Cooperation

The next morning, Oscar arrived at the Krupp Company headquarters by car. Since Karl had already made an appointment, the current head of Krupp, Miss Beta Krupp, was waiting for him at the building entrance when he got there.

"Miss Krupp, I'm terribly sorry to have kept you waiting!" Oscar said, his face full of apology.

The Krupp family had long been a pillar of German militarism, favored by the highest authorities in the state. Punctuality, discipline, and obedience to orders were traditions of the family. Take mealtimes, for example: breakfast was at 7:15, and anyone arriving at 7:16 would find the dining room closed, with others already eating. Moreover, even in the dead of winter, the Krupps refused to stoke the fireplace, deliberately keeping the office chilly to avoid lethargy... In short, this family was a model of standards.

"Your Highness, your visit to our Krupp Company is an honor for the Krupp family and the entire company. The whole German Empire is buzzing with tales of your legend, calling you an unparalleled business genius. I've long wanted to discuss commercial matters with you." Beta Krupp wore a bright smile.

"Miss Krupp, the honor is mine." Oscar was very humble.

Beta Krupp was the granddaughter of Alfred Krupp, the founder of Krupp Company, and the daughter of Friedrich Alfred Krupp, the second-generation president. In 1902, Friedrich Alfred Krupp, the second-generation president, committed suicide after a homosexual scandal was exposed by the press, leaving only Beta Krupp as his heir. But all of Germany found it unthinkable that the Krupp arms empire should be run by a young woman. Krupp Company was far too vital to Germany. Most of the navy's naval guns and the army's artillery were produced by Krupp.

Oscar knew that next year, Wilhelm II would personally select a husband for Beta Krupp. The Prussian diplomat Gustav von Bohlen und Halbach would become the final choice. Of course, after Gustav married into the Krupp family and took control of Krupp Company, it would usher in a new wave of development, becoming the world's top arms conglomerate.

For now, though, Krupp Company was still struggling on under Miss Beta Krupp's leadership.

Led by Miss Beta Krupp, Oscar began a tour of the Krupp Company headquarters. In truth, this was just the corporate office. There were no factories or production workshops, nothing much to see. The only thing he could really take in was Krupp's corporate culture—that frugal, hardworking, and rigorous work ethic, which left Oscar impressed. Perhaps this was why Krupp Company had succeeded.

After a brief tour, Oscar and Miss Beta Krupp returned to the office.

"Your Highness, what brings you here today?" Once they were alone in the office, Beta Krupp got straight to the point.

Though Oscar was young, the German Welfare Lottery Company he had founded was already hailed as the most profitable company in the entire German Empire. Its annual profits likely dwarfed even those of the massive Krupp Company.

"Miss Krupp, I'm here to place an order with your company." Oscar smiled.

"An order? What does Your Highness wish to purchase?" Miss Beta Krupp asked in surprise.

Very few people knew that Oscar had acquired the Imperial Shipyard.

"Miss Krupp, I've bought the Imperial Shipyard from the royal family and renamed it the German Shipyard."

"The Imperial Shipyard—the one in Danzig?" Beta Krupp frowned. The Imperial Shipyard was just a medium-sized shipyard. To Miss Beta Krupp, it seemed far too small.

"Is Your Highness venturing into shipbuilding? The Imperial Shipyard can buy its steel directly from us. I guarantee Your Highness the most favorable price." In Beta Krupp's view, the Imperial Shipyard was merely a medium-sized yard, using only a modest amount of steel each year.

"That would be perfect. We plan to start building ships officially in the second half of the year. We'll need about eighty thousand tons of steel, including twenty thousand tons of armor plate. And we want the best quality armor steel." Oscar was very pleased. That much steel, especially armor plate, would cost a fortune. If Miss Beta Krupp could offer the best price, it would save him a lot of money.

"Eh? That much steel? And twenty thousand tons of armor plate?" Miss Beta Krupp was stunned. She realized that her words had just cost Krupp Company a great deal of profit.

"Your Highness, isn't the Imperial Shipyard a medium-sized yard? Why would it need so much steel?" Beta Krupp asked.

"Yes, Miss Krupp. The Imperial Shipyard was indeed a medium-sized yard. But the German Shipyard is a large one. After I acquired the Imperial Shipyard, I invested over a hundred million Marks to expand it. So that shipyard has been completely transformed." Oscar grinned happily. He was delighted to have gotten the better of a business powerhouse like Miss Beta Krupp.

Miss Beta Krupp nodded. Though her promise had cost them some profit, there was still money to be made. And with Oscar placing such a large order, future cooperation was bound to follow. If they built a long-term relationship, the rewards would be even richer.

"Your Highness certainly has a bold hand! Investing heavily to expand the shipyard. I'm sure you'll succeed in this industry." Miss Beta Krupp said.

"Miss Krupp, besides steel and armor plate, I'd also like to order a batch of naval guns from Krupp Company. Here are the design drawings. I believe they won't be too much trouble for Krupp." Oscar took a set of blueprints for a triple-mounted 305mm 50-caliber main gun from his briefcase and placed them on the coffee table.

Krupp Company was arguably Germany's best artillery manufacturer. If Oscar wanted to order 305mm naval guns, they were his best choice.

"Naval guns? A triple-mounted 305mm main gun, and 50-caliber?" Beta Krupp frowned immediately.