174: Chapter 84 Orders Flock In (We've struck it rich!)

The response from the German Empire came even faster than Li Ling had anticipated. The day after receiving the reply, Ambassador Hermann personally visited, bringing a letter of authorization signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II and a bank draft for ten million taels of silver as a deposit. The draft was issued by the largest bank in the German Empire, stamped with a golden seal; the paper was thick and crisp, and the ink still felt warm from the fresh printing.

In the Imperial Study, Li Ling sat on the dragon throne, gazing at Ambassador Hermann with a smile, toying with the bank draft in his hand. The draft shimmered slightly under the candlelight. Every time he looked at it, the smile at the corners of his eyes deepened, like a cat that had stolen a fat fish.

"Ambassador Hermann, you've come very quickly." Li Ling set down the draft and said slowly, "I thought it would take your country a few days to reach a decision. After all, it's a big deal worth thirty million taels; if it were any other country, they would have argued for at least a month."

Ambassador Hermann sat in the lower seat, his face wearing a sincere smile, but his eyes hid a trace of urgency. He was wearing a dark blue diplomatic uniform today, with the eagle emblem medal of the German Empire pinned to his chest. His posture was upright, but his fingers tapped lightly on his knees from time to time, betraying his inner restlessness: "Your Majesty, our Emperor greatly admires the Longjiang-class Battleship of your country. After the fleet review, he has been discussing this matter with the Navy Department for three consecutive days. He said that if we can purchase the Longjiang-class, even if it is just a weakened version, the German Empire's naval strength can catch up to Great Britain within three years. For this reason, he specially approved this budget and authorized me to negotiate with full authority. Our country urgently needs to change the military balance in the North Sea; every year of time is precious."

"Catch up to Great Britain?" Li Ling raised an eyebrow, "Ambassador Hermann, are you sure your Emperor only wants to catch up to Great Britain?"

Ambassador Hermann's smile stiffened slightly but quickly returned to normal: "Your Majesty, our country's goal is to ensure peace and stability on the European continent. Great Britain's naval superiority has long threatened the balance of Europe, and our country just hopes to establish a fairer landscape. The shipping lanes of the English Channel cannot be monopolized by any one country; this is the fundamental position of the German Empire."

"A balanced landscape?" Li Ling smiled, a hint of playfulness in his smile, "Good, I like that phrasing. Then let me ask one thing—how many do you intend to buy?"

Ambassador Hermann took a deep breath and held up two fingers: "Two. If the first batch of two can be successfully delivered, our country will place additional orders, potentially up to six in total. In addition, our country also hopes to purchase supporting ammunition, fire control systems, and technical training services. Our technicians are already prepared to come to the Tang Country to learn; as long as Your Majesty nods, they can set off at any time."

Li Ling was secretly pleased but remained calm on the surface. He picked up his teacup and took a slow sip, deliberately letting Ambassador Hermann wait for a dozen seconds before setting it down: "Two weakened versions of the Longjiang-class, plus supporting ammunition, fire control systems, and technical training, the total price... is thirty million taels of silver. Pay forty percent as a deposit first, and the balance will be paid off in two years. In addition, the technical training period shall not exceed three months, and all notes and materials during the training must be handed over and destroyed after the training ends."

Ambassador Hermann's expression changed for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. He had anticipated that Li Ling would set a high price before coming, but thirty million taels of silver still exceeded his expectations. That was the entire annual budget of the German Empire's Navy Department, enough to build three ordinary Battleships. But on the other hand, if these thirty million taels could exchange for two maritime overlords that surpassed Great Britain, then this deal was not a loss.

"Your Majesty, this price..." Ambassador Hermann said tentatively, "Is there any room for negotiation? Fifteen million taels per ship; in Europe, one could buy two ordinary Battleships for that."

Li Ling leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and said unhurriedly: "Ambassador Hermann, although my weakened version of the Longjiang-class is a bit inferior to the self-use version, the main guns are 380mm, the speed is 27 knots, and the main armor belt is 300mm—this performance is a notch higher than the Dreadnoughts currently in service with the British Royal Navy. You spend fifteen million taels to buy one, which is more cost-effective than building three ordinary Battleships yourself. Moreover, I provide technical training, maintenance, and parts supply, guaranteed for twenty years. Where else can you find such service? Go ask The British if they are willing to sell their naval technology to anyone."

Ambassador Hermann was silent for a moment, quickly calculating the gains and losses of this deal in his heart. Fifteen million taels per ship did sound expensive, but if it could gain the Tang Country's advanced shipbuilding technology, even if it were only partial technology, it would be a huge boost to the German Empire's naval industry. More importantly, if these two Battleships could be used to counter the British Royal Navy's advantage in the North Sea, the German Empire's strategic initiative would be greatly enhanced. He recalled the sentence Kaiser Wilhelm II had attached to the authorization letter—"At all costs, get the ships back."

He gritted his teeth and finally nodded: "Alright, thirty million taels, it's a deal. However, I hope the first batch of two can be delivered within a year."

"A year?" Li Ling laughed, "Six months. My shipyard's speed is very fast; they can be launched in six months. However, I have one condition."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"During the period when the Tang Country's technicians are providing training in your country, they must be fully protected by your government. If anyone attempts to steal the Tang Country's core technology during the training, the contract will be immediately voided, and the deposit will not be refunded. In addition, the number of trainees for technical training shall not exceed ten per batch, the training period shall not exceed three months, and those who fail the assessment after each period will not be allowed to continue participating."

Ambassador Hermann agreed without hesitation: "Your Majesty can rest assured; our country has always attached great importance to the technical security of our allies. If anyone plays tricks during the training, our government will punish them severely according to the law, without any mercy. The German Empire is a country that values the spirit of contract; I can guarantee this in the name of the Emperor."

"Good." Li Ling reached out his hand, "Happy cooperation."

Ambassador Hermann shook his hand: "Happy cooperation."

After the contract was signed, Ambassador Hermann left the Imperial Study with a thick stack of contract documents, his steps much lighter than when he arrived, even whistling. Li Ling stood in front of the window, watching his carriage disappear into the street outside the palace gate, and finally couldn't help but laugh out loud. He picked up the ten-million-tael bank draft, held it up to the light, and flicked it, making a crisp sound.

"System, what do you think Ambassador Hermann will report to Kaiser Wilhelm II when he gets back?"

"He will probably say: The Emperor of the Tang Country is a shrewd businessman, but his technology is worth the price." The system analyzed, "Although Kaiser Wilhelm II will feel the pinch of the money, after seeing the performance report of those two Battleships, he will feel that the deal is worth it. Moreover, he will surely boast proudly at the state banquet: 'My navy has the giant ships of the Tang Country; The British had better watch out.'"

"That's good." Li Ling turned around and walked back to the table, "However, this is just the beginning. The German Empire has started it, and other great powers will soon follow suit. Meijian Country, Great Britain, France, Russia... they will all want the weakened version of the Longjiang-class. My arms business is going to get bigger and bigger."

"How does the host plan to respond?"

"When soldiers come, block them with generals; when water comes, cover it with earth." Li Ling laughed, "Whoever comes to buy, I will sell to them. But the version sold to them will be even more weakened than the one sold to the German Empire. I want everyone's technology to lag behind mine, but still be stronger than what they develop themselves. This way, they will keep buying, and I can keep earning. This is called arms trade under a technological gap; it's a permanent seller's market."

"Host, you are going to drain the naval budgets of the whole world."

"I am just helping them allocate resources reasonably." Li Ling said righteously, "Anyway, if their money isn't spent on me, it will be spent on the arms race. Instead of letting them throw their money into the water, it's better to build warships for me. At least the warships I build can protect the maritime territory of the Tang Country. This is called optimal resource allocation; you don't understand."

As Li Ling expected, the German Empire's large order was like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring up ripples. Less than half a month later, the envoys from Meijian Country, Great Britain, France, Russia, and even the Austro-Hungarian Empire visited one after another, expressing their intention to purchase the Longjiang-class or Longxun-class. Some offered high prices, some proposed to exchange with resources, and some even hinted that they could support the Tang Country diplomatically in exchange for priority purchasing rights.

Li Ling did not refuse any of them, but every buyer had to undergo strict screening and negotiation. He quoted Meijian Country fourteen million taels per ship, two million more than the German Empire, with the reason being a "priority option surcharge"; the quote to Great Britain was fifteen million taels per ship because Great Britain was a competitor of the German Empire, and making them pay more would help balance the arms landscape in Europe; the quote to France was thirteen million taels per ship because their relationship with Great Britain was not good, so a discount could be given, which could also be considered an "anti-British discount"; the quote to Russia was sixteen million taels per ship because they had territorial disputes with the Tang Country in Northeast Asia, so they had to be made to bleed a little more, and by the way, create some economic burden for their expansion in the Far East.

"System, what do you think of my pricing strategy?" Li Ling asked proudly in the Imperial Study while flipping through the quote letters from various countries. Those quote letters were spread across the entire desk, colorful, with the unique ink and paper smell of different countries, mixed together to form a unique "international negotiation" atmosphere.

"The host's pricing strategy is very precise." The system evaluated, "Utilizing the conflicting interests between countries to implement differentiated pricing and maximize revenue. This method is called 'price discrimination' in modern business; the host is self-taught and has a real talent for being a profiteer. Moreover, your highest pricing for Great Britain and lowest for France will further exacerbate the contradictions between European powers, preventing them from forming a unified front against the Tang Country."

"This is called wisdom, not being a profiteer." Li Ling said shamelessly, "I call this fighting war with war, using the great powers' money to build more warships, and then using more warships to protect the maritime territory of the Tang Country. What is this called? This is called a virtuous cycle! The more fiercely they fight, the more I sell, and the stronger my fleet becomes—a perfect closed loop."

"Host, your logic is very unique, but the system cannot refute it."

That evening, Li Ling held a small-scale imperial meeting in the Imperial Study, with only Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan, Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai, Minister of Revenue Minister Lin, and several high-ranking naval generals present. He wanted to lay out the quotes and order intentions of various countries one by one, and discuss how to allocate production capacity and resources to ensure that he could make money without affecting the Tang Country's own naval construction. An oil lamp on the conference table emitted a dim light, casting everyone's shadows on the wall, long and distorted.

"Gentlemen." Li Ling got straight to the point, distributing the thick stack of quote letters to everyone, "I intend to start construction on six Longjiang-class ships simultaneously over the next year. Three for our own use, and three for export. Of the three for export, prioritize supplying two to the German Empire, and sell the remaining one to Meijian Country. As for Great Britain, let them wait a bit longer—they are too arrogant, and they need to know that the Tang Country's technology is not something you can buy just because you want to. Moreover, Great Britain is still stationing troops in Hong Kong, and I have noted this debt."

"Your Majesty, starting six ships at once, can the production capacity keep up?" Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan asked. Although he was an Army general, he also cared about the construction of the Navy, "Are there enough workers and technicians at the Production Base? Can the supply of raw materials be guaranteed?"

"It can keep up." Li Ling said, "The six shipyards at the Production Base will start simultaneously, with one batch every ninety-five days, and four batches can be built in a year. After deducting the three for our own use and the three for export, there is still surplus capacity to build Cruisers and Destroyers. Regarding raw materials, the German Empire's payment can be paid with oil and rubber, and Meijian Country can also use steel to pay off debts; raw materials are actually more abundant than before."

"What about the funds?" Minister Lin asked worriedly, frowning as he flipped through the account book, "The construction cost of six Longjiang-class ships, even with the down payment from export orders, requires a large initial investment. Even with the twelve million taels deposit from the German Empire, plus the subsequent payments from Meijian Country, the initial cash flow pressure is still not small."

"Regarding funds, I already have a plan." Li Ling took out a financial report, which densely listed various incomes and expenditures, "The German Empire has already paid a forty percent deposit, which is twelve million taels of silver. The deposits from Meijian Country and Great Britain add up to at least another ten million taels. Coupled with my national treasury reserves and income from the arms trade, it is enough to support a six-month construction cycle. Once the export ships are delivered and the final payments are received, the funds will be recovered. I have calculated that as long as we get through the first half-year, everything after that is pure profit."

Minister Lin looked at the report carefully and breathed a sigh of relief: "Your Majesty is wise; the capital chain is indeed fine. I suggest prioritizing the construction of the export ships in the first batch, so that we can recover funds faster and reduce financial pressure. In addition, I suggest setting up a special account for dedicated funds to avoid being squeezed out by other expenses."

"That is what I was thinking too." Li Ling nodded, "Then it is settled. The first batch of three export ships, two for the German Empire, one for Meijian Country. The second batch of three ships for our own use, built according to the standards of the Tang Country Navy, without any weakening."

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison.

After the meeting, Li Ling remained in the Imperial Study alone, looking at the world map on the wall. On the map, the territories of various great powers were marked in different colors, dense and intricate, like a complex tapestry. His gaze moved from Europe to the Americas, from the Americas to Asia, and finally landed on the coastline belonging to the Tang Country. There, it was still a blue expanse, waiting for more ships to fill it.

"System." He said softly.

"Yes?"

"Tell me, what will this world be like in ten years?"

"If the host continues to develop at the current speed, in ten years, the Tang Country will become the world's number one naval power." The system's voice was calm and firm, "Great Britain's maritime hegemony will be broken, Meijian Country's expansion in the Pacific Ocean will be contained, the German Empire will become an important ally of the Tang Country in Europe, and Japan... will cease to exist. Their navy will be reduced to a coastal patrol force, never able to threaten the maritime territory of the Tang Country."

Li Ling was silent for a moment, then smiled: "Cease to exist? I didn't think about destroying Japan. I just want them to behave themselves and stop playing those little tricks. If they are obedient, I can let them continue to exist. If they are not obedient..."

His eyes turned cold: "Then let them disappear from the map."

Outside the window, the night deepened, the lights in the naval port remained bright, and welding sparks flickered in the darkness, like stars falling to the ground. Those giant ships under construction, those blueprints being planned, those orders being brewed—everything was proceeding according to plan. And the outlines of those six shipyards cast huge shadows under the moonlight, like a row of steel forests growing.

And a bigger storm was quietly gathering beneath the sea surface.