People in the Republic of China era began to rise from industry.

Shocked by the numbers revealed by Lin Yi.

A sense of worry also welled up in He Jingzhi's heart.

This is no ordinary factory.

It's an arsenal!

It was controlled by a single person, and in a country like China, where regional warlords held sway.

Unfortunately, Lin Yi, who was the master, had close ties with local warlords like Chen Bonan.

It's certainly a good thing that the Nationalist government can solve the problem of the weapons and equipment needed for the reorganization of the army domestically.

It could even be a tremendously good thing.

In terms of price, it will definitely be more affordable than importing equipment from Germany.

Moreover, they can gain greater control over the payment cycle.

Even the overt and covert interference from foreign powers will be completely thwarted as a result.

The reorganization of the Nationalist army has been talked about for almost two years, but progress is still slow, and the biggest reasons are these.

But this should be based on one premise: that the Nationalist government can control the arsenal.

An uncontrolled arms factory poses a huge threat.

The Nationalist government's plan to eliminate local separatist forces will inevitably encounter unexpected setbacks because of this incident.

From the perspective of the Nationalist government, this matter was extremely serious.

Thinking about all this, he was even more furious that Kong Yongzhi was such a bastard!

It's quite obvious that when Lin Yi developed the special steel at Fenghua Metallurgical Plant, he probably already had plans to build an arms factory.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to create such a huge commotion in less than two years.

They are already researching and developing howitzers with a caliber of over 100 calibers.

If the Military Commission had successfully acquired a stake in Fenghua Metallurgy back then, the Nationalist government would certainly have a stake in this arsenal today.

It's even possible to go further and achieve complete control.

In short, it will never be the passive situation we are in now.

What a short-sighted person!

After a few thoughts raced through his mind, He Jingzhi gave Kong Yong a critique, and his expression quickly returned to normal.

"Mr. Lin is really generous. The investment in such an arms factory must be considerable, right?"

"To be honest, Chief of Staff, we are indeed under considerable pressure in terms of investment."

Lin Yi made up a story casually, looking troubled.

"That's why we want to put it into production as soon as possible after it's built, produce products that meet market demand, and open up sales channels."

"Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to pay the interest on the bank loan."

"Hehe, given the domestic situation, guns and cannons will definitely sell well, so Mr. Lin has no need to worry at all."

"I know you have a close relationship with people like Chen Bonan and Liu Yuanfu. I'm afraid their deposits have already been sent to you before the products have even been produced yet, right?"

The temptation came.

Lin Yi was waiting for him to say those words.

"Chief, although Director Chen and Supervisor Liu are high-ranking officials who govern a region, their financial resources are ultimately limited."

"The amount of goods they can handle is too small; if it's any more, it will involve payment cycle issues."

"If all goes well, I can manage to endure it for a year or two."

"But if this drags on for three to five years, the arsenal will probably go bankrupt."

"We may be friends, but I'm a businessman."

"In business, you always have to consider profit. You can't do business at a loss. If you do, then the friendship is destined to be short-lived."

"Hehe, that makes sense."

He Jingzhi's smile immediately brightened with Lin Yi's last words.

He understood what Lin Yi said.

Businessmen are driven by profit; as long as there is mutual benefit, they are friends.

As for other things, they are insignificant in the face of self-interest.

For example, because of Kong Yongzhi, the estrangement between him and the National Government would disappear due to the existence of mutual interests.

Including that phrase "a year and a half," it probably wasn't just something said casually.

That's roughly the payment period he can accept.

If the price difference between imported and domestically produced weapons is taken into account, it will greatly alleviate the pressure on the Nationalist government in terms of military spending.

Although things have come to this point, it may still be impossible to control the arsenal, but it's better than selling all the weapons to people like Chen Bonan and Liu Yuanfu, right?

In short, this matter is worth discussing.

Thinking it over, he coughed lightly before casually mentioning which equipment Lin Yi produced to better meet market demands.

Basically, it was a list of reorganization plans.

These things weren't really important, and he knew Lin Yi wasn't there to hear them.

Saying all this is nothing more than a veiled statement.

He supported the cooperation between the Nationalist government and Lin Yi on military equipment.

Given this guy's intelligence, he must understand this too...

When Lin Yi left, He Jingzhi's secretary personally escorted him downstairs.

The two shook hands and said goodbye, and Lin Yi whispered a few words in his ear.

After watching his convoy leave, the secretary practically ran back to the ward.

"Chief, Lin Yi said two things to me when he left."

"What?"

He Jingzhi, who had just settled onto the hospital bed, didn't pay much attention.

At this moment, he was still thinking that if he reported this matter back to Jinling, it would probably cause another uproar.

Wherever money is exchanged, there will inevitably be people who take advantage of it.

This has become a common problem in the officialdom of Nanjing.

The same applies to importing weapons and equipment from Germany.

Over the past two years, the distribution of benefits has become a fixed practice.

Including himself, although not much, there were still some benefits.

After all, in this position, there are some things he has to turn a blind eye to.

Looking at the long term, he's willing to give up such a small benefit.

The problem is that other people might not think the same way.

Therefore, there might still be some problems if we switch to buying weapons from Lin Yi at this point.

"Lin Yi said he hoped I could put in a good word for him with the Chief of the General Staff, and that it would be best if we could also purchase the subsequent ammunition from his arsenal."

"If things go smoothly, I'll get a 2% bonus."

"...Heh, he does know how to get along with people."

After a moment of silence, He Jingzhi chuckled.

All weapons and ammunition were purchased from Lin Yi's arsenal. According to the Military Commission's plan to reorganize sixty divisions, even if three basic units of ammunition were stockpiled, it would still be a deal worth at least three to five hundred million.

If war breaks out in the future and he continues to be responsible for providing supplies, the amount will be astronomical.

Weapons are not cheap, but they are mostly a one-time investment.

What really costs money is the seemingly cheap ammunition.

Once war breaks out, it will be a bottomless pit.

Even without considering future consumption and replenishment, the initial investment of just two points would amount to several million or even ten million.

Such a large sum of money is certainly not something a secretary is qualified to receive.

This guy said he was giving his secretary a benefit, but it was just a cover-up to save face for himself.

After all, such sordid matters are better left unsaid than explained.

Tell yourself directly that you must righteously and firmly reject him, and then give him a good scolding.

So, he's really a smart person.

He is indeed a businessman.

To achieve one's goals, any means necessary are acceptable.

He likes this kind of person.

People who don't distinguish between friend and foe, but only between interests, are actually easier to get along with.

"understood."

He Jingzhi nodded slightly and instructed his secretary, "Now that you've already established a relationship with him, you should meet with him again in the next couple of days."

"Try to find out as much detail as possible about the arsenal, and then compile a document for me."

There was no other way; with such a huge kickback, even if it meant facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, he had to brave it...