Ruprecht's words were like a small scalpel, and he analyzed the content of what Makanov was thinking in his heart thoroughly! The prince was right. Makanov saw the problem from this place, so he came to such a conclusion. But he was not clear about the deeper reasons. So he just doubted this conclusion and was not sure! Because this guess was still a bit too terrifying in his opinion! To put it bluntly, the theoretical support was still a bit insufficient, for example, why did Japan take action, and what was the purpose of Japan's action at this time? He still couldn't figure it out.

"Okay, okay, let me tell you the answer. Sometimes, if a person is too smart, he will not even be happy with his friends." Prince Ruprecht put away his joking expression. He looked at Tirpitz, who was also a little gloomy next to him. Tirpitz was accidentally shot just now and was a little unhappy. Seeing that the atmosphere was almost set, it was time for the prince to give some real information.

"This matter starts in February this year. On February 11 this year, the King of Korea fled to the Russian Embassy in North Korea for asylum. With the support of your country, the King of Korea established a pro-Russian cabinet, which not only dismissed Japanese military advisers, but also dismissed and even killed senior Chinese and pro-Japanese personnel. Everyone knows this? Mr. Robanov, are you one of the planners of this matter?" His Royal Highness looked at the other party and said with a smile. (The above is a historical fact.)

"Then, your country was not satisfied, so you began to use Russian officers as North Korea's military advisers, set up Russian schools, and also obtained mining rights from Hamkyung. Faced with your country's step-by-step pressing in North Korea, Japan now has no way to compete. So on May 14, the Seoul Agreement was signed and signed on June 9. The most important thing is that Russia has obtained equal military garrison rights with Japan!" (This paragraph is also a historical fact)

"And our Foreign Minister is not satisfied with everything we have obtained so far. If I remember correctly, you and North Korean envoy Min Yonghuan have signed some secret contracts. It seems to involve..." (This paragraph is also a historical fact.)

"Stop talking, you are a devil! Believe me, the Russian government will give you the benefits you want! Whether this matter is successful or not." Before the prince finished speaking, Robanov, opposite him, tried his best to stop Ruprecht from continuing to speak. You know, the signing of a secret contract with the North Korean envoy, is a secret contract. What is a secret contract? No one knows the secret contract, and only the two parties know about the signing of the contract! This treaty has just been signed for a few days? Why did the Bavarians know it? This is terrible!

"Have you bet right?" Looking at the other party's reaction, Ruprecht was also a little surprised. This incident also happened in history, but Ruprecht was not sure about the specific time. He only knew that at the end of October 1896, a Russian colonel and a dozen soldiers came to North Korea to train the newly formed Guard Division. It is now early October, and His Highness the Prince guessed that the treaty had been signed, so he just said it tentatively, but he didn't expect that he was really confused!

"Okay, this matter is easy to talk about. Although the content of this secret agreement can be sold at a good price, it is off-topic for both parties now. After all, it is a matter between your country and North Korea. I am too lazy to care about it. I am just curious and found out some things by the way." His Highness the Prince exposes this matter with great magnanimity.

"We continue to discuss the topic. With the guarantee of the superior navy, your country gradually reversed the power balance between North Korea and Japan was unable to compete with your country because of its weak navy. However, what you did challenge the Japanese bottom line after all. If you are the top Japanese officials here, would you bear it? Of course not! If it were me, I would seize every opportunity to turn this situation around!

"And coincidentally, because of the stupid behavior of some people in your country, Japan has given a chance! You gave this opportunity. If I were Japanese Prime Minister Hirofumi Ito, I would give you a huge gold medal, and a prize of 1 million francs! Is this number a bit familiar? If I remember correctly, your and Vette's rewards are about 500,000 francs, right?" Every word of the prince stimulated the other's nerves.

"Originally, the Japanese army had no chance. The Japanese army's strength in the Far East was stronger than Russia, but this was useless. Because I had to look at the navy when I went to North Korea. Now the two second-class battleships ordered by the Japanese Navy have not been completed yet, and the whole fleet can't defeat the three cruisers of the Russian Far East Fleet. Even if Japan has money now and wants to order from various countries, it is absolutely too late. What do I mean by what I didn't have time? Mr. Makanov should be very clear. You said yes?"

Ruprecht alluded to the fact that in 1898, the Russians had no new large warships completed except for one battleship, and the construction trajectory of the Russian battleship was the same as in history. There was a gap in this year. As a senior general of the Russian Navy, Makanov, naturally knew about this matter.

"According to the plan, we have only two battleships in service in the past year, but they are all prepared for the Black Sea Fleet. If the Japanese obtained warships in 1898, the overall strength would still be a disadvantage. So they were eager to order warships in order to take action at this time." Makanov explained to Robanov with a pale face.

"Okay, now everyone should understand what the Japanese think. Originally, Russia would have an absolute advantage in the Far East. After all, two Russian-class armored cruisers could be completed in November 1897, and then they would go to the Far East in 1898. At that time, it would be no problem to kill the Japanese Navy twice with the formation of three 10,000-ton cruisers of the Russian Far East Fleet and two Munich-class armored cruisers."

"But now? These two warships have flew! They have become the Japanese food! By 1897, the Japanese Navy would have two second-class battleships, two 10,000-ton armored cruisers, one first-class protective cruiser, two 4,000-ton protective cruisers Takasa and Kashiya! How about it? Is this lineup enough to deal with the Far East Fleet?" (The Kashiya was originally put into service in March 1998, and the author made a little changes to this point.)

"It seems that Mr. Robanov has some doubts about the end of this possible naval battle in the Far East, right? Well, Lieutenant General Makanov, can we tell this foreign minister who does not understand the naval force, the comparison of maritime power between the two sides? And your personal opinions on the outcome of this naval battle?" Prince Ruprecht said to Makanov.
Chapter completed!