31: Chapter 31: The Second German Empire Deepens Cooperation

I. Arrival of the Military Delegation

Less than half a month after the German Empire's order was finalized, Berlin impatiently dispatched a massive military delegation.

Leading the group was Lieutenant General Hermann von Stresemann, Vice Minister of the German Empire's Navy, a typical Prussian Junker aristocrat with a sturdy build, graying hair, and a face bearing the characteristic seriousness and rigidity of the Germanic people. Behind him followed over thirty officers, engineers, and technicians, each with sharp eyes, clearly the elite of the elite.

"Mr. Li Ling, I have long admired your name," General Stresemann said in heavily accented English, extending his hand.

Li Ling smiled and shook his hand, replying in fluent German: "Welcome, welcome, General Stresemann. I am a person who loves making friends, especially German friends."

A flash of surprise crossed General Stresemann's eyes: "Your German is excellent."

"Haha, I don't have many other skills, but I do love to learn," Li Ling said brazenly, silently thanking the system for the language package it had installed.

The system chimed in, mocking him in his mind: [You're so thick-skinned. It was obviously me who installed it for you.]

Li Ling retorted in his mind: Shut up, I'm in the middle of a big deal.

After the pleasantries, General Stresemann got straight to the point, expressing his desire to visit Li Ling's arsenal and see the new artillery. This rigorous German general spoke directly and bluntly, without any beating around the bush.

Li Ling naturally couldn't ask for anything better. He had long since agreed with the system that the "new artillery" to be displayed this time would be a 150mm howitzer at the 1910 level provided by the system. It was a full generation ahead of the current world mainstream artillery, but not the most cutting-edge, making it perfect for fishing.

"You may visit, but General Stresemann, let's get the ugly talk out of the way first," Li Ling suddenly put on a mercenary expression. "You can look, and you can take photos, but as for the core technical blueprints..."

General Stresemann understood immediately, a rare smile appearing on his serious face: "Rest assured, Mr. Li Ling. We have come with sincerity, not to steal technology."

II. Shocking Display

The delegation was taken to Li Ling's secret weapons testing ground. It was an open area surrounded by high walls, heavily guarded with sentries every three steps and guards every five, all of whom were Special Forces soldiers personally trained by the protagonist.

When General Stresemann saw those soldiers, his eyes suddenly turned grave. Although he was not from the Army, he could tell at a glance that these soldiers were extraordinary—standing like pines, eyes like torches, their entire bodies exuding the murderous aura that only battle-hardened elites possessed.

"Mr. Li Ling's guard is truly elite," General Stresemann praised sincerely.

Li Ling waved his hand: "Not at all, just some casual training, just casual training."

[Pretend, keep pretending.] The system mocked mercilessly.

On the testing ground, a brand-new 150mm howitzer was pushed out. This cannon used a hydraulic recoil system, had a barrel length of 30 calibers, and its overall design was sleek yet ferocious, gleaming with a cold metallic luster under the sunlight.

The artillery experts from the German Empire couldn't take their eyes off it the moment they saw it. They crowded around to observe closely; some took out notebooks to record frantically, some took out cameras to take photos, and some even lay directly on the ground to study the carriage structure.

"Mr. Li Ling, may we conduct a test fire?" General Stresemann asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Of course, today is specifically for demonstrating it to you all," Li Ling said with a wave of his hand.

The gunners skillfully loaded, aimed, and fired. With a deafening roar, the shell whistled out and accurately hit the target five kilometers away. With a loud boom, a massive fireball erupted in the target area, and smoke and dust shot straight into the sky.

General Stresemann's hand holding the binoculars trembled slightly. This range, this power—it had already surpassed all artillery of the same caliber currently in service with the German Empire!

"Test fire another round," he said in a deep voice.

The second round was still a precise hit. For the third round, they changed to a long-distance target at seven kilometers, and it still hit the bullseye.

The delegation was in an uproar. Those usually rigorous and rigid German officers could no longer contain themselves; they were all flushed with excitement, chattering away in German as they discussed.

"The range is over seven kilometers!"

"The precision is extremely high, at least 30% higher than our Krupp artillery!"

"The recoil system is too advanced; you can barely feel any recoil!"

"150mm caliber, the power is enough to destroy any fortress currently in service!"

General Stresemann took a deep breath, turned to Li Ling, and said with burning eyes: "Mr. Li Ling, how many of these cannons can you produce?"

Li Ling held up one finger.

"One hundred units?"

"One thousand units is fine, as long as the money is there," Li Ling said with a grin. "However, the price..."

"The price is negotiable," General Stresemann said without hesitation.

III. A Lion's Share

Li Ling brought the delegation back to the reception room to begin formal negotiations. He asked Empress Su Wanqing to serve tea personally. This childhood sweetheart was wearing an elegant cheongsam today, and her graceful demeanor made the eyes of those German officers light up.

"Everyone, please have some tea. This is the best Longjing from our Qingxia Kingdom," Li Ling greeted them warmly.

General Stresemann had no mind for tea and asked impatiently: "Mr. Li Ling, for one hundred of these cannons, plus the accompanying ammunition, what is the total price?"

Li Ling smiled and held up five fingers.

"Five million marks?"

"Five million? General Stresemann, are you joking?" Li Ling shook his head. "Five million marks wouldn't even buy ten. I'm talking about fifty million marks, and that is a non-negotiable price."

The members of the delegation gasped. Fifty million marks was not a small sum; it was enough to build two Battleships.

General Stresemann frowned: "Mr. Li Ling, this price is too high."

"High?" Li Ling looked innocent. "General, think about it. My artillery's range is 30% further than your current service artillery, its power is 50% greater, and its precision is double. This price is already very fair. Besides, I am including a full set of technical training. We guarantee to teach you until you master it. You can't lose out on this deal."

[Are you running a street stall here?] the system mocked.

Li Ling ignored it and continued to bluff: "Furthermore, I also provide after-sales service: a three-year warranty, lifetime maintenance, and a guarantee that spare parts will be supplied for twenty years without interruption."

General Stresemann's mouth twitched. He realized that the young man in front of him was not at all like a traditional person from Qingxia; he was shrewder than a Jew when it came to negotiation.

After two hours of intense debate, they finally reached an agreement at the price of 45 million marks for one hundred 150mm howitzers, 50,000 rounds of ammunition, and technical training.

When signing the contract, Li Ling was overjoyed. 45 million marks, plus the previous rifle order, meant he had nearly 100 million marks in funds on hand. This money was enough to accelerate the completion of his three Dreadnoughts and even start construction on two more.

After signing the contract, General Stresemann suddenly said meaningfully: "Mr. Li Ling, actually, we have an even bigger deal we would like to discuss with you."

Li Ling's eyes lit up: "Oh? What deal?"

"Battleships," General Stresemann said, emphasizing each word.

IV. Li Ling's Calculation

Li Ling was ecstatic inside, but his face remained calm. He even put on a troubled look: "Battleships? That's not easy to sell; I don't even have enough for myself."

General Stresemann said sincerely: "Mr. Li Ling, the German Empire is expanding its navy and is in urgent need of advanced capital ships. If you are willing to sell, the price will definitely satisfy you."

Li Ling pretended to think for a while, but in reality, his brain was calculating rapidly. Selling Battleships to the German Empire was part of his plan. This would not only make a lot of money but also plant a chess piece among the great powers, which would be very useful in the future.

"I can sell, but there are a few conditions," Li Ling held up three fingers. "First, I only sell the weakened versions; the ones I use myself are stronger than these. Second, the price must be at least three times the construction cost. Third, it must include political cooperation terms."

General Stresemann agreed to the first two terms without hesitation, but the third required authorization from Berlin. Li Ling was not in a hurry and said leisurely that he could wait.

After seeing the delegation off, Empress Su Wanqing walked in with a bowl of lotus seed soup and asked with concern: "Brother Ling, are you really going to sell Battleships to the Germans? What if they use them against us?"

Li Ling took the lotus seed soup, took a sip, and smiled: "Wanqing, don't worry. What I'm selling are all weakened versions; their firepower, armor, and speed are all a grade lower than what I use. If a real fight breaks out, one of my warships can take on two of theirs."

"But..." Empress Su Wanqing was still a bit worried.

"No 'buts'," Li Ling put down the bowl, his gaze becoming deep. "Wanqing, this world is, in the end, big fish eating small fish. I am not strong enough yet and must borrow strength to fight. The German Empire is my fishing hook, helping me catch even bigger fish."

Looking at Li Ling's determined eyes, a complex emotion welled up in Empress Su Wanqing's heart. She found that she was understanding this man, who had grown up with her, less and less. He seemed to hide endless secrets and power, making one feel both secure and afraid.

"Brother Ling, no matter what you do, I will support you," she said softly.

Li Ling held her hand and said gently: "Thank you, Wanqing."

[Tsk tsk tsk, feeding us dog food again.] The system mocked, ruining the mood.

Li Ling roared in his mind: Shut up!

V. System Lottery

That night, just as Li Ling lay down, the system suddenly popped up a notification:

[Detected that the host has completed the "Major Arms Sale" achievement. You have received one advanced lottery draw. Would you like to draw now?]

Li Ling sat up immediately, all sleepiness gone: "Draw! Of course, draw! My luck is exploding today; I must draw something big!"

[Lottery starting...]

The wheel spun crazily, and Li Ling chanted in his mind: Come on, good stuff, come on, good stuff, come on, good stuff.

[Congratulations to the host for winning: Shipbuilding speed increased by 10% (permanent buff effect, applicable to all Production Bases).]

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then ecstatic: "Holy crap! A permanent buff? 10%? This is too awesome!"

[Look at you getting excited; it's just 10%.] The system said disdainfully.

"Just 10%? What do you know!" Li Ling paced around the room in excitement. "This means my warships can be completed one-tenth faster than planned. The time saved is money, it is combat power!"

[Fine, fine, you're right. But don't get happy too soon. This buff only takes effect on the next construction task; you can't apply it to the 3 Dreadnoughts already under construction.]

Li Ling's smile froze: "What? Can't apply it? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

[You didn't ask.]

"You... you did that on purpose!" Li Ling stomped his feet in anger.

[All is fair in war, who told you to get excited without reading the instructions clearly.]

Li Ling took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Forget it, it doesn't matter if the ships currently under construction don't get the buff; there will be plenty of opportunities in the future anyway.

"Fine, you win," he said through gritted teeth. "Then let me ask you, can this 10% shipbuilding speed increase effect stack?"

[Not currently. Each buff effect can only take effect once, unless you draw the same type of buff in the future.]

Li Ling nodded and kept this information in mind. He had already figured out the system's tricks. Although there were many pitfalls, as long as he was careful, he could always find ways to utilize it.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Empress Su Wanqing's voice sounded: "Brother Ling, who are you talking to?"

Li Ling was startled and quickly said: "No, no one. I was just talking to myself."

[Host, please pay attention to the confidentiality principle. If she discovers my existence, the consequences will be very serious.]

I know. Li Ling replied in his mind, then said to the outside: "Wanqing, I'm fine, just thinking about things. You go to sleep now."

"Then you rest early too, don't get too tired." After Empress Su Wanqing said this, her footsteps gradually faded away.

Li Ling breathed a sigh of relief, lay back on the bed, and stared at the ceiling in a daze. The three Dreadnoughts would be completed in a few months. By then, with the three Pre-dreadnoughts added, his naval strength would be enough to sweep across Asia.

"System, do you think the path I'm taking is right?" He suddenly asked softly, his tone unusually confused.

[...]

"I know you are a system and have no feelings, but sometimes I'm really quite tired." Li Ling closed his eyes. "This era is too fucked up; the royal family is incompetent, the great powers are oppressive, and the people are suffering. I want to change all this, but sometimes I feel so tired carrying it all alone."

[Who said I don't have feelings?] The system suddenly spoke up, its tone unusually serious. [I am your system, but also your partner. When you are tired, I will keep you company; when you are sad, I will amuse you; when you are angry, I will help you vent your anger.]

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, his nose feeling a bit sore: "You system, why have you suddenly become so sentimental?"

[Sentimental my ass, I just got sand in my eye.]

"Hahaha..." Li Ling laughed, the gloom in his heart swept away.

This system, hard-mouthed but soft-hearted, was even more awkward than him. But it was precisely this awkwardness that made Li Ling feel that it was alive, not a cold machine.

"Alright, enough nonsense, time to sleep." Li Ling turned over. "I still have to deal with those Germans tomorrow."

[Good night, you sneaky bastard.]

"Good night, you stingy miser."