Chapter 532 The Devil's Deal
William II just tightened his belt, while Nicholas tightened his neck, and life was difficult.
Although Tirpitz did not pay attention to the Russian Imperial Navy at all, what if William II took the wrong medicine and forced Tirpitz to attack St. Petersburg from the Baltic Sea?
With the addition of four dreadnoughts, the Baltic Fleet has a total of 8 battleships.
The German Navy has 13 dreadnoughts alone, 5 battlecruisers, 22 old battleships, and 32 cruisers. If there is a fight, will George take the lead?
If the world war breaks out, and Germany does not attack France first, but attacks the Russian Empire first, George believes that both France and Britain will only be happy to see the results and will not do anything about it. Fulfill its duties as an ally.
So George's current strategy is the same as Tirpitz's, making Tirpitz fully realize that the Russian Empire is not easy to mess with, and the Schlieffen Plan is the way to go.
57 million rubles is only enough to build 2 dreadnoughts, which is not enough to close the gap between the Baltic Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet.
But if used to build submarines, almost 200 can be built.
The submarine built by Vladivostok Shipyard costs less than 300,000.
George doesn't need more. 30 submarines are enough to deter the German navy.
Based on the performance of submarines in the Russo-Japanese War, although the advantages are obvious, the shortcomings are also obvious. The main shortcomings are slow speed, short range, small bomb load, and slightly insufficient attack methods.
The weapons of the Vladivostok submarine are only torpedoes and no artillery. When dealing with small ships, it lacks effective attack methods.
If artillery is installed on a submarine, it will affect the speed and endurance of the submarine. You cannot have both.
An important reason why George sold the submarine to the Germans was that the new submarines of the Siberian Fleet had already been commissioned.
The new submarines of the Siberian Fleet have a displacement of up to 1,800 tons and a maximum surface speed of an astonishing 15 knots, which is faster than the cruising speed of most warships.
The number of torpedoes on the new submarine has been increased to 24. In addition to the torpedoes, there is also a 40mm rapid-fire gun.
In order to meet George's requirements, this rapid-fire cannon can also be received inside the submarine when not in use, and will not affect the speed of the submarine.
The most amazing thing is that the new submarine has a endurance of 9,000 nautical miles, which can almost make a round trip from Vladivostok to Los Angeles.
Although the cost of a new submarine exceeds 1.2 million rubles, compared with battleships, submarines are still too cheap. George plans to build 10 of them first.
With 10 submarines, we can claim to the outside world that we have 100 submarines, believe it or not.
Even the British Royal Navy will not dare to enter the Baltic Sea by then.
"No one wants your money, I just want to say that before you trade with the Germans, you should at least tell me first."
Nikolai's gesture is enough Humble, George finally realized the benefits of being an imperial uncle.
Nicholas has no choice.
The strongest reaction to George's "enemies" was not Nicholas, but the British and French.
The United Kingdom is engaged in a crazy arms race with Germany. The Germans are having a hard time, and the British are also having a hard time.
Although France is not qualified to engage in an arms race, as long as Germany's strength increases, the French will be restless.
After the German media disclosed the transaction between George and the Germans, London and Paris immediately called St. Petersburg and asked Nicholas to terminate the transaction between George and the Germans.
George is determined not to comply. He has not received the money yet, so he must not stop.
"The Imperial Navy is in a difficult situation. It has no money to build warships, so it can only exchange technology for money. Otherwise, will London and Paris provide money?"
George was confident.
Never mind how George was in trouble when he was in Berlin. Facing the British and French, George only had one sentence: If he wanted me not to "collaborate with the enemy", it would be fine, just bring me money.
"What are you going to build?" Little Nicholas never expected that even though he didn't say a word next to him, he could actually get burned.
Military spending is only so much. If the navy wants to build warships, the army will have no money to buy tanks.
“Didn’t you say that the Baltic Fleet does not need battleships?”
Nicholas was also surprised, did anyone else want money? If George needed money, Nikolai would give him a squeeze, how much? I can still give some.
George looked at the two Nicholas with disgust in his eyes. None of you named Nicholas are smart.
Never mind whether the Baltic Fleet needs battleships, it is true that the Russian Empire is short of money.
Although Britain is full of ill will towards the Russian Empire, if the Russian Empire is about to perish, the British will be the first to be unwilling, otherwise they will not lend money to Russia to rebuild its finances.
George feels that the British sunk costs are not enough and they need to increase their efforts.
For the same reason, George felt that the French should also pay more protection fees to the Russian Empire.
The French frantically purchased Japanese bonds during the Russo-Japanese War. After the Russo-Japanese War, they increased their investment in the Russian Empire. Stolypin just borrowed 1 billion francs from France some time ago.
The French think they are smart, but in fact they are a typical example of people who only care about food but not about fighting. They cannot please both ends.
George let go. Even 1 billion francs was not enough to build a ship. Bankers in Paris also had to cut back on food and clothing to support St. Petersburg's construction of Russia.
“If you owe money, you always have to pay it back——”
Nicholas’ shortcoming was that he was too honest and stubborn.
The Russian Empire borrowed money, which was different from the Qing Empire’s indemnity. The initiative lay with the Russian Empire.
The Qing Empire borrowed money to pay compensation, using customs revenue as collateral. Those who dared not repay the money would still be beaten.
Even if the Russian Empire used customs revenue as collateral to borrow money from Britain, Britain would not dare to send people to take over the customs of the Russian Empire.
During the Hundred Years War between England and France, Britain borrowed money from the Italians, a total amount equivalent to 6 times the British fiscal revenue at the time.
The Italians took advantage of the situation and offered the British a condition of using British customs revenue from the 14th century to 1911 as collateral.
The British agreed.
The Italians were very happy. After giving the money, they happily sent someone to take over the British customs. As a result, they were imprisoned by the British as soon as they arrived in the UK. This incident directly triggered the European economic crisis.
George did not say that he would not repay the money. As long as the empire exists, the money can be repaid slowly.
If the empire is gone, look for whomever you like.
When the Russian Empire owes Britain and France 1 billion pounds, if the bourgeoisie of the Russian Empire forces Nicholas to abdicate, Britain and France will support Nicholas.
If the Russian Empire owes 10 billion, Britain and France will send troops to protect Nicholas' safety.
“Isn’t it a little bad to do this——”
Nicholas said that it was not good, and he had already started rubbing his hands happily.
"Nikki, let George also serve as Chancellor of Finance. There is a hundred vits difference between Stolypin and George!"
Little Nicholas is so happy, if George blackmails If it succeeds, the Army can get some points no matter what.
(End of this chapter)