Chapter 90: It Is the Kaiser-Class, Just with Some Data Tweaked

Tirpitz took the document and read slowly, lingering on each page for over a minute, occasionally measuring the scale on the blueprints with his fingers. Finally he looked up, and his first question was highly professional:

"Mr. Wang, what is the muzzle velocity of the 305-millimeter Main Gun? What is the weight of the armor-piercing shell?"

"Muzzle velocity 70 meters per second, armor-piercing shell weight 450 kilograms," Wang Wenwu answered fluently. "At a Distance of ten thousand meters, it can penetrate 300 millimeters of vertical armor."

"What about the fire control system? Central computation?"

"Yes. Electric synchronization, mechanical computer solution, error rate within three per thousand."

"Thermal efficiency of the oil-fired boilers?"

"Over forty percent higher than the best coal-fired boilers."

One question, one answer, like a technical defense. No one else at the table could get a word in.

Finally Tirpitz set down the document and looked at Wilhelm. "Your Majesty, the performance is indeed superior to the 'Dreadnought.' But..."

"But what?" Wilhelm frowned.

"But this is a simplified version of the 'Restoration Ship.'" Tirpitz spoke bluntly. "The Main Gun is 76 millimeters smaller, the armor 50 millimeters thinner, the speed far too slow. We spend 3.2 million pounds and still end up with a product a generation behind."

These words were like a bucket of cold water.

Wilhelm's expression darkened. "Alfred, what about our own design? The improved 'Westfalen-class,' with a standard displacement of only 21,000 tons and a Main Gun still at 305 millimeters. By the time we build it, the Yingguo people may have already built ten 'Dreadnoughts'!"

"So we should accelerate our own development—"

"Our own development takes time!" Wilhelm raised his voice. "And what we lack most right now is time! Across the North Sea, the Yingguo people are building ships frantically. Every extra month we wait, the balance of power shifts one more increment against us!"

He turned to Wang Wenwu, his tone softening somewhat. "Mr. Wang, two ships. Build two of these first... what is it called?"

"It has not been officially named yet," Wang Wenwu said. "If your country places an order, Your Majesty may bestow the name."

Wilhelm's eyes lit up again. "Then it shall be called the 'Kaiser-class'! The lead ship 'Kaiser Friedrich III,' in honor of my grandfather! The second ship... 'Kronprinz Wilhelm,' for my son!"

He grew more excited as he spoke. "Alfred, prepare the contract immediately! Mr. Wang, what other conditions are there?"

This was exactly what Wang Wenwu had been waiting for.

"Your Majesty, apart from the construction cost, there are several additional clauses." He pulled out another document. "First, Deguo must assist Lanfang in building a specialty steel plant in the Persian Gulf, providing a full set of equipment and technical guidance."

"Agreed!"

"Second, the German Navy must open to Lanfang certain non-core submarine and torpedo technologies—in exchange, we can provide part of the manufacturing process for the new naval guns."

Tirpitz wanted to object, but Wilhelm had already nodded. "No problem!"

"Third," Wang Wenwu paused, "regarding technical cooperation on more advanced warships... Lanfang maintains an open attitude, but requires deeper strategic mutual trust."

This was phrased very artfully.

Wilhelm understood. "What kind of mutual trust?"

"For example," Wang Wenwu looked into his eyes, "Deguo giving Lanfang more... understanding and support in Far Eastern affairs."

A few seconds of silence.

Wilhelm suddenly laughed loudly, clapping Wang Wenwu on the shoulder. "I understand! You want to return to the South Ocean, and you need someone who won't cause trouble. Fine! As long as you don't help the Yingguo people, Deguo can maintain... a benevolent neutrality in the Far East."

"That is enough." Wang Wenwu smiled.

Tirpitz did not speak again for the rest of the meeting. He merely stared at the blueprint of the "Kaiser-class," his fingers tapping lightly on the table, as if calculating something.

The banquet was held at Charlottenburg Palace.

In a hall for five hundred people, crystal chandeliers shone bright as day, and a band played Wagner. Wilhelm had changed into full dress uniform, his chest covered in medals, and arrived escorting Empress Augusta Victoria—this was a state banquet of the highest specification.

Wang Wenwu was seated at the main table, with princes and dukes on either side. Toast after toast, all praising Deguo-Lanfang friendship and looking forward to cooperation—empty words.

By the time dessert was served, Wang Wenwu had already drunk five glasses of wine—though he only took a sip each time, it added up to quite a lot. He excused himself for some fresh air and stepped out onto the terrace.

The Berlin night in June was cool. The terrace faced the gardens of Charlottenburg Palace, where fountains gleamed silver under the moonlight.

"Mr. Wang."

A voice came from behind. It was Tirpitz, holding two glasses of champagne.

"General." Wang Wenwu took a glass. "Not listening to the toasts?"

"Had enough." Tirpitz leaned against the railing. "Every banquet is the same, saying useless pretty words."

The two fell silent for a while. From afar came the sound of the band playing, an excerpt from "Lohengrin."

"Mr. Wang," Tirpitz suddenly spoke up, "what kind of person is Mr. Chen Feng?"

The question was very sudden.

Wang Wenwu thought for a moment. "Very young, but thinks far ahead. Principled, but knows how to be flexible."

"What does he want?"

"What do you mean?"

"His ultimate goal." Tirpitz turned around, his face half lit and half in shadow under the moonlight. "Rebuild the Lanfang Republic? Unify the South Ocean Chinese? Or... greater ambitions?"

Wang Wenwu swirled his glass. "General, Lanfang right now has only 300,000 people, a stretch of desert, and a few factories. It is too early to speak of any ambitions. We only want to survive, and to live with dignity."

"Dignity..." Tirpitz repeated the word. "For dignity, you built the 'Restoration Ship' in three years. If it were for more, what would you build?"

There was more behind those words.

Wang Wenwu did not take the bait, and instead asked, "Are you dissatisfied with the 'Kaiser-class,' General?"

"Satisfied, and not satisfied." Tirpitz was very candid. "As a warship, it is very good. But as a strategic choice, it is poison."

"Poison?"

"Think about it," Tirpitz lowered his voice. "We buy the 'Kaiser-class,' and it enters service two years later. By then, Lanfang's own 'Super Restoration Ship' will certainly have already been launched—that will be an even more advanced generation. Then we will want to buy something more advanced—will you sell it?"

Wang Wenwu did not answer.

"You will, but it will not be your best." Tirpitz continued on his own. "You will design another 'improved Kaiser-class,' stronger than ours but weaker than your own. We keep buying, keep catching up, forever one generation behind."

He drained his champagne and set the glass on the railing.

"This is technological dependence. It will hollow out Deguo's finances, strangle our research and development capabilities, and turn us into your... assembly plant."

Wang Wenwu had to admit, Tirpitz saw through it all very clearly.

"So the General opposes this deal?"

"Is opposition of any use?" Tirpitz gave a bitter smile. "Your Majesty has already decided. The navy needs new warships, right now, and can't wait for indigenous development. I can only try my best to fight for it — adding technology transfer clauses into the contract, sending people to your place to learn, picking up whatever we can."

He paused, his voice dropping even lower:

"Mr. Wang, I'll speak plainly. Deguo and Lanfang can be friends, but even between friends there must be a bottom line. We give you money, technology, political support; you at least... give us a little genuine sincerity."

"Such as?"