"Your Majesty, today I witnessed the future of the Imperial Navy."
Late at night.
The Kaiser's office.
"We must immediately adopt this 'Dreadnought'!"
'Just moments ago, he looked half-dead, yet now he's bursting with energy.'
Schlieffen chuckled quietly as he watched Admiral Tirpitz, who had been passionately lecturing about the "ultimate warship" for hours.
Who could have predicted events unfolding this way?
Even Schlieffen himself had never anticipated this outcome.
"Hans Qiao..."
The Eastern boy who had saved the Emperor's life.
Now the most controversial figure in Berlin's social circles, his name dominated every conversation, whether in praise or condemnation.
Including Schlieffen, many burned with curiosity about this youth.
After all, "that" Wilhelm II permitting an Asian to enter the palace was utterly inconceivable.
Germans familiar with the Emperor's usual derogatory remarks about Asians found this particularly hard to believe.
When rumors about Hans were confirmed, Berlin exploded as if bombarded, the uproar unprecedented.
Schlieffen mused that even the Battle of Königgrätz (Sadowa) from his youth likely paled in comparison to this frenzy.
Some claimed the Kaiser had gone mad, while others spread salacious rumors comparing the monarch's obsession to ancient Greek pederasty.
Thus when Schlieffen received the imperial dinner invitation, he resolved to personally assess what manner of creature this "Hans Qiao" truly was.
His motivations blended curiosity with duty - should this Eastern youth prove harmful to royalty or the German Empire, he wouldn't hesitate to employ force for expulsion.
"Your Majesty, with respect, this is impossible."
Yet Hans Qiao defied Schlieffen's expectations.
No, he surpassed all expectations.
Since Bismarck's dismissal, no one had dared directly contradict the Emperor for years. Yet this boy did so.
Their first meeting revealed a polite youth whose astonishing courage commanded reluctant admiration.
Thus Schlieffen chose to shield Hans from Tirpitz's wrath.
Pure curiosity drove him - what thoughts fueled such audacity in this child?
Then Schlieffen received his second shock.
Hans Qiao was no ordinary Eastern youth.
He stood revealed as an undeniable genius.
(Though in truth, Hans merely possessed memories from future eras. To the unaware Schlieffen, however, he transcended mere childhood.)
Moreover, Hans' military proposals precisely addressed Schlieffen's most pressing concerns.
Recently, those armchair theorists in parliament - men devoid of battlefield experience - kept advocating army budget cuts to fund naval expansion, grating on his nerves. Hans' suggestions provided immensely satisfying counterarguments.
"I want him!"
Schlieffen's long-dormant thirst for talent flared fiercely.
Even within the German Imperial Army, few could formulate strategic visions like Hans'.
This genius must serve the military - where else could such brilliance be applied?
(Of course, were the ordinary youth Hans to hear this, vehement protests would follow. But Schlieffen considered the boy's opinions irrelevant.)
Schlieffen himself never intended to become a soldier, yet had risen to Chief of the General Staff.
"You grow into the role you're given" - wasn't that life's way?
"A pity he's still too young."
Five more years, and he'd have dragged the boy to Kriegsakademie by his collar if necessary.
Schlieffen stroked his chin, contemplating plans that would make Hans' hair stand on end.
"But these 'Dreadnoughts' remain untested in actual combat!"
"All new weapons start thus! The concept itself predates this discussion!"
As Schlieffen pondered Hans' future, Chancellor Bülow and Tirpitz continued their heated debate.
Dreadnoughts.
The revolutionary warship concept Hans proposed - unprecedented in naval history.
Though perplexed by the British-style nomenclature, theoretical simulations suggested these behemoths would render existing battleships obsolete.
Combining superior speed with devastating long-range artillery accuracy and overwhelming firepower, the Dreadnought concept made conventional fleets appear defenseless.
Even Schlieffen, a naval layman, had to acknowledge this as the "ultimate warship."
Hence Admiral Tirpitz's dramatic conversion after hearing Hans' Dreadnought presentation - his earlier slurs of "yellow-skinned monkey" now conveniently forgotten as he championed immediate construction.
Chancellor Bülow advocated caution in contrast.
Schlieffen remained indifferent - as long as army funds stayed untouched, any decision sufficed.
"Moreover, Dreadnought construction costs could double existing battleship budgets. Where would this funding originate?"
"Cancel planned Braunschweig-class and Deutschland-class vessels. Redirect those budgets. Fewer ships built, but the Dreadnought's combat superiority justifies this sacrifice."
"The risks remain excessive. Should this fail..."
"Enough, Bülow."
"Your Majesty?"
The Emperor's raised hand silenced the chancellor mid-debate.
Imperial resolution finally crystallized.
"Admiral Tirpitz."
"At your command!"
"Immediately suspend all new battleship projects. Convene full Naval High Command tomorrow - I shall personally chair Dreadnought discussions. Chancellor Bülow."
"Yes, Sire."
"Fear of failure paralyzes progress. Hans spoke truth - as latecomers, mere imitation won't suffice. Now demands boldness."
"...Your wisdom illuminates us."
Though Bülow's expression betrayed lingering reluctance, imperial will remained inviolable.
Schlieffen understood the chancellor's nature perfectly.
"Schlieffen, your thoughts?"
"The Army fully supports Your Majesty and the Navy's decision."
With army budgets unscathed, opposition served no purpose.
"Additionally, this is my personal observation - failing to prioritize Dreadnought construction now invites peril. Britain and other powers won't remain idle."
Since the Tsushima engagement, Britain had already initiated Dreadnought-related discussions. The conceptual framework existed.
Schlieffen perceived that inaction now risked British primacy in developing these vessels.
"Precisely! Should Britain launch Dreadnoughts first, Germany could never close that gap!"
Thud!
The Kaiser's fist struck the table, swearing intolerance towards such prospects.
"Understand? This is a race! Before the British grasp Dreadnoughts' significance, we must strike first!"
"Your Majesty's wisdom shines!"
"Total commitment, gentlemen! This is our final - and finest - opportunity for naval supremacy. We cannot falter!"
"At your command, Sire!"
Late night.
While chill air gripped the outdoors, the imperial office thrummed with fervor.
...
"Hans, do you comprehend today's astonishments?"
While Wilhelm II convened with Bülow's faction to discuss Hans' proposals, the youth endured Empress Auguste Viktoria's reprimand regarding the banquet incident.
"Your actions today were profoundly discourteous and reckless. Naturally, I assume calculated intent, but expression requires consideration of setting, timing, and manner."
"My deepest apologies, Your Imperial Majesty."
"Sigh... Fortunately, no irreparable damage occurred."
"..."
"I implore you - never repeat this. If not for protocol, then for self-preservation."
"Your words are engraved upon my heart, Majesty."
"The hour grows late. Retire now. Remember to formally apologize to His Majesty and Admiral Tirpitz for today's improprieties."
"Understood."
Hans bowed to the still-sighing Empress Auguste Viktoria before hastily retreating.
Whoosh.
He exhaled heavily. Why did this feel more exhausting than confronting the banquet crowd earlier?
"At least things progressed favorably."
Though unaware of Wilhelm II's ongoing discussions, Hans trusted the Emperor would ultimately approve the proposal.
Even a fool would recognize Germany's urgent need to pioneer Dreadnought construction after such explanations. Failure to comprehend wouldn't mark mere stupidity, but fundamental inhumanity.
"Schlieffen and Tirpitz seemed favorably disposed."
While Chancellor Bülow maintained skepticism, securing those two giants' approval proved invaluable. Cultivating Schlieffen's goodwill particularly promised future advantages - military innovation would require Army support.
"Britain remains the wildcard."
Anglo-German relations hadn't fully ruptured yet, but fissures were emerging. Britain watched Germany's ambitious ascent with intensifying wariness. Launching Dreadnoughts now guaranteed explosive reactions.
"They'll likely hesitate... for now."
Britain remained entangled containing the Russian bear's southward expansion through their "Great Game." Limited bandwidth constrained immediate responses.
But within three years - after the Russo-Japanese War concluded their Asian rivalry - Britain would swiftly pivot focus toward Germany.
"That bridge can be crossed later."
Even accelerated Dreadnought construction required over a year. Germany's intricate diplomatic web exceeded Hans' capacity to unravel currently. For now, accumulating strength for coming storms took priority.
"Hans."
A voice halted his steps in the dim corridor.
"Your Highness?"
Approaching his chamber door, Hans found Crown Prince Wilhelm waiting - evidently having anticipated his return.
What business could the heir apparent have with him at this hour? Truthfully, their relationship leaned toward cordial dislike, the prince's disdain for Hans never fully concealed.
This marked their first voluntary interaction.
"Escaped Mother's lecture?"
"Indeed. The banquet incident earned thorough reproach."
"Her Majesty's kindness never softens disciplinary measures. Though personally, I found tonight's drama... intriguing."
"You flatter me, Prince."
"What? No, that wasn't praise. Nor condemnation."
The crown prince scratched his head awkwardly.
Schrödinger's critique indeed.
"Merely... you've reshaped my perception."
"Your Highness?"
"You're aware I've never favored you - frankly, detested your presence."
Hans required no explanation. The reasons hung palpably between them.
"But tonight - confronting the Emperor openly, swaying his decisions... Admirable madness. Initially, I thought you deranged."
"Ha..."
"I could never emulate such audacity before Father. Perhaps you're unaware, but in our Germany, paternal figures command both reverence and terror."
The prince's bitter smile revealed self-reproach. Emperor Wilhelm II showered affection on little Princess Cecilie, yet ruled his sons with iron severity. Defiance remained unthinkable for the crown prince.
"My homeland shares similar dynamics. Human societies echo strangely."
"Truly?"
"Though my memories blur - they departed when I was young."
(Hans' fabricated backstory involved Qing Empire parents who supposedly brought him to Germany as an infant before succumbing to then-incurable tuberculosis. The invented tale proved convenient, avoiding explanations about inexplicably awakening in Germany.)
"Regardless, this conversation proved unexpectedly pleasant."
"The sentiment's mutual."
"Let's interact more casually henceforth. I'll instruct my brothers similarly."
Ignoring you grew tiresome anyway.
The crown prince appended with a dry chuckle.
An unforeseen development, yet ultimately advantageous. Aligning Wilhelm and his siblings promised future benefits.
"Incidentally, Hans."
"Yes?"
"Do you fancy football?"