"...God, my goodness."
What on earth was that monstrous gun?
Erich Ludendorff murmured in a stunned voice, his eyes wide open.
What was happening in front of him left him extremely shocked and astonished.
At first, when Ludendorff saw Hans naming this gun a submachine gun and looked at its tattered appearance, he let out a sigh of relief.
Although he had received an order from Field Marshal von Waldersee to act as a spoiler, using his professional military knowledge to suppress Hans and embarrass him, this young man from the East was not as simple as he had thought. In front of everyone, he was as eloquent as the Japanese.
Perhaps, although Hans' new weapon looked like a child's toy, it might really be something remarkable.
Thinking of this, Ludendorff began to break out in a cold sweat, worried that things might develop in an unpredictable direction.
When things didn't go as planned and Field Marshal Waldersee began to pierce his back with a menacing gaze, Ludendorff finally felt relieved when the actual submachine gun made its appearance.
That thing looked like a broken iron pipe no matter how you looked at it, and it was even a stretch to call it a gun.
"Heaven is helping me!"
Ludendorff secretly cheered in his heart.
Field Marshal Waldersee, who had been silent and sharpening his "knife" all this time, saw the opportunity and launched a fierce attack on Hans. Watching Hans being scolded into silence, Ludendorff once thought that this demonstration meeting had already become their victory.
However, that damned kid seemed to suddenly lose his mind and actually fired the gun into the air.
And it was right in front of the Emperor!
While Ludendorff was shocked by Hans' crazy behavior, he was also numbed all over by the power of the submachine gun.
Ludendorff, as a hero who later, together with Hindenburg, defeated the Russian Imperial Army in the Battle of Tannenberg, undoubtedly had very excellent military qualities.
He could see at a glance how the submachine gun would change the battlefield.
The current mainstream rapid-fire weapon, the water-cooled machine gun, although extremely powerful, was heavy and clumsy and was mainly used for defense. However, the submachine gun in front of him was completely different.
It looked light and easy to use. Just as Hans had demonstrated earlier, even a child could use it easily.
"Although there are limitations at close range, this is equivalent to allowing an infantryman to carry a machine gun and move on the battlefield!"
Ludendorff felt extremely desperate.
After Hans' words were proven true, this demonstration meeting already marked the failure of him, Field Marshal Waldersee, and all the Junkers nobles.
"The move I made in order to get promoted and gain wealth has actually turned out to be a blunder."
Ludendorff had great ambitions.
He would never be satisfied with just being a staff officer. His goal was to enter the central staff headquarters of the German Imperial Army and eventually reach the pinnacle of Chief of the General Staff.
In order to achieve this goal, he had proposed to Field Marshal Waldersee, who had already stepped down as Chief of the General Staff but still had great influence on the military, to take the opportunity of the demonstration meeting to suppress Hans.
He had originally thought that he was lucky.
Through some accidental information from an "acquaintance", he thought this was an excellent opportunity to attract the attention of Waldersee or other generals.
As for whether he felt guilty towards Hans? Ludendorff had no such feelings at all.
From the very beginning, Ludendorff had disliked Baron Hans von Joe.
"A brash and ignorant young man who doesn't know his place, and what's more, a yellow man."
And that guy was also an incredibly jealous lucky dog who actually enjoyed the Emperor's deep favor.
Ludendorff was not from a poor family, but he was not wealthy either. His mother was a declining noble, so he had a bit of noble blood, yet he had no title and couldn't add "von" before his name like other nobles.
But Hans von Joe, why on earth could this guy inherit a huge fortune from the Empress Dowager and be titled as a baron?
This really made Ludendorff furious.
However, things had already gone completely wrong, and Baron Hans von Joe once again impressed everyone.
"No, no, it's not over yet! The last chance is still here!"
This chance was the Emperor's reaction.
Firing a gun without a word in front of the Emperor was not only disrespectful to the Emperor but could even be regarded as high treason.
According to Ludendorff's understanding of the Emperor, he would surely fly into a rage.
"Hahaha! This kid has caused trouble again, but his courage is indeed impressive."
"?!"
However, the expected thing did not happen.
"Right, Marshal?"
"Er... Ermm..."
Instead of getting angry, the Emperor was actually satisfied with Hans' action.
Ludendorff broke out in a cold sweat and looked around at the other members of the royal family.
"Sigh, even if Hans was angry, he didn't have to be so impulsive."
"When has Hans not been like this?"
The Empress and the Crown Prince also had the same attitude. They just sighed and thought that this was just Hans' usual way of doing things and there was nothing unusual about it.
Ludendorff fell into despair again.
What kind of place was the royal family that they could be so calm in such an absurd situation?
"Are these people all crazy...?"
Could it be that the so-called "mysterious Eastern witchcraft" in the rumors had really brainwashed the members of the royal family collectively because of this damned kid?
Ludendorff didn't know what to do anymore and could only choose to give up thinking.
....
"Sir, Baron, are you all right?"
"It's okay, Mr. Schmeisser. It's just that my arm and shoulder hurt a bit."
Hans said while rubbing his sore arm caused by the recoil of the submachine gun.
If he were still an adult, it might not be a problem, but a child's body was really too fragile after all.
"So, why provoke me?"
I can endure being insulted, but I can't endure insults to my fellow countrymen.
Moreover, those like Waldersee and the Junkers nobles who didn't know the truth and were just yelling randomly also had to be made to shut up.
And the effect was outstanding.
Waldersee and the Junkers were all stunned by the power of the submachine gun, while Wilhelm II, for some unknown reason, looked satisfied.
"As for Ludendorff... He looks rather depressed for some reason."
Hans really didn't expect to meet that Ludendorff here.
Wasn't he the most famous German general who would be thought of together with Hindenburg when World War I was mentioned?
However, after the war situation became increasingly unfavorable for Germany, Ludendorff carried out military dictatorship and eventually pushed Germany into the abyss of failure.
After the war, instead of reflecting, Ludendorff spread fallacies such as the "stab-in-the-back theory", fueling the rise of the Nazis and Hitler. He was a complete scoundrel.
However, Ludendorff did achieve brilliant military achievements in the Battle of Tannenberg. As a soldier, his ability cannot be denied.
But for Hans, Ludendorff was simply something like "chewing the cud without relish but a pity to discard".
"Let's put aside the matter of Ludendorff for now."
Now was the time to focus on the demonstration meeting.
"Mr. Schmeisser, are Mr. Hans and the employees all ready?"
"Yes, but is it really okay to continue with the demonstration meeting?"
"It's okay. Trust me. Just carry on as planned."
"Understood, Baron."
Louis Schmeisser nodded and went back to the employees.
Fortunately, it seemed that he wasn't hurt by Waldersee's words.
Or maybe it was because of Hans' sudden action that he had forgotten all about those things.
Anyway, soon the formal demonstration of the submachine gun began.
"Da-da-da-da!"
"Bang! Da-da-da-da!"
"Target eliminated!"
"Move forward! Move forward! Move forward!"
The demonstration was carried out in the form of a simulated battle instead of an ordinary shooting practice at the firing range. It simulated trench warfare and urban warfare.
This was Hans' idea, inspired by the war simulation games like live-action CS and wargame that he had played in his previous life.
Compared with a simple shooting demonstration, this form was obviously more impactful.
Sure enough, the response was very good.
"Target has been occupied!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Finally, Hans, Schmeisser and the employees planted the prepared German flag after occupying the simulated enemy trench, thus ending the demonstration of the submachine gun.
The cheers and applause from the audience were even more enthusiastic than at the beginning.
Now it was time to see the evaluation of Wilhelm II and the military.
"That was a wonderful demonstration, Hans. You really live up to my trust!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Field Marshal Waldersee, it was really a good decision to accept your suggestion. It feels like receiving an excellent Christmas gift, haha!"
"...You flatter me too much."
Waldersee gritted his teeth and lowered his head.
That was clearly a forced smile.
Hans gave Waldersee a provocative smile, making him even more annoyed.
"Er...!"
At this moment, Waldersee's face was contorted with anger, which was simply indescribable.
Well, he deserved it, you old stubborn.
"Schlieffen, what do you think? In my opinion, the submachine gun is a weapon that our imperial army must be equipped with."
"I agree, Your Majesty."
Schlieffen smiled brightly and replied.
The face of the Chief of the General Staff showed even more eagerness than when he first heard the news about the submachine gun.
However, I heard that the submachine gun demonstrated today is just a prototype. I'm afraid it's not realistic to equip the army with it immediately.
"Oh? Isn't that powerful weapon completed yet?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hans immediately replied on behalf.
"The submachine gun demonstrated today still has many deficiencies. It will take time to officially equip the army with it."
"Well. Indeed, the appearance had better be improved as soon as possible. I thought it was your destructive aesthetic sense acting up again, Hans."
"Haha... Haha..."
"I think the'simulated battle' demonstrated today can also be used for actual military training."
"Yes, it will be helpful for soldiers' abilities and combat perception."
"Well, we'll discuss this matter later."
While Hans smiled awkwardly, several young officers were obviously impressed by today's demonstration and put forward their opinions to Schlieffen.
Waldersee glared angrily at these officers because of his dissatisfaction with their behavior, but after the embarrassment during the demonstration, no officer paid attention to him anymore.
It could be predicted that the old marshal's situation would be even more difficult after the demonstration meeting.
"Then, let's end the demonstration meeting here. You've worked hard today, Hans. Later, I will present great awards to you, the developers of the submachine gun, and the employees of Bergmann Arsenal."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"It's my great honor, Your Majesty!"
Mr. Schmeisser bowed gratefully, while Waldersee left angrily with several generals, his face looking as if he had eaten shit.
Today's humiliation would make them quiet for a while, but Waldersee and the Junker nobles would never give up easily.
They would definitely wait for an opportunity to attack him again.
"I really want to be Stalin for once. Seriously."
However, it wasn't time to settle accounts with the Junkers yet.
At this time, even Chief of the General Staff Schlieffen, Chancellor Bülow, Chancellor Richthofen and others who were on his side temporarily belonged to the Junker group.
But one day, he would definitely get rid of those unruly old stubborns, just not now.
So, let's raise a glass to celebrate the victory first.
Well, although he was still too young to drink.
....
"...Who did you say you were?"
At the same time, Princess Margaret asked the mysterious man who suddenly visited the Schloss Friedrichshof without any notice again with a stunned look on her face.
"I've already said it. I'm from the United States and I'm looking for Baron Hans von Joe. Where is the baron?"
However, that man seemed to be completely indifferent to Margaret's attitude and just repeated like a parrot over and over again that he wanted to see Hans.
'If he's here to find Hans, he should go to Potsdam. Why did he come here?'
Since Hans entrusted her to manage the Schloss Friedrichshof, she had moved here with her family and lived here for a long time to take good care of her mother's former residence, but this was the first time such a situation had occurred.
Princess Margaret showed a reluctant expression and said to the man, "I'm sorry, Hans... No, the baron is not here."
"When will he be back then?"
"I've already said it! Hans doesn't live here at all!"
The man tilted his head, looking a bit puzzled.
"But isn't this the baron's residence?"
"Yes, it is, but for some reasons, I'm temporarily in charge of it. If you want to find the baron, you should go to the New Palace in Potsdam."
"Oh."
The man scratched his head awkwardly.
It seemed that he had no idea about it at all.
"It seems I made a mistake. In the letter the baron sent to the United States, he only said to come to Germany but didn't write the specific address."
Then, if that was the case, wouldn't it be better to just reply to the letter and ask clearly?
Running across the ocean right after receiving the letter, such behavior seemed very strange no matter how you looked at it.
"If the baron is really in that New Palace, then I'll go there to look for him. I'm sorry for the trouble, madam."
"W-wait a minute! That's the imperial palace of His Majesty the Emperor! Without permission, no one can enter it without authorization!"
Especially a man like the one in front of her who clearly looked like "I'm very suspicious!" would probably be kicked out by the imperial guards immediately, and it would even be a stroke of luck if he didn't end up in prison.
"Is that so?"
"Sigh... I'll contact Hans for you. Please wait for a moment."
"Oh, thank you so much."
"By the way, I almost forgot. May I ask your name?"
Margaret, who had just turned around and was about to walk back to the residence, asked as if she had suddenly remembered something.
And the man still had an elusive expression on his face as he replied.