"If we are to launch an offensive against the island nation, how many troops would be required to secure their defeat?" QinTian asked, his sharp gaze sweeping over the empire's ministers and generals.
"Your Majesty, if it's a naval operation, a fleet centered around six battlecruisers from the Imperial Navy should suffice to defeat them," replied Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz. "The island nation's navy currently boasts only four *Kongō*-class battlecruisers that qualify as dreadnoughts, while the rest of their battleships are either pre-dreadnoughts or semi-dreadnoughts—not worth worrying about. To ensure absolute victory, we could deploy three *Mackensen*-class and three *Derfflinger*-class battlecruisers. I am confident that would secure us a decisive triumph."
QinTian nodded. At this point in history, the island nation's navy was far from the formidable force that would later challenge the mighty U.S. Navy in the Pacific decades later. In another timeline, the island nation had prioritized developing aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft, allowing them to initially dominate the Pacific Theater and inflict heavy losses on the U.S. Navy. Had it not been for America's overwhelming industrial capacity, the outcome of the Pacific War might have been far less certain. Ultimately, it was the island nation's inability to match America's industrial output that led to their downfall.
"And the Army? How many troops would be required to defeat or even annihilate the island nation?" QinTian continued.
The face of Marshal von Falkenhayn, the Imperial Army Minister and Chief of Staff, turned grave.
"Your Majesty, to defeat or completely subjugate the island nation, we would need to deploy approximately 1.5 to 2 million troops," von Falkenhayn said solemnly.
"Good heavens! Deploying such a vast force? That's unthinkable! The logistical burden alone would crush us!" exclaimed Deputy Chief of Staff General Waldsee.
Chancellor Bülow and the other senior government officials also looked deeply unsettled. Deploying two million troops to fight a war thousands of miles away would incur astronomical costs. Even with the vast spoils of the current war, the German Empire would struggle to sustain such an endeavor.
"The island nation is not a small country. While their industrial capabilities are relatively weak, they can still meet their basic military needs. Moreover, with their occupation of Southeast Asia, they would gain access to abundant resources, further boosting their industrial strength. With a population of 50 million, they could mobilize an army of 4 to 5 million—or even more—if pushed to the brink. Furthermore, their troops are exceptionally brave, often displaying a reckless disregard for death. Their fighting spirit rivals that of our Imperial Army. Even with our superior weapons and equipment, subjugating the island nation would require no less than two million troops," von Falkenhayn explained with great gravity.
"If the island nation were nearby or even a neighboring country, defeating them would be far easier. Unfortunately, they are on the other side of the globe. This geographic reality means we must pay an even greater price to achieve victory," Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz added.
"Are you saying we are powerless against the island nation? How will we reclaim the colonies in Southeast Asia?" demanded Foreign Minister von Jagow.
"Indeed, no matter what, we cannot allow the island nation to occupy the colonies in Southeast Asia. Those lands, long colonized by the British and French, are incredibly fertile and resource-rich. Securing them would bring immense benefits to the empire while simultaneously weakening the island nation," echoed several government officials.
"Excellent. I was initially concerned that you might underestimate the island nation. If that were the case, we would likely pay a far heavier price," QinTian said, his expression stern.
"My understanding of the island nation runs deeper than yours. The people of that country are obsessively stubborn and show little regard for life—whether their enemy's or their own. Should our troops ever set foot on their homeland, we would face unimaginable resistance. Women, children, and the elderly would all rise against us. To annihilate the island nation, we must not only defeat their army but also prepare to eliminate millions—if not more—of their civilians. Naturally, our own casualties would also be significant," QinTian declared.
"Good heavens! Are the islanders mad? What could drive them to such extremes?" exclaimed Chancellor Bülow in horror.
"Indeed, the islanders are mad," QinTian affirmed. "Their military reveres the spirit of Bushido, glorifying death in battle. This mindset extends to their civilian population. One can only imagine the frenzied opposition we would face if we sought to destroy them. Therefore, once we land on their soil, we must show no mercy. Any threat to our troops must be eliminated. Compassion towards the islanders would only result in cruelty to our own."
Though QinTian knew his military and political leaders might not fully grasp the truth of his warnings, he felt it necessary to prepare them for the potential realities of such a campaign.
This difference in mindset perhaps illustrated the contrast between Eastern and Western ideologies. Western soldiers, while brave, viewed surrender in hopeless circumstances as a pragmatic choice, not a dishonor. In contrast, Eastern cultures—especially the islanders—regarded surrender as a profound disgrace. Their fanatical resolve was evident during the Second World War in another timeline, where very few of their soldiers surrendered on the battlefield. Even in dire circumstances, their elite units would fight to the bitter end.
"Your Majesty, this suggests that any campaign against the island nation must be approached with extreme caution," Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz remarked.
"Indeed," QinTian replied. "Though the island nation's current strength appears modest, they are not easily defeated. To safeguard the empire's hegemony, a conflict with the island nation is inevitable. However, I hope to delay this war of annihilation until the end. Only then can we marshal all our forces to crush them completely." QinTian's expression hardened with unshakable resolve.