Republic of China: My great warlord, many children, many blessings.

For a moment, both Duanmu sisters looked somewhat helpless.

The meal was very enjoyable.

Although Shen Hao has many women, there's really no backstabbing or infighting involved.

The main thing is that Shen Hao is quite capable; he can not only distribute favors evenly.

All the women were treated the same, each receiving five hundred silver dollars per month.

No one is more, and no one is less.

Besides money, they also each have their own share of jewelry, clothes, and other items.

In China, perhaps only Shen Hao could be so extravagant and dare to keep women like this.

After all, other warlords wouldn't give so much money to keep concubines.

After spending a few days at home with the women, Shen Hao set off for the capital to attend the Governor's Conference.

Meanwhile, Daoist Qianhe, Daoist Simu, and Shen Hao's hundreds of assassins finally arrived at the Tomb of King Xian in Yunnan.

224. Shen Hao, the Target of Public Criticism (Edited, content updated)

On the way to Tianjin, Shen Hao did not choose to take a cruise ship this time, but instead took a warship.

Although the cost of warships traveling is very high.

But Shen Hao is not short of money. With his resources, he has more than enough money to squander on anthracite coal.

In those days, internal combustion engine technology was not yet mature, and naval warships of various countries basically used coal-fired gas turbines.

It can be said that before and after World War I, the main warships of various countries' navies were generally powered by coal. Once a naval fleet set sail, the thick black smoke almost marked its position to the enemy.

Therefore, high-quality anthracite coal became the favorite of navies around the world. During the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese Combined Fleet chose British anthracite coal, which was expensive but produced less smoke.

Conversely, due to internal corruption, the Russian naval expeditionary fleet did indeed use inferior Japanese coal. During the Battle of Tsushima, the Japanese navy promptly observed the Russian fleet's appearance based on smoke plumes, seizing the initiative and playing a crucial role in winning this major naval battle.

Standing on the deck, the warship was billowing thick black smoke.

Looking at the waves, Shen Hao was in a very good mood.

Currently, there are fewer than ten warships stationed in Guangdong, which are under Shen Hao's control.

There was only one cruiser; the rest were gunboats and destroyers, including four gunboats and training ships. In short, they had them, but their capabilities were lacking.

Currently, Yuan Shikai's entire navy consists of only one battleship, which dates back to the Qing Dynasty and is now damaged and unusable.

In other words, there wasn't a single battleship capable of actual combat.

First Fleet: Four cruisers, 360:

Haiqi, Hairong, Haichen, Haichou

Four destroyers: Feiying, Jiankang, Yuzhang, and Tongan

Two gunboats: Yongfeng and Yongxiang

The two flagships of the commander: Wu Feng and Lian Jing

One transport ship: Fu'an

Yuan Shikai's other fleets were of similar strength, mostly consisting of gunboats.

Shen Hao's cruisers weren't without their advantages; at least they were faster than battleships.

Unlike battleships, which are large, heavily armed, and heavy capital ships.

They can launch fierce attacks on enemy fleets. Cruisers, on the other hand, are relatively small and have weaker firepower, relying mainly on rapid maneuverability and long-range attacks.

The cost of each cruise is also outrageously high.

Warships are a must. Britain is known as the "empire on which the sun never sets" precisely because of its powerful navy.

Shen Hao also wanted a powerful navy, but that was much more expensive than an army.

We simply don't have the capability or the means to support them right now.

In the late Qing Dynasty, the Beiyang Fleet was known as the strongest in Asia.

One reason was that the Qing Dynasty was quite wealthy at the time and could purchase a large number of advanced foreign warships;

Secondly, the enemy, the Japanese Navy, was also just starting out, being built from scratch, and its strength was not strong.

Therefore, for a long time, the Beiyang Fleet was not significantly weaker than Japan, and even had two ironclad warships (the precursors to battleships).

Japan didn't have it, yet in the end we couldn't beat Japan, which is just shameful.

Since the establishment of the Republic of China, Yuan Shikai had also wanted to develop the navy, but where would he get the money?

The main problem is the severe shortage of naval funding.

The Beiyang government, burdened with heavy foreign debt, including the Boxer Indemnity and Yuan Shikai silver dollars, is currently struggling to even cover basic government expenses and military maintenance costs.

Even if Yuan Shikai's Beiyang Fleet were all combined, it wouldn't be even one-tenth the size of Japan's.

Let alone Yuan Shikai, even before he fled to Taiwan, China didn't have a decent navy; it was just for show.

Currently, it can even be said that Japan only needs one battleship and three heavy cruisers to completely annihilate the entire Beiyang Fleet.

Shen Hao now wants some battleships of his own.

However, in Shen Hao's opinion, battleships are not as practical as submarines at present.

Anything is possible. Yuan Datou helped Shen Hao, but Yuan Datou also hindered Shen Hao's development.

We can't afford to completely break off relations yet.

It's not good for anyone.

In an instant, countless images flashed through Shen Hao's mind.

At this moment, Jin Ruizhi and Bai Xiuzhu walked over.

Jin Ruizhi, who was standing nearby, gave him a look, and Bai Xiuzhu brought a military overcoat and draped it over Shen Hao.

Feeling the weight on his shoulders, Shen Hao turned around and saw Bai Xiuzhu and Jin Ruizhi standing behind him with smiles on their faces.

Facing the sea breeze, the two women's hair was blown wildly.

Shen Hao smiled, opened his arms, and embraced the two women.

It's almost October now, and the weather is getting cooler.

"It's windy outside, why did you come out?"

"It's so stuffy inside. Since you're not here, I came out to get some fresh air," Bai Xiuzhu said with a smile.

"We're almost in Tianjin; once we get there, it'll be almost over."

Just like without the Wuhan Bridge, it would be impossible to take a train directly north.

The only way is by boat.

We arrived in Tianjin first, and then took the train to Beijing.

"My lord, once we arrive in the capital, could you come with me to my home?" Jin Ruizhi asked with a smile.

"Of course, I am the son-in-law of the Jin family, and I must meet my father-in-law no matter what."

Besides, my father-in-law is currently the national governor, holding a high position and wielding great power. How could I not pay him a visit?

"Well, if my father gives you a hard time, you can't get angry, okay?" Jin Ruizhi said cautiously.

She kept her marriage to Shen Hao a secret from her family.

In general, Jin Quan was very tolerant of his children and mostly supported their own ideas about marriage.

However, Jin Quan had never encountered a situation where his daughter was to be married off as a concubine.

Jin Ruizhi was the first in the Jin family to do this.

The thought of going back and facing pressure made Jin Ruizhi's face show a hint of worry.

Shen Hao lowered his head and kissed her forehead, comforting her, "Don't worry, everything will be fine with me here."

"No matter how big the problem, I'll handle it."

"Mmm," Jin Ruizhi nodded slightly, burying her head in Shen Hao's arms, greedily inhaling the fragrance emanating from him.

Bai Xiuzhu, standing to the side, pouted and said, "What about me? I'm following you in this ambiguous way, I can't just be without a proper status, can I?"

Shen Hao chuckled and playfully pinched Bai Xiuzhu's nose, teasingly saying, "How about I give you the title of my personal maid? Do you want it?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Shen Hao was met with a brutal beating from Bai Xiuzhu's fists.

"Ugh, I don't want to! I have to be your wife, not a maid!"

"Haha, then it depends on your performance. If you perform well, I will formally propose marriage to your brother, Chief of Staff Bai, after we arrive in the capital," Shen Hao said.

"What if they don't perform well?"

Bai Xiuzhu's fair cheeks flushed red as she looked shyly at Shen Hao.

During this time, Bai Xiuzhu resigned herself to her fate.

Shen Hao is the kind of womanizer who falls in love with every girl he meets.