16: Chapter 16 On the Strange Relationship Between Loans and Rock-Paper-Scissors

I.

The third day after the order to expand the Army was issued, Li Ling encountered a tricky problem—not enough money.

Equipping 300,000 men; although the System loan had solved the issue of weapons and ammunition, the military pay, provisions, barracks, horses, transportation... these miscellaneous expenses added up to an astronomical figure.

Li Ling sat in his study, a thick account book spread out before him, his brows knitted together in a deep frown.

"Young Master, this month's military pay requires 150,000 taels of silver," the butler, Li Fu, reported cautiously, "Grain procurement needs 80,000 taels, barracks expansion needs 120,000 taels, horse procurement needs 50,000 taels, and there is also..."

"And?" Li Ling rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

"There is also the transportation cost for weapons and equipment. Moving them from the Production Base to the barracks requires hiring a large number of laborers and pack animals. We have to cover this cost too, about 30,000 taels."

Li Ling did a quick mental calculation. The fixed expenses for this month alone exceeded 400,000 taels of silver, while the Li family's cash on hand was less than 800,000 taels. In other words, at this rate, he could hold out for at most two months.

"What does Father say?" Li Ling asked.

"The Old Master said that all the family's cash can be used to support you, but it's at most one million taels," Li Fu wiped the sweat from his forehead, "The Old Master also said to tell you to spend sparingly."

Spend sparingly?

Li Ling gave a bitter laugh. He wanted to save, but with 300,000 troops to feed and clothe every day, where could he possibly cut costs?

"Alright, you may go first," Li Ling waved his hand, "I will think of a way."

After Li Fu left, Li Ling muttered in his heart: "System, come out."

"What is it?" the System responded lazily.

"I'm short on money."

"I know."

"Can you give me a sum of money directly? No loans, just give it to me."

"Are you dreaming?" the System sneered, "I am a System, not a printing press. You want money? Use resource points to exchange for it, or take a loan."

"But I already owe you a loan."

"Take another one then," the System said in a relaxed tone, "Anyway, lice aren't itchy when there are too many, and one doesn't worry when there is too much debt."

Li Ling was speechless. He finally realized that the System was intentionally watching him make a fool of himself.

"Fine, I'll take another loan," Li Ling gritted his teeth, "Same old rules, rock-paper-scissors?"

"Uh-huh."

II.

Li Ling took a deep breath and flexed his fingers, his expression as serious as if he were going to the battlefield.

"System, I'm telling you now, no cheating this time."

"When have I ever cheated?" the System countered.

"Last time! Last time you said I played paper, when I actually played rock!"

"You remembered wrong."

"I did not!"

"You did."

Li Ling took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to argue with the System: "Fine, I won't argue with you. Let's start."

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Li Ling played scissors.

"You lost," said the System.

"I haven't even seen what you played yet!" Li Ling was getting anxious.

"I played rock," said the System.

"You didn't play at all!"

"I did, you just didn't see it."

Li Ling was so angry he almost vomited blood. He finally understood completely: playing rock-paper-scissors with the System wasn't a matter of luck at all. It was that if the System wanted him to win, he would win; if it didn't want him to win, he would never win.

"System, you're doing this on purpose."

"Yes, I am doing it on purpose," the System admitted generously, "What, not convinced?"

"..." Li Ling took a deep breath, "What exactly do you want?"

"I don't want anything," the System said, "I just want to see you looking anxious."

"You're sick!"

"I am not sick, I am a System."

Li Ling was completely speechless. He slumped in his chair, looking up at the ceiling with a look of despair.

"Alright, alright, stop acting," said the System, "I'll give you one more chance. This time I'll let you win."

"Really?"

"Really."

Li Ling sat up straight immediately and rubbed his hands together: "Come on!"

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Li Ling played rock, and the System played scissors.

"I won!" Li Ling jumped up in excitement.

"Mm, you won," the System said in a flat tone, "Congratulations to the Host for obtaining a loan: Army expansion supplement package, including one million taels of silver for military pay, 300,000 shi of grain, some barracks building materials, 5,000 horses, and 200 transport vehicles."

Li Ling looked at the list on the virtual panel and was so excited he almost cried.

"System, you are my savior!"

"Get lost, don't be cheesy."

"I'm sincere!"

"Sincere my foot. You just want to butter me up so I'll lend you more next time," the System ruthlessly exposed him.

Li Ling chuckled and didn't deny it.

III.

With the loan in hand, Li Ling immediately began making arrangements.

One million taels of silver was enough to support three months of military pay and daily expenses. 300,000 shi of grain was enough for 300,000 troops to eat for two months. 5,000 horses and 200 transport vehicles greatly enhanced the unit's mobility and logistical support capabilities.

Li Ling handed all these supplies over to his father, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan, and asked him to allocate them uniformly. Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan was shocked speechless when he saw so much money and supplies.

"Ling'er, where did these things come from?"

"I have my own ways," Li Ling smiled, "Father, rest assured, the source is absolutely reliable and will not implicate the Li family."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan looked at his son deeply and did not ask further.

He knew that his son had many secrets, but he believed that his son would not harm the Li family. That was enough.

Once the supplies were in place, the expansion work began in full swing.

The recruitment and training of 120,000 new recruits, the re-equipping and reorganization of 180,000 veteran troops, the construction of barracks for 300,000 troops, the establishment of the logistics system... every task was a massive project that required a huge amount of manpower, material resources, and time.

Li Ling got up before dawn every day and worked until late at night, exhausted like a dog.

"System, I'm exhausted to death," one night, Li Ling said, lying on the bed, weak and powerless.

"You deserve it," the System said, "Who told you to insist on expanding the Army to 300,000?"

"I have to expand," Li Ling sighed, "The Japan has 50,000 men, and the Great Powers may intervene at any time. If I don't expand, I'm just waiting for death."

"Then stop complaining."

"I'm not complaining, I'm just venting to you."

"I'm not listening."

"You... no, wait, how can you, a System, be so inhumane?"

"I'm not human to begin with."

Li Ling was speechless. He turned over and closed his eyes.

Although he was tired, he felt fulfilled inside. Watching the troops grow stronger day by day, watching the soldiers become stronger day by day, he knew he was one step closer to his goal.

IV.

During the expansion, Li Ling also did one important thing—officially finalized the arms deal with the German Empire.

The representative sent by the German Empire was named Ambassador Hermann von Streck. He was a middle-aged man in his forties, with blond hair and blue eyes, tall, wearing a crisp suit. One look and you could tell he was a typical Prussian Junker aristocrat.

"Young Master Li, I have long admired your name," Ambassador Hermann said in fluent English.

"Mr. von, you are too kind," Li Ling also replied in English. His English proficiency was excellent in his past life, and now it was even more superb.

A flash of surprise crossed Ambassador Hermann's eyes. He hadn't expected the son of a high-ranking official in this remote Eastern country to speak English so standardly.

"Young Master Li's English is very good."

"I studied abroad in the United States," Li Ling casually made up a lie, "Let's not talk about that, let's talk about business."

The two sat down in the study and began negotiations.

The conditions proposed by Li Ling were: 100,000 qingyun-1 rifles, each equipped with 200 rounds of ammunition, for a total price of 500,000 taels of silver; 100 75mm field guns, each equipped with 500 shells, for a total price of 300,000 taels of silver; and also a batch of Hand grenades and ammunition, for a total price of 100,000 taels of silver.

A total of 900,000 taels of silver.

Ambassador Hermann frowned after hearing this: "Young Master Li, isn't this price too high? A German Mauser rifle only costs a dozen taels of silver."

"My rifle is better than the Mauser," Li Ling picked up a qingyun-1 rifle and handed it to Ambassador Hermann, "Mr. von, why don't you try it yourself?"

Ambassador Hermann took the gun, looked at it carefully, then pulled the bolt and aimed at the target outside the window.

"Bang!"

The gunshot was crisp, and the target 100 meters away fell to the ground.

Ambassador Hermann's eyes lit up.

"Young Master Li, this gun... is indeed good," he put down the gun and pondered for a moment, "But the price is still too high. Can it be cheaper?"

"No," Li Ling shook his head, "This is already the cost price. If Mr. von doesn't believe me, you can go ask other arms dealers to see if there is a better gun than this."

Ambassador Hermann hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed.

900,000 taels of silver, paid in three installments. The first installment of 300,000 taels as a deposit, the second installment of 300,000 taels paid upon arrival of the goods, and the final payment paid after inspection and acceptance.

After the contract was signed, Li Ling couldn't stop smiling.

900,000 taels of silver, plus the supplies from the System loan, was enough to keep him going for more than half a year.

V.

After Ambassador Hermann left, the System suddenly popped up a notification.

"Detected that the Host has successfully completed the first arms deal and obtained a large amount of funds. Judged as a minor achievement."

"A lucky draw?"

"A lucky draw," the System said, "Congratulations to the Host for obtaining: A set of naval officer and soldier training materials, including a full set of courses on navigation, gunnery, engineering, communication, etc., capable of training 1,000 naval personnel."

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then grinned.

"System, were you prepared for this all along?"

"What prepared?" the System played dumb.

"The naval training materials. I just finished selling arms, and you give me this. Isn't it intentional?"

"Coincidence," the System said, "Pure coincidence."

Li Ling didn't believe it, but he didn't press further.

He really needed naval training materials now. Three Pre-dreadnoughts were already in place, but there was a severe shortage of naval personnel. Although the Production Base could materialize some operators, the quantity was limited, and most of the personnel still had to be trained by himself.

"1,000 naval personnel..." Li Ling calculated, "Three Pre-dreadnoughts, each needs about 500 people. 1,000 people is only enough for two ships. I have to train another batch."

"Then train more," the System said, "I gave you the materials, you find people to teach."

Li Ling nodded, already having a plan in his heart.

He prepared to select a group of literate and quick-witted young soldiers from the Army to transfer to the Navy. In addition, he would recruit some fishermen and sailors with sailing experience from the civilian population to form the backbone of the Navy.

Although these people didn't understand anything now, as long as they were trained properly, they could become qualified naval personnel in a few months.

VI.

In the evening, Li Ling reported his plans for the Army expansion and naval training to his father.

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan remained silent for a long time after hearing this.

"Ling'er, do you really want to build a Navy?" Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan asked.

"It must be done," Li Ling said, "The Japan is an island nation. Without a Navy, we will never be able to attack their homeland."

"But the Navy is too expensive," Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan sighed, "The cost of one warship is enough to support tens of thousands of troops."

"I know," Li Ling said, "But this is a path that must be taken. Father, think about it, why did we lose the First Sino-Japanese War? It wasn't because the Army wasn't good, but because the Navy was destroyed by the enemy. Without coastal defense, the enemy can land wherever they want, and we will always be passively beaten."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan was silent for a while, then nodded: "You're right. But where will the money come from?"

"I'm already making money," Li Ling smiled, "The arms deal with the German Empire will bring in 900,000 taels of silver in the first batch. There will be more orders in the future."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan looked at his son with complex eyes.

He found that he could understand this son less and less. In the past, although Li Ling was smart, he was just an ordinary rich young master. But since returning from studying abroad in the United States six months ago, he had changed completely, becoming unfathomable, making him, as a father, feel like a stranger.

"Ling'er, tell me honestly," Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan lowered his voice, "Did you have some kind of miraculous encounter?"

Li Ling was silent for a moment, then smiled: "Father, you can just assume I had a miraculous encounter. But I cannot say what it specifically is. Rest assured, I will not do anything that goes against the Li family or the Qingxia Kingdom."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan stared at his son for a long time, and finally nodded: "Okay, I won't ask. Go ahead and do it, just tell me if you need anything."

"Thank you, Father."

VII.

Late at night, Li Ling returned to his room and lay on the bed, but he had no sleepiness.

His mind was filled with many things: the progress of the Army expansion, the training of the Navy, the second batch of orders for the arms deal, the next move of the Japan, the attitude of the Great Powers... Every matter required his attention, and nothing could go wrong.

"System," Li Ling asked, "Do you think I can succeed?"

"Yes," the System said, "But you have to pay a price."

"What price?"

"Time, energy, heart's blood, and..." the System paused, "perhaps also the people you cherish."

Li Ling was silent for a moment: "What do you mean?"

"Nothing special," the System said, "Just reminding you that war kills people. Your soldiers will die, your friends will die, and the people you care about may also die. You need to be mentally prepared."

Li Ling closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He knew the System was right. War was never a game; behind every victory was blood and life. Although he was a transmigrator and had a System, he was not a god; he could not guarantee that everyone would survive.

"I will do my best," Li Ling said, "Do my best to keep everyone who follows me alive."

"That's enough," the System said, "Sleep, there are many things to do tomorrow."

Li Ling turned over and closed his eyes.

The moonlight outside the window shone through the curtains, casting a silvery white on the floor.

A new day was about to begin.