novelAbuy Chapter 41 We Need Better
Chapter 41 We Need Better
Chen Feng took the telegram and quickly decoded it.
The telegram came from Tirpitz:
"Your Excellency Mr. Chen: I am delighted to hear of the launch of the British HMS Dreadnought, which was expected. His Majesty the Emperor has instructed me to convey that the German Empire highly values its cooperative relationship with your side, and hopes that the second batch of orders can be delivered on schedule or even ahead of schedule. In addition, His Majesty intends to send a high-level delegation to your office in the near future to discuss deeper technical cooperation and strategic coordination. Further details will follow. Yours truly, Tirpitz."
After reading it, a smile appeared on Chen Feng's lips.
Emperor William could no longer sit still.
The British catch up, and the Germans have to run even faster. And the only thing that can make them run even faster is Lanfang.
"Reply," he said to Wang Bo. "The message is as follows: Your Excellency General Tirpitz: Thank you for His Majesty's attention. The second batch of orders is progressing smoothly and we can consider delivering it ahead of schedule. We welcome a high-level delegation to visit; please inform us of the specific time in advance so that arrangements can be made. Regarding deeper cooperation, we are open to it, but it must be based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. Sincerely, Chen Feng."
Uncle Wang noted it down, then hesitated for a moment: "Young Master, will the Germans accept the term 'equality and mutual benefit'?"
"They have to accept it now," Chen Feng said, handing the telegram back. "Because no one but us can provide them with the warships they need. And..."
He looked out the window, his gaze distant.
"And they'll soon discover that we have better cards to play than the Westvalen-class." (The editor will extract information layer by layer from the successor ships.)
Berlin, Admiralty building.
Smoke filled Tirpitz's office. The admiral sat behind a massive oak desk, three reports laid out before him: the first was a detailed analysis of the launch of the British "Dreadnought," the second was an assessment of the British subsequent shipbuilding plans sent back by the military attaché in London, and the third was vague intelligence from the Naval Intelligence Office regarding Lanfang's "Operation Cheetah."
Seated across the table was Prince Heinrich, Commander-in-Chief of the High Seas Fleet, and Rear Admiral von Thiel, Chief Shipbuilder of the Navy.
"So," Prince Heinrich spoke first. This brother of the Kaiser and a high-ranking naval officer was always direct in his speech, "the British have built their own dreadnoughts, although eight months later than us, but they have built them nonetheless. Moreover, they plan to build eleven, nearly twice as many as we do."
"Quantity isn't the only deciding factor," Major General von Thiel countered. "Our Westphalian-class destroyers are more balanced in design, and their combat performance..."
"We haven't had any real combat experience!" the prince interrupted him. "The six ships have been back for six months, and apart from training in the North Sea and a trip to Britain, they haven't fired a single shot. Who knows what will happen if we actually fight?"
Tirpitz finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority:
"Your Highness, von Thiel, there's no point in arguing. The fact is: the British are catching up, and catching up very quickly. According to intelligence, HMS Dreadnought's specifications are on par with ours, and may even be slightly better in some aspects. Once their ten follow-up ships enter service, the balance of power in the North Sea will once again tilt in Britain's favor."
He paused, then picked up the third report:
"Therefore, what we need is not just a second batch of four Westvale-class destroyers. What we need is... a generational advantage."
Prince Heinrich frowned: "Generational gap? What do you mean?"
"It means that we already have the next generation of warships before the British catch up." Tirpitz pushed the report over. "This is sporadic intelligence sent back by our engineers in Lanfang—they observed that Lanfang is building warships much larger than the Westphalian-class, codenamed 'Cheetah.' Their size, tonnage, and firepower far exceed existing designs."
Major General von Thiel took the report and quickly scanned it, his expression gradually changing: "This...this is impossible. 40,000 tons? 381mm main guns? 31 knots? With Lanfang's industrial base, how is this possible..."
"But our engineers have seen some of the components with their own eyes," Tirpitz said. "The castings of the giant turret, the extra-long drive shaft, and the new oil-fired boiler they are testing—it's 20 percent more efficient than ours."
Silence fell over the office.
After a long pause, Prince Heinrich asked, "Alfred, do you mean...we should buy these new warships from Lanfang?"
"Not just buying." Tirpitz's eyes gleamed. "We need to acquire the technology, or at least the qualification for joint development. His Majesty the Emperor has approved sending a high-level delegation to the Persian Gulf to negotiate: the purchase of two 'Cheetah'-class ships, technology transfer, and... the establishment of a closer strategic partnership."
"Would Lanfang agree?" von Thiel questioned. "They're not fools; core technology is their only bargaining chip."
"So we need to offer a higher price." Tirpitz stood up and walked to the world map on the wall. "We've already paid a lot in terms of money. We can also provide some technology. But the most crucial thing is..."
He turned around and looked at the two of them:
"We can give them 'space to operate' internationally. We can tacitly approve their actions in Southeast Asia and even provide them with limited support."
Prince Heinrich gasped: "Support them against the Dutch in Southeast Asia? This will cause a diplomatic incident!"
"The Netherlands?" Tirpitz sneered. "A third-rate country, surviving on colonies seized by its ancestors. Besides, Your Highness, don't you think it would be beneficial for the Empire to have a Chinese force in Southeast Asia to restrain Britain and the Netherlands?"
He walked back to his desk, tapping his fingers on the surface:
"The British are currently focused on dealing with us, but they have vast colonial interests in Asia. If Lanfang causes trouble in Southeast Asia, Britain will have to divert its forces to the Far East, which will alleviate the pressure on us in the North Sea. This is a typical example of strategic containment."
Major General von Thiel pondered, "But would Lanfang be willing to be our pawn? That Chen Feng doesn't seem like someone who can be easily controlled."
"It's not about control, it's about cooperation," Tirpitz corrected. "Each gets what they need. We want warships and technology, they want to restore their nation and have living space. As long as our interests align, the cooperative relationship can be maintained."
He picked up a pen and signed a document:
"The delegation will depart in three days. I will personally lead the team."
"You're going in person?" the prince asked in surprise.
"This matter is too important; I must handle it personally." Tirpitz handed the signed documents to his adjutant. "Also, inform the engineers stationed in the Persian Gulf: gather as much technical detail as possible about the 'Cheetah' before their delegation arrives. We need leverage in the negotiations."
The adjutant accepted the order and left.
Only three people remained in the office.
Prince Heinrich sighed: "Alfred, we're playing with fire. Lanfang is like a powder keg now. The British have taken notice, the French are probably eyeing it too, and the Japanese are definitely up to no good. If we get too involved, we might get burned."
“Your Highness,” Tirpitz said calmly, “we have been playing with fire ever since we decided to challenge British maritime supremacy. Now the fire is burning, and it’s either we learn to dance in it, or we are burned to ashes.”
He walked to the window and looked at the street scene of Berlin outside:
"Germany needs a navy, a powerful navy. Without a navy, we will forever remain a second-rate country blockaded on the European continent, forever at the mercy of the British. His Majesty Wilhelm is right: Germany must have 'land in the sun.'"
"To acquire territory, we need a fleet; to build a fleet, we need technology," von Thiel continued. "Lanfang has the technology, so we must cooperate—even if it means taking risks."
"Yes." Tirpitz turned around, his gaze resolute. "And I believe that in this game, we have more chips than Lanfang. We have a powerful industry, abundant funds, and the support of His Majesty the Emperor. Lanfang... has only technology and a population of 300,000."
He paused, his tone turning cold:
"If they're smart, they'll choose to be partners with the Empire. If they're not smart..."
The rest was left unsaid, but the meaning was clear.
Silence fell in the office again, broken only by the ticking of the clock on the wall.
Outside the window, Berlin's night lights are just coming on.
Meanwhile, in the distant Persian Gulf, another round of negotiations is about to begin.
A negotiation that will determine the future world order.