65: Chapter 65 Dark Clouds Over the Battle

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was February of 1899.

The United Fleet assembled faster than Li Ling had anticipated. Japan, Meijian Country, and Britain joined forces, gathering more than sixty vessels in just two short months, including twelve Battleships, twenty Cruisers, and thirty Destroyers and Torpedo boats.

Li Ling stood in the command room of the Radar Station, looking at the densely packed light dots on the screen with a grave expression.

"More than sixty vessels..." he muttered to himself. "Even more than last time."

[Host, according to intelligence, the commander of the United Fleet is British Navy Admiral John Fisher. This man is highly experienced and tactically flexible, making him difficult to deal with.]

"Fisher?" Li Ling frowned. "That reformist of the British Navy?"

[Yes. That's him.]

Li Ling pondered for a moment. "It seems we really have to fight with everything we've got this time."

He turned to look at the staff officers behind him. "How are the preparations for each unit coming along?"

"Report!" A staff officer stood up. "All six Semi-Dreadnoughts have been completed and are undergoing final sea trials. They are expected to enter combat in three days."

"What about the Submarines?"

"Ten Submarines have been deployed in position and are ready to strike at any moment."

"And the Special Forces?"

"The Special Forces have already infiltrated Japan's mainland, awaiting orders."

Li Ling nodded. "Good. Pass down the order: the entire army is to enter first-level combat readiness. In three days, we will take the initiative to attack!"

"Yes!"

The staff officers took their orders and departed.

Li Ling stood alone on the rooftop of the Radar Station, looking out at the distant sea.

The sea was calm and tranquil, showing no signs of war. But Li Ling knew that a storm was coming.

[Host, what are you thinking about?]

"I'm wondering if we can win this battle." Li Ling sighed. "More than sixty vessels... Even if I have six Semi-Dreadnoughts, they will be very difficult to deal with."

[Doesn't the host have Radar and Satellites? Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.]

"That's easy to say." Li Ling shook his head. "But winning a war isn't just about intelligence. It also relies on strength, tactics, and luck."

[Weren't you quite confident before, Host? Why are you so lacking in confidence this time?]

"Because this time is different." Li Ling said seriously. "Last time, although the United Fleet had over fifty vessels, their command was chaotic and their coordination was poor, which allowed me to defeat them one by one. This time, Fisher is a formidable character; he won't give me the chance to defeat them piece by piece."

[Then what does the host plan to do?]

"Use Submarines to launch surprise attacks on their supply lines, use Special Forces to sabotage, and use Radar to monitor enemy movements." Li Ling counted on his fingers. "When their supplies run low and their morale drops, I will deploy the Dreadnoughts to wipe them out in one fell swoop."

[This is a war of attrition.]

"Yes." Li Ling nodded. "A war of attrition may be slow, but it is safe. I don't seek a quick victory, only a guaranteed one."

The system fell silent for a moment: [Host has matured.]

"Nonsense." Li Ling smiled. "After fighting so many battles, I'd be a fool if I hadn't matured."

He walked down from the rooftop and returned to his study.

The Princess was organizing documents in the study. Seeing Li Ling enter, she quickly stood up.

"Husband, how is the situation?"

"It's fine." Li Ling sat down. "We set out for campaign in three days."

The Princess bit her lip and fell silent for a moment. "Husband, can I go with you?"

"No." Li Ling shook his head. "War is no laughing matter. You cannot go."

"I can take care of you."

"Having the soldiers take care of me is enough." Li Ling held her hand. "Your Highness, stay in Jiangning Prefecture and help me stabilize the rear. This is my greatest request."

The Princess's eyes reddened slightly, but she still nodded.

"Be careful, husband." She said softly. "I will wait for your return."

"Don't worry." Li Ling smiled. "My life is tough; I won't die."

The Princess gave him a light punch. "Don't say such unlucky things."

"Alright, alright, I won't say it." Li Ling smiled and hugged her.

Three days later, the fleet set out for the campaign.

Li Ling stood on the bridge of the flagship "dragon soar", watching the port gradually recede into the distance.

The six Semi-Dreadnoughts formed into two columns, sailing majestically into the open sea. Following behind them were ten Submarines, twenty Torpedo boats, and over a dozen supply ships.

[Host, the fleet has completely set off.]

"Understood." Li Ling nodded. "Keep the Radar on twenty-four hours a day, and report immediately if there is any movement."

[Understood.]

The fleet sailed for two days and reached the designated sea area.

Li Ling ordered the Submarine unit to strike, launching a surprise attack on the United Fleet's supply lines.

Under the cover of night, the ten Submarines quietly slipped behind the United Fleet and launched a sudden attack on the supply convoy.

Torpedoes cut through the surface of the sea, accurately hitting their targets.

Explosions rang out one after another, and flames soared into the sky.

The United Fleet's supply convoy suffered heavy losses. Over a dozen supply ships were sunk, and a vast amount of ammunition, fuel, and provisions sank to the bottom of the sea.

Fisher was furious upon receiving the news.

"Baka!" He smashed his teacup in anger. "Li Ling, that despicable scoundrel!"

"General, what should we do?" the adjutant asked.

"What else can we do?" Fisher took a deep breath. "Have the fleet accelerate. Before Li Ling's main fleet arrives, we must secure an advantageous position."

"Yes!"

But Li Ling would not give him the chance.

The Special Forces also launched attacks on Japan's mainland.

They blew up Japan's largest shipyard, destroyed three ammunition depots and two fuel depots, and assassinated several key military industry experts.

Japan's home front fell into chaos, and their shipbuilding and repair capabilities were severely compromised.

Fisher's face turned ashen when he received the news again.

"Li Ling!" He gnashed his teeth. "I will personally slaughter you!"

[Host, Fisher has been provoked.]

"That's exactly right." Li Ling smiled. "Anger makes people lose their reason. The angrier he gets, the more opportunities I will have."

[Host is truly insidious.]

"This is called tactics." Li Ling said smugly. "You wouldn't understand."

Two days later, the United Fleet finally arrived at the designated sea area.

Fisher dispatched reconnaissance ships to search everywhere for traces of Li Ling's main fleet.

But Li Ling had Radar and had long since discovered the movements of the United Fleet. He ordered his fleet to conceal themselves behind nearby islands and reefs, waiting for the right moment.

"Report!" the Radar Operator shouted. "The main force of the United Fleet is moving northeast, eighty nautical miles away from us."

"Eighty nautical miles..." Li Ling pondered for a moment. "Have the Submarine unit strike again, launching a surprise attack on their flanks."

"Yes!"

The ten Submarines set out once more, quietly approaching the flanks of the United Fleet.

A salvo of torpedoes was fired, and another five or six enemy ships were sunk.

Fisher stamped with rage. "Li Ling! Do you only know how to launch surprise attacks? If you have the ability, fight me head-on!"

[Host, Fisher is cursing at you.]

"Let him curse." Li Ling smiled. "When he gets tired of cursing, I'll deal with him."

Another two days passed.

The United Fleet's supplies were severely depleted, with ammunition and fuel running extremely low. Fisher knew they could delay no longer and had to force a decisive battle as soon as possible.

"Pass down the order!" he commanded. "All forces, advance and search for Li Ling's main fleet!"

More than sixty vessels dispersed, searching everywhere across the sea.

Li Ling knew the time had come.

"Pass down the order!" he commanded. "All forces, advance!"

The six Semi-Dreadnoughts sailed out from behind the islands and reefs, forming a battle formation and charging toward the United Fleet.

"Enemy ship spotted on the port side!" the Lookout shouted.

"Fire!" Li Ling ordered.

The main guns roared, and artillery shells tore through the surface of the sea, accurately striking the enemy ships.

Although the United Fleet had many vessels, most of them were older models, and their firepower, armor, and speed were far inferior to those of the Dreadnoughts.

With just one salvo, three or four enemy ships were sunk.

Fisher was shocked. "How can their firepower be so strong?"

He did not know that Li Ling's Dreadnoughts were equipped with the newest models of main guns, which had long range, high precision, and immense power. The United Fleet's older vessels were simply no match for them.

"Retreat!" Fisher ordered. "All forces, retreat!"

"Want to run?" Li Ling sneered. "Too late!"

He ordered his fleet to pursue, while the Submarines and Torpedo boats also outflanked them from both sides.

The United Fleet was utterly routed; out of more than sixty vessels, fewer than twenty managed to escape.

Fisher fled aboard his flagship in utter disarray.

[Host, a magnificent victory!]

"I know." Li Ling stood on the bridge, looking at the smoke-filled sea. "Have the fleet return to port and prepare for the next round of battle."

[The next round?]

"Yes." Li Ling nodded. "Fisher won't let this go. He will definitely come back. I must make preparations in advance."

He turned around and looked toward the distant horizon.

"This war has only just begun."