Battleships undoubtedly represent the highest industrial achievement of this era. Even now, the only countries in the world that can build battleships are the Chinese Empire and Germany. The British also have this ability, but due to the restrictions of the treaty, their large shipyards have been demolished, and a large number of technical workers and engineers have gone to Germany to help the Germans build battleships. In addition, the shipbuilding ability of the Spanish Kingdom is not weak. With the support of the Chinese Empire, they have been able to build 10,000-ton heavy cruisers alone. If they are given a period of development, they can also build battleships. However, their performance may not be comparable to that of the Chinese Empire and Germany.

As for other world powers, even the Ottoman Turkish Empire, which is known as the third largest in the world, cannot build battleships. If they do not rely on external help, they can only build some light warships at most.

The "Imperial-class" battleship undoubtedly represents the top crystallization of the empire in the shipbuilding industry. The senior navy officials naturally hope to show the power of the imperial navy through the "Imperial-class" battleship, and even produce a final result in future wars. Therefore, they were ambitious to build eight "Imperial-class" battleships to give the German Navy a devastating blow.

In fact, Marshal Wei Yong, the Minister of Navy, also knew that after the construction of the "Imperial-class" battleship was successful, the Imperial Navy might have achieved a decisive victory. However, everyone still could not control their desire for the "Imperial-class" battleship. Especially when the Germans had already begun to build the "King-class" battleship, the Empire must have battleships that could compete with the Germans.

However, Long Yufei agreed to build four "Imperial-class" battleships. This obviously did not satisfy the navy. For a long time, the main battleships of the Empire were twice as good as those of the German Navy. How could it break this convention when it reached the "Imperial-class" battleships?

"Your Majesty, will there be too few four ships? After all, the Empire's battleships must be distributed equally between the 1st Fleet and the 5th Fleet. In this case, there will be only two on the 5th Fleet. Once you encounter four 'King-class' battleships from the Germans, you may suffer a loss!" Marshal Wei Yong said. If eight ships are built, then the 1st Fleet and the 5th Fleet can get four ships respectively, and any fleet has the strength to confront the German Navy. In this case, there is no need to worry about being defeated by the German Navy. However, it seems difficult to convince Long Yufei.

"There is no need at all. Four 'Imperial-class' battleships are enough. These four 'Imperial-class' battleships can be formed into a formation that belongs to the Navy. Once completed, the Navy will be commanded. After the war breaks out, the formation can be temporarily assigned to the subordinate fleets. In this way, these problems can be solved!" Long Yufei said. Building four more Empire-class battleships means that it will cost 140 million yuan more. Such a price is really too high.

Wei Yong frowned. He knew that Long Yufei was determined to build more "Imperial-class" battleships. If he continued to persuade, it might have a counterproductive effect. Although there were not many "Imperial-class" battleships, it was enough. In this case, he would not be afraid of the four "King-class" battleships of the Germans. Once the war began, the Imperial Navy could defeat the German navy before the Germans' King-class battleships were completed and gained a decisive advantage in naval battleships. After the Germans' King-class battleships were completed and put into service, he would be powerless to make the situation come true. At that time, the Imperial-class battleships of the Imperial Navy could completely hunt four "King-class" battleships of the Germans. They would end the German Navy in one fell swoop and completely eliminate the opponent.

"Okay. Your Majesty, then just build four ships!" Wei Yong said. Building four ships is better than not building one!

"Well! That's good. With the current strength of the Imperial Navy, it has completely gained an overwhelming advantage. In this way, there is no need for us to build too many battleships. It's just a waste of resources. What's more, the future naval battle will change, and it's no longer the era of battleships leading naval battles!" Long Yufei said. He knew that with the development of aircraft, the era of giant ships and cannons will soon end.

"Your Majesty, is it the navy's aviation force?" Wei Yong frowned. He was a firm giant ship cannon faction, and believed that the navy's battle cannons against the battleships was the navy's battle. Although the navy's aviation force has been practicing attacking surface ships now. But Wei Yong didn't care about this. How could those toys assembled from wood and skin be opponents of battleships like hills?

Long Yufei nodded: "I know that many people in the Navy think that naval aviation is insignificant. However, you will soon know how wrong your ideas are. The development of technology will change the situation of war, just like we defeated Western sail warships with steam warships and led the development of the entire era. In the future, naval aviation aircraft can also have such an effect. Navy aircraft will replace warships and become the main force in future naval warfares!"

Even though Long Yufei said so surely, Wei Yong was still a little unbelievable. After all, the idea of ​​giant ships and cannons was already deeply rooted in his mind. How could he change it easily? If it was not true, it would be impossible to change such a view.

"It's too late to say this now. Let's do this. An exercise will be held next month in Whale Sea. At that time, the commanders of the Navy Department and major fleets will go and see it. At that time, you will know how powerful the Navy Air Force is!" Long Yufei said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wei Yong nodded. He was also a little confused. Could it be that those toys are really that powerful? He was very reluctant to believe it, but he knew that Long Yufei had always been targeted. Since Long Yufei was so sure, in this case, perhaps the Navy Air Force's aircraft could really create miracles.

The Empire had already started to build aircraft carriers, but the initial aircraft carrier was just an experimental aircraft carrier. It is still under intense training and has not yet formed combat effectiveness. Long Yufei hopes to use an exercise to let the naval generals know about the changes in naval warfare, and at the same time, he also hit these proud and complacent guys. As the Empire Navy defeated the British, he became the overlord of the world. In the naval arms race with the Germans, he built the main ships at twice the number of main ships of the German Navy, which further stimulated the Imperial Navy and made them look arrogant. Long Yufei did not want the Imperial Navy to convex in the gutter when the Imperial Navy fought a decisive battle with the Germans.

The construction plan of the next-level battleship of the Imperial Navy has always been the focus of the Germans. Therefore, Germany will work hard every year to obtain the construction plan of the Chinese Navy. With the cooperation of the Imperial Department of Homeland Security and the Military Intelligence Bureau, it will take this opportunity to wipe out many German intelligence organizations. However, the German intelligence personnel are like leeks, cutting one after another. This makes the Imperial Navy's shipbuilding plan unable to be kept confidential and will be known by the Germans soon. Similarly, the Empire can also obtain the German shipbuilding plan. In this regard, both sides are almost transparent.

"Your Majesty, this is the latest shipbuilding plan of the Chinese people learned from the Empire. They will serve eight Ming-class battleships this year and eight Ming-class battleships next year. This makes the Chinese people have 16 super battleships equipped with 381mm main guns, twice the number of our "Helgolan-class" battleships and "Caesar-class" battleships. This is in line with the Chinese's goal, which is to have twice the main battleships of the Imperial Navy. However, what surprised us was that after the "Ming-class" battleships, the Chinese only issued the construction plan for four "Imperial-class" battleships, which is comparable to the construction plan for four "King-class" battleships." said Prince Felix, the Minister of the German Navy.

"In other words, starting from the 'King-class' battleship, will the Chinese no longer maintain a double advantage over us?" William I said in surprise. After all, the Chinese have been ambitiously engaged in a naval arms race with the German Empire. When the German Navy built a battleship, the Chinese Navy built two battleships, which put great pressure on the German Navy. After all, it is undoubtedly very, very difficult to defeat the opponent when it is only half of its strength!

"Is it because the Chinese cannot support their financial resources? The cost of the 'King-class' battleship is too high, and the cost of the 'Imperial-class' battleships of the Chinese will not be much cheaper than that of the 'King-class'. If eight ships are built at one time, it is also a huge pressure for the Chinese. Therefore, the Chinese chose to stop the arms race with us and only build four 'Imperial-class' battleships. In other words, the Chinese cannot hold on and they can no longer maintain their superiority to us.

Is it so powerful? In this case, after the 'King-class' battleship is in service, will we gain an advantage in the North Sea? Then we may be able to defeat the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy at the lowest cost, and then wait for the 1st Fleet of the Chinese Navy to make an expedition across the sea, then defeat them, and completely pull the Chinese off the throne of the sea overlord!" German Crown Prince Frederick William said excitedly. (To be continued, please search for astronomy, novels are better, updated and faster!

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Chapter completed!