The Qing Dynasty is about to end

Chapter 1009: Europe's time was on Germany's side, but the world's time was on the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's side.

In March 1888, a thick fog blanketed Scapa Flow like a heavy gray veil over the North Sea.

The lookouts of the British Home Fleet stood atop the harbor tower, squinting at the sea. At first, they saw only blurry outlines, like a few merchant ships that had strayed into the naval port. But soon, the enormous creature emerging from the fog made their eyes widen—it wasn't a merchant ship, but a steel behemoth.

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's Atlantic Expeditionary Fleet has arrived.

As the fleet slowly entered Scapa Flow, the British sailors stopped what they were doing and stood on the deck to look around.

Most striking were the two Yinglong-class battleships—HMS Heavenly Kingdom and HMS Celestial Empire. These two behemoths had a standard displacement of 2.65 tons and a full displacement exceeding 3 tons. Their hulls were long and slender, their forecastles towering, and their four twin 360mm main gun turrets stood majestically, their dark muzzles seemingly ready to unleash destructive fury at any moment. Compared to them, Britain's most advanced Orion-class battleships appeared noticeably smaller, like a young woman standing next to a burly man.

Following closely behind were two Tianhai-class battlecruisers—the Tianhai and the Tianhe. With a standard displacement of 1.95 tons and a full displacement of over 2 tons, they possessed formidable firepower with four twin-mounted 305mm main guns, sharp hull lines, and extremely high speed, making them arguably the most powerful battlecruisers in the world.

Following that were three "Qianlong II" battleships—"Tianjing", "Beijing" and "Yongan"—with a standard displacement of 2.15 tons and four twin-mounted 305mm main guns, whose firepower was in no way inferior to that of German capital ships.

The five "Hailong III" battleships—"Guangdong", "Guangxi", "Guangnan", "Hunan" and "Hubei"—had a standard displacement of 1.72 tons and four twin-mounted 280mm main guns. Although slightly inferior, they were still a formidable fighting force.

The four "Donghai-class" armored cruisers—"Donghai," "Nanhai," "Xihai," and "Beihai"—have a standard displacement of 1.45 tons and three twin-mounted 280mm main guns, giving them firepower almost comparable to battlecruisers.

The four Jingyuan-class armored cruisers—Jingyuan, Zhenyuan, Dingyuan, and Zhiyuan—had a standard displacement of 1.25 tons and four twin-mounted 210mm main guns. By today's standards, their performance would only be considered average, but they were still excellent armored cruisers.

In addition to more than twenty cruisers, destroyers, and supply ships, the fleet sailed into Scapa Flow in a mighty procession, the roar of the steel behemoths shaking the entire harbor.

Admiral Fisher, commander of the British Home Fleet, stood on the dock, gazing at the fleet from the East with a complex expression.

He had been defeated by Luo Xinhua in the Battle of the Coral Sea, but now that they met again, the other side had brought an even more powerful fleet.

Fortunately, this time, Luo Xinhua was on his side.

Fisher took a deep breath, straightened his uniform, and then boarded the battleship "Heaven" with his adjutant.

Luo Xinhua stood by the gangway, smiling and extending his hand: "Admiral Fisher, it's been a long time."

Fisher grasped his hand, forcing a smile: "General Luo, welcome to Scapa Flow."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Fisher looked around the deck of the "Heavenly Kingdom" and couldn't help but exclaim, "Your warships... are truly impressive."

Luo Xinhua smiled and said, "They're just some lumps of iron; they can't compare to the naval strength of your country."

Fisher shook his head: “You’re too modest.” He paused, then added: “Her Majesty the Queen warmly welcomes your fleet and invites you to visit London during the fleet’s rest period.”

Luo Xinhua nodded: "It would be my honor."

On the special train to London, Fisher, William Maynard, Chief of Staff of the British Home Fleet, Luo Xinhua, and Deng Shichang, Chief of Staff of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Expeditionary Fleet, sat around in the carriage, with a nautical chart of the North Sea spread out on the table.

Fischer pointed to Bergen: "Our plan is to send a small fleet to support the army's landing in Bergen, luring the German High Seas Fleet into action. Then, your fleet and the main force of our home fleet will lie in ambush near the Shetland Islands, waiting for them to take the bait before annihilating them in one fell swoop!"

Maynard added, "Bergen is an important German stronghold in Norway, and Tirpitz will not stand idly by."

After listening, Luo Xinhua shook his head: "General Fisher, you can't hide your superior forces on the vast ocean. Besides, there are airships wandering around everywhere now."

Fisher frowned as he looked at Luo Xinhua.

Luo Xinhua stared at the nautical chart and slowly said, "Tirpitz isn't stupid. He knows our fleet is coming, and he knows we're stronger than him. Why would he fight a battle at a disadvantage? Why doesn't he run? What difference does it make if Bergen is lost? If we can take Bergen, can we take all of Norway? The Germans have at least a hundred thousand troops stationed in Norway, right? He just has to wait, until 1889, 1890, 1891... Now Germany and the United States of America are starting to build warships together!"

The German Navy has expanded now! To use an Eastern military term, it's like saying: "I've never fought a war with such a large budget!"

A moment of silence fell over the carriage.

Deng Shichang also spoke up: "Moreover, how long can Red France hold out? Once France collapses, Germany can focus all its efforts on dealing with you."

Fisher's face darkened: "So you mean... not to fight?"

Luo Xinhua raised his head, his gaze sharp: "Either we don't fight, or we gamble with the best!"

"What do you mean?"

"If we really want to fight a big battle, we can't expect the Germans to be foolish enough to walk into an ambush." ​​Luo Xinhua's finger tapped heavily on the nautical chart. "We have to give them hope of winning!"

Fisher narrowed his eyes: "You mean... feign weakness?" Luo Xinhua nodded: "Yes. Only deploy a force similar to the Germans, making them think they can win. Then, relying on the quality advantage of our Orion-class, Yinglong-class, and Qianlong II-class destroyers, we will deliver a devastating blow to the High Seas Fleet!"

Deng Shichang added, "Only by defeating the existing main force of the High Seas Fleet can we force the United States and the Ottoman Empire to sign the Treaty of Rome and withdraw from the war. Once the United States and Turkey withdraw, Germany will be isolated. Perhaps Emperor Wilhelm will then show mercy and let Red France off the hook. Wouldn't the war in Europe then be over?"

Deng Shichang's words, of course, represented the official position of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom—and his use of "end" actually meant "not end," it was just a halftime break.

After this war, Germany grew by more than 50% and became the dominant power in continental Europe! Britain and France were weakened, Russia was defeated and collapsed, and the United States was split in two and could only be Germany's subordinate in the future. And the geopolitical conflicts in all regions except the Pacific region were not resolved.

This situation will inevitably lead to World War II in twenty years!
Having twenty years to catch one's breath is better than dying immediately, right?

Fisher pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Alright! Let's take the gamble!"

Outside the carriage, the cold wind of Beihai howled past.

Inside the carriage, four men stared at the nautical chart, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Either don't fight.

Either bet the best you can get!

Inside the council chamber of the Berlin Imperial Palace, the light from the bronze chandeliers was filtered into a dim, yellowish hue by the heavy curtains. Prince Wilhelm, the Regent of Germany, sat at the end of the long table, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the surface. His gaze swept over everyone present: Iron Chancellor Bismarck, Chief of the General Staff Field Marshal Moltke, Quartermaster General Waldersee, Chief of Intelligence Schlieffen, Commander-in-Chief of the High Seas Fleet Tirpitz, Minister of the Navy Leo von Kaprivi, and Chief of the Naval Staff Eduard von Knorr.

Outside the window, the chilly winds of early spring swept through Berlin, as if reminding them that while European time was on the German side, world time was on the side of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Prince William spoke slowly, his voice deep and sharp: "Gentlemen, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's fleet has arrived at Scapa Flow."

The table was deathly silent.

Tirpitz was the first to break the silence: "Your Highness, our intelligence indicates that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has dispatched two 'Yinglong'-class battleships, whose firepower far surpasses that of any of our warships."

Prince William sneered: "So what? We're not going to fight?"

Bismarck slowly exhaled a puff of cigar smoke: "Your Highness, wars are not decided by one or two super battleships. In Europe, we have the resources of the entire continent, while Britain... their empire is on the verge of collapse." He paused, "However, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom possesses almost unlimited war resources!"

Marshal Moltke traced his finger across the map: "Red France is on its last legs. If we launch one more general offensive, Paris will fall."

Waldersee added, "The army is ready, and if the navy can hold its own against the combined Taiping and British fleets, we may be able to end this war within three months."

Prince William turned his gaze to Tirpitz: "Can the navy do it?"

Tirpitz paused for a moment, then looked up, his gaze resolute: "Your Highness, we can give it a try. We are familiar with every body of water in European waters. But we must admit—on the world stage, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's industrial capacity has far surpassed ours."

Chief of Naval Staff Knorr unfolded a North Sea chart: "Although the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom fleet is powerful, they have come from afar and have a long supply line. Our high seas fleet, on the other hand, is well-prepared and familiar with every part of the North Sea."

Navy Minister Caprivi nodded: "Moreover, we are not without a chance of winning. Although the main gun caliber of the Heligoland-class battleships is not as large as that of the Yinglong-class, our gunnery training is the best in the world."

Schlieffen suddenly spoke up: "Intelligence indicates that the British plan to land in Bergen to lure us into attacking."

Prince William narrowed his eyes: "So?"

Tirpitz sneered: "Then let them come. We can turn the tables on them—send a squadron to support Bergen and lure the main British fleet into the pre-arranged battlefield. As long as we can defeat the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and Britain's newest battleships, we can end this war as the perfect victor."

Moltke frowned: "No, not to end the war, but to obtain a twenty-year truce that is more favorable to us. Hopefully, people twenty years from now will be able to complete the work that my generation has not finished."

Bismarck slowly rose to his feet, his figure appearing exceptionally tall in the lamplight. "Your Highness," he said, "we must face reality—victory is certain in Europe, the only question is by how much; but on the world stage, the scales are tipping. Now, it is time to end the war in Europe."

Prince William's gaze swept over the crowd: "So, what is your suggestion?"

Moltke said in a deep voice, "The army can launch a general offensive on the Western Front and take Paris within three months."

Tirpitz added, "The navy will go all out to cripple the British-Taiping Heavenly Kingdom combined fleet in the decisive battle of the North Sea."

Bismarck concluded, "We must win as many bargaining chips as possible in the armistice negotiations. And after the armistice, we need to devote all our efforts to consolidating the spoils of victory and making fuller preparations for the next war!"

(End of this chapter)