43: Chapter 43 The Second Large-Scale Naval Battle

I. A Brief Calm

After the victory in the first major naval battle, the Japan United Fleet suffered heavy losses and was unable to launch another offensive in the short term.

Li Ling took advantage of this rare period of calm to frantically develop his forces.

The Production Base operated day and night, and the construction progress of the three hidden Dreadnoughts had already exceeded eighty percent.

The Army was expanded to five hundred thousand personnel, including one hundred thousand elite troops.

The Special Forces units completed multiple secret missions, completely paralyzing the enemy's intelligence network in China.

But Li Ling knew that the enemy would not be reconciled to failure.

Sure enough, one month later, the intelligence department reported that Japan, with the support of Meijian Country and the United Kingdom, was assembling an even more powerful fleet.

This time, it included not only old-style Battleships but also several newly built fast Battleships.

"It seems they are determined to fight me to the bitter end." Li Ling sat in his office, looking at the intelligence report with a furrowed brow.

[System Prompt: According to intelligence, the enemy's new fleet is expected to be completed in three months. At that time, they will mobilize their entire force to fight a decisive battle against us.]

"Three months..." Li Ling pondered, "That is enough."

He stood up and walked to the window: "System, how much longer until our hidden Dreadnoughts are completed?"

[System Prompt: Expected in two months. All three Dreadnoughts will be launched and undergo sea trials and training.]

"Too slow." Li Ling shook his head, "Can the progress be accelerated?"

[System Prompt: Yes, but it requires additional resources. Host can obtain resources through loans.]

"Another loan?" Li Ling rolled his eyes, "I haven't even finished paying off the last one."

[System Prompt: Therefore, Host can consider the "Rock Paper Scissors" game.]

"Get lost!" Li Ling scolded with a smile, "You only know how to trick me."

[System Prompt: Host can also choose not to take out a loan, but the enemy's fleet will not wait.]

Li Ling thought for a moment and sighed: "Fine, we'll talk about it later. Let's handle what's in front of us first."

II. Prelude to the Second Major Naval Battle

Two months later, the enemy's new fleet was completed.

Intelligence showed that this fleet had a total of ten capital ships, including four fast Battleships and over twenty Cruisers and Destroyers, with a total strength exceeding our visible fleet.

"This time, they are really playing for high stakes." Li Ling stood on the bridge of the warship, gazing into the distance.

[System Prompt: Host, the hidden Dreadnoughts have completed their sea trials and can be put into battle at any time.]

"Not yet." Li Ling shook his head, "I want to make the enemy think we only have three Pre-dreadnoughts. When they let their guard down, we will deliver a fatal blow."

He formulated a detailed battle plan: first use the three Pre-dreadnoughts to lure the enemy into an ambush zone, and then have the three hidden Dreadnoughts launch a surprise attack to annihilate the enemy.

"This is called playing the pig to eat the tiger." Li Ling smiled triumphantly.

[System Prompt: Host, you are really becoming more and more of a "sly fox".]

"Likewise." Li Ling retorted.

III. The Naval Battle Begins

Three days later, the enemy fleet appeared on the horizon.

Li Ling stood on the bridge of the warship and raised his binoculars. The enemy fleet had an impressive formation and was aggressive.

"What a grand display." Li Ling sneered, "Unfortunately, today you will all be wiped out."

"Pass the order, all ships attack!"

The three Pre-dreadnoughts sailed out of the port and headed towards the enemy fleet.

The battle became white-hot as soon as it began.

The enemy's fast Battleships used their speed advantage to continuously flank our fleet. Although our Pre-dreadnoughts were not lacking in firepower, their maneuverability was poor, making it difficult to cope.

"Commander, the left flank is under threat!" the Chief of Staff reported.

"Stay steady, do not panic." Li Ling commanded calmly, "Retreat as planned and lure them in."

Our fleet began to "retreat in defeat," pulling back towards the predetermined ambush area.

Seeing this, the enemy thought we were defeated and immediately pursued at full speed.

"Pursue, keep pursuing..." A cold smile appeared on the corner of Li Ling's mouth.

Half an hour later, our fleet entered the ambush zone.

"Now!" Li Ling gave the order, "Hidden Dreadnoughts, attack!"

Three massive Dreadnoughts emerged from the sea mist, their huge main guns aimed at the enemy fleet.

"Fire!"

The 46mm main guns let out a deafening roar, and shells landed in the enemy fleet, kicking up huge water columns.

The enemy was instantly stunned.

"What? How do they still have Battleships?!"

"These aren't Pre-dreadnoughts, these are Dreadnoughts!"

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

But it was already too late.

The three Dreadnoughts' main guns bombarded continuously, and the enemy ships were hit one after another. Although the fast Battleships tried to counterattack, their main gun caliber was only about 300mm, which could not penetrate the Dreadnoughts' armor at all.

The battle only lasted one hour, and the enemy fleet had already lost more than half of its strength.

"Annihilate them all, do not let a single one escape!" Li Ling ordered coldly.

Our fleet pursued with all its might, and the Torpedo boats and Cruisers also joined the battle.

Another half hour passed, and the battle ended.

Seven of the enemy's ten capital ships were sunk, and three were captured. Fifteen Cruisers and Destroyers were sunk, and five were captured. Only a few ships escaped.

"Reporting to Commander, a complete victory!" the adjutant reported excitedly.

Li Ling nodded, but there was no smile on his face: "What about the casualties?"

"Our losses: one Pre-dreadnought heavily damaged, two Torpedo boats sunk, two hundred and ten soldiers killed, and over three hundred injured."

Li Ling was silent for a moment: "After we return, bury them properly."

"Yes!"

IV. System Rewards

After returning to the naval port, Li Ling held a victory celebration.

But Li Ling did not attend, instead sitting alone in his office.

[System Prompt: Victory in the second major naval battle. System judges this as a great achievement, granting one advanced lucky draw.]

"Draw then." Li Ling said listlessly.

[System Prompt: Congratulations Host, you have obtained a permanent buff of "Shipbuilding speed increased by 20%". At the same time, the system gifts one set of "Naval Gunnery Training System".]

"Just this?" Li Ling frowned, "I thought I would get something good."

[System Prompt: Host, this buff is already very strong. Your Production Base's original production speed was thirty times faster than others, and now with a twenty percent increase, it is equivalent to being thirty-six times faster than others.]

"That is true." Li Ling nodded, "However, I still want something more practical."

[System Prompt: What does the Host want?]

"For example... an Aircraft Carrier?"

[System Prompt: Aircraft Carriers require unlocking corresponding technology. Currently, the Host's technology level is insufficient and cannot be unlocked.]

"Fine, fine." Li Ling waved his hand, "Then give me some naval talent, that will do, right?"

[System Prompt: Can do. The system gifts one "Naval Officer Training Center", which can train naval officers of all levels.]

"That's more like it." Li Ling finally smiled.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the starry sky outside.

"Next, it is time to consider the matter of unifying the country."