Raeder took a deep breath, then closed his eyes.

To this day, he has been leading the German Navy for 12 years. Over the past 12 years, the situation in Europe has changed dramatically. Germany is no longer the weak country it was when he first took command of the navy. And the Imperial Navy has also become plump again from being poor and white.

Until today, Reinhardt's instructions to him had been to protect himself and avoid intervening in the war.

But today, but at this very moment, for the first time, the Führer has explicitly ordered himself to prepare for war - a big war!

Whether the 12 years of struggle is meaningful, and whether all the efforts in the past 12 years have turned into flowing water will be decided in this battle.

Raeder's body trembled a little from nervousness. He slowly opened his eyes and reconnected to Reinhardt's gaze.

"My Führer," Raeder recounted sincerely, "it has been 21 years since our representatives signed the surrender agreement in the special carriage of the Compiègne forest. In the past 21 years, the only time the Navy has shown dignity was Operation Rainbow, which you planned in the first place. Until then, the shipboard weapons of our warships were dismantled by the British, and they were not at all combat-ready. Our fleet has not been replenished for a long time and has been under the surveillance of the British for a long time. ”

"There was a shortage of ammunition and fuel, a lack of repair parts, a lack of food, a lack of water. It can be said that everyone has nothing but useless morale. ”

"But even then. Because of your words, everyone still rebelled against the powerful British Empire at that time. ”

"I vividly remember how hesitant General Ludwig was when he proposed this impossible task. I also vividly remember how shocking the scene was when the old general finally raised his arms and shouted for those who were willing to participate in the ranks! ”

"No one came out of the ranks, everyone took a step forward neatly! In the face of this dangerous action initiated by the Navy without authorization, the consequences may be unimaginable, and everyone present participated in it neatly and firmly without exception! ”

"That's hundreds of officers!" Raeder's face was full of pride: "I'm among them, too." ”

You're there too?! Reinhardt looked at Raeder incredulously. At that time, he had just crossed over, and he was already excited to encounter such a major event as Operation Rainbow, so he carefully noted down who participated in his first big move.

If Raeder hadn't said that, he really didn't know that he had worked with the current marshal nearly 20 years ago. So, Raeder is his old comrade-in-arms?

But it also makes sense, why Raeder, who is not Reinhardt's lineage, would be the first of a group of veterans to choose to trust this seemingly somewhat unscrupulous Führer.

Just because he was the first to see Reinhardt's opportunity.

Not noticing Reinhardt's surprise, Raeder continued to silence his memories and said, "At the beginning, you, who were still a sergeant, led me, a colonel, and the frustrated officers like me, who were in a state of confusion all day long, staying in the shadow of failure, and did everything that everyone wanted to do but did not dare to do. ”

"One person, one sentence, one plan, actually integrates the opinions of hundreds of senior officers, involving the entire Imperial Navy........" After a long silence, Raeder continued: "Subordinate, I am willing to continue your legend, continue the courage left by countless people, and continue the original pride of the Imperial Navy........"

"Operation Rainbow, we lost the vast majority of our capital warships that were no longer ours at that time. But it was also at that time that we planted a seed called Indomitable. Now, the seed has finally blossomed and regained its original splendor......."

"Indeed, I have always been cautious about combat operations, and some have even called me cowardly. However, that doesn't mean I'm willing to be a turtle with a shrunken head! ”

"Over the years, I have personally participated in the launching of each new battleship and witnessed every process of the Imperial Navy from scratch. I'm excited for every additional battleship, and I'm proud to be a part of it. Today's Imperial Navy reminds me of the fearless 'Ocean Fleet' of the past. ”

"So I'm afraid, I'm afraid that one day, because of carelessness, all this that the empire has worked so hard to run will change back to the way it was 20 years ago. I was afraid that when I had a little hope, I would once again let the light turn into nothingness. ”

"As long as there is a chance to win, I will never back down even if I am broken."

"My Führer!" Raeder looked at Reinhardt with anticipation, and said word by word: "Can you guarantee that this operation can still be as smooth as Operation Rainbow back then?" ”

Reinhardt raised an eyebrow and fell into thought.

If it was Operation Rainbow at the beginning, he could have patted his chest and said that it was 100% successful. After all, everything is a lesson from the past, and it is not his own opinion. But now the Battle of Norway is the first initiative made by Reinhardt's Third Reich after 20 years of development.

In fact, he really wanted to appear as confident as ever, with his cynical tone and gestures, and understated rhetoric, saying that everything was expected, and everyone just had to do it to succeed.

But Reinhardt is now suddenly discovering that he can be so troubled when he is faced with a choice that determines the fate of his country for the first time with nothing to draw on. Originally, he thought that he had overcome everything and had the same perseverance and determination as those famous historical figures. But after a heart-to-heart with Raeder, he seems to have fallen for Raeder's cautious thinking.

Yes, this is not worrying and evasion, it is also thinking about the empire from another aspect.

No one can say that prudence is a fault.

Until the end, Reinhardt didn't give Raeder the definitive answer he was expecting. With a wry smile on his face, he gave an answer that was neither explicitly affirmative nor negative: "This battle will be fought sooner or later, and now we can use the Danish airfield, we can use the Norwegian coastal defense, and we can strike when we want to attack." There is an old saying in the East, called 'After this village, there will be no such shop', which also means that time does not wait for me, and opportunities are not always available. I thought, if we don't take advantage of the time when the location helps us to fight a battle now, where can we find a better opportunity in the future? ”

"Just let it go! If you win, I'll celebrate you when you turn around. If you are defeated, it will not be you generals who will be hanged in the end. Reinhardt was ruthless, gritted his teeth, and said: "But if we are afraid to do nothing, then the empire will definitely fail in the end." All of this has long been determined by our poor geographical location. ”

"If we can't win this naval battle, then we will lose all opportunities to win future wars. In that case, as the leader of the Empire, I would be in a gloomy basement, holding a gun, shoving it in my mouth and pulling the trigger, paying for defeat with this life of mine! ”

"To be honest, I'm a life-loving person, or to put it bluntly, a person who is a little afraid of death." Reinhardt smiled slightly, and said in a very soft but resolute voice: "So, I will not let you fail!" ”