"Are you sure?...... No, it doesn't matter, you don't have to go too deep, just keep it as it is. ”

When the clock rang at three o'clock in the afternoon, the clock chimeled brightly, and Richelieu, who was holding a teacup of luck, entered Niedhogg's field of vision, raised his eyebrows slightly, and put back the microphone, and the ivory telephone made a crisp "ding" sound, blending into the aftermath of the bell that stopped chime.

"Shall we continue? Shall we hear the latest news first, Mr. President?"

The caustic voice came, and Nidhogg couldn't help but want to smack his tongue. Richelieu was not talking to him, but in the face of Li Lin's condescending attitude, Nidhogg was not angry.

This is not an elementary school classroom, and even if the prime minister of a country speaks to the president and vice president in the headquarters building of the foundation with the stern face of a math teacher, it is too presumptuous.

While leaning over and replying, "I'm sorry, it's rude to answer the phone during the conversation", and after making eye contact with Li Lin's permission, the expressionless face of the second leader of the consortium turned towards Richelieu and the entourage behind him.

"Just now there is news from the Holy Capital that Her Highness the Holy Maiden of Giel will leave Emir and will arrive in Lüdes in the near future. ”

"I see, what a capable subordinate. ”

The prime minister threw out sarcastic puns and stared at Li Lin.

"With such outstanding subordinates, it is no wonder that V.E Company has grown to the point it is today, do you say? ”

"You're laughing, compared to Miss Miledy's excellence, my unpopular chicks are just offering ugliness."

"Where is the courage to openly share information in front of people like me. Not everyone has it. ”

With the wine from Brittany, Prime Minister Richelieu nodded slightly, and the beautiful woman behind him remained motionless. Regardless of whether these words are just polite or not, there is no second person who dares to face this old man who has built a huge intelligence network like a spider and share information frankly except Li Lin.

Similarly, those who dare to bring their close friends to the company's headquarters to discuss military affairs are also among the unique ones.

After the royal faction was completely defeated, the V.E Company and the royal government maintained an alliance based on mutual interests. But without the lubrication of the thorn in the eye. and dealing with the differences between the royal faction after the fact, and the interaction between the two sides has become somewhat sluggish and stiff. High-level meetings like the one now also have a delicate atmosphere.

Fortunately, there are many materials for maintaining this alliance of interests, such as-

"If Her Highness the Holy Maiden comes to Lüders in person. Call on all parties to reach an agreement. I am afraid that it will eventually become a situation where each side takes a step back. ”

Shaking the red wine. Richelieu let out a burning snort.

The so-called saint is a "living symbol" of the human camp's belief in the Mother Goddess.

The faith of the entire human camp is not fixed to one sect, although the largest denomination is the Mafa Holy Church of Emir. Due to the different interpretations of doctrines, as well as regional cultural differences, there are also sub-sects such as Huguenots, Calvinists, and the Anglican Church of Albion. What binds these different sects together and avoids division is the "Holy Maiden" who represents the intelligent race of humanity and serves the Mother Goddess. Tong guò jointly identified the existence of the "holy woman", and the human camp was saved from internal religious strife, and Emir was also the one who successfully maintained the status of "suzerain" by supporting the holy woman.

When this usually secluded saint appeared at the negotiation venue in Lüdes, all parties must also seriously consider reaching an agreement, take a step back from each other, and make it inevitable that the arms control agreement will finally be reached.

"The third option can finally come in handy. ”

Spreading out his hand, Li Lin said with a smile.

From the beginning, this was in the calculations.

The Church wants to broker an arms control agreement and prevent the balance of power from being upset, and there are only two cards in their hands that work.

One is the Holy Maiden, and the other is to declare that the monarch of the country who has broken the negotiations will be excommunicated.

The latter is a means of tearing the skin, and the current situation does not need to be so extreme, and it is inevitable to send the holy woman to facilitate the agreement. The third option is prepared to deal with this situation.

In the third option, Charlemagne's Navy accepted 60% of the tonnage, and the cruiser's compensation was waived. At the same time, Charlemagne will clearly make clear the division and restrictions on cruisers. That is, the upper limit of the displacement of cruisers is defined on the standard of no more than 1500 metric tons, and is divided into two categories: "light" and "heavy". However, the distinction between light cruisers and heavy cruisers was not based on tonnage, but on the standard of armament. Regardless of their tonnage, heavy cruisers were classified as heavy cruisers with 24-pounder guns or 155-mm guns, and light cruisers with 16-pounder guns or 76mm calibers. The tonnage of construction was limited for heavy cruisers, and more relaxed for light cruisers.

As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. On the surface, this plan made Charlemagne suffer a big loss, but from a political and technical point of view, Albion was the one who suffered.

"This is the latest design of the de Grasse-class light cruiser. ”

Nidhogg spread out the drawings, and Li Lin pointed out the key points for Richelieu to come over.

"Because of the new shipbuilding technology, the tonnage of this type of ship is charged at about 1,350 tons, and a 76mm cannon is installed. ”

It seems to fully meet the criteria for light cruisers in the third scheme, but in fact, only the tonnage and artillery caliber do not exceed the bottom line.

"The ship was equipped with 68 76mm cannons, and all the gun emplacements were designed according to the recoil of the 155mm guns. Once the treaty is annulled, it will be able to immediately replace it with 155mm guns and have the same firepower as a second-class battleship. The cabin is reserved for the installation of the latest steam paddle wheel propulsion units, which can be reduced in the number of guns as needed to install steam engines to enhance the engine power. In addition, the hull of the important part of the hull is provided with a connecting bolt, which can be covered with a layer of iron or copper hull to enhance the protective force. ”

This design is too foul, but it is not without "precedents". Another world in the 20th century in the 30s of the "naval holiday", the footbasin navy built the most advanced light cruiser, the United States ghost animal built Brooklyn class light cruiser is the product of this slippery road, nominally belongs to the category of light cruisers, but the hull protection is designed in accordance with the defense of heavy cruisers, close to (exceeding) 10,000 tons of displacement of the hull inserted to meet the 15 155mm main guns, and can be replaced at any time 203mm main guns, turned into a heavy cruiser. Only John Bull had an intermittent ossification attack at this time, and built an Edinburgh-class light cruiser with only 12 6-inch guns......

Archbishop Li likes this approach very much, when the quantity cannot surpass the opponent, he can only use his brain from the quality, although Li Lin and he mentioned that new technology is risky, but compared with the interests of national security, what is a little risk?

"But ......"

The Prime Minister's eyes narrowed slightly, and he made a sound that hit the nail on the head.

"It's not good to fulfill the Pope's wish like this......" (To be continued......

PS: There will be a double watch at night, so stay tuned.