"Your Majesty, the Americans have retreated! The Atlantic Fleet was following them, waiting until they had crossed the midline of the Atlantic, and then returned. "Reinhardt? Marshal Scheer smiled.

There is no doubt that in this confrontation with the American Navy, the German Navy once again won the victory. The Americans, once again, were overwhelmed by the might of the Imperial German Navy. Such a victory is undoubtedly very face-saving. Of course, the corresponding thing is that the US Navy has been slapped in the face again. This will undoubtedly further consolidate the German Navy's supremacy at sea.

"It seems that the Americans have learned that we have taken out the Austro-Hungarian Navy at a small cost. They are not stupid, and they know that in such a situation, if they continue to confront each other, it will not do them any good! Qin Tian said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Once the Imperial Continental Fleet returns, and even the Mediterranean Fleet enters the Atlantic, it will be enough to easily eat the American fleet. In that case, you won't even have to reveal the strength of the aircraft carrier! "Reinhardt? Marshal Scheer said.

Although the Imperial Navy still uses capital ships as the main force on the surface, in fact, the main force of the Imperial Navy has long been aircraft carriers. With the exception of the participation of aircraft carriers in the last world war, there has been no war action until now. Not for anything else, the main reason is to ensure that the real combat power of the aircraft carriers of the Imperial Navy is not revealed. After all, the carrier-based aircraft of the Imperial Navy are now able to use medium aviation torpedoes, which is a lot better than the last world war.

Qin Tian nodded: "Well, since the Americans have retreated. So, that's the end of it this time! The Austro-Hungarian Empire had fallen, and the most important thing for the Empire now was to stabilize the situation and ensure that the Empire's annexation of Austria would not be unexpected. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. However, Your Majesty, the Combined Fleet did not find Karl I in the Austro-Hungarian Navy. According to the information we have learned, Karl I may have already left for the United States in advance. "Reinhardt? Marshal Scheer said.

Qin Tian couldn't help frowning, it was obvious that Karl I had escaped safely, which would definitely have some impact on Germany's annexation of Austria. After all, Karl I was rightly the Emperor of Austria.

But at this point, there is no point in talking about anything else. Qin Tian knew that since Karl I had left the Austro-Hungarian Navy ahead of schedule, the possibility of them wanting to catch Karl I again was almost gone.

"Your Majesty, we can send a fleet to search the South Atlantic and the South Pacific, in this case, we may find something." Reinhart? Marshal Scheer proposed.

Qin Tian thought about it and shook his head.

"Forget it, this will be too exciting. Karl I fled to the United States on many routes, and a large number of warships were required to search for him. Moreover, the chances of finding Karl I are still very slim. In that case, some are unnecessary. ”

"But Karl I fled to the United States, and the Americans would have supported him in forming a government in exile. When the time comes, I am afraid that this will have an impact on our annexation of Austria. ”

"It's going to have an impact. However, the impact is very limited. At most, Karl I was calling on the Austrians to resist us. However, as the empire grows stronger, the standard of living will slowly change. When the time comes, those Austrians will naturally identify with the German Empire. There will be fewer and fewer people willing to remain loyal to Karl I. The annexation of Austria by the Reich would be something that no one would be able to prevent. Qin Tian said confidently.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Reinhart? Marshal Scheer, seeing that Qin Tian was so determined, he had to say nothing more.

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

Because the whereabouts of Karl I were a secret in the Austro-Hungarian Navy, only a few people knew about it. In addition, for the sake of safety, the light cruiser where Karl I was located strictly enforced radio silence along the way, which made the United States not know whether Karl I had died in this battle.

Originally, the U.S. government also wanted to wait for Karl I to arrive in the United States and help Karl I form a provisional government in the United States. Then use the Austro-Hungarian Provisional Government to provoke the people of Austria-Hungary to oppose German rule and make trouble for Germany. However, now Karl I's fate is unknown, which makes their plans run aground.

Although, Karl I's empress Zita and son Otto? Feng? Habsburg and his daughter Adelaide had already arrived in the United States first. However, without determining that Karl I was really dead, Empress Zeta 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 Americans were not too persecutive, 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.

The light cruiser on which Karl I was traveling took a month to reach the United States. Along the way, in order to escape the possible pursuit of the German navy, they can be said to have gone through many difficulties and dangers. The flag of the Austro-Hungarian Navy has long been taken down and replaced by the American flag. It was precisely because of this that they narrowly avoided the blockade of the German Navy and reached the United States.

When Karl I and the others arrived in American waters and were interrogated by the warships of the US Navy, they informed the US Navy of their identity. The U.S. * warship did not dare to slack off and immediately reported to its superiors. Eventually, the report was given to Woodrow? President Wilson.

Woodrow? President Wilson immediately ordered to cover the light cruiser on which Karl I was travelling and proceeded to the Norfolk Naval Base. Moreover, the arrival of Karl I in the United States must be kept strictly secret.

On the way to the Norfolk naval base, Karl I could not help but ask the US Navy about the situation of the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

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

"Germans, Wilhelm III, you give me to remember. One day, if Austria-Hungary can be restored, I will kill the entire Hohenzollern royal family! Karl I said through gritted teeth.