Ten days later, the Italians finally broke their silence, and the second negotiation between Beiyang and Italy continued at Brin's country villa.

"Mr. Xu, you know that if this plan wants to proceed, both parties must be profitable. Only if we obtain enough benefits can we convince Congress and the king to pass this plan." Brin said.

"Italy's military power should not appear in the Far East, but in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East. In the Far East, Italy needs a trustworthy ally to protect its interests. Even if it is as powerful as Britain, it still needs to choose between the Qing Dynasty or Japan in the Far East.

A force to contain Russia?" Xu Jie said.

"What you said makes sense. Why should we help the Qing Dynasty instead of Japan?" Bragali said with interest.

"Do you think Japan will choose the UK or Italy?" Xu Jie raised a sarcastic smile. "Although you are a very good strategic analyst, you don't understand the Japanese nation. This nation has no credibility at all.

In their eyes, any treaty or agreement can be torn up at any time."

"There are only eternal interests between countries, but there are no permanent friends. There is no alliance that will never end or a treaty that will not be torn up." Bragali sneered.

"But alliances between countries exist, and the stability of alliances or treaties also exists. If Italy wants to choose a country that is capricious and has no guarantees, Japan is a very good choice. And now, Japan has begun to ask Russia for loans.

I think the relationship between Britain and Japan will deteriorate soon. At that time, will Italy want to offend Britain and help Japan? I really want to know the answer." Xu Jie said with a smile.

"Uh, this." Bragali was at a loss for words. No matter how strong Russia was, it was directly separated from Italy by the powerful Germany and Austria-Hungary, and the British Mediterranean Fleet was stationed not far from his door. It was clear at a glance which one was more important.

"You are right. Only when there is no conflict of interest between countries and there is a need for cooperation, such an alliance or treaty will last. From a geopolitical point of view, Italy and the Qing Dynasty are thousands of miles apart, and the two sides are basically

There will be no direct conflict, and the Qing Dynasty has a huge market, and Italy has the technology that the Qing Dynasty needs. Although the technology of Britain and France is better, due to various considerations, they will impose restrictions on what they export. Italy does not

Worry in this regard. After all, the Qing Dynasty cannot threaten the fundamental interests of the Kingdom of Italy." Xu Jie said.

"Your theory is very good. Keep talking, we need substantive content." Bragali said calmly.

"Italy needs enough funds to build its own country." Xu Jie said in a different tone, as if chatting with a long-lost old friend.

"Beiyang probably doesn't even have the money to fully utilize the six warships ordered from Italy. I want to know how Italy obtains funds from Beiyang." Bragali said with a dumb smile.

"The central government has no money, but it does not mean that the private sector has no money, nor does it mean that the Chinese businessmen who are opening mines and setting up factories in various parts of Beiyang have no money. As long as Beiyang gives some discounts when importing Italian industrial products, I think adding an advantage in this aspect will give a considerable number of people

Anyone who is ready to invest in industry will choose Italian products." Xu Jie said with a smile.

"This is a good idea. But I'm afraid it's not enough." Bragali curled his lips.

"I wonder what you think of war? In fact, war can make money. Once a war starts, whether it is armaments, food, or transportation, money will be needed. And once a war starts, the Central Committee of the Qing Dynasty will pay for the war. Then we can pay for it.

Italian businessmen have opened the door to convenience, of course, provided that these products are indeed good enough. If Beiyang can win the war, I think Mr. Li will agree to use part of the war compensation as compensation." Xu Jie played his trump card.

"I want to know what this ratio is?" Bragali asked like a hungry wolf seeing fresh meat.

"15%." Xu Jie said.

"At least 30%." Bragali didn't buy it.

"This is impossible. Beiyang also needs this money to pay off its debts. You should know that Beiyang has mortgaged almost all of its properties for this war. If it cannot make a profit, Beiyang will die." Xu Jie retorted.

road.

"I think this issue is negotiable. I want to know more, what does Beiyang need, and what can the Italian Navy get from Beiyang?" Brin interrupted. He was really too lazy to intervene in this almost quarrelsome proportion issue.

Wonder, what the Italian Navy can gain from this.

"In addition to 3 Garibaldi-type armored cruisers and 3 **-type light armored cruisers and necessary accessories, Beiyang also needs a repair ship to ensure that the returning warships can quickly enter the battle after a short rest, and also

It is necessary to build a dry dock and related equipment in Weihai that can repair 15,000-ton warships.

Mechanical equipment. More than 5 minelayers and minesweepers. At the same time, there is also the expansion work of the two major military ports of Lushun and Weihai. Among them, the channel of Lushun needs to be widened and the port equipment also needs to be added to increase throughput." Xu Jie said.

A detailed list was handed to Brin. "I hope the Kingdom of Italy can give a friendly price."

"So what can the Italian Navy get?" Brin asked, putting down the list.

"An improved version of the Garibaldi armored cruiser, as well as a new 14,000-ton first-class battleship, a new 3-gun turret, and new armor-piercing projectiles." Xu Jie replied.

"What can the Italian Army gain?" Bragali asked.

"New firearms and mortars, as well as new individual equipment and food. Don't you think that in hot Africa, using the Italian Army's past equipment is too slow and inefficient? What Italy needs is an efficient and capable army.

The quick-response colonial garrison, new machine guns and mortars can give a small army terrifying firepower, and efficient individual equipment and food can ensure the army's continuous combat capability," Xu Jie said.

"Well, that's a good idea. The more equipment the Italian army has, the more money Mr. Xu will make." Bragali was quite satisfied with Xu Jie's answer. After all, the Italian Army's combat power has been quite average since its reunification.

, which is far out of proportion to the naval strength of the Kingdom of Italy, and the colonies require an army to occupy and maintain!

"Can I understand that Beiyang will exchange favorable trade terms, a certain amount of war reparations and some new technologies and designs in exchange for the Kingdom of Italy's support for Beiyang? Bragali said.

"It can be considered that this is our final bottom line. If your government agrees, I hope to sign the contract as soon as possible. Li Zhongtang just sent a telegram. If the negotiations in Italy do not go smoothly, the German representatives will arrive in Rome soon.

"After Xu Jie finished speaking, he handed over an agreement.

"We will reply as soon as possible." Brin said after taking the agreement.
Chapter completed!