It had been more than a month since the outbreak of the war, and during that time, the German Army had won many battles and wiped out a large number of Allied troops. Had it not been for the defeat at the Battle of the Marne, France might have been forced to withdraw from the war. But now the German Army also had to stop the offensive due to excessive losses, logistical pressure, etc. This made Moltke feel deeply remorseful, thinking that it was his own reason.

"Count Moltke, what do you think?" Wilhelm II saw that Moltke did not react, and directly began to roll call.

"Your Majesty, I think that no matter how much arms trade the Chinese Empire and the Entente have conducted, as long as the Chinese Empire does not directly give up its neutrality, we will not be able to tear our faces with the Chinese Empire." Moltke Jr. said.

"Why? Are we going to let the Chinese empire humiliate the empire like this? Crown Prince William said dissatisfied.

"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Chinese Empire sold arms to the Entente powers, and that was just normal trade. In other words, if the empire is in such a situation, it will definitely choose to sell arms. After all, the Chinese Empire was counting on making a fortune by selling arms! In addition, even as the Chinese Empire was selling arms to the Entente powers, at the same time, the Chinese Empire was also providing the Empire with much-needed war materials. If we tear our faces with the Chinese Empire, then the Chinese Empire will probably stop providing us with these war materials. This will be even more disadvantageous for us. Moltke said.

Although, before the outbreak of the war, Germany stockpiled huge quantities of war materials. However, once the war broke out, they knew that the consumption was still too fast. With the coastline already blocked by the British Navy, only foreign-flagged ships were able to enter Germany. China, on the other hand, was the country that sent the most war materials to Germany. Now, China is only selling a batch of arms to the Entente countries. If this makes Germany and China tear their faces apart, it will be Germany that will suffer heavy losses in the end.

Wilhelm II nodded, although he felt a little aggrieved in his heart, but he knew that Moltke had a point. If you have a stalemate with the Chinese Empire. It is still Germany that suffers.

"Your Majesty, the oil, copper, and other non-ferrous metals that the Chinese Empire has shipped to us already account for more than half of our imports from abroad. Therefore, it is better for our relationship with the Chinese Empire to continue to deepen rather than deteriorate. Prime Minister Holwig also said.

"Well, for the sake of the big picture of the empire, we turn a blind eye to this. However, there will still be necessary diplomatic protests. Let the Chinese know that we are not ignorant of their despicable behavior. Kaiser Wilhelm II said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Prime Minister Holwig and Earl Hertling both nodded.

"In addition, find a way to get the Chinese to provide us with more war materials. Recently, the consumption on the front line has been too great, and some of the war materials we have stored are too much to bear. Kaiser Wilhelm II said.

Germany is already a resource-poor country, lacking almost all of its resources except coal. Of course. Iron ore from Alsace and Lorraine relieved the pressure on Germany. But. After the outbreak of the war, the need for steel increased, and the shortage of iron ore in Germany became larger. Not to mention other non-ferrous metals, which were already Germany's weakness.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We will communicate with the Chinese side. It's just that in terms of cash reserves. We're under a lot of pressure right now. Prime Minister Holwig said with some embarrassment. After the start of the war, the Chinese Empire was going to go to cash transactions. Or trade it with an equivalent precious metal.

Wilhelm II frowned, and then said: "Aren't the Chinese interested in the advanced technology of the empire?" Use these technologies in exchange for those war materials of the Chinese. ”

"Father Emperor, do you really want to give those technologies to the Chinese? After the Chinese have these technologies, they will be even more powerful. "Crown Prince William was a little unwilling. After all. Many advanced technologies are also very important for Germany and are classified as strategic technologies.

"The first thing we have to do is to win the current war, and as for the rest, we can put it aside for the time being. As long as we win this war, all problems will not be a problem. Wilhelm II said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty sees it. Although these technologies are advanced, our scientists will soon be able to develop more advanced technologies. On the other hand, the Chinese Empire has a very weak scientific and technological foundation, and it will take a long time just to absorb and digest the technology we have transferred, let alone make a breakthrough on this basis. Perhaps, after we have developed new technologies, the Chinese have not yet been able to digest these technologies! Chancellor Holwig said.

In terms of high-tech talents, it is indeed the shortcoming of the Chinese Empire. Although Wu Haoxuan attaches great importance to education, he will send a large number of international students to Europe and the United States every year. However, if you want to rely on these international students to take the lead, it is definitely not something that can be done in a short time. The Chinese Empire also absorbed a lot of talents, but the number was still too small. Therefore, if it wants to become a scientific and technological power, the Chinese Empire still has a long way to go. Of course, this war is also an opportunity for the Chinese Empire. After Germany's defeat, China will snatch Germany's high-tech talents as soon as possible, so as to make up for the last shortcoming of the empire. At that time, the empire will be a real power.

"Your Excellency Chief of Staff, although the Battle of the Marne is over, we must prepare as soon as possible to launch the next offensive to defeat the British and French forces and end this war. The longer it drags on, the worse it will be for us. Kaiser Wilhelm II said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Moltke nodded, only feeling that the pressure on himself seemed to be increasing.

"Tirpitz, the Navy needs to be ready. Our coastline cannot be blocked by the British all the time. Once the British completely cut off our foreign trade routes, we will only be able to rely on the navy to defeat the British navy and break through the British blockade. Wilhelm II said solemnly. He knew that if a war of attrition was fought, Germany would have no chance of winning. The only way to turn the tide is if the navy can defeat the British navy.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Navy is ready for a decisive battle with the British Royal Navy at any time!" Marshal Tirpitz replied. Defeating the British Navy and dragging them from the position of world hegemon has always been Germany's goal.

On September 18, 4612 (14), the German ambassador to China, Hahausen, urgently met with the Imperial Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi to formally protest against the Empire's arms sales to the Entente. Demand that the Reich stop selling arms to the Entente from now on.

It's just that Tang Shaoyi prevaricated that this was just an ordinary trade. Tang Shaoyi claimed that the Empire's arms sales to the Entente Powers, just like the Empire's sales of war materials to Germany, were normal business practices, and would not undermine the Empire's neutrality.

The German side, of course, will not be satisfied with such an answer. Ambassador Hahausen proposed that the Chinese Empire could join the Allies in the war and flank Russia with Germany. After the destruction of Russia, the Asian part of Russia will be divided into China. This is undoubtedly a big pie for China.

It's just that the Chinese Empire still refused. Tang Shaoyi said that the Chinese Empire would strictly maintain neutrality and would not be involved in war. As for the kindness of the Germans, China can only refuse.

Although, the next stage of the expansion of the Chinese Empire was to the west. However, this was definitely not obtained by working with the Germans. Emperor Wu Haoxuan had already had his own plan.

Seeing that the Chinese Empire was not interested in joining the Central Powers, the German ambassador could only make one last request with regret, that is, the Chinese Empire should provide more war materials to Germany. Germany can be exchanged for technology.

In this regard, the Chinese Empire, of course, agreed with a hundred. Cash wealth was needed by the empire, but those advanced technologies were also urgently needed by the Chinese empire. The Germans are willing to trade these technologies for it, and that's just fine.

After seeing off the German ambassador to China, Tang Shaoyi went to the Imperial Palace to meet with Emperor Wu Haoxuan and tell him about the reaction of the Germans.

"The protests of the Germans are completely unnecessary. They also knew that there was nothing they could do about us, so they just protested without any pain. Wu Haoxuan said nonchalantly.

"Your Majesty, the Germans offered to exchange advanced technology for war materials. Hopefully, we will provide them with more supplies. Tang Shaoyi said.

"Well, promise them. The German technology is something we have always coveted. Since the Germans themselves sent it to the door, then of course we don't have to be polite. Contact the General Staff and the Academy of Sciences, and if you lack any technology, you will find the Germans. At this time, whatever we wanted, the Germans would promise us. Wu Haoxuan said with a smile.

Although, at the beginning of the war, the Germans fought very beautifully and inflicted heavy losses on the Entente. But again, the Germans paid a significant price. In addition to casualties, there is more of a consumption of war materials. This forced the Germans to demand more resources from the Reich.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Tang Shaoyi nodded.

By selling arms to the Entente and providing war materials to Germany, the Chinese Empire made money on both sides. At the same time, it would also make the war between the Entente and the Central Powers more intense, causing them to suffer more casualties on the battlefield and drain all their blood. In this way, even after the end of the war, the European powers would no longer be able to pose a threat to the empire. (To be continued.) )

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