Chapter 325: The British Must Also Fight a Decisive Battle

"What do you need me to do?" Ge Lei asked.

"Diplomatic groundwork," Jie Li Ke said, "Before we strike, we must give the outside a reasonable explanation. We can't let people think we're acting out of desperation."

"How about attacking Deguo's coastline?" Ge Lei suggested, "We say we received intel that Deguo's fleet plans to strike our trade routes, so we act preemptively."

Jie Li Ke thought, "Fine. But the reason must be persuasive enough. Norwegian merchant ships have recently been frequently attacked by Deguo submarines; we can build the case from that."

"Leave it to me," Ge Lei nodded, "And one more thing... Lanfang."

Jie Li Ke's eyes sharpened, "What move has Chen Feng made now?"

"We just received a telegram from the Dubai consulate," Ge Lei took a sheet from his pocket, "Lanfang has notified Sakura Nation to mobilize the third batch of expeditionary forces. The price is eight percent higher than the second batch."

Jie Li Ke's complexion darkened, "He's provoking."

"Yes," Ge Lei said, "But we have no time to deal with him now. The Eastern Front is collapsing, the navy is about to face a decisive battle, Yazhou matters... can only be set aside for now."

"We can't set it aside," Jie Li Ke shook his head, "Ai Dehua, have you thought? If we suffer heavy losses in the North Sea, what will Lanfang do?"

Ge Lei was momentarily stunned.

"Their four Bismarck Class battleships have already proven superior performance," Jie Li Ke continued, "If we add the four currently under construction, in six years Lanfang will have eight of the world's most advanced battleships in the Far East. By then, our naval power in Yazhou will be wholly at a disadvantage."

"So what you're saying is?"

"We must win this decisive battle," Jie Li Ke said word for word, "And win it beautifully. Let Chen Feng see that the Royal Navy still dominates the seas. Let him know that the price of challenging the British Empire is something he cannot bear."

Ge Lei looked at the Admiral and suddenly understood his anxiety. Jie Li Ke was worried not only about Deguo but also about challengers rising in the distance.

"I'll raise this issue at tomorrow's cabinet meeting," Ge Lei said, "Post‑war—if there is a post‑war— we must reassess our Yazhou strategy. Lanfang... can no longer be left unchecked."

"Post‑war..." Jie Li Ke gave a wry smile, "Let's survive to see a post‑war first."

He folded the map, preparing to leave. As he reached the doorway, Ge Lei called out to him.

"John."

Jie Li Ke turned his head.

"Good luck," Ge Lei whispered.

Jie Li Ke nodded, said nothing, and turned to walk out of the conference room.

The corridor was empty. Jie Li Ke's footsteps echoed in the vast space, sounding especially lonely.

He recalled the scene thirty years ago when he first joined the navy. Back then, the British Empire was at its zenith, the Royal Navy's warships spread to every corner of the globe. Everyone believed the empire would forever rule the seas.

Now, that empire stands on the edge of a cliff.

And he has been pushed to the forefront.

Jie Li Ke stopped, looking out the window. On London's streets, pedestrians hurried, trams clanged, and newsboys still shouted the news of the Eastern Front's collapse.

These people do not know that in a few days, a decisive battle that will determine their fate will unfold in the North Sea.

Nor do they know that their Admiral right now feels an unprecedented weight.

Jie Li Ke inhaled deeply, straightening his back.

He is the commander‑in‑chief of the Royal Navy.

He has no way back.

That same evening, the Naval Ministry building.

Jie Li Ke's office was brightly lit. Six senior staff officers sat around the chart table, each expression extremely solemn.

"Beatty has confirmed," First Sea Minister Fuleideike·Situdiy Major General pointed at the map, "His battleship‑cruiser fleet can strike at any moment. Six battleship‑cruisers, four dreadnoughts, plus twelve light cruisers and thirty destroyers."

"What about Deguo's reconnaissance fleet?" Jie Li Ke asked.

Intelligence Director Weilian·Leijindede·Huo Major General replied, "The Schippe fleet, five battleship‑cruisers. They usually station in Helgoland Bay, serving as vanguard reconnaissance. If we want to lure Deguo's main force out, the best target is Schippe."

"Bait..." Jie Li Ke mused, "If we strike Deguo's coast, say bombarding Hilsnes or attacking merchant ships, Schippe will surely intercept. Then we fight and retreat, steering them toward the main fleet's direction."

"The risk is Deguo might see through the scheme," Situdiy said, "Sheer is no fool. If he discovers Beatty's fleet is backed by an entire fleet, he may choose to avoid battle."

"Then let Beatty hit harder," Jie Li Ke said, "Let him tangle with Schippe, fighting fiercely and inseparably. When Sheer decides to support, we will appear."

A staff officer raised a question, "But what if Deguo's main force doesn't come out? If we strike in vain and Beatty's fleet suffers losses in the battle..."

"Then treat it as a failed lure," Jie Li Ke said calmly, "At least we have worn down Deguo's battleship‑cruisers. Their numbers were already fewer than ours; losing one is a huge blow."

The room fell silent. Everyone understood the plan's cruelty—Beatty's fleet could become a sacrifice.

"Does Beatty know this risk?" Situdiy asked.

"I will tell him personally," Jie Li Ke said, "and I believe he will accept. David Beatty craves battle, craves glory. He has waited far too long for this opportunity."

He turned to Huo, "Where is Deguo's main fleet now?"

"Based on yesterday's aerial reconnaissance and radio monitoring, Sheer's main force should still be at William Port," Huo replied, "But their submarine activity is frequent. There are German submarine reports throughout the central and northern North Sea."

"Submarines..." Jie Li Ke frowned, "They are our biggest threat. Once the fleet departs, Deguo submarines will circle like sharks. We need a large number of destroyers for escort."

"It's already arranged," Situdiy said, "All available destroyers have been recalled. The escort formation can assign two to three destroyers per main ship."

"Not enough," Jie Li Ke shook his head, "Tell the shipyards that all destroyers under repair must be completed within three days. Even if they can only get moving and launch depth charges, that's sufficient."

"Understood."

The meeting lasted into the night. Every detail was repeatedly scrutinized—course, speed, formation, communication frequencies, rendezvous points, retreat routes...

At two a. m., the draft plan was finally finished.

Jie Li Ke let the staff officers rest first, staying alone in his office. He walked to the window, gazing at London across the Thames. The city's lights flickered in the night like an inverted starry sky.

In a hundred years, the city had never faced a foreign threat. Because a powerful navy guarded the English Channel, safeguarding the empire's lifeline.

Now, this navy is about to make a bold gamble.

If we win, the empire endures.

If we lose...