Chapter 300: Military Industrial Alliance

The next morning, when sunlight spilled into the room through the gaps in the heavy curtains, Morin slowly opened his eyes.

A hangover-like fatigue wrapped around him, yet his mind was unusually clear.

Last night, Morin had actually kept the old military doctor’s instructions in mind, so he hadn’t forgotten to put up a token struggle at the final moment.

“The military doctor said I should minimize exercise before the wound on my waist is completely healed…”

“It’s okay, you don’t need to move~”

In the end, Morin indeed didn’t move much.

After eight months without “taking off,” meeting the “long drought with sweet rain” in a nurturing relationship perfectly interpreted what it meant when lightning strikes the earth fire. Driving a “big car” is correct, but one must act according to one’s ability.

Morin shifted his body and immediately felt the soft touch on his arm.

He looked down and saw Cecilia curled up in his arms like a docile kitten, sleeping soundly.

Her beautiful sleeping face, which usually carried a hint of coolness and majesty, was now filled with serenity and satisfaction. Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows in the morning light.

Morin’s heart was instantly filled with an unprecedented softness and satisfaction.

He carefully tried to extract the arm she was using as a pillow, but as soon as he moved, the person in his arms let out a dissatisfied whimper and hugged him tighter.

Morin had to give up and let her hold him like that.

He quietly watched her sleeping face, and the “Nvidia Instant Replay” of last night flashed involuntarily in his mind.

Everything felt like an unreal dream.

To others, this might be shocking and contrary to custom… no wait, in Old Europa, that wasn’t necessarily true.

But no matter what, Morin had no other thoughts in his mind right now, only a sense of steadfastness like dust settling.

He reached out his other hand and gently tucked a strand of hair scattered on Cecilia’s cheek behind her ear.

This action seemed to wake her up.

Cecilia’s eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those gray-blue eyes carried a trace of confusion upon first waking, but after seeing that the person in front of her was Morin, they instantly filled with a gentle smile… and a trace of shyness.

“Morning~”

Her voice carried the unique huskiness of morning, yet it was exceptionally pleasant to hear.

“Hehe, morning…”

“Driver” Morin smiled somewhat shyly.

Cecilia narrowed her eyes comfortably, like a cat whose fur had been smoothed, and nuzzled into his chest again.

The two embraced quietly like this, enjoying this moment of warmth and tranquility.

For Morin, who had just walked out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, this was a rather luxurious happiness.

After a long while, Cecilia turned over and lay beside Morin, then gently traced the wound on his waist with her hand.

“Hmm, it seems it’s indeed almost healed…”

Morin: “Hehe…”

Cecilia couldn’t help but smile seeing Morin, who had suddenly become clumsy with words and could only chuckle foolishly.

However, when her gaze glanced at the uniform draped over the chair nearby and the shiny medals on it, the smile between her brows largely disappeared.

She turned her head and stared at Morin seriously.

“Friedrich, I really want you to just stay by my side like this. When I see those medals on your uniform, compared to that honor… I feel more lingering fear.”

While speaking, Cecilia’s hand also caressed Morin’s face.

Morin covered her hand with his own. Just as he wanted to say something to comfort her, he heard Cecilia continue: “But I know I can’t keep you by my side right now. Perhaps the soldiers under your command, and even this Empire, need you more than I do…”

Cecilia pulled Morin’s head towards her. The two pressed their foreheads together, feeling each other’s breath.

“So protect yourself well. Don’t be brave, and don’t make me worry, okay?”

“Don’t worry, Sister, I won’t let you worry…”

The two hugged each other just like that, without any other movements, just feeling each other’s body temperature to let themselves know this wasn’t a dream.

“Hungry?”

After a while, Cecilia asked softly.

“A little.” Morin answered honestly.

“I’ll ask Luna to prepare breakfast.” Cecilia said, about to get up.

But as soon as she moved, she let out a soft grunt, her brows furrowing slightly.

Morin immediately became nervous: “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

Two red clouds instantly flew onto Cecilia’s cheeks, and she glared at Morin unhappily.

“Isn’t it all your fault—” she muttered in a low voice.

“But I didn’t move last night… Ah! Pain, pain, pain!”

To avoid an accidental discharge early in the morning, Cecilia finally propped herself up, wrapped herself in the quilt, and pulled the call bell at the head of the bed.

Soon, Luna walked in carrying a set of clean women’s clothes.

Seeing the messy scene in the room and the two people on the bed, her face remained calm and composed, as if she hadn’t seen anything.

“Madam… Young Master Morin, breakfast is ready.”

Under Luna’s service, Cecilia took a shower and was quickly fully dressed, returning to the appearance of the noble and elegant Madam Falkenstein.

Morin also washed up quickly, put his clothes back on, and followed downstairs.

During breakfast, the two first chatted about domestic affairs for a while. Cecilia talked about some phenomena in the country recently affected by the war, and then naturally returned to business…

“By the way, there is one more thing.”

Cecilia finished the milk in the glass and wiped the corners of her mouth elegantly with a napkin, as if she had just remembered something.

Morin was burying his head in dealing with the fried eggs and sausages on the plate. Hearing this, he looked up subconsciously, his mouth still full.

“Mmh? What is it?”

“Regarding your property, Schmeisser Weapons Manufacturing Co., Ltd….”

Cecilia said calmly: “Orders have been very high recently. The military is purchasing MG14 Light Machine Guns and MP14 Submachine Guns in large quantities.”

Hearing this, Morin finally swallowed the food in his mouth and drank a mouthful of water: “This is a good thing! It shows that our products have been recognized. Helga should be quite happy too.”

“It is a good thing, and the little girl is indeed very happy… but at the same time, there are new problems.”

Cecilia looked at him, a shrewd light flashing in her gray-blue eyes.

“With the capacity of your current small factory, you can’t keep up at all… The military’s orders are increasing every day, but the quantity the factory can deliver every month is barely enough for one-third of the orders.”

“Capacity can’t keep up?” Morin was stunned. He hadn’t really thought about this problem.

He had only thought about designing the weapons, letting Helga build them, and then sending them to the troops for use.

As for the subsequent mass production and supply chain issues… as a hands-off boss, how would he know about these?

“Yes, and the problem is more serious than you imagine.” Cecilia continued, “Now, not only is the military logistics department urging, but two other companies have also come knocking.”

“Two other companies?”

“Mauser Weapons Manufacturing Ltd. and the Saxon Weapons and Munitions Arsenal.” Cecilia reported two names that were thunderous in Saxony and even the whole of Europa.

Hearing these two familiar names, Morin also quickly scanned his [Information].

Both were giants in the Empire’s military industry. One was a veteran light weapons manufacturer, and the other was a behemoth with an official background.

Compared to them, Morin’s small company bearing the name “Schmeisser” was simply like a handicraft workshop before the factory in the Ruhr Industrial Zone was put into use…

“What do they want to do?” Morin had a bad premonition in his heart.

“They hope to obtain authorization so that they can also produce MG14 and MP14.”

Cecilia’s tone was very flat, seeming to have anticipated Morin’s reaction long ago.

“After all, with the war fighting to this extent, the demand for automatic weapons on the front line is too great. The military can’t wait for us to slowly expand production capacity… So the General Staff and the Army Department have also tacitly approved their ideas.”

“Isn’t this just snatching business?” Morin frowned, feeling somewhat unhappy instantly.

This felt like the cabbage he had worked so hard to grow had just matured, and a group of people surrounded it with shovels saying:

Your cabbage grows well, let us harvest some too.

“I thought so too at the time.”

Cecilia seemed to see through his thoughts, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

“That little girl Helga focuses solely on technology and knows nothing about these business tricks. When the representatives of those two companies came knocking, she didn’t know how to deal with it.”

Hearing this, Morin felt a burst of lingering fear.

In the three months before the war, he had also come to understand Helga from one aspect.

This “technical otaku girl” could be said to have a simple personality. If you talked about technology with her, she could talk to you for three days and three nights.

But if it came to talking business, she would probably help count the money after being sold.

“Fortunately… fortunately you were there, Sister Cecilia.” Morin sighed sincerely.

“I originally planned to send a telegram to ask for your opinion and see what you thought.” Cecilia’s gaze softened, “But now that you’re back, we can just discuss it face to face.”

Morin scratched his head and said somewhat embarrassedly: “Sister Cecilia, to tell you the truth, I really know nothing about these commercial matters… It’s just the level of bragging with friends usually. If I really have to make a decision, I have no confidence in my heart. So whatever you think should be done, I’ll listen to you.”

Morin wasn’t joking with these words.

Militarily, he still had quite a bit of confidence.

But in the business field, he knew he was a complete layman.

Sitting opposite him was the undisputed “Radiant Crystal Queen” of this Empire, a top professional player in the business field.

Listening to Cecilia on such matters couldn’t be wrong.

“You really know how to be a hands-off shopkeeper.”

Cecilia glared at him reproachfully, but the smile in her eyes showed that she enjoyed Morin’s total trust very much.

“Alright, then I’ll tell you my thoughts.” Cecilia put away her smile, and her expression became serious.

“Simply authorizing them to produce is the worst choice and the one we should avoid most.”

“Because this is equivalent to handing over our core technology. Although we can get a considerable licensing fee in the short term, in the long run, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages for us.”

“Once they master the production technology, with their production capacity and sales channels, they will soon turn around and seize our market.”

“At that time, Schmeisser Company will become very passive. We would be cultivating two most powerful competitors with our own hands…”

Morin nodded repeatedly. Although he didn’t understand business, he could still understand this principle.

Teach the apprentice, starve the master.

“Then—we don’t authorize?” Morin asked tentatively.

“That won’t work either.”

Cecilia shook her head and continued: “The military’s pressure is there. If we refuse to let go, we will not only offend the military but also offend some other big shots.”

“If they unite against us then, the future road of Schmeisser Company will be very difficult.”

Morin’s head grew big listening to this. This wouldn’t work, that wouldn’t work either; then what should be done?

“So, my idea is—”

Cecilia looked at Morin and said word by word: “We won’t do technical authorization, but conduct strategic cooperation with them.”

“Strategic cooperation?” Morin repeated this high-sounding term.

“Exactly.” Confidence flashed in Cecilia’s eyes. “Since they want our technology, and we want their capacity and channels, why not just bind the three parties together?”

“My plan is for Falkenstein-Eisenstein United Industries to come forward and lead the establishment of a brand-new weapons manufacturing group.”

“Our three families will conduct a deep strategic alliance through cross-shareholding.”

Cross-shareholding? Strategic alliance? Establishing a new weapons group?

These terms were like things from another world to Morin.

He could understand the meaning of each word, but when they combined to form such a bold business plan, he still felt his brain wasn’t quite enough.

“This—can this work?”

Morin asked somewhat uncertainly: “Will they agree? Mauser and Saxon Arsenal are both old giants. Are they willing to cooperate with a small company established not long ago in this way?”

“If it were you and Helga, that small workshop, negotiating yourselves, of course, they wouldn’t agree~”

Cecilia picked up the teacup and said confidently: “But if it’s me, if Falkenstein-Eisenstein United Industries comes forward, the situation is completely different.”

Morin instantly understood.

That’s right, Schmeisser Company might be worthless in the eyes of those giants, but the face of Radiant Crystal Queen Cecilia von Falkenstein might not be refused by many people in the entire Saxon Empire.

Her United Industries itself was a behemoth spanning multiple fields such as energy, chemicals, and machinery manufacturing. Its influence was far beyond comparable to a single military enterprise.

“Through cross-shareholding, we can deeply bind the interests of the three parties.”

Cecilia continued to explain her plan: “Schmeisser Company invests with core technology and patents, while Mauser and Saxon Arsenal invest with their production lines, skilled workers, and sales channels…”

“As for my side, I can provide sufficient funds for this new alliance, as well as convenience in raw material procurement and Radiant Crystal energy supply.”

“In this way, we are no longer in a simple licensor-licensee relationship, nor are we competitors… but have become a community of interests. Everyone is in the same boat; we rise together and fall together.”

“Although the risk of technology leakage still exists, it will be minimized because any behavior that harms Schmeisser Company’s interests is equivalent to harming their own interests…”

“And within the new group, we can ensure through agreements that the research and development of core technologies are still led by Helga’s team, and they are only responsible for the production link.”

Morin was dumbfounded. He felt as if he had opened the door to a new world.

He was still thinking about how to protect his own little plot of land, while Cecilia, with one move, drew a bigger circle directly, enclosing everyone inside, and wanting to pull everyone to get rich together.

Speaking of this, Cecilia’s gaze fell on Morin again, with a trace of praise in her tone: “There is one more thing. Helga already has a preliminary design plan for the ‘gas-operated principle’ semi-automatic rifle you mentioned in the letter.”

“Once this new weapon is successfully developed and passes military testing, it will inevitably trigger another equipment replacement. At that time, the scale of production lines we need will be several times what it is now.”

“If we don’t plan ahead now and wait until the new rifle is finalized to consider expanding capacity, it will be too late.”

“And forming a strategic alliance with Mauser and the others is currently the best way to expand our production scale to the extreme in the shortest time.”

So she had even thought of this step.

Morin looked at this woman strategizing in front of him. Besides admiration, there was more peace of mind in his heart.

He knew that as long as Cecilia was there, he didn’t have to worry about logistics and production issues for his unconstrained ideas.

She would be like the most solid backing, solving all worries for him.

This was the real “Golden Finger” (Cheat)…

“Sister Cecilia, you are truly—too amazing.”

Morin held back for a long time, and finally could only say such a simple and unadorned praise.

“Now you know my worth?” Cecilia rolled her eyes at him charmingly, “Just chase fewer skirts outside in the future and think more about me, your sister.”

Morin chuckled, not daring to answer. After a moment, he asked: “So it’s settled?”

“Mm, it’s settled~ When I finish handling things here in Koblenz and return to Dresden, I will officially launch this matter.”

Cecilia nodded: “You, the behind-the-scenes boss, just wait for the year-end dividends.”

“Actually—if I didn’t see that you are usually too busy, I would have wanted to entrust all the company’s affairs to you to manage long ago.” Morin said somewhat embarrassedly, “I really don’t have that brain, nor so much energy.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Cecilia’s tone became gentle again, “As long as you can accompany me more every time you come back on leave, that’s enough.”

Her voice was very light, but Morin heard a hint of—complaint?

After breakfast, Cecilia was also ready to go out.

As the head of United Industries, even in Koblenz, she had endless affairs to handle.

“What about you? Any plans for today?”

Cecilia asked while letting Luna put on her coat: “Do you want to rest well in the manor for a day? When I come back in the evening, we can have dinner together.”

Morin looked at the expectation in her eyes and felt a bit unbearable in his heart, but still shook his head regretfully.

“I’m afraid not. I have to return to the station immediately too.” He sighed, “I have a pile of things waiting to be dealt with on my side too.”

“Oh?”

Morin thought for a while, picked some content he could say, and roughly explained his promotion and the unit expansion.

“—So I am now an Army Lieutenant Colonel, and the unit is also expanding from a battalion to a reinforced regiment. Personnel, equipment, training—everything has to start from scratch. I guess I’ll be busy for this coming period.”

Hearing this rank, Cecilia’s expression, which was slightly disappointed because Morin couldn’t stay, was replaced by momentary surprise.

“My Friedrich is actually a Lieutenant Colonel already—”

She looked up at Morin’s young face, her gray-blue eyes full of pride.

“A twenty-two-year-old Lieutenant Colonel. This is unheard of in the Imperial Army.”

“Just good luck.” Morin was looked at by her somewhat embarrassedly and was modest.

“This isn’t luck.”

Cecilia’s fingers gently traced the position of the row of medals on his chest. Her voice lowered, revealing a deep heartache amidst the joy.

“These were exchanged with your life. I know you must have experienced many dangers I cannot imagine.”

Morin’s heart warmed. He knew that in this world, perhaps only this perfect woman in front of him could see the price he paid and the risks he bore behind those dazzling halos on him.

“It’s all in the past.” Morin held her hand and comforted softly, “Aren’t I back safe and sound now?”

Cecilia didn’t speak, just held his hand back tightly, with surprisingly great force.

After a moment, she slowly let go, but that trace of resentment in her eyes surfaced again.

“Becoming a Lieutenant Colonel and commanding a regiment, won’t you be busier in the future?” She said softly, “How long can you stay back this time? Will you have to return to the front line immediately after the expansion is completed?”

A series of questions left Morin speechless.

“This—is hard to say yet. It depends on the Army Department’s arrangement.”

Morin could only answer vaguely: “However, reorganization and training will take at least one or two months. I should be staying in the country during this period.”

“Only one or two months—”

Cecilia murmured in a low voice, the disappointment in her tone obvious.

She was proud of his achievements, but afraid that these achievements would push him further and further away, towards that battlefield that could swallow his life at any time.

This contradictory mood tormented her.

Morin felt bad seeing her like this…

So he decided to kiss her awake.

He glanced at the Head Maid Luna standing behind Cecilia, quiet as a sculpture, a look of embarrassment appearing on his face.

Who was Luna?

She was an “old timer” who had practically grown up with Cecilia and watched Morin grow from a little brat to his current appearance.

She guarded outside the door last night and cleaned up the “battlefield” without changing her expression this morning. What else wouldn’t she understand?

Almost the moment Morin’s gaze drifted over, this sharp-minded head maid understood.

She bowed slightly, a perfect smile appearing on her face, and said to Cecilia: “Madam, I’ll go outside to see if the carriage is ready.”

After speaking, without waiting for Cecilia’s response, she turned and quietly exited the dining room, closing the door thoughtfully.

“? Luna, she—”

Cecilia was surprised at how her usually most rule-abiding head maid was so insensible today. Before she could finish speaking, she felt her vision darken.

Morin had walked in front of her, his tall figure overshadowing her.

“Friedrich, you—”

Her subsequent words were all blocked back by a sudden kiss.

Cecilia’s eyes widened instantly. She subconsciously reached out, wanting to push this audacious guy away.

But the fists pounding on his solid chest were soft and lacked any strength.

Morin didn’t give her any chance to resist. One hand wrapped around her slender waist, and the other held the back of her head, pressing step by step.

Cecilia was forced to retreat again and again by him until her back was against the cold wall, with no retreat left.

Her resistance quickly collapsed under such a strong offensive.

Those hands that originally wanted to push away had unknowingly wrapped around his neck, responding passionately again.

After a long time, lips parted, and both were panting slightly.

A moving blush appeared on Cecilia’s cheeks. Those eyes, always cool, were now rippling with water.

She leaned against the wall, looking at the man in front of her with somewhat weak legs, her eyes filled with both shyness and rebuke.

This Radiant Crystal Queen wanted to say something, but opened her mouth only to find she couldn’t say anything. She could only glare reproachfully at this guy with those misty eyes.

Looking at her shy appearance, Morin couldn’t help but lower his head and pecked gently on her lips again.

“Alright, I really have to go.”

He let go of her and took a step back, opening up some distance, afraid that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn’t be able to resist doing something more outrageous.

After all, it was broad daylight, and in the dining room—bad influence.

Cecilia also took a deep breath, trying to calm her chaotic breathing and heartbeat.

She tidied her somewhat messy collar and hair, trying to regain the composure and majesty belonging to Madam Falkenstein on ordinary days.

But those flushed cheeks and still somewhat blurred eyes made all her efforts seem somewhat futile.

“Be careful on the road.” She spoke.

“Got it.” Morin smiled and nodded.

Morin left the manor in a happy mood.

At the gate, a black Radiant Crystal sedan prepared by Head Maid Luna was already waiting for him.

He got in the car and gave the address of the temporary camp. The sedan started smoothly and drove towards the military camp.

Leaning back in the soft seat, Morin savored the kiss just now, unable to hide the smile on the corner of his mouth.

He found that after establishing a relationship with Cecilia, his mentality seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.

At least the soul of “Xiao Chunan” had graduated.