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Vasily was curious, “Isn’t it just a magazine?”
Wang Zhong replied, “Those who can make it onto this magazine are all influential figures of their time.”
Vasily grunted, “Oh,” and mumbled, “Then we could publish something similar. Just being on the cover would be awesome.”
Colonel Johnwick beamed a hearty smile.
At this moment, a Federation senior citizen approaching his sixties came to Colonel Johnwick’s side: “Could you help introduce us, Colonel?”
“Certainly, Mr. Ambassador. General Rocossov, this is Mr. Hawthorn, the Federation’s ambassador to the Ante Empire. Mr. Ambassador, this is General Rocossov.”
Wang Zhong had already learnt the ambassador’s name from Miss Ellie prior to his arrival, so this was merely a formality.
As soon as Johnwick finished speaking, the ambassador reached out his hand first: “It’s an honor to meet General Rocossov. You’ve already been called the ‘Star of Victory’ by Time magazine.”
Wang Zhong smiled. It was a moment when modesty was appropriate: “You flatter me too much.”
Ambassador Hawthorn went on, “Our domestic analysts agree with your conclusion that a quick victory is not possible. They surmise that there are two main reasons why the faction advocating a quick victory became mainstream; first, the soldiers driven from their homes are eager to reclaim their land and seek revenge; second, everyone knows that next year will be extremely difficult.”
Wang Zhong replied, “Isn’t the Federation the same?”
Ambassador Hawthorn said, “I won’t deny that currently the Empire of Fusang is launching full-scale offensives, and we are being beaten back on all fronts. But once our war machine is fully up and running, the Empire of Fusang will definitely be defeated.”
Wang Zhong retorted, “Our war potential is even greater.”
“Yes, indeed,” nodded the ambassador, “But as you know, our war machine has not fully started yet, plus, with limitations in transport capacity, the aid we can provide next year will be limited…”
Wang Zhong said, “The war against the Empire of Fusang is mainly naval; it’s the navy’s job. The ground combat in Europa is over and the amphibious assault on Mamluk is still in the planning stage. Just give us the tanks first; it will help us to hold off the Prussian onslaught.”
Ambassador Hawthorn laughed heartily, “Your straightforward style actually suits us Federation people quite well. After all, to the gentlemen in the United Kingdom, we’re all seen as the uncultured nouveau riche who prefer to be direct.”
Just as Wang Zhong was about to reply, the door opened: “His Majesty is waiting to see the ambassador in the audience hall.”
“Oh, it’s time to make an appearance,” said the ambassador looking at Wang Zhong, “I’ll see you at the negotiating table.”
After saying this, he and a few aides followed the palace guards out of the lounge.
Wang Zhong asked Johnwick, “Shall we continue to wait?”
“Yes. The audience is just a formality. His Majesty the Tsar will not participate in the negotiations. It will be us who will discuss the specifics of the aid,” Johnwick paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, “What do you think Ante urgently needs the most right now? The most important thing.”
Without hesitation, Wang Zhong answered, “SPAM canned meat.”
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In fact, it’s just canned lunch meat, made from the unpopular trimmings of pork mixed with starch and other ingredients. Wang Zhong grew up thinking it was a high-end product and ate a lot of it.
Later, when he went to university, he would pair it with instant noodles to add some protein intake.
Wang Zhong paused and then added, “Personally, I’d also like to have enough Coca-Cola.”
Having not had a sip of Coca-Cola since arriving in this era, Wang Zhong certainly longed for a taste of this nostalgic flavor.
Johnwick laughed, “Did you live in the Federation or something? I bet even the diplomats from all of Ante don’t know about SPAM, given that diplomatic personnel rarely eat commoners’ food.”
Wang Zhong replied, “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and I have carefully studied the Federation.”
Johnwick’s smile froze.
Wang Zhong continued, “You just asked what’s the most needed. It has to be SPAM canned meat. This stuff can save lives in an emergency. We have just lost millions of livestock to severe cold. Next year we won’t be able to produce so much Doctor’s sausage, we need something else to replace it.
“If you were to ask me what’s the most needed thing besides food, I would say engines and machine tools.”
“Oh?” Johnwick revealed an expression of mild interest again, “Why’s that?”
Wang Zhong said, “We need to produce better tanks. Right now our T34 tanks can win shootouts mainly due to the advantages of sloped armor and the element of surprise.
“But the Prussians will soon come up with better tanks and their Armored Troops are inherently superior to ours, as well as more experienced in combat. Continue your saga on mvl
“We need machine tools capable of producing larger turrets and engines powerful enough to drive heavier tanks. Our KV tanks are currently troubled due to the low engine output.”
Johnwick said, “You seem to be well-versed in military industrial production.”
Wang Zhong responded, “Somewhat. We also need stamping machines, particularly those capable of manufacturing high-precision stamped parts, and optical glass. Our own optical glass factory is in Saint Andrew Fort, which has been surrounded…”
At this moment, the lounge door opened again, and an official from the court protocol department announced, “The audience is over, please enter the conference room now. This way to the conference room.”
Wang Zhong said, “Then, see you at the negotiating table.”
Johnwick smiled, “See you at the negotiating table.”
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Afterwards, following a full ten days of negotiations, the Ante Empire, the Federation, the United Kingdom, and other allies signed the “War-Time Aid Treaty.”
The treaty stipulated that the Federation, the United Kingdom, and other allies would provide Ante with assistance in 85 major categories, ranging from foodstuffs to rubber to crude oil, and finally to trucks, tanks, and finished aircraft.
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