News

"Dutch, Germany has started a war! All of Europe is in chaos!"

Hosea, the old man, hurried from outside the room, quickly delivering the news into Dutch's hands.

He was wearing a black and white VDL Party marshal's uniform, looking like a handsome old general straight out of an AI painting. What was most remarkable was how well Hosea's demeanor matched the tailored black and white uniform, making him appear to be a person of high authority.

"Hahahaha, don't worry, Hosea, isn't this exactly as I predicted?"

Dutch picked up the intelligence Hosea handed him from the table, comforting him with a smile.

"Just as I said, Hosea, they can only step by step fall into the trap we've dug, because it concerns their vital interests and their future plans.

Look, it's exactly as I envisioned, isn't it?" Dutch always seemed to be full of confidence.

This confidence was his most captivating quality.

Especially after robbing fifteen dollars and twenty-five cents, he was still full of confidence.

This was the ultimate quality for a boss—to always be the backbone for his subordinates, no matter what!

But what Dutch said now was absolutely true; he had thought this way before and had been working towards it. Now, achieving this result was undoubtedly a dream come true.

"Oh, Dutch, it's not that I don't believe you, I just, I just feel it's too miraculous! Let me think, from the snow mountains until now, you have never been wrong. Oh, sh*t!, Dutch, if we hadn't been fighting alongside you until now, I probably wouldn't recognize you, Dutch." Hosea was filled with emotion.

Especially after he saw this intelligence, how could anyone believe that the world situation and changes were exactly as Dutch had predicted?

How could Dutch Van der Linde, a mere robber, achieve such a feat?

"Hahaha, Hosea, you're just overthinking it, old friend. In reality, everything has a trace!

Do you remember the War of 1812 between the United States and Canada? Even when France and Britain were fighting fiercely in Europe, they still intervened in their busy schedules when the United States Government wanted to invade Canada! It would rather fight on two fronts than allow the United States to achieve unification. That's the British!

So from this, we can deduce the direction the British will choose this time. Hosea, seeing the big picture from small details, understanding the whole from a part, that is the ability a qualified leader should possess. As for you, old friend, you also need to learn to think for yourself.

At the very least, don't be as stupid as Arthur and John!" Dutch's initial words were relatively gentle, but he immediately became angry when he mentioned Arthur and John.

These two utterly foolish individuals still didn't understand the fate they carried, and each of them still claimed that they could just go back to robbing if things went south.

Although Dutch had warned them many times not to have the mindset of a master, reminding them that they were a group of outlaws. But what he meant was for them to look at problems outside the rules set by others, not for them to continue being outlaws!

As a result, these two completely misinterpreted his meaning, and their mindset had shifted to 'I'll just go back to robbing if things go bad!'

How the hell could such a mindset achieve anything?

"Ah, don't blame them, Dutch. You know, we've never taught them about these kinds of ideas. They've done exceptionally well to reach their current level.

They are two good children. I think my greatest hope isn't what they might become, but simply that they live good lives. Like the employees in our factory."

Hosea habitually defended the two.

"Alright, Hosea, you always like to say good things about them, but you need to know that their bad habits are also because you spoiled them! One is extremely concerned with his image and likes to shirk responsibility, the other avoids responsibility and is still like an overgrown child!

I wonder how long you, with one foot in heaven, can protect them!"

Dutch snorted, then placed the European news in his hand on the table, and then picked up another document and handed it to Hosea.

"Alright, let's put this matter aside for now. Arthur and John's situation remains the same. There's no need to wipe out the Russian Empire in one go; exhaust them little by little. Fight for ten days to half a month, then retreat a few kilometers to allow them to successfully land, and gradually entice Nicholas II, that fool's greed, to make him send more people to the United States."

Marshal Dutch gave specific instructions regarding the battle in Washington State, which could also be seen as micromanagement.

This was somewhat similar to Hiel, both liked to micromanage, but it was unclear whose methods were superior.

"Okay, Dutch. What about Davey and Bill?"

"You can start! Remember, recover steadily, step by step. Armed conflict should not harm civilians, and peaceful recovery should not destroy infrastructure. Tell the powerful and capitalists who surrender voluntarily that I can allow them to continue to live in luxury, but from now on, that's all they'll be able to do!

And for those who actively defect, give them appropriate benefits.

Active defection brings no reward, stubborn resistance is a crime! If they don't want to take their families to the construction site, then they should surrender to me obediently!

Most importantly, they need to understand one thing: our Van Der Linde Government doesn't care whether they surrender or not, because even if they don't surrender, they will be completely flattened under our Tanks!"

Dutch's expression was exceptionally fierce, the glint in his eyes more terrifying than a tiger's.

But what he said was not an exaggeration at all, because whether these people surrendered or not was indeed no longer a problem for him.

Because Mr. Marko's bomber fleet had already been assembled!

When the sharp whistle sounded in the sky, Mr. Van der Linde's fleet would bomb the entire world!

"Yes, sir!" Hosea suddenly stood at attention and saluted Dutch with a Van der Linde salute, startling Dutch.

"Oh, sh*t! When did you, you damned old man, become so disgusting? Hosea!"

Mr. Dutch Van der Linde had always viewed this war as a protracted one.

The main purpose was to exhaust Europe's power.

As for leveling Europe and establishing a unified state?

That's impossible. The cultures and origins of various countries are incomparable to America's. Some have centuries of hatred, and some have been fighting for thousands of years. Forcibly establishing a unified state would only result in the newly established America fragmenting again after he dies.

His newly established America can become legitimate now, but if he leads Americans to fight Europe, in the eyes of Europeans, he won't be considered legitimate. At that point, he'd be similar to the Qing Dynasty in the eyes of the East.

Therefore, on this basis, fighting a protracted war is much better than a quick sweep!

Firstly, he wants to completely cripple Europe's economy through a prolonged war, especially the British Empire and France.

Secondly, he wants to use a protracted war to gain a significant development time and space for himself, while also increasing his development costs.

For these European countries, war is undoubtedly a huge blow to their financial and material resources, but for him, it's a good time for development.

Although everyone's economy isn't great, my humanitarian care is better than yours, my development space is larger than yours, and my policies are superior to yours. Even the prisoners who come as guests don't want to go home.

Mr. Van der Linde's population is severely insufficient, which is a major drawback. As the war time increases, Mr. Dutch Van der Linde's population will steadily rise, which is more conducive to the later stages of great national integration and preparations for sustainable development.

As for whether the later great national integration will be smooth?

Excuse me, as he once said, Mr. Van der Linde is not a good person.

The European campaigns have nothing to do with him. The only thing he needs to do is fight lightly, slowly, and gradually, seeking benefits for his nation with a sustainable development strategic plan.

As for which side in Europe will win? That's none of his business.

However, according to Dutch's speculation, Europe will probably still see the British and French Entente achieve final victory.

Firstly, because the current German Emperor, William II, lacks the personal charisma of Hitler. Of course, this accounts for a very small proportion; one could even say that if Mr. Dutch Van der Linde were placed in Germany today, he doesn't think he could win. Because the lives of German citizens are already prosperous enough, they don't need his so-called concessions at all.

Secondly, Germany's international situation today is not like that of the Third Reich. The Third Reich had no choice but to fight; their lives had been riddled with holes by the Treaty of Versailles. The old powers had been sucking their blood to the point of almost killing the Third Reich!

This also led to the biggest difference between World War I and World War II. World War I was a war initiated by German Emperor William II due to dissatisfaction with the distribution of interests. Before World War I, the lives of Germans were exceptionally prosperous, with plenty of milk and bread, so their lower-class citizens didn't have much war resolve.

This caused anti-war sentiment to emerge and intensify in Germany after its defeat in World War I, eventually leading to the overthrow of William II's rule by the populace and parliament to repudiate the war.

World War II, however, was completely different. Although Hitler was old and didn't speak much truth, and even played a trick with Adolf shampoo, the people within the Third Reich supported the war and yearned for it. They wanted to liberate themselves from the Treaty of Versailles. So, even when Berlin fell, there were still loyal followers of Hitler fighting to the death in other regions, refusing to surrender.

Some people ask what was the point of Dutch going to Washington as a prisoner before? This is the point.

It transformed this war from Mr. Dutch Van der Linde's personal desire into a resistance born from the dissatisfaction of the Western populace. The cohesion and desire for resistance in this case are not on the same level.

This is also Dutch's ability to see the big picture from the small.

So Dutch is preparing for a long-term war.

After the war in Europe, the British and French will surely suffer heavy losses, so they will want to frantically suck blood to gain sufficient profits.

In the last century, because America had already developed to a certain extent and its domestic environment was stable, they dared not have any ideas about America.

But now it's different. Now America is unstable internally, and both sides have started a war. So Dutch must use a long-term war to grind them down, to break them, to make them unable to stop!

Only then can he sign the final armistice agreement from the perspective of the victorious side.

---

"Hello, this is the Eastern Front Command Post."

"Please connect me to General Davey Callander."

Telephones in this era were still connected by lines. Previously, this was a rare commodity in the West, but in fact, in 1881, the telephone was introduced to China. In 1900, the Shanghai Nanjing Telegraph Bureau opened an intra-city telephone service.

This shows how backward the West was.

But now that Mr. Dutch Van der Linde has arrived, everything has taken a turn for the better.

"Hello, this is Davey!" Davey, dressed in a black and white military uniform, took the phone from the operator's hand, not forgetting to pull out a box of cigarettes and hand it to the operator.

"Is it boring sitting here all day? Take these and smoke!"

No choice, Dutch always liked to emphasize being good to his people, and Davey always followed Dutch's orders.

Hosea's voice came through the phone.

"Hahaha, Davey. How have you been doing lately?"

"Oh, sh*t!, it's that old guy Hosea! Hosea, why aren't you licking Dutch's stinky ass, what are you calling for? Could it be that Dutch has some instructions?" Davey laughed heartily, taking a cigarette from the cigarette box in the operator's hand.

The operator, who had just received General Davey's favor, immediately, with great discernment, helped him light it, and then happily lit one for himself.

Ah, working for Mr. Van der Linde, as long as you're obedient, you can have anything you want. There's just one annoying thing: too much smoking makes your throat hurt, and too much drinking makes your head fuzzy. To think, this is a happiness I never experienced before!

"sh*t! Davey, have you been staying in the toilet all this time? Oh, we have enough of Arthur, who's disgusting, in our gang; I don't want you to turn into that stinky skunk either!

Alright, kid, I know you've been very tired guarding out here lately, but now the opportunity has come!"

Davey's expression became serious.

"Dutch said, Davey, you can start gradually reclaiming territory! Remember, don't be too eager. Dutch said to make the American East government anxious, but not to let them lose their fighting spirit; to let the British see a glimmer of hope, but not to let them feel they have no possibility of landing in America! In short, string them along, make them reluctant to give up but without many other options!" Hosea's voice on the phone was concise and to the point.

"Alright, Hosea, alright! Hahaha, I knew Dutch wouldn't make us wait too long!" Davey hung up the phone, turned around excitedly, and waved his hand, saying,

"Did you all hear that? Now, relay my order: All troops, attack!!!"