Chapter 560: Britain's Concerns

"They will be compensated." The third man spoke. He was Major General Hall of Naval Intelligence, the actual planner of this operation. "I have already arranged it; once the wind dies down, they will receive secret medals and a sizable bonus. Moreover, their careers will not be affected, and after the war they will receive rapid promotion."

Ge Lei shook his head: "This is not a matter of compensation, it's a moral issue. We designed for Deguo to attack the Meilika convoy, which is equivalent to …"

"It means winning the war." Asikuisi interrupted him, "Ai Dehua, I know your concerns. But think about it: without Meilika Entry into War, how long could we hold out? Faguo's morale is already on the brink of collapse, Russia has effectively withdrawn from the war, our finances are about to go bankrupt. As long as Deguo launches another large‑scale offensive, the Western Front could completely collapse."

He stood up, walked to the world map, and pointed his finger at the Western Front.

"By then, it's not just a matter of defeat. Deguo will become Europe's absolute hegemon; they will dismember Faguo, annex Bilishi, control the strait ports. Then in ten, perhaps twenty years, they will rise again, and the next target will be the British Isles themselves."

He turned to Ge Lei: "Forty‑three lives are a heavy price, I admit. But if forty‑three lives bring Meilika Entry into War, bring Deguo's defeat, bring Yingguo's and Europe's future… this cost, on the historical scale, is worth it."

Ge Lei fell silent. As a diplomat, he was versed in every moral and international‑law argument. But as a politician, he understood that Asikuisi was speaking the harsh truth.

Major General Hall added in time: "Moreover, we didn't 'design' the attack. We merely created an opportunity, an opportunity for a Deguo submarine commander to make a mistake. In the end, the trigger was pulled by the Deguo, not us."

A semantic sophistry, yet logically sound.

Asikuisi returned to his seat, took a cigar from the cigar case, carefully cut off its tip: "The current problem is the next step. After Meilika Entry into War, the war's balance will tip toward us. But it's not immediate; Meilika needs time to mobilize, and we need time to wait for their forces to reach Europe. During that interval, Deguo may make a final push."

"They may launch a spring offensive," Ge Lei said, "seizing the window before Meilika's forces arrive, attempting a decisive breakthrough on the Western Front."

"So we need to contain them in another direction," Asikuisi lit his cigar, took a deep draw, "for example… the Far East."

"Far East?"

"Lanfang." Asikuisi exhaled smoke, "Chen Feng's negotiations in Hawaii failed, which means Lanfang will not stop Meilika Entry into War. But at the same time, he made it clear that if the war expands, Lanfang will consider its own interests. And those interests… may conflict with ours."

Major General Hall took over: "Intelligence shows Lanfang is accelerating Military Construction. Their shipyards are busy, security is extremely tight, and they may be building a capital ship stronger than the Bismarck. The army plans to expand to more than twenty divisions. More importantly, their cooperation with the Sakura Nation is deepening—Sakura Nation may mobilize fifty corps."

"Fifty corps?" Ge Lei exclaimed in shock, "That's over a million men! What do they intend?"

"It could be for the European theater, but it could also be for …" Asikuisi's finger slid from Europe on the map to Yazhou, stopping at India and Southeast Asia, "our colonies."

The room fell silent. The firewood in the fireplace crackled.

"India," Ge Lei whispered, "if Lanfang and the Sakura Nation join forces, they could cause huge trouble in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. Especially if their fleet truly is as powerful as the rumors suggest …"

"So we need a contingency plan," Asikuisi said, "if Lanfang truly creates trouble in the Far East, we must have the capability to respond. But the problem is, our main fleet must stay in the Atlantic to face Deguo, and the forces we can pull to the Far East are limited."

"Perhaps we could ask Meilika for help," Hall suggested, "once Meilika Entry into War, they become our ally. The Pacific fleet could assist us in maintaining order in the Far East."

Asikuisi considered the possibility: "But would Meilika agree? Their primary goal is certainly Deguo. Moreover… Chen Feng is very clever; he invited Meilika observers to visit Lanfang, which is both a show of strength and a warning: the price of opposing Lanfang is high."

He stood up, walked to the map again, this time looking at the Pacific region.

"Chen Feng is a realist, not a madman. He won't challenge us without cause. Unless … we force him."

"Your meaning is?"

"It means that in arranging the post‑war order, we must leave room for Lanfang," Asikuisi turned, "Tell them we acknowledge their 'special interests' in the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia, provided they do not threaten our core colonies or challenge our maritime hegemony. We can coexist."

Ge Lei was somewhat surprised: "That's a huge concession."

"That's reality," Asikuisi said with a wry smile, "Ai Dehua, you must understand, the world is changing. Yingguo no longer has the ability to maintain global hegemony alone. Meilika is rising, Lanfang is rising, even the Sakura Nation is seeking expansion. If we stubbornly cling to the old order, we will only be discarded by history."

He walked back to his seat, flicked ash from his cigar: "Therefore, regarding Lanfang, we must use both carrot and stick. On one hand, demonstrate we have the capability to meet their challenges; on the other, offer a future they can accept. Let them know that cooperation is more beneficial than confrontation."

"What about Deguo?" Hall asked.

"Deguo?" Asikuisi's gaze hardened, "Deguo must be utterly defeated, must pay the price, must be disarmed. This is not revenge; it is for fifty years of peace in Europe."

He paused, his voice softened, "Of course, that depends on the war's outcome. If Meilika truly commits fully, then this goal is attainable. If …"

He did not finish, but everyone understood what lay behind that "if."

If Meilika Entry into War goes poorly, if Deguo makes a breakthrough before Meilika's forces arrive, if the war drags into 1918 or even 1919 … then everything could change.

The fireplace's flames danced on each face, reflecting their inner uncertainty.

History is like a gamble, Yingguo has just laid down a heavy stake. Now, they can only wait for the roulette wheel to stop turning, to see which number the little ball will finally land on.

"Send a dispatch to Washington," Asikuisi finally said, "inform President Wilson that Yingguo fully supports Meilika's decision. At the same time … ask him whether, once Meilika Entry into War, he is willing to coordinate strategy in the Pacific and Far East."

"Additionally," he added, "send a secret order to our colonial governors in Yazhou: strengthen defenses, but avoid friction with Lanfang or the Sakura Nation. Now is not the time to open a second front."

The orders were issued. Major General Hall left to carry them out, and Sir Ge Lei also rose to take his leave.