Chapter 190: Everything for Germany (Patreon)

Even for an industrial powerhouse like Great Britain, rebuilding ships of the same class would require an immense investment of resources and time. In this war of attrition centered on industry and supplies, such losses were often more fatal than the outcome of a single battle.

Moreover, this was not an isolated case. In just one month, the number of ships sunk by submarines had reached an alarming scale, putting suffocating pressure on Great Britain, which relied on its maritime lifeline. The lifeblood of this island nation depended on shipping; once the supply lines were severed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"It won't take a year! Just half a year! Within six months, this war will be over!"

In the eyes of the military high command, Great Britain and France were merely struggling to hold on and were still unable to force the German Empire off the battlefield. As for the Eastern Front, there were even reports that the Tsar of the Russian Empire would personally take command, which historically often meant the situation was already dire.

As long as Great Britain was strangled and France crushed, the war would naturally come to an end. As for the Russian Empire, it would collapse accordingly.

In their eyes, submarine warfare was the perfect opportunity to turn the tide.

"Those six months could drag on into a year, or even two!"

"Even if we do nothing, the war will still be dragged out! It is better to concentrate our strength now to crush Great Britain and end the war in one stroke! Would the United States enter the war for a camp that is clearly at a disadvantage?"

"The United States is a great power too!"

"Do they have a decent army? I can guarantee it! As long as the American military dares to come, we will drive them all back across the Atlantic Ocean!"

The military high command showed no intention of backing down.

At this moment, they actually felt a faint sense of pressure. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was frequently achieving brilliant feats on the battlefield, while the German Empire seemed to have fallen into a state of stagnation.

While reaching the gates of Paris was glorious, there had been no decisive progress since. Compared to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the gap in military achievements meant that the benefits the German Empire might receive in the post-war distribution could be significantly reduced.

And who would the imperial government and the Emperor blame?

The answer was obvious—the military high command.

How could they sit idly by and wait for death? In any case, they had to produce results sufficient to turn the situation around.

As long as they used submarines to strangle Great Britain's lifeline and then captured Paris, forcing France to submit, the German Empire would no longer be inferior to the Austro-Hungarian Empire within the alliance.

Therefore, they absolutely could not retreat from this step.

This was for the future of the Empire, and for their own fate.

"Hmm..."

Wilhelm II listened to the arguments between the military and the political circles, feeling a splitting headache.

Both sides' reasons were too convincing.

Continuing submarine warfare could suppress Great Britain while simultaneously securing a greater say within the alliance. It could even secure a more favorable position when competing for colonies after the war.

But the risk was equally obvious: the United States entering the war.

If they chose to stop the operation, they could completely avoid this risk, but they would likely end up being the side sidelined during the post-war distribution.

After all, the current military achievements of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were truly dazzling.

But this stalemate atmosphere did not last long.

"Your Majesty! If the German Empire's military achievements are so meager, how will that do?"

The speaker was from the Junker class. This ruling group, composed of large landowning aristocrats, not only controlled vast agricultural resources but also held key positions in the government and the military. They had always been the core of the traditional power structure of Prussia and carried significant weight in imperial politics.

They craved the land of Poland and also hungered for broader overseas colonies.

But if the Empire's contribution to the war was so limited, how could they gain an advantage in the post-war distribution? Were they to just watch as everything was taken away by the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

This was something they could not accept under any circumstances.

"According to the military, would the United States really enter the war? Great Britain and France are clearly at a disadvantage."

Wilhelm II eventually leaned toward one side.

He was already facing dissatisfaction from the military for appointing Falkenhayn as Chief of the General Staff, and now, with the added pressure from the Junkers, he lacked the power to oppose both sides simultaneously. By comparison, persuading those politicians advocating caution was easier.

And—

Deep in his heart, there was a firmer belief.

The German Empire would not be shaken by the United States entering the war.

Even Great Britain and France could not repel them, could they?

As long as they followed what the military said and cut off Great Britain's lifeline, this war could end in a short time.

As for the United States—

Even if they really entered the war.

"We still have the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as well as many allies."

Since he held chips in his hand, how could he not place a bet?

Everything was for the glory of the German Empire.

...

The meeting convened due to the protest lodged by the United States finally began to reach a conclusion.

Although Wilhelm II ultimately sided with the military and the Junker aristocrats, he did not completely ignore the voices of the politicians. He also admitted that the other side's opinions were not without merit.

"Offer an apology to the United States regarding the involvement of its citizens, and pay compensation."

Under the pressure of the military and the Junkers, although some politicians failed to stop the established military operations, they could not help but breathe a sigh of relief upon hearing this decision.

After all, among these politicians, many were of Junker descent themselves, making it almost impossible to completely halt the operations. Being able to secure a small concession was already considered a reluctant victory.

Perhaps an apology and compensation could, to a certain extent, suppress the rising anti-German sentiment within the United States.

They could only comfort themselves with this; as long as they achieved their goals little by little, one day, the Kaiser would see it, and the Empire would welcome its own glory.

"There is one more thing that hasn't been mentioned. Archduke Karl also raised some points that need attention."

"Listening to you, I would have thought you were the ambassador of Austria."

"Is that all you can see? Why must you view a trustworthy ally with such a narrow perspective? Everything I say is for the Empire!"

Watching the military men and politicians bickering again, Wilhelm II sighed deeply and raised his hand to signal them to be quiet.

These Germans, why were they all like this?

Even for an emperor like him, dealing with this group was truly an extremely difficult matter.

"Enough, tell me what needs attention."

"Archduke Karl suggests trying not to provoke the United States, especially not to touch its surrounding regions. Currently, the United States has used force multiple times to expand its influence in Central and South America; if we take action in these areas, the United States will inevitably have a strong reaction."

The so-called "influence" here actually referred to the United States' "Monroe Doctrine."

After the Spanish-American War gradually established its hegemony, the United States began to strongly intervene in Western Hemisphere affairs in the name of the "Monroe Doctrine."