The military parade was a resounding success, and the representatives from various nations were thoroughly impressed by the might and grandeur of the German forces. Many of them, deep in contemplation, realized that Germany's triumph in the Great War was no mere stroke of luck. Simply put, the strength of their military could not be rivaled by any other nation.
That evening's banquet was equally joyous, with hosts and guests reveling in the celebration. Particularly the smaller nations, who had already begun to adopt a strategy of aligning themselves closely with Germany. After witnessing the overwhelming military prowess of the German Empire, they understood that Germany's position as the world's dominant power was indisputable. At least for the foreseeable future, no other nation could challenge Germany's supremacy. For those wishing to maintain their relevance on the international stage, they knew they must cling to the Germans as their steadfast allies.
Of course, for those nations harboring animosity toward Germany, or who were potential adversaries, the mood was far more somber.
On December 19th, Emperor Qin Tian and his entire delegation boarded a special train bound for Wilhelmshaven, preparing for the naval review the following day. While the military parade had already showcased Germany's formidable power, the naval review would undoubtedly leave an even more profound impression. After all, warships weighing tens of thousands of tons on the water resembled floating mountains, an awe-inspiring sight in and of itself.
By the morning of December 20th, the naval base at Wilhelmshaven was packed to capacity. To allow the German public to witness firsthand the formidable might of their navy, the base had been specially opened for the occasion. The crowds, coming from all corners of the empire, nearly filled the entire harbor.
At 9 a.m., the naval review officially began. Admiral Reinhard Scheer, commander of the High Seas Fleet, reported to Emperor Qin Tian that everything was in place and ready to commence.
"Then let us begin," Qin Tian declared.
Following the established protocol of the naval review, Emperor Qin Tian embarked on the flagship of the German Navy, the SMS Bayern, to inspect the fleet participating in the event.
Apart from the SMS Bayern, the fleet consisted of four Bayern-class battleships, five Kaiser-class battleships, five Kaiser-class battleships, four Helgoland-class battleships, and four Nassau-class battleships. Following these were three Mackensen-class battlecruisers, three Derfflinger-class battlecruisers, three Moltke-class battlecruisers, and two Blücher-class battlecruisers. The procession was completed by a number of armored cruisers, light cruisers, and destroyers.
Altogether, over a hundred ships participated in the review. Such a scale had only been seen before in the British Empire, and even other nations, though eager, lacked the resources to replicate such an immense display.
As Emperor Qin Tian observed his warships, he felt as if a lion were surveying its domain. While a significant portion of these ships had already been scheduled for decommissioning, they had undeniably played a pivotal role in securing victory for the German Empire in this war. It was clear that Germany's naval triumph over the British Royal Navy had been a decisive factor in the Empire's success. Had the German Navy not emerged victorious, Germany would have been doomed. Even though Qin Tian had strengthened the Empire, the navy's importance in maintaining Germany's global interests post-victory was paramount.
The inspection of the fleet alone took nearly an hour. The sailors, dressed in immaculate white uniforms, stood at attention along the ship's railings, their gazes filled with reverence for their Emperor.
Qin Tian's stature within the Imperial Navy was immense; virtually all of the modern ships in the fleet had been directly shaped by his vision. This had led the navy's men to view him almost as a deity.
Once the inspection was concluded, the ships performed the ceremonial column formation. The participating warships passed slowly before the reviewing stand at the dock, where foreign dignitaries eagerly awaited their turn to observe.
Everyone knew the might of the British Royal Navy, yet even its formidable strength had been crushed by the German fleet. This was undeniable proof of the German Navy's dominance.
The German Navy did not disappoint; one battleship after another, towering like mountains, sailed past the reviewing stand. The palpable weight of their presence sent a chill through the onlookers.
"The German Navy is so powerful! Truly unstoppable. The Imperial Navy's defeat at their hands was entirely inevitable," remarked one onlooker, and the statement was met with nods of agreement. The overwhelming power of the German Navy struck Crown Prince Yurihito with awe.
The mighty German Navy had decimated the Japanese fleet in the East with a single fleet composed of battlecruisers. Had the Germans sent more ships, the Japanese would have stood no chance.
Despite his shock, Yurihito was not one to concede defeat easily. "Germany may be strong," he thought, "but I am certain that Japan will emerge victorious in the end."
"We are already constructing new battleships. In the future, we will defeat the Germans," Yurihito resolved in his mind.
U.S. Secretary of State Bryan, too, wore a grim expression.
"The German Navy has reached its pinnacle. If the United States Navy wishes to challenge Germany for dominance in the Atlantic and beyond, we must build an even more powerful fleet. Without that, defeating the Germans is impossible!" Bryan felt immense pressure.
Although he was well aware of the U.S. Navy's shipbuilding plans, he doubted that those efforts would be enough to overcome Germany.
"It seems we must explore other options," Bryan thought, his gaze falling on Crown Prince Karl and Crown Prince Yurihito. A faint smile appeared on his face.
Crown Prince Karl, too, was taken aback by the German Navy's power. Though he was aware of the German fleet's composition, seeing it firsthand had given him a much more tangible sense of its might.
"Compared to the formidable German Navy, the Austro-Hungarian Navy is pitifully weak. Even if we do not compete directly with the Germans, we must reinforce our fleet to safeguard our empire's interests in the Mediterranean. Otherwise, the consequences will be dire," Karl thought grimly.
While the Austro-Hungarian Army could still hold its own, particularly in terms of manpower, the navy was entirely outclassed by Germany's.