"The Americans finally couldn't help but interfere in Far East affairs." Xu Jie said hideously after looking at the information sent by Ferrimant. In his plane, the United States finally went to the Far East after passing the Spanish-American War. The famous opening-door policy in later generations was created by the United States in order to gain the same status as other great powers. However, on this plane, the breakup between Japan and Britain made the United States see the opportunity to intervene in Far East affairs. The situation is very obvious now. Britain and the Qing are one side. Britain did its best to provide supplies and money, but it was almost like taking the sleeves on its own. Russia and Japan are one side, trying to change the power comparison in the Far East. Looking at the United States

Come. Britain dominated the trade in the Far East, so naturally it would not be willing to give the United States a share of the pie. The United States itself cannot get enough benefits from the giant in the Far East. Although the United States' economy and industry are already at the forefront of the world, it still has no say in the world colonial system. And as the sword to safeguard overseas interests, the Navy. The United States is still not very strong. What was the US Navy in 1894? The real rise of the US Navy was after the Spanish-American War. So based on its own strength and needs, the United States decided to provide Japan with supplies and funds and fight a proxy war. This move would undoubtedly violate the interests of the Qing and Britain.

"The barbaric American cowboy actually wants to interfere in the Far East. The Queen's government and the British Empire Navy will never allow this." Ferrimant, who was sitting aside, said. Since the Beiyang Express Fleet entered Shanghai to prepare, the commander of the British Empire's Far East Fleet has often come to Xu Jie's residence. After analysis, the senior officials of the British government came to such a conclusion. After five years of development, the Beiyang has formed an overwhelming advantage over other local forces in the Qing Dynasty. Moreover, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan,

The local leaders of Taiwan are closely related to the Beiyang Li Hongzhang Group. It can be said that if the leader of the Beiyang side was a tough person, he could represent the Qing central government to deal with foreign affairs. In Beiyang, in addition to the current governor of Zhili, Li Hongzhang, the real second-in-command is this disciple who Li Hongzhang just accepted five years ago. How much is Xu Jie's real power? Economically speaking, not to mention that the Tianjin Machinery Bureau he controlled and the arsenal set up by Beiyang in Italy can lead him.

A lot of equipment and funds came. The Chinese merchants who were known as the Jews in the East also provided Xu Jie with a large amount of financial and manpower support. In terms of military, the Nanyang Chinese troops expressed support for Xu Jie, and Liu Mingchuan was also very inclined to this young man. As for the new Beiyang army? Not to mention that their equipment was controlled by Xu Jie, many of the senior officers were quite satisfied with the successor of Li Zhongtang. As for the navy? Xu Jie has mastered more than half of the Qing Dynasty's ocean combat power. 30,000 ships

The battleships of the ton-class 2nd grade plus three light armored cruisers have far exceeded the strength of the Beiyang Fleet. In the eyes of insiders, even if the Beiyang Fleet loses in the battle between the Japanese Fleet, once the fleet led by Langweili arrives, the fruits of victory of the Japanese Navy will become like clouds. Therefore, in accordance with the instructions of the British government's senior management, Ferrimant will "build a good relationship" with the future leader of the Beiyang! At the same time, he is also a military representative of the British government in the Qing Dynasty.

"The Americans have begun to provide loans to the Japanese government, and the fleet that set sail from Alaska has also transported the first batch of 4,000 tons of supplies to North Korea through the Japanese sea. This is not a good thing for General Nie Shicheng and General Ma Yukun who are fighting. Wouldn't your government come up with some countermeasures?" Ferrimant said to Xu Jie.

"Countermeasure?" Xu Jie couldn't help laughing. Could it be that you let the Beiyang Fleet enter the Sea of ​​Japan to intercept American transport ships? This can be done by the British Empire. Does the Qing Dynasty have the courage and strength?

"Then are you going to let the United States go unfriendly?" Ferrimant said with some disappointment.

"Of course not. Since the United States has traveled thousands of miles to support the enemy of the Qing Dynasty - Japan. Why don't we make some trouble at the door of the United States?" Xu Jie said with a smile.

"The United States has become the dominant player every week. Its vast territory, rich human resources and funds allow the United States to be afraid of any American country." Ferrimant said.

"You should know that the United States started construction of three battleships in 1991 and another battleship in 1993. According to this calculation, the United States will have at least 4 10,000-ton battleships in the near future. And the United States has two large armored cruisers under construction. Lieutenant General, who will this sharp blade stab at?" Xu Jie asked.

"This navy has basically no opponent every week, but it is too weak for European countries." Ferrimant was puzzled for a moment. At that time, the combat range of battleships was generally less than 5,000 nautical miles. If you really want to cross the ocean, you still have to rely on cruisers. The ocean-going combat of battleships must have a large number of supply ships and overseas ports to provide supply and maintenance. So at present, the US fleet, which lacks supply and overseas bases, can only operate within a very small range.

"The US government has always been quite complaining about what the Spanish government has done in ancient times." Xu Jie said and pointed to the ancient times on the map.

"You mean the U.S. government may start war against Spain after completing naval preparations?" Ferrimant

"The United States and the West will have a battle in the future!" Xu Jie said confidently. To a certain extent, the US Navy really became a global navy since the Spanish-American War. In this war, the US Navy fought at the same time in the Caribbean Sea and the Far East. The US Navy made great contributions to the United States' control of the Archaic and the Philippines! Then, after the United States won the Spanish-American War, the United States obtained a crucial transit station in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii! Therefore, it is not bad to say that the Spanish-American War is the US Navy's success.

"What is your opinion to support Spanish naval construction?" Ferrimante suddenly realized.

"The Spaniards also want to revive their navy. Of course, Spain is not the Spain of the Invincible Fleet. No matter how powerful it is, it will not pose a threat to the British Empire. However, the Spanish fleet after strengthening can completely pose a fatal blow to this immature American fleet." Xu Jie said.

"Who has a more detailed plan?" Ferrimante listened carefully, afraid of missing a word.

"You must have heard of the newly designed warships of the Kingdom of Italy - the Y-type battleship?" Xu Jie said meaningfully.

"Hiss..." Ferrimant couldn't help but take a breath of air. As a senior British naval executive, Ferrimant also knew the existence of this class of battleship and even got some data, but these things came from special channels after all, and they could not be guaranteed to be accurate. Now the designer behind this class of battleship suddenly proposed this absolute secret really shocked Ferrimant.

"The Italians are short of money, so they don't mind selling their best warships to other countries. This Y-class warship, like the **-class warships and later the X-class equipment patrol, were tailor-made for the Italian Navy and the Qing Navy. But now for the sake of a common enemy, I don't mind allowing the Spaniards to own this class warship." Xu Jie said calmly.

"Uh." Ferrimante took a deep breath to calm his excitement and said, "If possible, I hope the Beiyang Design Bureau can cooperate with the Royal Navy. We also have a common enemy. The Russian Liurik-class armored cruiser is already on the way to the Far East. The British Empire also needs special warships to restrain the Liurik. This warship that combines France and Russia's highest shipbuilding technology is a serious threat to the British Empire and the Qing Empire."

"In principle, I agree to share the X-level equipment inspection and its derivative technical information with the British Empire. However, if I want to convince the Italians, I think the British Empire should show its due kindness." Although Britain has stood on the side of the Qing Dynasty, Xu Jie still cannot leave Italy. Whether in terms of current situation or connections, Italy is an indispensable and important link.

"What I designed this day is of great importance. Although General Xu's plan is very constructive, such an important plan needs to be approved by the government. I think I need to sort out the issues I talked about tonight and submit a report." Ferrimant thought for a while and said.

"I look forward to your government's response." Xu Jie smiled.

Later generations did not have much record of this conversation. The only parties involved were Xu Jie and Ferrimante. The earliest written materials for the formulation of the US strategy were found in the Beiyang internal archives at the end of the Sino-Japanese War in November 1895. The two parties involved Xu Jie and Ferrimante did not disclose these things to outsiders. However, one thing is certain is that because the United States' position on Japan during the Sino-Japanese War, the United States, and especially the US Navy finally tasted the bitter fruit. A big country that just wanted to go to the ocean was a three-year-old European country at home.

The navy of the small country was severely damaged. This was undoubtedly a fatal blow to the American self-esteem and the growing maritime will. Due to the factors of the Qing Dynasty, the Beiyang, Italy and Britain, the originally weak Spanish Navy obtained advanced warships from Italy and financial support from Britain, and severely damaged the US Navy in the Spanish-American War. This war allowed Spain to continue to occupy the ancient and Philippines for 15 years. After this heavy blow, the US Navy was delayed for 20 years, until World War 1. The US Navy competed with major powers in the waters outside the Americas.
Chapter completed!