Chapter 427 Sharpening the Knife

In order to collect enough military expenditures, the United States has announced the current plight of the country to the people of the whole country without any concealment. He also stated that in order to resist the pressure from France, a large amount of military expenditure is needed and the support of the people is needed. The news sparked brief panic in the United States. Before, the American people always believed that their army was winning steadily, and it would not take long before they could defeat the evil France. But a government announcement knocked them from the clouds to the ground. However, after the panic, the American people actively responded to the government's call and actively donated money and materials. In just one month, they actually donated 500 million US dollars, which was completely beyond the expectations of the US government. Moreover, American youths are also actively joining the army. According to statistics from conscription sites across the country, there are millions of American youths who need to join the army. People's hearts are available! In fact, it’s no wonder that the American people support the U.S. government so actively. In fact, the reason is very simple. If the United States is defeated, then the United States is likely to become a colony of European countries again. This is a result that Americans who have been enslaved by European countries for hundreds of years absolutely do not want to see. Don't rush to buy the government-issued treasury bonds. The first batch of 500 million U.S. dollars of treasury bonds was sold out in just one week. After seeing such a momentum, the U.S. government discovered a second batch of 500 million U.S. dollars in national debt, which was still sold out in only half a month. Subsequently, the U.S. government continued to issue the third batch of 500 million U.S. dollars in treasury bonds, which were basically sold out. But at this time, the market is basically saturated, which also makes it impossible for the US government to accumulate wealth in this way. Similarly, the auction of resources such as land and mines in the newly occupied areas was also exceptionally successful. Many big farmers and big capitalists paid for it one after another, so that the U.S. government got 2 billion U.S. dollars in just one week. The sum of the funds obtained in various ways unexpectedly raised 4 billion U.S. dollars, which far exceeded the expectations of the U.S. government.

With financial support, the U.S. government immediately invested a lot of money in the development of warships and the construction of warships. And, start recruiting new recruits. Because so many people want to join the army, the recruitment work of the US military is very smooth. A total of 50,000 men were recruited across the Navy's six fleets. The Army also took the opportunity to recruit 200,000 people.

Influenced by the United States, Canada has also begun to expand its army and navy. Moreover, the Canadian side also accepted the proposal of the United States to jointly develop new warships between the two countries. After the efforts of scientists from the two countries, a large warship with a displacement of 14,000 tons was finally designed. The United States named this warship the "North Carolina" class, and Canada named it the "William" class. In order to achieve the purpose of countering the French "Giant Whale" class, the "North Carolina" class battleship increases defense and firepower by sacrificing speed. The armor thickness of the entire battleship reached 300 mm. The firepower is based on three double-mounted 305mm naval guns as the main gun. In terms of firepower alone, the 'North Carolina' class almost surpassed the French 'Giant Whale' class. However, in terms of speed, it can only reach 13 knots, while the maximum speed of the 'Giant Whale' class is 16 knots.

On the French side, after winning the naval battle and lifting the blockade of the United States and Canada on the Azores, they also calmed down again. Except for the war on the Azores, which is still going on, all other fronts are very calm. But everyone knows that this is just the calm before the storm, and more violent wars are definitely still brewing.

The Mediterranean Fleet did not take the initiative to attack, but cruised in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. As soon as it found American or Canadian ships, whether they were warships or merchant ships, they were all sunk.

At the end of November, almost half a month had passed since the victory of the Mediterranean Fleet. At this time, in the Tuileries Palace in Paris, Xiao Jie was discussing with everyone the strategic direction of the French army in the future. All the leaders of the military gathered together.

"Everyone, everyone knows that in the recent naval battle, the Mediterranean Fleet successfully defeated the American Fleet and won this rare victory for us. Now, let us extend our warm congratulations to the Navy and the Mediterranean Fleet." Xiao Jie Said with a smile. The victory of the Mediterranean Fleet proved how correct the original strategy of implementing the naval refit was. Although the Mediterranean fleet alone is still unable to defeat the US and Canadian navies, the French navy has regained the glory of controlling the Atlantic. But in any case, the victory of the Mediterranean Fleet brought great hope to France. Let everyone know that victory is at hand.

"Next, the point of bringing them here today is to let everyone express their opinions and talk about the strategic direction of our army in the future." Xiao Jie said with a smile.

"Does this still need to be said? Since the Mediterranean Fleet can defeat the US and Canadian fleets, it is of course for the Mediterranean Fleet to continue its efforts and completely defeat the US and Canadian navies. Then we will send a large army to land in the Americas and give the US and Canada a final blow." said an army general. His words aroused applause from the army generals.

However, after listening to his words, the admirals showed helplessness. Yes, the Mediterranean Fleet seems very powerful, but it is basically impossible to completely wipe out the US and Canadian navies.

At this time, Navy Commander Bult got up and said: "Thank you for your high hopes for the Navy. However, the current strength of the Navy is still a little bit worse than your hopes. Although the Mediterranean Fleet can defeat the US and Canadian fleets, everyone must know , That is not the full strength of the U.S. and Canadian navies at all. Therefore, it is basically impossible to defeat the U.S. and Canadian navies with the Mediterranean Fleet alone."

Now the army generals have nothing to say. After all, they are all laymen. Now that the naval experts have spoken, they can no longer mention some non-technical strategies.

"Your Majesty, generals. I think the temporary focus of our army should be on clearing the troops of the United States and Canada in the Azores. In addition, the United States and Canada have also deployed 100,000 people in the island of Ireland. It is against us again. I think this is also a big threat. This threat should be removed. As for the decisive battle with the US and Canadian navies, I think it will have to wait until April next year at the earliest, after the Atlantic Fleet is refitted. Action," Naval Chief of Staff Sucrete said.

Xiao Jie nodded. The British invasion of the three islands is indeed a problem. After all, they are only separated from France by the narrow English Channel. If it were not for the restoration of the strength of the French navy, it would definitely pose a serious threat to France. From now to April next year, there is still not a short period of time, and this period of time can be used to uproot all the forces of the United States and Canada in the eastern Atlantic region. At the same time, it also taught the capricious British a lesson.

"Recently, countries in Eastern Europe are also on the verge of action. Our agents have found traces of American spies there. It seems that the Americans want to set fire to our backyard."

"You can ignore them for the time being. There are hundreds of thousands of our troops stationed in Eastern Europe. Eastern European countries dare not act rashly. Unless the United States can make us fall into a big fall, it is so big that France is on the verge of subjugation. Otherwise, there is no Which country would dare to rebel at this time." Xiao Jie said.

Indeed, France has millions of the most powerful army in the world, and they are the foundation of France. As long as they remained, it was enough to secure France's place in Europe.

"Your Majesty. Now we have encountered a problem. Since the navy's refitting began, most of the country's steel has been used for it, resulting in insufficient supply of other equipment. And our own iron ore mining can not meet the consumption, and the quality of It is not enough. Therefore, for a long time, we have imported the iron ore needed for those special steel products from Sweden. But recently, for unknown reasons, the Swedish government not only did not agree to expand the export of iron ore to us, Instead, they began to restrict our imports, resulting in a serious shortage of steel products. If this continues, our shipbuilding progress will be seriously delayed.” Dioka, the Minister of General Armament, said with some concern~lightnovelpub.net~It seems that Sweden can't stand the loneliness anymore. Do they really think that with the name of the so-called 'Nordic' powerhouse, they can make us look bad? "Xiao Jie said angrily.

"Your Majesty, I think we should negotiate with the Swedish government immediately, otherwise the progress of the refit will be delayed, which will have a great impact on our future plans." Burt said anxiously.

"Negotiation? I don't think it's necessary. I'm sure there must be Americans behind this. Negotiating with them will only give them a chance to delay time." Xiao Jie said with a sneer.

"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Eck asked. Although he had already guessed what Xiao Jie meant. In the past, Xiao Jie had expressed his desire for Sweden's high-quality iron ore more than once. If it hadn't been for the recent war with the United States, and he couldn't find a reason to invade Sweden, I am afraid that by this time, everyone in France would have already invaded Sweden. sweden. Although Sweden has been a powerful country in Europe for hundreds of years, the so-called most powerful "Nordic warrior" in Europe is simply vulnerable in the eyes of the French army.

"Immediately issue an ultimatum to Sweden, asking them to double their supply of iron ore to my country and drop the price by half from now on. Otherwise, it will be regarded as an enemy of France." Xiao Jie said coldly.