Originally, Lou Dehua was still waiting for the cash from the father of the sponsor. Unexpectedly, Tang Dao went to Citibank and didn't get a dime back. If Tang Dao hadn't paid nearly ten million US dollars in cash in advance, Lou Dehua
Dehua even had the urge to kick Tang Dao out.
Now, he has already fired his bow and has no chance of turning back.
The headquarters of the Krupp Company located in the empire passed its report on investing in steel plants in China yesterday. All the required equipment and technical personnel have begun preparations. With Germanic efficiency, they will be shipped in a week at the latest.
Set off.
This naturally also includes the various precision machine tools for parts forging that he requested with private goods. The headquarters is not a fool and knows that this is a big job. But for Krupp, as long as there is enough profit,
Who cares who Rostav will sell arms to!
Of course, the premise of all this is whether a certain shareholder's funds are in place. In order to complete the construction of the steel plant as soon as possible, Lou Dehua assured in the transoceanic telegram that the funds are in place.
However, Tang Dao paid nearly 9 million U.S. dollars in cash, but at least 3 million U.S. dollars were used to pay for the equipment of the German weapon master. Only 6 million U.S. dollars were actually used to invest in the steel plant, which was far less than Tang Dao.
The investment of 8 million promised by Dao is still 2 million short, and this does not include the 5 million from 'Laboratory No. 1' headed by Grunov.
You must know that Krupp does not rely entirely on resources and technology to occupy its shares. All the equipment on the list alone is worth nearly 5 million US dollars. If you add in the wages and transportation costs of domestic technicians and the construction of factories,
The cost will definitely exceed 8 million.
In addition, do you really think that Krupp does not need Japanese public relations? I am afraid that the Japanese foreign affairs personnel in the German Empire have already received cash checks!
On the Chinese side, Lou Dehua has personally visited Yuan Sugami and Saburo Okabe a long time ago. Although Lou Dehua contributed to the negotiations with the Chinese, that has become a thing of the past, and the Japanese have also paid their dues.
At the same time, Krupp's transport trucks were also traveling smoothly in North China, otherwise Tang Dao and the others would not have arrived so smoothly.
Orientals especially love gold. Lou Dehua paid a thousand taels of gold in exchange for a few yuan. He agreed to the Germans' request and allowed them to build a steel plant in HD, and would provide Japan with 100,000 tons of steel every year.
This is normal, otherwise with Shanshan Yuan's current power, it would be difficult to explain to the base camp why the Germans are allowed to invest in the construction of steel plants.
Adding in other trivial expenses, the total amount will definitely exceed tens of millions of dollars by the time the steel plant is completed.
You said that if Tang Dao can't provide the remaining money, Krupp is not afraid. At worst, it will invest more and do it on its own, but will Lou Dehua's dear nephew make a fuss about it?
Lou Dehua knew the face of his eldest nephew even if he thought about it. As the biggest threat to him in the family, Lou Dehua, who had been demoted to the Far East Branch, had better not go to jail in this position, which would be the safest way.
Looking at a certain funder who didn't have a dime on him but was still confident enough to let him wait to collect the money, Lou Dehua almost turned his hair gray with worry.
If he could turn back time, he would definitely not want to meet this bastard who likes to draw big cakes. No matter how tempting the cakes are, he would be starving to death right now.
Citibank was very efficient. Two days later, ten sacks and ten large suitcases were delivered to the hotel apartment where Tang Dao was staying.
That was US$7 million in cash and gold bars worth US$1 million sent by Citibank at Tang Dao's request.
The living room of the relatively spacious apartment is filled with inconspicuous sacks and suitcases. At first glance, they look like souvenirs brought by country bumpkins to the city, but if you know that they are all filled with colorful beautiful knives and
Gold, no matter who he is, will have an out-of-body feeling at that moment.
This is how the general manager of Krupp Far East Company, who has seen big scenes, feels like this. Lou Dehua, who was called by Tang Dao and asked to bring financial personnel, opened a sack at will and saw all the colorful and beautiful swords. At that moment
He almost ascended to heaven on the spot.
Tang Dao still had 7 million US dollars left to pay, but he paid it all in just a few days. It was much better than he expected.
"No wonder the Japanese want to rob the Chinese, the Chinese are really too rich!" At that moment Lou Dehua finally found the best answer to the Sino-Japanese war.
With the remaining 1 million U.S. dollars, Tang Dao handed over 800,000 U.S. dollars to Lou Dehua, which was used to pay the salaries of all German technical personnel in 'Laboratory No. 1', including Grunov, and Tang Dao
He only took 100,000 of the remaining 200,000 U.S. dollars. The other 100,000 U.S. dollars were taken away by Tang Dao and Lou Dehua did not ask. Anyway, he took away the 100,000 U.S. dollars.
"Group, we invested so much money to help this guy make money, but he still wanted to steal 100,000 U.S. dollars from us." After Lou Dehua left with a smile, Shen Laoliu couldn't help complaining with some distress.
100,000 U.S. dollars, converted into oceans, is 400,000. This huge sum of money can completely feed and drink the whole group of four groups for a whole year. It was just taken away by a foreigner, that is, Mr. Shen.
The six pairs of Tang Dao were convinced to the core. If it had been Ye Chenghuan, he might have pointed at Tang Dao's nose and cursed the prodigal son.
You know, the half-year military expenditure of the entire Eighty Group Army's more than 40,000 regular troops is probably only this much!
"Haha, Lao Liu! Our ancestors once said: If you want to take something, you must first give it to it! It's like fishing, you can't just get a fishhook to catch it! You must have bait.
For us, we are not afraid that he will take it, but that he will not take it. Without this, how could he take the risk to help us? Just by helping him make achievements so that he can go back to take charge of the arms empire in the future? That pie is very big.
But that's too far away." Tang Dao, who had completely solved the Krupp issue, was obviously in a good mood and explained to Shen Laoliu with a smile.
"Believe it or not, with this money, the batch of weapons for which we have paid the balance will not only arrive at HD as quickly as possible, but it will also save us a lot of unnecessary trouble."
Tang Dao's prophecy came true. Half a month later, the arms, which took up almost half of the train, were not only safely delivered to the HD Fengfeng Coal Mining Area, but he also very considerately helped transport them to the mountainous area designated by the contact person by truck.
This not only saved the trouble of three infantry regiments and a huge transport team consisting of 4,000 people who were already on standby in the mountainous area, but also indirectly reduced the losses of the Eighty Group Army.
You know, after the boss of the 80th Group Army received Tang Dao's request, he almost became hypertensive because he was not helped to transport a complete German armorer's equipment. After asking for instructions from the highest level, his criticality level increased to a matter of concern.
The survival of the 80th Group has reached a new height.
The preparation alone took more than 20 days. The 80th Army mobilized its two main divisions in Jin Province and nearly 10,000 militia troops, with a total strength of more than 100,000.
Of course, not all of these 100,000 people were used for transportation. Those actually involved in transportation were three non-main force regiments and a militia transportation team with a variety of transportation tools such as donkeys, mules, and wheelbarrows.
The main force, numbering tens of thousands, gathered in the direction of Niangziguan in eastern Shanxi, threatening Niangziguan and Jingxing County.
Not to mention that the Japanese army was very nervous and immediately mobilized troops from various places to gather in eastern Shanxi to prevent being counterattacked by the Chinese army. You must know that Jingxing is the gateway to eastern Shanxi. If it is lost, the Chinese can stride to attack Shimen in Ji Province, which is dozens of kilometers away.
An important town, it can be regarded as another key point of the Japanese North China Front in North China besides Pingjin and Tianjin. Many important materials have to be transferred from here to the front line.
Even a big city like HD has deployed more than half of its defense forces. If these three newly formed second-line infantry regiments had not quietly lurked, and were replaced by main regiments like the 772 and 771, this attack might have been successful.
HD can be conquered.
The Second Theater Command was also shocked. After questioning, the Eightyth Army responded that it was a special military operation to avenge the hundreds of anti-Japanese activists massacred by the Japanese army some time ago. The Second Theater Command
Although it has nominal jurisdiction, the Eightyth Army is an army with a special nature and it is fighting the Japanese. They can't say they ordered you not to fight, right?
We can only turn a blind eye and let the Eighty Group do whatever they want. Even if they don't fight, it would still be good to scare the Japanese.
Of course, Tang Dao also specifically stated that HD will become an important supply line in the future. The Eightyth Army will naturally not make any mistakes that will ruin its own financial path. No one will attack HD.
The emptiness of HD troops actually made it much easier for Krupp Company to operate. So when Krupp Company requested the local Japanese garrison to send troops to protect its transport team, the top commander of the local garrison refused on the grounds of military emergency. Krupp Company
Bo Company could only follow the trend and use its own armed escorts at the iron mine.
It needs to be explained here that because the mine is located in a mountainous area, Krupp Company has armed protection rights at Fengfeng Coal Mine. Whether it was under the rule of the 29th Army at that time or the Japanese army that occupied most of North China, Krupp
Lupp's armed escort force exceeds 1,500 people.
It is usually trained by professional soldiers, and has mortars, heavy machine guns, and even two machine guns. Its combat power is comparable to that of a Chinese infantry regiment. It is the second most powerful armed force in the entire HD area after the Japanese army.
The 80th Army spent such a price, of course, not just for the sake of revolutionary friendship, but also for the sake of gain. Tang Tuanzuo did not explicitly mention the reward, but one of them alone was enough to make the elders of the 80th Army unanimously agree.
I threw my arms around and took on the job.
Before leaving, Tang Dao had informed Brigadier Cheng that as long as this batch of equipment could be obtained, all the mountain artillery and Maxim heavy machine guns eliminated by the Four Lines Regiment would be transferred to the 80th Army.
Not to mention anything else, just the mountain artillery almost made Brigadier Cheng sleepless for a week.
How many mountain artillery pieces does the Sixings Regiment have now? That's up to 20. If all 20 75mm mountain artillery pieces are given to the 80th Army, it means that the 80th Army can build a complete mountain artillery regiment.
An artillery regiment! For the 80th Army, which struggled out of hardships, it was a dream from the moment it was established.
Who would have thought that this dream would come true in the second year after entering the war.
That also means that from now on in the war against Japan, it will not only be the soldiers of the Eightyth Army hiding in the trenches and being bombed waiting for the Japanese to attack. The Eightyth Army can also pour artillery shells onto the Japanese infantry or heavy firepower points that are preparing to attack.
superior.
You said, how can Brigadier Cheng not be excited after seeing so many of his soldiers killed in the trenches by Japanese artillery fire without even firing a shot? He has no choice but to be filled with grief and indignation?
As for Tang Dao, the reason why he dared to boast so much about Haikou was naturally the confidence given by the equipment of the German weapon master.
After the discount, the equipment of the German armorers can also be called luxurious: 12 Swedish-made Bofors 75mm caliber mountain guns; 12 German-made 150mm caliber heavy mortars; 24 German-made GRW34 81mm mortars.
Not to mention various other light equipment, just these big guys can't equip the 8,000 people of the Four Lines Regiment. Why doesn't Tang Dao quickly eliminate the original old equipment and throw it to friendly forces?
Although the Bofors Mountain Cannon has the same caliber as the Japanese Type 41 Mountain Cannon, as a light howitzer that has been tested in the Battle of Songhu, it has proven its worth, with a price of up to 16,000 US dollars.
The price is absolutely worth it.
The range and accuracy of over 9,000 meters completely outperforms the Type 41 Mountain Cannon with a range of 6,500 meters. Its 700 kilogram body can be dismantled into eight pieces for transportation, and its maneuverability is much stronger than that of the Type 41 Mountain Cannon.
With these two items alone, the Bofors Mountain Cannon is one level higher than the Type 41 Mountain Cannon. Except for the weight of the projectiles, its other performance is even close to the 105mm caliber howitzer at the level of the Japanese Army Equipment Division.
Especially when entering rugged and difficult-to-travel mountainous areas, mobility and range are the key to testing the success of a mountain gun design. In this regard, European manufacturing completely defeats the Japanese.
Even though there are only 12 guns, if you can effectively use its range, accuracy that far exceeds the Japanese Type 41 mountain gun, and its strong mobility, you can effectively suppress a Japanese artillery regiment.
As for whether the Japanese army would be forced to use larger-caliber heavy artillery, first they would have to transport a large piece of artillery weighing nearly 2 tons into the mountains. That weight was not something that a few pack horses could pull.
Although this is not Tang Dao's most ideal artillery, for example, the '63-type 107 rocket launcher', one of China's black technologies in the future, which Tang Dao has longed for. This kind of thing is respected by military enthusiasts around the world as one of the three artifacts of guerrilla warfare. If it really one day
If you can take it out, the Japanese will be beaten to tears.
The reason why this is an 'artifact' is not to mention the combat weight of less than 400 kilograms and the maximum range of 8500 meters, but only the towing tool of this thing...
The war has proven that its traction tools can simply shatter the outlook of all professional soldiers: jeeps, cars, agricultural tricycles, tractors, two people or a donkey, any of them can pull a 12-barreled rocket launcher everywhere
Wander around.
The most awesome thing is that the 12 launch tubes of this rocket launcher can be disassembled and used. Each soldier can march in the mountains carrying two tubes or four shells.
That means that an artillery squad of 20 people can maneuver 30 kilometers in one day and complete five rounds of saturation attacks relying solely on manpower.
Rocket launchers are not like ordinary artillery shells. What they rely on is accuracy. That thing relies on pure firepower coverage. The error is 1 meter, 5 meters, 10 meters. I have an error of 50 meters, but 12 rounds are fired in 20 seconds.
It blasted over the sky and covered the earth, destroying all humans and animals within a few kilometers.
The concept of a fighting nation is rooted in the word "Meng". Although the Chinese military industry has made other modifications, this essence has never been lost, so much so that in the future, it has done such crazy things as super rocket launchers with a range of more than 400 kilometers.
.
Of course, for Tang Dao at this time, although he is drooling about this weapon, the current conditions are limited, so he should use the limited scientific research and manufacturing in more practical places, and he is also afraid that this technology is at its peak.
The risk of copying what Japan has learned is that it is better to wait until the grandsons who have lived a good life poke the American cowboys in the butt, and then let the angry American cowboys ride on giant ships and pick up big sticks to crush them.
When the time comes, it would be better to consider this 'artifact'.
The Bofors Mountain Cannon, the 150-caliber heavy mortar, the Sulotong 20mm machine gun, and the quadruple 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun are Tang Dao's most ideal artillery battalion equipment at present, which are enough to withstand Japanese attacks from above and below.
There is no need to replace it for at least 2 years.
Of course, the equipment of a German weapon division cannot be swallowed by the four-line regiment. Tang Dao also plans to distribute a batch of light firepower, including rifles, light machine guns, submachine guns, shell guns, steel helmets and other equipment to the 80th Group and the 17th Group who are being reorganized.
division.
These two trustworthy friendly forces are equipped with at least one German infantry regiment, one Japanese infantry regiment, plus the Four Lines Regiment with a strength of 8,000 people. Only in this way can Tang Dao have the opportunity to fight with the Japanese in the Taihang Mountains according to his own ideas.
Wrestle your wrist again.
The Chinese army that took the initiative at that time was not like the last Shanxi Southeast Battle. Although the total number of troops was nearly 150,000, the weapons and equipment were so miserable that many Chinese soldiers did not have guns at all. They had the opportunity to own firearms.
It was after a comrade died in battle.
There will be as many as five main infantry regiments that are well-equipped, including super infantry regiments like the Four Lines Regiment, both in terms of strength and equipment.
If the Japanese, who have always liked to dispatch troops based on a 1:2 or even 1:3 comparison, don't wake up quickly, they will definitely end up with a bloody head.
Of course, these are all things for later. Tang Dao, who has solved all the affairs of Krupp Company, has been waiting in the concession for the past few days. He went out to listen to music during the day and called Brigadier Tian or Lou Dehua when they were fine at night.
Drink wine and taste tea.
That was not for nothing. From these two people, Tang Dao also learned clearly about the already turbulent situation in Europe.
The eagerly expanding army of the mustachioed head of state has caused panic in European countries. In the eyes of these two men, war will come sooner or later.
However, from their current perspective, they don't know how big the scale of the war will be.
And Tang Dao knew that only when the flames of war spread to most of the earth, and the Germanic mustaches and the island mustaches were mixed together, would China have a chance to win the war.
Fortunately, the historical line has not completely deviated yet.
In the future, Rockefeller's efficiency in controlling people will be faster than Tang Dao imagined.
Within a week, on the fifth day, Miss Laura came to visit in person.
