Hidden Dragon in Qing Dynasty

The caliber of the cannons would become larger, the cannonball's might would also become stronger, the range would also become further and further away, and the defense would also become more and more abnormal … New ships would rapidly eliminate old models, and fleets built with millions of gold would be eliminated in less than 20 to 30 years.

However, in the Great Eastern Gully Sea War in 1894, he was once known as the number one in Asia. How could the number six in the world, the North Ocean Waterman, be even with the Japanese in just six years?

There was of course a reason for the corruption, the sand pretending to be gunpowder really existed, and there were also reasons for the soldiers' lack of discipline and lack of combat strength. At that time, Japanese spies even discovered the North Ocean navy soldiers drying their clothes on the cannons.

But there are many reasons for failure, and the impact of technological progress cannot be ignored.

The Northern Ocean Watermen became an army in 1888, but the order for ships from the Western Powers was pushed to 1874. In other words, the ships used by the Northern Ocean Watermen during the afternoon war were designed in a style similar to that of 20 years ago.

What era was that!? That was when humans had entered the Second Industrial Revolution, when Polytechnic University was developing. In twenty years of time, the level of humans' industry, technology and even their concept had undergone a tremendous change.

In fact, Li Hongzhang had already realized the danger ahead of the afternoon sea battle. At that time, he had constantly applied for military expenditures from the imperial government, not asking to buy a new ship. The duration of one shot from Dingyuan Town was more than enough for the Japanese to fire three. This was the difference in technology.

But unfortunately, at that time, the Old Buddha wanted to construct the Summer Palace, and the Guang Xu Emperor also wanted to use the Garden to exchange for his own personal authority. As for Weng Tonghe and him, even if it was an enemy in politics and a personal grudge, the army would not give the garden to the Northern Ocean Water Master even if it was worth it.

The afternoon war was like a huge gamble. The entire Japan had made a huge gamble with the North Ocean forces, Itou Hirobumi had said before, that I only had one enemy, and that was Li Hongzhang.

Such a powerful pragmatism, I don't want to be the number one in the world, I don't want to be perfect either. Since my goal is already set in Beiyang, then I will prepare for the battle with the power of a toppling nation, I just need to be a little stronger than you.

It was just like the three scene ships at that time. They were fully prepared to deal with the two giant ships, Dingyuan and Zhenyuan. Their small bodies were carrying cannons, and with their 4000 tons of bodies, they were carrying a 320-mm cannon.

But the Japanese did not care, his goal was simple, the Three Scenes ship only cost so much, you must be far away from town, I took advantage of you when you went on a suicidal mission.

In fact, during the afternoon war, the Northern Ocean navy only had the advantage in tonnage and manpower, but the scientific and technological strength as well as the concept of naval warfare were already far behind Japan. Although those who were far behind could completely make up for it, but unfortunately, everyone did not forget to have a pig teammate from Qing Dynasty.

Xiao Letian would definitely not let history repeat itself. Although Japan had changed its name to Fusang and the pace of the Minzhiweixin had been forcefully cut off, was China safe?

Without the threat of Japan, Russia, English and French and even America who had recovered their strength would not be easy to deal with. Sooner or later, China's navy would meet with a big war, and it might even be more tragic than the A noon.

Make money, Xiao Letian's plan was to buy only two of the 2,300 model battleships, and these two would be the future training ship s of the Iron-armored Ship, and the second one would have to be produced in the Ryukyu's shipyard. Although the steam engine team still had some core components that they would need to buy from Prussia, the Chinese people had to work hard to learn them, they had to accumulate talent in shipbuilding.

After the 2,300 model, they would have to manufacture battleships with a greater tonnage. They would rather waste money to let their undergraduates buy the failed lessons, than to completely rely on imports. How could they hold the weapons of war in the hands of others?

The King Yi patted the Iron-armored Ship in front of him, "Mr. Kevin, I am afraid that it will be difficult for you to receive this warship's order …"

"Why? My God, what a good battleship this is! I've already put the cost down to 260 thousand pounds! Are you still not satisfied? This is not bargaining, you are purposefully finding fault! " Kevin was so angry that his nose was crooked.

Prince Karl was also stunned, he felt that both sides had been working together happily. Prussia's business did not earn much money, and his own father did not think much of this plan to begin with. Now, it was entirely Karl and Xiao Letian who had been pushing this plan.

Facing his savior, Karl had a lot of conscience. He had never thought of slashing Xiao Letian in the face.

King Yi smiled and shook his head, "No no no …. You guys don't understand what I mean, I'm talking about not placing any orders on this battleship. When we go back, my brother will send you updated blueprints … Maybe build a bigger ship, six thousand tons? Seven thousand tons? "Who can say for sure …"

"Ai …" That brother of mine is too ambitious! "

Kevin was so excited that he almost fell down from the shelf. "6000 tons? "God, we can add more advanced steam turbines, we can try new structures, more powerful cannons, faster ships, thicker armor..."

"Your Highness, I wish to officially request for you to send me to Asia with this battleship. I want to record all the data and lay the foundation for a better design for this battleship!"

"Alright, I agree to your request. Originally, I was prepared to let you have a hard time on this trip, but first-hand information is too precious …" Hehe, English and French can learn our battleship's appearance, but they can't learn our experience! "

"Xiao Letian once told me that there's a Chinese saying, 'One step, you must first take steps, and not underestimate the technological gap of twenty to thirty years.' It was only because of the experience accumulated on these details that legends were created!"

"We don't need to beat the enemies a century ahead of them. In fact, ten years is already more than enough!"

"Well, this warship is ready for a long journey, my lord... This battleship must have a name! "

King Yi nodded as he received the folder from the guards behind him. After opening it, he found a few folded pieces of Xuan paper, which Xiang Ying, Cai Bixia and the others quickly and carefully opened.

"Zhiyuan... This is the name of the ship named by the Prime Minister, the first Iron-armored battleship of China, Zhiyuan Warship! "

It was already late at night in the distant Ryukyu. Xiao Letian suddenly woke up from his nightmare as the great Eastern Gap defeat appeared before his eyes. The dense smoke of the Zhiyuan Warship was like a dying beast rushing towards the enemy.

"Today, there will be tears all over the world. There will be a mighty navy! "It can only be Zhiyuan, and it must be Zhiyuan as well. Otherwise, I won't be able to get through the barrier in my heart!"