The Rise of German empire

At exactly 8 PM on November 20th, the much-anticipated moment arrived. Under the watchful eyes of journalists from dozens of major newspapers and staff from the Berlin Notary Office, the Deutsche Welfare Lottery Company conducted its first double-color ball lottery draw. The numbers were revealed one by one: six red balls—02, 09, 14, 17, 18, and 31—followed by the single blue ball, 08. The crowd of onlookers held their breath, with some already calculating if these numbers might hold the key to a fortune. For one lucky winner, these numbers would become life-changing.

Carl von Jonareit, general manager of the Deutsche Welfare Lottery Company, stood proudly before the gathered audience. "Ladies and gentlemen," he declared, his voice carrying both confidence and excitement, "the verification process begins immediately. By tomorrow afternoon, we will have preliminary results. If a winner is confirmed, the public will be informed at once." His words, delivered with conviction, were met with a wave of murmurs and speculation. The lottery had already become a nationwide phenomenon, capturing imaginations with the promise of instant wealth. The grand prize—five million marks—represented not just money, but hope. Even after taxes, the sum would be enough to transform the life of whoever held the winning ticket.

Inside the bustling offices of the Deutsche Welfare Lottery, Carl's energy was electric as he reported the staggering sales figures to Oscar. "Your Highness," he began, barely able to contain his excitement, "we've sold over ten million tickets in this first draw alone!" His face lit up with pride as he shared the results. Each ticket sold for two marks, a price steep enough to deter some, yet affordable enough to attract millions of hopeful buyers.

Oscar, seated calmly in his office, listened intently. A small smile formed on his lips, though his demeanor remained composed. For him, this was only the beginning of what he envisioned as a far greater enterprise. "Good," he replied, his voice steady. "Once the winning tickets are verified, we'll have a clear picture of the profits. But remember, Carl, this is just the start." His tone carried a weight of expectation, a reminder that this success was merely the first step toward an even grander vision.

The task of verifying the lottery results was no small feat. Without modern technology to automate the process, everything had to be done manually. The company had hired a team of over 200 statisticians, each meticulously trained to check the numbers against millions of tickets. The scale of the operation was unprecedented, and the costs substantial. Yet, the potential rewards made the investment worthwhile. This lottery wasn't just a game; it was a bold experiment in tapping into the public's collective dreams.

Carl, ever the optimist, offered an ambitious projection. "Your Highness, even if we have a jackpot winner, our profit will exceed two million marks," he said confidently. For Carl, who had invested one million marks into the venture himself, this was more than a professional triumph—it was personal. The profit share would quickly repay his investment, and the prospect of future gains loomed large on the horizon.

Oscar nodded, his mind already racing ahead. The projected profit of two million marks meant he could claim one million for himself, bringing him closer to fulfilling his larger goals. Among those goals was his promise to fund the construction of a battleship for the German Navy, an undertaking that had seemed daunting mere months ago. Now, the pieces were falling into place. "Speed up the process," Oscar instructed. "The moment we confirm a jackpot winner, inform the newspapers. This is our opportunity to ignite even greater excitement for the next draw."

The following morning, Carl returned, his face showing the strain of a sleepless night spent overseeing the verification process. "Your Highness," he announced, his voice hoarse but triumphant, "we've confirmed the results. There is one jackpot winner and eighteen second-prize winners. After deducting all expenses and payouts, our net profit stands at 2.12 million marks."

Oscar allowed himself a rare moment of visible satisfaction. "Excellent work," he said. "Ensure that the prize money is distributed quickly and efficiently. The winners must find it easy to claim their rewards—this builds trust. And inform the newspapers immediately. Let the public see the power of double-color ball lottery." His mind was already turning to the future. With the initial draw concluded, it was time to prepare for the next phase.

The story of the jackpot winner spread quickly, capturing the attention of the entire nation. In Düsseldorf, among the coal-stained faces of miners leaving their shifts, the news reached Hans. Like many of his peers, Hans lived a life of grinding labor and narrow margins. Yet, he had dared to dream. On a whim, he had spent two marks—an indulgence, given his limited means—on a double-color ball lottery ticket.

As Hans trudged home, tired and covered in soot, he passed a lottery shop. Something compelled him to stop. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the crumpled ticket and entered the shop. The clerk, a young woman, glanced at his grimy appearance with a hint of disdain but accepted the ticket with professional courtesy. As she checked the numbers, her expression changed.

"Sir," she said, her voice trembling, "you've won. You're the jackpot winner—five million marks!"

The shop erupted into chaos as news spread. Other patrons gathered around Hans, some congratulating him, others staring in disbelief. Hans himself was too stunned to speak, the reality of his sudden fortune sinking in slowly.

By the next morning, Hans's story was front-page news. The image of a humble coal miner turned millionaire resonated deeply with the public, becoming a symbol of the lottery's transformative power. For Oscar, this narrative was invaluable. It wasn't just about the money—it was about creating a phenomenon that captivated hearts and minds.

As the second draw approached, ticket sales surged. The success of the first draw had established double-color ball lottery as more than a lottery; it was now a cultural sensation. Oscar's vision was unfolding exactly as planned, with each step bringing him closer to his ultimate goals. And for millions of Germans, the next draw offered a glimmer of hope that their lives, too, might be transformed overnight.