Beiyang reactionaries

"Mr. Wood, you can apply with the Bank of China in accordance with the normal procedures."

"Thank you General Duan."

"It's nothing."

Duan Xun shook his head.

For their request, as long as it is not too excessive, Duan Xun will not object.Because everyone has been cooperating very well, and it is mutually beneficial economically.

The three of them talked very well.

As British businessmen, the two of them interceded for many British businessmen who wanted to do business in China.It is hoped that China can truly treat British businessmen equally in accordance with the "Sino-British Commercial Agreement".

Duan Xun was willing to listen to their requests.After talking about economic issues, Duan Xuncai said: "Both of you, I'm meeting with you today. I also have something I want to ask you for help."

"General Duan, please speak."

mutual benefit.

The two of them quickly became the world's top richest people relying on the Chinese market.Moreover, cooperating with Duan Xun should be cooperating with the Chinese government, helping the Chinese government to get a lot of orders.For example, many machinery and equipment that China wants to import are through the two of them.The profit is also high in the middle.

"I want to do an arms deal."

"General Duan wants to buy arms?"

"Correct."

Eduardo Wood and George Swire looked at each other.Today's China is not China in the late Qing Dynasty. With so many military factories across the country, there is no shortage of arms at all.

The two of them have cooperated with Duan Xun for many years, and they still have some understanding of Duan Xun's strength.Those military factories in China are more than enough to produce 60 million rifles a year if they are fully fired, as well as artillery and machine guns, which are very easy to satisfy the Chinese army.

Buying arms?

The two of them didn't understand at all.

"I want to build an aircraft carrier in China. I want to import aircraft carrier technology from the UK, and I want to introduce their full set of technical parameters. I hope the two of you can help me with this matter."

480

"What General Duan wants is not a warship like a battleship, but an aircraft carrier?"

"Yes."

Edward Wood scratched his head.

Although he is a businessman, he is not a soldier.But I also know that the current direction of world navy construction is battleships, and the main force of the world navy is battleships.At present, when talking about the naval strength of a country in the world, it always refers to how many battleships they have.When those naval powers are engaged in an arms race, the plans they put forward are to build as many battleships as possible to deter their opponents.

Say nothing else.

At the time of the Washington Naval Treaty, the limit was the size of battleships.

Eduardo Wood is not surprised that China wants to develop its navy.Because China is a big country, a rising power.China has now roughly unified, and has been building its army for the past few years.After completing the construction of the army and air force, it is normal logic to start developing the navy.

Half a century ago, China began to build a navy.At that time, China purchased a large number of warships. According to the financial budget at that time, it spent more than [-] million yuan. It can be said that it spent a lot of money for the navy.It's just that most of the warships were lost in the Sino-Japanese War.

Now Duan Xun wants to re-develop the navy, which should be understandable.Eduardo Wood has known Duan Xun for a long time and knows that Duan Xun is a very ambitious soldier.

And he is a bold, hard-tempered person.I don't care about those big powers at all, and the world's powers have been dirty, but they have never flinched.

Such a soldier must be a crazy person, and he will definitely develop his own navy.

But why an aircraft carrier?

Eduardo Wood understands better if China wants to buy some battleships.

"The two are old friends, and I am also dissatisfied with the two. Our country's shipbuilding technology is not enough, the technology accumulation is not enough, and there are not many talents in this field. Even if we have introduced battleship manufacturing technology, we want to complete the battleship alone. Warships are too difficult for us, and it is basically impossible in a short period of time. No matter how we develop, we can’t compare with a naval power. So I think building a few aircraft carriers and attaching a few torpedo bombers can be regarded as a deterrent Navies of other countries, protect our coasts."

Of course Duan Xun would not directly say that Duan Xun is more optimistic about aircraft carriers.

But Duan Xun's words were not a joke.The manufacturing of battleships is difficult and the maintenance costs are high, which can only be afforded by the world's naval powers.

This is not the case in China today.

If China wants to develop its own battleship, it is impossible without more than ten years of technology accumulation.Even if they can build battleships, they are already behind compared to the world's naval powers.Moreover, the investment in battleships is too large, and China's current finances cannot afford it.

In fact, Duan Xun does not have such big ambitions for the navy in a short period of time.

In the next 20 years, China's demand for the navy will not be that great.As long as the army and air force are steadily developed, there is no problem in protecting one's own world.

Especially at present, China's biggest enemy is Japan.The Japanese navy is indeed very powerful, but Japan and China are too close.If a war really breaks out, as long as the air force is well developed.When the Japanese Navy came to attack China, the Chinese Air Force could directly attack the Japanese mainland.At that time, it will depend on who can bear it more.

Therefore, Duan Xun's military expenditures over the years have flowed into the army and air force.The navy is fine as long as it doesn't starve.But for future considerations, the navy still needs to develop.

"General Duan doesn't mean to buy an aircraft carrier, but to build an aircraft carrier in China?"

"Correct."

Duan Xun nodded.

Said: "Britain is a powerful naval country in the world, and its naval technology is the best. So I hope to introduce this technology from Britain."

The introduction of technology is the reason why China is currently spending huge sums of money.

In the military, Army Artillery mainly cooperates with Germany.Many of the artillery currently developed by China are German technology.The coastal defense artillery currently deployed by China in major coastal cities, those heavy artillery are all German technology.There is also the submarine force to be developed at present, and German technology is also introduced.

China and Germany have many military cooperation agreements.

But Duan Xun did not pin everything on Germany. It should be said that Duan Xun does not know how to put eggs in one place.The current development of the Chinese Air Force is mainly the introduction of aircraft manufacturing technology from the United States and France.

Introducing technology and finally digesting technology is the only way for a post-development country like China.After these years of development, the artillery technology introduced by Germany has almost been digested by China's military factories.China can completely design and manufacture artillery on its own. Although it still completely imitates German cannons, it can already manufacture it by itself.

The same goes for aircraft carriers.

Historically, during World War II, the United States built more than 200 aircraft carriers within three years.Duan Xun does not have such great ambitions, and China does not have such strong industrial capabilities.But during World War II, if dozens of aircraft carriers could be built, China would also be a world naval power.

"General Duan, if it's aircraft carrier technology, I don't think it should be a big problem as long as the funds are in place."

Eduardo Wood thought for a while and nodded.

This is not some secret technology.

The aircraft carrier just launched in Japan uses the technology of the British aircraft carrier.Japan is even introducing the parameters of British aircraft carriers while manufacturing them.

It is not so easy for China to introduce warships such as battleships.But the aircraft carrier is different, even the United Kingdom itself does not attach much importance to it.In the eyes of the world's naval powers, the main force of the navy is the battleship, and the aircraft carrier is only for auxiliary functions, mainly for reconnaissance.And the current aircraft carrier does not have much technical capability.

As long as China gives money, it is not a big problem.

Even if it is sold directly to China, the UK will not refuse.