King of Beiyang

"Mr. Li, I'm quite familiar with the young Krupp of Krupp Company. Perhaps we could collaborate on your armor steel formula. After all, steel mills aren't built just any old thing."

Especially for ship armor steel, a very high level of technology is required.

Krupp was undoubtedly the most advanced steel company in the German Empire. It was among the top-tier companies even across the entire European continent.

Mr. Li's armor steel formula can also be put into production quickly.

Rudolf Hacker, the chief engineer and technical director of the Vulcan shipyard, made the suggestion.

The current head of the Krupp company is Friedrich Alfred Krupp Jr., the only son of the former head, Alfred Krupp Sr., who was known as the "King of Cannons".

The elder Krupp passed away more than two years ago, and the younger Krupp took control of the entire Krupp company.

Compared to the elder Krupp, the younger Krupp was more radical.

Li Jingyuan carefully considered Rudolf Hacker's suggestion and agreed to talk to the people from Krupp first.

However, Li Jingyuan also quickly sent a telegram to the headquarters of Dongfang Pharmaceutical Company, asking Jin Kaili to come to Stettin immediately.

Li Jingyuan needs to register the patent for the new type of armor steel as soon as possible.

Only in this way can we reap another huge profit.

They could even recoup the money they spent on buying warships from the Vulcan shipyard.

The most important thing, of course, is to register the patent before the Americans do.

Kim Gae-ri arrived in Stettin early the next morning. After receiving instructions from Lee Kyung-won, he realized that time was of the essence and immediately began to apply for a patent.

No sooner had Kim Gae-ri left than Krupp Jr. arrived in Stettin and met with Lee Kyung-won.

"Mr. Li, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Krupp Jr. said politely.

After all, although Oriental Pharmaceutical Company was only a new company, its profits were astonishingly high, even surpassing those of Krupp.

"Hello, Mr. Krupp!" Li Jingyuan said with a smile.

He had already considered Krupp a customer, a customer who could bring him huge profits.

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"Mr. Li, Rudolf told me that you have a formula for a new type of naval armor steel? If its performance is indeed a significant improvement over existing composite armor, Krupp is willing to buy the rights to use it in the German Empire and even throughout Europe!" proposed the young Krupp.

"Mr. Krupp, I'm afraid we'll have to wait a while. I've already had someone apply for the patent. Let's discuss this again after the patent application is approved!" Li Jingyuan said with a smile.

Krupp Jr. immediately realized that the new armor steel formula in Li Jingyuan's possession was likely genuine.

Otherwise, why would they apply for a patent?

"Mr. Li, how about this? Krupp still has some influence in the German Empire. We can help you expedite the patent examination and obtain patent authorization as soon as possible," said the young Krupp.

In this way, Krupp will be able to obtain the formula for the new armor steel sooner.

"Mr. Krupp, thank you very much." Li Jingyuan did not refuse.

Krupp was considered a major arms manufacturer in the German Empire.

In addition to producing armor steel, they also have a shipyard. Of course, their main business is the production of cannons, and so on.

With the help of Krupp, Li Jingyuan's new armor steel completed the patent licensing process within the German Empire in just one month.

Meanwhile, patent applications have also begun in other Western countries.

Subsequently, at Li Jingyuan's behest, Krupp used the patented formula and technology provided by Li Jingyuan to test the new armor steel.

When Krupp Jr. received the test data, he was taken aback.

"My God! Are these data all true?" asked the young Krupp.

"Your Excellency, this is indeed somewhat unbelievable. However, it is truly true!" replied the technical director of Krupp.

"In that case, we must get this patent license!" Krupp Jr. said resolutely.

Test data shows that the new armor steel provided by Li Jingyuan offers more than 65 percent more defense than traditional composite armor.

This means that 100 millimeters of the new armor steel is equivalent to 165 millimeters of composite armor.

This allows warships to achieve greater defensive capabilities with the same armor thickness.

It is easy to imagine how much this would improve the performance of the German Empire's warships.

Subsequently, Krupp Jr. traveled to Hamburg to personally discuss with Li Jingyuan the purchase of a patent license for armor steel.

Prior to this, he specifically reported the situation to the German Imperial Navy Ministry, hoping that the Navy Ministry could exert its influence to allow Krupp to obtain patent licenses at a relatively low price.

They even went so far as to approach the Hollen family and Prince Heinrich, asking them to intercede on behalf of Krupp.

After all, they are Li Jingyuan's business partners.

Although the new armor steel was Li Jingyuan's private patent and did not belong to Dongfang Pharmaceutical Company.

However, Li Jingyuan wanted to continue doing business in the German Empire and also wanted to gain more support from it. Therefore, he inevitably had to make concessions in some areas.

"Mr. Li, Krupp Company wishes to obtain a patent license for its new armor steel within the German Empire. For this, we are willing to pay a royalty of five million marks. In addition, the company can pay a patent royalty of thirty marks for every ton of armor steel produced," Krupp Jr. stated.

Undoubtedly, this was significantly less than the cost Krupp incurred to purchase Harvey armor steel compared to another timeline.

In addition to paying a large royalty fee, Krupp also had to pay a patent fee of fifty marks for every ton of armor steel produced.

However, Li Jingyuan did not intend to dwell on this issue.

There will be many more times when Li Jingyuan needs Krupp's help.

"Mr. Krupp, I am very willing to cooperate with Krupp Company. As for the relevant fees, let's proceed as you stated!" Li Jingyuan said.

Little Krupp was quite surprised; he had originally thought Li Jingyuan would be as calculating as a businessman.

He was even prepared for Li Jingyuan to make exorbitant demands.

Unexpectedly, Li Jingyuan was willing to give up a large amount of profit.

This deeply moved the young Krupp.

"Mr. Li, thank you very much. From now on, you are my friend. In the German Empire, if there is anything you can't solve, you can come to me."

Krupp still held some sway in the German Empire!

Krupp Jr. immediately patted his chest and said.

Through the efforts of three generations, Krupp has gained a very large influence in the German Empire, especially in the military industry.

Li Jingyuan was also very satisfied. The reason he was willing to give up some profits was precisely to establish a closer relationship.