Chapter 558 Atmosphere
After the Russo-Japanese War, Nikolai was so depressed that he no longer even wanted the Navy. The Navy did not build a new ship for two years.
With the Russian Empire taking over the Black Sea outlet, Nicholas' confidence was at an all-time high and he targeted the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The time came to 1913. As the four British "Orion" class battleships entered service one after another, the European arms race further intensified.
Referring to the "dreadnought" standard, the "Orion" has a larger gun caliber and an increase in displacement to more than 25,000 tons. The British define this level of battleship as "super-dreadnought."
In addition to the four "Orions", Britain started construction of two more "Queen Elizabeth" class battleships at the end of last year, and will start construction of three more this year to continue to maintain its advantage over the German Navy.
The four "Gangut" class battleships of the Russian Empire have been commissioned one after another the year before last. Four "Queen Maria" class battleships are under construction, plus "Yuryev" and "Roman" After "Nove" and "Russia" are completed, the Russian Empire will have 11 all-heavy artillery battleships.
In George's opinion, 11 all-heavy artillery battleships are enough to protect the maritime borders of the Russian Empire.
Nicola was very worried.
In recent years, Germany has made persistent efforts on the basis of "Nassau" and "Helgeland", posing a strong challenge to the British Royal Navy at an average rate of 3 ships per year.
In addition to all-heavy artillery battleships, Germany is also building battlecruisers at a rate of one per year. In terms of the number of large warships, Germany has surpassed the Russian Imperial Navy.
While Nicholas hoped that George would adjust the combat plan, he also asked George if he had any new shipbuilding plans.
The latest British "Queen Elizabeth" class battleship, with a full load displacement of 33,000 tons and a main gun caliber of 14 inches, is the most powerful in the world.
George knew, however, that the caliber of the main gun of the "Queen Elizabeth" was not the claimed 14 inches, but 15 inches (381 mm).
Considering that Britain was an ally of the Russian Empire, George would not irritate Nicholas.
"Before the completion of the 'Queen Maria' class battleships, the Navy has no plans to build more battleships, but will focus mainly on the construction of submarines and cruisers."
If George does not wave, neither does the Empire. To be wealthy, spend money sparingly.
Hearing that George said he would not build battleships, Nicholas Jr., Chief of General Staff Suhomlinov, and Durnovo, who succeeded Stolypin as Minister of Finance, breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
George's reputation is now unparalleled. If George wants to build a battleship, Nicholas will satisfy George's request by selling iron.
The empire's finances are still not abundant, and the military expenditure is only so much. The navy does not build ships, but the army still takes the lion's share. Everyone is happy.
George didn't let little Nicholas get his wish. Although the navy didn't build ships, it didn't mean that George didn't spend money.
During the Balkan War, the aviation force showed strong combat effectiveness and contributed greatly to the empire's seizure of the Black Sea outlet.
After the Balkan War, the naval aviation merged with the army aviation to formally establish the air force, becoming the third largest branch of the Russian Empire.
The position of Air Force Commander is currently held concurrently by George.
George asked the empire to increase investment and establish an air force consisting of at least 500 transport aircraft or bombers.
"Why do we need so many bombers?"
Little Nikolai's face was earth-colored. If Nikolai agreed to this plan, the Army's expansion plan would be ruined.
Disarmament allowed the empire to successfully survive the most difficult stage. As the finances gradually improved, the army must expand, otherwise it would not be able to cope with the pressure of the German-Austrian alliance.
The armies of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire have been expanding in recent years.
When the Russo-Japanese War broke out, the size of the German Army was only 770,000, and now it has exceeded 850,000.
The strength of the Austro-Hungarian Empire also increased from 500,000 to 650,000.
Faced with the arms race, Britain's response is that Germany will build one ship, and Britain will build two.
Nicholas Jr. hopes that the size of the Russian Army will be increased to 1.5 million men, which is the same size as the total strength of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
This plan is not very realistic. If we follow the standards of the Guards, the empire's finances will go bankrupt again.
“We already have 1.2 million people and only need to add 300,000 people.”
Nicholas Jr. worked hard to promote his army expansion plan. The 1.2 million includes all the troops stationed in various places and the Rigao servant army.
"Nikki, you forgot the Balkan Alliance."
George reminded little Nicholas that the empire still has a group of younger brothers in the Balkans.
Not counting the newly founded Albania, each of the five Balkan countries could easily produce 100,000 people, which was enough to contain the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Little Nicholas's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. Before he could speak, Nicholas turned upside down.
"How is Bob in Bulgaria?"
"Not bad——"
This is already a very high compliment for George. Polis would be very happy if he knew about it. happy.
"Bob is already 18 years old this year, right?"
Nicola twirled his carefully trimmed beard in thought.
This time it was George's turn to look bad.
After Alexei returned from Vladivostok, Nikolai mentioned to George intentionally or unintentionally that the eldest princess Olga had turned 18 years old, and it was time to consider life-long events.
In terms of seniority, Polis is one generation older than Olga.
But this is not a problem. Nikolai’s sister Xenia is married to Nikolai’s cousin Alexander.
George did not dare to respond.
Both Nikolai and Alex's children carry the hemophilia gene. The most disgusting thing about this disease is that it only affects men and has no effect on women.
Bolis and Olga haven't even released the fifth server yet. If they get married, even if the child's intelligence is fine, the boy born will suffer from the same diseases as Alexei. It is for this reason that although a prince proposed to Olga, neither Nicholas nor Alex agreed.
Knowing that Olga carries the hemophilia gene and still proposing, if this is not true love, it must have ulterior motives.
George didn’t want Polis to be like Sergei, who didn’t even dare to have a child.
"Your Majesty——"
Former Interior Minister Durnovo reminded Nikolai to get down to business.
“Oh oh oh, sorry, where did we talk?”
“Speaking of Bob being 18 years old!”
Little Nicholas is not angry, do it Whatever doesn't work, crooked building ranks first.
Nicholas was not angry, and did not have the majesty of the Tsar at all. He smiled and passed by.
"George, if you still have money, consider lending it to the Imperial Treasury. The Imperial Treasury can also pledge customs duties."
Durnovo personally took action and was not unkind to George. Resentment.
Since the Bank of Siberia can lend money to the Ottoman Empire to counter the rebellion, it must also have money to lend to the Russian Empire. The interest rate will be whatever it is, and it will not be less than a big penny.
“Hasn’t the tariff already been mortgaged to London and Paris?”
George didn't really want to talk about it.
It is strange to say that the Cossacks, who were unstoppable in the Balkans, suddenly turned into soft ducks in Asia Minor. Not only did they not quickly put down the rebellion of the Ottoman Shabab, but they also fell into a long tug-of-war. In a stalemate.
George did not know whether the Cossacks were happy or unhappy.
Anyway, the military merchants who followed the Cossacks fighting in the Asia Minor Peninsula were very happy. Every day, merchant ships filled with various supplies arrived in Constantinople via the Sea of Marmara.
"Plan——"
Sukhomlinov finally couldn't help it and changed the battle plan as promised.
"The Germans have been preparing for Schlieffen's plan for 20 years and will not change the battle plan easily."
George insisted, more stubborn than the Germans.
"George, we must consider the possibility that Berlin and Austria will make us the first target once war breaks out."
Sukhomlinov cannot confirm whether the "Schlieffen Plan" exist.
Anyone in later generations who is familiar with the history of the World War will know something about the "Schlieffen Plan."
For Germany, the "Schlieffen Plan" is top secret. Only Kaiser Wilhelm II and a few marshals know about it. Most generals do not know the existence of the "Schlieffen Plan".
So Sukhomlinov still doubts the authenticity of the "Schlieffen Plan".
The Austro-Hungarian Empire also had a similar plan, but the first goal of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was not the Russian Empire, but the Balkans.
So George's plan is to stand still and wait until both Germany and the British and French forces are defeated, while the Russian Empire sends troops to clean up the mess.
As for how the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Balkans fought, George didn't care at all.
“Absolutely impossible!”
George firmly believed that the Germans, who were single-minded, would not modify their plans.
Since the Russo-Japanese War, George has been working hard to create an impression on the Germans: the Russian Empire is not easy to mess with, so go and fight France.
During the Rivno exercise, George took the initiative to demonstrate infantry and combat coordination. The purpose was to strengthen this impression and make Germany retreat in spite of difficulties.
If Nicholas must attack, then George will still choose the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a breakthrough, and he will have to pick the weak ones.
Specifically speaking of tactics, it is better to recruit a group of Balkan boys to defeat the Austro-Hungarian Empire first, and then join forces with the British and French forces to surround Germany.
Sukhomlinov looked helpless and was troubled by George's stubbornness.
“I mean if——”
“If the German-Austrian alliance dares to attack, the tragedy of the French will happen again to them.”
George is not afraid. In addition to General Dong, the Russian Empire's greatest support also has strategic depth that makes the enemy despair.
In the past, the depth of the Russian Empire was as far as Moscow.
The depth of the Russian Empire now reaches Vladivostok.
If that doesn't work, George will fight and retreat at the same time. While retreating to Vladivostok, he will blow up the Siberian Railway to see who can outlast the other.
"George, our goal is to keep the enemy outside the country."
Little Nicholas is also floating now.
“Ha——”
George sneered, whose enemy should I defend?
George has not forgotten how some people in Russia were jumping up and down during the Russo-Japanese War.
When the Germans invade, George will definitely strengthen the wall and clear the country. At that time, he will just take advantage of the situation to complete a wave of cleaning from the outside in, and then pour the sewage on the Germans.
This wave of little Nicolas is at most on the third level, while George is in the atmosphere.
(End of this chapter)