Caliber is Truth

"Your Highness, Krupp Company has just completed development of the 280mm main gun. We've successfully achieved rapid-fire capability on the 280mm, greatly increasing its rate of fire. As for 305mm main guns, only older models are currently available. Furthermore, we have never manufactured a triple-mounted 305mm main gun. Our engineers believe that during a full salvo, the muzzle blast would critically impact the main guns' accuracy." Beta Krupp shook her head.

"Miss Krupp, Krupp Company represents the pinnacle of German artillery manufacturing. I trust that Krupp can certainly produce naval guns meeting my requirements." Oscar shook his head. While the 280mm main gun was decent, its armor-piercing capability was ultimately too weak.

Although the 280mm main gun produced by Krupp had armor-piercing performance surpassing even the British Navy's 305mm main gun, Oscar remained dissatisfied. In another timeline, among the German Navy's several dreadnoughts, the Nassau-class battleships mounted 280mm main guns, while subsequent battleships—except the Bavaria-class with 380mm guns—all used 305mm. The British Navy's battleships, meanwhile, carried 305mm, 343mm, and 381mm guns. In terms of caliber, the German Navy was at a disadvantage. Though superior performance meant German guns were no worse than British ones, if the German Navy could avoid falling behind in caliber from the start, it would undoubtedly give their battleships far greater combat power.

In future naval battles, this could pose a much greater threat to the British Navy. After all, the British Navy had always sacrificed defense for firepower and speed. Against the German Navy's powerful main guns, they'd be nothing but thin-skinned dumplings with thick filling.

"Your Highness, this is really asking too much. The triple-mounted 305mm 50-caliber main gun you demand is entirely beyond our current capabilities." Beta Krupp shook her head. Krupp's current flagship naval gun was still the 280mm 45-caliber model—a far cry from Oscar's requested 305mm 50-caliber.

Though, given Krupp's R&D strength, investing heavily might allow them to develop the requested gun in a short time, the cost would be enormous.

"Miss Krupp, our purchase quantity will exceed 12 mounts and 36 guns. And that's just the first phase. The second phase may involve additional orders. That's already a very substantial volume!" Oscar urged.

"Over 12 mounts and 36 guns?" Beta Krupp fell into thought. For large-caliber artillery, such an order was not insignificant. However, after pouring massive funds into development, Krupp would see little profit—perhaps even a loss.

"Miss Krupp, while Krupp Company is Germany's top arms manufacturer, I must admit that compared to British arms companies, we've fallen seriously behind in main gun caliber. The British have likely already finalized their new 305mm main gun. They may have even begun developing larger calibers. If we don't catch up quickly, the British will leave us even further behind. In that case, should war break out, we'd likely be at a disadvantage. That's surely not something Miss Krupp wants to see." Oscar said.

The Krupp family and the German Empire were long bound together—one's glory was the other's glory, one's loss the other's loss. If the German Empire lost a future war, the Krupp family would inevitably suffer a heavy blow.

If war did break out, the Krupp family would naturally hope for a German victory. That way, their arms empire could reap greater benefits from Germany's triumph. After all, war demanded vast quantities of weapons, ammunition, and supplies. Expecting the state to pay cash on the spot was impossible—payment usually came from war dividends after the conflict ended. If they lost, there would be nothing.

Beta Krupp didn't decide immediately but pondered carefully. Indeed, from Oscar's order of 305mm main guns, Krupp would see almost no profit. But if Oscar followed up with more large-caliber orders, Krupp would eventually turn a profit—just not a large one, given the massive R&D investment.

Of course, accounts couldn't always be calculated that way. Even if surface profits were slim, compensation could come from other areas.

"Your Highness, is the German Shipyard ordering so much steel, armor, and main guns to build the next class of capital ships for the Navy? But I've received no such information." Beta Krupp frowned.

If the German Navy were starting construction on a new capital ship class, it would be major news. From what Beta Krupp had heard, the Navy seemed to have no such plans. The last three ships of the Braunschweig-class and the Deutschland-class battleships were still under intense construction. The next class wouldn't be considered until those were nearly finished.

Oscar nodded. "Indeed. However, I'm starting construction early because of my promise to the Navy. If the battleship I build gains Navy approval, it will become the next class of capital ship. Moreover, the next class will also be built at my shipyard. I hope to maintain a long-term partnership with Krupp Company. That would benefit both of us."

"Your Highness, can you guarantee that your battleship will win the Navy's favor?" Beta Krupp asked, her expression serious.

"Of course. If the Navy doesn't accept it, I'll have to repay a debt of 200 million Marks. While that's not a huge issue for me, 200 million Marks is still a considerable sum." Oscar's face radiated confidence.

Beta Krupp hesitated, then a glint of resolve flashed in her eyes. "Very well, Your Highness. May our cooperation be a pleasant one."

"Pleasant cooperation, Miss Krupp. You'll soon find that you've made a wise choice today. However, I must remind you: Caliber is truth. Main gun caliber must keep increasing—preferably 50-caliber. That yields greater power." Oscar cautioned.

Beta Krupp nodded firmly.