The Rise of German empire

Oscar had not expected the demonstration to take such an official turn. What he had assumed would be a simple discussion had grown into a full-scale debate in front of the highest naval authorities in the German Empire. He had spent the previous night with William II and Marshal Count Tirpitz, preparing his arguments, but now, standing in the vast conference room, he could feel the weight of the skepticism around him. The room was filled with seasoned veterans of the navy, men whose careers had been built on conventional thinking, and Oscar, at only sixteen, was about to challenge everything they knew.

The demonstration meeting had been called by William II, who, though supportive of Oscar's ideas, knew the immense resistance his son would face. William II had dispatched his son in his stead, wanting to show the utmost seriousness in evaluating the design but also distancing himself from the direct confrontation. Accompanying the young prince were Marshal Count Tirpitz, the architect of Germany's naval strategy, and Prince Heinrich, a man of great influence in the High Seas Fleet.

As Oscar walked into the room, the murmurs of disapproval became palpable. The old men sitting at the long table, their grey hair and wrinkled faces etched with years of experience, gave him skeptical looks. To them, Oscar was an outsider—a young boy with no qualifications in shipbuilding. It was absurd for them to even entertain the idea that a teenager could design a battleship that might rival the great ships of the British Navy.

"Your Excellency, why are we even discussing a battleship designed by a teenager? This is a mockery of everything we've worked for," grumbled Sir Dietrich, the Director of Naval Shipbuilding. His voice was thick with disdain. "When can a boy design something so complex?"

The room was filled with murmurs of agreement from other experts. Bruckner, the Chief Engineer, sneered. "Sixteen years old and already ignoring the basic principles of naval design. How could anyone take this seriously? The boy couldn't even finish his studies at Kiel Naval Academy, yet we're supposed to believe he understands warship construction?"

Oscar felt the weight of their criticism, but he held his ground. His mind was sharp, his resolve unwavering. He had come prepared. He had anticipated the doubts, and now, he would turn them into opportunities. His father and Tirpitz had already shown their trust, and now it was time to show these men that trust was well-placed.

"Everyone, calm down," said Count von Warren, the Chairman of the Naval Technical Committee, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Prince Oscar may be young, but let us see what he has to offer before we dismiss him entirely. We must remain open-minded, as difficult as that may be."

Oscar nodded politely. "Thank you, Count von Warren. I understand your skepticism. It is natural to question new ideas, especially from someone my age. But I ask you to consider the future of naval warfare. The world is changing. The strategies of yesterday may no longer hold true tomorrow."

Erich Dawson, a naval warship designer, let out a small chuckle. "A future of warfare, you say? What could you possibly know about that, young prince?"

Oscar took a deep breath and began to explain his design philosophy, speaking with the confidence of someone who knew his subject intimately. "I propose a battleship designed not for today, but for the future. We are entering an era where range, firepower, and speed will define the victor in naval combat. The current approach, with multiple smaller guns, is limited. As artillery advances, the power of a single large-caliber gun will eclipse the smaller ones. It is inevitable."

He paused for effect, letting his words sink in. "I understand the reluctance to move away from tradition, but the British navy is already moving in that direction with their latest designs. If we do not evolve, we risk falling behind."

There was a brief silence in the room as the members of the Naval Technical Committee absorbed his words. Count von Warren was the first to speak. "And how do you suggest we overcome the technological hurdles? Oil-fired boilers and steam turbines are untested in large warships. Germany does not have the resources that Britain does, and our access to oil is limited."

Oscar smiled slightly. "True, we lack oil, but the performance of oil-fired boilers far exceeds that of coal-fired ones. They provide more power and range, which is crucial for modern naval combat. As for steam turbines, I agree they are a challenge, but with dedicated research and development, I believe we can overcome the limitations within two years. Time is on our side, and we have the resources."

Bruckner shook his head. "You are asking for us to gamble with the future of the navy, and with the empire's resources. We cannot afford to make mistakes."

Oscar's eyes hardened. "I am not asking you to gamble. I am asking you to see the inevitable. The future is coming whether we are ready or not. If we do not innovate, we will be left behind. We have a chance to lead, to set the standard for the world's navies. If we hesitate now, we may never catch up."

His words resonated in the room. Even the most skeptical experts could not deny the truth behind them. The British Navy was a powerful force, and if Germany wished to retain its place on the world stage, it had to take bold steps forward.

Admiral Muller, the Chief of the Naval Cabinet, cleared his throat. "We will proceed with the demonstration. Let us see what the prince has to show."

The room fell silent as Oscar presented his design on a large board, detailing every aspect of the battleship's construction. He explained the reasoning behind the choice of a single, large-caliber main gun, the strategic advantage of oil-fired boilers, and the use of steam turbines for increased speed.

For every question posed by the committee, Oscar had an answer. For every doubt raised, he had a solution. He spoke not just as a young boy, but as a visionary—a man who understood the future of naval warfare better than those around him.

The demonstration stretched on for hours, and by the end of it, even the most hardened skeptics were forced to admit that Oscar's design had merit. The committee was divided, but the seeds of doubt had been planted. It was clear that the future of the German Navy might just rest on the young prince's shoulders.

As the meeting came to a close, Count von Warren stood up, his expression inscrutable. "We will take this design under consideration. There are still many hurdles to overcome, but we cannot ignore the possibility that the prince's vision may be the path forward."

Oscar nodded, a feeling of quiet satisfaction settling over him. He had won the battle today—not just with words, but with ideas. The road ahead was still long, but this was only the beginning.