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墨書 Inktalez
"The soldiers of the First Infantry Division, you have been deceived!"
Strasser's words were amplified through the microphone and reached the ears of every officer and soldier in the First Division on the drill ground.
Many were confused. Deceived? By whom? About what? Numerous questions arose in everyone's minds, and they couldn't help but look up at Strasser, who was speaking from the podium.
Seeing that his words had caught others' attention, Strasser felt quite pleased; this was the effect he wanted. In his previous life, when he was developing the National Bolshevik Party in Germany, he often used this approach.
First, he needed to spark others' interest.
"Many of you are veterans who participated in the Great War. Don't you find it puzzling? Why did the mighty German Empire announce its surrender after a coup? We were still occupying territories in France and Belgium, yet we were told we had been defeated."
Now, we have to bear the consequences of defeat again. Every one of you is living in hunger, the army often doesn't pay the soldiers, and they try to deceive you with worthless paper that depreciates every day.
The soldiers of The First Division are bearing the consequences of Germany's defeat, but we all know that the responsibility for the defeat does not lie with you."
"Right, the defeat is not our responsibility!" Many soldiers resonated with this.
A blindfolded Second Lieutenant said angrily, "I lost my left eye for my country at the Meuse River, where my platoon killed countless British and French soldiers. We occupied numerous positions, but in the end, when we still had strength left, we were told we had to retreat. So the failure is not our responsibility." Seeing that his words resonated with many, Strasser gently guided the conversation.
"Since the responsibility does not lie with you, then whose responsibility is it?"
Many people began to ponder this question. They only knew that seven years ago their country had suffered a defeat, and despite their hard work, they could barely make ends meet. They started searching for the source of their suffering.
However, Strasser would not give them time to think carefully; he only needed to imprint the correct answer in their minds.
"It is those capitalists and high-ranking government officials who collude and conspire to sell out Germany. While you are fighting on the front lines, they have already sold Germany for a good price from the rear. Think carefully, who proposed the surrender? Who signed the Treaty of Versailles?"
"It was the Social Democratic Party! And President Albert! They sold out Germany!" Some well-informed individuals have already made this connection.
"That's right," Strasser nodded.
"It was the Social Democratic Party that betrayed Germany; those bastards have betrayed the working class and colluded with the capitalists. The ruling party in the government is the Social Democratic Party, and military funding requires government approval. Who do you think has embezzled your unpaid wages?" Strasser hinted wildly.
"The Social Democratic Party are traitors to Germany! President Albert is too! We should hang them!" someone shouted loudly from the ranks of the First Division.
"That's right! We should unite to overthrow the Social Democratic Party and take back our wages!"
The soldiers on the drill ground reacted, with shouts rising one after another, filled with hatred for the Social Democratic Party and former President Albert. Strasser believed that even if Albert had ten lives, he would still be torn apart by this group of angry soldiers.
Under normal circumstances, the soldiers of the First Division might not have been so agitated, but after enduring the psychological blow of Germany's defeat in World War I and the hardships of life during the Weimar Republic, their dissatisfaction with the government had reached its peak. Strasser's words were merely the last straw that broke the camel's back.
The First Division The soldiers' emotions were like an activated volcano, constantly venting their anger. Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Strasser had to raise his voice, "We must overthrow the current government to ensure the welfare of us soldiers, so someone must lead you forward. You need a thoughtful person to guide you."
"And I, Gregor Strasser, am the man who can lead you forward!" Strasser paused briefly, allowing everyone's gaze to focus on him before continuing, "I have also participated in the European War, taking part in various battles, and each time I was at the front lines."
"From the Meuse River to Verdun, from the Somme River to Ypres, I have shed blood for my country without seeking anything in return." Strasser said humorously, pointing to the First Class Iron Cross medal hanging on his chest, "If my rank as a lieutenant and this thing don't count, then I really haven't asked for anything from my country."
A kind laughter arose from the crowd.
"Even though I am a Member of Parliament, just like you, I am also one of the thousands of soldiers in the German Armed Forces! If you believe me, I am willing to lead you to reclaim everything that should belong to you!"
"We are willing to follow you!" Many people stood up and shouted.
Strasser knew he was about to succeed. His plan had already been set in motion, and with the tangible benefits at stake, no one could resist such an offensive.
"Join the National Socialist German Workers' Party in Berlin, and we will be comrades fighting for tomorrow together! If the German government won't pay you, then I will!"
Behind Strasser, Coy timely brought out a large box and forcefully opened it. Inside was a box full of gold bars, which made all the soldiers, including Sergeant Jürgen, widen their eyes in astonishment.
"Join the National Socialist Party, and we will pay you the wages the government owes you. Are you willing to join?" Strasser deliberately elongated his tone.
"I am willing!"
"I am willing too!"
"We all want to!"
Many soldiers couldn't help but raise their hands. After all, under the dual temptations of ideals and money, many people would choose to join.
"Let's join too, Lieutenant Ralph!"
In the team, Sergeant Jürgen excitedly said to Lieutenant Ralph, "I'm not going, and you aren't allowed to go either." Ralph remained calm; among those present, he was likely the only one who had not been successfully brainwashed by Strasser.
"Why?"
Jürgen is puzzled.
"The words of this Major sound really inspiring. During the European war, the generals would say it's for the country, but he says it's for yourselves. But how do I know if what he's saying is true? Maybe he's just a con artist, taking money to deceive you into sacrificing yourselves for his ambitions."
In Ralph's view, all battles are meaningless, mere schemes devised by politicians to deceive. The death of his teammate completely changed his mindset.
"No, I don't think Strasser, the Major, is that kind of person. At least he has the sincerity to put his money where his mouth is, and I didn't join them for money; I joined to avenge my brother."
A flame of vengeance ignited in Jürgen's eyes.
"British people and French people must be settled, as well as the domestic bourgeois traitors, we must settle them too!"
"If the war belongs to our soldiers, then the post-war world also belongs to our soldiers! Join the National Socialist Party! Take back everything we have lost!"
At the end of the speech, Strasser raised his arm and shouted. "If Goebbels were here, he would surely be amazed, for such a speech could only be seen in one person before, and that is Adolf Hitler."
"Down with Capitalism! Long live Strasser!"
In the crowd, it was unclear who first shouted this. It started softly, but gradually more people joined in, like a small stream merging into the ocean, creating a tremendous wave.
"Strasser!"
"Strasser!"
Tens of thousands of soldiers shouted his name, their cheers reaching the skies. At that moment, standing on the podium, Strasser felt that he was not fighting alone; behind him was the will of countless people from Germany propelling him forward.
Strasser wanted to do something to vent his excited feelings. He was also infected by the atmosphere; true belief was more powerful than brainwashing, because the speaker genuinely believed in what he was saying. Strasser was in this state of mind.
After thinking for a few seconds, he ultimately decided to use the simplest form of body language. He extended his left hand, fingers together, pointing at a forty-five-degree angle towards the sky. The soldiers who were also caught up in the moment followed suit and raised their left hands.
Standing behind Strasser, Coy felt as if time had frozen at that moment. He saw a picture:
Countless soldiers surrounded a man, pointing their fingers at him as if transferring their power to him, while the man challenged the known future.
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