Chapter 226: London's Reaction

A low murmur of discussion rose in the office.

"But that's theoretical," the Equipment Minister objected, "In an actual naval battle, weather, sea conditions, crew quality…"

"Is the Japanese Navy's crew quality that poor?" Fei She Er asked coldly, "During the Russo‑Japanese War they proved themselves excellent sailors. The Adamantine class is among the world's most advanced battlecruisers. If even they are helpless, what about us?"

The Equipment Minister was left speechless.

Combat Minister Beatty, a young commander famed for his bravery, spoke up: "Marshal, I think the issue is not just range. The key is the fire‑control system. The report mentions that Lanfang's warship employs a new radar capable of precise long‑range ranging and targeting. That is the real technological breakthrough."

"Do we have anything similar?" Fei She Er asked.

"The Naval Research Institute has been studying it, but progress is slow," Beatty said frankly, "And even if we have it, outfitting the whole fleet will take time—at least two or three years."

"Two or three years?" Fei She Er chuckled wryly, "Gentlemen, the war in Europe may not last that long. Even if the war ends, what about our relationship with Lanfang? They are allies now; what about the future?"

The question silenced everyone.

Lanfang's relationship with Yingguo is delicate. On one hand, Lanfang has bought technical equipment from Yingguo and trades with them. On the other, Lanfang expelled the Dutch from Borneo—while the Netherlands is Yingguo's traditional ally. More importantly, Lanfang's emerging naval power now seriously threatens Yingguo's hegemony in the Far East.

"They are in Borneo, only a few hundred nautical miles from Singapore," Ao Li Fu pointed at the map, "If they wish, they can threaten the Strait of Malacca at any time. And our Far East fleet… couldn't stop four Bismarck Class ships."

"Then reinforce the Far East fleet!" an old general said, "Divert battleships from the home fleet!"

"How many?" Beatty retorted, "Four? Six? Eight? Don't forget Deguo's open‑sea fleet is still eyeing us from the North Sea. If we weaken the home fleet, the Germans will seize the opportunity."

"Then build new ships! Build larger, stronger vessels!"

"That requires time! Money! Resources!" Fei She Er finally raised his voice, "Gentlemen, we are engaged with Deguo in the largest war in human history! Tens of thousands of soldiers die daily in Faguo's trenches! Every penny, every ton of steel, every worker of the navy is poured into this war! Where do we find spare capacity to build a fleet specifically against Lanfang?"

The office fell into dead silence again. Only the patter of London rain outside, drizzling, seemed to weep for the empire's plight.

Fei She Er, weary, massaged his temples, "Gentlemen, reality is harsh. In the short term we cannot confront Lanfang in the Far East. We must change our approach."

He stood, walked to the map, "First, immediately strengthen diplomatic contacts with Lanfang. They have won now, their momentum is high, and it is also their most active diplomatic period. We must let them know Yingguo is a friend, not an enemy."

"Second, accelerate our own technological R&D. Radar, fire‑control, long‑range artillery… Lanfang has shown these are the keys to future naval warfare. We must keep pace, or we will be eliminated."

"Third…" he paused, his voice dropping, "Reassess our Far East strategy. Should we continue to fully develop the Singapore base? Share control of the Strait of Malacca with Lanfang? Even… even consider recognizing their sphere in South Ocean in exchange for them not challenging our core interests?"

"Marshal!" several generals rose together, "This is too weak! The British Empire has never yielded to any nation!"

"That's because the British Empire has never faced such a formidable challenger!" Fei She Er roared, "Gentlemen, wake up! Times have changed! The Dauntless era ended only a few years ago. Now Lanfang has shown in a single naval battle that Dauntless ships are obsolete! If we do not change, we will be wiped out in the next era's naval battles, just like the Japanese Navy!"

His voice echoed through the office, making the window glass hum.

The generals sat down dejectedly. They knew Fei She Er was right, but admitting it hurt more than losing a battle on the field.

The British Empire, the sun‑never‑sets empire that has ruled the seas for over a century, felt a genuine maritime threat for the first time.

It did not come from an old European rival, but from the Far East, from a newly founded nation less than ten years old.

"Gentlemen," Fei She Er concluded, his voice calm again, "I propose forming a special committee immediately to study Lanfang's navy tactics and technology. I want a detailed analysis report and response recommendations within two weeks."

"Also, inform the Foreign Office; I want a meeting with Lanfang's representative in Britain arranged promptly. And… send a telegram to the Far East Fleet Headquarters in Singapore ordering them to avoid any friction with Lanfang's navy. No action that could be seen as provocative without a direct order from London."

Orders were issued one by one. The generals recorded them silently, each face etched with complex emotions—shock, resentment, worry, and a deep sense of helplessness.

After the meeting, Fei She Er stood alone by the window, watching the grey‑overcast London outside. The rain intensified, pedestrians hurried along the streets, and carriages and automobiles sped over the wet cobblestones.

This city, this empire, once believed itself the ruler of the world. Now, far to the east, a new great ship has set sail, heading toward the throne of maritime supremacy.

And the British Empire, that old‑guard sea power, felt its deck sway for the first time.

"Chen Feng…" Fei She Er murmured the name, "What on earth are you planning?"

Outside, the rain kept falling, as if sounding a dirge for the old era's end.

Dubai, Presidential Palace Strategic Conference Room, 3 p. m.

Half‑drawn curtains blocked the harsh afternoon sun while still letting enough light illuminate the long table. Spread across the table were a world map, an East Sea chart, a telegram compilation, and various reports.

Chen Feng sat at the head, with Wang Wenwu, Zhou Tieshan, and Li Te on his left and right.

"The current situation is as follows," Li Te reported after the battle briefing, "My formation carried out a deterrent bombardment of Yokosuka Harbor this morning, destroying the main shipyard and part of the port facilities. We then withdrew as planned and are now patrolling west of Kyushu. The Japanese Navy has offered no substantive retaliation."

"Casualty figures?" Chen Feng asked.

"According to intelligence analysis (speculative), Japanese forces suffered at least three to five thousand deaths in the bombardment, mainly port workers and naval support personnel… Of course, there could also be…"

Chen Feng smiled and nodded, looking at Wang Wenwu: "International reaction?"