The menu presented to Zhang Hainuo was beautifully printed, with a wide variety of appetizers, main courses, soups, and desserts, totaling over a hundred options. However, he quickly noticed that many dishes had a small tag next to them saying "not available." The waiter explained that some dishes, such as those only available in spring or winter, couldn't be served, and certain British and French dishes required ingredients that were now impossible to import due to the ongoing war. At the beginning of the war, German businesses had some stock, but now those items were simply unavailable. As for common beef and pork cuts, they were unavailable because most of these meats, along with refined dairy products, were processed into canned goods and field rations sent to the front lines in France and Russia. In Germany, there was nothing that couldn't be obtained, just like gasoline!
It seemed Anna was already accustomed to all of this. She quietly informed Zhang Hainuo that the seafood at this restaurant was excellent. Then, she calmly chose a grilled sturgeon as her main course, followed by a vegetable salad, seafood soup, and apple pie. After briefly consulting Zhang Hainuo, she also ordered a bottle of 1910 Riesling (the most famous white wine in Germany, produced in Hesse in eastern Germany).
While Anna was ordering, Zhang Hainuo was surprised to find a dish labeled "Live Lobster" on the menu, priced at 36 marks. In the early 21st century, whether domestically or internationally, this price would be considered very cheap! With curiosity, Zhang Hainuo asked the waiter how big the lobster was, and the young man gestured, indicating it was larger than a washbasin. Unfortunately, since it was a dinner for two and Anna had already ordered her main course, Zhang Hainuo settled for the salmon fillet, oyster sauce, and mushroom clam chowder. Out of professional habit, Zhang Hainuo mentally calculated that excluding the wine, the meal cost less than 30 marks, indicating that Germany had not yet experienced severe inflation due to the war. However, he feared this optimism might not last for another year or two!
Although the restaurant was crowded, the food was served promptly. The waiter quickly brought the white wine, opened it in front of them, and poured it carefully. Then, their appetizers and soups were also served.
Looking at the delicious and appetizing food in front of him, Zhang Hainuo realized how unsophisticated the food in the sanatorium cafeteria was.
"It looks absolutely delicious!"
"Yes, I've been here a few times with my friends and think this is the best restaurant in town!" Anna picked up her fork, elegantly speared a piece of vegetable coated in sweet sauce from her plate, and delicately brought it to her mouth, showing a thoroughly enjoyable expression.
Zhang Hainuo's oyster sauce was also fresh and delicious, but most of his attention was on Anna. Since arriving in this era, it was the first time he had seen a lady with such refinement dine so closely, something rare in school cafeterias and nearby restaurants in the 21st century.
Fortunately, there were only two oysters in the sauce, and by the time the main course arrived, Zhang Hainuo had quietly eaten them. Just then, he saw two army officers in gray uniforms walking towards them and sitting down at the table next to theirs.
The leader, without even looking at the menu, quickly said in a surprising speed, "One dried bamboo shoots sea bass, one squirrel salmon, one creamy pumpkin soup, one corn cream soup, one grilled bacon, one fish roe sauce, one basket of chestnut bread, and two crates of beer!"
"Okay, please wait a moment!"
Zhang Hainuo and Anna smiled at each other. It seemed like they were regular customers with hearty appetites, which wasn't surprising. However, what caught Zhang Hainuo's attention was the conversation between the two officers that followed.
"Hey, do you think that guy will be dismissed? We lost so many men at Verdun and ended up with nothing!"
"Well, given His Majesty's temper, I think it's very likely!"
"Then who will replace him?"
"I think His Majesty will send the person who took over two years ago and successfully turned the situation on the Eastern Front to replace him!"
"Oh, you mean... I agree. Will he be able to turn the situation on the Western Front like he did in the East?"
"It's well known that he and his deputy are a perfect pair of commanders. They've already demonstrated their extraordinary abilities in East Prussia and Russia. I think it won't be long before the army launches a fierce and effective offensive. This time, we'll keep fighting until we reach Paris!"
"I hope so!" The previous speaker still seemed uneasy, adding, "But how can we break through the French and British defenses?"
"There will always be a way!"
The conversation seemed a bit disjointed, and no names were mentioned, but Zhang Hainuo still keenly caught the most important keyword: Verdun!
Zhang Hainuo wasn't a history major, but as a military enthusiast and a fan of Germany, he had a vivid impression of the Battle of Verdun in 1916. The battle, known as the "meat grinder" of Verdun, cost nearly half a million casualties on both the German and Anglo-French sides. It ended with the failure of the German army, and the enraged German Emperor Wilhelm II subsequently dismissed Chief of the General Staff Falkenhayn from his position, appointing Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg as his successor, with Ludendorff as his deputy. This could be considered a turning point in ground warfare during World War I. Due to the abdication of the German Emperor and the German Parliament, Hindenburg and Ludendorff played the role of German military leaders for the next two years. However, their efforts failed to change the outcome of the war.
For Zhang Hainuo, as a newcomer to the First World War era, the only suggestion he could make for ground combat during that time was "tanks"! Only this weapon could break the stalemate of trench warfare between the two sides. As long as Germany could produce tanks before Britain and win in terms of quantity and quality, it was entirely possible to reverse the situation. However, the British's Mark I tank was already demonstrating its prowess on the Somme River front line, and the German military department was concerned that this news would disturb both military and civilian morale, hence no public announcement was made. Not to mention that even if Zhang Hainuo knew about it, with the knowledge and technological level he possessed, it would be very difficult for him to enable Germany to have a reliable and powerful batch of tanks in a short period. Moreover, in this strictly hierarchical army, gaining the trust and support of the top brass was not an easy task!
Now Zhang Hainuo's main concern was how to change Germany's current predicament starting from the navy: abandoning the outdated fleet battle theory, utilizing submarines, airships, and aircraft in naval battles for reconnaissance and attacks, supplemented by main fleet rapid and effective sorties. While conserving their own strength, they could continuously wear down British ships. As long as they could break the British blockade, Germany could continuously obtain much-needed supplies from overseas and cut off the British supply line to France, even launching landing operations behind the French front lines.
To achieve this, the changes the German navy needed to make were obviously much smaller than those of the army. After careful consideration, Zhang Hainuo felt that by this means, there was a complete opportunity to change the situation before 1918. But the biggest problem now was that he didn't know how to convince the German high command. Should he directly tell them he was from the future? Or should he offer a groundbreaking strategic plan as an unknown soldier? The outcome of doing so could only be one of two things: either being regarded as a lunatic and committed to a mental institution, or being treated as mentally impaired and sent to a naval sanatorium. Perhaps the latter option would be more acceptable to Zhang Hainuo.
"Hainuo? Lieutenant Hainuo?" Anna called softly.
"Hmm?" When Zhang Hainuo snapped out of his thoughts, he found a small piece of fish still on his fork suspended in mid-air.
"What are you thinking about? You looked so absorbed!"
"Nothing much, just a military matter that I can't solve all at once! I'm sorry!" After apologizing, Zhang Hainuo continued to deal with his fish. After Anna spoke, the two officers at the adjacent table stopped discussing the matter and began to talk about some humorous anecdotes in the barracks. Soon, their meals arrived. Although they were not rude, they ate quickly. Before Zhang Hainuo settled the bill, they stood up and left. As they left, they asked the waiter to pack the remaining half loaf of bread in a paper bag for them to take away.
"58 marks, thank you!"
The expense of this meal was somewhat unexpected for Zhang Hainuo. He generously handed over 60 marks, considering the excess as a tip—giving a tip or not in such a small restaurant was optional, and besides, 2 marks could already be equivalent to half a day's wages for an ordinary worker in this era.
On the way back to the sanatorium, the two of them strangely remained silent. The moonlight was very bright tonight, much better than the night of the Battle of Jutland. There were almost no other vehicles on the sandy road, one side was a flat and quiet wilderness, and the other side was forests and beaches, all tinged with a faint silver hue under the clear moonlight, making it feel like they were in a beautiful fairy tale kingdom.
At the last intersection before the beach, Zhang Hainuo stopped the car. The road on the left led to the gate of the sanatorium, and the road on the right led directly to the beach, both about two or three kilometers apart.
"Should we go straight back, or... take a walk by the seaside?" Zhang Hainuo tried to present himself as more gentlemanly and reliable. If their relationship hadn't developed to that level of intimacy, it required a certain level of trust for a man and a woman to go to the beach alone at night.
"The night is so beautiful tonight!" Anna opened the car door, took a deep breath, then turned around, hands behind her back, and said to Zhang Hainuo:
"Let's walk to the seaside together!"
A night on the beach at the end of summer or early autumn, there were still many insects making rhythmic sounds by the roadside. The gentle and cool sea breeze brushed against their faces, and the air was filled with romantic elements.
As they walked side by side, they talked about their childhoods. Anna came from a very ordinary German family; her father was a military officer, and her mother was a typist in a government agency. She was the eldest in the family, with a younger sister and two younger brothers. In her memory, although life was not affluent, being together with her family felt happy and joyful. Her mother was very kind and could cook well. She could also keep their small house tidy and clean even after work. Her father, due to his profession, didn't come home often, but in her impression, he was a mature, silent, yet reassuring person.
"My family..." Zhang Hainuo hesitated for a moment. His past life was an indispensable part of his memory, but now he could only silently keep it in his heart.
"My father was a fallen old aristocrat, very handsome and gentlemanly, but spent too much time and money at the card table; my mother was from Bavaria, a kind but unfortunate person who passed away due to illness when I was very young! After that, my father never remarried, and I became the only child in the family! I grew up on a manor in Oschersleben, a beautiful place with a beautiful river, but I always preferred the sea. Since I was young, I dreamed of becoming a sailor!"
"I also love the sea. It's so blue, so beautiful, with an incomparable breadth and depth, yet it can also make people feel the warmth of a mother! I think the first important turning point in my life was entering the girls' academy in Magdeburg, where I grew up to become a nurse; and the second turning point in my life was coming to this naval sanatorium on Lüneburg Island, where I can see the sea every day!"
"What about the third turning point?" Zhang Hainuo asked, hiding his anticipation.
Anna glanced at him and smiled, "I don't know yet!"
The road to the beach was not long, and they soon stepped onto the soft gravel. At that moment, Anna suddenly bent down and quickly took off her shoes, leaving them with her bare feet. With one hand holding her shoes and the other slightly lifting her skirt, she walked lightly towards the sea.
In the moonlight, the girl holding her shoes strolled on the beach where the waves occasionally splashed over her feet. Although the splashing waves quickly wet her skirt hem, she seemed not to mind at all. At this moment, Zhang Hainuo felt a bit awkward—he was unsure whether he should take off his boots and socks, tied with long laces, and join her in walking in the waves. So, he just continued to walk coolly beside her, watching Anna enjoy the gentleness of the sea.
The night was not too deep, but they were already intoxicated.
A week later, Zhang Hainuo's injuries had completely healed, and the day of his discharge finally arrived.
Some people say that love during wartime is the most romantic, while others say it's the most sorrowful. So, some choose passionate love, while others hide their love in their hearts.
"When we return to the naval port, I will write to you as soon as possible. Can I send it to the naval sanatorium on Lüneburg Island?"
On the day of his departure, Anna specially took a day off to see Zhang Hainuo off. She wore a clean white long dress and a wide-brimmed hat of the same color. Her voice was choked with emotion, but her expression was hidden under the big hat, unwilling to let others see.
"Alright! Safe travels!"
"Remember to take good care of yourself, get enough rest, don't overwork yourself! Also, when you encounter those ill-tempered patients, try not to argue with them!" These words may have sounded a bit nagging, but Zhang Hainuo couldn't think about it too much now. He really wanted to say everything in his heart, but at this moment, the locomotive had already started emitting steam with a puffing sound, indicating that the boiler was sufficiently pressurized and ready to depart at any moment.
"Alright, you too, take care!" Anna lowered her head. Besides her beautiful hat, all Zhang Hainuo could see was her slightly protruding collarbone and the fair skin there, along with a pair of hands wearing white gloves, clasped tightly together.
Whoo... Whoo...
The long whistle finally sounded, and the staff in uniforms on the platform were loudly announcing, "Passengers who haven't boarded yet, please board quickly. Passengers seeing off loved ones, please disembark!"
"I have to go!" If he were a bystander, Zhang Hainuo would surely find this scene too maternal, but as he played one of the main roles himself, his feelings were entirely different.
"Hainuo..."
Just as Zhang Hainuo lifted his luggage, Anna suddenly tiptoed, and her hands gently encircled his waist.