The Rise of German empire

It was already late when Oscar and Karl returned to Potsdam. However, instead of staying at the royal palace, Oscar made the decision to leave immediately. He understood that the agreement he had struck with Dean Ludwig Birkenhagen would not remain a secret for long, especially from Wilhelm II. Knowing that his actions would soon come under scrutiny, it was better to leave the palace quickly and avoid the emperor's wrath.

Without hesitation, Oscar packed a few belongings, ensuring he took the most important item: his passbook. Karl von Jonareit, ever loyal, chose to accompany Oscar. Despite the seemingly wild nature of the plan, Karl had faith in his friend's abilities and instincts.

The two of them traveled straight to Berlin, the epicenter of commerce, where they would seek the means to turn their plans into reality. If Oscar was to amass enough wealth, Berlin was the place to do it. The bustling city was full of opportunities, and its vibrant economy would be the perfect backdrop for their venture.

Oscar, though still a prince, was low in the line of succession and had little direct influence. Nevertheless, his status afforded him a steady income from the royal family's vast network of fiefs and industries. Over the years, this income had built up into a sizable deposit. The balance on his passbook, a staggering five million marks, would serve as the seed capital for his ambitious project.

Upon arrival in Berlin, they checked into a luxurious hotel. The cost was high, but Oscar knew that such an expense would soon be trivial if their plan succeeded.

Later that evening, as the city hummed with the sound of life, Karl voiced his concerns. The weight of their goal was starting to settle on him.

"Your Highness, I have to ask," Karl said, his voice tinged with worry. "How exactly do you intend to earn 40 million marks in four years? That is not a small sum by any means."

Oscar sat calmly, not immediately responding. Instead, he fixed Karl with a focused gaze, as if measuring his words carefully. "Karl, are you truly prepared to join me in this venture? Understand that the odds of success are slim. If we fail, the consequences will be dire. You know as well as I do what's at stake."

Karl's hesitation lasted only a moment. He looked at Oscar with resolve, answering without a second thought, "Of course, Your Highness. You are my friend, and I believe in you. I believe we can make it work."

A smile tugged at Oscar's lips. His trust in Karl was well-placed, and the support of his close friend bolstered his confidence. "Then, Karl, we shall not fail. We will shock the business world, and the high society of Germany will take notice."

With their resolve firm, Oscar presented the detailed plan he had spent countless hours refining. He pulled out several sheets of paper from his suitcase and handed them over to Karl, who took them eagerly.

The plan was bold and innovative. It proposed the creation of a company called the German Welfare Lottery, designed to sell lottery tickets based on a new concept that Oscar had conceived: a lottery game similar to the later double-color ball game. The format would feature thirty-three red balls and sixteen blue balls. Players had to match six red balls and one blue ball to win the grand prize, which would amount to five million marks.

Oscar had thoroughly researched the lottery landscape in Germany and Europe. While lotteries were popular in many countries, they were also predictable, with simple gameplay and meager prizes. The jackpots, though large for the time, lacked the allure of substantial winnings that would excite players. However, Oscar's vision was different. His idea was to offer a game with bigger prizes and a higher frequency of smaller wins. The appeal of winning just by matching a blue ball, no matter how small, would keep people engaged.

This game, which would later be known as the double-color ball, had been a tremendous success in later generations of China, and Oscar was confident it would have the same impact in Germany. By launching in Germany first, he would tap into a large population of potential buyers. Afterward, he would expand to other European countries, aiming to generate the kind of wealth that would make the construction of a battleship a reality.

It took Karl half an hour to carefully read through the plan. He was sharp and had received a solid education, so he quickly grasped the nuances of the idea. As he finished, he looked up at Oscar with wide eyes.

"Your Highness, I must admit, this is far more powerful than any lottery currently on the market. It will crush all competition," Karl said with enthusiasm. "Once this goes live, it will definitely take off."

Oscar felt a surge of satisfaction at Karl's reaction. It was one thing to believe in an idea, but it was another to have someone else recognize its potential so immediately.

"So, do you think we can succeed?" Oscar asked, seeking confirmation.

"Of course," Karl replied eagerly. "There are over 60 million people in Germany. Of those, millions buy lottery tickets every week. With the launch of the double-color ball, we can make the market even bigger. The taxation may be high, but the profits will be astronomical. After deducting the costs and taxes, we'll still make a fortune."

Oscar nodded thoughtfully. The numbers made sense. If each lottery draw brought in even just one million marks in profit, with three draws per week, there would be over 150 draws in a year. That would amount to a staggering 200 million marks annually. With that kind of revenue, they could easily fund the construction of several battleships, not just one.

But Karl's next words reminded Oscar of the dangers that came with success.

"Your Highness," Karl cautioned, "Once the sales take off, it will undoubtedly attract the attention of others. Other capitalists will want in, and once they see how much money is being made, they will try to seize a share of the wealth."

Oscar's smile faded slightly. He knew that once they became successful, they would attract all kinds of attention—from competitors, rivals, and even unscrupulous figures seeking to capitalize on their fortune. Capitalism, after all, was a cutthroat game.

"Yes," Oscar agreed. "Once the money starts flowing, there will be many who want a piece of it. But I will make sure that our wealth is protected. The lottery will become the foundation of all my future ventures. I will not let anyone take it from us."

Karl nodded in agreement, though he knew the challenges ahead were not just about building a successful business. There would be political obstacles, financial risks, and the ever-present threat of those who would try to undermine them for their own gain. But for now, the plan was set into motion.

The success of the double-color ball lottery was all but guaranteed. Now, it was a matter of protecting the gold mine they were about to create. The true test, Oscar knew, would not just be in launching the business, but in maintaining control and ensuring it remained their own.