Before Tourville came to the Eastern world, he once thought that the French navy with as many as thirty-seven ironclad ships was already very impressive.
Even if its strength is inferior to that of the Ming Empire, which prioritizes the development of ironclad ships, the gap between the two sides will not be too big. It is simply that the combined fleets of France and the Netherlands can match the fleet of the Ming Empire.
But when we arrived at the first stop, Xiamen, this idea was a little loosened, because we saw two fourth-level ironclads anchored at the anchorage.
Kolbe also told the major general that Zheng Zhilong owned as many as eight ironclad ships of the same class. According to the report from the ambassador to the Ming Empire, he also ordered eight more ships of the same class.
Sixteen level four ironclad ships of more than 7,000 tons!
You won’t know until you see it, but you will be shocked when you see it!
Tourville was sure that Senior Colbert would not joke with him about this kind of thing, so he could only look at his coveted target depressedly.
The French fleet can dock and supply in Xiamen, but the group's request to visit the fourth-class ironclad was politely declined.
Because it involves military secrets, both the Zheng Jun fleet and the imperial fleet are equipped with warships of the same class and have no right to display them to third parties. "Visitors" can only visit the third-class ironclads for the time being.
There is already one in France, so there is no need to visit it.
Afterwards Tourville felt that it was better not to watch it, otherwise he would be even more depressed after watching it.
Even if you have the money to buy it, the other party may not sell it...
Colbert told Tourville privately that the strength of Zheng Yiguan's fleet alone was enough to surpass the French and Dutch combined fleet.
The size of the Zheng Army's fleet is roughly equivalent to that of the Ming Emperor's fleet, which means that the maritime power of the entire Ming Empire is approximately five or six times the strength of the French and Dutch combined fleets.
Not to mention the large number of wooden warships owned by France and the Netherlands. If those warships could cope with modern naval battles, the two countries would not spend huge sums of money to purchase ironclads and introduce related construction technologies.
Not only that, Kolbe also performed a touch-up on the already depressed back.
According to the results of the intelligence analysis collected by our side, the Ming Empire's new generation of battleships will be launched within three years.
This information is relatively reliable because the test ship of the new generation of battleships was launched five years ago.
Since its displacement may climb to the 10,000-ton level, the construction time will be relatively long.
Tourville could no longer imagine what it would be like if the Ming Empire launched eight 10,000-ton battleships at once.
In contrast, our country does not even have the technology to build a four-thousand-ton ironclad ship, and has to buy it from the Ming Empire.
The tonnage gap between the two sides is only a superficial phenomenon, and the essence lies in technical level and shipbuilding capabilities.
Before arriving in Tianjin, the French fleet also stopped in Qingdao.
Tourville saw with his own eyes the Eastern Empire's simultaneous construction of hundreds of armored ships, which he would never forget.
Although most of the ships built in Qingdao are merchant ships and fishing boats, they are all made of steel, and there are very few wooden ships. This is completely different from the situation in French shipyards.
After seeing the test ships of the fourth-level ironclads and the fifth-level ironclads, Tourville seemed to be less interested in the technology of the third-level ironclads.
Spending 100 million silver coins to introduce technology that is already far behind the world's first-class battleships is a bit useless for this country.
On the premise of not turning against the Ming Empire in the short term, this money can be used to purchase other technologies.
With the scientific and technological capabilities of local engineers, within ten years we should be able to build a warship with similar tonnage and combat effectiveness to the opponent's third-class ironclad warship.
But Tourville also understood that saving these 100 million silver coins would mean that the gap in shipbuilding technology and fleet strength between France and the Ming Empire would be further widened in the next ten years.
Judging from the current situation, this trend is almost inevitable.
As Minister of Finance and Minister of Naval Affairs, Colbert was also hesitant. He had never been so hesitant in his life.
"Your Majesty, I am honored to have the opportunity to see you again!"
"I am also honored. This is not the first time we have met, so there is no need to be so polite!"
Emperor Hao Jing met with the Dutch top broker Putmans Jr. and Admiral Van der Zahn in his fairy palace.
"This is your first time here, Mr. Admiral. If you don't understand anything, I won't introduce it in detail, because the experienced Mr. Putmans will answer all your doubts!"
Emperor Haojing had already learned about this person's background from the Dutch ambassador.
As long as they are not enemies, everything is easy to talk about.
Although the Ming Dynasty and the Netherlands once fought fiercely, the two sides later shook hands and made peace because their interests were basically the same.
The Netherlands had to guard against the aggressive France on the continent and the expansion of Britain and Spain at sea.
Ming Dynasty wanted to make France the biggest target on the European continent, and at the same time, it wanted to take revenge on Britain and Spain.
Under such circumstances, seeking common ground while reserving differences is a matter of course.
There have been discussions for two years about exchanging Ceylon Island for four Yoshino ships.
Previously, the Netherlands also agreed to the Ming fleet stationed on the island, which shows that it is very serious about this deal.
Emperor Haojing also made it clear to the Dutch ambassador that this move was not against the Netherlands, but the Ming Dynasty's established strategy.
The Ming Dynasty fleet left the mainland and headed south, passing through Luzon, Malay, Sumatra, the Andaman Islands, Ceylon Island, the Maldives, and continuing west to reach the east coast of Africa.
Ceylon was an indispensable part of Emperor Hao Jing's strategy.
Of course, the Dutch can also refuse this exchange method.
The market price of Yoshino is not less than 50 million silver coins, and four ships are 200 million silver coins, and it is only higher but not lower.
This kind of offer is already considered sincere. Even if you offer 200 million silver coins to the Netherlands now, the other party will not be able to offer an ironclad ship of the same class, let alone four brand-new Yoshinos.
Since William III must have guessed that Louis XIV would never have the financial resources to purchase four Class III ironclads at once, this was a God-given opportunity for the Dutch navy to surpass France.
In the future, Ceylon may be exchanged for a fifth-level ironclad ship with a larger tonnage, but who can say for sure what will happen in the future?
If the Ming army captures the southernmost tip of the South Asian subcontinent, wouldn't it mean that Ceylon falls into its own hands and cannot be sold?
After many discussions with Ruyter, Van der Zahn and others, William III finally agreed to the exchange plan.
Since even southern Africa and the East Indies can be used to exchange for ironclad ships, Ceylon can naturally be written on the menu.
Previously, South Africa was used to exchange for six third-level ironclad ships, and the East Indies was used to exchange for 12 first-level ironclad ships.
In addition to the fact that Ceylon was used to exchange for four third-level ironclads, the Netherlands acquired twenty-two ironclads just from selling land.
Including the third-class ironclad ship received as a gift, the Dutch Navy will have eleven third-class ironclad ships and fifty-one first-class ironclad ships in service, for a total of sixty-two ships.
It is said to be "about to be in service" because it was stated in the contract signed with Emperor Haojing about the exchange for South Africa.
In 1680, the Ming Empire would export third-class ironclad ships.
This means that the Netherlands must first hand over the land in South Africa to the Ming Empire, and then wait until the contract takes effect before it can obtain the third-class ironclad ship.
Before this, the strength of the Dutch navy was equal to that of the French navy, and William III was eager to break this balance after the contract came into effect.
The Dutch mainland has zero depth, and due to population, the size of its army is far smaller than that of France.
If it cannot continue to exploit its strengths and avoid its weaknesses, and continue to vigorously develop its navy, then the Netherlands' international status and maritime trade rights will be in jeopardy.
Little Putmans brought Van der Zahn to the Ming Empire in early autumn, using relevant experience to find out the launch time of the opponent's warships.
If you come too early, you will have to wait for a while.
On the contrary, the Bohai Sea has frozen, and the group not only has to suffer from the cold, but also has to take a detour to Shandong.
The time is just right now, as the ten Yoshinos built by Horai Shipyard were launched at the beginning of the year.
The sea trials have basically ended, all aspects have been inspected, the weapons and equipment have been installed and can be delivered to the Netherlands immediately.
"Your Majesty, regarding our previous letter of intent..."
Van der Zahn felt that it was better to keep the story short and get the most important things done first and then be polite.
"If you have no objections to the previous transaction of exchanging South Africa for six third-level ironclads, and now using Ceylon to exchange for four third-level ironclads, for a total of ten ironclads, you can sign!"
The Dutch Ambassador was also present, and Emperor Haojing had already obtained the authorization letter from the other party, which was the piece of paper stamped with the signature of the Speaker and the seal of the Parliament, as well as the autograph and personal seal of William III.
The matter was of great importance, and this time Little Putmans also brought a film certificate of William III as evidence, which is the most convincing thing.
Being able to get ten level three ironclad ships at once, the generals on the mainland have already had their eyes glowing green.
Even Admiral Ruitt has decided to retire in another two years. When these ironclad ships are in place, he will have fun first...
"Of course, I'm really honored!"
Little Putmans was the special envoy appointed by William III and was qualified to sign. As long as the professional Van der Zahn thought there was no problem, he could give it a stroke of his pen.
Originally, Putmans was worried that the third-class ironclad ship in the port would be bought by the French who were the first to arrive. He would not be relieved unless the contract was formally signed.
Now no one knows how many brand-new third-level ironclad ships the other party has in hand that can be delivered, and little Putmans does not dare to be careless.
Otherwise, we either have to wait for the next batch, or we have to use second-hand ships to make up the numbers.
Being able to get ten brand-new level three ironclad ships at once would certainly be the most perfect result.
The Dutch Navy can serve ten level three ironclad ships in a short period of time, which will definitely consolidate its second place in the world.
As long as it can maintain its existing alliance with the Ming Empire and France, the Netherlands will not need to worry about maritime trade in the next twenty years.
After signing his name, Putmans was relieved.
So far, the emperor of the Ming Empire has not openly broken the contract.
After getting this contract that has come into effect, they can immediately go to the port to collect their own ironclads.
At Van der Zahn's urging, the group, accompanied by the ambassador, only had one meal and then hurriedly set off for Tianjin.
Get the ironclad ship first, and then think about eating, drinking and having fun. The former is the top priority of this trip.
"Your Majesty, it is such an honor to meet you!"
Only one day later, Colbert brought Tourville to see him.
"I am very happy to see you, even more than Mr. Colbert would be very happy to see the ironclad!"
Emperor Haojing could think of the purpose of the other party's trip with just his heels, but he didn't understand why he was one day behind the Dutch.
"Your Majesty, since you mentioned this kind of warship, I'll just say it straight away. A few years ago, we both signed a letter of intent to purchase a third-class ironclad ship..."
"I know about this letter of intent. The price agreed upon at that time was a total of 70 million silver coins for four armored ships. After discount, it was 60 million. Half of the amount can be paid with slaves, and the remaining 30 million can be divided into six years. Annual payment of five million silver coins.”
"indeed so!"
Colbert wanted to know whether the emperor would suddenly go back on his word and deny the details he had set before, otherwise he would have to renegotiate.
The price of third-level ironclad ships is definitely much higher now than it was back then, and it is almost impossible for our own side to enjoy the same treatment.
This means that to purchase and introduce this type of ironclad ship, we need to pay tens of millions more silver coins.
"Sir, do you want to know whether I will ignore the letter of intent? In this regard, you can rest assured that I will not easily break the contract, even if it is a letter of intent. However, if you want to introduce the construction technology of this type of ironclad ship, you need to pay extra Fifty million silver coins, paid in five years, each year requires 10 million silver coins!"
This is equivalent to saying that Emperor Haojing sold Yoshino's related technology, which was outdated for the Ming Navy, for 80 million silver coins.
The money from selling Yoshino can just cover the construction cost of eight Bismarcks.
For Emperor Haojing and the Ming Dynasty Navy, this deal was certainly a great value.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"
Kolbe didn't dare to bargain anymore. It was a big surprise that the other party could agree to the price for executing the letter of intent.
Once the emperor is angered and decides to renegotiate, we will definitely not be able to afford the expenditure of purchasing four third-level ironclad ships for 50 million a ship.
Installment payment can greatly reduce one's financial pressure, but the corresponding price is that four ironclad ships need to be scored for six years to receive it.
The first ship can be obtained in 1680, that is, this year, and you can sail one with a down payment.
The second ship was obtained in 1682, the third ship in 1684, and the fourth ship could not be obtained until the final payment was settled.
For Kolbe, it was equivalent to using 15 million silver coins to get a third-level ironclad ship, which was not uneconomical.
This kind of promotion will never happen again in the future, just do it this time.
Emperor Haojing decided not to sign letters of intent to purchase ships with major customers and canceled the hunger marketing strategy.
Everything is sold in stock, but we accept advance payment six months in advance according to the spot price.
Even now, if France is allowed to take advantage, the delivery time will have to be extended by five years.
"Your Majesty, this time France purchased the construction technology for the third-class ironclad ship, but the Netherlands did not!"
Fang Yizhi had a rough guess about the Dutch's behavior, but he was still a little puzzled.
"They got ten level three ironclad ships at once, and their short-term needs were met, so they felt there was no need to spend more money to buy technology. But the Dutch will not rest on their laurels. Most of them have already started saving money and want to buy from me. Here we can purchase level four ironclad ships and even have the technology to build them!”
France and Holland were originally on the same journey, but now they are going their separate ways. The future direction is very interesting.
