Published at 13th of February 2023 06:59:47 AM

"Your Majesty, the Americans have retreated! The Atlantic Fleet is following them, and they will not come back until they have crossed the midline of the Atlantic Ocean." Marshal Reinhard Scheer smiled.

There is no doubt that in this confrontation with the U.S. Navy, the German Navy once again won. The Americans were once again overwhelmed by the mighty strength of the German Imperial Navy. Such a victory is undoubtedly very face-saving. Of course, the corresponding is that the U.S. Navy was once again slapped in the face. This will undoubtedly further stabilize the throne of the German Navy's maritime supremacy.

"It seems that the Americans have learned that we killed the Austro-Hungarian Navy at a small cost. They are not fools, knowing that under such circumstances, continuing to confront each other will not benefit them at all!" Qin Tian said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Once the Imperial Fleet returns and even the Mediterranean Fleet enters the Atlantic Ocean, it will be enough to easily consume the American Fleet. In that case, the strength of the aircraft carrier will not even need to be exposed!" Marshal Reinhard Scheer said .

Although the imperial navy still uses capital ships as its main force on the surface, in fact, the main force of the imperial navy has long been aircraft carriers. Apart from participating in the war in the last world war, the aircraft carrier of the Imperial Navy has never had any war operations until now. Not for anything else, the main reason is to ensure that the real combat power of the Imperial Navy's aircraft carrier is not leaked. After all, the carrier-based aircraft of the Imperial Navy are now able to use medium-sized aviation torpedoes, which has improved a lot compared to the last world war.

Qin Tian nodded: "Well, since the Americans have retreated, let's stop this time! The Austro-Hungarian Empire has been destroyed, and the most important thing for the Empire now is to stabilize the situation and ensure the empire's respect for Austria. Annexation, there will be no surprises."

"Yes, Your Majesty. However, Your Majesty, the United Fleet did not find Karl I in the Austro-Hungarian Navy. According to the information we have learned, Karl I may have gone to the United States in advance." Marshal Reinhard Scheer Said.

Qin Tian couldn't help but frowned. Obviously, Karl I escaped safely, which would definitely have some impact on Germany's annexation of Austria. After all, Karl I was the legitimate emperor of Austria.

However, this is the end of the matter, and there is no point in talking about other things. Qin Tian knew that since Karl I had left the Austro-Hungarian Navy in advance, the possibility of them capturing Karl I was almost gone.

"Your Majesty, we can send a fleet to search in the South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans. In this case, we may find something." Marshal Reinhard Scheer suggested.

Qin Tian thought for a while, but still shook his head.

"Forget it, it would be too much work. There are many routes for Karl I to escape to the United States. If you want to search, you need to dispatch a large number of warships. Moreover, the possibility of finding Karl I is still very small. In that case, Some are unnecessary."

"Karl I fled to the United States, and the Americans will definitely support him in forming a government-in-exile. At that time, this may have an impact on our annexation of Austria."

"It will indeed have a certain impact. However, the impact is very limited. At most, Karl I called on those Austrians to resist us. However, as the empire becomes stronger and stronger, the standard of living will also slowly change. At that time, those Austrians will naturally agree with the German Empire. There will be fewer and fewer people who are willing to continue to be loyal to Karl I. No one will be able to stop the empire from annexing Austria." Qin Tian said confidently.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Marshal Reinhard Scheer, seeing how determined Qin Tian was, had no choice but to say no more.

At this moment, Karl I is still in the Indian Ocean. Although the speed of the light cruiser is very fast, it will take a certain amount of time to cross the Indian Ocean and enter the Pacific Ocean.

Because of the whereabouts of Karl I, it is a secret among the Austro-Hungarian Navy, and only a few people know it. In addition, for the sake of safety, the light cruiser Karl I was on strictly enforced radio silence along the way, which made the United States not know whether Karl I was dead during this battle.

Originally, the U.S. government also wanted to wait until Karl I arrived in the United States to help Karl I form a provisional government in the United States. Then use the provisional government of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to provoke the people of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to oppose the rule of Germany and cause trouble for Germany. However, Karl I's life and death are unknown now, which makes their plan only shelved.

Although, Karl I's Queen Zita, son Otto von Habsburg and daughter Adelaide have already arrived in the United States first. However, without confirming that Karl I was really dead, Queen Zita did not want Crown Prince Otto to come forward to form a government-in-exile. After all, Otto, the crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is only five years old now.

The United States did not force it too much. They knew very well that even Karl I did not have much influence in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, let alone a five-year-old Crown Prince Otto.

It took a month for the light cruiser that Karl I was on to arrive in the United States. Along the way, in order to avoid the possible pursuit of the German navy, they have gone through all kinds of difficulties and dangers. The flag of the Austro-Hungarian Navy has long been taken down and replaced by the American flag. It is precisely because of this that they narrowly escaped the blockade of the German Navy and arrived in the United States.

When Karl I and the others arrived in American waters and were interrogated by warships of the US Navy, they informed the US Navy of their identities. The U.S. Navy warships did not dare to neglect, and immediately reported to their superiors. Eventually, the level-by-level report was given to President Woodrow Wilson.

Woodrow? President Wilson immediately ordered to cover the light cruiser Carl I was riding on, to the Norfolk Naval Base. Moreover, the arrival of Karl I in the United States must be kept strictly confidential.

On the way to the Norfolk Naval Base, Karl I couldn't help asking the U.S. Navy about the situation of the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

When the U.S. Navy told Karl I that the Austro-Hungarian navy had been wiped out, and even Admiral Anton House sank with the ship, Karl I was completely stunned.

"Germans, William III, please remember. One day, if the Austro-Hungarian Empire can be restored, I will definitely kill the entire Hohenzollern royal family!" Karl I said through gritted teeth.