Chapter 9

Hearing that Qing Ying actually used such bizarre words to inspire Tirpitz, which in turn triggered a series of significant butterfly effects, Wilhelm II's eyes narrowed slightly, and a peculiar feeling arose in his heart. Before he could savor the profundity of it, Tirpitz's incessant words pulled him back to a normal state of mind.

"Exactly as the Second Prince said, the development of the German Empire's navy is to compete for territories under the sun with those old naval powers, especially our long-standing rival, France. To achieve this goal, the empire's warships must have powerful enough firepower to destroy enemy warships; merely building an unsinkable target would not meet the empire's needs! Therefore, the firepower we previously overlooked should be elevated to the same level as armor; and the additional weight from the enhanced firepower can be offset by the increased tonnage of each warship."

Tirpitz paused and continued, "Due to this fundamental change in concept, our previously planned artillery development must be completely reevaluated; otherwise, we would end up with large ships carrying small guns, which would be a serious waste of tonnage."

"Wait, Alfred." Wilhelm II's thoughts had just returned to normal, and he hadn't fully grasped the implications of Tirpitz's words. He frowned for a moment and slowly said, "I understand. With the increased tonnage of the warships, the originally planned guns seem underpowered, so we need to design a more powerful gun."

Tirpitz nodded and said, "Exactly. We originally planned to equip the next class of battleships with 40-caliber 240mm main guns, but this plan now has significant issues. Although the 240mm gun has a fast rate of fire, with Krupp guaranteeing three shots per minute, its power is too weak, with each shell weighing only 140kg, which is insufficient to pose a fatal threat to the enemy's main warships. Even in the Baltic Sea, where the engagement distance is relatively close, the high rate of fire cannot compensate for the low power. Moreover, Krupp's armor research has made rapid progress, with the armor's resistance to penetration nearly doubling. Without more powerful guns, the German Navy's main warships will face the awkward situation of their guns being unable to penetrate the enemy's armor in future naval battles!"

"However, Alfred, powerful main guns mean a slower rate of fire, how do you plan to solve this? Currently, the engagement distances in naval battles are not far, and the role of large-caliber guns with a slow rate of fire is extremely limited. Without sufficient firepower density, even if the guns are powerful, what use is it if they can't hit the target? The reason we chose the 283mm guns for the four latest Brandenburg-class battleships instead of the 305mm guns was precisely because of this consideration," Wilhelm II said.

"I have also considered this issue." Tirpitz picked up the paper filled with various symbols and diagrams, pointed to a corner, and said confidently, "My idea is to find a compromise between caliber and rate of fire!"

"Powerful main guns are what we desire, and a high rate of fire is also what we desire. Since these two are inherently contradictory and cannot be achieved simultaneously, we should choose an intermediate caliber to balance power and rate of fire to some extent. Currently, the 283mm main guns on our battleships are quite effective, and we can use this as a foundation. Krupp can develop a turret for this type of gun that allows for rapid loading at any angle, which will significantly increase the rate of fire on the main warships. This way, we can balance both power and rate of fire!"

"Compromise on caliber and rate of fire..." Wilhelm II murmured, his brow furrowed as he began to rapidly calculate in his mind. In fact, Wilhelm II's knowledge of naval matters was far more profound than the rumors of his incompetence suggested. After a moment, he understood the key points. Germany's 40-caliber 283mm guns were already recoil-operated, which inherently met the conditions for rapid firing. With the smokeless powder problem already solved, all that was needed was a turret structure that allowed for rapid loading, and the rate of fire of these guns could be dramatically improved!

"Wait... If that's the case, why stick to the current 283mm guns? Why not have Krupp develop larger-caliber 305mm guns and equip them with turrets?" This thought excited Wilhelm II, but upon further consideration, he sighed and dismissed the idea. Currently, German industry had just completed the manufacture of 11-inch recoil-operated guns, and a lot of data and experience still needed to be absorbed through testing. If they rashly increased the caliber, the development time would be slow, and there was a high risk of failure, which neither Wilhelm II nor the German Navy could accept!

Moreover, the development of turrets was an unavoidable challenge. Although Wilhelm II did not know the detailed structure, he was very clear that the difficulty of manufacturing and the structural strength required for the ship were directly proportional to the power of the guns. Currently, Krupp could only guarantee the development of 240mm guns and their turrets in a few years. For Tirpitz to insist on maintaining the main gun caliber was already a significant step forward. If they suddenly increased to 305mm guns, the difficulty would be much greater!

Seeing the changing expressions on Wilhelm II's face—surprise, joy, anticipation, and then disappointment—Tirpitz knew that this ambitious young monarch was once again letting his imagination run wild. He tapped the table lightly and said, "As for larger-caliber guns... with all due respect, Your Majesty, I suggest you not think about it for now. First, Krupp's technology is not up to it, and second, the rate of fire cannot be balanced. Besides, there is still much potential to be explored in the 283mm guns! When these guns were developed, to reduce technical difficulties and achieve a muzzle velocity of 820m/s, the shell weight was reduced to only 240kg. This is an extremely light shell, and the standard shell weight should be at least 300kg." Wilhelm II's expression might have been a rejection of the compromise, but Tirpitz did not think this was possible. In his view, his idea had been thoroughly analyzed in every aspect and was flawless, so how could there be any flaws?

Caught off guard by Tirpitz's directness, Wilhelm II felt slightly embarrassed and said, "Fine, fine, do as you say. I will provide additional funds to the navy for the research of the 283mm twin turrets. Alfred, tell the people at Krupp that I will give them 40 months; if they cannot produce a qualified product within this time, they will not only lose their allowance but also their positions."

"Yes, I will do it first thing tomorrow," Tirpitz agreed happily.

"Although you broke our appointment today, considering the circumstances, I will not hold it against you. However, remember, this is the last time!" Wilhelm II's expression turned serious, and his tone became stern. "Go back and draft a new naval development plan. In three days, come to my study at the usual time. Understood?"

Tirpitz's expression turned solemn, and he said firmly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to fulfill your trust and will not repeat tonight's mistake."

"Naval development plan?" Upon hearing this term, Qing Ying, who had been listening quietly, suddenly became alert. It seemed he had already triggered a butterfly effect in German naval construction, but he still needed to make efforts in the naval development plan. If Tirpitz, the octopus, formulated a crazy expansion plan and Wilhelm II, the naval enthusiast, approved it, it would not be good for Germany. With this thought, Qing Ying raised his right hand and said, "I want to go too!"

Hearing the young voice, Wilhelm II and Tirpitz were both taken aback; they had completely ignored the young boy who had triggered the entire event. Wilhelm II glared and said angrily, "This is a matter of state that I need to discuss with the Chief of Naval Staff, and there is no room for play. What are you, a child, going to do there? Stay in the study and review your lessons. If you fail the test in half a month, I will flay you alive!"

Seeing Qing Ying being scolded, Tirpitz felt a bit sorry for him, as he had played a crucial role in his deeper understanding of the navy tonight. He coughed and said, "Your Majesty, let the Second Prince come along. He is your son and has a deeper understanding of the navy than most adults. If he can be exposed to more advanced matters earlier, it will benefit both him and the country!"

Wilhelm II's heart moved, finding the suggestion reasonable, but he still wanted to maintain his image as a strict father and could not easily give in. He put on a stern face, pretended to think for a while, and then reluctantly said, "Since Alfred has spoken, then... Eitel, you can come too."

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— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —