Chapter 53

People haven't arrived yet, but I heard General Tukhachevsky's hearty laughter from afar.

"Your Excellency Wilhelm, long time no see," he said, warmly shaking Wilhelm's hand and giving it a firm shake that made Wilhelm wince in pain. This guy's hand was like a pair of pliers, as if he wanted to crush his bones.

'Why the hell are you squeezing so hard? Are you showing off how much you eat?' Despite the curses in his mind, Wilhelm managed to put on a warm smile. "General Tukhachevsky, it's been a while. How did you like the song I sent you?"

Last time, Wilhelm heard that the Soviet Ambassador to Germany was returning home after his term ended. So he took the time to copy the song 'Katyusha' and had it delivered to Tukhachevsky through the ambassador. The song, which had inspired countless Red Army soldiers in the original timeline, was now "created" by this capitalist noble. Wilhelm didn't believe that the Soviet Red Army would still sing this song on the front lines once the war broke out. If anyone dared to sing it, the big mustache would probably send his entire family to Siberia.

"Of course, Your Excellency Wilhelm, your musical talent is truly unmatched. In my opinion, you are already a world-class maestro." It seemed that this general had fully embraced the truth of 'flattery will get you anywhere.' After flattering Wilhelm, he finally brought up the purpose of his visit. Well, it's possible that he genuinely recognized Wilhelm's musical talent. Wilhelm couldn't read his mind.

After everyone was seated, Tukhachevsky spoke up. "Just like Your Excellency Wilhelm mentioned last time you visited the Soviet Union, I also come with sincerity for mutual benefit. I see that Germany doesn't seem to be doing well economically these days."

Wilhelm sighed helplessly. "Seems like your country is the only one not affected by this economic storm worldwide. Even the United States has been hit hard."

In the original timeline of 1929, the economic crisis not only didn't have a negative impact on the Soviet Union but could even be said to have provided an opportunity for the rise of the Soviet superpower. As the only country practicing a certain ideology globally, the Soviet Union implemented a planned economy, which greatly improved production efficiency.

Compared to the booming economy of the Soviet Union, the productivity of Western countries hit by the Great Depression continued to decline. In 1933, compared to 1928, industrial production in the United States declined by 44%, in Germany by 45%, in France by 25%, and in the United Kingdom by 20%. Looking at the important indicator of national industrial strength at that time, steel production, the Soviet Union's pig iron production increased from 3.3 million tons in 1928 to 6.2 million tons in 1932, steel production increased from 4.3 million tons to 5.9 million tons, and rolled steel production increased from 3.4 million tons to 4.4 million tons. The level of machinery manufacturing also reached second place in the world.

"So, our Soviet ideology is the best. Your country also..." At this point, Tukhachevsky suddenly closed his mouth, perhaps remembering how they treated the Russian imperial family, and realizing Wilhelm's status in front of him, he awkwardly smiled and changed the subject. "I came here with great sincerity this time. I brought three cooperation agreements: the first one is for our army, we want to buy projects for armored reconnaissance vehicles, tanks, trucks and other equipment."

Are you brainwashed or gone crazy? Talking about the superiority of a certain ideology system in front of me, a capitalist noble?

Wilhelm had initially wanted to see if he could turn the tables on Tukhachevsky while he was trying to trap him, but now it seemed like that idea was too naive. Just go ahead and do your thing.

With that in mind, Wilhelm nodded slightly. For tanks, he would give them the outdated version of the 1st and 2nd tank designs. Armored cars, trucks and everything else would also be the outdated version.

Seeing Wilhelm's enthusiastic agreement, Tukhachevsky continued, "The second agreement is about industry. I believe your country has already upgraded its precision processing equipment, right? We want to continue using oil and anything else to exchange for your country's precision machinery."

Wilhelm didn't immediately agree. He pondered for a moment and slowly shook his head. "General Tukhachevsky, that might be a bit difficult. However, your country can transport minerals to our German factories, and we can process them into finished products before shipping them back."

Tukhachevsky couldn't help but be puzzled. "Why?" Isn't that unnecessary?

Wilhelm sighed, smiling wryly. "If it were back in 1928, I would agree without blinking. But now you know the situation in Germany. The unemployment rate is about to exceed 35%, and many people can't find jobs. I have to find ways to create employment opportunities for them. Otherwise, why would they support a useless royal family that can't even solve their basic needs? Besides, it's more advantageous for your country as well, because even with the same precision equipment, I dare say that what our German workers produce is of far higher quality than anyone else."

Creating employment opportunities is secondary. After all, not long from now, he will create an economic miracle just like the little mustache—zero unemployment. The most important thing is the various minerals imported from the Soviet Union, which will definitely be worth much more than the finished products exported. For example, importing 1,000 tons of rare minerals and only using 800 tons or even 700 tons to produce goods to return to the Soviet Union. The remaining amount can be stored as strategic reserves!

Tukhachevsky pondered for a moment, and Wilhelm's suggestion seemed reasonable and understandable. He also recognized the technical expertise and precision of German workers, which indeed surpassed that of Soviet workers. "Let's set this matter aside for now. The final agreement is regarding naval cooperation. We all know that your country's submarine fleet performed exceptionally well in the last war, and we, the Soviet Union, also eagerly hope to possess a formidable underwater force that can deter our enemies. Just like secret training for tank crews and pilots, we can also assist your side in secretly training submarine operators and even secretly producing submarines. The condition is that we hope your side will send submarine manufacturing experts to assist us in producing Soviet submarines."

Wilhelm readily nodded in agreement as it was something he needed. "There's no major problem with that, but submarines are high-tech weapons, and we would need to prepare shipyards and harbors within the Soviet Union. In these construction projects, our German workers should comprise at least half of the workforce, and your side will be responsible for all food, accommodation, and salaries."

"No problem," Tukhachevsky agreed readily.

"As for the tonnage of the submarines, we can design submarines in the ranges of 250 tons, 500 tons, 760 tons, and 1,000 tons. By the way, would your side be interested in battleships? What about aircraft carriers?" Speaking of battleships, Wilhelm suddenly recalled the "super battleships" of a certain island nation during World War II, and a barely perceptible wicked smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Tukhachevsky looked puzzled. "Battleships? Did the Treaty of Versailles get rewritten? When did this happen?" He had already read the contents of the "New Treaty of Versailles," knowing that Germany was allowed to build destroyers. But it only went that far, and Germany was not permitted to build battleships.

Wilhelm shrugged nonchalantly. "No, the treaty is still the same. We're just thinking about it, but we haven't started building anything. The Treaty of Versailles can't control us. After all, the police don't arrest you just because you have thoughts of murder, right? Besides, the treaty doesn't specify that we can't build battleships for other countries."

Tukhachevsky nodded, suddenly understanding. "Can you share some specific data?"

Want to hear the data? Of course, no problem since it's readily available. "Length overall: 263 meters (256 meters waterline length), beam: 38.9 meters, draft: 10.4 meters. Standard displacement: 64,000 tons, full load displacement: 72,810 tons.

Power system: 12 boilers, 4 steam turbines, 4 shafts, with a main engine output power of 153,000 horsepower. It can reach a speed of 27 knots, with a range of 7,200 nautical miles at 16 knots, and fuel capacity of 6,400 tons.

Armament includes 9 460mm/45-caliber main guns in triple turrets, 6 155mm guns in triple turrets, 24 127mm guns in twin mounts, 156 25mm guns in triple mounts and single mounts, and 4 13.2mm machine guns in twin mounts. It can carry 7 aircraft.

The main armor belt is 410mm below the main deck, with a 135mm hardened layer and a 20-degree outward slope. The deck has 35-55mm on the upper deck and 200mm on the middle deck. The turrets have 650mm armor on the front, 250mm on the sides, 270mm on the top, 560mm on the gun mounts, and 250mm on the bottom. The ammunition chamber walls have 270mm on the top, 50-80mm on the bottom, with a 25-degree slope. The machinery and boiler compartments have 200mm on the top, 75-90mm towards the bottom, with a 14-degree slope."

Tukhachevsky listened in astonishment as Wilhelm rattled off a series of thrilling data. Although he was from the army, he could fully feel the immense power of this battleship from the numbers.

Seeing Tukhachevsky's astonished expression, Wilhelm couldn't help but inwardly chuckle. That self-obsessed Stalin, he would surely be ecstatic upon seeing the data for this battleship. Don't be stingy—make sure to build several of them. It would be best to invest all available resources into these behemoths, sacrificing a few tanks, planes, and anti-aircraft guns.

Although he had wicked thoughts, Wilhelm maintained an expression of utmost sincerity on his face and continued to coax. "This is our 'super battleship' plan. Once built, it wouldn't be a problem to surpass the hundred-year-old naval power of the British Empire. It will truly be the ruler of the seas, unmatched by any country. If it weren't for Germany's current situation, I wouldn't have brought it up. After all, building such a warship can create many job opportunities, isn't it?"

Tukhachevsky found Wilhelm's words very convincing. If this battleship were built, there would be no country in the world that could match it. It seemed that this Your Excellency Wilhelm had been troubled by Germany's unemployment rate, bringing out even this superweapon. "This kind of super battleship must be very expensive, right?"

"You get what you pay for, and good things are not cheap. But I know that your country's foreign exchange reserves aren't abundant. In the spirit of our friendship (ahem), we can forego currency, and your side can pay with food."

Now that there was a steady supply of oil coming from the Empire, Wilhelm wasn't particularly interested in Soviet oil. He was more interested in food.

Food was a valuable commodity. Let the big mustache allocate food from Ukraine and Belarus. The more people starved in Ukraine, the more people would hate the big mustache. When the German army marched in, there would be more supporters.

He wouldn't repeat the mistake of the original timeline's little mustache. By showing a little favor in Ukraine, Belarus, and other places, he could immediately gain hundreds of thousands, even millions, of a revengeful army that wished to turn the big mustache into minced meat. "Alternatively, it can be converted into ores, oil, timber, and so on. However, the priority is still food and ores. As for oil and timber, we won't pay a high price."