Guangxu looked at the table full of information on various warships provided by the British, including Edgar-class and Junquan-class. I muttered in my heart: Although it is not yet before the Dreadnought class is born, the Majesty-class battleship should come out. Although my brother is a mechanic and can't understand this or that class of battleships, I have also studied history, so I can't be a brother and eat it for nothing, so let's take this kind of old man to Meng Ge. If the Edgar class is a vintage product, then the Sovereign class is not, it is the latest British battleship. The majesty level is still being designed at this time, and this time Guangxu really wronged the British.

The reason why Britain will provide a variety of warship materials is that when Guangxu and British Minister Ogner discussed the construction of the Southern Railway of the Qing Dynasty last month, they casually said that they wanted to order two battleships and wanted to reassure Ogner. I didn't think that the British really took it seriously, half a month ago, they really sent a lot of information about warships and recommended them to Guangxu, and said how good the battleships of the British Empire were, etc. It was also repeatedly asked when the model of the purchased warship would be determined. The British battleships were indeed good, but Guangxu didn't take it seriously, until three days ago, a note from Lang Weili reminded Guangxu. In addition to the usual mention of the need to increase the procurement and stockpiling of coal and artillery shells, one more thing is mentioned in this compromise. During the just-concluded live-fire training, when the main guns of the Dingyuan ship were fired, the bridge was collapsed, and even the signal flag was damaged. At this time, there was no one to raise the command flag to take over, and Luang Wei thought that if the flagship could not be commanded in wartime, it would lead to confusion in the fleet due to the loss of command, and it might eventually lead to defeat. Therefore, Luang Weili proposed a personal choice, the first choice was Lin Zengtai, and the second choice was Deng Shichang. Guangxu was secretly glad that the bridge collapse incident occurred two years earlier, and there should be no such thing in the Battle of Dadonggou in the future. For these two people, Guangxu didn't even think about it, so he decided on Deng Shichang. As for not talking about Lin Zengtai's technical level, the reason is very simple: in the later Dadonggou naval battle, when the Dingyuan flagship lost its command ability, as the highest officer with command ability, he did not raise the command flag until the end of the naval battle. Later, Zhenyuan committed suicide before it sank after hitting the reef on Liugong Island. But he can use Zhenyuan to block cannonballs, Lin Zengtai is a brave general who can charge into battle. However, a person who does not have a sense of responsibility cannot become the commander of a fleet.

The second thing is what really made Guangxu make up his mind to order a battleship. The bridge in Dingyuan will take a week to repair in Lushun. A strong country is not enough to have a strong fleet. Powerful because it has strong industrial power, the damaged ones can be repaired as soon as possible, and the lost ones can be quickly built and replaced. If not, then the country cannot be called strong. Not to mention giving Guangxu a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier now, even if a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier battle group is used, it will not be able to conquer the world. Britain alone has hundreds of warships, and it will consume you. So Guangxu decided to use the ordered warships to train industrial workers.

Britain was a powerful country with a wide range of colonies. They can customize specialized warships for specialized maritime missions. However, for the current situation in China, especially when Guangxu has no money in hand, it is particularly important to select a suitable warship. The image of Guangxu by the second ship of Dingzhen was profound, and more than 200 shots were fired without major damage. Therefore, Guangxu asked people to "accidentally" reveal the news that the Qing Dynasty wanted to order warships to the Germans, and the Germans promised to send a batch of information on German [***] ships today. And Kou Liancai has been going to get German materials for less than half an hour. Why haven't you come back yet?

"Where's the little Kouzi? Haven't the German side delivered the information yet? Guangxu was a little anxious.

"The minions let people urge again." One of the guards replied.

After a while, Kou Liancai ran back out of breath: "The emperor has brought it, and the German minister wants to meet the saint in person." According to the emperor's wishes, the minions have been blocked back. ”

"Okay, take a look." Guangxu saw the German information and calmed down. At this time, the information provided by Germany was the latest warship. It has a certain reference value. As a traverser, it is natural to give full play to the advantages of traversing. Why don't you come here? Choosing a warship that can be achieved with manufacturing technology and has more technical advantages than other countries, he straightened up when he thought of this. In the absence of its own manufacturing base, it is not possible to disclose new technological concepts to enemy countries, especially Britain. After all, only by fighting Britain can it be called powerful, and of course the United States. Even if there is a manufacturing base in the future, it will not be able to compete with Britain and the United States to build more warships. than consuming something that's not something we can play with. It is only as important to maintain China's technological superiority as the dreadnoughts have become obsolete in the slipways. How? Well, I can't think of it for a while, and I will discuss it again.

"Have Liu Buyun and Deng Shichang arrived?" Only by involving the Navy, because the Navy knows what it needs. So three days ago, Guangxu issued an order to recruit two people into Beijing.

"The servants have already arranged personnel outside the palace gate and the city gate, and as soon as the two adults arrive, they will immediately take them to face the saint."

"Minister Liu Buchan (Deng Shichang), long live my emperor, long live, long live, long live."

"Get up." Outside the imperial study, Guangxu looked at Liu Buchan and Deng Shichang and said slowly: "Inside, there are important confidential matters. After the two of them entered, what they said and heard would become a top secret, not only their wives and children could not say it, but even their colleagues in Beiyang could not reveal it in the slightest, including Li Hongzhang, who could not let him know. If you can keep this secret, come into the study. If you can't, you can go back in a while. It's up to you. I won't do anything to blame for this, but don't blame me for being ruthless if I leak it out after I go inside. After speaking, Guangxu walked into the imperial study alone. Leaving Liu Buchan and Deng Shichang to face each other.

After Guangxu left, Kou Liancai stepped forward: "Two adults, the emperor has important things to entrust each other." Because of the importance of the matter, we can only say the ugly words first. It is up to the two adults to decide whether to go or stay. The minions retired first. ”

Liu Buyun and Deng Shichang glanced at each other, then got up together and walked towards the imperial study.

When Liu Buyun and Deng Shichang closed the door of the imperial study, Guangxu was very happy: "If you don't come in, I won't condemn you and wait." But you will not be on my list of options, which means that you will one day leave the warships you know and the seas you love, and you can only dream of leading warships to the seas in the past. I'm glad you can come in. It's good to show that you dare to take responsibility. There's no need to be polite here, just sit down and talk. ”

At this time, Kou Liancai came up with tea and handed Liu Buyun and Deng Shichang a cup each. looked at the strange eyes of Liu and Deng and smiled: "There must be someone who brings tea and water." Then he retreated behind Guangxu and stood aside.

"I heard that this was to buy Yoshino, and even the old guy from Meiji changed to only one meal a day. Tell us what you think. Zixiang said first. ”

Liu Buchan and Deng Shichang's faces changed several times in an instant, and they were first glad that they had come in, and they would be reused by the emperor in the future. Second, the emperor's sentence "Meiji, that old guy" made the two of them pause in their thinking. How is Meiji also the king of a country, why is the emperor called it so. It is said that Ben is aggressive now, and it would be bad if the emperor was so contemptuous. As soon as Liu Buyun sat down, he wanted to stand up and reply.

"What? There's a thorn in my chair? ”

"I don't dare." Liu Buyun could only sit down and continued: "Now the total tonnage of the Beiyang Naval Division has surpassed that of our Beiyang Naval Division, and the new warships are all newly purchased, not only the speed of the ships is faster than ours, but its artillery is several times faster than that of our Beiyang Naval Division. And our Beiyang Naval Division is an old ship many years ago, with a slow speed and no fast guns. Now it is said that the intention of buying ships on a large scale is directly aimed at our Beiyang Naval Division, and the emperor cannot be despised it. ”

"Does Zhengqing think the same?" Guangxu asked rhetorically.

So thought the minister. The so-called Emperor Moto ......"

Here Guangxu interjected: It's an old thing from the Meiji era

"Yes. The so-called Meiji old thing (speaking of this, Deng Shichang suddenly felt awkward, but only paused slightly) ate one meal a day, and the minister thought it was just his own propaganda, and it must not be trusted. However, this matter can confirm that Ben is gathering the strength of the whole country to buy ships, which means that it can only be our Beiyang. Now our Beiyang Naval Division is most lacking in clippers and fast guns, once Yoshino returns to his country, its speed and artillery will become the great enemy of our Beiyang Naval Division. I am afraid it will be too late to fight against Yuben again. The emperor's ministers dared to ask the emperor to buy new ships for our Beiyang Naval Division. After Deng Shichang finished speaking, Liu Buyun knelt down with Deng Shichang and said in unison: "Please ask the emperor to buy a new ship." ”

"Sit down." Guangxu's face pulled: "I heard what you mean that if I don't buy a new ship, your current Beiyang Navy Division will not be able to win?" ”

"The ministers have no such intentions." Liu Buyun hurriedly replied: "The ministers believe that it is not a problem to defeat me with the existing ships in Beiyang." It's just that in addition to the two ships in Dingzhen, the ships Zhiyuan and Jingyuan, especially the Chaoyong and Yangwei ships, may be seriously injured. At this point, Guangxu's face was a little bad. Liu Buyun was a little scared, afraid that the emperor would be angry with him by raising the might of the enemy.

"Honestly. I like it. Do you think it's a disdain for me to call Meiji an old thing? No, it's called strategic defiance of the enemy. That's why we need to pay attention to the enemy tactically. ”

Guangxu took a sip of tea: "At the beginning of the year, Li Zhongtang wanted to buy a new ship, but unfortunately his waist was broken for some reason. The disappointment after your great anticipation is also the disappointment of not being able to overcome the enemy. I also want to buy it, but I don't know what your navy needs, which is why I called you. I promise you here, even if you smash the pot and sell iron, you will buy one. Tell me what kind of warship you need most right now. ”

Liu Buyun turned around and briefly discussed with Deng Shichang: "Your Majesty, you only need a warship with fast speed and fast artillery, just like the Ben Yoshino ship. ”

"Yoshino? 4000 tons? ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. The existing ships in our Beiyang are too old, and their speed is only 14 knots. In the event of an enemy, the clippers will not be able to dominate the enemy. Speaking of this, Liu Buchan whispered: "If you buy two ships, it is better." ”

Guangxu snorted: "Liu Buyun entered the Fujian Shipping School at the age of 16 and was sent to the UK to study at the age of 26. Until the eleventh year of Guangxu, the second ship of Dingzhen returned to China. With the two ships of Dingzhen proud of the neighbors, how high-spirited at that time. Now only seven years, only 4,000 tons are satisfied? If I want to buy the Yoshino-class, I will buy it, so why do I want you to do it? That's it. The more Guangxu said, the worse his face became: "It is said that you are the most elite generation of the Qing Navy, and the two of you are the essence of the essence." But you are still basking in the glory of seven years ago, but you have forgotten that this is a new world. It is now Britain's newest Sovereign-class battleship, and one is the sum of your two Dingzhen. The battleship is less than 10,000 tons, and the heavy cruiser is less than 6,000 tons, so you don't need to talk to me, you can go back. I choose for myself. ”

Liu Buyun and Deng Shichang heard Guangxu say this, and they were overjoyed for a while: "Wait for the ministers to thank the lord Long En." ”

"Sit down, don't kneel still." Guangxu looked at the two of them and couldn't help laughing: "You have to look farther, you have to think a little later, and you can't just be satisfied with the existing Beiyang Naval Division." For a country to be strong, it is not just a few warships that are really strong. Our China has a vast maritime territory, and it will require at least three fleets the size of the Beiyang Ocean just to defend it. Not to mention the fight, how many warships are needed and how many fleets need to be formed, have you ever thought about it? ”

Liu Deng and the others looked at each other, they thought that they could guard the sea frontier of the Qing Dynasty, and they would be the Great Wall on the sea. Unexpectedly, Guangxu's ambition was to fight out.

"Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States of China, Yan and Zhao and other countries began to build the Great Wall, from Qin to Ming, every dynasty and every generation have been repairing and strengthening the Great Wall. The same goes for the Navy. ”

"The navy is an offensive branch of the army, and at the beginning of the war, it should drive warships to other people's doors and use naval guns against the gates of other people's homes. Then he said to the enemy, pay for money and land, and pay for women. Such a navy is the navy in my mind. ”

Paying for women? Liu Deng's thinking began to lag behind Guangxu.

"Right now, you're nowhere near what the commander of the Grand Fleet wants to ask us to be. But you have a good foundation and enough experience. It's quick to learn again. This time, Luang Wei Li asked me to appoint a second commander. I have decided to appoint Deng Shichang to the position. The will has gone down on your way to Beijing. Cheng Lang Wei Li is still here, you have to learn all his knowledge, he is an Englishman, isn't he? ”

"I want you all to be qualified fleet commanders. In the future, I want you to bring our Chinese fleet to fight a battle with every naval power in the world, even if it is a failure. ”

"Of course, the commander should have the mind of the commander. Liu Buchan: You have to understand what I mean. ”

"In the future, China will not have only two fleets, and I need more fleet commanders. Not only do you have to become qualified commanders, but you also have to train more commanders through your hands. This is what I expect from you. ”

"When you go back, you each draw up a list, and don't discuss it with each other. I'll see if you have the heart to be a marshal. ”

"I've said a lot, and you can see for yourselves. Now on to the additional warships that will be installed at the moment. Don't keep your eyes on what to break. I ask a question. Zhengqing used your Zhiyuan ship's firepower to hit Zixiang's Dingyuan, how many shells do you think you need to hit to destroy Dingyuan? ”

Deng Shichang thought about it carefully and replied: "I'm afraid it won't be possible without 100 shells." ”

"You underestimate Dingyuan's armor, and I assert that even if you hit two hundred rounds, it won't hurt. Zixiang, what if your Dingyuan's 305mm gun hits Zhengqing's Zhiyuan? What will happen? ”

After thinking about it, Liu Buyun said: "Even if it is not a hit, I am afraid that Zhiyuan may be difficult to fight again." ”

At this time, Deng Shichang suddenly understood: "The emperor means that it is like a master's move, a small and delicate punch is fast but not strong enough, although there are many hits, but it is really impossible to knock the opponent down." On the other hand, although they are tall and big, they are not flexible enough. But the punch is hard enough, and it only takes one hit to completely knock the opponent down. ”

"Well, that's a fitting analogy. The big ships and cannons are the decisive force in future naval battles. Guangxu stretched out his clenched fist: "Here is the information on various warships sent by Britain and Germany, you can choose the one you need the most." ”

Liu Deng and the others looked at the happy shape and expression, just as the emperor said. Here are all warships of more than 10,000 tons, even cruisers are all 6,000 tons or more. For the love of battleships, they looked at the drawings carefully. Before you know it, night has fallen.

Cining Palace

"Xiao Lizi, haven't the two Beiyang sailors left yet?"

"Back to the Queen Mother, not yet. The emperor also stayed for dinner together. ”

"What warships are you going to buy. You can't stop the meeting. It's not that I bought it back and gave it to Beiyang. The mourning family is old, and they can't manage so much. Little Lizi, you go down there to urge. When will the garden of the mourning family be repaired? The mourning family can wait for this garden to be recuperated for a long time. ”

"Wow."

Cixi's words changed: "No, this Beiyang is both a sailor and a road master." This will require the addition of new ships. The mourning family has to remind the emperor. The emperor is still too young, and this governance is like cooking a small fresh, and he can't be in a hurry. Little plum, set up in the imperial study. ”

After a detailed discussion, coupled with the experience of later generations. Little by little, the new ship sketched a model in Guangxu's heart. And the basic parameters of the two warships were determined.

The battleship was modeled on the British Sovereign class, with a standard displacement of about 12,000 tons, two-shaft propulsion, and the latest three-expansion reciprocating steam engine, with a maximum speed of not less than 17 knots. 10 knots cruising speed 5000 nautical mile range. In terms of armament, there is a fully protected rotating turret in the front and rear, and the latest twin-mounted 40 times caliber 305 mm main gun is used. The 12-door 152-mm and 16-door 76-mm balanced multi-layer firepower configuration used in the original monarchy class was abandoned. Switch to a stronger 20 single-barreled secondary guns of the same 40x caliber 152 mm. Adopt a cannon silhouette gun design. Ten doors on each side. 6 twin 37-mm rapid-fire guns. As for the torpedo, Guangxu didn't care: I didn't hear that the battleship released the torpedo, and the designer must have burned out his brain. This sentence made Liu Deng and the others very big, because there were torpedoes on the battleships in these years. In fact, Guangxu still wanted the 152mm secondary gun to be double-mounted and turretized. But he didn't say it, first of all, he didn't know if such a small warship could be installed, and even if it could, he would have to wait until he built it. As for the beveled turret, hehe, that's the advantage of the concept. The number of ships built is not as good as that of the British, but it must maintain its technological and conceptual superiority. In terms of armor, it is as good as the Sovereign class, with 228 mm on the side belt, 63 mm on the deck, and 152 mm on the turret.

Modeled after the Yoshino, the cruiser had a standard displacement enlarged to 6000 tons and a maximum speed of no less than 21 knots. The 10-knot cruising speed of 5,000 nautical miles gives the cruiser a better accompanying ability. In order to achieve the required speed, the thickness of the armor in unnecessary locations can be reduced. In terms of armament, there is a fully protected rotating turret in the front and rear, and a 203 mm gun of 45 times the caliber is used. The secondary guns were 8 152 mm single-barreled secondary guns and 76 mm single-barreled rapid-fire guns of the same 40x caliber and 4 twin 37mm rapid-fire guns. It also includes two torpedo tubes in the front and rear. There is no way to buy a destroyer, so you can only let the cruiser go first.

Wait for Kou Liancai to withdraw the meal. Guangxu touched his mouth: "I thought that those who were on the surface of inland rivers and lakes should be called sailors, and those who galloped across the ocean should be called navy." Then whether you are a naval division or a navy, you will first use the certificate to show me. If you can win the battle, I will give you a good name. I'll give you a goal first, and I'll take your fleet to fetch me that old thing from Meiji. Is there a problem? ”

Yes! Panties? Liu Buchan and Deng Shichang kicked their eyes and opened their mouths to settle down.

Guangxu scratched his head embarrassedly: "Yes, I'm sorry." I forgot, Xiao Yue didn't have underwear. Then go and get the old Meiji thing's crotch cloth as a trophy. I want to collect it. ”

Liu Buchan and Deng Shichang walked out of the palace under the guidance of Kou Liancai. Liu Buyun sighed: "The emperor's hobby is really a bit special. ”

Deng Shichang disagreed: "What's this, the emperor is whipping me and others." Wait until we have that strength. It's that the emperor wants the British heroine's panties......"

Kou Liancai hurriedly blocked Deng Shichang's mouth: "Lord Deng is cautious, we can still beg the British now." ”

Liu Buyun, who was on the side, stepped forward and whispered: "Zhengqing, such words must not be loudly announced. But I'm also curious, what color do you think it will be? ”

Kou Liancai nodded: "The slave relies on the two adults to have a long vision." ”

Listening to the hearty laughter coming from outside the palace, I looked up at the stars in the sky, and felt heavy. Jiawu, did I take it down? But this time I must buy even one. Guangxu thought to himself, can't you play the UK but can't play your little book?

Cixi came and objected to Guangxu's purchase of ships. And said: Li Hongzhang is a Han Chinese, and now he has a heavy army in the world. The emperor's purchase of ships is just to increase Li Hongzhang's strength, in case of rebellion, how will the court respond. This is also the reason why she opposed the purchase of warships at the beginning of the year. However, Guangxu's words made Cixi speechless: since the rebellion of Yang Hong, the imperial court relied on local regiments to train to quell the chaotic party. If it weren't for the righteousness of the imperial court, I am afraid that the world would change soon. If the governors of various places are united and self-governing, how can the imperial court deal with them? Isn't it clear that the southeast mutual insurance in later generations will be understood? Cixi was speechless.

Train the new army to deter the localities, run new schools to gain popular popularity, and purchase new ships to secure the navy. Guangxu is actually such a purpose. When the righteousness still exists, only by uniting the country and gathering the world's manpower, material and financial resources can we change China's century-old fortune.

Cixi didn't understand this truth, he was afraid that Guangxu would take her power based on this. Cixi is worthy of being an old politician, standing in the name of righteousness, and saying an idea that Guangxu can't refuse. Then he watched so much that he taught Guangxu many politicians. Only then did he go back to the palace.

Seeing Cixi away, Guangxu couldn't express his feelings. I tried my best but married someone else.

"Little Kouzi, have you written it down?"

"The minion has written it down, please take a look at it."

Guangxu looked at it carefully and changed it again: "Copy it again and send it to Li Hongzhang overnight." ”

Tianjin

When Zhang Peilun gently put down the notice sent by Guangxu, he whispered to Li Hongzhang: "Father, what the emperor means by this move, I really can't understand it. Since the emperor's previous inspection of Beiyang, he has repeatedly mentioned secrecy matters. It can be seen that the emperor attaches great importance to the secrecy of confidential matters. Now the emperor asked his father to monitor the words and deeds of Liu and Deng, ostensibly to test whether the two can be useful in the future. But if you want your father and Liu Deng to be separated from each other, so that everyone in the water division will be loyal to the emperor, why do you have to say it so clearly? On the one hand, he asked Liu Deng and the others to draw up their own lists, but on the other hand, he asked his father to draft a list of the next batch of British students to be sent abroad. It's hard to understand this. Second, the emperor clearly proposed to let his father arrange for the British minister to negotiate the purchase of ships, and the newly purchased ships were still handed over to Beiyang. It looks like the emperor is even more reusing his father. The most puzzling thing is that the emperor raised the possibility of whether his father could bring the Nanyang Navy Division under his command. This...... This......? Do you want to push your father into opposition to all the governors in the world? ”

"The old man is also puzzled." Li Hongzhang stroked his beard: "The heart of the Son of Heaven is unpredictable. In the past six months, the emperor seems to have changed like a person, and his methods are so old-fashioned. It's puzzling. ”

At this time, a jade hand added some tea to Li Hongzhang. This person is Li Hongzhang's beloved daughter and Zhang Peilun's wife Li Juyu: "My father and husband are in a situation." According to her daughter, why do you have to think so complicated. ”

Zhang Peilun clenched his fists: "I am willing to listen to Mrs. teaching." ”

"If the purchase of the emperor can really succeed in purchasing ships this time, it will be up to the emperor to do what his father failed to do, and the hearts of the sailors will go to the emperor. If not, what is the use of coming up with such sub-schemes? Draw up a list, who else can prepare the courtiers today except for their father? As for the return of the Nanyang Naval Division, isn't this success or failure still asking the emperor to issue an edict in the end? The daughter was thinking that if the emperor really wanted to seize her father's power, he would only have to accept China Merchants and cut off her father's financial resources. The mighty Beiyang immediately collapsed. Why bother to change the four cannon barrels purchased by my father to 16, and take the initiative to allocate the purchase money. Doesn't the emperor know that the more barrels this cannon has, the longer the warship can be used? So the daughter thought that the emperor should have other concerns. ”

Madame's words made people pause. But what is the emperor worried about? Zhang Peilun looked at Li Hongzhang with doubt.

"The emperor has mentioned many times that he will not declare war on us in the middle of the first year of the Qing Dynasty, and now he will buy ships everywhere. Could it be that the emperor is still afraid that the small country in the East will not succeed. If not, then why? The old man is also incomprehensible. ”

"It's better to let my daughter go, I heard that Jingshi University Hall recruits girls. My daughter wanted to check it out. ”

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