(Thank you book friend withgll for the tips, evaluation votes and update votes!) ）

On May 9, 5, London, Downing Street, the Prime Minister, the Marquess of Salisbury, was urgently summoning the Lord of the Navy, Frederick? William? Sir Richards.

"The latest information we have received is that the chief of the general staff of the Chinese arrived in Germany yesterday. It is foreseeable that the Chinese and the Germans will definitely have an in-depth exchange in military technology. Perhaps it will not be long before new battleships will be built on the slipway of the Germans. This is a huge challenge for the Empire! The Prime Minister, the Marquess of Salisbury, said sternly.

Thanks to the wide application of wireless telegraphs, and because of the improvement of science and technology, the size is getting smaller and smaller, which allows the British spies in Germany to quickly send back to Britain after learning the relevant information, so that the British can respond quickly.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, the Admiralty is already intensifying work on the design of the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships. The specific drawings are expected to be completed within half a year. With the shipbuilding capabilities of the British Empire, even if the Germans started building before us, we could ensure that when their battleships were put into service, our new battleships would be in service. And, in terms of the number of slipways and shipbuilders in the Reich, we had an advantage over Germany. As long as the funds are sufficient, we can surpass Germany in the speed of building ships and the number of battleships, and maintain the superiority of the Imperial Navy! "Lord of the Admirals Frederick? William? Sir Richards said confidently. Britain has been the number one maritime power for centuries. And with this, it has achieved hundreds of years of hegemony in Britain. Britain has a deep naval heritage. This is not something that other countries can compare, and it is not something that one or two advanced warships can compensate. Therefore, it will be very difficult for other countries to challenge Britain's maritime supremacy.

"I'm relieved. What happened to the two battleships we gave to the Japanese? The Marquess of Salisbury asked.

"Both warships were completed last month and are undergoing sea trials. The Japanese side had already sent sailors to receive the battleship. However, the Japanese side is somewhat worried about their naval warships, no matter from which direction. They will all pass through the defense zone of the Chinese Navy, and if the Chinese Navy chooses to attack the Japanese Navy fleet when it returns home, it will be a huge disaster for the Japanese Navy. "Lord of the Admirals Frederick? William? Sir Richards said with some concern. With the successive commissioning of the Chinese Navy's 'Zhonghua-class' battleships, the naval power in the Far East has once again undergone earth-shaking changes. According to the information obtained by the British, in three months at most, all four 'Zhonghua-class' battleships of the Chinese Navy will be put into service. When the time comes. The Chinese Navy will become the undisputed number one in Asia. The British Navy's 'Chinese fleet' has even offered to leave Hong Kong for the time being, heading to the safer Singapore to anchor. If China and Japan go to war, once the British Navy gets involved, the four 'Sovereign-class' battleships of the 'Chinese fleet' will not be the opponent of the four 'Zhonghua-class' battleships of the Chinese Navy in any case.

"That's a problem. However, will the Chinese strike first? The Marquis of Salisbury said with a frown.

"According to the intelligence we have gotten. Since the beginning of this year, the Chinese have been preparing for war. They have hoarded a large number of various strategic materials, and the army in the north has also begun to change its equipment, presumably preparing for war. And the return of the warships of the Japanese Navy is an excellent opportunity for them to start a war first! "Frederick? William? Sir Richards said.

"What are the Japanese going to do?" The Marquess of Salisbury asked.

"The Japanese wanted to wait for the two battleships they had built in the United States to arrive in England. Then he will return home with two armored cruisers built in France. In this case, they would have four battleships and six armored cruisers. Moreover. The Japanese put forward the hope that the Imperial Navy would form a formation with the Japanese fleet and escort the Japanese fleet back to Japan! "Frederick? William? Sir Richards said.

"Forming a formation with the Japanese fleet? This is absolutely not a no-go. The Imperial Navy could not start a war with the Chinese at the first time. Our plan has always been to let the Japanese, Russians and Americans fight with the Chinese. When they are exhausted, we will come forward to clean up the mess and capture the final fruits of victory! The Marquis of Salisbury shook his head.

"However, after the Chinese's new battleships enter service, the Japanese will not have the slightest chance of victory!" Frederick? William? Sir Richards said worriedly. The two battleships built by the British for Japan were nothing more than modifications of the 'Monarch-class' battleships. The two built by the United States are American 'Indiana-class' battleships, which are even more backward in performance. Once they encountered China's most advanced 'Zhonghua-class' battleship, the Japanese would have no choice but to die.

"Well, let the Japanese warships fly our flag. In this way, the Chinese will not be too excessive. When they are not ready for war with the empire, the Chinese should refrain from it. In addition, before our new battleships are commissioned, we need to avoid war with the Chinese as much as possible. How long will our 'Dreadnought-class' battleships be able to enter service at the earliest? The Marquess of Salisbury asked.

"Your Excellency, the design of the Dreadnought-class battleship will be completed at the beginning of next year. It is expected to be completed in the middle of 90 years, and it will be able to enter service by the end of the year! "Frederick? William? Sir Richards said.

"No! Try to speed up the time, preferably in 900. In this case, it may be possible to catch up with the war against the Chinese at that time! Said the Marquess of Salisbury. Now, the Japanese navy will not be able to defeat the Chinese navy. If China wants to start a war in advance, it will do so if the U.S. Navy is added. In this case, in order to defeat China, the British Navy will most likely take it personally. At that time, if the British Navy's 'Dreadnought-class' battleships can enter service, it will be very advantageous for Britain.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister, I will ask the shipyard to work overtime to speed up the construction progress!" Frederick? William? Sir Richards said.

Beijing, China. It was very hot in Beijing in the month. Fortunately, two coal-fired power plants on the outskirts of Beijing have been built to generate electricity. Coupled with the formation of the Northern Railway, the high-quality thermal coal mined from Shanxi will ensure the normal operation of the two thermal power plants. Small household appliances with relatively low technology content such as electric fans have long become a sought-after commodity in big cities such as Beijing, which also brings a touch of coolness to this hot summer.

In Xinhua Palace, Wang Yuze was comfortably blowing a cool breeze in front of an electric fan. At the same time, listen to the report of the important ministers of the empire.

"陛xià! The task of the Chief of the General Staff in Germany has been completed. According to the agreement reached, we received from Germany the advanced machine tools, steelmaking, armor, naval guns, explosives, optical instruments, internal combustion engines, etc., at the cost of the design drawings of the 'Zhonghua-class' battleships and the construction of battleships worth 30 million pounds for Germany for free! Foreign Minister Ng Dinh Fong reported to Wang Yuze.

"Thirty million pounds! Even if it is a 'Qin-class' battleship, it can build ten, and it hurts to think about it! Still, it's well worth it. With the support of these advanced technologies, our industrial level will once again take off, and the benefits will not be as much as 30 million pounds, but at least ten times more than that! Wang Yuze said.

'Your Majesty!' The cost of the Qin-class battleships was two and a half million pounds sterling. If for the Germans, we can raise it to three and a half million pounds. In this way, the loss we pay will not be so great. However, the Germans and the British will first ask us to build 'Zhonghua-class' battleships for them! The cost of the 'Zhonghua-class' battleship was two million pounds, and our offer to the Germans could have been three million pounds! Navy Minister Zhang Cheng said.

"In any case, Germany is still our close partner, and we can't fool them too much." China-class' battleships, give them an offer of two and a half million pounds. Wang Yuze said with a smile. There is absolutely no need to offend Germany at this critical juncture for the sake of these petty profits. If Germany did not help China contain the main force of the British navy, then China would have more to gain than to lose.

Zhang Cheng smiled and didn't say anything.

"By the way, the Chief of the General Staff has already set off for home, right?" Wang Yuze asked. It is already August of the 9th year, and according to China's plan, the time of the war against Japan is at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, depending on when the battleships built by Japan in Britain and the United States can return home. There isn't much time left. At present, China's preparations for war are still in full swing.

"Your Majesty, the Chief of the General Staff has already set off yesterday morning, and it is expected that he will be able to return to the country in the second half of next month!" War Minister Cai Yun said.

"This trip is considered a hard work chief of staff. How's our preparations? Wang Yuze asked. He is particularly concerned about this issue.

"陛xià. The Army's Capital Military Region, Northeast Military Region, Northern Military Region, and Northwestern Military Region have completed the rearmament work. Before the end of the year, the Central Plains Military Region will also complete the rearmament, which will not affect the operation against Russia. In addition, the 20 newly expanded divisions have completed the recruitment of recruits and are now undergoing training for new recruits. In the next year, we will be able to go to the battlefield! Cai Yun replied.

"Good!" Wang Yuze nodded, when fighting against Russia, the main thing that needs to be used is the troops of these military regions in the north.

"Your Majesty, the Navy is also about to complete its preparations. The fourth ship of the Zhonghua-class battleships, the Shenzhou, will be able to conduct sea trials next month, and it will definitely be able to enter service before the Japanese fleet returns home! Navy Minister Zhang Cheng also said.

PS: The first update has arrived! Ask for a subscription, ask for a monthly pass!