Munitions Empire

Soon, a second noble from the southern part of the Leite Kingdom made his approach, and Tang Mo knew he was the largest nobleman in the southern part of the kingdom and had close ties with the Prime Minister.

The visitor engaged in lengthy pleasantries before finally revealing his true purpose for seeking out Tang Mo.

But before stating his purpose, he presented his bargaining chip, "The Prime Minister has always felt that a Baron's title does not match Mr. Tang's status. In fact, when I return, I will certainly suggest to His Majesty the King that Mr. Tang's title be promoted to Viscount."

"That's very kind of you! In truth, rather than being promoted to Viscount, I would prefer a Baron's title..." But Tang Mo was ready to use this bargaining chip to secure a noble status for his Uncle Roger.

As expected, the visitor did not hesitate and immediately agreed to Tang Mo's request, "Understood. Who does Mr. Tang wish to provide this opportunity to become a noble?"

Tang Mo did not conceal anything and told the truth, "My uncle, Mr. Roger, who is of great character and famously benevolent within the kingdom."

The noble Lord immediately nodded, providing a satisfying response to Tang Mo, "I would be delighted to become friends with Mr. Roger! A Baron's title seems too modest for you. I will surely advocate for you when I return."

"Thank you," Tang Mo said without refusal, knowing the other party would surely have his own requests.

Indeed, the visitor did not stand on ceremony and directly stated his request to Tang Mo, "Actually, I also have a favor to ask of you. After seeing the C64 cannons in King City and the trains on the platforms, a rather abrupt idea came to my mind."

"Let's hear it. Perhaps I can help you solve some problems," Tang Mo offered without demur, for he knew that if the visitor had sought him out, it must be something within his power to assist with.

The noble Lord immediately said, "Mr. Tang Mo, I wish for my son to study under your guidance."

"Hmm?" This time, it was Tang Mo who was surprised.

The visitor smiled and explained to Tang Mo, "I have three sons, all around the same age, as well as two nephews, two daughters, and seven nieces. I wish to send most of them to you, to be your disciples and learn from you."

"Ha... You're the first to ask me for this," Tang Mo admitted, his regard for the nobleman from the south rising, as this request truly demonstrated the foresight of a family.

The ability to prioritize the cultivation of the next generation over the immense benefits from arms and railroads is, at the very least, the mark of a qualified nobility.

The visitor earnestly lowered his head a bit while making his request to Tang Mo, "I hope Mr. Tang won't refuse."

"I have a school," Tang Mo said outright to the Earl.

"Hmm?" The Earl was taken aback, then looked at Tang Mo with some disbelief.

Tang Mo explained his school, "I have founded a school, called the Great Tang Military Academy. I am its principal, and I will teach classes there... You may send your children, and I will arrange for them to study at the school."

He informed the visitor that the school was populated by talents he had meticulously trained and guaranteed that he would treat all students equally, imparting his knowledge and experience to everyone in the school.

He even elaborated on why the school was called a military academy, mentioning that it included militaristic governance, training, and even courses on military command.

"Mr. Tang, I can't thank you enough," the visitor responded with great satisfaction after hearing Tang Mo's introduction, understanding the purpose of the school's foundation. His smile couldn't be contained as he expressed gratitude to Tang Mo with the utmost respect.

Yet Tang Mo emphasized the discipline in his school with utmost seriousness, "I must declare in advance that I treat everyone equally; all students are my treasures, so there will be no special treatment. Whatever applies to other children will apply to them as well—no backdoors, no shortcuts... If they do not excel, I will expel them. My school only keeps the elite, no mediocrity."

The noble Lord firmly promised Tang Mo, "Understood! I will inform them if they are expelled by you, then there's no need for them to return."

As a noble of certain stature, the southern Earl knew that Tang Mo's stringent demands on the school's students indicated he was nurturing them as his own confidants.

Being able to join a rising force at its inception obviously meant the benefits don't need to be stated. Tang Mo's willingness to accept these children was in itself a statement of intent.

And his promise to Tang Mo also signified his stance—the alliance between them was officially established.

"With an elder like you, they will become the top talents of this world," Tang Mo complimented the man's attitude with approval.

"Please give my regards to Miss Alice!" The visitor bowed slightly, yielding his place.

"I will." Tang Mo raised his glass from a distance in response, then saw a gold-bedecked, rotund man approaching.

Having his meeting arranged this early on, this merchant definitely had an impressive background. And his taste in clothing also reminded Tang Mo somewhat of coal bosses and nouveau riche landlords.

The person across from him was bedecked in gold and silver, truly exuding an aura of opulence so intense it was as though the words "wealthy" were written on his forehead.

Yet even such a rotund man became cautious in the presence of Tang Mo, starting by complimenting him, then heaping praise on Tang Mo's arms trade.

Eventually, he broached the subject of his visit, "As the heart of the Kingdom, King City should be connected by railway to other cities in every direction—Brunas, Wolf City, the eastern territories, and the south..."

Tang Mo understood what the other party wanted. To be honest, he did indeed need to share the burden of the railway construction costs; it was not a venture he could shoulder alone.

Thus, Tang Mo said with feigned casualness, "The railway from Brunas to King City will begin construction in a few months, but the price is indeed quite steep."

The tone he used was so relaxed, as though the railway wasn't worth much—but the fat man knew it was certainly a big deal worth hundreds of thousands of Gold Coins!

So the fat man immediately took up the conversation, making his offer and stating his demands, "Our consortium can provide the funds, but we would like to own a share of the railway."

Tang Mo did not refuse and gestured for the man to elaborate, "Let's hear it."

After a moment of thought, the fat man offered a figure, "We'll provide thirty percent of the funds for twenty percent of the shares."

Tang Mo didn't immediately agree. Since the other party had opened with a lowball offer, naturally, he had to shoot high, "Forty percent of the funding for fifteen percent of the shares."

The fat man did not hesitate, waving his hand to give a fair counteroffer, "Forty percent of the funding for twenty percent of the shares!"

"Deal!" Tang Mo didn't beat around the bush and nodded slightly to agree to the price.

"You are a forthright businessman, Mr. Tang Mo," the fat man was initially stunned, then immediately beamed with joy, praising Tang Mo.

Having clinched such a deal, Tang Mo also smiled and offered a compliment in return, "Your boldness is indeed impressive."

"I'll skip the flattery. In the future, we can cooperate in all realms. I've heard about your steam engines, and I want to purchase 300 units," the fat man said startlingly, presenting Tang Mo with a large order.

Tang Mo's spirits rose even further because he no longer planned to invest too much effort and money in steam engine production.

Now that both the Elf Race and Shireck had the capability to imitate steam engines, he might as well continue to serve the high-end market and cede the lower-end products to others.

So he directly offered the fat man an even more generous proposal, "Why not I sell you a factory for manufacturing steam engines? How does that sound?"

"You would part with it?" The fat man looked incredulously at Tang Mo, asking instinctively.

Tang Mo spread his hands, "Why wouldn't I? No one can earn all the money in the world, right?"

The fat man was also a major businessman; he knew Tang Mo wouldn't be asking for cash. In fact, he couldn't afford to pay that much cash, so he said, "Well said, Mr. Tang Mo! I can offer you three percent of my family consortium's shares in exchange; would you be interested in taking that on?"

Seeing the other party so receptive, Tang Mo immediately laid down his bottom line, "If you can give me five percent, I would be very interested."

The chubby man didn't haggle either, nodding in agreement straight away, "You are now the third-largest shareholder in our consortium."

"Now you can produce steam engines yourself!" Tang Mo also reminded the man of the benefit he was getting.

Without a word, the fat man burst into laughter, tipping his glass as he stepped back, "Ha ha ha! Pleasure doing business!"

"Pleasure doing business!" Tang Mo also laughed as he saw the guest out.

Before Tang Mo's rise, this great merchant wielded power in the Leite Kingdom that ranked him among the top, even the Shireck Consortium's Gis had to give him some respect.

But since the fat man never dabbled in the arms trade, his hard power truly was not on par with Shireck, so he definitely wasn't as ruthless.

However, in terms of economic strength, he was indeed a worthy partner for Tang Mo. At the very least for now, the money in the fat man's hands was still very useful to Tang Mo.

And just as the fat man moved away from Tang Mo's side, a nobleman with a stunning woman made their way to Tang Mo's side as though slipping through a crack.

To tell the truth, Tang Mo had previously investigated this nobleman but had no idea who this glamorous woman, who came with him, could possibly be.