Blood and Iron Germany[Part One]

Potsdam, nestled along the banks of the Havel River, lies a mere 27 kilometers from Berlin. This picturesque little town is home to a regal palace built by the German royal family, where the Kaiser spends over half the year residing.

A youth sits by the Havel River, gazing silently at the gently flowing waters.

This boy, named Qin Tian—his name from a previous life—now goes by Oscar. This moniker often leaves Qin Tian at a loss for words, as it invariably conjures associations with the American film award. Fortunately, the film industry is in its infancy, much like a toddler learning to walk, and thus lacks the multitude of award titles that would later proliferate.

The reasons for becoming Oscar, or for being transported to this world, elude Qin Tian. All he vividly remembers is that upon his arrival, it felt as though his soul had merged with that of the young Oscar, a mere year ago. Moreover, the current year is not the twenty-first century, but the early twentieth century—he lives now more than a hundred years ago.

In another timeline, Qin Tian hails from a prosperous family. Both parents are successful merchants, perpetually entangled in business, becoming almost like airborne figures, leaving little time for their son.

Contrary to the typical wealthy heir, Qin Tian does not indulge in vice due to his affluence. Instead, he has transformed into a reclusive enthusiast of military history.

Qin Tian is passionate about collecting military artifacts, weaponry, and a myriad of military memorabilia—from aircraft to artillery, tanks to warships, his collection is comprehensive.

His interest in Germany is particularly profound. He perceives Germany as a nation steeped in tragedy. Its people are industrious, meticulous, and rigid, functioning almost like cogs in a machine. Yet, their prowess cannot be overlooked. In the two major wars of the early twentieth century, they often faced overwhelming odds, almost triumphing to become the world's hegemon, only to fall short at the last moment.

Qin Tian speculates: had Germany defeated the Allies in World War I and dominated the European continent, would the subsequent history of the world have been markedly different from the one he knows?

Alas, history cannot be rewritten nor hypothesized.

Yet, fate seems to have played a cruel jest on him. After spending a substantial sum to acquire a grand Iron Cross from Germany, he eagerly unwrapped the parcel, only to be blinded by a brilliant light. After a dizzying moment, Qin Tian discovered he had assumed an entirely new identity.

Now, Qin Tian possesses a distinguished status. He is Oscar, the fifth son of Kaiser Wilhelm II of the German Empire. However, being well aware of the second empire's fate, he finds little satisfaction in this identity.

Once the second empire falls, the princes of the German royal family rarely meet a favorable end.

In another era, Prince Oscar lived to the age of sixty, but his life was one of mere survival, a tenuous existence. That is not the life Qin Tian desires.

"What to do? It is now 1904, merely ten years until war. Is Germany's fate of defeat truly irreversible?" Qin Tian murmured.

He now felt a deep sense of helplessness and urgency.

Although Germany's industrial output has surpassed that of Britain, establishing itself as the second industrial power after the United States, it excels particularly in high technology, especially military advancements, leaving the U.S. far behind.

Present-day America is hardly the Uncle Sam of later years; it is more akin to a youthful Sam. Although it has achieved significant industrial success, it still lags considerably behind Europe, which remains the center of the world.

Yet Britain controls the most colonies worldwide and boasts the strongest navy. In many respects, Germany is at a substantial disadvantage compared to Britain.

Firstly, while Germany has a developed industrial sector, it lacks many mineral resources aside from coal. Its various industrial products depend heavily on overseas markets. Should war erupt, Germany's navy would struggle to break the British blockade, preventing industrial goods from reaching foreign shores while also obstructing access to essential natural resources. The inevitable outcome would be suffocation. This is undoubtedly a primary reason for Germany's defeats in both World Wars.

Secondly, Germany's geographically advantageous position in central Europe facilitates extensive transport routes. However, this also traps Germany in a perilous situation surrounded by formidable enemies: Britain and France to the west, and Russia to the east. Although Austria-Hungary stands as an ally, it is merely a façade of a great power, truly incapable of providing any substantial support. Their wartime performance can only be described as abysmal. Such an ally not only fails to assist Germany but also proves a liability. The saying goes: one need not fear a godlike opponent but rather a teammate akin to a pig. When both the enemy and their allies are formidable, while one's own allies are inept, even the mightiest Germany risks annihilation.

While Germany has begun to build a powerful navy, the ambitious Wilhelm II yearns to construct a fleet capable of defeating the British navy. However, being encircled by enemies necessitates a strong army, preventing Germany from allocating all its resources to naval development. Consequently, the gap between the German and British navies continues to widen. When Germany commenced large-scale construction of battleships, the British arrogantly declared that for every battleship Germany launched, they would launch two, maintaining overwhelming superiority.

"Damn it, every aspect points to Germany's inevitable demise! Is my fate as a German prince merely to survive in obscurity and endure a life of quiet desperation?" Qin Tian pondered helplessly.

Despite having been reborn as Prince Oscar for a year, and growing increasingly familiar with this world, Qin Tian has yet to experience the joys of princely life. Instead, he finds himself ensnared in an endless cycle of crises and anxieties, which renders him increasingly taciturn in the eyes of others.