If the Germans in history were still struggling to build battleships or cruisers in the 1890s, and finally set the tone of building battleships due to Tirpitz's strong intervention, then the Germans were still struggling, or even more struggling than before! Because now Tirpitz is suspicious of his own ideas. Battleships are indeed tall and powerful, but they are not easy to use overseas. What are you doing to build a bunch of warships at home?

Finally, when the construction of the Munich-class armored cruiser came to an end, two shipbuilding plans were placed before King Frederick III. One plan was to build 3 to 4 battleships, and the other plan was to build the same number of 10,000-ton cruisers.

The first battleship in the plan was the new 6-barrel Brandenburg-class battleship that Ruprecht helped to modify, which weakened the thickness of the main armor belt and increased the area of ​​the armor, and used the main gun with a turret structure to increase the tonnage, secondary gun firepower and speed. The cruiser plan was the German version of the Russian armored cruiser that Russia planned to order. The biggest difference was that the double-mounted 10-inch main gun was replaced with a double-mounted 240mm main gun, while the second-level main gun was a double-mounted 210mm main gun.

Originally, Frederick III did not care much about the navy, and Bismarck also curbed the rapid growth of the navy in order to maintain his own strategy. However, this Far East incident made His Majesty the Emperor and the Prime Minister feel that he was slapped in the face at the same time, and he was beaten by a British dog! This is really intolerable! Therefore, expanding the navy has become one of the few things that the Emperor and the Prime Minister have consistently agreed. With the top-down promotion of the German government, the navy's allocation was passed this time, and now the money is available. The only problem is what to build! How to build a large naval construction, online and wait!

The current situation is that the German Navy is in a debate. The bb party, acr party and the coastal defense warship party are quarreling together. They are excited to get so much money at once, but lose their way. At this time, the German suddenly remembered that overseas, the "admiral" with the most practical experience in the German Navy has not yet returned. So when he comes back, ask him what he thinks?

A telegram from Prince William was sent to Ruprecht. Although it was asked in a private name, considering the specific national conditions of the empire and Ruprecht's current influence in the German navy, Ruprecht's decision will have a great impact on the future of the navy.

After receiving this telegram, Tirpitz happened to take the fleet back from South America. In New York, Ruprecht embarked on a journey home. Then His Highness asked Tirpitz to read the Prince's telegram. After all, he was the favorite minister of Prince William, so he always wanted to have a lot of meaning.

"To be honest, I am very confused. I still tend to build large battleships in my heart as the pillar of the Imperial Navy. However, the performance of Munich-class armored cruisers forced me to admit that in ocean-going combat, the speed and endurance of cruisers are sometimes more important than firepower and defense!" Tirpitts admitted the role of cruisers with confidence. Although His Highness the Prince in front of me has not served in the navy and has not received much naval education, Tirpitts must admit that His Highness the Prince is really strong in macro strategy.

"Let's build two Brandenburg-class battleships first. Our battleship formation is too small and too outdated. After solving the recent demand problems, the updates of the battleships will also be put on the agenda." Ruprecht was not polite and directly expressed his thoughts.

"You mean to build two battleships and two cruisers, right?" Tirpitz touched his chin and continued: "This idea is very good. Whether it is the Brandenburg-class battleship or the new ten-ton-ton armored cruiser, they are very good, and they are very suitable for the empire's current needs!"

"Actually, I personally think that the experimental significance of building Brandenburg-class battleships is greater than that of actual combat. Whether we need to build battleships or cruisers later, the number of Brandenburg-class should not be too large, because the power of the 11-inch cannon on it is simply too bad! Too bad! Too unbearable!" Ruprecht's sudden intense language surprised Tirpitz!

"Countries around the world are about to be equipped with 12-inch naval guns, but we are still using 11-inch cannons. Moreover, the power of these 11-inch cannons is almost on the same level as that of foreign 10-inch cannons. I don't know what those who have shares in Krupp think. Anyway, I find it difficult to accept it. The Imperial Navy's strong ship cannons face the most fierce enemy, not the money-making tool for some people." Ruprecht said this a bit heavy, and brought a certain first family into the range of attacks!

However, the reason why Ruprecht dared to say this is because Tirpitt would not pass these words to Prince William, because the words were first said privately, and Tirpitt did not have Krupp shares. His Highness said this just to vent, and it has no interest to him.

And what if you tell the prince this kind of thing? If the prince believes it, he will be jealous of the prince. And even if the prince is not satisfied, how can he do this prince? It is just a verbal vent. (In history, the German Emperor and Ruprecht's father met during the exercise, and the latter did not say hello, nor did he meet William II.) What if the prince doesn't believe it? Then he will be even worse? If he gets a reputation as a villain, his future will be over, so the best way to deal with it is to pretend that this has not happened.

However, Ruprecht's words still took root and sprouted in Tirpits' heart like a seed. Ruprecht's requirements are very simple. Some internal unspoken rules can be accused of. After all, Ruprecht himself is a person in the system, but everything has a degree. When the two companies are similar, they can go through relationships. But if the two companies are too different, it will definitely not work. Ruprecht is actually preparing for the appearance of his Bavaria-Austrian arms consortium. Ruprecht even bought the Russian 12-inch cannon! Wouldn't you just wait to cheat Krupp again?

"What do you mean is that the battleships of the Empire in the future need to be equipped with 12-inch guns? If there are still 6, the tonnage requirements may be very high. It is estimated that it will exceed the armored cruiser designed by your design bureau for the Russians." Tirpitz took a breath of air conditioning. A battleship equipped with 6 12-inch guns. If you want to ensure speed and speed, it will cost at least 14,000 tons?

"So, the two Brandenburg-class battleships are just test items to accumulate experience! This is their greatest significance." Ruprecht said with a smile. "Why can the British build 14,000 to 15,000 tons of warships, and we must be smaller? An elite warship may be useful than two smaller warships! The tonnage of the two Yoshinos is larger than that of Munich. I think you understand very well, which side is stronger!"

"So what will our next choice after these two experimental Brandenburg-class battleships are completed? A battleship with a larger tonnage or a better cruiser?" Tirpitz thought for a while and asked.

"This matter is hard to say. We need to depend on the situation. What we can do now is to choose alternatives and then select for the central government and the Navy. Moreover, the cruiser plan we designed for the Russians is not for use in our country. If possible, we will design a better battleship!"

"A better plan? Can you explain it clearly?" Tirpitz said with shiny eyes. Is it a man, especially a man in a navy uniform. Tirpitz is naturally very concerned!

"Baron Vittorio has not been designed yet, you will know after you go back," Ruprecht sold a secret. On the one hand, it was really not done well, and on the other hand, Ruprecht is still considering letting the Imperial Navy take over him when necessary...
Chapter completed!