"Your Majesty, the selfless assistance provided by the German Empire to our nation has deeply moved me. Upon my return, I shall certainly report this to Comrade Ulyanov. I am confident that Comrade Ulyanov, along with other comrades in the Party, will surely approve." Joseph spoke with a look of profound gratitude.
Although he was well aware that the Germans' goodwill was far from innocent, he was too astute to voice such thoughts aloud. Moreover, he had already delegated the power of decision to Ulyanov. Even if, in the end, the Germans' proposal was rejected, it would not be his responsibility. Should the Germans harbor any grievances, they would not be directed at him.
Qin Tian could see through Joseph's insincerity but said nothing. After all, it was no simple task for the German Empire to defeat the Russo-Bolshevik forces. Starting preparations in advance could only serve to benefit them. Should any of these strategies succeed, they would significantly contribute to weakening the Russo-Bolshevik alliance.
After exchanging some pleasantries, the meeting seemed to be nearing its end. However, at this juncture, Joseph put forward a new request.
"Your Majesty, during the recent military parade, I was deeply impressed by the overwhelming strength of the German Empire's military. Especially the German Navy, which dominates the world. If possible, I hope that the Russo-Bolshevik government can place an order for a batch of battleships from the German Empire!" Joseph said.
This decision was the result of careful consideration. The Russo-Bolshevik Navy was currently in disarray. Although they had inherited some naval officers and ships from the Russian Empire, these were primarily light vessels, suitable only for coastal patrol. Venturing into deep waters was beyond their capability.
Before its fall, the Russian Empire had constructed a few battleships, but their performance was far inferior to that of the German vessels. Moreover, those battleships had all been seized by the Germans, and due to their poor quality, they were eventually dismantled.
Furthermore, after the fall of the Russian Empire, many naval experts had fled abroad. The ensuing civil war left the Bolshevik faction too preoccupied to address this matter. It was only after the establishment of the Russo-Bolshevik government that they realized the severe lack of naval expertise. As a result, despite their desire to build a powerful navy, they lacked the resources to do so. Even if they were to construct a fleet of smaller ships, it would be insufficient to establish them as a naval power.
With the collapse of Britain, the German Navy had become the most powerful in the world. Additionally, Germany's shipbuilding capabilities were unrivaled. If the Russo-Bolshevik government wanted a formidable fleet of battleships, ordering from Germany was undoubtedly the best option. Moreover, the Russo-Bolsheviks could potentially learn valuable insights from the German battleships, thus regaining the capability to construct their own.
"Assisting you in building battleships? That is certainly no problem. Your country can place orders directly with our shipyards. I am confident that our shipyards are more than capable of fulfilling your order. However, is this the official stance of your government?" Qin Tian inquired.
Joseph hesitated for a moment before replying, "Your Majesty, this is merely my proposal at present. However, I am confident that Comrade Ulyanov will agree."
Joseph's eagerness to strengthen the Russo-Bolshevik Navy stemmed from his fear of a future conflict with Germany, where the German Navy would pose a serious threat. Additionally, he sought to solidify his own influence within the military. The influence of Trotsky within the Russo-Bolshevik Army was formidable, and Joseph could not challenge him directly. By building a powerful navy, Joseph hoped to balance his power with Trotsky. After all, both he and Trotsky were the most prominent contenders for Ulyanov's succession.
Qin Tian nodded. Helping the Russo-Bolshevik government build battleships posed little impact on Germany. After all, a strong navy cannot be built solely through the acquisition of foreign vessels. Moreover, the seas surrounding Europe were largely under Germany's control. Even if the Russo-Bolsheviks acquired a powerful fleet, Germany had many ways to neutralize it. Furthermore, profits from the battleship trade would be substantial. Arms trade, after all, is one of the most lucrative industries. Additionally, given that the Russo-Bolshevik state was relatively weak, trying to maintain both a strong army and a powerful navy would undoubtedly strain their resources.
The eventual victor in a war between Germany and the Russo-Bolshevik state would still be determined by the army. By diverting resources to the navy, the Russo-Bolshevik army would inevitably suffer. When the time came, it would be easier for the German army to defeat them. Thus, Qin Tian had no objections to the development of the Russo-Bolshevik navy and, in fact, hoped it would flourish.
Qin Tian, having considered all this, was eager to see the Russo-Bolshevik government expand its navy.
"Joseph, as long as your government agrees, assisting in the construction of a batch of battleships is no issue at all," Qin Tian declared.
"Your Majesty, that is wonderful!" Joseph's face lit up with joy.
"However, Your Majesty, I would like the battleships built by Germany to be the most powerful in the world! Additionally, I hope to pay for these ships with agricultural products and mineral resources," Joseph added cautiously, stealing a glance at Qin Tian, fearing a refusal.
Qin Tian paused for a moment before nodding. He knew full well that the Russo-Bolshevik government did not possess the financial means to pay in full. But as long as they could provide payment in any form, it would suffice. After all, his ultimate goal was not monetary.
"Joseph, I assure you that the battleships built by Germany for your country will be the most powerful in the world. With a displacement of over 40,000 tons and equipped with 410mm main guns, these will certainly be among the most formidable vessels ever constructed. I will ensure that our shipyards provide you with all the necessary specifications," Qin Tian stated.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty!" Joseph's face beamed with joy. Though he lacked deep knowledge of naval affairs, he had made sure to educate himself after formulating his request. He knew that the most powerful battleships in the world were equipped with 380mm or 381mm guns. To have the Germans equip their ships with 410mm guns was a clear sign of their superior strength.