nycdaug Chapter 146: He Has a Son
Chapter 146: He Has a Son
"My lord, whatever warships you require, the British Empire can provide them!" Sadao said with a hint of pride.
“That’s right! Your British warships are indeed the most advanced in the world right now, but they’re also the most expensive. Heh!” Shen Lian curled his lip.
"There's an old Chinese saying: you get what you pay for! Our warships are the most advanced, so it's normal for them to be a bit more expensive, right?"
"If it weren't for our long-standing feud with Japan, I really wouldn't want to buy warships; they're just too expensive. Besides, we're a continental country, and we don't have the habit of venturing outwards," Shen Lian said, shaking his head helplessly.
"Enough with the small talk. You should be well aware of our naval situation. You also know about Japan's situation. To ensure our self-defense, what we need most right now are battleships. Make your offers!"
"We quoted eight million taels for the two newly purchased 12,000-ton battleships of the same type from Japan. I wonder how many the Marquis would like to order?"
"Japan currently has six battleships, and we want to have the capability to defend ourselves. We can't have too few, but our funds are limited, and we can't buy new ships every year."
"How about this, could you help us build two larger warships with thicker armor? Although the number would still be a bit small, it would still have a certain deterrent effect."
Sa Daoyi and several accompanying naval officers exchanged glances. "I wonder what kind of warships Your Excellency wishes to build?"
"Here, this is a sketch of a warship I had someone draw, along with its equipment!" Shen Lian tossed out a drawing.
"The ship is 160 meters long and 25 meters wide. Its standard displacement is 18,000 tons, and its full load displacement is 21,000 tons?" Sa Daoyi and his companions were increasingly alarmed.
"Equipped with ten 305mm/45-caliber main guns. Five twin-mounted turrets are installed along the central axis..."
"My lord, may I ask who designed this warship? May I meet him?" a naval officer asked excitedly.
"Sorry, he's not here right now! Is there something wrong with this design?"
"No, I personally think this design is fantastic, more beautiful than any warship currently in use. However, to meet your requirements, it still needs to be validated by our engineers," the naval officer said excitedly.
How could it not be beautiful! You'll be building this warship in a few years. Shen Lian was showing off the famous "Dreadnought." Britain will be building it in a few more years.
With the advent of this ship, all battleships in the world became a thing of the past.
“Okay! But the configuration and armor I want must be met! And this matter must be kept secret; I don’t want any country to know!” Shen Lian said with a serious expression.
Putting aside the two dreadnoughts, Shen Lian first ordered two battleships. After some haggling, it cost him 15 million taels. Damn, warships are really expensive.
The cost of those two dreadnoughts must have been over ten million each. Only the British could build such warships, so if they're willing to sell, you shouldn't complain about the price.
The British left satisfied!
"Damn it, let you be smug for a few days. Sooner or later, I'll get it all back with interest!" Shen Lian thought fiercely.
"Laifu, did the people you sent find Tesla? Is he willing to come here?" Shen Lian called Laifu in and asked.
"Young master, our men have found him and made contact, but he is unwilling to come to our country. The men we sent are still trying to find a solution!" Lai Fu replied.
"This person is extremely important. No matter what method you use, even if you have to kidnap him, bring him here!" Shen Lian said with a serious expression.
"Yes! Promise to complete the mission!"
Shen Lian has so many things he wants to do, but he lacks the talent to do them. If he could recruit Tesla, this all-around scientific genius, then many of his ideas could be realized.
Shen Lian has now begun setting up multiple laboratories, inviting experts and professors from home and abroad to conduct research, and offering them the best treatment and working conditions.
A few days later, the German side agreed to Shen Lian's conditions, and Shen Lian finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news. He immediately sent people to negotiate with the German side to import various equipment and technology.
With the commencement of numerous projects, many prefectures in Shandong were bustling with activity. Landless farmers from all over flocked to the construction sites, leading to a sudden shortage of manpower. Shen Lian had no choice but to seek assistance from other provinces.
This would both solve the problem of idle personnel under his jurisdiction and curry favor with Shen Lian. Governors and viceroys from various regions gave the green light, mobilizing personnel to go to Shandong.
While everyone outside was busy, Shen Lian paced restlessly back and forth in the Marquis's residence. From a distant room, bursts of painful groans could be heard from time to time.
Nie Xiaoqian is ten months pregnant and is finally about to give birth!
"Zhiyuan, sit down first! You're making me dizzy from all this walking around!" Shen Hu said, trying to comfort him. Although he was also very anxious about his grandson, he had been through similar situations before and knew that there was no use in worrying.
"Okay, Dad!" Shen Lian plopped down in the chair, then picked up his cup and gulped down a cup of tea. He then took out a cigarette, offered one to his father, and lit one for himself.
After enduring this agonizing silence for most of the hour, finally, the cry of a newborn baby rang out. Both father and son couldn't help but stand up.
"General, Lord Marquis! It's a baby, a little Marquis! Mother and child are safe!" A midwife ran over excitedly a moment later.
"Hahaha, good! A generous reward!" Shen Hu laughed heartily.
"Thank you, General!" The midwife bowed and kowtowed with a beaming smile.
"How is Xiaoqian?" Shen Lian pressed for an answer.
"My lord, the lady is in good health. She's just a little tired, everything is fine!" the midwife quickly said.
That's good! Shen Lian breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Medical technology in this era is too poor. Childbirth is very risky for women.
After a while, the cleaned child was brought over by Ruyi. Shen Lian and his son quickly went to greet him.
Whether here or in the modern world, this is the first time Shen Lian has had a child. Looking at the wrinkled baby in the swaddling clothes, Shen Lian frowned.
"It looks like a little monkey, it's so ugly!"
“You don’t understand, all newborns look like this. They’ll be beautiful in a few days! It’s windy outside, hurry and take them back inside,” Shen Hu said as he instructed.
The news that Shen Lian had a son quickly spread throughout Jinan and then rapidly spread throughout Shandong Province.
Shen Lian's civil and military officials all breathed a sigh of relief, and then happily congratulated Shen Lian on the birth of his son. With an heir, they were even more energized!
Some were happy, some were sad; at the Japanese embassy in the capital. "Baka yarou!" Komatsu Taro cursed angrily.