“…… The United States is expected to complete the last two Tennessee-class 'standard warships' armed with 12 356mm guns early next year. In the second half of next year, two more Colorado-class battleships, which began construction in early 1914, were completed. According to the public information of the United States before the war, the Colorado class should belong to the same standard warships as the Tennessee class, and the performance is similar in all aspects, but according to the latest collection of intelligence, it is very likely that the main gun caliber has been upgraded to 406 mm in the way of a simple replacement of triple turrets with twin turrets, which constitutes a certain advantage over the most powerful Pinghai-class warships in the empire at present in terms of firepower. By the end of 1916, assuming no losses during the period, the number of capital warships of the US Navy would be restored to thirteen, of which ten ships with guns of more than 356 mm were carried. ”

Lin Tai once held a notepad in one hand and a chalk in the other hand to sketch on the blackboard, listening to it all concentrating.

"On the other hand, the empire will complete two Zhenhai-class high-speed warships next year, and the number of ships carrying 380 mm main guns will increase to six. Also assuming no losses, the Combined East Asian Fleet would have nineteen first-class battleships and five battle cruisers, of which twenty-two would carry guns of more than 350 mm. Twenty high-speed ships with a speed of more than 25 knots. As far as capital ships are concerned, they still have an overwhelming advantage over the United States, and even if only half of the total number of capital ships is used to form a subfleet, with the support of one or two fleet aircraft carriers, it will still be enough to ensure that the main fleet of the United States with the largest strength can be suppressed on the ocean. ”

"From 1917 onwards. U.S. capital ships, which began construction after the war, will enter service in batches, most likely including two Colorado-class sequels, at least six South Dakota-class battleships armed with 12 406-mm guns, and six Lexington-class battlecruisers armed with eight 406-mm guns. Continuing to assume that no losses were suffered during the period, it is estimated that by the end of 1917 to mid-1918, the total number of its capital ships would reach 27, of which 24 ships with 356 mm or more guns and as many as 16 ships with 406 mm guns would be carried by them. ”

"In addition, at that time, in addition to the capital ships necessary to effectively suppress the German High Seas Fleet, the British army is likely to have the spare strength to devote six to ten battleships and battle cruisers with guns of more than 381 mm to fight against our forces."

The expressions of the crowd became serious.

Lin Taizeng paused, spread out the notebook on the low table under the blackboard, replaced it with a new piece of chalk and continued to write and write.

"Assuming that Britain and the United States will challenge us with all their might, the total number of capital ships of the combined fleet formed by them will reach 33 to 37, of which 30 to 34 will be equipped with 350 mm or more main guns, and 22 to 26 will be equipped with 381 mm to 406 mm guns."

According to the 1915 Naval Supplement Act passed shortly after the start of the war, the total number of capital ships expected to be completed by the Imperial and Allied forces from 1917 to the end of 1918 was: four Tianqian-class high-speed warships equipped with 430 mm guns, four Zhiyuan-class battlecruisers equipped with 380 mm guns, two Zhenhai-class sequels with 380 mm guns, two Japanese-built Nagato-class battleships with 350 mm guns, and two captured and repaired ships with 356 mm guns. If our forces do not lose any capital ships during this period, the East Asian Combined Fleet will have 29 first-class battleships and nine battle cruisers, of which 35 will be equipped with 350-mm or more main guns, and 16 will be equipped with 380-mm to 430-mm guns. On the whole, our army has a slight advantage in numbers, and most of the warships are high-speed ships with a speed of more than 25 knots. Strong tactical mobility, which may make up for the shortcomings of large-caliber main guns......"

"It still looks a little reluctant." Qianhua couldn't help but speak.

When Lin Tai heard this, he cleared his throat, put the chalk on the low table, raised his head with his chest, and said confidently: "The emperor has a wise opinion...... The minister thought that the numbers on the blackboard alone were not enough to judge the victory or defeat of the two armies. In ancient times, there was a narrow road to meet the brave to win, and now the scientific era is prosperous, and it is also said that the strong man wins. With the loyal and brave officers and men of the Empire, supplemented by redoubled training and excellent equipment, the supreme glory of the naval battle in the South China Sea will surely be restored......"

Qianhua thought to herself: If you want to say that, there is really no battle that cannot be won, I am not idle and have nothing to worry about.

His face was still graceful and elegant, and he said lightly: "Aiqing is so confident, it must make sense." However, I believe that in this naval battle in the Bay of Bengal, the function of naval aviation is well known to the enemy and us, and in the future, the Allied forces will focus on development and strive to overwhelm our army. Another example is Aiqing's aforementioned situation. Since the main fleet of our armed forces will be inferior in terms of large-caliber main guns in the future, it is all the more necessary to make up for it by strengthening naval aviation, especially carrier-based aviation. ”

Lin Tai had blinked unhappily—as a loyal supporter of the Cannon Doctrine, it would be better for him to convert to Brother Chun or something if he wanted him to take a special interest in naval aviation—the boss reluctantly flipped the notepad to the ground, pressed the open back cover with a blackboard, pulled a new one from the chalk box, and turned his back to the crowd to start the report again.

To put it simply, by 1916 the Imperial Navy could acquire two improved Dapeng-class fleet carriers; In 1917, four Feifeng-class fleet aircraft carriers, three Yuefei-class and four Quai-class modified fleet aircraft carriers, as well as twelve Xingdao-class escort aircraft carriers would be completed. In 1918, four to six Ruiyun-class fleet aircraft carriers, one Yuefei-class and two Quai-class modified fleet aircraft carriers, and eighteen Xingdao-class escort aircraft carriers could be put into service.

Within three years, a total of 10 to 12 fleet aircraft carriers, 10 modified fleet aircraft carriers, and 30 escort aircraft carriers will be added, and the maximum number of aircraft carriers of these 50 to 52 new aircraft carriers will be 3,464 to 3,840 aircraft. At the same time, the total number of aircraft in the navy's shore-based aviation will increase from more than 500 at present to about 700 planes in the Fifth Air Fleet.

Lin Taizeng finished speaking slowly, closed the notepad, and suddenly remembered something, and immediately added: "Of course, I personally think that these plans have far exceeded our needs, and just the more than 20 large and small aircraft carriers completed in 1917, combined with four times the current powerful shore-based air force, are enough to support the invincible position of our East Asian Combined Fleet...... If the batch of Ruiyun-class fleet aircraft carriers scheduled for completion in 1918 is cancelled, the vacated dock slipway will be used to build the Zhenhai-class successor ships with a small difference in tonnage, and ...... by 1919"

Qian Hua suddenly and unceremoniously interrupted him: "Of the three modified fleet aircraft carriers scheduled to be commissioned in 1918, when will the transformation work begin?" ”

Lin Taizeng froze for a moment, and suddenly looked aggrieved: "This...... Yes, the Yue Fei-class No. 4 ship began in 1916, and the last two went to the sick class in 1917...... What does the emperor mean? ”

"Cancel it all. The number of aircraft carriers of the Ruiyun-class fleet scheduled to enter service in the same year has increased to eight. According to the earlier proposal of the National Defense Headquarters, it is difficult to transform two of the two Seahawk-class water engine carriers under construction that are outdated in terms of performance into light aircraft carriers? ”

Lin Taizeng was a little anxious, and while giving Yan Fu a look, he tried to delay time with a sloppy look: "Theoretically, there shouldn't be any big problem, it's just ......"

"Let's just put it in the plan."

It is still necessary to deal with these stubborn and occasionally domineering, this is definitely not the new monarch who is in power wantonly bullying the old ministers who have made great achievements in the world Oh Qian Hua was a little evil in his heart.

Just as he wanted to appease the old Marshal Lin who was full of "I'm very hurt, very hurt, really hurt", Qianhua happened to notice that Ma Feng on the opposite side was about to speak and stopped, he was very aggrieved, and immediately changed his mind.

"Chairman Ma has something to say?"

At this time, it is necessary to go straight in.

Ma Feng sneered and shook his head: "It's not good." ”

"It's okay to be outspoken."

Qian Hua said as he turned his head to signal that Lin Taizeng had returned to his seat.

Ma Feng thought about it, got up and walked to the blackboard with a helpless face, first picked up the soft hair and wiped the bow left and right, turned around and stood still, hugged his arms, leaned on the soft table, and stood with his legs crossed—to be so prodigal in ordinary times, at the imperial meeting, this is a sure sin of disrespect.

However, this time, Qianhua did not show any displeasure, and the others also turned a blind eye.

"You may know the way, or you may not know the way. In the year since the outbreak of the war, more than 50 percent of the country's locomotives and wagons, 80 percent of the trucks and tractors, and 70 percent of the merchant ships have all been requisitioned into the military, and they no longer have anything to do with domestic production and life. Just talking about this, you may not have any special impression, I know that some people will say the opposite: What's the big deal, just make it, just make more......"

"Actually, I'm not quite sure when this war will end. Why will it be the end of 1918? What is not 1920 or later? Wasn't the Navy's shipbuilding plan scheduled for 1922? Make this and make that, it's just numbers anyway, and a few geniuses will come out after patting their heads...... Of course, I didn't mean anything to all of you......"

"I just want to say that when you draw up your war plans, can you really consider that we are conducting an expedition that spans more than half the world, and that our enemy has more than twice the industrial power. If there is not sufficient evidence that we can definitely force the other side to submit in the next three years, then allow me to suggest that the building of national power, especially the enhancement of transport capabilities, should be prioritized over the mere build-up of armaments. ”

"Yes, theoretically, we can mobilize and arm tens of millions of troops, but to send them thousands of kilometers away from the border to fight, this is much more expensive than fighting on the border, and the means of transportation required are far beyond the limits of what the country can bear. An Indian raider, a million-strong army plus a combined fleet, will detain more than 3 million tons of ships there. ”

"Yes, we have such and such advanced theories, a group of new citizens who have been educated by compulsory education, and a set of industrial systems that are far from complete, but at least in terms of output, we have surpassed Britain and Germany, and we seem to have everything, but we don't have time."

"Preaching and practicing the royal righteousness, seizing living space for future generations, and tempering the people through general mobilization are all good reasons. But the crux of the matter is that we don't have that many machines, yes, we can already make a lot of machines with machines, but that's not the same as making guns and ammunition, the assembly line comes out as soon as it opens, it's not so fast, you have to spend time saving. Our skilled workers need time to exercise. It takes time for our management system to become mature and adaptable to the times. During this period, we still have to deal with various hidden dangers, for example, on the one hand, we are frantically squeezing the people to use the army, and on the other hand, compulsory education and constitutional practice will inevitably make them politically precocious, and sooner or later there will be problems! ”

"What happens if you don't go to war, it's all an afterthought. I'm not going to talk about it. Of course, I know that there should be no mercy in making decisions for the country, but when I see the miserable situation of the countryside being exploited by taxes and industrial and agricultural scissors, and then look at the contract workers in the factories everywhere, I often can't help but think, are we making so many sacrifices for the people just to make them like this? When they no longer need anyone's mercy, that's when it's the most terrible time......"

"I'm sorry, it's off topic to mess around, I was just scared by that list, and I was moved by it, delaying everyone's time, please bear with me - then please allow me to summarize the domestic economic situation in the past year since the start of the war, as well as the support in all aspects necessary for next year's munitions production......"

(End of this chapter, stay tuned for Chapter 203: Iron Ambition)