"Your Royal Highness, the capital ships sold by the Germans are generally very advanced in performance. Moreover, the age of the ship is also very short. Even the oldest 'Nassau-class' battleships were less than a decade old. If we buy it, it can be used for another ten years or more. This was necessary to expand the strength of the Imperial Navy. "Anton? Admiral House said excitedly.

Although, starting with the former Crown Prince Archduke Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary has attached great importance to the development of the navy. However, for various reasons, the development of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's navy was not satisfactory. Until now, the capital ships of the Austro-Hungarian Navy were only four 'Combined Forces-class' battleships. Although these battleships were armed with 4 triple 305 mm guns. However, the overall strength was not strong, and it could not even match the 'Nassau-class' battleships of the German Navy. As for the more powerful 'Austro-Hungarian class' battleships, they have only just been built and not long ago. The lead ship, the Austro-Hungarian Sovereign, is estimated to be commissioned until next year. As for the other battleships, it is estimated that it will take a longer time to be able to enter service.

Such a naval scale, naturally, can not make Anton? Admiral House, the commander of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, was satisfied. Now Crown Prince Karl is interested in buying the battleships that the Germans are about to decommission, and that would undoubtedly be better. Although, those battleships were to be decommissioned by the Germans, the Germans did not look down on them, and the Austro-Hungarian Navy would not dislike them. After all, those are real main warships! Even the 'Austro-Patriarch-class' battleships will not be better than the decommissioned 'Helgoland-class' battleships and 'Caesar-class' battleships of the German Navy. Even the 'Moltke-class' battlecruisers will not be much worse in combat power than the 'Austro-Hungarian-class' battlecruisers.

"That is, those capital ships of the Germans, we all have use?" Crown Prince Karl asked.

"Yes, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Five 'Caesar-class' battleships, four 'Helgoland-class' battleships, and three 'Moltke-class' battleships are all very strong in combat. The remaining four 'Nassau-class' battleships and two 'Blucher-class' battleships, although slightly inferior in performance, were also rare and formidable capital ships. If we can buy all these capital ships, this will enable our naval strength to take off quickly. "Anton? Admiral House said.

"Shoot them all? How is this possible? A total of 18 capital ships cost more than a billion marks. Although the Germans have been using it for a long time, it is estimated that the auction will exceed 600 million marks. Even if there are more competing countries, the price will rise even further. We simply don't have that much money to bid on those capital ships! Baron Belhidald shook his head.

"If you want money, don't worry, I'll fix it!" Crown Prince Karl said nonchalantly.

Anton? Admiral House's face was happy, since Crown Prince Karl said that he didn't care about money. Then he naturally has nothing to worry about.

But Baron Belcidald was a little confused.

"Your Royal Highness, how much loan did the Americans promise to give us?" Baron Belchdold asked.

Crown Prince Karl hesitated for a moment before he said, "Two hundred million dollars!" When we dissolve our alliance with the Germans, we will be given more loans. ”

"Two hundred million dollars?" Anton? Admiral House and Belchdald both exclaimed. There is no doubt that this is already a huge amount of money.

"Yes, two hundred million dollars. This is the first time. Crown Prince Karl said proudly. It's as if you think you've made a great deal.

"Your Highness, if we dissolve our alliance with the Germans, we will be in danger!" Baron Belhidald said immediately. Although the Americans gave a lot of money, it would not be cost-effective if it caused a war with Germany.

"Yes, Your Highness." Anton? Admiral House apparently also did not think it was a good idea to take loans from Americans.

"Let's talk about this question later, don't worry, I have an arrangement!" Crown Prince Karl said impatiently.

Anton? Admiral House and Baron Belhidald had to say no more. They began to discuss how they could get more capital ships from the Germans. After all, it was directly related to the strengthening of the Austro-Hungarian navy. If the Austro-Hungarian navy could be greatly enhanced, then their voice in the Mediterranean could be greatly increased. At least, in front of the Germans, they don't have to worry so much anymore.

The US Secretary of State held a banquet at the embassy, and the German side, of course, knew about it. Even the US Secretary of State had secret talks with the crown princes of the island countries and Austria-Hungary, and the German side learned about it. It's just that it's not clear exactly what they talked about.

Although this is German territory, it is not so easy to talk in the back room of the embassy. But even so, the head of the intelligence bureau, von? Admiral Bai Laiming reported this matter to Qin Tian as soon as possible.

"Your Majesty, the Americans are clearly making some small moves. The Empire won this world war and already made the Americans feel threatened. That's why they can't wait to win over other countries to deal with the empire together! Prime Minister Billo said.

"Island countries and empires are incompatible. It is only natural for the Americans to win over the island nation. However, after all, Austria-Hungary is still an ally of the empire, and they are doing this without taking the empire seriously! Foreign Minister Vahit said.

"The Austro-Hungarian Empire has long been separated from the Empire, and the Americans will not be unaware of this. However, what I am more curious about is that Crown Prince Karl's brain is caught in the door? They wouldn't be unaware that this would anger the Empire! However, they were still stupid enough to contact the Americans. Do they think that their army can really withstand the Empire's onslaught? Qin Tian's face was amused.

"Your Majesty, should we prepare early? If Austria-Hungary fell to the United States, it would be very bad for the empire! "Feng? Marshal Falkenhein said.

"It doesn't matter, until the death of the Austrian Emperor, the relationship between Austria-Hungary and the Empire's allies will be very stable. Of course, after the death of the Austrian Emperor, the alliance between the empire and Austria-Hungary ended here. When the time comes, the empire will go all out against Austria-Hungary! Qin Tian said. This was something he had planned for a long time.