Chapter 15 Chapter 3 "Crazy with Joy" (1)

1913.5-1918.12 He got off the train from Vienna, climbed the stairs, and walked into the noisy Hobahnhof district of Munich.From the first minute, everything was good in the Bavarian capital.After being used to the noise of multiple languages ​​in Shorena, even the voices of people were harmonious and pleasant to his ears. "This city is so dear to me, as if I have lived in it for many years." It was spring, bright and sunny, and the air, washed by the mountain wind from the Alps in the Bavarian part, seemed to be cleaner than the air in Vienna.It was Sunday—May 25.Except for strolling tourists, there are almost no pedestrians on the street.The buildings and statues on the street amazed him, and he said, "From the first hour I entered this city, I fell in love with this city deeply, much more than other cities. This is a German city .”

After half an hour of mesmerizing wandering through the streets, he came to Schlesmerstrasse.He probably walked through the Königsplatz.He was stunned by the large arched building of Propiran and the square in the distance.Afterwards, he probably walked down Brynnerstrasse to the castle-like, majestic distillery, the Loren Brewery.This is the Schhobing district, the edge of the student district, from which Schlesmerstrasse runs northwards.After passing two houses, he came to number 34-this was Pope's sewing shop.A handwritten notice was posted on the window of the store: "There are rooms for rent, well-equipped, and people with good character can rent."

Under the guidance of this notice, Hitler went up to the third floor.Mrs. Pope led him into the room, which contained a bed, a table, a sofa, and a chair.On the wall are two slate paintings imitating oil paintings. "The young man and I came to an agreement very quickly," Mrs. Pope recalled. “He said the house was usable and he paid the rent upfront.” She made him fill out a registration form."Adolf Hitler, architect painter, from Vienna," he wrote. "The next morning, Mr. Hitler went out. After a while, he came back, holding an easel he picked up somewhere, and immediately started painting, which lasted for several hours. Within a few days, I I saw that he had painted two beautiful pictures and put them on the table, one was a church and the other was a theater. After that, my tenant went out early in the morning with his leather bag to find customers.”

Hitler came to Munich "with enthusiasm" and wanted to study painting and architecture there for three years.However, reality never allowed him to realize his dream, and he never got into the local art academy.It was more difficult to make a living from painting than in Vienna, the commercial market was no bigger than in Vienna, and he was forced to suffer the shame of going from house to house or selling paintings in beer halls.But he firmly believes that despite the difficulties, he will eventually "achieve the goal he set". Munich in 1913 had a population of 600,000.In Europe, it is an active cultural center, second only to Paris in terms of activity.Over the years, it has attracted many admiring painters, but these people, Hitler found, were all rotten people: the Swiss Paul Kerry, and the likes of Kandinsky, Zorensky and Burlyuk A refugee from the East like a brother.They are all the leaders of the "New Artists Association".The association was created four years ago to give its members more freedom.Hitler belonged to the classical school and was incompatible with this concept, but the advocates of this theory also brought leavening and excitement to Munich in art.This must have irritated the young Austrian Hitler too. "Munich calls these long-haired people fleeing from Russia in the east and the Baru peninsula. They are nomads. They pour into Schhobing, the northern district. In most studios there is plenty of light.” Although Hitler despised these oriental refugees, he was a Bohemian himself and needed their freedom and tradition.Here, his idols have created "Tristan and Isot", "Poetry Club", "Gold of the Rhine"; here, people such as Stepan George, Rainer Maria German poets as famous as Erck; here Richard Strauss is writing his opera, Thomas Mann has just written the novel Death in Venice, and Oswald Springer Leh is writing the first volume of The Decline of the West in a room as empty as Hitler's house.In a nearby restaurant called Eleven Executioners, the notoriously talented Frank Wedekind, author of The Humor of a Tyrant, is singing his own songs; A drama of life and depravity that sickens and captivates audiences.

Since the beginning of this century, the spirit of Bohemianism, which welcomes even the most odious and absurd literary and political theories, has existed in Munich and attracted nonconformists from all over the world.A few houses away from Schlesmerstrasse, at number 106, lived another political extremist—he had been exiled from Russia for more than a year.His registered name was Mr. Meier, but his real name was Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, who was called Lenin when he was engaged in underground activities. More than 10 years ago, he wrote a book here based on Marx's theory. Now, Hitler not only came in and out of Busch Hobbing's cafes and restaurants, but also enjoyed the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of freedom of thought.There's nothing intimidating about his rebellious nature and grumpy demeanor.Here, he is just another weirdo, and he can often find people who are willing to listen to his complaints and ideals.Although he was more or less related to Schöbiner's bohemianism, his painting style remained unchanged, in stark contrast to his fiery personality and radical political views.His approach remains academic rather than experimental.But bold, even forceful.

In this fertile geography, his fascination with Marxism was revived.In the library he spent hours at a time, studying everything that was written about this "theory of destruction." "... I plunged once more into the theoretical literature of this new world, trying to ascertain the implications of this theory and to relate it to the events and phenomena of reality in political, cultural, and economic life. Contrast. Now, for the first time ever, I am focusing my attention on mastering this global plague." Returning from the library, he would hurry up the stairs and into his cabin with a book or two under one arm and sausage and white bread under the other.Mr. Pope, noting that he no longer dined at Rowan Blow's or smaller restaurants, asked him several times to "sit down and have a meal."But he was never invited.In the eyes of Mrs. Pope, he is an "Austrian charming", an easy-going and helpful young man, but also a little mysterious. "You don't know what he's thinking." He often stays at home for days at a time. "He is like a hermit, bored in his room, reading his thick and heavy book from morning to night." If the enthusiastic landlady asks him to go to her kitchen for dinner, he can always find an excuse to refuse.Once, she asked him what the books he read had anything to do with painting.He took her arm and said, "My dear Mrs. Pope, does anyone know what to use and what not to use in life?" After studying, he used to go to beer halls or coffee houses.There, people often listen to him talking.However, as soon as he opened the conversation box, some people opposed his views immediately, and a full-fledged political debate began.In such forums, in debates with these opponents, Hitler sharpened his ideas and theories.

As soon as winter came, there were fewer customers buying paintings, which added difficulties to Hitler.Even so, in his lifetime, "this was the happiest, most contented period of his life." Under adverse conditions, Vienna is sullen, and Munich never loses its magical allure. "Today, if I say that I love Munich more than the rest of the world," recalled Hitler 11 years later in his cell, "it is partly because it was, and still is, the life I pioneered. .Even then I achieved the happiness of inner satisfaction, all because of the magic that the residence of the Wittelsbach exerts in every man who cares about everything but is full of emotions."

On a Sunday afternoon early in 1914, Hitler's hard but rewarding life was suddenly threatened. At 3:30 p.m. on January 18, there was a sharp knock on the door.After opening the door, Hitler found that standing in front of him was a stern-looking criminal policeman from the Munich Police Department.The criminal policeman—named Hörle—produced an official document from Austria: Informing Hitler to "report to join the army on January 20, 1914, at Catherine Elisabeth Pier 30 in Linz."If he fails to report on time, he may be prosecuted or fined.What was even more frightening was that he was warned that if the authorities found him guilty of "leaving the country to evade military service", he would be fined heavily and even imprisoned for a year.

Adolf had mixed feelings.As early as three years ago, when he was still living in Mannerheim, he had asked to serve in Vienna, but there was no news.Interpol Hörle asked Hitler to sign the enlistment notice.Distraught, Hitler signed the name "Adolf Hitler" tremblingly.Afterwards, Interpol Herle arrested him and escorted him back to the headquarters.The next morning, he was escorted to the "Austrian Consulate".At this time, even the police sympathized with him.What Hitler's situation was at that time is self-explanatory.The Consul General also took pity on the young artist, who was yellow, hungry, and dressed in rags, and allowed Hitler to send a telegram to Lin Zi, requesting that his enlistment be postponed until early February.The next day, Lin Zi called back: "Be sure to report on January 20." Because that day was January 20, and he sympathized with Hitler's panic, Mr. Consul General allowed him to write a letter to Lin Zi's authorities to explain.It was a letter begging for forgiveness, full of grammatically incorrect sentences and misspelled words—and it revealed the panic and disappointment of a young man cornered by fortune.He complained that the "urgency" of the subpoena prevented him from going about his business, not even taking a shower.

In the summons I was stated to be a painter.I am entitled to the title, but only in a limited sense.Yes, I make a living by selling my paintings.Because I have nothing (my father was a public servant before his death), I sell paintings so that I can continue my studies.I am still in training as an architectural painter, so I can only make a living by painting part-time.My income is so small that I can barely make ends meet. His monthly income is extremely unstable, and his current income is meager. The reason is that at this time, the calligraphy and painting market in Munich "is hibernating, and the number of painters living or trying to live here is almost 3,000".He explained that he had applied to the Viennese authorities for enlistment as early as 1910, and went on to paint a pitiful picture of how he was struggling in Vienna.

At the time, I was young, inexperienced, without financial aid, and I had too much self-esteem to ask for help or cheat.In isolation and helplessness, he can only rely on his own strength, and the few pennies he earns can only beg for a night.During those two years, my only girlfriends were Sorrow and Need, and I had no companions except Hungry.I never knew what the beautiful word "youth" was. Today, 5 years later, my memory is still full of chilblains on my fingers, back of my hands and feet.However, when I recall those years, I can't help but feel a little bit of joy, because I have passed the most difficult time.In spite of my poverty, and the often questionable people around me, I have maintained a reputation of innocence, and I am innocent before the law.Apart from failing to report to the military, I have a clear conscience, and the reason for not reporting is that I know nothing about it.That's all I'm responsible for.If there is a fine, a small fine is enough, and I am willing to pay it. His subterfuge was weak, but he succeeded in exploiting the sympathy of the Consul General.The Consul General then wrote a note, which was sent out with Hitler's letter.The memo stated that both the consul general and the Munich police could attest that Hitler was honest and reliable.Since Hitler appeared to be "in dire need of proper treatment," the Consul General suggested that Hitler report to Salzburg.There is no need to go far to Lin Si.After the Linzi authorities agreed, Hitler went to Salzburg on February 5, funded by the consulate.Authorities found that Hitler was "too physically weak for combat or auxiliary service to carry a gun." His emaciated physique made him ineligible for military service. Adolf then returned to his house and continued to make a living drawing posters and selling pictures.However, by June 28, his struggling life as a painter and his hopes of becoming an architect were finally dashed.That day, when he was indoors, he suddenly heard the noise of people in the street below.He hurried down the stairs to see what happened.On the way, Mrs. Pope shouted excitedly: "The heir to the throne of Austria, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, has been assassinated!" Hitler pushed her away, rushed into the street, and squeezed into the crowd.In the street, people crowded around a wooden sign saying that the murderer of the Grand Duke and his wife Sofia was a young Serbian terrorist named Gavrilo Princip.Hitler's deep-rooted hatred of all things Slavic, born in his early days in Vienna when he first visited the House of Commons, was now revived. In Vienna, angry crowds have begun pouring into the Serbian concession.Some political leaders feel the tragedy will lead to a crisis in Europe.The Kaiser, however, was secretly pressuring the Habsburgs to invade Serbia.Germany was ready for war, he told them, the first country that would come to the rescue of Serbia was Russia, but it was not ready.Under this pressure, Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28.Then, Russia launched a national mobilization against Austria.In view of this, William announced from the balcony of the palace: "The threat of war is imminent".Then he issued an ultimatum to Russia, asking Russia to stop the general mobilization before noon the next day.Since no answer was received, the Kaiser signed a general mobilization order against Russia at 5 pm on August 1. When news of the declaration of war on Russia reached Munich, the crowds gathered in front of the General's House of the Field Army rejoiced.Adolf Hitler was standing at the front of the crowd.He was bareheaded, well dressed and had a moustache.No one wanted war more than he did. "Even today," he writes in his book, "I am not ashamed to say that, out of ecstasy, I kneel on the ground and thank God from the bottom of my heart for the privilege of being born at this time." To him, this meant His childhood dream of establishing a greater Germany has been realized. The frenzy of war swept across Germany.The frenzy was purely emotional rather than rational; people were in a state of near-hysteria, desperate for justice, regardless of the cost.People see war as some kind of magic show.Students roamed the streets singing "Defenders of the Rhine" and shouting for action.In Karlsplatz, a group razed the "Falihi" cafe after the band refused to play the national anthem repeatedly.The intellectuals were equally elated, for it meant relief from boredom and the end of bourgeois hypocrisy.War will liberate people from social and cultural ills.Even the socialists whom Wilhelm had vilified months earlier as worms that gnawed at the "Imperial Oak" had gladly accepted the Kaiser's invitation ("now we are brothers") to join the patriotic crusade. Followers of Pan-Germanism also automatically joined the parade. "Long live the Kaiser!" "Long live Heev!" - officially declared by the movement's leaders. "We must form the German-speaking peoples into one empire, one nation. In this way, one nation, always the best, can guide the progress of all mankind!" They literally spoke the words of Adolf Hitler from the bottom of his heart.He saw the Hohenzollern royal family as the heirs of the Germanic warriors who had established colonies in eastern Slavic lands during the Middle Ages.From this, he was convinced that Germany must fight for survival, for "freedom and the future". Two days later, on August 3, one day after declaring war on France, Hitler personally delivered a petition to Ludwig III , asking permission to join his army.That afternoon, Hitler stood in the crowd in front of Whittlebach Palace, cheering the aging monarch.Ludwig finally showed up. While he was speaking, Hitler was thinking to himself: "If only the king had read my petition and approved my enlistment!" He received a reply the next day, and "hands trembled" when he opened it.He was accepted into the army as a volunteer. On August 16, he reported to the barracks of the Bavarian King's Guards - Hitler's first choice.A sign outside the barracks said the regiment was full; but he was finally taken up by the 1st Bavarian Infantry Regiment—his second choice. His two most pressing problems were solved: first, he did not have to join the Austrian Army, which he hated; second, he did not have to fight his way through a second hard winter.In addition to finding a home with enough food, clothing, and shelter - life also has a purpose.He no longer had to doubt; for the first time in his life he knew exactly where he was going and for what, he put on the uniform; his only fear was that the war was over before he entered it. A few days later he was transferred to the 2nd Bavarian Infantry Regiment, where he began basic training at a large public school in Elisabethplatz.Although the training time this time was short, the subjects were tight. In addition to queue drills, there was also bayonet fighting training.At the end of the day, the recruits were exhausted.A week later, Hitler was officially sent to the 16th Bavarian Infantry Regiment. He continued his training in Munich, and the subject training was more intense than before.One of Adolf's companions, Hans Monde, observed that when he first played with his rifle, he "looked at it with the same excitement that a woman would at her own jewellery, which made me laugh to myself."