Chapter 1: Encircled Germany

In the early morning, heavy rain poured down, and the sea breeze was fierce. The surging waves could not shake the massive steel warships, yet they were enough to cause the small boats to bob and sway. At the dock near the departure channel, a person dressed in a waterproof cloak stood alone in the rain, gazing at the gloomy horizon beyond the breakwater

"Indeed, the rain is about to stop!" the young man responded very calmly. He turned his head, his gaze devoid of childish frivolity or affected profundity, his azure eyes as clear as spring water. Hearing the incomplete drum melody coming from the inner harbor dock, the young man moved his body in a clockwise motion, turning with a standard military posture.

As one of the achievements brought about by the early Industrial Revolution, steamships of various sizes have appeared in every corner of the Earth, all of which feature tall smokestacks, and the increasingly mature steam turbines also exhibit high transmission efficiency. By the early 20th century, the maximum sailing speed of traditional orderly vessels had surpassed 40 knots, and among the naval vessels in mass service, there were already outstanding examples with speeds exceeding 36 knots.

Your Highness, the rain is about to stop!

The young man lifted his cloak, revealing a confident face full of youthful joy. He turned and whistled, and a group of sailors in white immediately rushed from their shelter to the dock. This area is close to the outbound shipping channel, and there are no large ships docked nearby. Two wooden piers extend outward, mooring several vessels that are entirely white. They can be clearly categorized into two types: the larger ones resemble ribbon fish, with exceptionally narrow and elongated hulls, featuring two smokestacks. Both the fore and aft decks are equipped with semi-enclosed gun mounts and small-caliber artillery, while the torpedo launch tubes are positioned on the deck in front of the bridge and on the rear deck behind the smokestacks. The smaller vessels are only one-tenth the length of the larger ones and, at first glance, appear to be private yachts navigating in lakes or inland rivers. They are slender, low-profile, and lack smokestacks, with a low cockpit located in the middle to rear of the hull, and the foredeck is fitted with an embedded torpedo launch tube.

Measured by the physique of an adult, the figure of the person in the rain appears somewhat slender. However, judging by that youthful and innocent face, he is still a growing boy, fresh, handsome, and calm. He tilts his head slightly upward, gazing into the distance where the sea meets the sky. At the end of those gray rain clouds, a hint of fresh blue is faintly visible.

In the winter of 1890, just 9 months after Bismarck withdrew from the political stage, Wilhelm II's sixth son, Joachim von Prussia, was born. For 14 years, young Prince Joachim grew stronger day by day, while the industrial, economic, and military strength of the German Empire increased steadily. However, behind this era of prosperity and glory lay a series of political and diplomatic failures for Germany. Bismarck's successors lacked both the vision and the capability to navigate the complex international situation; they unwittingly pushed Russia into the arms of their arch-enemy, France, and found themselves besieged on all sides. For 14 years, young Prince Joachim grew stronger day by day, while the industrial, economic, and military strength of the German Empire increased steadily. However, behind this era of prosperity and glory lay a series of political and diplomatic failures for Germany. Bismarck's successors lacked both the vision and the capability to navigate the complex international situation; they unwittingly pushed Russia into the arms of their arch-enemy, France, and found themselves besieged on all sides. They naively sought to befriend Britain, resulting in a loss of dignity and interests; they tied themselves to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, creating the absurdity of "the weak dominating the strong"; Germany's world policy faced relentless criticism, and its strategic environment became increasingly perilous. With the successive establishment of the Franco-Russian Alliance and the Anglo-French Entente, former friends and distant relatives stood on opposing sides. The rising power of Germany had already fallen into a dire situation surrounded by formidable enemies, and their greatest political diplomat in history, Bismarck, had been dead for 6 years, leaving the country without anyone capable of turning the tide. They could only continue down the vicious cycle of "military expansion - insecurity - further military expansion," ultimately leading to a massive military adventure, either to be reborn in glory or to be reduced to ashes.

The young boy calmly turned the ignition switch, but the stubborn clucking sound still ended in a muted tone. Encountering a minor issue, the boy's expression remained largely unchanged as he gestured in a circular motion towards the bearded sailor standing straight beside him. The bearded sailor first stood at attention with his legs together, then quickly picked up the iron lever and boarded the boat, inserting the lever's end into the ignition port located at the front right of the cockpit, vigorously turning it several times with his arm. This time, the engine finally emitted a continuous roar, and the boy nodded in satisfaction, giving a thumbs-up to the bearded sailor who was retreating back to the dock. Upon seeing this, the bearded sailor again stood at attention with utmost respect.

Under the joint impetus of the imperial rulers and the naval builders, the German High Seas Fleet was established, and the new "Naval Law" was promulgated, providing a space for the long-suppressed ambitions of Germany to be unleashed. Hamburg, Bremen, Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, Danzig, from the cold shores of the North Sea to the temperate Baltic Sea, one armored warship after another slid down the slipways, creating waves on the surface of the sea. With each warship launched and commissioned, the Germans felt one day closer to the realization of their dreams. ... Hamburg, Bremen, Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, Danzig, from the cold shores of the North Sea to the temperate Baltic Sea, one armored warship after another slid down the slipways, creating waves on the surface of the sea. With each warship launched and commissioned, the Germans felt one day closer to the realization of their dreams. ... Various battleships, cruisers, and torpedo boats filled the German coastline, and the Emperor's insignia appeared in oceans around the world ...

Fortunately, they had an outstanding politician and diplomat like Bismarck. Adapting to the role change from a Central European power to a European great power, the "Iron Chancellor" began to improve the international situation of the German Empire with his remarkable insight, broad perspective, and flexibility. He played a key role in the formation of the Austro-German alliance and the "Three Emperors' League," achieving unprecedented dominance on the European political stage, to the extent that even Britain had to consider the Germans' stance on major international issues. This allowed Germany to carry out its industrial revolution in a secure and stable environment. Additionally, Bismarck took full advantage of the Anglo-French competition for interests in Egypt and the Anglo-Russian entanglement over the Black Sea straits, winning over one million square kilometers of overseas colonies for Germany in less than two years (accounting for 90% of Germany's pre-war colonial total) without provoking significant resentment from other countries due to these colonies.

At Kiel Port, the white-clad sailors arriving at the pier quickly took their positions on the boats, while others untied the ropes. The large speedboats powered by steam were each manned by twenty crew members, with only seven or eight remaining on deck to operate the cannons and torpedoes, while the rest worked in the wheelhouse and engine room. The small speedboats powered by internal combustion engines had only one crew member, and their uniquely designed cockpits provided excellent visibility for the operator. After boarding the bridge, the young man walked straight towards the small boat painted with the Iron Cross emblem and marked "SS-01" on its side. He removed his cloak, revealing a short riding outfit, and nimbly climbed into the cockpit, putting on an unattractive leather cap and fastening the crisscross safety belt. On the pier, a young sailor with a thin mustache had already helped him untie the ropes of the boat. With everything ready, the young man skillfully turned the ignition switch, and the engine in the front compartment immediately emitted a series of sputtering sounds, but then fell silent.

Unbeknownst to all, the rain has lessened and the wind has calmed, as the waters of the harbor gradually settle into tranquility. A vibrant flow of vehicles traverses the road from the royal palace to the dock, with luxurious carriages and novel automobiles bringing esteemed guests. Countless citizens and sailors also flock to the dock to witness the growing might of the imperial navy.

Ten years ago, Kiel Port, Germany

For Europeans living in this era, although smokeless speedboats were rare, they were by no means a "flying fairy from the sky." Since the invention of the internal combustion engine by the German Otto in 1876, the endlessly imaginative human beings quickly mounted them on carriages and ships. Although the emerging internal combustion engines had limited power, with cars unable to outrun horses and motorboats unable to compete with steam boats, inventors and wealthy enthusiasts of new things still eagerly invested their efforts into them. Many countries had already seen the emergence of automobile and motorboat races, which became an important driving force for the development of internal combustion engine technology. Although the emerging internal combustion engines had limited power, with cars unable to outrun horses and motorboats unable to compete with steam boats, inventors and wealthy enthusiasts of new things still eagerly invested their efforts into them. Many countries had already seen the emergence of automobile and motorboat races, which became an important driving force for the development of internal combustion engine technology.

Since its establishment in 1871 at the Palace of Versailles, the development of the German Empire can be described as "miraculous." In just over thirty years, its population nearly doubled, its coal and steel production surged to the top in Europe, and its electrical and chemical products ranked first in the world, achieving a remarkable transformation from an agricultural nation to a modern industrial state. The rise of a great power inevitably encounters suspicion and resistance from neighboring countries, and this historical pattern also applied to the emerging German Empire. In the first decade following unification, they repeatedly found themselves in a passive position in diplomacy, almost subjected to the combined pressure of various nations.

Looking in the direction he was facing, the ceremonial soldiers and musicians participating in the naval port festival were rehearsing in the rain. The vibrant "Prussian Blue" represents the German royal guard, with royal soldiers who inherit the style of the Prussian Guard, known for their tall stature and handsome appearance. They are famous for their frosty expressions and unwavering determination while on duty. The refreshing and eye-catching "Wave White" consists of German naval soldiers, who wear flat-topped cloth caps. Apart from the cap band, streamers, collars, and shoes, which are all white, they lack the pride and majesty of the royal guard. Their attire appears overly simple, and even the rifles in their hands are not equipped with imposing bayonets. However, their formation is equally orderly, and their faces are equally resolute, giving an impression of solidity, steadiness, and meticulousness.

... ...

It is lamentable that beautiful times are always fleeting. In 1888, the German Emperor Wilhelm I passed away, and his son Friedrich III reigned for only 99 days before succumbing to throat cancer. Following him to the throne was Wilhelm II, who has been characterized by later historians as "showy, superficial, eager for quick success, and capricious." Although he greatly admired Bismarck in his youth, the new emperor immediately entered into fierce conflict with the Iron Chancellor upon his ascension and dismissed him from the position of Chancellor in 1890, marking a watershed moment in the development of the German Empire.

The middle-aged man approached from the shelter of the rain, struggling somewhat to hold up his cane umbrella. His short beard was interspersed with about one-quarter white hair, and his skin was loose and lacking in color. The combination of his black tailcoat and white shirt resembled that of a professional butler, yet behind the round-framed glasses were not a pair of humble and capable eyes; instead, they were plain and unadorned, yet contained a simple wisdom within.

As the composed and poised conductor raised the baton in his hand, the brisk sound of drums began to resonate, and the buglers stood tall, playing a lively and stirring melody on their brass instruments. This was the "Hohenfriedberger March," the spiritual symbol and victory anthem of the Prussian army, its uplifting melody accentuating the might of the vessels in the naval port. Directly opposite the main reviewing stand, three ships of the Wittelsbach-class battleships were docked at the pier; these are the latest and finest surface warships of the German Navy, their robust hulls resembling impregnable steel fortresses. The formidable main guns showcased their powerful armament.