Conquering the world from the Kaiser's driver

He stopped dwelling on this matter, as he still had many things to ask Albert.

Lin Shangzhou took a sip of the warm tea in the cup and asked Albert: "Mr. Albert, can you tell me about the tank equipment of the German Army? How many complete armored divisions do we have?"

Albert raised his eyebrows after hearing the word "armored division", as if he heard something that surprised him. Seeing Albert raised his eyebrows, Lin Shangzhou rolled his eyes in his heart. He had already guessed Albert's next answer.

Albert did not answer Lin Shangzhou's question immediately. Having left the army for several years and neglecting the army for three or four years, he had somewhat forgotten the situation of the German Army. After thinking for a few seconds, he replied: "We should have about 70 army divisions at present."

"The vast majority of tanks are evenly distributed among infantry divisions at the battalion level. There are not many infantry divisions of this type. I am not sure whether the army has expanded these divisions in recent years. Five years ago, there were three infantry divisions of this type, two of which were in Berlin."

"The few remaining tanks were assigned to troops on the German-French border to defend against the French."

Albert's words were within Lin Shangzhou's expectations. He guessed the assembly situation of German tanks. At the same time, he also realized that it was inappropriate for him to mention the armored division at this time. Even in 1932 of the OTL, the armored division was a somewhat unfamiliar term to various countries, and this seemed to be the case in the world as well.

"As for the armored division, there is currently no unit in our army that can be called an 'armored division'."

This answer was within Lin Shangzhou's expectations, so he was not too disappointed. However, Albert was a little disappointed with Lin Shangzhou's answer to him.

So he comforted the younger generation like an elder would: "I have also envisioned an armored division in the past, but it turns out to be quite difficult. Take your time, there will be one in the future."

“Yes, there will be in the future.”

Lin Shangzhou nodded and agreed with Albert. The number of tanks in Germany now is probably not even one-tenth of the number of tanks in the OTL French Campaign. (There were about 2500 German tanks in the OTL French Campaign)

Lin Shangzhou is not worried at all about this. It doesn't matter that there are few tanks now. These tanks are definitely enough for exercises, and there will be more tanks in the future.

"You can ask Volbeck about the number of infantry divisions with tank battalions I just mentioned. You can also ask him about some questions about the active troops. I think he knows more about it than I do."

Albert reminded Lin Shangzhou that he could say a few words about tanks, but he should ask the active generals about the active troops.

"Well, thank you for your reminder. I will find time to ask General Volbeck."

Lin Shangzhou nodded, and then he continued to ask: "Can you tell me about the development of the cavalry and motorized forces in the army?"

Albert nodded without hesitation, and then thought for more than ten seconds. After thinking, he looked at Lin Shangzhou and replied:

"I don't pay much attention to the cavalry. I think as long as they are still riding horses, they will not change much even in the future. There are several cavalry divisions in the army, but they are not given much attention."

"The development of motorized forces in the army is very good. Each army division is equipped with a sufficient number of trucks, and there are also sufficient armored vehicles."

Lin Shangzhou listened carefully to Albert's words and kept the development of the German mobile forces in mind. He didn't care much about the ancient cavalry. In industrially underdeveloped countries, the military value of cavalry was very high, but in industrially developed countries, cavalry seemed a little backward. It's not that he thought cavalry was useless in Germany, but compared with tanks and armored vehicles, cavalry was not worth his energy to build.

Unless the magic troops can fly on horses.

The situation of the motorized troops made him happy. Sufficient trucks could ensure the rapid movement of the army, and the tank breakthrough tactics also depended on the support of subsequent mobile troops.

Although too many vehicles will increase the pressure on oil supply, it is the OTL's German Third Reich that is short of oil, not the German Empire in this world. The railway from Germany to the Ottoman Empire will continuously transport oil to Germany.

Later, Lin Shangzhou asked Albert about the model of the army's current tanks, and the answer he got was "not sure", so he decided to take time to inspect the German army division with an armored battalion. At the same time, Albert told him that the current German tank manufacturer is Krupp. After knowing this news, Lin Shangzhou planned to let Bowman help him contact the tank designers of those German arms dealers and let them have time to come to Berlin.

After learning what he wanted to know, Lin Shangzhou chatted with Albert for a few minutes, then said goodbye and left.

After walking out of Albert's mansion and getting in the car, Bode relaxed a lot. Lin Shangzhou noticed Bode's changes in the rearview mirror and asked him, "Does Mr. Albert put a lot of pressure on you?"

Bode nodded and said, “Well, although Mr. Albert has retired, it will not change his position in my heart.”

After speaking, Bode looked up at the rearview mirror, hesitated for a few seconds and said to Lin Shangzhou: "Um...Mr. Hipper, are you really going to command the military exercise?"

"Ah."

Lin Shangzhou nodded indifferently. He took out the communicator and prepared to call Forbeck and Baumann.

Seeing that he didn't care, Bode hesitated for a few seconds and persuaded Lin Shangzhou: "Well... if possible, I think it's better for you not to do this. After all, you have no relevant experience. If something goes wrong during the exercise, it will also damage your image in the army."

Bode's words made Lin Shangzhou stop pressing the button. He smiled and said to Bode, "Don't worry about this. I know what to do. But I need your help in two areas."

"Please speak!

When Bode heard Lin Shangzhou asking him for help, he immediately perked up and pricked up his ears, waiting for Lin Shangzhou to speak.

"First of all, the first favor I want you to do me is to buy me a copy of "On War" while you're at the bookstore. Although it's too late to start studying military theory systematically now and I don't have the time to do so, it's still okay to read "On War". It's better to sharpen your sword before the battle, even if it's not quick."

"Ok, I see!"

Bode nodded vigorously and waited for Lin Shangzhou's next words.

"The second favor..."

Lin Shangzhou thought for two seconds, then said, "I'll tell you the second favor later. You don't have to do it now."

"Ok, I see."

When he heard that he would be asked for help again in the future, Bode's emotions subsided a little, but he was still very curious about what Lin Shangzhou would ask him to do.

"Okay, let's go home."

"Yes!"

.

Chapter 268: Returning to Writing

On the morning of May 2nd, the joy that Labor Day brought to the people of the German Empire gradually faded away, and people returned to their posts and started working. Lin Shangzhou came to the office in the Capitol early in the morning. When he arrived at the office, the first person he saw was Bauman, who had arrived at the office earlier than him and was waiting for him.

"Good morning, Bauman."

"Good morning, Mr. Prime Minister."

After the usual greetings, Lin Shangzhou came to his chair and sat down to start a new day's work. He picked up the documents on the table and looked at them for a few times. He remembered that he had not told Bauman about what happened yesterday.

He also changed some of his ideas.

"Bowman, please take some time to contact the people at Krupp and tell them that I will be visiting their arsenal in May to inspect the work. Ask them to be prepared at any time."

Lin Shangzhou told Bauman that he liked him more and more, and this secretary with a mustache in OTL was more useful than he thought.

After thinking about it yesterday, he gave up the idea of ​​asking the designers to come and see him. Regardless of whether the designers came to Berlin or not, he would go to the arsenal to see the tanks that Germany was designing. Instead of asking the designers to come to see him, it would be better for him to go to the arsenal himself, which would better highlight how much he valued equipment design.

"Yes, Mr. Prime Minister, I will do it later."

Bauman nodded, picked up a pen and wrote down the matter in the notebook he carried with him.

After explaining this matter, Lin Shangzhou started today's work. He had contacted Vorbeck yesterday about inspecting the Berlin Military District. After discussing with the general, he decided to take one day this week to inspect the army's work.

At the same time, in a bookstore in Berlin, Bode, who was supposed to be sitting in a lounge in the Reichstag, was looking for the book "On War" on the bookshelf.

He had wanted to buy the book yesterday, but Lin Shangzhou didn't want to take up Bode's vacation time so he asked him to come and buy it today. He usually didn't go out anyway, and Bode was just sitting around in the Capitol, so it would be better to let him buy the book.

"Ah... found it."

Taking a heavy book from the bookshelf, Bode couldn't help but smile when he saw the title "On War" on the cover. By buying this book, he had completed the first task Lin Shangzhou gave him. Now he was already looking forward to the second task Lin Shangzhou would give him.

Bode stood there and glanced at the contents of the book. After confirming that it was correct, he closed the book and prepared to check out. At this time, he found that the young man standing next to another bookshelf looked familiar.

(Have I seen him somewhere?)

Bode thought to himself, and with this in mind, he pretended to buy books and walked to the bookshelf where the young man was. On the surface, he was choosing books, but in fact, he was observing the young man out of the corner of his eye.

After glancing at the young man a few times, Bode had the answer in his mind. This young man was the soldier who bumped into Lin Shangzhou at the General Staff Headquarters that day.

After confirming the other party's identity, Bode became interested in the books he chose. Then he found that the book in this person's hand was "The Story of Ashes" written by Lin Shangzhou. After seeing this book, he instantly developed a liking for this young man.

He actually likes reading this book as much as I do?

Bode, who had become interested in the young man, excitedly said to him, "Are you reading this book, too?"

"Uh--"

The young man was concentrating on the bookshelf in front of him and didn't expect the person next to him would suddenly talk to him, so he was startled. After a moment of hesitation, he turned his head to look at Bode. After seeing him, a puzzled expression appeared on his face.

"Have we... met somewhere before?"

The young man asked doubtfully and looked Bode up and down. Soon after he found that Bode was wearing the gray uniform of the Storm Commandos, he thought of the identity of the person in front of him.

"Yes, yes, we have met before at the General Staff Headquarters. I am Bode, the guard of Mr. Prime Minister."

Bode nodded repeatedly and extended his right hand to the young man in a friendly manner.

The young man looked at Bode's outstretched right hand and hesitated for a moment before he stretched out his hand and shook hands with Bode's.

"Hello, my name is Thomas, and I'm General Rundstedt's orderly."

(General Rundstedt?)

After hearing Thomas' self-introduction, Bode couldn't help feeling a little surprised. He didn't expect that this man would be Rundstedt's orderly.

Bode had only heard of Rundstedt's name. He had never seen this general and had never known him. However, what happened yesterday made him keenly aware that if he could get some information about General Rundstedt from the little orderly in front of him, it would be helpful to Lin Shangzhou.

Moreover, today was a working day, and the orderly of the general in front of him should be working at the General Staff Headquarters instead of buying books outside. Moreover, the books he bought were fantasy novels, which gave Bode a place to ask questions.

Bode picked up the book in his hand and showed it to Thomas and asked:

"I'm here to buy On War for Mr. Prime Minister. What about you? I remember today is a workday, right? Why are you here to buy a novel in this bookstore instead of at the General Staff Headquarters?"

Thomas felt a little flustered when he heard Bode's question. He had a very formal reason for going out this time, but he really couldn't decide whether he should tell it to others. He also didn't expect that he would be recognized, so he didn't think of any other reasons.

(Could this guy have left his post and sneaked out? Impossible?)

Seeing Thomas holding the book and not replying, Bode was a little confused, but this idea was completely impossible. He was the general's orderly. If he left his post without permission, wouldn't he be in big trouble? And General Rundstedt's reputation would also be affected.

"You didn't sneak out, did you?"

In order to put pressure on Thomas, Bode asked this impossible question, and this sentence made Thomas' heart shudder. He suddenly remembered that the person in front of him was the prime minister's guard. If he did not explain today's incident well, it would not only affect himself, but also the general.

So Thomas decided to tell the truth, otherwise there would be no explanation.

"Me too. The general asked me to help him buy books, so he gave me half a day off. I will go back after I buy the books."

"Oh... like this."

Bode nodded slowly. He glanced at the novel in Thomas's hand and thought to himself: Does General Rundstedt like to read this kind of novel?

However, he did not ask this question. If he asked it again, it would be too much pressure. If he went back and told General Rundstedt about this, the general would have a bad impression of Lin Shangzhou.

So Bode suppressed the doubts in his heart, and after chatting with Thomas for a few words, he left.

After returning to the Capitol, Bode did not immediately go to Lin Shangzhou's office to tell him about this matter, but went to his own lounge to wait for the end of get off work.

Time quickly came to noon. Before getting off work, Bode waited for Lin Shangzhou in the car. When he saw him coming, he started the car. As for the car door, Bauman helped Lin Shangzhou open it.

After Lin Shangzhou got in the car, Bode handed the book on the passenger seat to Lin Shangzhou.

"Mr. Hipper, this is the "On War" you asked for."

"Thank you."

Lin Shangzhou took the book while thanking him. After taking "On War", Lin Shangzhou put it on his knees and looked through the contents. At this time, he heard Bode's voice again.

"Mr. Hipper, I ran into the soldier who bumped into you at the General Staff that day while I was buying books this morning."

"Oh?"

After listening to Bode's words, Lin Shangzhou became interested, and then he realized that today was a working day, and the soldier should be

He is from the General Staff. Since he is in the bookstore outside, it means that either he asked for leave or his superior asked him to go out to buy something.

"Did he ask for leave on his own or was he asked to leave by his superior?"

Lin Shangzhou asked without raising his head, and he didn't care much about the book the soldier bought.

"His superiors granted him leave to buy books."

"His superior is General Rundstedt, and the book the general asked him to buy seems to be the novel you wrote."

Bode didn't keep Lin Shangzhou in suspense and told him everything at once.

"Ok?"

After hearing about Rundstedt and buying his novel, Lin Shangzhou was stunned. He looked up at Bode in the rearview mirror suspiciously and asked, "Are you sure?"

Bode nodded vigorously and said, "The soldier's name is Thomas. He is General Rundstedt's orderly. He told me this himself."

"And I think it's very likely that General Rundstedt asked him to buy the novel he bought. I didn't delve into it at the time."

"I see."

After saying that, Lin Shangzhou leaned back in his chair and thought about what he had just said. He was not in the mood to read "On War" now, but as he was thinking about it, he heard Bode's voice again.

"Um... Mr. Hipper, what do you think of my handling of this matter? Is this information helpful to you?"

Bode looked at Lin Shangzhou in the rearview mirror shyly like a child seeking praise. Seeing him like this, Lin Shangzhou nodded with satisfaction and praised him, "You did a good job. It's also good that you didn't go into it further."

After receiving Lin Shangzhou's praise, Bode felt extremely satisfied. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Well... when do you plan to go to Wuyou Palace again? I think His Majesty the Emperor would be very happy to see you..."