Chapter 446: Ninety‑Nine Years

"This is the preliminary quotation," Chen Feng handed the document to William II, "Model 1 basic design and production technology transfer: three million marks. Model 2 improved version: five million marks. Production license (royalties paid per output): 8% of the manufacturing cost per unit. Technical training: five thousand marks per instructor per month, requiring at least twenty instructors for six months. Total… roughly twelve million marks, equivalent to six hundred thousand pounds."

The price made everyone present gasp. Six hundred thousand pounds, equivalent to the cost of two destroyers.

But William II only glanced at it and nodded: "Agreed. But there are two conditions: first, deliver all technical documents immediately; our engineers must begin improvement research at once. Second, the first fifty units must be delivered within three months; we can retrofit existing vehicles for training use."

"Your Majesty," Fa Jinhan whispered, "the treasury…"

"From my private vault!" William II interrupted, "If that's insufficient, we'll issue war bonds! This weapon is worth it!"

Chen Feng felt a slight stir. William II's urgency exceeded expectations, indicating that the pressure on the Western Front had indeed reached a critical point.

"Lanfang can accept this price," Chen Feng said, "but the payment method needs negotiation. We hope to exchange half in gold and half for Deguo's industrial technology patents—especially patents in chemicals, optics, and precision machinery."

"Yes!" William II said without hesitation, "Let the people from Ke Lubo, BASF, and Zeiss discuss the details! Now, tell us about Osman."

His gaze turned to En Wei'er and Halim, his tone becoming complex: "Pashas, you have also seen it. This equipment is equally useful on the Osman front. But the problem is… what will you pay with?"

Lunch was a simple cold buffet, and almost no one touched their knives or forks. Everyone's thoughts were not on the food. After a hurried finish, the three parties returned to the conference hall. The atmosphere was completely different from the morning—Deguo's men now had a glimmer of hope in their eyes, the Osman side wore heavy anxiety, while Lanfang remained calm.

The negotiations entered the second stage, also the most delicate stage.

Pasha Halim spoke first, his voice weary yet clear, "President, regarding tank procurement, the Osman Diguo indeed has an urgent need. But as you know, the empire's current fiscal situation… is far from optimistic. We may not be able to pay cash in a single installment."

Chen Feng nodded, "Understood. So Lanfang offered an alternative—barter."

"What for?" Pasha En Wei'er asked warily.

Chen Feng gave a signal, and Wang Wenwu immediately spread out a massive map—the territorial map of the Osman Diguo in Yazhou, stretching from the Anatolian Plateau to the Mesopotamian plain, from the eastern Mediterranean coast to the Persian Gulf.

"The Mesopotamian region and parts of the Persian Gulf coastline," Chen Feng's finger traced on the map, "These areas are costly to govern for the Osman Diguo, yield limited profit, and are facing Yingguo's military threat. Why not… grant Lanfang development rights?"

The conference hall fell into dead silence instantly.

Pasha En Wei'er sprang to his feet, his face flushing red, "Impossible! This is Osman territory! The empire will not sell a single inch of land!"

Pasha Halim held his arm, signaling him to sit, but his own voice trembled, "President, this demand… is excessive. It's a naked territorial claim, no different from colonialism."

William II and Fa Jinhan exchanged a glance. The German Emperor shook his head slightly, meaning "do not intervene." This is a matter between Lanfang and Osman; Deguo only needs to ensure Osman continues fighting, and as for the territory… Deguo is too far away to reach.

Chen Feng explained calmly, "Pasha has misunderstood. Lanfang is not seeking territorial sovereignty, but a concession development right—lasting ninety‑nine years, with Osman retaining nominal sovereignty, while Lanfang obtains rights to resource extraction, infrastructure construction, and security maintenance. We can pay concession fees, provide local employment, build hospitals, schools, roads… This differs from traditional colonial plunder; it is a mutually beneficial cooperative development model."

He paused, then added, "More importantly, once these regions are under Lanfang's development and security, Yingguo will lose the justification to continue its advance—they cannot say, 'We will liberate Osman territory from Lanfang,' can they? This would effectively erect a firewall between Osman and Yingguo."

The term "firewall" made Pasha Halim's eyes flicker slightly.

En Wei'er grew even angrier, "Then what's the difference from cession? Ninety‑nine years! Three generations! By then, who will still remember these places belong to Osman?"

"It's better than being completely occupied by Yingguo," a cold voice said.

Everyone turned, seeing that the speaker was Fa Jinhan. The Degjun Chief of Staff crossed his arms, expressionless, "Pasha, allow me to speak plainly. Given the current situation in Mesopotamia, the British‑Indian forces will occupy Basra by next spring at the latest, and advance to Baghdad the year after. By then, these regions will permanently break away from Osman, becoming a Yingguo protectorate or directly administered colony."

He leaned forward, "And now, Lanfang offers a choice: these areas remain nominally Osman, with Lanfang merely leasing development rights. Moreover, Lanfang pledges military aid—arming ten modern divisions to help stabilize the Caucasus and Palestine fronts. This option, compared to being wholly seized by Yingguo, which is better?"

En Wei'er opened his mouth but could not speak. He knew Fa Jinhan was stating the facts. The empire could no longer hold those remote provinces.

Pasha Halim closed his eyes, lingered, then slowly opened them, "President, please be more specific. Which regions does Lanfang want? What does the concession include? And you… what do you offer in return?"

Chen Feng signaled Wang Wenwu. The diplomatic envoy immediately produced a draft:

"First, concession area: a fifty‑kilometre deep strip along the Persian Gulf coastline centered on Basra, encompassing ports, river mouths, and surrounding oilfield zones. Total area about thirty thousand square kilometres."

"Second, concession rights: rights to resource exploration and extraction, infrastructure construction, trade privileges, limited self‑governance, and security maintenance. Lanfang promises to respect local religious customs and protect Osman's symbols of sovereignty."

"Third, concession term: ninety‑nine years, renewable. Annual concession fee is 5% of the region's output, with a minimum of one hundred thousand pounds per year."

"Fourth, consideration: Lanfang will arm and train ten modern army divisions for Osman, providing a full suite of equipment including tanks, artillery, and machine guns; assist in stabilizing the Caucasus and Palestine fronts; and extend a five‑million‑pound low‑interest loan for the purchase of food and medicine."

Wang Wenwu finished reading, and the conference room fell silent again. Only the long, mournful sound of a ship's horn drifted in from the strait outside.