Chapter 0005 Donation of Battleships

"Your Highness, be silent. If you do not wish to join the Navy, I will not force you. However, please do not insult the Navy. It is precisely the countless young lieutenants who graduated from the Kiel Naval Academy that uphold the German Navy." Dean Ludwig Berkenhagen was furious

No, Germany still has a chance. If we can build more battleships that can completely outperform the British, then our navy can defeat them. As long as the navy can win, Germany will be invincible in future wars said Qin Tian

Qin Tian nodded. The generals and soldiers of the German Navy are all worthy of respect. It is precisely because of their continuous efforts that the German Navy has developed into the second largest navy in the world, second only to the British Navy, in a short period of time

During the age of sail, luck played a significant role in naval battles. However, when the main battleships of the navy entered the era of ironclad giants, relying on luck for victory would certainly lead to defeat

Dean Ludwig Berkenhagen nodded involuntarily; although he was reluctant to admit it, he had to acknowledge that Qin Tian's analysis was spot on in every respect

Dean Ludwig Berkenhagen fell into a moment of silence, being an elder who had worked in the navy for decades. He had witnessed the German Navy's gradual development from nothing to its current state. Naturally, he was also aware of the vast gap between the German Navy and the British Navy. Although Kaiser Wilhelm II was ambitious in his desire to develop the navy, constrained by national strength and external factors, it was indeed exceedingly difficult for the German Navy to defeat the British Navy

Your Excellency the Dean, perhaps from your perspective, spending four years studying at the Kiel Naval Academy represents a significant enhancement of one's abilities. However, from my point of view, it is merely a waste of four years. Am I to remain here for the full four years only to graduate and serve as a mere second lieutenant?

Your Highness, what does this have to do with your unwillingness to study at the Naval Academy? It is precisely because the gap between the German Navy and our enemies is so vast that we need talents like you to join us

Unbeknownst to him, Dean Berkenhagen's hostility towards Qin Tian had diminished considerably. In his view, since Qin Tian possessed such insights, he should not be regarded as an uneducated person.

The Dean of Berkenhagen couldn't help but furrow his brow; Qin Tian's reasoning seemed rather far-fetched, or one might say, fanciful.

"Your Highness, are you so pessimistic about the future of the German Navy that you believe we will not be a match for the British?" asked Dean Berkenhagen

"Your Highness, is there really no chance left for Germany?" Karl's voice trembled slightly.

"I apologize, Your Excellency the Dean, it was my indiscretion," Qin Tian hurriedly expressed his regret

However, what does that matter? The German Navy ultimately could not defeat the British Navy. After Germany's defeat, all of the German Navy's warships sank themselves. This meant that Germany would no longer have a powerful navy thereafter

But what about Germany? Our geographical position compels us to invest a considerable amount of funds in the army. This results in our investment in the navy being far inferior to that of the British. If this continues, it would be a delusion for us to think we could challenge the British navy

Your Excellency, to speak candidly, if the navy continues to develop at the current pace, there is absolutely no possibility of defeating the British. If, in a future war, the navy is unable to overcome the British Navy, it would undoubtedly be a disaster for Germany. At that time, our coastline will be blockaded, and our overseas trade routes will be severed by the British, leaving us heavily surrounded by the enemy. If the army also fails to swiftly defeat the enemy, resulting in a stalemate in the war, the final outcome for Germany will likely be a slow and agonizing demise.

If Dean Ludwig Berkenhagen had sent a telegram to Wilhelm II, would not all his efforts have been in vain

Dean Ludwig Berkenhagen coldly looked at Qin Tian. If it were not for Qin Tian's identity, he would not want to waste any words with them at all, and would have directly ordered someone to expel this good-for-nothing from the Kiel Naval Academy.

Your Excellency, if I can guarantee the donation of a battleship to the German Navy within the next four years, would you be able to agree to my previous request?

Indeed, in terms of the performance of our capital ships, we are not inferior to the British. However, when it comes to quantity, we still have a long way to go. This is the reason why I am reluctant to waste four years at the Naval Academy

However, Your Excellency the Director, I must speak frankly. Although the German Navy has made great strides, the gap between it and the British Navy has not only failed to narrow but has actually continued to widen. The British control a vast majority of global colonies, which allows them to plunder wealth from these colonies without restraint and then invest it into the construction of their navy

Although our enemies are formidable, the German Navy will never yield. We will develop even stronger and will surely defeat the British in the future, Dean Ludwig Berkenhagen stubbornly stated

"Your Excellency, the Dean, please allow me to explain," Qin Tian said hurriedly

Yes, Your Excellency the Director. I believe that with everyone's efforts, the German Navy will become even stronger. However, defeating the British Navy remains extremely difficult. With the financial resources of the British, they can exert a pressure on us equivalent to twice the number of capital ships. By that time, how easy will it be for us to defeat them? As naval warships have developed to this level, the role of luck in naval battles has diminished significantly.

Qin Tian shook his head: "Your Excellency the Director, the most critical factor constraining the development of the German Navy is none other than funding. If I could contribute more development funds to the German Navy through my own efforts, it would undoubtedly be more beneficial for the German Navy."

However, the empire simply does not have that much funding to invest in the development of the navy. It is utterly unrealistic to compare the number of capital ships with the British.

Dean Ludwig Berkenhagen and Karl were both shocked. Clearly, they were frightened by the scene depicted by Qin Tian. They had great confidence in Germany. However, they had to admit that the enemy was formidable. Everything that Qin Tian mentioned was entirely possible.

Dean Ludwig Berkenhagen was so enraged by Qin Tian's remarks that he trembled all over