The Rise of the Empire

"I personally think that when the two fleets end their first main battle, both sides will suffer heavy losses. After this battle, the Beiyang may lose the ability of the large fleet to fight. At that time, what should you and the Mainz do? Have you ever had this question?" Prince Ruprecht asked.

Ruprecht shouldn't have said this, at least from the perspective of ordinary people, but the German Navy's subsequent series of plans require the cooperation of the leader, and all certain things must be greeted in advance!

"In fact, Lushun and Weihai have very limited significance to the armored cruiser Mainz. In addition to necessary repairs to the hull, the Mainz can obtain supplies through other means, such as shells, high-quality coal, food and water. And as a fast cruiser, its footprints cannot only be in a corner of the Yellow Sea. If Mainz can break out of the Yellow Sea and operate in the Korean Strait, the Sea of ​​Japan, or even the coastal waters of Japan, I think the threat to Japan will be even greater. ! At least, it’s much better than defending the port.”

Now that the German government has decided to play a big game, it naturally does not intend to let the Mainz fight one game, and then hold it in the port as a floating turret in the port. Ruprecht's operation, the German high-level approval Down. His Royal Highness Prince Ruprecht came up with a big plan with the help of a group of staff and even diplomats!

It is certain that the Beiyang Fleet was destroyed after the First World War. Whether those old ships can survive is not determined by the strength and quality of the officers and soldiers, but more by luck! In the entire Japanese fleet, there seems to be no existence that can handle the Mainz with artillery. Facing the heavy and hardened armor, the large number of medium-caliber rapid-fire guns equipped by the Japanese are almost fire sticks. Large-caliber guns may cause the back plate to crack, and may penetrate the front and rear armor belts. 6-inch guns will not do anything!

Therefore, according to the speculation of senior German naval officials, as long as Mainz is not particularly unlucky after the war, the loss of warships is not a big problem, the key is supplies and ammunition! After the war started, the Germans naturally couldn't send ammunition to the ports in Beiyang. But if the Mainz is receiving ammunition and fuel supplies at sea, then it will not be a big problem. After all, the sea is vast, so the probability of being discovered is much lower, and the ship transporting ammunition can also be a ship flying other flags.

If ammunition is a necessity, then coal is a necessity. Although the coal produced in Kailuan Coal Mine in Tangshan has a good reputation, the German officers and soldiers after using it said that there is still too much ash in this thing! The combustion efficiency is still not as good as the Welsh white coal that everyone often uses. Only about 80% of the efficiency of the latter. Moreover, there is too much soot, and the flue needs to be cleaned frequently. It's fine for normal cruising, but it's obviously not very good for wartime use.

It is one aspect that German and Russian merchant ships provide Mainz with high-quality supplies to ensure continuous combat effectiveness. At the same time, Russian camouflaged reconnaissance ships distributed in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea will also provide information for Mainz, and this time the Russians responsible for contacting the reconnaissance ships The officer is also a fierce man! His name seems to be Essen, and he seems to be the same person who led the Vladivostok Squadron to make trouble in the Sea of ​​Japan in later generations.

When the Mainz arrives in the East China Sea, it will enter the sea. How many ships are there in the Japanese fleet? How many ships can catch up with Mainz? It is estimated that none of them can catch up and win a one-on-one fight! It is difficult enough to catch such a guy in the vast East China Sea, the coastal waters of Japan, or the Sea of ​​Japan to drive the Japanese crazy! If a few Japanese troop carriers can be sunk, then the record is probably greater than that of the entire Beiyang Army.

Of course, no matter how good the supply is, a battleship has its limit. The artillery will be scrapped with too much use, and the boilers and turbines of the battleship cannot be supported for a long time. Then this battleship needs a port to maintain. There are currently two places to choose from, one is Vladivostok in Germany, and the other is France's lease in Shanghai.

Someone asked, isn't the neutrality treaty only allowing warships to stay in neutral ports for 3 days at most? But in these 3 days, under the condition of sufficient preparation,

It is also enough to change a few auxiliary guns and clean the boiler. Moreover, as far as the attitudes of Russia and the United Kingdom are concerned, it is almost a cold war now. The Russian government patted its chest and said that as long as Beiyang is willing, it will be fine to stay in Vladivostok for a week!

Anyway, when necessary, the Mainz hangs a German flag. The appearance of the seven Munich-class armored ships is almost the same. Do you know whether the ship is a German ship or a Japanese ship? As long as Russia and Germany insist that it is a German ship staying in the port, what else can you do in Japan except protest?

So far, the whole plan is a perfect fit! Some people may ask, what if the Japanese navy gets the news to attack the sentry ship and the supply ship. After all, according to international law, ships transporting supplies for enemy countries can be detained. But international law is nothing to a big country? Did the British think about this when they beat the Boers? no. Russia and Germany are now afraid that they will find fault with Japan.

The top German navy decided that the Tirpitz fleet would be divided into three, the Mainz would be sold to Beiyang, the Munich would continue to sail around the world, and the other two cruisers would stay in the Far East! If you dare to try your hand at the German ship in Japan! The Germans can completely say that these cargo ships are supplying the German Far East Fleet! Of course, it is more likely that the Japanese will admit it. If Ito Hirobumi still doesn't know how to avoid it to this extent, then he is really courting death!

In order to prevent the British from threatening ports and supplies again, the powers of the entire European continent unite. In order to protect their own interests, the French decided to join forces with their enemies this time under the auspices of the Russians. You, the United Kingdom, do not allow countries to use it. port? Nevermind, French ports are all over the world too! Not to mention the votes in Africa, there is at least one Indochina in the Far East.

With the help of France, the Russian and German fleets can reach the Far East smoothly even if they go around Africa from Europe. Reserve the supplies and materials first, and then make trouble, and the Russian tsar has already revealed an opinion, that is, after Japan wins this war, it must not take a piece of land from the Qing Dynasty!

After learning about this incident, Ruprecht had to sigh with emotion, this is how the Three Kingdoms Intervened and Returned to Liao Dynasty! When the three fleets of Russia, Germany and France are showing off their power outside Tokyo Bay, Japan, what can the British do? Can't do anything! It is absolutely unacceptable to offend three world powers at the same time! This TM is a conspiracy! You have to pick it up!

Of course, Germany will also gain many advantages from this operation, such as enjoying the same rights as the Russians within the Russian sphere of influence, such as the huge military orders of the Russians, such as the military orders of the Qing Dynasty during the war, etc. Wait.

In a word, Ruprecht suggested that Yang Yonglin break the diplomatic relationship decisively after the war. What a wonderful condition to have Russian and German ships at sea to provide help and supplies! What else do you hesitate about?

The second one is more ~~~~~.