Von Moltke knew that he must find a suitable justification to reject Qin Tian. Otherwise, he would struggle to account for his decision to others, raising suspicions that could reach Wilhelm II's ears, with even graver consequences. Wilhelm II would certainly not wish for his Chief of General Staff to be someone who sacrificed public interests for private gain, nor would he tolerate actions that could undermine the interests of the German Empire to appease the Crown Prince. However, von Moltke was acutely aware that he could not allow Qin Tian's influence to expand any further. The navy had already completely aligned with Qin Tian; if the army followed suit, the Crown Prince's position would be precariously threatened.
"Your Highness, this is indeed an impressive product. However, the army currently lacks the funds to procure it. The situation is becoming increasingly tense, and Germany's geographical position necessitates vigilance against threats from both the east and west. Therefore, the army must prioritize strengthening its arsenal. Our military budget is limited, and each year's allocation barely suffices. Consequently, we simply do not have the financial means to purchase these motorcycles," Von Moltke lamented.
Though this excuse was somewhat feeble, it was nonetheless a plausible one. The issue of insufficient funds had become a widespread concern within the German military. Each year's budget was minimal, and any enhancement in combat effectiveness required sacrifices elsewhere. The navy was faring somewhat better, thanks to loans from the royal family and Qin Tian, allowing them to construct the warships they needed. The army, however, faced a different reality.
Von Moltke cast a glance at Qin Tian's expression and inwardly smirked. He relished the thought of Qin Tian's humiliation, believing it would significantly undermine his influence. Despite recognizing Qin Tian's abilities, which might lead him to govern Germany more effectively than the Crown Prince if he were to inherit the throne—benefiting Germany and its citizens—von Moltke was primarily concerned about his own position. He had firmly aligned himself with the Crown Prince from the outset, and any attempt to switch allegiances now would be too late. Thus, he felt he could only continue down this path.
"Your Highness, if possible, I would hope you might consider donating a batch of motorcycles to the army. After all, you have already donated a battleship to the navy, worth fifty million marks! It would hardly be fair to favor one over the other," von Moltke continued, pressing his point.
While Qin Tian's donation of a battleship was a secret to the general populace, it was well-known among military leaders. Von Moltkes remarks aimed to stir discontent among the army's generals. After all, why were both the Emperor and the Crown Prince so focused on supporting the navy while neglecting the army? This seemed grossly unfair.
"Damn, why does this old man always seem to be against me? I haven't offended him in any way," Qin Tian thought, sensing von Moltke's hostility and bewildered by the reasons behind it. Everything he did was for the enhancement of Germany's military strength, ensuring that the nation would have a greater chance in future conflicts.
Qin Tian understood that he could not allow the army's senior officers to harbor resentment toward him, as this could pose a significant threat to his future endeavors, regardless of whether he might succeed the Crown Prince. It was imperative that he did not offend these generals.
"Generalissimo, I assure you, I would not favor one over the other. I hold the German army in the highest regard. The unification and current international stature of the German Empire is inextricably linked to the army's strength. Given the army's current financial difficulties, I am willing to personally donate ten thousand two-wheeled military motorcycles and ten thousand three-wheeled military motorcycles. The value of these two batches exceeds fifty million marks. However, this donation must remain confidential; otherwise, any leaks could have severe repercussions for my enterprises abroad," Qin Tian replied with a smile.
For Qin Tian, donating motorcycles worth fifty million marks was hardly a concern. He was eager to support the army, though he felt displeased by von Moltke's attitude. He envisioned a future filled with collaboration between himself and the army and wanted to avoid being obstructed by Xvon Moltke.
Given the size of the German army and the impending expansion due to war, two batches of motorcycles would barely suffice; they would certainly require more. Furthermore, Qin Tian aspired to produce military transport trucks, armored vehicles, and tanks in the future—he certainly could not donate everything without recompense!
Von Moltke was momentarily stunned by Qin Tian's words. To so casually offer a donation valued at fifty million marks was astonishing, making him involuntarily twitch his lips: "This guy is extraordinarily wealthy; he donated fifty million marks without a second thought. It appears that, as others have said, he is indeed a genius in the business realm."
"Bravo!" The army's generals began to applaud, thoroughly impressed by Qin Tian's generosity. Even those who harbored lingering resentment toward his staunch support of the navy were now swayed.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your support of the army!" Waldse expressed his gratitude.
"As a prince of the German Empire, this is my duty. I wish to convey that both the army and the navy are vital military forces of the Empire; in my eyes, there is no distinction between the two. I support the navy because it faces formidable adversaries, while the army has already established itself as the strongest in the world!" Qin Tian continued.
His words further endeared him to the army's generals. The German army had long demonstrated its prowess through a series of victories, firmly earning the title of the world's best. Nevertheless, Qin Tian's public acknowledgment of this fact bolstered their pride, leading them to regard him with increasing warmth. Many could not help but compare him to the Crown Prince, concluding that Qin Tian excelled in every aspect, rendering any comparison fundamentally futile.