Just when Xu Jie made an outline for the future industry and was about to negotiate with professionals, Yan Boxun came to the house at this time at an inopportune time. And behind him, a stranger in a trench coat and a top hat caught Xu Jie's attention.

"General Xu, the Minister of the Admiralty of the German Empire congratulates Your Excellency on your victory in the war against Russia, your country has a strong and warlike fleet, as a friend, I hope that this fleet can gallop in the western Pacific Ocean, not just your country's territorial waters." The other party said in slightly stiff Chinese. Then he took off his top hat and smiled at Xu Jie.

"Alfred von Tirpitz?" Xu Jie looked at the father of the German High Seas Fleet who had seen many times in front of him, and the current Minister of the German Imperial Navy, Tyr said with some surprise. "You're very welcome, but before you come, you should at least say hello, and if you don't entertain you, you should hope for Haihan." Xu Jie immediately got up to greet him.

In any case, Tirpitz was the German Minister of the Navy, with a noble status, and he was deeply trusted by Wilhelm II! More than 10 years in this important position! Tirpitz forever is not for nothing! At present, the relations between Germany and China are at the best stage in history, which is different from the relationship between the Qing Dynasty and Germany in the arms trade, but is based on respect and common strategic goals. After all, Russia is not only an enemy of China, but also a potential enemy of Germany, although it has not yet torn its face, but it is only a matter of time!

"I came here on a secret visit, and no one in Germany knew that I had come here except for a very small number of high-ranking people and those who carried out the mission directly. At the same time, I hope that your country will also keep my operation secret. Tirpitz said with a smile. Lord Xu. For this time, my Prussian-style beard was shaved off. Tirpitz joked.

"Alright then, wait 10 minutes. We can talk about issues of mutual interest. Immediately, Xu Jie roughly sorted out the documents, and then asked the guards to prepare some refreshments.

"Mr. Xu, I am the Minister of the Admiralty of the German Empire, and I think you should know this. So you should be able to guess a thing or two about my purpose. The friendship between the German Empire and your country and Beiyang has stood the test of time. Your country's ships such as Dingyuan, Zhenyuan and Jingyuan, as well as the current King-class, are all produced by German shipyards. Tirpitz said calmly.

"I think Your Excellency already knows a little bit about our new ship plans." Xu Jie said with a smile. "In order to meet the challenges in the future, we will order a large number of warships. That's a lot to do. We will still order a certain number of ships from you. You can rest assured of that. ”

"It's not just about ordering warships, I hope that the partnership between our two countries will go further. And not just the production of warships, but the naval design, you know, the King-class is really an improved version of the Garibaldi-class armored cruisers. As for the most advanced Dante-class battleships. Whether it is entrusted to Mr. Leo or the design bureau that you undertake with him. All refused to provide the German Navy with relevant drawings. So, we hope that a closer relationship can be established between the two countries. Tirpitz said thoughtfully.

"We all know that you and the Italian Navy are preparing to build a new battleship of the first class, which will be a first-class warship that crosses the era, and we know a little bit from various sources. This is a new type of warship with a new power system and unified fire from all large-caliber guns. The Italian Navy has already decided to equip it with modified warships, and the British Navy has probably gotten the news, and now. As an ally of the North Seas, Germany did not receive the corresponding treatment. It's not fair. Tirpitz said with some dissatisfaction.

"Italy is a reliable ally of China, entrusted Mr. Leo has been cooperating with Your Excellency since 10 years ago, Italy's shipbuilding industry also has a long history and rich experience, but with all due respect, because of the gap in industrial level, Italian industry has been unable to meet your needs." Tirpitz smiled slightly. "As far as I know, because of the tonnage and slipway, and of course, the cost, Mr. Leo was entrusted with the proposal to limit the tonnage of the new warship to 20,000 tons, and the boilers needed to be imported from England."

"First of all, I would like to make it clear that we will not share with any country what we have designed together with the Italian Navy without the permission of the other. The credibility of the country is at stake. Xu Jie said solemnly. However, we can start from scratch, and it is impossible for Huaxia to have only one design bureau, and it is impossible to cooperate only with the Italian Navy, don't you say? Xu Jie said with a smile.

"That's right, the state is about credibility." Hearing the last sentence, Tirpitz, who had a somewhat gloomy face, immediately turned cloudy! "So I want to know, do you have a better plan for the German shipyard to implement?"

"Absolutely!" Xu Jie also came to the spirit. In fact, whether it is the layout of the central axis of the 4-seat twin-mounted main gun or the central axis of the 5-seat twin-mounted main gun, or the diagonal layout, it is not what Xu Jie wants to see. 3 outfits, the first burden is king! The layout of the 3-seat 3-pack main gun is very good when the caliber of the main gun is large enough, but if the caliber of the main gun is not large enough, then the 4-seat 3-pack main gun carrying layout is definitely the most domineering and sensible existence! For example, the historical Austro-Hungarian Empire built the United Force heavyweight battleship. (Well, because of a number of factors, the performance of this battleship is mediocre.) ）

"Boss, do you have such a plan? How do I not know the way? Yan Boxun said with a little dissatisfaction.

"To put it bluntly, it is an improved version of the 3 triple main guns, increase the tonnage, and then add a 3 gun turret, a total of 4 3-company turrets, 12 12-inch main guns! The long bow layout is carried in the front, and the main gun at the rear is lowered to the deck. Xu Jie said as he drew a rough diagram on the paper.

"12 main guns! Boss, you're crazy, aren't you? Yan Boxun felt a chill in the back of his head, and a drop of cold sweat fell. That's at least 22,000 tons, right? ”

"Hiss~~, 22,000 tons!" Tirpitz couldn't help but repeat this figure, although it had been learned through various channels that the Italian shipyard would start construction of 20,000-ton warships. But when Yan Boxun reported this tonnage, Tirpitz was still a little shocked!

"How? Mr. Tirpitz, do you have the courage to take this order? I believe in Germany's industrial level, and I believe that your country can build this world-class warship! I'm going to use more advanced techniques and a more rational design on this ship! If your country wants to dominate the ocean, this kind of courage is necessary! Xu Jie's words were full of demagoguery!

Thank you for the monthly ticket support of the book friend Fat Stone~~~. (To be continued.) )