Iron Dynasty

For the industry of our empire, now we have a machine that needs to run on this black oil.

Tang Wenjie didn't hide it.

While in Qingzhou, the emperor told him that buying oil in Persia and Ottoman was the most suitable option, but not the only option.

If the diplomacy fails, they will spend more effort to extract oil in the South China Sea, so this time he has a lot of chips in his hands.

After a short contact, he found that this Cambis was still a very shrewd person, and it was unnecessary to conceal it deliberately. One day Cambis would know that when the lie was exposed, the relationship between the two sides would break down.

It turns out that, I didn't expect black oil to have such an important role.

Cambis was overjoyed, now he has at least one thing that he can take the initiative to trade with the Eastern Empire, otherwise he really has no bargaining chip in this negotiation.

That's true, so what does His Majesty mean? Tang Wenjie asked again.

Cambies didn't answer. He and Arsasi looked at each other and pondered for a while. He said, I want to see your steel warships? Can you?

Of course. Tang Wenjie raised his brows, he finally knew why Cambis wanted what he was really a sly guy.

After temporarily suspending the negotiation, Tang Wenjie led Cambis and other Persian nobles to board the steel battleship parked in the port.

The moment he saw the steel battleship, Cambies's eyes never left these six mighty sea monsters.

After seeing the firepower of these warships, Cambes sank and looked at the sea for a long time. He said: We Persia can supply you with oil, you can have as much oil as you want, but there is a premise that you can no longer be with the Ottomans. Have any cooperation, just buy our black oil.”

Tang Wenjie shook his head with a wry smile. He said, Even businessmen are shopping around. If we only buy your black oil, how should we price it?

This question immediately stumped Cambies. Black oil in Persia is not considered a commodity at all, and it is very cheap. If the lion opens its mouth at this time, the Eastern Empire will definitely not accept it.

After thinking about it for a while, he said, These black oils don't need money, as long as you help us build a production line for muskets and cannons.

Tang Wenjie was quite surprised. This matter was no trivial matter. He did not dare to agree easily, but he could make this condition as low as possible in advance.

So he said: Even if our emperor will agree, you will not be able to get the weapon production line you see now. At most, you will get the same production line as the current level in Europe, and the empire will not leak technology, but will only sell production machinery. For you guys.

Even so, we will be very satisfied. Cambis said, his heart was clear, no matter how much black oil was unable to protect it, it was just someone else's wealth.

With the ability of the Eastern Empire, they can definitely launch a war against Persia to get the black oil, but they obviously don't want to do this now.

Tang Wenjie nodded, In addition, we also want to buy the port of Abbas as our trade port, how about your majesty?

No king will sell his land, but I can rent it to you. Abbas was a little embarrassed. The issue of land is serious, and selling the land will undoubtedly affect his authority.

Tang Wenjie was a little disappointed, but now he obviously had to settle for the next best thing, Okay, I will convey the request of His Majesty to our emperor. Tang Wenjie bowed to Cambis.

Cambis was also a little uneasy in his heart, wondering if the emperor of the Eastern Empire would accept his conditions.

In his opinion, this is an opportunity for the Persian Empire to become stronger again. The world has changed, and Persia can no longer stand still.

Otherwise, the contest between Eastern and Western powers will sooner or later crush them.

After negotiating their respective conditions, Tang Wenjie had no reason to stay. After saying goodbye to Cambies, he ordered the battleship to return.

Woooo...

With the loud whistle, the six battleships slowly sailed eastward.

Cambies and the Persian nobles stood in front of the port and did not leave, but watched the six battleships that did not need wind completely disappear from sight.

It's a terrible country. I hope this time we can have good luck instead of war. Cambis looked forward and was a little worried.

Arsasi said: Obviously, when the Eastern Empire is fighting against European powers, it doesn't want to add another enemy to us. They came this time with good intentions.

Cambis' eyes were dazed, he sighed and turned away.

...

Qingzhou.

After a month's voyage, Tang Wenjie went ashore in Dengzhou and returned here by steam locomotive.

Without time to rest, Tang Wenjie immediately reported this trip to Persia to Xiao Ming.

Building a production line for muskets and artillery?

Xiao Ming frowned after listening to Tang Wenjie's report. It took Tang Wenjie three months to go back and forth.

And in these three months, the Imperial Internal Combustion Engine Manufacturing Plant, Imperial Automobile Manufacturing Plant, Imperial Industrial Machinery Manufacturing Plant, and Imperial Heavy Industries have been established with his approval.

Next, the empire will expand the production and manufacture of internal combustion engines and internal combustion engine-like machinery. At this juncture, the problem of oil is becoming more and more difficult.

Xiaguan and King Cambis of Persia made it very clear that even if the emperor agreed, he would only build a production line of muskets and artillery similar to the West. Tang Wenjie said cautiously.

After pondering for a while, Xiao Ming said: The oil and weapons production lines that don't need money, this Cambis is really a smart person. With the weapons production line, he can compete for the hegemony of Central Asia and get more oil fields. It really doesn't hurt at all.

This Cambis is indeed a shrewd person. Tang Wenjie agreed.

After thinking for a while, Xiao Ming said, If that's the case, I promise him. We will help them build a production line for conquest rifles and a production line for smoothbore guns. These two production lines only need to use steam engines, and the technical content is not high.

Really promise them? Tang Wenjie was still a little uncertain.

The production lines eliminated by the empire are now piled up in warehouses. Let them rust and rust. Why don't you give them to Persia. The news of our purchase of oil in Persia will soon reach Europe. At that time, Europe will inevitably break down. At that time, we Persia needs to be able to resist external threats to create a stable environment. At the same time, this Cambies thinks about the production line too simply. Once the production line is established for them, they will buy our steel to make weapons, and also buy ammunition, which is equal to We have an arms dumping ground, why not do it?

Tang Wenjie pondered after hearing the words, and suddenly patted his head, Yes, Persia will be tied to our chariot in this way, the emperor is wise.

There was a smile on Xiao Ming's mouth. This was his opportunity to build a different world version of OPEC, and he naturally would not miss it.

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