The Rise of German empire

"If Germany can defeat Britain and France in this war, then perhaps everything could change. Yet, it will be far too difficult for Germany to win this war," Oscar murmured softly as he gazed out over the quietly flowing Havel River, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him.

He couldn't help but wonder whether it was possible for the course of history to change. The Great War was on the horizon, and its outcome seemed inevitable to him in the context of what he knew from the future. Germany faced overwhelming odds. If they couldn't beat the powerful British and French empires, how could they hope to survive in a world where the balance of power was shifting rapidly? But this was more than just a theoretical question—it was personal. He had been reborn into this turbulent era, and he was determined to find a way to make a real difference.

Despite his ambition, Oscar felt a deep sense of helplessness. He wanted to contribute to Germany's victory, but he was only the fifth son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, and in a family with so many powerful figures, his position seemed almost irrelevant. His four older brothers overshadowed him at every turn, especially his eldest brother, Crown Prince Wilhelm, who was the heir to the throne. In comparison, Oscar felt like a mere shadow, an afterthought in a dynasty that had no room for him.

Even his younger siblings appeared to receive more of Wilhelm II's favor. His younger brother had been the Kaiser's latest pet project, and his younger sister enjoyed more attention than he ever did. As the fifth-born child, his role seemed dispensable. It was hard to see a future for himself in a monarchy that already had its future mapped out.

His thoughts darkened as he considered the course of his life. If history followed its usual path, he would be sent to the Kiel Naval Academy, where he would study for a few years before being assigned to the navy as a minor officer. His career would be a quiet, uneventful one, and his fate would mirror that of many royal children: after Germany's eventual defeat in the war, the royal family would flee into exile in the Netherlands. Stripped of their titles and wealth, they would lead a life of obscurity, their once-proud names forgotten. For Oscar, this was an unacceptable fate.

"No," he swore silently, his fist clenching. "I refuse to live this way. I won't just wait to die. If God has allowed me to be reborn in this time and place, surely it's for something more than this."

His resolve solidified. "There's still time. Ten years, to be precise. If I plan carefully, can I give Germany a fighting chance? Can I change the outcome of the war?"

Oscar knew that both he and Germany needed time. Time to prepare, to gather resources, and to build power. But his current status presented a significant obstacle. His position in the royal family was hardly influential, and at just 16 years old, he was hardly in a position to enact meaningful change. How could he, a relatively unimportant prince, make an impact on the vast geopolitical landscape of Europe?

He had to act swiftly. "I can't waste four years at the Kiel Naval Academy," he thought. "Four years is far too long. I could achieve so much more in that time—perhaps even accumulate enough wealth to change everything."

Oscar understood that military power in the modern era required vast amounts of resources. Building dreadnoughts, warships, and tanks wasn't a simple task; it required billions of marks. The German Navy's budget was already stretched thin, and it could hardly compete with the British Navy in terms of fleet size. The cost of one battleship alone could run into the tens of millions. For example, the Nassau-class dreadnoughts cost around 40 million marks each.

If Oscar could somehow secure enough funds to support the German Navy's expansion, he might be able to tip the balance of power in Germany's favor. But how? The task seemed insurmountable for a young prince with no power or influence. Yet, he knew that his knowledge of future military advancements was his greatest asset. He had an advantage—he knew how the warships of the future would be designed, and he understood their strengths and weaknesses better than anyone alive.

The problem, however, was that this knowledge was useless unless he could gain influence. Without power, his future was bound to be a quiet, uneventful one. His only hope was to leverage his knowledge and resources to push Germany toward victory, but how could he convince his father, Kaiser Wilhelm II, of his worth?

Oscar was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps approaching. "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence immediately," a young palace attendant said.

"Very well, Carl. I'll go right away," Oscar replied, standing up quickly.

Carl von Jonneret, the young attendant, was a member of a family loyal to the royal house. His father, Essen von Jonneret, served as a steward to Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Carl's brother was the head of the crown prince's bodyguard. Carl and Oscar had known each other for years, and their friendship had grown over time.

"Do you know what His Majesty wants to discuss?" Oscar asked as he followed Carl through the palace halls.

"I'm not sure, Your Highness, but General Ludwig Birkenhagen just left His Majesty's office," Carl replied.

Oscar's mind immediately began to piece things together. Birkenhagen, the dean of the Kiel Naval Academy, was highly respected by the Kaiser. His recent conversation with Wilhelm II likely had something to do with the royal family's future involvement in the navy.

Among the Kaiser's sons, Crown Prince Wilhelm, now 22, had already begun to take on state responsibilities. Prince Eitel Friedrich, the second son, was serving in the army, while Prince Adalbert, the third son, was about to graduate from the Army Academy. The fourth son, Prince August Wilhelm, had just entered the military academy. This left the naval legacy to Prince Oscar and his younger brother, Prince Joachim.

As Oscar entered Wilhelm II's office, he saw both the Kaiser and Crown Prince Wilhelm engaged in a lively discussion. The Kaiser's face was flushed with excitement, a rare sight in recent months. The news from the Far East, where Russia was being routed by Japan, had clearly put him in good spirits.

"Father, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince," Oscar said as he stepped into the room and bowed respectfully.

"Ah, Oscar, you're here," Wilhelm II said, his tone warm yet tinged with the usual formality. Despite his less-than-favorable view of this son, the Kaiser still hoped to see him contribute meaningfully to the empire.

"Oscar," Wilhelm II continued, "I've made arrangements for you to attend the Kiel Naval Academy in two weeks. I expect you to study diligently and become an exemplary naval officer. You have much to offer our empire."

Oscar felt a surge of frustration. This was the moment when he would be thrust into a life of quiet irrelevance. But at the same time, he knew this was his chance—his chance to seize control of his destiny, to shape the future of Germany, and to change the course of history. The real battle had just begun.