Regarding the navy, Xiao Letian was both looking forward to and fearful. He expected powerful armored warships to roam the oceans, protect China's sea power and create a peaceful space for the mainland's internal political reform.
Xiao Letian once deduced that as long as he can maintain peace on China's coast for three or four years, then this time will be enough time to reorganize domestic political forces, and even have time to fight a civil war.
Don’t think that war brings all kinds of harm and no benefit. Students of later generations who have studied political economics even with only a little knowledge know that war is just a continuation of politics and is the last and most effective means to resolve conflicts.
Relying on the means of war to complete the reorganization of the internal political structure, redistribute power, and then achieve a relatively balanced state is the only way to reform the Qing Dynasty at the moment, and it is also the necessity that many parties are preparing for.
The Hunan Army is dormant, the new Ryukyu Army is on guard at the edge of the mainland, the Manchu and Qing conservative forces in the capital are training crazily, and even Xiao Zaichun has begun to form his own army of officers, not to mention the covetous external forces, Russia Human hands have directly reached Xinjiang, and the United Kingdom is constantly strengthening the armaments in Hong Kong and concessions elsewhere.
If nothing else happens, the year when Emperor Tongzhi came into power at the age of 16 was likely to be the time when all conflicts broke out.
Don't think that Xiao Letian seems carefree and doesn't care about anything. In fact, the pressure in his heart is beyond imagination. He woke up from nightmares more than once, in which the Forbidden City was burning, the walls of the Forty-Nine City were crumbling, and refugees fled like a tide. When we left Beijing, the sound of gunfire was as dense as a torrential rain, and the firelight reflected the sky red.
This is not the most terrifying scene. The most terrifying thing is that while groups of braided soldiers are fighting, there are countless European troops hidden in the smoke behind them. They are waiting for the Chinese civil war to drain the last drop of blood, and then pick them with bayonets. The soldier who suffered both losses and death ended up with the advantage of the fishermen.
The snipe and the clam compete with each other to make a profit. This idiom is not unknown to Europeans, and they play it very skillfully.
Xiao Letian woke up from the nightmare with sweat on his chest and back. Unexpectedly, he would have nightmares just after taking a nap. Ping'er, who was fanning next to him, was shocked.
After drinking two bowls of ice tea, the anger in Xiao Letian's heart finally dissipated. Xiao Letian opened the door and started walking in the back garden of the Prime Minister's Mansion. People who are familiar with Xiao Letian knew from the Prime Minister's expression that he was thinking about it. The problem is, not even his two wives can be disturbed at this time.
The Ryukyu Prime Minister's Mansion was expanded on the basis of the original residence of Rigen Kayama. The terrain here is very high, overlooking the entire Naha Bay and Shuri Castle. I chose this place because of its exquisiteness and condescension. The terrain can easily control the entire city.
The Prime Minister's Mansion, which is built on the mountain, has an excellent sea view attic at the highest point. On top of this Japanese-style three-story castle tower, Xiao Letian opened the wooden door and faced the harsh sea breeze blowing from the Pacific Ocean.
Here you can see the Pacific Ocean to the east at a glance. The waves are drawing white marks towards the beach. There are scattered sailing merchant ships sailing on the blue sea. When you climb up and look into the distance, your mood suddenly becomes brighter. The depression caused by nightmares Sweep away.
"China is not afraid of civil war. It will solve problems behind closed doors, even if it is through war. In the end, the family property will be divided between brothers... What China fears most is the intervention of foreign ghosts during the civil war. At that time, the family property will obviously belong to brothers. If you fight for it, it will turn into an outsider entering the house and taking advantage of the chaos."
"If you want to stop the foreign ghosts, you must have a powerful navy. As long as the sea frontier can be stabilized, the chaos on the land can be controlled... But can I build such a navy by myself? I Can you survive that crazy arms race?"
"The design ideas and process technology of the Zhiyuan ship have surpassed the generation gap of the European powers by at least 20 years. This is Xiao Letian's golden finger, but how long can this advantage be maintained?"
"As long as the Zhiyuan's secret return to China goes smoothly, and the battleship and the core equipment and instruments are safe, there will definitely be a battle in Vladivostok in autumn and winter. By then, the secret of the Zhiyuan will naturally be revealed to the world. With the industrial level and technical strength of Britain and France, It will take at most one year for a warship with performance similar to that of the Zhiyuan to be launched. After another six months or one year of debugging and running-in period, the technological advantages of the Zhiyuan will no longer exist by 1870 at most..."
"Hey... this golden finger can only be used for two and a half years. I'm so sorry..."
"However, Prussia was almost ready to fight in 1870. If I had not completely changed the course of history, the Franco-Prussian War would not have disappeared. That war shocked the world, and the rise of the German Empire would definitely shock the whole of Europe... Britain, France, and Russia It will take at least two or three years to have the energy to take care of Asia. Based on this calculation, the safety period of the Ryukyu Navy should be between four and a half to five years..."
"1872...wait a minute." Xiao Letian was stunned for a moment, and he quickly calculated in his mind, and finally even started to break hands. "In 1872, wasn't Zai Chun 16 years old? Historical records indicate that Zai Chun was born in 1872. Marriage, and wasn’t 1873 the year he took office?”
"Damn." Xiao Letian slapped his forehead, "I thought I could influence history. In fact, I am just a small chess piece influencing history. There is indeed a force in the dark that is gathering us to one point. When all Once everyone steps up to the altar, the karmic fire of hell will rush out and burn us all..."
"Whether you develop a three-foot golden body or turn into ashes in the endless void depends on whether the preparations in the last five years are sufficient. Damn it... Why didn't I travel through time a few years earlier? Damn it, damn it. …”
"Invite my father-in-law, Lao Taishan, come here, invite old shopkeeper Fan Jian, invite Xiao Hexin, Sima Yun, Wang Huaiyuan, Luo Huo... they all come over for an emergency meeting."
With an order, several figures below the attic blew in all directions like the wind. After a while, groups of war horses began to make plans towards the Prime Minister's Mansion. Pedestrians on the street hurriedly avoided it. Everyone knew that Ryukyu officials would not do anything without an urgent military situation. Riding a horse galloping through the downtown area.
Everyone quickly walked up to the attic, only to find Xiao Letian sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor. The ice bucket was filled with crystal white ice cubes, filled with red wine, beer and Ryukyu specialty rum.
"Close the door, the highest level. Today's meeting involves strategic planning for the next five to ten years. I have prepared fine wine and food. Let's just eat, drink and have sex here..."
Looking at the people and chaos disappearing around him, Xiao Letian asked with a gloomy face, "The moment the Zhiyuan returns to China, it is destined to kick off the global naval arms race. I want to know how much money we have in our hands." ." This book was first published from, see the genuine content for the first time!
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