Fajin Han held a conservative attitude towards Admiral Scheer's statement.

"General," he asked Admiral Scheer, "we are all worried about one thing: if the British also master this technology, or if they will in the future master this technology, and they have a powerful navy, won't our situation be even more unfavorable?"

After speaking, Fajin Han turned the nautical chart on the coffee table, but it was facing not Admiral Scheer but William II.

William II saw it clearly, and the excitement on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by worry.

"Yes," William II said thoughtfully. "Once the British possess this technology, they can use these bombers to blockade the English Channel and the northern outlets. They don't even need to deploy their main fleet nearby!"

Admiral Scheer still maintained a confident smile: "Your Majesty, Chief of Staff, do you think Shire would hand over this technology to the British?"

"What do you mean?" William II asked back, with a look of confusion.

France and Britain are allies; wouldn't it be natural to share this technology with the British?

Admiral Scheer unhurriedly took out a document from his briefcase and handed it to William II, saying calmly,

"Your Majesty, this is the recent cooperation between the French Fleet and the Royal Navy."

"I noticed something unusual: the British destroyers have not been able to detect submarines as effectively as the French destroyers."

William II, who was reading the document, raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure?"

"Yes, very sure," Admiral Scheer nodded. "At the same time, I also found out that Shire is expanding his maritime insurance business and has agreed to let those insured shipping companies join France's convoy fleet, including British shipping companies."

William II instantly understood: "A shrewd fellow. This would bring him immense benefits."

Fajin Han saw more than just benefits: "In other words, Shire would hardly hand over the submarine detection technology to the British!"

"Of course," Admiral Scheer affirmed. "Once he gives it to the British, Shire's insurance business would suffer, and the British fleet would steal his business, possibly even excluding the French Fleet."

"Yes," William II agreed. "The British have always wanted to exclude the French Fleet, but now they have to let the French Fleet participate in the escort, and deeply so."

Fajin Han suddenly realized: "So, although the French Fleet and the British Fleet appear to be allies on the surface, they are actually in a competitive relationship."

"That's right," Admiral Scheer emphasized. "I'm not sure about the attitude of the French Parliament. Many of them have been bought by the British. They would sell out French interests to stand with the British. But Shire..."

Fajin Han continued, "Shire could never be bought by the British."

William II found this puzzling: "Why not?"

"Your Majesty," Fajin Han replied, "if a person can control the military, political, and commercial sectors of an entire country, can even control Parliament to serve him, do you think he could still be bought by the British?"

William II suddenly understood: "He is essentially the emperor of this country. He represents the interests of France. If he were to be bought by the British, he would be the most foolish idiot!"

Fajin Han nodded:

"Yes, this person is Shire."

"France could almost be considered his property. Although it is not yet, it is very likely to become a reality in the near future."

"And if France were his property, he certainly wouldn't sell out France. That would be going against himself!"

Admiral Scheer added: "Not only that, but he is also a natural enemy of the British, because Britain does not want France to rise strongly under Shire's leadership, surpassing her."

William II's eyes widened, and he trembled with excitement, almost dropping the document: "Did I hear that right? Are you saying that we might...possibly become allies with Shire?"

Fajin Han glanced at Admiral Scheer with envy, his voice tinged with sadness and loss: "This might be limited to the navy, Your Majesty."

William II understood what this meant.

At sea, France and Germany faced a powerful enemy together: the Royal Navy, so they might become allies.

But on land, Germany still occupied large parts of France and had attempted to invade Paris only a year ago. How could they be allies?

But William II couldn't help but laugh: "Even so, it's enough. It's unbelievable that we could become allies with Shire."

Then, as if something occurred to him, he wore a worried expression and asked Admiral Scheer:

"Did we make a mistake?"

"I mean, should we have targeted the Royal Navy instead of launching a surprise attack on Shire's convoy?"

"Would Shire change his mind because of this, thereby affecting our..."

William II wanted to say the word "cooperation" but found that this term seemed inappropriate.

"No, Your Majesty," Admiral Scheer responded. "I think it's quite the opposite, this is exactly the beginning of our cooperation."

"What?" William II and Fajin Han looked at Admiral Scheer in unison.

Admiral Scheer took out several telegrams from his bag and handed them over, explaining,

"Your Majesty, these are telegrams from reconnaissance planes and Major General Kavis."

"Major General Kavis believes the French Fleet had the capability to expand the victory, but they didn't."

"Moreover, our reconnaissance planes discovered that another squadron of bombers was on the periphery but did not join the battle, and this squadron was confirmed to be carrying torpedoes."

William II instantly lit up with joy: "Does this mean Shire showed restraint?"

Admiral Scheer nodded, smiling.

If the French Fleet didn't expand their success to protect ships, then the bombers abstaining from the battle would be more certain.

Fajin Han glanced from the telegrams to Admiral Scheer: "Do you have a feeling that when Shire deployed the torpedo bombers, he was reminding us?"

"Yes," Admiral Scheer replied. "So, this wasn't a mistake on his part but rather a deliberate action. The purpose was...to hint to us to develop bombers to break through the British blockade!"

Finally, Admiral Scheer concluded: "So, Shire would certainly not hand this technology to the British. It doesn't align with his interests nor those of France."

The more William II thought about it, the more it made sense. He stood up with a determined tone: "Immediately develop bombers, as quickly as possible. This is our opportunity, and possibly the last one. We must not miss it lightly!"

He added: "Additionally, submarines and fast fleets should target the British escort fleet."

This was William II's gift to Shire: by only attacking the British escort fleet and not the French Fleet, they would make Shire's French Fleet become "quality assurance." Before long, merchant ships and supplies would be under Shire's control.

This was also a hint: we understand your intentions, and we will cooperate with you to attack the Royal Navy.