Chapter 647: A Gift for Charles
Falkenhayn remained cautious in response to Admiral Scheer's suggestion.
"Admiral," he said, "there's one concern we all share. If the British eventually acquire this technology—or worse, if they already have it—and given their powerful navy, won't our position become even more precarious?"
As he spoke, Falkenhayn rotated the naval chart on the table, aligning it so that Wilhelm II could view it directly.
The emperor's excitement began to fade as he studied the map. Concern crept back into his expression.
"You're right," Wilhelm II said slowly. "If the British develop these capabilities, they could use torpedo bombers to blockade the English Channel and the North Sea without even deploying their main fleet."
Scheer, however, retained his confident smile. "Your Majesty, Chief of Staff—do you believe Charles would hand this technology over to the British?"
"What do you mean?" Wilhelm asked, confused. "France and Britain are allies. Isn't sharing technology with Britain a natural thing for him to do?"
Scheer calmly reached into his briefcase, pulled out a folder, and handed it to Wilhelm II.
"Your Majesty, here's a recent summary of cooperation—or rather, the lack thereof—between the French and British navies."
"I discovered something unusual. British destroyers still can't detect submarines like the French destroyers can."
Wilhelm raised his eyebrows as he skimmed the report. "Are you certain?"
"Absolutely," Scheer nodded. "Moreover, I've learned that Charles is expanding his maritime insurance business. He's allowing insured shipping companies—including British ones—to join French naval convoys."
Wilhelm's eyes lit up with understanding. "Smart man. That'll bring him enormous profits."
Falkenhayn saw more than just profit. "Which also means Charles would never hand over submarine-detection technology to the British."
"Correct," Scheer confirmed. "If he gave that away, his insurance business would suffer. The British fleet would take over his clients and push the French Navy out of the picture."
Wilhelm agreed. "The British have always hoped to sideline the French fleet. Now they're forced to let them participate—and not just participate, but lead escort missions."
Falkenhayn had an epiphany. "So on the surface, the French and British fleets are allies—but in reality, they're in competition."
"Exactly," Scheer said. "I can't speak for the French Parliament. Many of them have likely been bought by the British. But Charles…"
"…Charles cannot be bought," Falkenhayn finished.
Wilhelm was still skeptical. "Why not?"
"Your Majesty," Falkenhayn said firmly, "if a man is capable of controlling his country's military, politics, and economy—and perhaps even Parliament—do you think that man can be bought by Britain?"
Wilhelm's eyes widened. "Then he is, essentially, the emperor of France. He represents France's national interest. If he could be bought, he'd be the world's biggest fool."
Falkenhayn nodded solemnly. "Exactly. That man is Charles."
"France is practically his personal estate. It might not be official yet, but it's moving in that direction."
"And if France is his property, then betraying it would be betraying himself."
Scheer added, "Not only that—Charles is Britain's natural enemy. Britain has no interest in allowing France, under his leadership, to rise and even surpass her."
Wilhelm II trembled with excitement. He could barely hold onto the document in his hands.
"Am I hearing this correctly?" he asked. "You're saying we might… possibly… become Charles's ally?"
Falkenhayn gave Scheer a jealous glance and said, with some sadness, "That possibility likely exists only at sea, Your Majesty."
Wilhelm understood the implication.
On the oceans, France and Germany had a common enemy: the British Royal Navy. There was room for cooperation.
But on land, Germany still occupied large portions of France. Just a year ago, they had attempted to take Paris. There was no chance of a land alliance.
Still, Wilhelm couldn't suppress a grin. "Even so, it's enough. Unbelievable. We might become Charles's ally."
Then, as if struck by a sudden fear, he turned to Scheer.
"Did we make a mistake?" he asked. "I mean—should we have attacked the British Royal Navy, not Charles's convoy fleet?"
"Could this change Charles's view of us, possibly hurt our chance to—" He hesitated on the word "cooperate."
"No, Your Majesty," Scheer replied with conviction. "I believe this is exactly how cooperation begins."
"What?" Wilhelm and Falkenhayn said in unison, both looking at him in surprise.
Scheer retrieved a few more telegrams from his briefcase and handed them over.
"These are from our reconnaissance aircraft and from Admiral von Kavis."
"Von Kavis noted that the French fleet could have expanded their attack, but didn't."
"Our aircraft also confirmed that another bomber squadron, armed with torpedoes, remained on standby during the battle and never entered combat."
Wilhelm's eyes lit up. "So Charles held back?"
Scheer nodded, smiling. "Exactly."
If the French had held back their pursuit to protect their merchant ships, the bombers' restraint was harder to explain—it was deliberate.
Falkenhayn turned from the documents to Scheer. "Do you feel as I do? That Charles sent those bombers not to strike, but as a message?"
"Yes," Scheer confirmed. "This wasn't a tactical error—it was a calculated gesture. He's telling us: build bombers, break the British blockade."
He concluded firmly, "So of course Charles would never give this technology to the British. It's not in his interest. And it's not in France's interest either."
Wilhelm grew more excited with every word. He shot to his feet, eyes blazing with determination.
"Start bomber development immediately. As fast as possible. This is our chance—perhaps our last chance. We cannot let it slip away!"
Then he added:
"Also—order our submarines and fast squadrons to target only British escort fleets."
That would be Wilhelm's gift to Charles:
By attacking only British convoys, and sparing the French, Charles's fleet would become the guarantee of safe passage.
Soon, nearly all merchant shipping and logistics would pass under Charles's protection—falling under his control.
It was also a signal: We understand your intent, Charles. And we'll help you strike the British Royal Navy.
(End of Chapter 647)
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