Volume 1: The Battleship Yitian Changes into the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 Chapter 17: Prepare to Attack
"I summoned you here today to hear your opinions on how our navy should act next." Ding Ruchang called everyone to the map, pointed at it and said, "The Japanese army had already attacked Chenghuan before we declared war, but was defeated by Nie's (Shicheng) troops. Since Chenghuan was undefendable, Ye's (Zhichao) army and Nie's army have joined forces to retreat to Pyongyang. In addition to the previous support from our navy by sea (the troops on the Gaosheng have successfully arrived in Pyongyang), the court has also dispatched General Datongwei (Rugui), General Gaozhou Zuo (Baogui), Admiral Ma (Yukun), and General Feng (Sheng'a) to assist in the defense of Pyongyang. I heard that the Japanese troops have also gathered in Korea. The Prime Minister has instructed our navy to take action to provide support for the land route. You can speak freely about how our army should act."
No one spoke. Sun Gang looked at the generals carefully. Fang Boqian gave him a look, but he didn't understand what was going on and still didn't say anything.
"Everything is decided by the military commander, and we all obey his orders." Liu Buchan said in a loud voice.
Ding Ruchang glanced at him and said nothing, but Sun Gang knew that Ding Ruchang must be very angry. Except for Deng Shichang and Fang Boqian, these Fujian people have always regarded Ding Ruchang as an outsider leading experts and wanted to squeeze him out. In fact, through his understanding of Ding Ruchang these days, although he was appointed as the admiral of the navy as a land general, he still understood the new business after continuous learning, but he did not understand some details. But based on Sun Gang's experience in the bank, a good leader actually plays the role of a locomotive. He may not be proficient in all business, but if he can motivate subordinates who are proficient in the business, he is a good leader. Liu Bang was nothing, but he could lead people. Zhang Liang and Han Xin all listened to him, but he could also rule the world, right?
Deng Shichang probably felt that Liu Buchan was going too far. After thinking for a while, he stood up and said, "The Japanese do not share a border with Korea and rely entirely on sea routes to transport troops. If our navy can cut off their sea routes to transport troops, it will reduce the pressure on our land routes."
Ding Ruchang nodded. At this time, Liu Buchan said, "Korea is surrounded by the sea on three sides. How can we know where the Japanese landed? By the way, the Councillor is responsible for reporting the enemy situation and is also good at reasoning. Can you deduce where the Japanese landed?"
This was obviously meant to embarrass him. Some people around him had already laughed quietly. Sun Gang smiled, stood up, pointed at the map, and tried to speak in a gentle tone: "The total strength of our Pyongyang garrison is nearly 20,000. Based on this, if the Japanese want to attack Pyongyang, their strength must be roughly equal to ours to have a chance of winning. The Japanese are transporting troops by sea. If they want to quickly concentrate their forces, they should choose a place with terrain that is conducive to the landing of a large group. Korea is suitable for the landing of a large army, but Wonsan, Busan, and Incheon. Busan is too far from Pyongyang by land. If the Japanese want to quickly gather their forces to attack us, Wonsan and Incheon should be the first choice. Incheon is closer to our sea route. If our navy attacks them here, we will surely be able to inflict heavy damage on the Japanese army." (This is also a reason to find after knowing the result first)
In fact, he had already told Ding Ruchang these words when he asked him to modify the mines. Ding Ruchang nodded in approval . Liu Buchan smiled quietly, "How do you know when the Japanese will land in Incheon? If our navy goes to Incheon but finds no trace of the enemy, wouldn't it be unfair?"
"The Japanese want to gather a large number of troops, so they must transport troops day and night. But what Lord Liu said is also true. We have no way of knowing the specific time when the Japanese will land there, but it is still beneficial to go there." Sun Gang looked at Liu Buchan, then looked at Ding Ruchang, and said: "If we see a large group of Japanese soldiers and transport ships, our army will attack them with heavy artillery. If there are no Japanese soldiers, Incheon is deep and narrow, and our navy can lay trigger mines in the waterway. If Japanese ships appear here in the future, hehe, I believe they will feel very good." (The naval battle game played back then contributed greatly!)
After hearing his words, the generals were stunned and then started laughing.
Liu Buchan looked at him as if he were a monster, then smiled and said to Ding Ruchang: "General, I think this plan is feasible."
"Tianjin has sent more than 50 such trigger mines. The mine battalion has mastered the method of laying them. Let's try half of them this time." Ding Ruchang nodded and said, "If it succeeds, we need to prepare more of these weapons." His expression became serious as he spoke, "If we encounter Japanese ships during this voyage, we must fight them with all our strength. All ships must be fully prepared to set off at any time and there must be no mistakes!"
"Yes, sir!" the generals answered in unison.
Sun Gang laughed in his heart. Is this really how history is rewritten?
"Why are you here?" In his office, Sun Gang was startled when he saw Ma Yue standing in front of him.
"What? Mr. Senate, can't I come now that I've been promoted?" Ma Yue looked at him with a smile, and suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his ear, "You little bastard! How dare you secretly go out to sea to carry out terrorist attacks without telling me! Do you think you are Ben La Deng? Do you want to die?"
"Aren't you back now..." She regretted the words as soon as they came out of her mouth. It was too late to play dumb now. It must be that bastard Su Xin who told her, Sun Gang thought resentfully with his head tilted.
"You are just a little better than a weight, and you dare to play with an eagle! Do you want to make me a widow?" She suddenly let go of his hand and threw herself into his arms and hugged him, "Will you stay with me? Let's not change this history. We will stay far apart..." She choked and said, "I don't want to lose you..."
Sun Gang was stunned. This was the first time she cried in front of him. He was immediately at a loss, "I don't want you to die..." She cried, "You are the only one I know in this world. Please don't leave me..."
Sun Gang was touched. Yes, wasn't she his only relative in this world? But how could he protect her if he didn't change that humiliating history?
"Be good, don't cry, don't cry." A woman's tears are the most lethal weapon in the world. He finally calmed down, hugged her and said, "If we can't win this war, this country will be exposed to the wind and war everywhere. Where can you and I hide?" He comforted her softly , "I don't have any lofty ambitions (all returned to my childhood). All I do is to have you in my heart."
Ma Yue looked at him in shock, wiped her tears, and suddenly stepped hard on the back of his foot. "Then ask someone go to my house and ask for marriage! Don't make me wait in annoyance!" She said, rolling her eyes at him fiercely.
He chuckled. Propose marriage? Besides her, what other relatives does he have in this world? I can't let Su Xin go, right? It's really a headache.
He finally coaxed her into laughing, and when he sent her out, he found that Fang Boqian was looking at him with a half-smile and gave him a thumbs-up. He introduced Ma Yue to Fang Boqian awkwardly. After sending her away, Fang Boqian was still waiting for him, "Brother, you are really good at coaxing women. I have never heard of those words. I learned a trick today." Seeing him coming back, Fang Boqian smiled and said, "Miss Ma is both good-looking and has good character. Brother is not young anymore. If you are interested, how about I come forward for you?"
