Chapter 326: The Final Resolution

Now, this navy is about to make a high‑stakes gamble.

If we win, the empire endures.

If we lose…

Jielike does not dare to think further.

He returns to his desk, picks up a pen, and begins to write a letter. It is not an order to the Navy Department, not a report to the Cabinet, but a private correspondence.

The recipient is his wife.

"Dear Fuluolunsi…" he writes the opening, then stops.

What should he say? That he is to command a decisive battle that may determine the empire's fate? That he might die? That if they lose, their lives will be turned upside down?

Jielike puts down the pen. He ultimately does not continue writing.

Some words cannot be spoken.

Some responsibilities must be borne alone.

He pulls open a drawer and takes out a photograph. It was taken last Christmas, with the whole family together: his wife, two sons, and a daughter. Everyone is smiling, as if war were a matter of another world.

Jielike looks at the photo, staring for a long time.

Then, he carefully places the photo back into the drawer and locks it.

He stands up and turns off the desk lamp.

The office is plunged into darkness. Only the cold moonlight from outside streams in, illuminating the pencil‑marked routes and symbols on the sea chart.

Those lines will decide the fate of countless people.

And Jielike will be the one holding the pen.

Three days later, No. 10 Downing Street, a wartime Cabinet special meeting.

The atmosphere is heavier than three days earlier. This time, the conference room has an additional person—Daiwei Beatty, Major General of the German Navy, commander of the battleship‑cruiser fleet.

Beatty is forty‑five, tall and broad‑shouldered, with a neatly trimmed goatee, and his eyes hold an almost arrogant confidence. He sits beside Jielike, his back perfectly straight, as if ready to receive orders at any moment.

Jielike speaks first. He spends a full hour detailing the operation plan.

"... In summary, the plan is code‑named 'Judgment Day.' Phase one: Major General Beatty leads the battleship‑cruiser fleet forward to strike Deguo's merchant shipping lanes in the Danish Strait and bombard the outer facilities of Hirunesi Port. The goal is to lure Deguo's reconnaissance fleet into action."

He points to the map: "Phase two, the Beatty fleet engages Deguo's Xipeier fleet, fighting while retreating, drawing them toward the predetermined area in the central North Sea. Phase three, I will lead the main force of the Grand Fleet to lie in ambush in that area. Once Deguo's main fleet appears, we will encircle it at once."

Jielike finishes and looks at Prime Minister Asuikesi: "The entire operation is expected to last forty‑eight to seventy‑two hours. Victory or defeat will be decided within that window."

Asuikesi is silent for a moment, then turns to Beatty: "Daiwei, what do you think of this plan?"

Beatty stands, his voice booming: "Mr. Prime Minister, I believe this is an excellent opportunity. The Deguo have been hiding, and now we finally have a chance to draw them out and annihilate them in one stroke. My fleet is fully prepared."

"What about the risk?" Laohé Qiaozhi asks, "You may have to face the entire Deguo high‑seas fleet."

"Then we face it," Beatty replies unflinchingly, "the Royal Navy never shies away from combat. Moreover, I trust General Jielike's main fleet will arrive in time."

His words are full of confidence, even a hint of zeal. Jiqinna watches him approvingly, while Gelei furrows his brow slightly—such a temperament may be a double‑edged sword on the battlefield.

"How does the intelligence support look?" Asuikesi asks Major General Huoer.

Huoer stands: "We have already deciphered some of Deguo Navy's codes. Though we cannot decode all communications in real time, we can roughly gauge their movements. In addition, we have a large number of submarines and reconnaissance vessels in the North Sea that can provide early warning."

"What about the weather?"

"The meteorological bureau forecasts that for the next three days the North Sea will be mostly cloudy with intermittent light fog. Visibility will be moderate, posing a challenge to both sides, but it may also offer cover."

All questions have been asked. Asuikesi scans the conference room: "Now, let us vote. Those who agree to execute the 'Judgment Day' plan, please raise your hand."

Jiqinna is the first to raise his hand. Then Heige hesitates briefly, but still lifts his hand.

Laohé Qiaozhi looks at Jielike: "Yuehan, how confident are you?"

"Fifty percent," Jielike says honestly, "there is no 100 % certainty in a naval battle."

Laohé Qiaozhi is silent for a few seconds, then raises his hand.

Gelei is last. He looks at the Prime Minister, then at Jielike, and slowly raises his hand: "God bless the Royal Navy."

"Passed," Asuikesi says. He does not raise his hand, but as Prime Minister his tacit approval serves as the final authorization.

He looks at Jielike: "Yuehan, what else do you need?"

"The Cabinet's formal authorization documents," Jielike says, "and… secrecy. If this plan is leaked, it will be disastrous."

"The secrecy measures are already in place," Huoer says, "only those in this room know the full plan. Fleet commanders will receive only phased orders."

"Excellent," Asuikesi stands, "Gentlemen, the fate of the British Empire is now entrusted to the Royal Navy."

He walks up to Jielike, extends his hand: "Good luck, Admiral."

Jielike shakes his hand: "We will do our utmost, Prime Minister."

The meeting ends. Others leave one by one, leaving only Jielike and Beatty behind.

Asuikesi closes the door, looks at the two: "Now, speak truthfully. How confident are you, really?"

Jielike and Beatty exchange a glance.

"Forty percent," Jielike whispers, "if everything goes smoothly."

"What if the Deguo do not follow our script?"

"Then we adapt on the fly," Beatty says, "naval combat is like that—there is no perfect plan, only on‑the‑spot decisions."

Asuikesi nods. He pulls a file folder from a drawer and hands it to Jielike: "This is the Cabinet's formal authorization. From now on, the Royal Navy's actions are under your full authority. No further requests, no further reports. Until… until the battle ends."

Jielike takes the folder, feeling its weight heavy in his hand.

"One more thing," Asuikesi says, "if… if the situation turns unfavorable, you have the authority to order a retreat. Preserving the fleet is more important than winning a single battle."

He says it lightly, but Jielike understands. The Prime Minister is giving him an exit—or, a fallback for the empire.

"I understand, Prime Minister," Jielike says.

"Go then," Asuikesi pats his shoulder, "go do what you must do."

Jielike and Beatty salute, then turn and leave.

Walking down the corridor of Downing Street, Bei Di exclaimed excitedly, "We've finally waited for this day! Yue Han, we will make history!"

Jie Li Ke was not as excited as Bei Di. Jie Li Ke only nodded, "First finish the plan, then talk. Dai Wei, remember your mission—lure the enemy, not a decisive battle. Do not linger in combat."

"Rest assured," Bei Di grinned, "I know the limits."

The two walked out of No. 10 Downing Street. London's sky was gloomy, as if it were about to rain.