The Rise of German empire

"The inertia of history and the ability to correct errors are truly powerful!" Qin Tian mused aloud as he lay on his bed, deep in thought after leaving the office of King William II. He had just sealed a monumental deal, but as he reflected on it, he couldn't help but feel a sense of irony. "Unexpectedly, the 'Nassau-class' battleships have appeared once more, albeit through a roundabout route. However, the 'Nassau-class' I designed is far superior to the original 'Nassau-class' battleships in German naval history."

The decisions made in King William II's office had cemented the future of the German Imperial Navy, and Qin Tian's ambitions were taking shape. The four battleships that would soon be constructed at his shipyard had been officially named the "Nassau-class" after the original battleships of the Imperial Navy. The first ship would bear the name "Nassau," followed by "Westfalen," "Rheinland," and the fourth, "Person." These ships were not just naval vessels—they were a symbolic repayment of the 170 million marks Qin Tian owed the royal family, with the final sum, including interest, totaling 200 million marks.

Despite the official nature of the agreement, Qin Tian's ambitions stretched far beyond repaying a debt. The future of the German Navy—and, by extension, Germany itself—was at stake. The battleships Qin Tian would construct were not merely meant to fulfill an obligation. They were part of a larger vision: a vision that would see the Deutsche Shipyard rise to dominance and revolutionize naval warfare. He would not simply meet the expectations set by the government—he would exceed them, and in doing so, reshape the future.

The weeks following Christmas were busy. William II had formally transferred ownership of the Royal Shipyard to Qin Tian. Upon signing the documents, Qin Tian officially became the owner, and the loan of 120 million marks was deposited into his account. There were strict conditions attached to the loan, however. The funds had to be exclusively allocated to the expansion of the shipyard, with no funds diverted for other purposes. Qin Tian had no objections to this stipulation, knowing that the expansion of the shipyard was key to his plans.

To manage the shipyard's operations, William II had recommended Essen von Jonareit, an influential figure in the German industrial sector. Jonareit had suggested a candidate for the role of shipyard director—Brutt, a 42-year-old former deputy director of Germania Shipyard. Brutt had left his previous post under contentious circumstances, but his managerial abilities were widely acknowledged. Qin Tian met with Brutt, and after a brief discussion, he agreed to hire him as the director of the Deutsche Shipyard. This decision was further solidified by the fact that Essen von Jonareit had also brought with him a group of skilled management personnel and engineers from the Germania Shipyard, saving Qin Tian from the burden of having to recruit an entirely new team.

Despite the Royal Shipyard's long-standing history of losses, Qin Tian was determined to turn it around. He had no interest in keeping the old, inefficient management in place. The workers who had proven their worth would remain, while the rest were let go. With Brutt at the helm, Qin Tian was confident that the shipyard would quickly regain its footing and thrive under the new leadership.

One of the first major changes Qin Tian implemented was the rebranding of the Royal Shipyard. It would now be called "Deutschland Shipyard," in line with Qin Tian's growing industrial empire. His vision included not just the shipyard, but also other ventures like the German Automobile Manufacturer and the German Aircraft Factory, all of which would eventually come together to form a powerful industrial group named after Germany. This was just the beginning. The fate of the German Empire would be irrevocably changed by the industries that would soon rise from Qin Tian's ambitious plans.

With the management structure in place and the shipyard officially rebranded, Qin Tian and Brutt traveled to Danzig in early January to oversee the transfer of operations. It was here, at the former Royal Shipyard, that the real work would begin. As they arrived at the shipyard, the stark reality of the task ahead hit them. The Friedrich Royal Shipyard, though steeped in history, had fallen behind the times. Located on the left bank of the Vistula River, across from the Shuoxiao Shipyard, it had once been a leading force in naval construction. But now, it was little more than a medium-sized operation with a mere 300 workers.

"Your Highness, I've reviewed your design for the 'Nassau-class' battleship in detail," Brutt said, his voice tinged with concern as they sat together in the director's office. "I have to admit that this is an epoch-making design. The triple main gun installation, the oil-fired boilers, the steam turbines, and the heavy artillery—this is all revolutionary. But it may be very difficult to turn these designs into reality. Even the largest shipyards are struggling to implement these technologies, let alone a shipyard of our size."

Qin Tian listened carefully but remained unfazed. "I understand your concerns, but we still have time. The expansion of the shipyard will begin immediately. By the second half of the year, we can start construction. We may not have all the technological expertise right now, but we can purchase the necessary technology or, better yet, develop it ourselves. As for talent, we can hire from other shipyards. Anyone with proven skills will be compensated generously."

Brutt's face remained tense. "But Your Highness, if we recruit from other shipyards, we risk alienating our competitors. This could escalate tensions in the industry."

Qin Tian smiled reassuringly. "Let them be angry. They won't have the energy to target us for long. Once our 'Nassau-class' battleship proves itself, other shipyards will be forced to acknowledge our superiority. And once the navy sees the quality of our work, they'll be clamoring to place orders with us. The competition will be forced to follow our lead."

Brutt nodded, understanding the implications of Qin Tian's plan. "Very well, Your Highness. I will follow your lead."

The meeting concluded, and the next phase of the project began. In the following days, Qin Tian and Brutt worked tirelessly to ensure that the shipyard's operations were fully transferred. Mediocre management staff were let go, and the workers were reassured that they would continue to have employment under the new ownership. As Qin Tian made his final preparations to leave Danzig for Berlin, he knew that the path ahead would be challenging—but it was a challenge he was prepared to face head-on.

"Although the Deutsche Shipyard is still a gold-swallowing beast, it will soon become the most powerful industrial force in Europe," Qin Tian thought to himself on the return train. "The fate of the German Empire could very well be changed because of this. These battleships, and the technologies we develop, will ensure that Germany not only catches up to its rivals but surpasses them. We will lead the world in naval power, and this shipyard will be the cornerstone of our victory."

As the train made its way through the countryside, Qin Tian's mind raced with possibilities. He knew that the future of Germany—and his own future—was now inextricably linked to the success of the Deutsche Shipyard. This was not just a business venture. It was a crusade to reshape history. And with each passing day, he was one step closer to realizing his vision.