Upon hearing that the Belgian army had surrendered on its own initiative, Hitler tightened his right fist. His left hand, afflicted by an uncontrollable tremor due to drug withdrawal, could not be closed. But Hitler no longer cared. Previously, to appear radiant before the public, he had accepted numerous injections. Now, he no longer required them; the German public was under constant firebombing by the Chinese Air Force, making large-scale rallies impossible.

Currently, northern Germany was facing a fierce onslaught from the Soviet Red Army, and Czechoslovakia and Slovakia to the east had already fallen into Soviet hands. The World People's Liberation Army was preparing a pincer movement from the east and west to deliver the final blow to the Reich.

Belgium’s surrender provided China with a stable staging ground in western Germany. At the news, Hitler could not help but shout: "Those spineless traitors!"

After his outburst, he felt the accusation was largely meaningless. Yet the rage made his head throb. Germany had once conquered nearly all of Europe; now, it was forced to fight a defensive war on its own soil against the invading WPLA.

The thought of being conquered by a Black army—whom he considered only slightly superior to the Jews—brought a wave of humiliation that submerged his entire being.

Before him, the high-ranking Nazi officials remained silent. To be conquered by a Black army was an end none of them had envisioned. Only the fact that Germany would be the last nation in Europe to fall to them provided a sliver of consolation. After all, the Germans had always looked down upon the Slavs, so the Soviet offensive was largely ignored by the Nazi elite.

Fortunately, Hitler was attempting to maintain his rationality. After a period of emotional condemnation, he asked with relative composure about the Siegfried Line. Positioned opposite the Maginot Line, any WPLA advance from Belgium would have to contend with this defense.

While the Wehrmacht excelled at the offensive, it did not mean they were unskilled in defense. The Siegfried Line was incredibly robust. In 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, France had not merely sat idle; they had dispatched the maximum force their logistics could sustain to attack the line.

That serious offensive had been bloodied against the Siegfried Line, suffering tens of thousands of casualties before being forced to withdraw. In He Rui’s view, it was an indisputable fact that the French military’s combat effectiveness was inferior to that of the contemporary German army. The claim of a "Sitzkrieg" or "Phony War" was merely a piece of British propaganda designed to undermine the French.

Back in 1923, during the war against Japan, He Rui had incorporated the design principles of the Siegfried Line into the construction of the Yalu River line. In terms of design, the Siegfried Line was a high-caliber military achievement.

The German High Command shared this view, and they immediately assured Hitler that the line would inflict catastrophic losses on the advancing WPLA.

Even as the Nazi elite were discussing the matter, the vanguard of the WPLA had already begun its assault on the Siegfried Line.

Unlike the Maginot Line, the Siegfried Line placed heavy emphasis on anti-armor defenses. Vast "Dragon's Teeth" zones consisted of reinforced concrete pillars over a meter high. These were cleverly designed: the attacker might think his infantry could hide behind the pillars to avoid fire, but the layout actually allowed defenders to utilize the gaps to easily slaughter the advancing troops.

In the Sino-Japanese War years ago, the Northeast Army had given the Japanese a bitter taste of how hiding behind such pillars only made them easier to hit. At a meter high, they also effectively blocked armored vehicles, forcing the separation of tanks and infantry.

However, in the face of thermobaric weapons, these ingenious designs became farcical. Or rather, precisely because the Chinese military understood the characteristics of such advanced lines so well, they had formulated targeted strategies to overcome them.

奠定胜局的命令刚下达，齐格飞防线被攻破的消息就传到了柏林。希特勒不得不再次召集刚走没多久的纳粹德国高层再次回来开会。

Göring brought two scientists with him. Knowing that discussing the ground war would only invite a berating, he invited the scientists to brief the Führer on the latest progress of the atomic bomb before Hitler could speak.

The scientists, unaware of the grim military situation, excitedly announced that preparations for a test blast were complete. The rage on Hitler's face vanished. He had heard several briefings on the atomic bomb and grasped the basic physics behind it.

Having finished the report, Hitler did not hesitate. He ordered an immediate test.

Although the experts noted that the nuclear material their colleagues had struggled to produce was only sufficient for two samples, Hitler insisted on the test.

After dismissing the scientists, Hitler seemed somewhat recovered. He issued a series of rebukes to the Army, though they were less severe than his earlier tirades. He had already vented his initial fury, and he knew in his heart that the Wehrmacht was no match for the WPLA. After all, the two had clashed in North Africa for a long time, and those Black armies were truly formidable. They had not only defeated the Germans but had virtually annihilated the British Afrika Korps in direct combat.

The meeting might have ended there, had Manstein not asked a question: "Führer, if the test is successful, will the second bomb be used on the Northern Front or the Southern Front?"

The question brought a chill of reality to the room. The Nazi leadership, Hitler included, realized they had not considered the specific execution of such a plan.

Assuming both devices functioned, one would be used for the test, leaving only one for actual combat. Germany now faced two enemies: the Soviets in the North and the WPLA in the South.

Hitler was stumped. His hatred was profound, yet when he thought of China, he felt a certain awe. When he thought of the Black soldiers, he felt only contempt. When he thought of the Soviet Union, he felt a deep, visceral loathing.

Comparing these emotions, his reason suggested striking the WPLA in the South. But his heart wanted to nuke the Red Army. The Slavs were more loathsome to him, yet they were also more "valuable" than the Black soldiers. From an emotional standpoint, a nuclear strike on the Red Army was more satisfying.

Maintaining a shred of rationality, he told Manstein, "Have the General Staff formulate a plan for me."

Manstein had no clear direction either, but receiving the order provided a measure of relief. On his way back to the General Staff, he quickly determined that a single nuclear weapon could not alter Germany's current fate. To maximize its effect, it could only be used to delay the situation.

The German front was deteriorating rapidly, driven by the relentless bombing and attacks of the WPLA. Delaying their offensive could theoretically grant Germany a breathing space, allowing them to concentrate their strength to deal the Soviets a heavy blow and gain a brief respite.

But this required a high level of national coordination—moving units and commanding a campaign while dancing on a knife's edge. If the WPLA were delayed but the rear was unable to rapidly shift units from the South to the North for a short, effective strike against the Red Army, the entire plan would be a joke.

Field Marshal von Manstein was considered a man who could perform the work of a third of the General Staff alone. By the time his car reached the underground headquarters, his reflections had led him to conclude that everything he was doing was little more than a farce.

Even if he utilized all his skill to draft a feasible plan for the use of the nuke, it would have no impact on the final outcome. Furthermore, there was another problem: according to the nuclear experts who had returned from America, just before the Oak Ridge site was to conduct its first test, it had been pulverized by the Chinese Air Force.

Those experts believed China already understood nuclear weapons and had likely mastered their application.

From this perspective, America’s failure to test its bomb might have been a blessing. Had they succeeded, China might have struck the US with nuclear weapons first. In other words, if Germany tested a bomb, China would likely strike Germany with one without hesitation.

If things reached that stage, the test would only place Germany in even greater peril.

At this thought, Manstein felt a sense of total despondency. He lost all interest in performing his duties.

Time passed in a flash. Another day had gone. Manstein received the latest news: at 2:11 AM today—April 12, 1945—Germany had successfully detonated a nuclear weapon at an underground test site in Thuringia.

Manstein felt as if a thin wire had been tightened around his heart. Although he was nominally religious, he had never felt much for God. But in this moment, he found himself wanting to pray—to seek the protection of an all-knowing, all-powerful deity.

It was now 9:00 AM German time on April 12th. At the bomber airfields in London, large contingents of Black WPLA soldiers maintained the highest level of security.

On the ground, the airfields were protected beyond all measure. In the air, fighter groups maintained a constant vigil, ready to intercept even German V-2 ballistic missiles.

However, Germany launched no attack on the airfields. At 9:04 AM, a squadron of bombers took off, heading for the test site in Thuringia.

China's seismic monitoring units in North America and Europe had established a rigorous surveillance system. The seismic waves triggered by the successful German test were detected by a series of stations around the country. Soon, stations in North America and Asia also received the signal.

Upon comparison, the nature of Germany's act was clear. Current Chinese equipment could determine the depth of the tremor; a source within one kilometer of the surface was unmistakable. Had a natural earthquake occurred at such a depth, all of Germany would have been reduced to rubble.

With the possibility of a natural event excluded, the alarm mechanism was triggered. It was still daylight in China when the Military Commission received the news. Li Runshi reached his decision: a nuclear strike on the Thuringia test site.

The members of the Commission knew the power of the weapon and hesitated. Finally, Xu Chengfeng asked, "Chairman Li, did the late Chairman ever speak with you about this?"

Li recalled his discussion with He Rui after they witnessed China’s first nuclear test before the war. He Rui had expressed deep reservations about the direct use of nuclear weapons. Now, Li realized He Rui’s concern was for densely populated cities. He would have had no such qualms regarding a strike on a test site with few civilians.

Had Li decided to nuke a city like Berlin, his own reservations would have been far greater. But this was an easy choice.

Li offered no explanation. He simply said, "Nazi Germany’s nuclear capability must be utterly destroyed."

At 9:44 AM local time, the special Chinese bombing formation arrived over the Thuringia test site. A small number of German fighters rose to meet them but were quickly annihilated. That any fighters were committed at all was proof of the value the Nazi elite placed on the target.

Inside the aircraft carrying the bomb, the crew saw no outward difference between the nuclear device and a conventional bomb. China had already completed the initial phase of miniaturization; the core device weighed less than 200 kilograms. With its glide apparatus, the total weight was under 300 kilograms—significantly smaller than the 500-kilogram conventional bombs common at the time.

The deployment process was no more complex than that of a standard bomb. China had conducted extensive research into glide bombs; they were no longer simple tail-finned munitions dropped into the air to fall where they may. With computer assistance, the bomb was divided into the body, the glide wings, and the tail fins. While this made operation more complex, the speed of a precision hit was much faster.

At 9:54 AM, the nuclear weapon, fitted with its glide apparatus, was moved to the bomb bay by its chain mechanism. If there was any difference, it was that while ordinary bombers were packed with munitions, this one carried only a single device.

With the order given, the bomb was released. All aircraft in the formation received a recorded command: "All crew members, don your dark glasses and immediately egress the area. Do not look back toward the drop zone."

The glasses had been prepared long ago. Hearing the repeated order, the pilots complied, pulling down their shades and turning their aircraft to the quickest exit path.

The only eight individuals who did not obey were the photographers at the four camera positions on different aircraft. They wore thick, specialized glasses, and their cameras had been modified for the event.

Beyond their eyewear, they were encased in thick radiation-proof suits. Even so, when another sun rose from the earth with the nuclear blast, it was so brilliant that for a brief moment, the sky turned to night, leaving only the rising sun on the ground radiating its blinding light.

Even in their safety zones, and despite their suits, the photographers felt as if they were being consumed by the intense brilliance.

The shockwave instantly leveled all surface facilities at the Thuringia base. The shallower, less robust tunnels collapsed under the violent tremors. However, most of the deep-seated facilities were not directly destroyed.

But underground facilities are complex systems requiring connection to the outside world for ventilation and other functions. The shockwave and high heat surged through many of the conduits, destroying them and plunging the underground base into a state of isolation and chaos.

In short, for several days at least, the underground site would be inoperable.

This was the conclusion of the after-action report and the subsequent inspection by Chinese experts. The report remained highly classified and was never publicized. But within the high command of the Chinese Military Commission, the comrades who saw it months later confirmed that He Rui’s assessment of "nuclear weapon uselessness" was sound.

In the moment, however, when the Nazi elite received reports of a suspected Chinese nuclear strike on Thuringia, most were terrified into silence.

Manstein did not attend the subsequent meeting. He received his briefing from General Guderian, who was visibly shaken—Guderian lacked the composure of Model and the restraint of Rommel. According to his account, the officials had waited for Hitler to speak, but the Führer clearly did not know what to say to boost morale. The meeting had simply fizzled out.

Manstein asked, "What do you think?"

Guderian seemed to want to answer, but in the end, he only shook his head, unable to find the words. Manstein saw only confusion and aimlessness on his face—a reflection of his own state of mind. He felt they should simply surrender. That China could conduct such a strike so rapidly proved they had the capability to nuke any part of Germany.

That they had not done so proved they only wished to destroy the Nazi regime, not the German nation.

Just then, an adjutant reported that Heydrich requested an audience. Guderian took his leave. Manstein hadn't truly wanted to see Heydrich, but having nothing else to do, he invited him in.

Heydrich was as cold as ever, yet his despondency was visible. He asked Manstein immediately, "Marshal, if we only look at ground combat, how long can we hold out?"

"If we resist to the end, ten days," Manstein replied, willing to be honest. "But what is the point of such resistance?"

Heydrich hesitated before answering, "To surrender now would prove the Third Reich was entirely wrong. Therefore, I ask the Marshal to coordinate as much as possible with the rural guerrilla warfare."

Manstein wanted to argue that such resistance was futile, but his adjutant burst into the room with the latest combat update: "Chief of Staff! The Red Army has broken into the fatherland! The border garrisons are pleading for reinforcements!"

Manstein glanced at Heydrich and saw a flicker of surprise. It made him realize that Heydrich, too, was truly rattled—he had been so focused on the WPLA that he had forgotten the Soviets.

Germany was now fighting both the WPLA and the Red Army. As for which was the greater threat, Manstein was convinced the Soviets would be the first to reach Berlin.