Chapter Sixteen: Advancing by Retreating

Appointing a titular Grand Fleet Commander lay well within Feng Chengqian’s authority and was hardly worth mention. A few months later, citing Tirpitz’s contributions to the fleet’s formation, Feng Chengqian petitioned for him to be granted the rank of Rear Admiral in the Imperial Navy. With Crown Prince Wilhelm’s assistance, Emperor Frederick III gave his approval.

Yet, the matter of forming the Grand Fleet remained entirely nebulous.

Under the pretext of building the Grand Fleet, Feng Chengqian had in these few months visited every shipyard in the German Empire, gaining a deeper understanding of the nation’s shipbuilding capacity.

As an emerging industrial power, Germany’s shipbuilding capabilities were far from negligible.

By this time, the Empire already boasted several shipyards capable of constructing large warships of cruiser class and above, including Wilhelmshaven Shipyard, Vulcan Shipyard, Germania Shipyard, Weser Shipyard, Danzig Shipyard, Kiel Naval Shipyard, Blohm & Voss Shipyard, Schichau Shipyard, and Howaldtswerke. These had produced dozens of warships across several classes for both the Imperial Navy and foreign fleets.

However, Germany still lacked shipyards capable of building battleship-class warships.

There was another issue that could not be ignored. Because orders were limited and the shipyards varied greatly in quality, none could scale up and achieve breakthroughs in cutting-edge technology.

Feng Chengqian’s first idea was to consolidate the Empire’s shipbuilding industry by merging the scattered shipyards.

But where to begin? The German Empire was a capitalist state, and most shipyards were private enterprises protected by law—state intervention was out of the question.

Though a military man, Feng Chengqian had to admit that, in some cases, financiers wielded more influence than soldiers.

To consolidate the industry, he would need the backing of imperial financiers. Thus, upon his return to Berlin, he resolved to seek out Karl, and through him, establish connections with the likes of Deutsche Bank and Württemberg Bank.

Many other events had taken place over these months.

Through the mediation of Bismarck and Salisbury, France restrained its loans to Russia, prompting the Tsar to temporarily shelve the Trans-Siberian Railway project. As for the Baghdad Railway, which Feng Chengqian had mentioned to Salisbury, that too was postponed, with construction halting at Izmir.

Russia’s suspension of the Trans-Siberian Railway did not mean the Franco-Russian Alliance’s foundation had crumbled.

Soon after, the Tsar used the funds obtained to order five hundred thousand rifles from France, preparing to expand the army by a million within three years.

For Germany, this move by Russia was like a thorn in the flesh.

When Feng Chengqian returned to Berlin, the entire Empire was abuzz with this development.

Marshal Moltke had already proposed a proportional expansion of the army by at least five hundred thousand to counter the rapidly growing Russian land forces.

Easier said than done.

The Empire’s military system had been established by the late Count Roon, one of the three founding fathers of the Empire. While more people knew of Bismarck and Moltke, Roon’s contributions were no less significant.

Expanding the army as Moltke proposed would require amending the military system, issuing new conscription laws, and modifying the service structure.

These, however, were minor hurdles.

The real issue was that an expansion of five hundred thousand meant tens of billions of marks in new arms procurement and several hundred million marks in annual army expenditure.

With the imperial coffers already stretched thin, such a burden was no small matter.

As a result, the debate shifted to the next fiscal year’s budget, centering on military expenditures.

Feng Chengqian’s return was timely, as Moltke had his sights set on the navy’s budget, and Bismarck saw no immediate need to expand the fleet.

Having learned the situation, Feng Chengqian did not seek out Emperor Frederick III right away but went first to the Crown Prince’s palace.

“I don’t know much more than you,” sighed Crown Prince Wilhelm. “My father has told me to keep out of state affairs. I’ve only heard that Marshal Moltke wants to cut the navy’s budget, and the Chancellor has not objected. My father has yet to decide, so you’ve returned just in time.”

“How large is the army’s budget shortfall?”

“About one and a half billion marks next year, with the gap expected to widen.”

Feng Chengqian thought for a moment, then replied, “The navy’s budget is less than five hundred million marks. Even if you halve it, it won’t cover the army’s shortfall.”

“That may be so, but…”

“It seems I must speak with His Majesty at once.”

“The sooner the better, Count. Time is of the essence.”

Feng Chengqian nodded, understanding the Crown Prince’s intent. Though Frederick III had not yet approved Moltke’s plan, under Moltke and Bismarck’s persistent pressure, he could not remain silent forever—a decision would have to be made soon.

“Did you make any progress these past months?” asked Wilhelm.

“I traveled extensively, but there’s little to show for it.”

“Oh?”

“The Empire’s shipbuilding and, indeed, all of its industries remain in their infancy. Each enterprise is small in scale.” Feng Chengqian forced a smile. “To put it kindly, there is great potential. Less charitably, the wings are not yet fully grown.”

“So your efforts were not in vain, after all.”

“In a sense, yes. The Empire still has a long road ahead if it is to become truly powerful.” Feng Chengqian sighed. “It’s getting late, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave.”

Wilhelm did not insist he stay, knowing full well that Feng Chengqian was eager to see the Emperor.

Leaving the Crown Prince’s residence, Feng Chengqian went straight to the Potsdam Palace.

He arrived at dusk, just as Frederick III was about to dine. After his hurried journey, Feng Chengqian’s stomach was already empty.

“Did you just return today?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I arrived this afternoon, but was delayed when I ran into the Crown Prince on my way here.”

“Not by chance, I suspect?” Frederick III smiled. “Wilhelm is not young anymore, and his interest in the navy is well known. I imagine he was waiting for you.”

“Well…”

“In a few years, I will have Wilhelm take part in government, to learn how to rule,” the Emperor said with a sigh. “You’ve surely heard by now—Moltke has proposed expanding the army by at least half a million, the Chancellor did not object, and my ministers await my decision.”

“The Empire is a land power above all; expansion is necessary.”

“Is it?”

“Your Majesty, I speak frankly. Without a secure homeland, the most powerful navy in the world is useless to us. We lack a natural barrier like the English Channel—if the army is defeated, the Empire will face disaster.”

“And so you mean…”

“Perhaps even half a million is not enough.”

“Oh?”

“If Russia expands by a million, France will not stand idly by. It won’t be long before they propose a similar increase. We must be prepared to fight France and Russia simultaneously. Thus, if expansion is to happen, we must also consider the potential threat from France.”

“How much expansion do you think is needed?”

“At present, at least a million men, and should France expand as well, more will be needed.”

Frederick III looked troubled.

“I am merely the Minister of War in charge of the navy and know little of army matters. This is just my personal view,” Feng Chengqian said with a smile. “But if the purpose of expansion is to meet new threats, why not base the decision on present realities?”

“And you mean…”

“Armies are maintained for years, but used in moments of crisis. The value of a peacetime army lies in preparing for the next war. Therefore, we must first determine what that next war will look like—when it might break out, how it might be fought, its likely scale, the emergence of new weapons, or changes in tactics. Only then can we properly organize our forces and decide whether expansion is needed.”

Frederick III nodded, lost in thought, sensing the wisdom in Feng Chengqian’s words.

“My view is that before expanding the army, two things must be done. First, clarify when the next war might erupt, how it may be fought, its scale, likely new weapons, and potential shifts in strategy and tactics. Second, devise a detailed strategic plan and comprehensively organize the Empire’s military forces. With those two foundations, we will know whether expansion is necessary.”

“You are right; we have overlooked the essence of the matter.”

“Your Majesty, anxiety clouds judgment,” Feng Chengqian said, quietly relieved. “Russia’s sudden expansion has unnerved not only Your Majesty, but the entire Empire. In such moments, it is common to lose sight of fundamentals. Once clarity is restored, the way forward will be plain.”

“I will make arrangements as soon as possible.”

“Your Majesty, it would be wise not to publicize this matter. There is no need to brandish swords at France and Russia just yet.”

Frederick III nodded. “Then I shall summon Moltke privately and have him organize a war game to simulate the next conflict.”

“Your Majesty, I have a small request.”

“Yes?”

“If possible, I hope Your Majesty will permit me to assemble a team to act as the hypothetical enemy.”

“Oh?”

“I suspect few in the General Staff would volunteer for such an unpleasant task.”

Frederick III laughed. “If you are so inclined, I see no harm. But if you are involved, I must serve as umpire myself.”

“Then I must trouble Your Majesty.”

By now, dinner was over. Feng Chengqian tactfully took his leave, not wishing to intrude on the Emperor’s evening. Frederick III, both Emperor and family man, seldom tended to affairs of state at night, preferring to spend time with his wife and children.

On the question of army expansion, Feng Chengqian’s strategy of yielding to advance had already begun to bear fruit.