"Father, there is no need to worry about the finances. With the profitability of the German Lottery Company, funding the construction of a battleship poses no issue. The main concern now is that no shipyard will undertake the construction of my design. The members of the Naval Technical Committee will surely obstruct it," Qin Tian lamented.
The German Lottery Company could bring Qin Tian at least 200 million marks in profit annually. The cost of constructing a battleship was merely around 40 to 50 million marks, a trivial sum for someone as financially robust as Qin Tian. However, finding a shipyard willing to turn his designs into reality proved to be far more challenging.
"Indeed, this is a problem. Even I have little recourse regarding this matter," Wilhelm II furrowed his brow.
The shipyards capable of constructing battleships in Germany included the naval shipyard in Kiel, the Germania shipyard, the Royal Dockyard in Wilhelmshaven, the Weser shipyard in Bremen, the Vulcan shipyard in Hamburg, and the Blohm & Voss shipyard, along with the Schichau shipyard in Danzig. Aside from the naval and royal shipyards, the rest were privately owned. Even Wilhelm II could not compel them to build a battleship for Qin Tian.
"Father, if I were to establish my own shipyard, would I have your support? I mean in terms of technical and managerial personnel. After all, I lack any foundation in this field," Qin Tian pondered before speaking.
Since those shipyards would not assist him in building the battleship, he might as well do it himself. Relying on oneself is often more fruitful than seeking help from others, especially since he had ample funding. The German Lottery Company had become a veritable cash cow, generating substantial profits each month.
"Building your own shipyard is certainly an option, but I have a better solution. Rather than starting from scratch, it would be wiser to acquire an existing shipyard. That way, you would at least have some foundation to build upon," Wilhelm II suggested.
"Acquiring a shipyard? That is indeed a sound idea. But which shipyard would be suitable?" Qin Tian realized this approach was preferable to establishing a new shipyard from the ground up.
"Very well, the royal shipbuilding and repair yard can be transferred to you!" Wilhelm II announced.
"The Royal Dockyard in Wilhelmshaven? That would be excellent. However, I fear I do not have sufficient funds at the moment and would need to defer payment. I could take out a loan from you at bank interest," Qin Tian replied with enthusiasm.
The Royal Dockyard in Wilhelmshaven is one of Germany's primary shipyards, capable of constructing various types of vessels, including battleships. Naturally, acquiring such a large shipyard would require a substantial sum—at least two to three hundred million marks. While the German Lottery Company was profitable, that income was prospective. Expecting Qin Tian to produce such a vast sum immediately was unrealistic unless he waited one or two years.
A hint of embarrassment flickered across Wilhelm II's face.
"Oscar, it seems you have misunderstood. I was referring not to the Royal Dockyard but to the Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard. They are two distinct entities; the former is in Wilhelmshaven, while the latter is in Danzig!" Wilhelm II clarified.
"Ah? The Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard in Danzig?" Qin Tian was taken aback.
Although the Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard had been established for over a century, it remained merely a medium-sized facility, experienced only in constructing small to medium-sized warships, with no capacity for building battleships. Not to mention, the shipyard lacked even the dry docks necessary for constructing large battleships. If Qin Tian remembered correctly, the Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard had been operating at a loss each year.
"Father, the Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard simply does not have the capacity to construct battleships!" Qin Tian exclaimed in disbelief.
"That can be easily remedied. After you acquire it, you can expand operations, recruit more technical staff and skilled workers, and I will arrange for a contingent of engineers to be reassigned from the Royal Dockyard and the naval shipyard. This will enhance the construction capabilities of the Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard without issue," Wilhelm II suggested, appearing to make it sound simple.
Qin Tian hesitated, sensing that Wilhelm II was eager to offload the consistently loss-making Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard. However, if Wilhelm II intended to deceive him, he could easily find someone else. After all, he was the emperor's own son; surely a father would not trick his child.
"Oscar, Germany's economy is experiencing rapid growth, and the profits of various shipyards are quite satisfactory. If you seek to acquire another shipyard, it will not be so simple and will require significantly more funding. Moreover, they are unlikely to extend credit to you as I have. You must consider this carefully; there will be no second chance," Wilhelm II urged.
The Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard had become a liability for the monarchy, and while its annual losses were not vast, they still caused Wilhelm II some concern. If he could offload the shipyard, it would be most beneficial.
Furthermore, once Qin Tian took over the shipyard, the battleships constructed there would belong to the German Navy, achieving a dual purpose.
Qin Tian felt exasperated; he had exerted so much effort to fulfill his promise. This was ultimately for the benefit of the German Navy and Germany as a whole.
After much contemplation, Qin Tian resolved to take over the Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard. Given that Wilhelm II had made the offer, he felt he had little choice in the matter.
However, Qin Tian intended to negotiate to secure his interests as best as possible.
"Father, how much do you intend to sell the Royal Shipbuilding and Repair Yard for?" Qin Tian inquired.
"Fifty million marks, not a penny less."
"Uh, Father, I do not have that much money. Currently, I only have ten million marks," Qin Tian spread his hands in exasperation.
"That's no problem; you can pay in installments, ten million marks each time. Given the earning capacity of the German Lottery Company, you will pay it off in no time," Wilhelm II said with a smile, showing no concern for Qin Tian's ability to pay. The German Lottery Company's financial prowess was so impressive that even he, as emperor, envied it. If this company were not Qin Tian's, and if Qin Tian had the sense to remit a portion of the profits to the crown, he would have been tempted to seize it by any means necessary.