22: Chapter 22 The Raw Material Problem

Section I

The raw material procurement contract was signed, but Li Ling quickly encountered a new problem—not enough money.

The steel cost 1.7 million taels of silver, and the first installment required a deposit of 500,000 taels. Li Ling scoured all the Li family's accounts, added the remaining funds from the system loan, and barely scraped together 300,000 taels, still short by 200,000 taels.

"System, can I take out another loan?" Li Ling asked.

"You already owe two loans," the system said. "If you borrow more, the interest will be higher."

"If it's high, it's high. I need money urgently right now."

The system was silent for a while, then said: "Fine, same old rules, rock-paper-scissors."

Li Ling took a deep breath and flexed his fingers.

This time, he got smart. Instead of struggling with the system, he said directly: "System, just tell me, can you let me win this time?"

"I can," the system said, "but you have to agree to one condition."

"What condition?"

"Stop throwing tantrums at me in the future," the system said. "I have to act along with you every time, and it's very tiring."

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud: "Fine, I promise you!"

"Really?"

"Really!" Li Ling nodded. "I won't throw tantrums anymore; I'll reason with you."

"Reason with me?" the system sneered. "When have you ever reasoned with me?"

"Starting from today."

"Fine, I'll believe you once," the system said. "Come on, rock-paper-scissors."

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Li Ling threw rock, and the system threw scissors.

"Congratulations to the host for obtaining a loan: 300,000 taels of silver, interest-free, to be repaid within one year," the system announced.

Li Ling was overjoyed: "Interest-free? System, you're too kind!"

"Don't be happy too soon," the system said. "This is the last interest-free loan. Any future loans will carry interest."

"Fine, so be it," Li Ling waved his hand dismissively. "Let's solve the immediate problem first."

Section II

With the funds in place, the raw material procurement proceeded smoothly.

The first batch of steel arrived on schedule from the German Empire, filling five cargo ships. Li Ling personally went to the port to receive the goods, and seeing the mountain of special steel on the dock, he felt an indescribable sense of relief.

"System, is this steel enough to build three Dreadnoughts?" Li Ling asked.

"Not enough," the system said. "This is just the first batch; there are two more to follow. Combined, the three batches will barely be enough for three Dreadnoughts."

"Barely?" Li Ling frowned. "Does that mean it's not enough?"

"The steel is enough, but other materials are not," the system said. "Copper, aluminum, rubber, timber... these all need to be purchased separately."

Li Ling rubbed his temples: "How much more money is needed?"

"About 500,000 taels."

Li Ling gasped: "500,000 taels? I just borrowed 300,000, and you need another 500,000?"

"That's why I said building warships is a money-burning endeavor," the system said. "If you think it's too expensive, you can choose not to build them."

"No, I must build them," Li Ling gritted his teeth. "I'll find a way to get the money."

Section III

The solution Li Ling came up with was selling arms.

Following the last arms deal with the German Empire, the first batch of rifles had already been delivered, and the German Empire was very satisfied after inspection. Ambassador Hermann sent a telegram saying the German Empire wanted to place an additional order—another 200,000 qingyun-1 rifles, along with the corresponding ammunition and artillery.

"200,000?" Li Ling's eyes lit up when he saw the telegram. "The Germans are planning to re-equip their entire army!"

"200,000 rifles, with a total value of 1 million taels of silver," the system calculated. "With ammunition and artillery, it's about 1.5 million taels."

"1.5 million taels..." Li Ling calculated. "After deducting costs, the net profit is about 1 million taels. That's enough to buy the raw materials!"

"There's more," the system said. "The German Empire also wants to order a batch of Heavy Machine Guns. You promised them samples last time."

"Heavy Machine Guns..." Li Ling thought for a moment. "Give them to them. But the price cannot be cheap. One Heavy Machine Gun will sell for 5,000 taels of silver, no bargaining."

"Isn't that too unscrupulous?" the system said. "The cost is only a few hundred taels."

"Unscrupulous?" Li Ling laughed. "This is a technology premium. If they can't build it themselves, they have to pay a high price to buy it."

"Profiteer," the system remarked.

"Thank you for the compliment," Li Ling said, unfazed.

Section IV

The negotiations with the German Empire went smoothly.

Ambassador Hermann was very satisfied with the Heavy Machine Gun samples and decided on the spot to order 1,000 units, totaling 5 million taels of silver. Added to the rifle and artillery orders, the total amount exceeded 6 million taels.

Li Ling couldn't stop grinning.

Six million taels of silver—after deducting costs and transportation fees, the net profit would be at least 4 million taels. With this money, not only was the raw material procurement problem solved, but the subsequent fleet construction also had funding.

"System, why are the Germans so rich?" Li Ling asked.

"The German Empire was the second-largest industrial power in the world at that time; it's normal for them to be rich," the system said. "But don't get too smug. The arms business won't last long. Once they replicate your weapons, they won't come looking for you anymore."

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "That's why I have to take advantage of these few years to make crazy money and develop rapidly."

"That's the right attitude," the system said. "Arms are just a stepping stone; industry is the foundation."

Section V

The money problem was solved, and the raw material procurement proceeded smoothly.

The second and third batches of special steel arrived successively, and materials like copper, aluminum, and rubber were also procured from the German Empire and various parts of Southeast Asia. The construction progress of the three Dreadnoughts accelerated significantly, and they were expected to be fully completed in thirty days.

Li Ling went to the Production Base every day to look around. Watching the hulls of the three Dreadnoughts take shape day by day, he felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

"Old Zhao, how is the progress?" Li Ling asked.

"Young Master Li, the progress in Dock No. 1 is sixty percent, Dock No. 2 is fifty-five percent, and Dock No. 3 is fifty percent," Old Zhao reported. "They are expected to launch in twenty days, complete outfitting in twenty-five days, and be combat-ready in thirty days."

"Good!" Li Ling clapped. "In thirty days, I want to see three Dreadnoughts sailing on the sea."

"Guaranteed to complete the mission," Old Zhao stood at attention.

Leaving the Production Base, Li Ling went to the naval port.

The three Pre-dreadnoughts had completed all training and were ready to set sail for battle at any time. The morale of the naval officers and soldiers was very high, and everyone was pent up with energy, wanting to have a fight with Japan.

"Captain Lin, if we go to war with Japan now, are you confident?" Li Ling asked.

"Yes!" Lin Yongsheng said decisively. "As long as Young Master gives the order, we guarantee to beat Japan's fleet into the ground!"

Li Ling laughed and patted Lin Yongsheng on the shoulder: "Good, that's the spirit. But it's not the right time yet. Let's wait until the Dreadnoughts are built, then we'll settle the score with them."

Section VI

The raw material problem was solved, but a new one emerged.

That evening, while Li Ling was reading reports in his study, Wang Hu rushed in.

"Young Master, it's bad! Japan's reconnaissance ship is here again!"

"Where?" Li Ling put down the report.

"Fifty nautical miles to the southeast, approaching our coastline."

Li Ling sneered: "It seems the last patrol didn't scare them enough. Pass the order down: have the warship and the dinghai pre-dreadnought set out and drive that reconnaissance ship away."

"Yes!"

An hour later, the warship and the dinghai pre-dreadnought sailed out of the naval port, heading toward the direction of the Japan reconnaissance ship.

Seeing two huge warships approaching, the Japan reconnaissance ship was so scared that it turned and fled. But the warship was much faster than the reconnaissance ship and quickly caught up.

"Warning shot!" Lin Yongsheng ordered.

The main gun of the warship let out a loud bang, and a shell landed one hundred meters in front of the reconnaissance ship, kicking up a huge water column.

The Japan soldiers on the reconnaissance ship were terrified, and the captain hurriedly ordered the ship to stop and raised a white flag.

"Report to Young Master, the Japan reconnaissance ship has surrendered," Lin Yongsheng reported via telegram.

"Have them put down their weapons and board the ship for inspection," Li Ling replied. "If there is any intelligence, seize it all."

"Yes!"

The result of the boarding inspection shocked Li Ling.

The reconnaissance ship not only contained detailed nautical charts and records of our coastline reconnaissance but also a combat plan issued by the Kwantung Army headquarters—Japan planned to launch a full-scale attack on the Li Family Army in one month, committing a force of 20,000 troops and ten warships in an attempt to wipe out the main force of the Li Family Army in one fell swoop.

"20,000 troops, ten warships..." Li Ling looked at the seized intelligence and sneered. "They've come at a good time; I was just worrying about not having an opportunity to practice."

"System, do you think I can win?" Li Ling asked.

"Yes," the system said, "but it requires careful preparation. The 20,000 troops of Japan are not a rabble, and although their ten warships are not as good as your Pre-dreadnoughts, they have the advantage in numbers."

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "So I won't fight them head-on. I will use strategy, tactics, and every means necessary to crush them."

"Then prepare well," the system said. "Time is running out."

Li Ling nodded, gathered Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan, Lin Yongsheng, and others to begin formulating a battle plan.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

A great battle was imminent.