."
His tone remained steady.
"Britain and France will not sit by and watch us gradually erode their markets and complete economic colonization. Once the economic crisis gradually subsides, they will drive us out of the free economic system."
He turned his head slightly.
"Even if we do not fight, they will fight. War will merely take a different form."
The wind moved through the trees like a whisper.
"We are progressing. They are progressing too."
Guderian was silent for a moment before asking, "What about the moderates?"
Jörg did not answer directly.
Instead, he said, "Once war breaks out, moderates can easily become capitulationists."
His blue eyes were cold and clear.
"As for how to deal with them, you do not need to worry. The Internal and External Intelligence Department will take over. Vito will handle it."
Britain.
Baldwin looked troubled as he held the report from the Middle East.
Germany's oil discovery in Saudi Arabia was no longer a secret.
If Germany had previously possessed a critical weakness due to its lack of oil resources, then now that fierce tiger had sharpened its teeth. The next thing it would do was devour people.
Thinking of this, Baldwin could not help admiring Jörg's foresight.
One plan linked to another.
Whether it was Spain, or the political propaganda surrounding the reorganization of Austria Hungary, all of it had been paving the way for oil and resource transportation.
No wonder Germany had refused to back down over Spain.
With Spain's cooperation, Germany could ensure control over the Strait of Gibraltar.
As for the militarized propaganda against Italy, besides uniting countries such as Athens that were wary of Italian ambition, it also meant something even more dangerous.
If Italy fell under German control, Germany would obtain an almost perfect Mediterranean oil transport route.
If the Strait of Gibraltar were blockaded, the British Navy might not even be able to conduct effective trade interdiction.
The thought made Baldwin's expression darken.
For a moment, he even began to suspect that the Middle East War itself might have been part of Jörg's design.
He lit a cigarette, then shook his head and placed the report into a drawer.
Although he sensed Germany's ambition, Baldwin still did not wish to antagonize Berlin directly.
Penicillin was one factor.
Anti Soviet sentiment was an even greater factor.
The Ukrainian uprising was almost certainly Germany's doing.
That meant Germany's greatest enemy at the moment was still Soviet Russia.
Baldwin needed this tiger to guard the peace of Europe.
But he also could not allow the tiger to stretch its claws too far.
After a moment of thought, Baldwin asked Chamberlain for his opinion.
"Do you think Germany will turn its claws on us?"
Chamberlain thought for a while, then shook his head firmly.
"Prime Minister, I believe the possibility is very small. Although Germany is excessively aggressive now, you have already allied with Italy. Germany is surrounded by hostile Poland, vigilant France, and now Italy as well. We have effectively encircled Germany."
He spoke with confidence.
"No matter how strong Germany's military power may be, can it defeat a powerful France and Italy after defeating Poland? That is undoubtedly fantasy, Prime Minister."
Chamberlain continued, "Italy expands its army every year. Although its performance on the Spanish battlefield was poor, Germany would still have to face three countries: France, Poland, and Italy. They cannot win."
He adjusted his tone slightly.
"Jörg von Roman is a smart man. He understands this, and he understands the harsh diplomatic situation surrounding Germany. It is normal for him to want Germany to break out of Europe and open a stable transport route."
Chamberlain gave a faint smile.
"This is only self preservation from the perspective of a national leader. In fact, it shows Germany's lack of confidence in its navy."
Baldwin neither agreed nor disagreed.
He took a sip of black tea and instead brought up another matter.
"My term is almost over. It is time for me to retire, Mr. Chamberlain."
Chamberlain's expression became serious.
"The party members all think highly of you. I do as well."
Baldwin put down his cup.
"But Italy and Poland are our bottom line."
He looked at Chamberlain.
"Do you understand what I mean?"
Chamberlain nodded.
"I understand, but I do not believe Germany will declare war on us. The navy is already strong enough."
He paused, then added, "And do not forget, Prime Minister, if we are speaking of blood ties, Jörg von Roman may even be a relative of the King."
France.
De Gaulle accompanied Minister of National Defense Édouard Daladier as they inspected the Maginot Line.
The tanks galloping across the Spanish battlefield had made De Gaulle even more convinced that France needed a true armored force.
Taking advantage of the Military Committee's inspection, he put forward his opinion.
"Minister, I believe France still needs a truly meaningful tank force. We must learn from Germany's experience on the Spanish battlefield."
Daladier did not respond immediately.
De Gaulle continued, "Only then, when Franco German relations become tense, will we possess sufficient confidence to face Germany's armored forces."
Hearing this, Daladier shook his head.
"You should not be telling me this, De Gaulle. This is overstepping your authority."
His voice was not harsh, but it carried a clear warning.
"Besides, two thirds of the Maginot Line has already been built. You cannot ask the construction teams to stop now, can you?"
He looked toward the massive fortifications stretching across the land.
"Unemployment is already severe. How many people depend on this project for their livelihood?"
Daladier turned back to him.
"Moreover, the Ministry of National Defense is preparing to build another defensive line along the Spanish border. We no longer have that much budget."
.....
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