For a long time, because the empire has been seriously threatened by Japan. As a result, the Imperial Navy was able to concentrate almost all of its forces in the northern region to defend against the Japanese Navy.

However, in this war, the Japanese navy was almost completely wiped out. Even if the Japanese navy is re-developed, it will take a lot of time. The Imperial Navy, on the other hand, was able to take advantage of this time to develop even more powerful. Therefore, the empire did not need to be afraid of the Japanese navy. The Imperial Navy was finally able to free itself from the defenses of the north and disperse elsewhere.

The empire had a long maritime frontier, and in addition to the north, there was also the south. In addition, the empire had a lot of immigrants in the South Seas. For a long time, because the country was extremely weak, even those compatriots in the South Seas suffered, and the empire could not lend a helping hand. Now, after the formation of the Nanyang Fleet, they will become the main force of the empire in the South Seas to safeguard the interests of the empire.

Of course, dealing with the Japanese threat remains the focus. The two 'Longxing-class' battleships and two 'Longfei-class' battlecruisers that the empire will acquire next year will also be assigned to the Pacific Fleet. After the complete defeat of Japan and the complete removal of Japan's threat to the empire, the naval power of the empire will be redistributed.

The reform of the military system is to give better play to the combat effectiveness of the imperial army and navy, and to make it easier for the empire to win in future wars. After all, the current external environment of the empire is not good. Once the Western powers have settled the war in the West, it will inevitably make a comeback. In addition to speeding up the development of the empire, it must also have a strong military force. Only in this way can it be ensured that the interests of the empire are not harmed.

After the end of the military conference, the reform of the army and navy will be taken over by the General Staff. Marshal Shi Tianhan, the new chief of the General Staff, will earnestly shoulder his responsibilities. And Wu Haoxuan. It will also move from the military side to other aspects. Although he was the crown prince, he was the de facto ruler of the country. He has to decide on the affairs of the country, big or small. It is impossible for him to devote all his energy to military construction for a long time.

However, at the end of the military meeting, Wu Haoxuan still summoned the Minister of the Navy, Marshal Sa Zhenbing. Admiral Cheng Biguang, Commander of the Navy and Commander of the Pacific Fleet, and Vice Admiral Li He, Commander of the South Ocean Fleet. Previously, Li He was nothing more than the commander of the destroyer formation. However, in the war, he led the destroyer formation and made great achievements. Whether it was in the initial battle of the sneak attack on the main force of the Japanese Navy, or in the shelling of the Etajima Naval Academy, the destroyer formation performed very well. Therefore, this time when the Nanyang Fleet was established, Wu Haoxuan put Li He directly in the position of fleet commander.

In the study of the Imperial Palace. Wu Haoxuan had a detailed discussion with Sa Zhenbing, Cheng Biguang and Li He.

"The Imperial Navy has performed very well in this battle. There is no doubt that the reason why the empire was able to defeat Japan cleanly and win the war was because the imperial navy made great contributions. Even in the world, the Imperial Navy was only the most powerful force behind Britain, Germany, and the United States. Wu Haoxuan said.

Sa Zhenbing, Cheng Biguang, and Li He all showed a smile on their faces. Wu Haoxuan's affirmation. Make them very proud. The Imperial Navy grew from scratch, from weak to strong. They've worked a lot hard for it.

"But you can't be complacent. The enemy of the empire is not only Japan, but also those naval powers, all of which may be our enemies, so our navy needs to be further developed. Next year. The four capital ships we ordered from Germany were able to be delivered. Four more powerful capital ships will further improve our naval strength. Even if the Japanese bought dreadnoughts from the British, they can't compare with us. Wu Haoxuan continued.

"Four more capital ships, and we'll have eight capital ships. Together with the two 'Satsuma-class' battleships handed over to us by the Japanese, there were ten battleships in total. Even in the world. It can also be ranked in the top five. Sa Zhenbing smiled happily. Although the Imperial Navy is still ranked behind Britain, Germany, the United States and France, don't forget that the Imperial Navy has only been developing for a few years. As the empire grows stronger, so does the empire's navy. The Imperial Navy is just around the corner to become the world's top naval power, surpassing those rivals.

"Yes, ten capital ships. However, for a long time to come, we may only have these ten capital ships. Wu Haoxuan continued.

"Your Highness, why?" Sa Zhenbing and the others were a little confused. The Reich had just received 150 million pounds in war reparations from the Japanese. According to the original distribution plan, 50 million pounds was spent on the military. Even if the army had the majority, the navy would be able to get at least 20 million pounds. Twenty million pounds is enough to build eight 'Longxing-class' battleships or 'Longfei-class' battlecruisers. So, the Imperial Navy was not short of money.

Wu Haoxuan knew what they meant, so he explained: "Don't forget, everyone, we don't have the ability to build capital ships on our own. Our capital ships, all built for us by the Germans. As the confrontation between the Germans and the British became more and more intense. They simply don't have a superfluous slipway to build capital ships for us. Therefore, the 'Longxing-class' battleships and the 'Longfei-class' battlecruisers will be the last four capital ships we will acquire from Germany. If we want to build another capital ship in the future, we will have to rely on ourselves. ”

When Wu Haoxuan said this, everyone guessed the urgency of the matter. You know, the Imperial Navy is currently only building destroyers on its own. The performance of the 'B-class' destroyer is very good, but after all, it is only a light warship with a displacement of only 1,800 tons. The battleships and battlecruisers of the Imperial Navy were big guys with a displacement of nearly 30,000 tons. The empire simply does not have the strength to build on its own. In terms of shipbuilding, the empire could not even compare with the Japanese. After all, the Japanese Navy's 'Kawachi-class' battleships are nearly 20,000 tons of giant ships.

"We are only beginning to plan to build light cruisers on our own, and I am afraid it will be a long time before we build our own capital ships." Cheng Biguang's face was very ugly. If more capital ships are not replenished for a long time, the pressure on the Imperial Navy will be very great.

"Your Highness, can't the Germans think of a way to let them help us build a first-class capital ship?" Sa Zhenbing asked. If there were four more capital ships, the pressure on the Imperial Navy would undoubtedly be much less.

Wu Haoxuan shook his head: "It's unlikely, the Germans won't agree." Even if the Germans wanted to, we would not dare to risk it. War may break out at any time, and once war breaks out, the warships we built will not be able to be taken back at all. The Germans would presumably requisition it directly. Also, even if the Germans would not requisition those ships, would the British let our ships go home? ”

The top brass of the Imperial Navy was suddenly silent.

"It seems that if we want to build a capital ship, we have to rely on ourselves." Sa Zhenbing said. He knew that after he became the Minister of the Navy, the biggest and most important job was probably to strive to improve the shipbuilding level of the empire, and strive to build all the capital ships by himself.

Wu Haoxuan nodded: "After all, we still need to work hard ourselves." It is not impossible that we bought a lot of shipbuilding equipment from Germany and built large capital ships. What is lacking is nothing more than experience. In addition, I will find a way to get more technology from Germany, and as long as we digest these technologies, we should be able to build capital ships on our own. ”

Although it is unlikely that the Germans will continue to help China build capital ships, there is still no problem in providing technology to the Chinese Empire. The Chinese Empire could have traded Germany's scarce resources for them.

"Your Highness, in this case, the Imperial Navy will only have to explore step by step. The Navy plans to start construction of light cruisers and destroyers of the next class in the near future. After that, we will strive to build a 10,000-ton heavy cruiser in the first half of next year to further accumulate experience for the construction of capital ships. Sa Zhenbing said.

The light cruiser of the next level of the Imperial Navy, Wu Haoxuan knew that he had already seen the design drawings. This is a light cruiser of the first class named 'Blue Dragon class'.

The 'Blue Dragon' class light cruiser has a displacement of up to 6,700 tons and a full load displacement of up to 7,500 tons. The latest oil-fired boilers and steam turbines will be used, and the maximum speed will be increased to 30 knots. In terms of armament, the 'Qinglong-class' light cruisers will be equipped with three twin 155-mm guns, which will be arranged in the form of two in the front and one in the back. In terms of secondary artillery, there were 12 105 mm rapid-fire guns, 12 88mm rapid-fire guns and 8 47mm rapid-fire guns. In addition, there are six 533 mm heavy torpedo tubes in the bow. Seven light cruisers of the 'Qinglong class' are planned to be built, which are named 'Jiaomu Jiao', 'Kang Jinlong', 'Di Tu Raccoon', 'Fang Ri Rabbit', 'Xinyue Fox', 'Tailed Fire Tiger' and 'Mishui Leopard'. The naming rules are based on the seven nakshatras represented by the Oriental Green Dragon among the 28 Nakshatras in traditional Chinese mythology.

In addition to the 'Blue Dragon-class' light cruisers, the Imperial Navy will also build 'C-class' destroyers. The 'C-class' destroyer is a modification of the 'B-class' destroyer. The displacement was increased to 1,900 tons, the speed was increased to 34 knots, and the armament remained largely unchanged. Similarly, twelve C-class destroyers will be built. (To be continued.) )

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