Today, almost every warship in the Rose Fleet is equipped with cannons, and without exception, the cannonballs fired by these cannons are solid, destroying anything they come into contact with due to their powerful impact and weight.
In fact, in the past two years, weapons researchers in Shenglu have also considered developing explosive shells. After all, compared with solid iron or lead bullets, shells that explode after being fired are more powerful and destructive.
But this was no easy task. They had tried filling the shell with gunpowder, adding a fuse, and then igniting the shell's fuse at the same time as the cannon's fuse was lit. In this way, when the shell was fired, its fuse would burn inside, causing an explosion.
However, this method is extremely dangerous. During the test, the shells often exploded inside the barrel, which could not only damage the artillery but also endanger the lives of the gunners.
Even if the shell doesn't explode inside the barrel but is fired, it will always encounter problems on its trajectory, highlighting its instability. Therefore, with current technology, such explosive shells cannot be used in artillery.
That's why Leto was so alarmed when Lucate revealed his guess.
If this conjecture is accurate, then when the enemy has controllable explosive shells, their naval combat power will be greatly enhanced. It could even be said that ten shells fired by our side at the enemy's warships would not be as damaging as a single shell fired by the enemy.
At sea, the biggest fear for warships is hull damage. Once the hull is damaged to a certain extent and seawater floods in and cannot be repaired, no matter how many weapons are on board or how many experienced sailors there are, the only outcome will be sinking.
Has the weaponry of the Yan Kingdom become this advanced?
Leto was pale. He shook his head and said uncertainly, "It's...it's just a guess, probably not..."
“Yes, it’s just speculation, but that’s enough. At least we need to be mentally prepared.” Lucat waved his hand, signaling the sailors to throw the wreckage overboard.
These unlucky things are not suitable to remain on the ship.
Lucat's expression had become solemn. In fact, since departing from Chalmers Island, the youngest marshal in the history of the Rising Lucat had not shown a smile once.
He was no longer as cynical and carefree as before, because he knew that the unknown enemy could kill him.
Furthermore, if such an unstoppable offensive were to occur, the entire fleet would be lost on the vast ocean.
Lucat knew perfectly well that if the entire fleet were to perish here, it would mean the nation would lose a third of its naval power.
But this is not even the worst consequence.
He was rubbing his face until it was red, while Leto stood there motionless, still trying to deny Lucate's speculation, trying to say that it was impossible, but he couldn't convince himself.
"Notify the captain to increase speed and take me to the flagship of the Sasiri Kingdom," Lucate suddenly said.
——
The flagship of the Dawn Fleet.
Clemento remained standing on the bow deck, unable to move, as more and more wreckage floated on the sea as the ship continued its voyage.
Right now, the sailors are retrieving a floating corpse.
Before long, the floating corpse was retrieved onto the ship and brought before Clemento.
It was a corpse with only half of its body remaining. The lower half was nowhere to be found. The upper half, which had become bloated and grayish-white from being soaked in seawater, was covered with wounds of all sizes. Some of these wounds had pieces of metal stuck in them. On the head, which was no longer recognizable as human, there was a hole with a black substance embedded in it.
Clemento frowned and gestured with his eyes to the sailor beside him.
So the sailor endured the discomfort and pulled the thing out; it was a small, rectangular piece of iron.
Clemento shook his head, unable to discern anything amiss, and then ordered the sailors to throw the body back overboard. At that moment, another sailor reported seeing dismembered limbs and remains.
Clemento knew that the bodies had not yet been completely consumed by the fish, most likely because the naval battle had not been fought for long, which meant they were approaching the battlefield.
A new round of naval clashes is about to begin in the next couple of days, Clemento thought to himself with a grim face.
"Marshal, the Sheng Lu people's ship is approaching." At this moment, a soldier reported.
Upon hearing this, Clemento frowned, feeling inexplicably irritated.
Moments later, the Lightning approached the main ship, and Lucat boarded the ship via the ladder.
"Marshal Clemento, I think the Federation fleet has been defeated." Lucate said bluntly as soon as he saw Clemento.
“Not necessarily. Anything can happen before we see the Yan Kingdom’s fleet. Perhaps the Federation fleet has only lost some warships and is still engaged in fierce fighting with the Yan Kingdom’s fleet.” Clemento’s face was cold.
Lucat shook his head and dumped all the iron pieces he had brought onto the deck:
"I have reason to believe that the Yan people's cannons have been fully upgraded. They are now able to fire more powerful shells, and our ships probably cannot withstand the destructive power of those shells."
"Therefore, I am certain that the Federation fleet, due to a lack of understanding, chose to engage in battle rashly during its sudden contact with the Yan people, which ultimately led to their complete annihilation."
"Furthermore, we will encounter the Yan Kingdom's fleet in the next few days."
Clemento stared coldly at the pieces of metal, his face twitching slightly as he suppressed his irritation: "Lucart, I understand your caution, but your speculation portrays the enemy as far too powerful."
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