Gravedigger of the Empire

Inside Vic's factory, a group of workers were working hard.

Compared to similar factories, their benefits are much better, so their enthusiasm is significantly higher.

The machine was running tirelessly, breaking off the barrels of rifles that were not in good condition.

These gun barrels would then be melted down and eventually turned into steel, which would then enter the market.

The noisy machines made Kahn uncomfortable. He picked up his briefcase, walked out of the workshop, and went to an open space to take out his cigarette case.

Just as he was about to reach for his lighter, a hand reached out and used the lighter to light his cigarette.

"You're really a busy person these days," Joe said with a smile, putting away his lighter.

He's always smiling now; anyone who has money will be in a good mood.

"I heard you entrusted the sale of goods to a local tyrant?" Maddie chimed in, asking.

Kahn nodded: "I sold my share..."

"I can't guess what you're thinking." Joe still believes that such a good smuggling route and priceless goods should not be given to others so easily.

"Even the dragons soaring through the sky can sometimes be bitten by venomous snakes hiding in the grass!" Kahn used a metaphor that the other person could understand, a Chinese idiom.

"Very apt." Joe nodded.

Maddie didn't say anything more. Kahn didn't touch their share, so he didn't care how Kahn handled his own.

"Alright, enough about me." Kahn exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced at the two of them. "There's something I need to tell you."

He looked serious, and both Joe and Maddie also became more focused.

"Do you have any friends in the intelligence community?" Kahn asked in a low voice.

"..." Joe glanced at Maddie, and Maddie glanced at Joe in return. They were officers of the committee and did indeed have exchanges with their respective countries' intelligence agencies on a regular basis.

However, Kahn's sudden question left the two of them at a loss for words.

"Alright! I know the answer." Kahn sneered inwardly and raised his hand to stop the other person from speaking.

Then he continued, "I overheard this by chance, and after I finished speaking, I couldn't remember anything. You two had better forget that you heard the news from me."

"I understand!" Joe nodded.

Maddie was secretly delighted: this kind of information was also a credit to him!

The two men found Kahn increasingly agreeable: having such a German friend was truly wonderful.

"Our government... is negotiating with the Russians," Kahn said, a cigarette between his fingers, as he observed the expressions of the two men.

Sure enough, the expressions on their faces were priceless: a capitalist country seeking cooperation with a communist country! This was explosive news.

"Albert's gone mad, but I'm not, so I'm giving you both this information in advance. Okay, now I don't remember anything." Kahn lit a cigarette and fell silent again.

Joe reached out and patted Kahn on the shoulder: "Brother! The British Empire will remember this favor, and so will I!"

Maddie added, "You're a friend of France! This is serious, so I'll be going now! Kahn... thank you."

He wanted to say something, but he didn't utter a single word. He simply pointed at Kahn with his hand.

The two quickly got into their car and left. Only then did Vic approach, rubbing his hands together, and ask, "Lieutenant, would you like to stay for lunch?"

"I'm going hunting with some important people from the city hall this afternoon... so I won't eat here." The food at the factory was terrible, so Kahn made up an excuse and slipped away.

He was only here to find a suitable reason to meet with Joe and Maddie and then reveal the La Balo Treaty to them.

Anyway, it's already the 14th, and the treaty will be officially signed in two more days. Nobody can stop it.

Using such a seemingly insignificant piece of intelligence to gain a deeper level of trust from Britain and France would be a very worthwhile endeavor.

As Kahn had anticipated, the Treaty of Rapallo officially came into effect on April 16, and Britain and France also notified the German ambassador on the same day.

The two sides were at loggerheads and argued fiercely, ultimately parting on bad terms.

German officials were shocked by the speed at which the two countries obtained intelligence, and even launched an investigation into those in the know.

Unfortunately, the internal military investigation was cancelled.

Sickert's reasoning was simple: if the information had been leaked by our military personnel, the British and French would not have been so rational.

He's right. If Kahn tells Joe and Maddie the hidden contents of the Rabalo Treaty, the German government will be in big trouble.

The problem is, he didn't say it.

He concealed the fact that the German Wehrmacht was fully cooperating with the Soviet Red Army, and the reactions of Britain and France indirectly proved this.

Based on this, Sickert concluded that the leak was not made by military personnel, so the focus of the investigation should be on the government officials led by Albert.

Things quickly took a strange turn, and several officials who had been secretly cooperating with Britain and France were exposed, creating quite a stir.

"You've been in charge of this almost the entire time." Sicket put down his water glass and looked at Kahn, who was standing across the desk.

The weather outside the window was terrible; dark clouds obscured the sun, and there wasn't a breath of wind.

It's going to rain soon.

"I really can't think of anyone else who can take over." He pulled a brown file bag from the documents beside him and handed it to Kahn.

"What is this?" Kahn looked down at the top-secret seal on it.

Sikert pointed to the document: "I plan to establish a special intelligence agency, reporting directly to me. It will take over the work of Agency R, as well as their cooperation with the Soviets! I'll call this agency Agency V."

"Lieutenant Colonel Burke will be handing over the reins to you. From today onwards, you are the head of the V organization! Captain Kahn!" This time, Sikert really went all out.

He promoted a 20-year-old to captain, a first within the defense force.

To Kahn's even greater surprise, he was not only promoted, but also became the head of a department.

"Thank you for your guidance, General..." Kahn bowed his head in thanks.

Sickett stopped him: "Don't be so happy yet, let me finish!"

"Cooperating with the Russians inevitably involves dealing with the Communists... Therefore, your department must be on high alert to prevent the infiltration of those cunning Russians!" He stood up, walked around the table, and went to Kahn's side.

"And another thing! I can't provide funding for your organization, so you'll have to figure that out yourself," Sicker continued, shifting the blame.

Since the defense forces can't come up with the money, he has no way to increase military spending.

So he pushed all the problems onto Kahn: "Cars, you handle that yourself! Weapons, you handle that yourself! Personnel... you can only handle that yourself too! Any difficulties?"

Kahn was secretly delighted: This is such a great thing, I could laugh out loud. You're asking me if I have any difficulties?

"No!" Kahn's voice was incredibly bold and confident.

Sickert was increasingly pleased with the young Kahn: "Very good! Believe that the difficulties are only temporary! Germany will one day rise again!"