1890 King of Southeast Asia

It took Liu Yiming a whole day to pick out a few relatively "reasonable" design drawings from a pile of wild and unconstrained designs.

"Sort out the parameters, required processes, costs, etc. of these design drawings, make a few more, send them to the relevant departments, and organize a special team to be responsible for the construction of warships."

Liu Yiming gave the design drawings to Zhao Jiaxing and used a big move, with the department taking the lead and coordinating to solve a certain problem.

The best advantage of this model is that it can solve the problem in the shortest time, and the efficiency is very high!

The disadvantages are also obvious. If it goes on for a long time, the subjective initiative of the factory will be greatly hit, and the cost is very high.

...

The news spread quickly, not only limited to Nanhua, but also spread outward. There were ridicules and surprises, but most countries did not care, except for the shipyard.

But in a very hot place, when it was learned that Nanhua would build warships for itself, it combined happiness and fear together, forming a very complicated emotion.

"Can they already build large warships?" Ito's hair and beard were already white, and his voice was calm in his small villa.

"Hi! I heard that they will import some and build some by themselves, and build warships of 3,000 to 4,000 tons. The ship type is not clear, but it should be a cruiser." Komatsubara said respectfully.

After the defeat and surrender, Ito took the initiative to resign from all his positions, and Saigo Tsunemichi took over as prime minister, but Ito still maintained a great influence.

For example, Komatsubara was saved by him.

"He is a fool, but he is the fool who knows Nanhua best..." In one sentence, Ito convinced the stubborn Saigo Tsunemichi.

"Any other news?" Ito didn't care, or couldn't care.

The reason why Japan is still in order now is entirely because Britain needs Japan to be strong to resist Russia.

If it follows the British arrangement, Japan will always be a pawn of Britain, and the key to breaking the situation lies in die Qing.

If a piece of fat meat is bitten out of die Qing to repay the debt, then Japan will have more vitality.

This point has been reached a consensus within the Japanese government. Preparations for the war against Qing have been going on for a year. Japan has more detailed intelligence on the main targets' military strength, fortifications, and firepower distribution than Die Qing.

"The British believe that according to Nanhua's stringent requirements for warships, Nanhua cannot complete this level of leap." Komatsubara hesitated.

"Say it! I can hold on!" Ito saw Komatsubara's appearance and scolded unhappily.

"Nanhua sold four armored cruisers to Beiyang. Beiyang's military strength has greatly increased. The navy bluntly said that there is no possibility of winning." Komatsubara said a little news to let Ito adapt first.

"The second thing..."

"The second thing."

"Say it!" Ito closed his eyes and was full of despair. Die Qing has already reflected. Is it too late for him?

"At the end of last year, Nanhua launched a pair of stockings. Its silk is very thin and squeezed out part of our raw silk exports." Komatsubara optimized it slightly.

For example, this part is very operable, for example.

"How much is left?" Ito stared at Komatsubara.

"According to... according to the Ministry of Finance report, the export volume in January and February this year fell by 90% compared with February last year..." Komatsubara did not dare to hide it.

"Puff!!" Ito spat out blood. Raw silk is Japan's only bulk commodity export.

…………

"Today's meeting is mainly to discuss the feasibility of the project. What do you need to add, what level can be achieved, when can the finished product be produced, etc. Okay, everyone speak freely."

On February 20, the first meeting of the Navy Industry Committee was held at the Surabaya Navy Command.

"The shipyard has no experience in manufacturing large warships. I hope that the Coconut City Shipyard can provide technical assistance." The shipyard representative raised the biggest problem, experience.

"The Immigration Bureau can go to the Shipbuilding Bureau to recruit people. Those workers have not received orders for a long time. The Immigration Bureau can provide 50 experienced engineers in batches within three months." Chen Siyuan attended the meeting, and he didn't know how it was related to him.

The level of engineers is not low. Currently, Surabaya Shipyard, as the largest shipyard in the Far East, has only more than 200 engineers of various types, including civil engineers.

"The steam engine can be directly contacted by the logistics department with the UK. At present, the British are willing to sell several not-so-advanced steam engines, but the price is relatively expensive." The logistics department is just doing miscellaneous work, and they are prepared.

"Why are you looking at me? The armor is no problem, and we can also provide the latest marine steel plates. While meeting the needs of shipbuilding, the protection level has reached the same strength as the No. 1 armor.

It's just a little expensive, I need to spread the research and development funds." The person in charge of the steel mill was a little unaccustomed to their voices, which were too small.

"The latest 152\\/50L rapid-fire gun has been successfully developed. We have copied the mechanical turret, and the maximum rate of fire can reach ten rounds."

"In addition, the new 203mm artillery has made a breakthrough, the test firing data has met the standards, and production planning is underway.

It is expected that thirty gun barrels and fifteen turrets will be produced within the year." The gun factory is the toughest, I progress

"Can I ask how many warships are going to be built this time?" The people in the logistics department heard that there was another caliber, and hurriedly got up. You are really worrying!

"10 million was approved, and it is expected to build 6 warships of 3,000-4,000 tons with a cruising range of more than 5,000 nautical miles." Zhao Jiaxing finally found a chance to speak.

"10 million! We have money..."

"We can add some more!"

Hearing the whispering, Liu Yiming and Zhao Jiaxing were all upset. This money was directly from the sale of warships, and another 2.5 million was allocated from the army's equipment to make up 10 million Southeast Asian currency.

"Ahem! Let's continue! Are there any problems with logistics?" Liu Yiming coughed.

"I hope to unify the caliber, such as the coastal artillery, eliminate the miscellaneous calibers, and replace them with domestic artillery, and make a profit." Logistics is now the least like a military department.

It is more like an accounting organization of the General Staff, responsible for the material management of the entire army.

As for making a profit, it is to take this batch of artillery and sell it to the die Qing, anyway, they are already hungry.

"If equipped with eight-inch guns, for a warship of 3,000 to 4,000 tons, is it too heavy? And the firepower density is a bit low."

"Destroyers can carry out cruise missions. For us, there are not such powerful enemies around. Cruisers, especially armored cruisers, should be built as main battleships."

"To reach 22 knots, it is also necessary to equip eight-inch guns. Even if we are equipped with fewer secondary guns, it cannot meet the needs of armor protection."

Before anyone else could speak, the Navy Technical Department started arguing.

Liu Yiming did not stop it. This was just a discussion. Although it was a bit intense, this was what a technician should be like.

"In fact, if it is a power problem, I should be able to solve it..." A weak voice interrupted the quarrel.

Liu Yiming looked familiar at first glance.

Qin Youde!

Yes, that's the name, and there is something that fits the name very well.

"Director Qin, has the steam turbine been successfully developed?" Liu Yiming was a little excited.

"Yes... yes, Prime Minister, this... we have tested it. The Nezha-1 steam turbine outputs 8,500 horsepower and can last for a long time." Qin Youde's cheekbones can already be seen, and his dark circles are very heavy, but he is very excited now.

"Very good!" Liu Yiming stood up excitedly. The steam turbine has made a breakthrough. The existing team will continue to develop it. The dreadnought will have a new name!

"The new destroyer also uses steam turbines. After that, warships will mainly use steam turbines, and patrol boats will still use diesel engines. Okay, you continue." Liu Yiming motioned Qin Youde to sit down.

This is a coordination meeting, and it cannot be interrupted because of a subsystem.

"Since the power system can be solved, let's talk about the design problem now."

"I think that a 4,000-ton cruiser equipped with four eight-inch turret guns is a nightmare for design."

"How about changing to an eight-inch single-mounted gun?"

"Uh, what are the specific parameters of the eight-inch gun?"

"With a turret, mechanical loading, and human assistance, the theoretical firing rate can reach 6 rounds.

Considering the complex situation during combat, 3 rounds can be guaranteed without making sharp turns.

That is... the total weight of the twin-mounted turret is close to 300 tons..." The representative of the gun factory realized that sometimes it seems that being too advanced is not a good thing.

"Single-mounted! A combat firing rate of three rounds, two single-mounted guns, three to five-inch armor, two steam turbines, and combat effectiveness that exceeds the previous level." The logistics department stood up first, and the naval technical department was stunned.

"Anyway, we will definitely have to use eight-inch guns in the future, so it is better to use them now and improve them in advance to avoid being in a hurry in the future." This is the idea of ​​the logistics department.

"Ahem! The latest armor is more expensive, but it's expensive for a reason. It only needs 4 inches, which can ensure that it will not be penetrated by artillery less than 8 inches at 3,000 meters." The man from the steel factory finally said another word.

"Of course, this has already calculated the hull, and it uses the weapons currently in use."

"Boiler! How is the progress of the oil boiler?" Qin Youde asked nervously.

"The production of the atomizing nozzle is very complicated, but it can catch up with the shipbuilding cycle, and everything has reached the design indicators." The boiler factory thought it was none of his business.

"Can the shipyard carry out large-scale riveting?" Seeing everyone fall silent, Liu Yiming began to ask questions.

"We have never carried out large-scale warship riveting, but there is no problem with equipment and technical reserves, as long as the Immigration Bureau brings people." The shipyard representative looked at Chen Siyuan.

"I will bring you a hundred skilled workers and fifty engineers (masters), but this will cost 100,000 yuan to get through the relationship with the Ship Administration Bureau." Chen Siyuan said without thinking.

He is the director of the Immigration Bureau. Although Lin Pingzhi is responsible for technical immigration, he has all these data in mind.

"What about other problems?"

Everyone shook their heads to indicate that there was no problem for the time being.

"Then you integrate the plan and report it to Commander Zhao." Liu Yiming stood up, leaving them more space.

Sure enough, after Liu Yiming pulled Qin Youde and Zhao Jiaxing away, a fierce debate broke out inside, shook his head, and turned to look at Qin Youde.

"Where is the test model?" Since Qin Youde can say 8500 horsepower, it must have been tested.

"Not far, I'll take you there!" Qin Youde excitedly pulled the two to the other side of the dock.

…………

"Xiang Jun, the empire has encountered the most difficult level, how are you going to deal with it?" After Ito vomited blood, he immediately called Prime Minister Xiang.

"Ito-kun, you are too tired..." Saigo did not respond directly, but quietly looked at the ally who had fought together in the past.

"The empire is not sure of victory now. The navy of the Qing Dynasty has been strengthened. According to the report of Gonbei, the Haitian-class cruiser can resist the attack of 10-inch artillery at 3,500 meters."

"They are also equipped with a large number of rapid-fire guns. It's really sad that China has awakened slightly, and the fleet built by Japan with all its national strength is not sure at all!" Ito said with difficulty while lying on the tatami.

"Care well, I won't attack blindly." Saigo sighed.

"Tell me about the situation in China." Ito breathed a sigh of relief.

"Fortunately, the credit of the yen has stabilized in China, production and life have been initially restored, and everything is developing in a good direction." Saigo turned his eyes away.

"You don't need to comfort me. I know that exports have been cut in half this year, and a large number of companies will go bankrupt soon. The silk industry is the only pillar of our economy." Ito paused.

"Lower the price. I've heard that the production of stockings sold by Nanhua is not high, and the United States is discussing import restrictions. There is still a market for cheap raw silk."

There are many factories that knit stockings in the United States, and congressmen need to consider the interests of capitalists.

"I'll take care of it." Saigo nodded, and he was already working on it.

"Price! It must be lower than dieqing!" Ito said firmly, almost roaring.

Saigo stood up and bowed to Ito.

"The empire can do without me, but it can't do without you. I will take care of this matter, you take good care of yourself."

Ito Hirobumi struggled for a while and couldn't get up.

"And Nanhua! He blocked the empire's way south, but now we must not act on impulse, wait for the opportunity, and consider this matter when we defeat the Russians."

Saigo nodded and left the villa.

"Take good care of the earl and don't let him worry about these things anymore, do you hear?" At the door, Saigo glanced at Komatsubara.

"Idiot." Saigo muttered to Komatsubara before leaving.

…………

After two hours of arguing, the Naval Industrial Committee and the Naval Technical Department finally came up with the final result.

"2 meters long, 78 meters wide, 1 meter draft.

Standard displacement 4100 tons, full load displacement 4680 tons, endurance 6000 nautical miles\\/12 knots.

Two Nezha I steam turbines, ten oil boilers, designed horsepower, speed 23 knots.

Equipped with two single 40-caliber 203mm turret guns, front and rear layout, four twin 120mm turrets, four corner layout.

Waterline 50-100mm armor belt, turret front 100\\/50, bow 80, tail 20, command tower 100.

That's it, right?" The naval technician was confused. What is this monster?

"But, isn't this too radical? Is the technology mature?"

"My technology is fine!"

"Who are you scolding?"

"You can blame me, but you can't blame my gun. How about giving it a try?"

In this way, based on this parameter, the design department came up with a new design drawing and quickly delivered it to Liu Yiming...

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