African Nationhood

There is a small hill at the entrance to the city in the southern suburbs of Hanking (Pretoria). This small hill was originally nameless.

But after the military headquarters selected this place as the central site of the military headquarters building, it got a resounding name - Military Headquarters Mountain.

This gap building was also named the "National Defense Commission Office Building". It is only half an hour's drive from the center of Hanking.

The military building was built in the shape of the old American Pentagon, but because the center point is significantly higher than the 4th ring building, the building complex was transformed into a building with an equidistant height with a protruding center.

Because this area is relatively open and has a solid foundation, during the construction of the building, the mountain below was specially hollowed out to create four floors of space.

After the reinforcement project was carried out, the hillside became an underground arsenal.

In addition to the latest military vehicles, artillery positions are also hidden here. With the help of the elevator system, defensive positions can be quickly deployed.

At the same time, a subway crossing has been reserved underground here. After Nanhua builds a subway in the future, it will be directly connected here.

Stairs have been built from the underground project to the military headquarters building, and there are also elevators.

The latest electrification achievements have been applied here. A 240-meter-high signal tower was erected in the center of the military building, which can transmit radio signals covering the entire territory of South China.

A military museum was also built near the military building. A large part of the collection in the military museum comes from the Portuguese colonies.

In addition, some are purchased from Europe.

The main function of the military expo is to educate the people, and it is also to have a venue for weapons exhibitions.

……

It's almost 1913. According to the normal historical process, World War I will break out in 1914.

Nanhua needed to regain some blood before the war came, so Shi Jintang notified the General Equipment Department and the General Logistics Department to prepare for a national defense weapons exhibition after the beginning of 1913.

This defense weapons exhibition is naturally aimed at selling arms. Nanhua had previously signed a licensing agreement for new weapons patents with the United Kingdom.

Now that the agreement has expired, Nanhua has taken back the authorized patent rights for new weapons.

This weapons exhibition can be used to stimulate various countries, and it is also an opportunity to promote force, so that other countries can use their weapons to prevent them from causing trouble to Nanhua.

……

This national defense weapons exhibition is on an invitation-only basis, including South American countries, Indian states, Spain in southern Europe, and Japan and the Yuan Shikai government in Asia.

South American countries and Spain have always been high-quality customers of Nanhua Military Industry, and Indian states are the latest high-quality customers.

As for Japan and the Far East, they are the main sources of immigrants from South China.

Because Japan controls the Japanese mainland and North Korea, Japan has always had a trade surplus with South China. This time, the Japanese Japanese were invited to return to their roots.

……

Time flies, and soon in January 1913, Prime Minister Ouyang Geng sent invitations to all interested countries, stating that this was only a small-scale defense weapons exhibition, and invited countries to keep it confidential.

On January 1, South American countries such as Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay arrived one after another.

Director Qi Lin of the General Armament Department warmly welcomed the guests at Durban Port, and then invited the guests to take Nanhua's latest 80-hour train to Hanking.

On January 1, when the leaders of the Indian princely states of Hyderabad, Travantel and other princely states came to visit, it was Lucas Lao Ai who came out to greet them.

On January 1, Rear Admiral Iwasaki Tatsuto, the First Minister of the Navy, arrived from Japan.

The Yuan government's army chief came.

Ye Shilong, as the Secretary-General of the National Defense Commission, came forward to receive them and had a pleasant conversation with them.

On January 1, a group of guests took Crown cars to the square outside the Hanjing Military Expo, which was the venue for the national defense weapons exhibition.

……

The General Armament Division and the General Logistics Department have made extensive preparations for this national defense weapons exhibition and divided them into several exhibition areas.

Individual equipment:

手枪方面：S-96、S-05(马卡洛夫手枪)、S-06（TT-33式手枪）、S-86-1。

Rifle: NH-90 type,
Submachine gun: C-96,

Light machine guns: J-96, and J-96-1 (Bren light machine gun),

Grenade: Type 80 wooden handle grenade, Type 05 grenade (melon grenade)
Artillery and heavy machine guns:

Heavy machine gun: Maxim heavy machine gun, Type 06 Maxim (Vickers heavy machine gun)
Artillery: 75mm field gun, 90mm field gun, 105mm field gun,

山炮：SP-09式（70mm）、SP-10式（75mm）SP-11式（90mm）

迫击炮：50mm、80mm、105mm、120mm、150mm
Rocket: Wanhu 97-type

Mines:

Pine mines, jumping mines, anti-infantry mines

In addition, Nanhua also produced a battlecruiser based on the "Pingshan" model, and the submarine was a patrol-class submarine.

……

The new equipment here is mainly two types of pistols, Type 06 heavy machine guns, Type 05 melon grenades, several more models of mortars, and mountain cannons are mainly small and medium calibers.

Nanhua has not made any efforts in heavy artillery at present, because heavy artillery involves too many problems and the time to digest them is too short.

What Chairman Shi wants is the 155mm large cannon, and howitzers are still in the research stage.

As for the tank-breaking iron fist, Nanhua has successfully developed it. When World War I breaks out, Nanhua will bring it out.

Armored vehicles and military vehicles will only be produced after the outbreak of World War I. As for new rifles, they are already being designed. It is only a matter of time before the prototype gun is successful.

……

Shi Hao has been working at the military headquarters for a long time, and today he serves as the executive of the National Defense Exhibition.

Because his name was Ye Hao, no one took him seriously, and they were never vague when it came to ordering him.

There is a translator here, a piece of paper there, and even binding the contract requires him to do it.

In just one hour, his tired forehead was sweating and his back was covered with sweat.

When he was so depressed, he happened to meet Shi Xu who came to participate in the exhibition.

Unlike the eldest brother, the second eldest brother Shi Xu was accompanied by several subordinates from the research laboratory. Everyone gathered around Shi Xu and supported him to watch the exhibition.

Comparing the two, Shi Xu smiled at his eldest brother, and then the two staggered away.

Shi Hao smiled silently and continued to wait for the summons.

……

"Xiaoye, come here."

Hearing Uncle Ye Shilong calling him, Shi Hao walked over without hesitation.

Ye Shilong was visiting the site with two guests. He said to Shi Hao: "Xiaoye, come and be my translator. I will need you to help me prepare the contract when the treaty is signed."

In addition to learning English during his schooling, Shi Hao also learned additional languages ​​such as Japanese, French, and German.

At this national defense weapons exhibition, the performance of many weapons were in professional terms. The previous attendant translator could not translate accurately, so Shi Hao was called over for emergency response.

Shi Hao nodded, "Yes, Secretary-General Ye."

After hearing the conversation between the two, Commander Duan Qirui instinctively looked at the two and found that they did not look alike.

Moreover, this Ye Shilong is not young, much older than this young man, unlike father and son.

"Major General Iwasaki, Commander Duan, I will take you two to see our artillery now."

The two nodded, and then followed Ye Shilong to the artillery booth, and Shi Hao also followed.

……

Seeing Secretary-General Ye Shilong coming over, the young officer at the booth immediately introduced him.

"This is our 75mm field gun with a maximum range of 7100 meters. The altitude range is -8 degrees to +25 degrees. The direction range is 6 degrees. It can fire 20 rounds per minute at the fastest. The weight of the projectile it is equipped with is: grenade 5.74kg. Hole grenade 3.74kg, armor-piercing projectile 6.575kg..."

The young officer's introduction was very smooth. Major General Iwasaki didn't care about it. On the contrary, Commander Duan Qirui listened very carefully and asked questions from time to time.

After the young officer introduced the field guns of several calibers, he began to introduce the mountain guns.

When Major General Iwasaki heard that the SP-09 type could fire shells at multiple angles and weighed only more than two hundred kilograms, he became energetic. "You said this mountain cannon only weighs 250 kilograms?"

Shi Hao helped Major General Iwasaki translate, and the young officer nodded, "Yes, this mountain cannon can be disassembled. It is very convenient to carry it on a pack horse or manpower."

Major General Iwasaki became interested and said, "Well, can I test-fire this mountain cannon?"

The young officer nodded, "Yes, you can go to our test range to watch."

Ye Shilong nodded, "Please come with me. As for Mr. Duan, do you want to go with me?"

Commander Duan Qirui nodded, "Okay, I was just going to see the level of artillery in Nanhua."

So several people walked towards the east of the battlefield together. There were signs along the road, and soon they arrived at the test range.

The exhibits put on display in Nanhua all have special test firing sites. They found the location of the Type 09 mountain cannon. Ye Shilong ordered a few test fires to the soldiers here.

Several soldiers immediately reloaded quickly, and then "bang bang" fired three rounds in a row, and each shell landed in the target area.

"Ask them to break it down."

Shi Hao translated Major General Iwasaki's words, and the soldiers who received the order immediately took action and quickly disassembled the mountain cannon, and each of the five men carried one part.

After some random running around, they assembled it skillfully.

Seeing this, the arms purchase officials of the two Far Eastern countries were tempted.

"Well, that's good. How much does this mountain cannon cost?"

Major General Iwasaki asked.

"500 pounds. If the quantity is large, it can be reduced by 10 pounds to 490 pounds." (Note 1)

“How many doors are considered large?”

This time it was Chief Duan Qirui who asked.

Ye Shilong smiled and said, "More than 100 doors is considered a large quantity."

Commander Duan Qirui nodded, "What about the artillery shells?"

Military purchasers know best that the artillery is easy to buy, but the most difficult thing is the consumables. If the artillery shells are too expensive, it will be difficult to get them.

"Armor-piercing bombs are 2.8 pounds, high-explosive bombs are 2.5 pounds, and grenades are 1.5 pounds."

After hearing the quotation, both of them were a little silent.

Then several people returned to the exhibition hall. Major General Iwasaki was no longer interested in artillery and individual weapons, while Duan Qirui was full of interest and would inquire carefully every time he saw a new weapon.

Later, I went to the test firing range several times to watch the test firing of mortars.

He became even more interested in mortars and asked for many details.

The introducer took the trouble to introduce it in detail, and then the army chief was very happy to place a big order.

单兵装备方面NH-90式步枪15万支、S-86-1手枪5万支、S-96手枪5万支、J-96-1式1000挺、C-96式冲锋枪5万支、06式马克沁1000挺，木柄式手榴弹20万……

There are 1 million supporting bullets of various types, 100 mountain cannons and field guns of various caliber models, and 5000 supporting artillery shells.

In addition, he was also interested in Nanhua's battle cruisers and submarines, so he ordered 2 more battle cruisers and 6 submarines.

This amounts to nearly 700 million pounds.

Director Duan Qirui was not panicked. After all, Nanhua could offset the debt with immigrants.

So he can order boldly.

……

Rear Admiral Iwasaki was also interested in Nanhua's submarines. He invited Ye Shilong to negotiate alone, and Shi Hao accompanied him as a translator.

"General Ye, I am very interested in your submarine. Can you tell me about the price?"

Ye Shilong nodded: "Yes, one of our submarines currently sells for 10 pounds."

Major General Iwasaki then asked: "Can your engine be licensed to us?"

When I introduced the submarine to the other party, I told them that the engine on this submarine is different from the gasoline engine and there is no risk of gasoline evaporation.

"Engines are also possible, but the cost is relatively expensive. Our engine patent fee is 20 pounds."

After listening to Shi Hao's translation, Major General Iwasaki nodded with satisfaction.

He thought for a while and continued to ask: "How much will it cost if I order your submarine, engine patents and mountain gun patents?"

Ye Shilong pondered for a moment, "If we order a submarine alone and two patents, it will cost about 35 pounds."

(35 pounds is equivalent to about 350 million Japanese currency. The Japanese currency at this time is still relatively valuable.

At this time, if you go to Japan and find a Kabukiza girl to accompany you for drinks, it only costs 8 yuan a time, and a prostitute in Shimbashi is 3 yuan a time. )
"Not one submarine, but six. We ordered six submarines."

"Then add another 50 pounds, for a total of 85 pounds."

Hearing this, Major General Iwasaki chuckled and said, "I have ordered so many submarines, how much rebate can you give me?"

When Shi Hao heard this, he was shocked. He didn't expect that an important minister of a country, the Deputy Minister of Procurement, would openly ask for kickbacks.

"cough cough"

Awakened by Ye Shilong's cough, Shi Hao immediately translated Major General Iwasaki's words.

Ye Shilong has experienced the world for a long time and is familiar with strange things. He asked directly: "How much do you want?"

Major General Iwasaki stretched out a hand and smiled without saying a word.

Ye Shilong nodded, "Five points is fine, but we need to add a little more to the unit price, and the total price is 5 pounds."

Major General Iwasaki nodded, "Okay."

At this point, both parties have confirmed that they have signed the order contract.

Shi Hao helped both parties draft the contract, and at the same time checked that the contract written in Japanese by the other party was consistent with the Chinese one.

After working so hard until the evening, he finally finished all these things. Seeing Major General Iwasaki leave with a smile on his face, Shi Hao couldn't help but curse.

"This general is such a bastard!"

Ye Shilong chuckled and said, "This is normal. The Japanese people have already figured it out."

After listening, Shi Hao said, "Then why didn't that person ask for a kickback today?"

Ye Shilong continued to laugh: "Do you think he will refuse?

It's just that he doesn't ask for it from us. When he returns to China, those who come to ask for equipment will have to make offerings to him. If they don't make offerings, they won't be able to receive the equipment. "

After listening to Ye Shilong's words, Shi Hao seemed to have opened the door to a new world.

His eyes widened in shock, "Where do the officers below get their money?"

"That's even simpler. The soldiers under these officers are all dissatisfied. They will lose money every time the military pay is issued.

As long as people in this world want to make money, there are plenty of ways to do it. Xiaohao, you are still young. You will understand after you have experienced more things. "

Hearing this, Shi Hao sighed. Only now did he realize how difficult it is to be an ordinary person.

Society is so dark, and cannibalism is happening everywhere in this world.

"What are you thinking about?"

Shi Hao smiled and said, "I was wondering what would happen to those people if their affairs were exposed."

Ye Shilong didn't say anything when he heard this, and said quietly: "Maybe it will be miserable, maybe it will be okay.

Who knows, we just need to live our own lives. "

Shi Hao nodded, "Yes."

注（1）鬼子92式步兵炮1941年的价格是7220日元，折合420多镑。

A German U-boat before World War I cost 150 million marks, equivalent to 7.4 British pounds. (End of chapter)