125: Chapter 35 Ready for Battle

After the news of the sneak attack on Manila Bay reached Washington, the entire Meijian Country was furious.

President McKinley convened an emergency meeting at the White House, with the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Army, and the Secretary of State all in attendance. The conference room was filled with smoke, and everyone's face was etched with anger and anxiety.

"Li Ling must pay the price!" McKinley slammed the table. "He has destroyed our most important naval base in the Far East. This is a declaration of war against Meijian Country!"

"Mr. President, our new fleet is still in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. After the supply base was destroyed, we cannot sustain long-term operations in East Asia," the Secretary of the Navy said.

"Then find a new supply base!" McKinley roared. "If the Philippines won't work, find another one. Japan, Britain, France—who is willing to provide a base?"

"Britain has already agreed to let us dock and resupply in Hong Kong, but the facilities in Hong Kong are limited and cannot support the long-term stationing of a large-scale fleet."

"Then expand it!" McKinley declared decisively. "Notify the British government that we need to expand the port facilities in Hong Kong. Meijian Country will bear the costs."

After the meeting, Meijian Country began intensive war preparations. The new fleet continued to advance toward East Asia, while a large number of engineering personnel were dispatched to Hong Kong to expand the port and supply facilities.

Meanwhile, in Jiangning Prefecture, Li Ling was making the same preparations.

"My Lord, intelligence indicates that Meijian Country is expanding the port facilities in Hong Kong, preparing it to serve as a forward base for their new fleet," Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan said, pointing to the location of Hong Kong on the maritime chart.

Li Ling looked at that location and sneered, "Hong Kong? That is British territory. Meijian Country wants to build a base there, and the British actually agreed?"

"Britain is now an ally of Meijian Country, so of course they would agree."

"Then let them build it," Li Ling turned around. "Once they finish, we will bomb it again."

He walked to the chart and drew a circle around the location of Hong Kong with a red pen. "Pass the order: the Submarine fleet is to sortie again. The target is Hong Kong. I want them to destroy all the port facilities under construction and leave Meijian Country's new fleet with nowhere to go."

"Yes!"

After the order was issued, ten Submarines set out once again, heading straight for Hong Kong.

But this time, Meijian Country was prepared. They had deployed anti-Submarine nets and patrol vessels in the waters off Hong Kong, so the Submarines could not get close as easily as they had in Manila Bay. Several Submarines that attempted to infiltrate were entangled in the anti-Submarine nets and forced to surface in an emergency, nearly being discovered by Meijian Country's Destroyers.

"My Lord, the Submarine fleet reports that there is tight anti-Submarine defense in the waters off Hong Kong, making it impossible to approach the target," Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan reported.

Li Ling frowned. "Anti-Submarine defense? Meijian Country has learned their lesson."

"What should we do?"

Li Ling pondered for a moment, then said, "Since the Submarines cannot get in, we will use another method."

"What method?"

"The Air Force," Li Ling smiled. "Although our planes cannot carry heavy bombs, they can still drop a few light ones. If we can't bomb the port facilities, we can at least bomb a few transport ships, right?"

Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan's eyes lit up. "My Lord, do you mean... an air raid on Hong Kong?"

"Correct," Li Ling nodded. "Have the Aviation Squadron prepare. In three days, we will conduct an air raid on Hong Kong."

Three days later, twelve biplanes took off from a temporary airfield and flew toward Hong Kong.

Each plane carried four 50-kilogram aerial bombs, targeting the Meijian Country transport ships and supply facilities at the Hong Kong port. The pilots wore leather flight caps and goggles, flying south against the sea breeze.

An hour and a half later, the squadron arrived over Hong Kong.

On the port docks, Meijian Country engineering personnel were busy with construction. Several transport ships were docked, loading building materials and equipment. Cranes stretched their giant steel arms under the sunlight, and workers climbed on the scaffolding like ants.

"Target acquired!" the lead pilot reported. "Dive bombing!"

The twelve planes dove down, their nose-mounted machine guns firing wildly, bullets kicking up dust and sparks on the dock. Bombs detached from the bellies of the planes, slamming precisely into the targets.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Amidst the violent explosions, two transport ships were sunk, the facilities on the dock were destroyed, cranes collapsed, scaffolding burned, and engineering personnel fled in all directions. Thick smoke rose from the port, obscuring half the sky.

"Withdraw!" the lead pilot ordered. "Return to base!"

The squadron pulled up their noses, climbed back to high altitude, and flew toward the northeast. Behind them, the Hong Kong port was in shambles, billowing with thick smoke and raging with fire.

When the news reached Meijian Country's new fleet, McKinley was on the bridge of the flagship, the "New York."

"What? Hong Kong was also bombed?" His face turned livid, and the binoculars in his hand nearly fell into the sea. "How did Li Ling do this? Where did he get planes?"

"General, intelligence indicates that Li Ling possesses a new type of aircraft capable of dropping bombs from the air," the adjutant said. "We previously underestimated his Air Force strength."

McKinley took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Pass the order: the new fleet is to reduce speed. Do not enter Li Ling's strike range until we find a safe supply base."

"Yes!"

The speed of the new fleet dropped again, from twelve knots to eight. Meijian Country sailors stood on the deck, gazing at the distant ocean, and some began to whisper, "What kind of opponent are we fighting against?"

Meanwhile, in Jiangning Prefecture, Li Ling was celebrating the success of the air raid on Hong Kong.

"Well done!" He patted the shoulder of Commander Zhao Peng, commander of the Aviation Squadron. "With this bombing, Meijian Country's new fleet will have to drag its feet on the road for a few more months."

"My Lord, this is only a temporary delay," Commander Zhao Peng said. "Meijian Country will find a new supply base sooner or later. Furthermore, their new fleet is massive; if it all arrives, we will be under great pressure."

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "That is why we must use this time to strengthen our own power as much as possible."

He walked to the maritime chart and looked at the markings for the northern provinces. "How are the preparations for the Northern Expedition going?"

"It is basically complete, My Lord," Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan said. "All five Army groups have been reorganized, equipped, and have completed training. We can deploy at any time."

"Good," Li Ling nodded. "Then proceed according to plan. In three days, we officially launch the Northern Expedition!"

"Yes!"

Three days later, Li Ling held a grand swearing-in ceremony outside the city of Jiangning Prefecture.

Fifty thousand elite soldiers stood in formation on the parade ground, their uniforms gleaming in the sunlight, their steel helmets reflecting a blinding glare. Behind them were neatly arranged artillery and vehicles, creating an imposing sight. The soldiers stood tall with piercing gazes, their entire bearing exuding the murderous aura of battle-hardened elites.

Li Ling stood on the reviewing stand, his voice resonant. "Brothers! From today, we begin the Northern Expedition! The goal is to unify the entire country and let every person on this land live a good life!"

"I know the road ahead will be difficult. There will be battles, and there will be sacrifices. But I promise you, not a single drop of your blood will be shed in vain! Every charge you make will bring our country one step closer to prosperity!"

"Do you have confidence?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" fifty thousand men shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and startling the birds in the distant woods.

"Good!" Li Ling waved his hand. "Move out!"

The Army set off, marching northward in a grand procession. Infantry carried rifles, walking in neat formations along the main road; artillerymen dragged cannons, struggling forward through the dust; cavalry rode horses, patrolling the flanks of the formation. The column stretched for dozens of miles, dust flying, flags snapping in the wind, with no end in sight.

Behind this great Army, Li Ling stood on the city wall, watching the departing troops, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.

"System," he murmured in his mind.

"Yes?"

"Tell me, how long will it take to complete the Northern Expedition?"

"If everything goes smoothly, you can unify the north in about a year. You can unify the entire country in about two years."

"Two years..." Li Ling murmured. "In two years, this country will be completely transformed."

"Host, you must be prepared. Unifying the country is only the beginning. Building a nation is far more difficult than conquering one."

"I know," Li Ling smiled. "But I am already prepared."

He turned around and walked down the city wall.

Behind him, the Army continued to advance northward, dust flying and flags snapping.

A new journey had begun.