Holy Roman Empire

Whether there is a black box operation, just look at the composition of the warship.All the fleets are temporarily determined by the Anti-French Alliance. Generally speaking, high-quality warships and junk warships are mixed together for sale.

The battleship formation of Group A in front of him is different. The warships inside are all high-quality goods, which cannot be solved by a coincidence.

"650 million!"

It is not only the Japanese representatives who are lucky.The interests are touching, and the most advanced battleship formation will not be mentioned.

The key lies in a full set of shipbuilding technology and shipbuilding engineers. With these, you can almost copy the French Navy.For countries interested in developing their navy, these are invaluable.

"800 million!"

"850 million!"

……

Looking at the constantly refreshing quotations, the atmosphere of the Japanese delegation suddenly became tense.The plan did not change quickly, for no other reason than lack of money.

Xixiang Congdao said anxiously: "Prime Minister, warships can be discarded, but the shipbuilding technology must be obtained. With these technologies, we can save 30 years of struggle."

It's not an exaggeration at all. With Japan's current shipbuilding technology, it's okay to play with sailing warships. Let alone a battleship with tens of thousands of tons built, it can't even find a dock.

There are [-] tons of docks in the world, and the only three countries that have built pre-dreadnought ships are Britain, France and Austria, and the rest of the countries are groping.

The same is true for Americans. Affected by the butterfly effect, the economic development of the United States after the division is far worse than that of the original time and space.The government has no money in its pocket, so naturally it has no resources to spend on the navy.

Hirobumi Ito nodded: "The competition is too fierce now, and we don't have much money in our hands. Let's wait for the next batch!"

The plan did not change quickly. Originally, he did not expect to gain anything at the warship auction conference. Now that he is awed by the big hand of the Anti-French Alliance, Hirobumi Ito can only grit his teeth and keep up.

There is no way, there are not many opportunities to obtain the most advanced shipbuilding technology.If this opportunity is missed, the price to be paid for obtaining these technologies in the future is absolutely unimaginable.

Anyway, the warship may be detained by the Anti-French Alliance in the name of neutrality, but the shipbuilding technology will definitely not be detained.The Spaniards don't have that much face yet, so everyone doesn't even want their international reputation for them.

In a sense, the value of winning these shipbuilding technologies is no less than occupying the Philippine Islands.

……

In the box upstairs, the British delegation was not calm anymore.Originally, I thought that the Austrians were just using some backward shipbuilding technology as a head start, but I didn't expect that the opponent would not play their cards according to the routine, which meant that the shipbuilding technology was bad.

"The Austrians must be crazy. Once these technologies spread out, they will bring us big troubles in the future!"

exclaimed a naval officer.

"We" also includes Austria, which is also a member of the colonial empire, and the proliferation of shipbuilding technology has also impacted Austria.Not to mention the sale of warship exports, I'm afraid it will be difficult to make such huge profits now.

It's technical data and engineers again, and George won't be surprised that the Austrians will sell the French shipyard next.

With so many things, countries with a little financial resources can eat them, and then come up with their own warships.

Can make their own, who wants to import?Even if the performance is a little behind, it is more reliable than the cut version of the battleship.

Once all countries in the world have their own shipbuilding capabilities, the good days of colonial empires will come to an end.It is no longer a good thing to force a big country to surrender with a few ships.

"It's useless, shipbuilding technology has spread long ago. Since the Anti-French Alliance occupied France, shipbuilding technology is no longer a secret.

Maybe big countries like Spain and Russia will keep their shipbuilding technology secret for their own benefit, but countries like Belgium and Sardinia that have nothing can sell anything as long as they give money.

No one can stop the secret transaction.Anyway, technology is going to spread, so it's better to take the opportunity to make a fortune.

Moreover, shipbuilding is a manifestation of a country's industrial strength, and it cannot be completed with just a single document.Even if everyone has a piece of shipbuilding technology, there are not many companies that are truly capable of independently building battleships. "

After all, he was used to strong winds and waves. After a brief shock, George quickly reacted.

The seemingly precious shipbuilding technology is actually a picture cake released by Austria.Most countries do not have the conditions to build battleships. Even if they get the most technology, there is only one assembly factory, and spare parts with technical content still have to be imported.

Countries that are truly capable of assimilating and replicating these technologies can develop their own research and development, and the greatest value is nothing more than reference ideas.

……

At noon, the auction came to an end, and the finale products also appeared.West announced loudly: "Now is the last batch of this auction, and it is also the batch that everyone is most concerned about.

Fifteen battleships, 21 cruisers, 32 destroyers, and 150 auxiliary ships of various types, with a total tonnage of 36.4 tons.

It is not an exaggeration to say that this fleet is the third largest naval power in the world.No matter who takes pictures of this fleet, it will greatly increase its strength and become an important force for maintaining world peace.

Everyone knows the importance. This auction also comes with the shipbuilding technology of the above-mentioned warships, plus 300 engineers.The auction starts now, with a starting price of 4500 million Aegis, and each increase must not be less than 1 Aegis. "

Everyone's eyes turned to the representatives of Britain and Austria. Everyone could see that this was prepared for the two big bosses. Even if other countries wanted to participate, they did not have enough funds.

"5000 million!"

No one was disappointed. As the host, Weisenberg took the lead in making an offer, and directly increased the price by 500 million Aegis.

This was the first round of bids. As a representative of Britain, George would naturally not hesitate, and offered a tit-for-tat price without hesitation.

"3000 million!"

The numbers got smaller, but the amounts went up.Just because the unit behind the number has become the British pound, 3000 million pounds is converted into 6000 million Aegis.

Laymen watch the excitement, while experts watch the doorway.The auction at this moment is not just an auction, but also a confrontation between Britain and Austria for maritime hegemony.

Judging from the figures on paper, if the Austrian Navy obtains these warships, it will jump up and surpass the British in the number of capital ships and the tonnage of warships.

The doubling of the price was just a counterattack by George on behalf of Britain, showing that Britain was not afraid of any challenge.

As for whether to take down these warships, the London government has not discussed an accurate result so far.

After all, no one's money is blown down by strong winds. If Austria deliberately drives up prices, the British government will not be able to take advantage of it.

As soon as "3000 million pounds" came out, the venue fell silent.Everyone is waiting for Austria's response, and many people still show an expression that watching the excitement is not a big deal, and they are only a handful of melon seeds.

It was originally agreed to bid in units of Aegis, but now the British did not buy it and replaced it with pounds. As the host, Waiters only felt a lot of pressure.

If you don't stop it, you will lose face; if you stop it, the pound is also money, and its circulation properties are no worse than Aegis.The customer is God, and as a seller, it seems that there is no need to entangle in this little issue.

In the end, professionalism prevailed. Seeing that no one continued to quote, Waiters ignored the embarrassment and announced loudly: "3000 million pounds a time, is there anyone else to quote?

This is the core of the French Navy. If you take pictures of this fleet, you will immediately become a world-class naval power. "

……

"3000 million pounds, deal! Congratulations, Mr. George, for buying a world fleet for Britain!"

The host announced the final result, and the bewildered crowd came to their senses.Obviously, this is the wrong script.

There are three fires when a new official takes office. How can the rise of the new overlord be so quiet?Not taking the opportunity to challenge the British sea supremacy is completely refreshing everyone's perception.

Even the British Foreign Secretary George, who has just become the protagonist of the auction, is also confused at the moment.It went so smoothly, completely unexpectedly.

"3000 million pounds" seems like a lot, but it also depends on where it is used.If it is built by itself, 3000 million pounds is almost enough for the cost, but it is a new warship, and it is indeed a bit of a loss to buy a second-hand warship.

But according to the transaction price of warships in the international market, 3000 million pounds is very cheap.Anyway, at the same price, Britain will not sell warships outside.

In addition to the warship itself, the incidental political significance is even more extraordinary.The confrontation at the auction also conveyed a political signal to the representatives of various countries present-Austria has no intention of competing with the British for maritime supremacy.

This disappointed the countries that wanted to watch the excitement. If the two big hooligans did not fight, everyone would have no chance to fish in troubled waters.

After reacting, George smiled happily. He knew that the game was stable.

Through an auction, Britain has proved to the outside world with practical actions that "your uncle is still your uncle", and everyone should keep their eyes open in the years to come.

Chapter 233 Farce——The President Who Takes the Blame

The auction is over, but the impact of the auction continues.Warship trade has never been inseparable from politics, and this time is no exception.

The temporary compromise between Britain and Austria is naturally the highlight. The active participation of other countries in the auction is also a political signal, showing the outside world's recognition of Austria's hegemony.

It is human nature to tend toward pros and cons.Now that the dust has settled, showing goodwill may not make the Vienna government look at it differently, but not showing goodwill will definitely be "viewed differently."

In this context, regardless of whether it is necessary to purchase warships or not, representatives of various countries have called the price at least once, and the atmosphere is absolutely hot.

Of course, it was mainly because of the split auction, the minimum starting price was only 20 Aegis, and everyone still had the ability to bid.If all of them were large fleets, it wouldn't be so lively.

Who dares to make random quotations without money? What if a deal is made?Confiscation of the security deposit is a small matter, but if it is considered to be deliberately disruptive, it will be a big trouble.

The world's second largest naval fleet, together with shipbuilding technology + engineers, the final total transaction price was only 1.3 million Aegis, of which more than 3000 million Aegis was deducted from the insider transactions of the countries of the Anti-French Alliance. It simply fell to the floor The price of cabbage.

Franz, however, was satisfied.Unlike the local tyrants everywhere in later generations, there are too few countries with purchasing power these days.

Except for the defeated France, only Britain, Austria and Russia have fiscal revenues exceeding 2000 million Aegis, and there are less than ten countries with fiscal revenue exceeding [-] million Aegis.

After excluding the 6000 million of the British, they can get nearly 4000 million in income from other countries, and they are not satisfied.

"After the settlement is completed, let's distribute it to the allies according to the compensation ratio. They are all waiting for the flour to make bread!"

Dividing money is a must, and Austria has never been the master of eating alone.On the issue of sharing, the Vienna government has always done a good job, which is also an important reason why Austria can have a good international reputation.

……

Foreign Secretary Weisenberg: "Yesterday afternoon I had a meeting with Spanish representatives, and the Spaniards hope that we will fulfill our previous commitments and support them in the upcoming war in the Philippines.

Taking into account the need to rebuild the international order, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed to fulfill the agreement and support Spain in cutting off the Japanese's tentacles in the Nanyang region. "

Verbal promises are naturally not binding.If it was normal times, and the Japanese robbed the Philippine Islands, Austria wouldn't mind helping them along the way.

After all, the Vienna government also coveted the Philippine Islands, but was unable to do so due to political influence.

If it falls into the hands of the Japanese, this pressure will no longer exist.Austria can wait for Spain to give up the Philippines, and then find an excuse to beat the Japanese and take the Philippine Islands by the way.

I don't know whether to say that the Japanese are lucky or unlucky.Don't come sooner or later, just in time for Austria to rebuild the international order.

The anti-French alliance has not yet been disbanded. Once Spain brings the Philippine War to the Vienna Peace Conference for discussion, Austria will definitely help first and then help.

The tragedy is that the Japanese do not take any of these two points. Don't say that the Vienna government will not support them, and it is estimated that European countries will not support them.

The only ones who hope that the Japanese government can win may be the French.It is a pity that France, which was defeated in the war, has no right to speak.

Once the Vienna Peace Conference makes a resolution, as a rule maker and vested interest, the Austrian government must support Spain to maintain the authority of the Peace Conference.

Seeing that the duck he got flew away, Franz said angrily: "Tell the Spaniards that it's okay to support them, but we won't join the war.

Let them make full preparations, play the prestige of the European world, and don't learn from the French to embarrass themselves in Vietnam. "

There is no doubt that the Spaniards also calculated Austria's position before they ran to support it with empty teeth.But whenever some benefits are promised, Franz's reminder will be more subtle.

……

On April 1892, 4, at the Austrian Royal Opera House, the Vienna Peace Conference officially kicked off.

There were no flowers, no applause, and no so-called opening ceremony.There is only a big cold round table, plus a few rows of chairs.

There is no doubt that the negotiating table is not for everyone.In addition to the anti-French alliance countries, there are at least some important regional powers that can appear on the negotiating table.

"The main purpose of inviting you here this time is to invite you to be witnesses, deal with the follow-up affairs of the anti-French war, and establish a new international order.

The issue of order, we will slowly discuss later, and now we should first deal with the aftermath of the anti-French war. "

Weissenberg bit the word "witness" very strongly, and the meaning he wanted to express was very obvious: you should not get involved in the aftermath of the anti-French war, and let our anti-French alliance handle it by ourselves. If there are problems, we will establish an international Pull slowly when order is in place.

This blatant statement undoubtedly hurt many representatives.Anyway, we are also participating in an international conference, and we are not allowed to express our opinions, it is simply...

Before everyone could react, the Belgian representative, who had been prepared for a long time, started to complain about the atrocities committed by France.

A lot of evidence has been put on the table, and even the case of missing and murdered soldiers, which the French used as an excuse to declare war, has now been reinterpreted.

After the Belgian representative finished speaking, the representative of the German Federation followed, and then the Italian states took turns to complain.

Witnesses, historical materials, photographs, and statements from French officers and soldiers are all there.In a sense, the reason why the Vienna Peace Conference has been delayed for so long is for everyone to collect evidence.

As shocking evidence came on the stage, the scene was so touching that many representatives attending the meeting shed trembling tears.

Of course, no one knows whether it is true or false. After all, there are many cameras in the hall to record this historic scene.

Listening to the complaints of the crowd, President Robert, as the representative of France, buried his head very low, trying to reduce his sense of existence as much as possible.

There is no way, the more tragic the content of the anti-French alliance's complaint and the more evidence it produces, the more detrimental it will be to France, and it will also mean the greater the price that France will have to pay in the future.

refute?

Not to mention, is there a chance for him to speak.Even if asked to speak, he didn't know where to start.

As a revolutionary, Robert's knowledge of this war is limited to the materials left by the previous government and domestic media reports.

Naturally, the things recorded by one's own people are inevitably beautified.Many of the key details are mentioned in one stroke.Want to know the specific situation, they have been unable to find the parties.

Robert always thought that this was just an ordinary European hegemony war, and there were many similar battles in history.

Judging from the scope of the war, the French army only stayed in Central Europe and Italy, which was far less than Napoleon's era all the way to Moscow.

In President Robert's view, the consequences are the most serious now, and the punishment he receives is slightly heavier than last time, and he will be fine in a few years.

However, the reality is cruel. Just from the losses listed by the countries of the Anti-French Alliance, Robert knew that France was in big trouble this time.

After the Anti-French Alliance defined the nature of the war as "aggression" and "anti-aggression", Robert finally couldn't help it.He knew very well that if he didn't speak up to justify now, it would be even more difficult to explain clearly later.

"protest!"