54: Chapter 54 The Japanese Empire Assembles a New Fleet

The Special Forces' operation was even more successful than expected.

Half a month later, intelligence reports arrived: The Yokosuka Naval Shipyard and the Kure Naval Shipyard had been severely sabotaged simultaneously. Three large dry docks were blown up, two Dreadnoughts under construction were severely damaged, and a large amount of equipment and materials were destroyed. Preliminary estimates indicated that Japan's naval construction plan would be delayed by at least eight months.

"Good! Well done!" Li Ling exclaimed, slapping the table as he stood up. "What about the Special Forces? Have they all returned safely?"

"They have returned safely, Young Master," the intelligence officer said. "However, two of them sustained minor injuries and are currently undergoing treatment."

"Arrange for the best doctors immediately and use the best medicine," Li Ling said. "Tell them they completed the mission excellently, and I will personally commend them."

"Congratulations to the host for completing the sabotage operation. You have received one minor achievement lucky draw."

"Draw!"

"Draw in progress... Congratulations to the host for obtaining 'Sabotage Tactical Theory'."

"This is not bad," Li Ling nodded with satisfaction. "Now I have a theoretical guide for sabotage in the future."

"Host, although this operation was successful, Japan will not let this go easily. They will certainly accelerate their reconstruction speed and become more vigilant."

"I know," Li Ling said. "That is why we must strike while the iron is hot and continue to apply pressure on Japan."

Li Ling's judgment was correct. This sabotage operation shocked the entire Japan, and the military was furious. Although they could not find out who did it, they knew in their hearts that the only person capable of causing such a massive commotion within Japan was Li Ling.

"Baka!" The Japan Naval Minister roared during the meeting. "It must be that Li Ling of the Qingxia Kingdom! We must make him pay the price!"

"But our current naval strength has not yet recovered. Rashly starting a war might mean we are not their match," someone reminded.

"Then speed up the reconstruction!" The Naval Minister gritted his teeth. "The loans from Meijian Country have arrived, and the technology has been transferred. We must form a United Fleet capable of defeating Li Ling within one year!"

"It is not just the navy," the Prime Minister said. "The Army must also be strengthened. We must prepare for total war."

"Yes!"

Supported by Meijian Country, Japan began a frantic naval reconstruction plan. They not only purchased old warships from Meijian Country and Britain but also used the transferred technology to build new types of Dreadnoughts themselves.

At the same time, military advisory groups from the Great Powers began to station themselves in Japan. The British sent naval experts, the French sent artillery experts, and although the Germans had cooperation with Li Ling, they also secretly sent people to observe the situation.

For a time, Japan became a wrestling ground for the Great Powers.

Li Ling saw everything through his intelligence network.

"The Great Powers are playing with fire," he sneered. "Helping Japan to deal with me? Very well, I will show them the consequences of playing with fire."

"Young Master, the scale of Japan's new fleet is expected to be very large," a staff member reported. "According to the current plan, in one year they will possess six Dreadnoughts, eight Pre-dreadnoughts, and over a dozen Cruisers and Destroyers. With the support of Meijian Country, their total strength may exceed ours."

"Exceed us?" Li Ling laughed. "I'm afraid they don't know our trump card, do they? Tell them that our Dreadnoughts are not three, but six. Additionally, those three Pre-dreadnoughts must also be refitted, installing new fire control systems and anti-aircraft weapons."

"Six?" The staff member was shocked. "Young Master, when did we acquire six Dreadnoughts?"

"We have had them for a long time, but they have just not been made public," Li Ling said. "Now is the time to draw our swords."

Li Ling decided to take the initiative. Since Japan wanted to fight, then they would fight. He could not allow Japan to complete its reconstruction calmly; he had to deliver a fatal blow when they were at their most vulnerable.

"Pass down the order: the First Fleet is to enter a state of combat readiness," Li Ling ordered. "Three days from now, we will conduct a large-scale exercise, and the exercise area will be selected in the high seas near Japan."

"Young Master, isn't this too risky?" someone worried. "What if Japan misunderstands..."

"Let them misunderstand," Li Ling sneered. "I want them to misunderstand. If they dare to come, I don't mind starting the war early."

Li Ling's tough stance shocked everyone, but no one dared to oppose him. Because they all knew that Li Ling's decisions were never impulsive, but rather the result of careful consideration.

Three days later, Li Ling's fleet set out.

Six Dreadnoughts, three Pre-dreadnoughts, and over a dozen Cruisers and Destroyers sailed majestically toward the high seas. Black smoke billowed from the fleet's chimneys, and the gun turrets glinted coldly in the sunlight; the scene was magnificent.

Japan, of course, would not sit idly by. They dispatched reconnaissance planes—although they were crude biplanes, they were enough to monitor the movements of Li Ling's fleet.

"Young Master, Japan has sent planes," the lookout reported.

"Let them watch," Li Ling stood on the flagship's bridge, watching the wobbling plane through binoculars. "Tell them, this is our strength."

The exercise lasted for three full days. Li Ling's fleet conducted a series of drills, including gunnery, torpedo attacks, and anti-submarine exercises, demonstrating powerful combat capability.

After the exercise concluded, Li Ling returned to the base and immediately convened a military meeting.

"Through this exercise, Japan must have seen our strength," he said. "They should exercise some restraint, at least in the short term, and will not dare to act rashly."

"Young Master is wise," all the generals said in unison.

"But this is not enough," Li Ling changed the subject. "Although Japan has been temporarily intimidated, Meijian Country will not give up. They will certainly increase their support and might even intervene directly."

"Then what should we do?"

"Continue to strengthen our armaments," Li Ling said. "The second batch of Dreadnoughts will start construction immediately. In addition, I am also considering developing air power. The key to victory in future naval warfare may not be Battleships, but aircraft."

"Aircraft?" The generals looked at each other. In their eyes, how could those fragile biplanes replace powerful Battleships?

"I know you don't believe it," Li Ling smiled. "But I can tell you that the speed of aircraft development will be much faster than you imagine. Ten years from now, whoever controls air superiority will control sea power."

After the meeting, Li Ling stood alone by the window, looking at the distant naval port.

He knew in his heart that the real storm had not yet arrived. Japan was just a pawn; the ones manipulating it from behind were those Great Powers. To defeat those Great Powers, relying solely on existing strength was far from enough.

More time, more resources, and more technology were still needed.

But he had confidence, because time was on his side.