The main forces of the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy are active in Scapa Bay in the Onych Islands and Mali Bay in the Kingdom of Scotland, with 16 capital ships plus large and small cruisers, destroyers, minesweepers and other warships, totaling more than 100. This immediately made the Germans on the other side of the North Sea feel like a formidable enemy. The most formidable adversary of the German High Seas Fleet has arrived, and from now on, the confrontation between the two sides in the North Sea is becoming more and more intense.

The German High Seas Fleet will also receive eight more battleships next year, four 'Deutsch-class' battleships and four 'Nassau-class' battleships. In addition, in the second half of next year, the super battleship "Helgolan class", with a displacement of more than 30,000 tons and a 381-mm main gun, will also be put into service. However, the 'Helgoland-class' battleships were too expensive to build, and the German Navy planned to build only four. Behind the 'Helgoland-class' battleships were the more powerful 'Caesar-class' battleships.

However, the navy of the Chinese Empire also had 'Ming-class' battleships and 'Ming-class' battleships to compete with it. In addition, the number of 'Ming-class' battleships and 'Ming-class' battleships in the Chinese Empire was as high as sixteen, which was twice as many as the 'Helgoland-class' and 'Caesar-class' battleships of the German Navy. The wealthy Chinese Empire has always been far ahead of the German Navy in the construction of naval warships.

■ It is precisely because of this that the Germans felt a great threat. For them, the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy is their main enemy. Even if the German Navy was lucky enough to defeat the Chinese Navy's 5th Fleet, they still had to deal with the 1st Fleet, which was no less powerful than the 5th Fleet. In this way, the German navy's chances of victory are indeed not very good. But. Even then, there was no way back for the German Navy. Germany built so many capital ships. Hundreds of warships, large and small, were designed to challenge the maritime supremacy of the Chinese Empire. If there is no confrontation. Then their efforts will be in vain.

Therefore, there is no way back for Germany now, and they can only go one way to the dark.

When the main force of the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy appeared in the North Sea, the German Minister of the Navy, Prince Felix, Vice Admiral Philip of the High Seas Fleet, and Rear Admiral Müller, Chief of Staff of the High Seas Fleet, began to discuss countermeasures. Frederick. Crown Prince Wilhelm, as a representative of Kaiser Wilhelm I, also rushed to Wilhelmshaven. The Chinese Empire deployed the main forces of the 5th Fleet to the North Sea, and there is no doubt that a direct confrontation between the two countries was officially launched.

"Gentlemen. The Chinese are menacing. Their battleships were on the opposite side of the North Sea. In the event of a war, they will blockade the entire North Sea. At that time, Germany's overseas trade will be cut off completely, which will be a huge blow to the German Empire! The Minister of the Navy, Prince Felix, said in a deep voice. The arrival of the Chinese fleet made the smell of gunpowder in the entire North Sea stronger and stronger, and the smell of gunpowder could almost be smelled.

"Yes, Your Highness. This time the Chinese transferred the main forces to the North Sea. It is clear that they are already preparing for war. In the event of war, our first task is to defeat the Chinese 5th Fleet. Break through the blockade of the Atlantic Ocean by the Chinese Navy. Then send a large number of heavy cruisers, light cruisers and submarines into the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea to attack the sea transportation lines of the Chinese, cut off their ties with Europe, and create favorable conditions for the army to sweep through Western Europe! "said Vice Admiral Philip, commander of the High Seas Fleet. This is the battle plan drawn up by the High Seas Fleet. It was also the only way they could think of to confront the powerful Chinese Imperial Navy. Submarines, this weapon hidden under water, was the German Navy in order to reverse the situation. Invented advanced weapons. However, compared to the submarines of the Chinese Navy. The submarines of the German Navy seem to be a little more rudimentary and a little behind. The Chinese Navy's submarines are both fast and other performance. All are significantly stronger than the submarines of the German Navy. It's just that the Chinese Navy has always been very secretive about submarines, just like the Chinese Navy's aviation, the army's armored forces, and the air force's fighter planes. Although the Germans knew the clues and could learn some relevant information, they did not know the true strength. So much so that the Germans did not invest much in the development of these cutting-edge weapons. So much so that after the war, they will taste the power of these weapons!

"Your Excellency, Commander, is the High Seas Fleet capable of defeating the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy?" Frederick. Crown Prince William asked. He knew that it would be very difficult for the High Seas Fleet to defeat the Chinese Navy, so the goal was limited to the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy. Because of the huge gap between the navies of the two countries, the German top brass no longer has unrealistic illusions. As long as the German Navy can defeat the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy and gain temporary sea supremacy in Western Europe, it will be enough. When the time comes, the mighty German Army will easily defeat China's two hardcore allies in Western Europe, know China's foothold in the western part of the European continent, and strive for the greatest advantage for Germany to win the war.

"Your Royal Highness, this is very difficult! However, the High Seas Fleet will try to win as much as possible! Lieutenant General Philip said. He was not able to give Frederick. Crown Prince William replied in the affirmative. The High Seas Fleet is not much more powerful than the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy. In addition, there are many unexpected factors at sea. So, he's not sure if he'll win. However, the German Navy will definitely do its best.

"The Chinese Navy has withdrawn from the Mediterranean, so the defense of the Mediterranean is very empty, can we think of a way there?" The Minister of the Navy, Prince Felix, asked. Previously, the defense zone of the 52nd Squadron of the Chinese Navy was the Mediterranean. But now, the 52nd Squadron has been transferred to the North Sea, and there is not much power left in the Mediterranean.

"Your Royal Highness, we can deploy some light warships, even heavy cruisers, to the Mediterranean. As for the capital ship, forget it for the time being! Our capital ships need to be used in the decisive battle of the Chinese Navy's 5th Fleet. Lieutenant General Philip said.

"In view of the importance of the Mediterranean route, the German Navy could deploy a number of heavy cruisers, light cruisers, destroyers, and submarines to the naval base in Yaste, as well as the naval base of the Italians. Especially submarines, this weapon hidden underwater, will definitely be able to make the Chinese suffer! "said the chief of staff of the high seas fleet, Rear Admiral Müller.

"In addition, if we can win over the Ottoman Turkish Empire, the situation in the Mediterranean can be changed. The Ottoman Turkish Empire now had two 'Western Han-class' battleships and three 'Qin-class' battleships purchased from the Chinese Empire. Originally, when the 52nd Detachment of the Chinese Navy was stationed in the Mediterranean, the navy of the Ottoman Turkish Empire was completely suppressed in the Aegean Sea. However, now that the Chinese Navy has been transferred, the range of activities of the Ottoman Imperial Turkish Navy can be significantly larger. Not to mention the four 'Brandenburg-class' battleships and two 'Caesars' ordered from us by the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Frederick III's class battleships will be ready for delivery next year. When the time comes, they will have a much more powerful navy. Even if the Spanish navy had thrown all its strength into the Mediterranean, it would probably not have been able to defeat the Ottoman Turkish Empire. If they are willing to support us, then the shape of the Mediterranean will be fundamentally changed! Lieutenant General Philip continued.

After the withdrawal of the 52nd Detachment of the Chinese Navy, the Ottoman Imperial Turkish Navy will become the most significant force in the entire Mediterranean.

Prince Felix and Frederick. Crown Prince William nodded.

"I will try my best to win over the Ottoman Turkish Empire. As for whether it will be successful, it's hard to say! Prince Felix said. Although there were many contradictions between the Chinese Empire and the Ottoman Turkish Empire, especially the oil in the Persian Gulf, the Ottoman Turkish Empire was very jealous. But did the Ottoman Empire have the audacity to turn to the German Empire? It's very hard to say.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our enemies are strong. However, I hope that the Imperial German Navy will be able to defeat those Chinese without fear of difficulties. A new era for the German Empire! Prince Felix said.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Both Lieutenant General Philip and Major General Muller replied.

In the blink of an eye, it was December 1860. The Asia-Europe military alliance signed at the beginning is also about to expire. On December 12, 1850, the Chinese Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Ottoman Turkish Empire, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Belgium, and the Kingdom of Sardinia signed the Treaty of Military Alliance between Asia and Europe, forming an alliance against the North Atlantic Military Alliance. The treaty was valid for 10 years, and after the formation of the alliance, the countries proposed that the alliance treaty could be extended after it expired.

But now, the North Atlantic military alliance no longer exists. The Eurasian military alliance is full of contradictions, and when there is no common enemy, and the allies are in a very unhappy situation because of their interests, it is almost impossible to extend the alliance treaty.

On December 2, 1860, Wei Yuan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Empire, sent a note to the ambassadors of the German Empire, the Ottoman Turkish Empire, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Kingdom of Belgium, asking them whether they would agree to the extension of the Eurasian military alliance. However, only the Kingdom of Spain and the Kingdom of Belgium agreed. Both the German Empire and the Ottoman Turkish Empire refused to extend the treaty of alliance.

As a result, the Eurasian military alliance, which had existed for ten years, was dissolved. Between the Chinese Empire and the German Empire and the Ottoman Turkish Empire, there would no longer be allies. As a result, the international situation has become even more tense. (To be continued......)

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