23.Chapter 23: Being Rich Means Being Unreasonable

Looking at Crown Prince Wilhelm's hypocritical face, Oscar wanted to slap him. Though he had long known the Crown Prince was a jealous and suspicious man, he hadn't expected him to treat even his own brother this way.

Of course, it would be a lie to say Oscar had no thoughts about the throne. But he knew it was extremely difficult to push Crown Prince Wilhelm out of the succession. The Western world wasn't like the East, where heirs changed frequently. In the West, crown princes were generally hard to replace. So Oscar had no hope of replacing Crown Prince Wilhelm. Everything he did was simply because he couldn't bear to see Germany lose in the coming war. After all, he was now a Prince of the German Empire. If the empire fell, it would be a huge blow to him personally. If the German Empire could win the war, he could also reap enormous benefits.

But clearly, his actions had made Crown Prince Wilhelm feel threatened. To protect his position, he spared no effort in suppressing Oscar, even though Oscar's designs were hugely beneficial to the German Empire.

Oscar took a deep breath. Even though he had anticipated this outcome, he found he had underestimated just how rigid these old fossils on the Naval Technical Committee were. No wonder the German Navy was ultimately defeated—there were major reasons behind it.

"I respect the Naval Technical Committee's decision. Of course, I believe you will soon realize that what you insist on is fundamentally wrong. By then, because of your choices, the German Empire Navy will once again fall far behind the British Navy. For the German Navy to surpass the British Navy will become even harder. If Germany loses the future war, all of you will be the culprits. When that time comes, I'd like to see what face you have left to continue living in this world!" Oscar said, his face full of anger.

Oscar had essentially cursed out the entire group of experts on the Naval Technical Committee. Instantly, everyone's expressions turned sour. Even though they strongly disagreed with his accusations.

The chairman of the Naval Technical Committee, Count von Warren, looked especially grim. Under his leadership, the committee had contributed greatly to the development of the German Navy. Now, being scolded like this by a brat—where was their dignity to go?

"Hmph! Your Highness, though you are of noble status, you have no right to insult us like this! We are subjects of the German Empire, and we need only answer to His Majesty the Emperor and the entire nation. You don't need to teach us how to do our jobs. In the field of warship construction, our experience far exceeds yours. Your design may use many novel elements, but it is nothing more than grandstanding. Naval warships require a balance of multiple factors, not a blind pile-up of new technology. You are still too young. You'd best go study at the Naval Academy for a few years, get your diploma, and then discuss things with us!" Sir Dietrich, the Shipbuilding Director, sneered.

Indeed, they were all technical giants in shipbuilding. Being mocked like this by Oscar was naturally unacceptable.

"Alright, everyone, let's say no more. It's understandable that we have theoretical differences. Time will tell who is right and who is wrong." Count von Warren said coldly.

Though he too was displeased with Oscar's earlier remarks, he still had to consider Oscar's status as a prince and didn't want things to get too tense.

"Oskar, apologize to everyone. As a Prince of the German Empire, how can you act so recklessly? Even if your design was rejected, that's no reason to throw a tantrum. These experts are the pillars of the empire." Crown Prince Wilhelm said with a stern face.

Oscar's behavior shocked him, but it also secretly pleased him. Damaging Oscar's reputation was exactly what he wanted to see. If Oscar's name became tarnished, he would be even less of a threat.

"Hmph! I have the right to refuse. And I firmly believe my design is the correct one. You will soon know just how wrong you are." Oscar held his head high.

"Oskar, you are too insolent. I will report your actions to Father Emperor." Crown Prince Wilhelm trembled with rage. In front of so many people, Oscar dared to defy him—this was clearly showing no regard for him at all! He resolved that once he inherited the throne and became the head of the Hohenzollern family, he would drive Oscar out of the family.

Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz and Prince Heinrich exchanged a glance, seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. They hadn't expected a well-planned Demonstration Conference to turn out like this.

Of course, the Naval Technical Committee had already reached its conclusion. Even with their status, it wasn't easy to overturn it.

Oscar cast a contemptuous look at Crown Prince Wilhelm. History had judged him as ambitious but incompetent, lacking tolerance—and it was absolutely right.

"Suit yourself!" Oscar said indifferently.

Then, Oscar glanced at the lofty experts on the Naval Technical Committee and said, "Don't think that just because you rejected my design, the battleship I designed can't become reality. Don't forget, this isn't the next class of main capital ships for the German Navy. It's a battleship I am gifting to the navy. So your decision means nothing to me. I will build this battleship, and then let you see how powerful it is, so you can recognize your own mistakes. After all, I'm not short of a few tens of millions of Marks. What can I say? Money makes you willful!"

Oscar said all this with an expression that practically begged to be punched.

Everyone was stunned. Indeed, they had rejected Oscar's design, but what use was that? Oscar wasn't bidding for the German Navy's next class of battleship—he was gifting one to the navy. Everything was up to him. Their opposition was utterly useless.

The expressions on the experts' faces turned extremely colorful. In the whole affair, they had acted like clowns. They had put on airs as technical authorities to lecture Oscar, all for nothing.

"Money makes you willful? That guy!" Prince Heinrich said with a laugh.

Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz could only smile bitterly. Oscar had just slapped the Naval Technical Committee right in the face.