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After the ceasefire between China and the United States in Mexico, the world seemed to be at peace once again. It's just that everyone knows very well that the current peace is only temporary, just like the calm before the storm!

Mexico was divided into two parts, North and South, with China and the United States stationing troops in the north and south of Mexico. The main forces of the Sixth Army of the Chinese Army, which were originally stationed in the Hawaiian Islands, were all transferred to Mexico. Hawaii's defense is handled by two divisions directly under the General Staff, and more and more troops will be sent to Hawaii in the future. China's strategic center of gravity has begun to shift to the eastern Pacific region, which is closely linked to China's long-established strategic plan, that is, to defeat the United States as quickly as possible after the start of the war! Therefore, all of China's deployments in the Eastern Pacific region are based on this plan.

Mexico's ruling Madero government has also begun to fulfill its promise to lend to China in the form of mines and oil fields in Mexico, and then invest heavily in the construction of transportation facilities in northern Mexico, so that it can carry squadrons to fight in northern Mexico on a large scale. At the same time, Mexico's army also began to be trained by officer corps sent by China. Mexico's army will be expanded to 25 divisions and 300,000 troops, all of which will purchase equipment from China. The performance of the new Mexican government army in this war made the Chinese side very dissatisfied. Therefore, in the next few years, some of the guys in the new Mexican government army will be affected by the officer corps sent by China. I'm going to work them!

At the same time, with the help of the troops sent by China, the Mexican government of Madero smoothly recovered the southern states, allowing the Madero government to completely control most of Mexico. At the same time, the Madero government abolished a large number of dictatorial policies during the reign of Díaz, gaining the approval of the majority of Mexicans. The Madero government's large-scale improvement of transportation conditions is also conducive to economic development, which is important for the improvement of the living standards of Mexicans. It was very helpful.

Unlike the Madero government, the Díaz government in the north has adopted a policy of aggressive militarism. Díaz was not willing to lose his rule over Mexico, even though the five northern states he controlled had fewer than two million people. But the Díaz government is backed by the United States. 300,000 troops were recruited, and almost all the able-bodied men in these states were forcibly brought closer to the army. Although this allowed the Díaz government to have as many troops as the Madero government, it would undoubtedly be devastating for the economies of several northern Mexican states. It's just that whether it's Dias or the American master behind him. I won't care. What Díaz wants is to regain the presidency of Mexico. What the U.S. government wants is cannon fodder for the war against China.

Dias's brutal rule in northern Mexico also provoked Mexicans to revolt. Merely. With the support of the United States, Díaz completely imposed a reign of terror in five states in northern Mexico, anyone who dared to resist. All of them are wiped out from above. Under these circumstances, Dias had complete control over several northern states. Meantime. In order to ensure the security of the United States, the U.S. Army deployed three corps and 150,000 troops in northern Mexico. In addition, in the United States, three armies were deployed, with 150,000 men. In the event of war, these troops will enter Mexico as soon as possible to defend themselves against a Chinese invasion. The main forces of the U.S. Army are deployed to the West Coast and northern Mexico, as well as to the border areas between the United States and Mexico. In order to make up for the lack of troops, the U.S. Army began to expand from 600,000 to 1,000,000. The expansion of the army has squeezed out the military spending of the navy, and the US government has no choice but to increase its investment in the military! Although it can play a role in improving the military strength of the United States in the short term, if it continues in the long run, it will inevitably have a devastating impact on the US economy.

However, at this time, both the Central Powers and the Entente are trying to increase their military strength as much as possible. Although they also know the consequences of doing so. But whether it is the Central Powers or the Entente Powers, they can no longer stop, and they can only go all the way to the dark. When their military strength was at its strongest, it was time for a major war to break out.

In contrast, China is much better. After several wars in front of Tongguò, China expanded its territory and at the same time gained a huge market. While Western countries can use tariff barriers to protect the country's market, China can use the huge national market to consume industrial products. Because of the development of the economy, the purchasing power of the people is also constantly increasing, and the entire Chinese market is prosperous. China's military investment was much better than that of the militaristic Allies and Entente. The annual military expenditure accounts for only 10 percent of the fiscal revenue. Of course, this military spending cannot meet the needs of the military at all. However, in the previous wars, the huge war reparations that China had obtained, as well as the vast wealth plundered in Japan and the South Seas, were used as special military spending. This allows the military not to have to compete with other departments for the budget, and can ensure that the military's plans can be carried out smoothly.

In addition, the oil resources in the Middle East have also brought a huge wealth to China. With access to the Middle East's oil resources, China can stop importing oil from other countries and export oil to its allies. Although the prices are lower, overall, China has begun to reap the benefits of the Middle East. And, as the amount of oil used is getting bigger and bigger, and the price of oil is getting higher and higher, sooner or later China will make a lot of money because of the oil in the Middle East!

In late April 1904, the British Navy's lead ship of the 'Saint-Cent' class was commissioned, and every month thereafter, one 'Saint-Cent' battleship was commissioned until all six battleships were commissioned. At the end of May, the lead ship of the French Navy's 'Brittany-class' battleships 'Brittany' was officially put into service. This has changed the naval contrast in Europe. The superiority of the German Navy began to gradually lose. If the German Navy was not to fall short of the British Navy alone, but after the French Navy joined, the German Navy was more difficult. At this time, the German navy demanded that Austria-Hungary and Italy put pressure on France and drag the French navy in the Mediterranean. At the same time, the German side also sent people to contact the Chinese side, asking China to speed up the construction of four 'Helgoland-class' battleships and deliver them to the German Navy as much as possible. However, the Chinese side told Germany that China needed to strengthen its naval buildup in view of the increasingly complex international situation. A large number of skilled workers were transferred to build the Chinese navy, so much so that the construction of the four 'Helgoland-class' battleships for Germany was delayed again and again!

"Your Excellency Wu Tingfang, according to our original agreement, these four 'Helgoland-class' battleships will be delivered to our country in February this year! But now, they are still lying on the slipway, and your country has violated our agreement! The German ambassador to China, August von Klinder, roared from the office of Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Tingfang. The German Admiralty constantly urged him to negotiate with the Chinese side, demanding that China deliver the four 'Helgoland-class' battleships to Germany as much as possible, and even Kaiser Wilhelm II personally intervened. This made Ambassador August von Klinder very difficult. This is the fifth time he has come to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but each time it has been in vain!

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency, Ambassador. The construction of warships for your country is the business of the shipyards and the Admiralty, and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have the authority to order them! Wu Tingfang said sincerely. In fact, China deliberately delayed these four 'Helgoland-class' battleships of the German Navy in order to counter Germany!

"Your Excellency Wu Tingfang, you should know that more and more battleships have entered service in Britain and France, which is a great challenge for us in Germany! At the same time, it is not a good thing for China! In the face of the threat of the Entente, our two countries have common interests! We should be united! August von Klinder said loudly. He has a relatively impatient temper, and it is already very difficult for him to forcibly suppress his anger!

"Your Excellency, I will contact the Admiralty and urge them to speed up. Of course, Your Excellency the Ambassador can also go to Lord Zhang of the Admiralty in person, and I believe he will give you a good answer! Wu Tingfang said.

Of course, Ambassador August von Klinder knew that Wu Tingfang was perfunctory to him, and he didn't go to Zhang Cheng, the Minister of the Navy, but every time he went, he didn't see anyone, and Zhang Cheng was obviously avoiding him!

"Humph! Your Excellency Zhang Cheng has a lot of opportunities, where can you have time to see me! Ambassador August von Klinde scoffed.

"Your Excellency, please forgive me, Lord Zhang has been busy lately. However, there is an opportunity for His Excellency the Ambassador to meet with Master Zhang. On the 18th of next month, the Admiralty will hold a ceremony for the commissioning of the new battleship at the Dagu Wharf, and at that time, His Majesty and Lord Zhang will attend. Wu Tingfang said.

"New battleships in service? Is it a 'Han-class' battleship? Ambassador August von Klinder hurriedly asked.

"That's right, it's a 'Han-class' battleship. When the time comes, we will send invitations to embassies. Your Excellency, Ambassador, you can talk to Master Zhang about the four 'Helgoland-class' battleships that have been built for your country! Wu Tingfang said with a smile!