(Thanks to the book friend Little Sailor, the monthly pass of the glorious charter!) ）

"Mr. Roosevelt, what do you do about the new battleships of the Chinese?" William? President McKinley asked. Since the Chinese Navy's 'Zhonghua-class' battleship lead ship 'Zhonghua' began sea trials, the whole world has been in an uproar. Countless countries that are accelerating the development of their navies suddenly find that the battleships on the slipway, and even the battleships that stay on the design drawings, are outdated, and they are immediately frightened. The United States formed a mortal enmity with China during last year's war, and naturally it is very concerned about the movements of the Chinese navy.

"Your Excellency, according to the information we have received from China and the United Kingdom, the 'Zhonghua-class' battleship of the Chinese Navy may really be an epoch-making battleship in China. The British Admiralty has already begun a project to design their latest battleship, named the Dreadnought-class. It's just that this battleship will take a few years from design to completion! "Theodore? Roosevelt said. Now, he has replaced John, who has been hospitalized for many years? Davis? Lang has become the Minister of the Admiralty.

"So, will it have a negative impact on our future war with the Chinese?" William? President McKinley asked, frowning. It is foreseeable that it will not be long before the Pacific Alliance will have a war with China, and what impact will China's sudden appearance of powerful warships have on this war?

"Your Excellency President, the Chinese Navy's 'Zhonghua-class' battleships are only four in total. Their main goal: It's Japan, and it's to protect the security of the homeland. And not against us. Therefore, it will not pose a threat to our country for the time being. Moreover, if the time of the war is 900 years later, our 'Maine-class' and 'Virginia-class' battleships will enter service. By that time we will have fourteen battleships. Perhaps qualitatively inferior to the battleships of the Chinese Navy. But the huge advantage in numbers is enough to make up for this shortcoming! "Theodore? Roosevelt said. Of course, as for how useful the numerical advantage is, he is not sure. In last year's naval battle in the eastern Pacific, the Chinese Navy's Pacific Fleet relied on its technological superiority. Is less more than enough?

"Mr. Roosevelt, we have to take a long-term view. Since the Chinese have already led the world in the manufacture of warships, we must catch up. The 'Connecticut-class' battleships that are now being designed will be built according to the battleship standards of the Chinese Navy! "William? McKinley said. With the powerful industrial strength of the United States, it should not be inferior to any other country in the development of its navy.

Theodore? Roosevelt nodded. However, he knows how difficult it can be. The strength of industry does not mean that the military industry is strong. Especially in the design of battleships, there is still a big gap between the United States and Europe, and now it is even more left behind by the Chinese. This latest type of battleship is still being studied even by the British side. I am afraid it will be very difficult for the United States to come up with a similar plan! Still, William? President McKinley had already made such a request, and he had no choice but to bite the bullet. I just don't know if the British side will be willing to share this technology. Which makes Theodore? Roosevelt had a great headache.

Also, the United States now. In the Caribbean and the Spanish War. The U.S. team had already occupied Puerto Rico, but in Cuba, in the face of 200,000 Spanish troops, the pressure on the U.S. side was still very high. In particular, the huge casualties, mainly those caused by non-war factors, such as disease, have caused signs of the rise of anti-war forces in the United States, which has caused great headaches for the US government.

Japan, a powerful country in the Far East, was also in great danger by the sea trials of the Chinese Navy's battleship "Zhonghua". The current prime minister, Hirobumi Ito, has summoned the three commanders of the Navy several times.

"Ladies and gentlemen, so many days have passed, and the information that should be grasped is already very clear. Please tell me accurately, in the event of a war, will the Imperial Navy be able to defeat the Chinese Navy? Hirobumi Ito asked sternly.

"Your Excellency, through the information we have obtained, as well as the information we have received from the British side, the 'Zhonghua-class' battleships equipped by the China Navy are indeed very powerful. At least, the current Imperial Navy, whether it is the 'Fuji-class' battleships already in service or the 'Shikishima-class' battleships under construction, are no match for battleships at this moment! Admiral Minister Gonbei Yamamoto replied honestly.

"So, if there is another war with the Shina people, will the navy still not be able to achieve victory for the empire?" A hint of anger flashed across Ito's face. In order to develop its navy, Japan has done its utmost to ensure the funds of its navy despite its high debts. And now, waiting for such a result. This made Ito Hirobumi have no doubt that if the navy failed again, the angry Japanese people would definitely tear them all to pieces.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency Prime Minister. The new class of battleships equipped by the China Navy has surpassed all the current battleships. Even the battleships of the British Navy were no match. Therefore, the battleships of the Imperial Navy were not comparable either. Yamamoto replied.

"So what should we do? Continue to build new types of battleships? The finances of the empire have dried up. The £20 million borrowed from Britain at the beginning of the year was already the last money of the Empire. We don't have any extra money left to invest in the Navy! Hirofumi Ito said solemnly. Japan's economic development is very slow due to its barren nature. Coupled with the rise of China, Japanese products have been vigorously suppressed. For example, the market for raw silk, a key commodity for Japan's exports, has shrunk sharply due to China's aggressive price reduction. Now, the whole of Japan is pinning their hopes on the war. As long as Japan wins the war, it will be able to get out of the crisis through reparations and other benefits, and if it loses, Japan will be completely destroyed!

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, although our battleships are not as good as the new battleships of the Shina people, our battleships have a certain advantage in numbers. At that time, except for the "Hatsuse" and "Mikasa" of the "Shikishima-class" battleships that we built ourselves, which will not be able to enter service until the end of next year, the remaining six battleships will be able to enter service by the end of this year. And the battleships of the Chinese Navy, the home fleet has only six ships, and their Pacific Fleet will be dragged down by the US Navy. When the time comes, we will fight to the death, and we may not have no chance! Prince Arisugawa Miyahito, head of the Naval Command Department, said.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, once war breaks out, the Combined Fleet will fight to the death to win the victory!" The commander of the Combined Fleet, Heihachiro Togo, also immediately took a stand.

"Very well, the warriors of the Great Japanese Empire will not be afraid of difficulties. Under the leadership of His Majesty the Emperor, we will surely be able to achieve the final victory! Hirobumi Ito said. It's just that he can't be sure if this is self-deception.

July 2, Beijing, Xinhua Palace.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Lucas, the German Ambassador to China, would like to see you!" Wang Wei walked into Wang Yuze's study and reported to him. At Wang Yuze's request, Wang Wei, who is two years older than Wang Yuze, has also become married. The woman is also the daughter of an important minister of the empire, and she can be regarded as a talented woman. Originally, Wang Yuze planned to let Wang Wei go to the army as a division commander or serve as a vice minister in the cabinet. However, Wang Wei refused, saying that he was still willing to stay by Wang Yuze's side, protect Wang Yuze's safety, and serve as the chief of the guard. Wang Yuze's persuasion was ineffective, and he had to leave it to him.

"Come in!" Wang Yuze said. Lucas's intention, Wang Yuze didn't need to guess to know, it must have come for the 'Zhonghua-class' battleship.

"Majesty!" After Lucas came in, he first saluted Wang Yuze.

"Uncle Lucas, please take a seat!" Wang Yuze got up from behind the bookcase, for Lucas, he has always been respectful after all. This is true even after ascending the throne and becoming emperor.

"Thank you!" Lucas did just that on the couch.

Wang Wei had already arranged for someone to bring the tea, and then stepped aside.

"Uncle Lucas, is there anything going on this time?" Wang Yuze asked.

"Your Majesty, I won't go around in circles with you anymore. The new battleships of the Chinese Navy, the German Navy was very interested. And it is believed that, most likely, this represents the direction of development of the Navy. Therefore, the German Navy wanted to be able to obtain detailed parameters and design drawings of battleships of this class! We can trade anything you dare to be interested in! Lucas said.

"The Chinese side is very willing to cooperate with the German side in this regard. So be it, Uncle Lucas. I intend to have the Chief of the Imperial General Staff visit Germany to discuss some military cooperation between China and Germany. At that time, the specific exchange will be discussed in detail by the Chief of the General Staff and the German Navy. How are you? Wang Yuze asked.

"Of course there is no problem. However, our navy is urging more urgently! Lucas said.

"Chief of General Staff Xiong can set off in three days!" Wang Yuze said.

"Okay, I'll get in touch with the country!" Lucas said. He knows that China is now facing an extremely dangerous international environment and is very threatened, and the Pacific Alliance is very likely to launch an attack on China in the next two or three years. At this time, China naturally hopes to get help from other countries. Germany, on the other hand, is China's only suitable potential ally. The similar international environment gives China a reason to come together. And Lucas, naturally, is also very eager to get to this qiē. This is of great benefit to both China and Germany.

PS: The fourth update is here! Tomorrow's three watches, no update in the early morning! Ask for a subscription, ask for a monthly pass!