Chapter 19: Edward's Displeasure 2

The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister exchanged a worried glance.

"Cost?" Kanbei-Bannaman asked.

"Ten new ships, each costing two million pounds, total twenty‑five million pounds," Fei She Er evidently had prepared, "but the sum can be paid over three years. At the same time, we can retire the four oldest Majestic‑class battleships early, sell them to second‑tier navies, and recoup part of the funds."

"Which countries would buy?"

"Chile and Argentina are in an arms race, Brazil also plans to expand its navy. Japan, though it just defeated Russia, has severe fleet losses and needs reinforcements. Even…" Fei She Er paused, "Turkey. The Osman Diguo has long sought to rebuild its navy."

Marquis Langsi Dun shook his head, "Sell Royal Navy warships to Turkey? That would provoke strong protest from Russia."

"Then sell to Chile or Japan," Fei She Er replied uncompromisingly, "The point is we need money, dockyards, workers. Each month of delay could allow the Deguo to build another Westphalia‑class ship."

Edward VII returned to his seat, fingers crossed on his abdomen. It was his habitual pose when contemplating major decisions.

"Fei She Er, if we approve your six‑ship plan, how soon could the first vessel be commissioned?"

"If we place the order tomorrow and mobilize the five major shipyards nationwide simultaneously, the first ship could be launched within eighteen months and commissioned within twenty‑four months. Completing all ten would take three years."

"Three years…" the king murmured, "In those three years, how many will the Deguo produce?"

"Based on Deguo's shipbuilding capacity, if they operate at full tilt they can produce eight to ten ships of the same class in three years," Fei She Er gave the harsh figure, "So ten ships are only a start. We need more. My proposed goal: by 1910 the Royal Navy should have at least twenty all‑big‑gun battleships, establishing absolute superiority over Deguo."

Count Selborne raised his voice, "And each? That's forty million pounds! Plus the accompanying cruisers, destroyers, logistics…"

"Or we accept the fact that Deguo will be on equal footing with us in the North Sea," Fei She Er said coldly, "and then watch them, in the next international crisis, threaten us with their fleet to force concessions. For example… the Morocco issue, or the Baghdad railway dispute, or any area of British Empire interest they wish to meddle in."

The study fell silent again, only the crackle of burning logs in the fireplace.

After a long pause, Edward VII spoke, "Langsi Dun."

"Your Majesty?"

"Summon the Deguo ambassador. I want you to go personally, not to the Foreign Office but here, to Buckingham Palace," the king's voice steadied, the calm after a sovereign's decision, "Tell him the British Empire has noted the German Navy's 'technological advances' and hopes they will not affect the 'traditional friendship' between our nations. But also make clear that any attempt to alter the status quo in the North Sea will be regarded as a threat to the core security interests of the British Empire."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Kanbei-Bannaman."

"Your Majesty?"

"Convene the wartime cabinet tomorrow morning. Fei She Er will attend and give a detailed briefing on the situation and response plans," the king paused, "Also, I want you, together with the Finance Minister and the Naval Minister, to draft a 'Naval Emergency Appropriation Bill'. The amount… initially prepare fifteen million pounds."

The Prime Minister opened his mouth, but seeing the king's gaze, swallowed his words.

"Fei She Er."

"Your Majesty."

"I broadly approve your ten‑ship plan. But I need you to submit a detailed proposal within three days: which shipyard builds which vessel, construction period, number of workers required, and which civilian orders will be affected," the king rose, and everyone stood with him. "Also, uncover where these ships are being built. The Deguo cannot keep it entirely secret; there must be a trail we missed."

"Already under investigation, Your Majesty. Military Intelligence Section Five and Naval Intelligence are conducting a joint operation, code‑named 'Deep Blue'."

"Good." Edward VII walked up to Fei She Er, stared into his eyes, "John, I appoint you as First Sea Lord because you said you could keep the Royal Navy ahead. Now, prove it to me."

Fei She Er straightened his back, "I will, Your Majesty."

The king nodded, indicating everyone could leave.

At the doorway, Fei She Er heard the king mutter softly, the words addressed both to him and to himself:

"The Victorian era is over, Fei She Er. Now is the time for us old fellows to preserve the legacy for the younger generation."

Berlin, Wuyou Palace Banquet Hall

The crystal chandelier's light illuminated the long table draped in snow‑white linen, silverware reflecting a warm glow. Emperor Wilhelm II sat at the head, flanked by senior naval officers, cabinet ministers, and industrial magnates.

Midway through the banquet, the emperor raised his glass.

"Gentlemen!" his voice rang, full of theatrical flair, "let us toast the German Empire's High Seas Fleet—to the six steel giants that passed through the Suez Canal yesterday!"

"Long live the Emperor!" the whole hall raised their cups, cheers nearly overturning the roof.

Wilhelm II drained his glass in one gulp, a grin of unabashed pride on his face. He looked at Tirpitz on his right, "Alfred, tell everyone what the Yingguo are reacting with now."

Tirpitz rose, the medals on his uniform jingling. As one of the few who remained calm at the banquet, he chose to speak with facts rather than emotion:

"According to the report from the embassy in London, the British Navy Department kept its lights burning through the night yesterday. This morning, King Edward VII urgently summoned the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and the Naval Minister. This afternoon, the British Foreign Minister, Marquis Langsi Dun, summoned our ambassador, expressing 'concern'."

A burst of laughter rose from the table.

"Concern!" Chairman Gustav Krupp of Krupp Company shouted, "They should be terrified! The Westphalia class's Main Gun can shred their ships even beyond their range!"

Tirpitz frowned slightly, but the emperor clearly liked this line of argument.

"Well said, Gustav!" Wilhelm II laughed, "The Royal Navy has, for three hundred years, never before faced a technologically superior opponent. They must now be frantically calculating how many new ships they need to regain the edge."

"That will empty their treasury," Finance Minister August von Heertling said cautiously, "but it will also empty ours."

The atmosphere stalled slightly.

Wilhelm II looked at the Finance Minister, his smile dimming slightly, "August, you are always such a spoilsport. But you are right; money is an issue." He turned to Tirpitz, "That Chinese man, Chen Feng, has he agreed to the new order?"

"Negotiations are underway, Your Majesty," Tirpitz replied, "He demands a high price: four improved Westphalia‑class ships, three million pounds each, half of which must be paid in gold. In addition, he requires the Skoda Armaments Factory's self‑tightening gun technology and Zeiss Company's optical department's 'technical support'."

Murmurs rose from the table.

"Three million pounds? Too expensive!"

"Gold payment? Our gold reserves…"

"Technology transfer? That's impossible!"