Volume 1: The Battleship Yitian Changes into the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 Chapter 14: The Voice of the Lord

"Master Zhongtang, have you forgotten the discussions in the court when we bought the ship?" Sun Gang said, "When the Jiyuan returned to China, the court sent a memorial criticizing the Jiyuan, criticizing the Zhongtang for not employing the right people, which led to the unjust dismissal of Li Fengbao, a talented person of the country. Looking back at the performance of the Jiyuan today, do the officials in the court have no shame? I learned from the officers and soldiers of the Jiyuan that the rapid-fire shells of the three Japanese ships attacked our Jiyuan, and the shells rained down like rain, but our Jiyuan remained motionless and returned with the enemy defeated. How do you explain this performance? How did those slaps hit Master Zhongtang back then? Master Zhongtang might as well hit them back in the same way. When makes suggestions in the future, he will naturally be much quieter."
Li Hongzhang laughed out loud, and the people around him also laughed. The words of the young man in front of him reminded Li Hongzhang of his old subordinate Li Fengbao, who died in 1887. Tears suddenly seeped out of the corners of his eyes while he was laughing. He finally controlled his emotions, looked at the young man steadily, and a trace of relief appeared on his face.
"Now that the war has begun, if you have any suggestions for our Beiyang Navy, please tell your Excellency." Ding Ruchang looked at Sun Gang and said gently, "Today, all the generals of our navy have gathered here. Please feel free to speak, and we can all discuss it together."
"Then I was presumptuous. If I said anything wrong, please forgive me." Sun Gang bowed and said, "According to what I saw and heard in Japan, what the officers and soldiers of our Jiyuan said, and the damage to the warships I saw on the Jiyuan, I think that the Japanese warships' 12-centimeter large-caliber rapid-fire guns are powerful, and their ammunition is also this new type of yellow gunpowder. They are indeed a great enemy of our navy and should not be underestimated. Moreover, the speed of Japanese warships is higher than ours. Our advantage is our large-caliber heavy artillery, and our ammunition is not much different from that of the Japanese. The Japanese warships are not well protected. Our heavy artillery can severely damage the enemy with one or two hits. However, the Japanese warships flexible and it is difficult for our heavy artillery to aim. I think our army should try to slow down the enemy's speed so that they cannot be as flexible as they want. Then we can use heavy artillery to attack them fiercely, and we should be able to defeat them."

"Brother, are you saying this to me?" A rough voice laughed unceremoniously, "Liu will learn from you."
Sun Gang knew that the person who spoke should be Liu Buchan, the captain of Dingyuan. He looked back and said respectfully, "I am just talking about it on paper. The specific operation still depends on you gentlemen. I dare not speak rashly." He continued, "The Japanese are getting more and more aggressive now. We think it is too late to equip large-caliber rapid-fire cannons. It is better to concentrate on the current weapons and manpower to maximize their effectiveness and inflict heavy damage on the enemy."
"Also, the Japanese are mean and accustomed to using sneak attacks. I have seen them concentrate a large number of torpedo boats in Japan and at the seaport. I think the Japanese have always feared our Ding and Zhen ships more than tigers and leopards, and they must sink them as soon as possible. Our two ships are huge and slower than Japanese ships. If they sneak into our seaport with torpedo boats to attack our two ships, it is worrying." He looked at Liu Buchan, who thought about it and showed a serious look on his face. "I have heard that the Japanese fleet's common tactics are to first approach the enemy at high speed, concentrate firepower and attack fiercely, wait until the enemy ships are damaged and slow to move, and then use torpedo boats to launch torpedoes to attack them (Japanese fleet tactics in the Battle of Tsushima). Most enemy ships cannot escape. We should respond as soon as possible." He said at last.
The hall was silent for a moment. It was obvious that his words had greatly shocked everyone present.
"Brother, you have seen so many problems after boarding the Jiyuan . Why don't you board my Dingyuan and try to deduce it?" Liu Buchan's tone had become quite polite at this time.
"Ruchang, you and the other generals should discuss how to meet the Japanese fleet when it attacks." Li Hongzhang waved to Sun Gang, stood up and turned to the back hall, "Follow me."
After entering the inner hall, Li Hongzhang sat down and motioned Sun Gang to sit on the chair next to him. "There is no need to be polite since there are no outsiders here. I don't have much time and I have some questions to ask you. Just speak freely." Li Hongzhang said gently.
"Yes." Sun Gang said respectfully.
"I have long been aware of Japan's ambitions. I have been patient in invading Taiwan and occupying Ryukyu because I had not yet completed my naval development." Li Hongzhang sighed, "That is why the ironclad ship sailed directly to Nagasaki. If it were not for this, I would not be able to vent my anger. However, the Japanese were terrified and put all their efforts into building a navy to compete with us. However, the officials in the court thought it was a minor issue and did not notice it at all. What I am worried about is internal, not external."

"I don't know much about the affairs of the court, so I dare not make any rash comments." Sun Gang said respectfully, "Please give me your instructions, Lord Zhongtang."
"I have been building the Westernization Movement and the navy for more than 30 years, and it has only reached its current size. The hardships I have experienced are beyond the reach of others." Li Hongzhang said slowly, "What I have been aiming for is nothing more than the two words 'powerful nation'. However, when surrounded by powerful nations, a powerful nation must first have a strong army. Therefore, I have spared no effort to reorganize the navy, build guns and purchase ships. However, even with a strong army in hand, the court still envied me. Whenever I made a plan, I would be obstructed in secret. In addition, ignorant lunatics would make unwarranted remarks. I was always exhausted and overwhelmed, but I dared not rest for a moment, fearing that I would be ashamed to face Wen Zhenggong in the underworld one day."
Sun Gang could not have imagined that he would say such words in front of a junior like him. Looking at this flushed and excited old man, thinking of the pain in his heart that no one understood and the infamy he would bear a hundred years later, his heart was stirred, but he could not think of any words to comfort him. Seeing that he was coughing excitedly, he quickly poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him.
"You presented the Japanese gunpowder secret recipe to our navy the day before yesterday. Today you have made such a great military achievement but you are not proud of it. For the benefit of the country, you are willing to give it to others. I am very pleased. Do you know that?" Li Hongzhang took a sip of tea, calmed down, looked at him and said.
"Without a country, what's the point of having a home? My humble duty is only to benefit the country. As for my own fame and honor, I don't care about it at all." Sun Gang stood beside the old man and said respectfully.
"Good boy, ah, good boy." Li Hongzhang smiled with satisfaction and said, "I was not wrong about you after all."
"Your Excellency is too kind, I am not worthy of your praise." Sun Gang said, "Your Excellency is too broad-minded, I am not even a fraction as broad-minded as you are. If you can use me in any way, please let me know, I will do my utmost to serve you."
"You are too kind. With such a talent, I cannot bear to let you bomb Japanese ships again, although I also want to experience how satisfying it is to destroy the enemy with my own hands, haha." Li Hongzhang said with a smile: "Since you are familiar with their situation, based on your understanding and inference, if our Beiyang Fleet clashes with the Japanese Navy, how will it win or lose?"

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