Chapter 333: Bait and Hunter

"Limited return fire," Xi Peier said, "focus on disrupting the enemy's aim; don't get drawn into a prolonged fight. Remember, our mission is to lure the enemy, not to engage in decisive battle. Unless necessary, avoid long artillery duels."

He paused, then added, "However, if the Yingguo forces enter Effective Range and we have good firing conditions, then open fire. After all, weakening Beatty's fleet is also one of our objectives."

The captains all nodded. They were seasoned officers who understood the subtlety of such a mission.

"One more thing." Xi Peier's expression grew more serious, "according to Your Majesty the Emperor's order, if a 'favorable opportunity' arises on the battlefield, we should seek a decisive battle with the Yingguo main fleet."

The atmosphere in the conference room instantly grew heavy.

"This…" Colonel Cenkier of the Feng·De·Tanen ship frowned, "this contradicts our original plan."

"I understand." Xi Peier said, "but an order is an order. My interpretation is: provided we complete the lure mission, if an opportunity appears we may attempt it. Yet the primary task remains to lure the enemy. Everyone clear?"

The captains exchanged glances. They all caught the subtext—Xi Peier was gently telling them not to place too much weight on that 'decisive battle' order.

"Understood, Commander," Hatoke replied on behalf of everyone.

"Very well." Xi Peier nodded, "Any other questions?"

Colonel Feng Kapeler raised his hand: "What's the weather forecast? The North Sea weather changes on a whim."

"The meteorological department predicts that for the next three days the North Sea will be mostly cloudy with intermittent light fog. Visibility will be moderately low, which aids our concealment but also raises the difficulty of command and identification."

"What about communications?"

"Radio silence throughout. Unless an emergency arises, we will not use radio. Identification signals and formation adjustments will use lights and flag codes."

All questions answered, Xi Peier surveyed the subordinates who had followed him for years, the comrades who would sail to the battlefield with him tomorrow.

"Gentlemen." his voice was calm, "I need not stress the importance of this mission any further. We are not merely a reconnaissance fleet; we are the lure and the linchpin of the entire plan. Our performance will decide the success or failure of this operation."

He paused: "But more importantly, we must bring the fleet back. Every ship, every sailor, is Deguo's precious wealth. I do not wish any of the five warships departing tomorrow to be missing on return."

The captains rose and stood at attention.

"Promise to complete the mission, Commander!"

Xi Peier replied, "Proceed with final preparations. Dawn tomorrow, depart on schedule."

The captains left one by one. Xi Peier remained alone in the conference room, staring at the map on the wall.

His finger traced the planned route—from William Port to the Denmark Strait, then to the Ambush Point, and finally back.

The round trip, nearly six hundred nautical miles, would be under Yingguo reconnaissance and submarine threat the whole way.

It is a dangerous route. Yet it is a route that must be taken.

The door opened, and the adjutant entered: "Commander, Admiral She Er's call on Line One."

Xi Peier walked to the telephone and lifted the receiver.

"Fulangci." She Er's voice came through the receiver, crackling with electrical noise, "How are the preparations?"

"All set, departure at dawn tomorrow."

"Very good. I have just received the latest intelligence from Berlin. Yingguo reconnaissance aircraft have been active lately and have likely detected our unusual movements. Therefore, the operation must be swift."

"Understood."

After a few seconds of silence, She Er said, "Fulangci, one more thing."

"Go ahead."

"Marshal Tirpitz asked me to tell you… no matter what happens, survive. You are the German Navy's best reconnaissance fleet commander; we cannot lose you…"

Xi Peier felt his throat tighten. He took a deep breath: "Thank the Marshal for his concern. Also tell him I will do my best."

"Take care."

"You as well, Major General."

The call ended. Xi Peier set the receiver down, stood still, unmoving for a long while.

Outside the window came the clamor of the dock—crashing of cranes, sailors' shouts, the long wail of the steam whistle.

All of it felt so real, so vivid.

And tomorrow, all of this will sail toward the battlefield, toward an unknown fate.

Xi Peier walked to the window, watching his fleet within the harbor.

Five battleship‑cruisers, like five steel behemoths, lay quietly moored at the pier. Sunlight struck their gray‑blue hulls, reflecting a cold, hard sheen.

They are the pride of the German Navy, the crystallization of technology, craftsmanship, and courage.

They are also the home of forty‑thousand sailors.

"May God bless you," Xi Peier whispered, "and bless us all."

He turned and left the conference room, heading to the bridge.

There are many things still to do.

Many orders remain to be issued.

Time is running short.

Scapa Bay, the British Grand Fleet anchorage.

At five o'clock in the morning, dawn barely breaking. A thick sea fog enveloped the entire bay, visibility under five hundred meters. Yet within the fog, the massive warship silhouettes loomed, half‑visible like sleeping prehistoric behemoths.

Jielike stood on the bridge of the Iron Duke, telescope in hand, trying to pierce the dense fog and survey the anchorage. He could see nothing clear, only a gray‑hazy chaos.

"The weather is worse than forecasted." Major General Situdi, the First Sea Minister, stood beside him, "With visibility like this, departure will be difficult."

"But we must depart." Jielike put down the telescope, "Each hour we delay gives the Germans more time to prepare."

He turned to the communications officer: "What's the status of Beatty's fleet?"

"Report, Major General, Beatty's flagship Lion is fully prepared and ready to depart at any moment. The other ships of the battleship‑cruiser fleet are also in position."

"Tell him, per plan, depart at seven sharp. Target area, Denmark Strait."

"Affirmative!"

The communications officer sprinted to send a telegram. Jielike continued to watch the anchorage; though he saw nothing, he knew what lay there—twenty‑four dreadnoughts, six battleship‑cruisers, and dozens of cruisers and destroyers.

It was the most powerful fleet in human history, the symbol of the British Empire's century‑long maritime supremacy.

Today, this fleet will sail to the battlefield for a decisive battle that will decide the Empire's fate.

"Admiral," Si Tu Di said softly, "I have just received the final report from the Intelligence Department. Deguo's Open Sea Fleet has indeed made unusual movements, and radio traffic at William Port has tripled in the past twenty‑four hours."

"They are also about to set sail," Jie Li Ke said affirmatively, "She Er is not a fool; he knows the victory on the Eastern Front has put pressure on us, and we will definitely take action. So he will launch a preemptive strike, or at least be prepared."

"What do you think their objective is?"

Jie Li Ke pondered for a few seconds, "Attack our trade routes, or lure part of our fleet into battle. She Er knows a frontal battle is unfavorable to him; he will certainly find a way to split us up and then defeat us piece by piece."

"So Bei Di's fleet…"

"It is both bait and hunter," Jie Li Ke said, "it comes down to who is more skillful."