Chapter 8

As an emerging great power, and as an empire that has resolved its internal issues and is preparing to expand globally, the large-scale construction of the German Imperial Navy was inevitable. As a major country, could it possibly lack a powerful navy? Look at the predecessors, from the early Spain and Portugal to the current Britain, France, and Russia, and then to the newly rising Germany and the United States. At this point in time, everyone would decide to build up their navies! This is a trend that cannot be altered by personal will, whether the ruler is Wilhelm II or the Iron Chancellor Bismarck! This process is necessary.

Now, the Chief Executive of the German Empire, Bismarck, is also troubled by this issue. He is preparing for a large-scale construction but has not yet set a target! When it comes to strategy, domestic affairs, and diplomacy, Bismarck is at least at the level of the strongest king. However, when it comes to the navy, even the German naval officers haven't figured it out yet, so how could he, an outsider, manage it? Although the direction is not yet determined, based on the principle of strategy guiding the navy, he already has a general direction: the scale of the fleet construction should not be too large. Germany is currently very safe, and the Reinsurance Treaty is still in effect. France dares not provoke Germany, Russia is too busy to bother with Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary are friends, and Britain is not an enemy. The environment is unprecedentedly good, and a large fleet would only bring pressure and make others wary, serving no practical purpose for Germany!

Now, the Iron Chancellor has no time to think about this strategic issue because the State Secretary of the Imperial Navy Office, Hesner, has come to the Chancellor's residence to report on his work. He provided a rough budget according to the requirements of the Navy Department, and some of the figures caught the Chancellor's attention.

"The naval shipbuilding budget seems a bit high, and the armor budget seems excessively high. The empire's armor manufacturers have never quoted such high prices," Bismarck pointed to a line of numbers and said.

"This is a quote from a new company called the Bavarian Mechanical Design Bureau. Their quote is more than 50% higher than other companies! I don't know what they are thinking, but the Navy Department does not plan to use their armor," Hesner said with some dissatisfaction.

"What is the quality of their armor?" The Chancellor seemed unwilling to dwell on the price and directly asked about the performance of the new armor.

"It is somewhat better than the steel armor from Baron Halberg's company and other companies, but not by much," Hesner's words were vague, causing the Chancellor's brow to furrow slightly.

"So, your suggestion is that the new warships should still use armor from the old manufacturers?" Bismarck asked.

"At least their prices are the most reasonable, and the old manufacturers have a guaranteed quality," Hesner said casually, as if the Chancellor did not intend to dwell on this issue.

"Have you seen the test report for this armor?" Bismarck asked.

"Yes!" Hesner replied without hesitation.

"Then tell me, how much money did those armor manufacturers give you to speak on their behalf?" Bismarck's eyes coldly scanned the other, making him shudder involuntarily.

"Is this the best you can do? According to this report, the performance of this armor is about twice that of ordinary steel armor!" The Chancellor threw another document in front of him, his low voice filled with anger. "You actually deceived the empire for your own selfish gain! You are truly bold!"

"Your Excellency, please let me explain..." Hesner's face turned pale, and he could hardly speak coherently!

"You can explain in court! His Majesty the Emperor is already aware of this matter and is very disappointed and angry with certain people in the Imperial Navy Department. Some capitalists have reached too far! You should go back and think about your actions and then confess to your accomplices to seek the Emperor's mercy." Bismarck did not want to listen to his explanation and left the reception room after saying this.

"God, who could make the Emperor personally intervene in this matter? Wasn't this something that could be handled internally by the navy?" Hesner still didn't understand who he had offended! The story of this matter began a week ago.

To be honest, King Ludwig III of Bavaria has been in a good mood recently. The thing his precious son came up with is not just armor but a golden goose! Based on the information provided by his attendants, he gained a basic understanding of the world armor market, especially the German armor market. With the superior performance of the new armor, the factory established by the Bavarian royal family could easily outperform other competitors and even monopolize the German shipbuilding armor market! No one turns down money, so His Majesty is in a very good mood!

However, when the letter from the Bavarian representative in Berlin mentioned that the German Navy did not plan to purchase the new product from the Bavarian Mechanical Design Bureau, which is solely owned by the Bavarian royal family, His Majesty felt very puzzled, then dissatisfied, and finally angry! My product is so good, and you dare to refuse it? Are you bullying me because I'm from a different region? In terms of performance and cost-effectiveness, the new hardened armor far surpasses the old armor! You actually refuse it? This is absolutely abnormal!

What would a regular manufacturer do in such a situation? Naturally, they would seek connections and find ways to influence the Navy Department, perhaps even offer some bribes! But the Bavarian Heavy Industry Group would not do this, and His Majesty would not do this. The people in the Navy Department know me, but I don't know them! What are those people? If they have something to say, they should go directly to the Emperor or the Chancellor.

When His Majesty's father learned of this matter, the old Regent was also very angry, feeling that he had been insulted by the lowly people in the Navy Department! He immediately instructed the Bavarian representative in Berlin to inquire with the Emperor. As the leader of the second-largest state in the empire, the Emperor naturally needed to intervene in this matter. Thus, the Emperor became aware of it.

Coincidentally, the nephew of Chancellor Bismarck was just appointed as the Prussian representative in Bavaria (this event did happen, but the timing in history may not match). During his visit to the Bavarian royal family, the enraged His Majesty asked in a very stern tone, "Why is the Bavarian royal family's enterprise treated unfairly in Prussia? Where is the dignity of the royal family? Has the imperial government become so corrupt that everything can be bought with money? What is Bismarck doing?"

These words were very harsh, scaring the young Count. What is this about? Has his uncle offended this noble His Majesty? Is there some misunderstanding? Then His Majesty stormed out, leaving the Chief Steward, Count Schelling, to explain everything in detail to the other party. That night, the new representative immediately reported the matter to his uncle. Thus, what Hesner thought was a minor issue was escalated to the highest level of the empire by the angry Bavarian royal family!

Now, not only is Hesner thinking about what to do next, but the Imperial Chancellor and the Emperor of the empire are also considering how to handle the situation! This is indeed an unprofessional act by the imperial government, or rather, a criminal act by a few people in the Navy Department that has tarnished the image of the imperial government. All relevant personnel must be dealt with, and this is certain. Then, they need to consider how to repair the relationship with the Bavarian royal family.

Everyone is a royal family and uses their positions to make money, which is an unspoken rule. The German royal family has shares in major shipyards and the Krupp factory. Therefore, the army and navy buy Krupp's artillery, indirectly giving money to the royal family. It can't be said that the Hohenzollern family can do it, but the Wittelsbach family cannot. Moreover, the products of their factories are indeed excellent, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they contribute to the construction of the Imperial Navy. If exported, they would also contribute to the imperial treasury!

Thus, the Emperor signed an order, directing the Imperial Navy Department to purchase the new hardened armor from the Bavarian Mechanical Design Bureau, which is solely owned by the Wittelsbach family. Having achieved their goal, the Wittelsbach family decided to let the matter rest, and everyone was satisfied, and the issue was resolved!

Prince Rupprecht never expected his first order to be so complicated! However, after learning about this matter, he couldn't help but marvel at how powerful his family is. Being a royal businessman is truly great! When you have the right, you are invincible!

Thank you to the reader Huaxia Yi Xiaomin for the support~~~. Here is the second update~~~. How about some favorites? Recommendations? Clicks? ??

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