In the Berlin Palace, the office of Kaiser Wilhelm II, an imperial conference was in session. Present were Emperor Wilhelm II, Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow, Foreign Minister von Kidderlin-Waechter, Chief of General Staff von Moltke, Minister of War von Falkenhayn, Admiral Count Tirpitz, Crown Prince Wilhelm, and Qin Tian.
It was quite customary for all attendees, save for Qin Tian, to be present at such a conference, given that they were the Empire's high-ranking officials. The Crown Prince, as the heir to the throne, was also entitled to participate. However, Qin Tian, merely an ordinary prince, despite his notable talents in business and shipbuilding, remained just that—an ordinary royal. His inclusion in this meeting was warranted primarily due to the main agenda being his proposal, coupled with his astute awareness of the global landscape.
Nevertheless, the Crown Prince regarded Qin Tian with palpable hostility, perceiving his presence as a direct challenge to his own claim to the throne—a threat that he found utterly intolerable.
"Damn Oscar! That hypocritical scoundrel truly aims to contest my right to the throne. He is just an ordinary prince, far behind in the line of succession; how dare he!" Crown Prince Wilhelm seethed, on the verge of confronting Qin Tian. Had the circumstances been different, and absent his father's prior warning, he likely would have erupted in fury.
"Gentlemen, I trust you all understand the purpose of today's conference," Wilhelm II stated with a stoic demeanor. "We gather at the behest of Prince Oscar to discuss the necessity of establishing a national oil reserve on behalf of the state and government. I invite your thoughts on this matter."
"Your Highness, at present, Germany's oil consumption is minimal. We can readily acquire oil from the Americans; is it truly necessary to expend vast sums to construct a national oil reserve?" General von Moltke was the first to voice skepticism.
After all, procuring oil, coupled with the construction of storage facilities and refineries, would entail a substantial financial outlay—at least in the hundreds of millions of marks. Given Germany's already significant fiscal strain and pressing military budget deficits, such an investment in oil reserves seemed unwarranted. If surplus funds were available, they would be better allocated to upgrading military armaments to enhance the combat effectiveness of the German forces in future conflicts.
"Excellency, establishing a national oil reserve is imperative. While our current consumption is relatively low, this figure will soon soar—especially with the military's increasing demand for oil. I have already recommended that the navy adopt fuel boilers and steam turbines for our future battleships due to their superior performance. This shift will substantially elevate our oil consumption. To ensure the navy's operational capability, the establishment of oil reserves is essential," Qin Tian elaborated.
"Prince Oscar is correct; the navy's vessels will all utilize fuel boilers and steam turbines, necessitating greater oil consumption. With no oilfields within Germany, we rely entirely on imports. This poses no issue in peacetime, but should conflict arise, our overseas supply lines may be severed. Until we defeat the British, we must rely on stored oil for our navy's consumption. Thus, establishing national oil reserves is crucial for our victory in any future war," Admiral Count Tirpitz concurred.
"Excellency, to decide on such a widespread adoption of fuel boilers and steam turbines without thorough examination is rather hasty, is it not? Furthermore, while Germany lacks oil, it is rich in coal. Even if fuel boilers do present advantages, abandoning coal-fired boilers is inadvisable. After all, utilizing coal means we need not fear an enemy blockade," Crown Prince Wilhelm interjected, ostensibly critiquing the navy's decision but covertly attacking Qin Tian. Recognizing the threat Qin Tian posed to his position, Wilhelm began employing every means to undermine him.
"No, Your Highness. The navy's decision to adopt fuel boilers and steam turbines was not made lightly. Although we lack extensive experience with these systems, tests have demonstrated that their performance far exceeds that of our previous coal boilers and steam engines. This advancement would significantly enhance the capabilities of the Imperial Navy's vessels," Admiral Count Tirpitz promptly countered.
The Crown Prince fell silent, his expression darkening. In his eyes, the navy's stance clearly indicated support for Qin Tian.
"Damn Tirpitz! Does he intend to breach the long-standing tradition of military non-interference in succession matters?" Crown Prince Wilhelm fumed inwardly.
"Your Highness, if we were to pursue the construction of oil reserves, what would the financial investment entail?" Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow inquired.
"If we aim for a reserve of two million tons, it would require approximately one hundred twenty million marks," Qin Tian responded.
At this, Prime Minister von Bülow furrowed his brow, recognizing the enormity of the sum.
"Oscar, are you not aware of the immense financial strain currently faced by the Empire? One hundred twenty million marks could build three capital ships! Not everyone possesses your vast personal wealth. As a royal prince, you ought to contribute to the nation and society," Crown Prince Wilhelm began to intentionally provoke.
"Your Highness, I have earned my wealth through legitimate means; is there any fault in that? Furthermore, how do you know I have not contributed to the nation?" Qin Tian retorted with a smirk.