The Rise of German empire

Dean Ludwig Birkenhagen stared at Oscar, his expression a mixture of disbelief and incredulity. The young prince's words echoed through his mind, and Birkenhagen struggled to comprehend the enormity of what he had just heard. A battleship—a massive warship capable of turning the tide of naval conflict. Such an undertaking would require immense resources, resources far beyond the reach of most individuals, even princes.

"Your Highness," the dean began, his voice carefully measured, "are you joking?"

The question was heavy with disbelief. Birkenhagen had been in the navy long enough to know how much a battleship cost—tens of millions of marks, a fortune that few could even dream of possessing. Yet here was Oscar, a young man still in the early stages of his adulthood, proposing to donate such a vessel to the German Navy.

"I am not joking, Your Excellency," Oscar replied, his tone unwavering. "I fully understand the gravity of my words. I know that my current resources are nowhere near sufficient to fund the construction of a battleship. But I am willing to work to earn the necessary funds within these next four years. I swear on my name that I am serious about this."

The words hung in the air like a dare, each one carrying the weight of an impossible promise. Birkenhagen, a man who had spent decades in the navy, gazed at the prince in silence. His life had been defined by hard truths, by the reality of naval power and the struggles of financing such monumental undertakings. To him, Oscar's idea seemed little more than a fantastical dream. Yet there was something in the prince's eyes—something that hinted at genuine conviction. Perhaps it was the youth's boldness, his ambition, or something else altogether that sparked a flicker of doubt in Birkenhagen's mind.

"You understand the cost of such an endeavor, don't you?" the dean pressed. "A battleship is not just a ship; it is a symbol of national power. It takes years to design, months to build, and untold resources to fund. Even the wealthiest princes cannot afford such a project outright."

"I am fully aware of that," Oscar responded. "But I have my ways. These next four years will be a test of my resourcefulness. I will not squander this opportunity."

Dean Birkenhagen leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he considered the prince's words. There was no denying the potential benefits of such a donation. If Oscar could indeed raise the money, it would be a significant boon for the German Navy—one that could tip the scales in the ongoing competition with the British Empire. However, Birkenhagen knew the odds. The chances of Oscar succeeding were slim at best, but the rewards were potentially immense.

"You must understand, Your Highness," Birkenhagen said, his tone softening slightly, "this is not a small thing. A donation of this magnitude would change the course of naval history. If you fail… well, you will have a great deal of explaining to do. The consequences could be severe."

Oscar met his gaze, unflinching. "I understand, Your Excellency. If I fail, I will return to the Naval Academy and complete my studies. But if I succeed, I will have proven myself worthy of my title and of the trust placed in me by the empire."

Birkenhagen thought for a long moment, the weight of the decision pressing on him. He was a man of principle, but he could not ignore the potential of what Oscar was proposing. "Very well," the dean said at last. "I will agree to your request. But you must prove to me within two years that you are making progress toward fulfilling your promise. If you do not, you will return to the academy and finish your training as required."

"Agreed," Oscar replied quickly. He could hardly believe his luck. This was the moment he had been working toward, the chance to break free from the constraints of the Naval Academy and forge his own path.

As Oscar and Karl left the Naval Academy, Birkenhagen stood by the window, watching them disappear into the distance. The dean couldn't help but wonder what had driven Oscar to make such a bold promise. Was it arrogance, youthful idealism, or something deeper?

"Is he a genius or a fool?" Birkenhagen muttered to himself. "If he truly does what he claims, then history will remember him as a hero. If not…"

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. The telegram had already been sent to Wilhelm II, informing the emperor of the agreement and the conditions under which it had been made. Birkenhagen knew that the emperor's response would be crucial in determining Oscar's future. He could only hope that his gamble would pay off.

Meanwhile, as Oscar and Karl traveled back to Potsdam, a telegram arrived at Wilhelm II's desk. The emperor's eyes scanned the message, and his expression darkened with each line. It was clear that he was not impressed by his son's latest scheme.

"Hmph," William II muttered, his voice dripping with contempt. "Does Oscar truly think that he can raise such a fortune in four years? If money were that easy to come by, the entire nation would be in business!"

Essen von Jonneret, the emperor's ever-loyal steward, stood by, attempting to offer a more diplomatic perspective. "Your Majesty, perhaps His Highness wishes to prove himself. Dean Birkenhagen's handling seems fair. If he fails, he will return to the academy. But if he succeeds, it could greatly benefit the navy and the empire."

William II's lip curled in a sneer. "I do not tolerate those who make empty promises. And I especially do not tolerate those who think they can avoid the duties of a prince by indulging in schemes. If Oscar cannot fulfill this ridiculous promise, he will be stripped of his title. He will no longer be a prince of the Hohenzollern family."

The emperor's words were cold, and his decision seemed final. He had little patience for those who did not meet his expectations, especially his own flesh and blood. To him, the military was the true calling of a prince, and those who abandoned it for personal gain were weak, unworthy of the family name.

"Let us see what he can do," William II said, his voice tinged with icy disdain. "But if he fails, he will be cast out. He will have no place in this family. And he will learn that making a promise without the means to fulfill it carries grave consequences."