Villa Hugel, Essen, German Empire

A quartet plays Beethoven's works in the villa's lavishly decorated French concert hall. A full-breasted soprano sang Schubert's songs. With the exception of Muklevich (chief of the Navy of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army), all listened intently. When the lyric was sung, the solemn and stern-looking lady Bertha. Krupp was still in tears. But when Muklevich saw this charming woman, he thought of the 420mm Chinese New Year's Eve cannon, naming the terrible murder weapon after his beautiful wife, these damn Germans, it was so imaginative. It's like this time China was asked to build battleships and sell them to the USSR......

At this time, all he thought about was about battleships. After a whole week of negotiations, the results were quite good. After pretending to be secretive for a while, the Germans brought out the drawings of their latest design battleship and technical data.

The battleship was an improvement of the Germania Shipyard, a subsidiary of Krupp, on the York-class battlecruiser designed by Germany in World War I. The new battleship was designed taking into account the limitations of the Washington Naval Treaty, so as not to force the purchaser to burn the ship after joining the treaty. Therefore, the standard displacement is based on the 35,000 tons stipulated in the treaty (1,016 kilograms per ton), plus the weight of 3,000 tons for the addition of mine protection and blocking and anti-aircraft decks that can be added in the modification according to the treaty, and finally reaches 38,000 tons, which is equivalent to 38,608 metric tons and a full load displacement of 47,000 tons, which is definitely a super-battleship no less than the "naval holiday era" seven-year Chinese New Year's Eve battleship

The standard of the new battleship: the length of the ship is 220 meters; The width of the ship is 34 meters; The power plan for the draft battleship on Chinese New Year's Eve will be the Walter-type high-pressure heavy oil boiler, which is still under design, and the Blom? The main engine output in the design of the FUCHS steam turbine engine: 135,000 hp. The propulsion unit was based on the design of the York-class battlecruisers, with 4 shafts, 4 propellers, and twin rudder parallels. The design speed of the battleship: 27 knots at full speed; Endurance: 12,000 nautical miles/15 knots, 6,000 nautical miles/25 knots.

The only thing that made Muklevich slightly dissatisfied was that the battleship's main gun still continued the old idea of the Germans carrying guns on Chinese New Year's Eve. It was planned to install nine triple 380 mm 52 times caliber guns, according to the Germans themselves, the range and power of this main gun, which had not yet been finally designed, would never be inferior to the British Nelson-class 16-inch 45 times caliber main gun, and its performance was quite advanced. Well, it is true that the Japanese Nagato-class battleship can definitely be beaten down, but if it can't beat the Nagato, it will not be able to return it...... This is the rule in the arms trade all over the world.

In addition to the 380 mm main gun, the new battleship will be equipped with six twin 150 mm/55x diameter secondary guns; 8 twin 105-mm anti-aircraft guns; 8 twin 37-mm anti-aircraft guns; 2 quadruple, 12 single-barreled 20-mm anti-aircraft guns.

The defense of the warship will adopt the most popular key defense design in the world, reducing some unwanted weight as much as possible. This was also done in order to enhance the battleship's defense and battlefield survivability as much as possible within the provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty. The armor data of the battleship were: waterline 307 mm; turret frontal 457 mm, sides 229 mm, top 184 mm, gun mount 439 mm; conning tower 406 mm; armored deck 121-147 mm; Mine armor 45 mm. The design of the lightning protection system required resistance to 250 kg of TNT explosives. The total armor of the entire battleship was 15,000 tons (excluding the rotating part of the turret), and the total weight of the hull structure was about 11,000 tons.

The Chinese New Year's Eve part of the construction materials of the battleship will be produced by the Krupp steel works in Germany, all of which are the best shipbuilding and armor steel in the world (as the Germans call themselves). However, all artillery, including 380 mm guns, will be produced by the joint venture gun factory of China Military Industry Corporation and Krupp to circumvent the restrictions on German arms exports imposed by the Versailles Treaty.

In addition, the warship will carry four seaplanes, all of which will be produced by the Sino-German aircraft factory in China. The design strength of the crew is 1,927.

By this time, the concert that the Germans had used to entertain the Soviet delegation had ended, and the guests began to dance. And Muklevich and Gustav. The two Krupp went into a study in the villa and began to discuss the most important issue in the battleship trade - price.

"Dear Comrade Mukelevich." The world's most sincere and humble smile has now been presented in Gustav. Krupp's "old doll face" looks both laughable and likable. He nodded at the director of the Soviet Red Navy, who was sitting at the end of the desk:

"Do you know how much effort and Chinese New Year's Eve risk we of the Krupp Company and the German Empire have taken for this battleship? And in order to build battleships for our Soviet friends, we also had to spend huge sums of money to build shipyards, steel plants, train workers, oh, and fight against the Chinese GCD-led trade unions...... It's really sad, and for the sake of Soviet-German friendship...... We're only thinking about a modest reward of $40 million per ship, I think...... You and Comrade Chinese New Year's Eve Lin won't care about this little money, right? In addition, a deposit of half is required. ”

"What 40 million dollars? Mr. Krupp, you're not mistaken, are you? The cost of Britain's most expensive battlecruiser, HMS Hood, was only six million pounds, almost two million dollars" Hearing the other party's offer on Chinese New Year's Eve, Muklevic's head shook like a cargo drum, and shouted expensive.

Krupp smiled faintly and sighed: "This battleship is much Chinese New Year's Eve stronger than the Hood, you are the director of the Soviet Navy, can't you see the difference between them?" The thin-skinned battlecruisers of the British on Chinese New Year's Eve had no advantage other than being faster. Not at all adapted to the current naval warfare...... The Battle of Jutland, which is completely rubbish, has proven this. If our battleship and the Hood meet on the battlefield in the future, you will know that the $40 million is worth it."

Muklevich's face was slightly ugly, really, this director of the Workers' and Peasants' Navy is actually a layman in the navy. He also did not understand who was better than the battleship in this design that the Hood and the Germans took out. But one thing he knew very well was that the Hood would definitely not be sold even if it was given $100 million. And Americans have the same attitude, but Mussolini, who is interested in Chinese New Year's Eve, is a little moved. However, due to the Washington Naval Treaty, he could not refrain from providing the most advanced battleships (it is estimated Chinese New Year's Eve that Italian industrial technology could not build them) to the Soviet Union, and he, the director of the Red Navy, bought two Italian cheap goods Chinese New Year's Eve returned...... If he was casually sunk by the Japanese Nagato in the future, Comrade Lin would not have a good temper on Chinese New Year's Eve

"Mr. Krupp, can't you be cheaper?" Muklevich's tone was almost pleading: "I'm revealing a little secret to you, we Soviet ...... I am also planning to build a few more battleships myself, so I still have a Chinese New Year's Eve contract for the purchase of equipment for the shipyard and the steel plant, if you are willing to give a little concession on the price of the battleship...... These contracts are all from Krupp, what do you think?"

Gustav. A hint of surprise flashed across Krupp's face, and then he calmed down as usual. Picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip, then sighed softly: "Okay, how about two ships for 75 million dollars?" In addition, we will provide all technical information, including...... The formula for armor steel, which money could not buy, was given free of charge solely out of the great friendship between Germany and the Soviet Union on Chinese New Year's Eve. ”

Hearing that there was all the technical information and the formula for the armor steel, Muklevich's face looked a little better, and he smiled and said: "Then Mr. Krupp, when will our shipyards in China start to build these two battleships?" And when will it be built? In addition, can it not guarantee the quality? ”

Gustav. Krupp sighed lightly and smiled: "We currently have a Chinese New Year's Eve shipyard under construction in a place called Panyu County near Guangzhou, China, and it will be fully completed in March next year, and we will be able to start construction of one of them at that time." We'll give the other one to Brom. FUCHS Shipyard manufactures at its joint venture shipyard in China. It was estimated that by October 1931 at the latest, the two battleships would be delivered. In addition, Chinese shipbuilders are also being trained intensively, and when the time comes, they will be able to perform less important work under the command of our German engineers and senior mechanics. So you don't have to worry about the quality of things, our reputation at Krupp is the best in the world"

“…… However, there are two points that must be specified in the contract, one; If these two battleships were detained or requisitioned by the Chinese because of the Sino-Soviet war...... We won't refund a penny of two; If the construction of the battleship is delayed due to the strike led by the Chinese G, we will not be liable for compensation. ”

Muklevic thought for a moment, then nodded and smiled: "There is no problem with either of these points. Even if we, the Soviet Union, were to attack China, it would be better than these two battleships to get rid of after delivery...... I'm afraid the Chinese will be able to come up with four such terrible battleships at once, right? This is also the design plan we provide to the Chinese, right? ”

Gustav. Krupp replied casually: "You guessed it right, the Chinese will also have two such battleships, but they are used to match the Japanese." Oh, remember, did Comrade Lin name this class of battleships on Chinese New Year's Eve? I don't think we want a Chinese name to name a battleship of this class, right? ”

"It is true that Comrade S Chinese New Year's Eve Sterling has already chosen the names of the two battleships, and these two names fully reflect the friendship between the USSR and Germany. The first ship of this battleship was named: Karl. Marx; The second ship was named: Friedrich. Engels. ”

Calling the names of these two great Chinese New Year's Eves, Muklevic's tone was full of adoration. According to S Chinese New Year's Eve plans the Soviet Union would also build several such battleships on its own, and cities would be named after the leaders of international GCISM, among them the Lenin and Chinese New Year's Eve Slinger......

"Well, it really reflects the Soviet-German friendship." Gustav. Krupp smiled a little awkwardly: "Then according to the convention, the battleship of this class will be named Karl. Marx, this will be the hegemon of the ocean in the future."

……

On the other side of the world, the dinner party at Hu Hanmin's house has also ended. China's real rightists are sitting in the living room of the Hu Mansion right now, sipping the best green tea and discussing the Chinese New Year's Eve in the world.

Comrade Wang Zhaoming sent a telegram from Beijing, and it was Japanese Prime Minister Yuyuki Hamaguchi who sent a special envoy to meet with him. The Japanese still seem to be willing to make friends with our Kuomintang, but they just hope that we will not blindly be pro-US and pro-German...... In particular, do you have any thoughts on not discriminating against Japan in trade and investment? ”

The words were Hu Hanmin, who leaned on a sofa on Chinese New Year's Eve, holding a cup of fragrant green tea in his hand, and there was no joy or anger on his face, just a faint speech.

"What is Comrade Wang Zhaoming's opinion?" Xu Chongzhi and Hu Hanmin sat facing each other, their faces tired, yawning for a long time. If it weren't for Hu Hanmin's Chinese New Year's Eve face at today's party, he would have gone home by now.

At present, he has a clear understanding of the situation of the Kuomintang, and the future will definitely be collective leadership. And his status as a "five-year Chinese New Year's Eve" always exists. Chiang Kai-shek needed him to be the head of the Cantonese faction in the army, otherwise the Cantonese in the Nationalist Army would have to look up to the uncle and nephew of the Luo family. Similarly, Luo Yaoguo also needed his Chinese New Year's Eve Buddha to contain Chiang Kai-shek in order to maintain balance within the KMT. Besides, the Kuomintang talks about the respect and inferiority of the elders and the young, and if Luo Yaoguo's generation is ousted from power by the following offenses, I am afraid that there will be no way to accept the hearts of the generals of the Cantonese system.

Hu Hanmin helped his glasses and glanced at Xu Chongzhi, who was full of slackness, and complained in his heart...... At present, there is a three-legged clash in the Kuomintang army, is it not because this well-deserved old Chinese New Year's Eve is not motivated? Otherwise, where will Chiang Kai-shek and Luo Yaoguo jump up and down?

"Of course, Wang Zhaoming is pro-Japanese, but now the Soviet Union is not pro-Japanese, so he can only be pro-Japan." Zou Lu, who was on the side, replied angrily: "Why do those Japanese discriminate against them in investment and trade?" The Yankees have money, and they Chinese New Year's Eve Chinese New Year's Eve to invest in it, while the Germans have the technology to make first-class tools, and they are willing to teach us a little. What do they have in Japan? ”

"There are geisha." Xu Chongzhi replied without a head. made the living room laugh Chinese New Year's Eve, the Kuomintang monster uncles in this room still have a good impression of Japanese Lori...... There are really not many Chinese in this era who like Chinese New Year's Eve white girls like Luo Yaoguo.

"Comrade Wang Zhaoming doesn't dare to ask for this." Hu Hanmin's words are serious, but they sound like a joke.

Hu Hanmin sighed lightly and said: "I also know that these Japanese are not a tool, but the Zhang family in Manchuria was raised by them, and if we want to surrender without a fight, we can't resist and make a deal with them." On the second day, I proposed to co-establish the Pukou Iron and Steel Plant, and we see if we can resist the promise? ”

"We promised...... Are they willing to give us Manchuria? Zou Lu shook his head and asked himself: "The Japanese can't say such good things." ”

"They also want to peg the fiat currency to the yen and join the so-called yen bloc. In this case...... They left their support for Feng Chang, oh, but their special rights and interests in Manchuria were still linked. In addition, Japan is willing to conclude an alliance with China and jointly veto the Soviet Union, and ...... GCD" listened to Hu Hanmin's tone was also full of hesitation. The demands of the Japanese were a little harsh, but the temptation to unify China without a fight was simply not.

"What joins the Yen Group? Have you forgotten this unstoppable Zhangong? U.S. Treasury Secretary billionaire Andrew Brown. Melon recently introduced the concept of the dollar bloc. The Americans want our fiat currency to be decoupled from silver and pegged to the U.S. dollar to implement a fixed exchange rate to facilitate U.S. investment and trade with China. At most, we are blamed for Japan's lack of uniformity, and the rivers and mountains are always stable on Chinese New Year's Eve and a half. If the United States is to blame, who will be able to support us in the future if we have a conflict with Japan and the Soviet Union? If you don't do it well, you can't even keep the nest in the south. ”

Zou Lu shook his head while shaking his head, looking like he was ...... At present, the Japanese rely on the US imperialists for their oil and scrap iron supplies, and as long as the US imperialists are willing to impose sanctions on Japan in the Sino-Japanese conflict, Japan will undoubtedly be defeated.

"Of course, I haven't forgotten this...... It's just that Manchuria is also very important," Hu Hanmin sighed, and said: "Right now, Japan's Yuyuki Hamaguchi should really want to live with us friendly." If we can conclude an alliance with Japan and unify China, the price should still be worth it. What do you think? ”

Chongzhi suddenly yawned and smiled: "Zhangong, in my opinion, we are already half-cut people, and it would be good to be famous now." This kind of work with Japan...... It's better for us to be less contaminated. Let the generations do this kind of thing, it becomes your leadership, in case something bad, it is someone else who betrays the country to seek glory. ”

Hu Hanmin nodded: "If you have something to do, let Wang Zhaoming go to Zhang Luo first...... Let him fight with Luo Yaoguo. ”

Before the words fell, Zou Lu's voice on the side suddenly sounded again: "Then should we commit to the dollar group proposed by the Americans?" ”

Hu Hanmin smiled and waved his hand: "Let Liao Zhongkai, Wang Jingwei and the uncles and nephews of the Luo family compete."