1890 King of Southeast Asia

"Dear Prime Minister, I heard that there was some misunderstanding between you and my motherland, which is really uncomfortable..."

"On behalf of the Navy and the Marine Corps, I apologize to you and hope to clarify the misunderstanding."

"You have already obtained the Hawaiian Islands. It is a beautiful island with pleasant scenery. I also have a villa on the island. I don't know if it has been affected by the riots..."

The Americans have retreated. The speed of Nanhua scared them. Once the war started, the entire west coast might be attacked.

So, the Americans evacuated completely on January 4th. Liu Yiming left behind a destroyer fleet and a torpedo boat squadron and returned to Surabaya.

Now, Liu Yiming is on the beach outside the villa in Bali, reading Theodore's letter. The letter repeatedly emphasized that this was a misunderstanding and implicitly reminded Liu Yiming that there are many American industries on the island.

"Did you really give them the warships? Aren't you afraid that the Americans will come back again?" Charles came from behind, holding two glasses of rum.

"What? Is there an inside story? Is it from the British Empire or the United States?" Liu Yiming put down the envelope and took the rum.

"What is the inside story? But the Americans are mobilizing the Atlantic Navy, plus the Pacific Navy, but you are reducing your armaments. What is your plan?" Charles' eyes were not natural.

"Okay, I know that Britain supports Japan, but I must ensure that Japan's development will not produce the limit I can accept." Liu Yiming also avoided the truth.

"You will make me passive if you do this." Charles sighed.

"Think about it in another direction, Charles. The short-term balance will allow Britain to get more warship orders." Liu Yiming raised his eyebrows.

The two discussed the arms sale that had just passed. Liu Yiming sold all the Jiaolong-class warships at a price of 6 million taels of silver.

"Hasn't the Qing Dynasty placed a warship order with you? This is not normal." Liu Yiming tried to lead the topic to other directions.

"Who knows? They have been discussing for several months and have not decided what warships to purchase, let alone whose warships to purchase." Charles scratched his head.

After receiving the imperial approval, Lord Li collected a sum of money in a short period of time, and the rest of the money was gradually allocated. In particular, only half of the silver was used to pay for the warships purchased from Nanhua Army, and there was still a large amount of funds in hand.

Lord Li wanted to buy from Germany, but Germany could not provide good enough warships.

On the one hand, Beiyang required to strengthen the cruiser formation, and at least a large armored cruiser was needed to serve as the leader of the fleet.

The speed should be 20 knots, the weapons should be 9-10 inch main guns, and the armor should be able to withstand the damage of the main guns.

Germany can build it, but the price is more expensive than the British offer, because more boilers and larger steam engines are needed to ensure the speed.

Beiyang requires the purchase of two battleships that can compete with the Fuji class. The speed can be slower, anyway, the team is not fast, the artillery uses the same level of 343 guns, and the armor is thicker.

It's a pity that Lord Li likes German products, but Germany can't make them in a short time, and Lord Li thinks two are too many, it's better to have one battleship, and the remaining money is used to maintain the navy, replace artillery, etc...

"By the way, do you have a new engine?" Speaking of this, Charles suddenly remembered the international rumors.

"Nanhua does have diesel engines, and there are high-power marine versions." Liu Yiming did not deny it.

The most eye-catching in the armed parade was the destroyer, which arrived nearly 40 minutes ahead of the cruiser, and there was no huge smoke during the march.

"Is this kind of marine diesel engine installed on the torpedo boat destroyer?" Charles stroked his beard. The British Empire would not miss such a thing.

"Yes, but the power is not large. Don't even think about using it on medium and large warships. A destroyer with a displacement of several hundred tons can only run at a maximum speed of 22 knots." Liu Yiming did not hide it.

The biggest reason is that since last year, Britain has launched destroyers on a large scale. The maximum horsepower of the Havoc is 4,000, the speed is 27 knots, and it is equipped with a three-inch 12-pound gun and three 47-gun guns.

"Are you selling this destroyer?" Charles didn't care too much.

"Sell it, but the ready-made ones can't be sold. The only destroyer fleet has to stay in Hawaii." Liu Yiming nodded to Charles.

Since it has been leaked, Britain must have a clear understanding. Liu Yiming is not worried. This is not something that can be understood by looking.

It doesn't matter who you sell it to? The new engine has been prepared long ago, and the obsolete products can be sold. If the UK is deviated, it will be even better...

...

On February 10, after a simple rust removal and maintenance, the four Jiaolong-class warships lowered the South China Navy flag, and after a simple delivery ceremony, the Qinglong flag was raised.

"Master Deng, your future is complicated. Don't let these ships sit in the harbor. They should be brave rangers." Liu Yiming looked at the four warships, especially the dazzling blue dragon flag on them...

"Don't worry, Prime Minister! I have been learning their combat concepts with General Xu these days. Your efforts will not be wasted in vain."

Master Deng also knew the current situation of Nanhua. At the same time, there were certain conflicts with the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States. In this case, the warships were sold.

"I hope so." Liu Yiming muttered softly.

Die Qing was not able to win by giving him a few warships and a few cannons. Soldiers and weapons were not the reason for his failure.

The logistics supply was a mess. The most basic shells, coal, and propellant could not be replenished normally and correctly during the war.

The shells couldn't even fit into the barrel? The most bizarre thing is that this kind of shells can still be supplied to the fleet.

At the same time in Dadonggou, the fleet was discovered because of the huge black smoke produced by the burning of inferior loose coal.

Not to mention the maintenance of other warships, the entire fleet has been in service for less than ten years, and there are not many warships that can reach 60% of the planned speed.

Even if the soldiers work hard, what's the use? Just like Ye Zhichao didn't retreat, what can he do?

It's true that he ran out of ammunition and food. If he hadn't run out of ammunition and food, he would have had no need to retreat overnight after repelling the enemy's multiple attacks. (This is a few data I looked at, and I'm not sure about the specific situation, but I believe that the lack of logistics supply is the reason for the defeat.)

"Prime Minister, I have been out for many days. Now I have military affairs to attend to, so it's inconvenient to stay for a long time. Goodbye!" Lord Deng bowed deeply to Liu Yiming.

In his eyes, Liu Yiming is the kind of wanderer who has become rich abroad and can't bear to see his hometown fall into ruin.

In fact, he didn't know. It was true that he couldn't bear to see his hometown fall into ruin, but there is no creation without destruction. How can the nation awaken without experiencing many failures? Without awakening, it will never win.

As for fighting back? Forget it. Fighting back will break the plot.

"Master Deng, take care. See you later." Liu Yiming bowed and watched Master Deng board the former Jiaolong, now called Haitian.

Looking at the four warships gradually going away, Liu Yiming regretted why he didn't add another one to make up the five seas.

"Prime Minister, don't watch it. When they return home, I have the confidence to dig hundreds more people over." Chen Simin joked when he saw Liu Yiming looking at the direction of the fleet.

"Dig! Anyway, he doesn't feel bad. I don't care how to spend money. Technicians, sailors, technical arms, dig as many as you can." Liu Yiming came back to his senses and thought about the more than 100 people who had just joined the navy, and said fiercely.

Chen Simin received the Beiyang group normally. He did not give them excessive treatment, but only provided food and accommodation according to the normal treatment of naval soldiers.

Three meals a day, two servings of fish and one serving of chicken and duck. Every two days, the chicken and duck will be replaced with pork and mutton, rice is enough, and there are candies, chocolates, and tea supplies, although not much.

Then they were given a set of clothes. Chen Simin didn't want to give it, but many people didn't bring it, because they were really smelly.

Chen Simin always disliked this group of people. They ate everything and left nothing. They also liked to run around and didn't wear clothes for a long time.

Until Zhao Jiaxing came back and successfully recruited a few sailors...

Anyway, when Lord Deng and Li He came, there were about a thousand people. When they left, there were less than 800 people left, and they barely drove the warship away.

This is because the two of them are famous for their strict military management. If some people came, who knows what would happen.

…………

After sending away the four cruisers, Liu Yiming breathed a sigh of relief. Although the naval power was greatly weakened in theory, the threat was also greatly reduced.

There are three countries that are clearly hostile to Nanhua: the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States.

The only country that has a reason to send troops is the Netherlands. The two sides have not yet reached a final settlement. This is also a confusing account. Even the Dutch don't know how many people have died in this place.

The biggest threat to Nanhua is Japan, followed by the Netherlands, and then the United States.

As for Japan's goal, the major countries in the world have already seen that a war is brewing.

At this sensitive moment, a military purchase order with a total value of 1.5 million pounds has landed. Can Japan believe that this is just a simple military purchase?

Nanhua has ignored its own safety and weakened its strength to help you without asking for anything in return? Even dogs don't believe it.

Coincidentally, the emperor and the empress dowager believed it.

But what is more exciting is Nanhua's next round of military purchases. Four years ago, Nanhua had just half an island and dared to place an order of 2 million pounds. What about now?

More than a dozen major shipyards sent people to promote their warships. Liu Yiming didn't care, and Zhao Jiaxing was annoyed and walked around foreigners.

"Prime Minister, is this span too big?" Zhao Jiaxing was accompanying Liu Yiming to select the latest warship design.

"Is it big?" Liu Yiming flipped through various design drawings. It was really a hundred flowers blooming and a hundred schools of thought contending. There were all kinds of great masters.

"We have only independently manufactured warships of a few hundred tons. The standard tonnage of the latest destroyer is only 800 tons. If it jumps to 3,000 tons, I am afraid that the shipyard cannot..." Zhao Jiaxing said worriedly.

"It is understandable, but we already have the technology to independently manufacture 3,000-ton cruisers. We have mastered the powertrain of the Jiaolong class, but there are some problems with the manufacture of steam engines."

"Other things such as hull manufacturing, keel, riveting, firepower, and even propellers, we can manufacture them ourselves."

"We already have the ability to manufacture medium-sized warships, so why not prepare in advance." Liu Yiming lowered his head and flipped through the design drawings while explaining to Zhao Jiaxing.

Everyone, please vote for me. I will definitely not let you down!