"Based on the current speed of both sides, we will be able to catch up with this enemy ship at dawn."
Lanterns lit up on the Chang'an's deck. Fu Xiaoguan, Zuo Mu, and the First Fleet's Chief of Staff, Fang Chaoyang, sat around the table. "We agreed that I would no longer command in the rest of the war,"
Fu Xiaoguan looked at Zuo Mu and said, "Isn't it said that everyone has their own expertise? How we fight next is up to you."
As he said this, Fu Xiaoguan stood up, stretched, and yawned. "I'm going to bed, but before I go to sleep, I still have a suggestion for you. After destroying this enemy fleet on Stour Island, it's best to wait in place. The enemy reinforcements will definitely arrive. Let our soldiers have a good meal and sleep to recuperate before beating them up."
"Okay," Zuo Mu agreed, "I plan to send a team to land on Stour Island after the supply ship arrives... and occupy the island as a supply base for our front line."
Xu Xiaoxian grinned, thinking that his worries were indeed unnecessary. Zuo Mu and the others had already grown up, so there was no need for him to nag them all day long.
He waved his hand and walked towards the cabin seriously.
…
It was the first day of June in the sixth year of Daxia.
After resting in Bamor City for three days, the First Army of the Great Xia Army set off again. The mighty team left this mighty city and headed towards Bahrain, the capital of Franky.
On the same morning, in the dim light of day, the Daxia United Fleet caught up with the First Fleet of the Franki Empire.
In the vast sea area of Stull Island, Duke Williams commanded his fleet to form a defensive formation, waiting for the joint fleet of Daxia.
Zuo Mu and Fang Chaoyang stood side by side on the third deck of the Chang'an, looking through binoculars at the long line of enemy ships ahead. Zuo Mu grinned, "This bastard is quite clever. He didn't run away and is still waiting for us."
As he said this, he put down the telescope and patted Fang Chaoyang on the shoulder, "Old Fang, do you remember our first naval battle?"
Fang Chaoyang thought for a moment, "I will remember it even after I die!"
He also put down the telescope and squinted his eyes at the dark sea. "That was September of the second year of Daxia. Our First Fleet only had eighteen warships. If you count it, that was the second battle since the founding of our Daxia Navy."
Zuo Mu nodded, because the first naval battle was between the dreadnought-class battleships led by Bai Yulian herself and Pizarro's fleet. In that battle, the Daxia fleet paid a certain price to win. That battle gave the Daxia Navy a lot of experience, and also allowed the Daxia Navy to make rapid progress in tactics and equipment.
"We used eighteen warships to single-handedly wipe out Archduke Philip's ninety-plus warships. But, Old Zuo, even though we brought one hundred and eighty more advanced warships this time, we must not be careless!"
"The Emperor said that Frankie is a serious maritime power. Although they haven't advanced eastward in recent years, they may be quietly developing. Although the enemy only has about sixty warships, look at them, they are completely different from the warships we faced back then. Now the Emperor has given you full command, so you must not be careless!"
Zuo Mu raised his eyebrows, "Don't you know my character? Even a lion will use all its strength to fight a rabbit. I'm not that guy He Sandao. In this battle... I must annihilate the enemy without losing a single battleship!"
Zuo Mu suddenly mentioned He Sandao. Fang Chaoyang was stunned for a moment and lowered his head slightly. "Hey, if Sandao was still alive, he would have joined us on the expedition and witnessed this great moment together. How happy would he be!"
"...Yeah, if he were on board, he'd probably be yelling and screaming right now, maybe even fighting with me for the right to command!"
Fang Chaoyang turned to look at Zuo Mu, "If he wants to fight, will you let him?"
"I'll give him anything except command of this battle. War is no joke. We've toiled for two years at sea to get here. We can't afford to lose this battle. We must achieve the greatest victory at the lowest cost... Talking about this is meaningless."
"Yes," Fang Chaoyang took a deep breath and looked out at the vast ocean. "After we return home victorious from this battle, let's go to the grave of that guy from Guanyun City, burn some incense for him, and tell him about this unprecedented expedition."
"Okay, we have to go see Zhong Yu. She's been taking care of two children these past few years... the brother and sister are seven and four years old respectively. Although the retired emperor posthumously conferred the title of Duke of Zhengbei on San Dao, a hereditary title, only we soldiers know how hard it is for the wives at home."
Zuo Mu shook his head and continued, "If we talk about seeing through things, Marshal Bai Yulian is the one who really sees through them. It seems he has no intention of getting married at all. And there's also Guan Xiaoxi. This guy... after the expedition is over, we still have to arrange a marriage for him. Otherwise, he won't even have someone to warm his bed for the rest of his life. He's enjoying such a glorious life now, but he must not end up with a miserable old age."
Zuo Mu suppressed his emotion and said, "We'll discuss these matters in detail on our triumphant return. Now, prepare for battle!"
"Messenger...!"
"arrive……!"
"Pass on this Commander's order. The Third Fleet maintains its course, and the Fourth Fleet proceeds at full speed, 20 degrees left!"
"Fifth Fleet, maintain course. Sixth Fleet, right rudder, twenty, full speed ahead!"
"The Second Fleet slows down by ten knots and waits for encirclement from both wings!"
"Order the supply ships of the first, second, and third fleets to turn right thirty and seize the port of Stour Island for me. Land half of the soldiers from each ship and occupy Stour Island!"
“…”
As the Chang'an's order was issued, the combined fleet began to take action according to the Chang'an's instructions.
As Duke Williams was shocked, he saw the enemy fleet rushing towards his Imperial First Fleet in a fan shape.
His brows were furrowed as the warships in his telescope became clearer and clearer, and bigger and bigger!
He even saw the Goshawk Sword flags hanging on the warships, fluttering in the morning breeze, and the dark and solemn muzzles of the warships' guns.
"Order... all fleets concentrate their attacks. Target the enemy fleet directly ahead..."
"Orders, provide cover on both the left and right wings, and hold on until reinforcements arrive!"
"Adjust the muzzle of the guns... and concentrate your fire on the enemy warships directly ahead of you, Duke!"
The sky grew brighter, and a red glow appeared on the distant horizon.
At this moment, the huge hull of the Daxia warship adjusted its posture extremely quickly in this line of red light.
A huge, thick gun barrel extended from the gun compartment on the side of the ship.
At this moment, the two sides were about three hundred feet apart.
This far exceeds the effective range of the Franky battleship of two hundred feet!
As Duke Williams was looking at him in shock, Zuo Mu put down his telescope on the Chang'an and issued another order.
"attack……!"
In this originally quiet sea area, the deafening sound of artillery fire suddenly rang out.
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