"Mr. Xu, your choice is correct. The Royal Navy will give you the rewards you deserve." George Bryan said in a private room of a luxury hotel. As a candidate for the First Sea Lord of the British Empire,

He clearly understood that Xu Jie's National Ship Design Bureau could not do things for the British for nothing. The two parties were just doing business. Since Xu Jie had agreed to the technical blockade of Russia, now it was the British Royal Navy's turn to "pay the bill."

.

"It is an honor for me to cooperate with the Royal Navy." Xu Jie said modestly.

"Set up your conditions young man." Anthony Hoskins said straight to the point. Simple, direct, and efficient are George's ways of dealing with the world.

"First, I hope to have the opportunity to go to the UK to communicate with Sir William White and Sir Watts." Xu Jie raised a finger and said. For now, Xu Jie has only just made his mark. If he wants to get a leading role in the European shipbuilding industry,

Admittedly, one must rely on the recommendations of two masters, White and Watts.

"No problem, Mr. White also wants to see you." George Bryan did not show any melancholy.

"Second, if possible, I hope that the British Armstrong Gun Factory can sell a new 10-inch naval gun with a length-to-diameter ratio of 40 times for the Italian Navy." The first condition is just an appetizer, and now we are just getting down to business.

"If the Italian Navy can show enough sincerity, I think this arms business is very promising. I can come forward to promote this deal," Anthony thought for a moment and said.

"Third, if possible, I hope you can operate the army. In addition to the ** Ship Design Bureau, the company under my name also has a small arms design bureau. Now Britain is at war with the Boers. I hope our products can

Contribute to the victory of the British Army." Xu Jie put forward his suggestion very carefully.

"I am a Lieutenant General in the Navy, not a Lieutenant General in the Army." Anthony Hoskins said slightly angrily.

"Actually, the Navy also needs some light weapons, such as this, our newly designed pistol, we call it the 1889-style automatic pistol." Xu Jie smiled and took out a box, which contained a pair of finely crafted gift pistols.

It’s Xu Jie’s copycat Browning 1903.

The beautiful appearance, comfortable grip, novel magazine design, and gorgeous decoration immediately attracted the attention of Anthony Hoskins. After looking at it for a while, and gaining Xu Jie's agreement, Anthony Hoskins

He picked up a pistol and looked at it carefully. Then he removed the magazine and looked at the ammunition supply device carefully.

"A very novel design, a very good self-defense weapon." After looking at it for a moment, Anthony Hoskins said with a smile.

"I am very happy to receive your appreciation. Considering that it is difficult for foreign weapons to enter the UK, I think it is best for you to find a British company as an intermediary." Xu Jie threw out another bait.

"Of course, if Mr. Xu's weapons are really practical, I don't think it's a big problem." As a mature man, he naturally knew what Xu Jie meant. Finding another British company to act as a middleman would be equivalent to giving away part of the profits.

If you give it to him, this company can be completely decided by Brian. If Xu Jie's weapons are really practical, they can provide suitable weapons for the British Army and at the same time get some benefits for themselves. This is not illegal and has no risks.

Anthony Hoskins will naturally not let it go.

"It's a very good pistol. I think the British Army will like it." Anthony Hoskins said while playing with the 1889 automatic pistol in his hand. "If the British Army can be half as good as the Navy, it will not be defeated by those African natives.

People and the descendants of European immigrants are in trouble."

"The tasks of the British Navy and Army are different. As an island country, the British Army does not have to face direct challenges from European army powers. The British Navy has to face challenges from major powers across the four seas. The British Navy has always been in constant

Fighting against various threatening enemies, from Duke Drake to Nelson and now facing Russia." Xu Jie said.

"Young man, you have seen it very clearly. From the moment the British Empire began to challenge the Spanish Navy, the British Navy has always been dancing on the sword. Whether it is the Spanish, the Sun King, or Napoleon, their navy is enough to challenge the Spanish Navy.

The British fleet launched a fatal attack, but fortunately, we all survived." Speaking of this, Anthony Hoskins smiled quite proudly.

"But it's different now. In the past, the powerful countries wanted to seize Britain's sea control through decisive naval battles, but now, more countries are trying to destroy the British Empire's maritime lifeline by destroying the British Empire's sea lines of communication. Different threats are coming.

Use different methods to deal with it." Xu Jieruo said pointedly.

"Well, yes, the cruisers equipped by the British and French navies do pose a serious threat to the British Empire's sea lines of communication. This is the basis of our deal." Anthony Hoskins said with a smile.

"But your Excellency seems to have overlooked one country. The country that once conquered the Palace of Versailles." Xu Jie said.

"You mean? Germany?!" Anthony Hoskins was slightly startled. "They have nothing to worry about. Compared to their army, the German navy is almost useless."

"But as long as there is time, Germany's money and steel are fully capable of building a powerful fleet for the Germans. Moreover, the German Prime Minister who has always maintained good relations with Britain seems to have many conflicts with the new Kaiser. If I extrapolate

That's right, by 1891 at the latest, that iron-blooded Prime Minister will step down." Xu Jie said seriously.

"Although the new German emperor is not friendly to the British Empire, it is impossible for Prime Minister Bismarck to step down within two years." Anthony Hoskins thought for a while and said.

"We can make a bet. If the general wins, I will give you a pair of new pistols. If I win, I hope to be a guest at the general's home." Xu Jie smiled noncommittally.

"Whether Mr. Xu wins or not, I welcome your visit." Anthony Hoskins said with a smile.

Half an hour later, watching Xu Jie leave, Fisher walked into Anthony Hoskins' room. "Your Excellency, General, that person just now?" Fisher asked cautiously. "This Mr. Xu is not just

He is a ship designer, and he has a certain understanding of the entire navy and national strategy. But fortunately, he is not hostile to the British Empire?" Anthony Hoskins knocked on his pipe and said.

"Or does he need help from the British Empire?" Fisher slightly corrected Anthony Hoskins' statement.

"Well, young man, you can see that this step is indeed not easy, but if it is just to get a new 10-inch gun, he can join forces with France, Germany or Austria-Hungary. And this kind of normal arms trade,

We can't interfere." Anthony Hoskins gave Fisher a rare compliment.

"Which general means that we can be friends with him?" Fisher asked.

"He has this wish, and we also have this need, but because of that incident, there is still a certain distance between us and him." Anthony Hoskins said with a sigh.

"You mean, the Royal Navy's support for Japan?" Fisher thought for a while and said seriously.

"Well, but you know, in the Far East, we must support a country to offset the power of Russia, and there are only two countries possible, one is the Qing Dynasty and the other is Japan. In terms of strength, the Qing Dynasty as a big country is naturally more suitable, but

It is difficult for us to guarantee that the rise of the Qing Dynasty will not affect the interests of the British Empire in the Far East. Therefore, we must support Japan. This balancing strategy is our national policy, and as soldiers we can only obey it." Anthony Hoskins is like a

The teacher also carefully analyzed the mystery behind this for Fisher.

"Then how should we treat this Mr. Xu?" Fisher was a little confused. They could completely become friends, but because of national policy issues, the two sides have never been able to fully cooperate.

"We still need this friend, not just because of his brains. But also because he has a very good relationship with Brin. According to the information from the Scotland Factory, Brin is likely to be the next Italian Navy Minister. Not only can Xu Jie

The equipment that affects the Italian Navy through his design is more likely to affect naval strategy. Vittorio and Tycho in that ** design bureau are not ordinary people, especially Tycho Persano. In the Italian Navy there are

Very deep background." Anthony Hoskins rarely told Fisher so many secrets.
Chapter completed!