Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Huaxia Shipyard was the largest shipyard in the empire. In addition to receiving orders from the military, the Huaxia shipyard could build civilian ships. It's just that after the start of the naval arms race, almost all the large slipways of the Huaxia shipyard have been occupied by military ships.

The battleships built by the Imperial Navy this time were 'Tang-class' battleships, and the entire 'Tang-class' battleships were divided into three classes, namely 'Early Tang-class' battleships, 'Middle Tang-class' battleships and 'Late Tang-class' battleships. There were eight ships in each class, a total of 24 ships, to cope with the German Navy's construction of the 'Brandenburg-class' battleships, 'Kaiser. Frederick III-class battleships, 'Wittelsbach-class' battleships, and 'Braunschweig-class' battleships.

The German Navy began construction of 16 battleships in 1856 and 1857, and the Reich Navy had to build twice as many battleships as the German Navy if it wanted to ensure superiority over the German Navy. The 24 battleships of the 'Tang class' plus the eight battleships of the 'Eastern Han class' brought the total number of battleships of the Imperial Navy to 32, which was already twice the size of the German Navy.

Of course, the German Navy also started construction of the 'German class' battleships and the 'Nassau-class' battleships in 1858, which made the empire also start building the 'Northern Song class' battleships and 'Southern Song class' battleships in 1858, with 8 ships in each class, a total of 16 ships. It can be said that there are as many as forty battleships under construction in the Imperial Navy now. ** The German Navy had as many as 24 battleships under construction.

Although, the construction of each class of battleships of the Reich Navy began a little later than that of the German Navy. However, the major shipyards of the Reich were more technologically competent than those of the German ones. Even if the Germans had the full support of the British. But it is quite difficult to have the experience of building large battleships in a short time. So. The German Navy's first-class battleship, the Brandenburg-class battleship, is estimated to take three years to enter service. And the first four 'early Tang class' battleships of the Imperial Navy. It was able to enter service before the end of 1858. This will further widen the gap between the Imperial Chinese Navy and the German Navy.

The Imperial Navy was divided into two fleets, the 1st Fleet was in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the 5th Fleet was in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. It can be said that the entire world's oceans are under the control of the empire. However, this also makes it necessary for the Empire to ensure that it has a sufficiently strong maritime power. Only in this way can the overseas interests of the Reich be guaranteed and the Germans can be contained. Therefore, Emperor Long Yufei made a very domineering decision. The Germans built one battleship, and the Reich had to build two. This, of course, would have made the Reich almost twice as much naval as the Germans. However, with the current financial resources of the empire, it is not impossible to support.

Even if the German Navy started building eight battleships a year, the Reich Navy built 16 battleships. Half of the 800 million Chinese dollars that the empire receives from India every year alone is enough to support the imperial navy's shipbuilding program. In addition, with the rapid growth of the empire's economy in recent years. Fiscal revenues are also increasing. In the same way, the empire's military spending is increasing. The formation of armored units of the army, the formation of fighter units of the air force, and the large-scale construction of ships by the navy will not be a problem because of the shortage of funds.

Arguably. This era was the golden age of the Chinese Navy. With the support of Emperor Long Yufei and the support of the people of the empire, the development of the imperial navy was very rapid. New powerful battleships were constantly entering service. As a result, the strength of the Imperial Navy continued to increase.

Of course, the same was true of the German Navy. They received hundreds of millions of dollars from the Germans in shipbuilding funds. So that the Germans could build ships like crazy. Of course, no amount of money will be spent one day. Wait until the Germans have spent the money on the construction of the ship. They will have to fill it with their own revenues. At that time, it was the time for the two countries to compete for national strength. However, if the Germans want to win, it will not be very difficult. Most of the world has fallen under the control of the Chinese Empire. The Chinese Empire had much more resources at its disposal than Germany, and the Empire could crush the Germans lightly. If this arms race continues, it will inevitably be the Germans who will be crushed first.

On November 16, 1858, Emperor Long Yufei and a group of ministers of the General Staff and the Admiralty went to the Huaxia Shipyard to participate in the commissioning ceremony of the first batch of four battleships of the 'Chu Tang class' battleships. After more than two years of construction and sea trials, these four battleships will be handed over to the Imperial Navy today to shoulder the heavy responsibility of defending the Imperial sea frontier.

On the dock, the four 'early Tang class' battleships of the Imperial Navy were lined up one after another, and each battleship was like a hill floating on the sea. The towering bridge and mast, the floating design, and the bulbous nose design of the bow made the 'Early Tang class' battleship a lot of improvements. The main guns of the battleship are three triple 343 mm main guns, which makes the 'Chu Tang class' battleship have a very terrifying firepower, surpassing any first-class battleship in service. The 'Brandenburg-class' battleships being built by the Germans were simply a scum in front of the 'Chutang-class' battleships. What's more, the Imperial Navy still has an absolute superiority in numbers.

"Your Majesty, these four ships are 'Tang Gaozu', 'Tang Taizong', 'Tang Gaozong' and 'Tang Zhongzong'. The next four ships 'Tang Ruizong', 'Empress', 'Tang Gongzong' and 'Tang Xuanzong' will be put into service next century! Imperial Navy Minister Wei Yong said to Long Yufei. Although, he was promoted from Commander of the Fleet to Minister of the Navy, which can be regarded as a promotion, and the rank also became the first Admiral of the Imperial Navy. However, Wei Yong still liked life on a battleship. However, he is not young now, so he must give the newcomer a chance! Therefore, it became his wish to become the Minister of the Navy and continue to do his part for the development and growth of the Navy.

"Hmmm! The Imperial Navy's 'Tang-class' battleships will once again usher in an era. The Imperial Navy will forever dominate the world's seas! Long Yufei looked at the four huge battleships, and his heart swelled with infinite pride.

The once decaying country has become a world hegemon under his leadership. Moreover, as long as the opponent can be defeated in the next war, then there is no country in the world that can threaten the world hegemony of the empire.

Long Yufei does not want to leave the trouble to future generations, he hopes to solve all the problems within his lifetime. He is only 48 years old now, in the prime of life, and can still rule the country for more than ten or twenty years. He believes that in the past ten or twenty years, it has been enough to solve the problem of one qiē.

"Your Majesty, let's go on the ship and have a look!" Admiral Lu Haipeng, commander of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy, had excitement in his eyes. The Imperial Navy had not replenished its capital ships for several years, and only drove a few 'Eastern Han class' battleships to support the scene. Although eight 'Yangtze River-class' heavy cruisers were commissioned in the first half of the year, each fleet was assigned four. However, the main gun of the 'Yangtze River-class' heavy cruiser was only 210 mm, which made Lu Haipeng and other naval fleet commanders very unhappy. However, the task of the 'Yangtze River-class' heavy cruisers was not to conduct a decisive battle of the fleet, but to deal with the enemy's cruisers.

"Good!" Long Yufei nodded.

Long Yufei and his entourage boarded the deck of the battleship 'Tang Gaozu' from the gangway. The four 'early Tang class' battleships, the 'Tang Gaozu' and 'Tang Taizong' battleships, were assigned to the 1st Fleet, while the 'Tang Gaozong' and 'Tang Zhongzong' battleships were assigned to the 5th Fleet. The next four battleships were also distributed in this way. The battleship 'Tang Ruizong' and the battleship 'Empress' were assigned to the 1st Fleet. The battleships 'Tang Gongzong' and 'Tang Xuanzong' were assigned to the 5th Fleet.

In this way, each fleet would have four 'Chutang-class' battleships and four 'Donghan-class' battleships, which would have an overwhelming advantage over the German navy. You know, in the first half of next year, the German Navy's 'Brandenburg-class' battleships will be commissioned. What they had to face were four 'Chu Tang-class' battleships and four 'Eastern Han-class' battleships of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy.

The armor of the 'Early Tang class' battleships was mainly concentrated near the bridge, turret, power compartment and waterline, and for other parts, a second-class defense was adopted. Such a key defense method effectively saves the tonnage of warships.

"General Lu. ' What about the Don-class' battleships? You fleet commanders, you need to give more advice to the shipyard! Long Yufei said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, the performance of the 'Tang-class' battleships is much stronger than that of the 'Eastern Han-class' battleships. The 343 mm main gun alone is larger than the 305 mm gun of the 'Eastern Han class' battleship. The main guns of the German 'Brandenburg-class' battleships were no more than 305 mm. If you encounter the Empire's 'Early Tang Dynasty' battleships, there is only one way to die. Admiral Lu Haipeng said excitedly.

'Hmm!' The main guns of the Brandenburg-class battleships were indeed only 305 mm. However, the follow-up of 'Caesar. The main gun of the Frederick III class battleship was 343 mm. The opponent of the 'Don-class' battleship was 'Caesar. Frederick III's class of battleships and those that followed. As for the 'Brandenburg-class' battleships, the 'Eastern Han-class' battleships will be able to deal with them! Long Yufei said with a smile. (To be continued......)

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