On the evening of August 28, 1942, Berlin, the capital of the Third Reich.
It is the time when summer is retreating and autumn is coming, and pedestrians and vehicles are walking in a hurry under the majestic Brandenburg Gate. Although newspapers and radio continued to extol the victories of the Imperial Army on the Russian front, it was clear to all sensible people that the war had become protracted. It took more than a month to attack Poland, and less than two months to attack Western Europe and force France to surrender. However, since the beginning of Plan Barbarossa, the war in Russia has been going on for a full year and two months. Although there are constant reports of the occupation of millions Square kilometers of land and the majestic victory of wiping out hundreds of divisions, but everyone never waited for the news of Stalin's surrender. Even the most optimistic people did not believe that they could see the hope of comprehensive victory before the New Year.
Old Karl is the owner of the "Berlin People" bar. Although his name sounds big, in fact, the total business area is less than 100 square meters, and the decoration can hardly be called luxurious. Fortunately, the location is good, the price is affordable, and the business is barely passable. The bar was originally a place frequented by ordinary workers in Berlin. People often drank a few drinks with their coworkers here after work, and then started chatting happily - this was their best place to socialize. During the war, communication about the war was obviously the first priority. As long as someone said it, the gossips, big and small, would spread like wings. If anyone accidentally came back from the countryside and missed the latest news, As long as you sit in the bar for a long time, no matter whether there is an announcement from the base camp, the custody can listen to it closely.
However, although the bar was still as lively as ever in the past year or so, Old Carl fully felt that the situation was slowly changing. The original scene of five or six people flocking to the place, bragging and chatting, and having beer by the dozen is no longer visible. More and more people are drinking and have been replaced by the polite middle class. These young bourgeois, who either work in government units or are freelance editors, reporters, writers, painters, etc., would not have patronized bars of this level originally. They usually find them rude and not classy enough, similar to the "Rhine Dream" , "Danube Night" and places with poetic names are their favorites. It's just that the situation is stronger than the people. The taxes imposed by the imperial government on beer are getting higher and higher. All materials must be supplied by ticket, and the income is only enough to support their families. The working class obviously cannot afford this. Although the young bourgeoisie can still barely afford it, they have consciously cut back on this seemingly "luxury" expenditure and lowered their prices here. There were still people coming and going in the "Berlin People", but Old Boer knew that the original joyful drinking had long been replaced by a light drink and a low voice.
He is unusually sensitive to material supplies and prices. In his memory, after the victory in the Battle of France, Berlin seemed to have suddenly entered a happy mode, with an abundance of all kinds of materials, such as red wine from Bordeaux, chocolate from Belgium, and various cheeses. Food flooded the market and the prices were surprisingly cheap. French-style clothes, tableware, furniture, and perfumes were everywhere. It was said that they were all brought back by soldiers and officers who went to France to fight in the war. It makes people blush to say that although the industries of the Third Reich are second to none in Europe, they are often reflected in the fields of machinery, equipment, electrical machinery, metallurgy, etc. In terms of enjoying life, they seem to be far less than half of the romantic nations such as France, the Netherlands, and Italy. Old Karl has heard people comment more than once that compared with Paris, except for some large-scale buildings and new transportation facilities, Berlin is so backward that it looks like a 19th-century countryside! However, these happy days did not last long. As the war in Russia progressed, the supply of materials gradually became tense, and prices also quietly increased. In many cases, even if you have money, you can't get the goods. How did the situation become like this? He couldn't help but fell into deep thought.
"Old Carl, give me a shot of the best Bavarian dark beer."
sorry, we do not have that. Old Carl answered mechanically first, then followed the sound and saw a tall and thin man walking in from outside. It was his regular customer, 35-year-old Haining, and he immediately greeted him warmly.
"I have money, really." The other party shook the money bag in his hand and made a jingling sound, obviously there was a lot of it. It was the unique sound of the 5-mark coin, and Old Karl was very familiar with it.
"It's not that we won't sell it to you, it's really that we don't have any. The stock has been out of stock for several days." Old Carl looked helpless. "Didn't you hear that the radio has been announcing that it will be transferred to a wartime system for a few days? The government has issued an announcement. Beer that consumes a lot of grain will reduce the supply. I don't know if others can still get it. Anyway, I don't have it, and I won't even have it in the future."
"This damn wartime system." Haining looked a little frustrated and sighed, casually sitting on a high chair in front of the counter. "If you don't have dark beer, you can just have a shot of other beers. I'll treat you. Let's drink together." ."
Old Karl quickly arranged the cups, first filled a cup for Haining, and then poured half a cup for himself, "Cheers to the health of the Führer."
The wine glass made a loud "bang" sound, but no foam came out. While drinking, Old Karl asked strangely: "Why are you free to drink beer in the store at this time today? Normally, you should send the baron's daughter as a gift. Go learn piano."
"Stop talking, I'm fired." Haining continued shaking the money bag, "This is my severance pay."
"What outrageous thing did your boy do? Could it be that he made the Baroness's belly bigger?"
"It would be great if I had this ability." After the amber liquid was in his stomach, Haining began to talk, "My situation is exactly the same as yours. It is all thanks to this wartime system - it is not the call for the Juncker nobles and the Should wealthy families get rid of their servants as soon as possible to free up labor for the imperial cause? Of course the old baron, who is full of patriotic enthusiasm, will not go against the government. Besides, there is no use even if they keep hiring me. The baron's family's gasoline inventory ran out last month. You know, the gas stations outside have stopped providing fuel for a long time. The old baron searched all over the place and only managed to get 3 barrels at a great cost. He said he would save them for emergencies and use them for emergencies. From now on, the young lady's piano lessons will be on his own. I took the tram there...so I was kicked out. I've been with the Baron for 10 years, which is kind of sad when you think about it."
"Let a high-status lady squeeze into a smelly and dirty bus?" Old Carl frowned, "This is really a disgrace to politeness."
Haining shrugged, looking indifferent.
"Then what are your plans for the future?"
"I'm going to the front line. The National Defense Force is recruiting drivers. I signed up and passed the physical examination. I will leave on the 3rd of next month. No, this is the offer letter." He took out a crumpled piece of paper from his arms. , above it is the imperial eagle emblem holding ten thousand words, and below it is the bright red seal of the recruiting office.
"Is this considered service? But you're not even 35 years old anymore." Old Karl glanced at Haining briefly before returning it to Haining, and asked with a suspicious look on his face, "Which general are you going to drive for?"
General? Stop joking, I'm going to drive the truck. You know, I drove trucks for five years before going to Baron's house, and I'm familiar with both BMW and Opel trucks. "
Old Karl lowered his voice and asked: "Why don't you drive a bus? Although the income may be less, it is safe after all. You are also a senior and a junior."
"Bus?" Haining shook his head, "I would like to go, but they don't want it - the latest recruitment notice clearly states that only young female drivers are required."
"Why?"
"How long has it been since you went out?"
"A few months, what does this have to do with anything?" Old Karl was puzzled.
"That's right." Haining slapped her thigh, "No wonder you don't know anything. The rules have changed! The higher authorities want female drivers to take on the work, because all the young and beautiful girls are driving, and now even the people in the car are There are a lot more. I heard that we will expand the recruitment of female drivers to replace male drivers under the age of 40 - all of them will be assigned to drive trucks. I thought about it, I might as well go to the front line to drive a truck, at least I can earn a lot of money. Much higher."
"This is a terrible wartime system." Old Karl echoed in a low voice. As he was speaking, a shrill air raid siren suddenly sounded, and Haining looked a little flustered.
"Don't panic, this is just an advance warning. The British bombers are still far away." Old Karl pointed to a door next to him confidently, "Did you see that door? If the plane really comes, just open the door and walk down. . There was originally a wine cellar down there, but now there isn't much inventory anyway, so I simply transformed it into a bomb shelter, which is very safe inside."
"I wonder if the fat man with all the medals changed his name to Mel?" Haining complained as he drank the remaining beer in the glass. Reich Marshal Goering once publicly promised on the radio, "If a bomb falls on Berlin, my name will not be Hermann Goering. You can call me Mel (this is a common Jewish name)." Like this. The terrifying air raid sirens may sound two or three times a week in Berlin. Although most of the time it is just a false alarm, it is still unpleasant after all. So now whenever there is a bombing, everyone will bring this matter up to make fun of the Imperial Marshal's bankrupt guarantee.
The air raid warning was quickly lifted, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and Haining's expression finally calmed down. It seems that the Wehrmacht's boast about Berlin's powerful air defense system is quite reliable. At least British bombers are circling it. It's not known which city will suffer today. Seeing that the beer had reached the bottom, he paid for the drink and was about to get up and go home when suddenly the loudspeakers all over the street started working. UU reading www. uukansｈhu.ｋcom
"German people, patriots of all Germany, broadcast urgent news now."
Old Karl muttered: "I don't know what battles have been won on the front line. The Russians are all crazy. They haven't surrendered even after fighting to this extent."
Haining did not answer, just listened to the radio quietly, "...Under the personal command of the great Führer, the Imperial SS recently uncovered an assassination attempt against the Führer. In this attempted assassination, they openly brought the bomb to the military Fortunately, the head of state handled the meeting in a timely manner and escaped unscathed... The imperial army is constantly winning, and our enemies cannot defeat us on the battlefield, so they can only use this despicable, shameless, and obscene method. In the International Jewish Organization Under the instigation of the war mongers of the three countries of Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union, the rebels and traitorous lackeys within the empire colluded in an attempt to stab us in the back and repeat the story of 1918! This incident also shows that as the empire continues to advance, In the process, those scum who had infiltrated the ranks of National Socialism and had seized high positions in the past few years were finally exposed. Their conspiracy was destined to fail! Now, the leader of this treasonous group, Hermann. Goering committed suicide in fear of crime, and other core party members were also arrested one by one. I hope that all the German people will keep their eyes open, always adhere to the purpose of national socialism, and draw a clear line with a small group of rebels and lackeys of foreign forces... Our leader - the great Long live the glorious and correct leader Adolf Hitler! Long live the invincible and invincible German people!"
"Hermann Goering?" Haining's eyes widened and he muttered to himself, "It seems he doesn't need to change his name to Mel."
UU Reading welcomes all book lovers to come and read. The latest, fastest and most popular serial works are all in UU Reading! Mobile phone users please go and read.