"Churchill, can these battleships really be built in two years?" Prime Minister Asquith asked. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

"There shouldn't be much of a problem, the new 'Iron Duke-class' battleships and the new 'King George V-class' battleships are both modified on the basis of the 'Vengeance-class' battleships. We handed over the eight battleships of these two classes to the major shipyards for construction, and there should not be too many problems. As for the 'Lion-class' battleships, it was a little more difficult, not only to build a larger hull, but also to develop a 406-mm main gun. However, even if there are problems, I believe that with our strength, we can overcome them. Churchill said.

Prime Minister Asquith nodded, and on this issue, he chose to believe in Churchill. In fact, there was no other way for him to do it than to believe in Churchill.

"In terms of battle cruisers, we plan to build a total of ten battle cruisers of three classes, namely the 'Prestige class' battle cruisers, the 'Glory class' battle cruisers and the 'Hood class' battle cruisers. The Prestige-class battlecruisers and the Glory-class battlecruisers were both battlecruisers armed with three triple 381-mm guns, with a displacement of more than 35,000 tons, a maximum speed of 27 knots, and a main armor thickness of about 330 mm. The Hood-class battlecruisers had a displacement of more than 40,000 tons, were armed with three triple 406 mm guns, had a maximum speed of 27 knots, and had a main armor thickness of 350 mm. Among them, three battle cruisers of the first two levels were built in the front, and four battle cruisers of the first rank in the rear were built. The overall construction plan will be completed in two years. Churchill said.

"Twelve battleships, plus ten battlecruisers, were the most powerful battleships and battlecruisers. If these 22 warships are completed and put into service, the Royal Navy will definitely be able to revitalize itself. When the time comes, we can completely crush the Germans. Prime Minister Asquith said with satisfaction. He believes that these warships will allow the Royal Navy to regain the ability to become the number one in the world.

"What about the Germans? Will they have new construction plans? Prime Minister Asquith asked. If the Germans had started building new warships, they would have been caught in an endless naval arms race. When the time comes, it is difficult to say whether it will be delayed to the end.

"Your Excellency, our intelligence officers are doing their best to find out about the new battleships and battlecruisers of the Germans, but, for now, nothing is known. It seems that the Germans are not planning to build new capital ships in addition to those under construction. I think this is because the Germans were so confident that they could completely destroy the British Empire with the capital ships they are building now. Even if they found out about the British Empire's naval construction plans and restarted the construction of new capital ships, it would be too late. There is absolutely no way for them to complete the construction of these capital ships in the shortest possible time, like the British Empire. Churchill said proudly.

"Very good, very good. In this case, the Royal Navy may really be able to win. Prime Minister Asquith nodded in satisfaction.

"Your Excellency, the cost of this batch of warships will be very high. In particular, it was necessary to rush as much as possible, so it was necessary to recruit more skilled workers and build them in three shifts, which cost at least half as much as other warships. Churchill said with some concern.

"Well, there is no way around it, who made the British Empire face such a big crisis now?" Prime Minister Asquith sighed. Although the British Empire has a lot of money, if it is always wasted like this, it will not last long. It's just that if you don't fight hard, I'm afraid that this will cause the British Empire to lose more benefits. The lesser of two evils can only be used to build more capital ships.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, if the Royal Navy had these warships, we would definitely be able to defeat the Germans and maintain the supremacy of the Empire." Churchill assured.

"Well, the British Empire must be victorious, or we will all become the sinners of the Empire!" Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Churchill, how much will these twenty-two warships cost?" Prime Minister Asquith asked.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we have made a preliminary estimate that it will cost about £70 million. Of course, it is not excluded that it will rise a little. Churchill said.

"Seventy million pounds?" Although he had been prepared for a long time, Prime Minister Asquith couldn't help but have a toothache when he heard this number. The British Empire was indeed wealthy, but the damned war, and the pre-war arms race, had left them in debt. If another £70 million were to be allocated to the navy to build new warships, they would undoubtedly be in debt.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister." After Churchill finished speaking, he looked at Prime Minister Asquith with a blank eye, for fear that he would retreat because the cost was too high.

"Well, I'll consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Parliament on this allocation, and it won't be too much of a problem. For the Royal Navy, I will give it my full support. But at the same time, I also make a request, that is, in the future war, the Royal Navy must be victorious. Otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain. Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister. We will definitely win this war. Churchill said.

"Your Excellency, Your Majesty the King, please go to Buckingham Palace at once." The secretary reported to Prime Minister Asquith.

"Okay, get ready for the car, I'll go right away." Prime Minister Asquith commanded.

Later, he said to Churchill: "His Majesty should also be concerned about the situation of the navy, and I will explain to him, you don't have any burden, find a way to further strengthen the royal navy!" ”

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Churchill nodded and took his leave.

Prime Minister Asquith travels to Buckingham Palace to meet King George V.

As soon as George V saw Prime Minister Asquith and left, he asked: "Your Excellency, the Royal Navy has lost a long time in today's naval battle, losing ten capital ships?" Will the Royal Navy be able to defeat the Germans in the next battle? ”

"Your Majesty, the Royal Navy has indeed just suffered a great defeat. However, we will not be discouraged by this, let alone throw in the towel from the Germans. The Navy has submitted a new shipbuilding plan, and in two years' time we can rebuild a much more powerful Navy. When the time comes, there will be a decisive battle with the Germans. Victory must be ours. "Prime Minister Asquith has shown a lot of confidence.

Seeing Prime Minister Asquith full of confidence, King George V's worries dissipated.