Situ Jun was taken aback when he saw the design of the light machine gun that Long Qian took out. As far as he knew, there was already a light machine gun, called the Madsen machine gun, which was invented by a Danish captain named Madsen, and the total weight was less than ten kilograms, which could completely follow the advance of the attacking troops and provide nearby fire support for the attacking detachment. However, the letter from the German classmate said that this weapon named the Madsen machine gun was not favored by the military, and there were many problems, mainly because the rate of fire was too low and the failure rate was too high, at least the German army did not have a plan to buy a patent for this weapon and carry out mass production.

Situ Jun, a classmate of the Military Academy, was just a captain in charge of the equipment procurement department under the General Staff, and when he resolutely returned to China, he was already the chief of staff of the division, and according to the German army's rank regulations, he should at least be a colonel. Thinking of this, Situ Jun was a little proud. But he quickly turned his mind back to the light machine gun. It is true that Situ Jun is a graduate of Germany's highest military academy, but he is not an expert in weapons, so he can't understand the pile of drawings that Long Qian gave him, so he can only listen to Long Qian's explanation.

Long Qian said triumphantly that the performance of his light machine gun will surpass the Madsen machine gun in an all-round way, and if it is built according to the design drawings, it will completely surpass Madsen. The gun has a total length of 1160mm, weighs 9.6 kg, has an effective range of 1500 meters, and a rate of fire of 500 rounds per minute. Air-cooled, easy to replace the barrel. The magazine-fed cartridge is 7.92mm in calibre, identical to the Mauser 98, and can fire Mauser rifle rounds. In battle, it is generally possible to equip two deputies, ammunition and spare barrels are carried by deputies, and the barrel needs to be replaced once after 200 rounds of fire. But the time is extremely short. It takes less than ten seconds to complete. If this machine gun is equipped with a shed (squad), the existing battalion and company tactics below will be greatly changed.

Situ Jun pondered the string of performance data reported by Long Qian. He knew that his commander was extremely skilled in individual combat, and he was a leader in grappling and fighting, cold weapons, and firearms. The fighting fist used in the training of the troops was taught by Long Qian himself, and the essentials of each action were refined, and after being standardized by the General Staff Office, they were distributed to the whole army in the form of legends, and the training effect was very good, at least in improving the physical fitness of the soldiers. Long Qian is also very fond of weapons, and has specially organized a comparative study of several current rifles. At his suggestion, the military academy with the battalion set up a weapons subject. Students are required to understand the general principles and construction of firearms and artillery. Taught by German instructors. This course is relatively difficult for the officers and men of Mengshan, who generally have a low level of education, and more than half of them fail the examination.

Even if he is an expert in the use of weapons, it is not easy to design a new machine gun that is the best in the world, right? In Germany, there are specialized weapons development institutes. There are military factories. The army also has it. Those institutions are all concentrated with countless essences. From determining the use requirements to determining the basic principle, to the design of each component, the final result is a long testing process...... I've never heard of a man who can design a machine gun in his spare time! United States? What level of weapons is the US Army. It is enough to circumstantially prove the level of American weapons research!

What's going on here? Situ Jun had to put aside his doubts about Long Qian for a while and turn his thoughts back to this light machine gun. He was very fond of the study of infantry detachment tactics, and in the Mengshan Army, Long Qian was one of the objects of his discussion of tactics. Long Qian said that the infantry company needed a light machine gun that could compensate for the fire between the heavy machine gun and the rifle. Therefore, the letter from the German classmate mentioned that the Danes had invented a light machine gun, and they were very interested and wanted to see the real thing. This wish is difficult to fulfill, and in the Far East, I am afraid that not even a single Madsen has yet appeared. If the Mengshan army is equipped with such a machine gun......

"Don't think about it, we can't build this weapon. It can only be used as a bargaining chip with the Germans. And this, it's an improvement on the Mauser 98, you take it and take a look. I think it can impress the Germans. ”

"Mauser 98 improvements?" Situ Jun was even more shocked. The design of the Mauser 98 has only been finalized for a few years, and the German army has just completed the redress, so you have put forward specific suggestions for improvement? You must know that the people of Lu Dao have made a rifle, but it has been tempered by countless experts...... Situ Jun couldn't help but open the drawings of the trumpet to see, but was stopped by Long Qian.

"Take this back and look at it. Now what I'm going to talk to you about is, if you negotiate with the Germans, how many weapons are you going to buy from them? What weapons to buy? ”

This is an important question. A key factor involved is that the principles governing the procurement of weapons in peacetime and wartime are quite different.

"Situ, this time for the expansion of the Fifth Town, I originally wanted to leave some vacancies. However, they could not resist the strong demands of the brigade commanders, and reluctantly agreed that they would make up the shortfall. Fortunately, the patrol force is being formed according to our intentions, and this reserve army needs a large number of qualified sergeants and junior officers, and the main force can provide these people more quickly. But it is not necessary to have all the ordnance, because I judge that in two years, there will be no major war in our army. So, keep some of the unarmed soldiers. Putting our money where it's needed most, like expanding our investments in U.S. businesses, will give us a better return — money, technology, and talent. ”

"What do you mean?"

"The Mauser 98 was equipped with a battalion for each standard, and a training team was set up in each standard to train the sergeants and familiarize the backbone with the new gun. The rest of the troops are still armed with old weapons. All the weapons replaced by the main battalion were transferred to the patrol force. "Long Qian has already made a calculation.

"And what about artillery and heavy machine guns?"

"Do the same. Artillery and heavy machine guns can be bought a little, but not more. Instead of buying weapons, it is better to buy some necessary equipment. Our current focus is on training talent, training more artillerymen and machine gunners. The other is a team of professionals in repair and maintenance. In the future, we will take the road of firepower to win. The density of firepower of the main forces of the Mengshan Army must not only overwhelm the domestic, but also surpass the land forces of the great powers, especially the Japanese army. These cannot be done at the moment, and the troops are mainly training reserve personnel, and the intensity of live-fire training should be increased, including artillery, so it is necessary to buy more ammunition. Locally, mainly Huayuan and ZTE. The main task in the coming years will be to have the capability to develop and produce munitions. This requires both money and time. ”

This is a realistic, deliberate decision. After a little thought, Situ Jun expressed his complete approval.

"You can decide the specific amount and variety. It's up to you to get the weapons we need for the least amount of money. The chips are the two drawings and instructions you have in your hand, and don't forget to take advantage of the British and American. I think the Germans will give in. ”

After Situ Jun received the task, he hung the anxious Derodek in the post house, and carefully studied the two drawings provided by Long Qian. To be honest, he did not fully understand, but was sure of both the light machine gun and the improvement of the Mauser 98. It's all credible. Suppress the shock in your heart. He summoned the members of the Second Section of the General Staff Office in charge of ordnance procurement, calculated in detail the quantity, price, and method of payment for procurement in accordance with Long Qian's principle, and solicited the opinions of Song Jinguo, Lian Shupeng, Jiang Jiying, and others, and determined the procurement plan. Only then did he take Lian Shupeng and Zhang Xian, the chief of the second section, to the post house to meet Derodek.

"Dear friends. You're finally back. "Drodeck is in charge of the arms business from Hans." I bring Colonel Strauss's greetings to you. Drrodek was spewing smoke from a cigarette in his mouth, "Hmm, General Situ. The quality of the cigarettes you produce is very good. ”

Situ Jun glanced at the cigarette box on the coffee table, which was the "Quancheng" brand cigarettes that had just been put on the market by Huayuan Industrial Jinan Cigarette Factory. The word "Quancheng" on the cigarette box is still written by Zhou Fu, for which he received a lot of money from Huayuan. Now the one placed is a high-end model, and there are three "Quancheng" brand cigarettes, which are high, medium and low-grade.

"Really? You can include it in your procurement plan. Situ Jun didn't forget to pull customers for Huayuan. The military has always been a big consumer of cigarettes, and since the "Quancheng" was put on the market, many people in the Mengshan Army Headquarters have changed their original habit of dry tobacco and smoked more foreign cigarettes. The Mengshan Army banned alcohol, but not smoking. However, Szeto is a non-smoker.

"You can think about it." Drodeck smiled and said, "What good news did General Situ bring me?" ”

"Of course there is good news." Situ Junyi stretched out his hand and took the document from Zhang Xian's hand, "This is our gift to you, I think that as a senior ordnance expert, Mr. Drodeck will be interested in this." ”

The first drawing opened, and it was a three-dimensional drawing of a light machine gun that had been rushed out, without dimensions.

"Oh, this is the machine gun that General Long is talking about?" Drodeck was immediately intrigued.

"It's much better than Madsen." Situ Jun said lightly, "We are sure that this machine gun is what you need, and its appearance will change the form of battle." ”

"This, this was invented by you?" The appearance of the machine gun immediately caught Drodek, who was a connoisseur and immediately realized the meaning.

"In fact, all the design is done. It's entirely ours. If you are interested, you can sell the entire design to you. As he spoke, Situ Jun took out another document, "The Mauser 98 is an excellent rifle, but it is not perfect. We conducted research after we got the actual product and decided that there was room for further improvement. It doesn't require a lot of investment, but it can improve its performance. Don't you want to take a look? ”

Drodeck was a little stunned. In the same mood as Situ Jun at that time, he couldn't believe that the Chinese had such a level of military design!

"Don't you believe it?"

"Ah, no. We need to identify this ......," he said, subconsciously reaching out to grab the pieces of paper in Situ Jun's hand.

"No, I can't give it to you yet." Situ Jun smiled and handed the document to Zhang Xian, "Actually, as far as the technique is concerned, sometimes it is just a piece of paper, and it will be broken when you stab it. ”

"So, what do you need?"

"I would like to consider these two things together with this ordnance purchase." Situ Jun stared at Droldek's brown eyes, "As far as I'm concerned, I want to purchase German weapons, because I grew up in Germany and have a deep affection for the German Empire. However, there are other merchants fighting for this business, and you know this. You also know that General Long has an American background, and the American guest is in Jinan...... If you do not show sincerity, it will be difficult for me to explain to my commander as a subordinate in charge of ordnance procurement. Do you see what I mean? ”

Drodek's brown eyes quickly swirled, "General, don't forget, we already have a very good foundation for cooperation...... If you abandon the Empire, it will be considered unfriendly to the Empire......"

"You've said it! Mr. Drodeck! General Long Qian, including me, is first and foremost Chinese. Otherwise, we wouldn't have come all the way back here. How much help the Americans gave to General Long in Shandong, you know it. In fact, China and the United States have a broader basis for cooperation. ”

"Dear friends, the Americans, in the design and manufacture of weapons, are currently only worthy of being students of the German Reich. General Long and you, both smart people with deep vision, will certainly know the gap between them......"

"So I'll talk to you first. Isn't that a clear attitude? ”

"Then what conditions do you want?"

"Here's the condition." Situ Jun took out a piece of paper from the pocket of his military jacket, "It's all written on it." In order not to cause misunderstanding, I wrote in German. ”

"Complete repair shop...... Bullet and shell production lines...... What do you mean by that? ”

"I mean what I give you is worth these things! As for the procurement of ordnance, as an additional condition, we purchase them at the price. ”

Drodeck rolled his eyes, "What about the exact number?" ”

"If you promise that, we can talk about the quantity. Among them are matching ammunition. Don't worry, even if the German side helps us with the production line, it will be difficult for us to increase the output all at once. ”

"But how can I negotiate with the country? How can I prove that your design is viable? ”

"Integrity is the foundation of life. You can take away the necessary documents and don't even need to leave any signatures or anything like that. Situ Jun asked Zhang Xian for the documents in his hand, "Sir, I hope you realize the significance of cooperating with our army." Only a company with a long-term vision can go further and laugh to the bottom. ”

"That's good. I immediately returned to Qingdao. Derodk stood up.

"Waiting for your news. I don't have any more time, though. I hope you hurry up. ”

Seven days later, Drrodek came to Jinan again. Opinions on the improvement of the Mauser 98 rifle have already been confirmed in the country, and the unnamed light machine gun has not yet been determined, but the Germans have already decided. This time, Drodeck came with a large group of entourage, from the repair shop to the two production lines to rifles, pistols, artillery and supporting ammunition, and conducted secret negotiations with Situ Jun and others. Two days later, the basic intention was finally reached. And the news about the light machine gun also came, and the German ordnance experts affirmed the Chinese design and demanded the complete purchase of the Chinese technical patent.

Patents are unreserved. However, Situ Jun admitted frankly that Mengshanjun would eventually be equipped with this machine gun, so after the transfer of the patent (in fact, there was no registration formalities, and the Manchu Qing Dynasty did not have a patent law), Mengshanjun had a production license, but promised not to transfer the technology to a third party.

4,000 Mauser rifles (with four infantry battalions and instruction teams), 1.5 million rounds of ammunition; 200 military pistols (equipped with officers at the battalion level and above) with 100,000 rounds of ammunition; 12 75mm Krupp mountain guns, 24 57mm field guns, 36 37mm rapid-fire guns, each with 200 rounds of ammunition. A 7.92mm rifle round-nosed ammunition production line, a 75mm and below caliber artillery shell production line (including primer, seal line but excluding propellant and explosives production, charge), a medium-sized repair factory, a total of 1.45 million taels of silver. After the Chinese side made a down payment of 500,000 taels, the German side began to deliver all weapons and equipment to the Chinese side within 100 days, and after the equipment and weapons were fully delivered, the Chinese side had to pay another 500,000 taels. The last lump sum was to be paid to the German side within one year of the signing of the contract.

The German side sent relevant technical personnel to guide the construction of the production line. (To be continued......)