Chapter 910: Surpassing Britain and suppressing the United States (Second update, please subscribe)
Although the Ming Dynasty was not yet strong enough, many of its industrial and economic indicators were already ranked third in the world!
Yes, it is the third in the world.
For example, in 1876, the world's pig iron production was 20 million tons and steel production was 7 million tons. The Ming Dynasty's iron production was 2 million tons and steel production was 4 million tons. Although the former was only 11% of the world's total, the latter was nearly 60% of the world's total!
It is precisely industrial indexes such as these that give the Ming Dynasty the confidence to not admit defeat. After sixteen years of development, the Ming Dynasty can undoubtedly become a member of the world's table!
It is precisely with this confidence that the Ming Dynasty has been able to hold its tail high and stretch its hands far in the past few years, from Asia to Africa, and then to the Pacific Ocean. In a word, in the past ten years, from the Southern Ming Dynasty to, under the guidance of Emperor Zhu, the Ming Dynasty stretched its hands into various places and established its own imperial hegemony in areas neglected by the imperialist powers.
But the world's hegemony is still firmly controlled by the British Empire. The British Empire's control over the world is still unshakable. Even the "Four Emperors Alliance" only makes Britain a little afraid!
In the face of the challenge of the "Four Emperors' Alliance", Britain is building their alliance through various means.
For example, if we win over the United States in America, once the US Congress approves the Anglo-American Treaty of Alliance, it means that the balance of power in the world will be broken.
The United States, with its status as the world's third largest economy, had overall strength that surpassed that of the Ming Dynasty - in fact, in 1876, the world's largest economic power was... our Qing Dynasty!
Of course, that is the accumulation of agriculture and traditional handicrafts.
However, in comparing the economic strength of the Ming Dynasty and the United States, the Ming Dynasty is slightly inferior to the United States. Even after the division of the United States, its economic development momentum has attracted the attention of the world.
Compared with the United States, which is self-sufficient in resources, the resources needed for the development of industrialization in the Ming Dynasty, such as coal mines, iron ore, etc., must be obtained from overseas, including the territory of North America. It must be said that of the two blessed countries in the Americas, to some extent, the United States meets this standard better!
Although America is huge, it cannot accommodate two blessed nations. Since the day when the Ming Dynasty rose,
The confrontation between Ming Dynasty and the United States is inevitable.
However, when this "inevitability" will become a reality remains a question mark.
Facing the challenge from the United States, the Navy's response is the most direct and rapid. Of course, it is to build a maritime force that is stronger and more deterrent than the Americans.
This is also the fundamental reason for convening this naval meeting, which is to discuss the issue of navy expansion.
There was a huge world map hanging on the wall of the Navy Department's conference room. Li Nanlin, who was sitting in the first seat, cast his eyes on Xu Shangzhi, the Director of the Naval Intelligence Bureau.
"Director Xu, please tell us about the current situation and speculate how long peace will last."
"Since the Los Angeles incident, the Ming Dynasty has become the main imaginary enemy of the United States. After our country occupied Brazil, the United States' sense of crisis has deepened. It is only a matter of time before its Congress passes the Anglo-American Alliance Treaty! With the passage of the new naval bill by the US Congress, I have every reason to believe that in the next ten to fifteen years, we will definitely go to war with the United States!"
"Within ten to fifteen years,"
Navy Chief of Staff Zhang Guoyong frowned.
"What's the basis?"
“The basis is simple.”
Xu Shangzhi answered directly.
"After the signing of the Anglo-American Treaty, Germany and Italy are likely to join and become allies of Britain. The deterrent power of the Quadruple Alliance will no longer exist. With the expansion of the US Navy, the US Navy will reach its peak in ten years, and its strength will be comparable to that of the Ming Dynasty. On the other hand, even if France and Russia can overwhelm Britain with their strength, considering that the Russian fleet will be scattered all over the world - the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean, the Pacific Ocean, and even the Indian Ocean, and will not be able to form an effective deterrent, France alone will definitely not be able to defeat the British Navy. As the chances of winning increase, the outbreak of war will naturally be inevitable."
Cheng Bichen, deputy chief of naval staff, thought about it for a while and said:
"As for the current situation, that's about it! The ever-expanding U.S. Navy will tie down our forces, forcing us to meet their challenges in the Pacific and Atlantic. This will result in us not being able to provide sufficient support to our allies. When the balance of power changes fundamentally, war is indeed likely to break out!"
In the past two years, Ming Dynasty, France and Russia have repeatedly challenged Britain, and Britain always "gives in", not because Britain is "cowardly", but because Britain has no chance of winning. Britain cannot be said to be good at calculating, but Britain never takes risks. What is the biggest characteristic of the Anglo-Saxons?
Be patient!
Their patience can be measured in ten, twenty years, or even half a century!
This is also the reason why Britain was able to defeat Spain, the Netherlands, France and Germany successively since the 17th century, and why the United States was able to win the Cold War. Unless there is a golden thigh, the competition between countries will test patience!
The British are giving in now because they feel they are not ready yet, so they will be patient. But once they have completed their preparations, formed an alliance, and their strength is about the same, the British will feel that they have a chance of winning... If not now, when?
So war is bound to break out!
At this time, Li Nanlin took over and said:
"Ten to fifteen is not too long. According to His Majesty's order, we must prepare for this inevitable war in advance... It's not because we want war, but it's forced on us by the Western powers, so we have to face a war! Everything we do now is to completely defeat the British Royal Navy in the future!"
People in the conference room turned their eyes to the Admiral, who had retired from the navy in the past few years due to tuberculosis, and spoke softly.
"Therefore, according to your majesty's order, the navy must expand its maritime forces in a targeted manner. This expansion must take full account of technological innovation. We can't let our warships fall behind as soon as they leave the slipway!"
Turning his gaze to Luanda, the director of the Navy's Ship Administration Department, Li Nanlin said softly.
"Director Lu, we are the ones who will propose the next expansion plan for the Navy, but the design of the Navy's ships is done by you engineers. I hope you can give the Navy a satisfactory answer. After all, this is related to the future survival of the country!"
Faced with the sudden pressure, Luanda felt overwhelmed. He thought about it and then asked.
"How big will the navy be?"
Li Nanlin directly said a number.
"One million tons!"
When this number was announced, everyone except a few generals who participated in formulating the preliminary plan took a deep breath.
One million tons, which is even more powerful than the entire naval force of the current Royal Navy. How can this be a deterrent to the United States? It is clearly superior to Britain!
After a pause, Li Nanlin took out a preliminary draft of military expansion.
"The current plan is to build 24 battleships, 12 armored cruisers and 48 cruisers within the next 15 years..."
(End of this chapter)
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