Lin Hai was quite generous. After all, considering Qinghe's current output, the difference between a little more and a little less was not big. However, he felt that he had an obligation to let the Daliang Empire hold on for a while longer. One reason was that he would need Daliang's tiger skin for a long time, and if the news of Daliang's disastrous defeat on the battlefield came out at this time, it would be very disadvantageous to him.
Secondly, many of his sworn brothers actually had some complaints about Lin Hai's attitude of following orders but not propaganda, thinking that they were still from Daliang after all and had to support their motherland. Lin Hai also understood this very well. Although he did not have any sense of belonging to Daliang, he could not change other people's minds.
Seeing Lin Hai's generosity, Bai Ang felt embarrassed to ask for more. However, as a qualified politician, shamelessness is his basic quality. Bai Ang basically puts his face in the bedroom before going to work every day, so he did not hesitate to ask for more:
"If it's just pig iron, it still can't meet the Empire's demand for armored infantry. Besides, I know you guys in Qinghe can make steel, so why don't you just provide it directly to the Empire? You know, if it's just pig iron, the Empire will have to start smelting it again."
"Nonsense, of course not. You have to know that the empire's main enemy, the Chen Dynasty, can't equip large-scale all-steel armor. They also use a mixture of iron and steel or even just iron. If the empire's armaments suddenly surpass the Chen Dynasty by a large margin, then the Chen Dynasty will fall, and I will be the next to start." Lin Hai thought so, but when the words came to his mouth, they turned into:
"Our steel production is also insufficient. Lord Bai, you don't know that ironmaking and steelmaking are two different things. Look, the words 'iron' and 'steel' are different. We can find a way to produce pig iron, but we can't do anything about steel."
Since Bai Ang's staff hadn't shown up, and the only people on the scene who knew what was going on were his own people, everyone let Lin Hai ramble on: "Of course, there's no problem in providing more pig iron to the Empire. I just don't know what the Empire can offer in exchange. Don't worry, I'm short of everything here, and I'm so poor I'm begging for food."
"Serving the empire is the duty of every citizen of the empire. How can Qinghe Bo, an imperial noble, say such words?" Bai Ang said to Lin Hai righteously.
People who are familiar with Lin Hai have noticed that Lin Hai is gradually becoming impatient. After all, everyone feels that Lin Hai has already made concessions, but Bai Ang is still pressing forward, which is a bit too much, so everyone looks at Bai Ang with some unfriendly expressions.
No matter what, Qinghe was built by everyone with their own hands and feet, brick by brick. I didn't see you during the construction, but you came when the harvest was coming. People like you will never be welcomed by everyone.
"Master Bai, according to official convention, I only need to tell you 'I need to study it further' and the subject will be over. Moreover, I have ten thousand excuses to stall for time afterward, but I will not do it for you, even if I have already agreed."
Lin Hai, who was already a little angry, stared at Bai Ang and said, "But I am a straightforward person and don't want to beat around the bush. I can tell you clearly that after paying taxes, the empire cannot take anything from me for free.
At most, as a noble of the empire, the concession I can make is that, considering the empire's financial situation, I can agree to the empire using anything in exchange, as long as the value is equal. I don't necessarily want money.
I know you will pass on the message, so just say it as it is. I believe even His Majesty will understand me."
After saying that, Lin Hai waved his hand and walked out.
"Great! I've found a reason to lose my temper. The tour of the industrial zone can be suspended. I can just let him see the steel plant. I really can't let him visit the other factories casually." Lin Hai thought proudly as he walked out of the factory.
Lin Hai then ordered, "Please ask Lord Bai to take a short rest before heading to the Phoenix Mountain military camp. Doesn't he want to know why our Qinghe army is so victorious? Have someone set up the altar. I want to personally show Lord Bai how I summon the heavenly thunder!"
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