Munitions Empire

Of course, even if offered for free, there would be a large group of people recklessly vying for it. Unfortunately, those clamoring for control of the Shireck Consortium lacked the qualifications to govern Shireck.

However, Tang Mo was indeed one of the few who really didn't care about acquiring Shireck, as he currently had no shortage of assets and was too occupied digesting his victories.

First and foremost, Tang Country hoped to quickly develop the southern oil fields to aid Chu Country in exploiting their oil resources, aiming to enhance their production capacity to a satisfactory level.

This was no minor project, with the investment in oil field facilities alone estimated to take over six months. Factoring in pipelines and transportation routes and ports, the project scale could be even larger.

Additionally, Tang Country had promised to construct Fengjiang City and restore places like Wangchun City, Tengyun, and South Wind Pass to their normal infrastructure levels.

After the flood disaster, the upstream water projects of Chu Country, along with the embankments of major rivers, also required urgent repairs.

Taken together, these projects already amounted to a massive undertaking. When adding the need to restore development plans in his own country disrupted by the war, the series of construction projects arranged would likely keep Tang Country occupied for at least a year.

If Tang Country wanted to pursue further development, constructing more highways and factories, and infuse more human and material resources into their technology, it would require even more time.

Therefore, it was implausible for Tang Mo to allocate significant resources to manage the mess at Shireck, and he wasn't really interested in strengthening his control over Shireck.

With so many issues at hand, it was unlikely that Tang Mo would forsake essential pursuits or slow down his own developmental pace to play any real or deceptive games with Shireck.

However, if Shireck genuinely wanted to attach itself by offering substantial benefits to Tang Mo, or even willing to give shares to Tang Mo for free, he wouldn't mind giving them a taste of sweetness.

After all, the Great Tang Group had accumulated a large stockpile of inferior weapons that couldn't be sold post-war, and these weapons needed disposal; transferring technology to Shireck was indeed an option.

For instance, the large number of Thompson Submachine Guns, produced by the Great Tang Group and already destined for obsolescence, was one such weapon.

The Tang Army was already transitioning to the MP5 submachine gun, so the outdated Thompsons had to be disposed of in large quantities.

This type of weapon was clearly unsuitable for the Tang Army's use, as the workers needed to focus on producing newer weapons, thus leaving the production line for this older weapon abandoned.

Another example is the 75mm field guns long equipped by the Tang Army, which still appeared quite efficient. However, the Tang Army had become quite dissatisfied with these weapons.

Their supporting role was often replaced by mortars and assault guns, and their need for trucks for mobilization made them inconvenient.

Their only specific use was in mountainous warfare, which was uncommon, and thus retaining a large stock of these cumbersome infantry guns was clearly inappropriate.

The Tang Army was preparing to massively phase out traditional infantry guns and replace them with different types of artillery. But with many of these weapons installed and multiple production lines for the guns and shells, a clean disposal was necessary.

Additionally, following this war, various navies urgently needed plenty of anti-submarine equipment, and battleships also needed to strengthen their submerged parts to address the increasingly severe torpedo threat.

The Great Tang Group also held several designs for modern battleships that they needed to urgently sell, enticing various navies to build several new battleships quickly.

This in itself was a big pit, but it could also be a chance for a big profit if they could convince various countries to jump into it, making Shireck's idle shipyards and the desire of various countries to build new battleships very appealing.

If they could ensure that over a dozen battleships commenced construction this year, then it was unlikely that various navies would venture into experiments with new things like seaplane operations anytime soon.

Similarly, the Tang Army's "ripping machine," also known as the famous MG42 machine gun, wasn't exactly cutting-edge, irreplicable technology.

After experiencing enough troubles with general-purpose machine guns, various countries were seeking to develop similar weaponry. Outfitting them with some light machine guns was just a matter of time. Instead of waiting for armies from various countries to emerge with a myriad of light machine guns, it would be better to utilize Shireck's production capacity to seize this opportunity first.

In Tang Mo's view, if he could lead the managers at Shireck to earn money, they wouldn't be thinking crooked thoughts any time soon.

Everyone involved were businessmen, and making money was certainly the most important thing. They had always been honest in this regard and would only turn their backs when Tang Mo could no longer help them make money.

Adding to that handguns and various types of ammunition, Tang Mo could casually find in his trash bin enough items to make Shireck Consortium massively profitable.

It was precisely because the Shireck Consortium was still a viable entity, even if barely, that Tang Mo had the patience to listen to the representative finish speaking. He had the leisure to converse at length solely for this reason.

The other party was indeed astute, and after a brief moment of astonishment, he caught on. He looked at Tang Mo while still holding the handkerchief he had used to wipe his sweat, "So, Your Majesty, what exactly would it take for you to... accept our request?"

Tang Mo held up a finger. "Firstly, I need control of the Shireck Consortium! This power isn't for you to give, but for me to seize and hold unequivocally..."

"It's difficult... You must understand, the alliance of the Shireck Consortium is based on power and wealth. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to give up their power and wealth," the representative immediately shook his head.

"A bunch of behind-the-scene players who shun the light! Talking about power…" Tang Mo mocked, then raised a second finger continuing, "Next, I won't buy shares of Shireck Consortium with money! I will use technology as my investment... As for what kind of technology, I have the say! After all, as long as it keeps making money for Shireck, you shouldn't have any reasons to object, right?"

"This point... I can't agree to directly, I need to go back and consult with the directors... Then, I can give you an answer." The representative hadn't expected Tang Mo to set such terms, and he started feeling uncomfortable again.

As a businessman, he probably understood what Tang Mo meant: he wanted the massive production capacity of the Shireck Consortium but didn't plan to allow Shireck to possess technology that could compete with the Great Tang Group.

In other words, in Tang Mo's plans, Shireck would become a secondary factory for the Great Tang Group, still making money, but always subservient and minor.

Under this constraint, Shireck would forever only produce outdated weaponry and become a subsidiary of the Great Tang Group. Perhaps, these former powerful and influential directors of Shireck, the "meat eaters," could turn into clowns too frightened to even "drink soup."

How many people would tolerate such a change? How many are willing to endure the threat of being kicked out by Tang Mo without even a sip of soup after losing everything?

"It's alright; we have plenty of time to wait," Tang Mo nonchalantly shrugged.

He had plenty of time, as he wasn't in a position to expand further within the year anyway. The land of Tang Country was already immensely vast, and Tang Mo could freely execute his plans within his own territory.

But on the other hand, the situation was different for Shireck, as every day of delay could likely worsen their predicament.

Hence the Shireck representative couldn't afford to delay. He immediately spoke up, "Your Majesty! We really did come with the utmost sincerity this time! Please consider our proposal; working together could indeed bring us greater benefits!"

"I understand what you are saying, but I've proposed my conditions, which have already shown my sincerity. You better go back and carefully discuss it with those directors and see if they agree to my terms," Tang Mo took a cup of wine from Wes and raised it towards the Shireck representative.

That was clearly a signal to see the guest out. So Wes went over and gestured for the visitor to leave.

The other party also understood that staying any longer was pointless, so he got up somewhat awkwardly, bowed to Tang Mo, and was escorted out by Wes.

Despite the considerable authority granted by Shireck's directors to this representative before coming here, there were still some things he couldn't decide on his own. He needed to go back and send telegraphs to those directors to confirm the next steps for negotiation.

Every person had to be persuaded, each condition thoroughly considered. Given the massive amount of capital involved in this negotiation, it could not be handled without extreme caution.

"I heard the bartender is back from Fengjiang; go find him, I have tasks for him," Tang Mo instructed as Wes returned.

Wes nodded and stepped out of the room to find a phone.

Meanwhile, Tang Mo was calculating in his mind how to securely and effectively leverage the Shireck Consortium, drain its remaining value, and let its carcass serve as nourishment for the ascent of the Great Tang Group.

The bartender, who was supposed to report to Tang Mo today about the special forces' operation plans, quickly arrived in Tang Mo's reception room. He hadn't expected that before hearing his report, Tang Mo would assign him a new task.

"Have someone look into it! If it's profitable, using Shireck isn't out of the question," Tang Mo stood by the window, watching the departing Shireck representative, and instructed the newly arrived bartender, "Work together with the military's intelligence department to speed up the results."

"Yes, Your Majesty! We will initiate the investigation immediately to see just how much is left of Shireck," the bartender nodded slightly, then left Tang Mo's room.