A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

That afternoon, the weather was sunny, mild, and pleasant.

The shooting range of the Berlin Military Academy is surrounded by distant mountains and shady trees.

Founded in 1810, the Berlin Military Academy was the world's first military academy to train senior staff officers. Throughout its history, it has produced numerous renowned generals such as Clausewitz, Moltke, Schlieffen, Ludendorff, Dönitz, and Guderian, earning it the title of "cradle of generals and military strategists."

"It truly boasts a wealth of renowned generals, and like West Point, it is a world-famous military academy. It's just a pity that the defeat of the German Empire sealed its fate." Song Hongfei thought to himself.

Song Hongfei looked up at the sky. The sunlight was not dazzling, the sky was blue with white clouds, it was warm, and there was no wind.

"It's perfect weather for shooting," Song Hongfei muttered to himself.

He is going to perform a shooting demonstration here.

Several tables covered with tablecloths were set up at the shooting position, with several nice-looking Type 24 semi-automatic rifles on them and several full magazines next to them.

In the distance ahead, three different shooting steel targets, 50 meters, 100 meters, and 200 meters long, have been erected according to their distance.

Behind them was a viewing platform, already filled with German and Chinese personnel, though the central platform remained empty. Around them stood German military police wearing M35 helmets, Mauser 98K rifles in hand, standing ramrod straight like javelins, their gazes sharp and cold, their presence imposing.

The crowd suddenly became noisy for a moment, then quickly quieted down as everyone turned to look in one direction. A convoy of cars arrived and stopped nearby, guided by officers on duty. People immediately went to greet them, and the German dignitaries got out of their cars one after another. German Führer Hitler, surrounded by a large group of high-ranking German officials and generals, walked toward the viewing platform.

Song Hongfei met this famous figure in world history with his own eyes.

Just like in historical photographs, his signature mustache is quite noticeable. He wears a brown SA uniform without any rank insignia, and the Iron Cross medal is pinned to his left breast pocket. It was the Iron Cross First Class, which he received during World War I. Hitler considered it the highest honor and wore it with pride throughout his life, even at the time of his death.

Hitler, in his military uniform, possessed a strikingly high nose bridge, thin lips, and a slightly downturned mouth. His sharp, piercing gaze exuded an air of authority, displaying his unwavering resolve and decisiveness. Surrounded by his generals, his powerful and imposing presence, like a star surrounded by its accolades, highlighted his unique, ruthless leadership qualities.

This was Song Hongfei's first impression of this world-famous madman.

Surrounding Hitler was a group of renowned high-ranking German generals, their dazzling star epaulets proclaiming their formidable authority.

Song Hongfei couldn't help but admire the fact that later generations considered Nazi German uniforms to be the most handsome and best-looking in history, an unsurpassable classic. This was indeed very true. Seeing the exquisite uniforms of the high-ranking German generals with his own eyes, he wholeheartedly agreed.

The German M36 uniform was aesthetically pleasing, well-made, and tailored, with a fitted waist that accentuated the shoulders and chest, giving the wearer a more lean and upright appearance and emphasizing the soldier's strength. The brightly colored shoulder and collar insignia were exquisitely crafted, and when combined with various unique badges, insignia, and emblems, the uniform exuded a powerful and artistic presence, creating a strong visual impact.

This magnificent military uniform makes everyone who wears it look spirited and radiant, perfectly embodying masculinity. It perfectly matches the image of the Germanic people that the Nazis were trying to create, highlighting the soldiers' imposing presence and showcasing their majestic and heroic spirit.

Song Hongfei was well-read and knowledgeable about the history of World War II. His eyesight was also excellent; he had already recognized some of them.

Rudolf Hess, the deputy leader of Nazi Germany;

Important leaders of the German party, government and military, Germany's "economic czar", cabinet minister without jurisdiction, head of the "Four-Year Plan", and Commander-in-Chief of the German Air Force, Göring;

Blomberg, then Minister of War (Defense Minister) and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who had just been awarded the rank of Field Marshal in 1936;

German Army Commander-in-Chief Fritz;

General Lundstätter, commander of the 1st Army in Berlin;

Himmler, the police commissioner, head of the Gestapo, and commander of the SS Reichstag;

Reinhard Heydrich, head of the SS intelligence service and secret police;

William Keitel, Director of the Armed Forces Bureau of the Department of Defense;

Director of the Defense Services Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense, Lai Xuenao;

Manstein, Chief of the 1st (Operations) Section of the General Staff of the Army of the Wehrmacht;

Inspector General of Armored Forces and Commander of the 2nd Armored Division, Guderian.

The shooting demonstration began, and Song Hongfei walked to his shooting position amidst the attention of the crowd. All eyes followed Song Hongfei; his steps were firm, and his face was full of confidence and anticipation.

Song Hongfei walked to the table at the shooting position.

"Demonstration subject - rapid fire of semi-automatic rifles at 50 meters, 100 meters, and 200 meters, demonstration begins!" The commentator's powerful voice rang out from the loudspeaker.

"Ready—!" the commander beside him shouted.

Song Hongfei picked up the rifle, his eyes sharpening instantly as he stared intently at the head target 50 meters away.

"Fire!" the commander shouted.

Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, Song Hongfei's hands moved with lightning speed, dazzling the onlookers. In the blink of an eye, he had disassembled the rifle in his hand, turning it into individual parts.

"Oh my God? What is he doing?" Everyone was surprised and confused, and some people on the viewing platform exclaimed in surprise.

"Good!" Song Hongfei shouted.

Then he immediately grabbed the parts on the table, his movements so fast it was like a movie in fast motion. The slight metallic clanging of the weapon parts filled the air as they flew to their places on the gun. In the blink of an eye, the parts transformed into a rifle, just like magic.

The crowd in the stands was already stunned, and only then did thunderous applause and cheers erupt.

At this moment, the members of the Chinese delegation, including Kong Yongzhi, Yu Dawei, Xu Tingyao, and others, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Their hearts, which had been in their throats by Song Hongfei's sudden move, finally settled down. No one expected him to pull such a stunt!

"That rascal, he always manages to surprise you with something!" Yu Dawei said with a laugh, but a clear smile had already appeared on his face.

The members of the Chinese delegation exchanged knowing smiles.

Song Hongfei picked up a magazine, quickly loaded it into the gun, and immediately after he raised the gun, without pausing to aim, a shot rang out.

"Clang clang clang clang clang...!"

Ten rapid, rhythmic gunshots rang out, and in less than 10 seconds, ten steel head targets 50 meters away fell to the ground.

Another gasp erupted from the stands!

These generals, who had served in the military for many years and had experienced countless battles, had long since discovered that Song Hongfei could immediately fire a precise and rapid-fire rifle without first calibrating it, and that every shot hit its mark!

The German generals immediately understood Song Hongfei's intention: the rifle could be quickly disassembled and reassembled without tools, and without the need for calibration. This made it extremely easy to maintain and repair, and in a real battlefield environment, it meant quick and convenient troubleshooting of weapon malfunctions and full utilization of damaged weapon parts. Song Hongfei was deliberately demonstrating the rifle's excellent structural design and superior performance. At the same time, this naturally also showcased Song Hongfei's own exceptional marksmanship!

Then, an astonishing scene unfolded. Before the last bullet had even fired, Song Hongfei swiftly grabbed a magazine from the table with his left hand, pushed it against the magazine on the gun, knocking the old magazine off and simultaneously installing the new one! He then quickly reached around the gun from above and pulled the bolt. Before anyone could react, the new magazine had already fired!

Only then did the old magazines, which had been replaced, finally fall to the ground!

"Clang clang clang clang clang...!"

Ten more rapid gunshots rang out, and ten half-body steel targets 100 meters away fell to the ground!

"Oh, one-handed magazine change!" The German general and members of the Chinese delegation in the stands were once again shocked, and immediately burst into exclamations and thunderous applause!

He fired and changed magazines simultaneously, firing continuously. When the old magazine was empty, he would replace it with a new one and continue firing. The process was so fast that it seemed like there was no pause! This amazing skill shocked everyone present, including the members of the Chinese delegation. Everyone was dumbfounded; none of them had ever seen anything like it. Some of the German generals were already whispering and discussing it among themselves.

No one could have imagined that this semi-automatic rifle could be used like this!

He fired two magazines of 20 rounds in half a minute, each with a capacity of 10 rounds. The whole process was so fast that there was no pause or change in rhythm during the firing!

If you only rely on your ears, it sounds like the gun is loaded with a 20-round magazine!