Yi Zhizu did feel great pressure. The English-Egypt Warrior is the first iron-armored battleship in the world in the true sense - the iron-armored iron-shelled ship. It crushed France's "Glory" built in 1859 in all aspects, and it has epoch-making significance!

The focus is not this armored battleship, but English's strong industrial manufacturing capabilities and ship manufacturing capabilities. After the "Warrior", English has successively built countless ironclad ships, opening the era of giant ships and cannons.

Ren An continued: "The two 'Warrior' class were designed by designer Isaac Watts. The ship that has been launched has a length of 128 meters, a width of 18 meters, and a draft of 8 meters. The power should be steam and sail hybrid... The displacement should be above 9,000 tons, only high and not low."

Yi Zhizu pondered for a while without expression before speaking: "Continue to pay close attention, and try to spy on the development of Armstrong's artillery. These two ironclad ships should be equipped with Armstrong artillery."

"As for the order." Ren An said in a deep voice. The Armstrong artillery is the latest rear-mounted artillery developed by England. It is very confidential. It is difficult to spy on it.

Yi Zhizu then said, "Can Krupp Company make progress?"

"There is not much progress." Ren An whispered: "Krupp is developing a post-installation artillery. This situation is true, but it cannot be further spy."

"Yuanqi and Krupp have a train wheel hub order contract?" Yi Zhizu said slowly: "I asked Yuanqi to form an inspection team to visit Krupp. He was not only interested in their artillery, but also in their cast steel craftsmanship."

After a pause, he continued: "Yuanqi and Krupp will cooperate for a long time. It is best not to use their own people in these things, and don't be afraid of spending money. Yuanqi is not short of money and is willing to spend money!"

"I understand." Ren An hurriedly said.

"Go and do it." Yi Zhizu said softly. He was familiar with the Krupp's cannon. The rise of Krupp means the rise of Germany. It is now 1860 and is not far from the French-Prussian War. The unification of Germany not only broke the existing pattern in Europe, but also brought great disasters to Europe, especially the First World War.

However, for him, World War I was too far away, and he probably wouldn't have the chance to see it. However, Yuanqi could still make great use of the unification of Germany, at least the rise of Germany could greatly restrain Britain, France and Russia.

Then he thought of the English-Geely's "Warrior". Even though he had foresight, Yuanqi's foundation and background in ship manufacturing were too poor and could not be compared with Britain and France. Therefore, he had never dared to develop iron-shelled iron-armored ships with great fanfare, for fear of leaking the news and stimulating Britain and France.

Fortunately, over the past 20 years, Yuanqi has hired many technical talents in ship manufacturing from Britain, France and the United States at a high salary and has accumulated a large number of professional ship manufacturing technical talents for Yuanqi to cultivate and accumulate a large number of professional ship manufacturing technical talents. Now he has some confidence. At least in this era of giant ships and cannons that are about to be opened, China will not lag much behind.

After pondering for a moment, he called Lin Meilian and ordered: "Generate power to Qingdao Shipyard, the 9,000-ton "Warrior" class iron-shelled iron-armored warship of England has been launched."

Qingdao Shipyard was not established for a long time, but not short. It was founded in the third year of Xianfeng. All the technicians and workers were all Chinese and elites cultivated by the shipyards in Guangzhou and Shanghai. Their main task was to develop ironclad ships.

It can be said that in terms of the development of ironclad ships, Yuanqi was earlier than Britain and France. However, in recent years, Qingdao Shipyard has been in the stage of accumulation of experience and technology and talent training. The previous attempts to build small-tonnage iron-shelled ships of one, two thousand tons and three, four thousand tons are mainly used for practice.

After all, this thing is too expensive. Even if the Yuanqi family has a big business, it cannot withstand random tossing. Any iron-shelled ship is hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. For example, a 9,000-ton one like the English-Geely can cost at least three to four million taels of silver.

That is, when he learned that England began to customize the "Warrior" class battleship, Yi Zhizu ordered that Qingdao Shipyard began to try to build iron-shelled ships of more than 8,000 tons.

Yi Zhizu gave himself a big vacation, took Xu Yixuan and Lin Meilian to Hangzhou in a quiet dress, went to Wushan Grand View, visited West Lake, visited Jingci Temple, went to Houchaomen to see Qiantang Chao outside, walked on the white dike, took pictures on the broken bridge, and wandered around the Yongjin Gate. After playing for more than half a month, he seemed to have not finished his feelings and went to Jiangning again. It was not until the end of the year that he returned to Shanghai with satisfaction.

Yi Zhizu didn't know where to go for more than a month. The American minister Bo Jia almost went crazy. Yuan Qi's series of abnormal actions in the United States. No matter how slow the United States responded, he gradually noticed it a month later. After an in-depth investigation, he immediately sent a telegram to Bo Jia in Shanghai to let Bo Jia understand the competition behind the matter.

So much so that Bo Jia has been visiting the mansion every day for inquiries, but no one knows where Yi Zhizu went, and even sending a telegram, he is so anxious that he realizes that this matter is not a minor matter. It is definitely not a coincidence that Yi Zhizu is not sure where he is going.

As soon as he received the news that Yi Zhizui returned home, Bo Jia hurried over. As soon as the two met, Bo Jia said dissatisfiedly: "Did you intentionally hide from me?"

"I've been going out to deal with some private matters in the past month." Yi Zhizu smiled and asked knowingly: "Is it because Yuanqi withdraws the international students and closes factories and semicolons?"

"No matter what the reason is, can't you tell me about such a big thing in advance?" Bo Jia smiled bitterly and said, "It's time to say it now."

"I just have a premonition that there is a high possibility that a large-scale war will break out in your country." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "These measures are just to minimize losses."

Just a premonition, just react so much? Only those who believe this, the expression on Bo Jia's face was immediately extremely serious, "It's just a premonition?"

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Facts have proved that my premonition has always been very effective. Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama in your country have openly announced their separation from your country." He actually returned to Shanghai after learning the news.

Mississippi and other three states announced their separation from the United States, but he naturally knew that a large-scale civil war would break out. He immediately said: "The country is trying to avoid a war and try its best to maintain the unity of the federal government..." At this point, he stopped talking and said: "What is the premonition?"

Yi Zhizu said: "Mr. Lincoln heard that your country's newly elected president is a firm abolitionist?"

"Your news is wrong." Bo Jia said without hesitation: "Indeed, Mr. President was a staunch abolitionist when he was young, but now he can only be said to be a conservative and sleek abolitionist. Compared with the unification of the federal government, slavery and abolitionist are not worth mentioning."

Yi Zhizu smiled, "During your presidential election, Nan ordered a batch of arms of more than 10 million taels of silver from Yuanqi. The delivery was completed the day after Lincoln was elected, and they continued to place orders of more than 10 million taels of silver...."

Without saying a word, Bo Jia's face immediately turned extremely pale, "The latest rifle and bullet?"

Yi Zhizu nodded and said softly: "There are still some artillery and a large amount of medicines."

Bo Jia said with difficulty: "Your Excellency is planning to support the Southern Rebellion?"

"If a large-scale civil war really breaks out in your country, Yuan Qi will firmly support your federal government." Yi Zhizu said without hesitation: "It was because he didn't know the inside story before, but after judging that your country might have a civil war, Yuan Qi stopped selling arms to the south."

"I think I should express my highest respect and sincere thanks to you on behalf of the federal government." Bo Jia said sincerely, and he stood up, "I must report this news to the country as soon as possible."

"I have a telegraph room here." Yi said diligently.

The spring of the eleventh year of Xianfeng is the first month.

The situation in the United States completely deteriorated. Six southern states announced the establishment of the American Union, and quickly formed an army belonging to the American Union, and elected the president of the Union, Jefferson Davis.

A huge civil war in the United States - the Civil War is inevitable.

On the day the United States of America formed their own army, two fleets of arms and medicines set sail from Guangzhou and Shanghai to New York respectively. They were accompanied by a group of Yuanqi Navy and Army officers. They went to the United States not to participate in the war, but to observe, and in addition, there were a group of war correspondents.

Zhenhai Gong Mansion, Changle Bookstore.

"The shopkeeper intends to continue to report on this civil war in the United States like the Crimean War?" Zhao Liewen asked slowly.

"For every large-scale war that has taken place in this world, Yuanqi's newspapers should keep track of reports." Yi Zhizu said: "This is a rare opportunity for Chinese people to understand the world. America has close trade and trade with our Qing Dynasty, and is a typical example of the Western Democratic Republic. With the help of this war, we can fully understand America. Besides, Chinese people are generally interested in war, and this move will also help increase newspaper sales."

"The cable telegram with the United States was directly opened, which is now very useful." Zhao Liewen smiled and then asked again: "Is this civil war in the United States really comparable to the Crimean War?"

"It may surpass the Crimean War." Yi Zhizu said: "This is a war worth paying close attention to." Not only will we pay attention, but the court will also pay attention to it."

During this period, influenced by Yi Quest, Zhao Liewen also paid close attention to the situation in the United States. After hearing this, he hesitated: "What the shopkeeper means, is the current situation in our Qing Dynasty quite similar to that in the United States?"

After pondering for a moment, Yi Jingzu said: "This civil war in the United States was actually caused by the contradiction between the two economic systems. Yuan Qi and the imperial court were not just economic systems."

Seeing that he seemed unwilling to say more, Zhao Liewen changed the topic and said: "What will European countries have on this war? Support the South?"

"European countries, especially powerful countries such as Britain and France, will not want to see a strong unified and ambitious America." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "For European countries, they most want to see that America is divided into two, which is more in line with their national interests now. Therefore, they will support the South. After all, the cotton in the South is urgently needed by both Britain and France.

But how to support it and how strong it is, European countries also need to balance it. America is now a major industrial power in the West, not comparable to the Ottomans, Persia, India and other countries. Moreover, they have a vast territory and a large population, so they have to be cautious."

After pondering for a moment, he continued: "The only ones who can have the strength to interfere in the civil war in the United States are Britain, France and Russia. Russia is too far away and its navy is declining. At present, the serfdom reform is being implemented in China, so it is impossible to interfere.

All that remain is Britain and France. Britain's colony in North America, Canada, borders the United States, and has weak defenses. In addition, Britain is a large navy and a small army, which is not suitable for large-scale land wars, especially land wars with vast territory. In addition, the battle in Tianjin and Beijing should have a great shock to the British army. It is estimated that the willingness to directly interfere with force is not very strong.

France's situation is different. France's colony in the Americas - Mexico, bordering the southern states of the United States, was eager to be independent of the south, which would facilitate France's colonization of Mexico. However, France has a strong army and a weak navy. Only by jointly intervening with England can we be fully confident.

Of course, the Northern Federation of the United States will not sit idly by and watch Britain and France, but will actively carry out diplomacy and try its best to urge Britain and France not to interfere in their internal affairs and remain neutral. After all, Western countries have complex interests, and no one will be so ugly. In my expectation, the Northern Federation of the United States is very likely to make some major concessions to gain Britain and France to remain neutral."

If British and French intervene, Yuanqi's cotton dominance will also collapse! Zhao Liewen really doesn't understand that in this situation where Yuanqi is powerless and the situation is extremely complicated, Yi Zhizu has the courage to make a desperate bet, and he spends all Yuanqi to get a cotton dominance. If this collapses, what will happen to Yuanqi?

In February, Hu Guangyong sent a telegram from London that the price of cotton in the London market had not risen due to the imminent American war, and the price remained at 9 cents per pound. He had successfully eaten 400,000 packs and purchased a large amount of cotton futures.

When they saw this telegram, Xie Xiuyuan and Zhao Liewen were worried. After all, this situation was too abnormal. This shows that the British textile merchants and cotton merchants did not care about the upcoming war in the United States at all. Or, the British merchants did not think that the American war would affect the supply of cotton in the south. Yuan Qi spent a lot of money this time, and once they made a loss, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Chapter completed!