Looking at Crown Prince Wilhelm's hypocritical face, Oscar wanted nothing more than to slap him. Though he had long known that Crown Prince Wilhelm was jealous and suspicious by nature, he had never expected him to treat even his own brother this way.
Of course, it would have been a lie to say that Oscar had no thoughts about the throne. But he knew that squeezing Crown Prince Wilhelm out of his position as heir to the throne would be exceedingly difficult. The Western World was unlike the Eastern World, where Crown Princes changed frequently. In the West, a Crown Prince was generally very difficult to replace. Therefore, Oscar had never expected to take Crown Prince Wilhelm's place. Everything he did was simply because he was unwilling to see Germany lose the future war. After all, he was now a Prince of the German Empire. If the Empire fell, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous blow to him as well. If the German Empire could win the war, he would also gain enormous benefits from it.
But clearly, Oscar's actions had made Crown Prince Wilhelm feel threatened. To preserve his own position, he began sparing no effort to suppress Oscar, even though Oscar's design would bring tremendous benefits to the German Empire.
Oscar took a deep breath. Though he had long expected this result, he realized that he had still underestimated just how rigid these old fossils of the Naval Technical Committee were. No wonder the German Navy would ultimately be defeated; this was a major reason why.
"I respect the Naval Technical Committee's decision. Of course, I believe you will soon discover that what you insist upon is fundamentally wrong. When that time comes, your choice will cause the German Empire Navy to fall another great stretch behind the British Navy. It will become even harder for the German Empire Navy to surpass the British Navy. If Germany loses the future war, every one of you will be the chief culprits. Then I would like to see what face you will have left to continue shamelessly clinging to life!" Oscar's face was filled with fury.
Oscar had effectively cursed every expert on the Naval Technical Committee. At once, everyone's expressions turned ugly. Naturally, they strongly disagreed with Oscar's accusations.
Count von Warren, chairman of the Naval Technical Committee, looked particularly grim. Under his leadership, the Naval Technical Committee had contributed enormously to the development of the German Navy. Yet now, they were being accused like this by a mere brat. Where were they supposed to put their old faces?
"Hmph! Your Highness, though your status is noble, you have no right to insult us like this! We are servants of the German Empire. We need only answer to His Majesty the Emperor and all the citizens. We do not need you to teach us what to do. In the field of warship construction, our experience is far richer than yours. Although your design contains many novel ideas, it is nothing more than grandstanding. Naval warships require the coordination of many factors, not the blind piling up of new technologies. You are still too young. You would do best to attend the Naval Academy and study properly for a few years. After you receive your diploma, then come discuss these matters with us!" Sir Dietrich, Shipbuilding Director, said mockingly.
Indeed, they were all leading figures in shipbuilding. Being mocked by Oscar like this was naturally something they could not accept.
"Enough, everyone. Say no more. It is understandable that we have theoretical disagreements. Time will prove who is right and who is wrong." Count von Warren spoke with a cold expression.
Though he also greatly disliked Oscar's earlier remarks, he still had to take Oscar's status as a Prince into account and did not wish to make things too tense.
"Oscar, apologize to everyone. As a Prince of the German Empire, how can you act so recklessly? Even if your design was rejected, you cannot lose your temper because of it. These experts are all pillars of the Empire." Crown Prince Wilhelm said with a stern face.
Oscar's behavior shocked him, but it also secretly delighted him. Being able to damage Oscar's reputation was undoubtedly something he wished to see. If Oscar's name was ruined, he would pose even less of a threat.
"Hmph! I have the right to refuse. And I firmly believe that my design is the correct one. You will soon learn just how absurdly wrong you are." Oscar held his head high.
"Oscar, you are being far too presumptuous. I will report everything you have done to Father Emperor." Crown Prince Wilhelm trembled with rage. Before so many people, Oscar actually dared to defy him. This undoubtedly meant Oscar did not take him seriously at all! He made up his mind that once he inherited the throne and became head of the Hohenzollern family, he would drive Oscar out of the family.
Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz and Prince Heinrich exchanged a glance, and both saw helplessness in the other's eyes. They had not expected a perfectly good Demonstration Conference to turn into this.
Of course, the Naval Technical Committee had already reached its conclusion. Even with their status, it would not be appropriate for them to overturn it casually.
Oscar cast Crown Prince Wilhelm a disdainful glance. History considered him ambitious but incompetent, lacking the tolerance to accommodate others. It seemed that was not wrong in the slightest.
"Do as you please!" Oscar said indifferently.
Then Oscar looked at the lofty experts of the Naval Technical Committee and said, "Do not think that rejecting my design means the Battleship I designed cannot become reality. Do not forget, this is not the German Navy's Next-class Battleship. It is a Battleship I am gifting to the Navy. Therefore, your decision has no meaning whatsoever to me. I will build this Battleship, and then I will show you just how powerful it is, so that you may recognize your own mistakes. Who told me I simply do not lack a few tens of millions of Mark? It cannot be helped—having money means you can be willful!"
Oscar delivered those words with an expression that begged to be punched.
At once, everyone was stunned. Indeed, although they had rejected Oscar's design, what use was that? Oscar was not bidding for the German Navy's Next-class Battleship. He was gifting a Battleship to the German Navy, and Oscar could decide everything himself. Their opposition was utterly useless.
The expressions on these experts' faces became exceedingly colorful. Throughout this entire affair, they were like clowns. Yet they had even put on the airs of great technical masters to lecture Oscar.
"Having money means you can be willful? This fellow!" Prince Heinrich said with a smile.
Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz wore a bitter smile. Oscar had dealt the Naval Technical Committee a fierce slap across the face!
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