"This is really a big ship." After hearing what the prince said, Makanov couldn't help but wiped his cold sweat. If the 13,000 tons of the Asama-class armored cruiser's displacement was almost at the limit of the construction of the Russian Navy, the only problem was that the length of the hull and the internal design could not meet the construction needs, then this 18,000 tons warship could not be built by Russia now in any aspect.

In history, Russia's first warship with a tonnage of 17,000 tons, was the first warship in Russia with a tonnage of 17,000 tons. This warship equipped with 4 12-inch guns and 12 8-inch guns was started in 1903 and was only put into service in 1910! It was built for 7 years! From this point, it can be seen that the level of the Russian shipbuilding industry had a coffee table. Before the Russo-Japanese War, Russia's largest warship tonnage was generally around 13,000 tons. Therefore, Russia absolutely did not have the ability to build such a huge warship!

To be honest, the tonnage of warships built by the Germans in history was not very high. Even if this plane had the relationship of a time traveler and its construction ability was improved, the construction of such a warship was started around 1899, and the time traveler himself was a little weak! So the decisive Russians became guinea pigs......

However, I have to say that His Highness the Prince is still worthy of this jealous mouse. Both the equipment and design are more outstanding than before, and it is definitely worth the cost of up to 1.8 million pounds! You know, in history, the Russians spent 1.56 million pounds to buy a Level 2 armored cruiser from the UK. (Because they bought it with a British loan, the cost will be inflated.) Think about it, in history, the Russians have tolerated buying a 15,000-ton warship for 1.56 million pounds, so it would not be too much to buy a 18,000-ton warship for 1.8 million pounds?

To be honest, His Highness the Prince plans to offer a high price of at least 1.85 million, but considering that there are still some things that need to be cleared with the Russians, so he shows mercy and will be 1.8 million pounds for the time being. Anyway, there are still many reasons for the price increase. This time, it is estimated that the Russians dare not break the contract again.

"18,000 tons are a bit too large. This tonnage is almost 5,000 tons larger than the Asashima. What exactly makes the tonnage of such a warship increase to this level?" Makanov thought for a while and asked.

"The warship is more than 160 meters long! The warship is 22 meters wide! Two double-mounted 12-inch l40 guns at the head and tail. Four corners of the hull are equipped with 4 double-mounted 254mm second-level main guns and 20 105mm secondary guns. The front armor thickness of the main turret is 10 inches, and the side and back is 6 inches. The thickness of the main gun seat is 8 inches. The front thickness of the second-level main gun turret is 8 inches, and the side and back is 6 inches. The thickness of the gun seat is 7 inches. Each 105mm cannon is protected by at least 4 inches of armored cannon gallery.

"The armor belt has a thickness of 8.5 inches. There is a back plate with a certain thickness at the back. The height of the main armor belt reaches 3.8 meters. (The part below the waterline is moderately weakened.) The thickness of the upper armor belt is 6 inches. It covers the entire artillery area. The thickness of the head and tail armor belt reaches 4 inches! It is completely immune to high explosive bombs below 8 inches! The transmission shaft part of the battleship is protected by 6 inches side-chord armor, and the helmroom is protected by a complete armor box. The horizontal armor thickness of the battleship is 75mm, and the secondary part also has 50mm horizontal armor!

There are 1,500 tons of coal and 750 tons of fuel! It also has a complete underwater defense system. The warship's underwater protection system has 2 layers, the outermost one is an empty warehouse, and the middle is a liquid tank for storing fuel. It adopts a subdivided compartment design, and there is no horizontal connection between all watertight compartments. There is also a layer of 45mm high elastic steel on the innermost one. It can ensure that two 18-inch torpedoes are hit and still survive!”

"In order to better adapt to ocean-going operations, warships have a larger ammunition storage capacity. Each main gun is equipped with 150 rounds of shells, each second-level main gun and secondary gun are equipped with 200 rounds of shells, and there is very sufficient space to load more ammunition. The living environment of officers and soldiers will also be improved to a certain extent. It is very suitable for ocean-going operations. Facing the Japanese Asama-class armored cruisers, your country uses three new armored cruisers to completely suppress them." The prince briefly introduced this class of warships.

"But we don't need such a long voyage in the Far East," Makanov said after thinking.

"No need? Haha. If you think so, then my evaluation of you will be reduced. Do you still consider war based on the past ideas or consider Japan based on the old vision?" The prince said a little contempt.

"I remember you said that Japan bought these two warships to deal with Russia, but now it is to deal with the United States. You were also very confident at that time. But the facts proved that your prediction was not accurate, or were you misleading us at that time?" Parokin said calmly.

"Nonsense, of course, is misleading you!" His Highness the Prince said in his heart. Of course, this is not exactly the case. After the Japanese got the Philippines, the Americans could not reach the Far East for the time being. The biggest enemy was still Russia. The warships bought by Japan were still used in the war against Russia. How could they say it wrong?

"So since it is not used to deal with Russia, let me tell me, what is your purpose for here?" The prince seized a loophole in Parokin's words.

"Of course, you may still be dissatisfied, but believe me. When the dust of the Spanish-American War settled, Japan will immediately target you. As early as the second half of this year, and as the first half of next year, Japan will take action in North Korea! And Russia's Siberian Railway has not been repaired yet, and the navy is absolutely at a disadvantage. I don't think Russia can rely on the power of the Far East to curb Japan's actions. If you don't believe it, we can wait, but at that time, considering my mood, the price may rise. Of course, it's up to you to decide whether to buy it in the end." After the prince said that, he waved his hand and signaled that the negotiations were over and you can leave!

"Lt. General, what do you think of what this prince said?" Parokin asked in a low voice in the carriage that he returned.

"Whether he is right or wrong, Japan is ultimately our enemy. The Imperial Navy must eventually face a powerful fleet of four Asama-class armored cruisers. It is enough to know this! Do we have any other choice? Four Asama-class armored cruisers! Even if we pull up what we now and the cruisers we are currently building, it is not enough for the Japanese to fight."

"I am a soldier, so I don't consider whether every word the other party says is right or wrong from a political or negotiating perspective. I only need to know that from a military perspective, we have no choice. We must buy this warship. As for how many ships it depends on the government and finance. However, the Bavarian prince said it is right. We need at least three ships!" Makanov replied.
Chapter completed!