Chapter 55： Difficult finances

This time Siemens won the bid to make Dika Selter very happy, and it is worthwhile for him to spend so much effort. GM once again lost in the European market, and Sicor also left with disappointment.

In fact, the lowest quotation in the bid was not Siemens but GM, but the price is only a reference, and there are other things that affect the bidding. In the end, Edel chose the most favorable option for Romania, so it is not difficult to understand that Germany's Siemens won the bid with a small price gap.

In the following discussions, Siemens will help the newly established Cold Power Company (the company established this time for the construction of the power plant) to train personnel and guide the construction of the power plant. In return, Siemens can get the same price as other equipment, and choose Siemens first.

"Are there any other problems that need to be solved now." After finishing the power supply, Edel asked his head of bodyguard.

"There are still many things that reflect that the death rate of newborns in the domestic medical treatment is too high. Some military reports that the production of ammunition is less, which is not conducive to future combat requirements, and that the wages of workers in private factories are generally lower than those in state-owned factories. Needless to say the royal industry, in terms of education..."

Hearing Carust reporting all kinds of problems continuously, Edel regretted the question just now. The Chief Guard reported these issues related to people's livelihood, education, agriculture, national defense and other major issues. The solutions that can solve these problems now require money and not a small amount. This makes Edel have the idea of ​​robbing the bank of Scotland.

Now Edel can only choose one, which seems to be able to solve a simpler problem. Edel was thinking about the various problems that the head of the guard just reported. The military industry can be solved first. The low investment is quickly related to national defense. This is a good solution.

Edel asked the chief of the guard to check the documents about the shortage of military ammunition stocks. The Bucharest arsenal has basically reached the designed production capacity, with an annual output of 50 million rifle ammunition and 5,000 machine gun ammunition, which was designed before the reorganization. After the Russo-Japanese War, various countries have reached a new level with regard to the amount of ammunition used by the military during wartime.

After the reorganization of the Romanian army, the standard amount of ammunition consumed for daily training is 100 rounds per year for each soldier, and the training of machine gunners requires 1,000 rounds a year to meet the basic requirements. In addition, the military now fully uses Mauser’s 7.92-caliber pointed bullets, and there was no inventory before, which exacerbated the military’s worries. Therefore, it is urgent to increase the production of bullets.

"The chief guard helped me meet with Ambassador Baslobb." Edel could only tell the chief guard, and now I can only hope that William II can be more generous.

The next day Ambassador Baslob came to the palace to meet Edel, and the crown prince saw Mr. Ambassador smile like a spring breeze. "Ambassador Baslob is very happy that you can spare time to meet in your busy schedule."

"Your polite Crown Prince, my most important job in Romania is to promote the relationship between the two countries, and the Crown Prince is the key to it. It is a great honor for me to be summoned by the Crown Prince." Ambassador Baslob did not know what the Crown Prince was looking for. But I also don’t forget to release German friendship to Edel. As an ambassador, Mr. Baslob is still qualified.

"Mr. Ambassador, I have a business and I need to talk to the ambassador." Edel gave the good news first.

"I don't know what kind of business needs the Crown Prince to discuss in person?" Ambassador Baslob asked curiously.

"You know that in the previously introduced ammunition production line in our country, there was a deviation in the estimate of the amount of bullets. Now we need to introduce two more bullet production lines. One 50 million rounds of 7.92 caliber rifle ammunition, and one 30 million rounds of 7.92 caliber machine gun ammunition." Edel stated his needs.

Ambassador Baslob roughly estimated the price of the two bullet production lines in his mind, which is not too expensive at around 8 million marks.

"So what is the problem, I can send a telegram to the domestic arsenal, I believe they are still very happy to make this business." Mr. Ambassador casually agreed.

"Mr. Ambassador, our government's finances are now relatively difficult. I hope that this order can be included in the previous payment." Edel now stated his request.

"Well, this is beyond my authority. I need to ask the country for instructions. I hope that your Highness will not mind." Ambassador Baslob could only ask for the answer to the domestic report when he faced the crown prince's request.

"No problem, I will wait for your reply."

After sending off the ambassador, Andel also has a new understanding of the government's financial difficulties. Had it not been for the financial separation between the government and the royal family, he would have the idea to help the government fund the government, but this is unrealistic and it is not good for anyone, so the crown prince can only come forward to solve this difficulty.

After Ambassador Baslob returned to the embassy, ​​he sent Edel's request to the country. These issues should be considered by the big men.

After receiving the message from Ambassador Baslob, the German government put this Romanian request at the table of Prime Minister Bernhardt.

"Are these Romanians really that poor? Their economic development is pretty good now." The prime minister picked up the message and said to himself. After hearing the Prime Minister's words, the secretary passed the investigation report of the German military attache in Romania to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Bernhardt picked up the report and read it for a while. "It turned out to be so."

Faced with the Romanians' demands, Prime Minister Bernhardt was unwilling to make his own decision. He took this message and other government reports to seek approval from the Kaiser. Bernhardt knew why William II chose him as prime minister.

In the palace, William II was listening to Prime Minister Bernhardt’s report on various constructions of the empire, after speaking about the domestic affairs. The Prime Minister took out Romania's request and told the Kaiser.

"Your Majesty, this is a message from Romania requesting a loan to purchase two sets of bullet production lines."

The German Emperor took the telegram given by the Prime Minister and read it. After reading it, he told Prime Minister Bernhardt. "I remember that Romania's economy is developing well now. I have heard of their cars in Berlin. UU Reading "

Knowing that William II wanted to ask such a question, the Prime Minister told the Kaiser the report of the military attaché’s investigation. "Your Majesty, Romania’s economy is developing well now, most of which are played by the royal family’s funds. The government’s investment is in infrastructure, plus they are now carrying the burden of reorganizing the army. Now they have government funds. Very nervous, so this time I hope to get loans to ease the pressure on the government."

After hearing the Prime Minister's account, William II remembered the cousin who came to visit three years ago. At that time, the youth was still relatively young, and now he has shown extraordinary strength. Make such a big contribution in economic development.

"This is a small amount to approve their request." In William II's opinion, the 10 million mark is not a big problem. It is the most important thing to get Romania into the chariot. The German Emperor’s impression of Romania is that it has a capable army (this is the credit of the advisory group), which has initially developed into a small country with certain strength.

"Our advisory team has been in Romania for more than three years, right?" William II asked about the military advisory team in Romania. The head of the advisory team, Ludendorff, has been in Romania for more than three years. The Kaiser thought it was possible to change a group of personnel to let the military advisers in Romania return home to receive rewards.

"Yes, it has been more than three years. In fact, it is a good idea for them to return to China to receive your majesty's medal, and then another group of officers to go there." Prime Minister Bernhardt suggested.

"Prime Minister, you have to deal with these matters first, and I will tell Xiao Maoqi then."

Within a few days, Edel received the message that Germany agreed to increase Romania’s loan to purchase a bullet production line. When Edel was happy about this, he didn't know that the Kaiser intended to change a group of military advisory groups.