Once a submarine is submerged underwater, it will be closed. If there is a lack of air, it will inevitably cause catastrophic consequences. This is actually a major problem in restricting submarines from performing long-term underwater submarines. If you want to spend a long time underwater submarines, this problem must be solved.

Making air? Wang Shengwang was suddenly a little overwhelmed, and air could still be artificially created? This was something he didn't dare to imagine at all. After hesitating, he said with a wry smile: "The big shopkeeper, the method of making air is unheard of..."

"The industry has specialties." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Making air is actually making oxygen. This is a matter in the field of chemistry. The chemical department has overcome this problem and let them try the method of electrolyzing water. If using a DC generator, it should also be able to obtain oxygen..."

The molecular formula of water is H20. English chemist Cavendy had discovered it decades ago. After the advent of DC generators, electrolyzing water has gradually attracted attention and has become a cheap method of hydrogen production and oxygen production.

Yi Zhizu actually knows that conventional submarines use electrolyzed water to make oxygen, which is not practical because it consumes too much electricity, but it has no better way at present.

In fact, Yi Zhizu came to Qingdao for inspection this time mainly to inspect the construction capabilities of the ironclad ships in Qingdao shipyard. Now the ironclad ships of the Qing Dynasty have advantages that Western countries cannot reach in terms of weapons and equipment. Whether it is a double main gun or a torpedo, they are ahead of Western countries for ten or even twenty years. Once Britain and Germany dare to start a war to seize the Transvaal gold mine, he has no intention of limiting the battlefield to South Africa!

As for submarines, he just inspected them to show his importance. In his opinion, the current submarine technology does not have much practical value. However, if the war begins this time, he is willing to let the submarines participate in the war, so that practical inspection can maximize the development of submarine technology.

While speaking, the pedals were already set up on the dock. Yi Zhizu was about to wait for the boat to experience it personally, but he heard a rapid sound of horse hooves. When he turned around, he saw the confidential secretary. He realized that there must be something important and stopped immediately.

"The big shopkeeper, Shanghai urgent telephone number-" the secretary who jumped off his horse reported: "It was Director Ren's call."

The phone call from Ren An? Yi Zhizu suddenly felt a bad feeling. He immediately turned around and rushed to the institute, entered the office and picked up the phone, and said, "It's me, what's the matter?"

Ren An's voice immediately came from the microphone, "The heads of the three major countries of France, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Italy gathered in Berlin for a secret meeting for days and mentioned the Transvaal gold mine many times..."

Yi Zhizu's heart sank. The seriousness of the matter exceeded his expectations. It turned out that Germany, France, Austria and Italy jointly sent troops to seize the Transvaal gold mine. After pondering for a moment, he said in a deep voice: "Didn't English participate?"

Ren An hurriedly said: "There is no representative of England."

"Continue to inquire." Yi Zhizu ordered: "At the same time, please pay close attention to the movements of the army and navy of the four countries."

He put down the phone, lit a cigarette and took a deep breath. He was sure that England was the initiator. Even if he did not participate on the surface, he would participate in it secretly. It was just that he did not dare to openly oppose India's safety.

Germany, France and Italy have the current interests, and even the enemies of Germany and France can join forces. It seems that the Transvaal Gold Mine is really too eye-catching!

After a moment of silence, he ordered: "Prepare to return to Shanghai tomorrow. In addition, let King Gong, Su Xiang, Yan Yangtian, Xiao Mingliang, Jie Xiuyuan come to Shanghai for a meeting."

The capital, the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Su Shun quickly walked into the office, closed the door casually, and said, "I call from Yiguocheng, come to Shanghai for a meeting..."

"I also received the same call." Yi? frowned and said, "Yan Yangtian, Xiao Mingliang, and Jie Xiuyuan have received the call."

Yan Yangtian is the Minister of the Army, Xiao Mingliang is the Minister of the Navy, Jie Xiuyuan is the Minister of the Duzhi, and Yi? What is the major event going on with this Prime Minister and his Assistant Minister? Thinking of Yi Zhizu's inspection in Qingdao, Su Shun had already guessed something, "Want to fight a big battle?"

Yi? nodded, "Look at this attitude, I should be preparing to launch a large-scale military service. If the expectations are good, it should be South Africa."

"Transva Gold Mine?" Su Shun's heart sank.

Yi?shang said: "Only when the Transvaal gold mine is threatened, Yiguocheng will launch a large-scale military force at this critical moment."

"At this time, we are using a large number of troops, and Yuan Qi can support us?" Sushun said with concern, "In recent years, in order to relieve the drought in the north, Yuan Qi can be said to be a trauma. If we support a large-scale war, we must drag it down."

Yi? He didn't answer this. He knew very well that the key to the problem was not whether Yuan Qi had enough strength to support a large-scale war. Once a war broke out in Transvaal, it would inevitably cause panic. Because of disaster relief, Yuan Qi had already issued overpaid paper money. Once a war started, he would inevitably continue to print paper money. How could it not cause panic in the government and the public?

At this critical moment, if Yuan Qi had a problem, God knew what the Qing Dynasty would be like. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Don't think about it so much, put all the things at hand together, and go to Shanghai tomorrow."

Shanghai, Zhen'an Prince's Mansion, Changle Bookstore.

"Even if our country has a maritime advantage, it will inevitably be a protracted battle..." Zhao Liewen said carefully: "Under our current situation, I think it is best to try our best to avoid war..."

"Try to avoid war?" Li Hongzhang said in a muffled voice: "European countries are clearly taking advantage of our national strength and intend to provoke the war. How to avoid war?"

"Send a fleet to intercept the maritime fleet from Europe to South Africa! Intercept under the banner of pirates." Zhao Liewen said in a deep voice: "My navy has unparalleled combat power. Even if European countries know that their fleet is pretending to be pirates, they have no need to worry about it. Their faces are torn."

"Inappropriate." Yi Zhengxing, who participated in the South Africa War, said: "Once the war begins, European countries will inevitably cut off some telegrams. Without intelligence, the vast sea, it is difficult for fleets to intercept at sea. What's more, our country has no other ports in Africa except Maputo, and it is impossible for us to intercept on the sea for a long time."

"What I mean is," Li Hongzhang continued: "European countries know that they are not as good as our navy, how can they not take precautions?"

"Since maritime interception cannot be carried out, how about taking the initiative to start a war?" Zhao Liewen said slowly: "For our country, the main thing is to ensure that the Transvaal gold mine is not affected by the war! If European countries want to seize the Transvaal gold mine, they must land from various ports in South Africa. Our country declares war first and captures various ports in South Africa. Is it feasible?"

"It first captured the ports along South Africa, but it took the lead but lost its morality." Li Hongzhang said slowly: "Berlin secretly discusses that England did not participate. In addition, our country has increased its troops to Bangladesh. Will England not participate in the war?"

"Without the support of England, Germany, France and O'Yi dared to attack Transvaal?" Zhao Liewen sneered: "As for morality, why bother with it? Even if our country is rational, no country will support it. Now is the era of power!"

"The reason for occupying morality is not to win the support of other countries." Li Hongzhang said slowly: "Occupying morality is to win the support of the government and the opposition..."

Yi Zhizu, who had never said anything, said: "Jianfu's words are reasonable. Once war begins in South Africa, it will inevitably cause domestic panic. It must occupy the moral high ground to promote public opinion, enhance national cohesion, and reduce Yuanqi's pressure."

After a pause, he continued: "I might as well give you a briefing. The total reserves of Transvaal gold mine are more than 50,000 tons. Even if 500 tons are mined a year, it is enough for my country to mine for a hundred years! This gold mine is not only a guarantee for my country to implement the gold standard, but also a guarantee for my country to implement monetary hegemony! It must not fall into the hands of other countries!"

The total gold reserves are more than 50,000 tons! The people in the room were shocked by this huge number for a long time and couldn't speak. Yi Zhizu glanced at the few people and then said: "The Transvaal gold mine has attracted the covetousness of all countries around the world. It is good to fight a war, so there is always people who are not worried about it.

However, the key to this battle is not on the battlefield in South Africa, but on the domestic market! As long as the domestic situation is not in chaos, there is no suspense in this battle! We cannot let the government and the opposition misunderstand, and cannot give those who have ulterior motives a handle. Therefore, the other party must start the war first!"

The meaning of this was to take this opportunity to teach European countries a lesson in South Africa. The few people stopped saying anything. It was obvious that the other party had made up their minds.

At Shanghai Railway Station, eight cars of different shapes were parked neatly on the platform, which was extremely eye-catching. Yan Shikuan sat on a convertible jeep with a cigar in his hand. This was a newly developed car with strong off-road performance by the automobile factory. Others didn't know it, but he knew that this was a military vehicle designed by Yi Zhizu and specially provided for the troops.

"Woo——" A loud and harsh whistle sound came, Yan Shikuan jumped out of the car, glanced at the neatly arranged military band, and ordered: "Everyone cheer up!"

As soon as the train arrived at the station, a cheerful welcome song was played on the platform. Yi?, who got off the train, was new and unexpected. Yan Shikuan quickly walked forward and smiled, "This is a Western band..."

Yi? smiled and said, "Why should the King of Zhennan be so polite?"

"Please please--." Yan Shikuan smiled and reached out to give in.

When he walked to several cars, Yi, Sushun and others' eyes lit up, and they asked excitedly: "Is this the latest production?"

"This is a sample car." Without waiting for Yan Shikuan to introduce, Yan Yangtian went straight to the grass-green convertible jeep behind, circled around, got in the car and tried it. His face was full of joy. He could tell at a glance that this car, which was different from other cars, should have been specially supplied to the army.

Xiao Mingliang also followed and joked: "What's wrong, have you met?"

Yan Yangtian ignored him, looked at the driver, and asked, "What kind of car is this?"

"Jeep." The driver knew the other party's identity and said shyly: "I heard it was a military vehicle designed by the prince for the army..."

When Xiao Mingliang heard it was a military vehicle, he immediately became interested and circled around and said, "I can't come in vain this time. If you go back, you can show off a few cars, so let's show off."

"Go and go." Yan Yangtian said angrily: "What military vehicle do you want, the navy?"

"Who said that the navy can't use military vehicles?" Xiao Mingliang said as he opened the car door and got into the car, and asked with a smile: "Is this car started mass production?"

"I don't know what to do... I'm only responsible for driving."

"It has started mass production." Yan Yangtian said confidently, got into the car, and he said proudly: "Your navy is really not well-informed. The army has recruited new troops and auto soldiers!"

All the car soldiers came out? Xiao Mingliang was anxious immediately, "The Navy also has Marines."

"This thing can't get on the warship." Yan Yangtian said as he commanded: "Come on, keep up."

The convoy slowly drove into Zhennan Prince's Mansion and stopped in front of the yard of Changle Bookstore. Seeing Yi Zhizu waiting for a group of people to greet him at the door, Yi? quickly got out of the car and walked up to him, bowed and smiled, "This car is becoming more and more comfortable, but can it be produced in large quantities?"

Yi Zhizu smiled and returned a greeting, saying, "It is estimated that it will take two or three years to mass production. Once it can be mass-produced, everyone in the capital will be equipped first."

"Then I have to thank Brother Guocheng first." Yi? said with a smile, Su Shun, Jie Xiuyuan, Yan Yangtian, and Xiao Mingliang followed him to greet him one after another, and there was a lot of greetings.

When he entered the house and sat down, Yi Zhizuo didn't go around in circles and said straight: "I'm asking you to come this time to discuss the issue of sending troops to South Africa. According to intelligence analysis, five countries including Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Italy may send troops to South Africa to seize the Transvaal gold mine."

Yi Zhizu urgently summoned several people to Shanghai. They had already guessed that they were sending troops to South Africa. However, they heard that it was the five countries of Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Italy who jointly sent troops. Yi?, Sushun, Jie Xiuyuan looked at each other, Yan Yangtian and Xiao Mingliang were happy and hesitated. Sushun said: "The current situation in our country is not suitable for large-scale wars overseas..."

"It's not suitable." Yi Zhizuji said first: "But Transvaal gold mine is too important to our country and cannot be missed."

The importance of the Transvaal gold mine to the Qing Dynasty was self-evident. As the minister of the Duzhi branch, Jie Xiuyuan really did not want to start a war. Even if the five-nation coalition forces won the battle, their military expenditure was terrifying. He tentatively said: "There is no room for relief?"

"Everyone knows about Yuanqi's situation. If it can be eased, I would not be willing to go to war." Yi Zhizu said in a deep voice: "my country's rapid rise has caused panic among the European powers, especially England and Geely. It is obvious that the other party deliberately puts a detriment and defeats our country in one fell swoop under the opportunity of our weakness.

Once the Transvaal gold mine is stopped, Yuanqi will fall into a huge crisis. The other party has pinched Yuanqi's lifeline! How could there be a possibility of easing? In this battle, there is neither room for easing nor room for concessions, only war!"
Chapter completed!