Iron Cross

There was a "clang", the crisp sound of a cup hitting the ground. Hoffman woke up and found himself lying on the bed well. Where was the trace of his grandfather? When I reached out just now, I just knocked off the cup on the bedside table.

What is this place? He looked around cautiously. Could it be that he had been sent to the hospital? But the surrounding layout does not look like a ward. He struggled a bit, but seemed to have no obvious discomfort. Before he could figure out what was going on, a man in a white coat hurried in and made a surprised voice: "Führer? Are you finally awake?"

"Who are you? Why am I here?" Hoffman looked at the other person. Although the other person was wearing a white coat, the furnishings here were not the usual ones in a hospital. They looked a bit like a house in an eagle's nest.

"Führer? I am Morel, and I am your most loyal doctor..." The man in a white coat obviously did not expect Hoffman's question and explained himself again and again.

"What are you calling me..."

"The Führer!"

Oh my god...the Führer! Hoffman subconsciously touched his nose. The feeling was very different from before. Looking at his hand again, he felt something strange. What's worse, he actually felt the thick beard under his nose with the back of his hand—— He never grew a beard.

He struggled to sit up and said, "Help me look in the mirror." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Hoffman was even more surprised. This was by no means the tone of his daily speech.

Dr. Morel was surprised by Hoffman's request, but his obedience over the years had developed a conditioned reflex in him. He gently helped the "Führer" to the dressing mirror in the closet. Hoffman's eyes were slightly closed, not daring to look at the situation in the mirror, but the other party's words rang in his ears: "Führer, the accident yesterday morning really scared us."

Another call from the Führer! Hoffmann made up his mind and looked at himself in the mirror with wide eyes: that iconic face and the thick mustache under the nose are unique in the entire century and the entire earth - it is the third The head of the empire.

What is going on? Hoffman shook his head in disbelief, trying his best to control his emotions so as not to let this shocking change show on his face. "Morrel, my dear doctor..." He paused, considered it, and asked slowly, "What day is it today? How long have I been in a coma?"

"Today is August 23, 1942. As for coma - it's not really considered coma. The day before yesterday, you were a little excited and accidentally fell while walking. There was no obvious trauma, but you had symptoms of dizziness. Due to ' The Werewolf was too wet, and for health reasons you took a special train back to the Eagle's Nest to rest. Last night you complained of a headache, and I used a little more barbiturate, so you slept a few more hours. It's almost 11 o'clock at noon. "Morrell explained, and then asked in a cautious tone: "Dear Head of State, could you please lie down for a few more minutes and let me do a comprehensive examination on you... Your face is a little pale, and besides, …It seems that his mental state is not very good.”

Hoffman thought to himself: It is natural to be pale. Anyone who suddenly becomes the head of state will be frightened. However, he is not stupid enough to tell the fact that he is not the head of state - as long as he dares to say so, someone will keep it. Go out of your way to treat yourself like a lunatic.

He lay down again obediently and sighed: "I'm fine, maybe it's just because I worry too much about this country."

Morell smiled, of course he knew the truth of the matter: three nights ago, at a battle discussion meeting held at the Vinnitsa base camp in Ukraine, the Army Chief of Staff, General Franz-Halder, and The head of state once again had a heated argument about the war situation on the Eastern Front. The angry general even slammed the table, and the meeting had to break up unhappy. While taking a walk after breakfast the next day, the Führer still could not restrain his anger and complained to Martin-Bormann, the party director and director of the Chancellery, about Halder's unruly nature and his repeated opposition to him. , and then because I was so excited that I didn’t pay attention to my feet, I fell and hit my head on a stone...

"Führer, it seems that your blood pressure, heartbeat, and pulse are all normal at present." Morel put down the stethoscope and said solemnly, "For the sake of the empire, you should take care of yourself."

"Thank you for your advice." Hoffman waved his hand, "Let them wake me up in half an hour. Now I have to calm down and think about something alone."

The doctor quietly closed the door and left, but Hoffman didn't pay attention to this. His mind was running at high speed, and he had to think of countermeasures for his situation. Of course, Hoffman knew what he was encountering. As a research authority, he was exposed to hundreds of time-travel works every year, whether they were realistic strategic deductions or vivid literary novels. Or a carefully planned academic paper, which he dismissed as fantasy and laughed off. Unexpectedly, the most ridiculous and unbelievable myth of time travel has become a reality.

He remembered Einstein's famous saying - just because I despised authority so much, fate punished me and made me become an authority. Precisely because I despise time travel so much, fate punished me by allowing me to travel through time, and moreover, I happened to travel to such a person.

While thinking, he was surprised to find that his consciousness and the Führer's consciousness were merging at a rapid speed, without any resistance or delay. All the things in the Führer's mind were completely absorbed and integrated, becoming part of Hoffman's autonomous consciousness - the world was still the same world, but the Führer was no longer the same Führer.

August 23, 1942 was the moment when the Soviet-German War entered its climax. According to the normal historical trajectory, by May 1945, that is, a little more than two and a half years, the Soviet army would have to plant the red flag on the roof of the Empire State Building, and he would commit suicide in the dark and damp basement. When he thought of this terrible ending, he couldn't help trembling. At this moment, he remembered the words of old Hoffman: "...but you are the most unfortunate, because you are about to face such a tricky and difficult empire..." So that's what happened!

No! Never! I must change this fate!

"Führer." There was a rhythmic knock at the door. "Can we come in?"

"Come in." Germans are famous for their punctuality. Hoffman, who was already dressed, looked up at the wall clock and saw that half an hour had passed.

Three people came in from outside. The first one was Martin Bormann, who was also a "familiar face". Hoffman recognized him quickly. The second one was Morel. Hoffman was not familiar with the last one. After searching his memory, he knew that the other party was Rudolf Schmundt, a major general of the army, the chief adjutant of the Führer and the most trusted staff member of the Führer at present.

"Dear Führer, I am very happy to see that you have recovered." Bormann stepped forward and greeted him in a slightly exaggerated tone.

Hoffman nodded. He knew that Morel would report his performance to Bauman. These were people who were very familiar with the Führer, so he must not reveal his true colors. He replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern. I was a little depressed by the events of the past two days, but after resting, I feel energetic and can continue to lead the empire forward."

Bauman was obviously relieved. He was shocked when Morel asked him to report that the Führer's mental state was not ideal. You know, Martin Bauman's current power and position are all due to the Führer's support. Without this backer, he is nothing. Now it seems that Morel is making a fuss. The Führer is fine! He glared at the latter with dissatisfaction and said, "Führer, General Schmont was going to report the personnel arrangements to you first, but now lunch is ready, don't you know?"

"Then let's talk while eating." Hoffman waved his hand disapprovingly and walked out with his head held high.