Chapter 0039: A Slap in the Face

Sufficient financial resources, combined with formidable shipbuilding capabilities and a highly skilled naval workforce, have allowed the German navy to maintain a leading position over other nations for centuries, dominating the world's oceans.

During this time, they have faced numerous formidable challenges to their maritime supremacy, yet ultimately, these adversaries have met with failure. The British Empire has firmly retained control over the seas, enabling it to monopolize the largest colonial territories globally, yielding immense profits.

"Your Excellency, the First Sea Lord, I am quite eager to witness the expressions of the Germans. Should they realize that the battleships they have constructed or are currently building are all obsolete, I can only imagine how furious Wilhelm II would be! The Germans have poured nearly every last mark into their naval development, only for those ships to become nothing but scrap," Sir Banavon laughed boisterously, his mirth audacious.

Germany's industrial prowess has now surpassed that of Britain, and had it not been for Britain's vast colonies serving as markets for their products, they would likely have succumbed long ago. Furthermore, Germany's significant investments in its navy have instilled a profound sense of crisis within the British ranks. After all, the foundation of their empire was built upon maritime dominance, and the Germans' audacious attempts to challenge that supremacy are simply intolerable.

"Prime Minister, it is evident that Wilhelm II would surely be livid," Sir Fisher remarked, wearing a knowing smile. The members of the British Cabinet uniformly shared this sentiment: to safeguard the interests of the Empire, it was imperative to suppress Germany by any means necessary. Only through such measures could the British Empire's hegemony remain secure.

"However, Your Excellency, I fear our new battleships may not remain a secret for long. German spies are everywhere," Sir Banavon expressed his concern. Naturally, he hoped the mystery surrounding these new vessels could persist. If so, when war erupted, they would easily vanquish the German navy and secure British maritime supremacy.

"Your Excellency, complete secrecy is nearly impossible, especially once the battleships are launched. Such large vessels floating upon the sea are like mountains. Unless the German spies are utterly foolish, they will likely discover this information quite quickly," Sir Fisher replied, looking troubled.

"Then, Your Excellency, what countermeasures do we possess?" Sir Banavon inquired.

"Even if the Germans learn that we are constructing new battleships and manage to obtain photographs, what of it? It would take them considerable time to acquire data on our new vessels. Even if they commenced immediate action, they would require a year or two. By the time their new battleships are commissioned, several years will have passed, during which we will have already begun mass production of new ships. Indeed, we have already commenced work on the next class of battleships. We are ahead of the Germans by more than one step. When the time comes, the gap will only widen," Sir Fisher proclaimed with confidence.

Sir Banavon nodded, feeling reassured by Sir Fisher's words.

"Prime Minister, we have completed the design work for the next class of battleship, the 'Perlephon' class, and we expect to begin construction in the latter half of the year. At that time, we will construct three vessels simultaneously. Additionally, designs for the subsequent class of battleships are also underway. Our artillery factory is currently researching a 13.5-inch naval gun, which will serve as the main armament for our next series of capital ships. If we designate our 12-inch gun battleships as 'Dreadnoughts,' then those with 13.5-inch guns will be 'Super-Dreadnoughts!'" Sir Fisher declared.

"Excellent, splendid! We must maintain our advantage over the Germans, not only in terms of quantity but also in quality. We must utterly extinguish their ambitions to challenge our maritime dominance. Should they dare to act, we will obliterate their navy, leaving them forever incapable of recovery!" Sir Banavon proclaimed with commanding resolve.

"Indeed, Your Excellency. The navy will ensure this," Sir Fisher responded confidently.

Germany's intelligence operations in Britain were indeed quite effective. Both the German army and navy maintained intelligence agencies active within British borders, albeit with differing focuses. Notably, after the German navy set its sights on challenging British naval hegemony, it intensified its information gathering regarding the Royal Navy.

The launch and fitting out of the 'Dreadnought' was a significant event within the British navy. Although the British Admiralty mandated strict confidentiality, there is no such thing as a completely sealed secret. News of the new battleship's launch soon reached German naval intelligence, which, after some time and expense, acquired relevant data about the 'Dreadnought.'

Upon receiving this intelligence, Grand Admiral von Tirpitz erupted in anger.

"Are the members of the Naval Technical Committee completely incompetent? The design proposals they dismissed have become the next main battleship for the British! Had it not been for their objections, our own new capital ship could have been launched by now! This was a rare opportunity to narrow the gap with the British navy!" Grand Admiral von Tirpitz lamented, feeling profound remorse. Had he been more assertive during the rejection of Qin Tian's design by the Naval Technical Committee, the outcome might have been entirely different.

"Humph! However, this time, those antiquated members of the Naval Committee will surely find themselves red-faced!" Grand Admiral von Tirpitz scoffed.

Such intelligence could hardly escape Wilhelm II's notice. Upon receiving the news, the naval intelligence department promptly informed him.

"Fools! Are the members of the Naval Technical Committee utterly useless? Despite their claims of extensive experience in shipbuilding, they cannot even measure up to a mere boy—what a joke!" Wilhelm II raged in his office.

He ordered an immediate court session, demanding the attendance of Count von Warren, the chairman of the Naval Technical Committee. Undoubtedly, this was not welcome news for the committee.