Volume 2: War breaks out Chapter 7: The Storm Subsides (Part 1)
The muzzles of the nine 240mm main guns of the "Li Jing" were all aimed at the "Ise" battleship, the flagship of the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet, which was passing from the left.
This is just like General Li Jing glaring at the Turks outside the Great Wall back then.
Although the power of the 240mm main gun is too small, it is still very likely to deal with this "outdated" battleship at such a close distance.
The Ise battleship was the third ship of Japan's Fuso-class battleship. Because its design was greatly improved, it was called the Ise-class battleship.
The ship was completed on the eve of the end of the last war and did not take part in the Battle of Hachijojima, resulting in Japan's surrender.
The ship was later modified several times, but the two main problems could not be solved, namely, the hull was too long, resulting in a weak armor belt, and the maximum speed was only 22 knots.
However, it is undeniable that the six twin-mounted 356mm main guns on the "Ise" are very powerful. Coupled with the 20 140mm secondary guns, this firepower configuration is quite powerful among battleships.
When the flagships of the two fleets passed each other, the "Li Jing" was obviously smaller in size, but with its main guns raised high, it was more imposing than the aging "Ise". In particular, the Imperial Navy officers and soldiers on the Li Jing looked at the Japanese warships passing on the left with hatred.
I don’t know how many of the 500-plus officers and men on board the Li Jing had their fathers killed in the naval battles of the last war, or how many had their fathers killed by the guns of Japanese warships.
Tan Renhao did not have any personal grudge against Japan. He did not have such complicated emotions. In his eyes, the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet that was slowly passing by was just the biggest enemy.
If war breaks out, the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet will be one of the most powerful opponents of the Imperial Fifth Fleet.
At the same time, Tan Renhao noticed that the "Ise" battleship was not modified according to the standards of an anti-aircraft warship. The 140mm secondary guns were still arranged on both sides, and the air defense combat capability of this type of artillery was very poor, and it could almost be said that it had no air defense capability at all.
"Report, the Japanese fleet has all passed. Do we need to send our combat aircraft back to the aircraft carrier?"
Ji Xiaobin glanced at the talkative staff officer. It was not the turn of an ordinary staff officer to ask questions here. Moreover, according to the rules, staff officers could only provide opinions but not make targeted suggestions that might have command implications.
"Commander, the Japanese fleet has already left, and most of the fighter planes are running low on fuel. Should we ask them to return now?"
Ji Xiaobin's position was different, so he could provide reference opinions to the commander.
Liao Hanxiang sneered.
"Let the fighter planes with insufficient fuel return, and the others go and give the Japanese a ride."
Ji Xiaobin immediately asked the staff officer to issue the order.
"The fleet will turn in half an hour and have seaplanes track and monitor the Japanese fleet."
Liao Hanxiang stood up and said, "All personnel are on combat readiness. I don't know what the Japanese fleet is doing here, but we must not let them out of surveillance. If the Japanese make any rash moves, we will send them to the bottom of the sea."
"commander."
Tan Renhao was stunned for a moment, and immediately said: "If the Japanese fleet also sends fighter jets, there is a high possibility of a new conflict."
"Conflict? Humph!"
Liao Hanxiang seemed to be mocking the Japanese. "Even if they were given the courage, they wouldn't dare to provoke us. Colonel, immediately send a team of fighters to fly over the Japanese fleet's aircraft carriers to see how the Japs react. If they dare to launch fighters, keep a close eye on them."
Ji Xiaobin nodded. He didn't think there was anything wrong with Liao Hanxiang's order.
Tan Renhao secretly wiped the sweat off his forehead. Liao Hanxiang was extremely tough. It seemed that this vice admiral also had a big grudge against the Japanese.
"Major, come out for !"
Tan Renhao did not hesitate and immediately followed Liao Hanxiang out of the combat command center.
Outside was the side gangway of the "Li Jing" bridge, and the two soon arrived on the front deck of the battleship.
The sea was calm at this time, and the "Li Jing" was sailing at a maximum cruising speed of only 18 knots. The optimized bow was able to effectively suppress the waves and prevent seawater from surging onto the deck.
This clearly reflects the focus of the "Li Jing" during its design. If it was just a heavy cruiser, the "Li Jing" would not have pursued stability so strictly. However, as an air defense warship, stability, especially stability during fast navigation, is a key performance.
"sit down!"
Liao Hanxiang sat on a pole and took out a cigarette. "Want one?"
Tan Renhao took the cigarette handed to him by the commander a little embarrassedly. His cigarettes were left in the cabin, and he had already been addicted to smoking when he first arrived at the combat command center.
"What do you think the Japanese Southwest Fleet is doing here?"
Liao Hanxiang lit a cigarette.
Tan Renhao hesitated for a moment, then took the match and lit it.
"Maybe it's just a normal patrol."
Liao Hanxiang laughed.
"Is it that simple?"
Now Tan Renhao started laughing .
"If it's not a normal patrol, then it must be the same mission as ours."
Liao Hanxiang nodded slowly. It was obvious that before the negotiations between the diplomats of both sides were completed, it was unclear whether to fight or to make peace.
If the final result is the outbreak of war, then the mission of the Fifth Fleet will be to destroy the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet, and the mission of the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet will definitely be to deal with the Fifth Fleet.
"However, it seems that the Japanese side has no intention of actively provoking a war."
Tan Renhao flicked the ash off his cigarette butt with a skilled movement. "At least, they still gave way this time, and they did so when their overall strength was stronger. Perhaps, we can regard this as the Japanese's natural fear and cowardice of the empire, but I think Japan has no intention of provoking a war at this time."
"at this time?"
Liao Hanxiang frowned slightly.
Tan Renhao nodded slightly.
"The Imperial Navy has entered a full combat readiness state. Even if the Japanese Navy can gain a certain advantage in the early stages, I'm afraid the outcome will not change much."
Liao Hanxiang thought about it and understood what Tan Renhao meant.
Then, both of them fell silent.
A soldier's duty is to defend the country, and joining the army means being prepared to fight. For a soldier, war is the fastest way to promotion.
However, soldiers do not want war to break out because that means their lives will be tested by war.
