In 1914, in this year, Xu Jie focused on three big things and one small thing. The first major event is that Xu Jie finally solved his personal problem, an otaku who is pure science and engineering and military industry did not build a "harem" after encountering this world. I have to say that it's too much of a traverser. But in the end, Xu Jie, who has been dealing with the political army, still completed his life's work. This has to be said to be a qualitative leap. The second major event is that with Li Hongzhang's retirement, Xu Jie can finally go further. Eventually, he became president from prime minister. As for a trifle? It is the commissioning ceremony of China's new generation of super dreadnoughts Longwu and Longgang, after more than three years of construction, the Republic of China has directly completed the leap from 12-inch warships to 15-inch warships. This class of battleships with a displacement of more than 30,000 tons will be the backbone of the navy of the Republic of China for more than ten years or even decades!

In terms of artillery, the Republic of China can be said to be eclectic, and the artillery manufacturing technology is based on the technology of Krupp and Skoda, but in terms of specification design, it is the idea of high-speed heavy ammunition. By enlarging the chamber and reducing the life of the gun, the power is appropriately increased. In terms of shells, they almost copied the German hard cap armor-piercing shells, and at the same time changed the shape to make them have better underwater ballistics. Of course, there is such a thing as a water bullet, which Huaxia has classified as a top secret. It is impossible to share all the relevant information.

And the last big thing is that Xu Jie's long-awaited war in the world has finally begun! However, this time the trigger was not the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand, the prince of Austria-Hungary, by the Serbs. If the historical events of Sarajevo did give the Allies a good excuse for going to war. The Allies can be regarded as passively finding fault in this matter. So on this historical plane, the extremely aggressive allies can be said to have taken the initiative to find fault this time. Because the Allies felt that they had a good chance of winning now, and that 1914 was the best time to do so, according to Germany's strategic plan. Even if you don't have anything to do, you'll find something to fight!

This time, as in history, there was a dispute between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, in which Serbia still wanted to include Bosnia and other places in its territory, while Austria-Hungary wanted to occupy Serbia and thus expand its influence in the Balkans. There was already a lot of open and secret fighting between the two sides, and the time when they usually didn't want to fight was over, but now. With the support of the Kaiser, the Austrian Emperor pressed the border with Serbia under the pretext that Serbia's non-governmental radical organizations such as the Black Coats and the National Defense Association had planned various attacks on Austria and demanded that Serbia ban these two organizations. And sent the "first offender" to Austria-Hungary for trial. And Serbia, naturally, will not agree.

For the sudden attack of Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Russia and other countries immediately expressed their support for Serbia, although Britain, France, Russia and other countries are not perfect in preparation, but in order to ensure that the Balkans are not encroached upon by Austria-Hungary. Britain, France, and Russia still hope to bring it into line through diplomatic pressure. Facing the pressure of three powerful empires. Austria-Hungary did not give in, because on the very third day of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's official ultimatum to Serbia, the Kaiser, on behalf of the German government, supported Austria-Hungary's actions in the Balkans and stated that any action against Austria-Hungary would be regarded as a declaration of war against Germany! And on the same day, the Turkish Empire also said that it would support the actions of Austria-Hungary in the Balkans, and at the same time make a claim to Greece!

In the face of the aggressive Germany and Austria, Britain, France and Russia did not back down. Because if Serbia is really eaten like this, it may not be long before the entire Balkan Peninsula will become the sphere of influence of Germany, Austria and Turkey. The range of Russia's forces will be further reduced, and Russia's southwestern direction will directly face the Austro-Hungarian front. The front of the entire battlefield will be further expanded, which is unacceptable to Russia, which is weak in national strength, and the eastern front is likely to fall into an irretrievable situation, so in the face of the threat of Germany, Austria and Turkey, Britain, France, Russia, Serbia and Greece and other countries said that they would not give up an inch of territory.

And now there is a favorable condition for Britain, France and Russia, that is, the Italians have not expressed their attitude so far, it is said that as a member of the Central Powers, the Italians should not hesitate to stand on the side of Germany and Austria at this critical moment, but from the current point of view, Italy has not carried out a deep war mobilization, on the other hand, it has not said anything cruel, but only expressed its support for Germany and Austria in its position, which makes Britain, France and Russia see the differences within the Allies. There is no doubt that Germany and Austria are hardcore allies, but Italy has historically been hostile to Austria, and in reality Germany and Austria can get a lot of land and population from Russia, but what can Italy get? So in the eyes of the Entente, Italy's hesitation is well explained! To put it bluntly, Italy will fight with all its might in this choice that is at stake for its national fortunes, but the benefits may not be great.

Even after Xu Jie saw that Italy may have to play a role in history again this time, and after France promised enough benefits and land, Italy would decisively sell Germany and Austria. If this is the case, Xu Jie's plan will be problematic, Xu Jie's purpose is to make the two sides fight as badly as possible, but if Italy jumps to the side of the Entente, the Franco-Italian fleet will immediately be able to organize the Austro-Hungarian fleet into the Austro-Hungarian Adriatic Fleet, and then firmly control the Mediterranean, and then the Italian fleet will make a major change in the situation at sea whether it goes south to the Indian Ocean to find trouble with Spee and the Turks, or goes north to the North Sea and the Grand Fleet to block France all the way. The Allied navy will be completely suppressed, and there may be no major problems at sea.

But in the face of this situation, Xu Jie had no choice, Xu Jie strengthened Italy from the very beginning, hoping to teach Britain and France a lesson on the side of Germany and Austria in the future World War I. But now it seems that Italy is still a bit empty. However, Xu Jie, who is in the far Far East, can see Italy's careful thoughts, and Germany and Austria can also see Italy's thoughts, isn't it just afraid that there will not be many benefits? Historically, Germany and Austria rejected Italy's territorial claims, while France agreed to Italy's demands, so in the end, Italy sided with Britain and France, but on this plane. In the face of a strengthened version of Italy and the Royal Italian Navy, which is arguably the strongest presence in the Mediterranean, Germany and Austria must weigh it carefully.

I have to say that this is a painful process, obviously allies. At the critical moment, you have to give additional benefits, otherwise you will be stabbed in the back, if the pig teammate will make yourself fall short, then the Italian teammate may not be able to kill himself at the critical moment, and unlike history, the Italian fleet of this plane is an important weight in the maritime struggle between the two sides, which side to put on. Which side will have a strategic advantage! Therefore, Germany and Austria could not easily refuse Italy's demands as they did in history, but the question of where to give them was a question.

After some haggling, Germany and Austria offered to join the German-Austrian side if Italy. Then after the end of the war, Greece will be the sphere of influence of Italy, and at the same time, the island of Malta in the Mediterranean, the whole of Egypt, and the strategically important Suez Canal will be in Italy's pocket! Italy, on the other hand, has a lot of obligations, that is, the Italian navy must take control of the Mediterranean. And the army must also be engaged in combat on the Western Front and in Africa. The number of troops in North Africa cannot be less than 200,000. And just after Germany and Austria threw this piece of fat to Italy, the Italians still did not move!

"Daddy!" After seeing the information sent by the intelligence services. Xu Jie couldn't help scolding. I thought that De'ao was kind enough this time, so you can't be a man? On the one hand, it is to be able to stand on the side of the victor when the situation is clearer, and on the other hand, Italy has indeed not yet made the most difficult preparations for war, although this situation is much better than Italy's hasty entry into the war in World War II, but it is still insufficient, so Italy agreed to the German and Austrian suggestions on the one hand. Indicates that he will participate in the war at the right time, and a time is added after the last. Before the end of 1915, Italy would show its importance for the friendship of the Central Powers with practical actions!

"Before the end of 1915? By then, the war was over, right? When the Kaiser saw the note sent by the Italian government, he couldn't help but sneer. However, this time the Kaiser was indeed wrong, he did not expect that the war would last so long and almost drag down the entire German Empire, and at the same time, he did not expect that the Italian Navy could play a very important role in the Mediterranean. Of course, this is an afterthought, so I won't mention it for now. Although Italy dropped the chain at a critical moment, Germany and Austria are obviously ready for the worst. Regardless of the outcome, the war must begin!

On May 22, 1914, with the Austro-Hungarian army officially crossing the Serbian border, the long-brewing First World War finally broke out, and on the same day, the German government said that it would send troops to support Austria-Hungary's actions, and the next day, Russia first declared war on Austria-Hungary, and in less than three hours, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany and Austria, while Germany declared war on Britain, France, and Russia. And within a week, the Turkish Empire and Romania also indicated that they would fulfill the obligations of the Central Powers. And Greece and the Balkan countries can only stand on the side of Britain, France and Russia when they are forced to do so!

The world's first-class powers have been fighting almost in a week, and Italy is ready to join the war group at any time, and now, there are only two big powers left in the world that are still indifferent to the war in Europe, one is the United States, which is ready to pick peaches, and the other is China, which is ready to do business to the end! Now that Italy is not in the war, there is also a little advantage for the Chinese Republic, that is, the materials sold to Germany and Austria can continue to be transported to these two countries through Italy. "These are extraordinary times, and prices need to be raised a little bit." Xu Jie said with a smile.

Thanks to the book friends zhouyu1976, hugetiger, and Fengxia Aijian for their rewards~~~. As well as the monthly pass support of book friend AC198425, Wangyun Mountain People, and Zhiqiu Yiye 1117~~. With such support from book friends, the author should have added a new chapter. But today the situation is really different. Tomorrow two more ~~~~. I hope you can be satisfied~~~~.

The war has finally begun, and the side position as the naval party will definitely present you with a colorful naval battle of World War I~~~~. I hope you enjoy ~~~~~. (To be continued......)