Winter is not too cold for Alpine Italy, especially for the capital, Rome.

So Carlo wears an extra thick garment, and feels just as comfortable.

Of course, his mood is quite comfortable now.

"Look, the new shipbuilding plan of the United States is really not cheap, 30 million US dollars for 4 warships, it is really a rich nouveau riche."

In response to Carlo's words, Foreign Secretary Bacona, who brought the news, immediately spoke. "Your Majesty, this is enough to show that the Americans' target is precisely Spain, otherwise they would not have urgently added four warships."

The two were talking about the fact that the Americans had opened four new warships. Actually, it's nothing, what great power doesn't build warships. This is just a little different from the warships built by the Americans this time, and this time the United States started to build a cruise. You must know that the Americans have not built a patrol before, and this is more than 10,000 tons, do you still need to say the goal?

In addition, according to what Italy has learned, the performance indicators of the American loading and patrolling are very close to the two new loading and patrolling ships purchased by Spain.

Perhaps due to experience or the fact that the research of its own rapid-fire guns was not smooth, the United States chose 4 305-mm guns for its own firepower, and 10 152-mm rapid-fire guns were installed on the second-stage main guns.

In addition, in terms of speed, the U.S. Patrol plans to install two vertical triple-expansion engines with an estimated output of 20,000 hp, which can propel its new Cruiser to a maximum speed of 21.5 knots.

In addition, in terms of armor, this model is thicker than the one purchased by Spain, the main armor belt of the hull of 127-203 mm is not bad, and the thickest armor of the turret and the conning tower is 203 mm.

Of course, compared with the Krupp armor steel used in Italy, the Harvey armor steel installed by the United States, although it is a little thicker, but in actual protection, it is the Italian side that wins.

As for the speed, the designers of the American warships who designed and cruised for the first time also lacked experience, so they could only get close to the pursuit of speed, but could not do better.

As for firepower, it is not that Carlo underestimates this firepower configuration of the United States, but the power of 8 rapid-fire guns, which can teach it a good lesson.

In terms of fire protection and speed, this American patrol is almost meaningless. Of course, considering that the United States designed a patrol for the first time, and its navy has only begun to be built on a large scale, this is understandable.

"I heard that the U.S. Navy was fighting for funds to build ships this time, and Theodore Roosevelt, the New York Police Commissioner, jumped up and down, and was called a person who was more anxious than Secretary of the Navy Lewis."

"Theodore Roosevelt?"

Carlo is certainly no stranger to this name. Anyone who knows a little about American history will not forget him. The elder Roosevelt was one of the key figures in the development of the U.S. Navy, who practiced his friend Mahan's theory of sea power, and at the same time made the U.S. Navy a non-negligible presence among the world's naval forces.

Moreover, this Theodore Roosevelt did a lot of things, he was known to push the United States to enter the war against Spain, and he also formed his own volunteer group to participate in the war himself, and the Great White Fleet sailed around the world to give the world a new understanding of the United States, which was also promoted after he took office. The Panama Canal, one of the world's three major choke points, was also ordered by him to start construction.

These feats would be praised by anyone alone, let alone on him alone, and he deserves to be called the Big Four (Four Statues) on Capitol Hill. Of course, if it weren't for a better nephew behind him, this Mr. Theodore Roosevelt would have been the greatest president of the United States in the first half of the twentieth century.

Of course, the reality is not bad, and later generations have been ranked 3-5 of the greatest presidents of the United States all year round.

But Carlo also knows that many times great people also meet at the right time, and it is luck that makes him happen. At another time, it may not be the same at all.

Of course, Theodore Roosevelt is still only a small character, and only after being nurtured by the Spanish-American War and becoming well-known to Americans began his political path.

As for now, let the wise and martial Carlo teach the Yankees a lesson.

"Did you inform the Spaniards?"

It is clear that this kind of news needs to be shared, and there is no better result than with the Spaniards.

Foreign Minister Bakona replied immediately. "Your Majesty, I have asked the Ambassador to Madrid to inform the Spanish Government. However, I don't know how Spain will react. ”

It was clear that the Foreign Secretary had thought of Carlo and had informed the Spaniards in advance.

However, just informing Madrid made Carlo a little unwilling, and if the Yankees tasted the sweetness of expansion, it would be out of control.

"Your Excellency Bacona, how about you say that we will continue to supply Spain with two or three warships in the form of barter?"

Carlo remembered the three Turin-class ships that had been in service for many years and had worked hard.

"Your Majesty, it's better to wait for Spain to bring it up, and now we'll see Spain's reaction first."

Startled by Carlo's words, Bacona quickly dismissed his thoughts. There is no urgency in this matter, don't make Italy more urgent than Spain.

Bacona's words made Carlo realize that he was not in the right frame of mind, and that he might be too focused on the United States, and that a little relationship would be messed up.

He then spoke. "Your Excellency Bacona, you are right, there is no rush in this matter."

Seeing that the king's thoughts had been dispelled, Bacona spoke. "Your Majesty, if it's okay, then I'll go first, there are still a lot of things in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Let's go."

Carlo, who feels that he has been in a bad state recently, what else can he say, of course, he has to let his minister go.

After Bacona left, Carlo also planned to take a break and go to see the queen and little Vittorio.

It needs to be said here that Carlo and Queen Maria finally have offspring, and Prince Vittorio is the continuation of Carlo's bloodline, and it is also the direct evidence that he came here.

And the king of Italy has an heir, which also makes the House of Savoy and many people in the kingdom breathe a sigh of relief. Although there are also many brothers and nephews in Europe, and nephews inherit the throne. But to be fair, who wants to give this throne not to their own children, but to someone else?

Of course, in the face of his own blood, of course Carlo likes it very much, and likes to tease him whenever he has time.

On a side note, Prince Vittorio's full name is: Vittorio Amedeo di Savoy.

And just as Carlo and the queen were teasing little Vittorio together, Bacona hurried back again.

I saw him say with a smile on his face. "Your Majesty, King Carol of Romania has sent an invitation to Princess Mafalda to attend Prince Ferdinand's ball."

"What?"