The Theory of Sea Power

Frederick stopped before his seat and once again surveyed the three people in the room.

Alfred, Adiken, and Lilu were his most trusted core team at sea, the foundation on which the maritime strength of the Duchy of Weissen and the Rhine Alliance rested. There was no need to conceal anything from them.

"Today, at this moment when our very survival is at stake, I want to share a theory with you. It did not come from thin air, but was forged from countless historical lessons and the challenges we face in reality—a way of thinking that concerns the fortunes of the Duchy of Weissen and even the entire Rhine Alliance for centuries to come."

Frederick turned around. His eyes blazed as he swept his gaze across each familiar, loyal face, sharp and resolute.

"The core idea is simple, yet it holds the power to change the shape of the world: if a nation and its people wish to avoid being at the mercy of others and become a truly respected world power, they must possess a powerful navy and dare to use it to control the vast, boundless ocean."

"Because history has taught us a new conclusion: Sea Control is equivalent to World Hegemony!"

His voice was not loud, but it carried an irresistible, tsunami-like force. Every word struck his listeners to the heart.

If this had been more than a decade ago, Frederick would not have brought up the Theory of Sea Power.

The reasoning was simple: back then, society was still primarily an agrarian one, pastoral and self-contained, and maritime trade had little impact on people's lives.

Things were different now.

As the saying went, to lift people out of poverty, one had to first change their way of thinking. Industrial and commercial development had now won