The Rise of the Empire

"In other words, in the future we will have two second-class battleships, four 12,000-ton armored cruisers that are more powerful than second-class battleships, and one first-class protected cruiser and two second-class protected cruisers? I really didn't expect that we can have such a powerful fleet now, Ito-kun, you are doing very well." Mutsu Munemitsu's face was full of happiness and joy.

"Mutsu-kun has won the award." Although his mouth was very modest, in fact, Ito Hirobumi was very proud of it. This is really cheating and cheating!

"Since we have such a powerful navy and we can get the support of the British at the same time, we can fight directly. The Americans probably don't even have the qualifications to enter the battlefield. What do you care about him?" Mutsu Munemitsu's words made Ito Hirobumi and Gong Wang of Xiyuan Temple was taken aback. Unexpectedly, how could Mutsu Munemitsu, who usually looks quite honest, be crazier than himself?

"Without our hands, the British have already helped us exclude the United States from this Philippine battle." Mutsu Munemitsu looked very proud. "What is neutrality? Neutrality means that the two do not help each other. You two can imagine, if all countries do not help each other, who will have the upper hand?"

I rub it, that's the truth! According to the Qing-Japanese Treaty, Japan can have concessions in places such as Kaohsiung and Tainan in southern Taiwan. These two places can directly serve as forward bases for the navy and army! If the British did not provide the American fleet with ports and sufficient supplies, where would the American fleet be based? It can only be Samoa! This place is far away from the Philippines! I have an obvious first-mover advantage! Ito Hirobumi's geography is not bad, so he directly figured out this problem.

"What is the current US Asian fleet? A 5,800-ton Olympia cruiser may be stronger than the Takasago, but the strength is limited. The Podmoa is only 4,400 tons, with four 8-inch L35 guns and 6 6-inch L30 guns. The performance is not as good as Takasago. The Lori cruiser, but about 3200 tons, has 1 6-inch L40 gun and 10 5-inch L40 guns. There is also a service in 1987, with a tonnage of only 3000 tons Boston No, this battleship doesn't matter. With such a little power, what can the Americans think?"

Although Mutsu Munemitsu is engaged in diplomacy. But people agree with the navy and have studied it. After all, you need to buy a ship and you need to be professional. The strength of the US fleet in Asia is also relatively clear, and there are only 4 ships that can be called cruisers. But there are only 3 warships that can be used at once. In a real fight, these three warships tied together can't beat one Nissin! Coupled with the geographical disadvantages, if Japan dares to attack the Philippines, the Americans really dare to attack. Is there a problem with the brain, or is there a problem, or is there a problem? Of course, the Americans still have some gunboats, but it doesn't make a difference whether they count or not.

"But what if the Americans increase their troops? Your idea can only emerge without the knowledge of the United States. But what if the Americans have prepared in advance? The Americans still have two armored cruisers of more than 8,000 tons in their homeland. , and a large number of cruisers including two 7,000-ton protected cruisers. If they temporarily strengthen the Far East Fleet..." Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said with some concern.

"Hehe, temporarily increasing troops, this is possible. But even if all the warships you mentioned just now have arrived, what are the odds of winning if you fight against the Imperial Navy?" Mutsu Munemitsu showed a gloomy look on his face. "Now. Is there any room for us to retreat? Have we used up the last accumulation of the empire and handed over the Philippines? No matter who! Whoever wants to take it from us, then we will fight them to the end!"

"It would be even better if we could control Hawaii as well.

Americans will never reach the Far East! So how powerful is the United States? What can they do without Hawaii? "Mutsu Munemitsu realized the seriousness of the conflict between the United States and Japan very early on, and this time the policy of prohibiting Japanese immigrants from entering Hawaii made him a little annoyed. Now that the face has been torn apart, as long as the Americans dare to move! Then clean up together up!

"This method is a bit radical." Although Ito Hirobumi said hesitantly, he was constantly calculating the balance of power between the two sides in his heart. I have 6 10,000-ton warships and 3 cruisers on my side. There are 15 American national cruisers and protective cruisers in total, but many of them are garbage. The guys with 3000 tons and 2000 tons are naturally not suitable for war. It's not even as good as cannon fodder. It would be nice to have 8 warships that can really be pulled over. But what if the strongest Brooklyn faces Nisshin and his ilk? How many rounds can you go?

As for other intervening forces? France is a bit far away. Russia is not close. The current Russian fleet in the Far East consists of only one Peterbarov battleship and three cruisers, which is a bit interesting, but if the Japanese fleet is just starting up, it is estimated that except for the two Munich-class armored cruisers. Flash people can survive the death of words. The other two big ships probably won't even be able to run. Don't look at Rurik's claim to be a cruiser, and the speed of 19 knots still wants to run away from the hands of the Nisshin? What are you thinking?

To put it bluntly, the Japanese navy is now number one in the entire Far East. The lineup of the British Eastern Fleet is also incomparable. Apart from the British, the strongest remaining is the Russian Far Eastern Fleet. There's 1 battleship, 3 decent cruisers, and some shitty cruisers. The number is comparable to the Japanese fleet's warships over 4,000 tons, but the combat effectiveness is obviously not the same level. France and Germany are even weaker. Germany has only one cruiser Hamburg and a few slag ships in Samoa.

Now even if the three countries integrate their forces, relying solely on the strength of the Far East is no match for the Japanese fleet, especially the American fleet. What can you do if you come? A bunch of warships with an average coal load of less than 1,000 tons set off from Samoa to fight in the Philippines? Not to mention whether it can be played, the endurance is enough! It is enough for the Americans to beat the weak chickens, and the Japanese are just now, do the Americans dare?

Of course, although they have made preparations when necessary, the Japanese in this plane are still very rational. Based on the principle of not fighting if they can, and never directly demolishing the house if they can persuade them, the Japanese plan to pass Diplomacy and deterrence are two ways to force the opponent to submit. Diplomacy is naturally to join hands with the British to drive the US fleet out of the Far East through so-called neutrality. After all, some warships can only hold 700 tons of coal at a maximum. Can this endurance support operations on the ocean? The military deterrence is obvious, bro, so many warships, aren't you afraid! Ito Hirobumi thinks so anyway. So I don't care too much about it.

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