Alden is a small town in the northwest of Germany, compared to the south of Germany, it belongs to the high latitude and low altitude area, rich in products, pleasant climate, and is also a good place for many business tycoons to relax quietly. Erick's choice of the Western German Inspection Point is self-evident. In fact, Eric is more concerned about Alden's proximity to Wilhelmshaven, which is the largest logistics distribution center and reserve warehouse around Wilhelmshaven, and is also the rear of the living and resettlement of many naval officers' families.

Before all the officials in his entourage gathered, President Eric was talking in a low voice to several senior government officials around him. The guards were all plainclothes, and they all spread out in all directions naturally, as relaxed as a normal walk, without the slightest feeling of being loaded with guns and ammunition as if they were facing a great enemy.

The roadside grass was the ideal meeting place, and the president was the first to sit on the floor, and the others consciously sat in a circle.

Defense Minister Brauchitsch waved his hand for the assistant minister to take down a thick stack of drawings from the car, lay them flat in the middle of the circle, and then press them around with a few small pebbles. Some of the drawings are painted, and it is obvious that they are all manuscripts of ship paintings. Field Marshal Franz von Hippel did not expect that the Ministry of Defense would be so well prepared, and that he, as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, was like an outsider and felt extremely ashamed. Eric knew that Hipper was a loyal and honest man, and he was worried that he would not be able to save face, so he hurriedly rounded the round for him: "This is a sketch drawn by me and Minister Brauchitsch based on the chief designer of the marine ships of the German Confederation, and asked a professional painter to draw it on a scale. ”

In order to make it as clear as possible, Brauchitsch beckoned everyone to shrink the circle a little, and then ordered the two guards to put up the painted paper and display it one by one. President Eric waved the docent to step down, and he himself acted as the narrator, and then explained the design concept, power performance, layout of each combat position, and weapons and equipment of the ships on each drawing very clearly and clearly, even including the soldiers' warehouse.

Franz von Hipper, Brauchitsch, and Dönitz were all amazed, none of them expected that Mr. President would remember these boring figures so clearly, and that none of the drawings would be wrong.

In the beginning, all you saw were wooden sailing ships, followed by the ironclad giants that were being built one after another, and some of the older admirals, such as Marshal Hipper, experienced the era. Slowly, everyone saw pictures of the main ships of various countries in the First World War two years ago, and even rubber boats.

The next picture is a picture that everyone generally thinks is very unfamiliar, on the sea with howling winds and huge waves, an ironclad battleship flying the flag of the Federal Republic of Germany is advancing through the waves, the bow of the ship raised high is like a sharp sword interspersed from the dark blue waves, the front and middle main guns of the twin are stored majestically on the thick and hard deck, the wave cables on both sides of the ship are looming in the waves, and the tall main mast is straight into the clouds. On the mine-rails on the rear deck, shiny black mines and slender torpedoes are preparing to be loaded into launch canisters to attack enemy submarines at any time. Soldiers were busy at every station, the rear main cannon roaring, and the flames of the three shells reflected the sea in a blood-red color. Seeing everyone's dazzled and blood boiling. Some people began to think that this might be the future warship of Germany.

Eric smiled and said: "Gentlemen, everyone's guess is correct, this is the advanced destroyer that we are going to build immediately, with a displacement of 8,500 tons; Full load displacement 10500 tons; The length of the ship is 120.5 meters; diesel-electric 79880 shaft horsepower; Endurance 4000 nautical miles; Economic speed 25 knots; The maximum speed is 35 knots; 1 Krupp twin 150mm main gun; 12 twin 40mm secondary guns; 20 twin-mounted 37mm anti-aircraft guns; 8 450mm torpedo launchers; two 450mm depth charge launchers; Personnel weaving is 280 people; Please note that compared to the previous destroyers, we have increased the tonnage, increased the crew, also increased performance, and increased firepower. I hope it will become the pride of our German Confederation! ”

After looking at the destroyers, everyone looked at the cruisers, large landing ships and speedboats, and President Eric's explanations became more and more detailed, including the soldiers' cabins, infirmaries, storage rooms, ammunition depots and bridge control towers marked on the sections of each battleship, which made all the officials look enthusiastic.

After reading this, President Eric looked up at everyone and said: "Gentlemen, the above is the surface warship of the German Confederation, you have all seen and heard, and now you can talk about your thoughts." It's okay to say something wrong, let's discuss it together, okay, who will come first? ”

The commander of the Navy, Franz von Hipper, said: "Your Excellency President Eric, first of all, it should be said that I am very ashamed of this, as the commander of the Navy, I never thought of building such a good warship, I did not even dare to think of it. At the beginning of the establishment of the Federation, the domestic economy is recovering, I just want to build such a good ship, but I am also worried that it will cost too much money and I am afraid that I will not be able to pass the approval pass, I thought that as long as there are so many symbolic warships, I did not expect that the ambition of His Excellency the President is so lofty, I am ashamed of myself! Very much admiration! ”

Eric hurriedly interrupted him and said: "The old marshal doesn't have to blame himself, it's not your fault, you can think about the country's economy and not be willing to spend money on armaments, which in itself is a very meritorious kindness." However, our enemies do not think so, if our armed forces cannot be quickly strengthened, no matter how good the economic recovery is, it will be plundered by the great powers sooner or later, and those weak and small countries are an example. Okay, talk about your opinion, I'm going to dry it. ”

Hipper finally let go: "Compared with the previous warships, the newly developed ships are more economical, more combative, and much more beautiful, I am looking forward to it, and I hope that in my lifetime, I can personally command it to gallop the sea and kill the enemy!" I agree with this design scheme! ”

With a light breeze, the Minister of Finance took off his shirt, stood up and said: "Your Excellency, Fellow President, I am very excited that Mr. Hippel has just mentioned the issue of spending money, which shows that our generals are thinking about the country. However, I just want to say a word of sincerity, as long as it is for the sake of safeguarding the interests of the country and the long-term peace and stability of the country, I Shacht will give you the money even if I sharpen the iron on the tip of the needle! Soldiers are fighting for flesh and blood, fighting for their lives, for what, for the peace of the country, for the prosperity of the people, if I pick and search in this regard, then I am not worthy of being the Minister of Finance! ”

Food Minister Philip Shchedeman continued: "Your Excellency, the harvest of the major farms this year is better than in previous years, although the treasury is all surplus, but it is much better than last year to go to work hungry, by the end of this year, we will increase the strategic reserves throughout the country, even if I, the Minister of Food, starve to death, but also let everyone in the army be fed, and eat new food every year!" ”

Eric smiled and said, "Minister Scheadman really doesn't leave his profession in three sentences, talking about warships and eating, but it's also very right!" Our soldiers are well fed, warmly dressed, and will not be ambiguous when they start fighting, which is also the foundation of a strong army. Where is our army commander-in-chief? You haven't said a word for the past few days, and that's not okay. ”

Karl Rundstedt heard the president calling his name, and quickly stood up and said: "I'm sorry, Your Excellency, but I'm a layman to the Navy, so I don't dare to interject, but if I have to talk, then I have to say a few words from my heart." The difference between naval warfare and land warfare is offshore warfare, since it is a battle, no one can say that a hundred battles are won, I don't know if Mr. President has thought about it, just a few warships I have just seen, our life-saving equipment should be said to be insufficient, this is limited to ensure the life rate of soldiers, and if the war is longer, then heavy shells, two soldiers loaded may delay the fighter due to fatigue, if the bomb machine goes directly to the gun position, the benefit will be much better, this is what I want to say, I don't know whether it is right or not. ”

Eric was so pleased that he asked the clerk to record everyone's speeches in detail, and then said solemnly: "Who said that our army commander-in-chief is a layman?" These two comments are very good, and we want to remind designers that they must implement these two issues well. ”

Time passed quickly, but the voice that President Eric really wanted to hear was never spoken, which made him wonder: "Who else wants to contribute to the Navy?" Admirals of the Navy, talk about it yourself. I have already stated just now, and I don't blame you for making mistakes. ”

At this time, several naval colonels opened their mouths and were about to speak, but when their eyes met Hipper's, they fell silent again.

Hipper was a very cautious person: "Your Excellency, as a navy, we can't bargain with the country, and during the First World War, our equipment was not bad compared to other countries, but we still let our family be blocked in the harbor, and I still feel ashamed to think about it." Now that the country has prepared such good warships for the navy, we are already very happy, and we will take care of our warships as we love ourselves. At the same time, there is one thing that will not change, that is, we will definitely master the weapons in our hands and give full play to the equipment distributed to us by the state to the maximum extent to ensure that the maritime frontier is not lost and that the people are on the ship. ”

Eric had been mentally prepared for Hipper's words to protect himself, after all, the old general had experienced a lot, and his courage was not as strong as when he was young. Eric also knows that there is a reason why the navy itself is not good at speaking, they are worried that if the war is unfortunate and lost, others will make irresponsible remarks, it is better to use whatever equipment the country gives, and it is better not to pick and choose the fat and thin, anyway, the current equipment is many times more advanced than in the past.

Eric asks the narrated picture to be taken back to the car and tells them not to damage it. Next, he himself took out a few pictures that were completely different from the above from the remaining pictures and handed them to Brauchitsch, so that he could find someone to pick them up and show them. Then he held up the report "Prospects for the Development of German Submarines" that Dönitz had originally written, and said: "In the huge German Confederation, there are very few people like Colonel Dönitz who dare to write a supersubmarine program. I don't think you lack advanced warships, nor do you lack weapons and equipment, but you lack the courage of men and the pride that the people of the German Confederation should have! Am I right? Gentlemen? ”

Seeing everyone's doubtful eyes, Eric said: "Soldiers can make demands to the state, at any time, as long as we don't spend the country's funds on individuals, as long as we are dedicated to the public and the country, we can speak boldly!" The key is that we must see, think, and think comprehensively. A couple of surface ships will satisfy us? The country's coastal defense is impregnable? No! That's not enough! We must have a three-dimensional national defense, multi-faceted and multi-angle national defense, only in this way can we be invincible! I don't know Mr. Dönitz very well, but he dares to think and say that such a soldier shows that he is thinking about problems for the country and the cause of the navy, and I think it is very good! Carry it forward! Submarines are an important part of the national navy, and their importance does not need to be said again. In the past, I was against unlimited submarine warfare, because I didn't want to kill innocents indiscriminately, and I didn't question the capabilities of submarines. However, from now on, we must have the responsibility of the country and the military! Again, I am not against the development of submarines by Germany, on the contrary, I will support the submarine development program of the Navy! And without reservations. ”

Eric's remarks are actually telling the navy that equipment is sometimes a necessary weapon for victory, and the country's sea, land, air, and submarine are all indispensable, and they must be strengthened. At the same time, he was using words to stimulate the naval officers present, to force their intimidated ambitions to beat again, and to let the admirals who had hoped for the German navy to be strong know that the president was always behind him.

Eric continued: "The German navy does not have to target the British, my generals, if you think so, your aim is too narrow! ”

When everyone heard this, they didn't quite understand that President Eric actually said that the German Navy was not aimed at Britain, but against Czechoslovakia.

Hearing such news, there is no one who is happier than Dönitz and other staunch supporters of submarines, while the supporters of big ships and giant guns seem to be in decline. This is actually not difficult to understand, after all, throughout the First World War, the whole world was still intoxicated by the plot of the battleship scolding Fang Xuan. Caliber is justice, tonnage is strength of the adherents to occupy the vast majority of admirals, and it is unlikely that this concept will be changed overnight. But Eric was convinced that there would always be a few people with different ideas in great Germany, so he asked: "Who can propose the direction of the future of the navy other than submarines?" Let's talk about it. ”

As soon as Erik's words fell, a large number of battleship supporters proposed a combination that made him laugh and cry, such as giant cruisers, giant gun destroyers, fast attack ships, and even aircraft carriers that the British army was refitting.

Eric didn't stop it, he didn't rush to deny it, but waited, he wanted to wait for the person who could break out of the circle to appear. At this time, Brauchitsch leaned close to the president's ear and whispered a few words. Then call the guards to collect the team.

Eric immediately beckoned everyone to get on the bus, and then went straight to Liangang.