Chapter 3: The General Trend

1 Japanese yen = 0.75 grams of gold

The resounding chorus of thousands still echoes in my heart, and the previous "Hohenfriedberg March" has once again been played. Whether the distinguished guests on the viewing platform or the onlookers in the outer circle, all stand to witness the upcoming military parade. The German Royal Guard is the first to pass in front of the viewing platform, their steps vigorous, their formation orderly, and their presence imposing, reminiscent of the awe and reverence inspired by the British Navy. Following closely is the German Royal Military Band, with musicians holding instruments of various sizes; although the spacing between them is relatively wide, each individual's stride and pace are maintained with precise uniformity. The German Royal Guard is the first to pass in front of the viewing platform, their steps vigorous, their formation orderly, and their presence imposing, reminiscent of the awe and reverence inspired by the British Navy. Following closely is the German Royal Military Band, with musicians holding instruments of various sizes; although the spacing between them is relatively wide, each individual's stride and pace are maintained with precise uniformity.

The Germans excel in machinery, and the flourishing development of the shipbuilding industry has also endowed them with a group of outstanding naval engineers, which is the capital for the German Navy to realize its oceanic dreams. In the realm of ordinary thinking, excellent engineers can ensure quality, while genius engineers can bring about technological leaps. At the age of 5, he assembled wooden warship models; at 7, he created intricate electric boat models; at 9, he corrected the drawing errors of professional designers; and at 11, he designed high-performance speedboats. Such a genius was born into a German royal family. For Natsuki, who has worked in the modern shipbuilding field for many years, these are merely appetizers that come easily to him. However, in the eyes of Kaiser Wilhelm II and his follower Tirpitz, this is a priceless treasure bestowed upon the German Navy!

1 pound = 7.32238 grams of gold

On the speedboat next to the royal yacht "Hohenzollern," Xia Shu had recovered from the passionate emotions of the earlier chorus. He calmly gazed at the marching column on the dock. The German soldiers in his line of sight were marked by their pointed steel helmets and naval caps, marching with heads held high and a spirited demeanor in a German-style goose step—this "marching in place" with an upright upper body and powerful leg movements originated from a European dance. It was first adopted in the 18th century by Frederick the Great during the Prussian military parades. Due to the renowned elite quality of the Prussian army, this marching style gradually spread and was learned by several other countries.

After donning the German crown, the rapidly rising national power made Wilhelm II increasingly eager to possess an invincible naval fleet. He himself had a strong interest in warships; however, naval design is a rather complex discipline. As the ruler of the entire empire, Wilhelm II had no choice but to entrust the task of building a first-class fleet to more specialized individuals, namely his "eternal Tirpitz." While the naval minister, who shared the Emperor's aspirations, was certainly a trustworthy figure, until time proved everything, no one could guarantee that he would create a fleet with top-tier competitiveness. Germany's geopolitical environment dictated that it must always prioritize the development of its army, and the resources allocated to naval construction could not be infinite, making the quality of the vessels particularly important.

1 pound = 25 francs = 5 dollars = 2 German gold marks = 20 German marks = 9 rubles = 10 yen

1 ruble = 0.774234 grams of gold

Unlike his elder brother's political considerations in choosing the navy, Xia Shu's entry into the navy was driven by a strong personal desire, along with the profound expectations of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The headstrong Wilhelm II greatly admired his grandmother, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, and envied the British fleet's dominance across the seas. He was also deeply influenced by Mahan's ideas on sea power, believing that only by developing overseas could one join the ranks of the world powers.

1 German gold mark = 10 German marks = 3.58425 grams of gold

As the first four individuals ascended the gangway, Joachim, standing on the speedboat, was already wearing a round naval cap with a flat top and short brim (the traditional ship-style naval cap is to be worn with a uniform). This 14-year-old royal youth is not yet an official member of the German Navy; he has just entered the Kiel Naval Academy for initial training. Typically, cadets are able to join the German Navy as probationary officers after three and a half years of rigorous training. Joachim's elder brother, Adalbert, the third son of Emperor Wilhelm II, is currently studying at this renowned naval academy as well. He has completed all theoretical courses and will graduate after undergoing several months of training on a training ship.

2. Under the gold standard system at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the gold content of various countries' currencies was as follows

Compared to those round hot air balloons, these airships majestically dominate the sky like dinosaurs, and their appearance is always accompanied by the unique roar of powerful engines. Despite the high cost and relatively short lifespan of the new gasoline engine developed by Daimler, it has still received considerable orders from the Zeppelin Company and the Royal Shipyard. The former is owned by Count Zeppelin and is the sole manufacturer of Zeppelin airships, while the latter is a royal industry in Germany that once faced bankruptcy but has successfully transformed into a leader in the manufacturing of racing boats and torpedo boats. Its manager is none other than the young genius of the Hohenzollern family, Prince Joachim of Germany

1 US dollar = 1.50463 grams of gold

The traditional land parade has concluded, but the highlight of the naval port festival is yet to come. Amidst the stirring military music, Kaiser Wilhelm II, sporting a prominent mustache and dressed in naval attire, walks past the armed naval honor guard, followed closely by Crown Prince Wilhelm. Next are two key figures of the current German Navy: the Kaiser’s brother, Admiral Prince Heinrich, and the architect of the German Navy, Count von Tirpitz, the Secretary of State for the Navy and Prussian Minister of the Navy.

Encouraged by the high echelons of the empire, the young Prince Joachim became a frequent visitor to the German Navy Department, often entering the offices and archives of shipbuilding evaluation experts, and traveling across Germany's major shipyards with Tirpitz. It soon became evident that the accolades for the youthful genius were not unfounded. At Prince Joachim's suggestion, the Germania shipyard made significant design improvements to the 1898 model torpedo boat, resulting in a substantial enhancement in the maritime performance of the subsequent 25 vessels compared to the earlier 30 that had been completed. Subsequently, the motorboat designed under Prince Joachim's supervision won the Bremen Cup in 1903 for water speed racing, and later secured the Navy Department's small torpedo boat bidding project. Before 1908, the royal shipyard he managed was set to provide the German Navy with 180 "Lightning" fast boats for coastal operations, with a total contract value of 19.8 million marks. In this context, not only Emperor Wilhelm II, but also Tirpitz and all officials of the Navy Department eagerly anticipated that this royal talent would join the German Navy—when Prince Joachim's growing body became strong enough, they finally got their wish

William II and his entourage boarded the "Hohenzollern" directly, and the German imperial flag, featuring a black eagle, a crown, and the Iron Cross, was promptly raised on the yacht. The clear sound of the steam whistle announced the commencement of the naval review. After the royal yacht set sail, Summer drove his speedboat closely behind, creating a scene reminiscent of a gallant horse accompanied by a shepherd dog. Upon reaching the center of the harbor, the seven other "Lightning" speedboats and four 1895 model torpedo boats that had been waiting there joined in, forming a tight escort around the "Hohenzollern," with the exceptionally orderly maritime formation becoming a striking sight. As the royal yacht passed, each ship fired salutes, but not everyone held the powerful military empire and its ruler in high regard. In recent years, Germany had exhibited an increasingly aggressive expansionism in diplomatic politics and colonial affairs, and had acted arrogantly on several sensitive issues. The Russian Empire, which had been close to and relied on Germany during the Bismarck era, turned to ally with France, while Britain, which had consistently pursued a policy of "continental balance" and "liberalism," also formed a defensive alliance with France. As material wealth grew rapidly, Germany's situation became increasingly isolated, and its only two allies, Austria-Hungary and Italy, were one in decline and preoccupied with its own issues, while the other was opportunistic and indecisive, failing to provide any truly reliable strategic support, instead repeatedly dragging Germany into the quagmire of regional disputes.

1 franc = 0.2903225 grams of gold

The exchange rates of various countries are calculated directly based on gold content. A rough estimate can be made using the following ratios

Since it is the Naval Port Festival, the Navy naturally becomes the main focus of the parade. More than 2,000 naval infantry soldiers arrived in six formations, some from the base defense units and others from the ship's marine corps (combat infantry specifically assigned to battleships and cruisers). The orderly formations, neat uniforms, and spirited demeanor all reflect the excellent qualities of the German Navy personnel.

During the ground parade, two Zeppelin airships arrived to add to the festivities, taking advantage of the calm weather. The earliest airships can be traced back over a hundred years, and the epoch-making Zeppelin airship was invented by the renowned Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in 1900. German military strategists immediately recognized its immense potential, and since Count Zeppelin was a retired German military officer, this invention was utilized by the German army. Today's Zeppelin airships have a considerably large appearance, and many people, upon seeing them for the first time, feel as if they are enchanted, captivated by their magnificent and wondrous presence. German military strategists immediately recognized its immense potential, and since Count Zeppelin was a retired German military officer, this invention was utilized by the German army. Today's Zeppelin airships have a considerably large appearance, and many people, upon seeing them for the first time, feel as if they are enchanted, captivated by their magnificent and wondrous presence.

Note: 1. Since the German Empire was a constitutional monarchy composed of a federation of states, the political structure of the Empire included only one minister, the "Chancellor." The heads of various domestic and foreign affairs departments were referred to as state secretaries. For example, Tirpitz's official title was State Secretary of the Imperial Navy, concurrently serving as the Minister of the Navy of the Kingdom of Prussia.