Chapter 1288 Concentrate on Big Things

After Jiang Shang finished talking about the cancellation of the government office, Ouyang Shuo looked around and said indifferently: "Then, let's have a good discussion about changing the outfit for the Pacific Fleet."

After hearing this, the civil and military ministers on both sides looked at each other, with sparks flickering in their eyes.

On this issue, the civilian group and the military have huge differences, and until the meeting, the two sides still did not reach a consensus.

The opinion of the cabinet is that with the unlocking of the second industrial revolution technology tree, the empire should take a long-term view and reshape the imperial navy, instead of rushing to mount a large number of ironclad ships.

On the basis of ironclad ships, it is necessary to conduct professional subdivisions to form battleships as main battleships, cruisers responsible for reconnaissance and ocean patrol, destroyers responsible for security, escort and minelaying, frigates for fleet escort, and submarines and other ships. Brand new fleet.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is reshaping the Imperial Navy.

But it will take a long time, and it will not only change the fleet structure, but also the sailors. They have to retrain and become familiar with the new warships. In the future, apart from the Marine Corps, there is basically no possibility of close combat.

It is conservatively estimated that even if the empire concentrates its resources and prioritizes the transformation of the Pacific Fleet, it will take a year and a half, or even two years. This is the result of Gaia's fuzzy handling of industrial construction.

The advantage is that while reducing blind construction, when the Pacific Fleet is formed, it will not only be on par with the Night Fleet, but will be able to form a strength suppression again and regain the command of the sea in one fell swoop.

Jiang Shang even made it clear, "With the unlocking of the industrial revolution technology tree, the global dynasties are on the same starting line. If the empire wants to maintain its current maritime hegemony, it must have the courage to heal its wounds."

"The sooner you take this step, the earlier you will be one step ahead."

Naturally, the military couldn't wait. Being overwhelmed by the Night Fleet, they wanted to get back on the scene immediately. They suggested investing a lot of resources to build six to eight ironclad ships in a short period of time.

Admiral Zheng He said: "The loss of sea dominance in the Pacific Ocean may trigger a chain reaction, challenge the empire's global maritime hegemony, and be a serious setback to global trade."

"Without trade support, how can there be industrialization?" Zheng He asked.

Both sides insist on their own opinions, and no one can convince the other.

Seeing the stalemate between the two sides, Bai Hua, the governor of Southern Xinjiang, suddenly stood up and said, "The speed of the construction of ironclad ships is mainly limited by the level of industrialization of the empire. My suggestion is whether the empire can concentrate resources while fully promoting industrialization. Prioritize the development of some cities and walk at the forefront of industrialization."

"For example, the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta can be listed as priority development targets by the imperial court. In this way, blind construction can be avoided, and the time for the formation of the Pacific Fleet can be shortened. A balance should be struck between the two."

Bai Hua's suggestion made Ouyang Shuo's eyes shine.

In fact, industrialization does not require much land. Otherwise, the British Empire in history would not have conquered the world with just three islands.

Including Dongying and Korea, they are all typical representatives of small and powerful countries.

Instead of blindly spreading industrialization throughout the empire, it is better to concentrate efforts, give priority to the development of coastal cities, form industrial clusters, and concentrate efforts on major tasks.

"This suggestion is feasible." Ouyang Shuo said, "The cabinet can study it, and make Shencheng in the Yangtze River Delta and Zhenhai City in the Pearl River Delta the first priority for industrialization."

"Its priority can even be higher than that of the capital."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.

Jiang Shang replied: "Your Majesty, if this is the case, isn't the status of the capital's economic center shaken?"

Ouyang Shuo just smiled, "I never said that to maintain the status of the capital as the economic center, as the capital of the empire, the capital must be the political and cultural center, but not necessarily the economic center."

"With the surging wave of industrialization, the geographical location of the capital also determines that it is difficult for it to shoulder the burden of the empire's economic center. Forcibly developing the capital will only cause a waste of resources."

The ministers present were thoughtful after listening.

Historically, there have been countless countries whose political centers and economic centers belonged to different cities, and this is not a strange phenomenon.

Inspired by Bai Hua, Ouyang Shuo followed up and said: "Shencheng and Zhenhai City are the first sequence. Besides, Edo, Busan, Binhai, Haijin, Jiaodong, Zhoushan, Quanzhou, Yinan and the Lion City in southern Xinjiang, These coastal cities can be used as the second sequence, giving priority to industrialization."

"The inland Huining, Kyoto, Luoyang, Xianyang, Chengdu, Xiangyang, Jianye, and Dali can be used as the third sequence. At the same time, in southern Xinjiang and Africa, one or two cities can also be prioritized for development as appropriate."

Ouyang Shuo's words painted a brand new blueprint for the industrialization of the empire today.

With the advancement of industrialization, the fate of cities and even provinces is about to undergo a new reshuffle. Like Shencheng, which was just a prefectural city before, it will now leap up and stand shoulder to shoulder with Wangcheng Jianye in the same province.

In the future, it may even surpass Jianye and become the new economic center of the empire.

Two-thirds of the cities in the second sequence are unknown cities. In the next few years, they will take advantage of the wave of industrialization to take off rapidly and become the new pearl of the empire, shining brightly.

The development of the new city will also become a new growth point for the empire's economy.

In order to appease the military, Ouyang Shuo made a decision on the spot, "While building Shencheng with all our strength, build a brand new, world-class shipyard in Shanghai, called Jiangnan Shipyard, which is independent of [Huaxia Shipbuilding Group] and directly Placed under the management of the Assets Management Office."

"Before the end of the year, the Pacific Fleet must complete the refit." Ouyang Shuo gave the order to die.

In this way, the military generals looked slightly relieved. It's not that they really lack foresight, but because of the glory of soldiers, they couldn't bear the humiliation of being defeated by the enemy.

The Great Xia Army hadn't tasted such humiliation for a long time.

The cabinet didn't say anything more. In the absence of full industrialization, it would be much easier to allocate resources by concentrating on the development of coastal cities.

One year is enough.

"Gaia's eight years, the empire's ocean trade with South America may be affected." Jiang Shangdao.

This reminded Ouyang Shuo, "In response to the Indian Empire's arms trade request, what I mean is to sell all the matchlock guns and artillery eliminated by the Empire to them. What do you all think?"

"feasible."

Du Ruhui, who is in charge of the Privy Council, naturally has the most say. "According to the data counted by the Privy Council, there are about 500,000 matchlock guns and more than 1,000 artillery pieces in warehouses around the country. The Combat Preparedness Department does not know how to deal with them, and they are left unused in warehouses." , the maintenance cost alone is expensive. If you sell it, you can kill two birds with one stone."

It is conservatively estimated that this batch of arms can be sold for at least 12 million gold coins.

Ouyang Shuo nodded in satisfaction, "Then hurry up, take advantage of the unimpeded shipping route before the Hawaiian War, and transport this batch of arms to South America. In addition, half of the transaction with the Indian Empire will be paid in gold coins, and the other half will be converted into gold coins." The grain and grass are all hoarded in Ecuador County."

"Understood!" Du Ruhui understood.

Food and grass worth six million gold coins is enough to support the consumption of food and grass in the American theater for a year.

"In addition, take this opportunity to build a batch of military factories in Ecuador County, especially for the production of bullets and shells. Before the Indian Empire establishes an industrial system, it can make a lot of money." Ouyang Shuo ordered.

Du Ruhui nodded, he had a deep understanding of His Majesty's "greed".

"and also,"

Ouyang Shuo couldn't stop thinking, "Let's test them out and see if they have any plans to buy warships. Some of the warships that have been eliminated can be sold, and the rest can be transformed into supply ships."

Du Ruhui wrote down one by one.

Depending on the situation, His Majesty is taking this opportunity to drain the Indian Empire's treasury dry.

Du Ruhui felt a little pity for the Indian Empire. Even if they won the war with the Spanish Dynasty, they would be seriously injured. By then, would they be able to stop the expansion of the Empire in South America?

Based on Du Ruhui's understanding of His Majesty, although he agreed to the Indian Empire's arms purchase request this time, all the weapons he sold were obsolete and making money was secondary. His Majesty's real intention was to delay the war between the two countries. , to maintain an unbeaten and invincible situation.

If the Indian Empire is allowed to successfully settle the Argentine region, can the free Indian Empire allow Daxia to complete its expansion in South America?

Therefore, this is the best outcome for the empire.

Wanting to come to the Indian Empire several times and repeatedly "uninterested" has already made His Majesty quietly draw it out of the sequence of allies. In the future, it can only be regarded as a partner.

Even in South American affairs, it may become an opponent.