The Tsar's meaning is very clear. There is no pressure on the direction of the Black Sea and it does not pose a great threat to the country. Let the Black Sea fleet let it go first. Anyway, the old connotation was enough to deal with the Turks in the past, but the Baltic Sea must be strengthened. Western Europe is the core area of ​​Russia, and the Baltic Sea is the gateway to this core area. No one can open his own door.

Therefore, no matter how poor Russia is, it must build a Baltic Fleet. And in history, the Russians did this. Shortly after the war started, the Russian Baltic Fleet had 4 Gangu special battleships, and 4 Izmael-class super fearless ships under construction. Of course, it has been building and has never been completed...

"If it were just to deal with the threat from the Germans, I think we could buy warships from the UK first, because buying warships would probably be more economically cost-effective," said Kulopatkin.

"Your Majesty, buying warships will only make Russia's shipbuilding industry farther and farther away! We should try our best to improve our shipbuilding capabilities and use the warships we built, rather than relying on the British." Essen said immediately.

"If we want to build our own dreadnoughts, when will it start construction as soon as possible?" Nicholas II asked, looking at Essen.

"Our shipyard with the best conditions is naturally the naval shipyard in St. Petersburg. We first need to import some equipment. The fire control, power and design of the new dreadnought ship are brand new. We need to gradually explore and learn. If nothing unexpected happens, we can start the first batch of dreadnoughts in as long as 3 and a half years to 4 years. Give us ten years to keep the German fleet outside the Russian state gate." Essen thought for a while and said.

"Ten years, the Germans may not give us such a long time. Once the Germans are ready, they can launch an attack immediately. Our dreadnought may be just laying keels on the ship platform! Do you know? The Germans' military production is gradually accelerating, military spending is increasing, and the army is also expanding. It is said that they have obtained a large amount of loans from the Americans. Even with the national strength of Germany, they cannot support it for a long time. So, there are only two final results. One is to start a war when the strength reaches its peak, and the other is to be dragged down. What will be the final result? I think everyone should know!" There was a hint of mockery in Kulopatkin's words.

Although this Russian general was not very good at fighting, he had a good vision in some things. He was not very optimistic about Russia before the Russo-Japanese War. This time, he even smelled the smell of war from some clues!

"I agree with General Kulopatkin's statement that Germany's national debt has continued to rise recently, and now it has reached a high of 1.5 billion marks, and they have also obtained a large amount of loans from the United States. The Germans originally had relatively abundant funds and could fully support domestic construction and general military consumption. There is only one possibility that this situation can occur. They have begun to expand their troops without any concealment. We are about to be the most dangerous time for managers." said Earl Witter, the Minister of Finance.

"Well, the French are the same. They have once again adjusted their service life, which makes their number of troops comparable to that of Germany. Military orders for arms companies including Schneider and Saint Monsa this year are about 30% higher than last year! The French believe that from now on, 10 years will be the most dangerous time for the Allies. If you go through this dangerous period, the military strength and national strength of the Allies will crush the Allies. Therefore, if the Germans want to take action, they can only take action in these 10 years!" Nikolaevich, chief of staff of the German General Staff, also agreed.

"In other words, we will go to war with the Germans in the next 10 years? It seems that building warships cannot meet our needs." Nicholas II said.

"I support the efforts of the Russian Navy to build its own dreadnoughts, but before that, we must first ensure that the navy has sufficient combat power, right? We can discuss the details of buying dreadnoughts with the British. Well, let's book two first."

"Abide by the order, Your Majesty the Emperor." General Essen said respectfully. This was the best result he could win. Although the construction of the Black Sea Fleet could not enter the imperial issue in a short period of time, the supplement and expansion of the Baltic Fleet were passed. As Kulopatkin and others said, the strength gap between the Russian and German naval forces is too large. It is obviously not realistic to rely solely on building warships to support it!

"According to the current expansion speed of the German fleet, in 8 years, the total number of their fearless warships may be as high as more than 22. If we want to resist the German fleet's attack in the Baltic Sea, even for conservative defensive warfare, we still need more than 8 main battleships. In addition, the destroyers and submarines of the Baltic Sea Fleet also need to be updated. These warships are an indispensable part of our defense operations." Essen suggested.

"I will consider this issue. The imperial government will decide to allocate funds to the Baltic Fleet based on the preparations for the German Navy. In fact, our pressure is not that great. After all, the Royal Fleet of the British can help us share most of the pressure." Witt said.

"In addition, there is another question. If Turkey also purchases a dreadnought, what should I do if the Black Sea Fleet? I mean, if the Dardanelles Strait does not allow the completed warships to pass, the Black Sea Fleet's main ships can only be replenished, so I still hope to add some funds to the Black Sea Fleet." Essen said that it was almost pleading here.

"Let's talk about it then. We have the Sevastopol Fortress. The Turks are neither British nor French. They cannot conquer them. And maybe Britain and France will help us open up the channels. We should trust our allies, right?" Nicholas II said impatiently.

Like in history, the Allies did not value Turkey, a weak country. In their opinion, there was no need to fight. As long as the British and French fleets appeared in the Strait of Dardanelles, they would probably make Turkey surrender?

The meeting in the remaining few days has nothing to do with General Essen, because the top German military leaders need to come up with a practical army combat plan, and the pressure faced by the Russian army is actually quite different from that of the navy! After all, the army decides everything on the European continent!

The German Army is said to be very powerful! What should we do if war begins? It is really a problem! The Russians do not know about the Schriefen plan, but this does not prevent the Russians from formulating their own plans according to the military plan of the Allied Powers!
Chapter completed!