Bab 105: The Price of Progress
After discussions with the generals of the Imperial Army, they finally decided to purchase 20,000 trucks from Daimler. However, the payment needed to be paid in five installments. The army's military expenditures were very tight, and if they could buy trucks worth more than 100 million marks, it would already require them to tighten their belts.
Of course, in Oscar's view, 20,000 trucks were far from enough. Once war broke out, Germany would need to mobilize more than 3.5 million troops. The army alone could have more than three million people. This also meant that the Army needed more trucks to transport personnel and supplies.
However, Oscar also knew that the army was now headed by little Moltke. Although he and Little Moltke were no longer fighting head-to-head, the relationship between the two parties was still not good. It was obviously impossible for Little Moltke to agree to a large-scale purchase unless Moltke were replaced by someone else as the chief of staff.
However, even though Oscar had now become the crown prince of the empire, it was impossible for him to have the power to replace Moltke in a short period of time. Therefore, he could only think of other ways.
Oscar decided to ask Daimler to produce more trucks as a reserve. Once war broke out, these trucks could be delivered to the army immediately, or even in the form of a loan, first handed over to the army for use, with relevant payments to be made after the war was over. This way, the pressure on the Army could be further reduced. At the same time, it could also make the army remember his goodwill.
On the other hand, he increased the sale of such trucks to the private sector. In this way, after the outbreak of war, these trucks could be requisitioned in the name of the military, ensuring that the military would have enough trucks to support the battle.
In addition to the 20,000 vehicles purchased by the Army, the Navy also purchased 5,000 vehicles. Trucks were much less useful in the Navy than in the Army. After all, the naval bases were all built by the sea, and they used ships to transport them, which could almost solve most of the problems. Of course, the navy was the most supportive of Oscar, and of course, it would support Oscar's products. It could be said that now the German Navy and Oscar were completely in sync.
On the way back to Berlin, Marshal Count Tirpitz and Oscar took the same car. Oscar's car had already been replaced by a Daimler Class B car.
"Your Highness, although it is our navy, from my personal experience, the army's demand for trucks is obviously greater, and 20,000 trucks are simply not enough." Marshal Count Tirpitz sighed.
Oscar nodded, his expression a little unsightly. Trucks could be used not only to transport troops, but also to tow artillery and transport logistical supplies. Compared with mules and horses, trucks did not need to be fed, and they hardly needed to rest. Their load capacity was also larger than that of mules and horses. Compared with the overall efficiency, it was naturally far superior. However, this was obviously an extremely useful piece of equipment for improving the combat effectiveness of the army, but due to some people's obstruction, it had encountered significant resistance in being promoted within the army.
Oscar was very angry about this. If possible, he would like to shoot such a person. But it was a pity that now he was only the crown prince, and he was still the 'acting' crown prince, not the emperor of the empire. He had no right to replace the chief of staff who was highly valued by the emperor.
"Your Excellency, Marshal, there's nothing we can do. Father trusts little Moltke too much." Oscar shook his head, looking a little helpless.
Marshal Count Tirpitz naturally knew the character of William II very well. Although William II was very talented, he was headstrong and conceited and could not listen to other people's opinions. Even though he knew that Moltke's ability was problematic, he would not easily replace him. After all, little Moltke was his man.
Of course, the reason why Marshal Count Tirpitz became the head of the navy was also because he was deeply trusted by William II. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to speak his mind in the navy.
"Your Highness, if I have the opportunity, I will raise this point with His Majesty. With His Majesty's wisdom, I believe he will know what to do." Marshal Count Tirpitz hesitated, then said.
Oscar shook his head. "Let's forget it. This will definitely arouse the father's displeasure."
The Navy and Oscar were very close, which already made William II feel a little dissatisfied. If Marshal Count Tirpitz accused another minister who was heavily used by William II in front of William II, it would definitely make William II even more disgusted. Oscar hoped that Marshal Count Tirpitz would be in charge of the navy and lead the navy to defeat the Royal Navy. He didn't want to cause extra problems because of this.
Marshal Count Tirpitz nodded and had no choice but to stop talking about this topic.
"By the way, Your Highness, you will soon come of age!" Marshal Count Tirpitz asked suddenly.
Oscar was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
Yes! The current Oscar was about to turn twenty years old. There was only one month left before his twentieth birthday. And it had been five years since he was reborn into this world. During these five years, he tried every means to strengthen Germany's military strength and, by accident, took the opportunity to become the acting crown prince of Germany.
It could be said that the five years of Oscar's rebirth were not wasted. Thanks to his efforts, the German navy had made great progress compared to another time and space. At the same time, the strength of the German Army was also improving little by little. Oscar believed that once war broke out in the future, the combat effectiveness of the German army would be even more terrifying. The possibility of winning this world war would also be greater.
Although, if Oscar's mental age was added together, he was more than forty years old, and he could be regarded as a middle-aged man, his current biological age was less than twenty years old. Compared with his previous life, he was stronger and stronger. But it was a pity that, as the acting crown prince, he was still a virgin because he was too busy, and had never even held a girl's hand. It had to be said that among the royal family of the empire, and even among the heirs of various countries, this was definitely a rare occurrence.
"Your Highness, I learned from His Majesty that on your twentieth birthday, His Majesty will hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony for you in the palace. At that time, important ministers and celebrities of the empire will be invited to attend. Especially those young and beautiful ladies of the nobility are probably already looking forward to it." Marshal Count Tirpitz couldn't help laughing.
Oscar was speechless for a moment. As he was about to become an adult, it was indeed time for him to find a girlfriend and get married. Moreover, in terms of his identity and status, he was the biggest 'diamond ' in Germany and even the whole world, and many girls were already eyeing him.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone