Bismarck

"What are you studying?" I asked casually.

"My supervisor didn't tell me what to do specifically, but there are many scientists involved. The part I'm in charge of is the chain reaction, but you probably wouldn't understand even if I told you."

"Ahem, yeah, I don't understand." I nodded. "It's enough for me to know the range of the artillery."

That's right, it must be the atomic bomb! Suddenly, a strong idea came into my mind - get it! Get the information!

"Lily, are you still wearing my ring?"

"Yes," Lily smiled and raised her left hand. The ring on her ring finger sparkled in the moonlight. "Look!"

"Really?" I said with a smile, looking at Lily's defenseless smile, I felt guilty. Am I using Lily? Yes, but for the sake of that country far to the east, the crime of betraying a friend doesn't seem to be that important anymore.

"Why wear it on your ring finger?" I asked with a smile

"Oh, those boys around here are so annoying." Lily shook her head in distress. "I had no choice but to show them."

"Haha, Lily, you have hurt so many boys' hearts," I said with a smile, "I feel like I have committed a serious sin."

"You're still talking about me." She rolled her eyes at me. "What about you? I've seen so many sailors on your ship look at you in a weird way. Which one do you like?"

"Uh..." I choked. "How can people of different races love each other?"

"Ha ha ha ha"

The next day, Lily and I went shopping with the captain's permission. I drove her around most of Hamburg. Of course, we bought a lot of things, including gifts for the captain, Lindemann, and other officers. The trunk was full, and even the back seat was full.

"Bismarck, where did you get so much money?" Lily asked curiously after seeing me take out the money again.

"Well, about the money, didn't the captain tell you?"

"say what?"

"That's true, the captain's personality..." I thought helplessly. After Lily came here, she was with me all day long. She didn't see the captain except when she met at meals. She must have come here to find me.

"I sold something to Krupp, and they gave me shares in the company and a lot of money," I said briefly.

"Krupp? I've never heard of it." Lily shook her head. "But the fact that they can give you shares means that your stuff is very useful. Is it something on you?" She blinked.

"What are you talking about? How can I tear myself apart and sell myself? The captain will be the first to disagree! Well, you just need to know that this is a huge sum of money. We can buy whatever we want!" I said with a smile, pointing to a purple coat and said to the clerk, "Please help me pack that one too. I want it."

Lily gave me a thumbs up.

"Oh, by the way, Bismarck, how did you make the fried ice cream yesterday? It was so delicious." It was not until late in the evening that we dragged a car full of things and went back satisfied. While in the car, Liliana suddenly thought of the dessert last night and asked me curiously.

"Well? How's it? Not bad, right?" I smiled proudly. After the fried ice cream was served as dessert last night, the captain praised it for being delicious, not to mention Lily, who ate almost half of the bowl. "You ate so much last night, aren't you afraid of getting fat?"

"Oh, I can't help it, it's so delicious," she pretended to be helpless, "I want it again tonight!"

"Yeah, really? That's no problem." I looked at her and said, "Just don't blame me if it gets heavier when you get back."

"Haha, no, no," she said quickly

"Last night's ice cream was only made in the ship's kitchen. Let's go to a special store to buy it today. There are more flavors there, and it will taste better the next time."

"Okay, okay, I want vanilla and strawberry flavors," Lily said loudly

At Lily's strong request, I turned around halfway and went to the ice cream shop again. I brought back several large buckets. The weather was cold and the ice cream would not melt on the way. When I got back to the boat, I was equipped with a refrigerator, which is still a luxury in this era, so I didn't have to worry at all.

The car drove into the port. Hey, who is that person on the dock?

"Hey, Lindeman is back." I stopped the car beside him. "You have a lot of luggage. Do you need help?"

"You're just in time... Bismarck, help me carry this up."

"You're really not polite at all." I pouted and picked up the one that looked the heaviest. "After all, I'm a girl too."

Although 20,000 tons...

"Whoever mistook you for a woman will be in trouble," Lindman said with a smile. "Liliana, you are here too, welcome."

"Does it take your welcome?" I sneered.

"Hello, Lindemann." Liliana returned to her ladylike demeanor, smoothed her hair beside her ears, nodded and smiled.

"Are you used to living on Bismarck? Where do you live?"

"It's fine. I live with Sister Bismarck."

"That's good. Hey, why did you buy so much ice cream in the middle of winter?" I helped Lindeman move things, so the task of carrying the ice cream had to be given to Lily.

"I'll give you fried ice cream tonight. It's better to come at the right time than to come early! Lily, take this to the kitchen," I said with a smile

"Yes!"

"Fried ice cream?" Lindman looked puzzled.

"It's delicious!" Lily walked up the gangway with a smile.

ps: I have been reviewing a lot recently...my mind is full of questions, and I have problems with the plot...I am having a writer's block and it is very painful...Students who have good suggestions for the plot, please don't be careless and come forward. I will update one chapter every two days or so. I think the Norwegian campaign will have to wait until the winter vacation begins.

Chapter 52: New Year in War

Lily and I made a plate of fried ice cream in the kitchen. To be honest, this fried ice cream is actually a Western pastry, but it seems that they have never eaten it before, which makes me very strange. But it's okay, it's a new experience.

I taught Lily how to do it, and then gave the extra portion (which I had deliberately made) to Warner. After all, this was his territory, and when it came to favors, who was better than our great country? Warner accepted it with a smile on his face.

"Bismarck, come to my place more often in the future," he said with a smile, his eyes almost becoming slits.

"I'm really worried that you'll eat too much in the future." I shook my head helplessly. "This New Year, the captain has prepared New Year gifts for some of your officers. Remember to go to him and get them when the time comes."

"Really? That's great, thank the captain for me."

"You can thank him in person when the time comes." I looked at him with contempt.

Are Westerners really weak to sweets? As soon as I served it to him, Lindemann immediately put aside his serious expression when reporting to the captain and showed great interest. The same was true for Lily. The captain was much better. After all, he was the leader, so his expression did not fluctuate much. However, when he ate later, his movements did not seem to be slow at all...

After dinner, I moved the things I bought to the captain's room. I bought all the things that the officers of higher ranks had. I gave Lindemann military boots and a windbreaker, and the rest were basically the same. As for the captain, Lily and I picked out a whole set for him.

After the meal, the officers came to the captain's room one after another. In the reception room, the orderly prepared red wine and fruit desserts in advance, just like a cocktail party. The place that was usually sparsely populated seemed full today. Everyone gathered together, talking and laughing. At this time, the captain did not have the seriousness of the superiors and subordinates, and chatted casually with the officers. Lily and I handed the wrapped gifts to them one by one.

"Gentlemen," the captain said with a smile, and then everyone around him fell silent waiting for him to speak.

"Today is Christmas, first of all I want to wish you a Merry Christmas"

"Merry Christmas, Captain!" Everyone laughed.

"You all got presents, everyone got one, right?"

"All of them—"

"That's good. Actually, it was Bismarck who suggested this Christmas gift to me. I thought it was a good idea, so I bought some small things for you. Of course, it was Bismarck who chose the gifts. If you want to thank someone, thank her," the captain said with a smile.

"Hahahaha" everyone laughed

"Tomorrow many of you will go home to reunite with your families. On behalf of the Bismarck, I would like to wish your families a happy new year."

"This year, we worked together on the Bismarck. Overall, the results were very good. I am very satisfied with everyone's performance. During the Battle of Poland, we sank many enemy ships. Although there was a scene that no one wanted to see on the return journey, it was mainly my responsibility. I am proud of you."

"But entering the factory is not without benefits. At least our torpedo protection and anti-aircraft firepower have been enhanced, right?" The captain smiled easily. "Good things often follow unfortunate things."

Everyone smiled knowingly

"But, gentlemen, although I am proud of you, the Führer is not satisfied with our performance. He instructed us to strengthen our training. Therefore, there will be joint exercises at the beginning of next year. I hope you will be mentally prepared!"

"Yes!"

"Cheers to Germany" the captain raised his red wine glass seriously

"cheers--"

After the short cocktail party, the officers left one by one. I saw them off at the door. They thanked me one by one and expressed their satisfaction with the gifts.

"Are they all gone?" the captain asked.

"Yeah," I walked to the sofa and sat down, "Captain, today's cocktail party is pretty good, right?" It was my suggestion to hold this cocktail party in order to improve the relationship between the captain and his subordinates. I also specially selected those gifts and put a lot of thought into them.

"You did a great job and the gift was very thoughtful. Thank you," said the captain

"Haha, Captain, this is what I should do," I said with a smile, "You are too serious. There must be an opportunity to get along with them. Today is a good opportunity."

"Yes," the captain nodded. "I also want to get along with them casually, but my identity here means I can't be like Lindman."

"That's true," I said, holding my chin up, "Captain, you need to have a sense of distance to have authority."

"By the way, can I ask what the opening exercise is?" I said

"It's just a reinforcement of the problems exposed in the last Polish campaign." The captain glanced at me. "It's aimed at the anti-submarine capability of the fleet."

"There will be destroyers and submarines coming over to simulate attack training, but you don't need to participate."

"Eh" I was stunned for a moment "Why don't I have to participate? Why do I have to stay at the port?"

"Your main body will go, but you don't need to participate in the search for the submarine," the captain said. "Let the fleet do all the work, you just need to watch from the side."

Oh, that's how it is. I understand what the captain means. This can better demonstrate the true strength of the sailors.

"Okay, I'll take a look then" I nodded "Captain, I'll go back to my room first"

"Oh, by the way, if the drill is conducted at the beginning of the year, what will happen to Lily?" I was about to go out when I thought of this question. At that time, Lily might not have started school yet, although she was no longer attending classes at university.

"Just let her go back" the captain did not hesitate

really···

"Captain, this isn't a good idea," I turned around and advised, "Lily has finally come here and has only spent so much time with us. Let her go back now..."

The relationship between you and your daughter is already like that of superiors and subordinates. Wouldn't this make it even worse?

"Do you want her to go out to sea with you?" The captain looked at me and said, "This is a military operation. How can an ordinary person like her participate? Letting her stay on board is already a violation of naval regulations."

"Can't you just stay in my room?" I said, "I'm not going to participate in the action anyway."

"No," the captain said without any room for negotiation. "You should know how the navy rules are written. Don't make me repeat them to you."

"But···"

"I'll talk to Lily. I think she'll understand. Don't worry about it."

"Okay, then I'll go back first," I replied helplessly. In fact, I also knew that my proposal had touched the captain's bottom line, and there was no reason to insist on it, so I had to go down the stairs.

Last year the three of us celebrated New Year, and this time Lily joined us. Compared to the grandeur of Christmas, the New Year actually focuses more on meaning. Simple dishes and two bottles of red wine were our activities for the evening.

To celebrate the New Year, the ship's kitchen provided extra meals for all crew members, and drinks were almost unlimited. The captain gave a New Year's speech and blessings on the bridge before the New Year's dinner. The content was nothing more than celebrating the New Year for all officers and soldiers, encouraging everyone to make Germany stronger and so on... After the New Year's speech, he and Lindemann went down to the cabin and the restaurant to visit the officers and soldiers. This was also one of the few times that grassroots officers and soldiers, except those working on the bridge, could see the captain and the first mate. One can imagine what kind of "hunt and interception" the captain was facing below. I watched the live broadcast in the captain's room, and then relayed the live broadcast to Lily. The two of them were very happy.

They started working at seven o'clock and didn't return to the reception room until after nine o'clock. As soon as Lindman entered the room, he said he was exhausted.

"If you don't come, the food will get cold again," Lily said

"I've gone to heat it up twice," I said with a smile, "but it's okay, the red wine has just been awakened, it should be about the same."

"Then let's get started," the captain smiled, "I've kept you waiting."

Compared to the carnival below, our party was much simpler. None of us liked to be lively, so we just ate together quietly.

"Bismarck, do you have a New Year's resolution?" Lily suddenly asked me

"Hmm? New Year's wish? Yes."

"Aren't you going to say it?" Lily said, "Only if you make a wish will it come true."

"What kind of rubbish is that..." I looked at her speechlessly. "Isn't it enough for you to know your wish yourself?"

"No way!" Lily gave me a glare. "Listen, my New Year's wish is that no matter what the circumstances are in the future, you and Dad can come back safely, and we can have dinner together!"

"can you do it?"

"Yeah···"

Lily's wish is very simple, but it is very difficult to realize it, facing this grim situation, even though we are now in the upper hand.

Lily's simple wish seemed to touch the softest part of my heart. In this strange time and space, there are still people who really care about me. My nose was inexplicably sour, and I said slowly and seriously, "Yes, the captain, Lindemann and I will return home safely. No matter what the situation is, I, Bismarck, will guarantee it."

“I believe you,” she smiled.

"I am the most powerful battleship," I nodded and said to Lily and to myself.

Captain Bismarck stood up with his glass of wine.

"Hey, Captain," I quickly stood up. Are you going to clink glasses with me?

He gently shook the bloody wine in the glass and smiled, "I toast you with this glass of wine."

"captain···"

"I am very happy to have you. To be honest, I feel that I am the luckiest captain in the world. My warship actually has thoughts." The captain looked at me and said, "But because of this, at the end of the Polish Campaign, you suffered a lot because of my mistakes, so I apologize to you again."