Chapter 441: Layout and preparation

After confirming the authenticity of the Rio de Janeiro shipyard's ability to build a 4000-ton armored cruiser on its own, Li Mingyuan was initially surprised.
末 At the end of the 1880s, excluding European powers such as Britain, France, Germany, and Russia, countries that were able to independently complete the construction of iron armored ships of more than 2,000 tons, including the United States, the Han, and Japan,
Now, with the completion of Admiral Mandel's armored cruiser, the Republic of Brazil, which is remote from the corner of the world and has internal contradictions, has also entered the ranks of nations that independently built iron armored ships.
Armored cruisers are a product of the development of modern industrial systems and a symbol of the country's comprehensive industrial strength. The ability of the Rio de Janeiro shipyard to build a 4000-ton armored cruiser demonstrates that the Republic of Brazil has the industrial heritage to become a regional industrial power.
However, judging from the time and cost of Admiral Mandel's construction, during the construction of the ship, the Rio de Janeiro shipyard may have problems such as inadequate construction experience for shipmen and technicians. Compared with the three newly industrialized countries of Japan, Japan, and the United States, it is certain that the officials of the Republic of Brazil in charge of ship construction must have received kickbacks and bribes.
The ship's tonnage is lower than that of armored cruisers of the same class, and the construction cost of the ship is more than three times that of the outsourced warships of the same class. The number and caliber of the ship's main guns are only half of the warships of the same class!
Various problems are superimposed on one another. If there is no fuss, I am afraid that officials of the Republic of Brazil do not believe it.
I overthrew the feudal rule of the Pedro family and established a nominal democratic and republican government. However, what was done privately was the one that accepted bribes and traded power.
I saw the essence of the internal operation of the government of the Republic of Brazil. Li Mingyuan was surprised and curious about the emergence of the Republic of Brazil because Admiral Mandel appeared on the Atlantic Ocean, and soon disappeared.
The Republic of Brazil is like a big decaying tree. It needs to go through a series of subsequent wars to gradually weaken its vigor. Before that, it focused on the development of the domestic situation in Paraguay, formulated a positive and effective response plan, and reached a unified Lapp as soon as possible. The core strategy of the Lata area is the most important issue for the Han Dynasty.
Since the Paraguayan Incident, the central government of the Han country and the headquarters of the two armed forces have become extremely busy immediately. One by one, the intelligence is sent to the country through various channels, and then it is delivered to Li Mingyuan and the center at the fastest speed. In front of high-ranking military and government officials.
On May 30, 1889, just over a week after the Paraguayan Incident, in order to coordinate the military and political forces and early formulate a final solution to the Paraguayan chaos, Li Mingyuan specially invited relevant officials and generals from all parties in the palace to hold a meeting. A high-level military-political joint meeting.
的 The military-political joint meeting held on May 30, 1889 was a high-level meeting to unify internal thinking and cope with changes in the external situation. At the same time, it could be regarded as the final rehearsal of Han's full involvement in the situation in Paraguay and preparations for war.
"Paraguay's population distribution is similar to Brazil's. The western and northern regions are vast and sparsely populated. The three western provinces and the former northern Brazilian regions of Mato Grosso do Sul and Goias in the north add up to a total area of 900,000 square kilometers, accounting for 81% of the total territory of the Kingdom of Paraguay.
The area of ​​the eastern region is about 200,000 square kilometers.
However, the number of Paraguayan people living on this land has reached 350,000, accounting for about two-thirds of the total population of Paraguay. Among them, the central government of the Kingdom of Paraguay and the capital Asuncion have a permanent population of about 170,000 and its population The number accounts for half of the total population in the eastern region. "
According to the information gathered and summarized by the Chief of Staff of the Army, Zhao Yongzeng introduced to the people in the palace: "After the death of Lopez, Paraguay was divided into three forces in general, and a four-member Regency Committee composed of Isidoro was represented. Incited the Guards and Paraguay's naval fleet to hold Carlos on May 22, and controlled the power of the Paraguayan Central Government. The four-member Regency Committee is the most powerful political influence in Paraguay. They control various departments of the Central Government of Asuncion. , And won the loyalty of most government officials and farmers.
At present, according to the latest information obtained, the four-member Regency Committee has reached out to Major General Jose Bacon of the Paraguayan Army's First Brigade. The First Parade of the Paraguayan Army has also announced that it will accept the leadership of the Four-member Regency Committee.
In addition to the newly reconciled First Brigade Department, the four-member Regency Committee nominally controls about 6,500 troops. Its number of troops is composed of three units of the Paraguayan Army's Third Division, the Second Brigade, and the Guards Cavalry Battalion. Compared with the coalition forces, it is about half the number of coalition forces. "
"Except for the four-member Regency Committee and the rebel coalition, what are the attitudes of the other Paraguayan army generals in power?"
A general asked.
"The question raised by General Wang is related to the third military and political force in Paraguay, which I will talk about next."
Zhao Yongzeng continued: "The Paraguayan army follows the model of the German army and establishes four standing army divisions, two army brigades, and one guard. The total standing army is about 47,000, except for those who directly participate in the four-member Regency Committee and the counter-insurgency coalition. Outside the army,
Of the remaining troops, the second division of Lieutenant General Admiral Hadro Peterson was trapped in a flooded area in Mato Grosso do Sul, because Silvestre of the Paraguayan Army's Third Division did not comply with the Lopez Jr. arrangement. , At his own discretion, led the main force of the Third Army Division to join the troops of the Guards Cavalry Battalion and the 2nd Brigade to march to Asuncion, resulting in a complete disruption of the material supply route connecting the Second Division to the rear,
The Second Division is not only facing the exhaustion of ammunition supplies, but also may be attacked by Indian rebels. Therefore, the Second Division is trapped in the quagmire of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, and it does not have the interference in Paraguay for the time being. The ability to change domestic situations.
The other two divisions, the Paraguay Army's First Division and the Fourth Division, are stationed in the transfer areas of the Republic of China and the Republic of Brazil. They are facing military pressure from the Republic of Brazil and the Republic of Brazil, and it is difficult to draw decisive forces to invest in The fight for central leadership in Paraguay.
"
"In this way, the power to determine the course of the war in Paraguay in the second half of the year is in the hands of the four-member Regent Committee and the rebel coalition."
Wang Jianhua, commander of the Fourth Army Division of the Han and Han Kingdom (renamed in 1886, formerly known as Wang Dashan) looked up and thought.
"If no external forces are involved, a new king of the Kingdom of Paraguay will be created between the two forces."
Zhao Yongzeng nodded and affirmed Wang Jianhua's point of view, adding: "In order to increase the odds of capturing Paraguay's supreme power, the four-member Regency Committee strengthened military and political aspects of Asuncion as soon as the rebels announced their march to Asuncion. Control.
四 On May 26, the four-member Regency Committee announced that the land of the Lopez family, including Mrs. Lynch, Carlos and others, would be returned to the government in the name of liquidating the Lopez family ’s crimes.
On May 27, the scope of liquidation and forced resumption of land was extended to loyalty, government officials, and military officers who were loyal to the Lope family. In just two days, the four-member Regency Committee recovered 63,995 in the area around Asuncion. One hundred hectares of land and 467 houses in total. As for easy-to-carry property such as gold, silver, and precious jewellery, it was investigated and dealt with by the four-member Regency Committee because it was transferred and hidden through the Imperial Embassy in advance. Not much.
On May 28th, the four-member Regency Committee paid for the forced resumption of land and recruited young laborers to serve as soldiers in the surrounding controlled areas. However, according to the staff's total knowledge, the total population of Paraguay is more than 500,000 and the age is ten More than 70% of men between the ages of two and forty-six have been transferred to the army for service, and the four-member Regency Committee recruitment notice was issued for three days, which is only an increase of more than 1,000 old and weak men. "
"The first Paraguayan war in 1868 caused more than 200,000 people to lose in Paraguay. After the end of the Paraguayan war, Lopez still adhered to the external expansion policy of the poor soldiers and armed forces, and did not seize the two decades of the armistice to develop the domestic economy, so Even if the empire's native population has doubled, the population in Paraguay is only less than 100,000 than in 1868. "
I have memories of later generations. Li Mingyuan knows more about Lopez's almost paranoid nature than others. He also has a more sober understanding of Paraguay's rule under Lopez's rule.
"Apart from the actions of the four-member Regency Committee and the coalition against the rebels, what is the response of the Brazilian Republic?"
Knowing the situation of all parties in Paraguay, Li Mingyuan began to focus on the Republic of Brazil.
"The Brazilian Republic has not acted too unusually recently, but according to information from us and from the Brazilian empire, the Government of the Brazilian Republic is frequently making secret contacts with Britain, Chile and other countries through its embassies abroad."
"The Republic of Brazil was frightened by the Imperial Army. Without the support and security of the British, the Republic of Brazil did not have the courage to risk the war with the Empire and directly intervened in the situation in Paraguay."
罗 Analysis of Luo Linshan, chief of the army.
"The Republic of Brazil has not done anything. Combined with the situation just introduced by General Zhao, I estimate that the incident of confrontation at sea a few days ago was not as simple as a casual encounter. Maybe it was the intention of the government of the Republic of Brazil. Demonstrate naval strength and indirectly test the imperial government's attitude toward the Republic of Brazil's involvement in Paraguay. "
明 Li Mingyuan connected the information obtained from various aspects together, and after a moment of contemplation, he decided, "Regardless of whether the Brazilian Republic intends to test it or not, the general policy of the Empire on the Paraguayan Incident remains unchanged.
The Republic of Brazil does not move, and the Imperial Army does not move. You must wait until the Republic of Brazil cannot sit still. After sending troops into Paraguay, the Imperial Army enters Paraguay as a division of justice. "
"Your Majesty, what if the Brazilian Republic is not hooked?"
"It is impossible for them not to be hooked. The four-member Regency Committee and the rebel coalition are about to fight. The defense forces in western and northern Paraguay are empty. Regardless of the outcome of the Paraguayan civil war, Paraguay ’s defense forces will suffer major losses. In this case, Brazil Whether it is for the purpose of relocating domestic conflicts or regaining the occupied territory and regaining the hearts of the people, the government of the Republic of Brazil must make a decision to send troops.
Although Fonseca and Morais and others control the central powers of the Brazilian Republic, the final decision on whether to send troops or not is not their decision.
Now, since they are jealous of the empire's attitude, they dare not rush into the army. Then we dispel their concerns and help them make decisions. "
Li Mingyuan had a response strategy in mind, and now ordered: "Mr. Tang, tomorrow, your foreign ministry will issue a statement to announce in the name of the central government that the empire will strictly abide by the rules of neutral countries and will not provide weapons and ammunition to warring forces in any country in Paraguay. Supplies,
Also showed the empire's peace-loving attitude and persuaded all parties in Paraguay to try to adopt a peaceful way to resolve contradictions and differences. "
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will follow the instructions of His Majesty and let the Republic of Brazil see the attitude of the Han State."
Tang Jingsong, the general director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took over the task explained by Li Mingyuan, and then handed in a list and said, "Chen Jinghu, the ambassador to the Paraguay, reflected that he fled to the embassy in Paraguay, and the Paraguayan dignitaries and nobles who sought asylum in the empire have exceeded Two hundred people, including Mrs. Lynch, the lover of Lopez, and one of their sons and one daughter, Minister Chen asked how these people should arrange? "
"The intelligence staff of the Empire ’s Ministry of Security has spent years in Paraguay. Most of the Paraguayan dignitaries seeking asylum in the Empire ’s embassy are the intelligence staff who have taken pains to develop. Their presence is conducive to the empire ’s rule and assimilation in the future. people."
After looking at the list submitted by Tang Jingsong, Li Mingyuan commanded: "Through the secret transportation channel established by the Ministry of Security in Paraguay, the embassy personnel and Paraguayan entrants stranded in the city of Asuncion are safely transferred. Among them, special attention must be paid to ensuring The safety of Mrs. Lynch and her sons and daughters will remain useful after the imperial army enters Paraguay. "
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will cooperate with the Ministry of Security of the Empire and it is safe to remove all the people stranded in Asuncion."
"In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Intelligence, all departments of the central government must do a good job of preparing materials and transporting all required combat materials in advance to the scheduled reserve area in the north. The Imperial Army Staff Department must base on the collected intelligence and the internal situation of Paraguay. Development and development of multiple possible combat plans. "
"Yes, Your Majesty!" ...
的 Officials and officers with relevant responsibilities responded in unison.
"The Navy's First Fleet and the Offshore Police Fleet must do a good job in combat drills and strengthen the fleet's ability to respond to actual warfare and alert capabilities.
At the same time, the selection and construction of new armored cruisers, and the replacement and enhancement of shipborne weapons with an age of more than ten years must be completed in a timely manner. "
"Observe, Your Majesty."
森 Chen Sen, Chief of the Navy, and Li Han, Chief of the Staff of the Navy, got up to take on the task, exchanged their eyes, and then tacitly said, "His Majesty, the Ministry of the Navy and the Naval Staff Headquarters have initially drafted a plan for ship purchase. Please look over."
"Oh, the admiralty and naval staff headquarters are very efficient, and the ship purchase plan was formulated so quickly."
Li Mingyuan received the documents personally provided by the two, carefully examined them for more than ten minutes, then closed the documents, and asked with a smile: "Which of the five sets of ship purchase plans presented by the Navy Department and the Naval Staff Headquarters are most inclined to do so? "
His Majesty, "My Majesty, General Lee and I think the Orlando-class armored cruiser is the most suitable."
"Talk about your reasons."
"Orlando standard displacement of 5,600 tons,
The is 91.5 meters long, 17.07 meters wide, 6.86 meters in draught, 5500 horsepower at normal pressure, 17 knots at normal pressure, 8500 horsepower at 18 knots / speed at 18 knots, and 10,000 nautical miles / 10 knots of coal under normal conditions.
The waterline armor belt is 254mm thick (composite armor) and 1.67 meters high; the armor deck is 50-76.2mm thick, the front and rear partition thickness of the armor box is 406mm (wrought iron), the exposed turret armor wall is 152mm thick, the auxiliary turret thickness is 127mm, and the command tower thickness is 305mm,
In terms of firepower system, it is equipped with 2 234mm / 32x rear-mounted rifled guns × 2 × 1, 10 152mm / 26x rear-mounted rifles, 6 6-pound rapid-fire guns, 10 3-pound quick-fire guns,
Rated 484 people, cost 210,000 pounds, capable of fighting a large ocean cruiser. "
森 Chen Sen according to the collected overall performance data of the ship, according to the original declaration.
"The Orlando-class armored cruiser is affordable, and the overall performance of the warship is good, but the degree of that armor box is enough ~ EbookFREE.me ~ The width is too narrow, just a 1.67-meter-high armor belt is in actual combat. Engine room boiler room forms effective protection,
In my opinion, it would be better to save weight and strengthen it to an armor deck that is only 2-3 inches thick, and cancel this symbolic armor box. "
"The armor belt is a protective device designed by the British Pembroke Shipyard. After the Imperial Navy has decided to purchase a ship, it can go to the Pembroke Shipyard to coordinate improvements."
森 Chen Sen echoed.
"The British's overall shipbuilding level is much higher than the three major domestic shipyards. In terms of ship building technology, the Imperial Navy uses the opportunity of ship purchase to learn from them, and in terms of design and weapon configuration, if We think that the British design is unreasonable, and we must bravely point out and make targeted improvements. "
His Majesty teaches that the Navy Department and the Naval Staff will work with the three major local shipyards to carefully review possible problems in ship design and construction. "
"Using more points of study and reflection, it is always good. OK, your ship purchase plan was approved, and according to the points I talked with you last time, I tried to persuade Pembroke Shipyard to promise to buy a home-built ship For the simple model of the ship, in order to achieve the purpose of ship purchase, the central government can provide the navy with an additional ship subsidy of up to 1 million won.
Work hard and complete the signing of the ship purchase contract as soon as possible before July. ".........
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