Iron Cross Fire

Answer: Kuster in the barracks has no leisure time, always busy with this and that.

He is like an old father in the army, sometimes he goes to the headquarters to command the battle, sometimes he trains new soldiers, or entrusts some things. He will go wherever there is an unusual noise or accident, change positions, and deal with food and grass. In short, he has done all the duties of a general, and he has also done the duties of a non-general.

But people can also see that in addition to taking care of the affairs of the army, he is also worried about his old friend Franz.

No matter where Franz is or where he is going, Kuster will always send some guards to follow him, for fear that something will happen to him.

Fortunately, everyone in the army respects him very much, and regards him and Kuster equally, and dares not do anything rude in front of him.

This went on until June 8, when Franz was finally about to set off. Before leaving, he decided to tell his plan:

"I will take a train directly from Asia Minor to the Balkans, and it is expected to arrive in less than four days. I will notify you as soon as I get off the train. Tell me what you need and I will do my best."

"This is a bit dangerous. The Allied ships have blockaded the Turkish coastal areas. I am worried that you may be bombed by naval guns on the road. I suggest you take a ship in the Black Sea first, arrive in Bulgaria, and then go to Vienna."

Kust was worried, obviously not at ease about his return:

"Even if you go through Ukraine, it will be safer than Turkey. At least the local Russian residents do not oppose our rule."

"You are always so worried! Don't worry, my route is absolutely secluded, and the enemy's naval guns can't bomb me. And it doesn't matter if I am bombed. At worst, I will just break a few more ribs and bleed a few more glasses. I have long been used to it."

Franz didn't care, but lit a cigarette with his right hand. After exhaling a puff of smoke, his whole face became relaxed.

Kuster on the side was also infected by him and no longer mentioned the dangers on the road.

He clapped his hands, and a man walked into the headquarters:

"General, are you looking for me?"

Franz looked closely, and the man had a small tuft of toilet beard, which looked very funny. But when he looked up, he was surprised by his eyes again - they were like the deep eyes of an eagle, even if he was not staring at people, he exuded an indescribable pressure.

Looking closely, he looked like an Austrian, but Franz felt that he looked like a northern German.

Both funny and majestic, both Austrian and northern German, it is hard to imagine that a young man can be so complicated.

"His name is Adolf, and he may be your helper in the future."

While Franz was still thinking, Kuster explained:

"There is nothing special about him in war. He was a German soldier, just like an ordinary soldier. But his political potential is very high, and his speech level is almost unmatched."

After learning that Adolf was just a soldier, Franz's eyes became more and more contemptuous, and the smile on his face was full of disdain, which made his old friend Kuster feel unfamiliar.

Adolf didn't know what he was laughing at, and why he suddenly became so terrible. In front of the two distinguished generals, he didn't dare to ask questions, so he had to stay still and silently endure the invisible pressure in the room.

Fortunately, Kuster only thought about it for a few times and came up with the answer, and quickly answered Franz's reaction, so that Adolf suffered less.

"Don't underestimate him. Although it is shameful for him to escape military service and go to other countries, he is serving in our ally, Germany, and he is fighting for our motherland."

"Humph! Why do we have to go through so many twists and turns? Can't we just go to the conscription point directly?"

Franz's expression became even more disdainful, and he gradually lost patience and became very irritable. It was obvious that he despised the behavior of people like Adolf from the bottom of his heart.

"His purpose is different from that of ordinary people. Others escape military service because they don't want to die, but he is full of enthusiasm for war."

Kester's explanation made Franz's eyes flash a little, but it was quickly hidden and replaced by anger again. He sat still and waited quietly for Kuster's next words.

Although Franz's change lasted less than half a second, Kuster noticed it during that short period of time.

Kester stood up, handed a valuable cigarette to Franz personally, and lit it for him. Looking back, Kuster asked Adolf to go out first.

There were only two old friends left in the room. Even though the sun was shining brightly outside, it was blocked by the curtains, and no light could penetrate. The room was as quiet as the night of their first reunion.

"He is a nationalist, and our empire is a multi-ethnic country. He is always disgusted with the empire. Although I don't understand how he could become a nationalist."

Franz couldn't stand it after hearing what Kuster said. He slammed the table and stood up, his eyes wide open. Although he didn't make any sound, there seemed to be a sound of anger.

Adolf outside the room quickly opened the door to see what was going on inside, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that nothing serious had happened. He had been keeping his nerves in a state of high tension, and the sound of slamming the table just now scared him to death. He hurriedly opened the door in a panic.

However, after seeing two pairs of scary eyes like ghosts, he quickly shrank back and closed the door together.

Kuster didn't care, and stared back at Franz with his scary eyes, and said calmly:

"Yes, in our Austro-Hungarian Empire, any separatism is intolerable, not to mention that as an Austrian, he should consider the interests of the empire.

But have you ever thought that people like us who enjoy a lot of rights are only a minority after all, and we are also the main force to maintain national unity.

Like those Hungarians, many Balkan ethnic groups, and poor people, they are the largest population in a country, they have the most powerful power, and we can't fight against them after all."

In Franz's incredulous eyes, Kuster slowly approached him. He stopped after less than four steps and told him a shocking conclusion:

"So... the rule of the Habsburgs should end. In other words, after losing the Thirty Years' War, recognizing the existence of Prussia, and being defeated by France, the Habsburgs have become a gimmick. In the last century, we, the defeated, have signed an alliance agreement with the Germans and no longer have any dignity. After Galicia, we are dying.

Who is willing to lie in a coffin for such a decadent country? Especially when you are young. Do you want to? Anyway, I don't want to. In comparison, it is obviously more honorable to serve the German country, which is also a Germanic country and more energetic and pious."

"What! You...you!"

Franz blew out the cigarette that was still half burned in anger. As if choked by something, he bent his body and coughed wildly.

The pressure on his body suddenly increased, and Franz, who had only one leg, obviously couldn't bear it, and knelt down uncontrollably.

Kuster ran up to him, hugged him up, and comforted him:

"Oh, don't pay attention to it. Just like you said, people can't always be full of hatred. Listen to me and take him away."

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