The Banquet

Crown Prince Wilhelm's gaze at Oscar nearly spat fire. He had originally wanted to make trouble for Oscar, but Oscar had easily defused it instead, even improving the Empress's impression of him. He had tried to steal a chicken only to lose the handful of rice used to bait it!

The other princes also looked at Oscar with some hostility. Compared to princes like them, Oscar, who had a golden hen in his hands, had already left them several streets behind in terms of wealth.

"Humph! Some people become so full of themselves after getting rich that they start throwing money around recklessly. It is simply outrageous," Crown Prince Wilhelm snorted coldly.

Oscar's expression darkened, but he did not retort. After all, the Empress did not want the brothers to quarrel. He did not want the Empress's hard-won change of opinion about him to vanish once more.

Yet seeing that Oscar ignored him only made Crown Prince Wilhelm burn with greater fury, and he spoke with ever more enthusiasm.

"The German Empire is now facing an enormous crisis. Old enemies such as Britain, France, and Russia are pressing us step by step. Expanding armaments, especially developing the navy, requires vast sums of money. Certain people, as a Prince of the German Empire, enjoy all sorts of privileges bestowed by the royal family, yet do not think of serving the Empire and know only how to squander money. It is truly hateful!" Crown Prince Wilhelm wore an expression of righteous indignation as he kept dumping slander onto Oscar's head. Unless he stomped Oscar beneath his feet, he would never let the matter rest.

"Crown Prince, is it wrong for me to use money I earned myself to buy my mother a Christmas gift? Since it is my own money, I naturally decide how to spend it. No one else has the right to decide for me. Even if Crown Prince became Emperor of the Empire, I am afraid you would not have such authority, would you? Besides, you are still only the Crown Prince, not the Emperor of the Empire. As for serving the nation, of course I have not forgotten. Very soon, I will fulfill my promise and donate a battleship to the navy. As a Prince of the German Empire, I know my responsibilities and obligations. I do not need Crown Prince to remind me of them. You would do better to mind yourself. Furthermore, before accusing others, Crown Prince should first consider what contributions you have made to the Empire."

Oscar did not leave Crown Prince Wilhelm even a shred of face. His sharp words left Crown Prince Wilhelm without even a chance to rebut them.

"You... you..." Crown Prince Wilhelm's face flushed crimson, and his features twisted slightly with rage, making him look quite frightening. He had never imagined that Oscar, whom he had always looked down upon, would dare speak to him like this. Since when had this taciturn younger brother become so eloquent?

In the end, the Empress had to speak up once again and stop their quarrel.

Even so, the atmosphere of the gathering had already been badly affected. Restoring its harmonious mood was almost impossible.

Perhaps this was the sorrow of royalty. As the princes grew older, intrigue and scheming for future power and interests were unavoidable. Even though Crown Prince Wilhelm's claim to the throne was relatively secure, he still spared no effort in suppressing his younger brothers, ensuring that none of them could pose even the slightest threat to his throne.

The gathering soon ended. Wilhelm II did not attend because he was busy with official affairs. Since Oscar was unable to meet Wilhelm II, he could only have Karl's father deliver the gift he had carefully prepared for him.

At half past six in the evening, the banquet was held in the palace ballroom. Countless high officials and dignitaries attended the banquet.

Oscar entered the ballroom together with the Empress and the princes. Their group immediately drew everyone's attention. Of course, Oscar had previously often been an invisible figure everyone overlooked. But now, with the Welfare Lottery Company's tremendous success, he had also drawn the attention of many people. After all, in a country like Germany, money often carried tremendous weight.

Soon afterward, Wilhelm II also appeared in the ballroom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are all the elite of the German Empire, the pillars of the nation. Over the past year, you have worked hard. It is precisely because of your efforts that the German Empire has maintained rapid development. However, it cannot be denied that although the German Empire is becoming increasingly powerful, our voice still cannot make other nations listen seriously, nor have our legitimate demands for interests received their understanding. Our external environment remains exceedingly dangerous. Therefore, the German Empire must continue to grow stronger, until the other nations of the world no longer dare ignore the German Empire!" Wilhelm II addressed everyone in an impassioned tone.

The eyes of these Imperial elites burned with fervor. Indeed, Germany was already powerful and continuing to grow stronger. Yet they also understood that if Germany wished to gain greater benefits in this fiercely competitive world, it had to possess even greater strength.

However, the expressions of the diplomats from Britain, France, Russia, and other nations in the ballroom were rather ugly. Germany's growing strength undoubtedly placed enormous pressure upon them. With the footsteps of war already approaching, it made them feel an immense sense of crisis.

Oscar silently watched it all. He knew war had become unavoidable. Unless Germany gave up its foreign expansion, Britain, France, and the other nations, as vested beneficiaries, would absolutely not sit by and watch Germany expand. In the end, only war could still decide everything.

After Wilhelm II's speech ended, the banquet continued. Music began to play, and pairs of men and women entered the dance floor to dance. More people formed one small circle after another and began conversing. Banquets had always been the best places to expand one's social circle and reach certain agreements.

Naturally, for those aristocratic ladies, this was undoubtedly an opportunity to mingle with other men openly and legitimately.

"Your Highness, hello." While Oscar was deep in thought, a voice sounded behind him.

Oscar turned around and saw two elderly men standing behind him, holding wineglasses and smiling at him.

Oscar knew both of these elderly men. One was Director Ludwig Birkenhagen of the Kiel Naval Academy. The other had an even greater background: he was the head of the German Navy, Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz, the German Navy Minister.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency, greetings!" Oscar said respectfully. Both men were important figures in the navy. Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz in particular was deeply valued by Wilhelm II.

"Your Highness, thank you for your support of the Imperial Navy. The Imperial Navy will not forget it," Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said with a smile.