38: Chapter 38 German Empire's Procurement Upgrade

The Sensation of Victory

After the news of the victory in the third medium-scale naval battle reached the German Empire, Berlin was completely ecstatic.

Fighting three opponents at once, annihilating the Japan fleet, and repelling the reinforcements from Meijian Country—this kind of achievement was shocking, even by European standards.

Kaiser Wilhelm II immediately summoned General Stresemann, demanding that he return to the Qingxia Kingdom immediately to propose a larger-scale arms purchase plan to Li Ling.

"Tell that Li Ling, we don't just want to buy rifles, artillery, and Battleships; we also want to buy Cruisers, Torpedo boats, and even his shipbuilding technology!" Kaiser Wilhelm II paced back and forth in his office excitedly. "This man's potential is too great; we must hold onto him tightly!"

General Stresemann accepted the order and left, embarking on another journey to the Qingxia Kingdom with a more generous budget and a larger procurement list.

Meanwhile, Li Ling's military factories and shipyards were operating at high speed.

Three Dreadnoughts were nearing completion. The shipbuilding speed of the Production Base had increased by 10% under the system's buff. Although this batch of Dreadnoughts wouldn't benefit from it, the next batch would.

Krupp worked day and night with his team of German engineers, and Li Ling's shipbuilding technology was constantly being refined and optimized in their hands.

"Mr. Li, according to the current progress, the three Dreadnoughts will be ready for sea trials in a week." Krupp pushed up his glasses, his face full of excitement.

Li Ling nodded. "Thank you for your hard work, Krupp. Once this batch of Dreadnoughts is completed, I plan to start construction on six more. Do you think that's feasible?"

Krupp's eyes lit up. "Six? Mr. Li, that's a massive plan! But… I like it!"

Another Negotiation

After General Stresemann arrived, both sides immediately began a new round of negotiations.

This time, the German Empire's procurement list was unusually long:

"Two Battleships, standard displacement of 28,000 tons, main gun caliber of 350mm, speed of 22 knots…"

"Four Protected Cruisers, displacement of 6,000 tons, main gun caliber of 150mm…"

"Eight large Torpedo boats, equipped with the latest torpedoes…"

"And 20,000 new-style rifles, 50 150mm artillery pieces, and a quantity of supporting ammunition…"

After hearing the list, Li Ling whistled. "General Stresemann, you are trying to buy me out."

General Stresemann said solemnly, "Mr. Li, Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly admires your technology and strength and hopes to establish a long-term strategic cooperative relationship with you."

"Cooperation is no problem, but as for the price…" Li Ling smiled and held up three fingers. "The old rules: three times the cost."

"No problem." General Stresemann replied without hesitation.

Li Ling was stunned. "That straightforward?"

"Kaiser Wilhelm II said that as long as it is your product, price is not an issue."

Li Ling felt secretly pleased but kept a straight face. "Alright, the total price for this order is 250 million marks, to be paid in three installments, with a down payment of 100 million. How about that?"

"Deal!"

After both sides signed the contract, General Stresemann suddenly lowered his voice. "Mr. Li, Kaiser Wilhelm II has one more request."

"Speak."

"His Majesty wishes to invite you to visit Germany to inspect our industry and technology in person, and also wants you to meet… one of our royal family members."

Li Ling's heart stirred. "Which royal family member?"

"His Majesty's niece, Princess Victoria Louise." General Stresemann said meaningfully. "Her Highness the Princess admires you very much and hopes to meet you."

Li Ling immediately understood the German Empire's intention—a political marriage.

[Host, a political marriage is here. Will you accept?]

Accept, of course I will accept. Li Ling answered in his heart, this is beneficial to my plans.

"General Stresemann, please tell His Majesty that I am currently busy with military affairs and cannot visit Germany for the time being. However…" He paused. "I can correspond with Her Highness the Princess to get to know each other first."

General Stresemann was overjoyed. "That's wonderful! I will send a telegram to Berlin right away!"

Making Money Hand Over Fist

After sending off General Stresemann, Li Ling tallied his accounts in the study.

The arms order was 250 million marks. Added to the previous rifle and artillery orders, and the 120 million marks from the sale of the first Battleship, he now held over 400 million marks in funds!

This was 400 million marks in 1899, with astonishing purchasing power.

"System, how many Dreadnoughts can I build with this money?"

[According to current costs, one Dreadnought requires about 20 million marks, so 400 million marks could build twenty. However, you also have to maintain the daily expenses of the Army and Navy, as well as buy raw materials and pay wages… so in reality, you can build about ten or so.]

"Ten or so is enough." Li Ling rubbed his hands excitedly. "Including the three already built and the six about to start construction, my total number of Dreadnoughts can reach nearly twenty!"

[Don't be too optimistic. The production capacity of the Production Base is limited, and building too many warships at the same time will slow down progress.]

"Then we'll build them in batches." Li Ling thought for a moment. "Build six first, and after the first batch is launched, we'll build the second batch."

[Fine, it's your decision.]

Li Ling thought of another question. "Right, System, if I sell arms to the German Empire, will I be raising a tiger that might turn on me? What if they use these weapons against me later?"

[The versions you sell are all weakened, and the core technology is encrypted. Besides, the German Empire's current enemies are Britain and France; they don't have time to deal with you.]

"That's good."

[However, you must be careful; Meijian Country and Britain will definitely make underhanded moves. They won't sit idly by while you ally with the German Empire.]

"Let them try." Li Ling sneered. "I'll handle whatever comes."

Empress Su Wanqing's Ledger

Empress Su Wanqing knocked and entered, holding a thick ledger in her hand.

"Brother Ling, I've finished calculating the military funds and expenses you asked me to tally." She sat down and opened the ledger. "Our current total income is 420 million marks, equivalent to about 120 million taels of silver."

"That much?" Li Ling was surprised. Although he knew he had earned a lot, he didn't expect it to be this much.

"Yes, and this is just the income from arms. The tax revenue from your father's side and local fiscal income haven't been included yet." Empress Su Wanqing said seriously. "Brother Ling, you are now the richest person in the Qingxia Kingdom."

Li Ling laughed out loud. "The richest? That's not quite true, but I should definitely be in the top ten."

"Brother Ling, I'd like to make a suggestion." Empress Su Wanqing hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Go ahead."

"Can we take some of the money to improve the lives of the people?" Empress Su Wanqing's eyes were full of expectation. "The coastal people helped us a lot during the war, and their lives are very hard. I want to help them."

Li Ling was silent for a while, then nodded. "You're right. War is not just the Army's business; the people are our backing too. Wanqing, allocate two million taels from the military funds to help war refugees, repair houses, and distribute pensions."

Empress Su Wanqing's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course it's real." Li Ling smiled. "Although I, Li Ling, am greedy for money, I'm not stingy. I won't skimp on money that should be spent."

[You aren't like that in front of me.]

Shut up. Can you be compared to the common people?

Empress Su Wanqing happily put away the ledger. "I'll go handle it right away! Brother Ling, you really are a good person!"

Li Ling waved his hand. "Don't flatter me; I'm not a good person. I just… don't want the people who follow me to suffer."

The System's Sarcasm

In the evening, the System suddenly spoke: [Host, do you know what you are like right now?]

"Like what?"

[Like a goose that lays golden eggs. The German Empire is the one picking up the eggs, coming here every day to pick them, enjoying it immensely.]

Li Ling laughed. "Shouldn't I be killed to get the golden eggs then?"

[They can't bear to; if they kill you, there will be no more eggs.]

"So they will take good care of me, give me the best food and drink, right?"

[Correct, that is your value.]

"Then that settles it." Li Ling spread his hands. "I'm not losing out. I'm earning money and keeping the great powers in check; why wouldn't I do it?"

[But you must be careful not to become their puppet.]

"Rest assured, in this life, I, Li Ling, only answer to myself." A cold light flashed in Li Ling's eyes. "Whoever tries to control me will regret it bitterly."

[Fine, you're awesome.]

"Of course." Li Ling said smugly. "By the way, System, do you think I should build a dedicated production line for the German Empire? Since they buy so much, I can mass-produce to reduce costs."

[Whatever you want, the Production Base is under your control anyway.]

"Then it's settled." Li Ling slapped his thigh. "Tomorrow, I'll have Krupp design a standardized production line specifically for the German Empire's orders."

[You really are a profiteer.]

"Thanks for the compliment."