Volume 2: War breaks out Chapter 6: War or Peace? (Part 2)
When Tan Renhao and his team arrived at the combat command center, it was very busy inside. Several staff officers on duty were busy issuing orders, while more than a dozen other staff officers who had received orders had just arrived.
"Colonel, the Japanese fleet's leading ship is still 40 chains away from the 'Guyu', and the enemy is still trying to evade."
"Send another signal and tell them to evade to the left as usual!"
Ji Xiaobin looked a little nervous.
"Colonel, the enemy did not respond to the signal from the Guyu."
"Resend!"
Ji Xiaobin clenched his teeth, as if he was under a lot of pressure.
The rule of the Imperial Navy is that when fleets pass each other, the right channel shall prevail, so the oncoming fleet will take the left channel.
However, some naval powers, led by the British Empire, adopted the opposite rule, taking the left channel as the standard.
This is the rule adopted by Japan.
In the past, when the fleets of the two countries met, they all followed the rules of the Tang Empire. But this time, the Japanese seemed to have taken the wrong medicine and refused to evade to the left. They insisted on taking the right channel according to their rules.
Tan Renhao was of course aware of this, and he walked to Ji Xiaobin's side.
"Colonel, what's going on?"
"You can see that the Japanese are clearly provoking us. We will run into them in half an hour at most. It looks like they are going to cause an accidental discharge of gunfire this time!"
Ji Xiaobin lit a cigarette, his hands shaking slightly.
Tan Renhao took a look at the markings on the nautical chart. They were encountering the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet, which had two main battleships equipped with large-caliber main guns. If a real hand-to-hand combat ensued, the Fifth Fleet might not even have a chance to fight back.
"Colonel, the commander has sent an order to have the bombers take off immediately!"
Ji Xiaobin nodded and said immediately: "Then let them take off immediately and don't waste time. Even if we have to fight, we have to drag a few people with us!"
The three aircraft carriers immediately began to turn, and then the fighter jets that were urgently mobilized left the aircraft carrier decks one after another.
The four fighter planes that were patrolling and on standby over the fleet also flew towards the Japanese fleet.
The atmosphere was extremely tense, and the leading ships of both fleets were approaching rapidly at a relative speed of more than 30 knots.
However, the Fifth Fleet was clearly at a disadvantage.
The "Guyu" was just a heavy cruiser with a standard displacement of more than 8,000 tons, while the oncoming Japanese warship was a battleship with a displacement of more than 30,000 tons.
Tan Renhao looked at his watch. If neither side avoided the collision, the two warships would collide in five minutes at most.
The consequences are disastrous. Even if the two countries can reach a compromise on North Korea's occupation of Iki Island, such a maritime conflict is enough to trigger a war.
Just when more than a dozen staff officers were so nervous that they could not breathe, General Liao Hanxiang came to the combat command room. However, it seemed that he had just got out of bed and had not even buttoned his clothes completely.
"Colonel, what's going on ?"
"The Japanese fleet did not respond to our signals, nor did they change course. The Guyu will collide with the Japanese battleship in about three minutes."
"Speed up the Guyu."
Liao Hanxiang's expression was very serious. "In addition, use international clear code to send a signal to the Japanese fleet. If they do not evade, we will have the right to use all our strength to maintain the Imperial Navy's control over the waters."
Ji Xiaobin nodded, and immediately nodded to a staff officer in charge of communications.
"Also, send a telegram to Naval Command."
While buttoning his shirt, Liao Hanxiang pondered the contents of the telegram. "The Japanese fleet violated international navigation regulations and openly challenged my fleet. I will follow ..."
When everyone heard Liao Hanxiang read out word for word the contents of the telegram, which was no different from a declaration of war, their nerves immediately tensed up.
Liao Hanxiang was a very tough general. He would never bow to anyone, let alone the enemy.
Ji Xiaobin hesitated for a moment, then nodded to the communications staff officer and asked the staff officer to send the telegram.
"Now, everyone, take your positions. The fleet raises the battle signal flag. All ships are ready for battle. All guns are pointed at the Japanese ships."
Liao Hanxiang walked to his seat and sat down. In fact, this should have been the seat of Colonel Ji Xiaobin, but when he got here, Ji Xiaobin had to stand.
"Also, the aircraft carriers must detach from the formation and release all bombers as quickly as possible, all equipped with bombs and torpedoes."
"General..."
Ji Xiaobin also felt something was wrong.
The atmosphere is so tense that if any pilot or gunner presses the wrong button out of nervousness, the war will start from here.
Liao Hanxiang glanced at Ji Xiaobin, then gestured to Ji Xiaobin to give his orders.
Ji Xiaobin gritted his teeth and gave the same order to several responsible staff officers.
A red light lit up in the combat command center, and more than a dozen cruisers in the fleet immediately changed their formation, with the artillery turrets on each warship turning.
Twelve destroyers also began to accelerate. As soon as the battle started, these destroyers would fire the torpedoes they carried at the Japanese fleet.
The three aircraft carriers quickly changed their courses, and more bombers equipped with bombs and torpedoes left the flight decks. Even a group of fighter planes took off with bombs attached.
Tan Renhao and the other two didn't know what to do, as none of them were assigned any tasks.
However, Hao Dongjue and Chang Jianxin soon went to help other staff officers.
"Major, come here!"
Liao Hanxiang seemed very calm and his expression was extremely serious, which was completely different from his usual self.
Tan Renhao originally wanted to go and assist Colonel Ji Xiaobin, but since the commander asked him to go, he had no choice but to go.
"If a fight breaks out, who do you think will be left here forever?"
Liao Hanxiang lit a cigarette, his hands didn't tremble at all.
Tan Renhao forced a smile and said, "It's definitely not us."
Liao Hanxiang nodded slightly.
“For hundreds of years, the Imperial Navy had not been defeated by the Japanese.
In this sea, we have never given in to this fleet. We cannot set this record, and we cannot leave a stain on the Imperial Navy.
Even if we are left behind, I believe we will become national heroes.”
Tan Renhao did not respond. He did not want to become a "national hero" so soon, but as long as it was unavoidable, he would never escape.
"Commander, the Japanese fleet has sent a signal!"
All the officers were stunned, and then looked at the staff officer. The response of the Japanese fleet would determine whether to fight or make peace.
