Edward's Dissatisfaction 2

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer exchanged a worried glance.

"The cost?" Campbell-Banaman asked.

"Ten new ships, each costing two million pounds, totaling twenty-five million pounds." Fisher was clearly prepared, "but this money can be paid in installments over three years. At the same time, we can decommission the four oldest 'Majestic'-class battleships ahead of schedule and sell them to second-tier naval powers to recoup some funds."

Which countries will buy it?

"Chile and Argentina are in an arms race, and Brazil also has plans to expand its navy. Japan, although it just defeated Russia, has suffered heavy losses in its fleet and needs replenishment. Even..." Fisher paused, "...Turkey. The Ottoman Empire has always wanted to rebuild its navy."

Lord Langston shook his head: "Selling Royal Navy warships to Türkiye? That would provoke strong protests from Russia."

"Then sell it to Chile or Japan," Fisher insisted. "The key is that we need money, we need shipyards, we need workers. Every month of delay means the Germans could build one more Westphalian-class ship."

Edward VII returned to his seat, his fingers interlaced on his stomach. This was his habitual posture when contemplating important decisions.

"Fischer, if your six-ship plan is approved, when is the earliest you can expect the first ship to enter service?"

"If we place the order tomorrow and have all five major shipyards in the country start construction simultaneously, the first ship could be launched within 18 months and put into service within 24 months. It would take three years to complete all ten ships."

"Three years..." the king murmured, "How many German ships will the Germans have in those three years?"

"Given Germany's shipbuilding capabilities, if they operate at full capacity, they could build eight to ten ships of the same class in three years," Fisher stated the stark figure. "So ten is just the starting point. We need more. My proposed goal is: by 1910, the Royal Navy should possess at least twenty fully-equipped heavy-gun battleships, forming an absolute advantage over Germany."

Earl Selborne exclaimed, "A ship? That's forty million pounds! Plus the cruisers, destroyers, logistics..."

"Or we accept the fact that Germany is on equal footing with us in the North Sea," Fisher said coldly, "and then watch them threaten us with their fleet to make concessions in the next international crisis. For example... the Moroccan question, or the Baghdad railway dispute, or any area of ​​British imperial interest they want to get involved in."

Silence fell again in the study. The only sound was the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace.

After a long silence, Edward VII spoke: "London."

"His Majesty?"

"Summon the German ambassador. I want you to go in person, not at the Foreign Office, but here at Buckingham Palace." The King's voice regained its calm, the composure that comes with a monarch's decision. "Tell him that the British Empire has taken note of the 'technological advancements' of the German Navy and hopes that this will not affect the 'traditional friendship' between the two countries. But also make it clear that any attempt to change the status quo in the North Sea will be considered a threat to the core security interests of the British Empire."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Campbell-Banaman".

"His Majesty?"

"Convene the wartime cabinet tomorrow morning. Fisher will be present to give a detailed report on the situation and our response plan." The King paused. "At the same time, I want you, along with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Lord of the Admiralty, to draft an 'Emergency Naval Appropriations Bill.' The amount... should be set aside for 15 million pounds initially."

The prime minister opened his mouth, but seeing the king's gaze, he swallowed his words.

Fisher.

"His Majesty."

"I agree in principle to your plan of ten ships. But I need you to submit a detailed plan within three days: which shipyard will build which ship, how long will the construction period be, how many workers will be needed, and which civilian orders will be affected." The King stood up, and everyone else followed suit. "Also, find out where these ships were built. The Germans can't keep it completely secret; there must be a clue we've missed."

"It's already under investigation, Your Majesty. It's a joint operation by MI5 and Naval Intelligence, codenamed 'Deep Blue'."

"Very well." Edward VII walked up to Fisher, looked him straight in the eye, and said, "John, I appointed you First Sea Lord because you said you could keep the Royal Navy ahead. Now, prove it to me."

Fisher straightened his back: "I will, Your Majesty."

The king nodded, indicating that everyone could leave.

As Fisher reached the door, he heard the king mutter to himself, a phrase that was addressed both to him and to himself:

"The Victorian era is over, Fisher. Now it's time for us old folks to preserve the legacy for the younger generation."

Berlin, Sanssouci Palace Ballroom

The light from the crystal chandelier illuminated the long table covered with a snow-white tablecloth, and the silver cutlery reflected a warm glow. Emperor Wilhelm II sat in the main seat, flanked by senior naval officers, cabinet ministers, and industrial magnates.

Halfway through the banquet, the emperor raised his wine cup.

"Gentlemen!" his voice boomed, brimming with theatricality, "Let us raise a toast to the German High Seas Fleet—to the six steel giants who passed through the Suez Canal yesterday!"

"Long live the Emperor!" The entire room raised its glasses, and the cheers almost lifted the roof off.

Wilhelm II downed his drink in one gulp, his face beaming with undisguised smugness. He turned to Tirpitz, who sat to his right: "Alfred, tell everyone, what's the British reaction now?"

Tirpitz rose to his feet, the medals on his uniform jingling. As one of the few who remained calm at the banquet, he chose to speak with facts rather than emotion:

"According to a report from the British Embassy in London, the Admiralty was kept brightly lit all night yesterday. This morning, King Edward VII urgently summoned the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and the First Lord of the Admiralty. This afternoon, the Marquess of Langston, the British Foreign Secretary, summoned our ambassador to express his 'concern'."

A burst of laughter erupted from the table.

"Concern!" exclaimed Gustav Krupp, chairman of the Krupp company. "They should be terrified! The main guns of the Westphalian-class ships can tear their ships to shreds from beyond their range!"

Tirpitz frowned slightly, but the emperor clearly liked this argument.

"Well said, Gustave!" William II laughed. "For the first time in three hundred years, the Royal Navy has encountered a technologically superior adversary. They must be frantically calculating how many new ships they need to build to regain their advantage."

"That would drain their treasury," Finance Minister August von Heltling said cautiously, "but it would also drain ours."

The atmosphere paused slightly.

Wilhelm II glanced at the Chancellor of the Exchequer, his smile fading slightly. "August, you're always such a spoilsport. But you're right, money is a problem." He turned to Tirpitz. "That Chinese man, Chen Feng, has he agreed to the new order?"

"Negotiations are underway, Your Majesty," Tirpitz replied. "His demands are high: four improved Westphalian-class battleships, three million pounds sterling each, half of which must be paid in gold. In addition, he is demanding the autofrettage technology for the guns from the Škoda Arms Factory, and 'technical support' from the Zeiss optics division."

Whispers broke out around the table.

"Three million pounds? That's too expensive!"

"Pay with gold? Our gold reserves..."

"Technology transfer? That's impossible!"