60: Chapter 60 The Marriage is Settled

The German Princess stayed in Li Ling's territory for a full week.

During this week, Li Ling accompanied her to visit his arsenal, Production Base, military camps, and naval ports.

Seeing the advanced weaponry and the massive fleet, the German Princess was so shocked that she couldn't speak.

"General Li, your strength is far greater than I imagined," the German Princess exclaimed sincerely. "No wonder my father values you so highly."

"Elena is too kind," Li Ling said modestly. "My meager assets are still far from comparable to your country's."

The German Princess shook her head. "It's different. My country has centuries of accumulation, while you have developed to this point in just a few short years. Such speed is unparalleled anywhere in the world."

Li Ling smiled without saying much more.

A week of spending time together caused the feelings between the two to heat up rapidly.

The German Princess discovered that Li Ling was not only an outstanding strategist but also a witty, humorous, and thoughtful man.

He would tell jokes to make her laugh, hand her a cup of hot tea when she was tired, and take off his own coat to drape over her when she was cold.

Li Ling also discovered that the German Princess was not as aloof and unapproachable as he had imagined.

She was gentle, kind, and understanding, with no airs of a princess.

She would clean the room with the maids, cook meals herself, and greet ordinary people on the street.

When the two were together, they always had endless things to talk about.

They would discuss military affairs, politics, history, culture, and everything else they could talk about.

Sometimes they would chat until late at night, unwilling to part, until the maids had to urge them repeatedly.

"System, I think I've truly fallen for her," Li Ling said to the System one night while lying in bed.

"I know," the System replied. "I can tell."

"What do you think of her?"

"She's quite good," the System said, rarely without its usual teasing. "She is a good girl and is sincere towards you. You won't regret being with her."

Li Ling smiled, closed his eyes, and soon fell asleep.

A week later, the German Princess was about to set off to return to her country.

Before leaving, the German Princess found Li Ling. After hesitating for a long time, she finally gathered the courage to say, "Li Ling, I don't want to call you General anymore."

"Then what do you want to call me?" Li Ling asked with a smile.

"I want to call you... Li Ling." The German Princess's face turned as red as a ripe apple. "I... I like you."

Li Ling's heart skipped a beat. He looked into the German Princess's azure eyes and said earnestly, "Elena, I like you too."

The German Princess's eyes immediately lit up. "Really?"

"Really."

The German Princess was so excited she almost jumped up, but she restrained her excitement and said reservedly, "Then after I go back, I will tell my father to arrange our marriage."

"Alright," Li Ling nodded. "I will personally write a letter to His Majesty the Kaiser, requesting that he give you to me in marriage."

The German Princess's face turned even redder. She stood on her tiptoes, lightly kissed Li Ling on the cheek, and then ran away quickly.

Li Ling touched the spot where he had been kissed and smiled foolishly.

After the German Princess left, Li Ling immediately wrote a long letter to Kaiser Wilhelm II. In the letter, he formally proposed marriage to Kaiser Wilhelm II, requesting that the German Princess be married to him. He stated in the letter that although he was only a local warlord, he was willing to spend his whole life cherishing the German Princess and making her happy.

After the letter was sent, Li Ling began to wait for a reply with trepidation.

He did not know if Kaiser Wilhelm II would agree. After all, he was a citizen of Qingxia Kingdom, while the German Princess was a member of the German Empire's royal family. The cultural differences, political systems, and living habits between the two countries were too vast; in many people's eyes, this marriage might not be appropriate.

But Kaiser Wilhelm II's reply came faster than he had imagined.

Less than a month later, Kaiser Wilhelm II's reply reached Li Ling's hands. In the letter, Kaiser Wilhelm II gladly agreed to the marriage and offered his congratulations to Li Ling. He wrote, "I know you will treat my daughter well, and I trust you. Your wedding is set for next spring, and I will personally come to Qingxia Kingdom to attend."

After reading the letter, Li Ling was so excited he almost jumped up.

"It's done!" he shouted at the System. "The Kaiser of the German Empire has agreed!"

"Congratulations, congratulations," the System said, happy for him as well. "Now you are really going to be the Prince Consort."

Li Ling chuckled and immediately had someone notify the German Princess of this good news.

Upon receiving the news, the German Princess cried with joy. She had waited for this day for a long time, and now her wish had finally come true.

The news quickly spread throughout the entire German Empire and reached the ears of other major powers.

Major powers such as Meijian Country and the UK were very dissatisfied with this. They believed that the marriage alliance between Li Ling and the German Empire would make the relationship between the two countries closer, thereby threatening their interests in the Far East.

But their dissatisfaction had no effect. Kaiser Wilhelm II had already made his decision, and no one could change it.

In Li Ling's territory, this news also caused quite a stir.

Upon learning this, Empress Su Wanqing felt a bit bitter, but she still forced a smile and congratulated Li Ling. She knew that Li Ling marrying the German Princess was a political necessity to consolidate the alliance with the German Empire. She would not leave Li Ling because of this.

Upon learning this, Emily also felt a bit disappointed, but she did not give up either. She knew that Li Ling had her in his heart, but it would just take time.

The royal family also received the news quickly. The Old Emperor was both happy and worried. He was happy that Li Ling's marriage alliance with the German Empire meant that Qingxia Kingdom had a powerful foreign ally; he was worried because Li Ling's strength was growing stronger and stronger, so how could he be kept in check in the future?

But regardless, this marriage was already a settled matter.

Li Ling began to prepare for the wedding. He had a new mansion built in the garrison for him and the German Princess to live in after the wedding. He also had generous betrothal gifts prepared, including gold, silver, jewelry, silk, porcelain, and ten of the latest artillery pieces.

"Ten artillery pieces as a betrothal gift? Isn't this display a bit too grand?" the System remarked.

"Is it grand?" Li Ling didn't care. "A dignified German Princess is marrying me; I can't be too stingy, can I? Besides, these ten artillery pieces aren't being given away for free; the German Empire will surely have a return gift."

"You really are calculating," the System said, speechless. "You even scheme when getting married."

"This is called being prepared for a rainy day," Li Ling said righteously. "Besides, this isn't scheming; it's just normal reciprocity."

As the wedding date approached, the relationship between Li Ling and the German Empire became increasingly close. Trade between the two countries became more frequent, and intelligence exchanges became more intimate. Li Ling's military factories produced day and night, providing various weapons and equipment to the German Empire; meanwhile, the German Empire sent a large number of industrial equipment and technical personnel to Li Ling.

Everything was developing in the direction Li Ling expected.

But Li Ling knew that the major powers would not sit by and watch him grow stronger. Countries like Meijian Country and the UK would certainly increase their support for Japan, attempting to use Japan to contain him.

The next storm was coming soon.

And Li Ling was already prepared to welcome the storm.

No matter who came, he would let them know who the true master of this land was.