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"Stop touching it; this is real metal! Thick steel plates so solid there isn't even an echo when you knock on them!
We're not just covering a wooden warship with metal skin, we've actually used genuine steel plates to construct the hull!" As Tang Mo almost set his own kitchen on fire, he saw the two elves cautiously reaching out to touch the steel plates of the ironclad warship, and the accompanying Harry spoke up.
This warship, Brunas No. 1, had returned to Brunas to refuel coal and water and replenish its ammunition. It also needed to repair some damage, including a few spots that had been hit by solid cannonballs.
However, for this warship, such minor damage was hardly worth mentioning; most of the places that were hit only had shallow dents.
When the two elves got a close look at this warship, they were utterly astounded by its grand and magnificent presence.
It was their first time seeing such a warship, a bizarre one without sails but with two big smokestacks.
As Harry walked forward, he explained to the two of them, "The warship under your feet is brand new. Its cannons can destroy any sailing warship!"
Passing by the bridge, he pointed at the aiming device above, "See that thing above your heads? An aiming system like this has never been seen in this world before. It can help our guns lock on to targets 8 kilometers away, and if needed, we can open fire from that distance!"
In this era, naval aiming was mostly still reliant on the naked eye, and the elves were hearing for the first time about such a precise aiming system.
Looking up at the armored, reflection-style aiming device, they were initially unclear about how it worked.
But even if they couldn't grasp the advanced principles behind the equipment, they were still intimidated by the all-metal bridge.
Even just imagining standing on such a large and steel-protected bridge commanding naval warfare made them realize it was indeed far safer than directing battle from the exposed deck at the stern of a traditional sailing ship.
Those tall masts and ventilation shafts, every piece of equipment was new to them and incredibly mysterious in their eyes.
Finally, they reached the bow of the ship and saw the massive turret fitted with two 120mm caliber breach-loading cannons.
Their own navy gunners manned the cannons behind wooden hulls while the enemy's navy gunners operated more advanced firearms protected by steel plates. As a result, the battles were frustratingly uneven... The two elves couldn't help but lament this fact silently.
At that moment, Harry began to describe the warship's armament, "Two in the front, one in the back, a total of three main guns mounted in two rotating turrets. The gunners, shielded by steel plates, can attack the enemy at ease."
Fitteral almost spat out a mouthful of old blood, moving with steps heavy as if they weighed a ton.
As he walked, Harry continued, "Of course, introducing this to you is also to make you realize that your Navy is outdated, and that the threats I have mentioned are actually very simple for the Great Tang Group."
"Soon, there will be four Ironclad Warships patrolling your waters, and your hope of receiving any materials from the sea will be dashed." Switching to a threatening tone, Harry once again reminded the two elves that the Ironclad Warship before them was the enemy's weapon: "So, I advise you to go back and think it over, and repay the 14 million Gold Coins as soon as possible...
after all, if you refuse to repay the debt, the consequences will be dire."
"This is more despicable than the Shireck Consortium! All countries will dread you and see you as a thorn in their side..." The deputy envoy could no longer contain himself, wailing in despair.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Fitteral, in reality, we maintain friendly cooperation with many countries... For instance, we've already signed an agreement with the Leite Kingdom to construct three Brunas-class Ironclad Warships, helping Leite Kingdom to build a modernized Navy," Harry rebutted dismissively.
Then, he didn't forget to twist the knife in the bleeding hearts of the two elves: "However, this may not be good news for you because the Leite Kingdom will likely declare war on the Poplar Kingdom and participate in attacking your coastal ports..."
"..." Indeed, the faces of the two elves turned even uglier, as if they had returned home to see their lover fighting with their wife.
As Harry walked down the warship and stood on the dock, he turned to point at the Brunas No. 1 Warship and said, "You've seen it yourself, there is a huge disparity between our weapons and equipment. We could attack you without paying any price. Given this disparity, it's quite audacious of you to maliciously default on payments and refuse to repay the interest."
This time, Fitteral did not deny the matter of the 14 million Gold Coins but deferred saying he had no authority to decide: "I don't have the authority to agree to these terms... I can only send someone back to consult... "
Even he may not have realized it, but he had begun to fear, to acquiesce to the demands of the Great Tang Group.
Harry casually reminded Fitteral of the preciousness of time: "No rush, we have plenty of time... But you must understand that you are the ones who lack time! With every day that passes, the alliance forming against the Poplar Kingdom grows stronger, and your chance to expand diminishes."
"Wait until your neighbors... for instance, the Songmu Kingdom... pay for Ironclad Warships, or import breech-loading cannons and needle guns... It will be too late to repay the money then." After saying this, he looked at the two elves who were holding back their frustration, almost suffocating from it.
"14 million is not a small sum, even our King has to make a careful decision, I need time! Please, you must... help me." Finally, Fitteral took off his gem-studded ring and secretly handed it to Harry, pleading in a low voice.
Harry looked down at the decent-looking ring in his hand: "Hmm?"
"This ring is worth at least 300 Gold Coins..." Fitteral, worried Harry may not recognize its value, quickly stated.
"We have warships in Southwater Port, you know, and of course, there are telegraphs on our Ironclad Warships... If you need to contact the Poplar Kingdom in the fastest way, I can think of a way to help..." Harry pocketed the ring and then said, "That's as far as I can help you."
Like a drowning man grasping a lifeline, Fitteral was so grateful he almost cried out: "...Thank you! Thank you so much!"