Germany does not seek survival

But Hindenburg certainly couldn't accept it.

Manstein understood what was happening, left without saying a word, and immediately found Ludendorff and repeated the relevant information to him.

Ludendorff immediately understood Manstein's hidden meaning. He had clashed with William II many times and had no good feelings towards this foolish emperor. If he could use William II's life to create an opportunity for the army to shirk responsibility for defeat and seize power after the war, what would be wrong with that?

Ludendorff's face turned pale, and he gritted his teeth as he spoke, "Very good! I will immediately go and persuade the Prince of Baden and His Majesty to return to Berlin and take charge of the imperial capital. Your suggestion is very good, it's a good idea. Forming a capable secret army is also a very important matter."

Manstein volunteered to be responsible for forming this secret army.

Ludendorff's expression changed. He said, "I will assign Seeckt to form a secret army. He is more suitable for this task."

Manstein's heart suddenly turned cold. He guessed that Ludendorff had accepted his conspiracy, but was also very wary and disgusted with people like him, so naturally he would not hand over the extremely important military power to him.

Manstein could only leave in disappointment, but he did not give up. Even if he could not seize the military power of the coup army, he still had many connections on the Eastern Front.

Manstein's eyes flickered. He was the operational staff officer of the General Staff and the leader of the Eastern Group. It was time to go to Königsberg. If Königsberg was no longer safe, he could always go to Courland...

Humph, you guys just stay in Berlin and fight each other!

Chapter 139: The Tyrolean Uprising

In November 1918, the situation in the imperial capital Berlin had become extremely bad. As the number of strikers increased, even the Krupp Arsenal began to strike. At Ludendorff's strong request, William II had no choice but to return to Berlin and go to the Krupp factory to deliver a speech to the steel workers.

The Kaiser's assistant had prepared a speech for Wilhelm II, but the Kaiser discarded it and chose to deliver an impromptu speech. The Kaiser's first mistake was wearing a gray military uniform, which the workers hated most. His second mistake was calling the workers "dear friends," which left the workers' gloomy faces filled with confusion - when did we become friends?

The German Emperor spoke for 30 minutes straight, and was extremely emotional, with beads of sweat on his forehead. The emperor's attendants were all embarrassed and felt like they were sitting on pins and needles, because some of the things they said really shouldn't have been said.

William II spoke of the people's suffering and famine, but it was clearly a scripted statement. He even said: "Everyone should have his own job. You strike the hammer, he operates the machine, and I run the government!"

When the workers heard this, they all sneered. The German emperor talked incessantly about the courage of the soldiers on the front line, the noble achievements of Germany, the Bible, and even mentioned the serious illness of "my beloved wife, the mother of your country" in an attempt to win some sympathy.

As the Kaiser rebuked those who doubted the outcome of the war, the workers' contempt became increasingly explicit and the scene became extremely embarrassing.

When William II called on the people's will to be as firm as steel and asked everyone present to shout "Yes!" if they decided to fight to the end, according to the speech, everyone should respond in unison and the sound should resound throughout the venue; in the end, there were only a few responses and a few sneaky giggles. Most people were silent and the scene was extremely awkward.

The situation in Berlin was like this. At that time, the empire's control over the news and all political restrictions had been completely lifted, or rather, no one had the time to care.

Berlin newspapers openly reported: "Will His Majesty abdicate? When will he step down?"

All political prisoners were released, and no one cared about Liebknecht and Luxemburg, who were under house arrest. They left their houses and moved freely, and no officials or soldiers came to stop them.

All the revolutionary trade unions in Berlin began to operate openly. The Social Democratic Party trade unions that originally supported the imperial government also took to the streets and started violent strikes.

The next day, a major disturbance broke out in Kiel Harbor. The trouble had begun a week earlier, when Admiral Scheer ordered the fleet to sea. The crews of six battleships protested, saying they would defend the German coast but refused to fight a meaningless naval battle.

The Admiralty then repeatedly issued this foolish directive, leading to open rebellion. Most warships were forced to return to port, and demonstrations continued. On November 3rd, nearly 11 dock workers and sailors marched, demanding the release of their arrested comrades. The crowds responded enthusiastically, holding torches and singing "The Internationale" as they marched toward the military prison.

A naval patrol came to stop them, but the crowd continued to advance. At this time, gunshots were heard and the sailors fled in all directions, leaving behind about 20 dead and wounded people. Then, the naval mutiny broke out.

However, before that, Manstein had already used the transfer order he received from Ludendorff to transfer the most valuable warships in the High Seas Fleet, mainly several battlecruisers and König-class dreadnoughts, to the ports of the Baltic Sea.

As news of the Kiel mutiny spread, similar riots erupted across Germany. On the morning of Monday, November 4, sailors looted the armory and small arms cache, taking control of much of Kiel. All but one ship in the harbor hoisted the revolutionary red flag. Similar riots and mutinies followed in Hamburg, Lübeck, and other cities.

When the news reached Berlin, Kautsky, the chairman of the Independent Party, heard the news, he immediately went to meet with the two who had regained their freedom, Liebknecht and Luxemburg, as well as many representatives of revolutionary trade unions.

As soon as they met, Liebknecht said, "Kautsky, your duty now is to mobilize the workers. The people believe that the emperor is to blame for the collapse of the country. Therefore, the emperor should abdicate by tomorrow morning at the latest."

Kautsky hesitated. "The Emperor must abdicate? Who will succeed him? Crown Prince Wilhelm? No, he's a soldier, and the masses are deeply disgusted with these generals."

Indignant at Kautsky's weakness, Luxemburg grabbed Kautsky by the tie:

"What are we waiting for? It's time to act. Don't wait for the emperor to abdicate. His abdication will only empower Albert, who will be a more formidable enemy than the dog emperor. We should act immediately, convince the workers to take to the streets, seize the armory, take up arms, and then we ourselves will enter the City Palace, capture the dog emperor, and hang him at the Brandenburg Gate!"

Kautsky, however, was still hesitant: "That would cause great chaos and could easily result in too many casualties..."

Kautsky's attitude immediately dispelled Luxemburg's hopes for him. She grabbed Liebknecht and left: "We, the Spartacus League, must act on our own. We can't count on the Independent Party or this old man Kautsky!"

==

In Albert's official residence, Prince of Baden came in person to ask for advice. Because Prince of Baden had no power, he could only rely on Albert, the real ruler of Berlin.

Albert was wearing a thin white shirt. This fat man with a humorous and cute appearance was sitting at the table with a smile on his face. It was hard to imagine that in a few days, the whole of Germany would fall into the hands of this fat man.

The Prince of Baden said with a sad face: "Your Majesty originally wanted to go to Spa and seek military protection. Fortunately, Ludendorff disagreed, otherwise things would have been even worse."

Albert clapped his hands and said, "Prince, you are absolutely right! Your Majesty is in such a critical moment. How can you leave? You have two important tasks now. First, force the Emperor to remain in Berlin at all costs. Second, persuade the Emperor to abdicate, no matter the cost, and have the Emperor authorize Parliament to form a full-power government for Germany."

Because Ebert's Social Democratic Party is the largest party in Congress. If the emperor abdicates and authorizes Parliament to organize a full government, Ebert will naturally be in power.

The Prince of Baden was very sad: "Your Majesty now regards me as an enemy. This is a very heavy blow to me personally. It is also a huge blow to the cause I have devoted myself to. I have always believed that Your Majesty saw in me not only a prime minister of a democratic government, but also a relative and friend who worked hard to save the Hohenzollern family from collapse."

"And now, the emperor is very cruel to me. He has alienated me and is determined to oppose me."

Albert suggested, "Don't worry, Prince. You can look for people around him, some court officials close to His Majesty, to stabilize His Majesty."

After Prince of Baden left, Albert immediately summoned his subordinates Noske, Scheidemann and others.

Albert instructed Noske, saying, "Send your police, your union pickets, and all the gang members you can find! Use all your manpower to control the train stations, the roads, and the cars. Also, keep an eye on the airports and airplanes. If His Majesty wants to leave Berlin, you must cut off the traffic and prevent His Majesty from leaving."

"Why do we have to keep His Majesty here? Why not just scare him off and take over Berlin?" asked Ebert's deputy, Scheidemann.

Albert said: "We will launch strikes and demonstrations to scare this useless thing and ensure that the emperor formally abdicates and formally authorizes me to form a full-power government, so that we can control the country."

Noske immediately declared his intention to act: "This is the best solution, and it is also the best way out for Germany. Anyone who dares to stand in my way will be killed without mercy."

Albert nodded happily: "If the Independence Party and the Spartacists jump out to cause trouble, remember to show no mercy."

Albert then instructed Scheidemann, "Go find some of His Majesty's closest aides and have them tell His Majesty that Austria has agreed to a separate peace with the Allies. The Austro-Hungarian Empire is exhausted, its army is nearly broken, the Habsburg monarch has abdicated, and all members of the royal family have been loaded onto carts and taken away."

"That would frighten your Majesty," said Scheidemann.

Albert smiled again and said, "Just to scare that useless thing."

At this time, on the battlefield in Italy, colorful fireworks and flash flares were set off everywhere, and the sky above the battlefield was illuminated. Bells, singing and cheers rang out in the distant villages, and even D'Annunzio and Mussolini on the front line could hear them.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire has surrendered, Italy has won!

But the Italian army did not stop there. They wanted to seize more territory, including Trieste, Fiume, Dalmatia, and Tyrol.

The Italian army continued to advance, and the Austrian army was overwhelmed.

In the city of Innsbruck, light snow had already begun to fall from the sky of the mountain city. Time passed so quickly, and another winter had arrived. Faust put on the German army's winter double-breasted field gray military coat, and put on a waterproof black raincoat on the outside.

In front of Faust stood rows of soldiers from the Great German Regiment. All of them were wearing military coats, fully armed, and covered with a black raincoat.

Carry a gun but not an umbrella on a snowy night!

The indistinguishable Alps blocked Faust's view of his homeland. Those peaks, huddled together, were bright above the snow line and dark below, forming many transparent and strange faces. They looked around and slowly lowered, and after countless waves, one lower than the other, they gradually merged with the belly of Austria.

Faust turned to the crowd and shouted: "Comrades of the National Socialist Party, comrades of the Greater German Regiment!"

"We are not defeated deserters, but warriors who have taken the initiative to break their chains! We once shed blood on the Italian battlefield for the Kaiser's ambitions, and now we must fight for the future of the German people!"

"Tyrol is not a refuge, but a powder keg of European revolution!"

"The Empire's avalanche has arrived. We, two thousand people, will be the first wave to overturn the old order!"

"Tomorrow we will seize the arsenal in Innsbruck, not to kill people, but to arm the people!

Tomorrow we will open the nobles' granaries, not to give alms, but to return the stolen bread to its owners!

Tomorrow we will transform the snow-capped peaks of Tyrol into a red fortress, a revolutionary center connecting the world!"

“Now I swear:

All land belongs to those who till it, and all factories to those who work them;

Tear up the war debt and form an iron alliance with all revolutionaries in the world——"

"This is not a rebellion, comrades. If we win, the Alps will bear witness to the birth of a new world. Unfrozen hearts, unquenchable flames. This is a revolution! History will remember this day, history will remember the Tyrolean uprising!"

"Now I command you, Operation codename Barbarossa, everyone, let the wave of revolution surge—!"

Chapter 140: Revolutionary Republic

The snow in Innsbruck was getting heavier. Tonight, Faust did not come to the Bat Dance Club to listen to music, and Miss Galadia felt a little lost. She walked to a gramophone and turned the record. As the black record rotated, Schubert's "The Erlking" sung by Galadia before sounded again.

"Over a hundred years later, the captives are still in the arena,

The sound of ankle shackles colliding stirred up a wave of heat in the entire arena;

The Colosseum in Rome stands in the center of the city, weathering the frost.

No one remembers the slaves, only Vespasian..."

A sad song sounded from the gramophone, and teams of black figures walked forward step by step on the white snow under the ancient castle of Innsbruck, each of them carrying a rifle and holding a bayonet.

In front of the Austrian arsenal in Innsbruck, dozens of Austrian guards and police were surprised to see so many soldiers suddenly rushing in.

A German officer stepped forward, flashed his officer ID, and shouted, "I am Captain Erich Weidel of the Grossdeutschland Regiment, commander of the 1st Cheka Operations Battalion. I am here by order of Colonel Witt Faust, commander of the Innsbruck garrison, to take command of the 107th Armory!"

An Austrian officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel stepped forward hesitantly. He carefully examined the German officer's ID and said, "I'm sorry, but I need Marshal Conrad's order before I can hand over the armory to you..."

Before the Austrian officer could finish his words, several policemen suddenly pulled out their pistols behind him and pointed them at the back of his head.

Captain Weidel took the opportunity to rush forward and knocked the Austrian officer to the ground. The rest of the German soldiers immediately rushed into the armory. Except for a few Austrian guards who wanted to shoot back and were immediately suppressed by the German army, some of the remaining people were members of the National Socialist Party's peripheral organizations and immediately surrendered in response, while others saw that the situation was not good and surrendered immediately.

"After more than a thousand years, the only traces of the struggle are the warm earth.

On the relief carvings of the merit columns, were there ever any images of slaves busy at work?

Trajan's sword points, the name of the wise emperor attracts people's attention,

Who knew that the empire was also built on blood..."

In front of the train station in Innsbruck, many troops of the Dalmatian Mountain Division that Marshal Conrad had transferred back from the front were stationed at the train station. In the snowy night, many soldiers did not even have warm clothes or fuel. Everyone just wanted the war to end soon and the damn Habsburg Empire to end soon.

Hitler brought another team of German troops, dense black figures, rushing towards the train station like a violent torrent, and the soldiers' restless emotions could no longer be concealed.

As soon as he arrived at the train station, Hitler raised a telegram in his hand and shouted: "The Habsburg Emperor has abdicated! The Austro-Hungarian Empire no longer exists! The Allied Powers have announced that they will occupy all territories of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Gentlemen, we reject imperial rule and the rule of the Allied Powers. We will launch a revolution and establish the Tyrolean Revolutionary Republic. Those who support the revolution should lay down their arms. Those who do not lay down their arms will be regarded as counter-revolutionaries and our army will immediately launch a crackdown!"

The Dalmatian Division of the Austrian Army in front of the train station immediately fell into chaos. There were already many people planted by the National Socialist Party in the Dalmatian Division. Now these people began to respond, shouting slogans in support of the Tyrolean uprising, making the situation even more chaotic.

However, there were many Croatian soldiers in the Dalmatian Division. They did not want to continue fighting with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but they also did not want to join the revolution with the Germans. These Croatian soldiers were the main force of resistance. Bullets flew over and almost injured Hitler.

Hitler pulled off the hood of his black raincoat and shouted angrily, "If you want to fight, then fight!"

Firepower from both sides immediately poured down, and the sound of machine guns rang out, stirring up smoke and dust on the walls of the train station building. The German army also began to suffer casualties, and some people fell in a pool of blood.

Hitler became even angrier. Why didn't Tito do his job well with these Croats who were hindering the revolution?

It turned out to be a very tough nut to crack!

However, the Grossdeutschland Regiment was well-equipped and well-trained, and its combat effectiveness was far superior to that of the Croat soldiers in the Dalmatian Division. If the battle continued, the Grossdeutschland Regiment would surely win.

But Hitler was worried that the progress was too slow, and if it affected the overall situation of the Tyrolean uprising, it would be a serious crime.

Hitler didn't think twice. He ripped open his collar, raised his pistol, and shouted, "Comrades, for the victory of the revolution, follow me! National Socialist Party members, step out and follow me to the train station!"

At Hitler's call, a group of pioneers from the Greater German Corps and a group of National Socialist members immediately stood up.

Everyone raised their bayonets and started charging forward. Their indomitable momentum immediately overwhelmed the Croat soldiers who were hesitant to fight back, and they broke into the train station in an instant.

The resistance of the remaining troops of the Dalmatian Division immediately collapsed, and the German army began to control all the locomotives in the railway station.

Hitler was wounded by a stray bullet during the previous charge. He covered the injured part and said with a smile: "Go and inform our Führer that Adolf has captured the train station for him."

"Fortunately, his name has not been buried, Spartacus still holds the people's heart.

The shackles are rusted, and the miserable people are full of courage and bravery;

Until slavery is no more, and light spreads across this dark planet,

The fighting arena collapsed into a mound..."

Tyrol was an important source of precious metals for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Bank of Innsbruck had a large vault dedicated to storing the empire's precious metal reserves, including gold and silver bars.

The bank building was particularly sturdy, so another team of National Socialist troops brought a 150mm heavy howitzer for this purpose. Pulled by a large number of horses, the artillery was aimed at the Innsbruck Bank from a distance.

Then Major Ptacek of the National Socialist Party told the Austro-Hungarian bank managers in tuxedos: "Colonel Faust's order, the precious metal reserves in Innsbruck are now under the control of our army!"

According to Faust's previous investigation, the vault of the Innsbruck Bank stored about 80 tons of gold and 70 tons of silver. This was not a small amount of money, but a very large sum of money, and it was hard currency.

The bank managers were not as tough as the Croat soldiers at the train station. They looked at the black muzzle of the gun opposite the bank building and without saying a word, they immediately handed the vault key to the German army.

"I don't care if there's room for me in beautiful Rome.

With the call to arms raised, tens of thousands of people flocked in..."

Finally, there is Faust.

Faust, dressed in black, walked into the Austrian Army Headquarters located in the Holy Roman Emperor's Palace with only three soldiers. Out of courtesy, Faust sent someone to inform Conrad that he wanted to meet. When he arrived at Conrad's office, Faust put down the gun in his hand, walked forward with his bare hands, knocked on the door, and opened the door only when he heard Conrad's response.

Faust walked into the office with three German soldiers and stood solemnly opposite Marshal Conrad's desk.