The Rise of German empire

"Mr. Hans, this is your bonus. It's five million marks in total. However, you have to pay the tax yourself." Carl von Jonareit, the general manager of the Deutsche Welfare Lottery Company, beamed as he handed a check to Hans, the lucky winner of the first prize.

After confirming the winner, Carl had rushed to Düsseldorf that very night, carrying the check for five million marks. Along with him, the exciting news was sent to major newspapers. Now, in front of eager reporters, Carl proudly presented Hans with the grand prize in front of a crowd of onlookers.

"I... thank you so much," Hans stammered, feeling as though he were living in a dream. He could hardly believe that he had won. In his wildest imagination, he never thought God would smile upon him like this. After taxes, he'd still walk away with four million marks—a sum that seemed almost otherworldly for a coal miner. With this newfound fortune, he would no longer have to endure the grueling work in the coal mines, nor would his family continue to live in their cramped, dilapidated house.

"Mr. Hans, how do you feel now?" A reporter, his voice tinged with both envy and awe, asked. The luck Hans had struck seemed like something out of a fairy tale. How many people would have given anything for that kind of fortune? Certainly, this kind of luck was something most people could only dream of.

"I am very excited and happy," Hans replied, his voice shaking with emotion. "Thank God and the Deutsche Welfare Lottery. I'm a coal miner, and life was very tough. But from now on, everything will be different. I have hope for the future."

The moment Hans spoke those words, Carl saw an opportunity. The press was there, and they would be quick to spread the word. "My friends from the press," Carl began, addressing the reporters with an air of professionalism, "the goal of our Deutsche Welfare Lottery is to provide everyone with a chance to change their lives. While two marks might not seem like much to some, most can afford it, and what you get in return is the chance to change your fate. For just two marks, you can win a prize that could completely transform your life. And as a company, we pride ourselves on our commitment to the public good. A portion of the lottery proceeds goes to support social welfare programs, making a tangible difference in our society."

The reporters and onlookers in the crowd erupted in applause. The lottery had just given an ordinary coal miner the chance of a lifetime, and the story was one that would sell papers. The buzz surrounding the lottery was palpable, and the sales began to soar once more.

The success of the first grand prize winner, along with the press coverage, sparked an explosion of interest. More people, eager to change their fortunes, flocked to the lottery booths. Even though two marks was still a considerable amount for many, it was an affordable gamble for those hoping for a chance at something better. The prospect of winning millions was a powerful motivator, and soon, even those with modest means found themselves purchasing tickets.

By the time the fourth round of the lottery had concluded, sales had skyrocketed to an impressive 40 million marks. After deducting the costs and prize payouts, the company had netted approximately 4 million marks in profit. Of that amount, Oscar, the mastermind behind the lottery, had personally secured two million marks for himself. With such steady income flowing in, his plans for the future were looking more and more promising. His dream of furthering Germany's military might, especially with the development of battleships for the German Navy, was now within reach.

The lottery's success was beginning to turn heads, drawing the attention of powerful figures who could see the immense financial potential of the Deutsche Welfare Lottery Company. However, as is often the case with such lucrative ventures, there were whispers in the corridors of power. The envy of the wealthy and powerful was beginning to bubble to the surface, and soon, others might want to claim a stake in the profits.

While it was true that Oscar had the protection of his royal lineage, his status as a prince alone would not shield him forever. There were powerful men, even in Germany's royal circles, who would not hesitate to challenge his company if they saw it as a way to increase their own wealth. The Deutsche Welfare Lottery had been a great success, but such fortune often attracted vultures looking to seize it for themselves.

Carl, who had been working tirelessly by Oscar's side, understood the risks. "Your Highness, up until now, we've issued six rounds of the lottery, and the total profit has reached 10 million marks," he reported. "After donating two million marks to the civil affairs department, we still have eight million marks in net profit. This one million mark check is your share, as promised."

"Thank you, Carl," Oscar replied, accepting the check. "I never imagined we'd recover the initial investment so quickly. Now, everything from here on out is pure profit."

"Indeed," Carl agreed, but his expression darkened. "However, with such immense profits, there are bound to be others who want a piece of the pie."

Oscar's expression hardened as well. "You're right. For now, they may hold back, but as we continue to rake in profits, their patience will wear thin. My status as a prince will not be enough to keep them at bay forever. It's only a matter of time before someone tries to take over."

Carl's eyes narrowed with concern. "Then what should we do?"

Oscar's lips curled into a wry smile. "We need to secure our position. The royal family's influence is still strong, but even that might not be enough in the long run. I need to take additional steps to ensure our safety."

Turning to Carl, Oscar continued, "I want you to go to the palace and deliver this check to my father. As we agreed before, we will give 20% of the profits to the royal family. I hope that, for the sake of the money we're generating and our family ties, my father will offer us his protection."

Karl nodded solemnly. "Understood, Your Highness. I'll leave for Potsdam immediately."

As Carl departed, Oscar gazed out the window, deep in thought. He knew that with wealth came danger. The more they succeeded, the more others would take notice, and soon, those with more power than him might seek to take what was his. But he wasn't going to let that happen. His vision was too important, and his dream of restoring Germany's military strength could not be derailed by greedy opportunists.

With the royal family's backing, Oscar hoped that the looming threat of corporate greed could be kept at bay. As the country's economic landscape continued to shift, there was no telling just how far the Deutsche Welfare Lottery could go. But for now, Oscar was determined to keep it safe and growing, one step at a time.