文明破晓 (English Translation)

— "This world needs a more advanced form of civilization"

The Campaign (17)

Volume 6: Great Depression Era · Chapter 77

Carin von Göring was Göring's wife. Since Hitler had never had a female companion, every time Hitler hosted a banquet for German aristocrats, Carin would organize it. The "von" in her name indicated that Ms. Carin came from a German aristocratic background. Currently, Carin played the role of the First Lady of the Nazi Party.

While circulating among a group of German Junker aristocrats, Carin saw Hitler turn pale immediately after an SS officer whispered something to him, and he turned and left the venue. Carin didn't know what had happened. She exchanged a few words with the Junker aristocrat who was paying her compliments, then left the banquet hall.

From a distance, she saw Hitler walk out of the house, stand blankly at the entrance for a moment, and then walk straight to the small wooden cabin in the courtyard. Hitler's expression and movements frightened Carin. A woman's intuition gave Carin a sudden fear out of nowhere; the Nazi Party leader, who had such an intense personality, clearly looked desperate enough to commit suicide. Carin hurriedly followed him. Gently opening the wooden door, she saw Hitler sitting blankly on the ground, his eyes having lost their focus. Carin carefully approached and asked, "Adolf, what's wrong?"

Hitler did not answer. It wasn't until Carin squatted in front of him and gently placed her hand on Hitler's shoulder that he spoke in a dry voice, though his gaze remained dull: "She killed herself... She killed herself."

Carin immediately understood who Hitler was talking about. Seeing the Nazi Party leader, who was always vibrant and full of passion, now plunged into immense pain because of his lover's suicide, Carin couldn't help but sigh in her heart. While sympathizing with Hitler, she also felt full of regret for that young and beautiful girl, Geli Raubal.

Hitler's niece, Geli Raubal, was a beautiful and simple country girl who had received a little education and had no interest in politics or struggle. In the region where Hitler was born, it was common for an uncle to marry his niece; Hitler's parents had such a relationship.

Geli Raubal's ideal was simply to help her husband and teach her children, and she was also very fond of her uncle. Hitler also loved her madly, but compared to forming a family with Geli Raubal, Hitler loved his cause more. The disparate pursuits in their lives eventually led Geli Raubal to want to leave Hitler, but Hitler would not allow it. In the end, he confined Geli Raubal in a luxurious house.

Carin could very much understand the young girl's despair, and she was also full of sympathy for Hitler. She wanted to cheer Hitler up, but no matter how she whispered, "Adolf, this is not your fault."

Hitler's eyes remained dull, and he just whispered, "She killed herself... She killed herself..."

There was a noise at the wooden door. Carin looked up and saw Göring standing outside. Carin's eyes suddenly filled with tears, and she stood up and threw herself into her husband Göring's arms. Göring knew of Hitler's feelings for Geli Raubal and had never doubted the feelings between him and his wife.

Carin was married before she met Göring. After meeting Göring in 1921, the two fell into a mad love. In the end, Carin left home and chose to be with Göring. Carin divorced her husband in 1922 and married Göring. Since then, no matter how depressing the environment Göring fell into, Carin had always been with Göring. The two had always been in a passionate relationship, and even the hardest environment did not shake Carin's feelings in the slightest.

Göring did not suspect that something had happened between his wife and Hitler. He just heard that Hitler had left the banquet hall strangely. At this time, Göring wanted to introduce a nobleman to Hitler, so he followed him out. Seeing the situation before him, Göring was very surprised. Since Göring had known Hitler, he had never seen Hitler so desperate.

Carin was also in tears at this time and whispered the news of Geli Raubal's suicide to Göring. Göring was startled and hurriedly stepped forward and squatted down, asking in a low voice, "I will send a car to take you back now."

Hitler looked up blankly and asked casually, "Why did she kill herself? Why?"

Göring's eyes also turned red. Although he did not understand Hitler's attitude towards marriage, the friend in front of him, who was so weak that he couldn't even stand steadily, really made Göring's heart ache. He tried to pull Hitler up. Hitler resisted at first, but after a moment, Hitler suddenly used the leverage to stand up. The sorrowful expression suddenly disappeared. Hitler looked pale and grim. He said coldly, "Let's go back and finish the banquet. We must not let those Junkers think that I am a weak person!"

Göring advised, "Let's go back first."

Hitler shook his head, "No, she is gone. I have no place to go back to."

After speaking, Hitler took a step and walked towards the banquet hall. Göring was helpless and could only follow. Carin looked at the backs of the two men. The small wooden cabin was very close to the iron fence of the yard, and she heard someone behind her shouting, "Madam, please happen. Give me something to eat."

Starting from '29, the streets of Germany were full of unemployed people begging. Carin reached out and touched her pocket, only to realize that the evening gown she was wearing didn't have any pockets. She didn't look back and walked straight back to the banquet hall. She knew that her husband and Hitler were striving for the position of Chancellor, and no matter what, they had to free Germany from its current miserable fate. Returning to the banquet hall, Carin whispered to the waiter, "Take some food and give it to those beggars outside."

In the banquet hall, the music, the scented candles, the various delicacies, and the upper-class men and women simply didn't notice that just tens of meters away from them, there were hungry German people everywhere. The upper class ate, drank, and talked, enjoying the daily life of the upper class.

Several Junker military officers asked Hitler, who had returned to the banquet hall, "Mr. Hitler, how will you solve Germany's land problem?"

Hitler's face was still pale, but his eyes had become bright. He smiled slightly, "Gentlemen, Germany must be united. If we only focus our eyes domestically, it is bound to cause a lot of German bloodshed. If we look beyond the German borders, everyone can see the land that is vast and boundless. I absolutely do not want the German landowners' land to become as little as the poor's. What I hope is that the ordinary German farmers have as much land as the Junker landlords."

The eyes of those Junker military officers became brighter and brighter. Hitler's words were no longer a hint, but an explicit statement that the land problem would be solved through war. The Junker military officers not only did not feel unhappy but agreed deeply. In particular, they agreed with Hitler's solution idea of not choosing internal land distribution but solving the land problem through external expansion.

After chatting for a few more sentences, Göring invited a banker to Hitler. The banker knew the Nazi Party's bottom-line route, especially the hatred of Jews. There were very many Jews in the German banking industry, so the banker asked this question very implicitly. Hitler replied, "Although some people are not Aryans by blood, they grew up in Germany and are no different from Germans in spirit. I believe that for this group of people, certificates of Honorary Aryans should be issued. Recognizing that they should possess exactly the same rights as Aryans."

The banker was stunned. He stared at Hitler for a moment, and saw Hitler reveal a sincere, even kind smile. This solution seemed very flexible and reasonable to the banker. Göring, who was next to him, struck while the iron was hot, "Do you know Professor Karl Haushofer?"

As a geopolitics master who was quite influential in the German upper class, the banker had heard of this name, so he nodded. Göring continued, "Professor Karl Haushofer's wife is Jewish, and the professor's student is Mr. Rudolf Hess."

Rudolf Hess was Hitler's secretary and a core figure of the Nazi Party; the banker had heard of this person even more. Although Göring didn't say it explicitly, from the part Göring had already explained, the banker had suddenly realized and nodded slightly.

Anti-Semitism was a European tradition, but Germany in the era of the Second German Reich was actually the country in Europe that was least anti-Semitic. With the popularization of compulsory education in Germany, a large number of scholars appeared among German Jews. This group of Jews not only did not believe in Judaism, but many elites of Jewish descent were simply atheists. This banker was not pro-Jewish, only that many of his friends and partners had Jewish blood, which was why he felt worried.

Seeing that he had persuaded another one, Göring led the banker, who had no other questions, away from the circle, letting Hitler continue to talk with those Junker officers. Finding a place to sit down, Göring felt that this group of upper-class people completely lacked theoretical thinking ability. What the Nazi Party truly advocated was the racism that Aryans were the most superior, not narrow anti-Semitism. The reason why Jews were singled out as targets for attack now was simply because Jews had money, Jews acted as lackeys for the former dignitaries, and were powerful running dogs of the dignitaries. Moreover, Jews were weak; fighting them was handy and the backlash was very small.

As for true anti-Semitism, it had never been the content that the Nazi upper echelons truly considered. Göring's godfather, Epstein, was a Jew. When Hitler was a tramp in Munich, there were also several Jewish friends who were very kind to him and gave the then-destitute Hitler a lot of help. Even up to now, the Nazi Party didn't even have a policy resolution on how to deal with Jews. Saying the Nazi Party was anti-Semitic was simply baffling.

After conducting a large amount of research on the racist policies of the United States, which had a long history, and sending Nazi Party members to the United States for on-site inspections, the Nazi Party had already formulated racist policies to solve the inferior nations.

Soon, Göring also figured it out. This banker only cared about anti-Semitism and not about racist policies, which was probably similar to Göring's own thoughts. Göring only hated those profiteering Jewish merchants and the group who insisted on Judaism; he actually had no special feelings about Jewish blood. As long as Hitler could become Chancellor, Göring could become the Air Force Commander. Göring decided that in the future, only Göring would have the power to decide who was a Jew in the Air Force.

Hitler and Göring talked with one banker, capitalist, and Junker officer after another like this. The reception didn't end until the evening. When Göring was ready to go home to sleep, he saw his wife Carin actually pulling Hitler into Göring's car. Soon, the car started moving. Inside the car, Hitler didn't say a word. Göring just spoke a sentence when he felt his wife tug at his arm. Although Göring didn't know what his wife meant, he obediently didn't make a sound.

Before long, Göring noticed the car driving towards Hitler's residence, and only then did he remember the news of Hitler's lover's suicide.

When the car stopped at the door, the maid walked out quickly. Seeing Hitler, she said with a face full of sorrow, "Sir, I didn't see the young lady get up this morning, so I thought she just wanted to sleep a little longer. Unexpectedly, at 10 o'clock in the morning, I heard a gunshot in her bedroom. I hurriedly went in..."

Hitler walked inside expressionlessly, as if he hadn't heard the maid's words at all. The Göring couple followed behind Hitler, watching Hitler walk to the door of the bedroom where Geli Raubal had committed suicide. He raised his hand but didn't press the door handle. Standing there for a long time, Hitler slowly opened the door. After the maid called the police, the police had come. At this time, Geli Raubal's bedroom was empty. Standing at the door for quite a while, Hitler finally walked in.

Göring wanted to follow in, but was held back by his wife. He saw Hitler, who seemed to have aged 10 years at this moment, with a stiff body and stumbling steps, walk to the side of the empty bed. He saw a silk scarf lying on the bed. Hitler picked up the silk scarf, and actually hugging the silk scarf, leaned against the wardrobe, his body slowly sliding down, and the whole person sat on the floor.

Carin sighed, and slowly pulled the door shut. At the moment before the door closed, sobbing came from the crack of the door. Göring looked at the door that had been completely closed, feeling infinite emotion in his heart. He sighed silently, look, that Adolf Hitler actually cried.

Hitler had very few friends. Göring was one. Röhm, the commander-in-chief of the Stormtroopers who participated in the Beer Hall Putsch with Hitler in 1923, was one. At this time, the Nazi Party upper echelons basically knew the news of Hitler's mistress's suicide, but Röhm did not come. Apart from the fact that Röhm was currently secretly convening a Stormtrooper meeting to prepare to continue doing some big things and continue to put pressure on Hindenburg and the German upper class, Röhm himself was a homosexual and really had no interest in women.

Among the other Nazi Party upper echelons, Goebbels, Hess, and Himmler were confirming a piece of news just obtained. The "Eastern Aid Act" of 1926. This act could be said to be a failure in his life. At that time, the German economy was turbulent. Not only were the common people tormented to death by the economic turbulence, but the Junker aristocrats also couldn't take it anymore. And Hindenburg's "Eastern Aid Act" was to help the Junker aristocrats tide over the difficulties, providing funds to the Junker aristocrats through the government to help them keep their property and land. It could be said that this act completely disregarded the life and death of the German people, solely to protect the Junker aristocrats.

The news Goebbels obtained now was closely related to this matter. In the process of promoting the "Eastern Aid Act", Hindenburg received bribes from a large number of Junker aristocrats, most of which were used by Hindenburg to buy off members of parliament. Hindenburg kept 650,000 Goldmarks as a kickback for himself. After obtaining this huge sum of money, in order to avoid being investigated and having to pay taxes, Hindenburg gave this money to his son, Oskar von Hindenburg, through money laundering.

The source of the news was very reliable. The Nazi Party mobilized supporters to conduct an investigation. The investigation just had results; this matter was true. Moreover, the leaked materials were also in hand. As long as it was made public, even Hindenburg would have to step down because of this. Himmler didn't say anything during the meeting. When Hess asked for his opinion, Himmler replied, "Leave this matter to the Führer to decide."

Hess looked at Goebbels. Goebbels replied quickly, "Let the Führer make the decision on this matter."

Hess was a little anxious. He heard the news of Hitler's lover's suicide and felt that perhaps he shouldn't disturb Hitler at this time. But looking at the solemn expressions of both Himmler and Goebbels, Hess said, "Go now, or go tomorrow?"

Goebbels replied decisively, "Go now. I believe the Führer will make the correct decision."

One hour later, Hess and Goebbels had already appeared in front of Hitler's residence. Some SS members in black uniforms saw it was these two and immediately went in to report. Before long, the light in Hitler's study lit up, and the SS member on duty appeared at the door, "Please come in, you two."

When meeting Hitler, Hess only saw exhaustion on Hitler's face. Goebbels noticed Hitler's left hand pressing on a female scarf on the table, but didn't say anything about it. Instead, he told Hitler the latest news.

During the entire narration process, Hitler didn't say a word, only his left hand clenched that scarf from time to time. After Hess finished speaking, Hitler immediately ordered, "This matter must be kept confidential internally. Absolutely do not let more people know."

Goebbels nodded. He had indeed thought about using this matter to overturn President Hindenburg, but Goebbels quickly thought that Hindenburg was not so easily taken down. Even if Hindenburg could be overturned, it didn't mean the Nazi Party could come to power. In terms of handling these matters, Goebbels admitted that he was far inferior to Hitler.

Hess suggested, "Führer, I think this matter can make Hindenburg accept appointing you as Chancellor."

Hitler shook his head, "Hess, the time has not yet come. At least we need to wait a few more days."

Hess couldn't figure out where the problem was, so he simply asked directly, "Führer, do you think this news cannot deal with Hindenburg?"

A cold smile finally appeared on Hitler's face, "This news shouldn't be used to deal with Hindenburg, but to deal with the current Chancellor, von Schleicher."

Hess was stunned. When it came to grasping the political direction and engaging in various struggles, he also felt that he was far inferior to Hitler. If it was a geopolitical issue, Hess could still offer an opinion. Now Hess couldn't figure out what was going on.

Hitler continued, "You guys confirm first that this matter must absolutely not be leaked, and definitely cannot be used to attack Hindenburg. Leave the other things to me."

While giving instructions verbally, Hitler already had a general idea in his mind. The current Chancellor, von Schleicher, was nicknamed "Admiral." Not because Schleicher came from the navy, but because this guy was very good at laying black hands on allies, ridiculed as a "master of sending people to the deep sea behind their back."

For such a guy, as long as Hitler released a little bit of the news, it would be enough to make Hindenburg think that Schleicher wanted to replace Hindenburg's position. Moreover, there was only this one piece of dirt on Hindenburg, but Schleicher united the left wing and wanted to become a Chancellor supported by a majority coalition party. The Nazi Party, which had complex relations with the German Communist Party, held a large amount of very credible materials.

What the Nazis were going to release now was not news attacking Hindenburg, but releasing two pieces of news together. Moreover, the news attacking Hindenburg must be very controllable. As for what Hindenburg would think, Hitler believed he had completely grasped the thoughts of this German Marshal.

The old man, what he cared about was his affairs while alive and his reputation after death. Hitler was willing to guarantee Hindenburg's reputation after death in exchange for Hindenburg's appointment as Chancellor. In Hitler's view, this was an incomparably cost-effective deal.