For the German civilians who had suffered through four years of war, the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II was not necessarily bad news; it signaled the impending end of the war that had plunged them into turmoil.
However, for some traditional-minded military personnel, this news was worse than suffering a major defeat on the battlefield. In an instant, they lost the object of their loyalty and devotion over the years, leaving them feeling empty.
On U148, the joy of successfully traversing the Strait of Gibraltar was shattered by this merciless news. The crew's faces turned pale as they silently removed their hats and held them tightly to their chests.
Perhaps the one least emotionally affected by the abdication of the Kaiser was Zhang Hainuo. This young man from a future era had a lukewarm view of monarchy. He believed that, as a historical trend, monarchy would eventually be retained only symbolically in a few countries. While monarchy could strengthen central authority, any mistakes made under such a system could lead a nation down a path of no return.
Nevertheless, Zhang Hainuo joined the crew in a ten-minute silent tribute to the fallen monarch, paying his respects in his own way. Afterward, he addressed the crew with a firm tone.
"Everyone, although Kaiser Wilhelm has abdicated, we will not abandon our duty and responsibility as German soldiers. We will continue to fight for Germany, and we will never surrender to our enemies! Our mission now is to ensure that U148 remains in our hands and does not fall into the hands of the British or the French. That is what needs to be done now!"
The crew looked to their young captain, their emotions low despite his rousing words. However, as Zhang Hainuo continued to speak, rallying them with his encouraging rhetoric, the atmosphere aboard the submarine gradually shifted.
"In four to five days, we will enter the Aegean Sea. I believe Captain Hessen and his crew are waiting for us there! The situation may be better than we imagine. Young men, brave adventurers, the place we dream of is ahead. Soon, we will return to Germany and start our new lives!"
As Zhang Hainuo spoke, the crew's spirits lifted. Despite the challenges ahead, they began to regain their courage and vitality, inspired by their captain's words.
Over the next few days, to avoid detection by Allied ships, Zhang Hainuo deliberately chose routes away from regular shipping lanes. U148's officers and crew took turns on deck and in the conning tower, ensuring the submarine navigated safely through rocky waters and dangerous currents.
However, an unexpected incident occurred on the evening of November 10th. While evading a merchant vessel south of Italy, U148 accidentally grazed a submerged reef. Although the submarine quickly freed itself, Zhang Hainuo ordered a halt to inspect the damage. The good news was that the vessel's propulsion, oil tanks, and main lines remained intact, with no significant impact on its navigational capabilities. However, a sharp reef had punctured a hole in the freshwater tank, reducing the submarine's freshwater reserves by half and posing a significant disadvantage for deep-water navigation.
Instead of concealing the incident from the crew, Zhang Hainuo openly informed them of the situation and stressed the need to conserve water until they reached the Aegean Sea. To his surprise, rather than dampening spirits, the incident seemed to galvanize the crew, fostering a sense of unity and determination.
November 11th marked the end of World War I for Germany, a day that Zhang Hainuo had been eagerly anticipating. Yet, despite the Kaiser's "timely" abdication, there was no significant change upon his arrival. It wasn't until the early hours of the morning, at 5 a.m., that the Berlin radio station finally transmitted a plaintext telegram, instructing all German troops and civilians to withdraw and maintain order.
From then on, the Berlin radio station repeated the same message every fifteen minutes.
The day had finally arrived, coinciding with Zhang Hainuo and U148's entry into the Aegean Sea through the Strait of Andraki between the Peloponnese Peninsula and Crete.
It was the end of an era, but also the dawn of a new beginning.