52: Chapter 52 Fire Production Line in Full Operation

The German Empire's massive order acted like a shot of adrenaline, pushing Li Ling's military industry into a phase of frenzied expansion.

The Production Base operated day and night; the thirty-fold production speed made the giant shipyards and arsenals look as if they had been put on fast-forward. The keels of Battleship after Battleship took shape in the docks, artillery pieces rolled off the production lines, and batches of ammunition were boxed and packed.

However, Li Ling knew very well that he could not pin all his hopes on that mysterious entity. Although the system was powerful, it was ultimately a "black box." If something went wrong one day, he would be completely finished. Therefore, outside of the system's Production Base, he also established his own arsenal system.

This arsenal system currently handled twenty percent of the production tasks, mainly producing ammunition, accessories, and basic equipment with relatively low technical requirements. Although the scale was not yet large, it had already cultivated a group of skilled workers and engineers.

After the technicians sent by the German Empire arrived, Li Ling arranged for them to visit this self-owned arsenal.

"Young Master Li, while your factory's equipment is not as advanced as what we visited previously, the process flow is very reasonable, and the quality of the workers is also very high." Ambassador Hermann, the chief technical advisor of the German Empire, praised, "Especially these young workers; their ability to learn is very strong."

"Ambassador, you are too kind." Li Ling said modestly, "We are still in the starting stage, and there is much to learn from your country."

"Young Master Li is too humble." Ambassador Hermann shook his head, "To be honest, I have seen some technologies here that surprised even us. For example, that standardized production system—if it could be promoted, production efficiency could be increased by at least thirty percent."

Li Ling felt proud inside, but his face remained calm: "This system is not yet perfect and still needs continuous improvement. If you are interested, Ambassador, I can arrange for someone to discuss the details with you."

"That would be wonderful!" Ambassador Hermann was very excited, "We came here precisely to learn. His Majesty the Emperor has given clear instructions to bring back your country's advanced technology and experience."

Li Ling smiled without speaking. He knew clearly in his heart that the German Empire was so active not only because they really wanted to learn technology but also likely because they intended to monitor him. However, he did not care because everything he displayed had been screened.

The true core technologies, such as the automated production lines, precision processing equipment, and special material formulas in the Production Base, were strictly kept secret by him. If the people from the German Empire wanted to see them, there was no chance at all.

After sending off the technicians from the German Empire, Li Ling called over the person in charge of the arsenal.

"How is the production situation?" Li Ling asked.

The person in charge was a middle-aged man in his forties named Zhang Desheng, who was originally an ordnance officer under Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan and was later poached by Li Ling to manage the arsenal. This man had a technical background, worked rigorously, and was deeply trusted by Li Ling.

"Young Master, currently the arsenal has a total of 3,200 workers, of which skilled workers account for about forty percent. We can produce 50,000 rifle bullets, 500 artillery shells, and 50 rifles every day." Zhang Desheng reported, "However, the supply of raw materials is somewhat tight, especially special steel, where domestic production is insufficient and we rely mainly on imports."

"I will solve the raw material problem." Li Ling said, "What you need to do is continue to expand production capacity and train more skilled workers. Within the next two years, I want to triple the arsenal's production capacity."

"Triple?" Zhang Desheng gasped, "Young Master, this requires a huge amount of capital and equipment..."

"You don't need to worry about capital and equipment." Li Ling waved his hand, "The German Empire's big order has already paid a deposit, which is enough for us to expand production capacity. As for equipment, I will find a way to get a batch of advanced machine tools and production lines."

"Yes, Young Master!" Zhang Desheng replied excitedly.

After Zhang Desheng left, Li Ling silently communicated with that voice in his mind.

"You say, by selling these arms to the German Empire, am I aiding the enemy? After all, we might become opponents in the future."

"The host need not worry. First, the host is selling weakened versions of equipment, which have a generational gap with the equipment the host uses for themselves. Second, the German Empire and the Qingxia Kingdom are geographically far apart, so the possibility of a direct conflict is very small. Third, the host can obtain a large amount of resources and funds through arms sales to accelerate their own development. Overall, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages."

"What you say makes sense." Li Ling nodded, "But I still have to keep an ace up my sleeve. In case the German Empire turns against me one day, I must have a way to keep them in check."

"The host can reserve some 'backdoors' in the sold equipment, such as design flaws or dependence on maintenance."

"Good idea!" Li Ling's eyes lit up, "For example, I can design the dimensions of key components to non-standard specifications, so that if they break, they can only come to me to buy parts. Or I can manipulate the design drawings to make their maintenance costs ridiculously high."

"The host is truly becoming more and more devious."

"This is called business wisdom." Li Ling smiled triumphantly.

Over the next month, Li Ling's arms production lines entered a state of full-load operation.

Inside the Production Base, the construction progress of the two large Battleships had reached fifteen percent. In the giant shipyards, the modularly constructed hulls were spliced together like building blocks, and the sparks of welding flashed in the darkness, creating a spectacular scene.

In the arsenal, workers worked in three shifts, producing day and night. Newly recruited workers were sent to training classes to learn basic machine operation and safety procedures. Batches of finished products were packed and shipped to the German Empire via rail and sea.

Li Ling went to the Production Base and the arsenal almost every day to understand the production progress and solve technical problems. Although the system could automatically handle most problems, he was still used to doing things personally.

"Young Master, someone outside is asking to see you." One day, when Li Ling was inspecting the Production Base, a guard suddenly came to report.

"Who is it?"

"A foreigner who claims to be the commercial attaché of Meijian Country to the Qingxia Kingdom."

Li Ling frowned: "Meijian Country? What are they here for?"

"I don't know, but the other party said they have important matters to discuss with you."

Li Ling thought for a moment and said: "Let him wait for me in the reception room; I will be there in a moment."

An hour later, Li Ling changed into clean clothes and came to the reception room. The commercial attaché of Meijian Country had been waiting for a long time. Seeing him arrive, he immediately stood up, stretched out his hand with a beaming smile.

"Young Master Li, I have heard much about you! I am Ambassador Smith, the commercial attaché of Meijian Country to the Qingxia Kingdom."

"Ambassador Smith, a pleasure to meet you." Li Ling shook his hand and gestured for him to sit down, "I wonder what brings Ambassador Smith here this time?"

"Young Master Li, I am here this time to discuss a business deal with you." Ambassador Smith said straightforwardly, "We heard that you sold a large amount of weapons and equipment to the German Empire, including Battleships and advanced artillery. We in Meijian Country are also very interested in these technologies and hope to purchase some as well."

Li Ling sneered inwardly. Meijian Country coming at this time was probably not as simple as just wanting to buy arms. He knew that Meijian Country had been secretly supporting Japan to contain his development. Now that they suddenly came to say they wanted to buy arms, it was likely to test his background.

"Ambassador Smith, to be honest, we did sell some equipment to the German Empire." Li Ling said slowly, "But the production capacity for this equipment is limited, and the orders are currently fully booked. If you want to place a new order, you might have to wait a long time."

"How long to wait?" Ambassador Smith asked.

"At least a year."

Ambassador Smith's face looked a bit ugly: "A year? Young Master Li, are you not joking?"

"I never joke about business." Li Ling shrugged, "Ambassador Smith, we are just a small workshop with limited capacity. If you really want to buy, you can place an order first, and I guarantee delivery in a year."

Ambassador Smith was silent for a while and said: "Young Master Li, what if we are willing to pay a higher price?"

"A higher price?" Li Ling smiled, "Ambassador Smith, how high can you pay?"

"Thirty percent higher than the German Empire."

"Fifty percent." Li Ling opened his mouth wide to demand a high price.

Ambassador Smith's expression changed: "Young Master Li, are you joking?"

"I am not joking." Li Ling said sternly, "Ambassador Smith, you should know that the German Empire is our old customer, and their orders are prioritized. If you want to cut the line, you have to pay a premium."

Ambassador Smith gritted his teeth: "Forty percent! Forty percent at most!"

"Deal." Li Ling smiled, "Ambassador Smith, what do you want to buy?"

"We want to buy... two large Battleships, as well as matching artillery and ammunition." Ambassador Smith said, "The specifications must be stronger than those sold to the German Empire."

Li Ling was overjoyed inside but showed a difficult expression on his face: "This... Ambassador Smith, it is not that I am unwilling to sell, but our most advanced designs have already been sold to the German Empire, and I cannot produce anything stronger than that now."

"Then the same specifications as the German Empire."

"That is possible." Li Ling nodded, "Two large Battleships, plus matching artillery and ammunition, for a total price of 28 million taels of silver. Pay forty percent as a deposit first, and the rest will be paid off in two years, with an annual interest rate of six percent."

"This price..."

"If you think it is expensive, you don't have to buy it." Li Ling's attitude was firm, "I have plenty of orders here; yours is not the only one."

Ambassador Smith gritted his teeth: "Deal!"

After Ambassador Smith left, Li Ling finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"System, what do you think of my operation? Selling arms to both sides and making double the money!"

"The host is impressive. However, have you considered that Meijian Country might be using these warships to deal with you?"

"Of course I have considered it." Li Ling sneered, "But I am selling them weakened versions, and I will leave a backdoor in the design. When the time comes, if they really want to use these warships to attack me, I have a hundred ways to make sure they never return."

"The host is indeed far-sighted."

"Of course." Li Ling raised his chin triumphantly, "This is called using their own methods against them. If they want to buy, I will sell; I've already made the money anyway. As for future matters, we can talk about them later."