The sun never sets in America

Chapter 387 The Navy’s Attack

"Crash!!"

On the Atlantic Ocean, the sky was covered with dark clouds, lightning and thunder were heard, and even the ocean tides became abnormal.

Fleet Commander Luo Wenping stood on the bridge, facing the wind, looking up at the "God is showing his power" weather, with a hint of gloom between his brows.

Regarding this "Gonggong" plan, he actually did not support it at the beginning, because it was difficult to directly venture into the Caribbean and avoid the blockade and exploration of the US mainland fleet in the middle.

However, some intelligence officers in the military could not stand it and desperately advocated the so-called "time difference" and "intelligence advantage." In addition, the current Commander Lu is also a gambler who likes to "take a chance". Naturally, this seems absurd. The raid plan was approved.

When leaving the port, Luo Wenping still looked at the blue and windless sky and sighed that today was a good day, but now, all he could think of was "sigh", but this sigh was not so pleasant.

"Commander, the wind is too strong, we should go back!!"

The guard's concern came from behind him. Luo Wenping raised his head and took one last look at "Tiangong" before turning back to the ship.

On the rough ocean, a huge fleet of fourteen armored warships was slowly passing in a line formation.

The heat generated by the coals is used by the four power blocks to continuously transmit power to every corner of the Shihuang.

In the captain's room, Gan Changsheng was holding a cup of thick black coffee from Penglai. He touched it lightly with the corner of his mouth, and the bitterness exploded in his taste buds.

"Don't say it's sunny and sunny. I'll be thankful if it's not windy!!"

The secretary stood behind Luo Wenping, reporting to him the news that had just been transmitted via the radio.

“Distancing allowed!!”

As the sea breeze blew by, the First Emperor was like a "barbaric beast", running rampant, and finally entered a "stable period".

I had to slow down because of the weather, so it seemed a little slow.

Although there may be some shortcomings in terms of power, the artillery and armor data are almost the same.

Gan Changsheng felt the roar below the ground, and a hint of "satisfaction" flashed at the corner of his mouth.

After crossing, head straight to the Caribbean! !
…………

The sea breeze was howling. Luo Wenping originally thought that the weather would get better when he arrived in the Caribbean, but now it seems that he is still too young.

On the stormy ocean of the Caribbean, the huge figure of the First Emperor is like a professional boxer. No matter how heavy it is, its steps are still flexible.

Puerto Rico next to him is like a follower who has lost the protection of his elder brother.

"Yes, I understand!!"

"It's great, it's so great!!"

"Commander, a telegram came from the First Emperor, requesting to keep a certain distance!!"

On the sea, the fleet changed its lane and, as the intelligence showed, avoided the US Navy patrol ship at the highest peak.

"Hoohoo!!"

Luo Wenping didn't even look back and directly ordered:

Looking at the telegram that had just been transferred in his hand, Gan Changsheng's face still had a hint of "drowsiness", he calmed down, and then said:
"Speed ​​up and keep a distance of more than one kilometer from the rear!!"

The huge body of the First Emperor was cutting through the waves on the sea, and the 380mm naval guns with gun jackets were like "golden cudgels", as if they were going to pierce the sky, causing another "Heavenly Palace", and playing tricks again "Jade Emperor".

"Boom", under the huge appearance of the First Emperor, there is a sophisticated heart, a huge and complex power unit, which is composed of four Hongshan Machinery's latest steam engines.

Just like what Gan Changsheng said after learning that he was selected as the captain of the First Emperor:

If you want to destroy such a sea monster, you have to have the Shihuang with the same strength. After all, these are the last two Qin Gai-class battleships.

Muttering "God damn it" in his mouth, Gan Changsheng went to bed. If he didn't sleep at this time, he would not be able to sleep again in a few hours.

.............................................

After the secretary left, Luo Wenping looked at the sand table in the captain's room for the morning's deduction. Among them, the conspicuous New York was still fresh in his memory. It was a battleship comparable to the First Emperor.

Then he added:
"The four main ships on the lead ship also began to keep their distance and formed a battle formation!!"

Luo Wenping, the commander of the "combined fleet" on the King of Zhou Wu in the rear, was discussing the so-called "attack on the Caribbean" with the staff on the command ship over and over again.

Looking ahead, the wind and clouds on the sea are changing, seeming to be violent, and yet seeming to be calm.

(The Qin Gai class has upgraded armor than the Qin class, and is equipped with the latest power system. Its total tonnage has also been increased from the earliest 12,000 tons to 14,000 tons in one go. It is the largest tonnage warship of the Han army)

After saying that, the dart in his hand flew out, and it just happened to be inserted into "Cuba" in the center of the chart.

In the end, those weather experts became the "experts" that Luo Wenping would complain about to his friends in the future.

The three battleships followed closely behind him, while the other ships kept a distance of one kilometer.

Initially, Gan Changsheng was assigned to be the captain of the Zhou-class battleship, but due to the emergence of the Qin Gai-class and the lack of captains to command large ships at that time, as a man with experience in commanding 10,000-ton supply ships and cruisers, " "Veteran", Gan Changsheng became the captain of Han's only World War II ship.

According to the estimate in the morning, this ship will need to be held back by at least three warships without using the Shihuang. This is to hold it back, not to destroy it.

But now Luo Wenping wants to say:

On the sea, the huge propellers, through the internal transmission of a steady stream of power, lifted this 14,000-strong sea beast, and finally sailed proudly across the ocean.

On the flagship Shihuang, the captain Gan Changsheng looked at the chart hanging in the captain's room with a complex expression on his face, and sighed:
"I joined the army at the age of fifteen, and now the storm is beginning to unravel!!"

(The last Qin-class ship was the Fusu, not the Hu Hai, which was very controversial at the time)

Originally, according to the predictions of weather experts in Han Dynasty, the weather would be good with calm wind and sunshine in the past three days.

Cuba, a "pearl" on the Caribbean Sea.

Just like the Spanish lamented after the Spanish-American War, "The Spanish Empire lost the most beautiful gem in the world."

Cuba is a tropical island that is comparable in size to a certain "powerful country in the universe" in later generations.

From the time it was discovered by the Spanish, it was the most valuable colony in the Caribbean.

The island is mainly cultivated for sugar and tobacco.

Among them, the value of annual sucrose production, converted into Chinese dollars, is equivalent to 30 million Chinese dollars.

Because it is close to Europe, in addition to being supplied to the United States, most of the locally produced cane sugar is sold to Europe, earning a large amount of "real money."

Apart from cane sugar, Cuba is most famous for its cigars. The most essential difference between Cuban cigars and other cigars in the world is the soil and climate.

As a serious lover of Cuban cigars, British Prime Minister Russell once commented on Cuban cigars:

"This is the best pastime in the world. I don't know what despicable means those Americans used to steal it from the Spaniards, but the British Empire did not occupy Cuba, but occupied Jamaica, which only has coffee. It is definitely a shame. mistake!!"

And behind this sentence there is another sentence:
"Maybe we should buy Cuba, but I think the Americans will not be willing. Then the American War will be our last chance!!"

Cuba, like the "jewel" in the Spanish language, is always blooming with "temptation", making any country that sees it "heartbeat" and then pay the price.

Over Havana, the Star-Spangled Banner hangs high, while the Hispanic immigrants and American immigrants on the ground are like "ants" who can only crawl under the "evil" of the United States.

Havana is an ancient city with a long history. In the last war, because the Spanish surrendered relatively early, except for the peripheral buildings near the sea, which suffered extensive damage, the rest of the city was actually relatively intact.

The Spanish-style buildings and the enthusiastic mixed-race girls made those "American soldiers" intoxicated.

When the U.S. troops from the countryside came to such a tropical and charming city for the first time, it was like what a U.S. colonel said at the time, "the mouse fell into the cornfield."

Soon, a bad "case" occurred locally involving a soldier and a Spanish woman.

It can be said that without the second Cuban Governor Downey, the entire Cuba has become a "playground", but the objects of entertainment are not toys and dolls, but people, to be precise, Cubans! !
In Havana, the most conspicuous thing is the local Catholic church, and the second is the "Governor's Palace".

The entire Governor's Palace was expanded on the basis of the original Spanish Governor's Palace.

So far, there are still a lot of Spanish-style buildings inside. Except for the ubiquitous stars and stripes inside, it is almost a place where Spanish people should stay.

But looking from inside, there are many local construction workers repairing the so-called gate.

Yes, this was the request of the third governor, Donald. Donald came from a business family and was considered a typical "rich second generation". With the help of his father's aura, he was successfully admitted to New York University and began the so-called "American cultural journey."

Relying on connections, he was nominated by Lincoln as Governor of Cuba when he was only thirty-three years old.

Although this governor is just a colonial governor, don't forget what kind of place Cuba is, it is a rich and oily place.

What's the difference between being the governor of this place and sleeping on a gold mine?

According to gossip, the second Governor Downey once collected at least three million US dollars in "donations" from the local area. It was called a donation, but in fact anyone with a discerning eye could see the fishiness in it.

Since then, Cuba has become a fat place. Everyone wants to come in and get some oil. In the end, they will feel "full of belly", burp, and leave with a pat on the butt.

Donald actually doesn't care much about these, for a business family living in New York, whose family is engaged in the construction industry.

What is most important, money? ?
No, it's "the future".

It is a future that a family can see, and in America, there is nothing more exciting than that "position" for these upstarts.

That's why his father supported Lincoln heavily in exchange for the lucrative job of governor of Cuba.

The United States is like a huge "casino". People who don't have chips, or who don't have enough chips, will be kicked out quickly.

Only those with enough chips can truly enjoy everything here! !

…………

"Your Majesty the Governor, this is the last tax to be paid to the mainland this year."

In the office of the Governor's Mansion, Ronnie, the tax official, was reporting the so-called "work" to Governor Donald.

Donald, who was opposite him, replied impatiently:
“The White House is demanding a 50% increase in taxes this year. Are those people assholes??”

The bastards Donald calls are local planters and tobacco factory owners.

These people almost control the economic lifeline of the entire Cuba and are a group of out-and-out "vampires."

"Sir Governor, those people have been complaining about the high taxes recently. I'm afraid..."

"Nothing is impossible, but I don't believe it. They dare to refuse to pay!"

Donald interrupted Ronnie rudely and then continued:
"Now is the most critical time of the war, and local finances are also very difficult. If we don't pay more at this time, will those bastards still be American citizens??"

"Without the kindness of the United States, those bastards would never be able to live like this!!"

"Remember how they promised it back then? They may have forgotten how humble they were at that time!!"

Donald clung to the experience of those people "pretending to be grandsons".

Ronnie on the opposite side wanted to say something, but was eventually interrupted by Donald saying "execute the order."

After Ronnie left, Donald looked like a cunning fox, and his expression was completely different from the arrogant look just now.

As someone who comes from a businessman family, he has some experience in "performance".

.............................................

Off the coast of Cuba, a huge fleet is sailing in a fighting attitude.

The four warships in front always maintained a distance of one kilometer, and the maximum gap was only three hundred meters.

For a naval gun that can easily reach several kilometers, or even seven or eight kilometers, it is simply "close at hand" and can be reached with a little stretch of the hand.

On board the first ship, the Shihuang, Gan Changsheng, wearing a blue military uniform and the rank of colonel, held a telescope in his hand. His expression alternated between calm and complicated, showing that he was extremely uneasy in his heart.

"Report, there is a call from the rear, asking our ship to speed up and take off the gun jacket!!"

"Call back and tell me that our ship will resolutely implement Commander Luo's orders!!"

Gan Changsheng turned around slightly and replied in a firm tone to the officer in charge of the telegram on his ship.

After dealing with all this, Gan Changsheng looked at the sea across the way and the sun that was slowly getting lonely, and murmured to himself:

"The sea wind is blowing, the thunder is roaring, the cannons are soaring into the sky, the waves are crashing on the shore, the giant beasts are stained with blood, the wind and waves have stopped, and the military flags are raging, just like the news of victory!!"

The sea breeze blew, and the flag on the First Emperor kept fluttering, just like the "good news" in Gan Changsheng's poem just now.

Behind them, several giant ships, and the last ten warships, were like a pack of wolves, with the first few being the alpha wolf.

…………

In the Caribbean, the cruiser Duke is conducting routine patrols, which is what they do every day.

"Damn it, I have to do the same thing every day!!"

"I wish I had never listened to those bastards and came to this bullshit Cuba!!"

As the captain, Shakur is a typical British immigrant, and his bald head is his standard feature.

Shaking away the "impatientness" in his heart, Shaker looked at the unchanging sea and shouted dryly: "Continue heading west..."

quack! !
Seagulls flew over the bow of the ship, leaving bird droppings on the ground, causing the Duke's sailors to scold him.

Five kilometers away, a fleet was advancing at a constant speed. The Shihuang at the head of the fleet was like a great white shark, threatening all life around it all the time.

"Are all the bombs loaded??"

Gan Changsheng looked at the sea and asked the adjutant this question abruptly.

"It's ready. Do you want to test fire a few rounds to warm up??"

Gan Changsheng looked at the sea again, and then said: "Let's forget it. We will arrive in Cuba in a while. Are you afraid that there will be no place to shoot??"

After saying that, Gan Changsheng walked into the cabin and asked as he walked:
"Is the power problem resolved??"

“It’s basically ready, except for some media consumption!!”

"That's good. If the chain falls off at the critical moment, it will be really hard to walk around!!"

Gan Changsheng said that he was "lucky" when the power lag occurred a few hours ago.

The problem caused by hard work is not serious, otherwise he really wouldn't know what to do.

On the command ship of King Zhou Wu at the rear, Luo Wenping, the commander of the mixed fleet, was having final "discussions" with his subordinates.

"Our army shelled all the way along the Cuban coast and headed straight for Havana!!"

"According to intelligence, the Caribbean Fleet should still be there at this time. We must deal with them in the outer seas and must not drag the war into the inland seas!!"

The naval staff officer wearing a military cap and two school rank on his shoulders was drawing circles on the island of Cuba with his baton, pointing in the direction of Havana from time to time.

There are more than a dozen warships around here, and these warships are the American Caribbean Fleet.

Looking at the fleet in front of him, Luo Wenping thought for a long time and finally said:
"Where are the cables, where are the cables that they use to communicate with the mainland??"

Yes, Luo Wenping’s first idea was submarine cables. In an era without radio, cable communication was the best way.

If they didn't want to be exposed, the best way was to cut off contact with the Native Americans.

"Commander, this cable is mainly on the west coast of Havana and is a branch of the Atlantic Telegraph Line."

"If our army wants to cut them off, it must first occupy the west coast. But considering naval battles, our army can use a surprise attack to cut off their connection with the mainland before the Caribbean fleet can react."

The staff officer's answer was neither humble nor arrogant, and was methodical. It seemed that he had done a lot of homework.

"West Bank..."

Luo Wenping muttered the name of the West Bank, and finally issued the last order before the war: "Notify the forward fleet to continue to maintain high speed and turn to sail to the west bank of Havana, Cuba, to prepare for a raid mission..."

Having said that, Luo Wenping looked at the huge sand table and the New York, the largest of the dozens of ships, and fell into deep thought.

(End of this chapter)