Next, Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz discussed the current international situation, while Oscar listened quietly at the side. Although, as someone who had traveled back from a later age, he knew the course of history very well, he obviously could not tell Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz everything. If he did, the two of them would surely take him for a monster.
Moreover, having the chance to listen to Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz's conversation meant that Oscar had earned both men's recognition. Before this, aside from Crown Prince Wilhelm, who qualified by virtue of his status, none of Wilhelm II's other sons had possessed such a privilege. To Oscar, this was already tremendous progress.
Of course, Oscar knew that replacing Crown Prince Wilhelm would be extremely difficult. He had more or less given up such fantasies. But if he could increase his voice in state affairs, that would be even better.
From the conversation between Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz, Oscar learned that Germany now faced an exceedingly grim external environment. After the Moroccan Crisis, the three powers of Britain, France, and Russia had drawn ever closer together. Though they had yet to conclude a true alliance treaty, it was only a matter of time. In fact, the three nations had already begun suppressing Germany.
This was also why Wilhelm II had gradually begun abandoning his illusions about Britain and increasing investment in the navy. Otherwise, Wilhelm II would likely still have been unwilling to make an enemy of Britain.
"Your Excellency, once the three powers of Britain, France, and Russia truly conclude a treaty, we will face even greater pressure." Wilhelm II's brows were tightly furrowed. Germany was undoubtedly a high-speed train racing ahead, one that could not stop at all. If it could not smash through the blockade of Britain, France, and Russia, there would likely be only one outcome in the end: train wreck and death.
"Yes, Your Majesty! Once war breaks out, the Empire will face enormous pressure. The Imperial Army's combat strength is number one in the world; that is beyond doubt. But we will likely have no choice but to fight on two fronts. If the Imperial Army cannot swiftly defeat its opponents, the war will inevitably fall into a stalemate. When that time comes, we may only be able to rely on the navy to turn the tide. Therefore, we must strengthen the navy as much as possible and narrow the gap between ourselves and the British Navy as much as possible," Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said gravely.
Wilhelm II nodded. Though he believed in the German Army's combat strength, and that once war began they would very likely win another brilliant victory like the Franco-Prussian War more than thirty years ago, he had to admit that the world situation was now completely different from what it had been thirty years earlier. The development of technology had brought earth-shaking changes to both military combat strength and methods of warfare. It would probably not be easy for the German Army to sweep aside the French as it had thirty years ago. Thus, Wilhelm II had to prepare for the worst. If the army could not swiftly defeat the enemy, then the navy would have to shoulder the responsibility of breaking Britain's maritime blockade and ensuring that Germany's overseas trade routes were not cut off. Otherwise, Germany would likely have only one road left: being dragged to death alive.
Of course, Wilhelm II still believed that if Germany possessed a powerful navy, it might be able to directly intimidate Britain into staying out of the war, achieving victory without fighting. Without Britain as its great enemy, Germany's pressure would naturally be much less. France and Russia alone would find it almost impossible to defeat Germany.
If Oscar had known of Wilhelm II's thinking, he would certainly have said it was naive beyond belief. How could the British, in order to preserve their Hegemonic Status, possibly sit back and let Germany defeat France and Russia and dominate the European continent? The policy Britain had always pursued was one of continental balance. In other words, they would not allow a hegemon to emerge on the European continent. Whenever a country grew powerful, they would draw other nations together to encircle it. France in the past, Russia, and Germany now were all victims of this British policy.
"From now until war breaks out, we will devote every effort to developing the navy. Let us hope that in the next war concerning Germany's fate, we will certainly be victorious!" Wilhelm II sighed.
"Your Majesty, we will certainly win." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz was exceptionally resolute.
"Father Emperor, it is beyond doubt that the British will become our enemies, perhaps even the core of the three powers of Britain, France, and Russia. For that reason, we must use every possible means to weaken them. Besides developing armaments and surpassing the British head-on, we must also employ other methods," Oscar suggested.
"Oskar, do you have any suggestions?" Wilhelm II asked.
"Father Emperor, Britain is powerful because it possesses the most vast colonies in the world. It is precisely these colonies, dozens of times larger than the British mainland and with populations more than ten times greater, that hold up the British Empire. But we can also see that British rule in the colonies is no longer so stable. India once saw a major revolt against Britain, and South Africa saw two Boer Wars. Even now, there are no shortage of people there who oppose British rule. If we increase our investment in those people, I believe we will reap very good returns," Oscar said.
"Hmm, that is indeed a good method. Although it cannot pose any substantive threat to Britain, if it can weaken them and make trouble for them, then it is acceptable." Wilhelm II nodded.
"Father Emperor, apart from the British colonies, the British mainland is not peaceful either. Haven't the Irish people always been clamoring for independence? If we support Irish independence, then once it succeeds, it will not only greatly weaken Britain, but also give us a pro-German nation right beside Britain. This will be extremely useful for defeating Britain in the future. Even if Irish independence fails, we will lose nothing but some funds. It can still weaken Britain and make those Irish people hate the British even more. Their resistance will surely continue, wave after wave, with those behind pressing on after those before have fallen. When that time comes, the British will naturally have a headache to deal with!" Oscar smiled.
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