Chapter 330: Germany Expects Every Man to Do His Duty — Then We Will Win

"Oh?" Wilhelm II's eyes brightened. "What does he say? When can we strike? How many ships are needed?"

"She Er suggests adopting a… more cautious strategy," Tirpitz said, choosing his words carefully. "He believes that directly seeking the Yingguo main fleet for a decisive battle is too risky. The Yingguo have a numerical advantage and hold a favorable geographic position."

The Emperor's expression darkened: "So he wants to keep hiding in the harbor?"

"No, Your Majesty." Tirpitz replied quickly. "He plans to go on the offensive, targeting the Yingguo's vanguard fleet—Bei Di's battlecruiser formation. If we can heavily damage or even annihilate that fleet, the blow to the Yingguo navy would be comparable to a decisive victory."

Wilhelm II frowned. He walked to the table, spread out a North Sea map. "What's the concrete plan?"

"Xi Pe Er's reconnaissance fleet will go ahead to lure the enemy, while She Er's main fleet lies in ambush behind," Tirpitz's finger moved across the map. "We will choose a sea area favorable to us, and when the Yingguo pursue, we'll spring a sudden attack."

The Emperor stared at the map for a long time. The room was quiet, save for the crackle of burning wood in the fireplace.

"This is not the decisive battle I want," Wilhelm II finally said. "I want Trafalgar! A Nelson‑style glorious victory! To cripple the Yingguo's main fleet so they never dare leave port again!"

"Your Majesty, that will take time," Tirpitz explained patiently. "We are not yet strong enough. But if we can first eliminate Bei Di's fleet, the Yingguo's battlecruiser advantage will vanish. Then we can face them on more equal terms."

"Time…" Wilhelm II sneered. "What we lack most is time. Victory on the Eastern Front gave us an opening, but the Russians will not stay in retreat forever. They will regroup somewhere. When that happens, the Eastern pressure will return, and we will no longer be able to spare forces for the navy."

He turned to Tirpitz. "Al Fu Lei De, you don't understand. This war is not only a military contest but a contest of will. We must prove to the world—that Germany can defeat Russia on land and challenge Yingguo at sea. Only then will we secure our rightful post‑war standing."

Tirpitz fell silent. He knew the Emperor made a valid point, but from a military standpoint it was too risky.

"She Er's plan…" the Emperor continued, "can be carried out. However, I want to change the objective."

"Change?"

"Tell She Er that his mission is not merely to strike Bei Di's fleet." Wilhelm II's finger jabbed the map heavily. "Once the battle begins, if an opportunity arises to engage the Yingguo main fleet, he must seize it! I want a decisive victory, not a skirmish!"

Tirpitz felt his heart sink. It amounted to giving She Er a vague and dangerous order—both to carry out the cautious lure‑and‑destroy plan and to be ready at any moment for a fleet‑scale battle.

"Your Majesty, this will put the commander in a dilemma," he tried to argue. "In naval combat the situation changes in an instant; if She Er must chase Bei Di while also guarding against Jie Li Ke's main force, his decision‑making will become extremely difficult."

"Then make it difficult!" Wilhelm II raised his voice. "He is the Commander of the Open Sea Fleet! He holds the Empire's highest rank and salary! If he lacks even that level of resolve, he does not deserve that seat!"

The Emperor walked to the wine cabinet and poured himself another glass of champagne. His hand trembled slightly—not from fear, but from excitement.

"Al Fu Lei De, do you know what I most admire about Nelson?" he said, back turned to Tirpitz. "It isn't his tactical genius nor his bravery, but his resolve. At Trafalgar, when victory was within reach, he hoisted the famous signal: 'England expects every man to do his duty.' He hesitated not, held nothing back, wagered everything, and then he won."

Wilhelm II turned, his eyes flashing with fervor. "Now it's our turn. It's the German Navy's turn to hoist such a signal: 'Germany expects every man to do his duty.' Then we will win as well."

Tirpitz looked at the Emperor and suddenly felt a deep helplessness. He knew further persuasion was futile. The Emperor's will had solidified, like cooled steel that could no longer be reshaped.

"I will convey your order, Your Majesty," he said softly.

"Very well." Wilhelm II nodded with satisfaction. "Tell She Er that within three days I want news of the fleet departing port. Within a week I want to see a victory report."

"…Yes, Your Majesty."

Tirpitz saluted, turned, and left. As he stepped out of the Wuyou Palace, night had already fallen. Berlin's sky held no stars, only a thick low‑hanging cloud layer.

He got into the car and told the driver, "Return to the Navy Department."

The vehicle started and drove into the darkness. Tirpitz leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

He recalled 1897, the first time he presented the 'Risk Fleet' theory to the Emperor. Back then, Wilhelm II was a young emperor, brimming with enthusiasm for the navy and fully backing his plan.

"We must build a powerful navy," the young Emperor said then. "We will make the Yingguo think twice before any hostile action. We will use the fleet to protect Germany's overseas interests and safeguard Germany's honor."

At that time, Tirpitz believed all of this. He trusted that through sophisticated shipbuilding programs and diplomatic skill, Deguo could attain its rightful maritime standing without provoking war.

But now, twenty years later, the fleet is complete, and war has broken out. Moreover, this war is driving the fleet toward the abyss.

"Are you all right, Marshal?" the driver asked, looking at him through the rearview mirror.

Tirpitz opened his eyes. "I'm fine. Go faster."

"Yes."

The car accelerated, cutting through Berlin's quiet streets. Tirpitz watched the streetlights flash past the window, each point of light receding swiftly in the darkness like passing time.

Three days.

Three days later, the fleet he spent twenty years building will sail into a dangerous gamble.

And he can only sit in Berlin, awaiting the outcome.

That is perhaps the founder's fate—having created a behemoth yet unable to control where it runs.

Wilhelm Port, Open Sea Fleet Headquarters.

At eleven p. m., the operations room remained brightly lit. A massive North Sea sand table dominated the center of the room, studded with red and blue flags representing the fleets. The red Yingguo fleet was densely spread across the western and northern North Sea, while the blue Deguo fleet concentrated in Helgoland Bay and Wilhelm Port.

Major General She Er and Lieutenant General Xi Pe Er stood before the sand table, both having removed their military over‑coats, sleeves rolled to the elbows. The ashtray was already piled with cigarette butts, and the air was thick with a blend of tobacco and coffee.