70: Chapter 70 Before the Final Battle

Li Ling's fleet cruised the sea like a patient wolf, waiting for its prey to reveal a flaw.

Fisher was having a hard time.

His supply lines were cut, ammunition and fuel were running low, and the soldiers' rations had been halved. Worse still, morale was constantly declining.

"General, if this continues, we will collapse before we even see the enemy," the adjutant said worriedly.

Fisher stood on the bridge with a grim face, looking out at the vast ocean.

He knew what Li Ling was waiting for—for him to make a mistake.

"Pass the order," Fisher finally made up his mind. "All forces turn, head towards the coast of Qingxia. We must land before Li Ling can react."

"General, that is too risky!" the adjutant exclaimed in shock. "Our supplies are insufficient. If the landing fails—"

"There are no ifs," Fisher interrupted him. "Either we fight, or we wait to die. I choose to fight."

The United Fleet turned and sailed toward the coast of Qingxia.

Li Ling's Radar immediately detected this movement.

[Host, the Fishers Fleet has changed course and is approaching the coast of Qingxia. Expected to arrive in two days.]

"Want to land?" Li Ling sneered. "Keep dreaming."

He ordered the fleet to pursue at full speed and simultaneously commanded the coastal batteries to enter the highest state of combat readiness.

Two days later, the Fishers Fleet arrived in the waters off Qingxia.

But waiting for him were Li Ling's nine semi-Dreadnoughts and hundreds of coastal defense guns.

"Fire!" Li Ling ordered.

The main guns of the Dreadnoughts fired in unison, and the coastal defense guns opened fire simultaneously.

Although the Fishers Fleet had numerous ships, they suffered heavy losses under the pincer attack of the Dreadnoughts and coastal defense guns.

"Retreat!" Fisher had to order.

But his fleet was already exhausted, and the retreat turned into a rout.

Li Ling pressed the advantage, with Submarines and Torpedo boats flanking from both sides.

The battle lasted for an entire day.

By evening, over forty of the Fishers Fleet's sixty-plus ships had been sunk, and the remaining ones fled in panic toward the high seas.

The flagship Fisher was on was also heavily damaged, and he retreated to the UK with his remaining forces.

[Host, a complete victory! The United Fleet has been wiped out!]

Li Ling stood on the bridge of the dragon might, looking at the smoke-filled sea, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Won," he murmured. "Finally won."

[Host, in this battle, over eighty enemy ships were sunk, over twenty were captured, and fewer than twenty escaped. The main force of the United Fleet has been completely destroyed.]

"What about our losses?"

[Two Dreadnoughts suffered moderate damage, three suffered light damage; four Submarines were lost; eight Torpedo boats were lost; over 1,200 soldiers were killed or wounded.]

Li Ling was silent for a moment.

Over 1,200 people, which meant over 1,200 families.

"Pass the order," his voice was low. "Organize the list of fallen soldiers, and double the pension payments. Ensure the wounded receive proper treatment; do not skimp on a single penny."

[Understood.]

The fleet slowly sailed back to the port.

The port was crowded with people welcoming them. The commoners waved flags and shouted, "Long live Young Master Li!"

The German Princess, Empress Su Wanqing, and Emily were all waiting on the pier.

Li Ling walked down the gangway, and the three women immediately surrounded him.

"Husband, you are back!" The German Princess's eyes were red.

"Brother Ling!" Empress Su Wanqing threw herself into his arms.

"Li Ling, are you okay?" Emily also hugged him.

Li Ling was hugged so tightly by the three women that he couldn't breathe: "I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm doing great."

[Host, are you sure you are doing great? The system detected that your blood pressure is a bit high.]

"Shut up!" Li Ling cursed in his heart.

That night, Li Ling held a banquet at the mansion to reward the meritorious soldiers.

The German Princess, Empress Su Wanqing, and Emily all attended.

After several rounds of drinks, Li Ling stood up and raised his glass.

"We were able to win this battle not because of me alone," he looked around. "It relied on the soldiers fighting bravely, the support of the commoners in the rear, and the assistance of my wives."

The German Princess and the others blushed slightly.

"I, Li Ling, swear here," he raised his glass. "From now on, no one can bully us! If anyone dares to come, we will fight back!"

"Fight back!" the soldiers shouted in unison.

After the banquet, Li Ling returned to his study to summarize the battle with the system.

[Host, after this battle, the navies of Japan, Meijian Country, and the UK have all been severely damaged and will be unable to commit further aggression in the short term. Host can take this opportunity to develop strength and prepare to unify the country.]

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "But there is one more thing to do."

[What is it?]

"The engagement to the German Princess," Li Ling said. "I promised Kaiser Wilhelm II that we would marry in 1900. It is already the second half of 1899, so it is time to prepare."

[Host, you already have three confidantes, and with the German Princess added, can you handle it?]

"I can handle it," Li Ling laughed. "Men, after all, the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility."

[Host is just making excuses for his playboy nature.]

"This is called seeking truth from facts," Li Ling said righteously.

[... The system is too lazy to roast you.]

Li Ling stretched, walked to the window, and looked at the starry sky outside.

"System, tell me, how long will it take for me to unify the country?"

[If everything goes smoothly, about three years.]

"Three years..." Li Ling murmured. "Three years from now, I will be the ruler of the country."

[Host, you are getting arrogant.]

"Not arrogant, it's confidence," Li Ling laughed. "By the way, System, I have an idea."

[What idea?]

"I want to launch a 'Technology Revitalizes the Nation' plan after unifying the country," Li Ling said. "Using the System's technology to vigorously develop education, industry, and agriculture, so that the common people can live a good life."

[Host's idea is very good. But the System reminds Host that technology is not omnipotent; the key still depends on people.]

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "So I plan to cultivate a group of talents. When the System leaves in the future, I can still hold things up on my own."

[The System will not leave.]

"Just in case," Li Ling laughed.

He turned around, walked to the table, picked up a brush, and wrote four big characters on a piece of rice paper:

"The world belongs to the public."

Then, he wrote a line of small characters below it:

"But it is my world."

[... Host, where is your vision?]

"Vision can't be eaten as a meal," Li Ling laughed. "Alright, going to sleep. Still have to deal with post-war affairs tomorrow."

He blew out the lamp and walked out of the study.

In the corridor, the moonlight was like water.

The lights were still on in the rooms of the three women.

Li Ling thought for a moment and went to the German Princess's room first.

"Your Highness, not asleep yet?"

"Waiting for husband." The German Princess sat on the edge of the bed, wearing a light pink nightgown.

"You worked hard today." Li Ling walked over and sat down beside her.

"Husband worked harder." The German Princess leaned on his shoulder. "I heard that husband was at the front lines leading by example, I was so worried."

"Worried about what?" Li Ling laughed. "It's not my first time fighting a war."

"I was just worried." The German Princess raised her head and looked at him. "Husband, can you lead from the front less in the future? You are the commander of an army; if something goes wrong—"

"It won't happen." Li Ling interrupted her. "My life is tough."

The German Princess lightly punched him.

The two fell asleep in each other's arms.

Early the next morning, after Li Ling got up, he found that the German Princess was no longer by his side.

He walked out of the room and saw the German Princess talking with Empress Su Wanqing and Emily in the courtyard.

The three women were laughing and talking, the atmosphere was harmonious.

"What are you talking about?" Li Ling walked over.

"Talking about husband's embarrassing moments," Emily laughed. "Empress Su Wanqing said you fell from a tree when you were a child."

"That was an accident!" Li Ling said awkwardly.

"The German Princess said you were so nervous when you first met her that you couldn't speak," Empress Su Wanqing added.

"That was... that was respect!" Li Ling defended himself.

The three women burst into laughter.

Li Ling looked at them, and a warmth surged in his heart.

"System." He said in his heart. "Thank you."

[What is the host thanking me for?]

"Thank you for letting me travel to this era," Li Ling said. "Letting me meet so many people and do so many things."

[Host, don't be cheesy, the System is not used to it.]

"Haha." Li Ling laughed loudly.

He walked to the middle of the courtyard and opened his arms.

"A new day, a new beginning!"

The three women looked at him, their eyes full of smiles and love.

In the distance, the sea surface was sparkling, and the morning sun rose from the horizon, dyeing the whole world gold.