Bab 51: Tensions Within the Empire
"His Royal Highness, Prince Oscar, and Marshal Earl Tirpitz have left His Majesty's office," reported a servant to Crown Prince William.
"Hmph!" Crown Prince William snorted coldly, his face twisted in frustration. He stood up abruptly and stormed out of his office without further words.
In the serene garden of the imperial palace, Oscar and Marshal Count Tirpitz walked side by side, discussing the future plans for the navy. They were on their way back to Berlin.
"Your Highness, with the addition of the 'Nassau-class' battleships, 'Helgoland-class' battleships, and the upcoming 'Blücher-class' battlecruisers, our naval strength has outpaced the British in terms of dreadnoughts. This certainly shortens the gap between us and the British," Marshal Tirpitz said confidently, his voice filled with pride for the fleet's accomplishments.
"Indeed, Your Excellency," Oscar replied, though his tone was tinged with caution. "However, we cannot afford to be complacent. While our capital ships might be more advanced than those of the British, we cannot ignore their tremendous strength in shipbuilding and naval design. Their financial resources are vast, and their shipyards are unmatched. If they perceive a threat to their maritime dominance, they will undoubtedly escalate their efforts. The Royal Navy will likely flood the seas with more capital ships, and we may soon find ourselves outnumbered by their superior fleet."
Oscar's words hung heavily in the air, and the smile faded from Marshal Tirpitz's face. The British, with their extensive empire and unrivaled resources, presented a formidable challenge. Despite the advances of the German Navy, the war potential of Britain was not to be underestimated.
"You are right, Your Highness," Marshal Tirpitz said, his expression somber. "The road ahead is fraught with difficulties. But retreat is not an option. We have no choice but to pursue this path, to either defeat the British or be crushed in the process."
Oscar nodded solemnly. "Indeed, we have no other choice. Though the challenge is immense, we will give our all to overcome it. And if we fail, at least we will know we fought with everything we had, without regret."
Marshal Tirpitz looked at Oscar with a deep sense of respect. In his mind, Oscar's strength of character and strategic vision were far superior to Crown Prince William's. He couldn't help but think that if Oscar were the heir to the throne, Germany's future would be much brighter. But alas, Oscar's place in the line of succession was distant. The first in line, of course, remained Crown Prince William. And this reality weighed heavily on Marshal Tirpitz.
"Your Excellency," Oscar continued, breaking the silence. "Currently, all of our warships are powered by oil-fired boilers and steam turbines. But Germany has an oil shortage. All of our oil must be imported, and in times of peace, this isn't much of an issue. We can obtain sufficient oil from the United States. However, if war breaks out, even if the Americans are willing to sell us oil, the British will undoubtedly cut off our trade routes. If that happens, we could be left without fuel, and our navy would be forced to remain docked."
Marshal Tirpitz's face darkened. "It's true, Your Highness. The advantages of oil-fired boilers over coal are clear—they provide greater power and endurance. But in the case of an oil shortage, we could be in serious trouble. Our options are limited, especially given our scarcity of resources."
"Indeed," Oscar agreed, his expression grim. "The best we can do is to store as much oil as possible before conflict begins. We must prepare for that eventuality."
The two men were deep in thought, their minds racing through the potential consequences of war when, suddenly, an angry voice interrupted them.
"Oscar!" The voice rang out sharply across the garden.
Both Oscar and Marshal Tirpitz froze, instinctively turning toward the source of the voice. Crown Prince William was marching toward them, his face contorted in anger.
"Your Royal Highness," Oscar said politely, though his tone was tinged with confusion. Both he and Marshal Tirpitz acknowledged the Crown Prince with a respectful bow. Despite his recent frustration, Crown Prince William was still the heir to the throne of the German Empire, and they were both acutely aware of his status.
"Hmph! Oscar!" Crown Prince William sneered, his eyes blazing with fury. "Do you still see me as the Crown Prince of this empire, or have you forgotten your place?"
Oscar frowned. "Your Royal Highness, what do you mean by that?" he asked, genuinely puzzled. He couldn't recall any incident that could have caused such anger from the Crown Prince. What had he done to provoke this outburst?
Marshal Tirpitz, equally confused, added, "Your Royal Highness, is there some misunderstanding?"
Crown Prince William's face twisted in frustration. "Don't play the fool, Oscar! Is the navy now aligning itself with you? Do you forget who I am? I am the future Emperor of the German Empire, and no one should forget their loyalty to me!"
Oscar and Marshal Tirpitz were both taken aback. The Crown Prince's words were laced with venom, suggesting that he felt his authority was being undermined. The old marshal, who had spent years building the navy, was insulted by the accusation. The idea that he, or the navy, would ever turn against the throne was absurd.
"Your Royal Highness, what are you insinuating?" Marshal Tirpitz demanded, his voice sharp. "The navy has never interfered in matters of royal succession. This is a line that no one would cross, least of all me!"
Oscar's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the Crown Prince's outburst. He had always been respectful of William's position, but it seemed as though something had shifted. Was this merely a result of the ongoing naval discussions, or was there something deeper at play?
The tension in the air was palpable as the two sides stood in the garden, neither willing to yield. In that moment, Oscar knew that the dynamics within the imperial family were becoming increasingly complicated—and dangerous. It was no longer just about the navy; it was about power, influence, and the fragile balance of the German Empire.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone