Iron Germany

"How is the preparation for the battleship auction going? Are there many countries that signed up?" Qin Tian didn't regard the contact between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the United States as any major threat. Qin Tian had already made a plan, and after the death of Franz Joseph I, he would start attacking the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

How could someone else snore and sleep in a couch? Although the German Empire had become the hegemon of the world, it would not allow a country as powerful as the Austro-Hungarian Empire to exist.

The American emperors of later generations, coercing the whole world, don't they also do everything possible to suppress the surrounding countries? It makes it impossible for the surrounding countries to become big countries, thereby ensuring their own security.

This is what the German Empire will do. The Austro-Hungarian Empire is next to the German Empire. Even if the two sides are allies, Germany needs to get rid of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for its own safety. It is undoubtedly in the interests of the German Empire to split the huge Austro-Hungarian Empire into small countries.

Splitting the Austro-Hungarian Empire was not too difficult for Germany. This huge empire was originally a dual system empire composed of more than ten kingdoms and princes. It was entirely by the prestige of Franz Joseph I that this country was able to integrate together. If Franz Joseph I died, the prestige of Crown Prince Karl would not be enough for the empire to continue to exist as a whole. At that time, if Germany only needs to add fire to it, the possibility of the split of the Austro-Hungarian Empire will be very high. At that time, Germany's security will be guaranteed.

Another close neighbor is Buer. Germany gained a large amount of territory in this war, which made Germany's eastern border move eastward. It's just that Bu Russia is no more difficult to deal with than the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Therefore, if Germany wants to deal with Bu Russia, it has to take a long-term plan. Only after all the powerful countries around it are eliminated, can Germany compete with the United States for the position of world hegemony without any worries.

Of course, all this takes time. After Qin Tian draws up these general directions, the military and political ministers of the empire will work hard in this direction. Qin Tian believed that his plan would be successful in a short time.

"Your Majesty, there are many countries where the mob participated in the auction. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Chile, Argentina, and Brazil have all paid deposits. They will all participate in this auction." Marshal Count Tirpitz Said.

"The Austro-Hungarian Empire? They also want to participate in the auction?" Qin Tian was taken aback. Originally, he thought that only some small countries would participate in the auction, and almost all those big countries were able to build capital ships by themselves, so they should not participate. After all, the capital ships sold by Germany this time are all capital ships decommissioned by the German Navy. The performance is weaker than that of the capital ships currently in service in the German Navy.

"Your Majesty, the naval strength of the Austro-Hungarian Empire has never been strong. Now there are only four 'United Force-class' battleships supporting the scene, and another four 'Austro-Hungarian Sovereign-class' battleships are under construction. Compared with the current international status of the Austro-Hungarian Empire As far as the navy is concerned, the strength of such a navy is really not strong. Therefore, they probably want to take advantage of this opportunity to buy a batch of warships to strengthen their strength. After all, even the warships we sell are more powerful than their capital ships. Be strong. Therefore, buying our warships will not do them any harm," said Marshal Earl Tirpitz.

Qin Tian nodded. For the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the capital ships that the German Empire wanted to sell were indeed the best choice to enhance their strength.

"Does the Austro-Hungarian Empire have that much money? Although these capital ships are all decommissioned by us, if other countries start bidding, the price will not be too cheap!" Qin Tian said.

"The financial pressure of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is indeed very tense. But, didn't they hook up with the Americans? The rich and powerful Americans should be able to give a lot of support to the Austro-Hungarian Empire!" said Marshal Count Tirpitz.

"Your Majesty, the Austro-Hungarian Empire will further increase its strength by purchasing those warships. This will probably have a considerable impact on the empire's interests in the Mediterranean. Should we prohibit the Austro-Hungarian Empire from participating in this auction? "Marshal von Falkenhain said.

Qin Tian shook his head: "The previous promise of the empire is that all countries that are willing to participate in it can sign up. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire is prohibited from participating now, it will have a negative impact on our reputation. Besides, those main forces After all, the warship is a capital ship that we despise, even if the Austro-Hungarian Empire obtains it, it will not be a big deal. If we can build those capital ships, we will be confident enough to sink them."

"Yeah, even if those battleships are acquired by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it's not a big deal. Anyway, with the strength of the imperial navy, it's nothing to sink them. However, those battleships were built by us after all, and we have to do it ourselves If it is sunk, I will feel somewhat uncomfortable!" said Marshal Earl Tirpitz.

The other ministers all laughed.

The bidding for the retired warships of the German Navy will start soon. The countries that participated in the auction were very excited. They have sent people to see those warships before, and they are all very good warships. Although it has been in service for several years, it has also experienced many sea battles. But the combat effectiveness was not affected much. If those warships are bought, their naval strength can be enhanced. For those capital ships, there is no problem at all in ten years. Even if the maintenance is strengthened, it can be used for another twenty years.

This time the bidding will be in charge of Lieutenant General Hipper, Chief of Staff of the High Seas Fleet.

"Everyone, the auction has officially started. The first to bid is the 'Nassau-class' battleship. There are four battleships in this class. We will bid separately." Lieutenant General Hipper introduced the 'Nassau-class' battleship to everyone. Class' battleship performance, which made everyone start bidding.

The starting bid for the battleship Nassau was 20 million marks. This price is less than half of the cost of the battleship 'Nassau'.

However, Lieutenant General Hipper believes that after everyone starts to compete, the price will definitely rise a lot.

"Twenty-two million marks!" Fatih Pasha of the Ottoman Empire first quoted.

The naval development of the Ottoman Turkish Empire has always been very bumpy. The two dreadnoughts they ordered from the UK were forcibly seized by the British. Now that Germany wants to sell battleships, their interest is undoubtedly great.

"Twenty-five million marks!" The Minister of the Navy of the Republic of Chile immediately increased the price.