My Italian: Chapter 371 Barter for Ships Part 2

As the political and economic center of Spain, Madrid is also a transportation hub city, and its many positions are also doomed to the importance of Madrid to Spain.

So Madrid people have always been very proud and satisfied to be able to live here.

However, compared with ordinary people, Prime Minister Castillo is much more melancholy, Spain is now troubled.

In Asia, Spain's most important colony is the Philippines, but this colony is quite noisy now. The secret organization "Katipunan" (meaning "National Sons and Daughters Supreme Association") has become more and more restless in the Philippines. Manila has sent several telegrams to report that the organization is wantonly collecting arms and plotting wrongdoing. In addition, the figure of the Japanese was also found behind the organization (the Japanese have always had a lot of ideas about the Philippines. In addition to the rich products, it is the key to the declining salted duck colony).

The intention of Manila to send this telegram is obvious, that is, the Philippines needs reinforcements.

But unfortunately, Manila is doomed to be disappointed, and now Spain can't send reinforcements. Because of the more important Cuba, the War of Independence has broken out.

Since 1895, the Cubans have erupted in riots in Santiago, Bayamo and other places, and they have intensified. These rioting rebels were led by the traitors Gomez Baez and Maceo Grajales He escaped the encirclement and suppression of the army and fled all the way to Mantua at the end of Cuba.

Prime Minister Castillo has sent 50,000 troops one after another, but these traitors are still not caught. So in February of this year, he appointed Weiler, who has always been known for his toughness, as the governor of Cuba, responsible for suppressing the rebels. (This governor of Weiler is the ruthless man who created the concentration camp system)

Weiler, after serving as the governor, was not bad. He killed the rebel leader Maceo Grajales in the encirclement and suppression of the rebels in May, and made great progress. Now count on this go-getter to give continuous blows to the rebels and make outstanding contributions to the suppression of the Cuban rebellion.

Prime Minister Castillo was very angry with the rebellious locals. Don’t these people understand that if they leave the kingdom, they will not get real independence. Behind them, they are now supporting the country with good intentions. After defeating the kingdom, they will also crush them.

That's right, as a qualified politician, how could Prime Minister Castillo not know the reasons for the continuous turmoil in these two places. Although the search in these two places is relatively ruthless, if there is no support behind them, there will be no chaos at all. But the current situation is very difficult for Spain, so we can only do our best.

Just as Prime Minister Castillo was secretly feeling sad, he saw Foreign Minister Bianca Gibbs and Navy Minister Admiral Siervila hurried in.

"What's the matter, both of you?"

Looking at the two people who came in, Prime Minister Castillo asked curiously.

"Prime Minister, happy event, great happy event!"

Foreign Secretary Gibbs excitedly reported to the Prime Minister. "The Italian side is willing to sell us two new battleships, but requires us to pay for the purchase of the ships with wool and pyrite, as long as they are paid within three years."

The words of the foreign minister stunned Castillo, who has been in the political arena for decades, and he immediately asked. "Did the Italians not ask anything else?"

"That's not true. The goods we are required to pay must be 5% lower than the normal price, or the price of the battleship must be increased by 5%. In addition, taxes must be used as collateral."

Gibbs' answer eased Prime Minister Castillo's expression. It seems that there are still conditional discounts, that's good, that's good!

As the saying goes, if there is nothing to be courteous, it is **** or robbery. Prime Minister Castillo is also afraid that this suddenly enthusiastic Italian will do something wrong. Since he wants to make more money, then this matter is much easier to handle.

However, Prime Minister Castillo looked at the Secretary of the Navy who was hesitant to speak, so he asked. "Admiral Shirvila, are you here for these two warships?"

Facing the prime minister's question, Admiral Shelvella immediately replied. "Yes, that's why I came here this time."

"is there a problem?"

"That's not a problem, but considering that the Italians can pay in installments with the goods, I would like to ask, can the Navy choose warships again?"

Admiral Siervila's words made Prime Minister Castillo rub up. "Your Excellency, Admiral, it is the Italian warship that you strongly recommended to me. Are you going to go back on your word now?"

Obviously, what the admiral said made the prime minister angry.

Seeing that the Prime Minister misunderstood him, Admiral Shirvila hurriedly explained. "Prime Minister, I have absolutely no intention of doing so. My main consideration is that since Italy is willing to allow my country to pay in installments for the goods, I wonder if it is possible to buy better Italian warships to serve our country?"

Hearing this, Castillo's heart moved. "Tell me your reasons."

"Prime Minister, I recommended the new Italian battleship before, mainly because this battleship is an improved version of its Turin class. The Turin class is an excellent battleship, no matter in terms of firepower, protection or speed. Perfect balance, which was reflected in the arrival of the previous Yellow Sea naval battle.

And the reason why I asked to buy it before is that it can at least enable our navy to resist threats from outside. Of course, this is only possible, because our potential enemy is also making progress. As far as I know, there are at least two 10,000-ton battleships under construction. There are two more ships ready to start construction, we must plan ahead. That's why I think that the new Italian cruiser is the right ship for us. "

"A new armored cruiser?"

"Yes, armored cruiser."

Facing the Prime Minister's doubts, Admiral Shirvila spoke very seriously. "Why I say this new armored cruiser is suitable for us is that it has excellent speed and can reach a high speed of 23 knots. Moreover, the ship has powerful firepower, with eight 254mm rapid-fire main guns, which can destroy all new battleships. All other warships were sunk in the sea. Besides firepower and speed, its armor is not weak. The new armor of 190-110mm can cope with most naval battles. It can be said that the current Italian cruiser can at least Leading the trend of the next five years."

Having said that, I saw him continue to speak. "I only need two of these ships to make those Yankees who have malicious intentions think twice."

It can be seen that Admiral Shelvera highly respects this patrol. However, its performance is here, and it is difficult not to attract attention.

"I heard so much from you, so how much is the price of such a ship?"

Facing the Prime Minister's question, Admiral Shirvila answered seriously. "The Italians offer 36 million lire."

"What!"

Hearing this price, the Prime Minister was taken aback. This is a full increase of 5.6 million pesos compared to the price of the battleship, which is too high. (1 lira ≈ 0.56 pesos)

"But it suits our Spanish Navy ~www.mtlnovel.com~ I think the Italians would be willing to talk about it."

Facing the admiral's words, Prime Minister Castillo became pensive, and the atmosphere was a little awkward for a while.

"Shall I go and talk first?"

At this time, the foreign minister opened his mouth to smooth things over.

"That's fine, let's talk to Xiang."

Prime Minister Castillo originally thought that the Italians would not sell this cruiser, or ask for more. Who knows that Italians are very easy to speak. It directly stated that it would give Spain two ships built by itself first, and the period of payment by goods could be extended to 5 years.

Such a talkative Italian made Prime Minister Castillo a little bit off guard. Therefore, in the expectant eyes of Admiral Shirvila and other naval officers and soldiers, the Prime Minister could only grit his teeth and sign the purchase agreement.

According to the Italian side, the warship could be delivered to Spain in June 1897.

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