Alchemy Greater China

The sinking of this ship means that the old Spanish empire was also involved in this crazy bombardment incident as a "victim" in name.

After these three days of bombing, Benson was insane in everyone's eyes. Therefore, everyone agreed that he would fulfill his promise to the end: bombard the harbor for three days, and then bombard the wharf!

5 month 29 day.

It's sunny, and there is a day.

San Francisco.

The commercial docks and large warehouses adjacent to the harbor have all been emptied, and there is no one on the usually busy passageway of the docks. Be it the coolies or the ship merchants, they have all retreated to the safe area behind.

This area seemed to be specially set aside for the bombing by Benson's fleet.

Doing the math, since the evening of May 5 when the Benson Fleet blocked the harbor, today is the seventh day!

This week, all the major media outlets across the United States have put all their efforts into reporting the battle here. Many of the photos taken on the first night have been sent to the east coast by train, and after selection, they have been published in various major publications.

The shape and firepower of the six battleships, Kerim's embarrassed and arrogant ugly face, the grievance and sincerity of the Earl of the North Sea, and the humiliation of old Stevenson... Through vivid photos, they were shown to the upper class people in the eastern United States one by one. Long Hao won a lot of sympathizers and supporters, and also sent a lot of hatred to Benson again.

Not only is the media working overtime and working at full capacity, but the military department, which was severely reprimanded by the White House, also sent a special investigation team to San Francisco: it’s not that they don’t want to send the nearest army to San Francisco, it’s because it’s a naval bombardment , or the main gun of such a big killer as a battleship, it doesn't make sense for the army to adjust more.

The head of the military department can only hope that Benson can understand, and don't carry the charge of 'treason' to fight to the end!

Yes, Benson is now a 'traitor' in the eyes of the White House dignitaries.The U.S. leadership represented by President Harrison is eager to hang this naval colonel who has brought great shame to the United States... Ah no, it is the stake, even if it is the backer that Benson relies on in the military department It felt extremely difficult, and it was impossible to save Benson.

It would be a misunderstanding if the Navy blocked San Francisco.If the bombardment of the harbor can still be said to be Benson's eagerness to capture the Earl of the North Sea who is suspected of missing five destroyers, then when the photos of the six ships that were obviously not American battleships were sent to Washington, Benson's The backer has nothing to say.

Paralyzed, you bastard, Benson, you can really make a fuss, you even borrowed the main battleship of the British Far East Fleet!

Grass, you bastard, you want to piss me off.I, I don't care!

The U.S. Navy drove the British active-duty gunboat flying the U.S. flag to bombard the U.S. seaport metropolis. The nature of this is so bad, the behavior is brain-dead, and the implications are far-reaching. Even the top leaders of the military department cannot resist it!

Therefore, Benson's backer made a decisive decision and prepared to treat Benson as an abandoned son in order to appease the anger of all parties.

And as for the impact once the photos of these six battleships are spread to Britain on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.That's not what people in the US Department of Defense dare to imagine, all in all.If Benson can't come up with any more crimes against the Earl of Beihai, he will be exposed to the sky!

It was so pierced that even the people in the military department were implicated and their heads were smashed.

However, before the bombardment on the 29th, things happened... Well, for Benson, there was a turning point!

9:38 a.m.The sunlight is like gold powder, sprinkled on the extended sea surface of San Francisco's commercial harbor, and the blue water seems to be coated with a layer of expensive precious metals, which is thick and gloomy.

The inner edge of the harbor looked like a messy battlefield.This is the place where the wrecked ships were 'buried'. Although the fireworks are no longer visible, the occasional steel edges and corners exposed on the water still make people appreciate the intense bombardment of the previous few days. Can't help but chilly.

Shelling during the day and cleaning up at night, but due to the closure of the sea estuary, ships could not get out, and the river was crowded, so the cleaning work can be said to be stagnant. Generally, it is only to put out the fire and give up after confirming that there are no drowning people.

The management staff at the terminal estimated that even if Benson's fleet retreated now, it would take at least fifteen days for the commercial seaport to return to the smooth operation before the blockade!

After three days of bombardment, the rookie sailors under Benson have also been tempered and made great progress. At the moment, they are adjusting the firing angle of the artillery according to the command of the commander—because today's bombardment target is It's a pier, the distance is farther!

"Ranging complete, elevation angle 37.5°!"

"The gun mount is fixed and can be loaded!"

"Open the magazine, start loading the ammunition, and prepare to ignite!"

A loud shout came from the mouth of the American sailor, and the corners of the mouth of the British sailor who was playing poker next to him could be heard: A rookie is a rookie, and he is really weak when he shoots and shouts slogans...

"Stop, stop!"

Just ten seconds before the fire was about to be ignited, a piercing cry suddenly came from the Gogol, and the voice came from the direction of the captain's cabin.

"Why stop?"

The American sailors by the fort stopped their hands one after another, looking puzzled at the orderly who came panting.

"Hoo hoo... stop if you are told to stop, it is Captain Benson's order, hoo hoo, leave the fort!"

The messenger said unhappily. In fact, he didn't know the specific reason. He only knew that after reading a letter sent by Kerim, Benson showed ecstasy and ordered him in an urgent tone. To run to stop the cannon fire.

Flagship, Captain's Room.

Benson raised the letter and laughed loudly: "Okay, okay, Kerim has finally done a personnel matter this time! Count Beihai, let me see how you deal with this time! You want to use the media to put pressure on me, hehe Hmph, this time I want you to lift a rock and shoot yourself in the foot!"

Fremantle was also in the captain's cabin. He was very happy during the three-day bombardment, because he had doubled the cost of shell loss, and he was blissfully unaware that this big event had been reported back to Europe. Back to the British Isles...

Seeing Benson's wild laughter, Fremantle frowned: "Colonel Benson, why did you stop the shelling? Is there any good news?"

To stop firing is to reduce his banknotes, of course Freeman will not be happy.

While Benson was proud, he didn't keep it secret: "We found a survivor. Haha, what luck..."

"survivor?"

"Yes, those five missing destroyers!"

Benson punched his fist: "He is a sailor on one of the ships. He was found by Kerim. He can testify against the Earl of the North Sea and prove that the disappearance of our five destroyers in the United States is related to him!"

"Oh. Those five ships were really killed by the Earl of Beihai...?"

Benson didn't mention it, and Fremantle almost forgot about this matter: wiped out five destroyers with good speed, that Earl of the North Sea really has this ability?

"Hmph, you still don't believe me? Not sure I will come to San Francisco? Is Benson such an impulsive person?"

Benson snorted, and walked to the captain's room: "Give me a semaphore, the bombardment will be suspended for one day, and our navy will hold... the press conference at the commercial pier!"

Press conferences have recently become the most popular way of announcing news.For the past few days, Benson seemed to feel that he was at a disadvantage in public opinion. Now that he had actual witnesses this time, why didn't he use this popular method to launch the sharpest counterattack against Long Hao?

On the shore, Kerim couldn't help shaking with excitement as he looked at the thin soldier in front of him.

It's really a big cake from heaven...ah no, it's a living person from heaven!

My God, I Griffin thank you so much!

Kerim, the soldier who seemed to be dying in front of him, knew him.His name is Paul, and he is a sailor at the Seattle Naval Base.Moreover, he is on the list of missing persons from five battleships this time!

Of course, Griffin Klimt knew what Paul's appearance meant: this was the evidence that Benson dreamed of!This is the best witness to flaunt the justice of your own bombardment!

Kerim was so happy that he didn't bother to ask Paul why he appeared here, where he went these days, or the whereabouts of the five battleships... the first thing he did.It is to let the entourage bring this good news to Benson as soon as possible.

Indirectly, it also prevented today's shelling.

For the past three days, Kerim felt like his neck was rolling back and forth on a guillotine, because Benson was annoyed at Long Hao's rascal's repentance and angered Kerim.So he sent the poor captain back to the pier and warned him: Gather as much evidence as possible that the Earl of the North Sea lost five destroyers. If you can't get it, don't come back.

Kerim wanted to cry but had no tears at the time, what evidence?If I could get it, I would have gotten it long ago, so why wait until today?

Captain, you are driving me to a dead end!

In the past three days, although none of the three bombardments by the Benson fleet hit the shore, every time after the bombardment, Kerim could feel the ill intentions of the San Francisco police next to him. Reserving a bit of conscience, he waved his hand to stop those gun-wielding policemen. Kerim almost thought that he was going to be dragged into the guard cell of the police station... Picking up soap!

Unexpectedly, the seemingly impossible task of finding evidence was easily completed with the appearance of Paul!

Kerim suppressed the urge to hug Paul and kiss him, and asked in a deep voice: "Paul, tell me quickly, what happened to you these days? Why didn't you contact the organization? Zhelin, Colin... ours What happened to the five destroyers?"

"They're all dead, dead...the other party is a devil, a devil..."

Not only was Paul physically weak, but his mental state was also worrying. It took Kerim a lot of time to finally figure out what happened to Paul and what happened to the five destroyers including the Zhelin.

All five destroyers sank? !

None of the more than 200 sailors survived! ?

These are all caused by a cruiser?

And it's not bombardment, but... a direct impact! ! ?

If it weren't for Paul's 'weak' look, Kerim would have slapped him: Hey, are you out of your mind?The cruiser sank the destroyer, and five ships in a row?Who can believe what you say?God, please don't play me, how can you get such a witness?How can it be used to accuse the Earl of Beihai?

Kerim was not reconciled, and asked Paul several times, but without exception, Paul's answer was that his own warship was sunk, his brothers were all drowned, and those who were not drowned were also killed by the sailors of the Earl of the North Sea. Shot dead on a boat...

It seems that this poor baby's brain has been seriously injured!

Kerim was looking regretfully at the trembling Paul, who seemed to be surrounded by danger, when Benson's semaphore came: We also want to set up a stage at the pier and hold a press conference.

This order is too foolish, Kerim glanced at Paul.Thinking embarrassingly: There is still a press conference, such a witness, is it the accuser or the person who threw us?Hey, I have to hurry up and communicate with this Paul and tell him what to say.what not to say...

The fact that Benson’s fleet stopped shelling and the semaphore announcing a press conference were quickly learned by a group of city officials in San Francisco. They were very surprised: Which game did you play, Benson, didn’t you agree to bombard the pier today? of it?Look, how kind we are to you, the bombing sites have been cleared out, and everything is ready for you to shoot, but you are so good, the arrow is on the string, and you actually stopped shooting again?

Could it be.You want to use the name of a press conference to lure us to the pier and... catch them all?

The city officials and reporters were bewildered, but they still sent personnel to the shore to inquire. After inquiring, they found that Benson had indeed sent a group of people to the pier in a small boat. After landing, he began to build the Get up.

Are you really going to hold a press conference?

What is there to announce?

Could it be that Benson's conscience realized that he was going to retreat?

Talk about the reporter's interest in gossip.Like a puppy's love of bones, even the threat of death can't stop it.Not long after, dozens of reporters (mostly dispatched and dispatched by the Eastern Newspaper Office) gathered around the pier, curiously looking at the temporary press platform.

During the period, the active reporters also found several people in the uniforms of the US Navy officers, and they went up to make clichés.

Yes, you have a press conference.Gotta let us know ahead of time what topics you're going to talk about?

Otherwise, how should we ask questions later?

The question is not good, how can we promote it for you afterwards?

In a high-rise building at the pier, sea merchants such as Leland Stanford and Chini stood by the window, frowning.Seeing that Benson's subordinates were actively busy, Long Hao stood in front of everyone in a loose Chinese gown with his hands behind his back.

"Don't bombard, change the press conference? This Benson, who is at sea, won't be so well-informed?"

It was Lilan who was talking. Over the past week, with the funds provided by Long Hao, he used his network of contacts to spread favors. Many big cities in the western United States have already called back, expressing their support for San Francisco and the Earl of Beihai to the end. Resolutely oppose Benson's atrocities.

Naturally, the officials who responded were mostly Democrats.

"It's hard to say. We've inquired. Benson is in the navy, and there are still many people protecting him..."

A city official who was close to old Stephenson took over the conversation, "Although the photos of the battleship were exposed, these people had to give up on Benson on the surface, but it is still possible to tip the news in private!"

"Especially, we didn't take '**' against Benson who 'blocked us'!"

Leland Stanford raised his voice very high, pointing the finger of dissatisfaction at Long Hao who had been silent in front of him.

He was a little dissatisfied with Long Hao's 'indulgence' Benson, and his 'weak' attitude. If he came to preside over the overall situation and Benson fired the first shot, he would kill that little boy named Kerim to make an example!

Where would he be allowed to move freely around the pier?

"Mr. Stanford, I think the reason for Benson's press conference is not to receive the news that the 'Special Investigation Team' has arrived in San Francisco..."

Long Hao turned his head, his slightly haggard face was still very refreshing, the corners of his mouth curled up, showing a delicate smile, which made people feel refreshed and refreshed.

"What's the reason for that?"

Leland Stanford asked persistently.

"Oh, don't worry, don't you know after reading it?"

Long Hao pointed out the window, "The navy is not bad at setting up a platform, and with those reporters who are the best at inquiring, the reason should be passed on soon!"

As Long Hao said, at 5:29 am on May 10th, a simple podium was set up, and the contents of the press conference were heard by everyone who paid attention to this matter!

The Earl of the North Sea's suspected disappearance of five American destroyers has received a major breakthrough: a crew member who served on one of the five destroyers has appeared and will testify against the Earl of the North Sea!

One stone stirred up thousands of waves, this news is too explosive!

No one thought that this press conference was going to 'release' this!

It was actually a real accusation against the Earl of Beihai!

The blood of the reporters was boiling, and their backs were numb. While surrounding the simple podium, they were thinking: Will the Earl of Beihai appear in front of the witnesses that Benson has called?

At 11:15, Kerim, one of the protagonists of the press conference, appeared in front of the media with witness Paul.

After warming up, there were more than 23 reporters on the pier. Unlike the night of the [-]rd, these were all real reporters, and [-]% of them were from the eastern United States!

Well, seven days is enough time for them to come from all over the United States.

'Crackling', the shutter sounded.

Everyone is familiar with Kerim, but this is the first time you have seen Paul, whose eyes are always filled with fear!

Is this the surviving crew?

Everyone has to take a good photo, this is a major turning point in this incident!

At 11:25, there was a sudden commotion behind the group of reporters: Long Hao, Earl of Beihai, appeared under the protection of the police!

He really dared to come!

Under the double pressure of the huge ship's cannon by the sea and the testimonies of witnesses, the Earl of Beihai still came!

Now, regardless of their positions, all the reporters raised their thumbs up in their hearts: Earl Beihai...has the guts!

Of course, boast after boast, the bulky camera in the hands of the reporter still didn’t stop for a moment, and the brightness of the flash alone almost covered the sunlight above the head... (to be continued...)