Germany does not seek survival

Ludendorff, an army general who had little affection for the German navy, simply said, "If the British demands are unavoidable, we will have no choice but to accept them."

Scheidemann was somewhat worried about the huge responsibility involved, so he decided to call Albert again.

On the phone, Albert criticized Scheidemann unhappily: "Is there anything more important than ending the war? As long as the Allies agree to help us restore order, any conditions are worth it. Mr. Scheidemann, please, along with Mr. Erzberger and General Ludendorff, immediately reply to the Allies. As long as the Allies agree to the return of six German divisions to Berlin, we are willing to accept any additional terms."

Before the sun rose at dawn, Erzberger had hastily replied to the Allies: "Germany is willing to accept additional terms. We will implement all agreements related to the High Seas Fleet according to the time specified by the Allies."

On the same day, when the British government learned of the news, Churchill was overjoyed. He did not hide it and shortly after reporting to Lloyd George, he told the story in an interview with a reporter from The Times as if to seek credit.

Churchill, beaming with pride, told reporters: "I have secured Germany's agreement to permanently disband the High Seas Fleet. The German Navy is to surrender all its major warships. Furthermore, to safeguard British freedom of navigation, we have reached an additional agreement with Germany for the transfer of all its shipbuilding industry to Britain within a specified time."

The British attach great importance to sea power, so this news made the headlines of the Times that day and quickly spread throughout the UK. Of course, the news also reached Germany before that evening.

In fact, even without Churchill's big mouth, it would be difficult to hide the draft peace treaty reached between the Abbott government and the Allies from most Germans.

The Erzberg delegation itself was not particularly confidential. More importantly, Ludendorff's control over the General Staff was not tight. Hindenburg did take away a large number of royalists who were extremely dissatisfied with the Ebert government, but not all the remaining officers were truly loyal to the Ebert government.

Therefore, all kinds of rumors have spread rapidly.

In the evening, Faust was having dinner at Liebknecht's residence at the invitation of Liebknecht. After the revolution, Liebknecht moved into the Adlon Hotel on Unter den Linden.

This hotel is located next to the Brandenburg Gate and was the most upscale luxury hotel in Berlin before the outbreak of the war. It was fully built in 1907. The hotel is surrounded by famous scenic spots, big-name stores, galleries, and theaters. Many prominent Berlin families of the old times were willing to sell their winter villas just to own a permanent room in the Adlon Hotel.

After the Berlin Revolution, the Adlon Hotel provided all the rooms on its three floors to the revolutionary regime. In addition to Liebknecht, many politicians who temporarily had no houses to live in Berlin also moved into the Adlon Hotel.

The owner of the Adlon Hotel is Laurenz Adlon, a famous German chef from Mainz. He started his career by cooking and running a restaurant, and later became the royal chef of William II, which made him famous. Before the outbreak of World War I, he already had huge financial resources and was able to invest 20 million marks to build this hotel.

The food in the hotel is very upscale and luxurious, very different in style from the somewhat rough and rugged German cuisine in Faust Influence, and the dishes and taste are closer to French cuisine.

Because of the differences at the Labor Community Conference, Liebknecht now wanted to repair the relationship between the Spartacus League and the National Socialist Party. At the dinner, in addition to Liebknecht, the Soviet representative Zinoviev was also present.

As soon as Zinoviev saw Faust, he apologized: "When we first met, my remarks were not very considerate of the feelings of the National Socialists and went a bit too far. I am truly sorry. Please accept my apology on behalf of the Soviet Union, Mr. Faust."

Faust waved his hand and said with a smile: "Mr. Zinoviev, you worry too much. I won't take such a trivial matter to heart."

Having said that, Faust and Zinoviev unconsciously addressed each other as "Sir" instead of "Comrade".

Liebknecht invited Faust to sit down. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "The Spartacus League is holding a reorganization conference. Comrade Faust, does the National Socialist Party really have no ideas? We can cooperate and form the German Communist Party together."

Faust shook his head. "Doctor, I have already expressed my opinion to Ms. Rosa. The National Socialist Party will not merge with the Spartacus League."

Liebknecht sighed. "Comrade Faust, if you're worried about the Spartacus League swallowing up the National Socialist Party, there's no need to worry. As long as the two parties merge, Rosa and I are willing to support you as the first chairman of the KPD."

Faust still continued to reject Liebknecht's kind invitation. He knew very well in his mind that there was a serious lack of politicians with national influence among the National Socialists. Regardless of whether Liebknecht's promise was true or false, even if it was true, what would it matter?

Faust, a person who had no roots in the German Communist Party, was parachuted into the position of chairman of the German Communist Party, but he could only be sidelined by the Spartacus League, which was meaningless.

Chapter 189: Sunset of the High Seas Fleet

This luxurious Adlon Hotel also made Faust feel a little uncomfortable. The National Socialist Party did not actually have a strong ascetic or Puritan style. It only emphasized the principle of unity between officers and soldiers. However, according to Germany's material conditions, the treatment standards of ordinary soldiers were actually not bad.

However, the Adlon Hotel is too luxurious. Even in modern times, it feels too magnificent and full of overflowing Rococo style, which does not conform to Faust's aesthetic standards.

When it comes to the enjoyment of life and residence, Faust himself still prefers a design style like Bauhaus that is simple in decoration and focuses on functional use.

Zinoviev still wanted to win over Faust: "Mr. Faust, in an advanced country, if you want a Soviet revolution, if you want to establish a state apparatus composed of Soviets at all levels like a pyramid, you must have a Marxist-Leninist party that bravely steps forward and firmly leads... Otherwise, the revolution will not have a proletarian character."

Zinoviev said: "Since arriving in Berlin, I have carefully observed the situation of the German revolution. What the German soviets lack most is what the Bolsheviks once did in Russia: a consistent and patient explanation of the revolution to the masses. Only in this way can the prestige of the soviets be strengthened, our prestige within them be enhanced, and we can win over a majority of the workers' and soldiers' soviets and make them a weapon in the struggle for power."

Faust still shook his head. "Sir, anyone who compares Germany in November 1918 with Russia in November 1917 is mistaken. Germany and Russia are two completely different countries. Moreover, the Germans are very proud. Whether it's the Independent Party, the Spartacus League, or the National Socialists, the German people and German revolutionaries all have one thing in common: a deep sense of pride. They are unwilling to blindly follow the guidance of foreigners, as you suggest."

When Zinoviev heard this, he felt that he had spoken out of turn. After all, for many years, since the time of Peter the Great, the Germans had occupied the ecological niche of teachers in front of the Russians. Now suddenly the situation was reversed, and the Germans were asked to become students of the Soviet Union. Naturally, this would make the German people feel very uncomfortable.

Zinoviev sat down angrily, and Liebknecht felt extremely distressed. Liebknecht admired Faust very much. He had just promised to support Faust as the chairman of the German Communist Party. That was not a joke, but an empty promise.

To be honest, if Faust was willing to lead the National Socialist Party to join the German Communist Party, Liebknecht would sincerely be willing to let Faust lead the German Communist Party.

Liebknecht's eyes were particularly sincere. He shook Faust's hand and sighed with emotion: "In the past few years, Rosa and I have been imprisoned. We have done so little for the German people, far less than you have. I am really ashamed to be the chairman of the German Communist Party! Compared with you, I am ashamed of myself."

Faust said calmly, "Doctor, you are too modest. The KPD will only recognize Dr. Liebknecht and Frau Rosa, not me."

Faust knew very well in his mind that even if he had Liebknecht's most sincere support, he would not be able to serve as the parachuted chairman of the German Communist Party.

Rather than being a figurehead chairman guided by the Third International and Liebknecht, Faust would certainly prefer to return to the National Socialist Party to be his floating leader.

As a result of today's meeting at the Adlon Hotel, the Spartacus League still failed to achieve its goal. Faust was already wanting to leave, but the door behind him was pushed open by Sorge.

Sorge trotted over to Faust and whispered, "Stasi intelligence, sir, says the Ebert government has reached a secret agreement with the Allies. One clause, exposed by the media, concerns the High Seas Fleet. The Allies demand the permanent destruction of Germany's naval industry."

Because the Albert government had a weak ability to keep secrets, and because the Allied Powers were full of confidence and had too many big-mouthed politicians eager to take credit, in the armistice agreement, except for the clause that Albert hoped the Allied Powers would support him in suppressing the revolution, the rest of the clauses were not secret at all and were spread throughout the world that same day.

Liebknecht also received the relevant news soon. Everyone looked at each other in silence. Zinoviev was tactful and said nothing. Liebknecht clenched his fist, slammed the table heavily and said:

“The Ebert government failed to inform the Greater Berlin Workers’, Peasants’ and Soldiers’ Council of the concrete progress of the negotiations.”

Faust raised his eyes, slightly disappointed. Liebknecht did not seem to care much about the naval terms revealed in the negotiations. He only cared about the fact that the Ebert government did not consult closely with other parties.

Faust reminded him: "Doctor, please understand that the Allied treaty requires Germany to permanently and completely destroy its shipbuilding industry..."

Liebknecht and Zinoviev just nodded and said nothing more.

Faust remained silent. Indeed, judging from the terms that had been exposed, it seemed that the punishment imposed on Germany by the Allies was not as severe as the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

If the Soviet Union could accept the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, it seemed that Liebknecht could also accept the Treaty of Ebert.

The German people are eager for peace, and it is estimated that they will not be too opposed to the peace treaty at this time. Only after peace is reached and the German people have recovered, will their nationalist sentiments reach their peak again.

From a strategic point of view, it seems that Liebknecht is not wrong to support peace talks now.

Faust rationally understood the rationality of Liebknecht's idea, but emotionally, he was very disappointed. It was no wonder that the Spartacus League did this that Germany later fell into Hitler's hands.

After leaving the Adlon Hotel in a depressed mood, Faust told Sorge: "Get ready for me. I want to send a secret telegram to Manstein."

Sorge was shocked: "Sir, you? This is an act of collaborating with the enemy!"

Faust said sternly, "I want to warn Manstein that the German Navy is at a critical moment of life and death. Comrade Sorge, this information must be kept secret from the Spartacus League."

"Comrade Sorge, the Spartacus League is holding a conference to reorganize the German Communist Party. I think that after this conference, you must make a choice: to be a member of the German Communist Party or a member of the National Socialist Party. The Stasi cannot continue to be led by a person with dual party membership."

Sorge was struck by lightning. He understood that Faust's words meant that the National Socialist Party would take a different path from the German Communist Party in the future. Perhaps the two sides would eventually reach the same destination, but in the days to come, the paths the two parties would take would definitely be different. Perhaps one day they would even come to blows.

Sorge respected Liebknecht very much and admired Faust, so it was really painful for him to choose between the two sides.

Faust saw Sorge's inner conflict and said gently, "I'll give you a few days off. Comrade Weissen, Comrade Pilar, and Comrade Schmidt will be in charge of the Stasi for now. You can take a vacation and rest for a while."

The several names mentioned by Faust were all Sorge's deputies in the Stassi, and they were all very staunch members of the National Socialist Party.

Sorge said with a bitter smile: "What else can I say? Your Excellency has made this decision, and I can only obey."

Faust shook his head: "Comrade Sorge, prepare another statement for me."

"What content?"

"The National Socialists are against the Ebert Peace Treaty."

Sorge smiled bitterly. "What you're doing is just like opposing the Labor Community Agreement. Even if it proves to be the right move in the future, today it will only make the German people hate the National Socialist Party. People will say that the National Socialist Party is destroying the peace."

Faust took it calmly: "It won't take long, at most one or two months, for the German people to realize it."

The secret telegram that Faust sent to Manstein was a secret communication channel left between the Stasi and the Eastern General Planning Group in the past. After the Battle of Berlin, Manstein still thought that the connection between him and Faust would be completely broken, but he did not expect to receive news from Faust so soon.

Far away in East Prussia, Manstein, after reading the secret message sent by Faust, his eyes moved: "We cannot sit idly by and watch the naval flag of the High Seas Fleet be lowered at sunset."

"Let's proceed according to our original plan and start Operation Rainbow. The German Navy would rather die a spectacular death than sit and wait for death."

Chapter 190 Different Rainbow Operations

Near the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark, on the old battlefield of the Battle of Jutland, in the foggy depths of the ocean, the British Royal Navy's large fleet is heading towards Wilhelmshaven. Amidst the turbulent waves, countless dreadnoughts are breaking through the waves, reminding people of the British Navy's huge fleet stretching for ten kilometers during the Battle of Jutland.

In the history of naval battles, both ancient and modern, such a huge line of dreadnought battleships is an unprecedented spectacle.

Today, every officer and soldier of the Royal Navy in the Grand Fleet is feeling more excited than in the Battle of Jutland, and everyone is looking forward to creating a new "Trafalgar" fame.

Everyone on the bridge of the flagship, the Iron Duke, straightened their clothes, imitating Nelson's legacy of wearing formal attire to fight: they adjusted their dark blue waterproof hats, double-breasted jackets and white scarves around their collars.

The British were actually very dissatisfied with the last naval decisive Battle of Jutland. In this naval battle, the German Navy performed better than the British Army. With strength slightly inferior to that of the British Navy, the German Army sank three British battlecruisers, three armored cruisers and eight destroyers.

The British Navy lost ships with a displacement of 113300 tons, 6197 officers and soldiers were killed in action, and 177 were captured.

而德国海军则损失1艘战列巡洋舰、1艘前无畏舰、4艘轻巡洋舰以及5艘驱逐舰，损失舰艇的排水量只有62233吨，官兵阵亡2545名。

Judging from the battle results alone, the exchange ratio of the German Navy to the British Navy reached one to two, proving that the quality of the main ships and sailors of the High Seas Fleet has surpassed the British Royal Navy that dominated the seven seas for hundreds of years.

From a global perspective, Germany's plan to break through the British blockade failed, the overall situation in the North Sea did not change fundamentally, Germany was ultimately defeated, and Britain won the First World War.

However, psychologically, the British were not as confident about the outcome of the Battle of Jutland as they said.

This battle at least proves that the British Royal Navy is no longer the best in the world in terms of training quality, and is also inferior to Germany in terms of ship equipment. Considering that Germany's industrial strength is superior to that of Britain, as long as Germany recovers in the future, the German Navy is very likely to surpass Britain.

That is why Britain was eager to destroy the German Navy, and it had to be a complete destruction, leaving no room for the German Navy to revive.

The Grand Fleet remained anchored on the sea until it was dark and foggy. At 7 p.m., a tall and thin man in the black uniform of a rear admiral of the German Imperial Navy was brought to the British battleship by a transport boat accompanied by four staff members.

When they had just stepped onto the teak deck of the battleship, there was a sound, and several beams of dazzling light suddenly illuminated them palely, and the German officers could not help but tremble.

At the front of the deck, a whole row of Marines stood motionless, only the bayonets on their guns flashing coldly.

Five German officers were taken to the brightly lit officers' dining room. At the head of the table sat a young naval admiral, with his military cap still tilted beautifully on his head. On the wall behind him hung oil paintings depicting Viscount Nelson's victories on the Nile and at Trafalgar, and on the dining table stood a bronze lion statue.

This seems to imply that this general had fought from the beginning of the war to the Heligoland Bight, from Dogger Bank to the Battle of Jutland, until he took up his current position.

The name of the flagship you've been on so far.

He is the 47-year-old Admiral Sir David Beatty, Commander-in-Chief of the British Royal Navy's Grand Fleet.

Seeing the Germans standing at the door, Sir Betty stood up and stared for a moment, his eyes fixed on the leading rear admiral, and then asked:

"who are you"

"Rear Admiral Hugo Maurer."

"You were sent by Admiral von Hipper to negotiate the surrender of the German fleet in fulfillment of the armistice?"

"Yes."

"What are your credentials?"

After the visitor handed over some official documents, Beatty read them before letting them sit down. The visitor was the former acting commander of the 4th Battleship Squadron of the German High Seas Fleet, German Rear Admiral Maurer, who had commanded the capture of Finland. He came to discuss the details of the armistice of the German fleet at the request of the British side and on behalf of Hipper.

Thus, a negotiation began to determine the fate of the German fleet.

According to the agreement between the two parties, the German Navy needs to bring the main force of the fleet to the Bay of Forth at the end of the month, and the British Navy will land in Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, Hamburg, Kiel Port, Lübeck and other places to monitor the Germans dismantling all shipyard machinery and equipment.

The meeting lasted more than two hours, and the Germans were forced to accept all the conditions put forward by the British side.

Then the entire British Grand Fleet was dispatched, including 13 squadrons, a total of 33 battleships, 9 battlecruisers, 27 cruisers and several destroyer fleets. All 370 ships of various sizes were arranged into two huge columns and sailed towards Germany in a mighty manner.

These ships all hoisted their battle flags high, as if they were going to participate in a decisive battle. All the sailors in the fleet were in high spirits, ready to receive an unprecedented victory.

According to the British request, more than 70 designated ships of the German High Seas Fleet were required to unload all ammunition, including small arms, and remove all fire control devices, aiming devices and gun bolts.

Sir Beatty was overjoyed. He looked to the east. The sea was covered with a thin layer of mist, and the visibility was about 4.35 nautical miles. A red sun had jumped out of the sea. The huge battlecruiser "Seydlitz" emerged from the mist, followed by "Derfflinger", "Von der Tann", "Hindenburg" and "Moltke", Britain's former enemies, which appeared one by one in the Royal Navy's sight.

These ships, illuminated by the rising sun, showed their dirty broadsides. These once powerful opponents now had their turrets facing forward and backward, their guns without a trace of gunfire.

Force is low.

Following this was Scheer's flagship in the Battle of Jutland, the "Friedrich the Great", followed by the "King Albert", "Emperor", "Crown Prince William", "Queen", "Bavaria", "Margrave", "Prince Regent" and "Grosser Kurfürst", nine powerful dreadnoughts.

Behind them followed a long line of 7 light cruisers and 49 destroyers. Gathered here should be the cream of the German High Seas Fleet, but now they seemed like a group of sheep being driven by sheepdogs.

Sir Beatty ordered the Royal Navy to be divided into two columns, forming two rows of ships with a length of 19300 meters and a length of 10.43 nautical miles.

The British Navy then ordered the German army: the German naval flag must be lowered at sunset today and must not be raised again without permission. At the same time, all German ships must be driven between the two rows of British Navy ships, just like prisoners detained by the police, and be escorted back to Britain by these two rows of British ships.

As the morning light began to appear, not a cloud could be seen in the clear blue sky. Sir Betty faced the gentle sea breeze with tears in his eyes. He was about to preserve Britain's maritime power for the next century.

At this time, the light cruiser "Emden", at the front of the German Navy fleet, suddenly hoisted the international signal flags D and G. According to the interpretation of signal flags, this should be an order for the German Navy to wait for further instructions on the bridge.

Sir Beatty didn't understand what it meant, and then he saw the light cruiser "Emden" sent out the flag signal representing "Section 11".

Sir Betty was very familiar with the rules, regulations, customs and culture of the German Navy. He knew that "Section 11" was a slang commonly used by Germans when drinking beer, meaning to open the bottle and drink.

Suddenly, all 74 German ships underwent a sudden change. First, a turbulent current appeared on the side of the "Frederick the Great". The sea water churned under the huge acceleration. Soon, the other ships also began to accelerate. Sir Beatty was stunned. He finally reacted:

"German Navy's sneak attack! The fleet regroups and resists the German Navy's sneak attack!"

The German Navy seemed to be launching a suicidal attack, which was something Sir Betty could never have imagined, because Sir Betty had heard that the main reason for the Kiel sailors' mutiny was that the German sailors refused their superiors' order to launch a suicide offensive.

Sir Beatty therefore concluded that the morale of the German Navy had completely collapsed, which was why the British army came to take over the High Seas Fleet without any preparation. But what happened?

Why did the German Navy have the courage to launch a suicide offensive!

The British fleet was in chaos. Sir Beatty kept his composure. He believed that the British navy was still stronger than the German navy. The key now was not how much of the German navy could be destroyed, but to prevent the British army from suffering losses in the sneak attack.