Chapter 2: The Ambition of the Strong

The young boatman looked down upon the formidable presence exhibited by the Cressy-class armored cruisers, "Cressy" and "Aboukir." In his mind, the armored cruisers, crafted at great expense by the British, were still nothing more than paper tigers, strong in appearance but weak at heart; a single torpedo was sufficient to send them to the depths of the sea. During the First World War in the old timeline, the newly emerged German U-boats set an astonishing record by sinking three 10,000-ton battleships within an hour, and those three unfortunate battleships were precisely the British Cressy-class!

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With the vigorous development of national industry following the unification of Germany, complemented by a rigorous and meticulous national character and advanced metallurgical and mechanical skills, the German Navy, which has only recently begun to take shape, is now gaining momentum. These nearly first-class capital ships fully demonstrate the ambition and strength of the German nation as it moves towards the sea. At the Germania shipyard in Kiel, even more powerful Brunswick-class battleships are in the outfitting stage, and the latest German-class battleships have also commenced construction. This is an era that reveres large ships and heavy artillery, as well as a time of rapid technological advancement. The first-class warships of a decade ago have now become obsolete, allowing naval designers to unleash their imagination on the drawing board, with newly constructed vessels continuously breaking existing records. At this time, although the total tonnage of the German Navy is only one-third that of the Royal Navy, the expanding scale and improving standards of the German shipbuilding industry endow it with immeasurable potential. The defiant imperial rulers are able to cast their gaze towards the vast and prosperous oceans, pursuing the naive maritime dreams of land power nations.

On the dock of Kiel Naval Base, the first segment of military music ceased, and everyone rose to their feet. After a moment, the bugles sounded in unison, accompanied by a familiar melody, as tens of thousands in the audience sang aloud, "God save you, crowned with the laurel of victory" (i.e., "Hymn to the Emperor," the informal national anthem of the German Empire). The resounding wave of sound far surpassed the effect of any congregation singing hymns within a church, and its powerful emotional impact was reflected in every face filled with reverence.

Amidst the lively and spirited sounds of military music, Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, dressed in naval uniform, entered the viewing platform accompanied by Empress Victoria, followed closely by royal family members, military and political officials, and foreign dignitaries. The three docks closest to the viewing platform were occupied by the formidable battleship fleet of the German Navy, and between the Wittelsbach-class battleship and the Brandenburg-class battleship lay an inconspicuous wooden walkway, with fringed railings and a bright red carpet leading directly to the pristine white yacht, the German royal yacht "Hohenzollern." As a "dragon boat" of a world-class industrial power, it was expected to possess a grand stature and luxurious decor, yet from any angle, it could hardly be deemed "luxurious," its size even smaller than that of some passenger ferries. Only when a speedboat crossed the harbor and docked nearby did its beautiful lines become slightly more apparent in contrast.

Before the speed gear reached its highest position, the speed of the speedboat had already easily surpassed that of most warships of this period. The streamlined hull began to leap across the water, resembling a magical white flying fish from a distance. As the last British warship was passed, the boy's line of sight suddenly opened up. He saw four ships of the Kaiser Friedrich III class and three ships of the Brandenburg class docked on either side of the main viewing platform, along with three ships of the Witzelsbach class directly in front of the platform. The ten German battleships, with their red bottoms and white bodies, exuded a magnificent and imposing presence, and their broad hulls particularly gave a sense of solidity and durability.

As the speedboat passed by the British fleet's mooring, the young man cast a cold glance at these iron warships, which were destined to become adversaries in the future. They were painted in the iconic lead gray, with hulls resembling sturdy sea walls, straight chimneys, and large ventilation openings arranged in succession along the midsection of the vessel, while various weapons and rigging filled every inch of deck space

If the luxurious ocean-going cruise ship is a gentleman, well-dressed and graceful in demeanor, then the warships used for combat are akin to rough-looking, reckless warriors, leaving distinctly different sensory impressions. For over a century, the British Empire has used warships and cannons to force open the doors of underdeveloped nations, with ships laden with merchants and goods flocking in, plundering in a barbaric and cunning manner. This wealth has filled the treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, enabling this maritime empire to invest more funds in shipbuilding. Thus, in a continuous cycle, the British Navy has maintained a powerful fleet that stands proudly above all nations.

Considering only the vessels at hand, the two Cressy-class armored cruisers are classified as second-class ships in the Royal Navy. However, their displacement and main gun caliber are comparable to those of the latest German battleships in service, and their main engine power exceeds that of the latter by 50%. Additionally, their defensive capabilities and survivability have significantly improved compared to previous large cruisers. If second-class ships are thus formidable, what level of strength should the British capital ships, which are larger, more heavily armed, better armored, and more expensive, possess?

National strength determines international status, and armed forces are a prominent means of demonstrating national strength. The British Empire, which dominated the seas, was at the height of its power. Over the past several decades, the world has witnessed the formidable military might of the empire on many important occasions, and has been awed by its top battleships. The classes of battleships such as the Dreadnought, the Invincible, and the Courageous reflect how the British relied on their industrial strength to maintain maritime superiority. Their dual advantage in both quality and quantity provided them with ample confidence to establish the "Two-Power Standard" (which states that the strength of the British Navy should exceed the combined strength of any two other naval powers). The classes of battleships such as the Dreadnought, the Invincible, and the Courageous reflect how the British relied on their industrial strength to maintain maritime superiority. Their dual advantage in both quality and quantity provided them with ample confidence to establish the "Two-Power Standard" (which states that the strength of the British Navy should exceed the combined strength of any two other naval powers)

I am Joachim, Prince Joachim of Germany

Britain possesses an unparalleled and powerful navy, Russia has a vast army akin to a steamroller, and France harbors a deep-seated desire for revenge. In light of the potential alliance among these three nations, Germany should have felt extremely uneasy. However, the proud German Emperor, relying on the Triple Alliance treaty with Austria-Hungary and Italy, remained unafraid of the provocations from his adversaries. The current glory of Germany is built upon the victories in the wars against Denmark, Austria, and France. The populace across all strata in Germany not only does not fear war but rather hopes to achieve the grand ambition of a world empire through an even greater victory. In this context, the two major camps resemble trains running on the same track. Britain, France, and Russia are the primary beneficiaries of the colonial division feast; they are ahead but moving slowly, while a unified Germany, buoyed by its burgeoning heavy industry, has become the fast train trailing behind. Unless both sides are willing to sacrifice their respective interests to reconcile their conflicts, a collision is merely a matter of time.

What the ordinary eye can see is merely the dazzling exterior of Joachim; no one knows that the coincidence of fate has brought a soul from the East through parallel dimensions to this place, replacing the tragic prince who would have succumbed to melancholy and taken his own life due to the fall of the empire. (Historically, although Prince Joachim possessed considerable personal charm, the setbacks in his military career, the collapse of imperial authority, and personal marital issues overwhelmed his will, ultimately leading him to take his own life with a gun in 1920 at the age of thirty)

After the initial confusion and bewilderment, this soul, carrying memories of a past life, gradually awakens: since fate has arranged it, why worry about gains and losses? The bittersweet experiences of the past, the joys and sorrows, have become history; the life of today is the reality one must face. A fortunate birth does not guarantee a successful life; whether one is a hero or a failure, whether one becomes a victor or a vanquished, everything is in one's hands and begins with one's own steps

On the self-designed "Thunder" speedboat, Prince Joachim removed his leather cap, revealing a head of golden-brown short hair. As the youngest son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, he was born under the brilliant glory of the German Empire at its zenith. Even though he could not grasp the crown of imperial power, he could at least enjoy a carefree life at his leisure. However, unlike his brothers, Joachim was not inclined to indulge in the power and wealth bestowed upon him by fate. From a young age, he was diligent and studious, displaying remarkable talent in navigation and shipbuilding; his fingers were nimble, and his piano skills approached a professional level. He was passionate about sports, excelling in equestrianism, fencing, football, and various other disciplines. To others, he seemed to possess inexhaustible energy, striving for perfection in every endeavor he undertook. What was even more commendable was his grounded and steady nature, believing in practical work rather than empty talk. His extensive knowledge left many highly educated adults feeling inferior, earning him the title of "the most gifted young genius of the Hohenzollern family in a century".

Engaging the low gear, gently pressing the accelerator pedal, and turning the steering wheel with both hands, this procedure is strikingly similar to driving a manual transmission vehicle. The young man must be very pleased with his design, as he confidently navigates the increasingly speeding speedboat. At this moment, over a hundred ships are docked in Kiel Harbor, all freshly polished, presenting their most splendid appearance to welcome the review. Upon hearing the roar of the speedboat, the sailors lined up on the decks of the ships eagerly peek out, their curiosity particularly evident towards the visiting foreign vessels. As a tradition of the Kiel Naval Festival, the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, the Baltic Fleet of Russia, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal Belgian Navy, the Royal Swedish Navy, the Royal Norwegian Navy, and the Royal Danish Navy have all been invited to send ships.

Goodbye, Summer Tree

At this point, Natsuki, who has already embraced the role of Joachim, stands tall and sings loudly like those around him. For the inherently proud Germans, nothing instills a greater sense of pride and honor than living in such a unified, powerful, and martial nation. The increasingly formidable navy before them greatly satisfies their grand German sentiment. The four-minute chorus transforms Kiel Harbor into a sacred German church, embodying the true will of the people and the unity of the masses. The Germans' unity, fervor, and the expansionist ambitions they display have also posed a significant threat to their European neighbors, especially the traditional powers. Just two months ago, Britain and France signed the Anglo-French Agreement aimed at safeguarding their common interests, and with the existing alliance between France and Russia, the tripartite coalition to contain Germany has begun to take shape.