"Gentlemen, welcome to the 'Xuanyuan' ship. This warship with novel shape, linear and smooth appearance, elegant and charming appearance is not what you think of as ironclad ship. It must be corrected here. This is not an ironclad ship, but a steel warship, a warship with all steel structure."

The communications officer held a small electric speaker, like a tour guide, introducing the situation of the "Xuanyuan" ship to a group of military and political officials in Peru.

At this opening, many Peruvian MPs immediately shifted their sights from the warship to the electric speaker in the communications officer's hands. This small thing can actually expand the sound several times. It is simply amazing. If you use this thing in a large conference, you will be much easier to speak.

The officers were also lit with their eyes. Sun Yisheng, who was responsible for the introduction and commentator, couldn't help but secretly contempt. Such an advanced warship didn't look at it, but he was so interested in a small speaker. He was despised in his heart, but he said slowly: "The warship is 125 meters long and 22 meters wide, with a standard displacement of 12,000 tons. It is equipped with two vertical three-inflatable steam engines, eight-seat single-head cylinder boilers, and a speed of up to 18 knots.

The warship is equipped with two dual-mounted 305 caliber main guns, six dual-mounted 254 caliber second-level main guns, and twelve single-mounted 152 speed-fire guns, as well as 12 speed-fire guns, and 12 speed-fire guns, and seven torpedo tubes. The firepower is balanced and powerful, even torpedo ships and armored cruisers are enough to cause a devastating blow."

After the communications officer was about to translate, he continued: "In terms of armor protection, the 'Xuanyuan' ship has also achieved its ultimate goal. The main armor belt on the side of the side is about 77 meters long and 2.64 meters high, of which 1.52 meters extends below the waterline, and the thickest part of the main armor belt in the middle of the side is 457 mm, and then decreases forward and backward at 406 mm and 356 mm respectively.

The upper armor on the side is 102 mm thick, and the total height of the armor on the side is about 4.5 meters (1.6 meters below the waterline and 2.9 meters above the waterline).

The waterproof bulkheads at the ends of the head and tail are 406 mm and 356 mm thick respectively. The upper armor on the side between the main deck and the middle deck is 102 mm thick nickel steel armor, and the two ends are 76 mm thick waterproof bulkheads.

As of now, in terms of power, firepower, protection, etc., the Xuanyuan ship is the most advanced, most powerful and perfect battleship.

As the saying goes, laymen watch the excitement, and experts watch the tricks. Although the Peruvian Navy has purchased several ironclad ships in the past two years, they are basically old ironclad ships that have been eliminated, and they are all small warships. The largest one is only 4,000 tons of water displacement. This is the first time that most people have seen such a huge and advanced warship.

Most of the introductions and related data from Sun Yisheng are confused, but they are very powerful and advanced anyway. The naval officers were shocked. Such powerful firepower configuration and armor protection are definitely the only one among the known battleships of various countries.

Most of the people who met were laymen. Sun Yisheng was also happy to be lazy. He just lazily introduced the details about the warships, and took everyone to take a quick look and deal with the matter.

Everyone here was just a quick look at the scene, inside and outside, and in the official cabin, Peru President Prado, Admirals Glau, Zaizhao and Guo Zhongmu were in negotiations.

"The total population of Chile is three million, and the army's strength is about seventy thousand, with ten infantry regiments, eight cavalry regiments and five artillery regiments. It is well-equipped and all weapons are imported from Germany."

Prado said and looked at Zai Zhao and the others, paused intentionally before continuing: "I am bluntly speaking, even if your army can absolutely control the sea, it will be difficult for our country and Bolivar's army to capture Santiago, the capital of Chile in a short time."

Admiral Graw added: "Your country's navy is very powerful. Even if Santiago is besieged, the Chilean navy may not dare to come and rescue it."

After listening to the translation, Guo Zhongmu said straight: "What your country means is to prepare for a long-term battle?"

"On the contrary, we hope to end this war as soon as possible." Prado said: "In fact, our country and the Bolivarian coalition are not as strong as Chile in terms of military strength and combat power. If we want to end this war as soon as possible, we need greater assistance from your country."

Is this what the Qing Dynasty wants to continue to send more reinforcements, and it is an army? Zai Zhao said very simply: "There has been civil strife in the northwest of our country recently, and there is almost no possibility of continuing to send more reinforcements. What our country can do in this war is to help you control the sea.

General Growe said just now that the Chilean navy is extremely likely to avoid war, so how much success this war can achieve in the end depends on the land war, and it depends on you.

Of course, in terms of weapons, such as rifles, machine guns, artillery, etc., our country will actively provide......."

Prado knew very well that the Qing Dynasty would not be more likely to send more reinforcements. What he needed was the Qing Dynasty's arms assistance. He was overjoyed after hearing this and asked quickly: "I don't know when your country's arms assistance will arrive?"

Yi Zhizu said it very clearly in the telegram that a large number of arms will be transported soon, but they were asked to declare war as soon as possible. Zai Zhao was worried that the other party would delay the arrival of arms and aid before sending troops, so he naturally did not dare to tell the truth. He immediately said: "When will the war start, when will the arms start to be transported."

After listening to the translation, Glau frowned, "Why can't you wait until the arms arrive before starting the war, which can reduce some casualties."

"My government has always opposed arms trade." Guo Zhongmou explained: "During the Civil War in the United States, the large-scale arms trade between our country and the federal government of the United States was fiercely criticized by peace-loving people at home. In order to prevent similar attacks from happening again, we can only participate in the war first and then transport arms, so that is legitimate."

Zai Zhao was secretly funny, but he had a stern face, believing it or not, anyway, that's what it means, without war, there would be no arms assistance.

Prado is indeed a little depressed. Yuanqi has sold arms a lot. Only Peru and Bolivar bought a large amount of arms from Yuanqi. Now they are talking about opposing arms trade. This is a complete excuse, but why did the Qing Dynasty impatiently start the war?

He didn't think much about it. For Peru, there was no choice. Behind Chile is Britain. Except for the Qing Dynasty, no country would have such a clear attitude to help them. No matter what the purpose of the Qing Dynasty was, they could only obey, otherwise there would be only one result, cede land and pay compensation to Chile.

Although he faintly realized in his heart that the Qing Dynasty was eager to start a war with Chile, not purely for this war, there was no room for bargaining. He didn't even dare to bargain. Whoever asked him for something was asking for help, even if he paid more casualties for it, there was nothing he could do about it.
Chapter completed!