Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 293 Navy Chief Instructor

The atmosphere of war on land has become more and more tense. As the Baltic Fleet enters the Philippine waters, the Chinese navy is also heating up across the board.After receiving the emperor's order to fight, Liu Buchan felt so heavy that he couldn't breathe.In his conception, the Navy still needs to fight more wars. Training and fighting are almost two different concepts. A few years ago, it didn't take much effort to fight. This time, it is considered to be a comparable opponent by gnawing on the tough bone of Russia. Therefore, when he received the order to attack, he was both happy and apprehensive. This battle could only be won but not defeated. Although the emperor didn't express his position clearly, that's what he thought.

When he circulated the emperor's decree to several senior generals, his confidence was restored immediately. He was such a person. He might feel a little uneasy before the battle, but he was never afraid when he really faced the enemy.

"The entire Far East believes that Manila Bay is indestructible." At the pre-war preparation meeting, the words of the British Lang Weili, the chief instructor of the Imperial Navy, were very interesting, as if he was testing several of his students. "It's full of mines, and there are dense coastal defense batteries on both sides of the channel in the south of Corey Hill Island. My friends, in terms of mines, the military map will solve this problem for you. As for the coastal defense, it may depend on Yourselves. There is another regrettable news to tell you in advance. Maybe after this battle, I will leave you. We have established a deep friendship in the past few years. I hope you will not forget me in the future. A A bit stubborn British old man." The smile on his old face faded, replaced by a kind of sadness.

Everyone was taken aback, the sun in the west was gradually sinking below the sea level.

It was originally the last mobilization meeting before the war to discuss the blockade of Manila Harbor and how to take advantage of torpedo boats in night battles, but after the old man raised a question about the waterway, he said such amazing words.

The Governor of the Navy, Liu Buchan, had conflicts with him. After resolving, he deeply regretted the recklessness of the year. First, he came out of the surprised mood and said, "Mr. Lang has made up his mind? You know we can't bear you." Left Fang looked around, everyone nodded.

Lang Wei Li slightly nodded emotionally and said: "There is almost nothing worth noting about the tactics of this battle. Remember, you will eventually be the masters of this sea area. Be confident. Since your Majesty has an order, Then do your best for him! The military is the machine of the country, and the navy is the most powerful arm of the country. You have the responsibility to put your country in the most favorable position. When fighting the Russians, the military should serve the diplomats Contribute a lot. Therefore, this battle will be the last answer sheet you give me, and I would like to draw your attention to a few points." The old man calmly asked a few questions: "How to take advantage of this battle to prepare for the future of the Philippines. to leave the best possible situation. And what if the French show up there?"

"We have declared war on Russia. If the French dare to enter the waters of the Philippines, they will be enemies of our country. What's the big deal if they destroy their wooden boats?" Fang Boqian patted the table and said.

Liu Buchan glanced at him, shook his head and said, "Can't Mr. Lang teach us?"

"This is an exam." Lang Weili said with a smile: "You are already the governor of the navy, and you are still like a child. As I said just now, this is the last time I will participate in this kind of meeting."

Deng Shichang, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly thought of something, raised his head and asked, "Is this the meaning of Duke Lang, or the meaning of your navy department?"

Lang Willi paused, then heaved a long sigh and said, "The Admiralty hopes that a new candidate will take over my position. They have asked me about the candidate in private. My reply is that maybe you will not accept me except me." The people in the Admiralty think there is something wrong with my character." He smiled wryly and said, "No matter how bad my character is, I won't be greedy for your country's chief instructor and give up the position of deputy commander of the British fleet. Maybe I Been in China for too long. You know, sometimes when an empire has been around for a long time, it becomes bureaucratic"

How could all the gentlemen here not feel the same way, although the navy is the most favored institution of the emperor nowadays, few local officials dare to argue with the navy, but they have done bureaucratic things before, so they deeply agree with what old man Lang said.

"Mr. Lang, let's become a Chinese citizen. After all, you are the one who wears the yellow belt. Since the other side is suspicious of you, it's boring to go back." Liu Buchan sincerely persuaded him to stay: "Anyway, if the court asks for my opinion, Then apart from Duke Lang, it is not suitable for any other British to take this position."

"Thank you. I have lived in China for so many years, and it doesn't matter whether I become a Chinese citizen or not. After leaving office, I personally want to go to the Imperial Naval University. I like to watch young people grow up slowly, just like you did back then." Lang Weili smiled and spread his hands and said, "My family is all in China. It's time for me to go ashore and enjoy life with them. As for the Admiralty, maybe you still have some problems."

"It's still the same sentence. If Duke Lang goes, we don't think there is any need to invite a new one. We don't have such a contract with your country." Liu Buchan raised his head arrogantly, made a gesture to stop the topic and said: "Let Let's see Duke Lang off after we finish this battle. An order, in the name of the Imperial Navy Command, to send power to Manila Port, and an ultimatum, if the Baltic Fleet continues to stay before [-]:[-] this afternoon, it will be regarded as a request from the Philippines. Our country has declared war, and all the consequences caused by this will be borne by the Philippine authorities. This telegram will be sent to the newspapers at Kaohsiung Port in the morning." He looked at the smiling Lang Weili, turned his head and continued: "Order the Nanyang Fleet and the Singapore Fleet , advance at the speed of the cruise, and the combatants will enter the first-level combat readiness state immediately."

In fact, even though Lang Weili did not say it clearly, Liu Buchan knew in his heart that Lang Weili had indeed had some conflicts with the British Admiralty. The identity, in many points of interest, did not win enough interests for the Royal Navy, so that it could not gain a satisfactory advantage in the competition with Germany for China. The contribution he made was to adjust a non-critical high position for him, which is high but has no real power.The Royal Navy hoped that Lang Weili could make certain recommendations for his successor, but Lang Weili refused.Therefore, the Royal Navy Department is considering whether to count his years in China into his service years in the Royal Navy. This was originally agreed, but Lang Weili will go back to the UK to fight several lawsuits for this. , he was not happy about it, and besides, he was getting older, so he had the idea of ​​quitting the military to teach and educate people.

This idea is also good, so Liu Buchan thought about it, why not take this opportunity to stop foreigners from taking real positions in the core leadership, and made up his mind, so he stopped taking this matter to heart.

The ultimatum was received by Manila at three o'clock in the afternoon. The new governor was busy dealing with the attack of the Filipino rebels outside the city, so there was no time to pay attention to the ultimatum.When he devoted his energy to this ultimatum, it was too late to ask the Russians to leave.Besides, it is not so easy for the Russians to leave. This fleet is second only to the strength of the original Far East Fleet. Just 9 giant cruisers have already filled the port. Even if they want to leave the port, the messy sea is enough for the Russians. busy.Moreover, the Russian fleet is still useful for the city defense of the Philippines. If you want to invite them back after driving them away, you will probably have to go to the bottom of the sea to invite them back.

Therefore, apart from cursing the Chinese people for being too much, the British did not make any formal response.This early winter season.The chaotic situation in the Philippines has already made them feel very cold, and they are fighting with the Germans in a mess, so they have no time to take care of this distant colony.Many British people already hope to abandon this unsustainable colony as soon as possible. Some people even think that the Philippines should be given to China as a favor. At this time, it is a wise choice to recognize the situation.This shows that the empire where the sun never sets has begun to set.

The hour hand pointed to 7:13 in the evening. The Singaporean fleet arrived in the offshore waters first and forced through the mine-strewn waterway. With the help of military drawings and precision ranging instruments, none of the mines exploded.

"There is a Chinese fleet approaching the port at a speed of 8 knots!" The coastal sentinel reported this amazing discovery at the first time.The shore guns on both sides of the waterway were also panicked, because at this moment, the Singapore fleet, which had shown its identity, was still a neutral posture rather than an enemy country, so the understanding of the coastal defense officers and soldiers was that these fleets should come to embarrass the Russians.

"Sir, are you firing now?" a sentinel asked their commander.

"Send a few shells first, as a warning." The officer's hand touching his chin was also trembling.

The coastal defense turret fired two runaway bombs as a warning, both of which hit the sea not far from the Singapore fleet.But I didn't expect that there would be a more violent artillery fire. After the short exchange of fire, the coastal defense forts cleverly maintained restraint. These forts on our side are too old. It would be better to calm down in front of the powerful Chinese warships. good.

Manila Bay, surrounded by land on three sides, is in front of you. Under the hazy light and shadow, the Baltic Fleet abandoned by God is right in front of you. What will be waiting for them.

"Boom, boom!" The Singapore fleet took the lead in launching the attack. After the shells pierced the night sky, they fell into the narrow Manila Bay, splashing a large amount of water.

The Russians, who had just been awakened by the sound of gunfire, immediately lit the lights, which gave the Chinese torpedo boat formation the best attack guidance.

"Fight back immediately!"

"Where are the gunners, get in position quickly"

"The ship's side is on fire, what to do, what to do"

"Adjust the ship's position, he, hurry up!"

The Russian fleet was in chaos for a while.Under the cover of the naval gunfire, the eight torpedo boats moved forward at full speed. It was difficult for the Russian warships to rush out of the small military port for a while. The panicked Russian soldiers seemed to have smelled the breath of death.

(End of this chapter)