Chapter 20: Additional Order?

Wei Lian Er Shi raised his hand to hush the discussion: "Quiet." He looked at Tirpitz, "Do you think it's worth it?"

Tirpitz thought for a few seconds and gave a professional assessment: "From a purely military standpoint, it's worth it. The Westphalia‑class performance has already been verified; the improved version will only be stronger. Moreover, what we gain is not just the ship, but also the training system—our sailors' three‑month training in the Persian Gulf is worth no less than the warship itself."

"But technology transfer…" Bo En Ha De·Feng·Bi Luo Bo Jie, the Foreign Minister, began, "If the Chinese acquire our core military‑industrial technology, they could become a future competitor."

"They already are," Tirpitz said calmly, "The difference is that they are now choosing to cooperate with us. If we refuse, they may look for other buyers—Faguo, Russia, or even Yingguo."

The last two words silenced the table completely.

Wei Lian Er Shi's fingers tapped his goblet: "Will the Yingguo buy a warship from the Chinese?"

"Under normal circumstances, no," Tirpitz analyzed, "But if we press too hard and make the Yingguo feel desperate, they might set aside their pride and take a pragmatic stance. After all, when faced with a technological edge, face is secondary."

The emperor fell into thought. After a long pause, he asked, "That Chen Feng, what does he actually want? Money? Technology? Or something else?"

"According to our personnel's observations, he wants three things," Tirpitz, clearly well‑prepared, said. "First, industrial capability. He is building a complete industrial base in the Persian Gulf, needing machine tools, steel‑making equipment, and chemical installations. Second, international recognition. He claims to be the representative of the Lanfang Republic and hopes to obtain de facto diplomatic recognition from the great powers. Third…" He paused, "Security. His three hundred thousand Chinese immigrants need a safe homeland, and the Persian Gulf is currently a power vacuum."

"So he's using the warship to trade for living space," Wei Lian Er Shi understood, "Very clever. Knowing he can't protect his wealth on his own, he drags a great power into the water to create a binding of interests."

"Exactly so, Your Majesty."

The emperor surveyed the table: "Gentlemen, vote. Raise your hand if you agree to accept the Chinese terms and sign the new order."

A Er Fu Lei De·Feng·Shi Li Fen Bo Jie, the Army Chief of Staff, was the first to raise his hand: "I agree. A strong navy can check Yingguo and create opportunities for the Army's Schlieffen plan."

Ke Lu Bo, the chairman, raised his hand: "I agree. The Chinese order can sustain our shipyards and armament factories, and the gold payment can ease fiscal pressure."

One by one, hands were raised.

In the end, only Finance Minister Hei Er Te Lin and Foreign Minister Bi Luo had not yet expressed a stance.

"August?" Wei Lian Er Shi looked at the finance minister.

Hei Er Te Lin gave a wry smile: "Your Majesty, from a fiscal viewpoint, this is a disaster. But we have no choice, do we?"

"If we want to win the naval race, there is none," the emperor said frankly.

Hei Er Te Lin slowly raised his hand.

Everyone looked at Bi Luo Bo Jie. The experienced diplomat spoke last:

"I agree to sign the order. But I propose additional conditions: First, technology transfer must be phased to ensure we always stay a generation ahead; second, require the Chinese to commit that warships of the same class will not be sold to Yingguo, Faguo, or Russia; third…" He looked at the emperor, "We should dispatch a formal diplomatic mission to the Persian Gulf to establish official relations with this Lanfang Republic."

Wei Lian Er Shi raised an eyebrow: "Official relations? Recognize them?"

"Not legal recognition, but factual contact," Bi Luo explained, "Establish a consular‑level institution, sign trade agreements, provide military advisers. If we don't take this spot, the French, the Americans, or even the Japanese may go. That location… I studied the maps; it's on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, near the Hormuz Strait. The strategic position is important."

Tirpitz added, "And there may be oil. Geologists report that the coastal geology of the Persian Gulf resembles that of western Persia, where huge oil fields have already been discovered."

The atmosphere at the table changed. What began as a simple arms‑purchase discussion turned into a geopolitical strategic consideration.

Wei Lian Er Shi's eyes lit up: "Oil… if there truly are fields there, and we have allies there…"

"Not allies, Your Majesty," Bi Luo corrected, "But partners. A partner who seeks our assistance."

The emperor laughed loudly: "Good! Tirpitz, inform the Chinese that we basically accept the terms. Your negotiation team will finalize the details. Bi Luo, prepare the mission; depart next month. I want our eyes and ears beside that Chen Feng."

He raised his cup again: "Gentlemen, a toast to the foresight of the German Empire! A toast to our friends in the East!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

The banquet resumed its clamor, but Tirpitz noticed a hint of a complex expression behind the emperor's smile that he could not read.

During the servants' wine‑pouring interval, Tirpitz whispered, "Your Majesty, you seem to have further reservations?"

Wei Lian Er Shi suppressed his smile, his voice low enough for only two to hear: "A Er Fu Lei Te, you say… are we exploiting that Chinese, or is he exploiting us?"

Tirpitz was silent for a moment, then gave the most honest answer: "Your Majesty, in international politics, as long as both sides get what they want, who exploits whom is irrelevant. What matters is that we gain more than we lose."

"But if one day what he wants conflicts with us, what then?"

"Then it depends on whose sword is sharper," Tirpitz said calmly, "And at least for the next ten years, the German sword will be longer than his."

Wei Lian Er Shi stared at the swirling red liquid in his goblet, murmuring:

"Hope so, A Er Fu Lei Te. Hope so."

London, MI6 headquarters basement

A heavy tobacco smell filled the cramped room. Six men gathered around a long table piled with documents, each with bloodshot eyes.

MI6 Director Sir Wei Lian Mei Er Wei Er Jue Shi tapped the table: "Gentlemen, twenty‑four hours have passed. Any progress?"

Colonel Huo Er of Naval Intelligence spoke first: "We have surveyed all major German shipyards: Kiel, Wilhelm Port, Hamburg, and Danzig. In the past three years, no shipyard has any record of building a twenty‑thousand‑ton warship. All large docks are constructing known vessels, and the workforce has not increased unusually."

"What about steel?" Mei Er Wei Er asked, "Building six of these ships requires at least one hundred thousand tons of special steel. Have we checked the production records of Ke Lu Bo, Di Sen, those steel giants?"

"Checked," another intelligence officer replied, "Germany's special steel output last year rose fifteen percent over the previous year, but the increase mainly went to railway construction and civilian shipbuilding. No signs of a concentration toward a secret shipbuilding project were found."

"Boilers and engines? Parsons steam turbines are a British patent; the Germans need a license."

"Parsons' authorized German manufacturer is Fu Er Keng Shipyard," Huo Er flipped through documents, "In the past three years they produced twenty‑two sets of large steam turbines, all used for known warships and liners. No excess capacity."

The room fell into a depressing silence.