Chapter 54: The German Envoy (First Update, Seeking Collection)

  Meizhou and Shantou are adjacent to Chaozhou, once connected as one piece, naturally greatly expanding the living space of Mao Feng, but what is also needed is military support, in a chaotic world without military power, it's just an empty talk.

  Expanding the troops is also one of Mao's urgent needs, and many things must be opened up as soon as possible! Expanding the troops naturally requires money, weapons, and food.

  Money can be temporarily provided by local gentry, but weapons require some effort. Guns and ammunition can be bought with money in the short term, but what about the future? It's still best to produce your own, having your own gun factory is the safest bet.

  Mao Fengzhi is now dealing with this matter, and he met a special guest, accompanied by Yang Yongtai. Looking at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed foreigner in front of him, Mao Fengzhi didn't show any surprise. As a second-generation person, he had seen many foreigners before, and so had Yang Yongtai, who had also interacted with Westerners due to his experiences.

  What made Mao Feng feel at ease was that this foreigner was fluent in Chinese, and Mandarin came easily to him, so communication didn't become an obstacle. Mao Feng didn't understand any German.

  Ba Wei, as a German diplomat in China, has always been working hard. Since Germany's defeat in World War I, its international prestige had plummeted to an all-time low. Despite this, he still held on to the idea of not letting his motherland lose face and continued to work in China. However, the changing reality also made it difficult for him to take a step forward. Many business deals were snatched away by the British and Americans, and even the Japanese were ruthlessly plundering the former commercial resources. Qingdao and Jinan had already become Japan's pocket territories.

  The inherent seriousness and rigor of the German nation caused Bao Wei's work in China to progress extremely slowly, with the embassy's level being downgraded again and again, until it was just a liaison office. He knew that if his work could not be effectively carried out, this liaison office would probably not change anymore.

  Bao Wei is no stranger to Guangdong, which was once a hot topic in the country, along with the term "revolution". This place can be said to be one of the most open-minded regions in China, second only to Shanghai. Bao Wei had thought about entering this market, but Mr. Sun didn't have Germany on his mind at all. He valued the UK, France, the US and Japan, and as a loser, Germany had already disappeared from his heart.

  After receiving the news from Chaozhou, Bawei spent some effort to understand it, but the information he got was still quite vague. The details of Mao Feng's person were even more obscure, but Bawei decided to come anyway. The reason was simple: reality had already made things so difficult that if he didn't make a move, he would just be wasting his time. But if there was progress, it would be a breakthrough!

  The first time Bao Wei saw Mao Feng, he couldn't help but be shocked. He simply didn't dare to believe that someone so young could become a commander! It's unbelievable, if this were in Germany, he would probably still be a student at military school! Only in the East, in China, can such an unthinkable thing happen.

  His confidence was shaken at once, he thought that such a young man talking about important things seemed not so credible or reliable. However, as the conversation continued, he didn't even realize that he had already started discussing Germany's history, Germany's war history, and of course, the experience of World War I.

  After chatting with Mao Feng, Bawi finally came to his senses. He couldn't believe that such a young man was so well-versed in German history. This left him stunned and also gave rise to a huge liking for Mao Feng. In this difficult time, he could still find a friend from another country, and he believed that such a friend could become a friend of Germany.

  Maofeng had the intention of striking while the iron was hot, he immediately threw out his idea, he wanted to build an arsenal, of course, he also needed to build a steel mill, he needed skilled workers, needed training officers for the troops, and he also wanted to purchase German weapons, guns and even cannons!

  Bawi was naturally replaced by this surprise, but he quickly calmed down and suspected whether the young man had the financial resources to pay! Bawi also expressed his suspicions bluntly.

  "Mr. Bawi, your country currently has a large number of retired soldiers without jobs, many skilled workers are unemployed at home, and the military-industrial enterprises in your country are not doing very well. Moreover, your country urgently needs foreign trade to boost the economy! All these can be solved here. Here is Swatow, this port, I have tea, silk, and more importantly, there are job opportunities that need to be filled. My army needs your military personnel to serve as instructors, my soldiers need your elite weapons, and we also need your skilled technicians! There are too many things we need, our cooperation will be a win-win situation, no one will lose out! Mr. Bawi, can't you look to the future? I don't deny that I'm still young, but isn't this my capital?"

  Bao Wei furrowed his brow and lowered his head, not speaking. Looking at Bao Wei thinking, Mao Feng continued: "Now although I don't have a prominent position, but don't forget that I have the strength to stand in the Chao Mei Quan area, this will be my territory, even Mr. Sun can't! Isn't this a guarantee? This is the guarantee of my strength!"

  Ba Wei let out a low sigh, then raised his head and said in a very businesslike tone: "So what are the specific terms of your side? We can negotiate now!"

  Maofeng smiled in his heart, he knew that after saying so much, it was actually very simple. That is to say, I am clear about the German affairs, so don't try to deceive me. What Germany is like now is not you choosing me, but me choosing you! Without you Germans, I can still negotiate with England, France, America and Japan. This is the feeling he gave to Bavi.

  Bawi and Mao Feng had a heated debate in the next clause, with great controversy over several clauses that could not be agreed upon, but many clauses were also successfully negotiated.

  Finally, Mao Feng temporarily put it aside. He smiled at Bawei and said: "Now that night has fallen, I invite you to dinner! Let's continue tomorrow?"

  Bawi naturally agreed, he also needs to report back home, some terms can't be decided by himself! The host and guest were happy, a dinner party made Bawi very satisfied, and Bawi's personality was also understood by Mao Feng. Bawi is a straightforward person, not the kind of person who betrays trust. This can be seen from the fact that he eats with big mouthfuls at the dinner table without any scruples.

  The second day's negotiations went on as usual, and Bawi still hadn't received any news from home, but this didn't hinder his negotiations. He also wanted to try his best to make this negotiation a success, knowing that if it succeeded, it would bring huge profits to the country, which would inject great vitality into the national economy.

  However, progress remains slow, and the focus of both sides boils down to money. Mao Feng hopes to owe money first, offset by trade, and also involves the production line of weapons, which involves the introduction of technology and technical personnel. Bawi will naturally think that if Mao Feng is self-sufficient in terms of weapons, especially light weapons, it will no longer bring profits to his own country.

  The last one is the steel production line. The smelting technology needs to be introduced in its entirety. Mao Feng is very determined about this, while Ba Wei is helpless.

  Half an hour later, Bao Wei smiled bitterly and said: "General Mao, we are both men, let's be straightforward. How much money can you pay now?"

  Bawei is now very conflicted in his heart. On the one hand, he really wants to make this deal happen, but on the other hand, he sees Maofeng's greed, and without any money, he has already come up with such a large-scale plan, which simply takes himself and his country as a joke!

  Maofeng calmly said: "I can pay out one million taels, and then make effective repayment as both sides trade! Mr. Bawi, you don't understand military affairs, I won't deny that you are an excellent diplomat, but military equipment updates quickly, now you're so keen on the production line of Mauser rifles, what if new rifles emerge in the future? How much profit will be left for these Mauser rifles? Moreover, Mr. Bawi, don't you look down on my future? Have you ever thought about how many achievements I will have in the future? What if I can influence this country one day, will you still be entangled in today's tiny profits? You will only be proud of today because you are the first person to gain my personal friendship!"

  At this moment, Bawi's attendant rushed in and handed a note to Bawi after a slight bow. After reading it, Bawi's face changed greatly, he muttered something in German, although Maofeng didn't understand German, but from Bawi's expression, he could tell that he was extremely angry.

  Mao Feng suddenly understood the news from Germany, and it wouldn't have any impact on his own business. If the deal wasn't successful, there was no need for Bavi to be so furious. So, something must have happened in Germany again!

  Maofeng immediately started thinking and quickly recalled what would happen in Germany during this period. Before long, Maofeng's eyes lit up!

  Barwy was extremely indignant, he is a diplomat, and at the same time he is a very patriotic person, he is a very pure German. At this moment he suddenly heard Mao Feng's speech.

  "Has England and France occupied the Ruhr industrial area of your country?"

  Ba Wei was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "How did you know?" After speaking, he himself knew that he had lost his composure. Wasn't this equivalent to admitting that Mao Feng's words were not false?

  "It's not hard to understand, to be honest I've been studying your country, although it has recovered a lot of its original energy, but it can't be denied that the current strength of England and France is still far higher than yours! Moreover, there is also a big country like the Soviet Union next to you! Is this what England and France are doing because your country refused to pay for coal?"

  Every word and sentence of Mao Feng's words was heard by Bawei's ears, and even more so in his heart.