"No!" Zai Tian thought for a moment and rejected Liu Shaoqing's proposal.

"If we take the initiative to attack now, on the one hand, we are still lacking in preparation, and on the other hand, we will lose the sympathy of the international community. We will pretend to be a pig and eat a tiger, so the first shot must be shot by the Russians."

Zai Tian changed the topic: "However, we have to do some work now. The cake prepared for the United States can be thrown out now. In addition, we must strengthen trade cooperation with Germany, Austria, Italy, Turkey and other countries in military industry! The Zongli Yamen should prompt the Admiralty to visit Germany as soon as possible. I really want to know what expression would be if William II saw the 'Qin Shihuang'."

Hu Yifeng smiled and said, "William II's expression may not have been expected, but if the Germans really ordered the 'Emperor' class battleship from us, then the expressions of politicians from Britain and France will definitely be very interesting!"

Because Parsons was poached to China by Pu Wei in 1896, although the new British all-heavy main gun battleship, which lacks core power, was still in service in 1906, it still used a three-expanded reciprocating steam unit with a power of only 18,000 horsepower, which made the maximum speed of Britain's first all-heavy main gun battleship, the "Dreadnought", could only reach 19 knots.

The Dragon Flag Fleet's "Great Emperor" class full-heavy artillery battleship uses steam turbines - of course, it is not called Parsons-style steam turbines now, but is called the "Purpai" type, which can output 24,500 horsepower and can reach 21 knots.

Of course, because of the "Qin Shihuang" and the "Han Gaozu" use four double-mounted turrets with a slightly smaller displacement of only 17,400 tons, so the speed is slightly faster. The "Xi Chu King" and the "Han Wendi" that will be in service at the end of next year use five double-mounted turrets with a displacement of nearly 19,000 tons, and the speed will be slightly slower, but it still exceeds 20.5 knots.

Construction started at the Shanghai Jiangnan Factory last year. It is expected that the power of the "Han Wudi" and the "Han Xuandi" that were put into service in 1909 will reach 41,000 horsepower and a speed of 24 knots.

The reason why such powerful horsepower is that the steam turbines of the Qing Dynasty use fuel power. Other countries currently use coal-fired power. The thermal efficiency of this is naturally very different.

Zai Tian said: "As appropriately strengthening Germany's naval power, it can restrain France and Britain at this stage, which is beneficial to our national strategy. Moreover, appropriately demonstrating our power to the outside world will also help curb the military operations of potential hostile countries. Perhaps, the Russians will be so scared that they dare not send fleets to the Far East."

Hu Yan said: "It is very likely. Although the Russians have added some warships in recent years, the main battleships are still at the design level of the last century. Both the firepower and the speed cannot be comparable to the "Emperor" class. And now there are only four battleships that can form combat power. If I were Nicholas II, I would never use the battleships I have built for so long as to hit the stone."

At this time, Wang Wenshao said: "Emperor, if the Germans really have the intention to purchase my 'Emperor' class battleship, which one should we sell?"

Zai Tian thought for a while: "Let's sell the 'Qin Shihuang' and 'Han Gaozu' first. The two ships under construction in the Jiangnan Factory in Shanghai also use four double main guns, and the speed is faster. After these two warships came out, the 'Qin Shihuang' and 'Han Gaozu' became obsolete."

Sun Yuwen said again: "Will the newly-suspended battle cruisers go together?"

In the past two years, Guangzhou shipyards have successively built two cruisers similar to the layout of the "Great Emperor" class battleships, but the armor protection is thinner, so it is lighter and faster.

This class of armored cruisers is still named the "Commander" class, with a displacement of about 15,700 tons and a maximum speed of 24 knots. It also uses 4 seats, 4-seat double-mounted 45-diameter 12-inch main guns, and 12 seats single-mounted 45-diameter 4-inch sub-guns, 7 machine guns and 5 seats 21-inch torpedo tubes. The first two ships are named the "Lisi" and the "Fan Zeng" respectively; the two ships under construction are planned to be named the "Zhang Liang" and the "Han Xin".

Zai Tian said: "Of course we have to go. If a wealthy person like Germany, Austro-Hungary, or Italy is willing to buy the 'Emperor' level, maybe Turkey or Spain is willing to buy the 'Terminal' level. Besides, if William II has no money, maybe he can only make do with the 'Terminal' level first."

Wang Wenshao smiled and said, "The emperor is wise!"

Then, Wang Wenshao changed the topic: "Your Majesty, the old minister has a heartless request..."

Zai Tian was in a good mood and smiled and said, "What's wrong with you? Even if you say it."

Wang Wenshao said: "The old minister asked the emperor to allow the old minister to retire."

Zai Tian was stunned: "Why is this?"

Wang Wenshao said: "It's not that the old minister is not concerned about national affairs. However, in the past two years as Minister of War, the old minister clearly felt that this bag was no longer capable. If it was a peaceful age, with a little experience, the old minister could still manage one or two. However, the war between the court and Russia was approaching, and the affairs of the Ministry of War became increasingly heavy. The old minister was afraid of lack of energy and delayed major events..."

Wang Wenshao is 78 years old this year. He really told him that in such a critical war, this old minister may be really difficult to control.

Zai Tian was silent for a while before asking: "Is there a successor?"

Wang Wenshao said: "Xu Shichang, the Minister of War, was a Jinshi in the 12th year of Guangxu, and later entered the Beijing Military Preparation School. In the 18th year of Guangxu, he went to Liangjiang to assist Ronglu in the South. After the Sino-Japanese War, he served as the dean of the Beijing Army Command Academy. After the Chief of Staff reformed the military system, he served as the Minister of War, responsible for the recruitment work and the resettlement of retired officers and soldiers under the new military service system. Regardless of qualifications and abilities, they are a temporary choice. They can be succeeded."

Zai Tian knew Xu Shichang's ability. At this time, since Wang Wenshao recommended it, he said: "Since that's the case, Xu Shichang will be the Minister of War. Wang Wenshao will be the Prince's Prince's Preservant and the First Class Viscount of Jin, and will be allowed to retire."

Wang Wenshao knelt down tremblingly and kowtowed to the emperor for the last time to thank him.

In the autumn of 1907, as expected, Britain and Russia reached a consensus after arduous negotiations. In September, the two countries signed an agreement in Spain, adjusting the conflict between the two countries in their fight for colonies.

The agreement mainly stipulates the division of power in Central Asia, including the division of Iran into three parts - the northern part belongs to the Russian sphere of influence, the southeast part belongs to the British sphere of influence, and the central part belongs to the "buffer zone"; at the same time, Russia recognizes Afghanistan as a vacancies of the United Kingdom.

As a result, the last stumbling block of Nicholas II's revenge on China was also moved away. The Russian army began to openly assemble toward China's northwest, north and northeastern borders.

‘The third, seventh and eighth third Russian troops have completed the assembly in Chita and may launch an attack on me at any time!’

When Mueller's telegram was put in front of Liu Shaoqing, he just smiled. The Russians' military operations were not confidential at all. Every move they started in 1906 was under the surveillance of the Guards' intelligence system. Moreover, the General Staff had long predicted that a war might break out in the late autumn of 1907. The current result was already expected by the General Staff.

However, he still sent telegrams to Zuo Baogui, Yang Yong, Duan Qirui, Feng Guozhang and others, hoping that they could maintain the combat state of the troops and be ready to deal with the possible attacks by the Russians at any time.

At the same time, Liu Shaoqing also ordered Muller and Nie Shicheng to request the Second and Fifth Army to complete the harvest of crops in the Northeast region in the shortest time, and at the same time, farmers in Longling and Beihai provinces temporarily evacuated the border to avoid harming the fish in the war.

In addition, in the 4th Army of Xinjiang, Wang Shizhen's troops, Chen Xue of the 141st Division was also prepared, just waiting for the Russians to fire the first shot.

In a small bar in Port Said, young tabloid reporter Williams was flirting with a gypsy girl. At this time, the conversations of several sailors next to him attracted his attention.

"Hi, hello you guys! Sorry to disturb me, I just heard you mention... Well, it's the Chinese fleet, right?"

The sailor who was drinking was a little impatient, "Who are you?"

Williams signaled the bartender to send four more rums, and then said, "Oh, let me introduce myself. My name is David Williams. I am a reporter. I am a little interested in the topic you just now. I don't know if I can understand it. Well...you know, I am a reporter, so I want to fill in some interesting topics for my newspaper."

The soldiers accepted the young man for the sake of rum. "We don't think there is anything to be published on this topic. It's just two warships. You must know that hundreds of warships passing through the Suez Canal every year, even the most advanced battleships of the British Empire have passed here. What's so strange about the two battleships from the East?"

Williams smiled and said, "It's not uncommon for dogs to bite people these days, but it's rare for people to bite dogs. The British Empire's fleets are all over the world, and it's normal for a thousand ships to pass through every year. But the warships of the Oriental people are not that ordinary. In my impression, it seems that the Eastern Empire has always sailed from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. This time I heard you start ships from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Isn't that news?"

Williams' words attracted laughter.

In the eyes of most Europeans, China is still synonymous with backwardness and barbarism. In their impression, this backward empire has always purchased warships from European powers and then drove back to its ports through the Mediterranean. Never thought that one day, warships coming from the East would enter the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal!

Even five years ago, when the country defeated the Russian fleet in the Far East, people still believed that this was achieved through the help of the British Empire - even the Russians believed so, so in the first few years of the 20th century, Edward VII's affection for the Russians was not accepted by Nicholas II, which was a key reason.

"But even if you drive from the Red Sea into the Mediterranean, you may be driving the warship purchased from us!"

Everyone burst into laughter again.

Williams also smiled and said, "But for our reporters, there is a fleet from the East - well, if two warships can also be called fleets - visiting the Mediterranean, it can be news. After all, gentlemen, this is the first time in history!"

A group of drunkards laughed and raised their glasses: "Cheers to the first time!"

October 17, 1907. History will always remember this day!

Two warships from ancient Eastern empires slowly passed through the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean Sea under the gaze of sparse guards!

Jericho held a newspaper in his hand and knocked on the door of Lord Fisher's office in a blink of an eye.

Fisher looked at the young Rear Admiral and smiled and said, "Why, did the Germans start attacking?"

Fisher's joke did not attract Jericho's approval. He raised the newspaper in his hand, "Do you know two Chinese warships sailed into the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal?"

Fisher shrugged: "Of course. They had submitted their letter of state to the British Empire's Foreign Minister three months ago, hoping to have the opportunity to arrange a small fleet to visit several major European countries. The ports planned to berth include Venice in Italy, Marseille in France and our Plemoucs. What's wrong?"

Jericho sighed, "Your Excellency, I think you should read this newspaper!"

Fisher took the newspaper in confusion. This was an unknown tabloid, and it was published with some gossip that was not allowed to be reported. Usually, such newspapers were not paid attention to gentlemen like Fisher.

Fisher looked at the front page and had nothing to pay attention to. The only interesting thing is that it is said that the maid from the Chamberlain family had an affair with the groom from the Churchill family. However, this news probably wouldn't make a rush of a naval general like Jericho.

He flipped through and opened the second edition.

A photo is clearly printed on it.

Fisher was a competent naval minister and saw two strange warships in the photo at a glance.

"This is……"

Jericho nodded in pain: "Yes, they are two fully heavy artillery battleships. The only difference between him and our "Dreadnought" ship is that there are only four turrets arranged in a back-mounted manner. But you also see that although there is one less turret than the "Dreadnought" ship, because of the Chinese turret arrangement, these two battleships can still hit the volley firepower of eight main guns on the side!"
Chapter completed!