1928: The rise of giant merchants

"It is not limited to military cooperation, but should include comprehensive cooperation in politics, military, economy, culture, transportation and other aspects."

Ye Luo thought for a moment and said calmly,

"A country's military needs to be built on a complete military industry, transportation, telecommunications, municipal administration, and health system facilities. This is a comprehensive task. It is definitely not something that the Beiyang government did in the past by trying to find ways to borrow money and buy a few guns. That way. If you want to build a modern army, you must have an industrial base! Without heavy industry and chemical industry, it is impossible to build an armed industry!"

Ye Luo's words were resounding and coincided with what Max thought.

Max nodded in agreement: "Yes, Ye, what you said is the core of the establishment of the military system! Without heavy industry and chemical industry, it is impossible to establish an armed industry! That's really good! If you If the National Government has this awareness, cooperation will not be so difficult."

"Oh? What do they think of this cooperation?" Ye Luo raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.

Max's eyes immediately showed disdain and contempt: "Li is negotiating with our military advisory group as a diplomatic adviser. It can be seen from his words that the senior officials of the National Government just want to use me as a channel to send information to Krupp, Juncker Aircraft Company, etc." The giants buy a lot of arms, and it would be better if they could get military assistance from our country."

"The core is still buying." Ye Luo sighed, finally understanding why Max was so hostile to Chinese businessmen.

He came to China firstly to display his political ambitions, and secondly to bring his advanced military concepts to this distant eastern country, rather than simply making money as a businessman or promoting military and commercial cooperation between the two countries.

If the Nationalist government purchases a large amount of arms from the advisory group, it will usually ask its own comprador group to do it for them. Some of them will be purchased from overseas, and some will be mass-produced domestically.

For example, the Kong family, who are now the most influential people in the business world, are comprador origins of foreigners, and they happen to be the kind of businessmen that Max hates the most.

This is completely contrary to his original intention of coming to China.

"I have repeatedly emphasized with Li that in order to establish a truly independent armed industry, we must first build supporting industries. In short, we must first carry out comprehensive industrialization, while at the same time cultivating military talents, developing military technology, and building our own arsenals Etc., these contents will be difficult to see significant results within 30 to 50 years, but if successful, it will definitely be very good for future military development."

Max said coldly,

"It is a pity that judging from the current situation, the Nationalist Government is very anxious to immediately set up a German weapon division for your leaders to use. I have also expressed my attitude. It is only equipped with German helmets, weapons, and water bottles, but does not have the corresponding combat power and Technology, it is just a superficial virtue mechanic, unable to bear the heavy responsibility."

"But that kind of army is enough to stand out from the crowd during domestic warlord wars. Maybe it won't necessarily be completely at a disadvantage when fighting other countries."

Ye Luo nodded and sighed,

"Our soldiers have blood, steel and courage."

"Ye, I have decided to propose to the National Government that this in-depth cooperation must be done with you!" Max felt like he had found a confidant and made the decision decisively, "If they must appoint businessmen who do not understand military affairs to cooperate, I will refuse and lead me The team will leave your country immediately and return to Germany."

"As long as I can help you, I also hope that the country's military industry can take advantage of the trend to rise." Ye Luo replied with a smile, "Especially the heavy artillery that you value so much, which can turn the tide of the war. If you build an arsenal, you should give priority to the production of heavy artillery. At the same time, equipped with qualified heavy artillerymen and immediately joining the troops, the Nationalist Government's army can quickly increase its combat effectiveness."

"I thought so too!" Max laughed.

After chatting about cooperation, the two casually chatted about business and the economic situation.

Max also heard about Yello's paper and took the opportunity to ask about the current situation of the U.S. stock market and the projects that can be invested and made money in the future.

Business is Ye Luo's old profession. When talking about this, he almost overwhelmed Max's knowledge and understanding. It only took a few minutes to successfully convince the former heavy artillery expert.

"Ye, do you have any recommended stocks?" Max asked in a low voice. Although the money was not short of money, no one would refuse more money.

Ye Luo nodded with a smile.

This private dance organized by the German Consul General Knappe was originally intended to bring Yello and Max together. At this time, the two were chatting happily, and Knappe was satisfied, as if he had seen one check after another of astonishing amounts. I'm waving to myself.

At 10 o'clock in the evening, Li Linsi said goodbye to everyone, left the German Consulate General in Shanghai, rushed to the city hall, borrowed Zhang Dingyao's private plane, and sent a secret telegram to the principal.

Zhang Dingyao saw that he looked in a hurry and did not dare to ask any more questions, so he called the guards to wait at the door together.

After Ye Luo's amazing performance at the dance and his complete reversal of Max's attitude towards Chinese businessmen and the National Government reached the ears of the principal, the principal became more determined to cultivate this young man to curb the unscrupulous Song Ziwen and control the business The powerful Kong family.

At the same time, after Sun Liren and Liu Fangwu had deep memories in their hearts, they vigorously promoted the reputation of the Second Young Master after returning to the National Army and Whampoa Military Academy.

Half an hour later, Li Linsi walked out of the office.

Zhang Dingyao quickly stepped forward and asked, "Advisor Li, what happened?"

"Today, German Consul General Knappe invited a group of foreigners to his private dance. Boss Ye was the only Chinese invited. When we got to the ball, I found out that this was a trick that Consul General Knappe deliberately set up for Boss Ye."

Li Linsi pushed up his glasses and told Zhang Dingyao all the details of the daytime dance. He admired Ye Luo very much in his words.

"Colonel Max has a very strong stereotype of Chinese businessmen. Although this China-Germany military cooperation is certain, he is very reluctant to cooperate with businessmen. He has proposed to the principal many times to work directly with our army. Unexpectedly, Boss Ye's several With just one sentence, he was completely impressed.”

"In other words, this Huade cooperation will most likely be located near Shanghai Beach?" Zhang Dingyao was delighted. This is now one of the largest projects of the National Government.

Li Linsi nodded and said with a smile: "And I just heard from the principal that Colonel Max had called in advance and said that this cooperation must be done by Ye Luo! Congratulations, Mayor Zhang, if many military buildings are set up in Shanghai Beach will definitely bring a new breath to this place.”

"Okay, I understand." Zhang Dingyao said with a smile, "I'll arrange the land acquisition matters right away!"