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Piaotian Literature of the Fourth Empire of China www.piaotia.com Chapter 349 War Clouds Gather

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    Japan's returning fleet includes four battleships, namely the 'Shikishima' battleship, 'Shikishima' and 'Asahi'; two 'Ryujo' class battleships, 'Ryujo' and 'Hizen'  .  The 'Shikishima-class' battleships are imitations of the British Navy's 'Majesty-class' battleships, while the 'Ryujo-class' battleships are improved from the US Navy's 'Indiana-class' battleships.  It can be said that these two levels of battleships are not of the same level at all.  Except for the more powerful firepower of the 'Ryujo-class' battleships, the rest cannot be compared with the 'Shikishima-class', especially the maximum speed of 15 knots. Once faced with the Chinese Navy's 'Zhonghua-class' battleships  , it is simply a dead end.  At the beginning, the Japanese government gritted its teeth and ordered two battleships and two armored cruisers from the United States in order to obtain loans from the United States.  Otherwise, they would not order American battleships!

    In addition to the battleships, there are also six armored cruisers. These armored cruisers are all based on British designs, with two ships each built by the United Kingdom, France and the United States.  The United States has also built five armored cruisers of this class for itself.  This class of armored cruisers, named 'Iwami-class' armored cruisers by Japan, includes 'Iwami', 'Tango', 'Shubo', 'Somo', 'Owari' and '  Suruga' number.  The 'Iwami-class' armored cruiser has a displacement of 8,350 tons, a maximum speed of 25 knots, two twin 280mm main guns, 6 155mm single-mounted guns, 6 105mm single-mounted guns; 8  37mm machine gun; 4 450mm water torpedo tubes.  The combat effectiveness is already very good among cruisers.  However, there is still a certain gap when facing the Chinese Navy's "Chengdu-class" heavy cruisers, let alone the Chinese Navy's latest "Beijing-class" battleships.

    In addition, there are fifteen destroyers, each with a displacement of just over a thousand tons and a speed of 28 knots. Their main armaments are 105mm naval guns and 3 torpedo tubes.  It is much better than the destroyers built by the Japanese Navy itself.

    The Japanese fleet also carried several supply ships. Although supplies could be obtained from British-controlled ports along the way, supply ships could be brought along to deal with emergencies.  For example, they must give full consideration to how to return to Japan safely.  All of this requires sufficient material support.  Otherwise, everything is empty talk.

    London, England, Lord Admiral Frederick?  William?  Sir Richards is having an affair with the Second Lord of the Admiralty, Walter?  Lord Kerr talks.

    "Your Excellency, Lord Admiralty, when the Japanese left, they were very angry and resentful of our navy for not saving their lives. Will this affect the empire's interests in the Far East?" Walter?  Lord Kerr said with some concern.

    "Walter, please rest assured that the contradiction between Japan and China is irreconcilable. There will definitely be a war between China and Japan. And this time, the possibility of a war between the two sides is as high as more than 90%  . However, it is a pity that the war did not break out after 1900 as we expected. In that case, Japan would be more powerfully armed by us, and the U.S. Navy would be more than twice as powerful as it is now. By then, the Chinese  If you want to win, you will probably have to pay a higher price. But now, it can be seen that the Japanese will definitely fail. But I don¡¯t know how much loss they will cause the Chinese!" Military Minister Frederick?  William?  Sir Richards said with some regret.  If Japan can cause huge losses to China, it will not be so laborious for Britain to clean up the mess.

    "What if the Japanese give up their conflict with China and instead unite with China? If the two powerful Far East powers unite, it will be a huge threat to the empire!" Walter?  Lord Kerr thought of a loophole.

    "Haha! Walter, you are thinking too much! You don't understand these Far Easterners, or yellow-skinned monkeys. The Chinese have an old saying, 'One mountain cannot tolerate two tigers.' This shows that the entire Far East region cannot tolerate two powerful countries.  , only one powerful country can be allowed to exist. Therefore, this constitutes the most basic contradiction between China and Japan. Now, the entire Japan regards China as its biggest enemy. Otherwise, they would have successfully risen four years ago  The situation in Japan is very similar to that in the UK. However, we in the UK are lucky in that we have richer resources than Japan, and at the same time, we embarked on the path of maritime expansion three hundred years earlier than Japan. Therefore, Japan  If they want to rise, despite the current predicament, they only need to defeat China and become the only powerful country in the Far East. Otherwise, the huge foreign debt they owe alone can bankrupt their government. And the Chinese  They regard Japan as their formidable enemy. In the Sino-Japanese War more than four years ago, the Japanese committed unforgivable crimes in China. If it hadn't been for us at that time?If it is obstructed, Japan may have been destroyed long ago.  This time, the Chinese will definitely not miss this opportunity.  So, we just have to watch the show!  Lord Admiralty Sir Frederick William Richards said with a smile. Britain is still the world's most powerful country. They can easily treat other countries as pawns and hide behind to watch them bleed.  Fighting, and in the end they will gain the benefit.

    "Then, Your Excellency, Lord Admiralty, I suggest that the 'Chinese Fleet' be temporarily withdrawn south to Singapore. The 'Chinese Fleet' has four 'Sovereign Class' battleships and the Pacific Fleet has two. They can reorganize the Far East Fleet. By then, perhaps  The Far East Fleet will be able to defeat the Chinese Navy after a decisive battle with the Japanese Navy!" Walter?  Lord Kerr suggested.

    "Okay! Send a telegram to Lieutenant General Philmantel, the commander of the 'Chinese Fleet', and let him lead the fleet south! Let him serve as the commander of the Far East Fleet. When the Japanese fleet arrives, quietly follow the Japanese fleet and look for  Opportunity. If it is discovered that the Chinese Navy has been seriously damaged, we can take the opportunity to launch an attack on the Chinese Navy!" Navy Minister Frederick?  William?  said Sir Richards.

    "Ah! Are we going to declare war against the Chinese?" Walter?  Lord Kerr asked in surprise.  According to the Pacific Alliance Treaty, Britain and France do not have to declare war on China immediately.  An undeclared war may have an impact on Britain's international image.

    "If we can take advantage, it doesn't matter whether we declare war or not. As long as we can win, we are just. In the end, we won and gained huge benefits for the British Empire! Then, we are the British Empire  The hero!" Lord Admiral Frederick?  William?  said Sir Richards disdainfully.  In this world, history is always written by the victors.  Besides, he also left some room.  If the Japanese navy did not cause much damage to the Chinese navy, then the United Kingdom could completely stop its actions and not be involved in the war prematurely.  However, he did not expect that once the British fleet appeared on the battlefield, many things would not be decided by him now.  It was precisely because of his decision that thousands of soldiers of the British Far East Fleet died in the Pacific.

    In Berlin, Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II and German Navy Minister Tirpitz also discussed the return of the Japanese fleet to the country.

    "Your Majesty, as the Japanese fleet returns to Japan, this time the war between China and Japan is likely to begin. Next, there will be a full-scale war between China and the Pacific Alliance. Even Britain and France may join it.  Although China is much stronger than before, it may still be too much to face the five powerful countries in the world alone. If Britain and France do not join, China may still be able to win. But if Britain and France join,  , China is likely to fail. Especially in terms of the navy, the threat posed by the British to other countries in the world is too great." Tirpitz said with some worry.

    "When the time comes, we can help them. The High Seas Fleet can conduct an exercise in the North Sea. However, I hope that the Admiralty can control the scale and not overly stimulate the UK. It is best for us to let the UK send part of its navy to the Far East  Fight China, but at the same time, China will not lose the war and let them both suffer. In this case, it will be very beneficial to the German Empire!" William II said.  There have never been true friends between countries.  Once China wins the war, it will become the only powerful country in the Far East. Even in the world, it will probably be among the top powers. Germany must consider its own interests.

    "Yes, Your Majesty!" Tirpitz said.  Although it is unethical to do so, there is no way around it.  Only by consuming as much of the British naval strength in the Far East as possible can the pressure on Germany be reduced.  For Germany to defeat Britain, it is very necessary to expand Germany's living space.  The reason why Germany fully supports China and challenges British interests in the Far East is precisely for this purpose.

    Japan¡¯s allies, the United States and Russia, have also begun preparations for war.  The U.S. West Coast Fleet has been mobilized.  Although the United States originally wanted to wait until their 'Maine-class' battleships and 'Illinois-class' battleships were put into service before starting a war, I'm afraid they can't wait until that time now.  Fortunately, their West Coast Fleet will still have a certain advantage against China's Pacific Fleet.

    Russia has also begun mobilization, but they will have to wait until spring before they can send troops to the Far East.

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