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Text Chapter 857 Pawning Underwear

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    "The Times" is one of the most influential newspapers in the UK. When the "Times" reported that the Chinese Navy was building a Tang class battleship, it caused panic throughout the UK.  Although the Chinese Tang-class battleships have not yet entered service, they have begun to be outfitted and may not enter service until next year at most.  By then, the Royal Navy would not have a single battleship to compete with it.

    With the development of the world in recent years, the British seem to have recognized the reality. The British Empire is no longer the world's hegemon, and its status is now in jeopardy.  Under this situation, the British have a very deep sense of crisis.  The Chinese Navy's Tang-class battleships undoubtedly made them feel a huge threat.

    After the Times reported it, newspapers in other countries around the world also reprinted it.  Suddenly, there was a panic around the world.  Especially the United States, which had just been slapped in the face by China and clamored to retaliate against China, was silent for a while.  The current U.S. Navy can no longer compete with the Chinese Navy. After the Chinese Navy's Tang-class battleships enter service, the United States will no longer have the ability to fight back.  For a time, there were voices everywhere in the United States asking the government to build Tang-class battleships that could rival the Chinese navy.

    As the world¡¯s largest naval power, the British Royal Navy is undoubtedly the most sensitive to the development of navies around the world.  After the British Lord of the Admiralty, Sir John Fisher, learned of the relevant situation and verified it, he immediately went to the Prime Minister's Office and reported the relevant situation to Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith.  The former Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell Banneran and his cabinet ended their term of office on April 7 last year, and the new Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith came to power to form the cabinet.  And Sir John Fisher once again served in the new cabinet with his outstanding ability, which gave him a very high reputation in the Royal Navy and the cabinet!

    "Your Excellency Sir Fisher, has the news been confirmed? Will the Chinese really build such a terrifying battleship again?" Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith asked seriously.

    "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, it has been confirmed. People from the Times claimed that one of their reporters ventured into the shipyard in Tianjin, China, and photographed the Tang-class battleships being outfitted. Chinese shipbuilding in Tianjin  The shipyard has surpassed their Beihai shipyard in the south and has become the largest shipyard in China. According to the judgment of the Ministry of Navy, this news is indeed true. The Chinese Navy has more than 100 ships in the 'Han class' battleships and the 'Han Xin class' battleships.  After the cruiser was put into service, no new warship construction plan was revealed. This is obviously abnormal when all countries in the world are desperately developing armaments.

    It now appears that the Chinese are not developing armaments, but are secretly building new battleships.  This is very consistent with the Chinese people's consistent style.  "Sir John Fisher said.

    "So, once the Chinese Tang-class battleships are put into service, will they pose a serious threat to the Royal Navy?" Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith asked.  Although China now places its main target on the Americans, Britain will sooner or later go to war with China after defeating Germany.  Therefore, the British side also pays special attention to the strength of the Chinese navy!

    "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, once the Chinese Tang-class battleships are put into service, they will undoubtedly pose a huge threat to us. The most powerful battleships in the Royal Navy now are the King George V-class battleships, the Iron Duke.  Class battleships will not enter service until early next year. However, neither the King George V class battleships nor the Iron Duke class battleships can compare with the Chinese Tang class battleships. From the photos  Analysis shows that the Chinese Tang-class battleships have a displacement of at least 35,000 tons, which is nearly 10,000 tons higher than the George V-class battleships and 5,000 tons higher than the Iron Duke-class battleships. This is  mean

    The Tang-class battleships have thicker armor than the George V-class battleships and the Iron Duke-class battleships.  In addition, the Chinese Navy has always attached great importance to the speed of battleships. Therefore, the speed of 'Tang class battleships is probably also very high.  The most threatening thing is undoubtedly the Tang class, the main gun of the battleship. The three triple 381 mm main guns. Its powerful firepower will become a nightmare for the Royal Navy battleships.  We must invest at least two Iron Duke-class battleships to be able to compete with the opponent's Tang-class battleship.  According to the practice of the Chinese Navy in recent years, six Tang-class battleships may be built (in fact, China has only built four). If the Royal Navy wants to compete with them, it will need 12 Iron Duke-class battleships, and  We only have four Iron Duke-class battleships!  Once the Royal Navy and the Chinese Navy go to war, the Royal Navy will not be able to guarantee victory!  "Sir John Fisher said. As Lord of the Admiralty, he has been working hard for the revival of the Royal Navy over the years. The emergence of the Chinese Navy's!¡ñ class battleships has brought himIt was a lot of pressure!  !

    "Oh God! 12 Iron Duke-class battleships!" Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith couldn't help but exclaimed.

    "Sir Fisher, what about the Admiralty's countermeasures plan? No matter what, we need to keep the strength of the Royal Navy of the British Empire at a world-class level!" Prime Minister Asquith said.

    "His Excellency the Prime Minister and the Ministry of the Navy plans to come up with a new battleship to compete with the Tang class battleship within one year. Before that, we hope to add several more Iron Duke class battleships to the construction plan!" Sir Fisher said  .

    Prime Minister Asquith frowned. Whether it is building a new battleship or adding an 'Iron Duke' class, the battleship construction plan requires a lot of funds.  The UK's current fiscal revenue is already overwhelmed. In order to prepare for war, the UK has invested almost all its funds in military preparations. It is very difficult to allocate more funds to the navy!

    "Sir Fisher, we will convene an emergency cabinet meeting immediately to discuss funding for the Admiralty!" Prime Minister Asquith said.

    That night, all the important ministers of the British cabinet rushed to the conference room of the Prime Minister's Office in Downing Street. Those who participated in the response included Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith, Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, and Lord Admiralty John Fisher.  Sir, Secretary of the Exchequer David = Lloyd = George, Secretary of War Paul = Stafford = Methuen, Secretary of Commerce Winston = Leonard = Spencer = Churchill, Secretary of the Colonies George = Nathaniel =  Marquis Curzon.

    "Gentlemen, we have received definite news that the Chinese-built Tang-class battleships with a 381mm main gun and a displacement of more than 35,000 tons are about to enter service. It is estimated that the Chinese have built six ships in total. This is  For the Royal Navy, it will be a fatal threat. Therefore, the Ministry of the Navy proposed an additional financial allocation for the design and construction of new battleships, as well as the construction plan for several additional Iron Duke-class battleships. In this regard, everyone  What do you think?" Prime Minister Asquith said.

    "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I agree in principle with the Admiralty's plan. However, the Treasury has no penny left! Last year's fiscal revenue has already been distributed, and half of the 150 million pounds of fiscal revenue has been spent on the whole project.  In terms of military preparations. Among them, the expenditure of the Navy Department has accounted for 70% of the total military expenditure. If the Navy Department needs additional funding, the Ministry of Finance cannot come up with even a penny. In addition, Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I have to remind you that in recent years,  Excessive military spending has affected the economic development of the British Empire. It is expected that this year's fiscal revenue will drop to about 130 million pounds!" said Finance Minister David Lloyd Prime Minister George.  Lack of money is not just a British problem.  In fact, both the Entente and Central Powers were short of money.  In order to strengthen their armaments, almost all countries have accumulated high debts.  When the government is about to go bankrupt, that's probably when the war begins!

    "Your Excellency George, where are our gains from the colonies? Now the navy is facing great challenges. We must concentrate on developing the navy!" Sir John Fisher said.  Britain has the largest colonies in the world and can obtain huge profits from the colonies every year.  From India alone, Britain is able to extract tens of millions of pounds in benefits every year.  Especially in recent years, because of the need to expand its armaments, Britain has stepped up its exploitation of its colonies.

    ??Major colonies such as India, South Africa, Australia, and Canada are all providing blood transfusions to the British. Otherwise, the British government would have been unable to survive!

    "Sir Fisher, last year we received a total of 87 million pounds in income from the colonies. However, half of this income was used to repay due loans. The other half, in addition to colonial officials and work  In addition to the expenses on personnel and garrison, all has been spent on army preparation for war!" Colonial Secretary George Nathaniel Marquis Curzon said.

    John Sir Fisher immediately frowned.  The navy is indeed a gold-eating beast. The cost of building an Iron Duke-class battleship alone is about four million pounds.  It is expected that the cost of the new battleship will reach the Iron Duke class, which is about twice that of the battleship.  There is no doubt that the funds needed will be huge!

    "Your Excellency Prime Minister and ministers, I fully support Sir Fisher's plan. The Royal Navy of the British Empire is already facing a serious threat. We must now increase investment in the navy as much as possible, even if we have to paw our underwear for this.  No matter what!" Secretary of Commerce Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill stood up and said excitedly!
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