In the face of Monte's opening point, Hoffmann no longer went around in circles: "The German government can provide His Excellency the General with the standard rifle Gew.81 that our country has withdrawn, as well as the Krupp Type 1873 70mm field gun and the Type 1864 80mm field gun, which you can provide as much as you need." As long as you nod your head, it can be delivered to Tarkahuano within 3 weeks. China hopes that your navy and our navy will strengthen exchanges in the future, and hope that the two sides can promote and help each other. We would also like to have the right to mine ore in your country. ”

Monte is not stupid, what strengthens communication, what promotes each other, what is said is better than singing. In the final analysis, it is hoped that Chile can buy warships from Germany. This is not a difficult task for Monte.

As an admiral, it is logical to decide who the Navy buys warships from, and the few battleships built in France were single-handedly promoted by Admiral La Torre. Moreover, after the addition of a first-class ironclad ship and two protective cruisers to the Chilean Navy, the Chilean Navy will not buy warships on a large scale for a long time. Therefore, this demand can give the Germans a blank check. And even if you really want to buy warships in the future, it will not be difficult to divide a little German order.

But mining ore would involve the interests of many saltpeter merchants in the country, as well as the interests of the British. Monte did not know that Jochen was targeting the copper mines of Chile, and of course the Germans did not know about it.

In this regard, Monte prevaricated: "I can promise your country about the order of warships, but as for the saltpeter trade, I am afraid that this is not something that I can influence as an admiral, right?" ”

Hoffman, who had been told by the locals, unceremoniously told Monte's secret: "Your Excellency, you are humble, according to your own country, the parliamentarians seem to have reached an agreement with you, you will lead the navy to join the parliamentarians, and in return, the parliamentarians will elect you as the new leader." ”

The shock of this secret being poked out by the Germans was amazing, and Monte had the urge to kill the German in front of him immediately. Fortunately, the sanity is still there, although I don't know which link leaked the secret, but the German major general in front of him is obviously not deceiving himself, and the German side must have quite accurate news.

It is no wonder that the Far Eastern Fleet was allowed to visit Chile at this sensitive juncture, in order to bypass parliament and make direct contact with itself. Getting your own promise is tantamount to getting the promise of the future president of Chile. So do you want to accede to this demand, which could lead to a conflict with the UK? You must know that there is a shadow of the British behind this political turmoil in Chile.

While Monte was still hesitating, Hoffman continued to put pressure on him: "Before I came to Chile, the local side explained to me the current situation in your country. President Balmaceda is supported by a large part of the army and has recruited a large number of armed militias, with no less than 30,000 troops available. And you won't have more than 2,000 Marines at your disposal. ”

Hoffman's words stabbed Monte in the soft underbelly at once, and the lack of ground troops capable of fighting was the biggest problem of the parliamentarian faction at the moment.

Balmaceda's reforms over the years have been supported by a large number of people at the bottom, and the families of the grassroots soldiers in the army are naturally also beneficiaries, so the army grassroots are generally supporters of the presidential faction.

Moreover, Chile has a long and narrow territory and no strategic depth, so the navy is the focus of national defense construction. A large part of the profits from the Tong Guò saltpeter trade zone were spent on naval construction. After building a fleet that was the largest in South America and one of the best in the Pacific, the price paid was that the strength of the army was very weak.

The army was unable to obtain more military spending, so it was small, and the total number of Chilean troops in Chile now is only 20,000. The equipment is also very backward, and the outdated Spencer rifle is still generally used. Not to mention smokeless powder rifles, even the bolt-loaded Gew.81 was much more advanced.

But such a weak army has become the key to victory or defeat in this Chilean political chaos. Almost all the rank-and-file officers and soldiers of the army are on the side of the presidential faction. In addition, Balmaceda also strengthened the army during his tenure, so the surplus equipment of the army was taken out and a large number of armed militias were equipped, and the Marines who relied on the navy were simply not enough to fight.

As if feeling that his words did not carry enough weight, Hoffman continued: "Your Excellency Admiral has a powerful fleet in his hands, and I believe that the President has no chance of breaking through the blockade of your fleet, but that is all. Your fleet cannot go ashore, and your naval guns cannot attack the opposing positions and walls. Or are you going to have your sailors grab their rifles and fight the president's infantry? ”

For a moment, Monte wanted to say that there was nothing wrong with it, but in the end he held back. There is also a naval admiral on the other side, and he has lost the upper hand by saying such angry words.

It is true that Chile now has the strange phenomenon that there are more naval officers and men than army officers and men, and if each of the naval officers and men were given a rifle, there would be tens of thousands of troops at once. But the navy is a technical branch, and even the most basic sailors are not comparable to the mud legs of the army. You think you're the ones who are tougher than the army after they come ashore.

Let the sailors fight a land war with the army, even if it is won? The price to be paid was terrible, and Monte didn't dare to think about it.

Seeing that the cards in his hand had been seen through by the Germans, this admiral who had shown his courage in the South American Pacific War showed his determination as a war hero, and Monte replied very happily: "If I can become president in the future, I will naturally agree to your country's request." Both naval purchases and saltpeter trade could involve Germany. So what support can you provide in addition to arms? What is the price of these arms? ”

"Allow me to correct that we do not intend to have any conflict with England over the saltpeter trade, so you need not be too embarrassed. I'm just a soldier, and I don't know exactly what the Imperial Government has planned. However, in order to dispel your concerns, my country has specially instructed me to convey them. Our country may be involved in some saltpeter mining, but it will not cause you any trouble. Hoffman replied.

"Well, I believe that what you say is true, and I also believe in the sincerity of your country. So tell me, what can you do? Monte didn't want to dwell on the details.

"A Gew.81 rifle plus 1000 rounds of ammunition £10, a Type 1873 field gun £700, a Type 1864 field gun £650." The price offered by the Germans was fair. Rifles and ammunition were basically sold at cost, and the price of field guns was cheaper than when it was sold to Japan in 1876, and home delivery was free of charge.

"In addition to arms, we can send a military advisory group, and with arms you can recruit armed militia like the president's faction, I don't think it's a problem for the parliamentary faction who have a strong financial source for the saltpeter trade. Our military advisors can help you with military instruction and training. Of course, if you are willing to pay for it, I'm sure some of these advisory officers will be willing to go to the front line as junior commanders. ”

Hearing that Germany was willing to send a military advisory group, a flash of inspiration suddenly flashed in Monte's mind, if he could send an advisory group, could he directly ask the first army power in Europe to send troops directly? German New Guinea will definitely have a German colonial army stationed!

Monte immediately asked, "Can you hire your army?" Don't worry, money is not an issue, commissions and pensions will surely satisfy your country. ”

"This request is not something I can call for, please allow me to report back to my country."

"Of course, I would like to hear good news from your country. In addition, whether or not your country accedes to my request, I hope that in three weeks we will see 20,000 rifles, 20 guns of each type. And I hope that your country will continue to supply weapons when I need them. "It is worthy of Chile, which has a lot of money, and without even paying the price, it asks for enough weapons to equip a division.

"Rest assured, the weapons will arrive on time. And I will convey your request in the same words. But after all, I came as commander of the Far Eastern Fleet, and I will return to Port Moresby in two days. You will be able to contact our Minister in Chile at a later date. ”

Monte personally escorted Hoffman out of the house, and then held a small welcome reception at the base in Talkavanaugh to welcome the arrival of the German fleet. The German minister appeared at the reception under the banner of welcoming the German rear admiral. At the reception, Hoffman exchanged a few polite words with other Chilean naval officers, and then made an excuse to hide in a corner with the German minister with a wine glass, and it was obvious that this qiē was planned by the Germans.

Let a young man match, the Germans are really sure to win. Monte, who saw this scene, suddenly had a sense of powerlessness that his hole cards were clearly seen. Still, he walked over to the two Germans with his glass. Now is the perfect time to tie up with the German minister. You can't wait for the German minister to come to you, and you can take the initiative and maybe get better conditions.

The next day, the German minister telegraphed Monte's request to Berlin. And after receiving the telegram, the Germans immediately went into action. The storage of the mothballed weapons was opened, and the boxes containing the well-preserved Gew.81 rifles wrapped in oiled paper were removed one by one and loaded onto a carriage and transported to the train station.

At the same time, ammunition and artillery were also methodically traveling to the same destination in different corners of Germany at the same pace. All weapons and ammunition would be gathered in Hamburg and then loaded onto a ship bound for Talcahuano, Chile.

However, there were different views within the Germans about the request for direct German troops.