The Rise of German empire

The grand office of Kaiser Wilhelm II at the Berlin Palace was filled with tension. The imperial meeting was underway, and the room was packed with Germany's most influential figures. Kaiser Wilhelm II, Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow, Minister of Foreign Affairs von Kidren Wacht, Chief of the General Staff Moltke, Minister of War von Falkenhain, Minister of the Navy Tirpitz, Marshal Earl Ci, Crown Prince William, and Oscar were all present.

It was common for these ministers and the heir to the throne, Crown Prince William, to be in attendance at such meetings, given their crucial roles in the empire's governance. However, Oscar, though an ordinary prince, had a unique position today. Despite being far behind in the line of succession, Oscar had earned his seat at the table due to the topic he was presenting—one that had the potential to change the course of Germany's future.

As the meeting began, Crown Prince William cast a glare at Oscar. He viewed Oscar's growing influence with deep hostility. To William, it was clear that Oscar's ideas posed a serious threat to his own aspirations to the throne. His mind seethed with frustration.

"Damn Oscar," William thought bitterly. "This hypocritical and shameless man really wants to take what's rightfully mine. He's just a prince. His position in the succession is nowhere near mine. How dare he!"

However, the Crown Prince held his tongue, knowing that this was neither the time nor place for a confrontation, especially with his father, the Kaiser, present, who had warned him against letting personal rivalries affect state affairs.

Kaiser Wilhelm II, noticing the palpable tension, addressed the room with a measured voice. "Everyone must understand the purpose of today's meeting. Prince Oscar has proposed the creation of a national oil reserve for the country. We are here to discuss the matter. Please, share your opinions."

Chief of the General Staff, Moltke, was the first to speak, his tone skeptical. "Your Highness, Germany's oil consumption is still minimal, and we can easily procure oil from America. Is it truly necessary to spend vast sums of money on a national oil reserve?"

The question was valid. Establishing storage facilities, purchasing oil, and setting up refineries would require hundreds of millions of marks. With the empire already facing significant financial strain, particularly due to military expenditures, many felt that this was an imprudent allocation of resources. Instead of investing in reserves, it seemed far more logical to enhance armaments and improve the military's readiness for future conflicts.

Oscar responded without hesitation, "It is necessary to establish a national oil reserve, Your Excellency. While Germany's oil consumption is still relatively low, this will change dramatically. Particularly with the military's increasing needs. The navy, for example, will require significantly more oil as we transition to oil-fired boilers and steam turbines for our new warships, which will become the backbone of our fleet. The adoption of these technologies will exponentially increase oil demand. It is therefore critical that we begin stockpiling oil now, to ensure that the Imperial Navy can function when it is needed most."

Marshal Tirpitz, supporting Oscar's point, added, "The navy's decision to adopt oil-fired boilers and steam turbines is a strategic one, aimed at improving performance. These technologies offer significant advantages over coal-fired systems. Without proper oil reserves, we risk being caught unprepared if conflict arises, particularly if overseas supply lines are cut off."

Crown Prince William could not contain his irritation. "Is it wise to make such drastic decisions based on one person's recommendation? The navy's shift to oil-fired boilers seems rash to me, especially when Germany has abundant coal. Why abandon what works for something untested? Coal-fired boilers are reliable, and we need not fear the risk of an enemy cutting off our supply lines."

Oscar's gaze hardened, but his tone remained calm. "The navy's decision was not made lightly, Your Highness. Extensive testing has shown that oil-fired boilers and steam turbines offer far superior performance compared to coal-fired boilers. This decision is not just about preference—it's about ensuring the naval fleet's combat readiness in the years to come."

Crown Prince William's face flushed with anger. He had hoped to undermine Oscar's argument by questioning the navy's decision, but Marshal Tirpitz's rebuttal had made him look petty. Now, William was visibly frustrated, and his thoughts turned to more personal grievances.

"Damn Tirpitz," William seethed inwardly. "Does he want to jeopardize the military's long-standing tradition of neutrality when it comes to the throne? Is he deliberately siding with Oscar?"

The tension in the room was palpable, but it wasn't just the military decisions that were causing friction. Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow, sensing the growing conflict, interjected with a pointed question. "Your Highness, how much would this national oil reserve cost?"

Oscar responded without hesitation, "If we base the reserve on the scale of two million tons, it would cost approximately 120 million marks."

The room fell silent as the number sank in. 120 million marks was a staggering sum, enough to build several battleships. Prime Minister Bülow's face tightened with concern. "This is an immense financial burden, especially at a time when the empire is already struggling with financial pressures."

Crown Prince William seized the opportunity, his voice dripping with disdain. "Oscar, are you not aware of the empire's financial strain? 120 million marks could build three battleships, or significantly bolster our military capabilities. Not everyone has the luxury of personal wealth like you do. A prince of the royal family should prioritize the needs of the nation, not his personal interests."

Oscar's expression remained calm, though his eyes narrowed slightly. "Your Highness, I have earned my wealth through legal means. What of it? Moreover, how can you say that I have not repaid the country? Every initiative I have taken has been aimed at strengthening Germany's future. Perhaps, if you looked beyond personal grievances, you would understand the broader picture."

Crown Prince William's face turned even redder, his frustration evident. He had intended to undermine Oscar's influence, but in doing so, he had only exposed his own insecurities. The Crown Prince's attempt to discredit Oscar had backfired, and now it was clear to everyone in the room who was truly focused on Germany's long-term interests.