23: Chapter 23, First Small-Scale Naval Battle

Part I

The captured operational plans showed that Japan would launch a full-scale attack in thirty days. However, what Li Ling did not expect was that their reconnaissance operations would come faster than anticipated.

That was five days after the intelligence was captured.

In the early morning, thick fog rose over the sea, with visibility less than five hundred meters. Li Ling was eating breakfast in the military port's command center when he suddenly received a telegram from the Zhenhai warship.

"Report, Young Master, the Radar has detected unidentified vessels approaching our coastline. There are two of them, suspected to be Japan Cruisers."

Li Ling put down his bowl and chopsticks, his face darkening.

"How far away are they?"

"Thirty nautical miles, approaching us at a speed of fifteen knots."

Li Ling quickly calculated in his mind. Thirty nautical miles, at fifteen knots, would reach the coastline in about two hours.

"Pass the order down: the Zhenhai warship and the dinghai pre-dreadnought are to set out immediately, while the Pinghai warship is to remain at the military port," Li Ling ordered. "I will go to command personally."

"Yes!"

Part II

When Li Ling boarded the Zhenhai warship, the two warships had already sailed out of the military port, cutting through the dense fog and heading in the direction of the Japan vessels.

The fog at sea was very heavy, and visibility was extremely low. Standing on the bridge, Li Ling could only see the sea surface a few hundred meters ahead; everything further away was blurry.

"System, can the Radar see the enemy ships' positions clearly?"

"Yes," the system said. "The Radar is not affected by the dense fog; the enemy ships' positions, headings, and speeds are all crystal clear."

"That's good," Li Ling breathed a sigh of relief. "Without the Radar, this battle would truly be hard to fight."

The Radar on the Zhenhai warship was an early version provided by the system, with a detection range of only twenty kilometers, but in this era, it was black technology. In this fog-filled weather, the Radar was Li Ling's eyes, while the Japan fleet could only rely on visual observation, leaving them completely passive.

"Captain Lin, the enemy ships are fifteen nautical miles to the front left, heading northwest, speed fifteen knots," Li Ling ordered based on the Radar information. "Full speed ahead, seize a favorable position."

"Yes!" Lin Yongsheng ordered. "Full speed ahead, turn left fifteen degrees!"

The power system of the Zhenhai warship was fully engaged; the four steam turbines emitted a huge roar, and the warship's speed increased from twelve knots to eighteen knots, carving a white wake on the sea surface.

Part III

Half an hour later, the distance between the two warships shortened to ten nautical miles.

The Radar showed that the two Japan Cruisers had discovered Li Ling's fleet and were turning, attempting to retreat.

"Want to run?" Li Ling sneered. "Too late. Full speed in pursuit!"

The Zhenhai warship and the dinghai pre-dreadnought accelerated with all their might, their speed increasing to twenty knots, three knots faster than the Japan Cruisers. The distance between the two sides was constantly shrinking.

Nine nautical miles, eight nautical miles, seven nautical miles...

When the distance narrowed to five nautical miles, Li Ling ordered to open fire.

"Main battery ready, target enemy ships, distance five nautical miles, salvo!"

The four 305mm main guns of the Zhenhai warship fired simultaneously; the huge roar was deafening, and four shells whistled toward the enemy ships.

The first salvo did not hit. The shells landed around the enemy ships, kicking up huge water columns.

The Japan Cruisers were startled and fled at full speed, while firing back with their tail guns. But their artillery fire in the dense fog had no accuracy at all, and the shells landed far away from the Zhenhai warship, posing no threat at all.

"Second salvo, prepare!" Lin Yongsheng ordered.

The gunners quickly adjusted the firing coordinates, and the second salvo was fired again.

This time, one shell hit the stern of an enemy ship; the explosion overturned the aft deck, and thick smoke rose from the enemy ship.

"Hit!" The officers and men on the bridge cheered.

"Continue firing, don't stop!" Li Ling ordered.

The third, fourth, and fifth salvos were fired in succession, and the two Japan Cruisers were covered by dense artillery fire. One was hit in the ammunition magazine, causing a violent explosion, the entire hull broke in two and sank rapidly. The other was hit in the engine room, lost power, and floated on the sea surface.

"Cease fire," Li Ling ordered. "Pull up alongside and board for inspection."

The Zhenhai warship slowly approached the Japan Cruiser that had lost power. The Japan soldiers on board had already given up resistance, holding up white flags and kneeling on the deck.

Li Ling stood on the bridge, looking down at the riddled Cruiser, expressionless.

"Captain Lin, have the Marine Corps board the ship, seize all intelligence, and take everyone prisoner."

"Yes!"

Part IV

The results of the boarding inspection made Li Ling even more convinced of Japan's attack plan.

This Cruiser was part of the Japan Kwantung Army fleet, and its mission was to scout the coastal defenses of the Li Family Army, preparing for a subsequent large-scale attack. The ship's logbook and operational documents detailed the organization, deployment, and operational plans of the Kwantung Army fleet.

"Ten warships, twenty thousand Army troops..." Li Ling looked at the captured documents. "It seems they are determined to eliminate me."

"Then what do you plan to do?" the system asked.

"Preemptive strike," Li Ling said. "I won't wait for them to come and attack; I'll go and attack them first."

"Are you crazy?" the system said. "You only have three Pre-dreadnoughts, while they have ten warships. Although most are Cruisers and Destroyers, they have the numerical advantage."

"Numbers are not a problem," Li Ling said. "I have Radar, night combat capability, and hidden Dreadnoughts. As long as the tactics are right, I can definitely win."

The system was silent for a while, then said, "Are you sure?"

"Sure," Li Ling nodded. "Instead of being beaten passively, it's better to take the initiative."

"Fine," the system said. "Since you've decided, I support you."

Part V

After the naval battle ended, the system popped up a notification.

"Detected that the host has achieved the first naval victory, sunk one enemy Cruiser, captured one, judged as a minor achievement."

"Lucky draw?"

"Lucky draw," the system said. "Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Naval Gunnery Training System upgraded version, which can simulate shooting training under complex sea conditions and improve gunner adaptability."

Li Ling nodded, not as excited as before.

He knew this was just a small scuffle. The real naval battle was still to come.

Returning to the military port, Li Ling called the three captains—Lin Yongsheng, Deng Shichang, and Liu Buchan—to the command center to convey Japan's attack plan and his own response plan.

"The three of you, Japan will launch a full-scale attack on us in a month," Li Ling pointed to the map. "Our goal is to destroy their fleet before they attack."

The three captains looked at each other, their eyes shining.

"Young Master, how do you suggest we fight?" Lin Yongsheng asked.

Li Ling drew several arrows on the map: "Split into two routes. The first route, you three Pre-dreadnoughts, attack head-on to attract the attention of the Japan fleet. The second route, three Dreadnoughts, detour from the flank to raid the Japan's rear base."

"Dreadnoughts?" Deng Shichang asked in surprise. "Young Master, do we have Dreadnoughts?"

"Yes," Li Ling smiled. "And there are three of them. In twenty days, they will be ready to launch."

The three captains were surprised and happy, standing up to salute one after another: "Young Master is wise!"

"Don't be happy too soon," Li Ling waved his hand. "In the next twenty days, you must intensify training, especially in night combat and coordinated operations. I want a clean and decisive victory, not a pyrrhic one."

"Yes!"

Part VI

At night, Li Ling returned to the mansion, and Empress Su Wanqing was waiting for him in the courtyard.

"Brother Ling, I heard you fought a naval battle today?" Empress Su Wanqing asked worriedly. "Are you hurt?"

"No," Li Ling smiled. "I'm perfectly fine."

Empress Su Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief, pulling Li Ling to sit down: "Brother Ling, can you promise me one thing?"

"What is it?"

"In the future, when you go to war, you must pay attention to your safety," Empress Su Wanqing looked at him seriously. "I don't ask for you to win, I only ask that you come back safely."

Li Ling felt a warmth in his heart and held her hand: "Okay, I promise you."

Empress Su Wanqing smiled and leaned on his shoulder: "Brother Ling, you are so kind."

The moonlight spilled over the two of them, gentle as water.

Li Ling held Empress Su Wanqing, thinking about the upcoming great battle.

He knew the days ahead would not be peaceful. But as long as she was by his side, he had infinite courage.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

The sea breeze blew from afar, bringing a salty, fishy scent.

Li Ling took a deep breath, his eyes determined.

The great battle was about to begin.