Gravedigger of the Empire

"You don't need to talk to me like that. Mr. Krupp's friend is my friend," Kahn said, brushing aside the cigarette offered to him.

Mediterranean nodded with a forced smile: "Yes! Yes! My employer hopes you can help us through this difficult time, and also hopes to contribute to Germany's defense in the future."

That's a shameless statement. In reality, it means: We want a piece of the defense procurement cake!

Kahn knew why these people were coming to him, after all, he did have the power to influence the procurement of the German defense forces.

If you try to get through the German military's equipment department, no matter how well you succeed, you're likely to be shut down by the Versailles Peace Treaty Oversight Committee.

However, many discerning people have discovered that by following Kahn's path, the oversight committee will selectively turn a blind eye.

"I've heard about your situation... It's not easy to handle." Kahn pulled out a cigarette case from his pocket, the relief of an eagle with folded wings on it causing the man opposite him to freeze in his smile.

Just by looking at the silver relief, you can tell this cigarette case is definitely not cheap.

He stared at Kahn's hand, watching him open the cigarette case, take out a cigarette, and put it in his mouth.

No wonder he wouldn't accept my cigarette; it turns out the cigarette I offered wasn't appropriate for his status.

Before he arrived, he had made thorough preparations, speculating on the highest possible level about Kahn's "backer".

He knew Krupp and had influence over military procurement... but he was only a captain.

But now it seems that this captain is... not an ordinary captain.

So, covering up his mistake with an awkward smile, Mr. Mediterranean started the conversation again: "Please help me think of a solution, sir! Mr. Junkers would be extremely grateful."

"Junkers is an aircraft manufacturing company. We can discuss whatever weapons the defense forces buy, but aircraft... are not included." Kahn took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled a puff of white smoke.

Kahn enjoyed these moments. He wasn't a particularly noble person; in fact, he was quite vulgar.

The feeling of looking down on all living beings and holding their lives in one's hands is truly intoxicating.

"We understand that, but... Mr. Junkers believes that a peace treaty cannot last forever, and Germany will one day be able to control its own destiny. At that time, Junkers should become a powerful force that the German people can rely on." The other party once again lowered his stance.

It sounds nice, but it means the same thing: we hope to get a commitment from you to purchase Junkers aircraft for the future defense force.

"One promise in exchange for another... that's fair enough." Kahn nodded. "Then I'll befriend Mr. Junkers!"

"Thank you for your help, sir!" The Mediterranean man quickly got up, approached Kahn, and extended his hand.

Kahn extended his hand and shook hands lightly with the other person, who tactfully released his hand and stepped back, his smile widening: "There's one more thing I hope Miles can help with."

"Hmm?" Kahn, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, snorted through his nose.

The man in the Mediterranean suit quickly said, "I heard that an American opened a gliding club in Berlin."

"That's true." It's not a secret, Kahn said indistinctly, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

"It's foreseeable that Germany won't have its own aircraft for the next five years," the man quickly added. "Without test flights and without the ability to openly test and modify them, there's no way to accumulate experience."

"Mr. Junkers hopes... that you can help find some suitable engineers to come and help at Junkers."

"I think I understand. There aren't many countries in the world that can build airplanes." Kahn put the cigarette out of his mouth and squinted at the other person through the smoke.

Britain could build airplanes, but it was highly unlikely that it would teach the Germans how to build good airplanes.

The French can build airplanes, but they certainly won't allow the Germans to have the ability to build their own.

Italy was an option, but Junkers' chief engineer, Hugo Junkers, clearly didn't think much of the technology from this southern country.

Japan? What a joke! Their engineers don't come to Germany to help; they come to be apprentices! The rubbish they design wouldn't even be accepted by the Germans for free!

So, he's looking for an American!

Historically, he also sought out Americans!

"Good eye!" Kahn nodded. "I'll help find a group of American engineers... but as for the cost..."

"This is the payment..." The Mediterranean-looking man in the suit quickly pulled out a check: "Mr. Junkers is..."

Kahn scoffed, not even glancing at the check: "Ha! I'm talking about the engineers' salaries! What do you take this place for?"

"Huh?" The man was taken aback, then quickly bowed, "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, sir!"

"Go back and tell Mr. Junkers not to forget me, his friend." He emphasized the word "friend."

"Yes, sir." Before he knew it, the Mediterranean man's forehead was covered in sweat.

He was completely overwhelmed by Kahn's imposing presence and couldn't muster any will to resist.

In the brief moment when their eyes met, the Mediterranean man caught a glimpse of a stack of documents on Kahn's desk.

On top of the file was a tattered dictionary, its characters resembling square characters and scribbles.

The cover of the document beneath the dictionary reveals the word: bank.

The Mediterranean man was even more shocked as he withdrew his gaze.

The young captain sitting across from me at the desk had connections to a bank. This young man, who looked younger than my son, had unimaginable power.

"Go on, I won't see you out." Kahn waved his hand, and the Junkers manager, who held a high position, retreated like a dog.

This is power, a delicious prize that men vie for.

Soon, there was another knock on Kahn's door, and this time it was Wolf who had come back from the outskirts of Berlin.

After listening to Wolf's complaints, Kahn laughed.

He stubbed out his cigarette and asked Wolf, "There are some things I can't let you do, so I'm looking for help."

"I might do something for you too, sir!" Wolf decided to show his loyalty.

"I'm protecting you, Wolf!" Kahn walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Can you do it if I ask you to kill someone?" Kahn's voice was light, but it felt as heavy as a mountain to Wolf.

"If I asked you to rob a bank, would you do it?" Kahn continued to ask.

Before Wolf could answer, Kahn patted him hard on the shoulder twice: "Don't overthink it. You're my shield in the open, those people are my daggers in the shadows. They're two different things, understand?"