The Rise of German empire

King William II glanced at Crown Prince William with a cold, expressionless gaze. The emperor could not hide his dissatisfaction with his son. As the future ruler of the German Empire, Crown Prince William's narrow-mindedness was becoming more evident. His jealousy of his younger brother, Qin Tian, was palpable, but Wilhelm II wondered—how could a prince so consumed with envy ever show proper leadership? If he could not even manage his emotions with his own family, how could he expect to treat the empire with the wisdom and compassion it needed?

Essen von Jonareit, the royal steward, could sense the tension in the air. He watched the emperor closely, unsure how the conversation would unfold.

"Your Majesty, Karl also holds 20% of the shares in His Highness's company," Essen said, trying to defuse the mounting tension. "He's also entitled to 10% of the income. The minister can offer this portion of the profit to the royal family for free."

Karl von Jonareit, who was standing nearby, added hastily, "I believe it's an opportunity to show our loyalty and preserve our standing, Your Majesty."

Essen's words, though meant to alleviate the situation, carried a heavy weight of compromise. It pained him to suggest giving up such valuable wealth, but he knew it was necessary to maintain the favor of the royal family and keep peace in the palace.

But even as Essen spoke, the dissatisfaction with Crown Prince William only deepened in the emperor's heart. Wilhelm II found it impossible to ignore the underlying jealousy in his son's words. It was clear to him now that Crown Prince William had spoken out of spite, a personal vendetta against his younger brother rather than any true concern for the royal family's financial well-being.

"Essen," the emperor began, his voice steady but firm, "Oscar and Karl have made a rare gesture by offering 20% of their profits to the royal family. After all, this is their business venture, not ours. How can we, as the royal family, claim ownership of someone else's property? For Oscar's filial piety, however, I will accept this offer."

Crown Prince William's face flushed, his expression a mixture of resentment and frustration. He had expected a different reaction, one that might have supported his argument. But instead, his father had rebuked him for his narrow thinking. The sting of the emperor's disapproval was evident, and William II's calm words only served to highlight how misplaced his son's proposal had been.

"It is wise of you, Your Majesty," Essen replied, his tone filled with relief.

Crown Prince William remained silent, his thoughts darkening further. He was bitter. How could his younger brother, a prince who should know his place, possess so much wealth? Why was it that Oscar, an individual so young and seemingly reckless, had found success where he, the crown prince, had not? But William could say nothing. He knew that his father's disappointment was not to be challenged.

"Your Majesty," Essen continued, keen to steer the conversation away from more tension, "His Royal Highness Prince Oscar is concerned that some unscrupulous individuals might attempt to seize control of the Deutsche Welfare Lottery due to its lucrative profits. He requests royal protection for his company."

The emperor, ever astute, nodded in understanding. He knew well the kind of people that lurked in capitalist society, ready to exploit any opportunity for their gain.

"I knew that boy would not offer such profits without expecting something in return," Wilhelm II said with a slight chuckle. "But, for the sake of building an additional battleship each year, we shall assist him. The royal family will handle those who would seek to take advantage."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Essen breathed a sigh of relief. The protection of the royal family would indeed provide a shield against any would-be predators, ensuring the company's continued success. The profits, too, would remain secure.

"Tell Oscar," the emperor added, his mood softening slightly, "that we will host a banquet in his honor at Christmas. It's time for him to return to the palace."

Essen nodded, his heart lighter than it had been in days. The shift in the emperor's perception of Oscar was undeniable. Where once Wilhelm II had viewed his son as frivolous and misguided, he now recognized the boy's talents in business and his loyalty to the empire. Oscar, despite his unconventional methods, had proven himself to be not just capable, but an asset.

As Essen left, Crown Prince William's face became even more clouded with unease. While he did not believe his younger brother posed any real threat to his succession, the emperor's newfound appreciation for Oscar was unsettling. What if, one day, the people's affection for Oscar grew to rival that for the crown prince himself? The thought gnawed at him.

In private, the royal family declared that the Deutsche Welfare Lottery Company was considered royal property, a move that dissuaded the capitalists who had been eyeing the profitable venture. While the lottery company remained immensely lucrative, aligning it with the royal family made it a risky target for those looking to stake a claim.

For Oscar, this decision came as a huge relief. The crisis surrounding the company was over, and he could now focus on the next phase of his plans. The enormous profits generated by the Deutsche Welfare Lottery would serve as the foundation for his future endeavors.

He handed over the day-to-day operations of the business to Karl, his trusted ally, while he retreated to his office to refine his ambitious plans. As a military enthusiast, Oscar had long been fascinated by weaponry, aircraft, tanks, and warships, collecting models from his previous life. Now, he was turning that passion into something more—something tangible.

Oscar's focus was set on one thing: warships. In this era, the battleship was the capital ship of any navy, and Germany, alongside the United Kingdom, was one of the few countries capable of building such formidable vessels. He was already deep in research, laying the groundwork for the future of Germany's naval power.

"The British battleship 'Dreadnought'—its design plans should be finished soon," he mused to himself, tracing the blueprint in his mind. "Once it's approved next year, its construction will revolutionize naval warfare. The old battleships will become obsolete. This includes Germany's 'Brandenburg-class,' 'Kaiser-class,' 'Friedrich III-class,' and others."

Oscar's mind raced with ideas for the future. The success of the Deutsche Welfare Lottery had given him the financial resources to pursue a bold vision—one that could reshape Germany's military capabilities and, with it, the future of the empire itself.