You know, although the industrial level of the Republic of China during this period was weak, small-tonnage warships could still be manufactured.
Of course, there are only a handful of shipyards that can take on such important responsibilities, including Greater China Shipyard, Jiangnan Shipyard, Wuchang Shipyard, etc.
Among them, the most famous is Jiangnan Shipyard, which was born out of the Jiangnan Manufacturing Administration established during the Westernization Movement of the late Qing Dynasty.
Although the development of Jiangnan Shipyard was bumpy, and it was repeatedly cut by the government due to funding issues, in 1931, it still independently completed the manufacturing of the first domestic warship in Chinese history. The ship was designed by shipbuilding expert Ye Zaifu. This is Yi Zaifu. Fairy ship, with a displacement of 1560 tons.
Although the tonnage of the ship is not too large, the speed is only 12 knots, not even comparable to a battleship, nor comparable to the Ninghai light cruiser with a displacement of more than 2,000 tons purchased from Japan. But it is made in China. Although some parts are imported, it can be regarded as a major progress for China's shipbuilding industry.
Light cruisers of more than 1,000 tons can be manufactured, as well as river boats of less than 100 tons, and the cost will definitely be much lower than those imported from abroad.
However, even if Zhou Wen wants to build a new ship, there is a richer and more anxious benefactor who wants to build a new ship even more.
This big benefactor is the Navy of the Republic of China.
Faced with the increasingly urgent international situation and the need to defend coastal defense, the Nanjing government passed the "Regulation of Military Registration" at the Second Military Conference in 1928, which advocated strengthening the construction of naval power. In terms of national defense, the navy , air force and military port fortress buildings are all important.
In 1929, the Nanjing Navy Ministry formulated the "Six-year Construction Plan", which advocated the construction of 105,000 tons of main battleships, 6,800 tons of gunboats, and 5.37 million tons of auxiliary ships within six years, thereby promoting the construction of naval weapons and equipment.
Moreover, the gap between the Chinese and Japanese navies is huge at this time, and it is impossible to catch up with Japan's level in a short period of time. Therefore, the national government also clearly realized that after the Sino-Japanese war broke out, the Republic of China Navy did not have the ability to conduct offensive operations at all. It could only make use of favorable terrain such as seaports and inland rivers, and carry out defensive operations through forts and mines.
Among them, the role of small-tonnage torpedo boats, minelayers, gunboats, etc. is highlighted.
Therefore, the orders of several shipyards, including Jiangnan Shipyard, are now fully booked by the Republic of China Navy. Where is there any spare capacity to help Zhou Wen build gunboats?
Moreover, Zhou Wen did not use gunboats to fight against Japan. He knew that without air superiority and strong naval support, it would be completely useless to drive a few small gunboats to fight Japanese destroyers.
He just wanted to use the gunboat to escort the Yangtze River Company's shipping. Of course, he did not require good performance.
As long as it can be faster than a freighter, it can have some basic protection and a strike capability that is more powerful than light weapons.
What he needs to deal with is not the regular army, but the water bandits and river tyrants along the Yangtze River.
In terms of service life, Zhou Wen does not need new ships, as long as these gunboats can barely last three or four years. Although he is not short of money now, it is not that he has too much money and has nowhere to spend it.
For the future all-out war of resistance, every penny saved now can produce bullets that may kill one more little devil. What’s more, the time to actually spend money hasn’t come yet. Of the aircraft and tanks you want to buy in the future, which one is not a big money grabber?
Of course, there was no need to elaborate on these with James. He just cited financial constraints and told him about the situation of the Philippine Army.
Finally, Zhou Wen said: "Mr. James, I know you are a businessman, and of course I won't let your help go in vain."
Zhou Wen said and took out another list, which was actually a quotation list.
I just saw the purchase price listed above.
Zhou Wen offered an M2 Browning heavy machine gun that could still be used for $500, starting with 100 guns. Another 100,000 rounds of various types of bullets are provided for the weighted machine gun at a price of 10,000 US dollars.
Two sets of production lines for 12.7mm heavy machine gun ammunition that are old but have complete equipment and parts are priced at US$40,000.
A semi-old 50-ton gunboat, excluding weapons, is priced at US$1,500, starting with 8 boats.
The above-mentioned prices are not arbitrary prices given by Zhou Wen. He has learned from Mandel that the international price of a newly manufactured M2 Browning heavy machine gun is about US$2,000. A brand new bullet production line costs about US$50,000 to US$60,000. The cost of a River-class gunboat manufactured by a US shipyard in the Philippines ranges from US$5,000 to US$10,000 depending on the tonnage.
But he bought it in the name of scrap collection, so the price can be said to be relatively high. And he knew that if Qichang Yangxing's company in the Philippines was willing to contact the local military and use some relationship means, it would not even cost a penny to accept and process these nominal waste products.
Therefore, except for the cost of bullets, these offers are actually equivalent to Zhou Wenbai giving to James.
Of course, Zhou Wen doesn't care about the freight and intermediate handling costs. He just picks up the goods at the Shanghai pier. Otherwise, why would he bother to get these old equipment? Isn't it just for cheap?
While James was carefully calculating the feasibility of this matter, Zhou Wen took out a check from his jacket pocket. The amount on it was a number that was still fresh in James' memory: US$135,000.
Yes, the amount of the check Zhou Wen took out was exactly the same as the amount of compensation James gave Zhou Wen.
Zhou Wen smiled and said: "This is my deposit, which can also be said to be the full payment for the first batch of goods. If you can meet the minimum requirements on the list, the remaining money will be the hard work fee I will give you. If there is any more in the future For this kind of business, I will adopt today’s payment-first-delivery method, and I won’t let you pay a penny in advance, nor will you suffer any financial losses.”
James looked at the check in Zhou Wen's hand with complicated emotions. Of course he understood what this Chinese man who called himself a scholar meant.
Since I can get the money from you once, I must have the means to get it a second time, and I won't be afraid that you will break the contract and steal the money.
Moreover, he was quite surprised that Zhou Wen actually knew something about the situation of the American troops stationed in the Philippines, which meant that this person must have intelligence channels in the Philippines. This was a bit scary, and Zhou Wen's identity made him feel even more mysterious and mysterious. It's unfathomable, so naturally I don't dare to have any evil thoughts.
So, he simply said in a bachelor's manner: "Mr. Scholar, thank you for your trust in me. But I can't accept your deposit today. I will wait until I go back to understand the situation clearly through the company's relationship and determine the feasibility of this matter." , I will collect the money again, this is good for everyone."
