World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

London, late night of July 28, Ministry of War.

Lord Kitchener stared at the first day's battle report, his face ashen. Sixty thousand casualties had yielded less than a kilometer of advance. At this rate, it would take... He dared not calculate.

"The performance of the colonial troops was disappointing," a general said. "The Indian troops, in particular, showed absolutely no will to fight."

"The Australians are brave, but too reckless," another general added. "They charge like they're playing rugby, completely disregarding casualties."

"The problem isn't with the troops," Kitchener finally spoke, his voice weary. "The problem is with tactics. We thought artillery could solve everything, but in reality, even the most powerful artillery can't wipe out all the enemies. As long as one machine gun and one sniper survive, they can cause huge casualties."

He walked to the map and pointed to the Somme River: "We need new tactics. We need... new weapons that can break through trenches, barbed wire, and machine gun fire."

"Tanks? Those things are still in the experimental stage..."

"Then speed up the testing!" Kitchener slammed his fist on the table. "Tell Colonel Swinton to prioritize his 'Land Battleship' project to the highest level! I want a prototype ready for combat within three months!"

"But Lord, that thing..."

"We have no choice!" Kitchener roared, his eyes bloodshot. "If we keep fighting like this, the entire youth of the empire will be buried here! We need something to break this deadlock, no matter how absurd it may seem!"

Meanwhile in Berlin, Falkenhahn was reviewing the same battle reports and drawing the same conclusions.

On the first day at the Somme, the German army held its line, but at a heavy cost. The Japanese forces, in particular, lost nearly 30,000 men in eight divisions in a single day—and adding the casualties at Verdun, their total losses exceeded 120,000. The remaining troops were on the verge of collapse and could mutini at any moment.

"We need something new," Falkingham told his staff. "Not more troops, but game-changers. Tell the Ordnance Department to bring out all their brilliant ideas! Anything that can break through trenches, anything that can reduce infantry casualties—I want to see it!"

Unbeknownst to him, someone far away in Dubai had already prepared what he needed.

Dubai Industrial Zone, Secret Test Site No. 7, 10:7 AM, July 29.

Far from the port and city, surrounded by sand dunes, this place is guarded by only one regiment of garrison troops, with a security level of "Red Dragon"—the highest in Lanfang. The test site simulates various terrains: sand, swamps, trenches, barbed wire, and even "enemy positions" simulated with concrete.

Chen Feng stood atop the observation tower, binoculars in hand. Dressed in simple overalls and a hard hat, he looked more like an engineer than a president. Beside him, Minister of Industry Liu Yongfu nervously rubbed his hands together.

"President, everything is ready," Liu Yongfu said. "However, I still suggest... a few more tests. The transmission system of vehicle number two had another problem yesterday, and we repaired it overnight, but..."

"Today is just a demonstration, not a perfect showcase," Chen Feng said calmly. "What we want to show the Germans is the concept, the possibility. As for the technical issues, we can resolve them in future collaborations."

He lowered his binoculars and looked towards the center of the testing ground. There stood two steel monsters.

Vehicle number one was the "Prototype 1 of the Agricultural Heavy Tractor Vehicle," which was the original version of the tank. It looked rudimentary and clumsy: a diamond-shaped hull, tracks that wrapped around the entire body from top to bottom, and a small rotating turret with two machine gun models mounted on it. The paint scheme was a tan desert camouflage.

Vehicle number two is an improved version, with smoother lines, a larger hull, and a thicker turret. Its main armament is a model of a 37mm cannon, and its secondary armament consists of two machine guns. Most importantly, its frontal armor has a 30-degree angle, which is a "bulletproof design" specifically requested by Chen Feng.

"Let's begin," Chen Feng said.

Liu Yongfu picked up the walkie-talkie: "Test begins! First phase: Off-road performance demonstration!"

The engines roared to life. Both vehicles started simultaneously and drove toward the first obstacle: a trench 2.5 meters wide and 1.5 meters deep.

Vehicle number one moved slowly but steadily. It drove to the edge of the trench, its front tracks descending to the bottom first, then the entire vehicle slowly lowered and tilted forward, finally the rear tracks also entering the trench. Throughout the entire process, the vehicle maintained remarkable stability. A few seconds later, it emerged from the other side of the trench.

Vehicle number two was even faster. It barely slowed down before charging straight into the ditch, then paused briefly at the bottom, increased its speed, and easily climbed to the other side.

Applause erupted in the observation tower. The engineers and technicians were thrilled—this was the culmination of months of hard work.

"Phase Two: Obstacle Course Demonstration!"

Four obstacles were set up in front of the test site: the first was a wooden barricade, the second was a barbed wire fence, the third was a low concrete wall, and the fourth was a simulated machine gun position—actually a device that sprayed water with hoses to simulate machine gun fire.

The two vehicles moved forward side by side. They rolled over the barricades, the wood cracking and snapping. Barbed wire was caught in the tracks and torn to shreds. A low concrete wall was smashed through—vehicle number two barely slowed down.

Upon reaching the machine gun position, water pipes began spraying water, simulating bullets hitting the armor. Water splashed everywhere, but the vehicle continued to advance, the turret rotating, and the main gun and machine gun models pointing towards the "enemy."

"Phase Three: Firepower Demonstration!"

A dozen or so targets were raised at the firing range. Two vehicles fired while moving—using blank and training rounds, of course, but the fire control systems were actually functioning. The turret stabilization system kept the main gun in focus despite the bumpy ride, achieving a hit rate of over 60%.

The entire demonstration lasted forty minutes. When the two vehicles returned to the starting point and the engines were turned off, enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted in the observation tower.

Liu Yongfu's eyes welled up with tears of excitement: "It's a success...it's really a success..."

Chen Feng was also satisfied, but his expression remained calm. He turned to Wang Wenwu: "Any new information from Berlin?"

"I just received a coded telegram half an hour ago." Wang Wenwu handed over the folder. "First day's battle report on the Somme: British casualties reached 60,000, with less than one kilometer of advance. German casualties were about 15,000, but the Japanese forces were almost decimated. Falkenhayn used very urgent language in the telegram: 'A new means to break the deadlock is urgently needed.'"

"Perfect timing." Chen Feng closed the folder. "Send a telegram to William, inviting him to a meeting in Istanbul."

"You're going in person?" Wang Wenwu asked in surprise.

"For a transaction of this magnitude, I must personally intervene." Chen Feng walked down from the observation tower and toward the two steel behemoths. "Moreover, I want Wilhelm II to understand that what Lanfang can offer him is not just warships or tanks, but a whole technological system that will change the nature of warfare."

He patted the armor plate of vehicle number two, making a dull sound.

"Tell William that I've brought something that can help him break the deadlock on the Somme. The price... will be high, but he has no other choice now."