World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"I want to emphasize," Chen Feng raised his voice, "that this agreement is equal and mutually beneficial. Lanfang will ensure that every penny is used effectively through strict financial management. Five years from now, we are confident and capable of repaying on time."

He spoke his last sentence with absolute certainty.

After the speeches, the signing ceremony began. A waiter brought out three exquisite wooden boxes, each containing a copy of the agreement—one in Chinese and English, one in Chinese and French, and a memorandum in all three languages.

Chen Feng first signed the British agreement. The pen was specially made, with a dragon pattern engraved on the body and a 14K gold nib. He signed his name in the designated place, the two Chinese characters "Chen Feng" written in a vigorous and powerful style.

Howard then signed the document using a traditional quill pen.

Next was the French agreement. When DuPont signed it, he specially wrote a blessing in French: "May the cooperation last a long time."

Finally, the three parties exchanged texts. Chen Feng handed the Chinese version to Howard, Howard handed the English version to Chen Feng, and DuPont did the same. The entire process was faithfully recorded by the camera.

"Now, please let the representatives of both sides shake hands," Li Mingyuan announced.

Chen Feng shook hands with Howard, and then with DuPont. The flashbulbs were blinding. This moment would be etched in history—an emerging Asian nation secured record loans from two European powers.

The ceremony concluded at 10:30 a.m. Reporters surrounded him with questions, but Chen Feng only gave a few brief responses before leaving the hall under the escort of security guards.

"Go straight to the dock," he told the driver after getting in the car.

"Young Master, why don't you take a rest?" Uncle Wang asked.

"Signing the contract is just the beginning." Chen Feng took off his tuxedo jacket and loosened his collar. "The money's here, but the work has only just begun. I need to go check on the construction of the Bismarck."

The convoy headed towards the port. On the way, Wang Wenwu handed over a telegram he had just received.

"He's from Berlin," he said. "The German Foreign Ministry has officially confirmed the loan terms: 30 million pounds, five years, 2.8% annual interest. They've asked us to send a representative to Berlin to sign it."

Chen Feng quickly glanced at the telegram: "Have the trade representative office in Germany sign it. Also, inform Chief Engineer Liu when the Krupp technical advisory team will arrive?"

"Early next month. A total of twelve people, including three expert groups: armor steel, artillery, and marine engineering."

"Arrange accommodations and provide the highest level of treatment," Chen Feng said. "The technology these people bring is worth hundreds of millions."

Outside the car window, the outline of Dubai Port became increasingly clear. Ten large docks lined up along the harbor, like the fingers of a giant reaching out to the sea. In docks 1 and 2, two enormous ships were already taking shape.

Those were the first two ships of the Bismarck class, the Yangtze and the Yellow River.

The car stopped at the dock entrance. Chen Feng changed into work clothes, put on a safety helmet, and walked into Dock No. 1. A wave of heat hit him—there was no air conditioning in the dock, only a few large fans whirring and turning.

The massive hull stretched out before us like a steel mountain. Measuring 251 meters long and 36 meters wide, even with only 40% of its construction complete, it already possessed an overwhelming aura. Hundreds of workers busied themselves on the scaffolding, the arcs of welding flashing like lightning on a summer night.

Liu Yongfu was on the control tower, discussing blueprints with several engineers. Upon seeing Chen Feng, he paused for a moment, then quickly came down.

"President, what brings you here? Isn't today supposed to be the signing ceremony?"

"All signed." Chen Feng looked up at the ship's hull. "How's the progress?"

"Proceeding according to plan." Liu Yongfu wiped the sweat from his forehead. "The Yangtze River is currently 41% complete, and the Yellow River is 38%. The main problem is the supply of armor steel—Krupp's samples won't arrive until next month, and the one we're using now is domestically produced, which is 15% inferior in performance."

"Let's use it for now," Chen Feng said. "Once the German samples arrive, we'll conduct comparative tests and identify the differences. Our steel mill must be able to produce products of the same standard."

"Understood." Liu Yongfu hesitated for a moment. "Commander, there's something... The workers have been working overtime for two months straight, and they're complaining. Although their wages have been increased, people aren't machines after all."

Chen Feng was silent for a few seconds. "Starting next week, we'll implement a four-shift, three-rotation system. Eight hours a day, one day off per week. Overtime is voluntary, and you'll receive double pay."

"The construction period..."

"The project can't be delayed," Chen Feng said firmly, "but we can't let people work themselves to death either. Calculate the cost if we add two more shifts of workers."

Liu Yongfu quickly did the mental calculations. "At least eight hundred more people, increasing monthly labor costs by thirty thousand pounds."

"Approved," Chen Feng said. "The money will come from the special fund. Chief Engineer Liu, remember this—the ship is important, but the people who build it are even more important. If they get overworked or dissatisfied, the quality will suffer. And quality is the lifeblood of a warship."

Liu Yongfu nodded emphatically: "I understand."

They climbed up the scaffolding to the midships section of the ship. Here, the B turret, the second of four twin 380mm main guns, would be installed. The turret base, already welded in place, was over ten meters in diameter, resembling a giant steel disc.

A young engineer, who was measuring a weld, saw Chen Feng and immediately stood at attention: "Commander-in-Chief!"

"Keep working." Chen Feng waved his hand, walked over to check the measurement data, and asked, "What's the pass rate?"

"Ninety-six point three percent," the engineer replied. "The main problem is at the connection of the elevation mechanism; the structure there is complex, and the welding is prone to deformation."

Chen Feng took the measuring instrument and personally checked several key points. The data was indeed on the edge of the tolerance.

"Have you tried preheating to reverse the deformation?" he asked.

The engineer was taken aback: "What?"

"Before welding, the steel plate is locally preheated with a flame, causing the material to undergo reverse deformation beforehand," Chen Feng explained. "During welding, the heat will correct the deformation. This is a new process used by German shipyards."

Liu Yongfu's eyes lit up: "How did you know that?"

"I read it in a book," Chen Feng said vaguely. "We can try it out. We'll do it on a small prototype first, and if it works, we can apply it to the ship's hull."

"I'll arrange it right away!" Liu Yongfu immediately called over several technicians.

Chen Feng continued walking forward, arriving at the bow of the ship. Here, a bulbous bow—a design that could reduce wave-making drag and increase speed—would be installed. In this era, this was still a rare technology.

"Has the hydrodynamic test been done?" he asked.

"We've done it in small pools, and the drag reduction effect is 80% to 10%," Liu Yongfu said. "But the effect at full size can only be verified after it's put into the water."

"That's enough." Chen Feng nodded. "We need to be at least two knots faster than the King Kong class. Speed ​​advantage is tactical advantage."

They spent two hours in the dock. Chen Feng inspected almost every key work station, inquired about progress, and resolved problems. The workers were initially a little nervous, but seeing that the president truly understood the technology and that his suggestions were very practical, they gradually relaxed.

An experienced welder even discussed the formula for the filler material in the weld with Chen Feng. Chen Feng was able to come up with several improvement plans, which amazed the veteran welder.

"Your skills are no worse than our master craftsmen's!" the old welder exclaimed.

"We learned it all," Chen Feng smiled. "For a country to become strong, it needs people who understand technology. You are the backbone of the nation."