Spain's former world hegemon, now the second rate of Europe, in October 1492, Columbus discovered the West Indies. Since then, Spain has gradually become a maritime power, with colonies in Europe, the United States, Africa, and Asia. Unfortunately, Spain did not seize the opportunity, and all the resources and wealth plundered from the colonies were squandered by the aristocracy, and it was not used to develop domestic industry and economy. Beginning with the defeat of the Armada by England in 1588, Spain went into decline.

Spain was not a unified central government until 1837, when Isabel II formally united it into a single country after passing the Constitutional Monarchy Act, deciding to name it after the Spanish word "espaa" (Phoenician for "hare"), thus ending the more than 300-year-old model of confederation.

It is Isabel II who is now in power, as a monarch who has made a difference or wants to make a difference, Isabel II has always wanted to revive the majesty of the Spanish Empire, of course, Isabel II has to do is to rebuild or strengthen the navy. Based on the friendship between China and Spain (remember that Philippine governor?) It was the one who wanted the Philippines to be the king himself, and he had long been betrayed by China to the Spanish government in exchange for Spain's support for China on the European continent. Of course, the Philippine colony is still nominally Spanish, but the officials of the colony are all Filipino Chinese, and the Chinese in the Philippines also have their own troops and guards, the actual number of which far exceeds the Spanish garrison there, it can be said that the current Philippines is dominated by Chinese and Spaniards together. China, on the other hand, granted Spain privileges in trade monopolies. ）

"Your Majesty, the Spaniards are very interested in our 'Western Zhou-class' ironclad battleships. The Duke of Valencia of Spain has repeatedly expressed his desire to order several 'Western Zhou-class' warships from us to strengthen the Spanish navy since he visited the Imperial Egyptian fleet at the last "Suez Conference" (a meeting on the distribution of interests and spoils of the canal after the opening of the Suez Canal). Lin Hao, the former ambassador to Spain, said. Lin Hao had just conveyed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Emperor that Spain wanted to buy ships, and although the cabinet had received the news by telegram earlier, he still hoped to learn more about the situation in Spain through Lin Hao.

Compared with Britain's fledgling ironclad technology, China has not only quantified production but also passed the test of the battlefield. This is an advantage that no European country can match. The Western Zhou-class ironclad ships that have been installed in the navy are more powerful than the previous Shang class, with a displacement of nearly 6,000 tons, you must know that China sold to Prussia in the past is the earliest Huaxia class is only more than 3,000 tons, and the Shang class is only an improved Huaxia class power and armor, and the maximum is only 4,300 tons, and now the British Warrior ironclad ship has just been launched with a full load displacement of 4,790 tons.

Of course, Spain's purchase of ships, the cabinet is also hesitating, after all, the Western Zhou class has only been installed in the navy for about two years, and the navy's order has not even been completed (mainly because of the large number to be built, even if the domestic large warship slipway is sufficient, it has not yet filled the mouth of the imperial navy), and now the sale of capital ships will not cause unnecessary trouble, although the cabinet knows that the next level of the East Zhou class is stronger than the West Zhou class and has begun to build, but it is still worried about the imitation ability of the European continental countries, after all, their industrial strength, especially Britain and France.

"Your Majesty, I do think that a few 'Western Zhou-class' warships can be sold to the Spaniards. Over the years, the Spaniards made a lot of money and became more and more intimate with the Empire. Increasing the power of the Spaniards helped to share the pressure of the empire. Chen Kejie said. The cost of the Western Zhou-class warships was as high as two million Chinese dollars, and if the Spaniards wanted to buy them, the asking price for each ship would be at least four million Chinese dollars. That's double the profit. In this way, the Imperial Navy will be able to build several more powerful warships.

"It's not impossible to sell warships to the Spaniards, but it will inevitably cause our technology to leak. Once the British and the French master the technology of our warships, it will be a great threat to the Empire. Lin Hong said with some concern. Even when the 'Admiral-class' cruisers were sold to Spain and France, it was because the steam warships developed by the British themselves were already comparable to the 'Admiral-class' cruisers in terms of performance, and they were sold to France and other countries in order to maintain the balance of power between the European army and navy. In this way, even if the technology leak is caused, it will be a reference for the UK at most. However, the 'Western Zhou-class' warships are currently ahead of the main ironclad ships of the British Navy, and once the 'Western Zhou-class' battleships are sold to the Spaniards, the British will definitely do everything possible to obtain relevant technology. With the secret work of the Spaniards, it will definitely be stolen by the British.

"Your Majesty, the construction period of the 'Western Zhou-class' battleship is as high as more than one and a half years. The British will certainly develop a battleship comparable to the 'Western Zhou-class' battleship. More than two years later, maybe the British will have developed it. At that time, even if we sell the 'Western Zhou-class' warships to the Spaniards, it will not be a big problem, and the Imperial Navy will also be able to obtain an additional amount of funds. Besides, isn't the next class of warships of the Imperial Navy almost already under construction? We're still ahead of the British! Chen Kejie said.

Lin Hong nodded, this is very reasonable. When the 'Western Zhou-class' battleship began to enter service, the 'Eastern Zhou-class' battleship had also completed its design and could start construction. In addition, the warship of the next level has also been established. The development of the Chinese navy was very fast, and Lin Hong was not worried about being caught up by the British.

"Well, if the Spaniards want to buy the 'Western Zhou-class' battleships this time, you can promise them. However, the price has to be raised to 5 million Chinese dollars! Lin Hong said. In this way, the profit of each 'Western Zhou-class' warship will reach three million Chinese yuan.

"Your will is my life's pursuit!" ――

Madrid, Spain, at the Royal Palace Ballroom, where the current Prime Minister of Spain, the Duke of Valencia, hosted a banquet for the new Chinese Imperial Ambassador to Spain, Wang Qi.

In the banquet hall of the palace, a joyous banquet is being held. However, in a small hidden room in the palace, it was a different story. Wang Qizheng, the ambassador of the Chinese Empire to Spain, met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, the Duke of Valencia, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Wang. Morality. Salamanca held a secret meeting.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, the Kingdom of Spain, as the closest ally of the Chinese Empire, we hope to further deepen its cooperation with the Chinese Empire. Although Spain's national strength has been restored, there is still a big gap between it and the first-class powers in Europe. We need a stronger military. The Kingdom of Spain hoped to obtain from the Chinese Empire a full set of weapons for the production of army weapons in order to improve the strength of the Spanish army. On the naval side, we need to order several 'Western Zhou-class' warships from the Chinese Empire to defend the maritime trade routes between the Kingdom of Spain and the Chinese Empire. Said the Duke of Valencia. As the economic power of the Kingdom of Spain was restored, the high-ranking officials of the Kingdom of Spain were eager to restore the former glory of the Kingdom of Spain. And to do all this, strong military strength is the necessary guarantee. However, the level of industrialization of the Kingdom of Spain was very low, and in terms of military industry, it could not be compared with the European powers. At best, they are capable of producing rifles and small-caliber cannons. Some other weapons can only be purchased from outside. In addition, the Chinese Navy's 'Western Zhou-class' warships are also hoped for in the Kingdom of Spain. Didn't the former Kingdom of Spain also rely on a powerful navy to become the hegemon of the world? Even though Spain was now in decline, they knew that a strong navy was indispensable to increase the strength of the Spanish Kingdom.

"Your Excellency, some of the army's production technology, we can sell to the Kingdom of Spain. However, the 'Western Zhou-class' battleship, which is a battleship that the Imperial Navy has just equipped, is our killer weapon. The Empire has no plans to sell such ships at the moment. Wang Qi shook his head. Although the emperor had already agreed to sell the 'Western Zhou-class' warships to the Kingdom of Spain. But if the Spaniards were to easily buy the 'Western Zhou-class' battleships, it would be too cheap for them. Besides, in that case, I'm embarrassed to offer a high price.

"Your Excellency, the trade between the Kingdom of Spain and the Chinese Empire has always been threatened by the British. If the British Navy were to cut off the sea lanes between our two countries, it would be a huge blow to both of our countries, and we could not allow that to happen. "Spanish Foreign Minister José. Morality. Salamanca said.

"Now the naval strength of the Kingdom of Spain is not bad, especially the fleet composed of twelve 'famous general-class' cruisers, even the British, I'm afraid they don't dare to underestimate it!" Wang Qi said.

"Your Excellency, the British, after all, are the world hegemons, especially in Europe, and they have absolute superiority at sea. Although the naval strength of the Kingdom of Spain has increased considerably, it is still unable to compete with the British. We need more powerful warships. Said the Duke of Valencia.

Wang Qi nodded, his expression was a little embarrassed: "Your Excellency Duke, His Majesty the Emperor is worried that once the 'Western Zhou-class' battleship is sold to the Kingdom of Spain, the British will soon learn some of the technology of the 'Western Zhou-class' battleship through despicable means. When the time comes, the British Navy will be even stronger, which will be very disadvantageous for both of our countries! ”