Nassau-class Battleship

"Father Emperor, expanding the shipyard, adding large slipways, recruiting enough skilled workers and engineers—all of that will require a great deal of money. By a conservative estimate, we'll need another 120 million Marks or so. That is also an astronomical sum. If Father Emperor can lend me that money, then I'll consider taking over the Imperial Shipyard," Oscar said.

Since taking over the Imperial Shipyard had already become a foregone conclusion, Oscar naturally hoped to squeeze out as many benefits as possible.

"120 million Marks? Do you really need that much?" Wilhelm II frowned.

"Of course. After I take over the Imperial Shipyard, I plan to build eight slipways capable of constructing warships of over 30,000 tons, as well as add some small and medium-sized slipways. All of that will cost a fortune," Oscar said.

"Eight slipways for building battleships over 30,000 tons? Even the other major shipyards don't have that many large slipways! Besides, is there really a need for slipways over 30,000 tons?" Wilhelm II found it somewhat hard to believe.

After all, battleships at present generally displaced less than 20,000 tons. Even this New-style Battleship designed by Oscar displaced only 20,000 tons. In Wilhelm II's view, building slipways for vessels over 30,000 tons was simply a waste.

"Father Emperor, as technology continues to advance, large-caliber guns will become increasingly powerful. To mount guns of greater caliber and install thicker armor, battleships' displacement will naturally keep increasing. Battleships displacing over 30,000 tons may seem enormous, but I believe that within ten years at most, every major power will be building battleships of that displacement. We must prepare early, lest we be caught scrambling to upgrade the slipways later and waste vast amounts of time," Oscar said.

Everything he did was naturally for the German Navy, and for Germany to triumph in future wars. Strengthening the German Navy as much as possible would give it greater odds of victory in future naval battles.

Wilhelm II hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "All right. I'll draw 120 million Marks from the wealth held by the imperial family and give it to you. Including the 50 million Mark transfer fee for the Imperial Shipyard, that makes 170 million Marks in total. Repay it all within three years, and with interest, the total will be 200 million Marks. You have no objection to that, do you?"

Although 200 million Marks was no small sum, to Oscar it was merely a year's profit for the German Welfare Lottery Company. What was more, his future enterprises would not be limited to the German Welfare Lottery Company. Once he was done with the shipyard's affairs, he would begin investing in other fields. In his eyes, the early twentieth century might be very backward, but opportunities still lay everywhere. There were plenty of chances to make money.

"All right, Oskar, then it's settled. I'll have the lawyers draw up the agreement as soon as possible and assist you with the relevant procedures," Wilhelm II said with a broad smile. Being able to unload the Imperial Shipyard made him exceedingly happy.

However, Oscar immediately thought of another idea.

"Father Emperor, what do you think of the battleship I designed this time? If, once completed, its specifications do not differ too greatly from my design specifications, could it become the German Navy's next generation of Capital Ships?" Oscar asked.

Wilhelm II nodded. "Of course. Although the Naval Technical Committee rejected your design, I believe it has many commendable aspects. If the completed battleship can truly achieve the figures on paper, then it will be far more powerful than any battleship currently in the German Navy. It would be entirely suitable as the Navy's next generation of Battleship."

Oscar nodded, then broke into a delighted smile.

"Father Emperor, then how about this? Since I owe you 170 million Marks, and with interest that comes to a full 200 million Marks, let my shipyard build four battleships for you. That way, the money I owe you will be fully repaid," Oscar said with a smile.

"Ah!" Wilhelm II was taken aback. He had not expected Oscar to still be harboring this idea.

But then he frowned. The Navy's next generation of battleships was immensely important. How could it possibly be handed over so casually to Oscar's shipyard? Even if Oscar invested huge sums into it, that still could not change the fact that the Imperial Shipyard was merely a medium-sized shipyard. Even after expanding, it would still lack experience in building battleships. Furthermore, the construction of the Navy's Capital Ships was a matter of great importance, involving the interests of all the major shipyards, as well as tangled internal interests. If Wilhelm II did that, it would inevitably provoke fierce opposition from those vested interests. When the time came, serious trouble would surely erupt.

"Father Emperor, the Imperial Shipyard has always been operating at a loss. If it does not receive enough orders, then even if I spend enormous sums expanding it, it will still eventually close because of severe losses. As for the opinions of the Naval Technical Committee and the other shipyards, once they see just how outstanding the battleships we build are, what else will they have to say? More importantly, this will save us a great deal of time in catching up with the British.

"Besides, Father Emperor, the Naval Technical Committee has already become old and lifeless. I do not deny that during the years of the German Navy's rapid development, the Naval Technical Committee played an enormous role. But now, their experience has become outdated; they are still stuck in the last century. This is extremely detrimental to the future development of the German Empire Navy. If the Navy makes the battleships built by my shipyard its next generation of Capital Ships, it will also serve as a lesson for them."

Oscar earnestly tried to persuade him. In order to secure enough orders for his shipyard, he was truly giving it everything he had.

Wilhelm II considered it for quite some time before finally nodding. He too had become somewhat dissatisfied with the Naval Technical Committee's performance in recent years.

"All right, Oskar, we'll do as you say! However, the prerequisite is that the battleships built by your shipyard must perform as you promised—at the very least, the difference cannot be too great. Otherwise, I will not accept those battleships!" Wilhelm II said sternly.

If the battleships Oscar built turned out to be worthless junk, then naturally they could not enter service with the German Navy and become burdens on the fleet.

"Don't worry, Father Emperor. There will absolutely be no problem," Oscar promised, thumping his chest.

Afterward, Oscar asked Wilhelm II to name the New-style Battleship. After thinking for a moment, Wilhelm II named it the Nassau-class Battleship.