Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 971 Christmas Eve
At this time, it should have been past midnight in the eastern part of the United States, but the sunset before Christmas Eve has not yet been seen here. In the lobby of the largest and most luxurious Prince Resort Hotel in Honolulu, hundreds of handsome naval officers in white military uniforms are standing with about the same A large number of ladies and ladies shared a sumptuous Christmas dinner.

On the huge long table in the center of the hall, the main course is placed, with a Kalua roast pig with an apple in its mouth. It takes several steps to make such a roast pig.First dig a hole in the ground, pile up rocks around it, use mesquite trees as firewood, and when the rocks are hot, wrap the whole pig with giant plantain and banana leaves, and then put it into a special tank.Other ingredients that need to be grilled are also wrapped in banana leaves and placed around the roast pig.Cover the whole top with leaves, spread a layer of soil to separate it from the fire, and bake it for four to eight hours before it is completed.

The chef wearing a tall hat cuts the meat slices on the spot according to the requirements of the diners, puts them on the dinner plate, and the waiter delivers them.The roast pig is surrounded by other dishes: bananas, pineapple, sweet potatoes, salmon with onions, coconut pudding, fruit salad, grilled steak, fried chicken, and beautiful seafood served on top of lettuce, sliced ​​fruit.

Of course, freshly squeezed various fruit juices, wine, rum, brandy, and whiskey are indispensable at the dinner party. Behind the bar, handsome bartenders in black vests are skillfully mixing various colorful cocktails.

Of course, how can Christmas Eve be without a Christmas tree?The huge Christmas tree that was shipped all the way from San Francisco almost reached the ceiling!It is covered with colorful ribbons, lanterns, bells, stars, and small gift boxes.

"What a beautiful Christmas tree, I propose to make a toast to this beautiful Christmas Eve!" The tall admiral who toasted was the new US Navy Fleet Commander Lobley Evanley, with lard on his lips. Alcohol flushed his shiny, well-maintained face, and it was the fourth, and most agreeable, banquet he had had in the four weeks since he arrived in Hawaii.

The generals, senior officials, wives, and ladies at the same table drank the cup lively, and immediately returned to their seats to munch on barbecue, seafood, and fruits.A middle-aged lady with heavy make-up, the mayor's wife whom Ewenli just met asked with a smile: "Your Excellency, aren't you worried about the war? I mean, maybe when we come together tomorrow morning, we will see those yellow boats sailing out of Hong Kong”

"Ma'am, we are waiting for them." Admiral Yi Wenli nodded politely, picked up the napkin and wiped the lard from his mouth.

"Those yellow-skinned monkeys, they are only good for growing sugar cane and doing coolies, sailing? No, my God, just think, a group of monkeys, jumping from mast to mast, getting into chimneys and ventilation pipes, putting their hairy faces It's so black hahahaha" Mayor Marian played his self-righteous humor, and laughed himself so hard that he couldn't straighten up.

"But, didn't they defeat the British and the French?" Governor Murray, with a gray beard, was a little uneasy.

"Hahahaha that's because bears are less suitable for sailing than monkeys. They are only suitable for hiding in the woods and stealing honey." "You can't underestimate the alliance of the yellow race. Their power is enough to overturn the world." Commanding the third battleship Lieutenant General Sidon Schroeder of the unit lowered his eyes and made the opposite voice.

"Really? General, are you frightened?" Mrs. Marien asked rudely.

Lieutenant General Schroeder frowned: "Last year, just last year, I visited their warships, the latest warships, equipped with fifteen-inch cannons, and can fly up to 25 knots. Only the British have the same powerful warships in the world! They The sailors are well-trained, energetic, well-fed, and in good health, no worse than ours. I also heard that they have a new type of aircraft carrier with a large number of planes on it. fleet"

Lieutenant General William Emley, the commander of the second battleship squadron, shook his head disapprovingly: "Come on, our fleet also has aircraft carriers, which is nothing unusual. Airplanes are such little toys that they are not so magical. They can only be used in the weather. When it is sunny and windless, let it go out to play. It is rainy, dark, and windy. It cannot be used. The weapons are only one or two machine guns and a few small bombs that are lighter than 3-inch shells. They are of little use to our heavily armored battleships. None, just as a supplement to scout cruisers. The battle at sea still depends on battleships! Our main fleet has an unshakable advantage in the number of main guns, enough to beat all the enemies who dare to sail to Hawaii into the bottom of the sea!"

Mayor Marion waved his fist excitedly: "That's right, beat them all into the bottom of the sea, and let the yellow-skinned monkeys feed the crabs! Come, let's have a toast to our brave and fearful General Emley!"

"I don't think the war will break out so early." The governor's youngest daughter Paris, who just turned [-] this year, has beautiful chestnut curly hair who spoke so sweetly.

The governor glanced at his daughter: "Paris, don't talk nonsense"

Admiral Yi Wenli smiled slightly: "It's okay, Miss Paris, tell me, why do you think the war will not break out so early?"

"Because the Chinese emperor's favorite eldest princess is about to get married. In an oriental monarchy, even a princess's wedding is a very big event. This time, celebrities and dignitaries from all over the world were specially invited to the ceremony. My father happened to be receiving So I think, even if there is going to be a war, it is in line with their traditions to wait until after the princess’ wedding ceremony.”

Evanli turned to Governor Murray and smiled, "Your Excellency, you have a smart daughter."

Governor Murray shrugged helplessly: "She is always like this. She likes to talk about things. Sometimes I can't say enough about her. These days, she talks about the Chinese princess all day long, as if she really wants to be a Chinese princess. ,Oh, God."

"Daddy" Paris nudged Dad in dissatisfaction.

"Haha, it's normal. Girls from any country in the world don't want to be Chinese princesses, but what you said makes sense."

Evanli took a sip of the red liquid in the goblet, and sighed like a poet: "Peace, what a precious and beautiful thing, but it has to be bought by force. Before we came here, war was imminent. After we came , the other party returned to the negotiating table honestly. The US fleet has finally realized its value."

Mayor Marion echoed loudly: "That's right, the US fleet exists for peace, long live peace! Cheers!"

At the other end of the hall, drums were beating warmly and quickly. Accompanied by Polynesian-style music, a light-skinned Hawaiian girl danced a hula dance. Soon, several drunken officers jumped out of the banquet to join the dance, screaming, With applause and whistle, the banquet began.

夏威夷时间12月24日20：00，瓦胡岛以北400海里，帝国太平洋舰队第一舰队的32艘军舰正劈开夜暗中的大海，向着那以珍珠为名的美丽港湾疾驶而去。

On the commander's bridge of the fleet flagship "Huangshan", facing the deep and boundless darkness, the fleet commander Chen Jinrong folded his arms and suddenly gave an order to the staff around him in a sonorous and forceful voice: "Use signal lights to send orders to all teams. Our fleet has entered In the patrol circle of enemy cruisers, the entire fleet will be subject to absolute military control starting from 21:00, and all ships must strengthen their night watch and beware of collisions."

"Yes!" The staff officer finished recording and took the order to leave.As the most critical part of the entire Hawaii strategy, the mobile unit as a secret "surprise soldier" must not make any mistakes. Chen Jinrong, who shoulders a heavy responsibility, cannot be careless.

Chen Jinrong is a person who is extremely serious about professional issues. During the Second World War, Chen Jinrong firmly believed that the aircraft carrier and its carrier-based aircraft will surely become the overlord who will dominate the ocean in the future.It's just that due to the limitation of industrial standards, it was too early for the naval aviation force at that time to completely replace the giant ship cannons.In the secret exercises conducted in Vladivostok and Kagoshima, the "Swordfish" carrier-based attack aircraft used a special 450mm shallow water torpedo to attack the target at close range, and achieved excellent results, but compared with the common configuration on first-line submarines and surface warships Compared with the 500mm and 550mm heavy torpedoes, the 450mm aviation torpedoes with a total weight of only 450 kg are indeed weaker, and it may be difficult to deal with the latest enemy warships.Moreover, the "Swordfish" attack aircraft is equipped with torpedoes and has low navigation and difficulty in maneuvering. It is easy to become a target for machine guns or even rifles when attacking at low altitudes, and the effect is not ideal when attacking enemy ships in high motion.

In view of this, we can only pin the hope of the aviation attack force on a surprise attack that catches the opponent off guard. Therefore, if the whereabouts of the fleet are discovered and the surprise attack turns into a storm, the combat effectiveness of the air attack force will be greatly reduced. Thirty percent?[-]%?No, at that time, even an enemy ship may not be able to be sunk, but will suffer huge losses!The concealment of action is the guarantee of victory!It's just that everything that should be done has been done, and now, I can only pray for God's blessing.

Chen Jinrong took off his military cap, held it in his hand and stroked it carefully, trying to calm his mind.This night is destined to be long and unbearable.

In the spacious hangar below the deck of the "Huangshan", hundreds of maintenance personnel and pilots are still nervously preparing for tomorrow's battle.

"Check it one last time, keep your eyes wide open, use your fingers to touch it inch by inch, and never let our pilots fly the plane with problems." At the other end of the hangar, the maintenance chief was holding the horn to the maintenance personnel. Encouragement, this is already the third inspection today, but none of the maintenance personnel complained of suffering or tiredness.

"Steady, keep aiming at a distance of one thousand, nine hundred, eight hundred, five hundred! Let it go! Pull it up! Well done!"

In the hangar, the pilots are doing their final training with the big cardboard with the side projection of the enemy ship as the target.

"It's the 'Delaware' class, this one, the 'New York' class, the 'Nevada' class! That's right, it's your turn"

(End of this chapter)