Volume 1: The Battleship Yitian Changes into the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 Chapter 74 Pei Yinsen’s Visit
This British "Monarch" class battleship, designed by William White and known as the basis of battleships in the pre-dreadnought era, has a displacement of 14,150 tons, a total length of 125 meters, a width of 22.9 meters, and an average draft of 8.4 meters. The power system includes two 3-cylinder vertical triple-expansion steam engines, 3-axis double rudders, a 343 mm twin main gun installed at the front and rear, 10 152 mm rapid-fire guns, and 7 406 mm torpedo tubes. It has a speed of up to 17 knots and is a watershed in the history of battleship development. Compared with earlier battleships, it has made a big step forward in technology. Starting from the "Monarch" class battleship, the early battleships with low freeboard (commonly known as "ironclad ships") gradually withdrew from the stage of history. The design of the "Regal Sovereign" was simple and effective. Compared with other countries' battleships of the same period, the "Regal Sovereign" class was sure to win in almost every aspect and had an indisputable advantage in the next few years. It also represented the design ideas of British battleships in the next 15 years. This design was quickly adopted by major naval powers around the world. William White's epoch-making design greatly promoted the evolution of battleships and made Britain far ahead of its opponents in the development of capital ships. This advantage was not challenged until many years later. Therefore, the "Regal Sovereign" class battleships occupy an extremely important position in the history of the development of world naval battleships.
As early as in primary school, Sun Gang had made a model of this battleship with iron sheets. It was one of the things he was most proud of during his student days. The slender and graceful ship body and the majestic twin-mounted main guns made many classmates envious. Before graduation, he gave it as a gift to the cultural and arts committee member of the class (everyone on Earth knows where it went). Although he never saw the girl and the model again, the excitement of making it successfully is still one of the most beautiful memories in his heart.
And now, he wants to make his childhood dream become reality.
He wants China's navy to also have such powerful warships that are the pride of the world.
Moreover, it is made by the Chinese themselves.
During the days when he failed to purchase the ship and began to prepare to build the shipyard, Li Hongzhang never replied to his letter, and he couldn't understand what the old man was trying to do. Well, the old fox was now too busy to do everything. In the years since the Westernization Movement, the old man had been spinning like a top, and had to be on guard against the open and secret attacks of certain people in the court from time to time. Now, the old man has finally entered the core of this old empire and has the opportunity to realize his ambitions.
Of course, the role played by Sun Gang, this little butterfly, is absolutely incomparable.
If he had lost the First Sino-Japanese War, wouldn't the old man be as glorious as he is now? Not only could he not enter the central government, but he was also over 70 years old and people pointed at his head and called him a traitor. It can be said that he could neither live nor die.
Now, he has changed the old man's fate as well.
Thinking of this, Sun Gang still felt very relieved, which diluted the depression caused by the failure to purchase the ship.
But now, the development of the Beiyang Military Intelligence Department's business made him feel like he couldn't stop.
The main reason, of course, is because of his beloved wife Ma Yue.
From the very beginning, she showed great interest in this "spy agency" under the Beiyang Navy. Many people in the Beiyang Military Intelligence Department were brought by her from some unknown corner. Since all of Sun Gang's "funds" were in her hands, Sun Gang soon discovered that the Military Intelligence Department now had a tendency to "only know the lady, not the master". Although this tendency is not very obvious at present, it is likely that this tendency will become a reality in the near future.
"The Military Intelligence Department now even has an assassination team." One day his beloved wife said to him casually, "If you want to kill someone now, I can let them try their skills."
Sun Gang's forehead was covered with cold sweat after hearing this. "I'll tell you when I have decided on a target," he answered carefully.
But a telegram on that day almost made him murderous.
The telegram came from the Ministry of Revenue, "The purchase of huge ironclad ships has been stalled for a long time. Now the river works are urgent. The unused funds should be sent to the Ministry as soon as possible to pay the salaries." Although it was not an order, the meaning of this was to cut off the source of funds.
He had proposed to the court some time ago the establishment of the Beiyang Shipyard. In the memorial, he tactfully expressed to Emperor Guangxu that purchasing ships could only meet temporary needs and that building ships by oneself was the right path (there was no response from Li Hongzhang, and he did not dare to say that the ships had not been purchased). Before the emperor had replied, Master Weng jumped out impatiently.
He knew something about the current financial situation of the Qing Dynasty. Although repairing the Yellow River dike was very important, the court had not yet reached the point where the navy had to pay for it, right?
He is also thinking that maybe sending a group of killers to kill Master Weng would be a good option.
His reply to the Ministry of Revenue in anger was also very interesting, "The river works are urgent, and the navy is more urgent. If we can't buy them, we will build them ourselves. There is no reason to stop the iron ship project. The navy's special funds should be kept for the construction of the shipyard and cannot be released to the Ministry." He responded without any hesitation.
You want me to spit out the money? No way!
Now that the money is in my hands, it’s like Chen Shimei entering Kaifeng Prefecture - you have no say over it once you’re in!
After his men sent the telegram, he was still feeling depressed when the guard came to report that an old man was visiting.
An old man? Who could it be? Could it be Master Weng? He thought about it and hurried out to greet him.
A burly and vigorous old man appeared in front of him and was looking at him kindly. Sun Gang looked at him strangely and tried hard to recall where he had seen him before, but he couldn't remember even though it gave him a headache.
He stepped forward to greet the old man. Although he was now a high-ranking official, he was still very respectful to his elders, regardless of whether they were officials or not.
"What's your name, old man? Where are you from? Please forgive my ignorance, but this..." He asked the old man to sit down and spoke while pouring tea for him.
"Master Sun, you are welcome. This is the first time we meet." The old man laughed and said, "My last name is Pei, and my given name is Yinsen. Have you heard of me, Master Sun?"
Pei Yinsen? Sun Gang was stunned for a moment, then he immediately knew who he was.
Pei Yinsen, the former Minister of Fujian Shipyard, was the one who initiated and presided over the construction of the cruisers "Henghai", "Jingqing" and "Huantai" of the Nanyang Navy, the torpedo cruisers "Guangjia", "Guangyi", "Guangbing" and "Guangding" of the Guangdong Navy, and the armored cruiser "Pingyuan" of the Beiyang Navy!
"It turns out to be Mr. Pei. I am so sorry for my disrespect." Sun Gang said in surprise, "I was just in a state of panic when Mr. Pei came. I am so happy."
"Sir Sun is indeed a man of talent. Sir Sun has already guessed my intention." Pei Yinsen said with a smile, "It's a pity that I am too old and my time is running out. I can't help you much."
"Don't talk like that, old man. I'm still an old horse, but I still have great ambitions. I beg you to help me build a shipyard." Sun Gang said excitedly, "If the ironclad ships made by the Qing Dynasty can sail across the sea and defend the vast sea, your ambition to serve the country will be fulfilled, and I will be satisfied."
Sun Gang's words were not groundless or flattering. After the defeat of the Mawei naval battle, He Ruozhang, the Minister of Shipbuilding who had fought hard and made great contributions, was dismissed and investigated. Pei Yinsen took over as the Minister of Shipbuilding in Fujian at that time. He was appointed in times of crisis. He felt that China's navy was weak and its coastal defense was empty. If it did not adopt advanced technology and equipment to build a steel Great Wall on the sea, once the powers invaded, it would be impossible to defend the enemy outside the country. In the 11th year of Guangxu (1885), he personally wrote "Please allocate funds for shipbuilding" and jointly with Zuo Zongtang, Fuzhou General Mu Tushan, Fujian and Zhejiang Governor Yang Changjun , and Fujian Governor Zhang Zhaodong, pointed out that "the overall situation in Europe has become a trend of alliances. We have no way to strengthen ourselves except building ships and guns, training generals and soldiers." This was a very insightful analysis at the time. His suggestions in the memorial to request funds for shipbuilding, expanding shipyards, and extending the study period of overseas students were shelved due to obstruction by the diehards in the court! In September of the 12th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1886), he wrote to the court again, talking about Japan's ambition to build cruisers to expand its navy, and China's need to build its own ships, strengthen its navy, and take the road of self-improvement, but it was shelved again. But he was not discouraged and continued to write to the court to fight for it. Unfortunately, at that time, Master Weng, the two generations of imperial teachers, was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. Master Weng had just issued a "proposal" to "stop purchasing ships and machinery" on the grounds of "wasting national funds". How could he tolerate opinions that contradicted this! As a result, Pei Yinsen wrote to the court twice, but both were rejected! Seeing that his countless efforts were wasted and his ambitions were unfulfilled, Pei Yinsen became depressed and returned home in the 16th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1890). Seeing that he, who was over 70 years old and white-haired, came to Lushun from afar to meet a young man like him, with one purpose: the navy! Sun Gang was moved and sad.
"Lord Sun, you are too kind. Seeing how you are now, haha, I was the same as you were then." Pei Yinsen smiled and said, "Times have changed. I was not as good as you are now. You are young and strong, and you are well-known in the capital for your military exploits. You are highly valued by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. I saw the outline of the Theory of Sea Power that you presented to the Emperor in the court report, and then I knew your ambition. If I can see you accomplish this feat with my own eyes, it will be considered that my dream of a strong country has come true, and I will have no regrets even if I die."
Sun Gang looked at the old man trying hard to suppress his excitement, stepped forward, shook the old man's hand , and nodded vigorously.
The originally chaotic situation was immediately transformed with the arrival of Pei Yinsen.
It's no wonder. He had been the Minister of Fujian Shipbuilding for many years, had personally supervised the construction of many ships, and had experience in dealing with foreigners. The gap between him, the Minister of Beiyang Shipbuilding who had only been in office for a few days, and the old man was immeasurable.
With Mr. Pei's help, he simply let go.
A few days later, there was finally news from Li Hongzhang.
