Chapter 53: Strategy and Tactics

The purpose of this course is to cultivate all of you to use our wisdom to overcome the enemy and win, on the battlefield, to seize the initiative.

After Qin Ge finished speaking, he gazed at the audience and said, "To learn strategy and tactics, you must first understand what they entail."

Strategy is a plan made with overall consideration to achieve overall goals, while tactics are merely one means to implement strategy.

For instance, if successfully graduating from the Commander Academy is taken as a strategic goal for you commanders, then these two years of study are the time to fulfill that strategy, and how to enhance your knowledge and build rapport with the shipgirls in that period constitutes the tactical means we need to grasp.

Thus tactics are formulated based on strategy, while strategy is realized through tactics; they are interdependent. Deeply studying and understanding the planning composition of strategy and tactics is the ultimate goal of this class.

When Qin Ge finished speaking, the Prince of Wales led the applause; instantly, applause rang out. She also, as if letting out a long breath, completely relaxed.

"Prince of Wales, it seems your eye for people is quite good. The connection between strategy and tactics that Commander Qin Ge explained is clearer and more concise than that of some general‑level commanders—you've picked up a treasure." Qinglong said with a smile to the Prince of Wales.

Looking at Qin Ge lecturing on stage, the Prince of Wales felt pleased yet also a bit guilty. After all, back then, without Qin Ge's knowledge, she had claimed that Xu Xin sold Qin Ge out, saddling Qin Ge with a debt of three million.

"It seems I need to find a chance to explain… but after I explain, will he still stay at the academy? That's really a problem; otherwise I could wrong Xu Xin." The Prince of Wales thought this, yet she showed no sign of these thoughts.

On the podium, Qin Ge's lecture continued, and now he was talking about tactics.

Tactics can be divided into different types from various angles. For example, in naval combat, according to basic combat types they split into offensive and defensive tactics. The tactics carried out at the location of our Frontline Command are offensive tactics, while those employed by the Grand Fleet stationed in our rear cities are defensive tactics. Furthermore, by form they can be divided into joint tactics and combined tactics. Joint tactics refer to the coordinated action of combat forces from two or more branches, fully unleashing overall power to strike the enemy together, which is significant for seizing victory. Combined tactics refer to, in battle, each ship type acting under a unified plan, coordinating in time, purpose, and location, utilizing overall strength to fulfill combat missions.

However, these theories are too profound; we won't go into detail in the first lesson. For now we merely explain them to you commanders so you understand the meaning of joint and combined tactics. In later lessons we will expand on joint and combined tactics.

On the podium, Qin Ge spoke fluently, while the commanders below listened with growing enthusiasm. Even the second‑year students who had already studied strategy and tactics for a year became more interested in Qin Ge's course.

Because they felt that Qin Ge's current strategy and tactics course is a highly comprehensive, systematic curriculum. Compared to what the previous instructor of the strategy and tactics course lectured on, it is more concrete and also more concise.

Time passed second by second; a one‑and‑a‑half‑hour lesson is very short for strategy and tactics. Just as everyone was listening attentively, the dismissal bell rang.

The interrupted commanders all showed displeasure, and Qin Ge also ended the point he was lecturing on with some regret.

He looked at the somewhat regretful crowd and said, "At the end of this lesson I'll tell you one thing: since tactics came into existence, all tactics have existed for two purposes—preserving ourselves and destroying the enemy."

I leave this sentence for you to ponder; now, class is dismissed!

Following Qin Ge's voice, everyone present stood up and applauded him on the podium. Qin Ge also stood at attention, returned a military salute to the crowd, and concluded the entire lesson.

As the commanders, accompanied by their shipgirls with respectful gazes, passed the podium and left the Grand Lecture Hall, the Prince of Wales also came to Qin Ge's side with a group of instructors.

"Dean and all the seniors, how do you feel? Not embarrassing, right?" Qin Ge said with a smile to everyone.

"Not only is it not embarrassing, haven't you seen the look those commanders have when they see you?" Mikasa said with a smile.

"That's right, Qin Ge, you always bring us surprises. I think the Dean must be smiling secretly now, because your first lesson was truly excellent." A Furore said.

"That's right, a very systematic definition of the relationship between strategy and tactics, and combined with examples you gave a strategic and tactical explanation of our current situation. I must say, if it weren't for the emergency at the front, I'd really like to listen to you for a few more days here." Enterprise said to Qin Ge.

"Enterprise, you over‑praised me." Qin Ge said humbly.

"No over‑praise, this is what you deserve. Moreover, after returning to the front I will still promote you there, so that commanders on leave at the front can, if possible, come to the Commander Academy to hear you lecture on the strategy and tactics course." Enterprise said with a smile.

"So Enterprise, you were waiting here?" the Prince of Wales said.

"What, are you planning to hide Qin Ge away, Prince of Wales? I think his tactics would be of maximum use to those commanders currently facing the Sirens at the front." Enterprise said.

"I haven't thought of hiding him, but it's fine for frontline commanders to attend Qin Ge's class—though they'd have to pay the tuition themselves." the Prince of Wales said.

"Tuition is a simple matter," Enterprise said with a smile, "but I'd like to know who this tuition would go to. If it goes to Commander Qin Ge, I wholeheartedly approve. But if it doesn't end up in his hands, Prince of Wales, we ought to agree on that beforehand."

The Prince of Wales helplessly raised a hand to his forehead, "Do you think I'm the kind of person who petty‑profits? In the end it would still fall on Qin Ge's head, giving him more funds to develop his fleet, strengthen his strength, and let him reach the real battlefield sooner."

"Hehe, since you think that way, it's settled. Later I'll tell those commanders at the front, and have them bring tuition to listen to Commander Qin Ge's strategy and tactics class." Enterprise said with a smile.

"Don't forget me too; I'll also notify the Maritime Affairs Bureau. The Commander Academy has produced a treasure—don't let these opportunities go only to your own institute's students." Qinglong also said with a smile.

Heh, since you think that way, then it's settled. Later I will tell those commanders on the Front Line, and at that time let them bring tuition to listen to Commander Qin Ge's Strategy and Tactics Course. Enterprise said with a laugh.

"Don't forget I'm still here; I'll also notify the Maritime Affairs Bureau side to be in place. The Commander Academy has produced a treasure—don't let these opportunities fall only on the heads of your own Academy's students." Qinglong also said with a smile.

"You two……" the Prince of Wales was somewhat speechless.