Chapter 565 Naval Cooperation

"In the next two weeks, the navy will have to adapt to the climate and environment here and quickly restore its combat effectiveness. At the same time, this may also be the first actual combat that the East African Navy has experienced since its establishment, so everyone must be serious and take it seriously."

The East African naval fleet docked in the Zhuhai Trade District began adaptive training here. Although the East African waters are vast, this is the first time that it has been to the Far East and performed a combat mission like this.

The East African Navy is actually very uncomfortable training near Zhuhai. Of course, the Far Eastern Empire as the host is also very uncomfortable. However, given that the Guangdong Navy in charge of maritime affairs in the area is too weak, it can only turn a blind eye. Eye.

In the Far East Navy sequence, there are four major navies: Beiyang, Nanyang, Fujian, and Guangdong. Among them, Beiyang is the most famous and is the biological son of the Far East Empire. This is also easy to understand. The Beiyang Navy is responsible for the defense of the entire northern sea area, while the Far East Empire The political center of the Qing Dynasty, and the capital of the capital was on the coast of the Bohai Sea. With the Qing government's vigilance against the south, the Beiyang Navy would naturally receive the greatest support.

The Nanyang Navy is somewhat misnamed. Of course, this misname has to be taken literally. The name of the Nanyang Navy contains the word Nanyang. In fact, the base is on the coast of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. And Nanyang in this era, in Ernst’s eyes, is naturally Southeast Asia and East Indies waters.

The main equipment of the Nanyang Navy was manufactured by Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau and Fuzhou Shipping Bureau, and a small amount was purchased from the United Kingdom and Germany. Whether it is tonnage, equipment, personnel or strength, the Nanyang Navy is far from the Beiyang Navy, but its strength is second only to the Beiyang Navy.

Before the Sino-Japanese War, the first two naval divisions had always been the top two naval forces in the Far East. However, in terms of history, the Fujian Navy had the earliest history and the highest degree of localization, and was controlled by the Fujian Shipbuilding Bureau.

As for the Guangdong Navy, which ranks last, it is the weakest and smallest in scale, and is not as famous as the Nanyang Navy. At this time, the Guangdong Navy has a total of more than a dozen ships, with a total displacement of more than several thousand tons, less than 10,000 tons. , and a top ironclad ship in East Africa weighs more than 7,000 tons. The gap between the two navies is clear at a glance.

The displacement of the "Partridge" led by the East African Navy this time is not too high, but it reaches more than 6,800 tons. The displacement of the other two ironclad ships is also more than 5,000 tons. The tonnage of the three ironclad ships alone exceeds the tonnage of the Guangdong Navy. The sum of all the battleships in the division.

The Guangdong Navy looks a bit small compared to the East African expedition fleet, and the most advanced battleships of the Guangdong Navy are sail warships. Even the gunboats brought by East Africa this time can make these ships sink into the sand.

The next development of the Guangdong Navy will probably have to wait until after 1882. The latest battleships currently in service are still old products before 1868.

"Captain Luo hopes that you will communicate more with your country's naval department after you return this time. I also hope that your country will be more convenient during this joint maritime military exercise between the two countries. Our main purpose this time is to visit the Southern Ryukyu Islands. They won’t do the dirty thing of occupying a magpie’s nest like the Portuguese.”

The East African navy was resting and training in the waters of the Far East Empire, and naturally it could not be disposed of at will. After all, this was its territorial waters, so East Africa found an excuse and sailed into the Far East on the pretext that the two navies were jointly fighting against piracy.

There is no way to do this. According to East Africa’s approach, that is, after the harbor in the Southern Ryukyu Islands is repaired, East Africa’s own Pacific Fleet base can be placed in the Southern Ryukyu Islands in the future. Currently, the Southern Ryukyu Islands do not have this capability. The level of seaports in the Ryukyu Islands is still at the level of ancient times and requires large-scale renovation. At present, even the land facilities in the southern Ryukyu Islands in East Africa have not been completed.

"General Glaish, this is too polite. We still believe in your country's credibility, but let me explain here. Our requirements are not high. We just hope that the conflict between your country and Japan will not be involved. to my country.”

"Don't worry about this. We in East Africa are naturally fully responsible for the conflict with Japan. Even if an accident occurs, we will not blame your country. Now that you can provide convenience for us to stop here for a short rest, East Africa has already accepted this sentiment. We Of course he is not an ungrateful villain." Glaish assured Luo Yijun.

"Haha, then I wish you all the best in this operation."

Although he said so, Luo Yijun didn't think so in his heart. In his opinion, Japan is not a thing, and East Africa is not a good person. However, in this era of wolf-hearted people and domineering people, East Africa is not the foil. So disgusting.

It would be best if both East Africa and Japan suffer losses! Secondly, East Africa must cripple the Japanese navy. This is what Luo Yijun really thinks.

The threat from Japan, a bad neighbor, is obviously much greater than that of East Africa. After all, East Africa is very far away from the Far East and is closer than European and American countries.

This can be easily seen from the globe. If you face the Pacific Ocean, you cannot see the Far East and the continental United States, while if you face the Indian Ocean, you can basically include the Far East and most of East Africa. As for the European land It is closer to the Far East than East Africa, but it is much worse than East Africa at sea.

"Captain Luo, don't think that what I say is empty talk. You have helped our country this time. Next time we can make up for it in the navy, such as personnel training and warship and weapons procurement. Our country can help, at least we and Austria The Hungarian Empire and the German Navy have very good relations."

"Okay, if there is this opportunity, I hope that both parties can work together again." Luo Yijun did not refuse this time.

In fact, this opportunity will come soon. Historically, from 1880 onwards, in addition to the Far Eastern Empire and Germany, the navies of the United States and Japan will usher in a major development.

However, Ernst is not sure whether Japan can keep up this time. Because of the emergence of East Africa, the fate of many countries has changed, such as Japan. Currently, Japan's most valuable industry is the raw silk industry. Although the development is very good, it is absolutely Not as good as the original history.

Because of the investment by East African and German merchants in the Far East, the Far Eastern Empire's development in the textile industry was much stronger than in the original history, especially the participation of large business groups such as Shanxi merchants and Anhui merchants.

The Far Eastern Empire government mainly developed heavy industry and military industry. In contrast, light industry, mainly the textile industry, was developed by private forces. At this time, the role of the Huaihai Economic Zone and the Zhuhai Commercial Zone became apparent, that is, there were less troubles and a lot of Far Eastern businessmen also followed suit by investing in the two economic zones, and they borrowed money from the Hechingen Bank, creating a win-win situation.

The loser is Japan, a competitor in the Far East. East Africa has lured nearly 10 million immigrants from the Far East over the years. With these surplus populations being shared, the Far East has more energy to develop industry.

Just like land, if there are fewer people, naturally more land can be used to invest in industry. The textile industry in the Far East will inevitably compete with Japan, a country with equally cheap labor, and will have more advantages. East Africa can provide the Far East with some raw materials and machinery, and Funds can even provide a part of the market.

Of course, Japan can also borrow money from Britain for development, but Britain cannot change Japan's inherent flaw of small land. If Australia or Canada is given to Japan, perhaps with Japan's diligence and humility in learning in this era, it is really possible to counterattack, but This kind of whimsical idea can only be thought about.