134: Chapter 44 The Last Struggle at Sea

After the coalition's coastal strongholds were eliminated, there was still one problem left unresolved—the remnants of their fleet fleeing at sea.

Although the United Fleet had suffered a devastating blow in the decisive battle, about a dozen ships had managed to escape the pursuit. Most of these ships were Cruisers and Destroyers. While they had lost their organized combat capabilities, they remained a force that could not be ignored. Like wounded beasts, they lurked on the high seas, ready to bite back at any moment. If not dealt with promptly, they might seize the opportunity to ambush merchant ships or coastal ports, causing unnecessary losses. Worse, they could become a springboard for foreign powers to intervene once again.

"Sir, satellite reconnaissance shows that the remaining enemy ships have split into two groups and are fleeing in two directions." Chen Zhiyuan pointed at the map. "One group of about eight ships is moving toward Japan and is currently about three hundred nautical miles from Sasebo Port. The other group of about six ships is sailing toward the Meijian Country colonies in the Pacific Ocean, on a straight course, as if they intend to return to Pearl Harbor."

Li Ling stood before the nautical chart, looking at the two dashed lines marking the enemy's routes, and remained silent for a moment. His finger traced lightly over the chart, feeling every island and reef along those routes.

"Dispatch two sub-fleets to intercept," he ordered decisively. "The First Sub-fleet will pursue the group heading toward Japan, and the Second Sub-fleet will pursue the group heading toward the Pacific Ocean. The Submarine units will coordinate their actions, and the Air Force will provide reconnaissance and positioning support. Tell them: capture if possible, sink if not. Do not let a single ship escape."

"Yes, sir!"

After the order was given, both sub-fleets departed simultaneously, launching a pursuit across the vast ocean. Black smoke billowed from the warships' funnels, and propellers churned the seawater, leaving two white wakes on the azure surface of the sea, like two arrows shot from a bow toward two different targets.

The First Sub-fleet consisted of three Cruisers and four Destroyers, commanded by Lin Yongsheng—a naval officer who had followed Li Ling since the first volume and was now one of the First Fleet's finest commanders. He stood on the bridge of the flagship, the sea breeze blowing through his graying hair, yet his back remained straight. They pursued at full speed along the enemy's route, boilers burning at full capacity, the steam engines roaring at maximum power. On the evening of the third day, they finally caught up with the enemy fleet attempting to flee to Japan.

"Sir, the enemy fleet has entered our field of vision," the lookout reported. "Distance is about fifteen nautical miles, heading north-northwest, speed twelve knots. The enemy ships seem to have spotted us and are accelerating."

Lin Yongsheng raised his binoculars. On the distant sea, eight blurred ship silhouettes were moving slowly, appearing and disappearing in the twilight of the setting sun, like a pack of beasts exhausted from running for their lives. Black smoke billowed from the enemy ships' funnels; they were clearly accelerating, but their hulls were riding low in the water, indicating they were heavily laden with supplies, which dragged down their speed.

"Full speed ahead, prepare for battle," his voice was calm and firm. "Load armor-piercing shells into the main guns, and have the Destroyers flank them from both sides to cut off their retreat. Tell them: either surrender or sink."

The eight enemy ships also spotted the pursuers and immediately accelerated in an attempt to escape, but they were already at their limit. The boilers of some ships had begun to smoke due to prolonged overload, and the screeching sound of metal grinding came from the engine rooms. Meanwhile, Lin Yongsheng's sub-fleet was a fresh force, fully fueled, fully armed, and with full crews; they were nearly five knots faster. The distance between the two sides was closing rapidly, visible to the naked eye.

Fifteen nautical miles, ten nautical miles, eight nautical miles...

"Fire!"

The Cruisers' main guns roared first. Shells tore through the twilight, trailing orange flames as they smashed toward the enemy fleet. The sea in the twilight was illuminated by the gunfire, flickering on and off like a burning dream. Although the first salvo missed, the shells landed less than a hundred meters from the enemy flagship, and the massive water spouts they kicked up terrified the enemy crew. Seawater poured onto the enemy decks like a torrential rain; several sailors were knocked over by the shockwaves, rolling and screaming on the slippery decks, and some were even thrown into the sea.

During the second salvo, a shell hit the stern of an enemy Cruiser. A massive explosion blew off the rear deck, and the steering gear was destroyed. The Cruiser lost its direction and began spinning in place on the sea, like a lost drunkard. Its bow swung left and right, and the steam it vented painted a giant white flower in the twilight.

"Great shot!" the gunners cheered. At the gun positions, the gunners were shirtless, sweat streaming down their backs, creating white mist as it evaporated on the cold metal gun barrels.

"Keep firing!" Lin Yongsheng ordered, his voice as hard as iron.

Third, fourth, fifth salvo... Dense gunfire poured into the middle of the enemy fleet like a torrential rain. The already exhausted enemy ships were hit one after another under the intense bombardment. Some caught fire, tongues of flame licking at the decks and superstructures; some had their hulls snapped, with seawater rushing madly through the breaches; others began to tilt and sink, their propellers spinning in the air a few times before stopping. Flames soared into the sky on the sea, thick smoke billowed, and explosions rang out one after another, shaking the spray on the water. The air was filled with the smell of char and burning metal, along with the strong scent of diesel and blood.

"Hoist the white flag! We surrender!" A white flag rose on one of the enemy Cruisers. Immediately after, the others followed suit; in the twilight, the white flags looked like a flock of surrendering doves.

Lin Yongsheng lowered his binoculars, his mouth curling slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes. "Cease fire. Move in close and take control of the enemy ships. Take the enemy officers and men prisoner and confiscate all weapons. Be sure to check for self-destruct devices; don't let anyone slip one past us."

"Yes, sir!"

The process of taking prisoners went quite smoothly. The enemy crew had completely lost the will to resist; some knelt on the decks trembling, some stood motionless with their hands raised, and some even voluntarily helped move weapons. When Lin Yongsheng boarded the enemy flagship, a British Colonel stepped forward and offered a standard military salute. His uniform was covered in ash and blood, and his right arm was wrapped in a blood-stained bandage, yet he still maintained a soldier's dignity in his eyes.

"We surrender. Please treat our soldiers according to the laws of war," he said, his voice hoarse and weary.

"Rest assured," Lin Yongsheng returned the salute. "My superior has issued orders not to mistreat prisoners. Your wounded will receive treatment, and when the war is over, arrangements will be made for your return home."

Although the battle pursuing the group toward Japan went smoothly, the other route was not as fortunate.

The commander of the Second Sub-fleet was Deng Shichang, a veteran who had followed Li Ling for many years. He was lean with sharp facial features, and his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's. He led three Cruisers and five Destroyers to pursue the enemy fleet attempting to flee toward the Pacific Ocean. The enemy fleet consisted of six ships, mostly fast Cruisers, which were very quick. Furthermore, they were clearly prepared, constantly changing course along the way in an attempt to shake off their pursuers. On the nautical chart, their route twisted like a snake, weaving through groups of islands and reefs.

"These guys are very cunning," Deng Shichang said, standing on the bridge with his brows furrowed. "They don't dare to confront us head-on; they only want to run. But they won't get away; this sea is our territory."

"General, should we request Air Force support?" the adjutant asked.

"It has already been requested," Deng Shichang nodded. "The reconnaissance aircraft are on their way. Once they confirm the exact location of the enemy, we can take a shortcut to intercept."

Early the next morning, the reconnaissance aircraft sent back intelligence. The enemy fleet was changing course, attempting to bypass a group of islands and reefs and enter the high seas from another direction. If they succeeded in bypassing them, they would enter the patrol range of Meijian Country warships, and at that point, it would be impossible to pursue them. Although those Meijian Country warships would not dare to intervene openly, they would certainly provide covert protection.

"They want to run!" Deng Shichang slammed the table. "Pass the order: the entire fleet is to advance at full speed and take the shortcut to intercept! I want to stop them before they get around the reefs!"

The fleet sailed at full speed, boilers burning at full capacity, funnels belching thick black smoke, dragging a long cloud trail between the sea and the sky. After tossing in the waves for nearly three hours, they finally intercepted the enemy on the other side of the reef group. Both sides spotted each other almost simultaneously, at a distance of less than six nautical miles.

"Fire!" Deng Shichang ordered, his voice as sharp as a blade.

All the Cruisers' main guns fired simultaneously, and the shells smashed accurately into the enemy fleet. The first salvo hit the bridge of an enemy Cruiser. A massive explosion blew the bridge away, smoke and flames shot into the sky, and the captain and senior officers were killed instantly.

But the enemy's reaction was faster than expected. Knowing they couldn't escape, they simply turned around and launched a final counterattack like trapped beasts. Several Cruisers and Destroyers turned simultaneously and fired torpedoes at Deng Shichang's fleet. The torpedoes cut white wakes under the sea, like a pack of lurking white water snakes.

"Torpedoes! Torpedoes spotted on the port side!" the lookout shouted, his voice cracking.

"Hard to port!" Deng Shichang ordered.

The flagship turned at the critical moment, barely avoiding disaster. The massive hull carved an arc on the surface of the sea, the deck tilting so much that it was almost impossible to stand; sailors grabbed railings and handholds. The torpedoes grazed the side of the ship, leaving a white wake on the sea, churning the water incessantly. However, a Destroyer following behind was not so lucky. Two torpedoes hit simultaneously; the violent explosion tore a massive hole in the hull, and seawater rushed in madly, sinking it to the seabed in less than three minutes. The light of the explosion turned the sea red, illuminating Deng Shichang's face, making it deathly pale.

"General, 'Sea Wolf' has sunk!" the communications officer reported, his voice trembling.

Deng Shichang's fist slammed hard against the railing, his knuckles bleeding. But he had no time for grief; the enemy was still in front of him, still fighting back. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and then ordered: "All ships, concentrate fire! Sink that enemy flagship for me!"

The main guns of the three Cruisers aimed at the enemy flagship simultaneously. Dense gunfire covered the enemy ship, shells smashing onto its deck and superstructure like hail. The enemy ship's armor completely collapsed under the repeated strikes, a huge hole was blown in the deck, and flames spewed out from the hole like a crack in hell. The ammunition magazine was detonated, and the entire ship broke into three pieces in the blaze and quickly sank to the seabed. A massive whirlpool was left on the sea, swallowing the surrounding wreckage and those who had fallen into the water.

After the enemy flagship sank, the remaining enemy ships completely lost the will to fight. Some began to turn and flee, while others raised white flags. The Second Sub-fleet pressed their advantage, sinking four enemy ships and capturing two in the next two hours.

The battle to pursue the enemy ships in the Pacific Ocean ended in a pyrrhic victory. The Second Sub-fleet sank five enemy ships and captured one, but they also lost one Destroyer and suffered over ninety casualties. When Deng Shichang boarded the captured enemy ship, he saw a line of English written in blood on the bulkhead: "We fought to the end." He remained silent for a few seconds, then turned and left.

When the two sub-fleets returned one after another, Li Ling stood at the end of the pier, watching the scarred warships slowly sail into the port. Some hulls were covered in bullet holes, looking like beehives; some decks still had fires that hadn't been fully extinguished, with sailors using fire extinguishers to fight them; some funnels were tilted, emitting an abnormal grayish-white smoke.

It was unclear whether his face showed relief or heaviness. His lips were tightly pressed, his eyes slightly red, but he never let the tears fall.

He walked to the front of the morgue, watching the stretchers covered with the national flag being carried down one by one, and remained silent for a long time. The sea breeze blew the corners of the flags, making a snapping sound, as if bidding farewell to the departed.

"Send the list of the fallen back to their respective hometowns," he finally spoke, his voice hoarse and firm. "Double the pension payments. If the families of the fallen soldiers are in difficulty, they can apply for military family relief. We cannot let the families of the martyrs feel abandoned."

"Yes, sir!" the adjutant stood at attention and saluted.

The last struggle at sea had ended. The remnants of the coalition forces were completely wiped out, and all ships attempting to flee were either sunk or captured. For the first time, the coastal waters of the Qingxia Kingdom were truly free of threats. The sea was empty, with only fishing boats sailing freely; merchant ships could enter and leave the port safely, no longer needing to worry about suddenly appearing enemy ships.

Li Ling stood by the pier, looking into the distance where the sea and sky met. The setting sun was sinking below the horizon, dyeing the entire sky a golden red. On the sea, a few seagulls circled, letting out long cries. The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy scent, brushed against his face, drying the sweat on his forehead.

"Next," he said softly, "it is time to get down to business."

He turned and walked toward the command headquarters, his steps firm, without looking back. Behind him, the afterglow of the setting sun stretched his shadow long, very long, like a road leading into the distance.