The fleet followed the Chitose, sailed for nearly 2 hours, entered Nagasaki Port, and Xia Ruichen and others also came to the bridge to watch the scenery in the port.

Although the Japanese Navy suffered heavy damage in the Battle of Tsuma, there are still many ships parked in the port. However, Xia Ruichen observed carefully and found a problem. Most of the warships anchored in the port are small warships, and there are not many large warships. Warships like the Chitose, which are less than 5,000 tons can be considered big-name. It can be seen that the Japanese Navy has not recovered from the heavy damage of the Battle of Tsuma.

At this time, the fleet turned a bay, and everyone's eyes were suddenly attracted by a row of white warships anchored far away. The tall masts, towering chimneys, thick gun barrels, and huge hulls, totaling more than a dozen ships, which seemed very eye-catching in the port, but looking at the masts were star-striped flags, which turned out to be American warships.

Xia Ruichen held the railing of the bridge and said, "This is the American Great White Fleet. There are 16 battleships in total, which is second only to the British naval scale."

Lei Meng said: "As far as I know, the current American warship design and manufacturing level are not high, and these battleships are all formerly dreadnoughts type, which are all too practical, and their actual combat effectiveness is not strong among the same warships. It can only be said that the Chinese are in the middle, but the number is a little more, and it is no big deal."

Yang Lixin shook his head and said, "But if you knew that these 16 battleships were basically built after 1900, you wouldn't think so."

Sure enough, Lei Meng was also shocked after hearing this, because in this era, the construction cycle of a battleship is generally more than 2-2.5 years, and after construction, there will be a trial period of about half a year. That is to say, the normal construction cycle of a battleship from construction to service is 2.5-3 years. Therefore, this means that the 16 battleships of the US fleet were recently started in 1905, and an average of 3 battleships will be started every year. At the most, 6-8 battleships should be under construction. Behind these seemingly meaningless numbers, it actually shows the strong industrial manufacturing capabilities and economic strength of the United States.

The navy is the highest technological level in this era and is also a branch of money-burning services. Ordinary medium-sized powers cannot afford the navy. After more than 30 years of accumulation in the Meiji Restoration, Japan also had huge compensation income from Sino-Japanese War. After ten years of hard work, it only saved 6 battleships and 6 armored cruisers, which is enough to show.

The United States may not be the country with the highest industrial technology level and the strongest industrial strength, but it is definitely the country with the largest industrial manufacturing scale in this era. Its economic strength has long been ranked first in the world for 10 years. Therefore, although the United States is facing the two oceans, it has been developing the navy late because it has always implemented the Monroean policy. That is, when the current President Ossido Roosevelt became the Secretary of the Navy, it began to develop the navy on a large scale. However, with its strong industrial manufacturing capabilities and economic strength, it has built such a large fleet in just a few years.

Yang Lixin said: "The United States has a huge land area, a large population and rich resources. These are the basic conditions for developing into a powerful industrial manufacturing power. Therefore, such a country is a truly powerful and terrible opponent."

Xia Ruichen also nodded and said, "Yes, this is the real strength of a great power, upright and comprehensive crushing."

Lei Meng touched the back of his head and said, "Our territory area in China is larger than that in the United States, with a larger population, and may have a smaller resource, but it is not bad either. Do you think that after we unify China for 10 years, can we reach the current industrial manufacturing scale of the United States?"

Xia Ruichen said: "I think it's difficult. The scale of industrialization cannot be established overnight. Think about it, we have been in the market for more than 9 years. The territory we control has exceeded 3 million square kilometers and the population exceeds 100 million. Now, Shandong Province has reached the initial level of industrialization, and it is still at least 5-10 years away from the United States. I think it will take at least 20 years to catch up with the United States."

Yang Lixin also said: "Yes! Think about it, the United States has been founded for more than 200 years, and it has only been a few years. It is a very good result to be able to catch up with the United States in 20 years."

At this moment, the flag of "welcome" was tying on the US warship, obviously sending good greetings to the fleet of visiting Japan from East China. Xia Ruichen ordered the flag of greetings, and secretly looked at Ikuosuo Takano on the side. When the three of them were talking about the United States just now, they did not deliberately suppress the bottom of the bottom. Moreover, the wind was strong at sea, so the tone was still a little higher than normal. Ikuosuo and the translator were not far from them, and it was a good wind, so they should be able to hear it clearly. Of course, the content of the three people's conversation was not in disguise. The two of them were talking in a low voice just now. It was obvious that the translator translated all the three people's remarks to Ikuo Takano. As Takano Ikuo listened, his eyes towards the American fleet gradually became solemn, as if he was thinking.

At this time, the fleet of visiting Japan had sent a telegram back to Qingdao to confirm that it was known that Takano Ikuro was Yamamoto Ikuro, so he paid special attention to him. Seeing his appearance, he was obviously touched by the three of them's remarks just now. In the old time and space, Yamamoto Ikuro was undoubtedly the most strategic and clear-headed figure in the Japanese Navy at that time. Although he planned the battle to attack Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto Ikuro always firmly opposed Japan and the United States' opening.

In the war, some people in later generations also portrayed Yamamoto Izuru into a positive image of Japan's anti-war and peaceful love. In fact, Yamamoto Izuru had no relationship with opposing war and opposing war and was interested in peace. Instead, Yamamoto Izuru knew very well that Japan's national strength and industrial manufacturing scale were hugely different from the United States, and there was almost no chance of winning once the war started. But I don't know what impact the three people's remarks at this time would have on Takano Izuru.

While speaking, the Qiansui had issued a flag to the fleet, asking the fleet to stop sailing and anchor on the ground. So Xia Ruichen also ordered several other warships to order them to station on the spot.

After all the ships were anchored, Xia Ruichen left Lei Meng to take charge of the warships. He changed into military uniforms with Yang Lixin, took several staff officers, guards, and Takano Izuru and others to board the boat and headed towards the shore of the wharf. The captains of the other three warships also sailed to the shore together in small boats.

Everyone landed on the dock, and there were already a carriage arranged by the Japanese side waiting here. Everyone took eight carriages and drove to the naval building at the dock. About 20 minutes later, the carriage arrived at the destination. At this time, Japan was ready to welcome it. The ground was paved with red carpets, the guard of honor and military band were also lined up. Lieutenant General Kamimura Hiroshinosuke, the deputy commander of the joint fleet, led the team to welcome him.

The carriage stopped, Xia Ruichen and Yang Lixin got off the carriage, and the military band immediately began to play the welcome music. Hikaru Uemura Hikaru also stood at the end of the red carpet, and Iroku Takano acted as the introducer and said, "Major General Xia, Chief Hikaru Uemura Hikaru, the deputy commander of our joint fleet, has already welcomed you there." Then he hurried over and introduced him to Hikaru Uemura Hikaru.

Xia Ruichen nodded, stepped onto the red carpet, came to Hiroshi Nakamatsu, and first greeted a military salute. Hiroshi Nakamatsu immediately returned the salute and said, "Welcome the Navy of East China to visit Japan. I hope your army can have a smooth and happy visit to Japan."

Xia Ruichen said: "Thank you for the Japanese side's warm reception. I hope that this visit will enhance mutual understanding between the two militaries and contribute to the peaceful exchanges and cooperation between our two countries."

Hiroyuki Uemura nodded, said a few more polite words, and then accompanied Xia Ruichen to review the guard of honor. Xia Ruichen made another speech. Of course, the content was also about scenes such as friendship and peace. The reception ceremony was officially over.

Next, Hikaru Kamiura Hiroshi led Xia Ruichen and his party into the Navy Building and held talks with Hikaru Hiroshi, the commander of the Joint Fleet. In addition to the routine scenes and clichés, the main content of the talks was the process of the visit.

The Japanese Navy attached great importance to this visit and made careful arrangements for the activity process. The visit will last for 5 days in total. On the first day, the shore exchange will be conducted and military drills such as shooting, cross-country obstacle running, queues, swimming, and climbing. In fact, these projects are actually participated by the Marine Corps. Of course, the Marine Corps is also part of the Navy. The second to the fourth day are real maritime drills. Warships of various countries will conduct exercises such as ship review, maritime queues, and shooting, for a total of three days. The warships of the Three Kingdoms take turns to serve as the command ship for the drill; on the fifth day, they will be transferred to the land to conduct the soldiers' meetings of the Three Kingdoms, and organize some sports, entertainment and talent performance activities. The content is very rich and colorful.

Xia Ruichen had no objection to the Japanese arrangement. Anyway, this visit was more symbolic than practical. The Japanese could do whatever they arranged.

After the talks, the Rigao Zhuang Cheng arranged for Xia Ruichen and others to meet with the officers of the US fleet. At the same time, a grand dance will be held in the evening to welcome the officers of the Fleet of East China and the United States this time.

The US Global Navigation Fleet is divided into two squadrons and four squadrons. The commander is Charles Spare (Cha)

les . Spe

y) Major General, and he also served as the commander of the First Squadron of the First Squadron; the commander of the Second Squadron of the First Squadron was William Emory (William. Emo

y) Major General; the commander of the third squadron of the Second Squadron is Charles Thomas (Chat)

Major General les.Thomas.; the commander of the Fourth Squadron of the Second Squadron is Seato

Sch

oede

) Major General.
Chapter completed!