Chapter 0095: Alliance with Krupp
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience." Within the opulent carriage of the special train, Wilhelm II was engrossed in his documents as Essen von Jonalett reported.
"Let him in!" Wilhelm II replied, setting down his pen and rubbing his weary eyes.
"Good evening, Father," Qin Tian greeted as he entered.
"Have a seat, Oscar. It's late; what brings you here?" Wilhelm II asked amiably.
The Emperor was increasingly pleased with this son. He had even contemplated whether to remove the title of 'acting' from Qin Tian's position as Crown Prince. Yet, the lingering condition of the comatose Crown Prince Wilhelm made him hesitant to make such a decisive change.
"Father, there is a matter on which I find myself uncertain, and I seek your counsel," Qin Tian stated earnestly.
"Oh? Oscar, is there something that troubles you so greatly? I am quite curious," Wilhelm II inquired, his interest piqued. In his eyes, Qin Tian had always been resolute.
Thus, Qin Tian laid bare his intention to establish the German Armaments Company and venture into the domain of light weaponry.
Upon hearing this, Wilhelm II's brow furrowed in concern. "Oscar, your aspirations are commendable. However, the light weapons for the Imperial Army have historically been supplied by Mauser and Rheinmetall. Over the years, they have cultivated a vast network of interests. Should you encroach upon their territory, a backlash is inevitable. Even as Crown Prince, you might incur substantial consequences," he warned solemnly. It was crucial for him, even as Emperor, to avoid provoking the industrial magnates excessively.
"Father, is there truly no alternative? While the combat prowess of the German Army is unparalleled, I believe there remains significant room for improvement. I aspire for the weapons produced by the German Armaments Company to elevate the Army's effectiveness. This way, in future conflicts, our chances of victory would be greatly enhanced. I desire for more young lives to survive the ravages of war," Qin Tian implored sincerely.
Perhaps moved by Qin Tian's earnestness, Wilhelm II began to ponder solutions. After a moment of reflection, he devised a strategy. "Oscar, your plan can succeed, but it hinges on your willingness to cede a portion of the profits."
"Father, do you mean to form an alliance with others?" Qin Tian queried, his astute mind quickly grasping Wilhelm II's intent.
"Precisely. Only through collaboration can you withstand the pressure they will exert," Wilhelm II affirmed.
"Then, Father, whom should I approach for this alliance?" Qin Tian asked. He was not averse to sharing a portion of the profits; his priority was to see his plans come to fruition. The potential for personal gain mattered little to him.
"Perhaps the Krupp Company. I understand your relationship with them is quite favorable. A partnership with Krupp would be highly beneficial," Wilhelm II suggested.
"The German Shipyard has indeed enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with Krupp. Their large-caliber naval guns were developed at our behest, and they are currently striving to publicize the 343mm cannon, also due to our requests," Qin Tian explained.
"Moreover, Krupp is the largest and most influential among the Empire's many arms manufacturers. An alliance with them would significantly diminish the pressures from other companies. Krupp has long sought to penetrate the light weaponry sector but has been thwarted by opposition from competing arms firms. If we can seize this opportunity, I believe they would be eager to cooperate," Wilhelm II concluded.
"Understood, Father. Thank you for your guidance," Qin Tian responded gratefully.
Krupp was undoubtedly a titan of the German arms industry, unparalleled in the artillery field. Additionally, Krupp was involved in numerous sectors, including steel and shipbuilding. However, its achievements in light weaponry had been minimal. Should Qin Tian succeed in partnering with Krupp, it would represent a formidable alliance that could significantly disrupt the current monopolistic landscape of Germany's light weaponry market. Furthermore, as Wilhelm II had noted, collaborating with Krupp would alleviate concerns about potential resistance from other arms manufacturers, given Krupp's stature in the industry.
"Work diligently, Oscar. I truly wish to see the accomplishments you will achieve," Wilhelm II expressed his growing expectations.
"Father, I assure you I will not disappoint," Qin Tian vowed.
Upon returning to Berlin, Qin Tian immediately instructed Karl to reach out to the Krupp Company; he sought to pay a visit to the company's leaders, the Krupp couple.
The last time Qin Tian visited Krupp, it was under the stewardship of Miss Bertha Krupp. They had reached an agreement that expedited the research on large-caliber naval guns, ensuring that the Nassau-class battleships and Blücher-class battlecruisers were completed on schedule. Otherwise, like in another timeline, they might have had to settle for 280mm guns, leaving the Imperial Navy's capital ships well-armored yet lacking in effective weaponry.
Of course, the two classes of warships, featuring 24 triple-mounted 305mm guns, had yielded substantial profits for Krupp, enabling them to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the development of the 343mm cannon. After all, the Navy had a far greater demand for the 343mm caliber than for the 305mm.
After Gustav Krupp married into the Krupp family, he began to co-manage the largest arms empire in the German Empire alongside Miss Bertha Krupp. However, upon learning of Qin Tian's impending visit, they both recognized the significance of the occasion. Compared to their previous meeting, Qin Tian's status had undergone a radical transformation.
In the past, Qin Tian was merely regarded as a commercial prodigy, an ordinary prince at best. Now, however, he was the Crown Prince—albeit with a titular designation, yet still a Crown Prince nonetheless!