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5-7-April/1915
The plan had been a failure. My nerves got the better of me, since I had no idea how to convince the Kaiser, especially when I didn't have solid evidence to back up my claims. I only had a single harvest of tomatoes and potatoes to show, which wasn't much when compared to the scale of numbers that could be expected.
But it wasn't like I could do much more. I had very little time to implement changes, especially because I had to be at the front. If I could stay home, I could clearly develop some kind of machinery, improve agricultural equipment, or many other things that required time.
Things like building an assault rifle weren't difficult… I just needed time, and having one or two like the light machine gun was useless. I needed the capacity to produce hundreds of thousands of rifles. Obviously, having a weapon like an AK47 could easily give Germany victory if it were produced in sufficient quantities. Of course, that would require the ability to manufacture all its components quickly, and also the capacity to produce ammunition at a rate several times higher due to the increased rate of fire a German soldier could achieve.
But even though I had earned around 800,000 marks, probably more than my family's total wealth, it wasn't enough for the agricultural plan. I didn't even have 0.5% of the funds required to implement it in time for the harvest failures of 1917, not even considering potential supply issues in 1915 and 1916.
I tried to look into creating a company on the Berlin stock exchange, but as expected, the market was closed and operating under heavy state supervision to prevent capital flight and economic collapse, so creating a company to attract private investment was impossible.
So once again my attention turned to one of Germany's banks: Deutsche Bank. I was now a landowner and owned land valued at around 300,000 marks on its own, in addition to running a company that produced military equipment under state contracts that, if presented properly, could generate around 3 to 5 million marks per year considering all contracts, and we hadn't even been working for the state for a full year.
So, seeing that my stock market plan had failed, I entered Deutsche Bank to try to secure a loan, since it was one of my remaining options, and I had brought my accounting books to present them and attempt to obtain as much capital as possible.
Once again, I made sure my uniform was perfectly arranged and presented myself at the bank.
Inside, the place was quite busy. Clerks were moving everywhere, carrying papers, and people were speaking with attendants.
With all my documents in my briefcase, I approached one of the men attending the public.
''Hello, good morning… is it possible to speak with someone… an executive who could evaluate the possibility of a loan?'' I said, looking at the worker.
He looked up at me, clearly surprised to see me in uniform. He made a slight expression before speaking. ''How large of a loan are we talking about?'' he asked after brushing a finger under his nose.
''I was thinking about a loan of one million marks… maybe two'' I said, quickly calculating what my current income and assets could support.
My answer surprised him. ''Give me a moment, I will speak to someone about this matter'' he said.
I waited patiently, observing my surroundings, noticing how people were trying to withdraw their savings in coin, as there was a growing distrust toward paper marks being issued in large quantities by the state.
After a moderately long wait, I was allowed through one of the side doors and led upstairs to the second floor of the bank, where someone was waiting to receive me.
''Good morning… officer…'' said the clerk with a smile, waiting for my name.
''Karl von Poznan'' I replied, straightening myself so my medals were clearly visible.
''Junker?'' he asked with interest while writing something on his machine.
''That's right… from Poznan'' I answered.
''Good… I was told you are seeking a loan, and quite a large one…'' he said while continuing to write and occasionally glancing at some documents.
''Do you have proof of income or property in your name?'' he finally asked, stopping his hands and focusing on me.
''Of course… yes… I have the property titles for my land… and certified documents of my company's creation'' I said, taking them out and handing them over.
He began reviewing them, making notes with a graphite pencil while doing some calculations.
''Mhhh…'' he murmured thoughtfully. ''I'm afraid that, based on what you have, I cannot offer more than around 200,000 marks… your company is too new and represents a risk… those earnings are not guaranteed to repeat'' he said.
''Oh… these are military contracts with the German state…'' I tried to say, but he interrupted me.
''Do you have that document? Because that changes everything'' he said.
''Here is the first contract requested by the OHL… and this is the second document by order of the Kaiser'' I said, placing the papers down.
''Ah… the second one wasn't in the information… that changes things'' he said.
''The order was given to me by the Kaiser personally yesterday'' I replied, nodding.
The clerk narrowed his eyes and suddenly stood up to fetch something.
I waited, and he returned with a newspaper and someone who appeared to be his superior.
''Look, I told you, it's him'' he said, pointing at me. ''They're identical, same scar.''
''The Devil of Masuria'' said the other man.
I stretched my neck and saw they were looking at a photograph of me in the paper. So I copied the same expression from the image and took a shooting stance.
''It's him… we have a war hero in the bank'' said the man, clearly the manager. ''Come with me'' he gestured for me to follow him.
''It may not be the right moment, but… could you sign my notebook?'' the worker said, offering me a pencil and a small notebook.
''Of course… I don't see why not'' I said, signing it and handing it back.
''Thank you'' he said, clearly pleased, putting it away with a smile as I followed his superior, collecting my documents along the way.
''Forgive the lack of decorum… we didn't know you were coming. Had I known a war hero from the eastern front would be here, I would have received you personally… for the moment I am the highest-ranking man here, as Arthur von Gwinner is not available'' he said.
''Don't worry… I just need liquidity for my company, to expand production. Even though I have a strong state contract, there are many things I need to invest in'' I said, placing the documents in his office, which was much larger than the previous one.
''Good, let's see… income… expenses… assets… contracts… do you believe the German army will give you more orders?'' the branch manager said.
''Most likely… I provide specialized equipment for snipers and the German state should purchase more in the future'' I replied.
''Ah, no doubt equipment created by the best marksman in Germany must be the best'' he said with a slight smile.
''I can offer you a loan of 3,000,000 marks with an annual interest rate of 5 percent. As a military contractor, I can offer this preferential rate'' the manager said.
''150,000 marks in interest per year… 12,500 per month… is it possible to lower it further?... the rate is meant to improve military equipment production, it is vital to reduce costs'' I said, staring at him.
''I'm afraid that's the best I can offer'' the manager replied.
''Alright… is it possible to speak with Arthur von Gwinner? Perhaps he could offer me something better'' I said thoughtfully.
''I remind you that he is not in the city, as he is traveling to other banks to discuss certain banking policies'' the manager said.
''It's necessary…'' I said after sighing.
''Fine… fine… I can offer you 4%, the best rate I can give for military contracts'' the manager said after biting his lip.
''Thank you… that's much better… where do I sign?'' I said with a smile.
''I will draft the document… your company and your lands will have to be placed as collateral in case of anything'' he said while beginning to type.
''Of course, that's no problem at all'' I replied with a slight smile.
I waited patiently until he pulled the paper from the typewriter and placed it in front of me. I carefully read each line, making sure everything we discussed was there and that it was an annual loan and not a monthly one. Everything was in order, so I signed the document in ink.
''Good, the money will be brought to you shortly… may I ask one more thing of you, Herr Karl?'' the manager asked.
''Of course, as long as it's not too much trouble'' I replied, watching him with interest.
The manager led me to a room where they had a camera, and one of the employees began taking pictures of us together.
After five photographs, the worker gave a thumbs-up.
''Thank you very much… my son likes to say he will be a good soldier, and he'll love knowing you were here at my workplace'' he said with a smile, gesturing toward the exit.
I waited patiently, and finally they handed me the 3,000,000 marks. With this I had almost 2% of the plan, but it was better than nothing… perhaps, if I manage to produce something else later that proves valuable to the German army, I can gather the necessary funds.
Once the money was in my hands, and taking advantage of the time I still had before needing to be at the western front, I traveled to Poznan and left the money with my father so he could handle everything for the moment, using his network of contacts to bring in people to expand the factories, purchase adjacent land for expansion, and continue acquiring more farmland from the Poles in Poznan while building more greenhouses, all while keeping everything running at its current pace.
With everything arranged and leaving him 3,800,000 marks for industrial expansion and land acquisition, I quickly boarded the train again to reach the western front on time, before anyone thought I had deserted or something like that, still within the timeframe the Kaiser had given me.
I slept through the entire train journey, bringing several rifles and scopes that had been produced as replacements for my men, arriving with my forces at the front near Verdun.
Fortunately, we were also near the Argonne forest, so we could use camouflage tactics and fire at the French from relatively safe positions if we took it into account.
Upon arrival, equipment began to be unloaded, along with ghillie suits and many of the components designed for Russian forests, since we would need to adapt them to the forests of this region to increase their camouflage effectiveness.
Even though I was now a Major under the command of the Crown Prince, I still had my same 250 men. Considering that I was supposed to have 1,000 under my direct command, I expected to be assigned another 750 once I formally reported to the commander.
I presented myself to one of the officers, as the Crown Prince was inspecting the front lines.
There they assigned me my barracks for the time being and gave me instructions to patrol the forests, as skirmishes between German and French troops were occurring constantly in the area.
So, quickly analyzing the foliage of the region, we began making the necessary adjustments to adapt to the forests: the color of the bark and leaves, incorporating them into our ghillie suits.
Before the day was over, we were already entering the forests to clear the area of French troops.
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