Chapter 4 This is the best of times, this is the worst of times (four)

  History is just a pretty little girl who always goes with the victor. In fact, Germany, which launched World War I, was not necessarily as depraved and crazy as described in the history textbooks of the Heavenly Dynasty, nor was the Allied side necessarily as noble and beautiful as Winston Churchill's "Memoirs of World War I". Germany simply chose the wrong place, the wrong time, and the wrong object to launch a wrong war. This is the conclusion drawn by Wang Haiting, a university student from the new era, after traveling back in time to Germany.

  The young German Empire and the declining British Empire were bound to clash in a war, which was not only the consensus of the German military and Junker nobility, but also the voice of the vast majority of Germans. Germany lacked resources, had a small domestic market, and because it unified too late, missed out on the feast of dividing up the world, resulting in insufficient momentum for industrial development. Britain controlled global sea power, dominated world trade, with its vast colonies spread across continents, the sun forever above the Union Jack, the "Empire that never sets" seemed to be able to defy the world, and a rising Germany was bound to challenge this by starting a war aimed at overturning the stumbling block in front of it - the British Empire. Even the dog-blooded time-traveler Wang Haitao held this view.

  "If the old system is unreasonable, then smash it with iron and blood and rebuild! There's no need to put aside disputes and jointly develop a harmonious world, just start fighting directly!"

  Having stayed in Germany for a long time, the otaku who values his life has unknowingly contracted the pride and frenzy of the Germanic people. The otaku does not oppose smashing the world system manipulated by the British with violent means, what Wang Haitao strongly criticizes is Tirpitz's conservative and ambiguous "risk theory".

  After Alfred von Tirpitz came to power, he clearly put forward the idea of building a high seas fleet that could operate in distant oceans, and his guiding ideology was "risk theory".

  The so-called "Risk Theory" meant that Germany should build a fleet strong enough to challenge the combined British Home and Channel Fleets, if it could not defeat Britain, at least inflict unacceptable losses.

  The core of the "Risk Theory" is deterrence. In order to build this High Seas Fleet, Tirpitz rejected any plans for developing submarines, airships, torpedo boats and cruisers, focusing instead on large surface vessels centred around battleships. To avoid direct confrontation with Britain, Tirpitz decided after consulting and evaluating British shipbuilding capabilities that the size of the High Seas Fleet would be kept at about 70% of the British Home Fleet, repeatedly declaring officially that this fleet was intended to counter France and Russia, not threaten British supremacy.

  However, Tirpitz underestimated the British ambition for the ocean. The British defeated the Spanish Invincible Armada with privateers, defeated the "Sea Beggars" Dutch with a war of attrition, and defeated the invincible French Navy at Trafalgar, Spain. The sea made the Empire on which the sun never sets. How could the British not be vigilant about the rise of another maritime power? How could the British not fear that Germany would replicate the history of the rise of the British Empire?

  In 1900, the German parliament passed the Second Naval Law, which increased the fleet size to 38 battleships, 20 large cruisers and 38 small cruisers. Just as the German Navy Ministry officials were worried about the massive shipbuilding plan, the mighty British Empire added 28 first-class battleships and 4 second-class battleships between 1898-1902, and also recalled more main fleet ships stationed in the Mediterranean and China back to the UK. The ambiguous "Risk Theory" not only pushed the already precarious Anglo-German relations into an irreparable abyss, but also started a fierce naval arms race between the two countries. In 1906, John Arbuthnot Fisher, Tirpitz's lifelong arch-nemesis, launched the Dreadnought, which was equipped with all-heavy-caliber guns, high-power steam engines and strong defensive capabilities. The emergence of the British Dreadnought made all battleships still under construction around the world obsolete, and also pushed Tirpitz and his "Risk Theory" to a dead end.

  After the appearance of the epoch-making Dreadnought, the slipways of all major German shipyards were filled with pre-Dreadnought battleships built according to Tirpitz's "Risk Theory". The First Lord of the Admiralty, Fisher, effortlessly pushed Tirpitz into a corner and also probed the strategic intentions of the Germans beyond the official rhetoric of the Fleet Act. The appearance of the Nassau-class battleship not only meant an escalation of the Anglo-German naval arms race but also meant that Tirpitz's "Risk Theory" had gone bankrupt.

  Tirpitz had no foresight into the future, he couldn't see how new technology would change the face of naval warfare, but the time-traveling guest Heidi knew! The otaku was in a flurry, disregarding the strict hierarchy that the Germans held dear, and tried his best to dissuade Tirpitz. The otaku underestimated Tirpitz's stubbornness, Tirpitz had spent over a decade planning for his grand fleet, and now with victory within sight, he would not tolerate anyone ruining his plans, no matter how much he was favored by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

  "Silence, you ridiculous fool! Don't you think your asymmetric warfare theory sounds like something out of a Jules Verne science fiction novel?! The elderly Imperial Navy Minister Alfred von Tirpitz stood in front of his desk, crushing the cigar in his hand, his bloodthirsty eyes fixed on Wang Heiti, his face red with rage: "What's the use of those so-called underwater iron coffins - submarines and torpedo boats that can't even operate in the open ocean? What value do those fast but fragile raiders have, which can't withstand a single 105mm armor-piercing shell? Do you want to lead Germany down the same path as the French Navy's foolish green-water navy?! Concentrating superior forces and engaging in decisive fleet battles is the future of naval warfare! A battle fleet that can roam the oceans is the symbol of sea power!"

  "Mr. Tirpitz, I acknowledge that submarine, airship and torpedo technology are not yet perfect, and aircraft have only just emerged. I also do not deny the value of battleships in terms of sea power, but before revolutionary and subversive technologies emerge, whether it is shipbuilding speed or vessel quality, we are far behind the British. Rather than competing with the British in a war of attrition, engaging in an arms race, and wasting national resources on building outdated battleships that can't be used, why not focus on developing new technologies? Sooner or later, science fiction will become reality!" Young naval lieutenant Wang Haiting argued forcefully and reasonably.

  Wang Haitie and Tirpitz had a fierce quarrel, initially debating the scientific nature of "risk theory", later expanding to Imperial Navy strategy, and finally degenerating into a simple clash of tempers, becoming endless abuse and personal attacks.

  No one had failed to advise Tirpitz, and his superior, Kaiser Wilhelm II, had more than once hinted to him that he should be more restrained. But the hot-tempered Tirpitz was unmoved by the Emperor's subtle advice. As a result, during the first few days of May 1898, the staff at the Imperial Navy Headquarters could almost hear the sound of arguments coming from the office of the Minister of the Navy every day.

  From naval lieutenant to naval captain, Erich Raeder and Wolfgang Wegener took three years, Bernhard von Oven took two years, while Wang Haitao only took five months. As the secretary of the Navy Office, the deputy officer of the Minister of the Navy Tirpitz, Wang Haitao's future was boundless, almost all bright. However, the arrogant and self-indulgent young man messed everything up, and Wang Haitao was like a punctured balloon, rising as fast as he fell.

  Like a nightmare, in mid-May 1898, Wang Haitie was transferred from the Navy Headquarters to become a liaison officer at the Kiel Shipyard. Just as Wang Haitie was preparing to apply for early retirement, in April 1899, Wang Haitie was assigned to the Iltis (Stinktier) gunboat as a gunner and was dispatched with the Iltis to the Far East Fleet.

  The otaku originally thought it was the darkest moment of his life, but later he found out that it was just the beginning.

  ****

  The Stinkbadger belonged to the Iltis-class gunboat, with a full displacement of over 1,100 tons, a speed of 13.5 knots, and was equipped with two 105mm main guns and six 37mm secondary guns. In May 1899, the Stinkbadger gunboat left its home port and sailed for several months before finally arriving at Qingdao Port.

  Wang Haiting, with the halo of being one of the two strategic geniuses of Northern Germany, along with Wolfgang Weigert, arrived at the East Asian Fleet. Everyone in the Far Eastern Fleet was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the talented Wang Haiting, but he turned out to be a disappointment. In the routine training exercises of the East Asian Fleet, Wang Haiting performed poorly, showing no signs of his former vigor when he debated with liberal parliamentarians on the podium in 1898. After training, Wang would often go for runs, exchange letters with his fiancée Catherine, occasionally have a drink at the officers' club, and mostly stay in his dormitory reading books quietly.

  In the following months, Wang Haitian's experience at the Navy Headquarters spread to the distant Far East, and people finally understood why his will was so depressed. Just as everyone sighed at the fleeting life of a recluse like him, thinking that honest people couldn't make it, the war of liberation broke out in the Far East.

  Westerners always like to find a good excuse for their aggressive behavior, and this time is no exception. The Boxer Rebellion in 1900 was called the Far Eastern Rescue War or the Far Eastern Punitive War by Europeans. The so-called rescue referred to the foreign envoys and residents who were besieged by the Boxers in Beijing's Legation Quarter, while the punishment referred to the need to punish the Qing government for its declaration of war against the whole world in 1900, which was considered a crime against humanity.

  On June 2, 1900, the German squadron commander, Vice Admiral Felix von Bendemann, led the cruisers Hansa, Irene and Herta, as well as the gunboat Iltis.

  In 1900, on June 16, the Taku Forts Battle broke out. Wang Haitie's ship, the HMS Whiting, sailed up the Hai River and anchored near the Tianjin Customs House between Dagukou and Tanggukou to protect the "Customs" and rescue and assist damaged ships in battle. During the bombardment of the northern fort at Taku, Wang Haitie avoided fighting and the HMS Whiting retreated unscathed.

  In August 1900, Wang Hai-ti was incorporated into the commander of the Allied Forces garrison in Tianjin, commanding 200 German naval soldiers who stayed in Tianjin.

  In October 1901, the organized resistance forces in Beijing's Siying City no longer existed, and the uncivilized looting actions of civilized people also stopped under the ban of the Allied Command. In November, Wang Haitie led his marine corps as a supplementary force to arrive in Beijing.

  Beijing is a heart-wrenching place for Wang Haitian. In his previous life, he was deceived by his little girlfriend and came to the imperial capital with great enthusiasm, only to lose countless first times and be trapped by his little girlfriend's stock. This time, when Wang Haitian set foot in the imperial capital again, his identity and mentality were completely different: the humility and caution of a rural person visiting Beijing for the first time had disappeared, replaced by the awkwardness and shame of being an invader of advanced civilization; the arrogant little girlfriend was gone, and the otaku had already become Catherine's captive.

  "The Eight Great Hutongs are the holy land of Chinese men, just like Amsterdam in Holland." After occupying Beijing, Wang Haidi, who had nothing to do, took Bernhard von Oden on a tour of the big and small hutongs in the 49 cities. Oden suddenly wanted to visit China's brothels, and Wang Haidi, with ulterior motives, pulled him to the Eight Great Hutongs, where he enthusiastically showed off his knowledge learned from tour guides during his previous life in the imperial capital: "The Eight Great Hutongs are not a single street, but rather eight streets that make up the area, including Baishun Street (Hutong), Yanzi Street, Shitou Street, Shanxi Street..."

  "Which street is this?" Oden asked with a revolver holstered at his waist, a mandatory requirement of the Allied Command, like a curious baby.

  "Cough... was it Zhujia Street (Hutong) or Hanjiatan Street?" The previous life of Wang Haidi had only hastily browsed through the eight major hutongs, and could still deceive the uncultured Auden, but as soon as he encountered a specific problem, he immediately revealed his true nature.

  "This is Li Sha's Hat Street..."

  The lewd otaku and Oden hastily turned back, only to see two foreigners wearing British naval uniforms standing at the entrance of the alley.

  "Heidi-Sielem, German."

  "Bernhard von Oden, German."

  The British naval officer at the head had a thick bandage wrapped around his arm, a stubble of beard, and a military cap tilted on his head, with a heroic and elegant appearance under which was a fierce and courageous air. In recent years, due to the Boers and the Naval Expansion Act, relations between Germany and Britain have deteriorated greatly. Fortunately, this is in the distant Far East, where colonial invaders are all one family. Oden and Wang Heiti politely saluted their British colleagues and introduced themselves.

  "David Beatty, British." Beatty nodded towards his hand wrapped in a plaster cast and bandage, gave an apologetic smile, then introduced his companion to Wang Haitian and Auden: "Lampard, my deputy."

  After some small talk, Betty pointed to the Li Shaoma Hutong behind Wang Haiting and shook her head warningly: "Are you here to appreciate Eastern beauties? I don't recommend going deep into Li Shaoma Street, Chinese women are very disgusted with us..."

  "That's because you're not charming enough..." Wang Haitian sneered, rubbing his fists and itching for a fight.

  " Lieutenant, don't underestimate our Colonel David Beatty. He has a romantic relationship with Ethel Field, who is the daughter of an American millionaire... " At that time, the US dollar had not depreciated yet, and one million was equivalent to 700-800 million RMB in the previous life. Beatty's deputy, Lampard, half-flattered and half-sarcastically explained.

  "Haha, my girlfriend Catherine is the daughter of a billionaire from Kiel. It seems I'm one level higher than your charm value... no reason for me to fail..."

  Wang Haitie plunged into the brothel, and before she could utter a word in her fluent Beijing dialect, her spittle landed on the pale face of the otaku.

  "Get out, you white-skinned pigs and executioners! No matter how much money you pay, your aunt wouldn't welcome you!"

  Wang Haitie slipped out with a grey head and a dirty face, accompanied by the laughter of Auden and Betty.

  "The courtesans of China have far more blood in their veins than their men!" Lampard made a gesture of reverence to the cold, beautiful Oriental women, shaking his head.

  "Lampard, don't underestimate this country. Although they are at the bottom now, their foundation is still there, their national spirit is still there. One day, it will surprise you greatly!" Wang Haitian stood firmly on the Flower and Willow Street of 49 City.

  ****

  When Wang Haidi returned to the German army's base, she received a telegram from Kiel, Germany, signed by Catherine. The telegram was brief, but its content was too heavy for Wang Haidi, and it took her more than ten years to get over it.

  "Just as I was trying to forget my past little girlfriend and make a big love, the wedding was cancelled. Catherine, are you taking revenge on me?" Wang Haitian slightly raised his head and casually tore the telegram into pieces.

  "What's wrong, Slade?" Auden asked quietly, glancing at the scattered telegraph papers.

  "It's nothing, just lost something..."

  Note

  1. Concentrate superior forces and engage in a decisive battle with a large fleet: Mahan's "The Influence of Sea Power upon History" advocates for the worship of big warships and giant guns.

  According to "Eyewitness Account of the Eight-Nation Alliance" historical records, the stink badger gunboat had 8 deaths and 17 injuries.

  3. The Eight-Nation Alliance had the name of an alliance, but not the reality of one, with internal strife and infighting constant. The fact that the SMS Iltis suffered the least casualties also meant that Germany could send more naval troops, giving it a greater say in the Tianjin campaign.