World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"Yes, Your Majesty," Chen Feng said. "Weighing only 1.9 tons, it can be towed by horses or trucks. Its range is 10.6 kilometers, about two kilometers farther than the artillery of the same caliber currently in service with your army."

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

"At our Borneo test range, we conducted 47 live-fire exercises under simulated altitude and weather conditions," Chen Feng replied calmly. "The average range was 10.58 kilometers, and the dispersion radius was within an acceptable range."

Wilhelm II put down his binoculars and turned to Chen Feng: "Why is it 105 millimeters? Not 75, not 150?"

"Because this is the optimal balance, Your Majesty," Chen Feng said. "The 75mm gun is not powerful enough and has limited effectiveness against fortified positions. The 150mm gun is extremely powerful, but too heavy and has poor mobility. The 105mm gun achieves the best balance between power, range, and mobility—enough to destroy most field fortifications, suppress enemy artillery, and also able to advance rapidly alongside infantry."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, a 105mm shell can be carried by one soldier. A 150mm shell requires two people or even mechanical assistance."

Moltke the Younger was taking notes in his notebook. This Chief of the General Staff was known for his meticulousness and preferred to let the data speak for itself.

"Let's begin," Wilhelm II ordered.

On the firing position, the gunner raised a small red flag. The three gunners took their positions—one was responsible for aiming, one for loading, and one for setting the fuse.

"Target, Area 7, simulated enemy artillery position, 9.2 kilometers away!" the observer relayed the order over the phone.

The gunner lowered the red flag.

"put!"

The first cannon fired.

Orange-red flames spewed from the muzzle as the cannon recoiled but quickly returned to its original position. The shell whistled through the air and flew into the distance. A few seconds later, a cloud of smoke rose from the target area nine kilometers away, followed by a muffled explosion.

Observer reports: "Hit! 35 meters off target!"

Moltke glanced at his pocket watch: "From the order to launch, twelve seconds. Not bad."

"Continue," Wilhelm II said.

The three cannons began firing continuously. The firing rhythm was steady and rapid, with each cannon averaging six to seven rounds per minute. The shells landed concentrated in the target area, and the explosions kicked up large amounts of dirt and fragments of the simulation equipment.

"Change ammunition!" Chen Feng ordered.

The gunners changed the type of ammunition. The following firing used high-explosive shells, armor-piercing shells, and smoke shells. Each type of ammunition has slightly different ballistic characteristics, but the gun can be adjusted quickly—the gunner only needs to turn a few handles to change the firing angle and propellant charge.

"Now we're demonstrating rapid transfer," Chen Feng said.

Firing ceased. The artillery crew quickly stowed the spades and attached them to a tow truck—a light truck manufactured in Lanfang. From ceasing firing to loading, it took only two minutes. The three guns were towed away from the firing position and moved to a backup position 300 meters away.

"How long will it take to resume firing from the new position?" Xiao Mao asked curiously.

"The standard time is four minutes, but a well-trained artillery crew can do it in three minutes," Chen Feng replied.

In fact, the artillery crew resumed firing after three minutes and fifteen seconds. The shells flew towards the target area again.

Wilhelm II lowered his binoculars, a satisfied smile spreading across his face: "Very good, very good. Mobility, rate of fire, accuracy... all better than our current artillery. Especially this rapid relocation capability, which is crucial in counter-battery operations."

He turned to Moltke the Younger: "What do you think, Helmut?"

Moltke thought for a few seconds: "From a technical point of view, it is indeed excellent. But we have a few issues to consider."

He looked at Chen Feng: "First, the ammunition supply. Does this artillery use special ammunition, or is it compatible with existing German artillery?"

"Specialized ammunition," Chen Feng answered frankly, "but Lanfang can provide a complete ammunition production line, manufactured in Germany, avoiding long-distance transportation."

"Second, maintenance and spare parts. If there are two thousand such cannons on the front lines, we need a corresponding maintenance system, training system, and spare parts inventory."

"Lanfang can provide technical manuals, training instructors, and establish a maintenance center in Germany."

"Third," Moltke paused, "and most importantly—price."

Wilhelm II laughed: "Helmut, you're always so practical. But indeed, this is the most important question. Commander Chen, name your price."

Chen Feng took the folder from Wang Wenwu and pulled out a pre-prepared price list.

"A single artillery piece, including all accessories and a basic tool kit, costs 120,000 marks," he said. "Shells, depending on the type, cost between 150 and 250 marks each. Technology transfer and production line construction costs are to be discussed separately."

A moment of silence fell over the observation post. A German Finance Ministry official quickly did the math: "Two thousand guns is two hundred and forty million marks... and that doesn't even include ammunition."

"Too expensive," Moltke said directly. "Our existing S.FH 13 artillery pieces cost less than 80,000 marks each."

"But the S.FH 13 has a range of only 8.5 kilometers, weighs 2.2 tons, and is half the speed of relocation," Chen Feng calmly retorted. "On the battlefield, the difference in performance translates into the difference in the lives of soldiers. A gun that can be quickly relocated and avoid enemy counter-battery fire is worth more than a 40,000 mark difference."

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

Wilhelm II narrowed his eyes: "What are the conditions?"

After the test firing, Wilhelm II invited Chen Feng to his study in Sanssouci Palace for a private meeting. It was a typical Prussian-style study: dark oak paneling, towering bookshelves, a huge globe, and portraits of Hohenzollern monarchs hanging on the walls.

After the servants brought coffee and brandy, they left, leaving only Wilhelm II, Moltke the Younger, Chen Feng, and Wang Wenwu in the room.

"Now we can talk frankly." Wilhelm II sat in a high-backed armchair, his cane resting beside him. "Commander Chen, what were the 'additional conditions' you mentioned earlier?"

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

Wilhelm II's smile vanished: "The Russians are like cockroaches, one batch after another comes. We have achieved brilliant victories in Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes region, but they are still attacking and wearing down our forces."

"How did the Japanese Expeditionary Force perform?"

"Brave, but the casualties are too high," Moltke Jr. continued. "Four divisions, a quarter of them lost in three months. At this rate, they won't last a year."

"What if I said," Chen Feng said slowly, "that Lanfang could help improve this situation?"

Wilhelm II leaned forward: "Be more specific."

"Three options." Chen Feng held up three fingers. "First, optimize logistics. Currently, the supply lines for the Japanese forces are too long—from Hamburg to the Eastern Front by rail, with severe losses along the way. Lanfang can establish a shorter supply line from the Mediterranean to the Eastern Front through the Ottoman Empire."