Chapter 554 Empire's Counterattack

Standing high, looking up, the Milky Way crossed the sky, and countless stars were mixed with it. It was like flowing mercury, dazzling and eye-catching.

This is Masdi Island, located off the coast of Chile. It is an island in the South Pacific that has gradually been named after the novel and the Xinhua Empire. There is no industry, no smoke and dust, only a small town with a population of less than 200 next to the port, as well as the starry sky and the vast expanse sea in front of it.

Standing here, Li Zhen seemed to feel that all the troubles had disappeared, and he couldn't help thinking of what his father said to him alone before stepping into the military academy.

"Every man should go out once in his life and travel around the world, because only when you experience it yourself can you experience the magnificence of the world and know how big and beautiful it is outside the window."

"The reason why the navy can become the leader of national progress and the most open service is that warships can take you wherever you want to go. Marines can use this to understand the world, and then bring back what they have seen and heard to promote domestic family and friends to understand the world better."

"When a cycle begins to run, we can get rid of ignorance, absorb and integrate the strengths of the world, and revitalize the country and the nation."

"We are a big country. We need to fight for the rights of a big country, instead of sitting in Yanjing and waiting passively!"

"And the navy is the only force for us to show our strength and fight for the right to speak!"

At that time, it didn't quite understand these words, but when he put on a navy uniform, boarded the Guam, and went all the way south through Ryukyu, Hawaii, and South America, and finally arrived in Chile, he realized how thrilling the vastness of the sea and the magnificence of the world were.

No wonder my father attached so much importance to the navy and did not hesitate to invest nearly half of the country's resources in it. From the sea coachman to the empire, all the country that went to the sea first was destined to be strong. In Chinese history, there was an opportunity to lead the world. The great voyage from the Song Dynasty and the three-treasure eunuchs had provided opportunities to cross the ocean. But the rulers were trapped in the loess and missed the opportunity to build a thousand-year empire in vain!

Now, through the efforts of his father and countless navy people, he has finally brought this nation to the deep blue. What a merit, so only when he comes into contact with the outside world can he understand this great value.

Sitting cross-legged on the protruding rock, the Mastu Bay in the distance was quiet. The two Guam-class battleships that had just been cleaned up at the bottom of the ship in Chile were like giant beasts lying on the water, and beside their huge steel bodies, the Navy Dolphin training sailboats that had lowered their sails looked extremely small.

But Li Zhen did not dare to underestimate the three-mast training sailboat of the Dolphin.

Because sail training is the foundation of every naval power, even in the era when steam engines replaced sailboats, young sailors and officers need to fight the sea through this powerless sailboat. In addition to the sailboat can exercise navigation ability and let everyone experience the hardships of the predecessors in the era of great navigation, it is also because sailboat is a kind of Ships that need a high degree of unity can unite the hearts of officers to the greatest extent through long-term work and long voyages, so that they can have a brotherhood to go to danger in the future.

Both he and any officer of the 31st Fleet have received sail training. It is precisely because of this that the Guam, with 1,127 officers and soldiers, can be like a family and be tested by the sea like a brother.

Li Zhen took a deep breath. When he began to recall the experience of this period, he saw two mast lights flashing quickly on the sea in the distance, which made him suddenly return to reality. Who is it so late? Why did you come to this inconspicuous island?

"Prince, the captain asked me to invite you over."

In a daze, the partner who boarded the ship together for internship brought the captain's message. Li Zhen jumped off the big stone quickly. After saying thank you, he was about to leave. After thinking about it, he turned around and said with a smile, "Call me Li Zhen next time. Don't forget that I'm in the army now, and the commander has given an order."

The partner scratched his head and remembered the order that when he boarded the ship before, the commander asked all the officers and soldiers not to call the eldest prince during the mission, and could only call his name directly. He nodded and saluted: "Second Lieutenant Li Zhen, the commander asked me to inform you to see him immediately."

"Yes!"

Li Zhen's standard military salute made everyone a little shy about the surname, but he was not arrogant. Usually, he didn't even go to the officer's canteen, and he was more willing to squeeze in the sailors.

When Li Zhen trotted all the way back to the harbor, he only saw nearly a hundred naval school cadets boarding the Dolphin, which surprised him a little. Are they going to train at night?

When he got on a traffic boat and drove to Guam, he found that the two flashing mast lights just now were sent by a Yangtze River-class light cruiser and the latest service Dongting Lake comprehensive supply ship, and a Chilean transport ship.

It is not surprising that there is a Yangtze River-class light patrol. Navy cruisers need to carry out daily patrols. Chile's and South American routes are very important to the empire, but the arrival of the supply ship Dongting Lake makes him feel a little different.

Before coming to Guam for internship, he learned that the Guam-class battleships themselves have a cruising capacity of 18,000 nautical miles/15 knots. Although this is an ideal state, the distance will be shortened to 16,000 nautical miles, including the need to change direction during the voyage. Of course, the additional fuel consumption distance will be shorter if there is a battle.

But even so, the Guam also has the ability to drive all the way from Ryukyu to Chile, not to mention that there is a Honolulu base in the middle to be replenished, and after the previous maintenance in Chile, it was also filled with low-weight, light and heavy oil that was once sold by the navy to the Chilean navy, and supplies and food were also replenished. Why did you suddenly send a supply ship?

You should know that Dongting Lake is the latest generation of supply ship, with an empty load of 15,000 tons and a full load of 33,000 tons. It can carry 16,000 tons of light and heavy oil, 1,500 tons of ammunition and 500 tons of food and other materials at a time. In order not to take up space, it also has two additional boilers, which can be distilled. Desalination of seawater can provide 500 tons of fresh water to the supplyed warship within five hours if necessary, and its endurance is 10,000 nautical miles/15 knots. This does not count that the heavy oil in the tank can be used to increase the endurance. The most important thing is to catch up with the faster and faster speed of the capital ship. Designers are clever. Miao uses four military gear variable-speed steam turbines and boiler power groups used in the Guam class, and uses two groups to work alternately to drive two spindles, which realizes the ability of the supply ship to sail at a full speed of 20 knots. In case of emergency, the four units will reach 26 knots together, as long as it can be found in advance. Danger, most of the warships of various countries can't catch up with it.

It should be said that this is the most important ship of the navy to build the global navy in response to his father's call for a decisive battle abroad. Judging from the slowly submerged water line, it is now in a full load state, which means that the voyage of the two Guam class will increase by 70%. Is it going to be a round-the-world sailing training?

When Li Zhen hurried to the vast Guam combat conference room, he found that not only Li Xiuyan was there, but also Captain Chen Shaokuan of Medan and several important officers appeared here. What's more strange was that the Chilean admiral, his father's good friend General Simmons, and the captain and instructor of the Dolphin sail training ship also came. And they all look weird.

What happened?!

Li Zhen's heart suddenly sank. After saluting, Li Xiuyan motioned him to sit down before taking out a telegram. He looked at the four-page electric newspaper. He was an intern of electronics, and he frowned even more. Because this is the Maasde Island in Chile, the Colon Islands are still thousands of nautical miles away from here, so he needs to contact Guam. Use the long-wave radio station, and the information load of the long-wave radio station is very small, and it takes two hours to send the four-page telegram, so the long-wave communication will be very short without special circumstances.

"The war broke out!"

Li Xiuyan finally looked at Li Zhen and spread the information on the table: "I just received the news from the general seng. At 4 a.m. in Yanjing today, the British and American fleets attacked Nauru and Perth, and they handed over the declaration of war to the emperor at five o'clock."

"That is to say!"

"We were ambushed!"

Li Xiuyan's words immediately made the conference room silent. Although everyone was guessing when the war would break out, no one expected that it would be such a sudden start.

"The emperor has declared war on the Allies, and the parliament has passed the bill to join the alliance. The Admiralty is preparing to launch a counterattack." Li Xiuyan looked at Simmons. Although the beard was more trustworthy, he still did not say the news that the Battle of Perth and the Battle of the West Cape had been won. He continued: "But it is not clear when Nauru will be recaptured and the Chinese supporting Perth, and the Admiralty has obtained accurate information that the U.S. Pacific Fleet has Eight American capital ships are rapidly attacking Rabaul. In addition, two Delaware-class battleships and two New York-class battleships are rapidly coming south to intercept us. According to intelligence, they have arrived off the coast of Peru. If we go home and go north now, we are expected to encounter them tomorrow afternoon!"

"Well, only four ships have been sent here. You underestimate us!" The gun commander of the Medan snorted angrily, which also attracted everyone's disdain. Although most of the two ships are young officers, in order to form combat effectiveness as soon as possible, the Admiralty also transferred a large number of old non-commissioned officers to enrich them and be responsible for important positions. In addition, it has been half a year since the water was delivered. According to the original plan, the two ships will return this time. After leaving, it will enter the naval readiness sequence.

Li Xiuyan waved his hand and stopped everyone from continuing to talk, saying, "Captain Chen, Instructor Wu (the commander of the sail training ship Dolphin), the Admiralty Department has agreed with Lieutenant General Simmons that for the safety of the students, you will stay in Chile for a period of time. After we win the counterattack and regain the initiative, we will Send cruisers to protect you back immediately.

"During this period, General Simmons will protect your safety!"

"Thank you, General Simmons." Captain Chen and Instructor Wu immediately got up and thanked Simmons.

"You're welcome. Although our country is a neutral country, my emperor and I have been friends for many years. I will do my best!" Simmons promised with a smile.

"In addition, I want the eldest prince to be with you." Li Xiuyan wanted to let Li Zhen stay in Chile, but the latter stood up suddenly before he finished his words: "Captain, according to the naval regulations, any officer who has obtained an internship on the ship will automatically become an official officer of the ship in the event of a sudden war, so I think I should stay!"

"Here, I'm just your officer, not your prince!"

"But."

"Captain, if I leave at this time, how do you ask my father to face the soldiers who are fighting for the country? How to face the families of those soldiers?

"The place where the ship goes is the sea that needs to be guarded. I am willing to give my life for it."

"This is what I said when I was sworn to join the navy. Do you want me to break my oath?"

Facing Li Zhen, who was standing beside him, the conference room gradually quieted down. Li Xiuyan also found that his consideration was a little inappropriate, but his next task was really too dangerous, in case?

Just as everyone was in a dilemma, Simmons suddenly stood up, walked to Li Zhen, hugged him with a smile, and said proudly, "Son, you are the best warrior I have ever seen!" Captain Li, I think if you can't forget his identity, you might as well enter our seaport and wait for the end of the war!"

"Because." Simmons looked at Li Xiuyan and said seriously word by word, "After he leaves, your warship's combat effectiveness will drop a lot!"

Simmons' warning is very right. If Li Zhen is asked to leave at this time, the army will inevitably fluctuate, so let the eldest prince continue to stay. For the new soldiers of the two warships, morale can be guaranteed to the greatest extent, because the sailors will feel that it is proud to fight with the prince!

Thinking of this, Li Xiuyan nodded: "Second Lieutenant, go and get ready. We will leave here in an hour!"

"Yes!" Being able to stay made Li Zhen very excited and quickly saluted and walked out of the conference room.

As Li Zhen left, the news of the outbreak of the war began to reach everyone's ears. The small bay suddenly became busy. The transport ship brought by Simmons began to approach two Guam-class ships, constantly carrying the materials ordered by the Xinhua Naval Department to him on the deck, and the new generation of naval cadets who needed to go to Chile for temporary shelter. Although I was eager to fight with my predecessors, I could only board the ship under the strict order of the captain and instructor, raise the sails and sail to go to Santiago with the Chilean naval transport ship.

The Masty Bay, which was busy just now, began to be silent. With Li Xiuyan's order of light control and radio silence, the 31st Fleet, composed of two Guam-class battleships, the Lake Berga supply ship and the second batch of Yangtze-class light cruisers Tumenjiang, slowly left the birthplace of the Xinhua Navy.

Looking at Maste Island, which is getting farther and farther away from the porthole, Li Zhen felt the road his father took in a trance. More than 20 years ago, the Royal Navy of the Xinhua Empire embarked on a journey from here, and now he will also witness another glory of the navy from here!

However, when the island finally disappeared in the dark, when Li Zhen was just about to leave, he suddenly felt a shock under his feet, and the deck tilted slightly. When he looked up and looked again, he found that the bow was constantly deflecting, and after a moment, he actually pointed to the south!

Give up going back to the north and continue to the south, right?!

"We will fight back!" Suddenly, Li Zhen thought of his father's bold words on the telegram just now.

(to be continued)