Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 530 Togo Heihachiro

Guan Xuqing took it over and watched it carefully. The first ship was "Hurricane", which was built 5 years ago. The second ship was called "Storm", with a full load displacement of 21000 tons, a total length of 239.8 meters, and a flight deck length of 181 meters at the front. 18 boilers, the main engine is Hanyang steam engine, the output power of the main engine is 90000 shaft horsepower, the maximum speed is 30 knots, the endurance is 6400 nautical miles, and the main armor belt is about 76 mm.In terms of firepower, it is equipped with 2 457mm 40-caliber main guns, 2 single-mounted turrets, 10 140mm 50-caliber guns, and 24 102mm guns.The number of aircraft carried is 27 to 36, and the third ship is named "Guangfeng" with 748 crew members (360 aircrew), and its performance in all aspects is basically similar to that of Storm.

"This is the first generation of aircraft carriers in the empire. They are basically at the same level, so they are called 'Xia-class'. According to the order of development of dynasties in Chinese history, there will be 'Shang-class', 'Zhou-class' and so on in the future." Guan Xuqing Said.

"twitter."

In the vast and deep, misty Pacific Ocean, the southeast wind is blowing slowly, and the sun is scorching hot on the silver-white warship. Seabirds gather, chasing the huge warship battle group. They seem to be annoying mosquitoes, but in fact, they are warships The powerful propellers plowed the sea surface, and the loud noise disturbed the fish in the deep sea, and also gave many opportunities to the gulls gliding on the sea surface. The boiling fish often jumped on the deck of the warship. In the prosperous age of fishing business.

A fleet of plaster flags is flying fast on the sea.In the past few days, they have sailed for thousands of miles, starting from the sea, cruising from Jeju Island and Daheishan Islands, and they are implementing the naval action plan of the highest authority.

Admiral Togo Heihachiro, the middle-aged Minister of the Navy, was standing on the bridge of the flagship Mikasa in a trance, his eyes were narrowed by the glare of the sun, but his spirit could not be weakened.

Dongxiang Heihachiro is short in stature, but extremely strong. The beautiful general's uniform, the medal of merit on his chest, the ribbon, and the command knife around his waist all swear that he has extraordinary experience and a high status.What is even more impressive is his temperament, an indescribably ruthless aura lurking vaguely in his gaze, and a moment of staring can give people tremendous pressure.

It is such a Dongxiang Heihachiro, who together with the Minister of Army Nogi Nishinori is called the God of Army by the Communists!

Togo Heihachiro's success is inseparable from one person, and that is the father of the navy, Yamamoto Gonbei.

In 1892, Yamamoto Gonbei carried out his first action to reform the navy with the support of Saigo Congmichi, the Minister of the Navy, to rectify the naval organization and lay off those naval officers who had not adapted to the situation.Yamamoto asked the following to collect a list including eight generals starting from the lieutenant general and 89 officers and lieutenants, and went to discuss with Xixiang.Xixiang was in a bit of a dilemma: "These are all heroes since the British-Saxophone War, and they are all fellow villagers of Satsuma. Can we do it?"

At that time, Gonbei Yamamoto replied very resolutely: "If they have meritorious service, they will be awarded medals, and they don't have to keep their official positions. As for the relationship with Satsuma's hometown, they have been attacked by the Congress. Some of these people don't even have steam warships." Understand, it is still a fossil of the era of sailing ships and warships, with these people in the navy, the navy cannot make progress.”

Then, with a dagger on the table, Mr. Yamamoto met the officers on the list one by one and announced to them the decision to be laid off.No matter it was the roar of "rebelling against the rebellion" or begging, Yamamoto was unmoved and completed the first "slimming operation" in the history of the navy with a hard heart. But the hard-hearted Yamamoto hesitated on a name, Discuss with Minister Xixiang: "Is there a problem with this name? I know this person, who is silent and unobtrusive. He didn't graduate from the navy, because he has been in the UK for a long time and has no friends in China. Should I give him another name?" a chance?"

"Yes, the Naniwa is short of a captain, let Dongxiang try." In this way, the navy took no time to organize and put a group of the most capable officers in suitable positions, including Togo Heihachiro.

After the Sino-Japanese Bird Port incident, he was determined to revive the navy, and a general with outstanding ability came to command the navy.At that time, the voice of the standing fleet commander Hidaka Sonojo was the most vocal.Hidaka is a guy who is fearless, and no one can guarantee that he will be absolutely consistent with the Ministry of the Navy and the Military Command at critical moments, so Yamamoto chose Lieutenant General Togo Heihachiro, who surprised everyone.

At that time, most people thought that Dongxiang was a short man who spoke weakly and only looked at his own toes when he walked. He didn't look like a soldier, let alone a general.But Yamamoto just took a fancy to Togo Heihachiro's taciturnity and obedience.

Even Emperor Meiji asked about this in confusion, and Gonbei Yamamoto replied: "Togo is lucky."

After Dongxiang came to power, he not only actively implemented Yamamoto's military reform plan, but also vigorously advocated the theory of establishing a country by military and navy. : "It seems that with Dongxiang, I can retire with peace of mind."

"Your Excellency, we have advanced a hundred nautical miles today." Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Kato Yusaburo held a Chinese porcelain cup: "Please drink tea."

"Thank you! No need!" Dongxiang nodded kindly to his chief of staff, "How's the weather? Did it change at noon today?"

Dongxiang once studied in the UK and advocated taking the British Navy as his teacher, so he was also contaminated with the gentlemanly style of the British.

"Very good, the wind direction will increase by one level, northerly," Chief of Staff Kato said after serious thinking: "The officer on duty just reported,"

"Then, we have to refuel, and strive to arrive at Wuhe Naval Port in three hours." At 38 degrees 120 degrees north latitude and [-] degrees east longitude, this fleet with the most prominent status in the sea area is heading towards Hewu County full speed ahead.

Kato Yusaburo, who has a very distinctive appearance, is a few years younger than Dongxiang, but his thoughtful and scholarly demeanor makes his black-rimmed eyes look very spiritual and very sinister.

"Your Excellency, it seems that China has made a promise to restrict the navy's warship construction." Kato said casually while drinking tea.

"Huh, does that make sense?" Dongxiang sneered, "As a soldier, I only know that fists and knives are real. For our navy, only cannons are the reason for talking! I still admire the Germans very much." He said, 'Our borders are within the range of a cannon'."

"All of our warships come from the most outstanding shipyards in the British Empire. They are carefully designed and built. Almost all of them are new ships. The oldest warships are only nine years old. Moreover, our warships have adopted the most advanced shipbuilding technology in the UK. The number of guns is large and the quality is high, especially the shooting speed is very good, but of course our focus is still on those giant ships that are being built at the Wuzuru Naval Port. Hehe." Kato's laughter was very sharp, which made people shudder.

"That's right. Although the emperor expressed his position and expressed his compromise to China, as the Minister of the Navy of the Great Empire, I can tell you clearly that we must fight. Our biggest enemy is the Chinese navy. Only by completely defeating the Chinese navy, Only a great empire can develop." Togo Heihachiro said firmly.

Kato smiled, and a trace of uneasiness flashed across his face, "Do you still remember the principal of the Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Tomooka Sadasuke?"

"Of course, my old friend." Dongxiang said happily: "The last time I drank, I broke his nose. It has been three months. Haha, poor guy!"

"However, he sent a telegram to tell us a very important news, saying that China seems to be secretly developing a giant ship that can carry aircraft. If that is the case, Chinese aircraft can carry out bombing missions anywhere in the world at will. , If the planes fly over our fleet and drop bombs during the real battle, that would be bad news for us." Kato frowned.

"I know, of course I know, but the current aircraft are in the initial stage, and their performance is not stable in all aspects. Do you know how many Chinese aircraft have crashed while performing missions? Hmph, in my opinion, that is just It is a toy, and we have already begun to develop it at the Inaku Armory in Tokyo Bay, and I believe that we will be able to create a real combat aircraft in the near future." Speaking of Chinese aircraft, Dongxiang showed a contemptuous expression.

"Why do you say that?" Kato was puzzled. "But I heard that during the Chinese civil war, their planes were ready for actual combat."

"That's nothing, how many bombs their planes can carry, and the range is very limited. It is undeniable that the plane must be a major military revolution in the future, but at present, it is not enough."

At this time, the sun had already set to the west, and finally saw a black horizon ahead.

"We're here! The Wuzuru Naval Port is ahead!"

The fleet docked in the naval port. Surrounded by Kato and a group of high-ranking naval officials, Togo Heihachiro walked off the warship vigorously. This time he came to Maizuru Naval Port to visit the several giant warships being built here. The first battleship was hailed as the future of the Imperial Navy.

The piercing sound of machines cutting steel plates could be heard from time to time in the shipyard in the military port. Dongxiang Heihachiro and others strode into the shipyard, and were immediately stunned by the sight in front of them!Although several warships have not been built yet, the basic keel structure has already been formed, and several behemoths tens of meters high almost cast black shadows on all places in the shipyard.Although people are short in stature, they have always admired big things. They believe that with the shipbuilding technology from the British and the perseverance of people, they can build the largest warship in Asia and even the world. Now Togo Heihachiro finally sees hope .

(End of this chapter)