Chapter 324: The British Can

"Is it useful?" Ji Qin Na asked sarcastically.

"No," Ge Lei admitted calmly, "so we need other methods. But we must not stake our last capital on an attack with little chance of success."

The meeting fell into a stalemate again. Prime Minister A Si Kui Si massaged his temples, feeling a splitting headache. The 63‑year‑old Liberal Party leader had aged ten years in this war. He looked at the silent Navy Minister: "Yue Han, what do you think?"

Everyone's gaze focused on Jie Li Ke.

The 56‑year‑old Admiral sat upright, his uniform immaculate. A thick dossier lay before him, but throughout the meeting he barely turned a page.

"Prime Minister," Admiral Jie Li Ke began, his voice steady, "from a military standpoint, I agree with Sir Hei Ge and Mr. Lao He·Qiao Zhi's assessment. The Western Front currently lacks the conditions for a decisive offensive."

Ji Qin Na's complexion grew even worse.

"However," Admiral Jie Li Ke continued, "we cannot do nothing. A collapse on the Eastern Front would be disastrous; if Deguo successfully redeploys troops, pressure on the Western Front will reach a critical point within two months. By then we will have no room for choice."

"So what is your proposal?" A Si Kui Si asked.

Admiral Jie Li Ke inhaled deeply: "A naval showdown."

The room fell silent for a moment.

"What did you say?" Ji Qin Na frowned.

"A naval showdown," Admiral Jie Li Ke repeated. "Deguo's High Seas Fleet has been holed up in Port William, but if we lay enough bait—such as striking their coast or blockading their trade routes—they may come out. Once they do, the Grand Fleet will have a chance to engage them in the North Sea."

"What about the risk?" Lao He·Qiao Zhi asked immediately.

"Very large," Admiral Jie Li Ke admitted. "Naval battles are fraught with uncertainty. A dense fog or a command error could cause disaster. Moreover, even if we win, the losses could be severe."

"Then why fight at all?" Ge Lei asked.

"Because it is the only option that can alter the strategic situation in the short term. It can also give the populace hope!" Admiral Jie Li Ke stood, walked to the North Sea map on the wall, and said, "Gentlemen, look."

He pointed at the map: "If we defeat Deguo's fleet at sea, or even merely cripple it, three effects will follow. First, Deguo's morale will suffer a devastating blow—the navy is a symbol of their national pride. Second, we can tighten the blockade, causing their economy and war machine to collapse faster. Third…"

He turned: "Third, and most crucial, we can free up forces. If Deguo's navy loses its threat, we can pull ships from the home fleet to support other fronts, even… threaten Deguo's homeland."

Ji Qin Na's eyes lit up: "You mean, an amphibious landing?"

"Not yet," Admiral Jie Li Ke shook his head, "but at least it's a possibility. Moreover, a naval victory would boost Faguo's confidence, give Russia breathing room, and show the world that Yingguo still holds sea control."

Lao He·Qiao Zhi pondered, "But what if you lose?"

"Then we could lose control of the North Sea," Admiral Jie Li Ke said calmly. "Deguo might achieve a Breakthrough of the blockade, obtaining the supplies they desperately need. The war's duration would lengthen, and we might even lose the war."

That candid reply made everyone gasp.

"So this is a gamble," A Si Kui Si said slowly.

"Yes, Prime Minister," Admiral Jie Li Ke nodded, "but war itself is a gamble. The Eastern Front gamble was won by Deguo. Now it's our turn."

The conference room fell silent again. Everyone weighed the pros and cons.

Ji Qin Na was the first to speak: "I support it. It's better than sending troops to their deaths on the Western Front."

Hei Ge hesitated: "If the navy can distract Deguo even for a few weeks, it would greatly aid the Western Front. I… agree."

Lao He·Qiao Zhi looked at Ge Lei: "Ai De Hua, what diplomatic impact would there be?"

Ge Lei mused, "If we actively seek a decisive battle, it will be read as Yingguo rushing to break the stalemate, which could affect neutral nations' confidence in us. But if we win, all problems will be resolved. If we lose…"

He did not finish.

"If we lose," Admiral Jie Li Ke continued, "the diplomatic fallout will be the least of our worries."

The remark was cold but truthful.

Everyone's gaze finally settled on A Si Kui Si. The Prime Minister closed his eyes, his fingers drumming the table unconsciously.

A minute later, he opened his eyes.

"We need more details," he said. "Admiral Jie Li Ke, how long will you need to draft a complete operation plan?"

"Three days," Admiral Jie Li Ke replied immediately. "In fact, the Navy Staff has had relevant contingency plans. We only need to adjust them based on the latest intelligence."

"How many vessels do you need?"

"All of them," Admiral Jie Li Ke said. "All the Grand Fleet's capital ships, all cruisers, every destroyer capable of sailing. This is not a raid; it is a decisive battle. We must commit everything."

A Si Kui Si inhaled deeply: "Probability of victory?"

"Incognizable, Prime Minister," Admiral Jie Li Ke said honestly. "But I can guarantee that every officer and sailor of the Royal Navy will fight to the last moment."

Another long silence followed.

From outside the window came Big Ben's chimes—four o'clock in the afternoon. The bells rang through the thick walls, echoing in the conference room.

A Si Kui Si stood. He surveyed everyone present, the Empire's most important minds, the ones deciding the fate of millions.

"Gentlemen," his voice was soft yet firm, "we have no choice."

He looked at Admiral Jie Li Ke: "Draft the plan. In three days I want to see the full proposal. If feasible…"

He paused, as if gathering strength.

"If feasible, the Royal Navy will set sail. In the North Sea, we will clash with Deguo's High Seas Fleet."

After the meeting ended, Admiral Jie Li Ke did not leave immediately. He remained alone in the conference room, standing motionless before the North Sea map.

The door opened, and Foreign Minister Ge Lei entered.

"Yue Han," Ge Lei said as he approached, "are you truly ready?"

Admiral Jie Li Ke did not turn around: "No one is truly ready, Ai De Hua. But some things must be done by someone."

Ge Lei was silent for a moment: "Do you know what this means? If you lose, the British Empire's hundred‑year maritime supremacy will end."

"I know," Admiral Jie Li Ke finally turned, "so I will not lose."

His tone was calm, but Ge Lei heard the weight behind it. It was not confidence, but responsibility—a resolve that a person bearing the empire's fate must possess.