The Rise of German empire

Oscar arrived at William II's office, his eyes still heavy with sleep. For him, the banquet had been a tedious affair, far from the exciting social gathering others might have considered it to be. He wasn't the kind of person who relished those events; they felt more like a chore than a celebration.

As he entered the room, William II couldn't help but feel a moment of regret. Seeing his son's tired face made the Emperor realize that perhaps waking him up in the middle of the night had been a bit too much.

"Essen," William II called out. "Prepare a cup of coffee for Oscar. He looks like he could use it."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Essen von Jonalet replied, swiftly going to prepare the coffee.

Marshal Count Tirpitz, observing the scene with a slight smile, couldn't resist commenting. "Your Highness, the banquet was at its peak when you left. Such occasions are valuable for establishing connections. At your age, it's time to enjoy these social events, not avoid them." He chuckled softly.

Oscar, still rubbing his eyes, shook his head. "Marshal, I'm just not used to such events. They feel... out of place for me. I'd rather go back to sleep."

William II, still concerned for his son, gave him a stern but affectionate look. "Oscar, this isn't something you can keep avoiding. Relationships are vital in our world. You need to build your network, especially at your age. There's still a long life ahead of you, and banquets are the best places to form those connections."

"Yes, Father," Oscar replied, understanding his father's intentions. Even though he wasn't thrilled about it, he knew it was for his own good.

At that moment, Essen entered with the coffee, handing it to Oscar.

"Thank you," Oscar said, taking the coffee. After a few sips of the strong brew, his spirits lifted, and he was more alert.

"Alright, Oscar," William II began, turning the conversation to the matters at hand. "Let's get to business. I'm pleased with the Christmas gift you gave me—the battleship design. But I must admit, both Marshal Tirpitz and I have serious doubts about some aspects of it. We need some clarification."

Oscar, always humble in the presence of his father, nodded. "Father, if you like it, that's the greatest compliment. The battleship design is my speculation about the future of naval capital ships."

Marshal Count Tirpitz, ever the cautious expert, was the first to voice his concerns. "Your Highness, while the design is impressive, it differs greatly from the current battleship norms. Why do you believe that a ship with all heavy artillery will become the future trend?"

Oscar took a deep breath, aware that this would be the moment to explain his vision. "Your Excellency, Marshal, as artillery range increases, so does its power. This shows that long-distance combat will be the future of naval warfare. Once combat distances extend to around ten kilometers or more, only large-caliber main guns can effectively engage the enemy. Smaller-caliber guns won't be a threat. It's an inevitable evolution for the navy's capital ships."

Both William II and Marshal Tirpitz nodded in agreement. Based on the information available to them, they knew that Oscar's reasoning held merit. The trend toward long-range engagements had been evident, especially as naval technologies advanced.

William II, still thoughtful, turned to Tirpitz. "What about the latest British battleship designs? Have we heard anything?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Tirpitz replied, "The British are currently working on a new battleship that they claim is a groundbreaking design—an epoch-making vessel. If it surpasses our capabilities again, it will make it even more difficult to compete."

The Emperor's expression darkened with concern. The British already held a commanding lead in naval power, and if their new battleships were superior, it would push Germany even further behind in the arms race.

Oscar, ever the strategist, quickly added, "Father, Your Excellency, the British new battleship will likely follow the same direction as my design—a ship focused entirely on heavy artillery. If we let them outpace us once again, the gap between us will only grow wider."

William II looked at his son with a raised eyebrow. "Oscar, are you sure about this? Where did you get this information?"

Oscar paused for a moment, unsure of how to explain his foresight. He couldn't tell his father that his knowledge came from a future beyond their time. "Father, this is just my own analysis. But given the way things are progressing, it seems very likely that the British will follow this path."

Though William II still saw Oscar as a young boy, he was impressed by the clarity of his insights. It was rare for someone so young to grasp such important trends in naval warfare.

"Marshal," William II said after a pause, "We need to confirm this. If the British are indeed pursuing this design, we cannot afford to fall further behind."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Tirpitz responded, taking the Emperor's command seriously.

After a brief silence, Tirpitz turned to Oscar with a new question. "Your Highness, I understand your reasoning behind the heavy oil boilers and steam turbines. However, Germany is in a precarious position when it comes to oil. We have coal in abundance, but oil is scarce. Coal-fired boilers would be more in line with our national resources. And as for the turbines, our development in this area has been minimal. There are still significant obstacles. If we use coal and triple-expansion reciprocating engines, we'll avoid many of those issues."

Oscar shook his head, not convinced. "Your Excellency, while it's true that we have more coal than oil, the performance of heavy oil boilers far exceeds that of coal-fired boilers. Not only that, but oil storage is far easier and more convenient. Using oil boilers would provide more power and extend the ship's range. As for the steam turbines, I know the technology isn't there yet, but it's a matter of time. A couple of years of focused effort should be enough to overcome the current limitations. Speed is becoming increasingly important in naval combat. We could use that to our advantage—whether to retreat when the situation is unfavorable or to pursue a fleeing enemy. The British already emphasize speed in their designs. If we don't move forward with this, we risk being left behind."

William II considered his son's words carefully. The need for speed, especially in the context of modern naval warfare, seemed undeniable.

"Your Excellency, I also propose a 305mm main gun. The larger the caliber, the greater the range and power. It's a clear advantage," Oscar continued.

"Marshal, what do you think of Oscar's proposal?" William II turned to Tirpitz once again.

Tirpitz was silent for a moment, clearly weighing the possibilities. "Your Majesty, His Highness's suggestions are certainly forward-thinking. However, there are significant hurdles to overcome, particularly with the steam turbines and the oil-fired boilers. But I agree, if we can break through those technical challenges, the advantages are clear."

William II nodded, deep in thought. The future of the German Navy was at a crossroads, and Oscar's ideas might just be the key to reshaping its destiny. But it would take time, effort, and a willingness to embrace change—something Germany had never been known for in matters of naval innovation.