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Of course, the use of new gunpowder can greatly increase France's military strength...... However, the price of five million pounds is simply too high. Combined with the previous purchase of steel-making technology, large steam engine technology and locomotive technology from the Chinese Empire, this is almost 20 million pounds. What's more, there are 'Western Zhou-class' warships that have not been purchased. If all this were to be achieved, the total value would probably exceed 20 million pounds, almost half of France's annual revenue. Although France is relatively wealthy, if half of the fiscal revenue is used to buy these technologies, there is no way for the French government to do other things.

"Your Excellency, the price of five million pounds sterling is beyond the expectations of the French Government and cannot be accepted by us. The technology of the new gunpowder of the Chinese Empire, we can pay a million pounds at most! Said the Duke of Dalmatia.

Lin Zihao shook his head again and again, the gap between one million pounds and five million pounds was too big, which was completely beyond his expectations. At such a price, Emperor Long Yufei would definitely not agree. Although the Chinese Empire has made a breakthrough in the development of new explosives to replace gunpowder, it is estimated that it will not be long before smokeless gunpowder will be completely replaced. But since the French want to buy it, how can it be done without knocking them hard? Although France is now an ally of the Chinese Empire, however. The brothers still settle accounts, not to mention that a white country like France is an ally today. Maybe tomorrow will be the enemy. The more extortion from France, the better the life of the Chinese Empire will be.

"Your Excellency the Duke, this price is also unacceptable to the Empire. His Majesty the Emperor would not have agreed to sell the technology of the new gunpowder at such a low price. Lin Zihao insisted. Now it is the French who are begging to buy it, and the Chinese Empire can put it on the shelf again.

"Your Excellency, it is better for us to each give in and make a deal for two million pounds. What do you think? French Foreign Minister Count Molay said. The Chinese Empire is asking for a sky-high price, and the French are naturally going to pay it back.

"Well, the empire also takes a step back! Three million pounds. This is the final price. If the French side still can't accept it, then we can only say sorry. Lin Zihao said. It's undoubtedly a good deal to trade three million pounds for technology that is about to become obsolete. Three million pounds. Equivalent to 12 million Chinese dollars. Even the powerful 'Eastern Zhou-class' battleships can build four.

The Duke of Dalmatia, the French Prime Minister, and the Count of Morlay, the Foreign Secretary, looked at each other, and finally nodded helplessly, who made them vulnerable now? Although the price of three million pounds is high, it is not unsupportable with France's financial resources. As long as France's military strength can be improved and it can win in foreign wars, it will be worth spending three million dollars.

Right now. The war between France and Algeria continues, and this war has been going on for more than a decade. Albeit. The French occupation of Algeria took place in mid-June 183o, when the French government of the July Dynasty met with resolute resistance from the Algerian people, and this war of aggression lasted for 15 years. The French government of Polingacs sent an expeditionary corps to invade Algeria in mid-June 183o. On July 5 of that year, the rulers of Algeria handed over the city of Algiers to the French without serious resistance. But the masses of the Algerian masses - Arab and Berber tribes - rose up to defend their homeland. From 1832 onwards, the strong-willed and talented military governor Aboud al-Kader led the struggle against the French colonizers. He united many tribes in western and central Algeria under his leadership, established the independent state of the Emils, and defeated the French army several times. The French authorities were forced to sign treaties with him, in 1834 and 1837, recognizing his right over two-thirds of Algeria's territory. After some time, the French ruler sent reinforcements to Algeria and fought again, but was defeated. The French invasion suffered severe losses and consumed huge military expenditures. At present, France has concentrated more than 10,000 troops and a large amount of military technical equipment in Algeria, and massacres Algerians on a large scale, and it is still unknown when it will be victorious. If the new gunpowder can improve the strength of the French 6th Army, maybe it can defeat those damned Arabs as soon as possible and end the war!

"Your Excellency, Foreign Secretary, we have agreed to purchase new gunpowder technology from the Chinese Empire for three million pounds. In addition, we also need the Chinese Empire to transfer to France a complete set of design drawings and related technology for the 'Western Zhou-class' warships. The Kingdom of France needed a strong navy to defend France's overseas interests. Said the Duke of Dalmatia. Six 'Xia-class' cruisers were purchased from the Chinese Empire, and 12 'Orleans-class' cruisers were copied on this basis, giving the French Navy 18 new warships. Such naval strength is enough to compete with the British Navy. Of course, to defeat the British Navy, there is still something to see. For this, the French Navy needed more and more powerful warships. The 'Western Zhou-class' warship, which accompanied the Chinese emperor to Europe this time, was undoubtedly the warship needed by the French naval leadership. The Chancellor of the Navy and even King Louis of France. Philip I assured that if the French navy could be equipped with such ships before the British navy, the French navy would have absolute certainty of defeating the British navy and establishing French maritime supremacy. Wasn't it because of their maritime supremacy that the British were able to occupy large swathes of colonies around the world? As long as the navy can win, then France can also achieve hegemony.

"Your Excellency, the 'Western Zhou-class' battleship is the latest warship of the Imperial Navy. However, given that France was an ally of the Empire, the Empire could sell the 'Western Zhou-class' warships to France. However, although the performance of this kind of warship is outstanding, the price is also relatively high. The Kingdom of Spain bought six ships, each for five million Chinese dollars, or one hundred and twenty thousand pounds! Lin Zihao said. If the French want to buy it, the price will definitely not be lower than this. After all, the relationship between the Kingdom of Spain and the Empire was much more intimate.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, the price of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds, we can accept. The French Navy can order two 'Western Zhou-class' warships. However, your country would like to promise to sell us a full set of drawings and technology. Said the Duke of Dalmatia. With France's industrial strength and shipbuilding technology, if it has a full set of design drawings and key technologies, France can easily build its own 'Western Zhou-class' warships. Of course, without the help of the Chinese Empire, it would take five years or more for France to develop it on its own. By that time, perhaps the British Navy would have been equipped with new warships. If the French Navy wanted to challenge the British Navy, it became a distant sight.

Lin Zihao frowned, these French are too petty, even the Spaniards have ordered six 'Western Zhou-class' battleships, but the French only order two, and they also want to obtain a full set of design drawings and key technologies for the 'Western Zhou-class' battleships from the empire, this abacus is too good. "Your Excellency Duke, are there too few 'Western Zhou-class' warships. In addition, if France wants to obtain the design drawings and key technologies of the 'Western Zhou-class' warships, France will need to pay an additional fee! ”

The Duke of Dalmatia thought about it for a moment and nodded: "Yes, we are willing to order four 'Western Zhou-class' warships from the Chinese Empire." In addition, a full set of design drawings and key technologies for the 'Western Zhou-class' warships were purchased for a million pounds. ”

"Your Excellency, four 'Western Zhou-class' warships, with a total price of five million pounds. A full set of design drawings and key technologies for £2 million. The total price is seven million pounds! Lin Zihao said.

After a discussion between the Duke of Dalmatia and the Count of Morai, they agreed to the price offered by Lin Zihao.

In this way, in this meeting, they agreed on a total value of 23.5 million pounds, which is 94 million Chinese dollars when converted into Chinese dollars. And in this huge order, the profit is extremely high. Except for some converters, large steam engines, locomotives, and four 'Western Zhou-class' warships to be built, the rest were for sale of technology and drawings. Lin Zihao initially estimated that the profit of the Chinese Empire in this transaction was at least 70 million Chinese yuan. This is a lot of money for the Chinese Empire. Even the funds for the next war of the empire against the Manchus were already sufficient.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, we will inform His Majesty the King, and if His Majesty agrees, we can sign a contract!" Said the Duke of Dalmatia.

"Of course, Your Excellency the Duke, I will also report to His Majesty the Emperor. However, how does France plan to pay for this deal? Lin Zihao asked. This question must be asked clearly, otherwise, in case France defaults, it will be difficult to say.

"Your Excellency, there are five transactions, and when each transaction is completed, the French government will transfer the money to the account established by the Chinese government." Said the Duke of Dalmatia. Although the amount of money involved in this deal is huge, it may not be possible for France's finances to support it. However, the French government can borrow from banks, and with the strength of French banks, not to mention lending more than 20 million pounds, even if it lends 200 million pounds, it is nothing!

Lin Zihao nodded, and the Frenchman's answer made him very satisfied. (To be continued......)

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