Chapter 1110 The Royal Navy was frightened (first update, please subscribe)
North Atlantic, British Isles, London
Although it was early in the morning, there were occasionally groups of people standing on the roadside in the streets of London. Most of them were surrounding people holding newspapers, reading the shocking news reports in the newspapers.
"The Ming Empire launches a surprise attack on the Peru-Bolivia Federation!"
"The ambitions of the Ming Empire are obvious!"
"Enemy of the civilized world: The Ming Empire uses its atrocities to prove its ambitions to the world!"
“Civilization and barbarism collide again: Where will the British Empire go!”
"The Savage Empire's Ambition - New World!"
…
Danger!
Just like newspapers in other countries of the world like to attract readers' attention with innovative news, the British media is no exception. Moreover, the British media of this era has a strong "empire consciousness". Since the beginning of the "Cuban Crisis", British media generally believe that the Ming Empire is a threat to the world hegemony of the British Empire.
Like the public opinion circles around the world, when the British people set their eyes on Havana, the sudden outbreak of the war in Peru and Bolivia, especially its dramatic outcome, surprised everyone.
Before this, the whole world thought that the empire's target was Havana, but what about now?
They were all surprised - the Ming Empire actually occupied the Peru-Bolivia Federation.
This tactic of pretending to build a plank road while secretly attacking Chencang blinded everyone's eyes. At the same time, the dramatic way of war and the reversed result were also incredible.
After the result of the South Pacific naval battle came, everyone was stunned. The Imperial Navy, which was at an absolute disadvantage, not only did not fail, but even unexpectedly sank 11 enemy warships with zero losses, including two battleships, four armored ships, and more than 53,000 tons of warships. The Imperial Navy's victory was beyond everyone's expectations.
It can even be said that it overturned everyone's understanding of naval warfare. In other words, it set off a naval technology revolution overnight, and this revolution eliminated all old warships overnight. This naval battle of the Imperial Navy not only shocked the world.
What’s more important is to tell almost everyone a fact – the era of naval technological revolution has arrived!
"The Ming Empire Navy!"
Astley Cooper, the First Lord of the Admiralty who once confidently declared that "the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom still firmly rules the seas", still looked incredulous and astonished when he saw the evidence.
“It really exceeded our expectations!”
Unexpected!
After receiving the telegram from Zhongdu sent by the British Naval Attaché in the Ming Empire, especially the telegram from the Royal Navy observer in Lima about the "South Pacific Naval Battle".
He and the entire Royal Navy's top brass were in extreme shock. What surprised them was not only the overwhelming outcome of the "South Pacific Battle" due to the huge disparity in strength, but more importantly, the naval technology displayed in the battle made the Royal Navy uneasy.
After all, for the British Empire, since Nelson, the Royal Navy has been the fundamental guarantee of the British Empire's world hegemony. For this reason, Britain has been very sensitive to challengers at sea for many years.
"Technology! The reason they were able to win the naval battle this time despite being at an absolute disadvantage in terms of ship tonnage and firepower is not just because they were better trained, but more importantly, they possessed world-class naval technology!"
"World-class naval technology?"
William Ewart Gladstone asked rhetorically.
"Yes, Mr. Prime Minister, the victory of this naval battle is more of a technological victory than a naval victory. Just as all the intelligence said, technological progress eliminated everything! After all, this result is too amazing! The world's first-class naval technology. This is not an exaggeration. After all, in this naval battle, the Ming Empire Navy finally exposed all their secret weapons - from rapid-fire cannons to torpedoes. Each of these weapons taken out separately can shock the world. It can also change the course of the war, just like now."
Astley Cooper, First Sea Lord, felt mixed emotions while answering the Prime Minister's question.
The "South Pacific Naval War" is undoubtedly a warning to the British Royal Navy. In the past, the Royal Navy just faced the challenge, but what about now?
But it was a comprehensive threat. On his way to Downing Street, he even imagined what would happen if the Royal Navy and the Imperial Navy fought each other?
The result is the same tragic!
Rapid-fire guns and torpedoes are really powerful.
Especially the torpedoes, which scared the Royal Navy to death. Isn't a naval battle supposed to be a battle of everyone firing at each other for a long time and then relying on luck?
But torpedoes are completely different. After a torpedo ship launches several torpedoes, even if only one torpedo can hit a warship, even a battleship will be vulnerable and will sink into the sea in the blink of an eye.
Can such a naval battle continue?
Astley Cooper even hated the Imperial Navy in his heart. Why didn't you develop any other weapon? Why did you have to come up with a torpedo?
How could such a naval battle be fought? The fleets that the big guys had spent all their national treasury wealth to build would most likely be destroyed in a torpedo attack.
William Ewart Gladstone took another careful look at the intelligence brought by the Admiral. Looking at the content of the intelligence, when he first received the news, he and everyone else even thought that the telegram might have been sent wrongly. Could it be that the Ming Empire was completely wiped out, while the Peruvian-Bolivian Navy suffered no losses?
After all, the strength between the two sides is too disparate!
But in the end, after repeated confirmation several times, he had to admit the fact that the Ming Empire Navy was the winner of this naval battle with a huge disparity in strength.
"Indeed, for now, one thing that is certain is that they have always relied on technological advantages to win wars, from their expedition to Chile to Argentina, France, and Brazil. This has been the case with almost all the wars of the Ming Empire. In every war, they have won the war through technological advantages, and this naval battle is no exception."
Granville George Leveson-Gower nodded in agreement and then pointed to the telegram in his hand.
"However, the most urgent issue at the moment is that we need to consider the conflict of interests between the Ming Empire's expansion in South America and the British Empire, as well as the next direction of development between them and the United States. Will the Ming Empire's invasion of the Peruvian-Bolivia Federation lead to a full-scale war?"
Everyone knows that if it leads to a full-scale war, Britain will definitely be celebrating with champagne here, but of course, what are the possibilities of this happening?
"I don't think the Americans will not go to war for Peru and the Ming Empire!"
Astley Cooper replied.
"The reason why the United States is willing to rush to the front in this "Cuban Crisis" is because Cuba is so close. If the Ming Empire is allowed to take advantage of the opportunity to control Cuba, it will be a direct threat to the United States. In particular, after controlling Cuba, the Ming Empire will threaten the Federation's own security together with the Confederate States of America. However..."
He paused for a moment, then continued when the Prime Minister's eyes turned to him.
"In fact, the United States is not prepared for war. Whether it is naval power or land power, they are far from being the opponent of the Ming Empire. That is why, although the Ming Empire occupied Hawaii, the US reaction seems strong, but it is not tough. After all, Hawaii is too far away from the United States, that is, in Cuba. Because it poses a direct threat to the United States, the United States will send almost all of its navy's main forces to ensure that Cuba is not controlled by the Ming Empire..."
Taking a deep breath, Astley Cooper continued.
"For the United States, Peru, like Hawaii, is an extremely remote place. Americans may have a direct conflict or even a war with the Ming Empire for Cuba, but they will never be willing to go to war with the Ming Empire for the sake of Hawaii and Peru. After all, in the eyes of most Americans, this has nothing to do with them! Moreover, the technological advantage of their navy that they have shown now is enough to deter the United States."
Originally, there was only a slight gap in strength, but now? It is not just a gap in strength, but also a comprehensive lag in technology. In this case, as long as the Americans are not stupid, they will not take risks.
"For the United States, the most likely option at this point is to ensure that Cuba is not controlled by the Ming Empire through negotiations without going to war."
"Indeed, Marshal!"
While agreeing, Foreign Secretary Gore also made a pointed comment.
"I believe that the United States will not go to war with the Ming Empire because of the demise of Peru. They will even use it as a bargaining chip to exchange for the Empire's concessions from Cuba and even Hawaii! After all, this is the most favorable option for the United States. In fact, in my opinion, this is why the Ming Empire chose to invade Peru, just to use the compromise in Cuba in exchange for their expansion in Peru!"
The diplomats of the British Empire at this time were, without exception, elites who were well versed in diplomacy. They could certainly tell at a glance what the Americans would choose!
"This is the worst possible outcome for the British Empire!"
Gladstone, the Prime Minister, said this in a tone full of regret.
"We need an America that goes to war with the Ming Empire! If the United States chooses to avoid war, how can they help the British Empire maintain order in America?"
(End of this chapter)
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