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Text Chapter 194 The heavy cruiser is finalized

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    "Uncle Lucas, Western Sichuan can give wireless telegraphy technology to Germany for free." Wang Yuze said.

    "What? Free?" Lucas looked at Wang Yuze in surprise.  Wang Yuze talked about a lot of benefits of radio communication technology before.  He was already prepared to be severely blackmailed by Wang Yuze.  Unexpectedly, Wang Yuze actually said it was free.  However, when he saw the smile on Wang Yuze's lips, he knew that he had misunderstood.  In this world, there is no such thing as a free lunch.  Wireless telegraphy technology is so valuable, how could Wang Yuze give it to him for nothing?

    "Commander, tell me! What technology do you want to get from Germany this time?" Lucas said directly.  Although Western Sichuan is currently developing at a rapid pace, there is still a big gap between it and the great powers in many aspects.  Especially in terms of heavy industry and military industry, there is still a huge gap between Western Sichuan and the West.

    "Haha, Uncle Lucas. As you know, Western Sichuan is about to start large-scale construction of warships. In terms of navy, Western Sichuan is too far behind the West. We need more warship designers, and we hope that Germany can  Support us as much as possible. In addition, we need to obtain relevant technology for naval gun production! Large-caliber naval guns, 203 mm, 280 mm, 305 mm, and larger-caliber naval gun production technology!" Wang Yuze said.  The advantages and disadvantages of battleships are mainly judged from three aspects: firepower, speed and armor.  Western Sichuan is undoubtedly lagging behind in the production of naval guns.  Now Western Sichuan can only produce naval guns of 155 mm caliber at most, and larger caliber naval guns need to be imported from Germany.

    "Naval gun? Large-caliber naval gun requires a high level of industry. Western Sichuan does not seem to have such an industrial foundation now!" Lucas said speechlessly.  Germany's naval gun technology is undoubtedly top-notch.  Although the caliber of the naval guns installed on their capital ships has never been as large as that of the British Navy's naval guns, their power is no worse than that of the British Navy's naval guns.  For example, Germany's 'Brandenburg-class' battleships are equipped with 280 mm 40-caliber naval guns, while the British 'Sovereign' class are equipped with 343 mm naval guns.  But overall, the combat power of the 'Brandenburg-class' battleships and the 'Sovereign' class is not much different.

    "Yes, yes, Uncle Lucas. Use the production technology of naval guns and our technology of exchanging wireless telegraphs. As for the missing equipment, Western Sichuan can buy it from Germany. We plan to build a special factory in the North Sea to produce naval guns and  The arsenal of ammunition for naval guns hopes to gain support from Germany!" Wang Yuze said.

    "This, I need to report to the country before I can answer you!" Lucas said.

    "It doesn't matter, I believe the German side will agree to our request!" Wang Yuze said with a smile.

    At the end of January, Wang Yuze returned to Chengdu.  After participating in the keel installation ceremony of the "Leshan" class light cruiser, Wang Yuze inspected Qinzhou Port and Fangcheng Port.  These two ports serve as civilian ports.  The current construction speed is also very fast, and it can be put into use after the railway is opened to traffic.  By then, various exported goods and imported machinery and equipment from Western Sichuan can be loaded and unloaded directly at these two ports.

    After returning to Chengdu, Wang Yuze dealt with the accumulated government affairs on the one hand, and spent time with his family on the other.  It has been a few months since Wang Xiao passed away. As time went by, the sad atmosphere in the house was diluted a lot by the parade. As the little guy grew up, there were more and more laughter.  The Lunar New Year will be here soon, and Wang Yuze doesn't plan to go out again.

    When Wang Yuze answered Chengdu, Lucas came to the door the next day.

    "Your Excellency, Marshal! Our country has agreed to your request, using new armor steel technology and naval gun technology in exchange for Western Sichuan's steam turbine technology and wireless telegraphy technology!" Lucas said immediately after seeing Wang Yuze.

    "Haha! This is really great. Thank you, Uncle Lucas. I will ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact the German side." Wang Yuze was overjoyed.  Whether it is steam turbine application technology or wireless telegraphy technology, it will take the West a few years at most to successfully develop it. It is undoubtedly very cost-effective to use these two technologies in exchange for the armor steel technology and naval gun technology that Western Sichuan needs.

    After the Lunar New Year, Western Sichuan completed the exchange with Germany, exchanging steam turbine technology and wireless telegraph technology for armor steel technology and naval gun technology, making Western Sichuan a big step forward in the navy.

    During the Lunar New Year, Wang Yuze held a New Year's reception as usual, inviting governors and deputy governors of various provinces, mayors of important cities, and military generals to participate.  This is the first New Year's reception held by Wang Yuze after taking over.  At this cocktail party, all the senior officials in western Sichuan showed their loyalty to Wang Yuze.  In this regard, Wang Yuze was veryof satisfaction.  With the development of the cultural instructor system in the army, Wang Yuze's control over the army became stronger and stronger.  It is almost impossible for military generals to rebel again.  In the development of western Sichuan, all provinces have made great progress, and Wang Yuze delegated power to the cabinet, which made the government very satisfied with Wang Yuze.  The entire leadership of western Sichuan has been completely united.

    After the New Year, the army in western Sichuan began another expansion.  However, the scope of the military expansion this time was not large. Because of the substantial increase in fiscal revenue, the cabinet did not object.  The General Staff Headquarters and the Ministry of National Defense jointly upgraded all the current eight military brigades in western Sichuan to divisions and organized them into the 16th Division to the 23rd Division.  Among them, the reorganized 18th Division of the Third Brigade deployed in Qijiang will no longer be stationed in Qijiang, and a one-battalion escort team will be established in the Qijiang Industrial Zone to be responsible for the defense of the industrial zone.  In addition, two heavy artillery brigades directly under the headquarters will be established, equipped with three battalions of 155mm heavy howitzers and two battalions of 155mm heavy cannons.  In order to enhance the Western Sichuan Army's ability to attack critical problems.  At the same time, the artillery battalions of each infantry division will also be equipped with a company of 155mm heavy howitzers.  Of course, except for the troops deployed on the plateau.

    When spring comes in the east, in March 1893, the Guiyang-Nongchang Railway was officially completed and opened to traffic.  Trains can run directly from Chengdu to Yongning.  In April, the railway from Beihai to Yongning, and the railway from Qinzhou Port and Fangchenggang to Yongning were also officially opened to traffic.  The sea channel in western Sichuan has been opened.  However, due to capacity issues, this railway has been very busy since it was opened to traffic.  In order to alleviate the transportation capacity of this railway, on the one hand, the laying of double tracks began.  On the other hand, the railway from Kunming to Nanning is also under intensive construction and is expected to be completed and opened to traffic by the end of the year.

    At the end of May, Wang Yuze rushed to Beihai again to participate in the launching ceremony of the "Leshan" class light cruiser.  This is the first warship built by Western Sichuan. Not only Wang Yuze went there, but also cabinet members and military giants all participated in the launching ceremony.  This made the senior officials of the Navy very excited.  The Navy Department has developed to the present and has been initially improved.  The Naval Academy has been established in Beihai, and more than two hundred cadets have been recruited in the first batch.  At the same time, more than two thousand sailors were recruited and began training on merchant ships.  The navy's shore garrison has also been formed and has been stationed in several seaport cities in western Sichuan.  Responsible for the defense of these ports.

    The launch of the "Leshan" class battleship has made Western Sichuan a big step forward in naval development.  From now on, the navy in western Sichuan will begin to develop rapidly.

    ??Also, Barclays?  Smit also completed the design of a new heavy cruiser.  This battleship is named "Chengdu" class heavy cruiser.  This warship has a full-load displacement of 9,700 tons and a length of 108 meters. Its armament is still two twin 280 mm 40-caliber naval guns, six 105 mm single-mount guns; six 88 mm single-mount guns; 8  37mm machine gun; 4 450mm water torpedo tubes.  The power is 12 circular boilers, two steam turbines, the main engine power is 15,000 horsepower, two-shaft propulsion, and the maximum speed is 26 knots.  The armor is 400 mm at the waterline; 60 mm on the deck; 350 mm on the main gun turret; and 350 mm on the command tower.  Once completed, it will become the fastest heavy battleship, surpassing the cruisers of all countries.  Moreover, the powerful firepower it carries will become a nightmare for all cruisers and the nemesis of real cruisers.  However, the cost of building this warship is also very expensive, with the cost of a single ship reaching 1.8 million yuan.  It's not much cheaper than the "Brandenburg-class" battleships ordered by Western Sichuan from Germany.  The Navy Ministry also expressed doubts about the need to equip such an expensive warship.

    However, Wang Yuze is very satisfied with this battleship.  It was immediately decided to start construction of four ships. The first ship was named "Chengdu", the second ship was named "Chongqing", the third ship was named "Kangding", and the fourth ship was named "Lhasa".  Moreover, the shipyard is required to go all out to build this heavy cruiser, which must be launched before next summer and put into service before September.

    Although the Navy Ministry raised objections to this, Wang Yuze still strongly requested this.  Once a war breaks out with Japan, heavy cruisers with high speed and powerful firepower will become Japan's nemesis.  Moreover, it can complete the blockade of Japan and truly trap these small Japan to death.

    Barclays?  Smit was very happy that the battleship he designed could be adopted by Wang Yuze.  It was immediately decided to start designing the next level of capital ships, real battleships.

    After the launching ceremony of the "Leshan" class light cruiser, the cabinet members all returned to Chengdu.  However, Wang Yuze stayed.  Because, in half a month, the naval fleet from Western Sichuan will arrive at Beihai Port.

    PS: The first update is here, the fourth update today!  (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to subscribe and reward (this site). Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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