The caliber of the artillery will become larger and larger, the power of the shells will become stronger and stronger, the range will become farther and farther, and the protection will become more and more abnormal... Brand new ships will quickly eliminate the old models, hundreds of The fleet built with tens of millions of dollars will become obsolete and obsolete in less than 20 or 30 years.
The Beiyang Navy was established on Liugong Island in 1888. However, during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 at the Dadonggou Naval Battle, how could the once powerful Beiyang Navy, known as the best in Asia and sixth in the world, defeat the Japanese in just 6 years after its formation? Tied.
Of course there was corruption, and sand was used as gunpowder. There was also the lack of discipline among the soldiers. At that time, Japanese spies even discovered Beiyang Navy soldiers drying their clothes on the barrel.
However, the reasons for failure are diverse, and the impact of technological progress cannot be ignored.
The Beiyang Navy was formed in 1888, but the ship orders from the Western powers had to be postponed to 1874. In other words, the design style of the Beiyang Navy's warships during the Sino-Japanese War of 1888-1898 was from 20 years ago.
What era was that? That was when mankind entered the second industrial revolution, an era of great technological development. In 20 years, mankind's industrial and technological levels, and even people's ideas, would undergo earth-shaking changes.
In fact, Li Hongzhang was already aware of the crisis before the Sino-Japanese War. At that time, he kept applying for military funds from the court. Instead of buying new ships, he had to upgrade his artillery. The time it took Dingyuan and Zhenyuan to fire a cannon was enough for Japanese rapid artillery. Three shots have been fired. This is the gap in technology.
But it is a pity that Lafayette wanted to build the Summer Palace at that time, and Emperor Guangxu also wanted to use the garden in exchange for his personal administration. As for Weng Tonghe and Li Hongzhang, who were both political enemies and had personal vendettas, they would rather build the garden than give it to the Beiyang Navy.
It's really embarrassing. In fact, Japan's navy at that time was not that powerful at all. The Sino-Japanese War was more like a gamble, a gamble between Japan's national destiny and the Beiyang forces. Ito Hirobumi once said, I have only one enemy. That is Li Hongzhang.
Very powerful pragmatism. I don't seek to be number one in the world, nor do I seek perfection. Since the goal has been set on Beiyang, then I will prepare for the war with all the strength of the country. I only need to be a little better than you.
Just like the Sanjing Ship at that time, it was completely designed to deal with the two giant ships Dingyuan and Zhenyuan. Its small body carried a large cannon. The small body of more than 4,000 tons actually carried a 320 mm caliber cannon, and it was not afraid of being shocked by the cannon. Lost that small body.
But the Japanese don't care. Their motives are simple. How much does the Sanjing ship cost? How much does your Dingyuan Zhenyuan cost? I will die together with you because I took advantage.
In fact, during the Sino-Japanese War of 1888-88, the Beiyang Navy only had an advantage in terms of naval tonnage and numbers, and its scientific and technological strength and naval combat concepts had already lagged behind Japan. Although the lag was not much, it could be fully compensated, but it is a pity. Don't forget that there are still more There is a Manchu pig teammate.
Xiao Letian will never let history repeat itself. Although Japan was renamed Fuso and the pace of the Meiji Restoration was forcibly interrupted, is China safe?
There is no threat from Japan, but Russia, Britain, France, and even the United States, which will recover in the future, are not fuel-efficient lamps. The Chinese navy will still encounter a big battle sooner or later, and it may be more tragic than the Sino-Japanese War.
Make money, Xiao Letian's plan is to purchase only two model 00 warships. These two warships will be the training ships of the future armored fleet, and the second warship must be produced at the Ryukyu shipyard, although some core components of the steam unit are still needed Purchased from Prussia, but the Chinese have to study hard and accumulate talents in shipbuilding.
After the 00 model, we will build warships with larger tonnage. We would rather waste money and let our college students learn the lessons of failure than completely rely on imports. How can the military and national weapons be in the hands of others.
King Yi patted the armored ship in front of him, "Mr. Kevin, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to receive an order for this battleship..."
"Why, my God, this is such a good battleship. I have already reduced the cost to 260,000 pounds. Are you still not satisfied? This is not bargaining. You are deliberately looking for trouble." Kevin's nose was crooked with anger. .
Prince Carl was also stunned. He felt that the cooperation between the two parties had been very pleasant. In fact, the Prussian business did not make much money at all. Originally, his father was not optimistic about this plan. Now it is completely him, Carl and Xiao Letian. Promote this plan.
Facing his savior, Karl was still very conscientious. He never thought about killing Xiao Letian.
King Yi smiled and shook his head and said, "No, no, no... you don't understand what I mean. What I said is that I will no longer place an order for this battleship. Later, my brother should give you updated drawings... maybe build one." A larger warship, six thousand tons, seven thousand tons, who can say for sure..."
"Hey...my brother is really too ambitious."
Kevin was so excited that he almost fell off the shelf. I wouldn't have made you gasp so loudly. "Six to seven thousand tons, God, we can add more advanced steam turbines, we can try a new structural layout, and more powerful ones." Artillery, faster ship speed, thicker armor..."
"Your Highness, I formally apply to you. I want to follow this warship to Asia. I want to record all the data personally to lay the foundation for better warship design in the future."
"Okay, I agree with your request. Originally, I was going to make this trip difficult for you. The first-hand information is too precious... Haha, Britain and France can learn the appearance of our battleships, but they can't. to our experience.”
"Xiao Letian once told me a Chinese proverb: if you take one step first, you will lead step by step. Don't underestimate the technological gap of twenty or thirty years. It is the accumulation of experience in these details that creates each legend. .”
"You don't have to be a century ahead of your enemies to defeat them. In fact, ten years is enough."
"Well, this battleship is ready for a long journey, Your Excellency... This battleship must have a name."
King Yi nodded and took a folder from the guard behind him. After opening it, there were several folded rice papers inside. Xiang Ying and Cai Bixia quickly opened it carefully and saw two large characters written in thick ink. appear in front of people's eyes.
"Zhiyuan... This is the name of the ship named by the Prime Minister, China's first iron-clad warship, Zhiyuan."
In the distant Ryukyu, it was already late at night. Xiao Letian suddenly woke up from his nightmare. The fiasco at Dadonggou appeared in front of his eyes. The smoke-filled Zhiyuan rushed towards the enemy like a dying beast and sank into Yoshino. The pain in the souls of all Chinese people.
"On this day, tears are flowing all over the world. If there is a public foot to strengthen the power of the navy, it can only be Zhiyuan, and it must be Zhiyuan, otherwise I will not be able to survive the difficulties in my heart."
Note: Zhiyuan can really only be Zhiyuan. Without those sacrificed seniors, this military spirit would not be able to come out.
Although the Zhiyuan is not the most powerful battleship in history, Xiao Letian advanced the design concept of this battleship by 19 years, which is terrifying.
