This Stuff Has Some Kick, Right?

A few days later.

Fengtian, Anshan Industrial Park.

Inside the enormous factory buildings, machines roared, sparks flew, and the scene was one of bustling activity.

Two Prussians in sharp suits, Manstein and Lucas, followed a Feng Army officer, looking at everything before them with shock.

"My God, the scale here is even larger than our country's biggest Krupp Factory," Lucas couldn't help but whisper in admiration.

Manstein adjusted his glasses, his gaze sharp.

"Scale is secondary; the key is their production line. Look, it's all assembly line work, incredibly efficient."

Their purpose for this visit was clear.

They were here to purchase the "Type 2 Tank," the latest model developed by the Feng Army.

That terrifying weapon that had routed the White Bear Country's armored forces on the battlefield.

The Feng Army officer in charge of their reception, though he didn't understand much of their German conversation, wore a proud smile.

"Gentlemen, please come this way. Our Type 2 Tank production line is just ahead."

Just then, another group of people approached them.

Leading the group were several Ying Country individuals with arrogant expressions.

The two parties met in the factory corridor and both paused in surprise.

Manstein recognized the man with the aquiline nose at the head of the other group.

"Sir Humphrey? What a coincidence. I thought you Ying Country people would be busy arguing with the Sam Country people over world dominance right now. How do you have time to come to our 'barbaric land'?"

His German-accented English carried a strong sarcastic tone.

The Ying Country baronet, known as Humphrey, snorted coldly.

"General Manstein. Of course, we are here to procure the world's most advanced weaponry. Unlike some countries, bound by treaties, who have to sneak around even to build a tractor, afraid someone might find a gun barrel hidden inside."

Their gazes clashed in the air, thick with hostility.

The Feng Army officer beside them broke out in a sweat.

Oh dear, why are these two starting to bicker?

One represents Prussia, the other Ying Country, and both are potential buyers – he couldn't afford to offend either.

"Hey, hey, gentlemen, you are honored guests. Harmony brings wealth, harmony brings wealth..."

He rubbed his hands together, caught in the middle, torn between them, his face contorted into a grimace.

"What are you arguing about?"

A calm yet slightly lazy voice cut in without warning.

"Is this a marketplace? Are you haggling now?"

Manstein and Humphrey, who had been arguing heatedly, stiffened simultaneously and turned towards the voice.

They saw Zhang Xueming standing there, with Yang Yuting, looking serious, behind him. He had his hands in his pockets, a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes seemed to be looking at two unruly children.

The two, who moments ago were ready to draw their pistols and shoot each other, had their expressions change 180 degrees.

Their smiles were now as pleasant as could be.

"Young Marshal Zhang!"

"Young Marshal Zhang, you're here!"

They both spoke almost in unison, their attitudes incredibly enthusiastic.

The Feng Army officer, who had been squeezed almost flat between them, finally breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped aside.

"One wants to buy our new tank, the other wants to buy our new aircraft," Zhang Xueming walked over, his gaze sweeping across their faces, directly stating the situation.

"Right?"

Manstein and Humphrey's smiles faltered slightly.

They felt completely transparent in front of this young Eastern general; none of their thoughts could be hidden.

"Since you are both here to do business, you are guests," Zhang Xueming clapped his hands, as if dusting something off.

"Let's go, don't just stand here."

"I'll show you something good."

He turned and walked towards the depths of the factory. The Prussian and Ying Country delegations quickly followed, the earlier hostility completely gone, replaced by an odd harmony.

Soon, they arrived at an even larger and more orderly workshop.

The moment they saw the scene before them, both Manstein and Humphrey gasped.

Huge gantry cranes moved slowly overhead, lifting complete tank turrets. Below, on an endless assembly line, workers were systematically assembling tank chassis.

Sparks flew, but not chaotically.

Machines roared, but rhythmically.

From installing road wheels, to laying tracks, to welding armor, to hoisting turrets and engines, all processes were carried out in one smooth flow, filled with the unique violent aesthetic of the industrial age.

"My heavens..." Lucas, from the Prussian delegation, was completely stunned. "Compared to this, our factory is just a handicraft workshop!"

Beneath Manstein's glasses, his eyes were filled with shock.

He had seen grand scenes before, but this terrifyingly efficient production model completely overturned his understanding.