33: Chapter 33 The First Medium-Scale Naval Battle

I. Impending Storm

Just as Li Ling's cooperation with the German Empire was deepening, Japan could no longer sit still.

In just a few months, this young man from the Qingxia Kingdom had not only won four consecutive naval battles but also connected with the German Empire, making his arms sales thrive. If he were allowed to continue developing like this, Japan's advantage in East Asia would vanish completely.

The atmosphere in the Japan Naval General Staff was as heavy as a mountain.

"We cannot wait any longer!" Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyoe slammed the table. "We must destroy his navy before his wings are fully fledged!"

United Fleet Commander Togo Heihachiro said in a deep voice, "Yamamoto-kun, the previous battles have proven that this Li Ling is not easy to deal with. We need to concentrate our superior forces and kill him in one blow."

"Intelligence shows that he currently has two Pre-dreadnoughts he can deploy, and a third is still under repair. He has seven or eight Torpedo boats and several transport ships." Chief of Staff Shimamura Hayao unfolded a map. "And we can deploy twelve capital ships, including three protected Cruisers. Our force is several times larger than his!"

Togo Heihachiro nodded. "Then assemble all available ships and annihilate his fleet in one fell swoop!"

Consequently, Japan secretly assembled twelve ships, including three main Cruisers, five Destroyers, and four Torpedo boats, and sailed aggressively toward the coastal area controlled by Li Ling.

II. Radar Warning

Li Ling was inspecting the construction progress of the three Dreadnoughts at the shipyard when he suddenly received a report from the duty officer.

"My Lord! The Radar station has detected an unidentified fleet approaching. It is about 180 kilometers away, heading southwest, at a speed of 12 knots, with a count of twelve ships!"

Li Ling's expression sank. He walked quickly to the sea chart and marked the enemy fleet's position and course based on the report.

"Twelve ships, heading southwest, straight for the port..." He muttered to himself, then suddenly looked up. "It's the Japan fleet! They are coming for a surprise attack!"

Empress Su Wanqing asked nervously from the side, "Brother Ling, what should we do?"

Li Ling did not answer but closed his eyes to think quickly. He had three Pre-dreadnoughts, one severely damaged and under repair, so only two were usable. He had eight Torpedo boats, but the enemy's numbers were too great; a direct confrontation would surely be disadvantageous.

[Host, a large enemy fleet has been detected. It is recommended to activate the loan mechanism.] The system reminded him at the right moment.

"No rush." Li Ling opened his eyes, cold light flashing within them. "I am confident in this battle."

[Are you sure? The disparity in forces is significant.]

"I am sure." Li Ling picked up the phone. "Notify the fleet, all ships sortie! Torpedo boats move forward to scout, Pre-dreadnoughts follow behind. I will destroy them at sea!"

III. Fleet Sortie

Two Pre-dreadnoughts—the "Zhenhai" and the "Dinghai"—slowly sailed out of the naval port amidst the roar of steam engines. Eight Torpedo boats acted like a pack of sharks, clearing the way ahead.

Li Ling personally boarded the flagship "Zhenhai," with lookouts and signalmen taking their respective posts. Although Empress Su Wanqing was worried, she did not stop him, only praying silently.

"Report, Radar shows the enemy fleet is 120 kilometers away, speed increased to 15 knots."

"Torpedo boat formation, accelerate to 25 knots and advance to 30 kilometers to wait for a surprise attack opportunity." Li Ling ordered, "Capital ships, maintain 18 knots and keep radio silence."

"Yes!"

On the sea, the two fleets were rapidly approaching. The air was filled with tension, and a great battle was imminent.

The system prompted in Li Ling's mind: [Host, this battle carries high risk. Do you want me to use system force to help you?]

"No need." Li Ling answered decisively. "My troops need real combat experience. If they rely too much on your power, they will never grow up."

[Fine, you have guts.]

"Stop flattering me. Help me watch the Radar and report the enemy fleet's movements at any time."

[Received.]

IV. First Wave of Engagement

Two hours later, the two fleets met in the waters 80 kilometers from the port.

The Japan fleet clearly did not expect to be discovered in advance; their formation was somewhat loose, and their reconnaissance was insufficient. When the funnels of the Torpedo boats appeared on the horizon, the Japan commander finally woke up.

"Enemy attack! Emergency combat status!"

The Japan ships hurriedly deployed into combat formation, but it was already too late.

The eight Torpedo boats split into two formations, weaving at high speed from the left and right flanks, and launched torpedoes at a distance of five kilometers from the Japan fleet.

"Torpedoes! Torpedoes detected on the port side!"

"There are some on the starboard side too!"

The Japan ships scrambled to evade, but there were too many torpedoes. Two Destroyers could not dodge in time and were hit by torpedoes. Amidst violent explosions, their hulls snapped, and they sank rapidly.

In the first wave of attacks, two Destroyers were sunk, one was heavily damaged, and Li Ling's fleet remained unscathed.

"Beautiful!" Li Ling, watching the results on the Radar from the flagship, waved his fist excitedly.

But Japan was, after all, an established naval power, and they quickly steadied their formation. The three protected Cruisers utilized their firepower advantage, using large-caliber shells to suppress the Torpedo boats.

"My Lord, our formation is under artillery fire. The Torpedo boat 'Tiger Shark' has been hit and lost power!" The signalman reported anxiously.

Li Ling's heart sank. "Abandon the 'Tiger Shark.' Have the other Torpedo boats withdraw, and bring up the capital ships!"

The two Pre-dreadnoughts, like two moving steel fortresses, charged into the battlefield against the Japan's artillery fire. The 350mm main guns let out a deafening roar, and shells weighing half a ton slammed into the enemy ships.

One salvo, and a Japan Destroyer was hit; its ammunition magazine exploded, sending flames into the sky.

Two salvos, and a Cruiser caught fire.

Three salvos, and Togo Heihachiro's flagship, the "Takachiho," had its bridge hit, and Togo himself was wounded.

But the Japan fleet was no pushover either. Their shells began to land around the "Zhenhai" and "Dinghai," kicking up huge water columns.

"My Lord, the 'Zhenhai' has been hit on the port side. The armor has been penetrated, and we are taking on water!"

Li Ling gritted his teeth. "Damage control team, plug the leaks! Main guns, keep firing, do not stop!"

V. Pyrrhic Victory

The battle lasted for a full four hours.

When the sun set and the sea surface was dyed blood-red, the battle finally ended.

The Japan fleet suffered heavy losses: three protected Cruisers, one sunk and two damaged; five Destroyers, three sunk; and all four Torpedo boats were wiped out. Only two heavily damaged Cruisers and one Destroyer fled in a sorry state.

The losses of Li Ling's fleet were also not insignificant: the Pre-dreadnought "Zhenhai" was heavily damaged, the hull was taking on water with a list of over fifteen degrees, and it nearly sank; the "Dinghai" was lightly damaged; three of the eight Torpedo boats were sunk, two were heavily damaged, and three were lightly damaged.

The greatest loss was a transport ship—it had been taken by surprise by Japan Torpedo boats during the chaos of battle, and all the officers, soldiers, and supplies on board sank into the sea, with no survivors.

Li Ling stood on the battered bridge of the "Zhenhai," looking at the wreckage and corpses floating on the sea, and remained silent for a long time.

This was the first time he had experienced such a tragic naval battle. In the previous four small-scale conflicts, he had crushed his opponents with almost no casualties. But today, he had lost three Torpedo boats, one transport ship, and over a hundred excellent officers and soldiers.

"My Lord..." The adjutant stepped forward cautiously.

Li Ling took a deep breath, his voice hoarse. "Tally the casualties, treat the wounded, and salvage the officers and soldiers who fell overboard. Also... register the names of the brothers who sacrificed themselves and issue double the pension."

"Yes!"

[Host, are you alright?] The system asked in a rare, gentle tone.

"I'm fine." Li Ling looked at the sunset, tears faintly visible in his eyes. "I just feel that I have failed the brothers who sacrificed themselves."

[War is like this, a matter of life and death. You have already done very well.]

"Not enough." Li Ling shook his head. "Not good enough. I want to become stronger, so strong that no one dares to fight me, and then no one else will have to sacrifice themselves."

[...]

"System, how much longer until those three Dreadnoughts are completed?"

[Two and a half months at the fastest.]

"Speed it up." Li Ling clenched his fists. "I will make the people of Japan pay their blood debt!"