It turned out that the German office of the East China government had found Carl Friedrich Benz and Gottlieb Daimler, two founders of Mercedes-Benz, and asked them to invest and participate.

But what time travelers did not expect was that these two famous figures in the old time and space rejected the investment requirements of the East China government. In fact, the reason was very simple. Now Benz and Daimler have established their own automobile companies. Although they have not reached the level of industry overlords like Mercedes-Benz, they have achieved some success. Therefore, the two are not short of money at this time, and the current automobile market is not big, and the two are not anxious about investment demand; and both believe that automobiles have broad development prospects in the future, so they naturally will not sell their shares for this investment.

However, the two had no objection to the transfer of some technology to the East China government from engine technology, because it does not involve shares, and it can also be exchanged for some funds. After all, in a short period of time, the two sides basically have no competitive relationship, and the technology of automobiles is still developing. If the two sides really compete head-on, the current technology would probably have fallen behind.

After receiving the reply from the German office, everyone in the East China government couldn't help but sigh. It seems that Mercedes-Benz can be the industry overlord. These two founders are not only excellent engineers, but also extremely smart businessmen. It seems that the time traveler's plan to seize the original shares of Mercedes-Benz has failed, but it is also good to obtain some of the technology.

However, the Executive Yuan had objections to how to use engine technology. One suggestion was that Sifang Locomotive Factory would take over, so that the existing equipment and technicians of Sifang Locomotive Factory could be fully utilized to save expenses. The main goal of the East China government is the Russo-Japanese War, and other things can be saved; another suggestion is to establish a new automobile factory or machinery factory. After all, Sifang Locomotive Factory mainly produces railway locomotives and uses steam engines. There is still a big difference between the internal combustion engines used in automobiles. It is better to set up a new factory again, even if the scale is smaller at the beginning and the investment is less.

Although the Executive Yuan is still discussing the plan, engine technology has been confirmed to have been introduced, which also solves the biggest obstacle to the development of fixed-wing aircraft. Although the engine technology of this era is still very backward, it is also OK to use it for the most primitive fixed-wing aircraft. The first aircraft that the Wright brothers completed the flight was a four-cylinder water-cooled gasoline engine with a power of only 12 horsepower.

So the Executive Yuan also decided to formally establish the fixed-wing aircraft R&D project department, with Wang Xinping as the team leader, but the pilots asked only 4 cars, because the Army had to go 40 cars in one go, so of course, they had to save a little bit of the rest.

The situation of the armored troops actually has many similarities with the flight troops. They are all because the technology is too advanced compared to this era, so it seems to be a bit too high. However, the better thing about the armored troops is that the number of people is that the number of people is higher. The armored troops have a total of 28 amphibious combat vehicles, 6 construction vehicles, 18 warrior vehicles, and more than 400 drivers and maintenance personnel. The team's number is more than twice that of the flight troops. Moreover, most of the accessories of armored vehicles can be found on other vehicles, and the power system of armored vehicles is diesel engines, and there is no shortage of fuel in this era. In this way, the armored troops do not have to worry about the failure of armored vehicles for a considerable period of time. As long as these armored vehicles are present, the armored troops will not be disbanded. Therefore, the members of the armored troops are much better in their mentality than those of the flight troops.

But in addition to having a slightly better living condition, the other aspects of the armored forces are similar to those of the air force. There are all three-no troops with no people, no projects, and no money. The solution between the two sides is exactly the same, which is to develop armored vehicles, and this project is more reliable. After all, practical cars have been invented at this time.

However, the Executive Yuan has made great reservations about the armored forces, because armored vehicles are based on the automobile industry. Since they are early armored vehicles, they basically put iron shells on cars. However, the East China government has no foundation in the automobile industry yet, so it is necessary to develop armored vehicles. This step has not taken too much. Even the flight troops only proposed to develop fixed-wing aircraft rather than fighter jets. Therefore, from now on, developing the automobile industry of the East China government is more reliant on the generalization. After all, Mercedes-Benz and Dalem have agreed to sell automobile technology to the East China government.

But this is not a small blow like the R&D team, but a factory should be officially built. Just once the factory is built, even if it is just a small factory, the investment will not be small, at least it will start with more than 100,000 silver dollars. In the first 2 or 3 years, it is likely that there will be additional investments. However, some people believe that this investment is completely worth it, because in addition to the great commercial value of the car itself in the future, if the East China government can take out a finished car with reliable performance before joining the war, it will be extremely helpful for the East China government to win this war. Bi Jing has nearly two years left, and can rely on mature technologies proposed by Germany and use German equipment to create several practical cars.

Some people also suggested that when the government cannot afford money, it is possible to try the way of national joint ventures. The government can provide technology, land and other resources, and private funds can even be introduced into the form of shareholding, at least the project will be started first. However, this has been opposed by some people because the development of automobiles is a long process and requires large initial investment. It is probably difficult for private individuals to invest in such projects, and they can only be carried out by state actions. However, some people think that they can give it a try. As a result, the members of the committee also spoke out, and there was no unified plan at the moment, so they are still under discussion.

While actively preparing for the Russian-Japanese war army internally, the East China government's external activities have not stopped. In addition to actively making arrangements in Lushun, the East China government officially proposed the intention to issue bonds to Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Germany first responded positively to the East China government, expressing its willingness to provide convenient conditions for the East China government to issue bonds in Germany, and hoped that the East China government would organize a negotiation working group as soon as possible to come to Germany to negotiate related matters about issuing bonds.

The United States responded to the East China government two days later, and in principle agreed to the East China government issue bonds in the United States. If the East China government really has this intention, it can first negotiate with the US Consulate in Qingdao, and the US government will consider it based on the content of the negotiation between the two parties.

The UK responded to the East China government five days later. Although it also agreed to the East China government issue bonds in the UK, the British government's work has been fully scheduled this year, so the negotiation time has been pushed to after 1904.

It should be said that although the attitudes of the three countries are different, they are all within the expectations of the East China government. From the perspective of curbing Russia, the goals of these three countries are consistent with the East China government. However, state relations are by no means simple distinction between black and white, but a comprehensive consideration of the interweaving of various interests.

Germany is currently the country with the best relationship with the East China government and the deepest degree of cooperation. Although it was the East China government that took the initiative to show goodwill to Germany at the beginning, Germany has now relied on the military technology of the East China government, so it has continuously strengthened the relationship between the two sides. At present, more than 50% of the East China government's foreign trade is carried out with Germany. The East China government exports Germany mainly to mineral resources, while the purchase is machinery and equipment and finished technology.

On the other hand, the East China government's hostile attitude towards Russia is also in line with Germany's interests. In order to disintegrate the French-Russian alliance, Germany has always actively promoted Russia's expansion in the Far East, and at the same time, it did not forget to establish more opponents for Russia in the Far East. According to Germany's idea, Russia would be better off trapping in the quagmire of the Far East and unable to extricate itself, just like Britain was trapped in the Boer War in South Africa, so that Germany could free up its hands and fight France with all its might.

It is precisely because of the interests of both political and economic aspects that Germany naturally responded positively to the East China government’s request to issue bonds, not to mention that issuing bonds itself is also beneficial to Germany.

The United States is the largest international trading partner of the East China government except Germany, accounting for about 25% of the East China government's foreign trade. Although the total trade volume is far less than Germany, the types of products exported to the East China government are much richer than Germany, from machinery and equipment, to small hardware, daily necessities, etc. Moreover, since the United States itself is a country with extremely rich resources, it does not have to import resources from the East China government, and almost all trade is surplus. In terms of interests alone, it is not much worse than Germany.

Although the United States opposes Russia's expansion in the Far East, it is not as urgent as Britain. After all, the United States' main business interests in China, and basically no geopolitical considerations. With Britain in front, the United States will naturally not stand out, but hide behind while working to curb Russia, while also making a fortune in silence.

Issuing bonds is of course a kind of wealth. Therefore, the United States has issued US$50 million (about 10.25 million pounds) of bonds for Japan. Of course, the United States welcomes the intention of the East China government to issue bonds. However, the United States does not intend to achieve the purpose of the East China government so easily. Since the East China government has its own desires, of course it is to maximize its interests. The United States intends to first figure out the goals and trump cards of the East China government, and then try its best to strive for benefits for itself. If the East China government requires further opening up the market, if the East China government defeats Russia, the United States can gain those benefits in the Northeast.

The British mentality is the most contradictory. The Java incident made the UK full of vigilance against the East China government, and it has even listed the East China government as the second containment target after Russia. Of course, it does not want to allow the East China government to issue bonds in the UK and obtain development funds. However, the UK still needs the East China government to deal with Russia. After all, the UK still lacks confidence in Japan's ability, so it cannot completely break up with the East China government, so it has to use a delaying strategy.
Chapter completed!