The Rise of German empire

What was placed in front of William II was the exterior drawing of the new battleship designed by Oscar. Though still just a concept, the shock it evoked was immense, far exceeding any expectations the Emperor might have had.

William II, while not a naval expert, had become one of the driving forces behind the German Navy's expansion. His vision for a stronger navy had set the stage for the rapid development of warships, making him something of an informed patron—though he still relied heavily on the advice of naval experts.

As he examined the drawing, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of skepticism and excitement. "This battleship designed by Oscar is unlike anything we've built before," William II muttered, his eyes scanning the innovative features. "The secondary guns are gone, and every weapon is now a heavy gun, mounted in triple turrets no less." He frowned. "Triple-mounted guns are untested, unproven in actual naval combat. We've always used dual-caliber guns. This feels like uncharted territory."

William II's mind raced as he tried to process the changes. The German Navy had never built a ship like this, and the technical challenges it presented were immense. Nevertheless, the design seemed undeniably powerful. It suggested a leap forward in naval warfare that could put Germany ahead of its competitors, especially the British, who had long been dominant in the naval arms race.

"But…" he whispered, considering the implications, "if this battleship were to be built, it would undoubtedly improve the German Navy's capabilities." His voice held a note of caution. The new battleship's design was revolutionary, but turning that design into a reality would be no simple feat. The technology required, from the heavy oil boilers to the steam turbines, was still in its infancy, and there were no guarantees that the German engineers could overcome the hurdles it presented.

"Essen," William II called out. "Find out if Marshal Tirpitz is available. I need him to see this."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Essen von Jonalet responded, heading off to locate the Marshal.

When Marshal Tirpitz arrived, William II wasted no time. "Look at this," he said, gesturing to the blueprint. "This is a Christmas gift from Oscar. He claims to have designed it himself. It's an entirely new kind of battleship—no secondary guns, triple-mounted main guns, and a more compact layout."

Tirpitz's eyes widened. Though he had been skeptical of Oscar in the past, recent events had shifted his views. After their conversation during the Christmas dinner, he now knew that the Prince had a deep understanding of military strategy and technology. As he examined the blueprint, his expression turned serious.

"Three triple-mounted main guns… and no secondary armament? That's a bold move," Tirpitz murmured, noting the absence of secondary guns—a feature standard on battleships of the time. The German Navy had relied on these to deliver sustained firepower in battle. However, the new design proposed a different approach, one that was likely to spark debate among naval officers.

William II waited for the Marshal's analysis, watching closely. Tirpitz was known for his meticulous nature and his deep understanding of naval tactics.

"The layout is certainly unique," Tirpitz said after a moment of consideration. "But secondary guns are vital for naval combat. History, particularly the Sino-Japanese War, has shown that these guns are necessary for heavy bombardments and engaging targets at different ranges. Without them, the battleship may struggle in extended engagements."

Despite his reservations about the removal of secondary guns, Tirpitz was intrigued. The power of the proposed battleship was undeniable.

"What about the propulsion system?" William II asked. "Oscar also suggests using heavy oil boilers combined with steam turbines. How feasible is that?"

Tirpitz frowned slightly. "While it's true that we've dabbled with the idea of heavy oil boilers, steam turbines remain untested on such a scale. The British have experience with them, but we lack the expertise to deploy them in large warships." He paused, deep in thought. "That said, we could replace the turbines with coal-fired boilers and triple-expansion reciprocating engines. The ship's speed would be affected, but it could still work."

William II took in this information with a quiet nod. "Even so, this new battleship, if successful, could surpass our current fleet in terms of firepower and technology. But why does Oscar believe that this type of ship is the future of naval warfare?"

Tirpitz considered the question for a moment before answering. "Your Majesty, His Highness Oscar has a keen understanding of future warfare. I've spoken with him at length, and I have to admit, his insights often surpass those of many senior officials. He has a clearer vision for the direction the Navy must take—perhaps, this time, his vision is the right one."

William II, surprised by Tirpitz's praise of Oscar, let the words sink in. His son, whom he had often dismissed as overly ambitious, seemed to be demonstrating a profound understanding of naval strategy and technology.

"Essen," William II said suddenly. "Find Oscar. I want to speak to him. I need to hear his thoughts on this design directly from him."

"Your Majesty, I believe the Prince has already left the banquet hall," Essen replied. "He doesn't seem fond of large gatherings. It's a trait unique to him, even among his peers."

William II's brow furrowed in annoyance. "Then wake him up, if you have to. I need to speak with him tonight. No excuses."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Essen said with a bow, and rushed off to locate the Prince.

As the Emperor waited, the weight of what was unfolding settled upon him. If Oscar's design could become reality, it would not only change the future of the German Navy—it could shift the balance of power in Europe's naval arms race. And William II wasn't sure if he was ready to embrace the full extent of his son's potential just yet.

But one thing was certain: the German Navy's future was about to change, and it might be driven by a vision he had never expected.