In the second half of 1857, while the northern hemisphere had already begun to enter winter, the southern hemisphere began to enter a hot summer level. The atmosphere suddenly became tense among the small countries of South America. Originally, the traditional power of South America was undoubtedly Brazil. Brazil, both in terms of territory and population, is the undisputed leader of South America. Chile, however, has lagged behind. Relying on the export of copper ore and other resources, Chile quickly amassed a large amount of wealth, making this powerful country with a population of just over 1.5 million people the richest country in South America.

Valparaiso is a seaside city just a few dozen kilometers from Santiago, the capital of Chile. It is also one of the most important ports in Chile. Now, since the end of last year, Valparaiso has begun to build a large military port to the north of the port, and military wharves and berths have been formed under the labor of professional workers from China. In addition, construction of a large shipyard is underway. In the future, this shipyard will have the ability to repair warships. Of course, as more and more technology accumulates, it may begin to build small warships to meet the future development needs of the Chilean Navy. Of course, large warships still need to be purchased.

On November 15, 1857, the President of the Republic of Chile, Manuel Murphy. Monte. Torres led senior officials of the Chilean government from Santiago to Valparaiso to meet the returning Chilean Navy warships. After the signing of a secret agreement between Chile and the Chinese Empire, Chile successively sent thousands of naval officers and sailors to the Chinese Empire for training in two batches.

After nearly a year of training, the Chilean Navy has basically formed its combat effectiveness. Today is the day of the return of the Chilean Navy. For the Republic of Chile. This one consisted of two 'Eastern Zhou-class' warships and four 'Western Zhou-class' warships. The fleet of four 'Trotto-class' cruisers and six 'Tiangang-class' destroyers was already an important barrier for them to maintain their power. Even. They were also able to expand their territory with this powerful fleet. At a time when the navies of South American countries were almost still in the age of sail, Chile's navy was already the most powerful navy in South America.

"Minister Federico, when our fleet returns, will we be able to go to war with those damn fellows?" Manuel. Monte. President Torres had a smile on his face. Chile had been preparing for this goal for a year and was in debt with a huge amount of foreign debt. Chile's efforts will be in vain if it is not able to defeat the enemy to the north and seize the Atacama Desert.

"Your Excellency, after the fleet returns. It only takes a few months of acclimatization training before you can go to the battlefield. Minister Federico said. He was Chile's Minister of the Navy, and as the Chilean Navy grew larger, his position in the government rose through the ranks.

"Well, that is, we will be able to go to war in the first half of next year. Will the navy of the Peruvians be able to pose a threat to us? "Manuel. Monte. President Torres raised his eyebrows, almost all of these warships of the Chilean Navy were purchased from China!

"Your Excellency, this is almost impossible. Our battleships, albeit second-hand warships of the Chinese. But all are new steam warships. The Peruvian navy is nothing more than some old sail warships, and the naval guns they use are still old smoothbore guns, and they will hardly pose any threat to us. As long as the war starts. Our navy is light enough to send their warships to the bottom of the sea! "Minister Federico is confident. When he was training in the Chilean Navy, he went to China to observe the training of the Chilean Navy, so he naturally knew the strength of the Chilean Navy.

Though. The warships sold by China to Chile are all decommissioned warships, and there is a certain gap between their performance and mainstream warships. But. In South America, this is already considered the latest type of warship. Other than that. The training received by the Chinese Navy in the past year has brought about earth-shaking changes in the Chilean Navy. The Chinese Navy is now the most powerful navy in the world, and how bad can the students it teach be?

"That's good! Looks like we'll be able to reap the win next year! "Manuel. Monte. A gleam flashed in President Torres' eyes.

"Your Excellency, the key depends on whether the Army can defeat the Peruvians and Bolivians. If the army can't defeat them, and we want to occupy the Atacama Desert, it won't be possible! Foreign Secretary Shimon Perez interjected.

"Minister Elasuris, it looks like the Army has become the key!" Manuel. Monte. President Torres said with a smile.

"Don't worry, Your Excellency, the Army will not be holding back. I have to admire that the Chinese Army was able to defeat so many strong enemies in a world war, and they fully have this strength. From their point of view, it is estimated that no one will be able to compare with them. The army has been trained by the Chinese for more than half a year, and now it has completely mastered new combat techniques. I can guarantee that we will be able to fight the Peruvians and the Bolivians! War Secretary Elasuris patted his chest and said.

"Now that both the Army and Navy are able to ensure victory, can we celebrate it in advance?" Finance Minister Alvano's face was full of smiles. Although, arms purchases from the Chinese Empire put a heavy burden on Chile. But if Chile can win this war, they will have much more to gain than they have paid. The guano and saltpeter stored in the Atacama Desert will once again make Chile a great fortune. And Chile will also grow into a real power in South America with these resources!

Although the countries that Chile is going to challenge this time do not seem to be weak, whether it is Peru or Bolivia, the population has reached 2.5 million, and the population of each country is 1 million more than Chile's, and the two countries together are more than three times the total population of Chile, which also means that they can recruit several times more soldiers than Chile.

In the era of cold weapons, it may be very difficult for Chile to win. However, this is no longer the case. Strength is not the only factor that determines the outcome of a war, there are many other conditions that also determine the outcome of a war. Although Peru and Bolivia have larger populations than Chile, they are economically poor, have poor transport facilities and poor mobilization capacity. Encountering Chile's 50,000 elite army is not an opponent at all. It can be said that there is almost no doubt that Chile won this war.

In the distance, pillars of smoke suddenly appeared, and thick smoke billowed into the sky, creating a large cloud in the sky.

These plumes of smoke are the same plumes of smoke that China has sold to Chile from naval warships. The boilers of these battleships were all coal-burned, so the smoke column was large and black. Chile lacks oil, but it is not short of coal. Although oil-fired boilers are more thermally efficient, they are not suitable for Chilean use, and they use coal-fired boilers that are sufficient.

"Navy, it's our navy!" On the docks, the crowd cheered.

"Your Excellency the President, our navy is back!" Admiral Minister Federico exclaimed excitedly.

"I saw it, our navy is back, the most powerful navy in South America has returned!" Manuel. Monte. President Torres tried to calm his feelings, but he couldn't. Chile has always been unwilling to be a small country, and for this reason, the wish of successive presidents is to develop Chile and make Chile a big country and a strong country in South America! And now, this qiē is about to be realized in his hands, how can this not make him excited?

Soon, the battleships got closer and closer, and the figures of the battleships appeared. The huge hulls of the two 'Eastern Zhou-class' warships at the head made the Chileans roar excitedly. With a displacement of 7,800 tons, the 'Eastern Zhou-class' warships are definitely the most powerful warships in South America. Although the four 'Western Zhou-class' warships behind the 'Eastern Zhou-class' battleships are one size smaller, they are still first-class warships in South America, and these six warships will become the main warships of the Chilean Navy.

The four 'Temperary-class' cruisers and the six 'Tiangang-class' destroyers will become the fleet's reconnaissance and escort fleet. It can be said that with the return of these warships, the Chilean Navy has left behind the navies of other South American countries and has become the most powerful navy in South America.

At 11:13 a.m., sixteen warships of the Chilean Navy, led by a guide ship, entered the military port in turn. Vice Admiral Sanialtu, commander of the Chilean naval fleet, disembarked from the flagship battleship Santiago and presented a message to President Manuel Anderson. Monte. Torres reported that the fleet returned home after training.

"Your Excellency, the fleet has now returned home, please instruct!" Lieutenant General Saniyartu is a middle-aged general in his forties, and this age is a great time to make a contribution.

"Your Excellency, Commander, please take a tour of your fleet first!" Manuel. Monte. President Torres said with a smile.

"Yes, Your Excellency, please!" Lieutenant General Saniyartu hurriedly invited everyone to board the ship.

Accompanied by Vice Admiral Saniyartu, senior officials of the Chilean government boarded the battleship Santiago to see what is now the most powerful warship in South America. Manuel. Monte. President Torres was very pleased with the battleship Santiago, especially the three twin 280mm guns, which undoubtedly appeared to be very powerful. With such a large-caliber naval gun, it will definitely be able to send the enemy's battleship to the bottom of the sea with ease.

With the return of the fleet, Chile's military preparations have entered the final stage. It can be said that they are now sharpening their knives, and they are just waiting for the last opportunity. (To be continued......)

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