It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 191 | Who should take the blame for this?

The German Navy's desperate breakout operation shocked the world.

The first thing that comes to mind is that the once-glorious high seas fleet has become a stray dog, and only then do politicians begin to assess the value of the exiled fleet.

The United Kingdom's vital Atlantic shipping routes are likely to be thrown into chaos...

"Good heavens! So many ships actually escaped?"

Shank didn't learn of this news until more than ten days later. By then, the cargo ship Mingkang had docked in Cape Town, preparing to resupply and then round the Cape of Good Hope to return home.

At the same time, along with the high seas fleet's breakout battle came news of the establishment of the Valland puppet government.

To facilitate their control over the occupied territories, Ivan Rus's side bribed, bewitched, and coerced many people to serve them, and together with some German traitors who voluntarily defected to the enemy, they established a puppet regime with Bolin as its capital.

This puppet regime was a complete puppet with almost no autonomy, and was used purely to ease relations with the people in the occupied areas.

While adrift on the vast ocean, Shank lamented countless times how slow the journey by ship was, wishing he could take a plane again, but unfortunately, intercontinental flights were few and far between these days.

It's no exaggeration to say that he felt his heart had already left his body and flown back to his hometown.

Intercontinental travel these days is just too much trouble!

Because the Suez Canal was blocked, the advisory group had to take the more distant Cape of Good Hope route, which would take a month and a half to complete.

In this era without cell phones and computers, spending every day on a ship looking at the sea is undoubtedly a painful experience, especially since Mr. Shang is not someone who can endure loneliness.

It was already February when the Ming Kang crossed the Strait of Malacca to resupply in Singapore.

The Southeast Asian regions were already under the actual control of the Great Federation, especially Singapore, a small place with a large Chinese population. Being there, one is overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of familiarity.

But this is not that land after all.

Despite having only a week left on the voyage, Mr. Shang, whose homesickness had reached its peak, could no longer bear it. He disembarked, paid for a plane ticket out of his own pocket, and flew directly back to Beijing.

As for the money... we'll figure out how to get it reimbursed later.

Chengdu Ruili Aircraft Company's twin-engine passenger aircraft 'Egret' series is famous for its speed, with a cruising speed of up to 270 kilometers per hour, which is one-fifth faster than the common Douglas DC-3 passenger aircraft, while the operating costs are basically the same. However, the Egret's flight experience is slightly worse, especially due to its louder noise.

The setting sun casts a crimson glow over the western mountains!
After arriving in the Xi'an Special Economic Zone, the passenger plane slowly came to a stop at the end of the runway.

As Shank stepped down the gangway, a long-lost feeling instantly welled up in his heart.

It's hard to describe exactly what it is... peace of mind? comfort? or perhaps both?

Since he returned alone and ahead of time, he naturally missed the welcome ceremony prepared for the advisory group, but Mr. Shang didn't care.

After resting overnight at the National Defense Army Hotel, he tidied his appearance and waited at the main gate of the General Headquarters early the next morning.

Having been away from his motherland for a year, Mr. Shang was extremely excited. He felt a sense of warmth and familiarity with everyone he met, and even the dogs on the street looked handsome... no... friendly.

Looking at this headquarters building, so imposing and majestic, with an extraordinary aura. In this icy and snowy winter, Mr. Shang, dressed in winter clothes, lingered at the gate, his face filled with happiness and bliss.

The sentries guarding the main gate couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment—who was this strange fellow?
After a quarter of an hour, the second lieutenant on duty couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward to ask in a low voice, "Sir, may I ask who you are? Do you have business to attend to today? Or would you like me to take you to the guard post to rest for a while?"

"I'm part of the advisory group sent to Hungary. I'm returning home to report for duty. It's already 6:30 and you still won't open?"

"Just a few more minutes, sir. Please wait a moment. Uh... I heard the advisory group hasn't returned home yet?"

"Yes, they're still on the ship. I had urgent business, so I flew directly back from Singapore."

Once inside the building, Shang Ke, unable to wait any longer, headed straight for the Military and Political Affairs Office.

Shang Ke's sudden arrival surprised Lieutenant General Li Miaocheng, the director, who was pleasantly surprised and quickly invited him in.

"You're back already, kid? Didn't your ship just cross the strait?" Li Miaocheng asked the servants to bring tea and water.

"I really wanted to go back to China, so I couldn't resist and grabbed a ticket in Singapore to fly back first," Shang Ke said somewhat embarrassedly.

"You're still using 'this humble servant' here? General Shang?" Li Miaocheng laughed and teased, "You managed to become a major general in Xiong'errui, and now that you're back, shouldn't we get you a general's rank too?"

"Huh? Is that really true?" Shang Ke pretended to be stupid.

I want to improve so much!

Seeing him climb up the pole, Li Miaocheng pointed at him with his index finger, his smile fading as he said with a forced stern face, "You actually took it seriously? Let's settle some accounts first... Wasn't it your idea to blow up the Tisalek Dam?"

Li Miaocheng continued, "The dams and hydropower stations built with our aid cost a total of 300 million yuan, while the navy only needs 10 million yuan to build a destroyer. With your one idea, you've wasted the resources of thirty destroyers. Who should be held responsible for this?"

Wait, why is this dam so expensive?

While inwardly complaining, Shank said with a wry smile, "Director, I had no choice. If I hadn't pulled that stunt, the entire Hurricane Army would have been wiped out, and there wouldn't have been the Battle of Budapest. Our country is rich and powerful; we shouldn't be bothered by such a small matter."

"Let's just let this go; the higher-ups won't pursue it," Li Miaocheng said, giving him a heads-up as a precaution.

"I knew it. Compared to a complete rout, it's easy to tell which is more important," Shang Ke said casually.

“If this is done well, it will become a legendary tale; if it is done wrong, it will be a disgrace both at home and abroad.” Li Miaocheng glared at him, then changed the subject and continued, “I have read the letter written by your advisory group leader Zhang. The ‘20th Division’ plan is almost complete. The selection of the commanders is very competitive, and many people are watching. I have reserved one for you.”

"Thank you so much!" Shang Ke was overjoyed upon hearing this and said happily, "The armored infantry division was built so quickly?"

Li Miaocheng picked up his teacup, took a couple of sips, looked down at the dossier in front of him, and said casually, "It's just setting up a framework. The actual situation is hard to say. It's easy to gather personnel and equipment, but the key is how to train and conduct drills."

"I'm confident, Director. I probably don't have the ability to manage an army, but I can definitely handle a division." Shang Ke was now full of enthusiasm.

“You are capable. The General Staff has also spoken to me about this. I actually have two paths for you to choose from.”

"Two?"

(End of this chapter)