The "Hamin Maru" was a warship purchased by the shogunate from the Netherlands, and although its displacement was only more than 400 tons, it was created by concentrating the most advanced science and technology at the time, and when it returned to Japan, it was also Japan's newest warship. However, as the most advanced warship of the shogunate at that time, in terms of management and use, it still followed the old customs of the feudal era, and the people in the high positions did not know how to do it. Brooke, an American officer who accompanied him on the "Hamin Maru," once ridiculed the Japanese naval officers for having no naval knowledge, and Katsu Haishu was extremely indignant about this. At that time, he had already realized that modern warships must be operated by people who have mastered modern science and technology, and the relationship between people must also be adapted to them, so that advanced warships can play their due role.

It can be said that the "Xianlin Maru" changed the life of Katsu Kaishu.

After arriving in San Francisco, Katsu Haizhou came into contact with and observed American society under the capitalist system, and what he heard and witnessed there made him more convinced that he should break down feudal barriers and shackles and provide opportunities for talented people to play a role, regardless of family and status.

"Ito-kun knows that when this 'Xianlin Maru' was completed and put into service, it was the most advanced warship in Japan, but after just a few years, it was reduced to a transport ship." Katsu Haizhou said to Hirobumi Ito.

Hirofumi Ito immediately understood what Katsu Kaishu meant, and couldn't help but sigh. As a "famous ship" that once crossed the Pacific, the "Hamin Maru" participated in the Boshin War, because the condition of the ship was quite bad compared to other warships, and it could only be used for transportation tasks, so the "Hamin Maru" was almost captured by the Meiji government forces.

Sheng Haizhou said this, and the point is very obvious!

The current Japanese Navy has not added a single new warship, except for the 18-year-old and renovated fast gunboat "Tsukuba" purchased from British merchants in 9071. That is, the renewal of ships of the Japanese Navy, in fact, has stalled.

During this period, however, the Qianguo Navy has been constantly adding new warships, and most of them are new warships produced by the Qianguo itself!

Now Ito Hirobumi finally understands why Katsu Kaishu refuses to go out of the mountain.

"I see what Mr. Haizhou means." Ito Hirobumi sighed, "Mr. Haizhou said that once a war breaks out between the empire and the Qianguo, the imperial navy will have no chance of winning in the face of the Qianguo navy, and his foresight has now been confirmed. ”

"Yes!" Sheng Haizhou said in a deep voice, "Those people only see that the Qianguo Navy does not have ironclad ships, but the Imperial Navy has two, if you really want to fight, the Imperial Navy has a better chance of winning." But that's just the appearance! Qianguo's current shipbuilding capacity is far above that of China, and it is not weaker than China in terms of the education and reserve of qualified personnel! The financial resources of the Qianguo are far stronger than those of the empire. At the beginning of the war, the Imperial Navy may have a slight advantage, but after a long time, the Imperial Navy will definitely lose! With the financial resources of the Qianguo, wouldn't it have purchased ironclad ships from France to confront the Imperial Navy? ”

Hearing this, Ito Hirobumi's face turned pale.

"The contest between countries is a contest of national strength! And not just a matter of one or two boats, a few cannons! Sheng Haizhou's voice suddenly became high-pitched, "Soldiers, the great plan of the country, the way of life and death, how can it be like child's play, easy to launch!" Although the Qianguo country is decaying, its national strength is still not comparable to that of Japan today! If the conquest of Moss Bay can be defeated, the land of Moss Bay will not be included in the Japanese territory, and at most it will only extort some compensation! Once defeated, there will be no recovery, and there will be no chance to rise! Qianguo has been the suzerainty of East Asia for many years, and it has always despised our country and regarded Japan as no different from Korea, Vietnam, the Ryukyus, and so on. The whole country will rise up in retaliation, and in a few years it will become Japan's great enemy! Napoleon still knew that Qianguo was a 'sleeping lion' and could not be easily woken up, but now the government is so eager for quick success and quick profit, taking the fortune of the country as a bet that it is easier than a throw, Ito-kun does not think it is wrong, and even adds fuel to the fire. When did Ito-kun not notice this? ”

"Mr. Haizhou! Talking about this now, it doesn't help! Hirobumi Ito's voice turned hoarse, "Please take state affairs first and go out of the mountain!" ”

"I don't know if Ito-kun has ever heard that there is a cutting-edge cruiser in the Qianguo Navy, which was given to Qianguo by the British government." In response to Ito Hirofumi's plea, Katsu Haizhou still did not answer, but asked in a calm voice.

Hearing that Katsu Haizhou suddenly changed the topic, Ito Hirofumi was slightly stunned, and then nodded.

"There is such a thing, it was originally called 'Ocean Goddess', and after it was given to Qianguo, the name became 'Princess Heshuo'."

"With such a cutting-edge cruiser, the British were able to generously present it to the Qianguo, and when did Japan receive such preferential treatment from the British? The three docks in Mawei Harbor were all built with the assistance of France, and the Qianguo did not spend a penny, so how could Japan have been treated so favorably by France? Sheng Haizhou asked.

"Nope." Ito Hirobumi sighed and shook his head.

"The mother types of the warships built by the Fujian Shipbuilding Bureau of Qianguo are all from the drawings of the latest French warships, this kind of treatment is something that the Imperial Navy dare not dream of, but the Qianguo Navy can easily get it, what does this mean, hasn't Ito-kun thought about it?" Sheng Haizhou asked again.

"Mr. Haizhou is saying, Lin Yizhe? ......" Hirobumi Ito's voice was unexpectedly trembling.

"That's right! That's him! What the Imperial Navy could not dream of, but this young official named Lin Yizhe was able to achieve his goal between talking and laughing! Sheng Haizhou said in a deep voice, "Mr. Dongxing is brave, how can he ever have such a skill?" How can this kind of opponent be won by Mr. Dongxing? ”

"What Mr. Kaizhou said is that we all underestimated this person......" Ito Hirobumi said softly, a hint of decadence flashing in his eyes.

"The first time I knew about this person, you Ito-kun told me!" Sheng Haizhou nodded, "You mentioned to me before that young Qianguo official named Lin Yizhe, and I have been paying attention to him since then, because I believe in your Ito-kun's vision. But Ito-kun, when you sent troops to Moss Bay, did you forget that there was such a terrible opponent in Qianguo? ”

Ito Hirobumi was speechless, only let out a heavy sigh.

"This person's wrist is definitely comparable to a very human being!" Katsu Haizhou continued, "Ito-kun, what you know about him is actually only superficial! ”

――――Dividing Line――――

Collect! Ask for recommendations! Click!