The Rise of German empire

As Crown Prince Wilhelm's smug expression burned into Qin Tian's mind, he struggled to suppress the urge to strike him. It was not the first time he had encountered Wilhelm's jealousy and thinly veiled disdain, but to see it aimed at his own brother, who was supposed to be his ally, only fueled his anger.

Qin Tian had long been aware of the rivalry between himself and the crown prince. While it was true that he had his own ambitions, he was far from foolish enough to believe that he could simply usurp Wilhelm's position as heir to the throne. The Western world, unlike the East, had a far more rigid approach to succession, and replacing the crown prince was an almost impossible feat. However, that did not mean he would idly sit by while Germany's future hung in the balance. If the empire failed in future wars, the consequences would be devastating for him as well. On the other hand, if Germany triumphed, Qin Tian stood to gain enormously, both politically and personally.

But his actions, his willingness to challenge outdated practices and push for new technologies, had stirred something far more dangerous—Wilhelm's insecurity. The crown prince saw Qin Tian's ambition not as a desire to improve the empire but as a threat to his own power. To Wilhelm, every step Qin Tian took was a step closer to undermining his place. Therefore, the prince, desperate to keep his grip on the throne, began to act against him with a vengeance.

Qin Tian took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, but his frustration with the Naval Technical Committee only grew. He had anticipated resistance to his ideas, but the stubbornness of these "old antiques"—as he thought of them—was beyond his expectations. He had long known that the German navy would be at a disadvantage in future conflicts, but now he saw just how entrenched their unwillingness to adapt truly was. This was a part of the reason why the German Navy had faltered in the past.

"I respect the decision of the Naval Technical Committee," Qin Tian said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "But mark my words—you will soon realize that your insistence on these outdated methods will doom the German Navy. Once the British surpass us completely, it will be too late. If Germany fails in the upcoming wars, you will all share in the blame. I can only imagine how you will face the consequences when that day comes."

His words, harsh and full of anger, hung heavily in the room. The Naval Technical Committee members were visibly shaken by the accusation, their faces darkening. None had expected such a forceful reprimand from the prince.

Count von Warren, the chairman of the committee, was especially displeased. He had long prided himself on the committee's contributions to Germany's naval development, and to be berated by a young prince for his leadership was an offense he would not let slide. "Your Royal Highness," he said, his voice cold, "though you are of noble birth, you do not have the right to insult us like this. We are subjects of the German Empire, responsible to His Majesty and the people. You may have new ideas, but you do not possess the experience that we have. Perhaps you should spend a few years at the Naval Academy and come back when you have earned your diploma."

Sir Dietrich, the head of shipbuilding, echoed his sentiments, "You may be young and full of enthusiasm, but your ideas are nothing but sensationalism. Designing warships is not about blindly stacking new technologies together. There are countless factors to consider, and you have barely scratched the surface of understanding them."

Qin Tian's eyes narrowed. The nerve of these men was incredible. They acted as though their experience made them infallible, dismissing his designs simply because they challenged tradition. They couldn't see the potential of what he was proposing because they were too wrapped up in their own expertise to look beyond it.

Count von Warren, trying to calm the situation, spoke up again. "Let's all take a step back. It's understandable that there are differences in opinion. Time will reveal who is right or wrong in this matter."

Crown Prince Wilhelm, who had remained quiet for the most part, now seized the opportunity to reprimand Qin Tian further. "Oscar, your conduct today has been reckless," he said sternly, with an air of disapproval. "As a prince of the German Empire, you must not act out like this. Even if your design was rejected, there is no reason to behave in such a way. The experts here are pillars of the empire."

Qin Tian could see the satisfaction glimmering in Wilhelm's eyes, as if the prince took some perverse joy in seeing him humbled. Wilhelm had always been a man of ego and insecurity, and seeing Qin Tian lose his composure was like a balm to his wounded pride. This was a calculated move, one designed to destroy Qin Tian's reputation, to make it even more impossible for him to challenge Wilhelm's position in the future.

"Fine," Qin Tian responded, his voice steady but filled with defiance. "I have every right to disagree with you, and I will continue to believe in the correctness of my design. In time, you will see the error of your ways."

Wilhelm, red with fury, hissed, "You will regret this. I will report your insubordination to the Emperor."

His words were meant to intimidate, but Qin Tian met them with indifference. He had already anticipated Wilhelm's response. The crown prince was a man ruled by his emotions and his desire to control everything and everyone around him. He would go to any length to maintain his power.

Marshal Count Tirpitz and Prince Heinrich exchanged a glance, both sensing the futility of trying to salvage the situation. They had been hopeful that the demonstration would result in a productive exchange of ideas, but now it seemed that their worst fears had been realized. The committee had already made their decision, and neither they nor Qin Tian had any power to change that outcome.

As the tension in the room thickened, Qin Tian turned his gaze toward the naval experts who had so steadfastly rejected his design. His tone shifted, growing colder. "You think that rejecting my design will stop this battleship from becoming a reality?" he asked with a pointed look. "You're wrong. This is not just another warship for the German Navy. It is a first-class capital ship that I am donating to the navy. Your decision is irrelevant. I will build this ship myself and show you all what real power looks like."

The room fell silent. For the first time, the Naval Technical Committee seemed truly rattled. They had rejected Qin Tian's design, believing it would simply fade away with time. But they hadn't considered the possibility that Qin Tian, with his wealth and influence, could simply go ahead and create the ship on his own. He had made it clear that he was not bound by the constraints of their bureaucracy.

Prince Heinrich couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. "So money is enough to get things done, is it?" he remarked with a wry smile.

Marshal Tirpitz, though clearly amused, also felt a sense of defeat. The very idea that Qin Tian could bypass the committee and build the ship himself was a heavy blow to their authority.

Qin Tian stood tall, his eyes full of resolve. "Being rich has its advantages. And as for you," he said, turning to face the Naval Technical Committee, "you will see. I'll show you the true power of what I've created."