Planning 9

Although faced with rejection once again, this time Wilhelm II's heart was filled with great satisfaction, and his tone became much milder. "You must be tired from this journey. Go and rest."

Rest? Wilhelm inwardly chuckled helplessly. There were too many things to attend to, and he feared that there would be no free time in the next ten years. "I understand, Grandpa. Also, I need a few transfer orders. I want to select some individuals from the Navy and send them to China as escorts. I also want to draw some pilots from the ones sent to the Soviet Union and China for maritime flight training."

"Maritime flight training? You mean seaplanes?"

Wilhelm shook his head, correcting him. "No, Grandpa. I mean true aircraft carriers like Japan's 'Hōshō.' Not those shoddy conversions like the ones in the British Empire."

The world's first seaplane carrier was the British "HMS Hermes." In 1912, the Royal Navy extensively modified an old cruiser, the "HMS Hermes." Engineers removed some cannons and equipment from the warship, laid a platform at the bow for seaplane landings, and installed a large crane to move the aircraft. Thus, the "HMS Hermes" became the world's first seaplane carrier.

However, it was not a prototype of modern aircraft carriers because the aircraft on board couldn't directly take off and land on the ship. All planes had to take off and land on water, then be lifted onto the ship.

The world's first true full-deck aircraft carrier was Japan's "Hōshō," designed in early 1919 and constructed at the Amano Shipyard in Japan. It was launched and commissioned in December 1922.

"Aircraft carriers..."

From Wilhelm II's uncertain gaze, Wilhelm could tell that he didn't have much faith in this new type of equipment. He couldn't accept new things, remaining an old stubborn man. "Grandpa, honestly, the so-called mighty British Empire's navy is nothing but a century-old facade. Even if we have twice the number of battleships, we probably wouldn't be able to defeat them in a cannon duel alone. We can only have a chance of defeating them with new weapons and tactics." The navy is a highly complex and systematic endeavor. It takes decades to develop effective naval power. Britain has a long maritime tradition, and its navy has been developing for over a century. It would be extremely difficult for Germany to catch up with Britain through a short period of frantic investment.

Wilhelm II's expression turned somewhat embarrassed as he seemed to recall his own dismal failure ten years ago. "So, you plan to defeat the British navy with aircraft carriers?"

In September 1889, just over a year after his accession, Wilhelm II accepted an invitation from England to attend the grand Royal Review as the Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy.

The magnificent fleet of the Royal Navy off the coast of the Isle of Wight far surpassed Wilhelm II's selected "last battleship of Germany."

The grand ceremony strongly stimulated Wilhelm II's self-esteem, and he couldn't help but envy the dominant position of the Royal Navy. In 1895, the young Wilhelm II openly declared, "Germany is a world power," "Germany's future lies on the ocean." Of course, when he made these bold statements, he completely disregarded the fact that the British were already dominant at sea. He disregarded these facts and began dedicating himself to building a massive navy.

Unfortunately, despite Germany's frenzied resource allocation and excessive financial investment, the nouveau riche couldn't match the old money, as Britain's wealth was too substantial. If World War I had broken out a few years later, the German Navy would have had a chance to compete with the British on more equal terms. However, Germany hastily engaged in naval warfare at the peak of shipbuilding, and regretfully lost to the Royal Navy, ultimately depleting its resources and withdrawing from the ranks of naval powers. It was not until before World War II that the German Navy began to show improvement, but it could only operate secretly underwater.

Wilhelm nodded earnestly. "Yes, I believe within ten years, aircraft will fly faster, higher, and carry heavier payloads. By then, the seemingly mighty battleships will be nothing more than targets for aircraft carriers."

Wilhelm II, despite still feeling somewhat unsettled, nodded and waved his hand.

Wilhelm II suddenly spoke as Wilhelm was about to turn and leave. "What is your opinion on the Jewish question? Recently, someone proposed to me whether we can expel all Jews to the Soviet Union."

"Who the hell said such idiotic things?!" Although he also disliked Jews (people who were born and raised in this country, use this country's resources, but don't consider themselves part of this country), he wouldn't go as far as the little mustache and slaughter millions of people. "Of course, we should treat them kindly. The whole world is basically anti-Semitic. If we show even a little kindness, those Jews will gather in Germany. Grandpa, if we occupy a piece of land in Jerusalem in the Middle East in the future and establish a country for them, what price will they pay? If I let them stay in Germany and leave all their assets behind, resettling them to Jerusalem, would they refuse?"

In the original timeline, Europe, and even the United States, had a dislike for Jews, and then the little mustache came out all arrogant and took on the dirty work and carried the blame for everyone.

In reality, he was just a scapegoat. Did the local capitalists not do the same things as the Jews? It was just that because the Jews were good at business, there were more wealthy Jews. When there were economic crises and sharp social conflicts, they would bring out the Jews to shoulder the blame.

After Wilhelm left, Wilhelm II received another report from Brauchitsch.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Wilhelm II asked with a serious expression, "Colonel Brauchitsch, what is your view on Wilhelm's recent journey?"

Colonel Brauchitsch hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Your Highness, it seems that Prince Wilhelm is preparing for the next war."

Wilhelm II nodded. "I know that. Do you think he will succeed?"

Colonel Brauchitsch replied more cautiously, "Prince Wilhelm gives the impression of being knowledgeable and seems to have a clear understanding of the enemy's strength."

While Wilhelm II was having a conversation with Colonel Brauchitsch, Wilhelm encountered Annie and a few people she brought in the corridor. "Your Highness, this is Mr. Clara, the head of the oil company."

Clara hurriedly greeted, "Greetings, respected Crown Prince."

"Mr. Clara, time is of the essence. Let's talk here. I want you to immediately send three oil exploration teams to China to search for oil. Hmm, send them to the Hei Province of China."

Clara couldn't help but be puzzled. "The Hei Province of China? Forgive me for speaking frankly, Your Highness Wilhelm, but as far as I know, several countries have already conducted surveys there and have not found any oil."

Wilhelm interrupted coldly, "They couldn't find it because their technology was inadequate. That doesn't mean we won't find it either. Only the results of our German detection will be authoritative."

"You will conduct exploration in the western and central parts of the Hei Province. Prepare to complete it within one week and then head to China. The mining equipment will be transported later." With the current speed of transportation ships, it would take at least a month to reach China.

Then, they would need to transport and assemble the equipment, start the exploration, which would take at least three months before any news would come out. Then they would have to build the mining facilities and oil refineries. It would take at least two years for the oil from there to reach Germany, even if they started transportation in 1930, it would still be a considerable amount of oil by 1940.

Wilhelm emphasized, "The drilling depth should exceed 1,200 meters."

"Yes." Clara, still puzzled, took her leave to go back and prepare to arrange the manpower.