World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"This is the preliminary quote." Chen Feng handed the document to Wilhelm II. "Transfer of basic design and production technology for the No. 1 vehicle: three million marks. No. 2 improved model: five million marks. Production license (payment of royalties based on output): 8% of the cost per vehicle produced. Technical training: five thousand marks per instructor per month, with at least twenty instructors required for six months of training. In total... approximately twelve million marks, equivalent to six hundred thousand pounds."

The price sent a collective gasp through everyone present. Six hundred thousand pounds, equivalent to the cost of two destroyers.

Wilhelm II glanced at it and nodded: "Okay. But there are two conditions: First, all the technical data must be delivered immediately so that our engineers can begin studying and improving it; second, the first batch of fifty vehicles must be delivered within three months. We can modify existing vehicles for training purposes."

"Your Majesty," Falkenhayn whispered a reminder, "the national treasury..."

"From my private treasury!" Wilhelm II interrupted him. "If that's not enough, issue war bonds! This weapon is worth it!"

Chen Feng's heart stirred slightly. Wilhelm 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 to be discussed. We hope to exchange half for gold and half for German industrial technology patents—especially patents in the fields of chemicals, optics, and precision machinery."

"Very well!" Wilhelm II said without hesitation. "Let the people from Krupp, BASF, and Zeiss discuss the specific details! Now, let's talk about the Ottomans."

His gaze shifted to Enver and Halim, his tone becoming complex: "Pasha, you've seen it too. This equipment is equally effective on the Ottoman front. But the problem is... what are you going to use to buy it?"

Lunch was a simple buffet, with almost no one touching their knives and forks. No one's mind was on the food. After a quick bite, the three parties returned to the meeting hall. The atmosphere was completely different from the morning—hope shone in the Germans' eyes, heavy anxiety lingered on the Ottomans' faces, while Lanfang remained calm.

The negotiations have entered the second phase, which is also the most delicate phase.

Halim Pasha spoke first, his voice weary but clear: "Your Excellency, the Ottoman Empire does indeed have an urgent need for tank procurement. However, as you know, the Empire's current financial situation... is not optimistic. We may not be able to pay in cash all at once."

Chen Feng nodded: "I understand. That's why Lanfang offered an alternative—barter."

"What will you use to exchange it?" Enver Pasha asked warily.

Chen Feng gave him a wink, and Wang Wenwu immediately unfurled a huge map—a map of the Ottoman Empire's territories in Asia, stretching from the Anatolian Plateau to the Mesopotamian Plain, and from the eastern coast of the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.

"Mesopotamia, and parts of the Persian Gulf coast." Chen Feng traced his finger across the map. "These regions are costly to govern for the Ottoman Empire, offer limited benefits, and are facing a military threat from Britain. Perhaps... we could grant Lanfang a concession for their development."

The conference room fell into a deathly silence.

Enver Pasha jumped to his feet, his face flushed. "Impossible! This is Ottoman territory! The Empire will not sell an inch of land!"

Halim Pasha pressed his arm, gesturing for him to sit, but his own voice trembled: "Your Excellency, this demand... is outrageous. This is a blatant territorial claim, no different from colonialism!"

Wilhelm II and Falkenhayn exchanged a glance. The Kaiser shook his head slightly, meaning "don't get involved." This was a matter between Lanfang and the Ottomans; Germany only needed to ensure the Ottomans continued to fight. As for territory... Germany was too far away to reach.

Chen Feng calmly explained, "Pasha has misunderstood. What Lanfang wants is not territorial sovereignty, but a concession for development—a ninety-nine-year term. The Ottoman Empire retains nominal sovereignty, while Lanfang gains the rights to resource extraction, infrastructure construction, and security maintenance. We can pay concession fees, provide local employment, and build hospitals, schools, roads... This is different from traditional colonial plunder; it is a mutually beneficial cooperative development model."

He paused, then added, "More importantly, once these areas were developed and secured by Lanfang, the British would lose their reason to continue their offensive—they couldn't very well say, 'We want to liberate Ottoman territory from Lanfang,' could they? This would be tantamount to building a firewall between the Ottomans and Britain."

The word "firewall" made Halimpasha's eyes light up slightly.

Enver became even angrier: "What's the difference between that and cession? Ninety-nine years! Three generations! By then, who will even remember that these places belonged to the Ottomans?"

"It's better than being completely occupied by the British," a cold voice rang out.

Everyone turned to see that it was Falkenhayn who had spoken. The German Chief of the General Staff stood with his arms crossed, expressionless: "Pasha, please allow me to speak frankly. Given the current situation in Mesopotamia, the British Indian army will occupy Basra by next spring at the latest, and will be able to advance to Baghdad the year after. At that time, these regions will be permanently separated from the Ottoman Empire and become British protectorates or directly administered colonies."

He leaned forward: "And now, Lanfang offers an option: these areas remain nominally Ottoman, with Lanfang merely leasing and developing them. Moreover, Lanfang promises military aid—arming ten modern divisions to help stabilize the Caucasus and Palestinian front. Which is better, this option or having them completely taken by the British?"

Enver opened his mouth, but couldn't speak. He knew Falkenham was right. The empire could no longer hold those remote provinces.

Halim Pasha closed his eyes, and after a long while, slowly opened them: "Your Excellency, please be more specific. Which areas does Lanfang want? What does the concession include? And... what price are you offering?"

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

"First, the concession area: a 50-kilometer-deep zone along the Persian Gulf coast centered on Basra, including ports, river estuaries, and surrounding oil fields. The total area is approximately 30,000 square kilometers."

"Second, the concessions: the right to explore and exploit resources, the right to build infrastructure, the right to trade, the right to limited autonomy, and the right to maintain security. Lanfang pledged to respect local religious customs and protect symbols of Ottoman sovereignty."

"Third, the franchise term: ninety-nine years, renewable. The annual franchise fee is 5% of the region's output, with a minimum of £100,000 per year."

"Fourth, the consideration: Lanfang armed and trained ten modern army divisions for the Ottomans, provided them with a full set of equipment including tanks, artillery, and machine guns; assisted in stabilizing the front lines in the Caucasus and Palestine; and provided a low-interest loan of five million pounds to purchase food and medicine."

After Wang Wenwu finished reading, the conference room fell silent again. Only the long, mournful sound of ship horns echoed from the strait outside the window.