Chapter 3: The Soul of Blue Water

Historically, von Ingenohl succeeded Hipper as the commander of the German High Seas Fleet in 1913. In early 1915, due to the heavy losses suffered by the German cruiser fleet in the Battle of Dogger Bank, Emperor Wilhelm II ordered the dismissal of von Ingenohl, appointing the ailing Admiral Hugo von Pohl as the new commander of the High Seas Fleet. A year later, von Pohl resigned due to illness, and the brave and aggressive Reinhard Scheer became the commander of the High Seas Fleet. Shortly after taking office, Scheer led the High Seas Fleet into action, engaging in an epic naval battle against the British Home Fleet in the North Sea, resulting in no decisive victory for either side, while the British Navy continued to blockade Germany's maritime routes

The long corridor resembled a time tunnel, with scenes from two different eras flashing through the young man's mind like slides. He was a ship engineer deeply influenced by Eastern culture, gifted and diligent, and his humble beginnings often made him a stepping stone for others' rise in an era of nepotism. An unexpected event caused him to traverse time and space, becoming Prince Joachim of the German Empire. His royal status granted him honors he had never enjoyed in his previous life, as well as opportunities to fully showcase his talents. With one exquisite ship design after another, he became admired as the "Hohenzollern Genius." The excessive flowers and applause gradually made him realize that being a top ship designer was far from the pinnacle he could achieve in this life; the surging tides of history offered an even broader stage.

Looking at the photo in the case, Xia Shu's cold and resolute eyes revealed boundless tenderness, yet within this tenderness lay a hint of helplessness and hesitation. He put away the pocket watch, took a deep breath, and stepped over the cabin door with his right foot. Once his vision adjusted to the change in light, a magnificent and splendid scene unfolded before him:

This time difference will be the key to Natsuki's reversal of the situation

Such a shocking scene, which Xia Shu could only imagine in his dreams, has now become a reality. The German High Seas Fleet, composed of nearly one hundred ships, is sailing into the depths of the North Sea in accordance with his will. With Britain declaring war on Germany, the smoke of the world war has already ignited fiercely. Most people are still immersed in the shock brought about by the dramatic changes of war, while the British are gathering their proud grand fleet. No one could have anticipated that the German Navy would emerge in full force despite the unclear situation on land.

As a time traveler from a century later, Xia Shu possesses a relatively objective understanding of this historical period. He is well aware that any emerging nation aspiring to become a true world power will inevitably face suppression and coercion from traditional hegemonic states and vested interest groups. Regardless of how far-sighted, patient, and restrained it may be, it will ultimately have to declare its rise through a struggle marked by blood and fire. Therefore, the "theory of existence" is by no means a wise strategy for the German Navy. If they cannot break the British maritime cage, they will find themselves like a fierce tiger trapped in a swamp or a dragon ensnared in shallow waters, ultimately repeating the mistakes of history. Once Germany is defeated, as former nobles, their lives may not fall into destitution, but their grand ideals and ambitions will be buried deep within, leaving only a sense of regret.

Carrying a young and robust physique, the finely crafted deerskin knee-high boots echoed with a powerful "thud" in the cool passage of the ship's cabin. To others, he appeared as an exceptionally handsome young man, possessing a strong, angular square face, deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and full lips, with electric blue eyes radiating vitality; his expression was serious yet not rigid, his gaze confident but not arrogant. His golden-brown short hair lay smoothly against his sun-kissed skin, accentuating his masculine and composed demeanor. He was tall, gifted, and charming, captivating countless admirers with his graceful demeanor, yet he remained unentangled in the superficiality of a life of excess. He was exceptionally talented and had a unique vision, recognized as a top designer in the field of naval vessels, with a concise and practical shipbuilding style that was distinctly his own. His character was resilient and enterprising, upholding royal traditions by serving in the military, earning the respect and recognition of his naval colleagues through his down-to-earth and outstanding performance.

At the time when the German reconnaissance fleet bombarded Grimsby, in a certain area of the southeastern North Sea

For this day, Xia Shu has prepared for too long. Those nights spent immersed in books, those designs infused with passion, those efforts to refine oneself through sweat, and those meticulously planned endeavors—all the sacrifices have coalesced into today's pride. He strides forward with his head held high and a focused mind, facing the British Royal Navy, which has dominated the oceans for hundreds of years and boasts unparalleled strength globally, without a trace of hesitation or retreat in his heart

Undoubtedly, the reconnaissance fleet commanded by Hipple is the blade of this sword. This fast formation, composed of battlecruisers, set sail before the main force of the High Seas Fleet with the mission of bombarding the oil storage facilities at ports along the eastern coast of England, thereby enticing the British main fleet, which was implementing a strategic blockade in northern Scotland, to engage in battle. The battlecruiser formation of the Royal Navy is stationed nearby and has a high speed, while the battleship formation is stationed far away and has a slow speed, resulting in an inevitable time difference in their arrival at the battlefield. This strategy aims to lure the British main fleet, which is conducting a strategic blockade in northern Scotland, into battle.

Time quietly flows by, second by second, and the tense atmosphere of impending battle gradually intensifies without one realizing it. Listening to the deep, resonant roar of the steel behemoths at sea, and inhaling the mixed scents of coal smoke and salty sea air, a profound and indescribable sentiment stirs within Xia Shu. The fate of the fleet, the hopes of the nation, the rise and fall of the country—all hinge on the upcoming battle—this is a glorious adventure, and a sacred mission. Since the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, Britain has established maritime hegemony for over three hundred years. During this period, the Royal Navy has defeated emerging nations that dared to challenge it through one breathtaking and grand naval battle after another, including the Dutch, the Danes, and the French. This is both a victory of courage and determination, as well as a manifestation of the law of survival of the fittest. Stepping over the corpses of the vanquished, the traditional hegemony of the empire on which the sun never sets has been consolidated and expanded. By the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, facing the rapid rise of Germany, they again engaged in a shipbuilding competition under the 'two-power standard,' ensuring the absolute superiority of the Royal Navy.

The dimly lit corridor of the bridge came to an end, and the world outside the hatch shone like paradise. Xia Shu stopped in his tracks, took out a golden pocket watch from his chest pocket, pressed the round button lightly, and the case opened. On the back was a carefully cut profile of a young girl, with bold eyebrows, a delicate nose, and bright red lips, her faint smile fresh and captivating, while her lady-like wavy hair accentuated her enchanting charm. She was indeed a girl of striking beauty, but what truly awakened his dormant heart was her steadfastness and dedication to love, her extraordinary courage to defy her family's wishes. Her faint smile was fresh and captivating, and her lady-like wavy hair accentuated her enchanting charm. She was indeed a girl of striking beauty, but what truly awakened his dormant heart was her steadfastness and dedication to love, her extraordinary courage to defy her family's wishes.

Today, the commander of this high seas fleet, Admiral Friedrich von Ingenohl, exemplifies the standard of a German military officer. He is law-abiding and lacks both grand strategic vision and pioneering initiatives. He utilizes whatever warships the navy assigns to him and rarely makes specific requests to the shipbuilding department. Such a commander may appear mediocre and incompetent, yet he is intimately familiar with every warship under his command and each captain. His calm and steady demeanor is akin to that of his opponent, John Jellicoe (the commander of the British Home Fleet during World War I), and his loyalty to the nation and aspiration for honor are beyond doubt. A grounded and focused commander like him is often more suited to the harsh realities of war than those who are filled with ideas.

A fleet of majestic warships formed an immense armada that seemed to stretch endlessly, with the waves stirred up by their sterns causing the sea to churn and boil. The columns of black smoke belched forth obscured the sky, while the towering masts created a magnificent forest of steel. The fluttering black eagle cross naval flag showcased the defiance of Germany, and the sharp ram bow exemplified the spirit of relentless advancement. The solemn shield-shaped emblem embodied the essence of loyalty and honor. They are the mechanical essence of the great industrial age, a full display of top-tier metallurgical forging techniques, and a fervent practice of the doctrine of large ships and cannons; they encapsulate the wisdom and strength of this nation, ... the fluttering black eagle cross naval flag showcased the defiance of Germany, and the sharp ram bow exemplified the spirit of relentless advancement. The solemn shield-shaped emblem embodied the essence of loyalty and honor. They are the mechanical essence of the great industrial age, a full display of top-tier metallurgical forging techniques, and a fervent practice of the doctrine of large ships and cannons; they encapsulate the wisdom and strength of this nation, ... they represent the resolute steps of a land power moving towards the ocean, and carry the aspirations of sixty-seven million Germans for the dream of a strong nation ...

On a brand new path in life, Xia Shu, a young man from the 21st century and a prince of the German royal family in the eyes of others, has gained the precious friendship that intertwines fortune and misfortune, as well as a pure love that transcends borders and defies worldly conventions. When the conflict between the rising nation and the hegemonic power becomes inevitable, as a member of the German royal family, the chief of staff of the High Seas Fleet, and a staunch advocate of willpower, Xia Shu cannot accept that his ambitious life turns into a sunset journey of the last royal family. He believes he has the ability and the opportunity to change the lamentable outcome of history and alter the tumultuous fate of this rising nation. Utilizing decisive military means and covert political maneuvers, he aims to break through the off-stage control and behind-the-scenes maneuvering of super financial interest groups over the global situation.

With unwavering determination, Xia Shu stood on the main bridge of the flagship "Friedrich der Große" of the High Seas Fleet. He was not fighting alone—over 40,000 elite German naval personnel, like a group of proud Teutonic knights, marched towards the battlefield with indifference to slaughter and disdain for death. Although they did not receive the envy and awe that the British Navy garnered wherever they went, nor did they possess the Americans' imaginative sense of freedom, and they lacked the ease of the French and the romance of the Italians, they were, whether in the age of cold weapons or firearms, the most ideal warriors: simple, quiet, obedient, and tenacious.

Once the war commenced, Britain immediately utilized its home fleet to secure the maritime routes to the North Atlantic, employing a vigilant fleet to blockade the narrow English Channel. By leveraging its advantageous geographical position, Britain confined the German Navy within a vast prison, restricting its operations to the remote corners of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Over time, the German ocean-going merchant fleet, which had gradually expanded since the Bismarck era, could only languish idly in the harbors, unable to bring abundant industrial raw materials to this relatively resource-poor nation. Consequently, Germany's war potential would inevitably diminish over time, ultimately leading to its collapse in a state of distress.

A moment of carelessness may render the efforts of over a decade and the hopes of an entire generation futile within just a few hours

Despite bearing these dazzling accolades, he always presents himself with a simple humility and a friendly demeanor. Wearing a round-topped, short-brimmed military cap, a dark blue double-breasted military uniform, and a white shirt paired with a black bow tie, his attire is devoid of any superfluous embellishments except for the cobalt blue Iron Cross medal on his chest. When encountering colleagues who stand at attention and salute, he slightly slows his pace and gracefully raises his hand to eyebrow level.

Having sorted out these causal contradictions, Xia Shu found it not difficult to identify the key points to reverse the situation. The method to solve the problem is also filled with a simple aesthetic of violence: wielding a sharp sword, clad in heavy armor, with courage in his heart, carving out a path to survival amidst the enemy ranks