Chapter 897: Turbulent and Treacherous (Part 2)
Hoffman looked at Hess for three minutes and finally squeezed out one sentence: "Some comrades in the party don't want you to come back, or in other words, they don't want you to come back alive."
Goebbels next to him remained silent. This sentence did not mean that Hoffman was threatening Hess. After learning that the latter was going to return to China, Ribbentrop, Himmler, and Bormann all believed that Hess was very likely to return. There are problems: not only are there mental problems, but they may also have special missions - such as accepting British orders to assassinate the head of state, etc.
Such rumors are spread unintentionally and listeners are intentional. As long as the head of state shows the slightest sign of suspicion, Himmler and Bormann will pull Hess out for a serious "screening". If you think about the consequences of the screening, you will know that it is definitely another person. Treasonous group.
"I know, thank you to the Führer for his tolerance." Although he was under house arrest for several years, Hess's physical condition and mental state were not bad. He could also read newspapers in the past few years. Although they were all news published in Britain, he A lot of information can be understood from between the lines: for example, there is a fierce power struggle within the state society - Goering is dead, this can only be a purge initiated by the Führer; for example, the British are successfully transferring in every day, from North Africa to the mainland; and for example, Britain and the United States enjoy the The best strategic airlift in the world - shows how badly Great Britain is blockaded.
On the way back, he tried every means to get information about the Führer from Goebbels. The latter warned him: The Führer's policies and strategies have many new adjustments. If he cannot adapt as soon as possible, he may...
Hess said calmly: "I know that he has adjusted his strategy towards the Jews, no longer exterminating them all but dealing with them gently; he has adjusted his Eastern policy, which is not the living space of Germany, but the existence of Germany as the liberator and protector of Europe." …”
He talked eloquently about Hoffman's adjusted strategy, except for one thing: he would never ask about Göring.
"It seems like you're not crazy."
"That's not necessarily true. If the head of state says I'm crazy, then I am crazy; if he says no, then I'm not."
Goebbels nodded happily.
Among the giants of the state and society, Goebbels, Ribbentrop and Hess had a good relationship, Speer held a neutral attitude, and Bormann and Himmler were hostile to Hess. This is why Hoffmann chose Goebbels to pick him up. Of course, Goebbels and Hess also had a complicated relationship with each other. When they were engaged in party affairs and theory, the two were competitors. Now that Bormann is in charge of party affairs, there are fewer points of conflict between the two.
"I understand the concerns of comrades, Head of State..." Hess said calmly, "I hope to start from the grassroots level. In view of my lack of deep and thorough understanding of the British, I think I am incapable of completing the negotiations with the British. "
Hoffman knocked on the table, thinking about the use of Hess: On the night of May 12, 1941, Goebbels asked the German Radio to publicly broadcast a communiqué, saying that Hess "disobeyed orders to take off and has not returned yet." "The letters Hess left behind unfortunately showed signs of insanity, which led to the suggestion that Hess, a member of the party, might have been a victim of paranoia, and that Hess might have crashed somewhere." It has not yet been revealed that Hess has crashed somewhere. Has flown to England to negotiate peace. The next day the British government publicly announced that Hess was in their hands, and Hitler had to say at a high-level meeting: "Hess left me at a time when commanders may be ordered to start the most difficult military operation (referring to Barbarossa) at any time. "How can I expect generals to obey this order when a senior political leader leaves the battlefield according to his own agenda?"
But no matter how high-sounding he said it, there was one factor that could not be obliterated at all costs: Hess flew to England to make peace on the orders of Hitler himself—an implicit order given by hint. The Führer was eager to make peace with the British Empire and even To the point of using any means necessary, once Hess reveals this matter, it will inevitably affect the Führer's image in the public - this is also the reason why Bowman persuaded Hoffman to kill Hess.
However, after careful consideration, Hoffman believed that Hess Feying's insider knowledge was known to several party bosses, and purging Hess would inevitably bring unrest to everyone. Secondly, now that Hoffman has told many people to carry out secret missions, if secret missions are carried out The final outcome is to be killed, and no one will be willing to sacrifice their lives for him in the future; finally and most importantly, now that Hoffman has made it clear that he wants to make peace with the British, no matter whether the outside world reveals it or not, he thinks it is insignificant. Mann's so-called "impact on image" is nothing to worry about.
Publicly or privately, he could not clean up Hess. As for whether the other party will think that he is a "fake head of state", if he had just traveled through time, he might have been very nervous. Now, nearly two years have passed, and he no longer has this worry. He has done a much better job than the head of state. Eva has accepted herself, and anyone in Germany who dares to doubt anyone is really a "madman"!
"Do you know the terms of my peace with Britain?"
"Yes, they also asked me to bring a few counter-suggestions."
"What do you think about these issues?"
"This is just a trick used by the old dog Churchill to delay time." Hess gritted his teeth. "If he has the ability to defeat us on the battlefield, he will never have this attitude."
"Very well, how do you think we should respond?"
"Hypocritical and submissive, seeking further military deterrence and causing chaos for Churchill's opposition."
Hoffman nodded: "The party's high-level meeting will be held tomorrow. You go back to prepare and say a few words to everyone."
On May 15, on the occasion of the third anniversary of Hessfeld, he met everyone again and gave a special report at a high-level meeting of the National Socialist Party:
First, Fei Ying was an immature move by Hess himself. He wanted to be in the limelight and do big things, which violated the principles of the party and deviated from the direction of the head of state;
Second, during the preparation process, some secret operations violated party discipline and state laws, tarnished the head of state's face, had a negative impact on the party's reputation, and caused confusion among the people;
Third, if you fail to complete your tasks, you will end up in jail. You must not be stubborn and it will damage the image of party members.
Hess also emphasized the following points:
First, he did not reveal any Party secrets during his stay in the UK;
Second, he did not become a traitor or be bribed by British intelligence agencies;
Third, we have not accepted any special mission that is not conducive to the party or Germany.
Regarding his review, everyone was skeptical, but everyone knew that whether they believed it or not, the final decision-making power rested with the head of state, so they all turned around and waited for Hoffman to express his position.
Hoffman did not express his personal opinion, but asked Bowman: "Comrade Bowman is the Secretary-General of the Party. Please give his opinion on how to deal with Comrade Hess from the perspective of party discipline and state law."
"In view of the fact that Comrade Hess ignored the education of the head of state a few years ago, made irresponsible remarks on the party's major policies, and put his personal status and interests above the interests of the party and the country, I think he committed serious personal putschism, bureaucracy and opportunity It is a doctrinal mistake that requires deep introspection and examination. Since his behavior has not caused serious damage to the party and has not caused irreparable consequences, and he has a good attitude towards admitting his mistakes and shows sincere remorse, he may be dealt with leniently as appropriate," Bowman said. Glancing at Hoffman, seeing him nodding slightly, he continued, "Considering that Comrade Hess has been following the Führer in his early years and has made useful contributions to the party's cause, in line with the policy of 'learning from past mistakes to avoid future ones, and treating illnesses to save the patient', all comrades in the party must As a warning, the specific suggestions for handling are as follows:
1. Order him to conduct a serious, conscientious and profound review within the party;
2. Remove all party positions, retain party membership, and remain on party probation for two years;
3. Removed from all administrative positions, including deputy head of state, and will henceforth serve as a researcher at the EU Policy Research Office (deputy director level non-leadership position) and carry out work under the Propaganda Department, under the leadership of Comrade Goebbels. "
This was certainly not Bormann's own opinion. If he were, he would have wanted to die directly. However, Goebbels conveyed the Führer's wishes and he did not dare not listen.
Everyone in the meeting suddenly realized that this was the opinion of the head of state who held it high and spoke it down gently. Whether he is removed from office or kept on probation by the party, as long as the head of state trusts him, he will have a chance to turn around in the future, which shows that the head of state still restrains him. Of course, the Big Four or Big Five can also breathe a sigh of relief. At least Hess will not have the scary title of "Deputy Head of State" in the future. Even if he is re-employed in the future, he will still be "tainted", at least he will not be regarded as a "successor".
"I think so. The disciplinary opinions are fair and just. What do Comrade Hess think?"
With tears in his eyes, Hess bowed to everyone: "I'm sorry, comrades, I made a serious and self-righteous mistake, which caused a great negative impact on the head of state and the party... (More than 2,000 words of self-reflection are omitted here)," Through reflection over the past few years, especially the criticism and education from the head of state and comrades such as Goebbels, I have deeply realized my mistakes and humbly accepted everyone’s criticism. I will definitely work hard to correct myself in the future and contribute to the party and the country in my new position... (The more than 3,000 words of the statement are omitted here)"
In the subsequent vote, the relevant handling opinions were unanimously approved - just kidding, the caliber determined by the head of state himself, who dares to object? No matter how reluctant you are, you have to raise your hands high.
Finally, Bowman concluded on behalf of the organization: I hope Hess will put down his burdens, travel lightly, and continue to use his strengths to make more useful contributions.
Only Goebbels knew that the EU Policy Research Office would integrate the head of state's series of ideas and speeches on the formation of the EU into a systematic and comprehensive political program document in the future - this work is as important as the compilation of "Mein Kampf". Hess is only temporarily frustrated, and sooner or later he will be reused. Moreover, Hess took all the blame and did not mention "the head of state's request, the head of state's hope, or the head of state's order" at all, completely exonerating the head of state from the "Fei Ying" incident. Of course, don't think about successors. I believe Hess won't rush forward stupidly again. Isn't that a good thing for him - at least he is no longer the target of public criticism!
For Hoffman, now that there is no deputy head of state or successor, the group of 5 has become a group of 6, and there will inevitably be some internal competition. However, "there are no factions in the party, and there are all kinds of strange things." He just needs to be in control and steer the ship well, and there will be people below to take care of him.