Versailles, Grand Trianon.
The Ming Empire's naval arms control negotiation delegation, led by Zhuge Weijiu, is now stationed in the Grand Trianon Palace, not far from the Petit Trianon Palace where Marie Antoinette, Queen Mother of France, lives. Looking at the location of this station, we also know how strong the relationship between Zhuge Weijiu and the Bourbon royal family is.
However, no matter how strong the relationship is, it is only a personal relationship. It is impossible for the Bourbon dynasty of France to provoke the British Empire, which is still at its peak in Europe, for Zhuge Weijiu... The previous Napoleonic War can be regarded as a scare for the French. Got it! Even the wise and mighty emperor was defeated by the anti-French alliances organized by the British Empire time and time again, let alone the weak Bourbon dynasty?
Until the Ming Empire defeated the British Empire over and over again, it would be unthinkable to expect the French to win the glory of the emperor again. However, no matter how declining France is, it is still the second industrial country in the white circle of Europe. It is much stronger than Prussia next door, and it cannot compare with Tsarist Russia and Austria together. So Louis XVII and the Duke of Marseille not only had the courage to ride on two boats and get red envelopes from both sides, but they were also very brave!
Some time ago, Louis XVII, who had just obtained the land in the Ruhr area and the stocks of the Suyins Canal from Zhuge Weijiu (of course, he gave them both in gold francs, but the value of such strategic assets cannot be measured in gold francs at all) Together with the Duke of Marseille, they came to the Grand Trianon Palace today to see their father, and they also brought their dear father the cards of the British Empire - part of the cards of the British Empire at the upcoming Versailles Naval Conference. .
"Father, Viscount Palmerston of the United Kingdom told everyone at Duryinli Palace yesterday that the bottom line that their British Empire can accept is that the total tonnage of combat ships is the same as the total tonnage of combat ships of the Ming Dynasty... The total tonnage limit of both parties is set at no more than 3 million metric tons!
In addition, the British Empire should include all Indian Empire and all other British dependencies, dependencies, dominions, and colonies. The main body of the Ming Empire should also include all the vassal states of the Ming Dynasty. However, Japan is not a vassal of the Ming Dynasty. It still has independent sovereignty in name and does not need to be included. "
This Louis XVII is really a real person!
As soon as Palmerston showed him his trump card, he had already thought of a loophole for Yafu.
Zhuge Weijiu nodded lightly, then glanced at his assistant Zhuge Weixue, "Eighty-eighth brother, what do you think?"
Zhuge Weixue frowned slightly: "There is only Japan on the Ming side, how many helpers are there on the British side?"
Zhuge Weijiu glanced at Louis XVII, who looked loyal, and Louis XVII said: "Father, my mother, I and the Duke of Marseille all support you and the Ming Dynasty... so we, the French people, are all loyal to you and the Ming Dynasty... A navy of 10,000 tons will never be an enemy of the Ming Dynasty."
"You, France, also want to build a navy of one million tons?" Zhuge Weijiu smiled, "Can you do it? Do you have enough money? Also, what kind of capital ship do you plan to build? What kind of capital ship does Britain plan to build? ?”
The French Navy Minister, the Duke of Marseille, immediately replied: "The British want to build a battleship with a displacement of 25,000 to 30,000 tons, 6-9 large-caliber main guns, and a top speed of about 20 knots... It's very big. It has a displacement of 10,000 tons more than the Sovereign class. I don't know when it will be built. Of course, our French battleships must be one size smaller than the British ones. I have discussed this with the shipbuilding experts below. , I feel that we can build a battleship with a displacement of no more than 20,000 tons, a main gun caliber no more than 280 mm, and a speed of no more than 20 knots. It doesn’t have to go too far, it can dominate the Mediterranean. Don’t worry about the construction funds, slow Just build it slowly. As for technology... France currently lacks experience in building ironclads with a displacement of more than 12,000 tons, and it does not have electric loaders and 280 mm barrel-retracting rapid-fire guns. I hope Ming Dynasty can Transfer some technology.”
"Easy to say, easy to say," Zhuge Weijiu smiled and asked, "You can't build this kind of battleship with 3 million tons, right? Are there other battleships? Are they still building the Sovereign Class?"
The Duke of Marseille said: "Of course they won't just build this kind of battleship. It takes three to five years to develop a 25,000 to 30,000-ton battleship. But they will not build monarchy, but will build some A fast armored ship with a tonnage smaller than the Sovereign, equipped with an 11-inch main gun and a 6-inch secondary gun... maybe 100 of them will be built!"
"What about you?" Zhuge Weijiu smiled, "Are you also going to build some 10,000-ton armored ships?"
The Duke of Marseille smiled and said: "Of course, but we don't build 10,000-ton clippers. We can just stay in the bathtub of the Mediterranean Sea for now. So I just want to buy a few improved Hongwu Emperors equipped with 280mm main guns. You look......"
"Okay, okay, okay," Zhuge Weijiu nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, I will go and talk to the Ming Dynasty court... Do you want to help you make all the improvement plans? Jiangnan Heavy Industry's Design Institute The design institute of the Ming Dynasty Navy is one of the best ship design institutes in the world, so it will be right for them to make the correction accurately."
Louis XVII was waiting for these words, and immediately nodded and said: "Father, thank you very much!" He paused, "There is one more thing. This time the British want to claim themselves as the leader of the Western Alliance, and they are going to get involved. Help the younger brothers join forces to negotiate naval arms control with Ming Dynasty. According to their plan, the total tonnage of combat ships in Western countries will eventually reach 7.5 million tons!
Father, although the countries in the West are not of the same mind, the British Empire still has a way to form a loose alliance. Even we, France, have to join it... You must make preparations early! "
Zhuge Weijiu remained calm and said with a smile: "It's just a trick of combining vertical and horizontal lines!"
...
Zhuge Weidao got up from his big mahogany bed, first yawned, and then stretched. What a sense of satisfaction! Looking next to him, the smaller and well-behaved Da Heikong was wrapped in a quilt, his hair scattered and lying on one side, with a sweet smile on his face.
This Daheikong is really good. She looks like a pretty little beauty. Once the "packaging" is removed, the inside is also very good. Although it is not as good as Natalie and Ali, it is not much worse than Nalandili. In addition, she also combines the freshness and freshness of Jiangnan women and the docility and obedience of Japanese women. When Zhuge Weidao saw her, he had an uncontrollable urge to violate her... and Daheikong was quite naughty sometimes, and would sneak into Natalie's house with a scream. ! Isn’t this a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth? It's still a male tiger and a female tiger, two tigers playing with one sheep!
But Natalie is busy taking care of the baby now - the family has hired a wet nurse, but she has to nurse the baby herself, so after "playing" with Zhuge Weidao and Daheikong, she usually goes back to her room to take care of the baby. And let Daheikong wait on Zhuge Dao to sleep.
"Demon Town Museum"
In addition to Natalie, Nalandili and Dahei, Zhuge Weidao also took in his personal maid Ali while he was stationed at Jueying Island...not the same as Nalandili and Dahei. Likewise, Ah Li belongs to Zhuge Weidao personally!
Zhuge Weidao's deed of betrayal is in his hands, and he has recognized his master. He will follow Zhuge Weidao for the rest of his life... There is no way, he has been brainwashed like this.
This girl was "purchased" by the Zhuge family from the Dahei family. She was only five years old when she came. She was also raised by the Dahei family before. She has no memory of her biological parents, and it is impossible to find them again. , Dahei’s family had already destroyed her information. Therefore, the Zhuge family is her only family, and Zhuge Weidao is her lifelong master.
When Zhuge Weidao got up, Ah Li had already put on a maid's outfit and was waiting outside the door. Hearing the movement inside, she immediately pushed the door open and came in with a change of clothes. Seeing Zhuge Weidao already sitting on the edge of the bed, he quickly put his clothes on the chair next to him, then took out a pair of washed white socks, walked to Zhuge Weidao, knelt on the ground, and helped Zhuge Weidao. Putting on socks for Dao, he reported: "Master, I just received a call from the Adjutant of the Navy Minister, asking you to go to the Navy Minister's Conference Room for a meeting before 9:30 in the morning."
