Chapter 102

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Wu Tiecheng threw out an order for 350,000 Type 13 Rifles as a bargaining chip to win over Zhang Shaoshuai; in Lv Muzhi's view, this was obviously very tempting.

Lv Muzhi now sits on a large amount of funds; why not add a few more fires?

"Gentlemen, I come at the Principal's command to inspect Fengtian's industrial construction. On this trip, I must say, Fengtian's industry, especially its military industry, is the bright pearl of our Xia Guo's industry; Governor Wu has placed an order for 350,000 rifles on behalf of the Central Government. May I also place an order?"

Wu Tiecheng was stunned. The Principal seemed to have given only him the authority to use Central Government funds. If Lv Muzhi wanted to buy, shouldn't he discuss it with him first?

"Oh?" Fengtian Province Governor was already rubbing his hands excitedly: "General Lu, please speak. As long as it is within our capabilities, our three northeastern provinces can satisfy it."

"I don't want to buy guns and cannons. How about buying equipment on the production line?"

Hearing this, Wu Tiecheng subtly tugged at Lv Muzhi's sleeve and lowered his voice: "Muzi, speak with caution. Procuring military equipment is a matter of state importance, and budgets are fixed. Where will the funds for this sudden idea to buy a production line come from? How will you explain it to the Principal?"

Lv Muzhi said softly: "Governor Wu, rest assured. I will claim these funds myself; no need for the Central Government to spend money. Also, I think Young Marshal will be willing to see us soon."

Then he looked at the Fengtian Province Governor: "Mr. Governor, guns and cannons will eventually be exhausted, but the machine tools that can make guns and cannons are the true foundation of a nation."

"I wish to order a complete artillery production line from your arsenal, including all necessary machine tools and technical drawings. As long as the price is reasonable, Lv Mou will not haggle."

The Fengtian Province Governor was completely stunned, and the Arsenal Director was also very surprised. He oversaw the weapon production and sales of the Fengtian Arsenal and had seen great storms, but such an abrupt and huge order was unheard of.

The Fengtian Province Governor knew this matter far exceeded his authority. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "General Lu's ambition is admirable! But this matter is of great importance; I must immediately report to Young Marshal and ask him to decide."

The Governor of Fengtian Province knew this matter was far beyond his authority to decide, and hurriedly cupped his hands, saying: "General Lu's ambition is truly admirable! But this matter is of great importance; I must immediately report to the Young Marshal and ask him to make the decision."

Lv Muzhi looked at Zhu Sanxiang and said softly: "A flood has occurred in Huai De in the Northeast. Mrs. Marshal is holding a charity sale for disaster relief. You go attend and buy everything they auction off to support the relief efforts led by our side. Also, send a telegram to our father telling him to prepare the money; I will pay him back later."

Lv Muzhi looked toward Zhu Sanxiang and whispered: "Huai De in the Northeast has suffered a flood; Mrs. Marshal is currently holding a charity sale for disaster relief. You go attend it, buy up everything they auction off to support the disaster relief activities of the troops, and also send a telegram to our father telling him to prepare the money—I will repay him later."

Wu Tiecheng nodded, thinking this was also a good opportunity to win over Young Marshal, so he also sent his wife to attend the charity sale.

After about half an hour, the Young Marshal's personal attendant who had left in a hurry returned and said respectfully: "Young Marshal invites Governor Wu and General Lu to the Marshal's Mansion for a talk."

Wu Tiecheng was overjoyed. He originally thought Young Marshal would find every way to shirk the meeting, but unexpectedly he met Young Marshal right away. Lv Muzhi's grand gesture directly knocked open the doors of the Marshal's Mansion.

This opportunity to meet was truly smashed open with mountains of gold!

The group arrived at Young Marshal's Mansion and was directly led to the Inner Hall this time.

Inside the hall, a young man wearing a military uniform, with a somewhat thin and haggard face, sat in the Main Seat. He was the new generation Northeast King, Zhang Hanqing.

"Both of you, please sit." Zhang Shaoshuai waved off the miscellaneous people, leaving only his confidant attendants.

"Hanqing, long time no see." Wu Tiecheng exchanged pleasantries first.

Zhang Shaoshuai smiled: "Thanks to the Principal's blessing, everything is well in the Northeast."

Wu Tiecheng sat up straight: "Hanqing, the war in the Central Plains is urgent, and ammunition is severely lacking at the front. The required order volume is huge. Based on the principle that fat water should not flow into outsiders' fields, the Principal thought of you first, which is why he arranged for me to come to the Northeast to order weapons."

"The Principal is indeed generous, placing an order for 350,000 rifles at once. However, this General Lu by your side is even more generous. He wants to buy my 75mm Mountain Gun production line at once?"

Zhang Shaoshuai stared at Lv Muzhi, and Lv Muzhi nodded with a smile.

"Do you know how much a 75mm Mountain Gun production line is worth?" Zhang Xueliang leaned forward slightly and asked.

"Please name your price, Young Marshal."

"I don't understand why you want to buy from me? With that money, wouldn't it be better to go to Britain, France, Germany, America, Japan, and other countries?" Zhang Shaoshuai crossed his legs.

"Just as the Principal said, fat water should not flow into outsiders' fields."

"Putting it that way, the Fengtian Arsenal's production line has been used for seven or eight years since its establishment. If I sell it to you at a brand-new price, would you be willing to buy?" Zhang Shaoshuai said, turning back to stare at Wu Tiecheng.

Wu Tiecheng could not make this decision and could only lower his head in silence. The funds given by the Principal were obviously not enough for him to do such a thing.

"I am willing to buy!" Lv Muzhi said.

"Who do you represent in buying?"

"I represent the Country."

"Heh~ I know you. My friends in America told me that you, together with the great clans in the country, shorted the US stock market. Are you really willing to spend the money you earned on this so-called Country?"

"What's wrong with that? I also proposed a plan to the Principal: a plan to revitalize Northeast industry."

Zhang Shaoshuai crossed his arms over his chest, wanting to hear how Lv Muzhi would try to deceive him.

"The conditions for developing industry in the Northeast are exceptionally favorable. My meaning is to upgrade the existing industry in the Northeast, especially the arsenals. The Pacific Fund will provide the money to replace all the equipment in this Fengtian Arsenal with advanced American equipment."

"Replace with new ones? Is this Pacific Fund your earnings from America?"

"Exactly. The earnings within are enough to recreate several Northeast Armies. I use the revitalization of Northeast industry as a condition to exchange for Young Marshal sending troops to the Central Plains to end the Central Plains War. How about it?"

Young Marshal scratched his head: "You want not a single cent, give me the new machines, and what about the old ones?"

"Remove the old ones and relocate them to the Inland. Coincidentally, our Inland also lacks machines. Industry is the backbone of a country. Young Marshal has always been a supporter of unification. After ending the Central Plains War, this backbone of industry will rest on Young Marshal's shoulders."

Wu Tiecheng also jumped in: "Yes, Hanqing. Let this Central Plains War become the last warlord war of Xia Guo. As long as you are willing to send troops, you will surely be remembered in history."

Zhang Shaoshuai propped both hands on his knees. He did not expect that Lv Muzhi before him was actually willing to pay such a huge price in exchange for his sending troops to the Central Plains. This price was far more than what the Jinsui Army and Northwest Army offered.

Moreover, Lv Muzhi now had a Pacific Foundation behind him. He only knew that the money inside was an astronomical figure. If it were truly as Lv Muzhi promised, using the Foundation's money to upgrade Northeast industry and arm the army, avenging Old Marshal was not impossible!

The Japanese were powerful. Zhang Shaoshuai needed to rely on a truly big tree. If he could attach himself to the Americans, it would also be a good thing.

Zhang Shaoshuai had also investigated Lv Muzhi's background. It was said that the Zhu Family behind him had a tendency to become the Fifth Great Family, and the Zhu Family's wealth had a momentum of surpassing other families.

Mainly because the Zhu Family's connections in America were complex. Zhang Shaoshuai asked friends to inquire, but they simply could not figure it out.

"I am indeed willing to end the state of division. To be honest, General Lu's plan to revitalize Northeast industry is also very tempting. But is this a blank check?" Zhang Shaoshuai asked cautiously.

"No need to worry. The matter of revitalizing Northeast industry can be discussed slowly. I still want to ask Young Marshal to send troops first. How about this: I personally give Young Marshal a deposit of one million US dollars. If Young Marshal sends troops and does not see the so-called Northeast industry revitalization plan, this one million dollars will be regarded as a gift to Young Marshal."

Zhang Shaoshuai widened his eyes. This Lv Muzhi really spent money like water. He spent a million at once, and in US dollars at that. Even though he was the Northeast King, he did not dare to be so extravagant.

"Hahaha, refreshing! Since Wei Yue has said this, what else is there to say? Go back and report to the Principal. Hanqing absolutely puts national unification first. Three hundred thousand Northeast Army troops will absolutely stand behind the Principal!"

"Haha, refreshing! Since Wei Yue has said as much, what more is there to say? Go back and report to the Principal without hesitation—Hanqing absolutely puts national unification first, and the Three Hundred Thousand Northeast Army absolutely stands behind the Principal!"

Zhang Shaoshuai stood up and shook hands with Lv Muzhi: "I'm three years older than you, so calling you 'little brother' isn't excessive, is it, Brother Wei Yue? I recognize you as my brother!"

"Of course it's not excessive. Only after I returned to the country did I learn that my ancestors were also Northeasterners. Now that kin is added to kin, it is Muzi's fortune."

"Wei Yue, do you still want to buy my Mountain Gun Production Line?" Zhang Shaoshuai asked.

"Uh... not for now. Let's discuss it in detail after we update the Northeast industry equipment."