Chapter 68: The Great Pre-War Transaction Without Worries

  In front of a humble conference table, Traun, dressed in a tailcoat with a small mustache, didn't even glance at the red wine and fruit on the table that Zhang Wenhua had somehow produced. He pulled out paper and pen from his pocket, then took out a confidential telegram from his bag and exchanged a few words with the translator and military officer beside him. Suddenly, he waved his hand, and the four German sailors who had been ordered to protect him immediately began driving away the soldiers of the guard company.

  Strict, arrogant.

  Typical German guy!

  "It doesn't matter, go outside and guard the place. No one is allowed to enter within a five-meter radius of the conference room." Yang Qiu waved his hand to let Lei Meng and the soldiers who were unwilling to leave exit first, leaving only Zhang Wenjing inside the house.

  Unlike the active party members, Zhang Wenjing had also briefly studied in Japan, but for the first time sat down face-to-face with a European ambassador to China. He couldn't help feeling a bit nervous, whereas Yang Qiu still maintained his usual demeanor, smiling as he placed his clasped hands on the table and watched Traun make preparations. It wasn't until the German sailor brought in the door that Traun glanced at the package beside him: "Commander, before we begin tonight's meeting, I'd like to ask one thing."

  As it was a serious matter, even if Yang Qiu could understand German, the German translator solemnly repeated it in Chinese, before Traun continued: "Today my soldiers came back and told me that your troops used a large number of our country's Maxim machine guns and field artillery during the daytime battle. May I ask where you purchased them from?"

  From the moment he started using the equipment, Yang Qiu knew that Shen Shukai's matter couldn't be hidden from Germany, so he said bluntly: "Shanghai."

  Traun was satisfied with Yang Qiu's frankness, which was also a prerequisite for continuing, because the Shanghai Consul General had already told him what that transaction brought to Germany, the data of the new sharp main cannon of archenemy France and the unexpectedly surprising submarine ventilation pipe, making the highest command headquarters inquire about the trader's background by telegram. It is said that His Majesty Wilhelm even praised a few words, so if there was no first time in Shanghai, he would not believe this young man who rose mysteriously overnight at all.

  "Actually... I should thank Germany for their help."

  No.

  Yang Qiu was about to flatter a bit more when Traun, being strict, immediately interrupted him: "That time was just business and does not represent our country's stance."

  "I didn't expect you to react so quickly," Yang Qiu said, putting away his thoughts of pulling a fast one. "Shall we continue with the business then? Are you satisfied with the materials provided earlier?"

  "Unexpected." Trauen didn't say anything else and simply returned to the topic: "I'd like to take a look at the materials first."

  Yang Qiu took out a stack of drawings from his bag and pushed them in front of Wu Guan, who immediately picked up the telegram and magnifying glass to examine the details. Except for the occasional rustling of pages every few minutes, the conference room fell silent, with even Zhang Wenjing waiting for the results, and Yang Qiu could see a water stain on Trauen's shirt collar. After finally finishing examining the drawings, Wu Guan whispered something in Trauen's ear, and although Yang Qiu couldn't hear clearly, the flash of surprise in his yellow eyes made him breathe a sigh of relief.

  "Commander, forgive me for speaking bluntly, if it's just these..." Trauen pushed the drawings in front of Yang Qiu: "I can give you a Maxim machine gun."

  "Thank you, sir. Do you think that's all there is to it?" Yang Qiu smiled and put away the drawings: "This place will soon become a war zone, I'm not willing to leave so many things here."

  Although Zhang Wenjing didn't understand what important thing in the riddle could make the German consul come out personally, and was so careful, he also heard that Yang Qiu was telling the other party that it was impossible to get these things by other means.

  For this cautious Traun, there was no surprise, after all, in the previous Shanghai transaction, the other party also brought out all the materials until the end, so he immediately asked: "Commander, how much does it take to buy all the materials?"

  How much? This question really stumped Yang Qiu.

  The data on the guns of Britain's six main battleships and battlecruisers, including armor-piercing shells, armor distribution, compartment layout, and power configuration, is worth a fortune to Germany, which is currently competing with Britain in shipbuilding. With this information, Germany can grasp the weaknesses of the British Royal Navy and conduct targeted combat drills and deployments. Not to mention the 380mm super battleship gun that once caused headaches for both Britain and Germany until it was finally conquered at the end of 1913. With this data, Germany can build a super battleship with 380mm guns even earlier than Britain.

  Moreover, he knew in his heart that this might be the last time such a large-scale sale of records from the data machine could be exchanged for benefits. After all, what's left afterwards would be either the Hu De-class data that even plans couldn't make up for, or those from World War I and II periods. The Germans aren't easy to deal with; they killed people like flies during the Boxer Rebellion year, and selling them now might lead to trouble if things go awry in the future.

  "So, after some thought, I decided to be frank with the ambassador and said: 'Your Excellency, the value of these things is actually beyond our estimation, but I think your navy will certainly know that in my opinion it can not only help your navy strike future enemies more accurately and reduce its own casualties, but also develop faster than the other side. To be honest with you, this kind of cannon has been secretly developed by Britain, and they have deliberately publicized a reduced caliber of one inch to the outside world. If it weren't for my friend who escaped with these things, which slowed down the development speed, perhaps it would have appeared in the North Sea next year! So... I think it's worth at least two battleships!"

  "No, we will never let the Far East sell any heavy warships." Traun sprang up.

  He was very clear that even if Yang Qiu left behind some data, with China's current industrial capabilities, it would take at least ten years to build these things, let alone now when the country is on the brink of civil war and cannot concentrate all national resources. If they really fall into internal strife, maybe twenty years will not be enough!

  But if two finished battleships were sold over, it would be a different story, and politically, it would also raise suspicions and speculations that Germany was fully supporting Yang Qiu.

  Germany needs the technology, but would never be willing to see a super fleet emerge in the Far East. The British watchdog already stationed in the Far East has left Germany deeply dissatisfied. If two more battleships are sold to this young man, it will become even more chaotic here and German interests cannot be guaranteed. So he bluntly refused: "If you insist on this condition, I think... my country is willing to use other means to achieve its goals."

  This remark was almost threatening, and Zhang Wenjing also felt a bit tense. With the war imminent, if Germany leaned slightly towards the North or used its naval vessels to heavily bomb Hankou and Hanyang, it's likely that the Right Route Army would face annihilation before it could fully form. So he hastily looked at Yang Qiu with his eyes.

  But Yang Qiu's face was relaxed, seemingly not hearing Traun's threat, and smiled: "Your Excellency, even if you gave me two battleships, do you think I could afford to maintain them and find enough sailors? Besides, this is the Yangtze River, where a battleship is worth less than a torpedo boat."

  "So what you're saying is..."

  "Cost!"

  Traun's buttocks had not yet touched the chair when he heard that two battleships were to be built, and he almost jumped up again; even at the lowest price of the first dreadnoughts, that would be 400 pounds sterling, 80 million marks!

  Zhang Wenjing, who was sitting next to him, was also shocked by the price. Although he didn't know how much a battleship cost, the two ships of the Beiyang Fleet, Zhenyuan and Dingyuan, had only cost around 60 million marks in total back then. Twenty years had passed since then, and ships were getting bigger and more powerful, with cannons that packed even more punch! How much would two such ships cost?!

  This is impossible!

  "Five hundred thousand marks, this is our bottom line." After a moment of shock, Traun sat back down calmly.

  Zhang Wenjing was shocked by the quote, 50 million marks may not be a lot but it's enough to do many things! On the other hand, Yang Qiu was not in a hurry, without mentioning that grasping the weaknesses of all British main battleships and battlecruisers is equivalent to holding the heart of the British Navy, which is worth this price. Just being able to directly build 380mm naval guns according to the blueprint, without even needing to modify them, can save Germany tens of millions in research costs! So seeing the other party staring at him, he also took out a list that had been prepared long ago: "How about this, subtract 10 million, but your country must provide me with these things."

  Traun's expression didn't change as he took the list and read it carefully, but his brow furrowed immediately after. This was a procurement list for industrial machinery and equipment, all of which were complete sets of rifles, bullets, and cannons production lines. In addition, there were 3 500-ton and 2 1000-ton hydraulic presses, as well as nearly a thousand other industrial machine tools, plus a set of synthetic ammonia manufacturing equipment. Finally, there were four 150 kW hydroelectric generators, with a total value of approximately ￡700,000, equivalent to about 7 million silver dollars, almost equal to the value of two current Hanyang Arsenal factories.

  He, who had been in China for many years, suddenly took control of Hankou and Hanyang from Yang Qiu, and even declared himself commander. It was clear that he would reorganize the arsenal. This country has too many ambitious people, so it was expected that if he could establish a foothold here, he would purchase new machinery and equipment. There were also considerations to contact him after the war to take over this big business. However, it didn't occur to them that they would be going to war soon. He didn't ask for large quantities of military supplies but instead purchased machine tools and equipment. Doesn't he worry about failure at all?

  It seems that Traun has sensed Yang Qiu's thoughts, and he slapped his forehead: "The battle is about to start, our right route army also needs to replenish its ammunition, so I need 20,000 rifles, 100 Maxim machine guns, 50 million rounds of ammunition, and 36 75mm field artillery. I can pay cash for these, but they must be delivered within ten days."

  "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't have that many arms and selling them to both warring parties would also be against international law."

  "Is that so?" Yang Qiu's eyes flickered towards Traun, and he said without hesitation: "I must get the rifles and bullets, otherwise I'd rather burn all these things to ashes. I don't need them anyway! So I can give you some time to think it over. We'll continue in three days, how about that?"

  Something tonight was really unexpected for Traun, especially the appearance of something in the Far East that made the German Navy, no! The German Emperor himself drool with envy. It's really too surprising, so he indeed needs to communicate with Shanghai and domestically, but after putting down his pen, he suddenly asked: "Commander, we understand that you want to purchase new machines for the arsenal, but why did you choose this time?"

  "Your Excellency, I have a suggestion." Yang Qiu didn't respond, pulled out a check for 3 million and smiled: "I'll pay the 3 million first, then your country can collect all the goods on the list within a month. As long as they're the latest models, or at least 80% new second-hand machines, I can accept them. With travel time, it will take at most two months to arrive in Shanghai. At that time, regardless of whether there is still war here or who controls Hubei, as long as I'm still alive, we'll make the transaction immediately. Even if I die in battle, this money will serve as your country's transportation fee. What do you think?"

  "Aren't you afraid I'll take your money and not deliver?" Traun was hearing about this kind of transaction for the first time.

  "I'm a man of my word, just like you!" Yang Qiu said with a flick of his hat, but in his heart, he was already sweating bullets. Although it was just some data, the blueprints for the 15-inch naval guns alone numbered in the thousands, not to mention the armor and compartmentalization documents. He had planned on making a big profit from this deal, but there was still so much more! Now he wouldn't even have time to sleep... (BUG: actually, all these documents would fill several trucks, but please forgive me for the sake of the protagonist's growth.)

  Traun left quickly, but didn't take the $300,000 check. He promised that if an agreement was reached, he would make a quick transaction according to Yang Qiu's method, which made Zhang Wenjing very surprised and asked: "Commander, why are you in such a hurry? Our current situation..."

  "I understand what you mean, the Northern Expedition's massive invasion of our borders, and all these things we've bought with blood will be nothing but illusions, right? I'm telling you, although we're deeply mired in this war that's about to start, it will drag us down until we're exhausted, like a huge whirlpool or quagmire! Our bodies can't pull themselves out, but our vision must transcend the war! And...I firmly believe! I won't fail...and I absolutely won't allow failure!"

  This is indeed Yang Qiu's inner voice, and what he lacks most right now is time! According to historical records, two months later the Battle of Yangxia and the North-South peace talks will basically come to an end. Even if it can be slightly delayed, it cannot stop this overall situation. Therefore, a central government will definitely emerge, no matter how much everyone scoffs at it. After all, it is nominally a central government, especially after Yuan Shikai's rise to power and the large-scale borrowing of money for post-war reconstruction, which will allow Beiyang to expand several times rapidly! So, we must take advantage of the time before he takes office, when the Tianjin-Pukou railway line has also tied up too much of his energy, to quickly capture enough territory. Only in this way can we establish ourselves in an invincible position before all forces have recovered from their shock. Otherwise, he will be eager to start his northern campaign and will not let Song Ziqing take down Chongqing and Guang'an.

  After listening to the half-true and half-false explanation, Zhang Wenjing understood that Yang Qiu wanted to rise rapidly with the most swift and violent means, just like his current military deployment. Speed is precious! However... Zhang Wenjing secretly glanced at him, how far did his heart really go? Did he want to sit in that position? If not, after the birth of the new country, what would happen to the current Right Route Army?