The Han Kingdom did not agree to form an alliance with the United States against the G-7 Alliance, but President Theodore Roosevelt was very pleased to sell weapons and other strategic materials to the United States at a cheap price. After receiving President Taft's telegram, he immediately sent a telegram to the ambassador in Shangjing, asking him to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Staff of the Xia Empire about the purchase of Shang-class battleships and other warships. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

At the same time, the arms procurement delegation sent by Germany was also about to arrive in Beijing, and after receiving the news, Li Zhaoshui immediately went to the palace to report to His Majesty the Emperor and asked for instructions on the price of sales and other matters.

He is in a very good mood now, if he can sell a few merchant-class battleships, then His Majesty will definitely equip the navy with more advanced battleships, so that the combat effectiveness of the navy will be raised to a higher level.

"Haha, that's a good thing, but how much money can the United States come up with to buy battleships?" After listening to Li Zhaoshui's report, Zhang Wei was in a good mood, and only when the strength of the United States and the seven-nation alliance was almost the same, did they fight more fiercely, and this was something he was very happy to see.

"Your Majesty, the Germans paid in silver, and the Americans took out a part of the silver and gold millions, and they wanted to pay in the form of supplies."

"Okay, promise them, as long as there is money and materials, we will agree to their deal."

Li Zhaoshui asked, "Your Majesty, how is the price calculated?" ”

"The price doesn't have to be too high, I'm very satisfied with the sale, these business-class battleships purchased are mainly to train the navy, and now the goal has been achieved, let's deal with second-hand battleships, it's cheaper, at a price of 2.2 million pounds." Zhang Wei checked the price of the system, as well as the configuration, and decided to sell it at a cheap price, he mainly didn't like this kind of 45 times the main gun, the power was still too small, after selling it, it could intensify the naval arms competition of other countries, and the Xia Empire could be equipped with higher-level battleships, killing two birds with one stone.

Zhang Wei now very much likes the battleships with thicker and longer main guns, so that they are more imposing, the range is long enough, and the power is greater; After selling these battleships, it was time to update the battleships with better performance.

"Your Majesty, this price is the price of cabbage, isn't it a little too low?" Li Zhaoshui was surprised by the low price quoted by Zhang Wei.

"It's not low, even at this price, the two countries can't buy a few, and this is the last battleship sold by the empire, and other newer types of battleships will not be sold in the future, I hope other countries can buy a few more."

Seeing Zhang Wei say this, Li Zhaoshui was relieved, and no longer sold higher-level battleships, then this kind of battleship with many defects will inevitably catch fire, after all, no country likes other countries' thicker muzzles aimed at themselves.

What's more, this price is much lower than the manufacturing cost in their own country, it is better to buy it, and it is still in stock, and it does not require a manufacturing cycle of several years.

Zhang Wei suddenly remembered another question and said to Li Zhaoshui: "How many ships are they going to buy?" ”

"I haven't mentioned it for the time being, I estimate that at least 2 of each will be purchased." Li Zhaoshui replied.

"Okay, you can take care of the rest, as long as you sell the Shang-class battleships, I will immediately equip you with better Western Zhou-class battleships."

"Your Majesty, the number of battleships in the empire is too small, do you want to match a few more battleships this time?"

"Okay, sell 1 Shang-class, and I'll equip you with 2 Xizhou-class."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Although he was still a little dissatisfied with the quantity, as long as Zhang Wei agreed to increase the quantity, let's increase it one after another, Li Zhaoshui happily said goodbye.

Answering the question of the naval base, Li Zhaoshui immediately sent someone to invite the US ambassador to Beijing to come and discuss the purchase of battleships.

The American ambassador Anderson was satisfied with the speed of the Xia Empire and immediately went to the Western Military Port.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellency the Deputy Chief of the General Staff!"

"Welcome, Your Excellency. Inside, please! ”

After the guests were seated, the attendant served delicious coffee to the two of them.

Li Zhaoshui asked straight to the point: "Your Excellency, I don't know what type of warship your country wants to buy this time?" ”

"Your Excellency, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, I have been instructed to inquire for the time being the sales price and quantity of your country's Shang-class battleships, as well as the number and price of the Baiqi-class battlecruisers."

"Haha, the ambassador is polite, with the friendship between your two countries, whatever warships your country needs, as long as we have them, we will sell them, even if they are in active service." Li Zhaoshu was very happy, if even the Baiqi-class battlecruisers were sold a few, this time they could add a few more warships, "As for the price, it is definitely a loss price for you, the price of each merchant-class battlecruiser is 2.2 million pounds, and the price of each Baiqi-class battlecruiser is 2 million pounds." ”

Seeing Li Zhaoshui's smiling face like a flower, and hearing the price he quoted, Anderson thought to himself, the Xia Empire is really as His Excellency the President said, I am afraid that the world will not be chaotic, and the price is really not high.

"Your Excellency, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, thank you for your support, don't you know that your country's fast cruisers are sold to the outside world?" The Xia Empire is equipped with Taiwan-class heavy cruisers and Hainan-Island-class light cruisers, but for so long, it has not been announced that they can be sold, so Ambassador Anderson asked this question.

"Your Excellency, our country is equipped with cruisers of several specifications, and Your Majesty has not allowed them to be sold to the outside world, for fear that it will fall into the hands of pirates, which will be a disaster for the world shipping industry; In view of the good friendship between your two countries, as long as your country proposes a standard of demand, I will apply to Your Majesty, and I should be able to sell you a cruiser with good performance. ”

According to the intelligence compiled by the US Navy, the Xia Empire is equipped with advanced cruisers, which are fast, powerful, and long-range, and are a sharp weapon for patrolling and escorting.

Hearing Li Zhaoshui say this, he knew that the Xia Empire did not want to disclose all the parameters of the cruiser, and he would ask the Admiralty for specific requirements and parameters after he returned.

"Thank you so much for the support of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, the United States of America will definitely not forget the friendship of the Xia Empire. I don't know how long the production and manufacturing cycle of various warships is? "Anderson is very concerned about this issue, and he has already bought back the warship one day, and has already relieved the pressure on the United States; He had already inquired clearly, the Xia Empire was equipped with a total of 8 Shang-class battleships, and they would definitely not sell the active ones, which would affect their own country's coastal defense.

"Your Excellency the Ambassador is so gracious! In view of the friendship between our two countries, we can sell our warships in service to your country, and if your country needs brand new warships, it will take 1 year for battleships and battlecruisers, and at least 6 months for cruisers, etc. Due to the long production cycle, the Empire has had a tradition of selling active battleships for many years, and the price quoted to you is the price of the active battleship. ”

Li Zhaoshui's words made Anderson very satisfied, and immediately said happily: "Thank you for your friendship, I need to ask for instructions from China immediately, and then give you a reply." ”

"Well, I'll wait for news from your country."