Chapter 239: Chapter 126, No Choice

The future naval development strategy, Franz did not immediately decide; this would have to wait until after the Near East War ended.

However, the funding for the construction of the ironclad ships was readily approved. After all, the political gains alone from spending millions of shields to obtain the honor of having the world's first ironclad ship would be enough to break even.

The New Holy Roman Empire had just been established, and the government needed good news to boost morale. Spending a few million shields on warships to buy a wave of national pride was far better than wasteful vanity projects.

Global cruising was not something that could be carried out in the short term—it would require at least a fleet of ironclad ships to have a truly awe-inspiring effect.

Franz was not one to squander wealth; he would not mass-produce a bunch of ships before the superiority of the first ironclad was proven.