Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 606 The most effective method is the one that works.
The Great Chu Empire's latest plans to develop the Royal Navy have also raised concerns in Britain, prompting the dispatch of a high-level naval delegation led by Sir John Abbasnot Fisher, First Lord of the Admiralty.

Sir Fisher was a senior gunnery expert in the Royal Navy who oversaw the development of the British Dreadnought-class battleships and Lion-class battlecruisers. He was a staunch supporter of sea power theory and a thoroughgoing naval chauvinist.

The core purpose of this trip was to examine the Kunlunshan-class battleships and the new heavy cruisers, especially the triple-mounted main guns equipped on the new heavy cruisers, which is a new naval gun technology that Royal Armstrong is focusing on developing.

The Great Chu Empire took the lead and released it, causing quite a stir in the world's shipbuilding industry.

The latest technological achievements used in the 280mm triple main gun are mainly in the field of electromechanical systems. There are strong references to the 280mm triple main gun in terms of ammunition lifting mechanism, ammunition feeding mechanism and electromechanical structure.

Future directions

This means applying it to the current mainstream 305mm and 343mm large-caliber main gun turrets, which is the most convenient and feasible way to increase the firepower of main battleships.

There are also many technical challenges. The three 280mm main guns are located in one main gun turret. When firing in unison, the muzzle storms between them will have a more severe impact, which will greatly affect the accuracy of the shelling.

traditional methods

Twin-mounted main guns use muzzle brakes or flash suppressors to direct the intense muzzle flash generated by firing into different directions, thus preventing them from interfering with each other.

How did the Great Chu Empire achieve this?
"Oh my God, it's so simple, yet it fundamentally solves the problem of the muzzle flashes affecting each other. Is this the wisdom of the East?" Sir Fisher exclaimed after his visit.

He stood at a naval firing range on the coast of Angeles province, next to a triple-mounted 280mm experimental gun turret, and marveled at it after careful observation.

According to the technical staff of the Royal Manila Arms Corporation, the problem of severe muzzle flash interference between the triple 280mm main guns was solved simply by using a staggered firing method.

Each time the 280mm triple main gun turret fires simultaneously, the left gun barrel fires first, then the right gun barrel, and finally the middle gun barrel in sequence, with a 2-second delay between each firing.

In this way, the muzzle flash of the guns will not affect the accuracy of the artillery fire.

The Royal Navy of the Great Chu Empire possessed high artillery accuracy. In the first round of artillery fire during the later stages of the war, it was able to achieve a 63% cross-fire rate at close and medium range, a top-tier level globally.

One important reason
The key lies in the two-stage sequential firing of the four turrets: first, the front turret No. 2 and the rear turret No. 3 fire simultaneously, and then the front turret No. 1 and the rear turret No. 4 fire simultaneously.

This two-stage firing method involves the fore and aft hulls simultaneously bearing the enormous recoil force of the shelling, which cancels each other out, causing the ship to only move horizontally on the sea surface.

Instead, the recoil of the main guns would not cause the bow to change direction, which would greatly affect the accuracy of the shelling.

Each salvo of the main guns was fired in sequence, with intervals of a few seconds. The enormous vibrations of the entire warship during the firing were offset by the impact of the guns firing from both sides.

This firing sequence has a scientific explanation: it minimizes the impact between different shots, fully utilizes the main gun's firepower, and its immense power has been proven in actual combat.

Indeed, experience lies in the details.

Sir Fisher was full of praise for this. British engineers were racking their brains trying to eliminate the serious effects of artillery salvos through technological means, but they never expected that it would be solved so easily.

What harm can a few seconds' delay do when the artillery is still firing simultaneously?

Fisher and his entourage of senior British officers spent almost the entire day asking hundreds of questions about the triple 280mm experimental turret.

No detail is overlooked.

The engineers at the Royal Manila Armaments Company were very accommodating to the British officers' questions, answering them readily and speaking their minds freely.

Sir Fisher spoke highly of this, believing it to be "a positive result of the comprehensive development of the close and trusting relationship between England and Scotland over the past decades, encompassing political, economic, military and cultural fields, with an even more promising future."

General He Zhucheng, who accompanied the visit, was also very patient. Before leaving, he received personal advice from His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Chu Empire: "Since you are showing this to the British, then show it openly and honestly. Don't hide it or act like a child, or you will only make people look down on you."

The British are also investing heavily in technological breakthroughs for the triple-mounted main gun, and have made great progress; the interview is not far off.

The 280mm triple main gun turret of the Chu Kingdom provided the British with a lot of inspiration, which helped them avoid many detours in the development of British triple main gun turrets, and its reference value is quite significant.

Another area of ​​development in naval technology is the use of larger caliber 381mm main guns, in which the British have also made significant progress.

The Royal Manila Arms Company was also working on this project, keeping it strictly confidential from the British, and refused Fisher's group's request for a visit.

They also did not disclose any confidential parameters in the experiment, and the research and development progress was kept secret.

Some military secrets can be viewed, while others cannot.

What does a 381mm main gun mean?
The first successful development and deployment on warships would mean an overwhelming advantage over the main warships of the world's major navies, and would signify future maritime hegemony.

Its strategic significance is no less than that of the Chu state's annihilation of the Fusang combined fleet. It was a strategic advantage in the competition among the great powers, and naturally it had to be classified as a core secret.

280mm is irrelevant; that's the firepower of a heavy cruiser. Even without triple main gun turrets, installing five or six twin turrets would achieve the same firepower density.

The triple-gun turret significantly enhanced the warship's capabilities, but it did not fundamentally change its nature.

As evening approached, General He Zhucheng smiled and said to Sir Fisher, "Your Excellency, we have prepared a grand welcome dinner for our British friends, attended by many prominent figures. It is getting late, so please allow us time to enjoy the feast later."

Sir Fisher turned around upon hearing this, patted the cold, massive barrel of the 280mm main gun, and remarked with considerable emotion;

"Of course, on behalf of the gentlemen of the observation group, I would like to thank you for your kind hospitality. We have gained a lot today."

Look at these powerful behemoths; they are fearsome weapons on the ocean.

It is entirely conceivable
Before long, your navy will possess a force comparable to the British Royal Navy, assisting London in maintaining world order, though it is not ideal.

London carries too much responsibility, and we need a strong partner to share that burden.

As he spoke, he stared intently at General He Zhucheng's face with his gray-blue eyes, as if trying to take in every change.

General He Zhucheng smiled arrogantly and said without any attempt to hide his true feelings;
"The future goal of the Chu Royal Navy is to control and stabilize the situation in the Pacific region, including Central and South America, as well as the western Pacific region. This is the sacred mission of the Imperial Navy."

In this field
The Royal Navy of Chu has an inescapable responsibility, but as for the Atlantic and other regions, those are not our core interests.

At the request of your government, we can indeed play a supporting role, mainly in boosting our image. Please do not place too high hopes on us.

Faced with Sir Fisher's probing, General He Zhucheng's response was confident, and he was not worried about the British side overinterpreting the situation.

The blatant challenge from the German High Seas Fleet in Europe was enough to give the Royal Navy a headache.

The Great Chu Empire has sufficient resources and confidence; the era when sending a dozen or so warships was enough to open the country's doors is long gone.

“That would be wonderful. We look forward to deepening cooperation with your military in various fields, which is also the purpose of my trip. His Majesty the King has high expectations for this.”

"Let's talk as we go, Lord Fisher. The relevant cooperation requires both governments to draft specific regulations, which the Imperial Navy will implement unconditionally. I am very optimistic about it."

"Hmm... Is your country open to forging a further military alliance?"

"On this matter, I have not received His Majesty's authorization and cannot give a clear answer."

"What do you think... is the obstacle?"

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to use the word ‘obstacle’ to describe it. I would prefer to call it ‘difference in understanding’. European affairs should be resolved by Europeans, and the State of Chu prefers to adopt a policy of goodwill and neutrality.”

"Oh my God! This is the most absurd statement I've ever heard. When facing the evil German-Italian-Austrian alliance, it's either ally or enemy; there's no middle ground."

"So you see, Sir, this is what is meant by 'differences in understanding,' and do you find the concept more compelling now?"

"Come on, buddy, you're just playing diplomatic games."

"Yes, this is also a 'difference in understanding,' but the difference is not big, and we can easily find a consensus."

"..."

Sir Fisher was speechless at this evasive rhetoric, thinking to himself, "Easterners are so cunning," and decided not to waste any more words. The group got into a long line of cars parked nearby, and soon the convoy started moving, heading towards the distance along the road of the naval firing range, quickly becoming a cluster of small black dots.

Manila Royal Palace

Everything that happened at the naval firing range today, down to the smallest detail, was relayed to the palace and presented to His Majesty.

It was already late when the Emperor of Great Chu, Zheng Guohui, was dressed in a light gray Taoist robe. After taking a bath, he had tied his hair into a bun and inserted a dragon and phoenix hairpin with a blue hue.

After listening to Secretary-General Gu Huaiyu's report, Emperor Zheng Guohui of Great Chu unconsciously waved his finger. Gu Huaiyu, knowing the implication, bowed and then quietly withdrew.

Sitting in a rosewood rocking chair, Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty was still thinking about the British envoy. He had already roughly guessed the purpose of the British trip.

They were still uneasy about the Chu Kingdom's naval ambitions and wanted to come and test the waters.

After completely annihilating the Fusang Kingdom's combined fleet, the Royal Navy of the Great Chu Empire was virtually invincible in the Pacific and even the Indian Ocean regions, truly a force to be reckoned with.

Under these circumstances, the continued vigorous development of the main battleship fleet inevitably aroused suspicion from the British.

Are you eyeing my position as the boss?
It's understandable that the British would have such concerns, since Britain has only built seven battleships equipped with 343mm main guns to date, with four under construction and four more planned.

The only ship in the world that can rival it is the Kunlun Mountain-class battleship of the Great Chu Empire, of which four are already in service, one has been launched for amphibious operations, one is under construction, and six more Type II ships are planned to be built and commissioned in the next three years.

This pace of naval development made the British uneasy.

Although Germany's high seas fleet is developing rapidly, the first ship of the Heligoland-class battleships, the second type of dreadnoughts in the Imperial German Navy, was only launched and fitted out in May.

The second ship, East Frissnan, and the third ship, Thuringia, are under construction, while the fourth ship, Oldenburg, has just been put on the slipway.

The German dreadnoughts of this class were still equipped with 305mm main guns, but with a 50-caliber barrel. Compared to the British 305mm main guns with a 45-caliber barrel, they had a longer range, greater power, higher accuracy, and stronger penetration.

But no matter how much you praise it, it's still a 305mm main gun.

It is a level below the 343mm main gun currently in the mainstream equipment of the British Army, and its power is incomparable.

If we're talking about a truly formidable opponent for the British Royal Navy, then it has to be the "Kunlunshan" class battleships equipped by the State of Chu.

The main guns of the German fleet have always been a class smaller than those of the British, and the Heligoland-class battleships of today continue this tradition, so the Royal Navy is not particularly worried.

However, Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu knew that German warships always prioritized defense, and the main armor belt of their Helgolange battleship was neither eight inches nor nine inches, but a full 13 inches of carburized hardened bulletproof armor belt.

What is this concept?
Based on the performance of German carburized hardened bulletproof armor steel, 13 inches is enough to withstand armor-piercing rounds fired from a 343mm main gun at a distance of 10 kilometers without being penetrated, making it an absolutely formidable weapon.

The main armor belt of the Chu Kingdom's Kunlun Mountain-class battleships consisted of a nine-inch plus a six-inch composite armor, with a coal bunker filled with six meters of coal inside, making its overall defensive capabilities top-notch.

In reality, it's not as formidable as the German-made 13-inch armor.

Didn't the German main armor belt contain coal bunkers?

Sir Fisher described the defensive capabilities of the British Dreadnought-class battleships as "boiled eggs," meaning extremely tough and almost unbreakable.

If judged by Sir Fischer's standards, then German warships would be like "old, hardened rubber blocks," impossible to bite or chew.

The German High Seas Fleet was quite capable, given its ability to openly challenge the British Royal Navy.

The issue now returns to the Royal Navy of the Great Chu Empire. Zheng Guohui tapped the back of his chair lightly with his slender fingers, weighing the pros and cons.

On the other side of the Pacific Ocean

The U.S. Navy is building battleships with 305mm main guns, which also use 50-caliber guns, making it a very troublesome situation.

The 305mm main gun with a 50-caliber barrel has a longer range, reaching a maximum range of 22.5 kilometers, while the 305mm main gun with a 45-caliber barrel has a less impressive range, roughly at the level of the Japanese Navy, with a maximum range of 18.6 kilometers.

The Manila-class battleships equipped by the Great Chu Empire had inferior 305mm main guns, with a maximum range of only about 16 kilometers.

To deal with the new and advanced American and German battleships, only the higher-class "Kunlunshan"-class battleships would be needed; the technologically outdated "Manila"-class battleships would certainly be at a disadvantage.

20 century

With the rapid development of naval technology worldwide, it is an indisputable fact that the Manila-class battleships will inevitably be phased out.

Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu did not want the development of naval power to be hampered or forced to depend on the British.

Therefore, he doesn't intend to make any promises.

However, considering the close economic and trade ties between the two countries, we cannot allow this to lead to estrangement and suspicion. Therefore, we need to use a strategy of "delaying" and "pushing" to our advantage.

As for the military alliance that Sir Fisher mentioned, there's no point in even discussing it.

Based on the historical experience of the United States in the two World Wars, the later the intervention, the more obvious the benefits. Therefore, Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu planned to adopt the same method.

No matter what method it is, if it works, it's a good method.

Sitting in a rocking chair, lost in thought, a gentle breeze wafted through the hall, and before he knew it, sleepiness washed over him, and Emperor Zheng Guohui of the Great Chu Dynasty had fallen asleep.

The female guards attending him noticed and quickly brought a thin brocade quilt, quietly stepped forward, and covered His Majesty with the quilt.

At this moment, I mustered up the courage to look at His Majesty. I saw that His Majesty's usually dignified face was now etched with deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, and his hair was already gray.

This supreme emperor, revered like a god by hundreds of millions of his subjects, inevitably grew old under the relentless ravages of time.

Over the past forty years since its founding, the nation has expanded its territory by tens of thousands of kilometers, with its imperial domain spanning four continents and five oceans, establishing a magnificent and unparalleled legacy.

But now, lying in a rocking chair, he is nothing more than an old man who has exhausted all his energy.

See this scene
The two female guards couldn't help but burst into tears, large, crystal-clear tears sliding down their faces, but they dared not make a sound.

The two men retreated quietly, extinguishing several candles and closing the windows and doors to prevent His Majesty from being chilled by the night.

The report was then submitted to Gu Huaiyu, the secretary-general on duty, as is the rule of the Zichen Palace.

If His Majesty the Emperor falls into a deep sleep, it must not exceed half an hour. At that time, His Majesty must be woken up and respectfully invited to his bedroom to rest.

The only candidate is His Majesty's chief steward, Secretary-General Gu Huaiyu.

"Oh, I understand. But Your Majesty should rest for a while. You've been working hard these past few days," Gu Huaiyu said, a look of worry on his face.

His Majesty is already past his prime, and it has become quite common for him to sleep peacefully in the Zichen Palace in recent years; there have been three such instances in the last two months alone.

This inevitably caused concern among his close advisors. Fortunately, after a consultation with the imperial physician, the emperor was found to be in good health, just like a man in his prime. This was a blessing for the Great Chu Empire.

But no matter what, I'm already past sixty, and my energy isn't what it used to be.

Gu Huaiyu immediately straightened his clothes, instructed the kitchen staff to prepare hot soup, and walked lightly into the inner hall to serve him from a distance of a few meters.

If Your Majesty has any needs, we will respond immediately.

Looking at His Majesty's slightly aged face, Gu Huaiyu felt a pang of sadness, and her eyes inexplicably reddened.

He dared not imagine what would happen if His Majesty's health were to suffer any mishap; wouldn't that be tantamount to the collapse of the Great Chu Empire?

(End of this chapter)