24: Chapter 24 The Second Small-Scale Naval Battle

1

The victory of the first naval battle greatly boosted the morale of Li Ling's navy, but it also made Japan more vigilant.

The Kwantung Army headquarters realized that the Li Family Army's navy was not to be trifled with.

The combat effectiveness of the three Pre-dreadnoughts exceeded their expectations, and the fact that the Li Family Army even possessed black technology like Radar left them utterly baffled.

"Baka!" General Oyama Iwao slammed the table. "How can a mere local official have such advanced equipment? Who exactly is supporting him behind the scenes?"

No one could answer him.

The intelligence department investigated for a long time and only knew that Li Ling had arms deals with the German Empire, but the German Empire itself did not have Radar, so it was impossible for them to sell Radar to Li Ling.

Where did Li Ling's Radar come from? No one knew.

"General, the Home Fleet has set sail," the Chief of Staff reported. "It is expected to arrive in fifteen days. By then, we will have ten warships, including two Pre-dreadnoughts, four Cruisers, and four Destroyers."

"Good," General Oyama Iwao nodded. "Once the Home Fleet arrives, launch an attack immediately. This time, we must completely annihilate the Li Family Army."

2

But Li Ling would not wait for them.

The second naval battle took place on the eighth day after the first.

That evening, as the sun set, the sea surface shimmered with golden light.

Li Ling was in the naval port inspecting the training of the "Pinghai," when he suddenly received a report from the Radar station.

"Report to Young Hero Li, we have detected the Japan fleet. There are four ships, including two Cruisers and two Destroyers, approaching our coastline. They are forty nautical miles away."

Li Ling's face darkened: "Four ships? That's twice as many as last time."

"Young Hero Li, should we sortie?" Lin Yongsheng asked.

"Sortie," Li Ling replied without hesitation. "This time, it's not just about driving them away; we must sink them."

The three Pre-dreadnoughts were all deployed, along with two Torpedo boats, forming a small fleet that sailed toward the direction of the Japan fleet.

Li Ling boarded the flagship "warship" once again to command in person.

3

The visibility on the evening sea was excellent, and the setting sun dyed the surface a golden red.

The Radar showed the Japan fleet thirty nautical miles to the southeast, approaching the coast at a speed of twelve knots.

The formation was very neat, with two Cruisers in front and two Destroyers in the back, clearly intending to shell the coast at night.

"They want to sneak attack under the cover of night," Li Ling sneered. "Too bad we have Radar."

"Captain Lin, full speed ahead. Make contact with the enemy ships before sunset," Li Ling ordered.

"Yes!"

The three Pre-dreadnoughts accelerated at full power, increasing their speed to eighteen knots.

The sea breeze howled as the warships cut through the waves, charging toward the Japan fleet.

Half an hour later, the distance between the two sides shortened to fifteen nautical miles.

The Japan fleet discovered Li Ling's fleet and immediately turned, attempting to retreat.

But Li Ling would not give them the chance.

"Main guns ready, target the enemy ships, distance fifteen nautical miles, fire!"

The four 305mm main guns of the "warship" fired simultaneously, the shells tearing through the sky and flying toward the Japan fleet fifteen nautical miles away.

The first volley did not hit the target.

However, the shells landed very close to the Japan Cruisers, and the huge water columns stirred up gave the enemy a scare.

The Japan fleet began to accelerate and flee, while returning fire with their stern guns.

But their artillery range was insufficient, and the shells could not reach Li Ling's fleet at all.

"Prepare for the second volley!" Lin Yongsheng ordered.

The gunners adjusted the firing coordinates, and the second volley was fired once again.

This time, one shell hit the bridge of a Japan Cruiser.

A violent explosion blew the entire bridge away, and thick smoke and flames rose from the warship.

"We hit them!" the officers and soldiers cheered.

"Continue firing!" Li Ling ordered.

The third, fourth, and fifth volleys were fired in succession.

Under the dense artillery fire, the two Japan Cruisers lost power one after another and floated on the sea.

The two Destroyers attempted to flee but were caught up by "dinghai pre-dreadnought" and "Pinghai" and sunk one by one.

The battle lasted less than an hour.

All four Japan warships were sunk.

The Li Family Army suffered zero casualties.

4

The victory of the second naval battle made Li Ling's reputation even more resounding.

The coastal people spread the news: "Young Hero Li has won again! The Japan warships have all been sunk!"

Newspapers everywhere scrambled to report it, with increasingly exaggerated headlines:

Young Hero Li Creates Another Miracle, Annihilating Four Japan warships!》

《Li Family Navy Shakes the East Sea, Japan Fleet Trembles in Fear!》

《Great Powers Shocked: The Oriental Dragon is Awakening!》

Li Ling looked at these reports, smiled, and then tossed them aside.

He knew that the real test was still to come.

"System," Li Ling murmured in his heart.

"Hmm?"

"With Japan losing four warships this time, will they accelerate the pace of their attack?"

"Yes," the System said. "They originally planned to attack in a month, but now it might be advanced to half a month later. You must be prepared."

"How much longer until the Dreadnoughts can be launched?"

"Ten days," the System said. "In ten days, all three Dreadnoughts will be launched. In fifteen days, they will be combat-ready."

"Fifteen days..." Li Ling calculated. "That should be enough time."

"It is enough time," the System said. "As long as you can hold out for these fifteen days."

"I can hold out," Li Ling said firmly. "Even if Japan comes now, I can fight them."

5

After the second naval battle ended, the System popped up another notification.

"Host detected to have achieved victory in the second naval battle, annihilating four enemy ships, judged as a Minor Achievement."

"Draw prize?"

"Draw prize," the System said. "Congratulations to the Host for obtaining: Torpedo Technology, capable of producing 500mm caliber Torpedoes, with a range of five kilometers and a speed of thirty-five knots."

Li Ling's eyes lit up: "Torpedoes? This stuff is good!"

Torpedoes are sharp weapons for small vessels to deal with large warships.

A small Torpedo boat, as long as it can launch a Torpedo at close range, can sink a ten-thousand-ton class Cruiser or even a Battleship.

"System, can a production line for Torpedoes be built?"

"Yes," the System said. "But it requires resource points. One Torpedo production line requires one thousand resource points and can produce ten Torpedoes daily."

Li Ling looked at his resource point balance: one thousand two hundred.

"Exchange for one." Li Ling gritted his teeth.

"Confirm?"

"Confirm!"

A Torpedo production line appeared in the Production Base and began producing Torpedoes day and night.

Li Ling drafted another batch of soldiers and formed a Torpedo boat unit.

He ordered ten Torpedo boats from the German Empire, plus the two gifted by the System, making a total of twelve Torpedo boats, all equipped with the new Torpedoes.

"Once the Torpedo boat unit is built, let's see if the Japan warships dare to come again." Li Ling said proudly.

"Don't get cocky," the System said. "Torpedo boats are small vessels and can only provide coastal defense. The real ocean decisive battle still relies on Battleships."

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "That's why I'm in such a rush to build Dreadnoughts."

6

In the evening, Li Ling returned to the mansion, and Empress Su Wanqing was busy in the kitchen.

"Brother Ling, you're back," Empress Su Wanqing poked her head out of the kitchen. "I learned a new dish today, try it."

Li Ling walked into the kitchen and saw Empress Su Wanqing wearing an apron, her face stained with flour, looking extremely cute.

"Are you cooking or fighting a war?" Li Ling smiled and helped her wipe the flour off her face.

"Of course it's cooking," Empress Su Wanqing pouted. "Don't look down on me, I've been learning for several days."

Li Ling looked at the dishes on the stove—red-braised lion's head. The presentation was not bad, except for a few that were a bit burnt.

"Wanqing, are you sure this is edible?" Li Ling pointed to the few charred lion's heads.

Empress Su Wanqing's face turned red: "Those were the failures, the successful ones are over there."

Li Ling picked one up to taste. The flavor was actually quite good; although it couldn't compare to a professional chef, it was made with heart.

"Delicious." Li Ling gave a thumbs up.

Empress Su Wanqing smiled, her eyes curving into crescents: "As long as Brother Ling likes it."

The two were busy in the kitchen for a while, then brought the food to the courtyard to eat and chat.

"Brother Ling, I heard you won another battle?" Empress Su Wanqing asked.

"Mm," Li Ling nodded. "Sunk four Japan warships."

"Brother Ling is truly amazing." Empress Su Wanqing said sincerely.

"It's not that I'm amazing, it's the soldiers who are amazing," Li Ling said. "Without them, I would be nothing."

Empress Su Wanqing looked at Li Ling, her eyes full of admiration.

"Brother Ling, will you be Emperor in the future?" Empress Su Wanqing asked suddenly.

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "No. I don't want to be Emperor, I just want to make this country strong."

Empress Su Wanqing nodded, appearing to understand: "No matter what Brother Ling does, I will support you."

Li Ling felt a warmth in his heart and held her hand: "Wanqing, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?" Empress Su Wanqing smiled. "This is what I should do."

The moonlight sprinkled on the two of them, gentle as water.

Li Ling looked at Empress Su Wanqing's face, and a warm current surged in his heart.

It's really good to have her by my side.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

The sea breeze blew from afar, bringing the scent of the ocean.

Li Ling took a deep breath, his eyes firm.

He knew that a greater storm was coming. But he was not afraid, because he was not alone.