Chapter 31: A Certain Karl from Austria (Part 2)

  In this world, there are many national powers that can swallow up these military supplies. England, France, Germany, the United States, Italy, Japan and Russia all have the strength, but without mentioning the strong power of these countries, the equipment of weapons and ammunition is not much different from that of Austria-Hungary, and some performance is even better. Apart from this, there are only four powers left: the Balkan states, the Ottoman Turkish Empire, the Latin American states, and the Qing dynasty!

  The whole world has only four countries, powers that can completely swallow this batch of huge old-fashioned military supplies. Unfortunately, the Balkans are too chaotic, and neither Britain nor France, Germany, Russia, or even Italy would allow the Empire to pour such a large amount of military supplies here. In addition, the Austro-Hungarian Empire also covets this place, so it will not seek trouble for itself for a small profit. So, the Balkans are ruled out.

  Let's not mention the Ottoman Turkish Empire, just think about how many battles the two countries have fought hundreds of years ago, and the hatred between them cannot be washed away. Don't look at the occasional tacit cooperation between the two countries to deal with Russia, similarly, the empire has also fought many battles with the two countries. It is even more impossible to sell weapons to one's own enemy.

  Latin America is hopeless, not to mention that many countries there have already completed their initial industrial transformation and have the ability to manufacture weapons. However, looking at the US, which is like a watchdog that doesn't let strangers get close, and Germany, which barely squeezed in, it's clear that the empire's products can't compete with those of these two countries. After eliminating these options, the only remaining target is the last one - Manchu!

  The Qing is a very strange country, how to say it, they once had the largest, most fertile and best territory in the world, but they didn't have any ambition, and an ancient big country with a population of hundreds of millions was actually conquered again by a barbarian nation with a population of less than one million, and has been ruled until now. As for selling weapons to China, the imperial military is undoubtedly very satisfied, this is the best target in the world, and also their most desired buyer, look at Russia, half a century ago, it was cut off from its body piece by piece, those fat and tender flesh, not just one or two million square kilometers, but hundreds of millions of square kilometers of territory, almost as large as the entire European continent, but this big empire didn't even dare to mention a protest, let alone resist!

  Although the empire envies those rich territories, it does not intend to invade them. Moreover, the Allied Powers and its allies will not sit idly by while it expands in the Far East. Therefore, it can only engage in ordinary "business" transactions. And this country is still so "rich", I heard that they are currently reorganizing their new army at home, and the amount of military supplies needed is astronomical. It's exactly the empire's ideal trading partner!

  Unfortunately, they calculated everything but made one mistake: at this critical moment, the five-nation consortium seized the share of the Chinese arms market that originally belonged to the Empire and other small countries such as the United States and Belgium. After deducting the Qing government's large purchase, they could only hope to make a fortune from those rebellious gang members who intended to betray.

  "I detest those odious rebels, you know, the Davises; they are always so poor, poor enough to not even have money to buy arms!"

  When it comes to the party, Karl's face is slightly unpleasant, and he and his family are standard royal families of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even if he is wise, he knows that only by preserving the monarchy can they maintain their basic rights. The empire is actually similar to Russia in some ways, both countries have nobles who own large tracts of land and are semi-feudal landlords, naturally hostile to this standard anarchist bourgeois revolution!

  "Who says it isn't, sir!"

  Davis replied with a tinge of regret, "We had dealings with some revolutionaries before. We had high hopes for the Revolutionary Party and thought that with the intensifying domestic turmoil in Manchu Qing over the past two years, we could dispose of our stockpiled weapons worth nearly 10 million Reichsmarks. With the money in hand, the Imperial Army could then develop more advanced equipment."

  It seems that the two of them had obviously overlooked one problem, which was whether the revolutionaries had any money or not. As a result, after several contacts, both of them were extremely disappointed in their hearts. They actually wanted to borrow several hundred old-fashioned rifles, what a bunch of poor devils!

  Karl's face was not pleasant. "If it weren't for the five countries of England, Japan, Germany, France and Russia who got ahead of us and signed an arms sales agreement with the Qing government, cutting off our way, humph! Compared to these poor devils, I'd rather do business with the wealthy and powerful Qing government!"

  "Haha!" Davis smiled silently, and the room fell into a temporary silence...

  "Ding ding ding ding~~~~"

  The silence in the house did not last long, and soon there was a knock at the door. "Sir, some Chinese gentlemen have come to the firm, but they need some special goods, so would you like to go over and take a look?"

  Mr. China is Karl's nickname for poor and penniless revolutionaries, with a strong sarcastic tone.

  "Is it them again? Are they still going to bother me with this price issue?"

  Karl furrowed his brow, and the image of a revolutionary named 'Sun Wu' whom he had dealt with several times before involuntarily flashed into his mind. He glanced at Davis, who nodded slightly, and Karl asked the servant reluctantly, "Is it still that Chinese gentleman from before?"

  Before he could answer, he turned to Davis and said, "Davis, you know, I'm finding it more and more distasteful to communicate with these Chinese gentlemen. It's just a one-time meeting!"

  Carl smoothed his attire and began to complain impatiently to Davis, "Compared to them, I'd rather spend an evening at the most detestable aristocratic gathering of my past, even dancing a few dances with Princess Zita of Parma, whom Father had intended for me. It's clear that this afternoon is going to be completely wasted!"

  Princess Zita was the political marriage arranged by his father, although she was a beauty, but it was clear that Karl preferred his Dutch cousin, Princess Ansfrida, so except for formal royal banquets, he rarely appeared with her. The family originally planned to hold their wedding in mid-October, but Karl had previously heard rumors from his grandfather, Grand Duke Karl Ludwig, and made the decision to go east, with the purpose of delaying the marriage.

  The servant who came to report the news had obviously received a good education, and with just a few simple words, he was able to clearly express what he wanted to say!

  Davis smiled but didn't answer, nodded to him and retreated to the side, standing silently. His eyes indicated that he should pay attention to the servant's expression, apparently wanting to speak, but seeing Karl talking to Davis again, he endured several times!

  After seeing Karl's gesture, the servant finally let out a sigh of relief and said "No... it's not them, sir. This time there are several new people, including one who can speak English fluently with me, and even previously he picked up a bit of German accent from my tone and asked me how I was doing in German..."

  "Oh?"

  Karl showed a bit of interest, but still not much, and waved his hand for him to bring people over!

  "Perhaps this will be a wise decision, sir!"

  Davis, who had retreated to one side, suddenly said a sentence after the servant left!

  Karl furrowed his brow and straightened out his clothes, "Hopefully..."

  The two people inside obviously both heard it, a burst of footsteps on the stairs!

  "Ding ding..."

  There was a soft knock at the door, "Sir, someone has arrived for you..."

  "Please let them in..."

  It is...