Chapter 217 The Third Faction of the Navy

Ciel finished eating. He picked up the milk and drank it all in one gulp to end his breakfast as usual.

Being forced by Camille to drink all the milk became a habit after a while, and it made me feel uncomfortable if I didn't finish it all.

Putting down the cup, Charles continued the topic: "I guess you think the difference between the army and the navy is due to the construction cycle."

The navy's construction cycle is long, and a warship takes several years to complete.

Therefore, it may take several years for the Navy to know whether an idea or an attempt is correct, and even longer if there is no war for a long time.

The Army, however, calculates it in terms of months. For example, during this period, a prototype tank using a tractor chassis and steel plates could be built in a dozen days. If there was no need for testing and emergency production to join the war, the results would be known in a month.

"No, Major." Tijani shook his head slightly: "I don't think so. You know the Army is very stubborn. They are often blinded by their inherent ideas and cannot see clearly what is right and what is wrong, or for profit. , for reputation, and other things, and then keep making mistakes.”

This is true. For example, many people at this time actually know that the one-sided offensive theory is wrong, but they are unwilling to admit it.

Another example is the Red Army cap and Red Army trousers. Most people know that they are not conducive to the war. The soldiers eagerly wanted to replace them, but they still had to use them for a year before replacing them.

In particular, it can be said that replacing military uniforms does not require any technical content and does not require much cost. All that is required is to discontinue the original military uniforms and replace them with another style or a different color.

But they just won't do it!

"Why?" Charles asked.

Like a hungry ghost, Tijani started to deal with another piece of pizza, chewing in his mouth while responding: "Because of you, Major!"

Charles replied expressionlessly: "You don't need to compliment me for breaking through, general. As a soldier, you should know that this is a mission, and you don't owe me anything!"

"I know." Tijani replied calmly: "But that's what I think."

Seeing that Charles still didn't believe it, Tijani explained: "You used facts to defeat everyone who disagreed with you, Major. You were always right, time and time again, and you crushed them every time, from tanks to rockets. Aircraft, aircraft, machine gun aircraft, and recently the performance of the 'Shire A1' on the battlefield, do you know what this means? "

Tijani looked at Charles, holding a pizza in his hand: "You will unify the army's equipment. It won't take long before everyone will get used to it: Charles is always right, even if he takes out a revolver and hands it to the front line The soldiers also believe that they can win this battle with it!”

Tijani put the last point into his mouth and concluded by asking himself: "At that time, do we still need to consider what equipment the army chooses? No, there will only be one option, and that is Shire's equipment! "

Charles laughed: "You are too naive, you completely ignored Schneider..."

Charles suddenly realized something. He raised his head and asked Tijani: "You are not here on behalf of yourself this time, are you?"

Tijani nodded with a half-smile: "You can say yes, you can say no!"

…

Tijani was telling the truth.

After Tijani safely returned to Paris with his troops to rest, he immediately wanted to visit Charles, but he was too nervous to take action.

This was a situation Tijani had never been in before. He didn't know why he was nervous, but there was an inexplicable panic in his heart.

What if Ciel disdains a "waste" like him?

Why are you looking for Charles?

Is it a waste of his precious time to bother him?

At this time, Wells walked up to Tijani and said expressionlessly: "I need you to talk to Charles, Tijani, this may be the only reason why you choose the Army!"

…

Ciel understood, and Tijani became the bridge between Wells and Ciel.

Wells was the owner of the Brest shipyard and in principle he could not have too many personal contacts with Charles.

But Tijani is different. He is a member of the military, a major general of the army. Having just been rescued by Ciel, he met Ciel to express his gratitude, and then became friends again. This was normal.

"What does Wells want?" Charles asked.

Charles knew very well that Wells would not stand on his side unconditionally, and businessmen only talked about interests.

Tijani took a napkin and wiped his mouth, and replied: "An answer, he hopes you can solve the confusion of the navy, which leads to confusion in the direction of the shipyard. My father believes that your military genius may help the shipyard to solve the problem." Dilemma.”

Then Tijani added meaningfully: "In fact, I think he is as confused as the navy."

In a pun, confusion refers not only to the future of the shipyard, but also to the relationship between Wells and Shire: if Shire is not helpful or of little help to the shipyard, Wells's support for Shire may only be lost. on the surface.

Charles thought for a while, and he thought that he should win over Wells, so that he would not be completely passive when facing Schneider and Grevey in parliament.

Thinking of this, Ciel said "hmm" and asked: "If I give the answer, can you convince the green water navy and the traditional navy?"

Tijani replied: "This is our problem! At least if we know the direction of development, the shipyard will not always follow the navy's chaotic decisions and go down the wrong path!"

Shire agreed that direction is equally important to a company.

If Wells knows what equipment will prevail in the future, he can focus resources on related research and development.

The navy's research and development and construction must be forward-looking. It is not an exaggeration to say that it will take a few years, ten years, or even decades. If we make a mistake, we may fall behind and all the investment will be in vain.

In addition, Charles' research and development on the army will not compete with Wells's warships, and Charles's sudden inspiration may help Wells defeat his rival Schneider.

This was what Wells wanted from Shire and the basis for his cooperation with Shire.

Charles felt that he was on the threshold of carving up the equipment of the French army, at least now negotiating with Wells at the shipyard.

After making the decision, Charles asked back: "Did you just say that the navy is divided into two factions?"

"Yes, green water navy and traditional navy." Tijani replied casually.

Charles asked again: "What if the third party is right?"

Tijani laughed: "There is no third party..."

Before he finished speaking, Tijani understood what Ciel meant: "Are you saying that neither faction is the future direction?"

Ciel nodded slightly.

"But why?" Tijani looked puzzled: "I'm just curious personally. Also, what does the third faction refer to?"

Charles answered unhurriedly: "Although the torpedo boats of the Green Water Navy are theoretically feasible, they can only operate in coastal waters due to their tonnage. Although the battleships of the traditional navy have cannons and armor, their speed is always short. The third faction should It’s a combination of the best of both worlds!”

Tijani suddenly woke up and exclaimed: "Torpedo boat destroyers, the third group is torpedo boat destroyers!"

(The picture above shows the first practical destroyer. Its original function was to destroy torpedo boats, so it was called "torpedo boat destroyer". It has a displacement of 275 tons and was produced in Britain in 1893. It is equipped with a 76MM main gun and three 47MM guns. It can carry three 450MM torpedoes and has a maximum speed of 27 knots)