"Sir Watts, you are the most outstanding designer at Armstrong Shipyard. (William White has gone to the Admiralty) You can definitely design an advanced warship for the Japanese Navy, can't you?" Shuzo Aoki asked eagerly.

"I would like to know what kind of warships the Imperial Japanese Navy plans to purchase." Watts asked.

"I wonder, can your 4,250-ton second-class dome-armored cruiser be able to fight against the Qing Dynasty's newly customized battleships?" Aoki Shuzo asked. Although deep down, he didn't have much hope for it.

"The Italians' new warship has a displacement of 5,000 tons. The Italians have a huge advantage in terms of single-ship performance. Unless you can buy more than the Qing, there is no hope." Watts replied unceremoniously. "But.

Japan can completely change its approach, such as purchasing a first-class cruiser."

"Buy a first-class cruiser? Do you mean a battleship like Blake or Orlondo?" Aoki Shuzang asked with his eyes brightening. Watts was right. Since the other party has achieved the ultimate in the field of second-class cruisers, what's the point?

The Japanese Empire can completely purchase first-class cruisers to suppress it, but money is a problem!!

"I'm just making a suggestion. Because of the advantage in tonnage, a first-class cruiser can have far more weapons and protection than a second-class cruiser. Just like a cat, no matter how powerful it is, cannot fight a lion. Of course, in terms of price, it may

A little higher," Watts said.

"I wonder if Sir Watts has a ship type suitable for our Japanese Empire?" Shuzang Aoki couldn't help but frowned when he heard the other party talk about the price issue. However, his good quality made the diplomat return to normal.

"I wonder if Mr. Ambassador has heard of a new protected cruiser that the British Empire started building last year?" Watts said with interest. This feeling of being sought after was very useful to him. He enjoyed this kind of superiority.

It felt good and could earn a lot of pounds for the shipyard, so why not do it? So, Watts decided to whet the appetite of the Japanese diplomat first.

"Are you talking about the Edgar-class first-class protected cruiser?" Shuzo Aoki asked tentatively.

"Well, yes, that's it." Watts nodded. "The displacement is 7,350 tons, the hull size is 118 meters long, 18.29 meters wide, and the draft is 7.24 meters. The output power is 12,000 horsepower, and the maximum speed is 20 knots. It carries

1,250 tons of coal, the horizontal part of the dome is 3 inches, the inclined part is 5 inches, the main gun cover is 3 inches thick, and the secondary gun gallery is 7 inches. Division

The tower is 12 inches. In terms of armament, the main battery is 2 9.2-inch breech guns, the secondary battery is 10 6-inch guns, 12 6-pound guns, 5 3-pound guns, and 4 18-inch torpedo tubes

.This battleship will be far superior to the 5,000-ton cruiser built by Italy for the Beiyang in all aspects." After speaking, Watts handed a more detailed information to Shuzo Aoki.

"It's a very good battleship. Sir, what's the price?" Aoki Shuzo asked after looking at the information.

"£550,000," Watts said.

"Hiss." Aoki Shuzang couldn't help but sucked in a breath of air.

"550,000 pounds is already very cheap. What you bought is a 7,350-ton first-class cruiser. Its displacement is similar to that of Dingzhen in the Qing Dynasty, but its firepower projection per unit time is far more than that of Dingzhen, and it has a high speed of 20 knots.

What else are you dissatisfied with? This price is already very low. Price reduction

There is very little room for it." Looking at Shuzo Aoki's expression, Watts said displeasedly. If Xu Jie were here, he would definitely not be able to help but despise Watts. The lowest cost of the Edgar-class cruiser is only 380,000 pounds.

The highest price is only about 430,000 pounds, but Watts actually wants 550,000 pounds, which is really a big deal.

"Sir, can you enhance the firepower of the original second-class cruiser (later Yoshino)?" Aoki Shuzo said with a confused look on his face.

"I'm afraid this is very difficult. Tell me your requirements." Watts was also a little unhappy when he heard that the Japanese were not very interested in the warships he recommended.

"The main guns at the bow and stern were replaced with 8-inch 40L guns. Some of the guns on the side of the ship were replaced with 6-inch guns." Aoki Shuzo said.

"I'm kidding, how is this possible? Do you know how big the weight difference is between an 8-inch gun and a 6-inch gun? The weight difference near the barrel is more than three times, which requires modifying the counterweight of the entire battleship." Watts said angrily.

"Other properties can be reduced appropriately." Aoki Shuzo said.

"The two 6-inch guns arranged on the side string must be replaced by 4.7-inch guns to save weight." Watts thought for a while and said.

"I will convey your intention to our navy." Aoki Shuzo said humbly.

"I wonder if Mr. Watts can recommend several second-class ironclads as alternatives to our Japanese navy? Colonel Ingalls suggested that our country purchase second-class battleships of the same class as Dingzhen to fight against the Qing Dynasty," Aoki Shuzo said.

.

"Because of your country's financial resources." Watts paused, with a hint of ridicule on his face. "You should not consider our country's 10,000-ton warships. Don't consider new warships either. After all, the design cost of new ships still has to be high.

It’s included in the cost.”

"Uh." A surge of anger appeared on Aoki Shuzang's face, but then he was forced to suppress it. "What does Sir mean?"

"Your country can consider our country's armored cruisers, but the specific model is up to your country. After all, I don't know how much money your country can spend to buy British Empire warships." Sir Watts is obviously a little worried.

I'm tired of it, this attitude is obviously just to see guests off!!

"Then I'll take my leave." So Aoki Shuzo left Watts' office with anger and embarrassment.

Japanese Embassy in the UK, Aoki Shuzo's quill can't be put down. How to write? The British have many warships, can Japan afford them? Isn't it in vain to write about a lot of warships that Japan cannot afford? Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and the Admiralty to lower themselves as low as possible.

Price, but this time, Watts clearly determined that the Japanese must buy warships from Britain. Because Watts knew that because of the Sanjing ship, Japan would no longer buy new warships from France, and Bai Laoyi's resignation was even more

Make this a done deal!! Germany?

Not to mention that the Japanese have concerns about German technology, and more importantly, the Japanese navy has never dealt with the Germans. It is very unfamiliar with the German navy and shipbuilding industry. Russia? Forget it, technically it is not very good.

More importantly, Russia is a British submarine

The enemy is here! And it also poses a serious threat to the Japanese Empire in the Far East. Buying ships from Russia is absolutely not possible. As for the Italians? They are fighting fiercely with Beiyang, and there is a Chinese who is playing a role in it.

It’s hard to understand Japan!!

"Forget it, the purchase of warships and the raising of military expenditures should be decided by the big guys in the country. I, as the ambassador, can just send back the relevant data and prices." Thinking of this, Aoki Shuzo finally started to write his report.

.And in order to ensure that the data is comprehensive, he also specially processed all the battleship data collected from various channels. He is really not afraid of spending money on telegrams!!

"I hope that the next time I send a telegram from China, I can send the ordered warships and the down payment, so that I, the ambassador to Britain, can stand up and talk." After finishing writing, Aoki Shuzo looked at the telegram and said. But he also understood in his heart.

, it is really difficult for Japan to come up with money now, and although borrowing is one way, it also depends on whether anyone will buy it!!
Chapter completed!