Chapter 55: oil strategy
"Mr. Moritz, there's something crucial I need to share with you in advance. The substantial amount of crude oil we're stockpiling isn't solely for our consumption. A significant portion needs to be reserved for the government," Qin Tian stated with a serious expression.
"Reserved for the government?" Moritz seemed puzzled. Given Germany's current low oil consumption, reserving such a vast quantity for the government appeared unnecessary and costly.
"Mr. Moritz, what I'm about to reveal involves the empire's military secrets. I trust you to keep it confidential," Qin Tian requested with gravity.
"Your Highness, I swear in the name of God, I will keep it a secret," Moritz affirmed, matching Qin Tian's seriousness.
"Mr. Moritz, the capital ships under construction in the Imperial Navy, as well as future warships, will use oil-fired boilers. This will significantly increase the Imperial Navy's oil consumption. As we are an oil-deficient nation, we must stockpile enough oil before potential wartime disruptions to our maritime trade lines. Without adequate reserves, our costly capital ships would become useless scrap if we lose access to overseas oil sources during a conflict. Hence, it's imperative to store enough oil before any such eventuality," Qin Tian explained solemnly.
Moritz was astonished at this revelation. He hadn't expected Qin Tian's request for additional oil reserves to be driven by military necessity. Qin Tian's honesty demonstrated trust, and Moritz felt moved, given his recent inclusion in Qin Tian's team.
Qin Tian had shared this classified information with Moritz not only due to trust but also after thorough background checks.
"Your Highness, rest assured, I'll keep this secret strictly," Moritz assured. As a German, he desired Germany's success in future wars, and knowing these military secrets further strengthened his commitment.
"Moritz, while the navy and government will also store oil covertly, we need to secure crude oil for ourselves. Two million tons is a minimum; if possible, store even more," Qin Tian instructed.
"Yes, Your Highness." Moritz nodded, aware that storing substantial amounts of crude oil incurred significant costs. However, with the continuous wealth generated by the German Welfare Lottery Company, Qin Tian had ample resources for such endeavors.
"Mr. Moritz, our company must also develop the capability to extract oil. Please work on building technical reserves and recruiting relevant personnel for this purpose," Qin Tian added.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Germany's scarcity of oil, despite having some coastal reserves, necessitated technical advancements for extraction. Moreover, expanding exploration efforts and building technical expertise was essential.
"Your Highness, should we consider overseas oil field exploitation?" Moritz inquired, knowing that Germany lacked domestic oil sources.
"Although most overseas oil fields are controlled by countries like Britain, France, and the United States, we shouldn't rule out opportunities. Prepare for it, and if a chance arises, we can act immediately," Qin Tian suggested. He knew Germany's overseas power was limited compared to the British but believed in being prepared for future opportunities.
"Yes, Your Highness," Moritz agreed, understanding the importance of proactive preparation.
After Moritz left, Qin Tian's attention turned to the map on the wall. Many regions held untapped resource wealth, particularly the Middle East, with reserves sufficient for over a century. If Germany triumphed over Britain in the coming war and gained control of the Middle East, energy shortages would be alleviated.
"The Middle East's oil can't be moved before the war. We need to explore other options," Qin Tian contemplated.
"Libya possesses rich oil resources, and its potential remains largely unknown. If we manage to secure Libya's oil, it would significantly bolster our reserves," he pondered. With Italy eyeing Libya and an impending conflict with the Ottoman Empire, supporting the Italians strategically could yield exploration and mining rights for Germany after the war.