In June 1902, in Elbing, East Prussia, Germany (Elbląg in present-day Poland).
"Finally, the long-awaited day has arrived!"
As Wilhelm II waved to the crowd greeting the royal family from inside the carriage, he said this.
Today is the day when the launching ceremony of Germany's new battleship unveils its mystery.
It is also the day when the world's first dreadnought is born.
Therefore, people from all walks of life in the German Empire, including the royal family, have flocked to Elbing to attend this launching ceremony.
Since Elbing is the location of the Schichau-Werke shipyard, which is responsible for building the dreadnought.
Therefore, today the streets of Elbing are crowded with people who have come to watch the royal family's motorcade.
Seeing this scene, Hans couldn't help but think of the day he first came to Germany.
"It was just as crowded as today that day."
Of course, Hans's memory of that day is not complete, because before he could take a few more looks, he was shot by an assassin's bullet and lost consciousness.
"Hans, you've been very quiet since just now. Aren't you looking forward to it?"
"Well, it's not that I'm not looking forward to it, but my mind is a bit messed up."
Hans replied to Prince Joachim beside him.
Perhaps, it's because the birth of the dreadnought will bring so many things that he needs to consider about the changes in the world.
"By the way, Your Highness Prince Joachim, who will break the champagne today?"
"Champagne? Probably my mother will do it, right?"
Hearing Hans's question, Joachim tilted his head.
For those readers who don't understand why champagne is suddenly mentioned at this moment, let Hans von Joe, who breaks the fourth wall and is nosy, explain it. This is one of the long-standing traditions in the West.
You see, isn't it often shown in those movies or TV dramas?
At the launching ceremony, a bottle is smashed against the ship.
This tradition originated in the 18th century, when priests offered wine at the launching ceremony to pray for a safe voyage. Later, this ceremony evolved into smashing a bottle of wine or champagne against the hull.
Usually, the person responsible for smashing the champagne bottle is mostly a woman, known as the ship's "godmother" or "sponsor". Generally speaking, this person is the wife or daughter of the person with the highest status among those attending the launching ceremony.
Therefore, Joachim said that the woman with the highest status among those attending the ceremony, their mother, Empress Auguste, should be the one to smash the champagne.
"Hmph, I wanted to do it myself."
"Ha! Louise, you? No way, no way. Stop joking around—ouch!"
Perhaps because of Joachim's teasing, Victoria Louise got angry and kicked her brother's calf.
It's a daily scene that has been seen several times a day.
After all, if siblings don't bicker with each other, can they still be called siblings?
From childhood to adulthood, siblings have always grown up bickering like this. This instinct is already engraved in their genes.
However, the other princes, probably because of the large age gap, only regard Louise as a cute little sister.
The only ones who will bicker and play tricks on Louise are Joachim and Hans.
"Are you kidding me? I'm already nine years old, you know?"
Louise looked at her suffering brother and snorted triumphantly.
Seeing this scene, Hans shook his head and said in a low voice:
"Your Highness the Princess, at the age of nine, you're still a child."
Even if calculated by the traditional Chinese age system, she's only eleven years old, which is equivalent to being in the fourth grade of primary school.
Compared with Hans or Joachim, she's still a little one.
"Hans, you and I are of the same age, aren't we?"
"But my birthday is earlier than yours."
Victoria Louise was born in September 1892, while Hans (as he self-identified) was born in January 1892.
That is to say, he is older than Louise and has already turned ten years old.
If we take into account his mental age, he is even more advanced.
"Although sometimes I can't help reaching out for the sweets I don't really like."
Before he realized it, he was already chewing them in his mouth.
The instincts of a child are truly terrifying, really.
"Children, get ready to get out of the carriage."
Just as Victoria Louise puffed out her pink cheeks in anger upon hearing Hans's words, Empress Auguste spoke.
Hans casually glanced out of the window, and in the distance, a huge steel fortress gradually came into view.
...
"Welcome, Your Majesty!"
As soon as they arrived at the launching ceremony site, Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, whom they hadn't seen for a long time, opened his arms and warmly welcomed the group. This was the first time they had met since the funeral of Queen Victoria.
There was a bright smile on his face, and it seemed that he was very satisfied with the new battleship.
"How have you been during this period, Admiral Tirpitz?"
"Ah, Hans! No, I should call you Baron now, right? Anyway, I'm so glad to see you. Come on, take a look! This is the future of the German Imperial Navy!"
While speaking, Admiral Tirpitz pointed to a huge gray battleship.
Its magnificent and imposing appearance made all the members of the royal family and even Hans couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
After all, no man can resist things that are huge and spectacular.
"At least my concepts have all been adopted."
The thick armor designed for defense was clearly visible.
It was equipped with four 12-inch twin main guns.
It adopted a cascading turret layout to reduce displacement and optimize the layout.
It can be said that this battleship was based on the Nassau-class, which should have been Germany's first dreadnought, and combined with the turret design of the South Carolina-class battleship, the first dreadnought of the United States. Of course, the overall design of this ship was very different from these two battleships.
"It's truly amazing. It's indeed a remarkable battleship."
While Hans was staring at the battleship and deep in thought, Wilhelm II said with an excited tone. People who didn't know might think he was a fanatical battleship enthusiast. If the Emperor were more emotional, he might even shed tears on the spot.
"You've worked hard, Admiral Tirpitz."
"This is all due to Your Majesty's merit. Without Your Majesty's decision, how could this battleship have come into being?"
Admiral Tirpitz praised Wilhelm II with flattering words, and the Emperor patted him on the shoulder in satisfaction after hearing it.
"Your Majesty."
At this moment, a man whom they had never seen before walked over with a group of people in uniforms and saluted the group.
As soon as Admiral Tirpitz saw them, he frowned, but Wilhelm II greeted them with a smile.
"Long time no see, Ambassador Lascelles. How have you been recently?"
"Thanks to Your Majesty, everything is going well."
"Haha, that's good!"
Upon hearing the name "Lascelles", Hans realized his identity—Frank Lascelles, the British Ambassador to Germany. It was said that he had a good relationship with Wilhelm II. However, it was precisely during his tenure as ambassador that the relationship between Britain and Germany deteriorated increasingly due to Germany's naval expansion policy.
"The people behind should be the military attachés of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom."
Hans glanced at those men wearing standard naval officer uniforms and thought to himself. The British government had obviously dispatched many naval attachés to learn about Germany's new battleship. After all, in the face of Germany's naval expansion policy, it was difficult for Britain not to pay close attention to this.
"Your Excellency the Ambassador, what do you think? This is the hope for the future of our German Navy."
"It's truly magnificent and beautiful. It's indeed an outstanding battleship, Your Majesty."
In the face of Wilhelm II's show-off, the ambassador briefly expressed his opinion. In fact, what Ambassador Lascelles was really interested in was not the appearance of the battleship, but its actual performance. Germany had incorporated various new technologies and concepts into this new battleship, and he clearly wanted to know whether it would pose a threat to Britain.
Although Ambassador Lascelles was smiling, there was still a hint of vigilance in his eyes. And those British naval attachés didn't seem to think highly of this battleship, and there was a faint sneer on their faces.
"This is not surprising. After all, they still haven't learned the lessons of the Battle of Tsushima."
Hans could almost foresee their future. When the truth came to light, they would probably not only be greatly surprised but also have to start considering resigning.
"Has the name of the battleship been decided?"
"Of course. After careful consideration, I have chosen the most suitable name for this solemn and powerful battleship. It will be announced at the launching ceremony. Just wait and see."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After Ambassador Lascelles saluted Wilhelm II again, he led the naval attachés and walked towards the designated seats. And the group of people, including Wilhelm II and the members of the royal family, also went to the VIP seats in the center.
"Bang—Bang—Bang—"
Soon, the launching ceremony officially began, and the military band played the national anthem of the German Empire.
All the Germans present immediately stood up and began to sing the national anthem in unison.
"Heil dir im Siegerkranz, Herrscher des Vaterlands! Heil, Kaiser, dir!"
"May the victorious wreath be yours, Ruler of the Fatherland! Long live, Your Majesty!"
This song has been in use since the Prussian period and continued until the fall of the German Empire. It is a national anthem with a long history. Although the title sounds magnificent, the melody is exactly the same as that of the British national anthem "God Save the King", with only the lyrics being different.
"Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh!"
The enthusiastic cheers and applause echoed at the scene and gradually subsided until Wilhelm II stepped onto the podium.
"Proud citizens of the German Empire, and German friends from all over the world."
Wilhelm II began his speech with such an opening.
Although the Kaiser's oratorical skills were a bit frivolous, as if he was barely pretending to be majestic, generally speaking, it was not bad.
Of course, compared with the crazy speeches of that mustachioed Führer who might or might not appear in the future, Wilhelm's speech was still much inferior.
"First of all, I sincerely congratulate on the successful launching ceremony of the latest battleship. Today, we Germans, once again, like our ancestors, have written a great chapter in history."
Having said this, Wilhelm II's gaze turned to the new battleship.
There was a deep affection in his eyes as if he was looking at his beloved.
"If someone saw this, they might think he's in love with this battleship."
Hans muttered to himself in his heart and then continued to listen to the speech attentively.
"I would like to express my deep respect to the men of the Imperial German Navy who have fought day and night for this great battleship, as well as the shipbuilders of the Schichau-Werke shipyard. The sea is the future of the German Empire and also our front line..."
The Kaiser's speech lasted for a while.
Most of the content repeatedly emphasized the extraordinary features of this battleship.
"Finally, I will announce the name of the new battleship."
Oh, finally, it's time to reveal the name of the battleship to the world.
Of course, Hans already knew the name in advance.
Wilhelm II paused for a moment with an excited expression and raised his head to face the crowd.
"SMS Friedrich der Große!"
Amid the exclamations of the Germans, some people naturally nodded.
Frederick the Great is the most respected monarch in Prussia and even in Germany.
This is the name of the first dreadnought built by the German Empire.
"Long live Germany! Long live Kaiser Wilhelm!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
Accompanied by the shouts from the audience, the Kaiser's speech ended amidst enthusiastic applause.
As the applause gradually subsided and people took their seats again, Wilhelm II took Empress Auguste's hand from the VIP seat and walked forward.
In front of everyone, Empress Auguste held a bottle of champagne high and then forcefully smashed it against the bow of the Friedrich der Große.
Crack——!
Accompanied by a crisp sound, the champagne bottle shattered into pieces.
This scene made people feel particularly refreshed, and even the summer heat seemed to subside temporarily.
"Fortunately, there was no embarrassing situation where the champagne bottle couldn't be smashed."
The ceremony of smashing a champagne bottle against the bow of a ship symbolizes blessing and good luck.
On the contrary, if the bottle fails to break, it is regarded as an ominous omen.
Although this is just a sailor's superstition, it's always good to complete it smoothly.
"Next, the launching ceremony officially begins."
After the champagne ceremony, as the host announced, everyone stepped back to avoid the splashes of water during the launching.
When the shipbuilders removed the wooden blocks supporting the battleship, the huge gray steel fortress began to slide slowly towards the sea.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh——!
"Waaaaah——"
Accompanied by huge splashes of water, the battleship "Friedrich der Große" finally floated smoothly on the sea.
This scene was extremely spectacular, and even the British naval attachés who used to put on airs and Ambassador Lascelles couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
However, they still didn't understand.
The dreadnought.
The real era of dreadnoughts and big guns had arrived.