The Emperor's Gratification

"It seems the Navy's responsibility is greater than we imagined." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz sighed.

"Indeed, Your Excellency. But unfortunately, even with His Majesty the Emperor's support, we still can't secure enough funding." Director Birkenhagen also lamented.

"Your Highness, thank you for your help to the Navy. I must say, having one more Battleship will make our naval forces a little stronger. Perhaps we'll have a chance to defeat the British." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said. Though that chance was exceedingly slim. But as officers of the German Empire Navy, they had no choice but to face the challenge head-on and strive for victory in any future war.

"Your Excellency, defeating the British isn't entirely impossible." Oscar said.

Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz and Director Birkenhagen's eyes lit up at once.

"Your Highness, what method do you have in mind?" Both men's eyes held a glimmer of hope.

"For the Navy to beat the British, trying to match them in the number of capital ships is out of the question. We have to surpass them in performance. Every class of Battleship we build from now on must be able to overpower the British Battleships. That way, we can win with fewer ships and overcome a stronger foe." Oscar said.

Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz and Director Birkenhagen furrowed their brows deeply. Competing with the deep-pocketed British in Battleship numbers was already unrealistic. But achieving complete performance superiority over the British would likely be just as difficult!

"Your Excellency, Director. The Battleship I'm donating to the Navy this time is a completely new type—a groundbreaking Battleship. Once it's built, all previously constructed Battleships will probably be consigned to the scrap heap." Oscar's face brimmed with confidence.

It was the British, with their "Dreadnought," that had rendered their rivals' vast fleets of Pre-dreadnoughts obsolete overnight, allowing the British Navy to maintain an absolute edge. If the German Navy could build a Dreadnought first and keep improving it with even more powerful designs, then they wouldn't be far behind the British Navy in cutting-edge capital ships. Even if there were some gaps, they wouldn't be too large. Factoring in the British Battleships' inherent weaknesses—like thin armor and big payloads, plus shell issues—the German Navy's chances of victory in a decisive naval battle would undoubtedly be quite high.

Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz and Director Birkenhagen were stunned by Oscar's words. If anyone else had said this, they'd have dismissed it as nonsense. But Oscar was different—he had a knack for working miracles. Things they'd thought impossible, Oscar had made happen.

"Your Highness, are you serious?" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz's voice trembled slightly. If what Oscar said was true, then the German Navy might really have a chance to defeat the British. For the German Navy, that was nothing short of hope.

"Of course, Your Excellency. I wouldn't joke about this." Oscar's expression turned serious. He knew convincing the stubborn old guard in the German Navy to build all-big-gun Battleships would be extremely difficult. But if he could first win Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz's support, it would be relatively easier.

"Your Highness, may I see the design drawings?" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz asked excitedly.

Director Birkenhagen was equally thrilled.

"Your Excellency, Director, this isn't the right time. Let's find another moment after today." Oscar said with a smile.

Though itching with curiosity, Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz and Director Birkenhagen could only nod in understanding.

While Oscar was deep in pleasant conversation with Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz and Director Birkenhagen, a hostile glare fixed on them. Its owner was Crown Prince Wilhelm.

"What exactly is Oscar trying to do? Is he courting the Navy?" Crown Prince Wilhelm was nearly shaking with rage. As the Crown Prince of the German Empire and future Emperor of the Empire, he knew full well how crucial it was to control military power. Oscar's outreach to the Navy had crossed his bottom line.

Though he was the legitimate Crown Prince, if Oscar won the military's support, couldn't he stage a coup and oust him? That was a consequence Crown Prince Wilhelm didn't want.

"No matter what, I absolutely cannot let that brat succeed. There's only one Crown Prince of the German Empire, and that's me. No one else is going to snatch the throne from my hands." A glint of murder flashed in Crown Prince Wilhelm's eyes.

Even though they were full-blooded brothers, killing a sibling for the succession was nothing new.

The banquet lasted until late into the night. But Wilhelm II didn't stay long. He barely made an appearance, clinked glasses with a few important figures, and then left.

As Emperor of the Empire, he was incredibly busy. Even on Christmas Eve, he had endless official business to attend to.

Sitting in his office, Wilhelm II noticed a long box on his desk.

"Essen, what's this?" Wilhelm II asked.

"Your Majesty, it's a Christmas gift from Prince Oscar." Essen von Jonath replied.

Wilhelm II shook his head. "That fellow, even if he's made money, he shouldn't waste it like this."

Still, Wilhelm II opened the long box.

He realized he might have been wrong. Inside wasn't some exquisite gem or rare antique, but a piece of paper. Yet what was drawn on that paper made Wilhelm II's eyes go wide.

"This—where did Oscar get this?" Wilhelm II asked.

"Your Majesty, Karl said Prince Oscar drew it himself. He's been locked in his office for days, personally working on the designs." Essen said.

Wilhelm II was taken aback, then a smile spread across his face. "I didn't expect that fellow to have talent not just in business, but in Battleship design too. I always said, a member of the royal family couldn't be a useless good-for-nothing."

Clearly, Oscar's performance had dramatically changed Wilhelm II's impression of him. And it was a relief to Wilhelm II. A father always wants his sons to amount to something. Even as Emperor of the Empire, Wilhelm II was no exception.