Midsummer of 1906, Kiel.

Near the dock of the Naval Academy, a large ship with a strange appearance is quietly bathed in the bright sun. Its three main masts are tall and thick, and are the most common three-masted sail structure in the sail era, but there are two round chimneys standing in the middle of its deck. The white painted hull has neither the stern structure of a large sailboat nor the deck building of the steamship. The head and tail of the ship are basically at the same level. From the perspective of the 20th century, it is like the kind of weird costume that has been heard occasionally, which is incompatible with the dress of the people around it.

But in the mid-19th century, when human navigation technology transitioned from sail power to steam power, there were many ships mixed with sails and steam engines. The booming industrial era was so rushing that sailboats that were active in every corner of the world decades ago were gradually eliminated by history. The "warriors" who once defeated the violent storms and surging waves were either split into pieces of wood or parked in ports as floating museums or private collections, and only a small number of them were still fulfilling their mission at the beginning.

Because it is in a berth, the three-masted schooner hangs a black, white and red flag symbolizing nationality on the highest mast, and the sails are neatly gathered under the crossbar. It is the "Charlotte" training ship of the Royal German Navy. Although the first and second-tier fleets of this country have been fully equipped with steam steel ships and even some small ships using internal combustion engines. In order to train the resilience and teamwork of new sailors and naval cadets, they have always retained the sailing voyage training program. After just completing the training of naval recruits in the spring of 1906, the "Charlotte" will carry more than 300 elites from the Kiel Naval Academy to appreciate the unique charm of the vast blue ocean.

Most of the naval cadets who were about to participate in the voyage were busy packing their luggage and purchasing personal supplies. The royal members, noble descendants and naval generals who were studying in the Kiel Naval Academy were gathering in the Kiel Palace in the German royal family, and attended the awarding and retirement ceremony for Count Von Warren with royal representatives, naval officials and other important people.

The full name of Count von Warren is Fritz Sziert von Warren. He was the chief engineer of the German naval design department, the director of the shipbuilding and the chairman of the German Royal Navy Technical Committee. He was born in 1833 in a prominent aristocratic family in Schleswig, Denmark. After two important wars in the 1860s, the Pudan and the Pu'Austrian War, the place and Holstein became a province in Prussia. The Warren family swore allegiance to the Prussian king and later the German imperial emperor. When the Count was young, he served in the Danish Navy, participated in the blockade of the Danish fleet on the North German Federal Coast and the Helgolan Battle against the Pu'Austrian Combined Fleet in 1864. After becoming a Prussian citizen, the Count joined the Prussian Navy. He gave up the opportunity to continue serving on warships and devoted himself to the field of ship construction and design.

During the 40 years of serving the Prussian and the Second German Empire navy, Count Warren participated in the design and construction of hundreds of ships, and presided over the design and construction of the famous Saxony-class ironclad ships, Brandenburg-class battleships, the "Bismar" armored cruiser, Prince Heinrich-class armored cruiser and cruisers of multiple levels. His qualifications and prestige are unmatched in the German naval design department. His serious, responsible and meticulous work attitude makes every warship designed by the naval department an excellent work representing the level of the German shipbuilding industry. The Saxony-class ironclad ship became the most distinctive and practical coastal defensive armored warship of that era. On the basis of the improved Qing Guoding and Zhenyuan ships have proved their strength in the cruel naval battle.

During his long time as the chief designer and shipbuilding director of the German Navy, Count Warren was not only a creative designer, but also a down-to-earth executor. His personal opinions never override the overall interests of the country and the navy. Even at his peak, he always handled his work in a humble and low-key manner. Whenever he had a disagreement with the naval decision-makers, he could always make concessions without giving up his inherent principles. This spirit was in the design of the Schánhorst-class armored ship.

The case was ultimately reflected. Although he was reserved for Prince Joachim's bold and innovative design, after the Navy clarified the overall plan, he immediately led various design departments to work, overcoming the various difficulties in the existing technology, and allowing two large warships that are of great significance to the German colonial strategy to enter the actual construction stage as soon as possible. Not long ago, the first ship of this class had completed the hull construction work at the Hamburg Bromforth Shipyard. The grand launch ceremony put a wonderful end to his dazzling shipbuilding career.

In recognition of the contributions made by Earl Von Warren to the development of the German Navy, the German royal family awarded him the first-class Red Eagle Medal, which is second only to the Black Hawk Medal and the Great Cross Red Eagle Medal. It is mainly awarded to soldiers who fought bravely in battle and outstanding military leaders. The winners include national heroes against Napoleon, generals who performed outstandingly in recent battles, scholars who have outstanding achievements in the field of science and art, and diplomatic officials from other countries who have made important contributions to the German political environment. They have a very high influence and honorary value. German Emperor William II was unable to attend for some reason. This Red Eagle Medal was awarded by another important royal member, Prince Heinrich, commander of the German High Seas Fleet.

Earl Warren, who was wearing the medal, was undoubtedly the only focus of the scene. People expressed their sincerest respect to this hard-working and meritorious shipbuilder, and Xia Shu was no exception. In fact, he had known Count Warren for more than ten years. When the naval cadets of the same level were still ignorantly admiring the steel warships of the Imperial Navy and completely unaware of whom were the ones who designed and built these sea monsters, he had gained the power to enter and exit the confidential office area of ​​the naval office with the emperor's grace and the approval of the Navy's State Secretary. He looked at various ship design drawings with an incredible mature vision that others felt, and pointed out the technical errors on the drawings more than once. In Xia Shu's mind, Earl Warren's smile of praise was still as warm as the winter sun.

"One day, one lifelong teacher." Xia Shu translated this famous oriental quote into German and gave it to the count. Even though they didn't remember when the two of them no longer called masters and apprentices from one day, and there was a fierce debate over the design of the Schánhorst-class armored cruiser and the new battleship. At this moment, they seemed to have returned to the past, back to the purest and most beautiful time, with similar interests and mutual appreciation.

Endless feelings were revealed in his eyes, but under the attention of everyone, Earl Warren could only say respectfully: "The future of the German Navy will be entrusted to Your Highness!"

When he retired, Earl Warren served as chairman of the Royal Navy Technical Development Committee, chief supervisor of the Navy shipbuilding, chief consultant of the Navy Act and other important positions. He was the head of the German naval design department. After he retired, who would take over him to lead the naval design work has become a topic of speculation. Two years ago, the chief engineer of the naval engineer, Colonel Bruckner, would have been the most popular candidate. Although the design plan of the Scharnhorst-class armored cruiser and this new battleship project, although there were no omissions in the design plan of the Bruckner team, the performance of the "Hohenzollern genius" Prince Joachim was too eye-catching.

In addition, his royal status has attracted many snobs to praise him, so many people think that he will at least take over as the chief supervisor of the German Royal Navy shipbuilding. The emperor and the Navy's State Secretary have indeed considered the feasibility of this position, but Xia Shu took the initiative to refuse the 16-year-old boy, even if he is gifted, is not suitable to play such an important role that cannot be neglected. With his strong recommendation, the emperor and the Navy's State Secretary confirmed in principle that Colonel Bruckner was responsible for the heavy responsibility. At this time, the appointment was not yet confirmed and people's speculation continued, so that Earl Warren would send such a message to Xia Shu.

The frustrated Bruckner was not far away, but Xia Shu couldn't walk over and tell the man that his long-term plan was to become a fleet commander like Prince Heinrich, and he had no intention of competing with him for the "leading position" in the field of shipbuilding. Waiting for Prince Oldenburg Christian to pay respects and blessings to the count, Xia Shu with his hard-core brothers left the crowd and brought the juice to the back door of the hall.

"It's been half a year since I left. I really want to see Louise again." The seed with thick eyebrows and small eyes looked at the direction of Berlin.

"Have you seen the crown prince's wedding ceremony? It's only a few weeks, and the real pain of longing is still behind!" Xia Shu said as if nothing had happened, and he never forgot his beautiful figure far away in England. The last meeting of the two was traced back to his and Louise's visit to Hill Manor, which means that they have not seen each other for 15 months. Although this long-distance training will be a short stay in the British port, Xia Shu has no confidence in whether he will meet.

Christian raised his head and drank half a glass of orange juice, his face full of poetic melancholy: "Goddess of Love, please turn me into the hyacinth in front of her window, and accompany her day and night..."

Xia Shu grinned and shook her head: "Tooth sore..."

"Princes!"
Chapter completed!