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At the World Summit held in the autumn of 1735, facing the still-expanding Ming Empire's navy, Louis XIV, after discussing with William III, came up with a new "Navy Capital Ship Limitation Treaty" stuff.
The motive was very clear, and the purpose was even more specific, which was to find ways to limit the Ming Empire's navy from continuing to increase the number of capital ships in order to maintain the current ranking of the French and Dutch navies in the world.
The pro-Ming Ottoman Empire and the Inca Empire will naturally "benefit" as well. These three empires are the main competitors of the French and Dutch navies.
According to Louis XIV's idea, the maximum number of capital ships in active service in each country's navy was determined based on the total number of capital ships in service in 1734. The higher the ranking, the greater the restriction.
For example, the French Imperial Navy has ten capital ships including two eighth-level battleships, six seventh-level battleships, and two sixth-level cruisers, ranking second in the world.
The Inca Imperial Navy behind him had one level eight battleship, three level seven battleships, four level six cruisers, and four level five cruisers.
So in the next twenty years, the French Navy can only add four more battleships and eight cruisers, which is the current number of capital ships of the Inca Empire Navy.
This rule is naturally very beneficial to France, and it can play a great restrictive role in the Ming Empire.
With the strong financial resources of the Ming Empire, it was very easy to purchase eight battleships and two cruisers for the navy.
The actual number of capital ships in service within twenty years should far exceed this, so limiting their growth was particularly important to Louis XIV.
His Majesty the European Emperor believes that aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships should also follow such rules, otherwise all countries in the world will fall into an endless arms race.
Another point that is also very important is that the Inca Empire's navy has a relatively strong growth momentum.
According to Tourville's prediction, if France does not acquire four battleships for its navy in the next twenty years, it will most likely be surpassed by the Inca Imperial Navy.
According to intelligence, the Inca Empire has ordered a super battleship, which will be put into service within three years, posing a huge threat to the French Navy.
This super battleship with a displacement of more than 50,000 tons can offset the combat effectiveness of two French eighth-level battleships.
French Navy Commander-in-Chief Tourville no longer regards the Ming Empire Navy as his number one defense target. The reason is very simple. The gap between the two sides is really too big.
Especially after seeing the coalition forces with the Ming Empire's navy as the main force landing and occupying the entire territory of Denmark, Tourville confirmed his previous judgment.
The French Navy simply cannot produce so many warships with straight decks and 500 carrier-based aircraft, and is still stuck in the era of artillery battles.
If the imaginary enemy is the Inca Navy, it may be reasonable to continue to maintain this tactic.
But if the combat target is changed to the Ming Empire Navy, then there is no need to wait for one's own battleships to open fire.
The battleships of the French Navy will be beaten black and blue by the aircraft of the Ming Empire Navy...
This squadron of the Ming Empire alone can compete with the combined fleets of European countries, and perhaps even destroy the combined fleets.
"If we abide by this treaty, what benefits can we gain? On the contrary, what harm can we gain?"
Zhu Cihong seemed dissatisfied with the suggestions put forward by Louis XIV.
As the world hegemon, the Ming Empire is the maker of the current rules of the game.
Before the Ming Emperor spoke, it was not the turn of other cats and dogs to make irresponsible remarks in front of him.
Isn't it a daydream to use this thing to limit the development of the Ming Dynasty's navy?
I won’t sign the contract, what can you do to me? ? ?
Don't talk to me about those nonsense about the peaceful development of all countries in the world!
My purpose in provoking an arms race is to bring down those disobedient things!
"Your Majesty, I cautiously believe that the strength of your country's navy has been recognized by the world. As long as
If you wish, your country's navy can be deployed in every corner of the world! In this case, can we consider the steady development of the navies of countries friendly to your country? "
When Louis XIV saw that the Ming Emperor's attitude was not favorable to him, he first confirmed the opponent's strength before proceeding to the next test.
"Your Majesty, our country and your country are friendly countries. The two navies conduct joint exercises all year round to enhance mutual military trust between the two sides, and have also transferred the construction technology of capital ships. I am also happy to see that the strength of your country's navy is constantly increasing. After all, your country has It is an undoubted fact that China is the cornerstone of stable Europe. However, not every country in the world is as powerful as your navy. There are also many weak countries whose navies do not even have a 10,000-ton cruiser. Our navy is We have reasons and obligations to help these countries that are friendly and weak to our country to defend their coastal areas from threats and violations by other countries. I can responsibly say that only the stronger our navy is, the safer the coastal areas of these countries will be. The two are complementary to each other and there are no logical errors. In terms of protecting allies, our country's position and attitude are consistent. It will not be ungrateful for profit, let alone betrayal. It will do one thing to the face and another behind the scenes, so that the allies can The interests are damaged! I believe that as long as the two sides continue to maintain the existing bilateral relations, the development of our navy will also be beneficial to your country!"
Whoever is mentioned in the penultimate sentence will automatically be chosen!
Zhu Cixiang did not put this sentence at the end, just to save some face for Louis XIV, so that he would not be difficult to talk to.
"Your Majesty, after nearly thirty years of war, the European continent has encountered two more wars, especially these two occurred between your country and the Holy Roman Empire. This has caused extreme consequences to our country and other European countries. There is huge pressure, especially the difficult issue, which is a difficulty that cannot be solved in a short time. I believe in your friendship with our country, and I also believe that France and Ming Dynasty can join hands to move towards the future, but the current difficulties have hindered France from moving towards the future. It is also not conducive to the development of our country’s economy and the strengthening of our navy!”
As an emperor with rich diplomatic experience, Louis XIV pretended not to have heard the most harsh words.
If he gets angry over this, all his previous efforts will be in vain.
"I have also heard what you mentioned and deeply regret it. I don't want to see such a thing happen, but it has happened and it is irreversible. In view of the pressure that the Nanmin issue has put on your country , our country will assist your country with 40 million silver coins per year for five years. And the war between your country and the Holy Roman Empire has indeed brought a lot of trouble to Europe. If France can help our country and the Ottoman Empire eliminate Holy Roman Empire, I will also give your navy a ninth-level battleship worth 500 million silver coins free of charge, and recognize your country’s control over the Weser River and the area west of the Principality of Hesse!”
Since the other party wanted to drag him into the water, Zhu Cihong would drag Louis XIV into the water first.
In Zhu Cihong's view, Louis XIV's naval restriction treaty was just an excuse to demand ninth-level battleships.
I'm using the annihilation of the Holy Roman Empire as a bait, and I'll give you a super battleship like this with a territory attached to it. Let's see if you take the bait!
"The matter is so important that I'm afraid I can't make a decision immediately!"
Louis XIV had already anticipated the other party's offer, but pretended to be hesitant.
"It doesn't matter, just reply to me before leaving!"
Zhu Cixiang would not directly urge the other party. In negotiations, one must always give the other party enough time to think.
"What do you think of his asking price?"
Back at the French Embassy, Louis XIV was still a little dissatisfied with the offer he received.
"Based on the current income and expenditure situation of the national treasury, I am afraid that if we pay it in twenty years, we will need to pay a huge amount of 25 million silver coins every year. At the same time, we will also build other capital ships. This is impossible to afford."
Colbert did not want His Majesty the European Emperor to spend huge sums of money to purchase that kind of super battleship from the Ming Empire, otherwise the French treasury would sooner or later be overwhelmed by the huge military expenditure.
"Two ninth-level battleships will be paid in two batches of ten years. We must get one within three years, and the other one after twelve years.
Can. If possible, it would be best to obtain two aircraft carriers and a corresponding number of carrier-based aircraft, especially the latest single-engine fighters in service by the Ming Empire Air Force, as well as helicopters and the latest heavy tanks. "
Tourville originally despised the views of his predecessor d'Estrès, who believed that the French navy's attempt to compete with the Ming Empire's navy was the beginning of trouble.
After Tourville became the commander-in-chief of the French Navy, he had to think that his predecessor was very pragmatic and far-sighted. This was a strategic plan given the national gap between France and the Ming Empire.
I don’t have that much money, but I still want to buy so many battleships…
Girls from rich families can keep buying gorgeous new clothes, but girls from poor families should not worry about it.
If you have this time, you might as well work more, save your wages, and buy yourself some cheap new clothes at the end of the year.
Battleship!
aircraft carrier!
Fighter!
Helicopter!
Heavy tanks!
Hum! You really don’t want much!
Louis XIV could only lament in his heart that he had some greedy subordinates, and he didn't know if he would be flatly rejected by the other party if he really made such a counteroffer...
One thing is undeniable, that is, Louis XIV really wanted to get all these weapons with excellent performance at once!
Colbert was not a miser. The treasury was really short of money and could not afford to send out a battleship worth tens of thousands of tons.
His Majesty the European Emperor wants to purchase a ninth-level battleship for the navy. You can ask the Emperor of the Ming Empire for it!
France's counteroffer was quickly answered, but the Ming Empire did not reject it at all.
There are three options in the latest quotation. The first one is two level nine battleships, one hundred new fighters, two hundred helicopters, and one hundred heavy tanks.
The second type became two aircraft carriers, three hundred new fighter planes, two hundred helicopters, and one hundred heavy tanks.
The third type has no naval capital ships, but only 500 new fighters, 500 helicopters, and 500 heavy tanks, but the production technology of the three weapons can be transferred.
Now it was France's turn to hesitate again. Senior officials, including Louis XIV, felt that they had to think carefully to avoid making the wrong choice.
The first two options are both finished products, but they cover the equipment of the three armed forces. They seem to be comprehensive, but the core production technology is completely missing.
The latter option was to have no navy's capital ships, which would bring huge benefits to the air force and army. This was a result Tourville was unwilling to accept.
If possible, Tourville would be more willing to accept a plan for a ninth-level battleship, an aircraft carrier, a hundred new fighters, a hundred helicopters, a hundred heavy tanks, and corresponding production technology.
It is an unrealistic choice to pursue quantity in the early stage of accepting new weapons. Once the production technology is thoroughly understood, the quantity of weapons can be quickly increased.
France's second counteroffer was also presented in accordance with Tourville's wishes. The Ming Empire unexpectedly agreed, but added a small request.
That is, starting from the date of signing, France, including third-party agents, cannot assist the Holy Roman Empire and its electorates, principalities, lords, and all armed forces within its territory in any way.
Once verified, the Ming Empire will believe that France has deliberately broken the contract, and will unilaterally terminate the provision of corresponding weapons and technology to France, and at the same time stop providing elixirs to Louis XIV!
Louis XIV wanted to dig a hole for Zhu Cihong, but Zhu Cihong dug a bigger hole for Louis XIV!
These conditions are intertwined. If Louis XIV does not agree, then this trip will be in vain.
Zhu Cixiang is not interested in the "Naval Capital Ship Restriction Treaty" at all!
The Ming Emperor neither wanted to be restricted himself, nor did he want to deliberately restrict others.
Since ancient times, whoever is stronger can be the boss.
Whoever is dissatisfied, just come up and challenge!
Limits come, limits
Let's go, don't we want to have a discussion in the end?
Instead of that, let’s not impose restrictions at all and let each of us rely on our own abilities!
You build a level seven battleship, and I will build a level nine battleship.
You launch an eighth-level battleship, and I will go directly to the aircraft carrier!
Zhu Cixiang has worked hard for nearly a hundred years, but in the final analysis, isn't it just to play to death?
How you want to play is the private matter of the Ming Emperor!
If you want to have the final say, wait until you have the strength to do so!
"Flamingo" fighter jets, "Black Hawk" armed helicopters, "Condor" utility helicopters, and Type 9 heavy tanks can all be transferred to France.
On the contrary, once this hole was opened, Ming Dynasty could justifiably sell these weapons to the Ottoman Empire and the Inca Empire.
When the time comes, France will not only be strengthening its military strength. Everyone will benefit. It is not as good as enjoying it alone as it is for everyone. This is also a fair and reasonable move!
The real weapon of the Ming Empire, the Beifeng ballistic missile, has never appeared.
This thing is exciting when paired with a nuclear warhead!
There are currently not enough raw materials for making nuclear warheads, and we still need to get rid of the barrels and make persistent efforts...
Zhu Cixi has not yet planned to launch a nuclear attack on the Holy Roman Empire. He finally made one, so he can't just set off fireworks!
The biggest role of nuclear weapons is nuclear threats. If they are really thrown away, the other side will not be afraid. Anyway, people are dead and there is no way to resurrect them.
The only uncertainty is that we don’t know which country will be the first to be hit by a nuclear attack!
If the Ming Empire, together with the French Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Inca Empire, still cannot destroy the Holy Roman Empire, then we really have to consider a nuclear strike!
