King of Beiyang

Li Jingyuan obtained all the patents for his radio communication technology within three months.

At Dongfang Pharmaceutical Company, there are already dedicated personnel in charge of these tasks.

Furthermore, Li Jingyuan's current identity and status are completely different, giving him many advantages when applying for patents.

For example, the German Empire received almost all the green lights, and the application was approved in just one month.

After obtaining the patent application, Li Jingyuan invested five million marks to establish the Oriental Radio Communication Technology Company in Berlin, preparing to produce wireless telegraph machines. At the same time, he could also sell patent licenses to various countries.

Immediately, many companies came to negotiate, hoping to purchase patent licenses.

Many of these companies have connections with governments in various countries.

Communication technology is often inseparable from secrecy, and all countries hope to have the ability to produce it themselves, rather than being subject to others.

In peacetime, this might not be a problem. But if war breaks out, it's a completely different story!

Li Jingyuan could understand this.

However, Li Jingyuan would not accept less of the money that was due.

Even within the German Empire, Krupp and several other companies, in their collaboration to establish the Eastern Radio Communication Technology Company, spent 30 million marks to obtain a patent license. Furthermore, for every wireless telegraph machine produced, they had to pay a patent fee of 100 marks to the Eastern Radio Communication Technology Company.

The same applies to other countries.

So much so that at the end of the seventeenth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, Li Jingyuan even had to ask for leave from the Naval Academy to negotiate patent licensing with various companies.

  

This has enabled Oriental Radio Communication Technology Co., Ltd. to make a fortune in patent licensing.

Most of the major powers or nations in Europe, or rather the Western world, have purchased patent licenses.

These profits alone add up to a total of 240 million marks.

If converted to silver, it would amount to a full 60 million taels of silver.

Even if 10 percent of it had to be given to Professor Adolf Slavi, Li Jingyuan's personal gains would still be astonishing.

This greatly reduced Li Jingyuan's financial pressure, allowing many plans to begin.

Shortly after Christmas, Li Jingyuan traveled to Essen to visit the headquarters of Krupp.

He has already contacted the head of Krupp, the young Krupp, and the two sides have set a time.

Therefore, when Li Jingyuan arrived at the Krupp headquarters, the young Krupp was already waiting at the door.

Although the younger Krupp was much older than Li Jingyuan, Li Jingyuan's immense wealth and achievements in business over the years left the younger Krupp in awe.

"Mr. Li, welcome to Essen." Krupp Jr.'s face was full of smiles.

Krupp Jr. knew very well that Li Jingyuan's visit must have been for a reason.

Perhaps Krupp will be able to secure another order.

This made Krupp Jr. look at Li Jingyuan as if he were a god of wealth.

"Mr. Krupp, you're too kind," Li Jingyuan replied with a smile.

Led by Krupp Jr., Li Jingyuan visited the headquarters of Krupp Corporation.

As a military industrial giant specializing in artillery production, Krupp undoubtedly held an extremely important position in the German Empire's military industrial system. Even in Europe or the world, Krupp was absolutely a first-class military industrial enterprise.

Just as Krupp Jr. had guessed, Li Jingyuan's visit to Krupp headquarters was indeed to discuss business cooperation.

"Mr. Krupp, I will be graduating next year. At that time, I will be returning to the Far East. I hope to be able to purchase a batch of artillery and ammunition from the Krupp Company."

Ideally, I would obtain a license to produce these artillery pieces. After all, the arsenal that Krupp is building for me is nearing completion and will soon be operational.

Li Jingyuan said.

"Of course, no problem!" Krupp Jr. replied immediately.

Selling cannons is profitable, and since Li Jingyuan wanted to buy cannons, Krupp Jr. certainly wouldn't refuse.

As for licensing production technology, that's not a problem either.

Krupp Jr. had already agreed to secure the order from Li Jingyuan's arsenal.

Moreover, these production technology licenses also have to be purchased, not given away for free.

"Mr. Li, what type of artillery do you need? Krupp can provide it all. And I can guarantee that they are all the most technologically advanced models!" asked the young Krupp.

Li Jingyuan didn't care about the boasting of the young Krupp.

Although Krupp's artillery technology was indeed very advanced, it would soon fall behind in some aspects.

For example, in another timeline, the famous 75mm gun of the Gauls pioneered the use of a recoil mechanism, greatly enhancing the stability of the cannon and thus increasing the rate of fire to a terrifying 15 rounds per minute. Furthermore, under extreme firing conditions for a short period, the rate of fire could be doubled to 30 rounds per minute.

With such a terrifying rate of fire, one cannon is equivalent to more than three recoilless cannons.

As a result, the Gauls gained a considerable advantage in the war.

Of course, Li Jingyuan would not bring this up on his own initiative.

Once the arsenal is built and put into operation, and the technological accumulation is complete, it is entirely possible to take the lead in producing recoil-operated cannons, thereby further enhancing the firepower of the Beiyang Army.

Even though Li Jingyuan now has a close relationship with the German Empire, he cannot completely hand over all his secrets to them.

"Mr. Krupp, I mainly want to purchase 75mm mountain guns, 75mm field guns and 105mm light howitzers."

Of these, we need 100 75mm mountain guns, 200 75mm field guns, and 105mm light howitzers. Furthermore, I also need the production technology licenses for these artillery pieces!

Li Jingyuan made the request.

"Four hundred cannons? And the corresponding production technology license—that's already a considerable business deal." Little Krupp's eyes lit up.

"Mr. Li, we're old friends. How about this: a 75mm mountain gun, 6,500 marks each. A 75mm field gun, 10,000 marks each. The 105mm light howitzer is currently under development by Krupp. It's expected to be in mass production in a few months. The price will be 20,000 marks each."

All things considered, these cannons cost 5.65 million marks!

Little Krupp said with a smile.

Li Jingyuan nodded; the price was reasonable.

While Krupp did have a certain profit margin, it did not ask for exorbitant prices.

"Mr. Krupp, I will offer ten million marks to purchase these cannons. In addition, I will transfer the production technology. Krupp will be responsible for sending personnel to assist us in ensuring that my arsenal can produce these cannons. At the same time, each cannon must be equipped with one hundred shells."

Li Jingyuan quoted a price.

"Deal!" Krupp Jr. immediately agreed.