The strength of the Japanese Combined Fleet, consisting of four Yamato-class battleships equipped with three triple 460-mm guns of 45 times the calibre, four Kii-class battleships equipped with five twin 410-mm guns of 45 times the calibre, four Amagi-class battlecruisers equipped with five twin 410-mm guns of 45 times the calibre, and one Kongo-class battlecruiser equipped with four twin 45-caliber 356-mm battlecruisers, was undoubtedly very formidable. With such a powerful fleet, in the whole world, except for Britain, the United States, and China, which can compete with it, the rest of the countries are probably not its opponents. Even France, one of the four great powers, is lacking in naval power.

It can be seen from this that the Japanese are ambitious to develop the navy not only to protect their own security. Defeating the Chinese Empire, and subsequently dominating the world, this is the goal of the Japanese. Of course, the Japanese still have a long way to go to realize such ambitions. At the same time, it also requires good luck on the part of the Japanese.

The Japanese made such a big move to develop the navy, and naturally it was impossible to hide it from the Chinese Empire. Especially when the Chinese Empire is getting stronger and stronger, but Japan is getting weaker and weaker, there are already many Japanese who have secretly taken refuge in China. In Japan's political and military circles, there are many people who secretly defect to the empire. The empire promised them that once Japan was destroyed, these men would become the ruling class of the new Japan. Therefore, these guys have almost sold out Japan. Japan had almost no secrets to the Chinese Empire.

Just after the Japanese Navy decided to build the 'Yamato-class' battleships and the 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers, it was only a month before the Empire learned about it. Even the general parameters of these two classes of warships of the Japanese Navy were all known to the Empire. However, the Empire, when it learned that Japan still wanted to develop its navy at this time, was also stunned by the ambitions of the Japanese.

"Your Majesty. There is no doubt that the purpose of the Japanese to develop the navy so vigorously must be to target the empire. The performance of the four super battleships equipped with triple 45 times the caliber 460 mm main guns completely crushed the 'Three Emperors-class' battleships of the Imperial Navy. Its 'Amagi-class' battle cruisers, for the Empire's sea transportation lines. Also a huge threat. The Empire cannot afford to sit idly by, it must launch a countermeasure. "At a meeting of the Imperial Navy, Marshal Sa Zhenbing, the Minister of the Imperial Navy, once again reiterated the threat posed by the Japanese Navy to the Empire.

"Your Majesty, the Japanese are indeed thieves! Their country has decayed like this, but they still want to develop a navy, isn't this against the empire? The empire must be prepared in advance. Marshal Shi Tianhan, Chief of the General Staff, also said. After all, if the Japanese Navy's Yamato-class battleships and Amagi-class battlecruisers were commissioned, the advantage that the Imperial Navy had would be gone. If the Imperial Navy could not defeat the Japanese Navy. Not to mention the destruction of Japan, even if you want to ensure the security of the empire, I am afraid that it has become a luxury. Therefore, the Imperial* military hopes to be able to restart the main force program of the Imperial Navy and start a-for-tat arms race with Japan. In this case, even if a decisive battle with the Japanese Navy was held in the future, the Imperial Navy would definitely not suffer.

The senior officials of the Imperial Cabinet did not object. Instead, keep silent. Originally, the civil servants of the Imperial Cabinet. There is often opposition to the development of the military. After all, if the military squeezes out too many resources, then the economic development of the empire will suffer. However, this time is different. Japan was the mortal enemy of the empire, and the Japanese vigorously developed their navy. His sinister intentions are clear. If the empire were defeated by Japan because of its lack of naval strength, then the development of the empire over the years would be in vain. In addition, if the Imperial Navy fails, to the character of the Japanese. The coastal areas of the Empire may be in ruins, but the Imperial Navy carried out two inhumane shelling of Japan's coastal cities, resulting in the tragic death of millions of Japanese. If the Japanese had done the same, how many people would have died in the Empire? Therefore, even if it is a tightening of the belt. The Empire must also support the development of the Navy. Otherwise, no one can afford the consequences.

What's more, the economic conditions of the empire have improved a lot now. Just received a thousand tons of gold from the government of Soviet Russia, and this money alone, twenty percent of it, was enough for the Imperial Navy to build ships. Under such circumstances, the Imperial Cabinet will naturally not be stingy.

"The ambitions of the Japanese seem to be well known to everyone. In order to defeat the empire, the Japanese can be said to do everything they can! However, the 'Yamato-class' battleships, which are huge warships with a full load displacement of more than 70,000 tons, cannot be built in a short period of time. In addition, can such a huge warship really dominate future naval battles? Wu Haoxuan said with a smile.

Suddenly, Marshal Sa Zhenbing, Minister of the Navy, was nervous in his heart, originally he thought that he would not object to it, so this time the Navy should be able to obtain the construction of a new capital ship, which should be a sure thing. But I didn't expect that His Majesty the Emperor would have objections!

"Yes, His Majesty the Emperor prefers aircraft carriers over battleships." Marshal Sa Zhenbing thought with a bitter face. The current top brass of the Navy are almost all giant ships and artillery. Their growth is inseparable from battleships, and naturally they hope to build more battleships. However, Wu Haoxuan is a reborn after all, and he knows the direction of future development. The cannon of the giant ship seems to be very powerful, but it is not the opponent of the aircraft carrier carrier. The battleships that were built at great expense ended up being nothing more than iron coffins attacked by carrier-based aircraft. Therefore, Wu Haoxuan tried his best to avoid large-scale investment on battleships. Although the economic strength of the empire is much stronger, it is better to waste less money if it can waste a little less! After all, it's not easy to have a big family!

"I admit that the 'Yamato-class' battleships were powerful. However, the 'Yamato-class' battleships did not represent victory in naval battles. On the contrary, the aircraft carriers that the Empire is investing heavily in, and that is the future of the Empire. The next focus of the Imperial Navy's development will be on aircraft carriers, not battleships. Wu Haoxuan said. After the completion of the 'Three Emperors-class' battleships, he did not plan to build any more battleships. The 'Three Emperors-class' battleships will be the last class of battleships of the Imperial Navy. The rest of the resources need to be used in the construction of aircraft carriers.

"Your Majesty, aircraft carriers may be the decisive force in naval warfare in the future. However, it will take a long time for the aircraft carriers of the Reich to form combat effectiveness. If the Japanese Navy's Yamato-class battlecruisers and Amagi-class battlecruisers had been commissioned first, they would most likely have started a war first. This would be a great threat to the Empire. Marshal Shi Tianhan, Chief of the General Staff, said.

"With the current financial resources of the Empire, building a first-class battleship is nothing. On the one hand, we should increase the development of aircraft carriers, and on the other hand, build a powerful battleship of the first class to meet the emergency. "Imperial Prime Minister Yang Du came out to play a round.

This is undoubtedly a compromise. However, Wu Haoxuan did not intend to accept it.

"There has been a breakthrough on the aircraft carrier side. Next spring, the aircraft carrier group will hold an exercise in the Bohai Sea, and when the time comes, everyone will go and take a look. You will know the combat effectiveness of the aircraft carrier by then. If you still think it is necessary to build battleships, we will build battleships then. Wu Haoxuan said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The ministers said one after another.

"But, Your Majesty, what if the Japanese Navy attacks us after it has installed new warships?" Marshal Sa Zhenbing still insisted.

"The construction period of such a huge battleship as the 'Yamato-class' battleship is probably as long as two or three years. If there were signs that Japan would attack the Empire. Then, we can launch an attack before Japan's new warships enter service and achieve a preemptive strike! Wu Haoxuan said firmly.

Everyone was shocked after listening to Wu Haoxuan's words, but they didn't expect Wu Haoxuan to have such determination. Then, it seems that Wu Haoxuan is determined that he will not let go of the Japanese.

"Yes, Your Majesty." At this moment, the military and political ministers of the empire had nothing else to say.

Wu Haoxuan knew that a serious natural and man-made disaster would occur in Japan in the future. If the Chinese Empire falls into the well again at that time, the Japanese will be dead.

Immediately, Wu Haoxuan turned his head and thought that the Japanese were vigorously developing battleships, and if the Chinese Empire did not keep up, other countries would definitely find it strange, which would not be conducive to the development of aircraft carriers in the Empire. Wu Haoxuan hoped that in the future, all countries would focus on the development of battleships and despise the development of aircraft carriers. In this way, China will be able to take advantage of its first-mover advantage in aircraft carriers and take advantage of it in the early stages of the war.

"As for the next class of battleships of the Imperial Navy, let's let the wind go first. Let the whole world know that the Imperial Navy will build an advanced battleship that is in no way inferior to the 'Yamato-class' battleships of the Japanese Navy. The name was named 'Pangu Class'. In this way, the empire will not appear abrupt. Wu Haoxuan continued.

The military and political ministers of the empire were stunned for a moment, but then they knew the purpose of the emperor. This is clearly an attempt to set off a naval arms race around the world! The resources of all countries are limited, and if countries increase their investment in capital ships, then they will inevitably reduce their investment in aircraft carriers. (To be continued.) )

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