As Fang Mingzhou's foundational system library, it contained countless pieces of information.
To accelerate the development of the East Continent Empire, Fang Mingzhou revealed the country's mine distribution.
Two years ago, the East Continent Army began reclaiming the northwest region, and to solve transportation issues, the first oil field was discovered.
Over the past two years, with the continuous extraction of oil fields, East Continent has achieved self-sufficiency in oil.
In short, the four-year plan was to comprehensively transform East Continent from an agricultural nation into an industrial nation.
The Prime Minister's Office will invest in the fields of steel, shipbuilding, machinery, automobile manufacturing, machine tools, transportation, and railways over the next four years.
They will invest no less than five billion blue coins to build over seven thousand large and small industrial projects, thereby driving the prosperity of the East Continent Empire.
Such a grand blueprint was undoubtedly something everyone had to grit their teeth and face; as long as this plan was completed, at the very least, East Continent's industrialization would surpass Red Bull.
It would become a world-class power.
Many people did not understand why Fang Mingzhou, the Emperor, was so radical, believing that governing a large country was like cooking a small fish, and many things needed to be done slowly.
But only Fang Mingzhou knew that in just over a decade, the war that would sweep across half the world would begin.
The East Continent Empire had at most four more four-year industrial plans. Compared to those powerful nations that had developed for over a hundred years, East Continent, established only a few years ago, needed to demonstrate corresponding strength to join these feasts.
Without strength, you wouldn't even have a chance to sit at the table; you would most likely become a dish on the table.
"How much of Red Bull's naval plan has been completed?"
Back then, Red Bull and East Continent had a confrontation, losing both men and morale, and Nikolai clamored for revenge.
Thus, a massive naval expansion act was initiated, which would build over fifty capital ships and more than a hundred other warships within the next five years, a truly insane undertaking.
Almost three years have passed since then, and in any case, Nikolai is still very wealthy.
"Your Majesty, Red Bull's navy has currently completed over 70% of its warship construction."
Zhang Shun's face showed concern, "Over half of the capital ships built abroad have been mostly completed."
"This includes three Petropavlovsk-class Battleships, three Peresvet-class battleships, and three Retvizan-class Battleships, with the remaining two Evstafi-class and five borodino-class battleships being built by Red Bull itself."
Twenty-two capital ships already surpassed the current East Continent Empire, directly pushing East Continent to fifth place.
"Three Petropavlovsk-class Battleships were built by Lighthouse Country, three Peresvet-class battleships were built by Gaul Rooster."
"Three Retvizan-class Battleships were built by John Bull. Additionally, two Evstafi-class and five borodino-class battleships were built by Red Bull itself."
Everyone gasped. The East Continent Navy had been established for almost ten years and had only managed to assemble ten battleships.
Red Bull, on the other hand, already had nine, matching East Continent.
"In addition, there are over twelve heavy cruisers. Furthermore, due to the emergence of our rainbow-class, Red Bull has also begun building light cruisers."
"Once all are completed, Red Bull will have a navy exceeding sixteen battleships, twelve heavy cruisers, and over ten light cruisers."
"Its naval tonnage will surpass Hans, becoming the world's third-largest navy."
It must be said that Nikolai is truly wealthy; these warships would cost at least over one billion blue coins, not including subsequent maintenance.
Sun Fu looked at Fang Mingzhou, his meaning clear: Your Majesty, let's build more.
Fang Mingzhou glanced at Zhou Chuanjian from the Ministry of Technology and asked, "How much of the east continent ship plan has been completed?"
At these words, except for a few people, everyone else looked puzzled. Hadn't their own navy just completed the construction of two battleships?
Why was there another east continent ship plan?
One must know that this was named after the country; how could it be underestimated?
The east continent ship was the prototype of the Fearless in another timeline.
Zhou Chuanjian stood up excitedly and said loudly, "Your Majesty, after five years of our research, the east continent ship has completed its preliminary research and development."
It was said to be five years, but Fang Mingzhou had already produced the blueprints for the Fearless before he unified, so it had been seven or eight years in total.
"Currently, the firepower system has been designed, the propulsion system has been independently developed by our East Continent, and the new protective armor has also been synthesized in the laboratory. According to the blueprints provided by Your Majesty, we have completed the overall design of the new ship type."
"Your Majesty, the east continent ship is ready for large-scale construction."
"Good," Fang Mingzhou finally couldn't help but get excited.
The Fearless, or east continent ship, was the warship he had always wanted to build since the first day he established the navy; it was a groundbreaking warship.
What if Red Bull built fifty capital ships? In front of this groundbreaking warship, they were destined to be swept into the dustbin.
East Continent Navy's tiangang-class had been seven years since its construction, and according to a warship's life cycle, it had entered its middle to late years.
Now, the capital ships of navies worldwide were starting to catch up to it, so the navy, from top to bottom, also demanded the construction of new battleships to face the increasingly severe naval race.
A single tiangang-class originally cost over 7.5 million blue coins; now, the price of an east continent ship would certainly exceed ten million.
The navy's annual budget was only over ten million blue coins, and this included the maintenance of all warships.
This meant that at most, only one battleship could be built per year.
If they built, the national economy couldn't bear it; if they didn't, facing the development of Red Bull and other countries' navies, East Continent couldn't fall behind.
Fang Mingzhou understood why a major war had to be fought; if not, everyone would go bankrupt.
"How is Lighthouse Country doing now?"
Fang Wu, as the head of the Overseas Intelligence Agency, directly stated, "The economic crisis from six years ago has completely dissipated."
"Coupled with Lighthouse Country's military expansion and preparations for war in recent years, which stimulated the development of the domestic military industry, and their construction of warships for Red Bull."
"Now, Lighthouse Country's domestic economy is flourishing."
Two years ago, Spain and Lighthouse Country fought fiercely over colonies. Although Fang Mingzhou sold four capital ships to Red Bull before the conflict.
However, the old knight ultimately lost, and of course, Lighthouse Country did not win easily either.
The four capital ships provided by the East Continent Empire ultimately led to the demise of six of Lighthouse Country's capital ships, almost wiping out Lighthouse Country's navy overnight.
But Lighthouse Country ultimately found a market for its domestic capital and began expanding its influence into South America.
"Over the past two years, due to the consumption of the previous war, Lighthouse Country has added three more battleship construction plans. Currently, they have a total of eight battleships."
"How are the silver preparations I asked you to make?"
Ouyang Geng, who was aware of the silver plan, nodded and said, "Over the past two years, our East Continent has gradually used paper currency, allowing silver to exit the market. The national treasury currently holds 190 million taels of silver."
190 million taels, which means over seven thousand tons, could be transported by a single ten-thousand-ton cargo ship.
"Tell Wen Jiang to have them divide this silver into three portions."
"Tell Burgess to get ready and start implementing the plan. Whether our battleships can be built depends on this harvest."
