Chapter 418: Enemy Ship Provoked, Our Ship Was Forced to Defend Itself (First Update, Please Subscribe)
After January 27, who had the most complicated expression and attitude in Naha Port?
Of course, they were the merchants from Fujian and other places. They had been servile in front of foreigners, arrogant in front of the Ryukyu people, and of course, submissive in front of the Japanese.
It is precisely because of this that they find it a little hard to imagine that one day a group of sailors speaking Mandarin would rush into the "Bugyoso" and directly deal with those Japanese who are usually so high and mighty.
In addition to their mixed feelings, they also began to wonder in their hearts - what if the Japanese came to retaliate? Everyone knows that the Japanese are petty and vindictive.
No, we have to leave quickly!
Don’t let innocent people be affected!
As a result, within just three days, almost all the Qing merchants in Naha Port left. They knew very well that even if they died at the hands of the rebels, it would be in vain. The Qing Dynasty was not the Great Britain. If the merchants of the Great Britain were killed by the Japanese, they would send warships to bombard Japan and make them pay silver. What about the Qing Dynasty? Even if they died, it would be in vain. The government did not blame the dead for causing trouble to the court, which meant that the court was merciful.
Okay, let’s go!
The storm is coming.
On February 1, the sea off Naha's outer harbor was as calm as usual. On the calm sea, Ryukyu fishermen on fishing boats were fishing as usual. At noon, several Western-style sailing ships came over spewing black smoke.
This fleet, consisting of nine gunboats and transport ships, was heading towards Naha in a mighty manner. Leading the way was the "Sanbang Maru", the largest ship of the Satsuma Navy, followed by the "Kasuga Maru", "Heiyang Maru", "Yoharu Maru", as well as several transport ships fully loaded with soldiers, such as the "Shoho Maru" and "Heiun Maru". The Satsuma fleet that came out in full force was truly spectacular on the waters of the East China Sea.
"Commander, we're here!"
Standing in the command tower of "Sanbang Maru", Akatsuka Genroku said with a serious expression.
"Whether this trip is a war or a peace depends on the attitude of the South Chinese people!"
When the Satsuma fleet approached, the lookout on the "Si Hai" also discovered the enemy. They rang the ship's bell immediately and added fire to the boiler. At the same time, Li Fengzhi walked to the command tower with a serious expression, staring at the faintly visible column of smoke in the distance. After observing it with a telescope for a while, he gave the order.
“Prepare for battle!”
It's finally here!
There was no nervousness, only full of anticipation. When entering the gun position, Wu Anping felt his heartbeat accelerating!
This is a naval battle!
A one-on-nine naval battle!
"Captain, there are nine enemy ships..."
"No big deal, just some small wooden boats!"
Facing the Japanese Navy, Li Fengzhi was extremely arrogant, because the tonnage of the Japanese Navy was only a few thousand tons. As for the largest warship of the Satsuma Domain, it was only a few hundred tons.
Although the two sides were getting closer, neither opened fire until they were several hundred meters apart, then they could see each other clearly.
"The Nanhua ship...is really huge!"
Looking at the Nanhua gunboat through the gun window, Togo Heihachiro could not help but exclaim in amazement, while Ito Yuheng on the "Sanbang Maru" sighed as he looked at the Nanhua sailors who were on high alert.
"The army is so impressive, no wonder it can be so famous in foreign lands. It is truly a role model for our generation!"
The senior officer of the Pingyang Maru, Inoue Yoshikazu, frowned and stared at the side gun position of the Sihai, muttering to himself.
"It's actually a breech-loading steel cannon!"
The three future Japanese naval marshals each have different priorities, but one thing is certain: the Satsuma fleet is absolutely luxurious. There are several marshals, and at least a dozen future generals.
However, that was all! After all, they were just ordinary officers on the warship.
This mighty Satsuma fleet had a total tonnage of only 3,000 tons, and half of them were transport ships. While sizing each other up, Akatsuka Genroku ordered a flag signal to warn them.
"This is the Ryukyu Sea area of Satsuma. For the sake of friendship between our two countries, please leave Ryukyu immediately. Otherwise, we will take all measures to safeguard Satsuma's rights in Ryukyu!"
Facing the warning from Satsuma, Li Fengzhi said in a deep voice.
"Reply to them that Ryukyu has now surrendered to Nanhua and accepted Nanhua's protection. Please return immediately, otherwise our ship will take any measures to protect the safety of Ryukyu!"
The warning signal from the flag had actually announced the breakdown of the negotiations between the two parties, and there was no need for further negotiations.
"Admiral, will they really retreat?"
The new magistrate Matsudaira Ichi, who was accompanying them, said with some concern.
"Mr. Matsudaira, they only have one warship!"
Akatsuka Genroku said with considerable confidence.
"Even the British Royal Navy will not risk using a warship to confront us. As long as we don't fire first, as long as the warship enters the port and the vassal soldiers land, it will be a fait accompli and the matter will basically be over!"
After saying that, Akatsuka Genroku gave another order.
"Ignore them and head towards Naha Port!"
When he gave this order, he did not think there was anything wrong with it. After all, compared with the South China Army, his strength was very strong.
Even the British would think twice before acting at this time.
One side was determined to advance, the other side was determined to stop. The outcome was already determined from the beginning.
"Open the gun ports and prepare for battle!"
When Akatsuka Genroku ordered to prepare for battle, the fleet still rushed towards Naha Port regardless of everything. Facing the stubborn Satsuma fleet, the "Shikai" did not make any concessions. The "Shikai" once again issued a warning. After issuing three consecutive warnings, Li Fengzhi shouted.
"Tell them that if they continue to act on their own will and continue to provoke us, our ships will be forced to defend themselves!"
What is forced self-defense?
Of course, it’s firing!
In fact, at noon that day, both sides were betting that the other side would not dare to fire. Perhaps it was because the size of the fleet gave Akatsuka Genroku enough confidence, or perhaps it was because Nanhua was just a small country in a remote area, which made Akatsuka Genroku a little conceited. After all, he was not facing the Western powers.
However, he did not expect that Nanhua, which was surrounded by tigers and wolves, would respond directly to the threat. Faced with the Satsuma fleet's advance without warning, Li Fengzhi gave direct orders.
"Target - enemy flagship, fire!"
The sound of cannon fire rang out!
Following the order, the three 150mm naval guns on the port side of the "Si Hai" fired at the "Sanbang Maru" one after another.
"Fire, fire. How dare they?"
Although he was extremely shocked, Genroku Akatsuka immediately ordered a counterattack. In fact, he didn't need to give the order at all, as the Satsuma fleet immediately fired at the "Shikai".
Although the tonnage of the Satsuma fleet's warships was generally only four or five hundred tons, they were equipped with quite advanced Armstrong cannons. After all, they suffered losses due to the Armstrong cannons during the Anglo-Satsuma War, so when they were forming their navy, they always spared no expense to purchase the Armstrong cannons.
Once upon a time, they used the Armstrong cannon to inflict heavy damage on the shogunate's army and navy time and time again. Now, off the coast of Naha, the Satsuma Domain's Armstrong cannon fired again!
Both sides fired at almost the same time, and for a while the sea was filled with the roar of naval guns.
(End of this chapter)
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