The Rise of German empire

The war room of the Imperial Navy was thick with tension as the high-ranking officers and military leaders gathered to discuss the next steps in the naval arms race. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Crown Prince Oscar addressed the assembled group, all eyes focused on him.

"Everyone," he began, his voice steady but serious, "according to the latest intelligence we have received, the British Navy has accelerated the preparations for the construction of the St. Vincent-class battleships and the Indefatigable-class battlecruisers. If these first-class warships enter service as planned, we will be at an absolute disadvantage in terms of numbers."

A murmur of concern spread through the room. The prospect of the British building newer, more advanced warships was a troubling thought, and the tension was palpable.

Little Maoqi, ever eager to challenge Oscar's influence, was the first to speak out. "His Royal Highness," he said, his tone slightly dismissive, "even if the British start constructing these two classes of warships, the threat they pose to us is limited. Don't we have five Helgoland-class battleships? These British ships would amount to only six vessels—just one more than ours. And the performance of our battleships is far superior to theirs. What's more, the Helgoland-class battleships are armed with 343mm main guns. What His Royal Highness has said just now seems a bit alarmist."

Oscar turned to face Little Maoqi, but his expression remained calm. It was clear that the challenge was less about the technicalities and more about undermining his position. Despite the Army Chief of Staff's words, Oscar remained focused on the bigger picture—the strategic advantage, not just the numbers.

"That is true, Maoqi," Oscar responded without missing a beat. "Our Helgoland-class battleships are indeed formidable, and even though we may be outnumbered by the British in terms of total ships, we should remember that it's not just about numbers. We are preparing not just to outmatch the British, but to defeat them in a future war. And for that, we must prepare ahead of time. The British are already looking ahead—they are also planning additional shipbuilding projects, including the St. Vincent-class battleship and the Indefatigable-class battlecruiser. These ships are slated to start construction soon, and we must not remain complacent. If we rest on our laurels, we risk letting the British regain their superiority at sea."

The words hung heavy in the air. While Little Maoqi's objections had been heard, it was clear that Oscar's reasoning carried more weight with the rest of the room. Marshal Count Tirpitz, ever the naval strategist, leaned forward in his chair, his sharp gaze piercing through the room.

"Yes, Your Highness is right," Tirpitz affirmed, his voice unwavering. "Though our Helgoland-class battleships are strong, we cannot afford to wait. Intelligence reports show that the British are working on their own large-caliber 343mm main guns. They are currently facing some technical difficulties, but given their scientific capabilities, it is almost certain that they will overcome these hurdles. If the British manage to develop these guns, we will be at a severe disadvantage, especially as they begin building more powerful warships. What will we use to counter them? We must act now."

The room fell silent as everyone processed Tirpitz's words. The urgency of the situation was now clear. Even Little Maoqi, who had been quick to challenge Oscar, remained quiet, understanding that this was not a debate of immediate numbers, but rather a strategic necessity for the future of the Empire.

King Wilhelm II, who had been quietly listening to the exchange, finally spoke, his voice calm but resolute. "Oscar, what is your plan for the next level of capital ships?"

Oscar nodded, sensing the weight of his father's question. The time for decisive action had come.

"Father," Oscar began, "while the Blücher-class battlecruisers are about to enter service, we face a pressing issue. The British Invincible-class battlecruisers will also be entering service at nearly the same time. Although our Blücher-class battlecruisers are superior, the British will have three Invincible-class ships to our two. The disparity in numbers could pose a significant challenge, especially when considering that the British Indefatigable-class battlecruisers will join their ranks soon after."

There was a palpable shift in the room as the implications of Oscar's words took hold. The German Navy, though strong, would soon find itself at a disadvantage if it did not adjust its strategy. But Oscar wasn't finished yet.

"We also need to consider our ability to disrupt British naval trade routes," he continued. "If we are to succeed in a future conflict, we must be capable of striking at their sea transportation lines. The Blücher-class battlecruisers are crucial, but we will need a stronger force to achieve that goal. We must build a next-level class of battlecruisers to maintain our strategic edge."

A thoughtful silence followed, broken only by the rumbling of Marshal Tirpitz's voice. "Your Majesty, I fully agree. The three Blücher-class battlecruisers are not enough to accomplish our strategic objectives. We need more. Battlecruisers are essential not only for engaging in capital ship duels but for achieving naval dominance, particularly when targeting enemy trade lines."

Wilhelm II, who had been contemplating the issue, nodded slowly, the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. "Oscar," he said, "please present your design for this new class of battlecruisers."

Oscar stood tall and motioned to a large map spread across the table, where the blueprint of his proposed ship was laid out. "This is the next-level battlecruiser I have designed," he began. "It is 185 meters long, 28 meters wide, with a draft of 9.1 meters and a full load displacement of 29,000 tons. It will be armed with three triple-mounted 343mm 50-caliber main guns, ten 150mm single-mounted secondary guns, twelve 120mm rapid-fire guns, and four 88mm rapid-fire guns."

The room was silent as they absorbed the numbers and specifications.

"It will be powered by 24 improved Sulzer oil-fired boilers and four steam turbines, providing a maximum speed of 27 knots. The ship's armor will include a 330mm main armor belt, 55mm deck armor, and 330mm turret frontal armor. Compared to the Blücher-class battlecruisers, this ship will have more powerful firepower, thicker armor, and greater speed," Oscar continued. "I propose we name this class the Moltke-class battlecruisers, in honor of the legendary Marshal Moltke, whose strategic genius played a pivotal role in the unification of the German Empire."

A stunned silence followed. No one had expected Oscar to make such a bold gesture, naming the class of warships after Moltke, especially given the current tensions within the military ranks. Little Maoqi, whose relations with Oscar had soured dramatically over the past few months, was taken aback. His uncle, Moltke, was a revered figure, and the honor was unprecedented.

Marshal Tirpitz, however, was the first to speak, his voice filled with admiration. "Your Highness, this design is outstanding. The Moltke-class would be a tremendous asset to the Navy, not just in terms of firepower and speed but in its ability to execute strategic missions effectively. It is exactly what we need to challenge the British Navy's dominance in the seas."

Wilhelm II, though deep in thought, finally spoke. "This is indeed an excellent design, Oscar. And naming it the Moltke-class is a fitting tribute. Very well, we will proceed with this plan. But we must move quickly—our future dominance at sea depends on it."

With that, the decision was made. The Moltke-class battlecruisers would become the next cornerstone of the German Navy. But with the British accelerating their own naval projects, time was of the essence. The race for naval superiority had just entered a new phase, and the Empire could not afford to fall behind.