industrial lord

Chapter 777 Ocean Theory
Frederick stopped in front of his seat and once again looked around at the three people in the room.

Alfred, Adikon, and Lilu are his core and most trusted crew at sea, the cornerstones that support the maritime power of the Duchy of Wessen and the Rhine Alliance. Some things need no concealment or hiding.

"Today, at this critical moment of life and death, I would like to share with you a theory, a theory that did not come out of thin air, but is based on countless historical lessons and current dilemmas, a theory that concerns the fate of our Duchy of Weisen and even the entire Rhine Union for the next few hundred years."

Frederick turned around, his gaze sharp and resolute as he swept over every familiar and loyal face.

"Its core is simple, yet it contains the power to change the world order: if a country or a nation wants to avoid being slaughtered and become a truly respected world power, it must possess and dare to use a powerful navy to control the vast ocean."

"Because we can draw a brand new conclusion from existing history—control of the sea is equivalent to world hegemony!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an invincible power like a tsunami, each word striking the hearts of his listeners.

If it were a decade or two ago, Frederick would not have brought up the theory of sea power.

The reason is simple: at that time, the society was mainly an idyllic agricultural society, and maritime trade did not have a significant impact on society.

It's different now.

As the saying goes, poverty alleviation begins with changing mindsets. Today, industrial and commercial development has won people's hearts, and seagoing vessels are no longer restricted by wind direction and ocean currents. With the groundwork laid by the "battle of trade routes," people have begun to realize the importance of the ocean.

Against this backdrop, Frederick continued to paint a grand picture: "First of all, the ocean is not an insurmountable barrier separating the continents, but rather the widest, most convenient, and lowest-cost transportation network in the world."

"Whoever ultimately controls this seemingly unclaimed sea will hold the absolute lifeline of world trade and the flow of wealth, and thus control the distribution of global resources."

"Secondly, whether a country can truly rise to become a maritime power is by no means accidental, but depends on the organic combination of six key elements: First, a superior geographical location, whether it is easy to access the ocean and control key shipping lanes; second, the natural geographical structure of possessing deep-water ports and a long, winding coastline suitable for building naval bases; third, whether the size of the territory and the nature of the coastline can provide sufficient strategic depth and resource support for maritime power; fourth, the quantity and quality of the population engaged in the shipping, shipbuilding and related industries, which is the flesh and blood of maritime power; fifth, whether the national character of the people is adventurous, pioneering and commercially enterprising, which is the soul of maritime power; and finally, and most importantly..."

He paused here, his gaze sharpening as he scanned his trusted confidants, and said with utmost seriousness: "A government with clear strategic vision, unwavering will, and strong execution capabilities, capable of overcoming all difficulties and dedicating the nation's resources to developing maritime power!"

"This is the backbone and brain of sea power!"

Baron Adigan's eyes suddenly lit up, like a torch being lit, clearly deeply attracted and shocked by this system and its profound yet highly operational theory.

The Adigan family has been struggling at sea for centuries, but he couldn't explain why for a while, so he could only rely on family tradition.

Frederick's words have now become a beacon for this family, which has an inseparable bond with the sea.

Alfred habitually jotted down key points quickly and accurately in his notebook, his mind racing as he considered how to translate these grand theories into concrete administrative directives and resource allocation plans.

Lilu's eyes flashed, and as shrewd as she was, she instantly saw the perfect fit between this "sea power theory" and her blueprint for a vast business empire. What sea power guaranteed was the safe passage for the unlimited expansion of her business network.

"Therefore, the navy's goal must never be to cower in coastal waters and engage in passive, defensive maneuvers." Frederick's tone became impassioned, carrying a do-or-die determination. "That would only lead to our demise! Our goal must be to build a powerful, fearless, and proactive ocean-going fleet that dares to actively seek out decisive battles with the enemy's main forces!"

"A fleet that merely 'exists' in the port and dares not go into battle is far less effective and less deterrent than a glorious fleet victory!" "At the same time, we must deeply realize," his tone was slightly calmer but heavier, "that a powerful merchant fleet that is spread all over the world is the foundation and source of vitality of a nation's navy."

"It can not only create huge wealth to support the development of the navy, but also be quickly transformed into a powerful maritime auxiliary force in wartime, undertaking tasks such as transportation, resupply, reconnaissance and even conversion into combat."

"A powerful navy provides merchant fleets with an indestructible mobile shield, ensuring the safety of their routes."

"The two complement each other, are interdependent, and are indispensable."

"A navy without commercial support is like water without a source, and a business without naval protection is like a rootless duckweed."

He concluded by saying, "Simply put, to dominate the future of the world, one must first dominate the oceans that connect the world."

A long silence fell over the reception room, with only the autumn wind howling through the gaps in the blinds outside the window.

This resounding discourse was like a lighthouse illuminating the fog, pointing them in a clear and magnificent direction for their arduous journey ahead. However, it also starkly highlighted the immense predicament and power gap represented by the Anglo-Saxon fleet that loomed before them.

Frederick sat back down, picked up his cup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and said with some helplessness, "However, gentlemen, even the grandest ideals need to be measured step by step with firm steps."

“Adikon knows best the weakness of our navy, Lilu understands best the vulnerability of our merchant fleet when facing powerful enemies, and Alfred knows better than anyone the straitened shortage of our national treasury and the urgent need for internal development.”

"Both the Duchy of Wesen and the Rhine Alliance are currently facing the dual, or even multiple, difficulties of internal integration, development needs, and deadly external threats."

His calm gaze slowly swept over the resolute yet worried faces of his three trusted confidants, and he made the final, and currently the only feasible, decision.

"Therefore, in the face of this so-called 'visit' by the Anglo-Saxon fleet, my carefully considered decision is—"

"Show weakness".

The word fell lightly from his lips, yet it was like a massive boulder thrown into a bottomless pool, stirring up layers of undisturbed waves in everyone's heart.

After Frederick's exposition of sea power theory, and under the pressure of harsh reality, everyone was hoping that he would create another miracle.

However, when this word, so contrary to Frederick's usual tough style, came out of his mouth so clearly and explicitly this time, looking back at reality, we have to accept the complex shock that is mixed with shock, resentment, humiliation, yet we have to admit its rationality in reality.

“Showing weakness is by no means surrendering, but rather a way to accumulate strength and strategically lie low in the midst of a power imbalance, in order to achieve a longer-term and more ambitious goal.”

Frederick concluded.

In this room, a silent battleground, revolving around maritime power, national destiny, and future hegemony, unfolds in a heavy and unpredictable manner.

(End of this chapter)