The Rise of German empire

Oscar could tell by the expressions on the faces of William II and Marshal Earl Tirpitz that his words had struck a chord—perhaps not in the way he intended.

"Father, Your Excellency Marshal, the 100 million marks I am referring to is not a one-time sum, but rather 100 million marks per year. While the income from the welfare lottery company is substantial, I have other investments that require attention, and the flow of such a large sum could easily attract unwanted attention from foreign powers. Therefore, we can only afford to allocate this amount annually," Oscar clarified, his voice steady but laced with a hint of caution.

The sum of 100 million marks per year would not only significantly strengthen the German Navy but also help maintain Oscar's extensive industrial network without jeopardizing his other financial ventures.

Upon hearing the explanation, a wave of relief washed over William II. His son was not only prudent but calculated in his approach.

"100 million marks per year?" Marshal Tirpitz echoed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "If this is true, the German Navy will have a massive influx of funding, allowing us to build new ships and bolster our forces."

"Yes," Oscar confirmed with a nod, "100 million marks per year, until the war ends."

His tone carried the weight of foresight. In another timeline, the war had lasted for years, far beyond what anyone had anticipated. Even in this timeline, the prospect of a prolonged conflict loomed large, and Oscar wanted Germany to be prepared for a long, drawn-out struggle.

Marshal Tirpitz was visibly relieved. The money would be a game-changer for the navy. With such a budget, they could accelerate the construction of battleships, bringing the German Navy on par with—and perhaps even ahead of—the British Navy. Given the design for the new class of battleships that Oscar had in mind, the naval balance in Europe would shift dramatically.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Tirpitz said, his gratitude evident. "This will make all the difference. With your help, we can challenge the British Navy and ensure Germany's naval supremacy."

"Indeed," William II added with pride, "Oscar, you have done a great service to Germany. I am proud of you." He turned to Marshal Tirpitz. "When speaking to the outside world, we should announce that the royal family provided the loan to the Navy. That way, we can avoid suspicion from the British and French."

Oscar shook his head slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Father, there is no impenetrable wall. The British and French will eventually discover where the money is coming from. However, if they attempt to expel the German Welfare Lottery Company from their markets, it will be an act of economic sabotage. Even if we can't retaliate immediately, we will have a legitimate cause for retribution after the war."

The two men nodded in agreement. In the cutthroat world of international politics, it was not only about military strength but also about strategic positioning in the financial and industrial arenas. With the right preparations, they could make sure that once Germany emerged victorious, it would be in a prime position to extract reparations from the defeated powers.

"I trust you have plans for the next-level battleship," Tirpitz asked, eager to hear about the new designs that would shape the future of the German Navy.

Oscar reached into his suitcase and pulled out a set of blueprints, laying them carefully across the desk.

"This," he began, "is the new battleship design. It is based on the Nassau-class, but with several key improvements."

He explained the details with precision. The new class of battleships was designed to be 158 meters long, with a beam of 26.5 meters and a draft of 8.7 meters. The displacement stood at 23,500 tons, with a full load of 25,500 tons. Armed with three triple-mounted 343mm 50-caliber main guns, 14 150mm 45-caliber secondary guns, and 16 88mm 45-caliber anti-torpedo boat guns, it was a formidable vessel. The ship was powered by 16 Sulzer oil-fired boilers and four Curtis steam turbines, which provided 32,000 horsepower and allowed for a maximum speed of 23 knots—an impressive feat for a ship of this size.

The improvements were clear. The main guns were larger and more powerful, with a caliber of 343mm compared to the Nassau-class' smaller guns. The armor was stronger, with a 330mm belt compared to the previous 305mm, improving the ship's durability. The additional power also enabled the battleship to achieve a speed of 23 knots, a major leap over its predecessors and superior to many of the other battleships of the time.

"This new design is a step forward," Oscar said confidently, "and will give the German Navy a significant advantage in combat. It is more powerful, faster, and better armored than the Nassau-class."

The impact was clear: With such a ship, the German Navy would be able to challenge the British Navy on equal footing, if not exceed it in terms of overall capabilities.

However, as was expected, the cost was steep. The additional technology, firepower, and armor would drive up the price significantly, making the new battleship far more expensive than its predecessors.

Marshal Tirpitz, though impressed, was immediately concerned. "Your Excellency, the price of this new battleship will be quite high. Can the Navy afford it?"

"Yes, it's expensive," Oscar admitted, "but the increased firepower and armor will make it worth the cost. The investment will pay off in the long run."

"How many ships do you suggest we build?" William II asked.

Oscar paused for a moment before responding. "If we are serious about surpassing the British Navy, I would recommend starting with a fleet of five. The more ships we can build, the stronger our position will be. Of course, this will require collaboration with multiple shipyards."

Marshal Tirpitz frowned, a thought clearly crossing his mind. "Your Excellency, as much as I want to support your designs, we cannot rely on just one shipyard for the construction of these ships. The interests of the other shipyards need to be considered as well. If we neglect them, we risk alienating important industrial partners."

Oscar nodded in understanding. "I anticipated this. I will make sure that Deutsche Shipyard only builds one of these new battleships. The rest can be distributed among other major shipyards. We cannot afford to let the interests of the larger shipyards be ignored."

With that, the strategy began to take shape. It was clear that the new battleships would give Germany an edge, but they would need careful planning and coordination to ensure their production and deployment would go smoothly.

Marshal Tirpitz, his confidence restored, spoke with renewed determination. "We will build five battleships of this class. With your support, Your Excellency, we will ensure that the German Navy is ready for whatever comes next."