Berlin: Another Defeat for the Japanese

At the Imperial Hotel Berlin, Yamamoto Gonnohyōe sat in the suite's reception room, three documents laid out in front of him.

The first was a formal reply from the British Admiralty, which politely but firmly rejected Japan's procurement request, citing "limited shipbuilding capacity and the need to prioritize domestic needs."

The second document was a memorandum from the German Foreign Ministry, which subtly stated that "the Wiesvale-class ships are not currently for sale" and suggested that Japan "could consider other classes of ships."

The third document was a coded telegram from Tokyo, containing only one line: "The Imperial Navy needs dreadnoughts, at any cost."

Yamamoto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This Japanese naval admiral, a hero of the Russo-Japanese War, felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness at that moment.

He had been traveling around Europe for a month, trying every possible route—London, Berlin, Paris, Rome… The answer was always the same: no.

It wasn't because Japan was short of money—the Meiji government was willing to squeeze every last penny out of the people for naval construction.

It's not because Japan isn't important—after defeating Russia, the whole world recognized Japan as a rising power in the Far East.

Rather, it's because...they don't want Japan to have power of the same level.

"Lord Yamamoto."

The sound came from the doorway. Yamamoto opened his eyes and saw his adjutant, Navy Lieutenant Commander Suzuki Kantarō, standing there with an equally grave expression.

"Come in, Suzuki-kun."

Lieutenant Commander Suzuki entered the room and closed the door: "I just received news from the Austrian embassy that the three dreadnoughts acquired by Austria-Hungary have completed sea trials and have officially joined the fleet."

Yamamoto gave a wry smile: "Even Austria is included."

"Furthermore," Suzuki lowered his voice, "there are unconfirmed rumors that these ships may not have been built in Germany."

Yamamoto suddenly looked up: "What do you mean?"

Suzuki walked to the map, his finger sweeping across Europe and stopping at the Persian Gulf: "Our intelligence agents overheard some sailors in Singapore talking about a large-scale industrial base established by Chinese people there, capable of even building large ships. The Germans are frequently shipping industrial equipment to that region."

"Chinese?" Yamamoto frowned. "Building dreadnoughts in the Persian Gulf? That sounds like something out of a novel."

"I find it unbelievable too," Suzuki said. "But all normal channels are blocked, Your Excellency. The British say to wait, the Germans say no, and the French themselves don't have any... The Imperial Navy can't afford to wait. Although the Combined Fleet won the Battle of Taima, it suffered heavy losses. If a conflict were to break out now with Germany or the United States in the Far East..."

He didn't finish speaking, but Yamamoto understood.

Japan gambled its national destiny to defeat Russia, but won exhausted. Like a boxer who has fought tooth and nail to knock down his opponent, only to find himself swaying and on the verge of collapse, if a challenger were to enter the ring...

"We need dreadnoughts." Yamamoto stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling crowds on the streets of Berlin. "Not just one, but at least four. Without them, our interests in the Far East are like a garden without a fence, where anyone can come in and pick a flower."

Suzuki was silent for a moment, then said, "Your Excellency, perhaps... we should go and see that legendary place. If such a shipbuilding base really exists, if someone can really build dreadnoughts..."

"And then?" Yamamoto turned around. "Even if it were true, would they sell it to Japan? The Germans already control the area, and the British will soon be taking notice. What right do we have to get involved?"

"Based on the Imperial Navy's resolve," Suzuki's voice was soft but firm, "based on our willingness to pay any price."

Yamamoto stared at his adjutant for a long time.

At any cost.

These four words echoed in the quiet room.

"Suzuki-kun," Yamamoto began slowly, "have you heard of Project Azure Dragon?"

Suzuki shook his head.

"Before I came to Europe, the Naval General Staff showed me a top-secret plan." Yamamoto walked back to the table, took out a document from the safe, the cover of which had the two Chinese characters "Azure Dragon" printed on it. "If all legal means fail, then... we will resort to illegal means."

Suzuki took the document, quickly glanced through it, and his face gradually turned pale.

"Sir, this is too risky! What if we get caught..."

"If we get caught, it will be the result of some 'radical officer's' arbitrary actions, and it has nothing to do with the Imperial government." Yamamoto said expressionlessly, "But if we succeed... we can obtain the blueprints for the Dreadnought, and perhaps even... a shipbuilding base."

He walked to the map and pointed to the location of the Persian Gulf:

"The Dutch oppressed the Chinese in Southeast Asia, the British looked down on people of Asian descent in Asia, and the Germans used us as tools... Everyone thought that Japan should behave itself and be a second-rate country."

Yamamoto slammed his hand heavily on the map:

"But the Imperial Japanese Navy proved with its victory in the Tsushima Strait that yellow-skinned people can also defeat white-skinned people! Now, we will prove once again that Japan deserves to possess the best warships and deserves to be a true world power!"

A near-obsessive flame burned in his eyes:

"Suzuki-kun, get ready. We're leaving Berlin tomorrow, heading to Basra via Istanbul. I want to see for myself what that legendary place is all about."

"What if... there's nothing at all?"

"Then execute Plan B of the 'Azure Dragon' operation." Yamamoto's voice was icy. "Investigate the security at the British 'Dreadnought' shipyard and look for opportunities to infiltrate. The Imperial Navy must acquire the Dreadnought, at any cost and by any means necessary."

Lieutenant Colonel Suzuki stood at attention and bowed his head: "Yes, sir!"

Yamamoto walked to the liquor cabinet and poured two glasses of sake—which he had brought specially from Japan. He handed one to Suzuki.

"For the future of the Imperial Navy."

"For the Empire." Suzuki drank it all in one gulp.

The liquor was strong, burning my throat.

Just like Japan's current situation, it's painful, but it has to be swallowed.

Because in this dog-eat-dog world, without power, you don't even have the right to suffer.

The hot winds of the Persian Gulf continue to blow through Dubai Port. But beneath the seemingly calm surface, undercurrents are beginning to stir.

In the conference room of the administration building, Chen Feng was listening to the latest report sent back from Singapore by Wang Wenwu.

"The advance payment for the second batch of German orders, £3.6 million in gold, has been deposited in a Swiss bank." Li Mingyuan—Wang Wenwu's deputy, acting as Minister of Commerce—read the telegram. "The Germans are demanding that the delivery period be shortened to fourteen months, and they are willing to pay an additional 10% acceleration fee."

"Fourteen months..." Chen Feng tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Tell the shipyard that it's possible, but we need more technical support and special materials from Germany. Especially for large bearings and high-pressure seals, we're not yet qualified to produce them ourselves."

"Yes." Li Mingyuan noted it down. "In addition, the German diplomatic mission sent a formal note requesting that a 'Delegation for Industrial Technology Exchange' of about thirty people be sent next month, including naval engineers, metallurgical experts and military advisors."

Chen Feng raised an eyebrow: "Military advisors? What are they planning to do?"

"The note stated that it was to 'better understand our industrial capabilities in order to provide more targeted technical support.'" Li Mingyuan paused, "But Minister Wang's analysis in Singapore suggests that this might be a means for the Germans to strengthen their control over us. They are not comfortable allowing a power capable of building dreadnoughts to become completely independent."

Chen Feng laughed, but his smile was devoid of warmth: "Of course I'm not at ease. Emperor William wants us to be his obedient tools, not equal partners."

He thought for a few seconds:

"We agreed to their visit, but drew clear boundaries: technical exchanges are limited to the civilian industrial sector, and military-related facilities are not open to the public. In addition, we require that their delegation must include experts in optical instruments and special alloys—technologies we urgently need."

"clear."

"Is there anything else?"

Li Mingyuan turned to the next page: "There are two... unusual contact requests."

"explain."

"The first one came from France. A representative claiming to be from 'French African Mining Company' sent a telegram from Djibouti, inquiring whether they could visit our 'industrial base' to explore the possibility of 'procurement of mining equipment and technical cooperation.' But Minister Wang checked and found that this company had been established for less than three months and had a vague background."