42: Chapter 42 The First Major Naval Battle (The Decisive Victory)

I. Late Night Meeting

After returning to the naval port, Li Ling did not rest and immediately summoned all officers for a meeting.

The atmosphere in the command post was heavy.

"We won today's battle, but it also exposed quite a few problems," Li Ling said, standing before the nautical chart with a serious expression. "Ammunition consumption was too high, torpedo accuracy was low, and the fleet's maneuverability needs improvement."

The Chief of Staff stood up. "Commander, although we were victorious today, the enemy's main force was not dealt a devastating blow. According to intelligence, they are gathering their remnants and are expected to return in three days."

"Three days..." Li Ling mused. "That is enough."

He turned to look at a young officer. "How was the mission of the Special Forces?"

"Reporting to the Commander, the Special Forces successfully ambushed the enemy's supply fleet, sank four supply ships, and seized some ammunition and food. The enemy's logistics have been severely affected."

"Good!" Li Ling's eyes lit up. "With this, the enemy's logistics will not be able to keep up."

He walked to the nautical chart and drew a circle with a red pen. "Three days from now, the enemy will definitely attack from this route. We will set an ambush here in advance and use the cover of night to catch them off guard."

"But Commander," one general questioned, "the risks of night combat are too high, and our officers and soldiers lack experience."

"That is why we must prepare in advance," Li Ling said. "Starting tomorrow, everyone will undergo night combat training. Also, the system... oh no, I have a plan."

He paused. "We can use flares and signal flares to expose the enemy fleet while we remain hidden in the dark."

The generals looked at each other, and someone asked in a low voice, "Commander, will flares work?"

"Trust me," Li Ling smiled confidently. "This time, I will let the enemy see what modern naval warfare is."

II. The System's "Generosity"

After the meeting, Li Ling returned to his room.

[System Notification: Host, your performance today was good. The system has decided to give you a reward.]

"What reward?" Li Ling asked, lying on the bed, feeling weak.

[System Notification: Modern torpedo technology. Includes blueprints, production processes, and user manuals.]

Li Ling sat up at once. "Really? You aren't teasing me, are you?"

[System Notification: The system never teases the host. However, these torpedoes require a Production Base to be manufactured and will consume a large amount of resources.]

"Resources are not a problem," Li Ling paced around the room excitedly. "With modern torpedoes, the enemy fleet will be sitting ducks!"

[System Notification: Additionally, the system is also gifting the host a set of night combat equipment, including flares, signal flares, and night-vision binoculars.]

"System, why are you so generous today?" Li Ling was somewhat suspicious. "Is there some conspiracy?"

[System Notification: The system just feels that if you lose, the system will also lose face.]

"Hahahaha!" Li Ling laughed loudly. "Don't worry, I definitely won't let you lose face!"

[System Notification: Don't get cocky too soon; the enemy is no pushover. According to intelligence, Meijian Country has provided Japan with two more old Battleships, which are expected to arrive in two days.]

Li Ling's laughter stopped abruptly. "What? Two Battleships?"

[System Notification: Yes. So, you don't have much time left.]

"Damn it!" Li Ling clenched his fists. "It seems I must finish this quickly."

He sat back down at the table and began to formulate a new combat plan.

III. Night Combat Training

The next morning, before dawn, a sharp whistle blew through the naval port.

The sailors woke up from their sleep, quickly put on their clothes, and ran to the deck to assemble.

"Starting today, we will conduct special night combat training!" Li Ling stood on the pier, his voice booming. "Everyone must master night combat skills before dark!"

The training began.

The sailors were divided into small groups to practice using flares, signal flares, and night aiming and shooting in a simulated night combat environment.

Li Ling personally went onto the field, teaching the soldiers how to use the night-vision binoculars hand-in-hand.

"Remember, in night combat, whoever discovers the enemy first gains the advantage." He pointed to the binoculars. "This thing can help you see the enemy's position clearly in the dark."

The soldiers curiously fiddled with the binoculars, clicking their tongues in wonder.

"Commander, this thing is too magical!"

"It's simply an artifact!"

Li Ling smiled. "Practice well. Once you reach the battlefield, this thing can save your lives."

The training lasted all day until night fell.

In the evening, Li Ling organized a simulated night combat exercise.

"The Blue Team is responsible for defense, and the Red Team is responsible for offense. Remember, master the timing when using flares; do not expose your position too early."

After the exercise began, the Red Team's Torpedo boats used the cover of night to quietly approach the Blue Team's fleet. When they were close enough, they suddenly fired flares, illuminating the entire sea area.

The Blue Team's fleet was exposed in the light and instantly became sitting ducks. The Red Team's Torpedo boats took the opportunity to fire torpedoes and "hit" multiple "enemy ships."

"Beautiful!" Li Ling applauded. "That's it!"

After the exercise ended, Li Ling summarized, "Everyone's performance was good, but there is still room for improvement. Continue training tomorrow until everyone has mastered night combat skills."

IV. Pre-Battle Mobilization

On the third day, the day before the decisive battle.

Li Ling held a mobilization meeting for the entire army.

On the pier, thousands of sailors were lined up neatly, the sea breeze blowing their clothes, and every face was filled with determination.

"Brothers!" Li Ling stood on the high platform, his voice loud and clear. "Tomorrow, we will fight a life-and-death battle with the enemy!"

"This battle concerns our survival and the fate of the nation!"

"I know some of you will be afraid and nervous; this is normal. However, please remember that you are not fighting alone!"

"You have the strongest weapons, the best training, and the most reliable comrades!"

"More importantly, you have me!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, "The Commander is mighty! The Commander is mighty!"

Li Ling raised his hand, signaling for silence. "Tomorrow, let us let the enemy see what a real Navy is! What a real soldier is!"

"If we win this battle, we can protect our homes and defend our country! If we win this battle, we can let those powers see that we are not to be bullied!"

"Brothers, do you have confidence?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" The soldiers' shouts shook the sky and the earth.

Li Ling nodded with satisfaction. "Good! Tomorrow, I will go to the battlefield with you. We will live and die together, sharing honor and disgrace!"

"Live and die together! Share honor and disgrace!"

After the mobilization meeting, the soldiers' morale soared to its peak.

V. Night of the Decisive Battle

At two o'clock in the morning, the fleet quietly left the port.

On the sea, the night was like ink, and one could not see one's fingers.

Li Ling stood on the bridge of the warship, looking at the darkness ahead.

[System Notification: The enemy fleet is about fifty nautical miles away and is sailing toward us. Contact is expected in two hours.]

"Understood." Li Ling took a deep breath. "The whole fleet is to maintain radio silence; do not emit any light."

The fleet sailed in the dark, with no lights and no sound, only the sound of waves hitting the ship's hull.

An hour later, the Radar operator whispered a report, "Target discovered, distance thirty nautical miles, multiple large warships."

"Slow down, maintain distance," Li Ling ordered. "Torpedo boats, prepare to attack."

Twelve Torpedo boats left the formation like ghosts and disappeared into the darkness.

Another half hour passed, and faint engine sounds came from afar.

"The enemy is here," Li Ling said in a low voice. "Everyone, prepare."

He picked up his binoculars and looked into the distance. In the darkness, only blurry ship silhouettes could be seen.

"Flares, prepare," Li Ling ordered. "Wait for my command to fire."

The enemy was getting closer and closer.

Ten nautical miles, five nautical miles, three nautical miles...

"Fire!"

Several flares rose into the sky, instantly illuminating the entire sea area.

The enemy fleet was exposed under the strong light, with ships and personnel clearly visible.

"Open fire!"

The main guns of the three Pre-dreadnoughts fired simultaneously, and the shells landed precisely in the enemy fleet.

The enemy fell into chaos; some ships tried to turn and escape, while others fired back blindly, but the shells all landed in empty space.

Just then, the Torpedo boats charged out from both sides, firing rows of torpedoes.

Explosions followed one after another, and the enemy's ships were hit one after another.

"Well done!" Li Ling shouted excitedly. "Continue the attack, don't give them a chance to catch their breath!"

The battle lasted for an hour, and the enemy fleet suffered heavy losses. The two newly arrived Battleships were hit by torpedoes, one sank, and one was heavily damaged. Other ships also lost more than half.

Finally, the enemy commander ordered a retreat.

But this time, Li Ling did not intend to let them go.

"All forces, pursue!" He ordered. "You must annihilate the enemy!"

Our fleet pursued at full speed, firing flares continuously so the enemy had nowhere to hide.

The Torpedo boats attacked again, delivering the final blow to the remaining enemies.

Another half hour passed, and the battle ended.

On the sea, the wreckage of enemy ships and corpses floated, a scene of chaos.

"Report to the Commander, the enemy fleet's main force has been annihilated, and the remaining enemies are fleeing to the southeast," the adjutant reported.

"Continue the pursuit, don't let a single one go," Li Ling said coldly.

"Yes!"

VI. The Price of Victory

As the sky began to brighten, the battle was completely over.

The statistics were out: 6 enemy main warships, 17 Cruisers and Destroyers sunk, and countless supplies captured. Our losses: 2 Torpedo boats sunk, 1 Pre-dreadnought slightly damaged, 123 soldiers killed in action, and over 200 injured.

Li Ling stood on the bridge, looking at the smoke-filled sea, his mood complex.

We won, but it was not an easy victory.

"System, what is the evaluation of this battle?"

[System Notification: First large-scale naval battle, we won. The main force of the enemy's United Fleet has been annihilated, and they are incapable of launching a large-scale attack in the short term. The host has obtained one high-level lottery opportunity.]

"Give me the list of the fallen," Li Ling said.

The adjutant handed over a list.

Li Ling looked at the names one by one, his eyes moistening. These young soldiers were all personally selected and trained by him, and some were even still children.

"After we return, bury them well," Li Ling's voice was somewhat hoarse. "Send pension money to their families; it must be doubled."

"Yes!"

[System Notification: Host, war always has sacrifices. You have already done well enough.]

"Not enough," Li Ling shook his head. "It will never be enough."

He turned and walked back to the bridge, looking at the distant horizon.

"In the future, I want my soldiers to no longer sacrifice. I want our country to be so strong that no one dares to bully us."

[System Notification: The system believes the host can do it.]

"Thank you, system," Li Ling smiled. "You helped a lot in this battle."

[System Notification: You are welcome. However, host, don't forget that you still have one lottery opportunity.]

"Right, right, right!" Li Ling patted his head. "Almost forgot!"

He rubbed his hands together. "System, lottery!"

[System Notification: Congratulations to the host for obtaining one modern torpedo production line! It can produce various models of torpedoes, including anti-ship torpedoes and Submarine torpedoes.]

Li Ling was stunned for two seconds, then jumped up. "Great! With this, future naval battles will be even easier!"

[System Notification: Don't get happy too soon; the production line needs resources to operate. Also, your Production Base currently has limited capacity and needs to be expanded to accommodate this production line.]

"Then expand it!" Li Ling said boldly. "Anyway, we captured quite a bit of loot this time, we aren't short on money!"

[System Notification: Host, the system suggests you return to rest first, and then consider subsequent plans. Although the enemy has been repelled for the time being, they will not give up.]

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "However, they won't be able to stir up any trouble for a short time. We can catch our breath."

He looked into the distance, a smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.

This battle established his prestige and momentum. From now on, the powers would never dare to underestimate him again.

"In the next stage, it's time to consider how to unify the country."