Not only in the design scheme of the "Amagi" class battlecruisers, Hiraga Jean and Fujimoto Kikuo had deep contradictions, but also in the design scheme of the new "Kii" class battleships, the two were also completely different.

Because the six "Republican" class battleships ordered by the Chinese Navy in the United States shocked the government and the opposition as soon as they appeared in Britain, the commander of the Second Fleet, Masayuki Akiyama, died of vomiting blood due to excessive fear. In order to be able to have a warship of the same class to compete with him, he secretly passed a supplementary budget for the construction of the Navy's shipbuilding for the construction of the Kii-class battleships. According to the requirements of the Navy, the "Kii" class will be a first-class high-speed battleship, and its speed, firepower, and protection will surpass the "Republic" class in an all-round way.

Kikuo Fujimoto conducted in-depth research on the "Republican"-class battleships that performed eye-catching in the Second Battle of Helgoland Bay and the Battle of the Celtic Sea, and collected all the information he could find about the "Republic"-class battleships. Fujimoto Kikuo believes that the design ideas of the "Republica" class battleships represent the direction of future development, and the newly built "Amagi" class battlecruisers and "Kii" class high-speed battleships should also adopt this design method.

According to Fujimoto's vision, both the Amagi-class battlecruisers and the Kii-class high-speed battleships will adopt the same "front-two-rear-one" knapsack triple main gun layout as the "Republica" class, and will be equipped with nine 410-mm 50-diameter guns. In order to save design costs and speed up construction, Fujimoto Kikuo advocated that the shape, size, armament, and even boiler and main engine of the "Amagi" and "Kii" classes should be exactly the same design, except that the broadside armor of the "Kii" class was increased from 10 inches to 11.5 inches of the "Amagi" class, and the main horizontal armor was increased from 3.75 inches to 4.625 inches.

Fujimoto's design was met with resolute opposition from Hiraga Jean, who had always considered himself "orthodox". In order to have overwhelming firepower, Hiraga advocated that the Amagi class adopt the traditional "British Stream" gun arrangement, equipped with five twin 410 mm main turrets, in the same configuration as the "Kaga" class, but with a 45x diameter main gun replaced by a 50x diameter main gun in the trial production. On the basis of the design of the "Amagi" class, Hiraga made the armor of the main parts of the "Amagi" class thicker, and directly used it in the design of the "Kii" class battleships, that is, the "Kii" class was designed as a version of the "Amagi" class battleships.

Fujimoto Kihisao and Hegalet were still arguing there at this time, and at this time, they did not think about it, nor did they think about what kind of consequences it would bring to Samoto if the Navy spared no effort to implement such a huge shipbuilding plan.

Tianjin, Dagukou Naval Base.

At this time, Liu Guanxiong, who was standing in front of the fort, looked at the "Glorious" battle cruiser moored in the distance, and his heart fluctuated for a while, and he couldn't help himself.

Although Liu Guanxiong had a certain degree of psychological preparation for his deputy, Yang Shuoming, who was also the patrol envoy of the two Guangzhous and the maritime frontier, showed himself the results of the fulfillment of the promise he had made at the beginning, but when he saw this giant ship flying the flag of the Chinese Navy, he still could not suppress the excitement in his heart.

"With such a good ship, I wonder if I'm dreaming." Li He, who was standing beside Liu Guanxiong, muttered to himself.

"If Li Zhongtang and Xiang Chenggong are still there, they will have no regrets if they can see with their own eyes that our Chinese Navy has such a huge ship." Liu Guanxiong said, "It's a pity that ......"

"If only we in China could build such warships on our own." Li He said.

"The shipyard at Yangshan Port has already started construction." Liu Guanxiong said, "A few days ago, Yang Hanzhi sent a letter, mentioning that the Mawei shipyard is not conducive to the construction of large ships due to the port site problem, and is preparing to build another shipyard and port in Yangshan Port and Hutou, Fujian. ”

"That's great!" Li He shouted excitedly, but he suddenly thought of something else, and his expression became a little gloomy.

"He, Yang Hanzhi, got so many huge ships from the United States, I'm afraid that he won't have much money left in his hand, right?" Li He looked at the "Glorious" battlecruiser in front of him and said, "These ships alone will be veritable gold-swallowing beasts in the future!" ”

"Yes, I'm also worried that he, the Maritime Patrol Envoy, will spread the stall too big and won't be able to support it then." A hint of worry flashed in Liu Guanxiong's eyes, "I heard that after I knew that we had these ships, I also began to desperately build ships to catch up, and there are many people in this country who oppose the shipbuilding plan of the Navy, thinking that it will drag down the economy of Yueben." ”

Liu Guanxiong's words are not groundless, and this is exactly the case.

Regarding the latest movements and news provided by Yang Shuoming to the Admiralty about the Navy, Liu Guanxiong at this time was already well aware.

Liu Guanxiong is also very worried about how to maintain the "big navy" created by Yang Shuoming, and how to maintain the "big navy" created by Yang Shuoming.

Although China made a fortune in the wars in Europe and made great progress in national industry during the war, China at this time still could not be compared with the original one.

"Hanzhi can buy such a large fleet in such a short period of time, this ability to make money is really not covered." Li He looked at the Dagu Fort, which had been renovated, and said, "I have always felt that if Han Zhi is allowed to rule the whole country, he will gain more than that, right?" ”

Liu Guanxiong turned his head to look at Li He, who met his gaze without any worries.

"I believe that there is more than one person in our navy who has such an idea." Liu Guanxiong sighed and said, "I also think that his ability and personality are far above Duan Zhiquan, but his power and means are a little worse than Duan Zhiquan." ”

"Yes! He was able to promote the autonomy of Hunan and abolish the disarmament of Hunan, but he could not control the Congress. Li He smiled bitterly, "He's still too young." ”

As for how the "Anfu Department", which has already controlled the majority of seats in the National Assembly, came to be, Li He and Liu Guanxiong are actually very clear in their hearts.

The "Anfu Department" is the Anfu Club, a political organization set up by Xu Shuzheng. To say that it is a political party is actually very reluctant. Because these people have neither a political program nor an organizational structure, it is such a group of people, out of the needs of pure interests, obeying Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng, it is more appropriate to call them clubs. The origin of the Anfu Club is because these people are active in a big mansion in the name of the temporary senator in Anfu Hutong, plus the leaders of the club, Wang Yitang and Zeng Yunpei, one is from Anhui and the other is from Fujian. Such a group of people get together, and the activities of the whole day are to brag and chat, play cards and summon to drink flower wine. Xu Shuzheng, who did not have any ideology at all, was able to think of a way to expel the research department at that time, which was to organize such a group that was purely for profit. In Xu Shuzheng's view, as long as the money is given (a regular "allowance" of 300 silver yuan per month), benefits are given, and white scoops are played in vain, these politicians will listen to him. In fact, it worked, and the Anfu Club had a considerable number of prominent figures from the former Progressive and Revolutionary Parties, many of whom had served in the first Diet. These people can basically listen to the greetings of Qian in the face of money, Xu Shuzheng was stunned that he controlled China's Congress through such a wine and meat group!

Duan Qirui's purpose in organizing the new Congress is to create a legislative body that he can control, and to change the previous situation in which the Congress and the political axe play against each other. Xu Shuzheng once said in private: "Since the Republic of China, the political axe has been indulged in the Congress, and the world has been turned upside down. ”

Regarding Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng's actions of indulging in the Congress, Liu Guanxiong and other Chinese navy veterans who were deeply influenced by Western Mingzhuo thought were actually very dissatisfied in their hearts, but out of consideration of their own interests, they have been holding back.

Although the Chinese navy has not made any major moves in this political storm, it does not indicate that the Chinese navy will really obey the Yanjing political axe.

For the Liangguang patrol envoy who was far away in the south, the expectations of the Chinese naval officers and men were even greater.

"However, I can see some shadows of Xiang Chenggong in his Yang Hanzhi." Liu Guanxiong thought of the deceased Yuan Shikai, and the corners of his eyes couldn't help but moisten a little, "I sincerely hope that he can complete Xiang Chenggong's uncontested business." ”

Hearing Liu Guanxiong say this, Li He couldn't help but smile happily and nodded.

"I've always had the feeling that he won't always be so silent and willing to be a pawn in the hands of others." Liu Guanxiong said to himself, "If you don't make a sound, it's a blockbuster, if you don't fly, it's enough, and if you don't fly, you will soar into the sky." We'll see him soar into the sky. ”

At this time, Yang Shuoming, who was on the bridge of the battlecruiser "Civil Rights", suddenly sneezed loudly.

"The sea breeze is very cold, you don't go to sea often, you have to pay attention to your body." Fu Zhuoyao took a military coat from Xi Xue and draped it on Yang Shuoming's body.

Yang Shuoming put on his coat and nodded slightly at her to show his gratitude.

At this time, Fu Zhuoyao's face also looked a little pale, Yang Shuoming knew that she was not very suitable for sea navigation, and said: "If you still feel uncomfortable, go to Miss Liu to ask for some medicine for seasickness." ”

Fu Zhuoyao smiled slightly, shook her head, turned around and got off the bridge, Xi Xue watched her back leave, and a trace of doubt flashed in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Yang Shuoming noticed the slight change in Xi Xue's expression and asked.

"There's a report here, and I heard it's from the book." Xi Xue said, handing a sealed bag to Yang Shuoming.

Yang Shuoming noticed the seal on the seal of the pocket, frowned, opened the pocket, his eyes quickly swept over the short report, and his brows quickly relaxed.

"My movements are really fast!" Yang Shuoming said to himself, "However, this is exactly the result I want." ”

The report in his hand is the latest information and comprehensive analysis of the Navy's financial budget.

In 1918, when the Chinese Navy finally determined that the Chinese Navy had six powerful "Republican" class battleships, the top brass of the Navy was shocked, so they proposed to add 2 battleships and 2 battle cruisers to the 1918 budget with a construction budget of 146.81 million yuan; According to the results of the Second Battle of Helgolan Bay, a few more light cruisers that are "more capable of exerting striking power" should be built, so the construction cost of a total of 8 light cruisers, including "Nagara", "Natori", and "Isuzu", should be added to 181.95 million yuan; "Considering that in line with the general trend of the world, the combat capability of the navy's warships cannot be inferior to that of foreign navies," so it is necessary to add 42.79 million yuan to the "ship improvement fee" for the ships that have already started. In addition, taking into account the factors of high prices since Benben's entry into the war, plus the "price difference" of 8.99 million yuan, the total of the above is 386.84 million yuan.

Although the navy was half-hearted about participating in the European War, after several unexpected battles, the battleships "Katori", "Kashima", "Mikasa", "Hizen", "Asata", "Shikishima", and the battlecruisers "Kurama", "Ibuki", and "Ikoma" were all sunk. "Yamashiro", "Ise", "Akami" and 4 "Kongo"-class battle cruisers.

Although the U.S. Navy suffered heavy losses in the Battle of the Celtic Sea, it still had four powerful Colorado-class battleships with 16-inch guns, and soon 10 battleships and six battlecruisers were about to start. Aside from the old ships and the capital ships that have sunk in battle, the US Navy still has the upper hand in strength compared with the Navy, and if we add the capital ships of the two countries that have already passed the budget but have not yet started construction, this gap will continue to widen, and with the shipbuilding capacity of the United States, it is obvious that the Navy will be caught up by the United States in a very short period of time and will be left far behind.

And now, the Chinese Navy, which already has the strength to compete with the Navy, has been added.

Under such prospects, the Navy has made further demands. In June 1919, the Navy submitted a new budget allocation request to the National Defense Council: from Taisho 12 to Taisho 15 (1923-1926), the battleships of the "Fuso" and "Ise" classes would be 8 years old and become second-line battleships, and the "Kongo" class battlecruisers would also be 8 years old; By the 16th year of Taisho (1927), only two ships of the Nagato-class, two of the Kaga-class, and four of the Amagi-class ships equipped with 16-inch guns were less than eight years old, so in the seven years from 1920 to 1927, it was necessary to build four more battleships and four battlecruisers in order to achieve the goal of consolidating the security of the Honhon's sea.

According to the Navy's estimates, the cost of a single ship of the "Nagato" class battleships is 26.92 million yuan, and the cost of a single ship of the "Amagi" class battlecruisers is 24.69 million yuan. According to the estimates of the Navy's Ship Administration Headquarters and shipyards, the cost of a single ship of the "Kii" class battleships was 36.45 million yuan, and the cost of the "Misaku" class battleships was 37.42 million yuan, which was 17 times the unit price of the "Fengfeng" class destroyers built during the same period. Combined with the construction cost of building 12 light cruisers, 32 destroyers, and other auxiliary ships such as submarines and gunboats, the total amount is 680.36 million yuan. Including price factors, the actual amount of appropriation required amounted to 761.11 million yuan. In 1919, when the plan was proposed, it was said that the national budget for the next year approved by the National Assembly would not exceed 144172 million yuan. At that time, in order to raise financial resources, the government had already introduced a liquor tax, raised income tax and business tax, and temporarily suspended the repayment of the national debt, and it was really beyond the capacity of the firm to carry out such a huge naval expansion under such embarrassing financial conditions. However, in December 1919, the National Defense Council submitted the "88th Fleet" bill to the 42nd Congress, but the Congress was dissolved in February of the following year, so the budget was not established. In June 1920, the 43rd session of the House of Representatives was convened, and the Defense Council reintroduced the bill, which was finally approved.

From the 40th year of the Meiji era, the dream of the "88th Fleet" of the Samoto Navy has been carried out for 13 years, and now it has finally been realized. However, it can be said that the country and its people cannot afford to compete with the United States, which has a per capita income six times its own and a total income of 12 times its own, with its own national strength.

Many people of insight in the country have also criticized the current situation of economic difficulties caused by the expansion of the navy. Naval correspondent Masanori Ito wrote: "Since the third year of Taisho, the argument of completing the '88th Fleet' has become a hot topic in China, and by the end of the ninth year of Taisho, this idea has become a reality. However, the '88th Fleet' existed on the premise that the US fleet was an imaginary enemy, and if the United States and the United States could reach an agreement and the US Navy agreed to reduce its size, it would be a blessing to the people of the two countries. Later critics may say that the decision to abolish the '88th Fleet' was the 'wisdom of the red deer', but I don't know if these people have thought about it, if the fleet is unilaterally reduced, it will indeed bring danger to the national defense, but if the '88th Fleet' case is carried out, it will drown the country in the abyss of financial ruin and armament. Some Chinese people are arrogant and think that enduring suffering, dedicating salaries, and cutting down on food and clothing to build the '88th Fleet' is a sign of patriotism, but in fact it is a big mistake. Within a few years, the navy will certainly continue to develop along the following path: the navy's military expenditure will be raised to 600 million yuan -- the tax will be increased -- the people will be greatly distressed -- the financial constraints -- the naval fleet will have to be reduced on its own. This is also self-defeating without a fight. Such a conclusion is actually self-explanatory......"

"I think that the facts in the future will prove that this reporter's concern is completely justified." After reading the report, Yang Shuoming sneered and said.

(To be continued)