Since the discovery of the Great Iron Ore Mine in Western Australia five years ago, people have been deeply shocked to look to the barren and barren western Australia.

Geologists and mining companies are in constant attendance and people are struck by the quality of the iron-rich ore, with an average iron content of 60 percent, which can be smelted without treatment.

In contrast, although China's iron ore resources are large, the quality is poor, and a considerable part of them are poor iron ore, with an average iron content of only 15% and no more than 35%.

"The price offered by the British for peace talks is Burma, as well as Wu Sizang... The southern corner of the foothills. ”

As she spoke, Zhu Lingjing got up slowly, walked slowly to the side of the seat, and bent down to change the gramophone for a record.

Zhou Changfeng couldn't help frowning when he heard this, "The more oil, the better, the Ren'anqiang oil field is almost at your fingertips, and the tungsten mine in Myanmar is very important to Europeans, it would be a pity to give up Myanmar." ”

He went on to add: "As for Wu Si Zang, I don't think it is necessary to talk about it, although southern Tibet is only a corner of the country, but it is south of the Himalayan foothills, and with it, we have the strategic initiative." ”

There was a trace of disdain in Zhu Lingjing's eyes, and she said "um", "The British lack sincerity." Besides, Annan has contributed a lot and is very dedicated, so he should indeed divide something and go out, so as to serve as an example for all his vassals. ”

Zhou Changfeng shrugged, "But they must also have concerns, worried that we are wolves who can't be fed. ”

"Let them be suspicious, wait and see for the time being." Zhu Lingjing replied nonchalantly: "They are in a hurry, but Daming is not in a hurry." ”

"Indeed."

"In the past two days, some members of the Advisory Yuan have preached that our country and the DPRK have been invincible, and even if they do not fight for Hawaii, they will be far enough to keep the enemy out of the country by relying on Japan and many islands and reefs in the Pacific Ocean."

"Uh......" Zhou Changfeng hesitated for a moment before he spoke: "This argument is true... can't be mistaken, but it's definitely a bad idea, it's stupid and rigid, and it's too passive. ”

Tarawa Atoll, Saipan, Iwo Jima...... There are more than a dozen or dozens of islands and reefs, large and small, and troops are stationed on every important island and reef, and then materials are hoarded for three or five years.

Then just wait for the Americans to gnaw slowly, even if they can skip most of them with island hopping tactics, but they will still have to gnaw a few.

The disadvantage of this strategy is that it is too passive and passive, and if the enemy makes careful preparations and then comes back to fight more and less, it is easy for the whole army to be annihilated.

However, the Ming Navy could theoretically use the islands and reefs as bait during this period and take the opportunity to engage in a large-scale naval and air encirclement and annihilation battle.

The large volume can indeed be much calmer, even if Zhou thinks that such a strategy is stupid, similar to hardening and fighting stupidly, but he has to admit that it does work.

First of all, the strength of the Ming Dynasty is different from Japan, the strength of the Ming Dynasty is enough to deploy sufficient defense forces on most of the islands and reefs, and there is no situation where the troops are overstretched.

The second is materials, the Ming Dynasty has tens of millions of tons of merchant ship tonnage and good anti-submarine escort forces, the main force of the navy is intact, can transport and hoard enough materials to those islands and reefs stationed, there is no dilemma of lack of materials like Japan.

Then there are the weapons, and the Ming Army, whether it is light weapons or heavy weapons, is not comparable to Japan. There are a fair number of automatic weapons in close-quarters combat, and enough anti-tank guns to destroy medium tanks in long-range combat.

Taken together, even if the U.S. troops fought hard, they had to pay much more painful losses on the islands and reefs defended by the Ming army.

Historically, the U.S. military relied heavily on tanks in the island-seizing operation, and the Japanese army was unable to effectively deal with Sherman; At the same time, U.S. infantry can also have an advantage in close combat with ample automatic weapons.

These two points no longer existed when fighting the Ming army, so Zhou Changfeng firmly believed that there was no better way to attack in this era, and he could only pile up with human lives little by little.

Even foresee scenarios in the future – every foot of advancement comes at the cost of blood!

After talking for a while, Zhu Lingjing suddenly asked a somewhat shocking question.

"Is it possible to land on the West Coast of the United States after the capture of Hawaii?"

"......" Zhou Changfeng replied rather speechlessly: "Your Majesty, crossing the ocean to fight other people's homeland, this... Unrealistic. ”

"It's not a siege, I'm wondering if we can destroy the shipyards in the cities on the west bank."

"Yes, it is less than 7,000 miles from Hawaii to the West Coast of the United States, and relying on aircraft carriers, it is completely possible to attack Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco."

Zhu Lingjing, who was thoughtful, said "oh", "It's a pity that the industry on the west bank can't compare to the east coast." ”

"Yes, the main shipyards of the United States are on the East Coast, and it is useless to attack the West Coast, and it will also sharply intensify the hostility of the other side's people." Zhou Changfeng said very seriously.

Relatively more practical was the raid on the Panama Canal, which would have required the American fleet in the Atlantic to go around South America through Cape Horn to reach the Pacific Ocean once the locks were destroyed.

However, the capture of Panama was even more difficult than the capture of Pearl Harbor, and the voyage to Central America was too long, and there were tens of thousands of American troops stationed there.

Drifting across the ocean, laboring on expeditions, the slightest carelessness will wipe out the whole army.

Zhu Lingjing thought for a while, and seemed to dispel some thoughts, "Step up and improve the strategy against Pearl Harbor, the situation may change suddenly at any time." ”

She prefers to take the initiative in her own hands in the war, even if Da Ming has the confidence to fight hard and dumbfounded, but she is a little resistant to passive defense after all.

Zhou Changfeng arched his hand, "The initial refinement will take about half a month, and then wait for the agents and informants in Hawaii to send back the latest information, and then make modifications." ”

"Okay." Zhu Lingjing glanced out the window, and then asked in a more casual tone, "Have you been happy these days?" The stars hold the moon like the moon. ”

Facing her smiling appearance, Zhou Changfeng looked helpless, "No, no, it's either compliments or gifts all day long, I'm almost annoyed to death." ”

When the power reaches a certain level, it is extremely difficult to be honest, because there is an endless stream of people who are racking their brains to please them.

It used to be better, but his promotion to brigadier general seemed like a watershed, and he has been courted everywhere he has gone ever since.

What made him speechless was that the day before yesterday, when he was in the staff office, he saw a lantern-shaped table lamp, and casually said, "This lamp is very beautiful", but the next day, someone delivered a brand new, identical table lamp to his door.

Xia Xiaoshi also complained that she had received too many invitations in recent days, and the luncheons and dinners were endless, and she had no skills at all.

"Just last night, I was asked to take his youngest son with me. Hey, it's hard to do, I'm still thinking about what kind of idle job is better. ”

"His family is mainly engaged in mining, and the reaction is fast, and he comes when he smells it." Zhu Lingjing said lightly.

"It may be that you want to develop in multiple directions......

In the late last century, there were successive Ming nobles who began to transform, and now they have long been finalized.

These military aristocrats whose ancestors were knighted for their military exploits and retired with the country are still a few who still adhere to the route of military families, and the rest are mainly engaged in other industries.

Other industries are profitable, make money, don't chill!

The first Shangyu Bo was only a mine supervisor in Ganzhou Mansion that year, and finally won the title of earl for military merits in successive battles.

As a result, the funny thing is that more than 200 years have passed, and his descendants have done the old business of their ancestors again, and now most of the tungsten mines in Jiangxi are under the banner of Shangyoubo Mansion, which can be said to be lying down and counting money to make a lot of money.

However, this generation of Shangyu Bo seemed to want to get involved in other aspects, so he found someone Zhou, hoping to let his youngest son follow him and mix his resume in peace.

Although this youngest son successfully graduated from Chengdu Martial Arts, it is still unknown whether there is water in it, so Zhou is a little embarrassed now.

Why is it so difficult to be well-connected and easily navigate the relationship field? He thinks that this may also depend on talent and childhood training, and it is really not good to be slick without a little ability.

Seeing that he was depressed, Zhu Lingjing felt in a good mood, and said casually: "Your father-in-law is a smart person who can take care of himself, and he can ask for advice if he feels that everything is difficult." ”

"Well, thank you for your advice."

In the eyes of the powerful, Zhu Lishuo is a living and good example.

As a side clan that is about to get out of the five suits, he followed Zhou to conquer the east and the south, and also accumulated a good resume and military exploits, not only fighting for his own future, but also earning enough face for his family.

Look, this is a person who has attained the Tao, a chicken and a dog ascend to heaven, and has benefited a lot from the right person.

As a result, many people moved their minds.

After leaving the Qianqing Gate and coming to the daily office duty room, Luo Fu, who was soaking wolfberries, complained as soon as he saw Zhou Changfeng: "Those people in the navy are still fighting endlessly, and the construction of the capital ship has been postponed for five days, and it has not yet been finalized." ”

In order to deal with the construction plan determined by the Ming Dynasty in the "Draft Construction of Naval Ships Preparing for War and Expansion", the United States has also passed the third Vincennes Act and is starting construction of a series of large and small warships.

Now, with the start of the war, the status of the aviation force has increased sharply, and the Ming Navy has begun to prepare for a new round of shipbuilding plans.

According to the "Methods for the Wartime Expansion of Naval Ships" played by the Navy Department of the Ministry of War, the Ming Navy intends to rebuild the No. 3 and No. 4 ships of the Yongle class into large armored aircraft carriers.

The third ship was built by the Tianjin Naval Shipyard at 42%; The fourth ship was built by the Golden State Naval Shipyard and is currently at 37% progress.

Then the construction of two 25,000-ton standard armored aircraft carriers, three spy battleships, eight anti-aircraft light cruisers, 26 destroyers, two minelayers, five minesweepers, 30 submarine hunters, 42 frigates, six landing ships, and a number of small ships will begin.

In addition, there is still a debate within the Navy about whether to develop and build the next generation of battleships, which is why the construction plan has not yet been finalized.

"The Americans have roughly guessed that they will definitely be in a hurry to build a new first-class battleship, so those who support it feel that Daming also has to be prepared for the long term." Luo Fu stared at the wolfberries floating in the water cup and said.

"China's shipbuilding capacity can't compare with them, so we can't engage in this kind of competition, wasting production capacity." Zhou Changfeng shook his head.

According to bits and pieces of information, the Americans were surprised to find that Akito had assembled a kite-flying rogue battleship like the Yongle class, which made the six Iowa-class ships under construction suddenly fall behind before they were put into service.

As a result, the US Navy urgently convened several discussion meetings with the intention of starting the design and construction of the next class of battleships ahead of schedule.

The USS Iowa and USS New Jersey under construction were retained for continued construction because of the fastest progress, and the construction of the remaining four Iowa class ships was all suspended.

The next class of battleships was supposed to remove the restrictions on the width of the Panama Canal locks, allowing more freedom in their design.

At the same time, new large locks were built in the Panama Canal for the exclusive use of naval battleships.

Zhou Changfeng flipped through the construction draft and saw that one of the pages read, "Three 25,000-ton small special-mission battleships are to be built."

He couldn't help but look up suspiciously and asked, "By the way, what is this spy battleship?" ”

Luo Fu, who was opening a box of new ink clay, replied casually: "Oh, the strange things tossed out by the navy, I really don't know where they got so many wonderful ideas." ”

As we all know, although the Ming Navy had two excellent battle cruisers, it was seriously lacking in heavy cruisers.

This makes the Ming Navy's decisive battle fleet have a relatively low tolerance rate for error in avant-garde warfare with the U.S. fleet - the former only has six heavy cruisers, taking into account routine maintenance, combat damage repairs, and sailing back and forth, it is likely that there are only three heavy cruisers available at a given time.

Originally, the Ming Navy was also preparing to build four more heavy cruisers, but Dong Zhengfang, the famous warship designer of the Ming Dynasty who presided over the design, came up with a strange idea.

Under the premise that the tonnage is not much different, no matter how the heavy cruiser is designed, it cannot achieve a significant advantage, and the cost-effectiveness ratio is too low.

So he designed a draft of a cheap, small, high-speed battleship, which really impressed the naval bigwigs.

This class of battleships is tentatively named Chenghua class, with a long bow building, a bulbous bow, a square stern, and a standard displacement of 24,500 tons.

The power configuration of the Chenghua stage is 12 high-pressure boilers, 4 steam turbines, 4 shaft propulsion, normal output power of 120,000 horsepower, and maximum speed of 30 knots.

This set of power system is copied from the Wuyi Mountain-level heavy patrol, which can be built directly, eliminating the cost of redesign.

The main gun is a 19-type 10-inch (320mm) triple, 46 times the diameter, all front-mounted, and there are only 2 main turrets in total.

In that year, because of the naval treaty, the No. 3 and No. 4 ships of the Yongyuan-class battle cruisers were rebuilt into Taiweiyuan-class aircraft carriers, so six triple main turrets were idle, and they have been eaten in the warehouse to this day.

The Chenghua class will use them, and it is proposed to build three ships, exactly two for each one.

In addition, it carries a large number of anti-aircraft weapons, as well as 3 seaplanes.

Its protective performance is in line with the design positioning, the thickness of the main armor belt on the side is only 256mm, and the inward inclination is 12°; The turret is naturally the same as the old turret of that year, with a frontal size of 288mm; Deck horizontal armor is designed to protect against 1000-pound armor-piercing aerial shells and eight-inch shells, and is 128mm.

It can be seen that this is a unique warship used to suppress the heavy cruises of the US army and undertake the air defense of the fleet, and it is very suitable for miscellaneous work, and many parts of it directly adopt the most mature design to reduce the construction time as much as possible.

What's more, it does not occupy the slipway required for capital ships, and only 180m slipway is required to build.

(End of chapter)