Chapter Seventy-Fifth Sincerity to America
The next morning, Gao Yang arrived at the US Consulate. What surprised Gao Yang was that the US Ambassador to China, Mr. Ma, had already arrived in Shanghai!
In the living room, Marconi smiled and said to Gao Yang, "Mr. Gao, I came to Shanghai with Lord Maconochie, and we were just about to visit you today."
"Oh? I don't think Ambassador Ma has ever mentioned this matter before." Gao Yang leaned back on the sofa, propping up his legs and asked with a smile. But in his heart, he thought "It seems they've already discussed it long ago."
Lord Mauleverer, adjusting his tie, raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of discontent, "Sir Makepeace brought the British government a contract worth over 200 million pounds, how could he possibly remember to mention me!"
"It seems there's no such thing as a secret in this world, we just discussed it last night and now the whole world knows about it."
Mr. Ma took a cigar and sat down opposite Gao, opening his mouth to ask, "Mr. Gao, I don't understand, given the good relations between our US government and you, why didn't you buy warships from us? You should know that we Americans have the strongest manufacturing capabilities in the world!"
Gao Yang pinched his chin, nodded slightly and smiled, saying "I'm well aware of the great power of your country, it's just that I need warships that can be used immediately! And your country..."
"Speaking of which, Gao Yang took a sip of his cigarette, adjusted his sitting posture and said calmly: "Except for the 18 existing ones, all other battleships of your country's navy have been decommissioned. Can your country's navy sell me eight in-service battleships at once? The British are willing to sell! Of course, I want to buy what they are willing to sell."
Ambassador Ma felt a little uncomfortable in his heart. The British are willing to sell you old battleships because they are short of money and want to get in touch with you! We Americans can't do that, according to the current situation, it's impossible for Congress to agree. Even if they really agreed to sell to you, they wouldn't approve a new shipbuilding plan afterwards, so the Navy won't work either!
Marvin shook his head somewhat helplessly and said, "Then the American shipyard can build a brand new warship for you."
Gao Yang smiled softly and said, "Ambassador, I've already told you, what I need is a warship that can be formed into combat force immediately! Not a new ship that needs to stay in the shipyard for several years!"
"Alright, Mr. Ambassador, let's not dwell on this issue any longer. Let's talk about something practical."
"Mr. Gao, how do you plan to persuade our government to agree to a major revision of the Washington Naval Treaty?"
Gao Yang smiled and picked up the teacup, taking a sip. "Hmm? Longjing?" Gao Yang asked with some surprise. Ma Muren's expression faltered for a moment before he quickly put on a smile and said, "Yes, this is top-grade Hangzhou Longjing tea, a gift from your government. I hope you like it, Mr. Gao."
Kōyō slightly shook his head, put down the teacup and said, "In the Hawaiian dispute of those years ago, the number of Japanese immigrants was clearly more than that of the United States, yet they were forced to retreat by your country's military power. I think this matter has been remembered in the hearts of the Japanese people all these years."
Marvin was taken aback by Gao Yang's sudden mention of the Hawaii dispute between the US and Japan many years ago.
"Japan has always wanted to expand its power, and the contradictions between your country and Japan are very great. I know that your government will certainly support me, after all, it is very beneficial for your country to have me contain Japan. Now, what your government wants is just to see how much more oil can be squeezed out of me, since the main tune has already been set, there's no need to say any more unnecessary words. I have a plan here, please pass it on to your government and see if they can accept it!"
Gao Yang nodded to Gao Feng beside him. Gao Feng took out the ship purchase plan that was hastily prepared last night from the file bag and handed it to Ambassador Ma Mu Rui, who opened the document and began to study it seriously.
"Let me explain quietly," said Gao Feng, "We will provide the technical data and your country will build two standard 35,000-ton treaty-type battleships, one in your country and one at our Jiangnan Shipyard. Similarly, we will provide the technical data and your side will build four aircraft carriers, two in your country and two at our Jiangnan Shipyard."
"The specific performance indicators are temporarily set to the A-type battleship standard, with a normal displacement of 35,000 tons and a full-load displacement of 44,800 tons. The length is 222 meters, the width is 32.98 meters, and the draft is 11.6 meters. There are four sets of compound reduction gear turbines, eight heavy oil boilers, and four shafts with a total output power of 121,000 horsepower, with a maximum design speed of 27 knots. At a speed of 15 knots, the endurance is 16,320 nautical miles, and at a speed of 25 knots, the endurance is 5,740 nautical miles. The estimated crew is 1,880 people, equipped with three seaplanes. The firepower configuration design includes three triple-mounted 406mm/45 caliber main guns, ten double-mounted 127mm/38 caliber dual-purpose guns. The armor protection configuration design includes a main armor belt with a thickness of 305mm and an inclination angle of 15 degrees, a horizontal deck armor thickness of 196mm, a main gun front armor thickness of 406mm, and a bridge armor thickness of 406mm."
"After a pause, Highwind continued to say 'All the boilers, steam engines, armor, main guns and overall design will be provided by our side with technical data, and your country can build them and share these data!'"
Gao Yang looked at the skeptical and disbelieving face of Ambassador Ma Mu Rui, smiling lightly, "Ambassador, please do not doubt the technical data provided by our side. These materials can be carefully identified by the naval experts of your country." After finishing speaking, he nodded to Gao Feng, indicating for him to continue.
"Alright, after reviewing the documents, Mr. Gong continued to say: 'The standard displacement of the B-type aircraft carrier is tentatively set at 19,900 tons, with a full load displacement of 25,600 tons. The length of the ship is 246.7 meters, the waterline length is 232 meters, and the beam is 25.4 meters. The draft is 7.9 meters deep, the flight deck is 245 meters long and 33 meters wide. There are four 1,000 kW double-reduction geared steam turbines, two 200 kW diesel engines, nine heavy oil boilers, and a total output of 120,000 horsepower for the four-axis propulsion system. The maximum design speed is 33 knots. At a speed of 15 knots, the endurance is 12,500 nautical miles, and at a speed of 20 knots, the endurance is 7,900 nautical miles. It is expected that there will be 2,200 crew members on board, with a standard air group of 90 aircraft. The entire ship is designed to have eight 127mm dual-purpose guns, four quadruple 28mm anti-aircraft guns, and 24 12.7mm Browning machine guns. The armor belt on the sides of the hull has a thickness of 102mm, the bulkhead armor has a thickness of 102mm, and the bridge armor has a thickness of 102mm. Like the A-type battleship, all technical data will be provided by us, and construction will be carried out by your side.'"
"Gentlemen, I am willing to pay $400 million for a single A-type battleship and $13 million for a single B-type aircraft carrier. Additionally, all technical data can be shared with your country!"
He took a sip of tea and continued, "Your country is responsible for upgrading the shipbuilding equipment at Jiangnan Shipyard to a large-scale shipyard that can build these two types of warships. Of course, I will pay whatever it costs, not a single cent less. How about it, Ambassador Marconi? Is my sincerity enough?" Gaoyang smiled and looked at Ambassador Marconi.
"Mr. Gao, this order will be very welcome by the shipyard owners in our country. It's just that the parliament..."
"Enough, Mr. Ambassador!" High Yang interrupted, his voice low and serious. "The matters of your country's parliament can wait! These two A-class battleships have a total standard displacement of 70,000 tons, plus the 170,000 tons of standard displacement from the battleships I purchased from the Royal Navy. The total displacement of our main fleet is 240,000 tons, which is 60,000 tons less than Japan's limit! And these are two main battleships we're talking about! Moreover, most of the ships I bought from the Royal Navy are old and their combat effectiveness is questionable."
"So, in my personal opinion, if our side joins the Washington Naval Treaty, with 4 B-type aircraft carriers plus the Eagle aircraft carrier, our total aircraft carrier tonnage should be 105,000 tons! I hope your government can support my opinion."
"Mr. Gao," said Ambassador Morrow, nodding his head seriously, "I will faithfully convey your opinions to President Coolidge, but whether Congress can approve it now is not something I can answer."
"He nodded slightly and said, 'Please give my regards to President Calvin Coolidge. I will ask friends for help with the congressional matters.'"
On the way back to the garrison headquarters, Gao Yang said faintly, "President Coolidge believes in developing the economy and governing by non-action. As long as we can make money, my plan won't be hindered by him. The trouble is Capitol Hill! Now is the time for our American friends to lend a hand." "Yes, sir,"
Zeng Pinghai was an accountant at a French oil company in Shanghai. To make a living for his family, he rushed to work every morning and didn't care about things around him.
However, this morning he saw newspaper boys on the tram shouting something while scattering flyers by the roadside.
On the bus, he didn't quite catch it, only vaguely heard something about the navy, pounds and warships. However, he saw that people on the road were holding flyers with an expression of unbelievable yet ecstatic faces.
Many people were shouting and crying, and some even sat on the ground, wailing in despair. "What's going on?" everyone on the train wondered, just like Zeng Pinghai.
