1825 My New Daming

India, Mumbai, Grand Palace.

"Your Majesty, the urgent call from His Majesty Temasek Fortress!"

Emperor William, who was looking down at the Marquis Nelson and George Elliot just brought a new battleship design proposal submitted by the Barrow Company in his office, was so excited that he didn't even care about the battleship plan when he heard what Charlie Elliot said. He suddenly jumped up from his chair and walked towards Charlie Elliott, then snatched the copy of the telegram from the other party's hand.First I read it ten lines at a glance, and then I read it word by word again. After reading it, I frowned.

Marquis Nelson and George Elliot knew that Temasek Fortress was not good when they saw the emperor's expression.The Marquess of Nelson and George Elliot had already expected this matter—the rapid loss of the Malay Peninsula has already explained the future of Temasek Island.The frequent failure of the long-wave radio station on Temasek Island is even more ominous!
Precisely because they expected that Temasek Island might be lost soon, they repeatedly urged Barrow Shipyard to come up with a new battleship plan as soon as possible.The engineers at the Barrow Shipyard were also quite capable, and indeed they made a plan for a 3-ton battleship that seemed to be feasible in a short period of time.

The battleship will use a 3-horsepower steam engine as the main engine, and will still use coal as fuel.With such a configuration, the speed is of course not fast, and it is 20 knots without forced ventilation.

For the main guns of this class of battleships, a relatively conservative five-seat double-mounted 13.5-inch 45-caliber scheme is adopted, but for the first time, the design of the front and rear turrets will be adopted, and the five turrets will be placed on the central axis of the battleship.In this way, when they fire on the side of the battleship, they can put in ten 10-inch cannons at the same time!

This firepower is definitely No.1 among known battleships!

In addition, Barrow will also reserve room for upgrades.Once the 14-inch main guns are accepted, an upgrade can be arranged.

This battleship will also focus on strengthening air defense and mine defense. A large number of dual-purpose guns and anti-aircraft machine guns will be installed on the deck, a large number of mine protection barriers will be installed under the waterline, and hundreds of waterproof compartments will be designed.To ensure that this battleship can withstand 10 torpedo hits!

This defense is also enough to be called the first among the known battleships!
In other words, this class of battleship sacrificed power for the dual advantages of firepower and defense.And because the 3-horsepower steam engine and 13.5-inch rapid-fire gun are mature technologies, the design of the piggyback turret is also perfect, and the battleships of the Ming army with the same design have already entered the battlefield!
Therefore, the production of this class of battleships should not be difficult. If construction starts immediately, the first ship will definitely be able to undergo sea trials in 15 months, the first ship will be delivered in 20 months, and 24-4 ships will be completed in 8 months. If the 14-inch main ship If the guns are developed during this process, then in just 1 to 2 months, these 4-8 battleships can be refitted. By then, the speed may drop slightly, but the firepower will be even stronger!
But even if this plan is adopted, the British Empire will inevitably suffer a period of 20-24 months of naval weakness.

I originally expected that Temasek Island could support it for 12 months, but now...
"The Temasek Fortress can't be defended anymore," Emperor William sighed, "Viscount Beresford is powerless. His 9.2 Indian soldiers have no fighting spirit, and they were also hit by the psychological warfare of the Ming army, so they are about to collapse. Now Johor The strait line of defense has been completely lost, and all the coastal defense forts on the south coast of Temasek Island have been abandoned. Only the core of the fortress can still hold out for a week or two, and there are only more than [-] defenders left."

Marquis Nelson and George Elliot were all taken aback.

"What? There are only more than [-] people left. Isn't this too fast?"

"That's right, what do those Indians eat? Are they stupider than pigs? Even if there are 9 pigs, the Ming army will have to catch them for ten days and half a month, right?"

Emperor William did not pick up on these two people, but said to them: "After the Ming army captured the coastal defense fort on Temasek Island, they were not in a hurry to attack the fortress, but sent someone to contact Viscount Beresford."

In fact, taking down the fort on the south coast of Temasek Island—even the fort that has blown up the cannon, Ming has already opened up the Strait of Malacca.Therefore, there is indeed no need to storm the Temasek fortress. It is most beneficial to persuade them to surrender and take them all.Although the fortress is 80 to [-] years old, the various facilities in the fortress are still very complete.If it can be taken completely, then the headquarters of the Nanyang Fleet or the Western Fleet can be stationed immediately.

"Your Majesty," asked the Marquis Nelson, "what do the Chinese want?"

Emperor William's face was livid, "They want us to retreat with honor!"

"From Malacca?" George Elliot asked.

“From India and Malacca!”

The Marquess Nelson asked: "Did they mention Australia and Oregon?"

"No," Emperor William gritted his teeth, "but once the empire loses the crown jewel of India, Australia will definitely not be able to keep it."

Emperor William was right about this.After losing India, the connection between Britain and Australia will be difficult to maintain.If Ming Dynasty attacked Australia, the British Royal Navy would have to start from the mainland, bypass Africa, and run more than 2 kilometers to rescue the fleet. It would take such a long distance. There are no ports to maintain in the middle, and the state is difficult to maintain.

In another timeline, the reason why Australia will remain in the Commonwealth of Nations is the meaning of Great Britain's rebellious son America.But Australia is actually a vassal of the United States, not a pawn of the United Kingdom.

"Marquis," said Kaiser William, "maybe we can give up Australia . . . to save India."

"No," Marquis Nelson quickly shook his head, "Your Majesty, we should not choose between India and Australia! Because if we lose India, we will lose Australia. And if we lose Australia, we will also lose the key stronghold to contain the Ming Empire. Daming who gets Australia will use all of her navy's main force to the Indian Ocean, this is definitely not a two-choice question!"

George Elliot also quickly echoed Marquis Nelson and said: "Your Majesty, our Australian colony is not only the Australian mainland, but also includes many surrounding islands, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the New British Islands. It is only [-] nautical miles into the coast of Japan. As long as we deploy a fleet there, we can pose a threat to Ming Dynasty’s Pacific route, and even harass Japan’s coast. If we abandon Australia, the Pacific Ocean will become Ming’s inland sea , they will be able to concentrate all their forces to attack India!"

Emperor William seemed to be convinced by the two, he nodded and said: "Yes, this is indeed not a multiple-choice question.

Also, Australia is a colony of the United Kingdom, not the Indian Empire.I have no right to give up Australia to protect India...

However, on the issue of how to defend, the focus should undoubtedly be India.Because of the loss of India, it is impossible for Australia to hold on.

Conversely, as long as we can defend India, we may counterattack and recover Australia. "

George Elliot immediately offered compliments and said, "Your Majesty the Emperor, you are really wise."

Marquis Nelson also said: "Yes, Your Majesty, we should indeed defend India with the main force...but we must also use Australia as a base to launch a counterattack.

Only in this way can the pressure on India be relieved, after all India is the most important! "

"That's right, India is the most important thing." Emperor William nodded, "So, how should we respond to those Chinese who want to liberate India?"

"This..." Marquis Nelson said, "I suggest you adopt a delaying strategy."

George Elliot said: "Yes, we need time, every day from now on is precious!

In order to buy time, I think we can first show our sincerity by handing over the Temasek Fortress, and then ask the Kingdom of Jin, Austria, and Rakshasa to mediate and hold a peace conference in Vienna. "

"Okay! Let's do it!" Emperor William nodded heavily, "Now we must find ways to drag all European countries into trouble, and the Vienna Peace Conference is an opportunity."