66: Chapter 66 Heavy Pressure

The Battleship dragon soar slowly sailed into Jiangning Naval Port, its hull still bearing the blackened marks of gunpowder smoke.

Li Ling stood on the bridge, looking at the busy crowd in the port, but there was no joy of victory on his face.

"[Host, this battle sank over forty enemy ships. The results are brilliant, so why aren't you happy?]"

"Happy?" Li Ling smiled bitterly. "System, do you know how much we lost?"

"[The loss statistics are out: one Dreadnought moderately damaged, two lightly damaged, three Torpedo boats sunk, and over three hundred officers and soldiers killed or wounded.]"

"Over three hundred people," Li Ling murmured. "Over three hundred families, over three hundred lives."

"[Host, war always costs lives.]"

"I know." Li Ling walked down the bridge. "But every time I see the casualty numbers, I still feel sad."

He stepped onto the dock, where his adjutant was already waiting.

"My Lord, the Princess has set up a victory banquet at the manor, waiting for your return."

"A victory banquet?" Li Ling shook his head. "Pass down the order to cancel the banquet. The compensation for the fallen soldiers must be distributed immediately, and the best medical treatment must be arranged for the wounded brothers."

"Yes, sir!" The adjutant took the order and left.

Li Ling did not return directly to his manor; instead, he went to the hospital first.

The hospital was filled with wounded soldiers—some had lost arms, some were hit by shrapnel, and some were covered in bandages. Groans of pain rose and fell.

Li Ling walked through the wards one by one, shaking hands and talking with every wounded soldier.

"My Lord, we won!" a young soldier said excitedly.

"We won." Li Ling patted his shoulder. "Recover well. Once you're better, we'll fight the Woying invaders together again."

"Yes, sir!"

Walking out of the hospital, Li Ling's face was terribly grim.

"[Host, you are in a bad mood.]"

"Of course I'm in a bad mood." Li Ling took a deep breath. "Over three hundred brothers killed or wounded—this is all my responsibility."

"[Host has already done very well. If it were anyone else, the losses would only have been greater.]"

"Not enough." Li Ling shook his head. "Still not good enough."

He returned to his manor, where the Princess was already waiting at the entrance.

"Husband, you're back." Seeing his exhausted look, the Princess stepped forward with concern. "Why didn't you go to the victory banquet? I heard you canceled it?"

"I'm not in the mood." Li Ling held her hand. "Let's go inside first."

The two walked into the study, and the Princess poured him a cup of tea.

"Husband, how is the battle going?"

"We won, but the losses weren't small." Li Ling took a sip of tea. "And the real tough battle is yet to come."

"What do you mean?" The Princess was puzzled.

"The one we defeated this time was only the vanguard of the United Fleet." Li Ling set down his teacup. "According to intelligence, Japan, Meijian Country, and Britain are assembling a larger fleet, with a scale that might exceed a hundred ships."

The Princess gasped, "A hundred ships?"

"Yes." Li Ling stood up and walked to the nautical chart. "And this time, their commander is the famous British naval admiral Fisher. He won't be easy to deal with."

"[Host, intelligence shows that Fisher has already returned to Britain and is organizing a new United Fleet. It is expected that the assembly will be completed in three months.]"

"Three months..." Li Ling pondered. "Is there enough time?"

"[If the Production Base operates at full capacity, three more Dreadnoughts can be built within three months. Adding the existing six and a half, that makes a total of nine and a half.]"

"Nine and a half against a hundred?" Li Ling shook his head. "The chances of winning aren't high."

"[The System has calculated that the win rate is around sixty percent.]"

"Sixty percent?" Li Ling frowned. "Too low."

"[Then what does the Host plan to do?]"

"I need to think." Li Ling sat back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Seeing this, the Princess quietly withdrew, not wanting to disturb his thoughts.

Li Ling sat in the study all night.

Early the next morning, he walked out of the study with dark circles under his eyes and found the Princess.

"Your Highness, I need to go on a long journey."

"Where to?" The Princess was taken aback.

"To the German Empire," Li Ling said. "I need more warships and weapons. Relying on the System alone is not enough."

"[Host, the System can provide loans—]"

"I know," Li Ling interrupted the System. "But loans have to be repaid, and there's a limit. Selling arms is different; it can make money and win over allies at the same time."

The Princess said worriedly, "Husband, is the German Empire reliable?"

"They aren't," Li Ling smiled. "But as long as there are mutual interests, they will be reliable."

He asked the Princess to help him pack his luggage, while he went to say goodbye to Empress Su Wanqing and Emily.

Empress Su Wanqing was in a small courtyard in the front yard, embroidering. Seeing Li Ling come in, she quickly stood up.

"Brother Ling, you're here."

"Wanqing," Li Ling walked over and held her hand. "I have to go on a long journey to the German Empire."

Empress Su Wanqing's hand trembled. "For how long?"

"About one or two months," Li Ling said. "I'll return as soon as the business deals are finalized there."

"Is it dangerous?"

"It's not dangerous," Li Ling smiled. "It's just buying and selling arms, not fighting a war."

Empress Su Wanqing bit her lip. "Then be careful."

"Don't worry." Li Ling hugged her. "When I get back, I'll take you to see the sea."

Empress Su Wanqing nodded, her eyes turning slightly red.

Leaving Empress Su Wanqing's place, Li Ling went to find Emily.

Emily lived in a small Western-style building in the backyard, which Li Ling had built specifically for her, decorated in the style of Meijian Country.

"Emily, are you there?"

"I'm here!" Emily opened the door, wearing a pale yellow dress. With her blonde hair and blue eyes, she was radiant and beautiful.

"Li Ling, what brings you here?" she asked in pleasant surprise.

"I need to go to the German Empire," Li Ling said, getting straight to the point. "I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"What kind of favor?"

"Help me contact arms dealers in Meijian Country," Li Ling said. "I want to buy a batch of special steel from Meijian Country."

Emily frowned. "Meijian Country is currently cooperating with Japan. Will they sell it to you?"

"That's why I need your help," Li Ling smiled. "Aren't you the only daughter of a Meijian Country financial conglomerate? They'll have to show some respect to your father, right?"

Emily thought for a moment. "I'll try. But you have to promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"Take me with you to the German Empire." Emily winked. "I haven't been to Europe yet."

Li Ling hesitated. "We're going there for serious business this time, not for tourism."

"I know," Emily said seriously. "I can help you translate and negotiate. I am fluent in German and English, which is much better than your translators."

Li Ling thought about it and found it made sense. "Alright, then let's go together."

Emily jumped up in joy and hugged Li Ling's arm. "That's great!"

Three days later, Li Ling took Emily and a small team, secretly heading to the German Empire aboard a fast cruise ship materialized by the System.

Before their departure, both the Princess and Empress Su Wanqing came to see them off.

"Husband, take care on your journey." The Princess handed him an amulet.

"Brother Ling, come back early." Empress Su Wanqing said, her eyes rimmed with red.

Li Ling waved with a smile. "Don't worry, it's not like I'm going to war."

The cruise ship slowly sailed out of the port, heading toward the open sea.

"[Host, do you really think this trip to the German Empire will be successful?]"

"Not necessarily," Li Ling stood on the deck, watching the receding coastline. "But we have to try."

"[The System can provide loans, so why go through all this trouble?]"

"Loans have to be repaid," Li Ling sighed. "Besides, if something goes wrong with the System in the future, I'll be left stranded. Building our own industrial system is the real foundation."

"[Host thinks long-term.]"

"Of course," Li Ling smiled. "I am someone who wants to become an emperor, after all. I can't just look at the short term."

"[...Host has finally spoken his true mind.]"

"I was just joking," Li Ling quickly denied.

"[The System doesn't believe you.]"

The cruise ship sailed for over half a month and finally arrived at the German Empire's largest naval port—Wilhelmshaven.

Li Ling did not go directly to see the German imperial family, but went to the German Admiralty first.

He had long been corresponding with the German Naval Minister, Grand Admiral Tirpitz, through an intermediary, and was here by invitation this time.

Grand Admiral Tirpitz was a veteran in his fifties, with a thick beard and sharp eyes.

"Mr. Li Ling, I have long heard of your reputation," he said in English.

"Admiral Tirpitz, pleased to meet you," Li Ling replied in English as well.

After a few pleasantries, the two got down to business.

"Admiral, I came this time to discuss a major business deal with your country," Li Ling said, getting straight to the point.

"What kind of deal?"

"Warships," Li Ling smiled. "Hasn't your country always wanted to expand its navy? I can provide the latest Battleship designs and technology, and I can even sell finished ships."

Grand Admiral Tirpitz's eyes lit up. "What standard of Battleships?"

"Dreadnoughts," Li Ling said. "And they are Dreadnoughts of the 1910 standard, which are at least ten years more advanced than your country's existing Battleships."

Grand Admiral Tirpitz took a deep breath.

Although the German Empire was industrially advanced, it had always lagged behind Britain in naval construction.

"And the price?" Grand Admiral Tirpitz asked.

"The price is simple." Li Ling held up two fingers. "First, your country needs to provide me with a group of engineers and skilled workers to help me build my industrial system. Second, your country needs to support me in future wars."

"Support you?" Grand Admiral Tirpitz frowned. "Do you mean fighting against the Qingxia Kingdom?"

"No," Li Ling shook his head. "It's fighting against Japan, Meijian Country, and Britain."

Grand Admiral Tirpitz fell silent for a moment. "I cannot make the decision on this matter. I need to consult the Emperor."

"No problem," Li Ling smiled. "I can afford to wait."

That evening, Li Ling and Emily stayed in the best hotel in Wilhelmshaven.

Emily walked out in a bathrobe after her shower, her wet blonde hair draped over her shoulders.

"Li Ling, do you think the German Emperor will agree?"

"He will," Li Ling said with certainty. "They need my technology too much."

"Are you that confident?"

"It's not confidence, it's analysis," Li Ling smiled. "The naval arms race between the German Empire and Britain has already reached a fever pitch. Whoever can build more Dreadnoughts first will gain the upper hand. My technology can save them at least five years of research and development time; they have no reason to refuse."

Emily looked at him with admiration. "You really know so much."

"Of course," Li Ling said proudly. "I am an all-around military industry expert, after all."

"[Host, you're getting ahead of yourself.]"

"Shut up," Li Ling retorted in his mind.

Three days later, the German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II personally received Li Ling.

Kaiser Wilhelm II was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a curled mustache and a disabled left arm, but he was in high spirits.

"Mr. Li Ling, I already know the purpose of your visit," he said in German, with Emily translating at his side.

"Your Majesty, my conditions are very simple," Li Ling repeated.

Kaiser Wilhelm II pondered for a moment. "Is your technology really as advanced as you claim?"

"Your Majesty can send people to verify it," Li Ling smiled. "I can provide a finished Dreadnought for your country's experts to evaluate."

"Good!" Kaiser Wilhelm II made the decision. "If the technology is indeed advanced, I will agree to your conditions."

The two signed a letter of intent on the spot.

Back at the hotel, Emily hugged Li Ling excitedly. "We succeeded!"

"This is just the beginning," Li Ling smiled. "The real negotiations are still to come."

Over the next half month, Li Ling and the German Empire engaged in arduous negotiations.

In the end, the two sides reached an agreement:

First, Li Ling would sell two Dreadnoughts (downgraded versions) to the German Empire and provide a complete set of blueprints and technical support.

Second, the German Empire would provide Li Ling with five hundred engineers and skilled workers to help Li Ling build his industrial system.

Third, the German Empire promised not to sell weapons to Li Ling's enemies in future wars and to support Li Ling diplomatically.

Fourth, the betrothal between the German Princess and Li Ling was officially confirmed, with the wedding date set for after the founding of the country.

After the agreement was signed, Li Ling was in a great mood.

"System, see? I managed to get it done without relying on loans," he said proudly.

"[Host, don't forget that the essence of this transaction still relies on the System's technology. Without the System, what would you have to sell?]"

"...Can't you just let me be happy for a moment?"

"[The System is merely stating facts.]"

"Fine, fine, you're right." Li Ling rolled his eyes. "But this is quite a harvest. Five hundred engineers are enough for me to build several arsenals."

"[How does the Host plan to settle them?]"

"First, have them learn the System's production technology, and then gradually replace the personnel materialized by the System," Li Ling said. "This way, even if something goes wrong with the System in the future, I won't have to worry."

"[The System will not have problems.]"

"Just in case."