The Rise of German empire

Christmas Eve had arrived, and Oscar's mind was still preoccupied with the blueprint of the battleship he had been perfecting for months. The drawing, which had consumed all of his energy and focus, was now complete. He leaned back in his chair and took a long look at the mighty, majestic battleship on the paper. It was a creation of power and precision, a ship unlike any other that had come before it.

The battleships of previous years were a far cry from the revolutionary designs that would emerge in the coming decades. Before the "Dreadnought" class of the British Navy, most battleships had displacements of just over 10,000 tons, with armament divided between heavy-caliber first-level guns and smaller second-level guns. The second-level guns, with their faster fire rates, were meant to compensate for the slower, less frequent shots from the large-caliber guns.

But with the advent of the "Dreadnought," the age of full heavy artillery had begun. The era of mixing gun calibers was over. Now, every gun on the ship was of the same heavy caliber, designed for maximum strike capability. It was a radical departure, a bold new direction for naval warfare. And Oscar had designed a battleship that would embody this new vision.

The design he had drawn was similar in some respects to the future "Nassau-class" battleships of the German Navy, but it took things a step further. While the "Nassau-class" would feature six dual-mounted 280mm guns—two mounted fore and aft, with the other four along the sides—Oscar's design featured three triple-mounted 305mm guns. By adopting triple mounts instead of duals, Oscar was not only staying ahead of the curve, but also optimizing space on the ship. This would give the battleship a more compact hull, increasing its defense and maneuverability while packing an even more devastating punch.

Beyond armament, Oscar had made a critical improvement in the ship's power. Instead of a coal-fired boiler, he had chosen an oil-fired boiler, paired with a steam turbine instead of the traditional triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine. This choice would significantly increase the battleship's speed and efficiency, making it a formidable force on the seas.

"I hope William II will like this," Oscar thought to himself as he surveyed the completed blueprint. "With this ship, the German Navy could easily surpass the British after the launch of their Dreadnought. In a potential conflict, this would give us a far greater chance of winning."

Oscar was not simply designing a battleship; he was crafting a symbol of Germany's power. He had promised to provide the German Navy with cutting-edge ships, and he intended to deliver. No longer would the navy rely on outdated pre-dreadnoughts. With this new design, Germany could enter the new era of naval warfare with an undeniable advantage.

The political implications were not lost on him. By impressing Wilhelm II with his creation, Oscar could elevate his own standing. The emperor, after all, had always shown a particular fondness for the navy. If Oscar could prove himself valuable to the empire, he might gain greater influence within the royal family—and, perhaps, even sway the direction of state affairs. If he played his cards right, Oscar could even change the course of history.

He didn't care much for the throne itself; his ambition wasn't to inherit it. But the fate of the Second German Empire was another matter entirely. If the empire fell, his privileged position as a prince would evaporate, leaving him nothing but exile and ridicule. The power of the empire was essential for his own continued prosperity.

As the year drew to a close, the Deutsche Welfare Lottery Company, which had been thriving under his leadership, also remained firmly on track. "double collor ball lottery," the lottery game he had launched, had quickly become a favorite among German citizens. The first winner of the grand prize had inspired a surge of interest, with people flocking to buy tickets. Though the majority of people only won small prizes, the constant stream of players ensured that the lottery continued to grow, adding wealth to Oscar's already overflowing coffers.

With the royal family's support, no one dared to interfere with his enterprise. In fact, Oscar and Karl had plans to expand the lottery into foreign markets in the coming year. The profits would not only increase Germany's financial strength but also provide Oscar with an even stronger foundation for his military and political ambitions. The timing was perfect. War was on the horizon, and Oscar intended to use his wealth to ensure that Germany's military might would reach its peak before the conflict began.

Christmas was an important occasion for the royal family, and it was also a time of unity across the empire. Kaiser Wilhelm II had organized a grand banquet at the Imperial Palace in Potsdam, inviting royal families from all the kingdoms, grand duchies, and principalities of the German Empire, along with senior officials, military generals, and diplomats from foreign nations. The Christmas Eve gathering was not just a celebration, but a strategic move to reinforce ties within the empire.

Originally, Oscar had assumed he would miss this royal gathering. However, he was surprised to learn from Karl that Wilhelm II had invited him back to the palace. It was a gesture that further solidified his place within the royal fold—and perhaps even a recognition of his recent accomplishments.

"Your Highness, I'm ready. When are we going?" Karl asked, excitement evident in his voice.

While Karl had attended palace dinners before, this time felt different. He was no longer just a servant but the general manager of the Deutsche Welfare Lottery Company, a man of wealth and influence with five million marks to his name.

"I'm ready too. Let's go," Oscar replied, nodding. He grabbed a suitcase that contained gifts for his family. As a newly rich man, he felt it was important to present himself well during the holidays—not with extravagance, but with thoughtfulness.

The two men made their way downstairs and into the Mercedes-Benz waiting outside. The car sped through the streets, headed toward Potsdam and the grand banquet that awaited them.

Although Mercedes-Benz had been around for years, Oscar couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the current models and the future vehicles he envisioned. The cars of this era were simple by his standards, both in appearance and interior design. It was a world away from the sleek, advanced vehicles of the future.

"With all the money we're pulling in from the welfare lottery, it seems wasteful to keep it all in the bank," Oscar mused, a thought forming in his mind. "Perhaps the next step is investment. The automobile industry might be the right direction."

He had no doubts that if he could design the stunning vehicles of the future, they would sell like wildfire. There was great potential in the automobile industry, and Oscar was already considering how he might capitalize on it.