Chapter 288: Lanfang Goods—Very Expensive!

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Feng said, "The total weight is only 1.9 tons, it can be towed by horses or by truck. The range is 10.6 km, about two kilometers farther than your army's current same‑caliber artillery."

Xiao Maoqi raised an eyebrow: "Has the range data been verified?"

"At our Borneo test range, using the same altitude and weather conditions for simulation, we conducted forty‑seven live‑fire shots." Chen Feng answered calmly, "Average range 10.58 km, dispersion radius within acceptable limits."

William II set down his telescope and turned to Chen Feng: "Why 105 mm? Not 75, not 150?"

"Because this is the optimal balance point, Your Majesty." Chen Feng said, "A 75 mm gun lacks power, limited against solid fortifications. A 150 mm gun is powerful but too heavy, with poor mobility. A 105 mm gun achieves the best balance among firepower, range, and mobility—enough to destroy most field works, suppress enemy artillery, and keep pace with infantry for rapid advance."

He paused, then added: "Moreover, a 105 mm shell is light enough for one soldier to carry. A 150 mm shell requires two people or mechanical assistance."

Xiao Maoqi recorded it in a notebook. This Chief of Staff is known for rigor and likes to let data speak.

"Begin," William II ordered.

On the firing position, the gun commander raised a small red flag. Three gunners took their stations—one to aim, one to load, one to set the fuse.

"Target, Zone 7, simulated enemy artillery position, Distance 9.2 km!" the observer relayed via telephone.

The gun commander lowered the red flag.

"Fire!"

The first gun fired.

The muzzle spat orange‑red flame, the barrel recoiled then quickly returned. The shell cut a sharp whistling through the air, soaring outward. Seconds later, a plume of smoke rose over the target area nine kilometers away, followed by a dull explosion.

The observer reported, "Hit! Thirty‑five meters off the center!"

Xiao Maoqi glanced at his pocket watch: "Twelve seconds from order to fire. Not bad."

"Continue," William II said.

Three guns began rapid successive fire. The cadence was steady and swift, averaging six to seven rounds per gun per minute. Shell impacts clustered on the target area, explosions throwing up sheets of earth and fragments of the mock equipment.

"Change ammunition type!" Chen Feng ordered.

The gunners swapped ammunition. The subsequent fire employed high‑explosive shells, armor‑piercing shells, and smoke shells. Each round's ballistic traits differed slightly, but the gun adjustments were quick—the gunners only needed to turn a few handles to change elevation and charge.

"Now demonstrate rapid redeployment," Chen Feng said.

Fire ceased. The gun crew swiftly stowed the spade, attached a tow vehicle—a light truck built by Lanfang. From cease‑fire to complete loading took only two minutes. The three guns were hauled away from the firing position and moved to a reserve position 300 m away.

"How long to resume firing from the new position?" Xiao Maoqi asked.

"Standard time is four minutes; a well‑trained crew can do it in three," Chen Feng replied.

In fact, the crew reopened fire after three minutes fifteen seconds. The shells again flew toward the target area.

William II set down his telescope, a satisfied smile on his face: "Excellent, very excellent. Mobility, rate of fire, accuracy… all surpass our current guns. Especially this rapid redeployment capability, crucial in counter‑artillery warfare."

He turned to Xiao Maoqi: "What do you think, He Er Mu Te?"

Xiao Maoqi thought a few seconds: "Technically, it is indeed excellent. But we have several issues to consider."

He looked at Chen Feng: "First, ammunition supply. Does this gun use dedicated shells? Or are they compatible with Degjun's current artillery?"

"Dedicated shells," Chen Feng answered frankly, "but Lanfang can provide a full ammunition production line, manufactured in Deguo, avoiding long‑distance transport."

"Second, maintenance and spares. If the front has two thousand such guns, we need a corresponding repair system, training system, and spare parts inventory."

"Lanfang can supply technical manuals, training instructors, and establish a maintenance center in Deguo."

"Third," Xiao Maoqi paused, "also the most critical—price."

William II laughed: "He Er Mu Te, you are always so pragmatic. But indeed, this is the most important issue. President Chen, give us a price."

Chen Feng took the folder from Wang Wenwu, pulling out a pre‑prepared quotation.

"A single gun, including full accessories and a basic tool kit, costs 120,000 marks." he said, "Shells range from 150 to 250 marks each, depending on type. Technology transfer and production‑line construction fees are negotiable."

The observation platform fell silent for a moment. A Deguo finance official quickly calculated in his head: "Two thousand guns amount to 240 million marks… and that doesn't even include shells."

"Too expensive," Xiao Maoqi said outright, "Our existing s. FH13 guns cost less than 80,000 marks each."

"But the s. FH13's range is only 8.5 km, weight 2.2 tons, and its redeployment speed is half as fast," Chen Feng countered calmly, "On the battlefield, performance gaps translate into soldiers' lives. A gun that can redeploy quickly and evade enemy counter‑artillery is worth more than a 40,000‑mark price difference."

He turned to William II: "Moreover, this is only the base price. If Your Majesty is willing to accept some… additional conditions, the price can be significantly reduced."

William II squinted: "What conditions?"

After the test firing, William II invited Chen Feng to the private study of the Wuyou Palace for a one‑on‑one meeting. It was a typical Prussian‑style study: dark oak paneling, towering bookshelves, a massive globe, and portraits of the Hohenzollern dynasty's successive monarchs on the walls.

The attendant brought coffee and brandy, then withdrew, leaving only William II, Xiao Maoqi, Chen Feng, and Wang Wenwu in the room.

"Now we can speak frankly," William II said, seated in a high‑back armchair with his cane beside him, "President Chen, what were the 'additional conditions' you mentioned earlier?"

Chen Feng did not answer directly, but first asked a question: "Your Majesty, are you satisfied with the situation on the Eastern Front?"

William II's smile vanished: "The Russians are like cockroaches, one batch killed and another comes. We achieved glorious victories at Tannenberg and the Mazury Lake area, yet they keep advancing, still draining our troops."

"What about the performance of the Sakura Nation's expeditionary force?"

"Brave, but casualties are too high." Xiao Maoqi continued, "Four divisions lost a quarter in three months. At that rate, they cannot sustain for a year."

"If I say," Chen Feng said slowly, "Lanfang can help improve this situation?"

William II leaned forward: "Be specific."

"Three proposals." Chen Feng raised three fingers, "First, logistics optimization. Currently the Sakura Nation's supply lines are too long—shipping from Hamburg by rail to the Eastern Front suffers heavy losses en route. Lanfang can, via Osman Diguo, establish a shorter supply line from the Mediterranean to the Eastern Front."