Nanyang Storm 1864

The new "Coconut City" class battleships adopted a humpback-style main gun turret, which is the first time in the world that this new technology has been used. It is unique and groundbreaking. The related twin-mounted main guns have undergone hundreds of tests at the Anclaise Proving Ground to verify the performance of its main guns and ammunition magazine delivery system.

The new main gun ammunition depot transport system is fully electric and is equipped with two diesel-powered generators. With a total of four twin-mounted turrets, that's eight diesel-powered generators.

In this technological field, the State of Chu, along with Germany, was among the world's leading states.

The University of Manila has 37 German professors, 15 French professors, and 9 British professors, as well as renowned experts from European countries such as the United States, Austria-Hungary, the Netherlands, and Belgium, all of whom were recruited at high salaries.

In the Great Chu Empire, the Chinese experts cultivated over the decades have become the main force in technological development, jointly forming the backbone of the empire's scientific and technological progress.

Admiral Ho Chu Seng, the Royal Navy Minister, was originally the Commander-in-Chief of the West African Fleet. After the passing of his predecessors, Admiral Ho Hai Seng and Vice Admiral Robert, he took control of the Royal Navy and was His Majesty's chosen successor.

Nothing else, just enough loyalty and obedience.

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty has consistently prioritized loyalty over ability in his personnel selection over the decades. Those who meet the standards required for His Majesty's important responsibilities are far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

While accompanying His Majesty on the inspection, General He Zhucheng noticed that His Majesty did not seem to value the battleship "Aceh" which was under construction, but instead frequently looked to the side.

Following the gaze, he realized it was the "Qian" Ding submarine, a new development by the Chu Kingdom's Royal Navy.

It turns out that His Majesty is already very familiar with battleships, but is extremely interested in submarines, a new and exciting technology.

"Your Majesty, this is the latest 'Big Blue Fish' class submarine developed by the Navy over more than a decade. After two technological iterations, it has the capability for mass production and deployment."

"Oh, what's so technically outstanding about it?"

"Your Majesty, this class of submarine has a diving depth of 40 meters, a surface speed of 9.5 knots, a range of 7200 nautical miles, and the capability for long-range deployment and combat. This is among the most advanced levels in the world."

"Yes, that's right. Submarines are assassins beneath the surface. The more naval weapons we have, the more operational flexibility and options we have. This is a very beneficial aspect of supplementing the Royal Navy's strength."

"Your Majesty, the Admiralty plans to first produce the first batch of 12 'Big Bluefish' class submarines, and then make further improvements based on the problems and shortcomings discovered during actual use. This will also be the first combat submarine to be mass-produced and equipped by the Royal Navy, and the Admiralty has high expectations for it."

"The path of continuous improvement is correct, and we must keep an eye on this aspect," Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty instructed.

Admiral He Zhucheng immediately stood at attention, saluted, and replied resolutely, "Your Majesty, I understand. The Royal Navy will resolutely follow His Majesty's decree and forge a path of improvement and advancement in submarine development."

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu nodded slightly and hummed in agreement. His gaze lingered on the large submarine moored on the shore for a moment before he continued forward.

He didn't bother to go inside the submarine for a closer look. It was obvious that the submarine was filled with a lot of pipes and valves, the space was extremely cramped, and the working environment was not good.

Going inside is just asking for trouble.

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu was not skilled in technology and could hardly offer any helpful advice.

From the perspective of naval development strategy only

The generals were guided to focus on the development of submarine technology, rather than overemphasizing behemoths like battleships, thereby neglecting other types of naval vessels such as cruisers, destroyers, torpedo boats, gunboats, and submarines.

Comprehensive development is the right direction.

From the perspective of the Royal Navy's own needs
It can be summarized in four words: the "big ship, big gun" strategy that is universally pursued by navies around the world today. This is true for the British, the French, the Germans, and the Americans, and even the people of Chu.

As for submarines, which are small devices weighing only a few hundred tons, the large amount of research funding was invested in them because His Majesty liked them, and the research and development has been carried out in a consistent manner.

However, within the Royal Admiralty, there weren't many people who genuinely valued submarines.

The "big ships and big guns" policy is the way to go. As for things like submarines, the Royal Navy generals really don't care about them and won't devote much enthusiasm to them.

This is also due to habit. People who are used to doing big business worth hundreds of millions or tens of millions of dollars are unlikely to care about these small tricks that cost a few cents.

The submarine project is a key project of His Majesty's attention. Even though the high-ranking officials of the Navy are not particularly concerned about it, the research funding and the development of related new warships are fully guaranteed.

During these years of tight budgets, the Navy has never cut any projects, and it would never cut the submarine project that His Majesty has been keen on, as the related funding has always been quite abundant.

Because of this
The submarine technology of the Great Chu Empire has always maintained a world-class level. In response to its own needs for ocean exploration, the submarines developed by the Great Chu Empire are generally large in tonnage. The latest "Big Blue Fish" class reaches 920 tons and belongs to ocean-going submarines.

It is only one step away from becoming a submarine with a displacement of 1,000 tons.

no way

For any type of warship developed by the Great Chu Empire, ultra-long range is an unavoidable and essential requirement.

This is because the sea area of ​​the Great Chu Empire is so vast, covering almost all five major oceans of the world. Actual needs determined the development direction of the Chu Royal Navy, and long-range voyages were an essential requirement.

For long voyages, warships are indispensable.

Compared to their European counterparts, the first-class main battleships assigned to the Chu Kingdom were generally 20-30% larger in size, with the core requirement being long range and the ability to conduct transoceanic operations.

This has always been the primary need of the Royal Navy fleet of the Great Chu Empire.

This applies to battleships, heavy cruisers, light cruisers, and even cruisers and submarines; long range is the primary requirement.

After walking and talking along the way, it was already noon when we returned to the Royal Navy Manila Shipyard conference room.

The scene of production before his eyes greatly pleased Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty.

The production of large ocean-going civilian ships is fundamental, while battleships, as decisive weapons of naval warfare, represent the culmination of human technology and clearly reflect the current technological level of the Great Chu Empire.

In every aspect, it has reached world-class standards.

This is an essential advanced capability for a maritime empire like the Great Chu Empire with its vast territory. More steel means more confidence and stronger war-fighting capabilities.

these years
The Great Chu Empire has been continuously developing its royal navy. In addition to battleships and heavy cruisers, it also possesses a large number of destroyers, torpedo boats, gunboats, and frigates, forming a well-balanced and powerful naval force with a considerable number of ships.

In particular, the number of frigates is as high as 262, which are widely distributed in various overseas governorates and the eight islands of the mainland, and are the core force for carrying out daily maritime operations.

These ordinary patrol vessels are equipped with a 122mm naval gun, two Maxim 37mm rapid-fire cannons and two heavy machine guns. The displacement of a single ship is between 680 tons and 1,000 tons, and they have developed into three major series and more than a dozen models.

Its main function is to patrol near the coast, investigate merchant ships and pirates, maintain maritime order in the region, and protect fishing and navigation. It is a typical second-line maritime force.

However, such a large-scale second-line naval force should not be underestimated. Many young officers trained by the Royal Naval College are assigned to patrol ships in the marine police forces of various governorates after graduation.

Only those who perform exceptionally well can be selected to serve in front-line combat fleets. This is the talent pool of the Royal Navy of the Great Chu Empire, capable of quickly equipping relevant personnel after a large main warship is launched and commissioned, and achieving combat capability within six months.

This is closely related to the large reserve fleet strength, which is also something that the Royal Navy of Great Chu is quite proud of.

By the end of 1902
The Royal Navy of Great Chu has grown to 277,500 personnel, nearly 80% of the total number of the British Royal Navy, making it quite large.

What was lacking was top-tier naval combat power, namely battleships and battlecruisers.

As the world's most powerful naval force, the Royal Navy operates across five continents and seven oceans, with a total fleet of approximately 530 ships, primarily large ocean-going vessels.

Its main battleships numbered 41 ships across nine classes, along with dozens of heavy cruisers and over 130 light cruisers, making it an extremely large fleet.

Comparison
The main force of the Great Chu Empire's naval decisive battle consisted of 13 Manila-class battleships and 10 outdated ironclad warships, whose technology was far behind that of world-class warships.

It might be useful to complain about countries with weak naval power, but it won't work when dealing with powerful European and American maritime nations.

According to the standards of the British Royal Navy

These 10 "Zhen"-class ironclad warships should have been swept into the trash heap long ago, but now they can still play a role in the State of Chu, which the proud British look down on.

The price of British arrogance was that military spending accounted for a very high proportion of the budget, at one point reaching nearly 30% of the total budget.

The military expenditure of the Great Chu Empire was much lower, never exceeding 7.5% of its fiscal budget, with more funds allocated to people's livelihood and economic development.

The UK's continued high level of military spending is a necessity stemming from its global hegemonic status.

After the Boer War

Britain's fiscal burden is particularly heavy, and the continuous tax increases have caused considerable discontent within the country. This is also the main reason why the Conservative government lost the election; it is simply too unpopular.

Moreover, Britain was at the center of the world stage, the arms race on the European continent had entered a new phase, and the Germans’ relentless pressure made Britain dare not relax in the slightest, creating a very harsh strategic environment.

The Great Chu Empire was much better off, as there were basically no powerful forces around it that could threaten it, including the Fusang Kingdom.

Within the Great Chu Empire, there was a prevailing sentiment: "A war between Chu and Japan is inevitable."

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Empire also agreed with this view, saying, "How can one allow others to sleep soundly beside one's bed?"

No matter how vast the Western Pacific region may be, it cannot accommodate two world-class powers.

This situation was determined by the strategic positioning of both sides. The Chu Royal Navy already regarded the Fusang Navy as a thorn in its side and was determined to eliminate it as soon as possible.

In response, the Royal Navy of the Great Chu Empire has developed more than a dozen war plans.

However, due to the current hot topic of the Japan-Russia dispute, it is temporarily holding back, waiting for a more suitable opportunity.

As the world's major powers recognized the strength of Japan and abolished the unequal treaties imposed on it, transforming it into a normal country.

The fact that the Great Chu Empire has consistently refused to cooperate, stubbornly insisting on the lease treaty within Japan and enjoying consular treatment superior to that of ordinary citizens, is the most obvious indication of its restraint.

The Fusang Kingdom cannot be touched unilaterally, as any contact would trigger a strong reaction.

In the upper echelons of Fusang

They could also clearly sense the malice from the Chu side, and maintained a very cautious and respectful attitude in all aspects of their actions, intentionally downplaying the existence of the Chu concession.

However, this kind of thing cannot be ignored by one party simply by swallowing their anger.

As the slogan of the "Great Fusang Empire" resounded throughout the archipelago, the fervor for war, coupled with the burgeoning national self-confidence, created a restless atmosphere within Fusang.

Especially those nationalists with strong tendencies viewed the Nagasaki Chu Kingdom concession as a great national disgrace, and would become indignant and furious whenever it was mentioned.

It is entirely conceivable
If Japan had won the final victory in the Russo-Japanese War, its national self-confidence would have reached its peak at that moment.

This was followed by a surge in calls to abolish the concessions. Given the nature of the Japanese, they might do something irrational, which could escalate the conflict.

And this was the opportunity that the Royal Navy of Great Chu had been waiting for to launch its attack.

The current problem lies in the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which stipulates the military alliance between the two countries and provides Fusang with sufficient security guarantees.

To rashly attack Fusang would be to embarrass the British.

How did the aftermath unfold?

The Great Chu Empire was also taking a wait-and-see approach, without any fixed plan, but it was indeed secretly preparing to take action.

The Royal Navy's development of the new Coconut Town-class battleships was based on the reality of maritime confrontation in the Western Pacific.

Last year, this year, and next year, the Great Chu Empire's royal family will need to pay a huge sum of compensation under the Australian Transitional Treaty, which amounts to £1600 million this year, so military spending has been reduced.

The planned "Coconut City" class battleship will be put on the slipway in July after the construction blueprints are approved, and the first steel plate will be cut.

The entire construction process will last a full year, with the rig being launched into the water in September of next year. The construction period is 14 months, which is considered relatively slow.

Britain typically only needs eight months to build a similar battleship.

The long construction time does not mean that the shipyard's technology is backward, but rather that it is limited by financial resources, which affects the construction progress of the new class of battleships.

It is now mid-February 1903. The second ship of the "Yecheng" class, the "Sishui", will begin construction in May of next year and will be launched the year after next, which is 1905.

The main reason for the slow construction speed is the limited funding.

If funding were readily available, all shipyards in the Great Chu Empire could start operations simultaneously, capable of building five to six main battleships at the same time, without any problems in terms of technology or shipyards.

The question is, what does it mean that the construction and weaponry of a single "Coconut City" class battleship cost more than 650 million silver dollars, and that 5 to 6 ships were built at the same time?
Without special funding from the Great Chu Empire's royal family, such a fanciful idea of ​​a ship-destroying speed would only exist in imagination, with no possibility of being realized.

(I'm truly sorry everyone, this chapter was posted twice. Some readers who read it earlier may have noticed it's the same as the previous section. The author hastily revised it and added a new chapter. I sincerely apologize and ask for your forgiveness.)
(End of this chapter)