Chapter 774: Wilhelm Must Step Back

Wang Wenwu walked onto the balcony and stood beside him.

"President, Marshal Tirpitz has arrived. He came alone, without any entourage."

Chen Feng nodded. "Let him in. Is the tea ready?"

"Ready. The Dragon Eye Network you like best."

Chen Feng turned and walked downstairs.

Marshal Tirpitz stood at the villa's entrance, sizing up the unremarkable building.

When he set out from the Deguo delegation's base, it was still daylight. He had the driver circle the area several times, confirming no one was tailing him, before parking the car on this secluded lane. After alighting, he walked alone for a few hundred meters before finding the villa hidden among the olive groves.

There was no guard at the door, only a young man in civilian clothes standing there. The young man saw him, gave a slight bow, and in fluent German said, "Marshal Tirpitz, the President is waiting for you. Please follow me."

Tirpitz followed him along a gravel path into the villa. The living room was modest, simply arranged—several sofas, a bookshelf, and a landscape painting on the wall. Two cups of tea sat on the coffee table, steam still rising.

Chen Feng descended the stairs.

He wore a dark gray Zhongshan suit, bearing no medals or insignia. His expression was calm, revealing no emotion. He approached Marshal Tirpitz and extended his hand.

"Marshal Tirpitz, you have endured a long journey."

Tirpitz grasped his hand. The hand was steady and strong.

"The President is being courteous. To meet you, no distance feels arduous."

The two sat on the sofa. Wang Wenwu slipped out quietly and closed the door.

The living room fell silent, broken only by the occasional sound of waves outside and the gentle steam rising from the tea cups.

Chen Feng lifted his tea cup, took a sip, then set it down.

"Marshal Tirpitz, let's get straight to the point."

Tirpitz nodded. "Very well. Straight to the point."

Chen Feng looked at him, his gaze steady. "What does Deguo want?"

Tirpitz was silent for three seconds. Then he said, "Deguo wants to survive."

Chen Feng nodded. "Survive. That's not a high demand."

He stood and walked to the window. Outside, night had fully fallen, and only a few fishing boat lights flickered on the sea.

"Marshal Tirpitz, do you know what 'survive' means?"

Tirpitz also rose and came to his side.

"Please, President, enlighten me."

Chen Feng pointed at the dark sea beyond the window.

"Look at this sea. It is calm now, but it can raise huge waves at any moment. Deguo's current situation is like a ship sailing on the ocean. The hull is broken, the sails are torn, the sailors are about to give up. Yet as long as the ship doesn't sink, there is still hope."

He turned and looked at Tirpitz.

"What Deguo must do is keep this ship from sinking. Wait for the storms to pass, wait for the weather to improve, wait for a chance to repair it."

Tirpitz was silent for a few seconds. "The President means Deguo should accept any conditions, just to survive?"

Chen Feng shook his head. "Not any conditions. Conditions with dignity."

He walked back to the sofa and sat down.

"Marshal Tirpitz, do you know what the most important matter at tomorrow's Cypress Conference is?"

Tirpitz sat opposite him. "Please, President, specify."

Chen Feng stared directly into his eyes.

"The League of Nations. Five permanent members. A veto right."

Tirpitz's eyes flashed. "Can Deguo get in?"

Chen Feng nodded. "Yes."

Tirpitz took a deep breath. "What about the conditions?"

Chen Feng looked at him, silent for three seconds.

"There is only one condition—Weilian Ershi must step back."

Tirpitz's complexion changed.

"President, you are saying—"

Chen Feng waved his hand, cutting him off.

"Marshal Tirpitz, I am not asking Wilhelm to abdicate. I am asking him to step back—hand over real power while retaining the imperial title. Like Yingguo, a figurehead head of state."

He stood and walked to the window.

"Look at Yingguo. Does George V have any real power? No. Yet he is still king. The Yingguo people still owe him loyalty. Why? Because he does not wield power. Without power, he bears no responsibility. Without responsibility, he will not be overthrown."

He turned and looked at Tirpitz.

"What is Deguo's situation now? Workers in Lu er qu are on strike, sailors in Kiel Harbor are mutinying, Bavaria has formed a Soviet. Why? Because who do the people hate? Wilhelm. The emperor who started the war, fought for four years, caused millions of deaths, and ultimately lost."

Tirpitz lowered his head, saying nothing.

Chen Feng continued, "If Wilhelm does not step back, Deguo cannot stabilize. If Deguo cannot stabilize, everything we discuss is meaningless. A fragmented Deguo cannot join the League of Nations, cannot become a permanent member, and will only become the source of Europe's turmoil."

He walked back to the sofa and sat down.

"Marshal Tirpitz, go back and tell Wilhelm. This is Lanfang's suggestion, also Lanfang's condition. He may retain the imperial title, may live in the palace, may enjoy all privileges. But real power must be handed to the cabinet, to the prime minister."

Tirpitz was silent for a long while.

The firewood in the fireplace crackled, and the sound of waves outside came in intermittent bursts. Time passed second by second.

Finally, Tirpitz lifted his head.

"President, what if His Majesty Wilhelm disagrees?"

Chen Feng looked at him, his calm gaze terrifying.

"Then he will lose everything."

He paused.

"Marshal Tirpitz, you understand Deguo better than I do. If Weilian does not step down, Deguo will collapse from within. Then, not only the Emperor, but even whether Deguo can continue to exist will be in question."

Tirpitz closed his eyes.

He recalled the protest crowds on the streets of Berlin, recalled the slogans shouting "Weilian step down," recalled the hungry masses and desperate faces. He knew Chen Feng was right. If Weilian does not step down, Deguo is finished.

He opened his eyes.

"President, I will convey your words to Your Majesty."

Chen Feng nodded. "Very well."

He stood up, walked to the desk, took a document from the drawer, and handed it to Tirpitz.

"This is some of my thoughts on post‑war Deguo. You may have a look."

Tirpitz took the document, opened to the first page. It read—

"Some Proposals Regarding Deguo's Post‑War Status":

1. Deguo retains the title of Emperor, with the Emperor becoming a figurehead who holds no real power.

2. Establish a cabinet system, with the Prime Minister holding executive power and being accountable to the Parliament.

4. Deguo's army is limited to two hundred thousand personnel, but the General Staff framework is retained.

5. Deguo joins the League of Nations as a permanent member state, possessing a veto vote.

6. Deguo establishes a strategic partnership with Lanfang, cooperating in economics, military, technology and other fields.

Tirpitz looked for a long time. Then he lifted his head and looked at Chen Feng.

"President, this document… is too important."