My Italy

After entering 1900, Carlo felt that time was even more pressing. Of course, the reason for this feeling was the war that affected the world.

Therefore, for this war, Carlo of course had no choice but to be even busier. In addition to handling official documents on weekdays, he also inspected the development of various places.

In general, Italy is developing well. There are many factories on the edge of the city, and a large number of workers have added many conveniences to the growth of the city. Of course, in this process, there are also some dark side things that appear. Although Carlo can't see it, he doesn't understand it at all.

Of course, the inspections were all short-term, and he stayed in Rome most of the time, processing various official documents.

The same is true for Carlo today. He has been buried in countless official documents and has not looked up for a long time.

"Why!"

After stretching his aching neck, Carlo glanced at the clock on the wall. Unknowingly, it was almost 5 o'clock, and he still hadn't completed much work for the day.

Looking at the documents piled up on the table, Carlo could only sigh slightly. Of course, he doesn't have to work so hard, just leave everything to the Prime Minister, and he can take his family on sightseeing trips. But in this case, his control over Italy will also plummet. Think about Tang Xuanzong, who brought about a turning point in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Didn't he just want to enjoy it after working hard for half his life? There is no need to say what the result was.

In the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Tang Xuanzong could still have the wealth to squander it, but Italy in Carlo's hands did not have the qualifications. Not to mention the war more than ten years later. If Italy didn't make more preparations, how could it get the cake it wanted?

Therefore, there is no cure for Carlo's hard-working life. He can only keep working to make Italy's small body stronger, so as not to perform too ugly in the future and not get what he wants.

Just when Carlo wanted to continue immersing himself in work, the guard's voice came from the door. "Your Majesty, the Foreign Minister has something to see you."

"Invite him in."

For Foreign Minister Bacona, the message in his hand was very strange, and he didn't know what to say, but it was his duty to inform His Majesty.

"Your Majesty, Japanese Ambassador Teppei Osawa has made a request to our country to purchase a ship?"

"???"

Bacona's words surprised Carlo, because the Japanese purchase of ships from Italy was a bit too fantasy, wasn't it?

Don’t blame Carlo for thinking so. Take a look at Japan’s foreign purchases of warships in history. We won’t talk about it in the early Meiji period. After the Japan-British Treaty of Commerce and Navigation was signed with the United Kingdom, Japan’s foreign purchases were all British warships. . At this time, he suddenly proposed to purchase Italian warships. What the hell is this?

"By the way, what kind of warship does Japan want to purchase?"

Although it felt a bit incredible, Carlo still asked what warships Japan planned to purchase. As soon as he finished asking, he picked up the cold coffee on the table and prepared to moisten his throat.

Facing Carlo's question, Bacona immediately answered. "The Japanese government wants to buy two of our Garibaldi-class cruisers."

"Cough cough cough!"

Carlo was really shocked by the news. Does Japan have the money to buy the Garibaldi class?

You must know that although the Garibaldi stage is good, its price is definitely not cheap. (The external quotation price of the Garibaldi class is 34 million lire ≈ 13.6 million yen)

This is definitely the most expensive cruise ship in the world. The price is higher than that of a battleship. The navies of various countries who are impressed by the amazing performance of the Garibaldi need to think twice before buying the Garibaldi class. (except Americans)

Therefore, even though the Garibaldi level is so popular, there are only a handful of people who dare to ask the price. How can little Japan, which is tightening its belt, get the money to buy a Garibaldi class?

"Are the Japanese rich?"

Carlo asked his doubts bluntly.

Regarding his monarch's rude attitude, Bacona thought for a while and replied. "From what Japanese Ambassador Teppei Osawa said, I feel that he should have the money, otherwise he would not ask."

Well, Bacona is euphemistically reminding his monarch that there is no need to look down on the other party so much. After all, the other party is still a customer.

"Why do the Japanese want to buy our warships?"

Regarding Carlo's question, Bacona thought about it and answered. "Your Majesty, it may be because of the performance of the Garibaldi class. Russia has so many patrols in the Far East, and Japan is an island country. It may be because it wants to prevent Russian patrols from invading its coastal areas."

It is a bit difficult for a foreign minister to analyze Japan's plan to purchase ships.

However, Carlo does not think this is the whole reason for Bacona's analysis. "Maybe there is a reason for this, but it must be more than that. Let's check it out."

In the eyes of the outside world, Italy is a model of selling for money, but only Carlo knows that Italy's arms sales are the result of careful consideration. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with Italy’s reputation as a money-loving country. At least everyone knows that you can sell things for money, and many things will be much easier to handle.

The results of the investigation came out within a few days. Seeing this unexpected result, not only Carlo was a little bit dumbfounded, but also Bacona.

It is true that the Japanese purchased warships not only for the threat of the Russians, but also in an attempt to draw closer relations with Italy. That's right, the little Japanese's habit of not remembering what to eat is showing up. How could they forget the Italians who beat themselves up five or six years ago.

Facing the threat from Russia this time, Japan not only continued to replenish its strength, but also took into account its own failure in the Sino-Japanese War of 1884-1894. Although there are reasons why Italians are jealous of money, why did they not consider the possibility of the other party's intervention?

Yes, Japan had a lot of unwillingness to do with that war, but no matter how much unwillingness it had, it could only hold it in. Japan, which has learned its lesson, is smarter this time and plans to purchase two Garibaldi ships for patrol purposes to bring the two countries closer.

Why Garibaldi Class?

On the one hand, as Bacona said, Japan is very wary of the many patrols of the Russian Far East Fleet, fearing that they will disturb its own homeland. After all, most of the island countries rely on ships for transportation. No one can bear the enemy ships coming from time to time. Purchasing two of the world's most advanced patrol ships can be used to restrain the other party. After all, no matter in terms of firepower, speed, or protection, none of the Russian patrol equipment in the Far East is worthy of the Garibaldi class.

Secondly, they all said it was about getting closer to each other, especially after getting the news that Russia was building two battleships in Italy. The Japanese government is even more determined to purchase two Italian warships, even if it means spending money on them. After all, it had only been five or six years since the Sino-Japanese War, so how could the Meiji officials really forget this lesson.

Of course, the Japanese government still has a lot of money, but it is simply not enough for this amount of money.

It doesn’t matter that the government doesn’t have enough money, there are other ways to do it.

Emperor Meiji, our little weight loss expert, once again stood up and called on everyone to donate. For this reason, he will only eat one meal a day until the money for the ship purchase is completed.

Under the leadership of the emperor, the Japanese people even donated more enthusiastically. In just one month, more than 4 million yen were raised, which is really impressive.

After learning about Japan's actual intentions, Carlo had more ideas about Japan's application to purchase warships.

Sorry, I wrote this a bit late and kept everyone waiting.