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Text Chapter 320 Chief of Staff¡¯s Visit

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    (Thanks to book friend Little Sailor, Glorious Charter¡¯s monthly pass!)

    "Mr. Roosevelt, what do you think of the Chinese new battleships?" William?  President McKinley asked.  Ever since the first ship of the Chinese Navy's "Zhonghua-class" battleship, the "Zhonghua", began sea trials, the whole world has been in an uproar.  Countless countries that are accelerating the development of their navies suddenly find that the battleships they have on the slipway, or even the battleships still on the design drawings, are outdated, and they are immediately frightened.  The United States had a deadly feud with China during last year's war, and is naturally very concerned about the movements of the Chinese navy.

    "Your Excellency, according to the intelligence we have obtained from China and the United Kingdom, the Chinese Navy's 'Zhonghua-class' battleship may really be an epoch-making battleship for China. The British Admiralty has already started relevant plans and begun to design their latest battleship.  A new type of battleship, named the 'Dreadnought-class' battleship. However, it will probably take several years from design to completion of this battleship!" Theodore?  Roosevelt said.  Now, he has replaced John, who has been sick and hospitalized all year round?  Davis?  Lang, became the Minister of the Navy.

    "So, will it have any adverse impact on our future war with the Chinese?" William?  President McKinley asked, frowning.  It is foreseeable that the Pacific Alliance will have a war with China soon. What impact will China's sudden appearance of powerful warships have on this war?

    "Your Excellency, the Chinese Navy's 'Zhonghua-class' battleships have only built four ships in total. Their main target is Japan, which is to protect the security of the homeland, not to deal with us. Therefore, they will not pose a threat to our country for the time being.  . Moreover, if the war starts after 1900, our 'Maine-class' battleships and 'Virginia-class' battleships will begin service. By then we will have fourteen battleships. Perhaps they will not be as good as the Chinese Navy's battleships in quality  . But the huge advantage in numbers is enough to make up for this shortcoming!" Theodore?  Roosevelt said.  Of course, he was not sure how useful the numerical advantage would be.  In last year's East Pacific naval battle, didn't the Chinese Navy's Pacific Fleet rely on its technological advantages to win with fewer troops?

    "Mr. Roosevelt, we must take a long-term view. Since the Chinese are already at the forefront of the world in warship manufacturing, we must catch up. The 'Connecticut-class' battleships that are now being designed are based on the Chinese Navy's  Let¡¯s build it according to the battleship standards!¡± William?  McKinley said.  With its strong industrial strength, the United States should not be inferior to any other country in the development of its navy.

    Theodore?  Roosevelt nodded, but he knew how difficult it was.  Industrial strength is strong, but it does not mean that the military industry is strong.  Especially in the design of battleships, there is still a big gap between the United States and Europe, and now they are even left behind by the Chinese.  Even the British are still studying this latest battleship. It would be very difficult for the United States to come up with a similar plan!  But William?  President McKinley had already made such a request, and he had no choice but to bite the bullet.  I just don¡¯t know if the British side will be willing to share this technology. This makes Theodore?  Roosevelt had a headache.

    In addition, the United States is now at war with Spain in the Caribbean.  The U.S. Army has occupied Puerto Rico, but in Cuba, facing 200,000 Spanish troops, the pressure on the United States is still very high.  In particular, the huge casualties, mainly caused by non-war factors, such as diseases, etc., have given rise to signs of the rise of anti-war forces in the United States, which has caused a great headache for the US government.

    Japan, a powerful country in the Far East, also felt a great crisis due to the sea trial of the Chinese Navy's "Zhonghua" battleship.  The current Prime Minister of the Cabinet, Hirobumi Ito, has summoned the three chiefs of the Navy several times.

    "Gentlemen, so many days have passed, and the information we should have is very clear. Please tell me accurately, if a war breaks out, will the Imperial Navy have the ability to defeat the China Navy?" Ito Hirobumi asked with a serious face.  .

    "Your Excellency Prime Minister, based on the intelligence we have obtained and the news we have received from the British side, the 'Zhonghua-class' battleships equipped by the China Navy are indeed very powerful. At least, the current Imperial Navy, whether it is the 'Fuji-class' battleship already in service,  The 'Shikishima-class' battleships still under construction are no match for the battleships at this moment!" Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonbei answered honestly.

    "So, if there is another war with the Chinese, the navy will still be unable to win the victory for the empire?" A trace of anger flashed across Ito Hirobumi's face.  In order to develop its navy, Japan has tried its best to ensure the funding of its navy despite being heavily in debt.  But now, we are waiting for such a result.  This left Ito Hirobumi no doubt that if the Navy failed again,The angry Japanese people will definitely tear them all into pieces.

    "I'm sorry, Your Excellency Prime Minister. This new class of battleships equipped by the China Navy has surpassed all current battleships. Even the battleships of the British Navy are no match. Therefore, the battleships of the Imperial Navy cannot compare." Yamamoto Gonbei replied  road.

    "Then what should we do? Continue to build new battleships? The empire's finances have been exhausted. The twenty million pounds loaned from the UK at the beginning of the year is already the empire's last fund. We have no extra funds to invest in  Navy!" Ito Hirobumi said solemnly.  The barren Japan has made Japan's economic development very slow.  Coupled with the rise of China, Japanese products are severely suppressed.  For example, Japan's key export commodity, raw silk, has shrunk sharply because of China's aggressive price reductions.  But now, everyone in Japan has pinned their hopes on war.  As long as it wins the war, Japan will be able to get out of the crisis by obtaining compensation and other benefits. If it fails, Japan will completely sink!

    "Your Excellency Prime Minister, although our battleships are not as good as the new Chinese battleships, our battleships have a certain advantage in quantity. At that time, in addition to our self-built 'Shikishima-class' battleships, the 'Hasuse' and '  In addition to the Mikasa' which will be in service before the end of next year, the remaining six battleships can all be in service by the end of this year. As for the Chinese Navy's battleships, the mainland fleet only has six ships, and their Pacific Fleet will be towed by the U.S. Navy  Live. When the time comes, if we fight to the death, we may not have no chance!" said Prince Arisugawa Palace Ehito, the Minister of Naval Command.

    "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, once war breaks out, the Combined Fleet will fight to the death to win!" Combined Fleet Commander Togo Heihachiro also immediately expressed his stance.

    "Very good, the warriors of the Japanese Empire will not be afraid of difficulties. Under the leadership of His Majesty the Emperor, we will definitely be able to win the final victory!" Ito Hirobumi said.  However, he was not sure whether he was deceiving himself or others.

    July 12, Beijing, Xinhua Palace.

    "Your Majesty, Mr. Lucas, the German Ambassador to China, would like to see you!" Wang Wei walked into Wang Yuze's study and reported to him.  At Wang Yuze's request, Wang Wei, who is two years older than Wang Yuze, has also gotten married.  The woman is also the daughter of an important minister of the empire, and can be regarded as a talented and beautiful woman.  Originally, Wang Yuze planned to let Wang Wei serve as a division commander in the army or as a deputy minister in the cabinet.  However, Wang Wei refused, saying that he was still willing to stay with Wang Yuze, protect Wang Yuze's safety, and serve as the chief of the bodyguard.  Wang Yuze's persuasion was ineffective, so he had to let him go.

    "Please come in quickly!" Wang Yuze said.  Wang Yuze knew the purpose of Lucas' visit without guessing. It must be for the 'China-class' battleship.

    "Your Majesty!" After Lucas came in, he first saluted Wang Yuze.

    "Uncle Lucas, please take a seat!" Wang Yuze stood up from behind the desk. He always respected Lucas after all.  It was the same even after he ascended the throne and became emperor.

    "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lucas then sat on the sofa.

    Wang Wei had already arranged for someone to serve tea before he stepped aside.

    ¡°Uncle Lucas, what¡¯s the matter with your visit this time?¡± Wang Yuze asked.

    "Your Majesty, I won't talk in circles with you. The German Navy is very interested in the Chinese Navy's new battleships. It also believes that this most likely represents the development direction of the navy. Therefore, the German Navy hopes to obtain this class of battleships.  Detailed parameters and design drawings! We can use anything you are interested in in exchange for equal value!" Lucas said.

    "China is very willing to cooperate with Germany in this area. Let's do this, Uncle Lucas. I intend to ask the Imperial Chief of Staff to visit Germany to discuss some military cooperation between China and Germany. At that time, specific exchanges will be made  , will be discussed in detail by the Chief of General Staff and the German Navy. What do you think?" Wang Yuze asked.

    "Of course there is no problem. However, our navy is urging us more urgently!" Lucas said.

    "Chief of General Staff Xiong can leave in three days!" Wang Yuze said.

    "Well, I will contact the country!" Lucas said.  He knows that China is now facing an extremely dangerous international environment and very threats, and the Pacific Alliance is very likely to launch an attack on China in the next two to three years.  At this time, China naturally hopes to get help from other countries.  Germany is China's only suitable potential ally.  Similar international environments give China and China reason to come together.  And Lucas naturally hopes to see all this.  This is of great benefit to both China and Germany.

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