Chapter 332: Our Counterattack Principle

Xi Peier understood. The Admiral's meaning was clear—if the situation turned unfavorable, he would disobey the Emperor's order and choose to retreat.

"You may therefore be brought before a military court," Xi Peier warned.

"Then so be it," She Er chuckled wryly, "At least I am still alive, the fleet is still alive. It's better than everyone perishing in the North Sea."

He walked up to Xi Peier, placed his hand on his shoulder: "Fu Lang Ci, remember: your primary task is to preserve the fleet. Luring the enemy is a means, not an end. If the situation is wrong, withdraw immediately, do not hesitate."

"And the Emperor's decisive battle order..."

"I'll take responsibility," She Er said, "You just bring the fleet back. The rest is up to me."

Xi Peier looked into his superior's eyes and saw determination and weight within them. He stood at attention and rendered a standard military salute.

"Yes, Admiral. I will bring the fleet back."

She Er returned the salute: "Go, get some rest. There is much preparation tomorrow."

After Xi Peier left, She Er stood alone before the sand table. He pulled a small blue flag and held it up for inspection.

It was a model of a battlecruiser, exquisitely crafted, with Main Gun, bridge, and smokestack all present.

But on the real battlefield, it is an 18,000‑ton steel vessel carrying 1,200 sailors. It has eight 305‑mm Main Guns that can fire 405‑kilogram Shells from 15,000 meters away. Its speed can reach 26 knots, allowing it to chase any enemy at sea.

It is also fragile. Its thickest armor is only 250 mm, and the Yingguo 343‑mm Shell can easily penetrate. If its magazine is hit, the whole ship will explode into fragments within seconds.

She Er set the flag down, massaged his temples. He felt weary, not physically but mentally.

As a commander, he must find the fine line between the Emperor's fanaticism and the reality of war. He must balance preserving the fleet with achieving results. He must choose between his subordinates' lives and the nation's honor.

It's too difficult.

A faint whistle drifted from outside the window. It was the night‑shift workers making final preparations for departure—loading ammunition, adding fuel, inspecting the engines.

She Er walked to the window and gazed at Wilhelm Port in the night. Within the harbor, the silhouettes of warships were faintly visible in the moonlight—massive turrets, towering bridges, stout smokestacks… These were familiar sights, but tonight they seemed especially heavy.

"May God protect us," he whispered.

Then he switched off the lights and left the operations room.

The corridor was quiet, only his footsteps echoing. At the stairwell, he encountered a young sailor on night duty.

The sailor instantly stood at attention and saluted: "Admiral!"

She Er nodded, prepared to leave, but stopped again.

"What is your name?"

"Han Si·Wei Bo, Admiral! 'De Fu Lin Ge' ship, Seaman Second Class!"

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen years old, Admiral!"

Nineteen. She Er looked at the young face and thought of his own son. His son was also nineteen, serving in the army, now on the Eastern Front.

"Are you afraid?" She Er suddenly asked.

The young sailor hesitated briefly, then puffed his chest: "Not afraid, Admiral! We've waited so long, and finally we're going to strike! We'll show the British a bit of color!"

His eyes flashed with light, just like that lieutenant in Berlin, full of pure enthusiasm and confidence.

She Er nodded, patted his shoulder: "Do your best. Germany needs this kind of courage."

"Yes, Admiral!"

She Er continued down the stairs. Upon reaching the first floor, he heard the sailor humming—a naval marching song, "We Ride the Wind and Break the Waves".

The young voice echoed through the spacious building, carrying a naive boldness.

She Er closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Then he walked out of the building and into the night of Wilhelm Port.

The next morning, Wilhelm Port dock.

Xi Peier stood on the bridge of the 'Lu Zuo Fu' ship, watching the bustling harbor. This Deguo newest battlecruiser had been in service for three months, and today was its first combat mission.

On the dock, a crane was hoisting the last crate of ammunition onto the deck. Sailors formed two lines, passing boxes filled with food and medical supplies. Officers checked lists beside the gangway, ensuring everything was ready.

"Commander," the adjutant came over, "All captains have arrived, waiting in the conference room."

Xi Peier nodded, descended the bridge. In the 'Lu Zuo Fu' ship's officers' conference room, five captains were seated—Colonel Feng·Ka Pei Le of the Mao Qi ship, Colonel Mo Er of the Sai De Li Ci ship, Colonel Ha Tuo Ke of the De Fu Lin Ge ship, Colonel Cen Ke Er of the Feng·De·Tan En ship, and Colonel Ha De, the captain of Lu Zuo Fu itself.

Seriousness was written on each face. They all knew what the upcoming mission entailed.

"Gentlemen," Xi Peier walked to the head seat, "I assume you have all received the operation brief. Today, I will repeat the details."

He pulled back the curtain on the wall, revealing a map of the North Sea.

"At dawn tomorrow, the reconnaissance fleet will depart. Our target is the British merchant shipping lane through the Danish Strait. Expected arrival local time ten A. M., to conduct a one‑hour harassment operation."

His finger moved across the map: "Then we retreat southeast, bearing 115°, speed 22 knots. The British battlecruiser fleet is expected to sortie from Scapa Bay to intercept. When we confirm Betty's fleet is in pursuit, we will raise speed to 26 knots, drawing it into the ambush area."

"Where is the ambush point?" Colonel Feng·Ka Pei Le of the Mao Qi ship asked.

"Southeast of Doge Beach, 56° N, 5° E," Xi Peier said, "Admiral She Er's main fleet will wait there. Once Betty enters the ambush circle, the main fleet will appear suddenly, attacking from the flanks and rear."

The conference room fell silent for a moment. Everyone imagined the scene in their mind—Betty's fleet in pursuit, suddenly spotting the German main fleet ahead. It would be a perfect trap.

"But there is a problem," Colonel Mo Er of the Sai De Li Ci ship said, "If we retreat too quickly, Betty may abandon the chase. If we retreat too slowly, we may be tangled and suffer heavy losses."

"That is the crux," Xi Peier admitted, "I need each captain to judge flexibly according to battlefield conditions. The Basic Principle is: maintain contact, maintain Distance, maintain attraction. We must make the British think that with a little more effort they could catch us, yet they are always just a bit short."

"If the firefight begins," Colonel Ha Tuo Ke of the De Fu Lin Ge ship asked, "what is our retaliation principle?"