In the study, Wang Chenhao shook hands with Dou Nale cordially, and then sat down as guests.

"I heard that your country's political axe has authorized you to handle this matter with full authority to handle this matter?"

Dou Nale got straight to the point and immediately made clear his intention.

"That's right!" Wang Chenhao nodded.

Dou Nale suddenly sank his face and said: "Your country attacked our merchant ships for no reason, sank one and seized the other four, which is a serious violation of the diplomatic treaty between China and Britain, and your country will bear full responsibility." ”

Wang Chenhao can understand Dou Nale's tough attitude, but he doesn't think this is Dou Nale's original intention. So he explained: "I can give the British political axe the faithful hope and guarantee of our political axe: we will investigate the matter, and once it is proved that the actions of the Qing imperial naval officers are in breach of contract, the Qing political axe will do its best to give all the compensation that is due." ”

Dou Nale snorted coldly and said, "You can only protect yourselves by conducting your own investigation!" ”

Wang Chenhao smiled and said: "I remember that in the Battle of Toshima a few years ago, your country's Gao Sheng was sunk by the Yueben Navy, and at that time, your country's political axe ordered your country's Maritime Arbitration Commission in Shanghai to make a judgment in favor of Yueben, and I will also submit this matter to the Shanghai Maritime Arbitration Commission for adjudication." ”

When the Gaosheng incident occurred that year, Britain was also very angry, and even clamored for war or intervention in the Korean War, but with the successive military victories of the company, Britain considered "not wanting to do too much and offend the strong", and from the general policy of using the book to resist Russia, it did not want to cause a conflict for a small merchant ship, so it gradually stopped insisting on reparations and apologies. Later, the British maritime arbitration in Shanghai also made a judgment in favor of the warship, holding that the warship had the right to sink the high-rise ship, so Britain and China reached an understanding.

Now, Wang Chenhao brings up the old story again, but the situation is the opposite. At that time, Britain co-opted the Qing Empire to fight against Russia and supported the Qing Empire, and now the Qing and British countries have become a paramilitary alliance against Russia, in this case, the Qing War occurred, and the same incident occurred, the British merchant ship was sunk, and this time the protagonist became the side of the Qing Empire, which made the British political axe suddenly fall into an embarrassing situation.

Dou Nale's expression was complicated, and Wang Chenhao's words made it a little difficult for him to answer.

Wang Chenhao continued: "The fleet of your Royal Cruise Line carrying soldiers to the Ryukyu Islands has violated your country's policy of committing to neutrality in the dispute between the Ryukyus and the Ryukyus. In order to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the territorial waters of the Ryukyus, it is understandable for the officers and men of our navy to send troops to intercept and inspect the ships of any country in order to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the territorial waters of the subject country of the Ryukyus. After being persuaded by the officers and men of our navy, the captains and foreigners of your ship understood that it was wrong for them to do so, and they were willing to hand over the ship. Originally, this matter had been resolved, but later the ship's military suddenly armed and hijacked your country's crew and forced them to shoot at our navy, so our navy officers and men had to defend themselves and fight back, and at the same time, at the request of your country's crew, our navy used force to rescue your country's crew on board. Therefore, based on all the above reasons, I think it is a pure misunderstanding between us, and the fault is not on either of us, but on our side. ”

Wang Chenhao made a statement and pushed the Qing Empire's navy's attack on the British ship to the side of the Qing Empire, so as to avoid a frontal diplomatic conflict with the British. And Dou Nale's bottom line is also not to affect the overall situation of strategic cooperation between China and the UK, Wang Chenhao's explanation undoubtedly gives both sides a step down.

Dou Nale then smiled and said, "Since Lord Wang has handed over this matter to our side for arbitration, it is enough to show the sincerity of your country's political axe. I will clearly convey what Mr. Wang just said to the Shanghai Arbitration Commission, and I believe that they will make a reasonable ruling! ”

Dou Nale clearly accentuated the tone of the two words, which obviously means that he agrees with Wang Chenhao's suggestion to transfer this matter to Yuben, so as to dilute the diplomatic collision between the Qing and Britain and not affect the overall situation of the two countries.

The two tacitly looked at each other and smiled.

But Dou Nale came to visit Wang Chenhao, not just for this matter.

"Your country is at war with our country, and in accordance with the principle of our political axe's external neutrality, I am afraid that a number of warships built by your country in our country will be restricted from leaving the customs. Of course, with the good relations between us, a number of warships built in our country were also restricted from leaving the customs. ”

Wang Chenhao frowned and said: "This is your country's right, since my own warships can't get out of the customs, there is no threat to us." ”

Wang Chenhao felt that the warships of the Qing and Qing countries were seized, which could not affect the balance of power at sea in the Qing Dynasty, so he didn't care.

It's just that Dou Nale's sudden words made Wang Chenhao fall into a passive situation.

"However, I am very sorry to tell you that the day before the declaration of war on China, the minister in London suddenly ended the sea trials of Fuji and Yashima 2 ahead of schedule and went through the customs clearance procedures."

"Damn it!"

Wang Chenhao immediately gritted his teeth, saying that he had obviously calculated everything, ended the sea trials ahead of schedule and completed the customs clearance procedures before the declaration of war, so that after the declaration of war, the warships of the Qing Empire would be seized in Britain and could not leave the customs, and the two battleships of the Qing Empire would be able to return to China to participate in the war within three months.

Although it cannot change the absolute gap between the navies of the Qing Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, all the naval combat ships of the Qing Empire do not have the ability to sink them, but the strong combat effectiveness of the Fuji and Yashima two ships will pose a huge threat to the Qing Empire's navy.

Seeing Wang Chenhao's expression, Dou Na knew that the return of these two ships to China would bring uncertainties and unpredictable consequences to the battle situation between the Qing and Yue sides.

"We regret this and really hope to be able to help your country!"

When Wang Chenhao heard Dou Nale's tone, he knew that the British political axe intended to let him go, but there were not enough reasons and benefits for them, and he couldn't do it.

Wang Chenhao then said: "I wonder if Your Excellency the Minister has found a problem? ”

Dou Nale shook his head, not knowing why.

Wang Chenhao continued: "All countries have said that they are neutral, but the Russians have not said anything. If I am not mistaken, the Russians are probably in contact with him for secret consultations on the Russian-Russian alliance. ”

"Is there such a thing?" Dou Nale looked surprised, but his expression was quite calm.

Wang Chenhao immediately judged that the British side had already been aware of this matter, and he suddenly had a bottom in his heart, and then said: "If Russia and Russia unite, we are definitely not their opponents, and if we lose this war, Russia and China will inevitably divide up, and your country's core interests in China will inevitably be affected at that time." ”

Dou Nale smiled slightly and said, "That's the result we don't want to see." ”

Wang Chenhao pretended to sigh and said: "So, I hope that your country can release our two battleships." If we don't have these two battleships to help, we won't be the opponent of the Russian and Benese navies at all, because they will have three battleships, you know, only battleships can sink battleships, we don't have one, and we will lose the fight. ”

Dou Nale knew that Wang Chenhao was trying to persuade him, but the restoration did not reach the bottom line that Dou Nale was willing to help, so he just smiled faintly and said, "I can understand your feelings." The cooperation between Lord Wang and Lord Fisher, the Third Sea Secretary, in London brought the relationship between China and Britain even closer. I remember that Lord Wang also planned to buy second-hand warships from Britain to deal with the threat of the Russian Far East Navy, although no agreement was reached in the end, but the British Empire was very willing to help in this regard, and if there is another opportunity for cooperation, we will be happy to cooperate. ”

Wang Chenhao smiled bitterly, it turned out that the British were still angry about not purchasing second-hand battleships from them last time, and this time the old matter was brought up again, and Wang Chenhao's weakness was also pinched.

"If your country is willing to let go, I think we can negotiate in this regard."

Dou Nale said with a smile: "If it is released, the two Dengyun-class battleships, as one of the strongest battleships in the world, will be enough to deal with the three battleships of Yuben and Russia, and I am afraid that it will be a bamboo basket to fight for water at that time!" ”

Damn, you're not stupid.

Wang Chenhao cursed in his heart, still maintaining a smile on his face, and said, "Then Your Excellency the Minister might as well give me a suggestion?" ”

Dou Nale smiled slightly and said: "The British Imperial Navy is the most powerful existence in the world, with hundreds of warships of all kinds, and dozens of main battleships. If Lord Wang is interested, we can sell it to you at a good price. ”

Wang Chenhao secretly thought in his heart that it was a pity that this Dou Nale did not go to be a salesman, and he never forgot to earn foreign exchange for the British Empire, which was really loyal.

"In our current situation, we need two or three battleships to replenish it, I wonder if your country can provide it?"

"No problem! Absolutely! ”

Dou Nale immediately became happy, and hurriedly sold British retired battleships to Wang Chenhao.

In 1897, Britain built a large number of Majestic-class battleships, the British version of the Chinese Dengyun-class battleships. The first batch of nine ships began to be built to replace the British Royal Navy's Devastationclass, Dreadnoughtclass, Inflexible, Ajaxclass, Collossusclass, and other old turret armored ships that were built in the seventies and eighties, and were fully replaced with all-steel battleships.

Of course, Dou Nale sold Wang Chenhao these old turret armored ships, but Wang Chenhao immediately pouted and rejected these rags.

Dou Nale smiled, and knew that this kind of outdated battleship would definitely not be able to be used by Wang Chenhao, so he immediately promoted other battleships.

"Since Lord Wang doesn't like these battleships, then I have to recommend something else to you. What do you think of the Collingwood I and Rodney II battleships? These two warships are armed with 6 343mm guns and 2 412mm guns, and they are still in service with the Royal Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet, which is the closest to China, as long as you nod your head, they can drive over immediately. ”

Collingwood I and Rodney II were both British Admiral-class battleships, both built around 1887, ten years old, and they were also of retirement age.

It can be said that it was the first British battleship with a true open gun, and the basic ship layout became the standard for most capital ships up to 1906. The general arrangement was the same as that of the "Ravage", with a main gun emplacement installed along the center line in the front and rear, and a large superstructure in the center, arranged with secondary guns and light guns, and for the first time determined the basic layout of the battleship. The displacement was limited to 10,000t when designed, and the lack of protection and the exposed turret layout were its Achilles' heel.

Wang Chenhao shook his head and said: "In terms of firepower alone, the 343 mm and 412 mm main guns can be said to be powerful when they reach six, but the double diameter is short, and the power is limited. Once the open turret is hit by enemy rapid-fire artillery fire, it is completely destroyed. No! ”

Dou Nale smiled: "Lord Wang is an expert, but it doesn't matter, I don't like this one, we still have it." ”

Then, Dou Nale came up with another set of plans to introduce several Nile-class battleships to Wang Chenhao.

"This is the heaviest battleship of the Royal Navy, with 4,320 tons of protective armor steel plates, and no battleship will be able to sink her."

The Nile-class battleship, as the heaviest first-class battleship of the British Navy, had 508 mm of broadside armor, and it is true that, as Dou Nale said, no battleship could sink it, because now there are no 508 mm caliber naval guns at all.

At the same time, the Nile-class battleship was equipped with four 343 mm twin main guns, six 119 mm secondary guns, and ten 47 mm rapid-fire guns, and the speed also reached 16.5 knots, which can be described as a battleship with strong combat power. There are two ships in this class, both of which were built in 1891 and entered service with the Mediterranean Fleet, and the only fly in the ointment is that the class is an excessive product of the all-steel battleship Sovereign.

"This one is okay, but at what price?"

"£1.8 million each! If you buy two ships together, you can get a discount. ”

"£1,000,000 to consider!"

…… Dou Nale bargained with Wang Chenhao for a while, and finally Dou Nale took out his bottom line, and two ships of three million pounds could be withdrawn.

But Wang Chenhao obviously won't buy it, he can build two more Dengyun-class battleships for three million pounds, there is no need to buy the Nile-class, and the Nile-class is outdated, and it will have to be decommissioned and dismantled after five or six years of service, and it is certainly not cost-effective to spend three million pounds to buy a bunch of scrap iron back.

"So be it! How about I order two additional Dengyun-class battleships from your naval shipyard? ”

"That's fine!"

"However, you have to let the Ascending Cloud and Treading the Cloud out of the customs!"

"I'm afraid this is difficult!"

Dou Nale explained: "If you buy our warships, you can entrust a third-party intermediary to handle it, and we can also explain it. However, if we are directly allowed to go out of the customs with the Dengyun and Tayun 2 ships, I am afraid that we will have to bear tremendous pressure from international public opinion. ”

Wang Chenhao said: "You just lack an excuse! That's good, the Qing Zheng Axe owes me hundreds of millions of taels of silver, and I will force the Qing Empire to mortgage the two ships Dengyun and Tayun to me as a debt repayment. The second ship will be my personal property, and it has nothing to do with the Qing Zheng Axe, can you let it go? ”

Dou Nale was stunned for a moment, but he didn't expect Wang Chenhao to have this trick.

"It's an excuse, it's—"

"Don't just do it! For the sake of the overall situation of strategic cooperation between China and the UK, I think your country's political axe will agree. ”

Dou Na was pleased to see that Wang Chenhao had made the biggest concession and ordered two additional Dengyun-class battleships to Britain, which had already earned money for Britain. For the sake of the overall situation, it is impossible for Dou Nale to put forward more stringent conditions. Since the two sides have a reasonable compromise, Dou Nale will no longer insist.

So Dou Nale took his leave and went back to ask the British Foreign Office for instructions.

Wang Chenhao saw off Dou Nale, and then came to the meeting room to meet with US Minister Tian Bei and the new Minister Charles.

For Tian Bei, Wang Chenhao is already very familiar with it, and he has handed it over many times. The new Minister Charles, a colonel in the U.S. Navy, began to embark on an era of foreign expansion, and Charles could not avoid having hawkish ideas.

"I'm sorry to be riddled with mundane things, and I neglected the two of you."

When Wang Chenhao came in, he first greeted politely, and Tian Bei and Charles got up to salute back. Wang Chenhao motioned for the two of them to sit down, and immediately asked, "What do you two drink?" Tea or coffee. ”

Charles said happily: "Lord Wang actually has coffee here?" That's just great. ”

Tian Bei said: "I'd better follow the customs!" ”

Wang Chenhao smiled and motioned to the attendant to pour a cup of coffee for Charles and a cup of tea for Tian Bei, and he himself was a cup of tea.

The three of them saluted each other and took a sip each.

Tian Bei introduced Charles to Wang Chenhao, and then got to the point. Since Tian Bei still has three days left in his term, Tian Bei is still in charge of handling the US Pacific mail ship.

Tian Bei immediately asked, "Lord Wang must have reached an agreement with the British Minister Mr. Dou Nale, right?" ”

Wang Chenhao didn't deny it, nodded immediately, and told Dou Nale about the handling of this matter and the reasons. At the same time, he also explained Wang Chenhao's personal position, and finally said: "I deeply regret that your country's fleet has been attacked, and I have just reached a preliminary consensus with the British Minister Mr. Dou Nale on this matter. There was a lot of misunderstanding in this case, and we have agreed to refer the matter to the British Maritime Arbitration Commission in Shanghai. As this matter also concerns your country, I also recommend that you agree to our approach as well. Of course, this requires your country's consent. ”

Tian Bei knew that Wang Chenhao deliberately separated Britain and the United States, but he did not want Britain and the United States to exert more pressure on him. At the same time, Tian Bei looked at Wang Chenhao's expression and knew that Wang Chenhao had already obtained Dou Nale's understanding. At this time, if Tian Bei puts forward more demanding requirements, I am afraid that he will not get results.

Tian Bei smiled and said, "We are asking for the same result as the UK." ”

Tian Bei didn't know what Wang Chenhao and Dou Nale had traded, but it was certain that Wang Chenhao would definitely benefit the British. Therefore, he had to speak vaguely, demanding only the same benefits as Britain.

Wang Chenhao smiled and said, "Your Excellency, your request will be met." We have already referred this matter to the British Maritime Arbitration Commission, and I believe that the British will certainly turn to the British, so the final arbitration result will certainly be satisfactory to all three of us. ”

The matter was handed over to the British Maritime Arbitration Commission, and Tian Bei felt that it was acceptable, so he thought that he would look at the arbitration result first, and then negotiate with Wang Chenhao. If it's favorable, it's naturally good. Otherwise, Tian Bei will find a way to deal with it.

(To be continued)