The news of Romania's purchase of the German Colburg-class cruisers was not big news for the world, but the daily arms race between the Allies and the Entente. Only the Balkan countries paid a little attention, after all, they are Balkan countries, and they are only concerned if they can't get ashore with warships.

At the Romanian Admiralty, Rear Admiral Lomodan, the Minister, and the Commander of the Fleet, Rear Admiral Nestacu, were discussing the list of personnel to be accepted. Since the signing of the contract with the German side for the purchase of ships, Minister Lomodan has been preoccupied with the return of warships, and now he asks the commander of the fleet, Rear Admiral Nestaku, about the list of personnel to be received. "How's the preparation for this warship reception, Nestaku?"

"I've almost selected the personnel, but the captain is not the right one to choose." Rear Admiral Nestaku, who had just returned to the Admiralty, answered his questions.

"Don't you have the right personnel?"

Faced with Major General Lomodan's question, Nestaku replied. "It's not for nothing. Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael of the shelling formation, Major Tiskolku of the Elizabeth, was the most suitable person I had ever thought of. ”

Rear Admiral Lomodan had been a fleet commander before, and of course knew these two officers. This is also the most suitable candidate for the Romanian Navy right now, but both have their own shortcomings. Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael had a good hand in artillery and did well in navigation and ship coordination. It's just that this person is more straightforward and quick-talking, and he has to express his opinion on things that he is not used to.

Major Tiskolku is the other side, he can faithfully carry out the tasks assigned by his superiors, but he is weaker than Lieutenant Commander Midrafael in terms of naval skills, and Rear Admiral Lomodan has a difficult choice for a while.

"These two candidates are not easy to choose."

Hearing the words of his old superior, Major General Lomodan, Nestaku also knew what the problem was. One has excellent skills, but is a little unruly, and the other is obedient, but his ability is poor. It would be nice if the two of them were neutralized, Nestaku thought to himself.

In the end, in order to ensure the combat capability of the largest Romanian warship. After some thought, the two decided to let Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael be the lead officer of the receiving ship. If he says something he shouldn't say during his stay in Germany, he goes for Major Tiskolku. After this decision was made, Rear Admiral Lomodan sent a telegram asking Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael to come to the Admiralty to report.

At the Constanta naval base, after receiving this telegram, Midrafael asked his friend Birk about it. "Bilke, what is the minister asking me to do at this time?"

Birk asked, hearing Midrafael's question. "Have you been talking nonsense in front of people lately?"

"Not at all, I usually look for you when I express my opinion. Besides, I'm not stupid, how can I say that my superiors are wrong in front of others. Midrafael refuted his friend's speculation.

"Then it should be the lead officer who receives the warship." Birk voiced his guess.

Middraphael also knew that the personnel had been decided this time, but the officer leading the team had not yet been decided. This time there was speculation in the navy. He and Major Tiskolku were the most likely of the few suitable candidates.

Although Midrafael did not consider it appropriate to buy light cruisers, who did not want to have a battleship under their command with great combat power. And if he can be the captain of the largest Romanian warship, then it will become very likely to be the commander of the fleet and even the Minister of the Navy in the future, and Lieutenant Commander Midrafael will inevitably breathe heavily when he thinks of this. After a little discussion with his friend, he planned to meet Minister Lomodan in the best possible condition.

Midrafael took the train to the capital early the next morning, and in the afternoon he was already standing in the office of the Admiralty, Rear Admiral Lomodan.

"I've seen Your Excellency."

Lomodan looked at Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael, who was standing straight at his desk. Wearing a neat navy lieutenant colonel uniform, his leather shoes are shiny, his hair is meticulously combed, and the whole person looks heroic. Not bad, that's what Lomodan thinks in his heart.

"Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael..."

When Midrafael heard the minister's speech, he stood more standardly. Major General Lomodan looked at the movements of the lieutenant colonel in front of him, felt that he was not so difficult to discipline, and nodded with satisfaction in his heart, and continued to speak. "Do you have anything to say about the new cruiser this time, and the Admiralty thinks you are the most suitable person?"

When Midrafael heard the wonderful news, he knew that his final test had come. After thinking about it all the way, he had the answer ready. After sorting out my thoughts a little, I talked about it.

"The Kolburg-class received this time is the latest German light cruiser, which is more than ten years more advanced than our current warships in terms of equipment, and it is necessary to organize personnel to seriously study the technology on board. It is also three times larger than our largest cruiser, the Elizabeth, and has a speed of 7.5 knots. So it's different in terms of sailing, and that's where we need to focus on training. In addition, in terms of firepower, it is equipped with 8 150mm 45 caliber naval guns, which is also the focus of our training, and it is also a type that we have not been exposed to before. In general, the reception of the German Corburg-class light cruisers this time was an important test for the Romanian Navy, which was dominated by British warships. I feel a great responsibility, but I am also confident that this ship will be used to its fullest strength. ”

After listening to Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael's wonderful performance, Major General Lomodan felt that he had found the right person this time. It was entirely evident that Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael was capable of it, and he was very satisfied.

"I am very satisfied with your answer, Lieutenant Commander Midrafael, and I hope you will do exactly what you say, the Romanian Navy needs to use this ship to its fullest potential."

When Lieutenant Commander Midrafael heard Rear Admiral Lomodan's words, he knew that he had been selected to lead the team to receive the warship, which meant that as long as nothing else happened, the position of captain would definitely be his. Faced with such good news, Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael held back the joy in his heart and spoke to Major General Lomodan. "Thank you to the Navy for trusting me, I will take my words as a request and keep spurring myself."

Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael laughed out loud all the way out of the Admiralty. He couldn't wait to share the news with his friends. When he returned to Constanta, he told Birk the good news, and his friends were happy for him.

"What time are you leaving?"

"It's going to be there before the keel is laid at the end of September." Midrafael explained.

Hearing Midrafael's words, Bilke said in a little surprise. "Isn't that only half a month?"

"Yes."

On September 25, 1910, Lieutenant Commander Midrael led a warship crew of 187 people on a train bound for Germany, where they were to prepare for the newly built Romanian warship Count Dazira. Also on the road was the commander of the fleet, Rear Admiral Nestaku, who would lay the first keel for the construction of the warship.