Zheng Yi's request was a surprise to everyone, and it was reasonable to think about it carefully, although it did not have much impact on the arms procurement contract signed between President Jiang and the German side, it still made President Jiang feel very embarrassed. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

Principal Jiang pondered for a long time and asked Zheng Yi a key question: "As far as I know, your arsenal has not officially produced rifle bullets, even if you buy two bullet production lines from the United Kingdom, the output is estimated to be small, and you still have to make matching nine-mm pistol cartridges for the M1929 submachine gun you produce." ”

"In such a situation, you want to sell us rifle bullets in large quantities for a long time, it seems that you can't do it!"

Zheng Yi patiently explained: "Principal, both Swire and Jardine Matheson have large arsenals in India, which specialize in the production of weapons and ammunition for the colonial army and our domestic market. ”

"Due to the decline in the purchase volume of the British army year by year, the stocks of weapons and ammunition of the colonial army have long been saturated, and in recent years, Ben has continued to sell weapons and ammunition to our country, and together with Germany, Belgium and other European arms dealers, it has squeezed out the market share of British arms dealers, resulting in a sharp drop in the sales of the Indian arsenals of Swire and Jardine Matheson, almost to the point of stopping work."

"So Swire and Jardine Matheson approached me to sell a large number of rifle bullets to China at a price lower than 15 percent of similar products in Germany, and I personally think this is a good thing, if the army is willing to buy it for a long time, at least it can greatly reduce the purchase capital, and the distance is closer, and the delivery is more guaranteed."

Everyone looked at each other, knowing in their hearts that the complicated background of this matter was beyond their power, so they all looked at Principal Jiang with a pensive face.

Principal Jiang pondered for a long time and asked solemnly: "I'm afraid you need more than just our rifle bullet order, right?" ”

Zheng Yi nodded honestly: "If the principal is willing, I can also provide no less than one thousand doors seven or six. The two-caliber howitzer and cannon, as well as millions of rounds of high-quality shells of three different powers, were in no way inferior to the improved Type 1913 artillery made by the German Krupp. ”

"These things are now in India's arms warehouses, ready to be shipped to the country, and the price is also 15 percent cheaper than German goods."

Principal Jiang was moved when he heard this, but he did not express his attitude, but only told Zheng Yi that he needed to listen to the opinions of the army, so he did not continue the topic.

Zheng Yi didn't insist, what he wanted was this effect, even a bullet couldn't be sold, Zheng Yi's goal was achieved, he not only showed President Jiang his ability, as well as his close relationship with the British, but also blocked everyone's restrictions and reproaches on him, Zheng Yi can be confident in selling weapons and equipment to anyone in the future.

This is the end of the dinner.

When President Jiang, who had a lot of affairs, said goodbye, he still maintained a good demeanor, cordially took Zheng Yi's hand, and threw Zheng Yi a superior condition that shocked everyone:

"I know you don't want to fight a civil war, but I want you to come back, and if you really don't want to lead troops, I'll give you full jurisdiction over the Ordnance Agency...... You think about it, you don't have to answer me now. ”

After sending off President Jiang and his wife, Kong Xiangxi and others, Zheng Yi, who was in a heavy mood, returned to his residence, took a shower, and sat silently on the sofa in the living room, staring blankly at the second uncle who made fragrant tea for himself without saying a word.

The second uncle brought the hot tea to Zheng Yi, looked at Zheng Yi, who was unrelenting, and shook his head again and again: "If you really can't think clearly, then go home, I don't think you need to continue to stay here in Nanjing." ”

Zheng Yi picked up the teacup and held it in his hand: "You're right, I said what I should say and what I shouldn't say, basically achieved my goal, there is no need to stay in Nanjing." ”

The second uncle hesitated for a moment: "If Principal Jiang's Whampoa Army and the Northwest Army really fight, who do you support?" ”

"No one supports me, I just want to sell arms and do business." Zheng Yi replied casually.

The second uncle nodded: "If you do this, you are likely to offend Principal Jiang, have you thought about it?" ”

Zheng Yi smiled: "Actually...... I have sinned against him. ”

"In that case, you shouldn't give him so many benefits, at least you shouldn't give him the drawings and production technology of Mauser rifles and submachine guns for free......"

"And that Kong Xiangxi, you shouldn't give him such a big face, although I sat outside with a group of attendants, I still heard the words that Kong Xiangxi said to you, obviously he is very dissatisfied with you, and it is estimated that he will dismantle your platform next." The second uncle reminded.

Zheng Yi smiled: "This person has too much appetite and tries to underwrite our rice shipped back from all over the South Seas and flour shipped back from the United States, but the price he gives is too low, obviously bullying me young, and he doesn't take my brother-in-law's family and the Zhigong Court in his eyes, hum!" I'd like to see what he's going to do. ”

The second uncle was finally relieved, smiled and stopped talking, picked up the teacup and tasted it by himself.

……

……

At eight o'clock in the morning the next day, Zhou Junyan came to have breakfast with Zheng Yi, and told Zheng Yi that President Jiang was busy presiding over the meeting, and Yu Feipeng had no time to come, so he asked Zheng Yi to walk around at will, or to inspect the Jinling Arsenal, and not to rush back to Shanghai.

As soon as Zheng Yi heard it, he knew that Lao Jiang was unwilling to agree to his conditions, but he couldn't bear to offend Zhou Junyan, who cared for him, so he quickly drank the rice porridge in the bowl, and said to Zhou Junyan with an apologetic face:

"Uncle Shi, you know that I have been very busy recently, two ships of rice are being unloaded at Huangpu Port, tens of thousands of tons of American flour will arrive soon, although they are basically sold, but the payment has not been recovered! I'd better go back to Huhai first, and then go back to Nanjing to listen to the teachings of the principal and you. ”

Zhou Junyan sighed helplessly: "You are in such a hurry to go back, do you plan to sell a large number of weapons and ammunition to the Gui family or the northern warlords after you go back?" ”

Zheng Yi hurriedly explained: "No, at least so far, no warlord has contacted me. ”

"Uncle Shi, you should know that our old Zheng family's Hong Kong arsenal is still in the process of adjustment, and a large number of machinery and equipment that have been shipped back one after another need to be assembled and debugged, at least in the next two months, there is no ability to manufacture a large number of weapons and equipment to sell in China."

"Take the M1929 submachine gun, which we have invested a lot of manpower and material resources and has been manufacturing in large quantities for several months, as soon as President Jiang opened his mouth, I didn't still send the drawings, manufacturing technology and all the materials for free, and the next step is estimated to be to send out the materials on the production of mortars and heavy machine guns, I think I have paid enough."

At this time, even Zhou Junyan felt embarrassed, smiled, and persuaded in a low voice: "Bear with me for the time being, the principal still attaches great importance to you, wait a few days, and when the principal is done, he will definitely give you a satisfactory answer." ”

Zheng Yi smiled again: "Uncle Shi, don't comfort me, I know that the principal is very embarrassed, and I don't want to trouble him anymore, let's go back to Huhai first, there are many things waiting for me to do there, and I will come back one day when the principal is free!" ”

"You can rest assured, I have agreed to the transfer of new heavy machine gun technology mentioned by the principal, and I am willing to do whatever is needed by Uncle Yu Shishu, but I am afraid that I will not be able to meet the many requirements of Minister Kong, so I beg you to always say a few kind words for me in front of President Jiang."

Zhou Junyan sighed faintly, and was speechless for a while.