Chapter 475: Hardship comes with joy
If Biharovsky goes to check the accounts of the Admiralty, there is a high probability that he will not survive more than three chapters.
Even in Amur, Bikharovsky was in danger. On the second day after he arrived in Vladivostok, Mikhail wanted to kill him.
George has sense.
Stolypin even dared to sell the Tsar's Tsarskoye Selo, what else could he dare not?
Stolypin was not targeting George. Of the 10 governor-general regions in the empire, except for St. Petersburg and Moscow, the other eight governor-general regions had all replaced their chief tax officers. The empire had entered the Stolypin era.
Stolypin is very talented. In 2008, Russian television conducted a selection event in which Russians voted to select the 50 greatest Russians.
Stolypin ranked second.
The number one ranking is Alexander Nevsky, the patron saint of Russia.
Nicholas had high hopes for Stolypin. He appointed Stolypin as prime minister and also minister of finance, hoping that Stolypin could lead the Russian Empire out of trouble.
At this time, George will definitely not jump out to sing the opposite and break the delicate balance between St. Petersburg and Vladivostok.
After the end of the Russo-Japanese War, the relationship between Vladivostok and St. Petersburg also entered a new stage.
Before the war, George was repeatedly criticized and accused of dominating Guandong and ignoring the interests of St. Petersburg.
No one will blame George anymore, which fully proves the famous saying "the winner is not blamed".
The reason is simple, except George, no one can safeguard the empire's interests in Kanto.
St. Petersburg does not just ask for things, but also shows kindness when it is time to show kindness.
At the end of October, the Admiralty and the Siberian Fleet finally reached an agreement. The Siberian Fleet handed over two battleships that had been paid off by Japan to the Admiralty to enhance the strength of the Baltic Fleet.
The Navy Ministry allocated 18 million rubles to the Siberian Fleet for the construction of new battleships.
It should be noted that the budget of the Navy Ministry next year is only 55 million rubles in total.
The total cost for shipbuilding is only 23 million.
After giving 18 million to the Siberian Fleet, the Navy Ministry could only make minor repairs and was unable to start construction of large warships.
With 18 million, Peter's mind immediately became active, hoping to start building a new type of full-heavy artillery battleship.
George agreed in principle.
But I don’t agree with the design of the new battleship.
The new plan submitted by Bai Laoyi is not a qualitative improvement compared with "Yuryev" and is meaningless.
George hopes that the new battleship will adopt triple main guns and increase the number of main guns to 12.
At the same time, the diameter and diameter should also be increased to 45 times and 350 mm respectively.
This request not only made Bai Laoyi worry about his head, but also fully exposed Peter's character of liking the new and hating the old.
"That's it! It doesn't matter if the technology is not up to par now, we can wait two more years, or three years!"
Peter couldn't put it down because of the new plan.
Negotiations between the United Kingdom and the Russian Empire are progressing smoothly. If there are no surprises, the relationship between the Russian Empire and the United Kingdom will be improved by next year at the latest.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire’s navy was weak.
The only thing that can pose a threat to the Russian Empire is the German Navy.
After the Russo-Japanese War, Germany started construction of four "Nassau" class full-heavy artillery battleships.
Although the "Nassau" has 12 main guns, its caliber is only 280 mm.
The rate of fire of the "Nassau"'s main gun is twice as fast as that of the British "Dreadnought" ship, reaching the level of 3 rounds per minute.
Due to the electric ammunition supply, the "Yuryev" has a rate of fire of 2 rounds per minute.
“I’ll try my best—”
Bai Laoyi frowned. According to George’s plan, it would be good to start construction of new ships in 1910.
The Siberian Fleet has not been idle during this time.
Although the Siberian Fleet won the Battle of Pohang, some problems were still exposed, and the Siberian Fleet is making improvements to address these problems.
The seaplane that George attaches most importance to has also made progress. The Siberian Fleet recently installed torpedoes on the seaplane, and the test was a complete success.
The Siberian Fleet also tried to upgrade the technology of early-production submarines. This plan eventually went bankrupt. The early-production submarines were limited by space and could not carry more torpedoes.
The Army's technology is also improving.
The heavy machine guns equipped in the Amur Military Region also exposed some problems during the Russo-Japanese War. Technicians are trying to change the cooling method of the heavy machine guns from water cooling to air cooling.
Earlier this year, the Vladivostok Machinery Factory developed a new diesel engine based on the invention of German engineer Rudolf Diesel. This diesel engine is more powerful, has smoother output and more stable performance. This invention has improved the performance of armored combat vehicles. building.
Like all-heavy artillery battleships, after the end of the Russo-Japanese War, Germany and France began research on armored fighting vehicles at the same time.
The Amur Military District began to upgrade armored combat vehicles, using thicker armor, replacing machine guns with more powerful artillery, and began to equip armored combat vehicles with armor-piercing projectiles.
George's only worry now is whether France can withstand the German attack if the German army equips a large number of armored fighting vehicles.
The French should be more worried about this problem than George.
During the Russo-Japanese War, France did not fulfill its duties as a Russo-French alliance and went to war against Japan.
George can understand this. After all, Britain did not participate in the war. If these two families end, a world war will begin in advance.
But France’s purchase of Japanese government bonds was unacceptable to George.
Japan is issuing government bonds for the sixth time, and France’s subscription amount is 20 times the amount issued. Why does St. Petersburg think that George has no control over it? George is keeping track of this account.
After the Russo-Japanese War, French investors lost all their money and brought the blame upon themselves.
The French knew they were in the wrong, so during this period, Hubbard, the French minister in Vladivostok, visited the Yuriev Palace quite frequently. Hubbard hopes to strengthen economic and military cooperation with Amur.
In fact, France has always been the most important overseas market for Amur Enterprises. George's cosmetics R&D center is still in France.
The demand for high-end fashion in France also exceeds that of St. Petersburg and London.
The French people’s pursuit of delicious food is equally surprising.
Even the profits France contributes to health care products are the highest among all overseas countries.
The French really understand everything about eating, drinking and having fun.
Of course, Vladivostok has also contributed a lot of profits to France. The imported champagne in Vladivostok has surpassed St. Petersburg, becoming one of the most important overseas markets for French champagne.
In addition to champagne, France is also the most popular overseas tourist destination for Vladivostok people.
In Vladivostok, French food is second only to Chinese food in popularity.
Hubbard hoped to introduce Vladivostok submarine technology.
The French have been researching submarines a long time ago and have made remarkable achievements. The twin-hull structure of the Vladivostok submarine is the result of French research.
Before the Russo-Japanese War, the French had been at the forefront of Europe in research on submarines, but the only thing lacking was actual performance.
The submarine of the Siberian Fleet sank the cruiser "Naniwa" of the Japanese Combined Fleet in the Battle of Vladivostok and escaped unscathed. It was a blockbuster and attracted the attention of navies around the world.
The French Navy is under greater pressure than the Russian Navy, and its need for submarines is also more urgent.
George wouldn't mind selling submarine technology to France, and it would be great if that puts more pressure on the British and German navies.
George even hoped that France could introduce armored fighting vehicles, so as to help the French army better cope with the pressure of the German Army on land.
Unlike the old-fashioned British, France is not far behind in the research of cars. There are more than 3,000 taxis on the streets of Paris, and a large number of them are Renault and Peugeot produced in France.
During the Russo-Japanese War, France also sent military observers to the Russian army and was deeply impressed by the role of armored fighting vehicles.
Hubbard welcomes all comers and hopes to purchase 10 armored fighting vehicles for research.
George was unhappy.
If you want to buy, buy more, buy a hundred and eighty cars at once. Even if it causes the spread of technology, for the sake of profit, George will accept it.
Who cares if I buy 10 cars at a time? The profit is not enough for shipping.
"10 armored fighting vehicles, 200 engines——"
Hubbard has a lot of eyes, and with the engines, the French can do their own research.
"200 armored fighting vehicles, plus a full set of engine production technology."
George wants to package all the armored fighting vehicles currently in service in the Amur Military Region to France.
The Amur Military Region already has new armored fighting vehicles. Even if the existing armored fighting vehicles are not bought to the French, they will gradually take a back seat.
In this case, it is better to recycle waste and save the French people from taking some detours.
Hubbard's real purpose is engines, armored combat vehicles, etc. France can also build them themselves.
"Add 20 more submarines."
George added more, the submarines of the Siberian fleet do not need to be dismantled, they are all packaged for the French, isn't that interesting!
Hubbard was extremely confused.
The things must be good things, and they are all good things that the French army urgently needs.
The key is cost.
As the only republic in the world, France's military spending is strictly restricted by the three levels of parliament. Unlike the Russian Empire, where it can increase its military spending as it wants, the State Duma has no control over it.
“The Bank of Siberia can provide loans——”
George continued to add money, if you have no money, I will help you.
"Okay! That's it!"
Hubbard finally made up his mind.
The French order came from the dividends of the Russo-Japanese War.
There are still plenty of bonuses.
Not only France is curious about the new weapons that emerged one after another in the Amur Military Region during the Russo-Japanese War, but Germany is also the same.
Karl has expressed to George that he hopes to introduce Vladivostok's submarine technology.
The Qing Empire is also in contact with Vladivostok, hoping to purchase complete sets of equipment from Vladivostok.
George still remembers how he purchased the steel equipment.
In order to purchase steel equipment, George did not even reject the equipment that the Americans had eliminated.
Now that Vladivostok has finally come to an end, it is now qualified to sell complete sets of equipment to external parties.
However, George was a little hesitant to sell the equipment to the Qing Empire.
The Amur was stolen from the Qing Empire by the Russian Empire.
What if the industry of the Qing Empire catches up——
Oh, Qing Empire, forget it.
(End of this chapter)