King of Beiyang

"My friend, warships are not sold to private individuals. Not even under a company's name!"

Carl von Hollen looked troubled.

Although the Hollen family wields considerable influence in the Navy.

However, weapons like warships will not be sold to private individuals, which is an international standard.

Li Jingyuan realized that Karl had misunderstood and quickly explained.

"My friend, I am buying these for my country. However, my country is very poor and simply does not have the money to buy warships. Therefore, I plan to purchase several warships and donate them to the country."

After all, our country's most powerful fleet is in my father's hands.

When I graduate, I'll return with several warships. Then, at the very least, I'll be able to snag a position as a fleet vice-commander, right?

Otherwise, with my bottom-ranking grades in school, I'd probably just be wasting my life after returning to China.

Li Jingyuan looked helpless.

Carl looked shocked, seemingly stunned by Li Jingyuan's plan, never expecting Li Jingyuan to have such a daring move.

"Okay, my friend, I give up."

But have you really decided to go back to China after graduation?

"Wouldn't it be better to stay in the German Empire, stay in Europe, and build a great commercial empire together?"

In Carl's view, being a business tycoon, surrounded by fine wine and beautiful women every day, was far better than being a soldier.

Li Jingyuan shook his head: "My friend, you can choose to enjoy life. That's because you have a powerful motherland, so you don't have to worry about being bullied."

But I am different. My motherland is very poor and backward. In recent years, it has suffered endless bullying.

There are also countries like wolves, eyeing my homeland.

If we do not strengthen ourselves, my compatriots will face endless slaughter and suffering.

"Alright, my friend, you are a noble person! I will help you!"

Carl seemed to be moved by Li Jingyuan's noble sentiments.

In his view, Li Jingyuan had voluntarily given up his comfortable life overseas and even wanted to donate the money he earned to the country. Such character was undoubtedly very noble and he admired him greatly.

"Rudolf Hacker, the chief engineer and technical director of the Vulcan shipyard, is a friend of my father. I will have my father put in a good word with him."

However, you must obtain approval from the Imperial Navy Ministry to purchase warships.

You'd better inform His Highness Prince Heinrich about this."

Carl suggested.

  

Li Jingyuan nodded; arms trade inherently requires approval at the national level.

In particular, what Li Jingyuan wanted to buy was a warship.

Such a deal would be impossible without the approval of the national government.

Subsequently, Li Jingyuan sent a telegram to Prince Heinrich, informing him of his desire to purchase warships and requesting Prince Heinrich's help in obtaining approval from the German Empire government.

Prince Heinrich had always held a favorable impression of Li Jingyuan.

After all, investing in a Chinese pharmaceutical company is practically giving him money.

Even though the development of Oriental Pharmaceutical Company did indeed benefit from his influence, the company had already brought him enormous wealth.

Although Prince Heinrich only owned 30 percent of the shares in the Oriental Pharmaceutical Company.

But by the end of last year, he had already received a profit share of 1.2 million marks.

Earlier this year, after selling patent licenses in the Americas, he received a one-time payment of 15.6 million marks.

Keep in mind that when he initially invested, he only put in 500,000 marks!

This already yields returns several tens of times the initial investment.

And this is just the beginning.

Every year thereafter, they will receive a large share of the patent fees from the Americas, as well as substantial profits from the gains made by Oriental Pharmaceuticals in Europe and other regions.

Both morally and logically, Prince Heinrich should have offered assistance to Li Jingyuan in response to his request.

At the end of January of the sixteenth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, Prince Heinrich, while on leave, went to the palace to pay homage to His Majesty Wilhelm II.

"Your Majesty, good afternoon!"

Prince Heinrich was very respectful in front of Wilhelm II.

"Oh, my dear brother, how does it feel to be rich? Are you still going to serve in the Navy? Or perhaps you could retire and start enjoying life!"

Wilhelm II joked.

"Your Majesty, I will always be a member of the Imperial Navy, and I will always fight for the Empire!" Prince Heinrich replied solemnly.

"Alright, my brother, I believe you!" Wilhelm II nodded.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Prince Heinrich explained the purpose of his visit.

"That young man is quite an interesting person. His father must be the most powerful minister in the Qing Empire, right?" Wilhelm II asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Li Hongzhang is the regional governor of the Qing Empire, and he commands the most powerful army in the Qing Empire, as well as the most powerful fleet in the entire Far East," Prince Heinrich replied.

"The Qing Empire possesses the world's largest population. Although the country is poor and backward, if the empire's goods can enter the Qing Empire's market, it will greatly promote the development of the empire's industry and economy."

In that case, we should find ways to expand our influence within the Qing Empire.

Wilhelm II made a decision immediately.

"Yes, Your Majesty. From what I understand, Li Jingyuan is the only one among Li Hongzhang's sons who chose to pursue a career in the military."

This means that he may inherit Li Hongzhang's position and take control of those armies.

Perhaps it won't be long before Li Jingyuan becomes a pivotal minister in the Qing Empire.

This will affect the future direction of the relationship between the Empire and the Qing Empire.

For this reason, the empire should also strengthen its ties with Li Jingyuan.

Moreover, selling warships is inherently about making money, which also benefits the development of the empire's shipbuilding industry!

Prince Heinrich continued.

"You're quite right, my brother. I'll put in a word with the Admiralty," Wilhelm II said.

"Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you very much!" Prince Heinrich breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's all for the empire."

Wilhelm II's goal was to make the German Empire stronger, even to the point where it would one day possess the power to challenge the hegemony of the British Empire.

Soon, Li Jingyuan received a notification from Prince Heinrich that the German Imperial Navy had approved the sale of warships to him.

Li Jingyuan then rushed to the Vulcan shipyard to discuss matters related to the purchase of warships.

It is now the sixteenth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, and in four years, the First Sino-Japanese War will break out.

Li Jingyuan needed to purchase warships from Germany beforehand. Then, he needed to ensure the officers and men of the Beiyang Fleet were proficient in operating these warships. Only in this way could they fully utilize the warships' capabilities in future naval battles, ensuring victory!