Benefit Sharing

Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz both fixed their eyes on the design plans Oscar had spread across the desk. When Oscar first presented the Nassau-class battleship designs, they had been utterly stunned. Now, while this new battleship design didn't strike them with quite the same shock, they knew it was undoubtedly a formidable warship—one even more powerful than the Nassau-class.

If the German Navy could possess such a battleship, its strength would be further enhanced. If, as Oscar claimed, the British Navy's future battleship classes were merely minor modifications of HMS Dreadnought, then with the Nassau-class and this new class, even if the British had a numerical advantage, the German Navy would still hold the edge in combat power. This would undoubtedly allow the German Navy to narrow the gap with the British Navy, or even surpass it.

"Oscar, this battleship is excellent. Strong firepower, formidable defense, and especially its speed advantage are very pronounced. This is the battleship the German Navy needs!" Wilhelm II nodded in satisfaction.

"Your Highness, what would be the cost of this class of battleship?" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz asked. He was more concerned about this point. Though he had already secured a massive loan from Oscar, naval funds still had to be spent frugally—using the least money to boost the navy's strength, spending every mark where it mattered most.

"The cost should be around sixty million," Oscar quoted a figure.

Instantly, Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz couldn't stay calm. That price was far too steep. One battleship costing that much meant building several would run into two or three hundred million marks.

"Your Highness, sixty million marks per ship is far too expensive. The navy simply cannot afford such costly battleships!" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz shook his head repeatedly.

"Count, this new battleship class is more expensive than the Nassau-class, but its combat power is far stronger. Against British battleships, it can achieve overwhelming superiority. I assume the navy doesn't want to follow the British example—spending a fortune to build flashy but useless junk?" Oscar said with a smile.

Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz was left speechless. Of course, he wanted the German Navy's battleships to crush the British Navy.

At that point, Wilhelm II spoke up: "Your Excellency, say no more. I'll find a way to handle the money issue."

By now, Wilhelm II was also flush with funds. As the German Welfare Lottery Company's profits grew, the royal family's share increased. Though the crown only received profits from the company's operations within Germany, that still amounted to over a hundred million marks annually. This was essentially windfall income—extra revenue. Additionally, the crown had its own estates and holdings, generating substantial profits each year. If the royal family was willing to spend money to strengthen the navy, its rapid development would be unstoppable.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz beamed with joy. With Wilhelm II's assurance, what was there to worry about? For the first time, he felt incredibly fortunate as the head of the German Navy. Watching one new battleship after another launch and enter service, seeing the navy grow stronger under his command—this gave Tirpitz an indescribable sense of achievement.

"Father Emperor, how many ships of this class should we build, and what should we name them?" Oscar asked.

"How many? Tirpitz, what do you think?" Wilhelm II looked at Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz.

Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz frowned, hesitated for a moment, then said: "Your Highness, there's a situation I must explain. The next class of capital ships cannot all be built by the German Shipyard. The Nassau-class was entirely constructed there, which has already caused great dissatisfaction among the major shipyards. So, for the next capital ships, we need to consider the interests of all the major shipyards. I hope Your Highness can understand."

Oscar had anticipated this. The major German Navy shipyards all had deep connections and involved too many interests. Watching the German Shipyard continuously build new battleships while they only received orders for small and medium vessels naturally bred resentment. If this continued, the German Shipyard would become the industry's common enemy.

Even Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz dared not go that far.

"Oscar, we are all well aware of everything you've done for the German Navy and the entire German Empire. But often, we must consider the bigger picture. Besides, the German Navy cannot grow strong on the German Shipyard alone. If the other major shipyards lose orders, suffer losses, or even go bankrupt, it would deal a heavy blow to the German Empire's shipbuilding capacity, harming our overall strength. That would severely damage the German Empire's interests," Wilhelm II added.

Oscar nodded: "Father Emperor, I understand that. For Germany's benefit, it's only right for the German Shipyard to share some of its interests. For the next capital ships, the German Shipyard only needs to build one. I'll fund that one myself, fulfilling my promise to Director Birkenhagen."

Seeing Oscar so reasonable, Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz both breathed a sigh of relief. This gave Wilhelm II a much better impression of his originally quiet, introverted son. He even thought Oscar would be the best candidate for crown prince. But unfortunately, Crown Prince Wilhelm was his eldest son and held the primary right of succession, which could not be changed.

"Your Majesty, since His Highness understands, we have nothing to worry about. To accommodate the interests of all major shipyards, let's build five ships for the next capital class!" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz proposed.