51: Chapter 51 Dezhou's Large Order

The German Empire's military inspection team stayed in the Qingxia Kingdom for a full ten days.

During these ten days, Li Ling took them to visit some of his arsenals—carefully curated production lines, of course, showcasing only the technology he was willing to let outsiders see. The generals of the German Empire were increasingly shocked and excited the more they saw, especially when they witnessed the test firing of that batch of new-style artillery. General von Streicher, the leader of the team, turned red-eyed on the spot.

"Young Master Li, the range and precision of this artillery have completely surpassed all the models currently in our service." General von Streicher stood on the shooting range's viewing platform, holding binoculars, his voice trembling slightly. "Are you certain this technology can be transferred?"

Li Ling leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs, his expression as calm as an old farmer selling vegetables. "General von, you say that, but we have been cooperating for so long, when have I ever deceived you? However, as for the price..."

"The price is negotiable!" General von Streicher immediately replied.

Li Ling was overjoyed inside, but on the surface, he feigned reluctance. "The production process for this batch of artillery is quite complex, and the requirements for raw materials are also high. The cost... it is thirty percent more expensive than the previous batch."

"Thirty percent?" General von Streicher frowned, but quickly relaxed. "Acceptable. We don't just want one hundred units; we want three hundred! Additionally, Young Master Li, His Majesty the Emperor was very satisfied with the Battleship you sold last time and hopes to order two more of the same class. If possible, we hope for a larger displacement and stronger firepower."

Li Ling's eyes lit up, but he immediately suppressed it. He took a slow sip of tea and said, "Larger and stronger? I do have some, but that is already our latest design for a large Battleship, and the technical content is on a different level."

"What? You have something even more advanced?" General von Streicher was so shocked he stood up.

"Of course." Li Ling put down his teacup, pulled a blueprint from the briefcase next to him, and spread it out on the table. "This is a large Battleship we are currently developing. Standard displacement is 53,000 tons, three triple-mounted 460mm main guns, a speed of 29 knots, and the thickest armor is 500mm. To be honest, I originally intended to keep this class of warship for my own use."

General von Streicher leaned over to the blueprint, his eyes wide. Although he was not a naval expert, he possessed basic military literacy and instantly recognized the terrifying nature of this warship.

460mm main guns! 53,000 tons displacement! 29 knots speed!

Any one of these three data points would be enough to make the world's naval powers tremble. Now, they were all concentrated in one warship?

"Young Master Li, are you really willing to sell this kind of warship?" General von Streicher's voice was trembling.

"I am willing to sell, but the price..." Li Ling deliberately dragged out his voice. "And I will say this first: for a warship of this class, I can only sell a weakened version. The main gun caliber will be reduced to 420mm, the armor slightly thinner, and the speed reduced to 27 knots. It's not that I'm being ungenerous, but this technology is too advanced, and I must keep some assets for myself."

General von Streicher nodded repeatedly. "Understood, understood! 420mm main guns are enough! This price... we can talk!"

Li Ling had already started calculating in his heart. The cost of a weakened large Battleship was equivalent to about three million taels of silver in reality, but if sold to the German Empire, would it be excessive to ask for ten million taels each?

However, he decided to play it safe.

"Ten million taels each." Li Ling stated the price. "Two ships for twenty million taels. Plus three hundred new-style artillery pieces, totaling twenty-three million taels."

General von Streicher gasped. "This price..."

"Think it's expensive?" Li Ling smiled. "General von, you can go ask The British how much they spent on their 'Dreadnought', and its performance isn't even as good as mine. Besides, this is a large Battleship, not some third-rate goods. If you think it's expensive, you can buy fewer."

"Buy! We will buy!" General von Streicher gritted his teeth. "But Young Master Li, can we discuss the payment method? To come up with so much cash at once..."

"Installments are possible." Li Ling had already thought it through. "Pay thirty percent as a deposit first, and the rest paid off over two years. However, as for the interest..."

"How much is the interest?"

"Five percent annual interest."

General von Streicher thought for a moment and nodded. "Acceptable. I will send a telegram to request approval from home immediately!"

After the people from the German Empire left, Li Ling could finally no longer hold back his laughter.

He complained silently to himself: "System, how was my acting?"

The voice in his mind carried obvious disdain. "Mediocre, you almost laughed on set."

"What do you know? This is called business negotiation skill." Li Ling was smug. "Two large Battleships, three hundred new-style artillery pieces, twenty-three million taels of silver. Plus what I sold before, the money the German Empire owes me now is enough to form a fleet."

"Are you sure they can afford it?"

"If they can't afford it, that's fine, they can use resources to pay off the debt." Li Ling smiled like an old fox. "What I want is their special steel, precision machine tools, and chemical equipment. It would take a lot of time for me to develop these things myself, but taking them ready-made from the German Empire is much more efficient."

"Are you planning to treat the German Empire as an ATM?"

"Mutual benefit, mutual benefit." Li Ling waved his hand. "They get advanced weapons and equipment, I get the resources and funds needed for development. Nobody loses."

"Are you sure they don't lose? Ten million taels for one large Battleship, do you know what the actual cost is?"

"Hey, you can't say it like that." Li Ling said righteously. "Does R&D not cost money? Does technology transfer not cost money? Does the resources occupied by my production line not cost money? Besides, I sold them a weakened version; I kept the real good stuff."

The voice in his mind was silent for a moment, then coldly spat out a few words: "You are becoming more and more like a profiteer."

"Thanks for the compliment." Li Ling cupped his hands. "By the way, I haven't done the lucky draw yet, right? Hurry up, let me see what good stuff I can get."

"Congratulations to the host for completing a large military sales order, you have received one advanced lucky draw."

"Lucky draw in progress... Congratulations to the host for obtaining 'Naval Turret Technology'."

Li Ling was stunned for a moment. "Naval Turret Technology? What the hell? Don't I already have turret technology?"

"The existing one is only basic technology. What you obtained this time is advanced dual-mount and quad-mount turret design technology, which can greatly increase firepower density. Simply put, with the same displacement, you can mount more guns."

"Damn, this is good stuff!" Li Ling was excited. "Does that mean I can design quad-mount main turrets?"

"Yes, but it requires coordination with corresponding hull design and propulsion systems. It is recommended that the host first accumulate relevant technology and not rush to apply it."

"Understood, understood." Li Ling nodded. "Store these technologies first, and wait until the conditions are ripe before using them."

"Additionally, a reminder to the host: the Production Base has already started building the two large Battleships ordered by the German Empire this time. It is expected to be delivered within six months."

"Six months? So fast?" Li Ling was a bit surprised. "Usually, a warship of this class takes at least two years to build, right?"

"The production speed of the Production Base is thirty times the normal speed, and the resources invested are only one-thirtieth of the actual requirement, so a six-month delivery cycle is reasonable."

"Doesn't that mean I can treat selling warships as a long-term business?" Li Ling's eyes lit up.

"Theoretically, yes. But the host needs to be aware that excessive export of advanced technology may change the world pattern, which may not be beneficial to the host's long-term development."

"I understand this." Li Ling put away his smile and said seriously. "That's why I only sell weakened versions, keeping all core technology. Furthermore, I want to control the rhythm and quantity of military sales; I cannot let any one side become too dominant."

"It is good that the host has this awareness."

Li Ling stood up and walked to the map on the wall. He pointed at the location of the German Empire, then at the location of Japan, and finally landed on the coast of Qingxia.

"Once these two large Battleships are delivered, the naval strength of the German Empire will have a qualitative leap. By then, The British will definitely be nervous, and a naval arms race will begin." Li Ling curled the corner of his mouth. "And I can sell weapons to both sides and make a fortune."

"Are you planning to be an arms dealer?"

"No, no, no, I am a peace lover." Li Ling said solemnly. "I am just helping various countries maintain national security, and earning some hard-earned money on the side."

"As long as you are happy."

That evening, Li Ling told his father, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan, about the news of the German Empire ordering large Battleships.

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan was reading official documents in the study. Upon hearing this, the pen in his hand fell to the ground.

"What did you say? Two large Battleships? 460mm main guns?" Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan's voice was trembling. "You unfilial son, do you know what this means? A warship of this class does not exist in all of Asia!"

"That's why, if we don't sell, how will others know we have this strength?" Li Ling said with a grin. "Dad, don't worry, I sold a weakened version; I kept the real good stuff. Our own fleet is much stronger than what I sold to the German Empire."

"You... how many things are you still hiding from me?" Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan stared at his son.

"Not many, just a little bit." Li Ling gestured with his little finger. "In short, just rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

"You know what you're doing?" Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan's beard curled up in anger. "Do you know that there are already people in the imperial court impeaching you? Saying you are colluding with foreigners and plotting treason!"

"Let them impeach me." Li Ling was indifferent. "The imperial court can't touch me anyway. Besides, doesn't the royal family still want to marry the princess to me? This shows they still want to win me over and won't easily turn against me."

"Aren't you afraid that the royal family will be driven to desperation?"

"What is there to fear?" Li Ling sneered. "If they dare to make a move, I will let them know what regret feels like. Dad, don't worry, the trump cards I hold in my hand are much more than you imagine."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan looked at his son and suddenly sighed. "Fine, fine, you've grown up, and I can no longer control you. But remember, you must never do anything that betrays your ancestors."

"Don't worry, Dad." Li Ling nodded solemnly. "Everything I do is for this country and for the people on this land."

Walking out of his father's study, Li Ling looked up at the night sky, the stars shining brightly.

He calculated silently in his heart: the German Empire's order is just the beginning; more big clients will come knocking in the future. By then, he will be able to use the money earned from these military orders to support his own military-industrial system and accelerate development.

As for those clowns, let them continue to jump around.

The day he grows fully fledged will be the time to settle scores with all his enemies.