Chapter Fifteen: The Pioneer

  The imperial heir's luncheon was extremely luxurious and even prepared a few Chinese dishes especially for Feng Chongqian.

  Feng Chengqian didn't think it was strange, because when William was young, he followed his mother on a long trip to the UK and was deeply influenced by British aristocratic customs, forgetting the traditions of Prussian nobility. As far as Feng Chengqian knew, Crown Prince William was a very good host, and naturally wouldn't be stingy when entertaining distinguished guests.

  Of course, Feng Chengqian's attention was also not on those delicious dishes.

  When von Tirpitz first met him, his initial impression was that he was a typical Prussian military man with a robust physique and a resolute exterior, as well as a pair of piercing eyes. At the time, Tirpitz was less than forty years old, neither bald nor sporting the characteristic eight-shaped mustache.

  "Colonel, this is Earl Feng Chengqian, I presume you've already heard of him."

  Tirpitz merely nodded and didn't say much more.

  The Crown Prince William smiled and said: "His Majesty has appointed the Earl as the Minister of War, specifically in charge of naval affairs. I suppose you will be seeing each other often from now on."

  Tirpitz nodded again and sized up Feng Chengqian.

  "I heard that Colonel von Tirpitz accompanied the Crown Prince to England last year." Feng Chengqian knew that, relying solely on the emperor's trust and support, it was impossible to win the trust and respect of Prussian soldiers like Tirpitz. "So, Colonel, do you think there is anything in the British Empire worth our learning?"

  "What's this about learning?" Tirpitz finally spoke up.

  "Learning from the strong is the best choice for those who are behind, isn't it?"

  Tirpitz's eyebrows jumped a few times, and he said: "If the count says so, I think what we should learn is not how to build a fleet, but how to use a fleet."

  "Is it?" Prince William spoke up first.

  "The fleet is merely the material basis, just like the Imperial Army." Tirpitz paused for a moment and said, "The late Emperor once told the Chancellor, Count Roon and Field Marshal Moltke at the coronation ceremony in Versailles that it was Count Roon who sharpened the Empire's sword, and Field Marshal Moltke used this sword correctly. Similarly, if one does not know how to use the fleet, even if one has a fleet, victory cannot be achieved."

  The Crown Prince Wilhelm nodded thoughtfully, seemingly moved by Tirpitz's words.

  Feng Chengqian smiled and said: "Let's make an assumption, that the empire has a powerful fleet, so Colonel, how do you plan to use it?"

  "Isn't the Earl thinking too far ahead?"

  "With the empire's strength, I don't think this is a long shot." Feng Chengqian didn't intend to be humble. "According to my estimate, in twenty to thirty years, it will become a reality. More importantly, if we don't know how to use the fleet, how can we build a fleet that suits us? On this question of which comes first, the chicken or the egg, I think it's crucial to first clarify the purpose of having a fleet."

  "What the Earl says makes sense, without a goal, it is impossible to clearly define the direction of development."

  Tirpitz nodded thoughtfully and said: "Actually, this is exactly what the Count started to mention, we should learn from Britain."

  "Colonel, you mean..." It was evident that Crown Prince William took a great interest in all matters pertaining to the Navy.

  "Why does Britain want to build the strongest fleet in the world, and why does it maintain a fleet size that is greater than the combined strength of its two most powerful rivals?" Tirpitz paused for a moment before answering, "The reason is simple: the fleet is Britain's foundation, not only guaranteeing the security of the motherland but also being the cornerstone of its global interests. Without a fleet, Britain would be nothing; with a fleet, Britain is invincible."

  These words made Crown Prince William thoughtful.

  Feng Chengqian couldn't help but look at Tirpitz in a new light and realized that he hadn't underestimated him.

  "Earl, what's your opinion?"

  Feng Chengqian smiled and said: "What the Colonel said is not wrong, it's just that we need to understand another point, that is, the significance of the fleet to the empire is not so."

  "Is it?" Tirpitz frowned.

  "It is undeniable that with the current situation, the empire will eventually replace Britain as the world's number one power. However, before that day arrives, there is still a long way to go. In the short term, the empire's core interests are still on the European continent, and therefore still rely mainly on land power." Feng Chengqian paused for a moment before continuing, "Similarly, it is undeniable that a powerful fleet can open up even more extensive colonies for the empire and enhance its international status. However, we must recognize that before defeating and replacing Britain, overseas interests are not secure. As soon as war breaks out and we fail to win on the ocean battlefield, the British Navy will blockade us and cut off our connection with our overseas colonies. To put it bluntly, during wartime, all the benefits gained in peacetime will vanish into thin air."

  "What the Earl means is that the value of a fleet does not lie in opening up colonies?"

  Feng Chengqian nodded and said: "At least for now, the primary purpose of the Empire's fleet is not to open up overseas colonies."

  "Uh..."

  "The value of the fleet lies in challenging Britain, making Britain cautious and not daring to intervene rashly in European affairs."

  Crown Prince William furrowed his brow, clearly dissatisfied with Feng Chengqian's words.

  Tirpitz, however, looked very interested. "In the Count's view, if war breaks out on the continent, will Britain become our enemy?"

  Feng Chengqian smiled and said, "It depends on the situation at the time."

  "This..."

  "At present, it seems that in the short term, roughly twenty years or so, the possibility of a large-scale war breaking out on the European continent is not great. After all, France and Russia have not yet become strong enough to defeat us, and our relationship with Britain is still relatively harmonious, so they will not rashly create a pretext for war. The problem is that as long as we insist on building a powerful navy, it will become a major threat to Britain's heart, leading to a rupture between Britain and Germany, and France and Russia will also take the opportunity to create a reason to start a war."

  Feng Chengqian paused slightly before continuing, "If we only have France and Russia as enemies, that would not be enough to worry about. Even twenty years from now, the Empire still has a great deal of confidence in defeating France and Russia and maintaining its position as the number one power on the European continent. The key is whether Britain will stand idly by? In the context of the Empire's vigorous construction of its naval fleet, Britain will definitely not tolerate our dominance over Europe."

  "What the Earl means is that Britain will assist France and Russia?"

  "It's not just assistance, but direct participation."

  The Crown Prince and Tirpitz exchanged surprised glances, for after all England and Germany were still in their honeymoon period and negotiating how to prevent France from assisting Russia in building the Siberian Railway.

  "This is absolutely no exaggeration. For Britain, whoever threatens its maritime supremacy is its enemy."

  "What the Earl says is quite right; if we develop our navy, we will become an enemy of Britain."

  "So, can we give up the navy?" Feng Chengqian glanced at Crown Prince William.

  "It is absolutely impossible for the empire to be forever just a continental power."

  "So the answer is quite simple, in the next war Britain will not be our ally but our main enemy. Once this point is understood it is easy to see that before defeating Britain and taking her place, the main value of the Imperial Navy lies in weakening British sea power."

  "Disintegration?" Tirpitz seemed not quite understand what Feng meant by this sentence.

  "Does the commander think that Britain will eliminate it after the development and growth of the Imperial Navy?"

  "This..."

  Feng Chengqian smiled and said, "It's obvious that Britain won't just sit back and wait to die, so they won't give us too much time. They will take action when the Imperial Navy is still not strong enough to defeat the British Royal Navy in a decisive sea battle. The most effective move would be to stir up an all-out war on the European continent, inciting countries like France and Russia to declare war on us, forcing the Empire to focus its attention on land, thus losing the opportunity to surpass and challenge the British Navy, ultimately ending in defeat."

  The Crown Prince William was taken aback and said: "As you say, Earl, we have no chance of winning."

  "Man proposes, God disposes."

  "The meaning of Earl is..."

  "The right to fight or not is in the hands of Britain, but how to fight is in our hands." Feng Chengqian paused for a moment before continuing, "As long as the war breaks out, how to fight will not be decided by the enemy alone. Before that, I think we should focus on preparation work."

  "The Earl is right, we can't discuss what's next until we have a powerful navy."

  "Captain, I heard you've become a cruiser captain?"

  Tirpitz forced a smile and said: "It is an honor for me to serve Your Majesty."

  "So, do you have any long-term plans?"

  "This..."

  "Your Majesty has entrusted me with the construction of the Imperial Navy, but this matter is complex and I don't even know where to start." Feng Chengqian also smiled and said, "I think we must start from the basics. If Colonel doesn't mind, I hope you can be in charge of establishing the first fleet of the Imperial Navy."

  Tirpitz was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Feng Chongyan to trust him so much.

  "Of course, it's just a preparation. Before having warships, we need to build military ports for these warships to dock and various basic infrastructure to maintain the warships. Considering the empire's geographical environment, especially the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, we need to think even further."

  "The Earl said, 'Is it possible to improve the navigability of the Kiel Canal?'"

  "If a fleet enters and exits the Baltic Sea through the Skagerrak Strait, not only is the voyage long, but it is also extremely vulnerable to blockade during wartime."

  "This is a matter of great importance, I think we should report it to the Emperor and then make a decision."

  Feng Chengqian nodded and said: "Your Highness's words are reasonable, but I am only in charge of naval affairs, it is not convenient to bring up such things."

  "I will find an opportunity to bring it up with Father Emperor."

  "That would be perfect." Feng Chengqian smiled and said to Tirpitz, "Colonel, are you willing to take on the role of the first fleet commander of the Imperial Navy?"

  Will Tirpitz refuse? Obviously not!