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The Fourth Empire of China Piaotian Literature www.piaotia.com Chapter 450 Two Decisive Battles

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    After the establishment of the empire, it vigorously carried out infrastructure construction, developed industry and commerce, and promoted economic growth.  At the same time, the "Western Sichuan Model" reform was carried out across the country, and all land was nationalized and distributed to landless and landless farmers.  Guiding landowners to invest in industry and commerce has effectively solved the problem of land annexation that has been prominent in China for thousands of years and improved the living standards of the people.

    Since 1895, the empire¡¯s economy has been growing at a rate of more than ten percent every year, and the country is prosperous.  China at the end of the 19th century was not actually poor, but its wealth was in the hands of a few large landowners and powerful people.  After the establishment of the empire, all the old and young people of the Manchu Qing Dynasty were wiped out, and a large amount of development funds were obtained, which made the empire's economy rapidly prosper.  Under such circumstances, the citizens became more and more sympathetic to the new empire.  Especially in the empire's foreign wars, victory after victory greatly stimulated the national pride of the people.  So much so that in this war, although many citizens were worried, everyone still supported the empire very much.  Everyone knows that the good days now are all brought about by the empire.  If the Empire were defeated, all the good days would be gone for them again.  Therefore, the citizens hope that the empire can win this war.  It's just that the enemy was too powerful and the citizens were a little worried at the beginning.

    Now, the empire has fully taken the initiative in the war, and victory seems to be not far away.  This makes the people rejoice and no longer have to worry.  At this time, the Imperial Ministry of Finance and the Imperial Bank sold a total of 500 million yuan in treasury bonds to the country for a period of three years and an interest of 5%.  The royal family first subscribed for 100 million to express the royal family's support for this war.

    When the national debt sales started, the citizens were excited.  In their view, when the country sells national debt, it means the emperor is borrowing money from the people!  In this era, in everyone's opinion, the whole world is not the king's land, and the shore of the land is not the king's ministers.  The entire country belongs to the emperor. If the emperor wants money, he only needs to issue an imperial edict, and the people have to obediently give up their wealth!  Everyone knows that war must be very expensive, but the emperor did not seize the people's property, but used loans, and there was interest.  This shocked the citizens and they spent money to buy national bonds.  With no way to serve the country, everyone regarded the purchase of national debt as a form of support for the empire.  Especially those who have made money in industry and commerce have donated generously.  Most of the people in the empire live in a very tight situation. Although their lives are getting better and better, they still don't have any spare money.  But these industrial and commercial bosses are different. Each of them has huge wealth.  Under such circumstances, the 400 million treasury bonds were sold out in less than two days.  And there are still many people who have not bought it.  In particular, the common people strongly demanded that the empire sell more national debt, and they also wanted to express their support for the empire.

    In the end, after consulting Wang Yuze, the Ministry of Finance once again issued an additional treasury bond of 500 million yuan, which satisfied the requirements of the market.  With a national debt of one billion yuan, it is enough to ensure that the imperial army will continue this war.  Moreover, if the war ends early, there will still be a lot of surplus.  At that time, it can be used to invest in infrastructure construction to make up for the impact of the war.

    In the current empire, almost all forces have united together, and all citizens are doing their part for the empire to win the war.  In this situation of united efforts, no difficulty can stop the Chinese nation!

    "Your Majesty, this is the latest intelligence received by the Navy. The Americans have begun to make some changes. All officers and soldiers of the U.S. Navy have canceled their vacations, and the San Diego Naval Base has also been placed under martial law. Our people also discovered that a large number of weapons were being transported  Vehicles carrying ammunition entered the San Diego Naval Base. Obviously, the U.S. Navy is preparing for war!" On the evening of May 1, Navy Secretary Zhang Cheng met with Wang Yuze.

    "Americans? They finally lost their temper!" Wang Yuze frowned.  After the war began, Wang Yuze was very satisfied with the U.S. government's attitude of declaring no war.  The Chinese Navy's Pacific Fleet has become a weak link in the Chinese Navy's strength.  After the U.S. Navy regained its strength, the Chinese Navy's Pacific Fleet did not defeat the strength of the U.S. Navy.

    "Your Majesty, the Americans have been warned by the British. If they adopt the attitude of declaring no war again, the British will cut off all technical assistance to the United States and recall all experts. The Americans must have been forced to do nothing.  "In addition, the empire continues to transport troops to Hawaii, which must have stimulated the Americans. After the Americans guessed the empire's intentions, they obviously planned to strike first!" Navy Minister Zhang Cheng explained.  For the United States, when the joint fleets of Britain, France, and Russia were on an expedition to China, it was they who?The best opportunity for shame.

    "Is the Pacific Fleet sure of holding the Hawaiian Islands?" Wang Yuze asked.  He knows that the strength of the Pacific Fleet is now no match for the U.S. Navy, and it is very difficult to win.  However, it goes without saying that the importance of the Hawaiian Islands must be controlled by China.  Otherwise, China's Pacific strategy will be greatly affected.

    "Your Majesty, the Pacific Fleet is weak. The number of battleships is less than half of the US Navy's West Coast Fleet. The performance of the battleships does not have much advantage. Therefore, if a war breaks out, it may be difficult for the Pacific Fleet to win!" Secretary of the Navy  Zhang Cheng said.

    "So, does the Navy have any rescue plan?" Wang Yuze asked.  There is no room for error in the Hawaiian Islands!

    "Your Majesty, after consideration, the Navy Ministry plans to merge the squadrons of the Home Fleet into the Pacific Fleet! The Home Fleet will only retain new battleships and cruisers!" said Navy Minister Zhang Cheng.

    "Merging the Home Fleet Squadron into the Pacific Fleet? Then, after the Home Fleet's strength weakens, is it still possible to defeat the combined fleets of Britain, France, and Russia?" Wang Yuze said with a frown.  Although, Hawaii is very important.  However, the most important thing now is undoubtedly to defeat the combined fleets of Britain, France and Russia. This is the top priority!

    "Your Majesty, the performance of the two 'Sichuan-class' battleships in the squadron lags far behind that of the 'China-class' battleships. Although they are not inferior to the British naval battleships currently in service, they do not compare to the strength of the local fleet.  Too big an impact. On the contrary, after removing the 'Sichuan-class' battleships, the operations of the local fleet will be more flexible. At the same time, the performance of the 'Sichuan-class' battleships is more powerful than the battleships currently in service in the U.S. Navy. After joining the Pacific Fleet  , which can effectively improve the strength of the Pacific Fleet. In this case, the security of Hawaii can be guaranteed!" said Navy Minister Zhang Cheng.  The six battleships, 8 armored cruisers, 22 cruisers and 30 destroyers of the U.S. Navy on the west coast put great pressure on the Pacific Fleet.

    "Okay, then, merge the Home Fleet Squadron into the Pacific Fleet. Instruct General Li Dingxin that Hawaii cannot be lost! The Pacific Fleet, even if it cannot defeat the U.S. Navy's West Coast Fleet, must ensure the safety of Hawaii!" Wang Yuze said.  Only by holding Hawaii can we threaten the U.S. mainland and weaken China's biggest enemy in the future as much as possible.

    "Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhang Cheng replied.

    Soon, the Navy Department made adjustments.  The 'Sichuan-class' battleships 'Sichuan' and 'Xikang' of the Home Fleet Squadron have been destroyed, along with the 'Chengdu-class' heavy cruisers 'Xi'an', 'Xining', 'Lanzhou' and 'Wuhan'.  Incorporated into the Pacific Fleet.  In addition, Navy Minister Zhang Cheng further strengthened the strength of the Pacific Fleet and added the remaining "Leshan-class" light cruisers equipped by the Chinese Navy to the Pacific Fleet.  At the same time, ten new destroyers were also dispatched to the Pacific Fleet.  In this case, the battleships of the Home Fleet will all be composed of the latest battleships, heavy cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers, while the Pacific Fleet will be composed of old battleships, heavy cruisers and light cruisers.  However, even though the warships of the Pacific Fleet are old warships, their performance is no worse than that of the U.S. Navy.  Even though the 'Sichuan-class' battleship has been in service for several years, its performance is still more powerful than the most powerful 'Illinois-class' battleship currently in service in the U.S. Navy.  The 'Chengdu-class' heavy cruiser is also far more powerful than the US Navy's 'New York'-class armored cruiser.  The strengthened Pacific Fleet is no less powerful than the U.S. Navy's West Coast Fleet.

    May of 1899 was relatively peaceful.  On the northern battlefield, the war in Irkutsk has not begun. It is just a small fight at the moment.  The war in the Nanyang region is still going on, but it does not affect the overall situation.  For China and China's enemies, the most important battles now are mainly the battle of Irkutsk on the land battlefield, and the decisive sea battle between the navy's Chinese mainland fleet and the combined fleets of Britain, France and Russia.  These two battles will be directly related to the direction of this war.  If China can win these two wars, then China's rise will no longer be able to stop it!  China will become the world's emerging top power.  The eyes of the whole world are also focused on these two decisive battles!  (To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!)
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