The Rise of German empire

"Father, the expansion of the shipyard, the addition of large berths, and the recruitment of enough skilled workers and engineers will also require a lot of money. A conservative estimate will also require about 120 million marks. This money is an astronomical sum. If my father can lend me the money, then I will consider taking over the Royal Shipyard," Qin Tian said, his tone calm but with a sense of determination.

Since the Royal Shipyard deal had already become inevitable, Qin Tian naturally aimed to maximize the benefits he could extract from the situation. Expanding the shipyard to meet the needs of future naval construction was essential, but it would not come cheap.

"120 million marks? Do you really need that much?" William II asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

"Of course. If I take over the Royal Shipyard, I plan to build eight slipways capable of handling warships over 30,000 tons. Plus, we'll need additional smaller slipways as well. These improvements will cost a significant amount," Qin Tian explained, confident in his projections.

"Eight slipways for ships over 30,000 tons? Even several of the larger shipyards don't have that many large slipways!" William II was taken aback. "And do we even need slipways for ships of that size? Most of our current battleships are under 20,000 tons."

Qin Tian nodded earnestly. "Father, technology is progressing rapidly. As the power of large-caliber artillery grows, we'll need to increase the size of battleships to accommodate thicker armor and more powerful guns. In ten years, most major naval powers will be building ships of this size. We must prepare now, or else we'll be scrambling to upgrade our facilities later."

William II paused, considering his son's reasoning. Finally, he sighed. "Alright, I will approve the 120 million marks from the royal family's funds. Adding the 50 million marks from the Royal Shipyard's purchase, that's 170 million marks in total. Pay it back within three years, plus interest. That will bring it to 200 million marks. Is that acceptable?"

Qin Tian, unfazed by the large amount, nodded. The Deutsche Welfare Lottery Company had more than enough revenue to cover such a sum, and this was just a small part of his broader plans. He had already begun thinking about other investments, knowing that the early 20th century, while still technologically backward in some areas, was filled with opportunities waiting to be seized.

"Yes, father, that works for me," Qin Tian said, shaking hands with William II.

William II, smiling at the deal, gestured to have a lawyer draft the necessary agreements. But just as Qin Tian was about to leave, another thought crossed his mind.

"Father, what do you think of the battleship design I've submitted?" Qin Tian asked, his voice tinged with anticipation. "If the ship built matches my design, could it become the next main battleship for the German Navy?"

William II thought for a moment, then nodded. "Of course. Despite the Naval Technical Committee's objections, your design has many merits. If the battleship built matches the specifications, it will certainly be a far superior option to what the Navy currently has. It could absolutely replace our current main battleships."

Qin Tian's face lit up. "Then here's my proposal: since I'll owe you 170 million marks, and with the interest totaling 200 million, let my shipyard build four battleships for you as part of the payment. Once they're built and meet the specifications, I'll have cleared my debt."

William II blinked in surprise. He had not expected Qin Tian to propose such a deal.

"But..." he hesitated. "Building a new battleship is a matter of great national importance. It's not something that can simply be handed over to just any shipyard, no matter how much money is invested. Even with your shipyard's improvements, there are vested interests in the Navy, and transferring such an important contract could lead to significant resistance. You know the political intricacies involved, Oscar."

Qin Tian's face remained calm, but his eyes were sharp. "Father, the Royal Shipyard has been losing money for years. If I don't secure enough orders, it will close down. This is the best way to ensure its survival. Besides, once others see how well our battleships perform, no one will question the quality of the work. More importantly, this will allow us to catch up with the British navy much faster."

He paused, then added, "And, Father, let's not ignore the fact that the Naval Technical Committee is outdated. Their understanding of naval warfare is stuck in the past. We need to push forward, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so."

William II considered his son's words carefully. His own frustrations with the Naval Technical Committee were well known, and he was not blind to the need for modernization within the German Navy.

"Alright, Oscar," he said slowly. "If the battleships your shipyard produces truly meet the promised specifications, I'll give you the contract. But there will be no room for failure. The Navy's future depends on these ships."

Qin Tian smiled, relieved that his persistence had paid off. "Don't worry, father. There won't be any issues. I'll make sure everything goes according to plan."

With the agreement settled, Qin Tian's next task was to secure the future of the Royal Shipyard. But he wasn't just looking at shipbuilding—his mind raced ahead, envisioning the wealth and influence he would amass from his ever-expanding empire.

"Now, father, let's name the new battleship. It's only fitting," Qin Tian said.

William II thought for a moment before answering, "We'll call it the 'Nassau-class'. It has a noble ring to it, and it honors our legacy while signaling a new era for the German Navy."

Qin Tian nodded, pleased with the choice. "The Nassau-class it is. A fitting name for the future of Germany's naval power."