"Soldiers are the major event of the country, the place of life and death, and the path to survival!"
After learning that the navy had formulated an ambitious "third-phase naval expansion plan," Emperor Zhu Da just said this casually.
“Size is important, but quality is more important!”
After thinking for a while, Emperor Zhu Da casually signed a sentence on the navy's military expansion plan.
"It is important to start building new warships, but try to use the latest naval technology at the time."
In fact, when making this decision, Emperor Zhu Da already had advanced technologies such as steam turbines and carburized armor steel in his mind. With these advanced technologies, Ming Dynasty could even launch its own dreadnought.
It's just that the technology of the dreadnought is not yet mature enough, from armor to boilers to artillery, well, not even Eve, and the "Youzhou" under construction is a real pre-dreadnought.
"We still have to wait, but we can use a few years to push forward..."
While talking to himself, Emperor Zhu Da approved the navy's plan. Then he thought for a moment and gave instructions to his secretary Jin Bingguo.
"Send a copy of the document to the Executive Yuan and give it to the Prime Minister."
"It seems that His Majesty has made up his mind!"
In the Prime Minister's Office in the Imperial Executive Yuan, Zuo Zongtang looked at this ambitious naval plan that had the potential to surpass France and catch up with Britain. The other party Zhanbo said seriously,
"World war is inevitable. As ministers, we just need to do our best!"
Fang Zhanbo's answer made Zuo Zongtang nod in agreement.
"Then from Fang Shangshu's point of view, how should we prepare?"
"Report to the Prime Minister,"
Fang Zhanbo said,
"The official believes that our preparations should be divided into two aspects. First, all aspects, including the military, must be well prepared... But the most important thing is not to place hope on a quick victory, but to prepare for a sustained war. Ten years of war!”
ten years!
This is a conclusion that Fang Zhanbo came to after his inspection trip to Europe and the United States two years ago. As a generation of immigrants, Fang Zhanbo has always won the trust of His Majesty. Naturally, he knows His Majesty's plan to "kill eagles and dominate". During his inspection in Europe, he has been Consider a question - how to defeat Britain and its allies!
"ten years!"
Zuo Zongtang frowned and nodded,
"On this point, you and I have the same point of view. I think it may be longer, maybe even as long as fifteen years. After all, the Napoleonic War lasted for twelve years. If we want to compete with Britain around the world, If we wage a war, from the Pacific to North America, from North America to South America, and then to the Atlantic, to Africa, to the Indian Ocean, this may even be the largest war in history, and it will truly involve the whole world. This war will also It must be protracted!”
Of course, what Zuo Zongtang didn't know was that in another timeline, the First World War only lasted a little more than four years before the Allies had to declare surrender because they had exhausted their war resources. But the Allies had The resources are completely incomparable to those of Great Britain, the world's largest empire.
Moreover, the mainland of Great Britain and the Ming Dynasty are far apart. When decisive victory is not achieved on overseas battlefields, the homeland will hardly be directly attacked by the opponent. Therefore, the relatively stable rear area makes it even less likely to admit defeat easily.
Fang Zhanbo now said "ten years", which can be said to be a quite optimistic expectation. Even Zuo Zongtang's fifteen years is just a middle value.
If Britain persists, twenty or even thirty years of war is possible!
This is a war for generations!
How terrible is a war that lasts ten years or more?
As for now, no one knows, and Fang Zhanbo went on to say:
"The second preparation we have to make is what Your Majesty is doing now, to weaken the UK as much as possible and strengthen our own side. In His Majesty's words, it is the tactic of "weakening the UK and weakening the UK"... Now in Turkey and Brazil,
This is the case, and in the future, in order to confront us, the UK will definitely support South American countries with all its strength, which will further consume its national power. With our success in Turkey and Brazil, the UK will definitely lose its prestige; but...
"
After thinking about it, Fang Zhanbo said.
"According to my estimation, until the end of this war between us and the United Kingdom, I am afraid that we will not launch an attack on their homeland. The key to victory or defeat should be the naval battle. It should be through taking away their most valuable colonies.
Let them exhaust their war resources - such as North America, Australia, India, and Cape Town. Once they lose these colonies, Britain... will be just an island country! I think this has been His Majesty's plan all along!"
His Majesty's plan!
Suddenly, Zuo Zongtang seemed to want to understand something. He took out a map from the drawer and drew circles on the map.
"Africa, this is what your Majesty is determined to win. To the south from here is Cape Town."
Zuo Zongtang said while drawing circles.
"To the east is the Persian Gulf, which is close to India. Does your majesty care about India?"
Fang Zhanbo shook his head and said.
"As for India, His Majesty should be more inclined to give it to France and Russia."
"So, the Chenggong Islands are here to attack Australia and New Zealand..."
Pointing to Nanyang on the map, Fang Zhanbo said.
"It should also include Nanyang. I heard that in China, people's minds are changing now. It is said that some officials in the capital accused Li Xuzhou of being disobedient because of his relief work for the victims, and even threatened to impeach him. Although he was criticized by that bitch
It was rejected, but now Li Xuzhou is still a little anxious."
Zuo Zongtang said with a slight nod.
"Shaoquan will rebel sooner or later, and His Majesty's warships will not be given away in vain..."
Looking at Fang Zhanbo, Zuo Zongtang raised his head and said.
"It seems that His Majesty's plan is to carve up Nanyang with Li Shaoquan!"
"Then it depends on whether he has that ability!"
After drawing several circles all the way east, guessing His Majesty's thoughts, the two finally set their sights on America. They looked at the Americas on the map for a while and said tacitly.
"It seems that the most critical land battle is still here!"
"Yes, one is between North America and the United States, and the other is between South America and the north of Peru until the old Gran Colombia area!"
Finally, they drew a circle on the map and said in a rather sighing tone.
"The key is still in North America!"
Staring at the United States on the map, they all understood that the most important battle was still in the United States.
"America...is too far!"
Zuo Zongtang lowered his gaze.
"For now, let's solve Brazil first. After Brazil is solved, east of the Andes Mountains will be my Ming Dynasty's world!"