The Emperor's Support (Seeking Collection)

"This time I've really pissed those fellows off. But so what? Little Lord's got money now, so naturally I can afford to be willful!" Oscar thought as he walked out of the Naval Technical Committee building, somewhat speechless. He hadn't expected things to escalate this far. Still, he didn't regret it. Rather than let those ossified old fools hold back the German Navy, it was better to give them a thorough scolding—maybe it would even shake some sense into them.

Of course, whether that would actually work, Oscar had no idea at all. The Germans' rigid stubbornness was notorious.

Just then, a Mercedes-Benz car pulled up in front of Oscar.

"Oskar, get in!" Prince Heinrich said from inside.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Oscar nodded and climbed into Prince Heinrich's car.

"Oskar, to be honest, you've really surprised me. Among all the princes of the royal family, you were never particularly outstanding. But now, you've burst onto the scene with a bang." Prince Heinrich remarked with admiration.

The old Oscar had been quiet and withdrawn, unloved by Wilhelm II, practically invisible within the royal family. But now, Oscar had first single-handedly founded the German Welfare Lottery Company, turning it into an extremely profitable venture whose monthly earnings had stunned everyone.

Now, Oscar had even designed an advanced battleship. Though the Naval Technical Committee hadn't adopted it, Prince Heinrich believed that if it were actually built, it would shock the world.

"Your Highness flatters me. But my design still wasn't accepted by the Naval Technical Committee." Oscar sounded somewhat dejected. If it had passed, the next generation of capital ships for the German Navy would have undergone a revolutionary transformation. Perhaps the German Navy could truly have overtaken the British Navy on a curve.

"Oskar, so what if the Naval Technical Committee didn't adopt it? I've always thought those fellows were far too rigid. Personally, I have high hopes for the battleship you designed. Since you don't lack funds, just go ahead and build it. Then we'll see what expressions those people have." Prince Heinrich encouraged him.

Oscar nodded. He was looking forward to that day too.

"But, Your Highness. After being rejected by the Naval Technical Committee, I'm afraid no shipyard will build it for me. They're still hoping to get orders from the Navy." Oscar worried. Though Germany had many shipyards, only a few were capable of building battleships. These yards had very close ties with the Naval Technical Committee. Having thoroughly offended the committee, even if Oscar placed orders with them, they probably wouldn't accept them.

"That is indeed a big problem. But I believe there will always be a way. Oskar, you're still young. I trust your future will shine brightly. I have great faith in you." Prince Heinrich patted Oscar on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Oscar knew he couldn't give up easily now. After all, he was only sixteen, with a long life ahead. A few setbacks were nothing.

Prince Heinrich dropped Oscar off at the palace and then left. After all, it was Christmas—a day for family reunions.

That evening, Oscar's family gathered together for a lavish Christmas dinner. During the meal, Wilhelm II didn't bring up what had happened at the Naval Technical Committee that afternoon. However, Oscar could see the schadenfreude in Crown Prince Wilhelm's eyes. He knew the Crown Prince must have slandered him to Wilhelm II. But there was nothing he could do about it. The other was the Crown Prince, high in status and more favored in Wilhelm II's eyes. Compared to him, Oscar was at a natural disadvantage.

After dinner, Wilhelm II left as usual to attend to official business. Normally, the Empress would lead the children in conversation and chat, fostering family bonds among the royals. Though the saying goes there's no kinship in royalty, and Western royal families aren't as cutthroat as Eastern ones, the rivalry among the princes was still quite apparent. As parents, Wilhelm II and the Empress naturally wanted to ease this tense atmosphere.

"Oskar, come with me to the study." Wilhelm II said as he was leaving.

"Yes, Father Emperor." Oscar nodded. What was coming couldn't be avoided. If Wilhelm II wanted to reprimand him, there was no escaping it.

"Hmph! Offending those experts at the Naval Technical Committee—now he's in for it." Crown Prince Wilhelm gloated.

Seeing this, the Empress could only sigh.

"Sit down, Oskar." Once inside Wilhelm II's study, Oscar felt like a child who had done wrong, waiting for his punishment. But to his surprise, Wilhelm II wasn't angry.

"Yes!" Oscar sat down.

"Oskar, what you did at the Naval Technical Committee this afternoon was too rash. Even if they rejected your design, you shouldn't have argued with them and mocked them. It will have a very bad effect on your reputation." Wilhelm II said.

"Yes, Father Emperor. I was impulsive today." Oscar bowed his head and admitted fault. He knew Wilhelm II's temperament—if he argued back, it would only make the Emperor angrier. Admitting fault proactively, on the other hand, would make Wilhelm II let it go.

Seeing Oscar's attitude, Wilhelm II's anger subsided considerably. After all, this was his son, and one who had shown remarkable talent.

"Forget it. Who hasn't been young? You're at that age now—a bit of fire is only natural." Wilhelm II waved his hand, putting the matter to rest.

"Father Emperor, I just couldn't stand them using so-called experience as an excuse, causing our Navy to miss a golden opportunity for development." Oscar said bitterly.

"Oskar, you have a great deal of confidence in your design."

"Yes, Father Emperor. I guarantee that once the battleship I designed is built, it will be the most powerful battleship ever. Even stronger than the next-generation battleship the British are secretly designing. Then we can surpass the British." Oscar said confidently.

Wilhelm II frowned, saying nothing, as if weighing something. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Oskar, as your father and as the Emperor of the German Empire, I am willing to support you. I hope you won't let me down. Since you declared at the Naval Technical Committee that you would build this battleship, then go ahead and do it." Wilhelm II had made up his mind.