The drought in Italy lasted until the end of 1897, and for most of the year, the drought in Italy was alleviated by the concerted efforts of the people and the government, although the Italian relief supplies were also expensive.

But none of this compares to October, when the drought was lifted and the Italian population breathed a sigh of relief as the rain fell in southern Italy.

However, although the drought has been lifted, everyone including Carlo and the prime minister have an ugly face when they look at the treasury that can run away from the rats.

The drought has put more pressure on Italy's finances, and it will be difficult to live again.

Of course, on one of these days, the parliament quietly passed a bill to amend the suffrage. But in the face of this, Carlo can only act as if he didn't see it.

Of course, in addition to the bad things in our own country, there are also big things happening in Germany. German Admiral Chancellor Tirpitz, who only took office in June this year, introduced the famous naval bill to the German parliament, which is also the first naval bill.

In the act, Tirpitz demanded that by 1904 the German naval fleet should be equipped with eighteen capital ships, eight coastal defense armored ships, and forty cruisers, at a cost of more than 490 million marks.

Does it feel like something is wrong?

That's right, this naval bill is one less than in history, two fewer cruisers, and the cost of building ships is more than 10 million marks.

The reason for the difference from history is still due to that Carlo. After Italy shared its naval technology with Germany, as well as military concepts, the development of the German Navy was somewhat different.

First of all, in the exchange of naval warship design, naval designers from Italy gave a lesson to their German counterparts.

The Brandenburg class and Frederick III class, which were built before by their German counterparts, were criticized. Of course, criticism alone is not convincing, after all, anyone can find out the faults on the opponent's warship just by saying that they don't practice fake tricks, after all, there is no perfect battleship. And it was only after the Italian counterparts came up with various amendments and roles that the German counterparts were convinced.

Of course, in the designer exchange, there are also people who are still so eye-catching, yes, it's you; H.E. Vittorio Cuniberti.

This talented battleship designer, who has attracted attention all over the world, has also attracted the attention of many people.

He not only communicated with his German counterparts, but was also invited to meet with Rear Admiral Tirpitz, the head of the German Navy, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. After some exchanges, the two were equally impressed by their talents.

Rear Admiral Tirpitz even said that if the German battleships were designed by him, the German battleships would have at least a 5% increase in performance.

The Kaiser, on the other hand, went a little too far, and he extended an invitation to the genius designer to give him the title of viscount if he was willing to work for Germany.

No way, Vittorio Cuniberti was like a hungry man meeting a good food for two naval fanatics.

Of course, it was more of Vittorio Kuniberti's ship-building talent that made the two feel reluctant. (By the way, I have always felt that few of the German battleship designers were outstanding, and they were not leading the war.) You can think about it carefully, which excellent battleship designer in Germany has? ）

Of course, there is a reason why the two of them are so obsessed with their talents. On one occasion when the two men were talking to Kuniberti, Rear Admiral Tirpitz half-jokingly proposed technical requirements for a new German battleship. Three days later, the Cuniberti came up with a design proposal. Of course, this plan, Kuniberti himself said that it was modified from the original plan, but it still shocked everyone by coming up with a plan in three days.

What's more, this plan is still very good, and after observing it, German colleagues have said that their design will not be better than it, which is very embarrassing.

The German designers learned a lot from this exchange. At least the problem of wasting tonnage can be corrected to some extent.

After all, the high requirements of the Italian Navy did not allow the designers to waste tonnage in the slightest.

Of course, in addition to the designers, the exchange between the two countries is also quite useful in terms of warship technology.

The exchange of large-caliber naval guns, boilers, steam engines, optical sights and other equipment has greatly benefited the navies of the two countries.

In any case, in the face of the massive expansion of the German Navy, the Italian side can only watch the excitement. Because of the drought this time. Italy's finances have not been able to slow down for several years. It's too expensive to keep up.

And for the Italian Navy, the German counterparts are ready to build on a large scale, and there is only envy in their eyes. It's good that they can keep three Garibal-class cruisers now, and they want to continue to expand, and they want to eat.

What's going on?

This is still a drought situation.

Wasn't it because the drought was severe before, and the government's finances were under great pressure. Of course, they were trying to find money from everywhere, and at that time, the shipyard had only sent away two Spanish ships of the same type, and this was not going to make up for the two ships of the navy.

As a result, some people proposed that under the current situation of such a tight financial situation in Italy, the construction of two ships for cruising with a total cost of 68 million lire should be started. In other words, one will be built first, and the other will be built after the financial situation is eased.

Such a proposal within the government immediately aroused the dissatisfaction of the navy. For this reason, Admiral Yagill at a meeting of the Admiral, openly furious; The navy contributes so much to the country, and it is so hard to protect the country's trade every year, there are even people who say that they want to cut the cost of building ships for the navy. Don't let him meet this kind of person, or he won't be polite to him.

Well, Admiral Yagill has an attitude of being physically strong and wanting to compete with others, although it is rough but effective. This kind of rhetoric about wanting the Navy to save on the cost of building ships has since dissipated.

However, although this rhetoric dissipated, the Italian navy was still watching, and it could not let its guard down until the two ships were halfway built.

For the Italian Navy, there is a serious shortage of loading and patrolling at present, and these two loading and patrolling ships are too important for the navy.

Of course, in addition to these two ships, the Italian Navy also needs to pay attention to the three Genoa-class battleships that have been launched and outfitted. (Genoa, Bologna, Cagliari)

Although the tonnage of these three warships has been reduced, they are not inferior to the Turin class in terms of performance, and they have even been strengthened in some places.

Of course, as a new ship, it is better than the Turin class, which has been in service for nearly ten years.

The more than 2,000 officers and men who have prepared for this class of warships have also begun to familiarize themselves with the warships and are waiting for sea trials after the outfitting is completed.

Italian naval officers and sailors are waiting for the new ship, and there are also people waiting.