Chapter 1055 Target: Hawaii (First update, please subscribe)
Standing on the spacious compass bridge of the battleship "Toyo", the Pacific Ocean breeze blows gently on the bridge.
Brigadier General Li Qingsen, commander of the fleet, felt an indescribable sense of comfort.
The Big Island of Hawaii, which was just a faint black dot on the horizon half an hour ago, has now revealed its full appearance to everyone.
On the side of the island facing the fleet, white smoke columns could be seen rising into the sky, and red volcanic lava could be vaguely seen on the shore. The volcanic lava flowed among the dense vegetation.
There were even a few streams of red lava flowing down from the cliffs, pouring into the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The moment the lava sank into the sea, a large amount of white smoke rose up, and the white smoke column could be seen clearly from a few kilometers away.
Such lava waterfalls can only be seen here.
Under the shining sun, the blue shadow of the Big Island of Hawaii emerges between the sea and the sky. The Hawaiian Islands, this string of pearls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, was not discovered until a hundred years ago by the British navigator Cook. They expressed their heartfelt admiration, admiring that only the power of God could create such a beautiful paradise like a paradise in the middle of this vast ocean.
After the discovery of the archipelago, they still enjoyed decades of peace because it was not located on the Pacific sailing route. It was not until more than half a century ago that the influx of American whaling ships destroyed the tranquility of the past.
But now, with the end of the sailing age, the strategic value of this pearl in the Pacific has become increasingly apparent. Ships from various countries traveling across the Pacific often stop here to refuel with coal and water.
Now Li Qingsen and his sailors were heading to Pearl Harbor to refuel with coal and water as usual - seven years ago, the Imperial Navy had established a coal and water station in Honolulu.
Seven years ago, it was a crisis that was not a crisis.
In 1875, the United States forced Hawaii to sign the seven-year "US-Hawaii Reciprocal Treaty", which stipulated that both parties would give each other preferential tariff treatment, and agreed that the most-favored-nation treatment of the Kingdom of Hawaii would be enjoyed exclusively by the United States. In addition, during the validity period of the treaty, all ports and territories in Hawaii could not be leased or mortgaged to any country, and no country would be given the privilege of using ports and territories. This actually put Hawaii in the exclusive sphere of influence of the United States.
After the Ming ambassador to Hawaii learned of this information, he immediately reported it to the country. The empire responded quickly. On the one hand, it protested in Washington through its ambassador to the United States, and on the other hand, it mobilized fleets from Beihai, Linhai and Japan to sail to Honolulu.
At that time, the empire mobilized almost the entire Pacific Fleet and used a powerful military demonstration to force the United States to agree to revise the treaty. Later, the Ming Dynasty also signed the Ming-Xia Reciprocity Treaty with Hawaii, the content of which was exactly the same as that of the United States. What was the only difference?
That is, during the validity period of the treaty, all ports and territories in Hawaii shall not be leased or mortgaged to any country, and no country shall be given the privilege of using ports and territories. This actually put Hawaii into the sphere of influence shared by Ming Dynasty and the United States.
And this year... it's exactly seven years, the contract is about to expire and it's time to renew.
At this time, Brigadier General Li Qingsen was leading the flagship "Toyo" of the Pacific Fleet's Toyo Squadron back to the Toyo Protectorate and paid a friendly visit to Hawaii.
Although the sailors have been here many times, Honolulu brings them new feelings every time, which are the feelings that only sailors who have been sailing on the vast ocean for many years can have.
"The fleet should be in a line formation, Captain Ye."
Li Qingsen put down the telescope in his hand and turned to give orders to Captain Ye Xiangjia.
"Yes, sir."
Ye Xiangjia answered loudly.
"Send the signal, the entire fleet changes to a line formation."
"Yes, sir! Change to a line formation! Sir!"
The orders were passed down layer by layer.
Officers at all levels meticulously relayed the fleet commander's orders.
At this time, the Imperial Navy showed the results of the rigorous training they usually received. The fleet changed its formation in a very smooth movement, with a battleship, two cruisers and a coal ship forming a column.
The fleet then adjusted its course about ten nautical miles from Oahu. Then, each ship, led by the battleship "Toyo", maintained a distance of one thousand meters and completed a beautiful turn, heading north toward Honolulu, also known as Honolulu.
Li Qingsen nodded with satisfaction.
The quality of this fleet can be seen from this maneuver. The superb ship-handling skills just demonstrated by the captains of each ship can be scored 90 points. Li Qingsen, who had just taken office as commander, naturally felt extremely gratified about this.
"Captain Li, how long will we stay in the Hawaiian Islands?"
Captain Ye Xiangjia took a cup of tea from the tray brought by the orderly and handed it to the fleet commander. Ten nautical miles, enough time for a cup of tea.
"That depends on the Americans. We came here not so much for a visit as to show the Americans the Empire's attention to this place and to prevent them from making any unusual moves. Now the importance of Hawaii has become increasingly apparent. Both the Empire and the United States are salivating over it. This mission may sound easy, but it is likely to turn into the "Second Hawaiian Crisis." The task is arduous! Once we lose Hawaii and let the Americans take it, we will lose the entire Pacific Ocean. Not only will the connection between the Empire's East Japan and the North Sea be cut in two, but the connection between the Empire's mainland and the northern border will also be seriously affected. You can imagine the pressure on our shoulders, so no matter what, we must complete this mission."
"Indeed, Hawaii is the life and death place of our Great Ming in the Pacific Ocean. No matter what, it must be controlled by the Empire."
"So, we must be prepared. If anything unexpected happens, we will be the Empire's first line of defense in protecting Hawaii!"
Picking up the teacup in his hand, Li Qingsen took a sip. Just as he was about to put the cup down, an officer reported.
"Report, sir, an American warship has been spotted in the Honolulu area!"
"American warship."
Handing the teacup to the orderly beside him, Li Qingsen directly picked up the telescope and looked towards the parking area.
Through the eight-fold Seagull telescope, you can clearly see four warships with the Stars and Stripes flying anchored in front of the berth - the US fleet.
"The battleship USS Oregon should take the lead!"
Putting down the telescope, Li Qingsen pursed his lips and said.
"From this perspective, our mission this time may be more complicated than we previously imagined."
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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