Republic of China: German-equipped divisions massacred as warlords guarded the nation's borders

Chapter 223 Taiwan Strait Crisis

East China Sea, bridge of the light cruiser Zhen Dong.

The pencil on the chart table rolled.

It wasn't the ship that was rocking violently.

The urgent message from the radio room was too heavy.

Shen Li pressed the telegram against the edge of the nautical chart and spoke in a very low voice.

"Young Marshal, the verification by the Xiamen authorities is complete."

"The code name 'Qingchao' is indeed listed in the spare frequency list of the consulate's underground radio station."

"The same call sign was repeated three times in the direction of the Taiwan Strait."

"Heading north-northwest."

The bridge fell silent.

The heat from just wrecking two Japanese destroyers hadn't yet dissipated from the chests of these veteran sailors.

But everyone knew that this telegram was not a victory.

This is the next bill.

Lin Chengzhang stood by the porthole, his binoculars still hanging around his neck.

His eyes were bloodshot from staying up all night.

Since the first shot of the Zhen Dong hit the target, he has barely slept a wink.

But that spirit and energy are still there.

The old navy had waited for decades, and finally Chinese cruisers could fight Japanese warships at sea. Who would want to back down now?

"Young Marshal."

Lin Chengzhang's voice was hoarse.

"If there is indeed a large formation in the Taiwan Strait, the Zhen Dong cannot be left alone at the front."

He paused.

"Although the Rongchou is old, its cannons can still fire. We can also tow out those few dilapidated ships in the Shanghai Independent Fleet. The six new destroyers built by the Jiangnan Shipyard are still green, but the sailors are all trained."

"Please grant permission, Young Marshal, to combine the two."

"The Zhen Dong is the main force, the Rong Chou is the auxiliary force, the Sixth Destroyer is the wing, and the Mawei Submarine is the tooth."

"The Southeast Navy cannot afford to fire only once and then turn back!"

Several veteran sailors on the bridge clenched their fists as they listened.

That doesn't sound calm.

But who can blame him?

The spirit of the old Beiyang Navy has been pent up for decades.

Once lit, the wind can carry the fire up to the top of the mast.

Chen Zijun did not agree immediately.

He looked at the system panel and then at the nautical chart.

Zhen Donghao.

Rongchouhao.

Six new destroyers.

Eight U-boats with the tail section.

They seem to have accumulated some wealth.

But when placed in front of the Taiwan Strait fleet, it's still a toddler just learning to walk.

Moreover, the communications intercepted this time did not involve just one or two destroyers.

An old-fashioned armored cruiser.

Two light cruisers.

Four destroyers.

There are also transport support vessels.

This configuration is hardly the strongest in the Japanese navy; it's more like the garrison fleet of the Taiwan Garrison.

It can be used to bully the newly established Southeast Navy, especially in a real naval battle like this, where the outcome is still uncertain.

As soon as he got his first cruiser, he thought about taking his whole family out for a decisive battle.

That's not what you call passion.

This is like leaving the beginner village and going to solo the final dungeon while wearing cloth armor.

How can you blame the planners for being inhumane when you're dead?

Chen Zijun looked up.

"Commander Lin."

"exist!"

"The Zhen Dong, and indeed the Chinese navy, is not something to be used for petty squabbles."

Lin Chengzhang's shoulders stiffened.

Chen Zijun reached out and pointed at the nautical chart.

"It's meant to be used by the enemy to settle scores."

Lin Chengzhang's lips moved slightly.

He didn't say anything.

Chen Zijun continued, "The Rongchou is an old ship. The six destroyers are just getting the hang of things, and the sailors are still getting used to each other. If you bring them all out and win, it's called 'hot-bloodedness,' but how many promising talents will you lose? If you lose, it's like handing the future of the Chinese navy to the enemy."

That's not a strong statement.

It was like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone on the bridge.

Lin Chengzhang's fingers turned white as he pinched the seam of his trousers.

After a long pause, he said in a low voice, "Young Marshal, the old navy man isn't afraid..."

"I know."

Chen Zijun looked at him.

"You're afraid of giving it away for free."

Lin Chengzhang's Adam's apple bobbed.

These words struck a chord with him.

He wanted to fight.

I want to fight more than anyone else.

But he also knew that a single Zhen Dong could not withstand a direct fleet battle.

Hans stood on the other side of the chart table.

The German advisor hadn't said a word since the beginning.

He only spoke at this moment.

"Young Marshal, Commander Lin."

His Chinese still has a German accent, but his vocabulary is becoming more and more accurate.

"If the enemy fleet moves north in a standard search formation, the destroyers will be on the outer ring, the cruisers in the center, and the auxiliary ships at the rear. If the Zhen Dong goes too far forward, it will be suppressed by at least two light cruisers and four destroyers in a crossfire."

He picked up a pencil and drew a fan shape on the nautical chart.

"Our advantage does not lie in direct artillery combat."

"They don't know where the submarine is."

"We don't know where the shore artillery, mines, and merchant ship telegrams will record their every step."

Upon hearing this, Shen Li lowered his head and began to memorize.

Chen Zijun said, "Tell me the plan."

Hans nodded.

"The Zhen Dong remained visible, but separated from the enemy's main search area."

"The Mawei submarines dispersed and advanced, not aiming to sink them, but first to ascertain the number, speed, course, and anti-submarine tactics of the enemy ships."

"Xiamen, Mawei and Minjiang Port are on high alert. Mines will only be marked, and international merchant shipping routes will not be actively blocked."

"Continuous radio warnings were issued to merchant ships to avoid the dangerous area where the warship was maneuvering."

As he said this, he glanced at Chen Zijun.

"Thus, the enemy fleet pressed forward, but they could not find the decisive battle they desired."

Chen Zijun nodded slightly.

"Let's do it this way."

Lin Chengzhang suddenly looked up.

"The Zhen Dong is to retreat?"

"Retreat half a leg of the journey."

Chen Zijun said, "It's not about escaping, it's about giving them space to bite."

Lin Chengzhang remained silent.

A moment later, he saluted.

"Zhendong obeys orders."

The voice was still hoarse.

But things are stable now.

Mawei, submarine command headquarters.

This place is far from the sea at the front line.

But the nautical charts and telegrams on the wall made it seem as if the tide was already crashing against the threshold.

Zhao Dezhu stood in front of the long table, his hat brim pulled low.

He had been transferred from the U91 Type 3 boat back to headquarters for a temporary report, but was then ordered to return to his forward position by new orders.

By the wall, several young crew members stared at the telegram.

Some people couldn't help but smile.

In the previous battle, two torpedoes fired by the No. 3 boat damaged one of the Japanese destroyers and crippled the other.

When the news reached Mawei, the entire submarine squadron walked with an air of superiority.

Now another large fleet is heading north.

It's hard for young people not to want to continue making contributions.

Zhao Dezhu glanced at them.

"What are you all laughing at?"

No one dared to answer.

Zhao Dezhu slammed the telegram on the table.

"Last time we ate meat."

"This time, smell it first."

The young crew members were taken aback.

Zhao Dezhu raised his hand and pointed to the sea chart.

"The three boats have separated."

"The No. 1 boat touched the outer ring of the destroyer's propeller."

"The second boat is listening to the cruiser's main engine rhythm."

"The tail of the No. 3 boat and the auxiliary fleet."

"No firing is permitted."

A torpedo operator couldn't help but ask, "Captain, what if an enemy ship enters our firing range?"

Zhao Dezhu looked at him.

"Even if you are 100% certain of sinking it, don't move. All you have to do is record it."

"What if enemy ships lock onto our merchant ships or shoreline?"

"Report it."

"What if they drop depth charges?"

Zhao Dezhu's voice turned cold.

"Dive down, remain silent, and bring back the sound alive."

The young torpedo soldier's face flushed red.

"Yes."

Zhao Dezhu didn't scold him.

What submariners fear most is not recklessness.

What's frightening is someone who's so bold as to think they won't die.

He patted the corner of the table.

"We are the underwater blades."

"The most frightening thing is when the knife is not drawn."

"What the young marshal wants is not just one enemy ship smoking, but the entire enemy fleet being unable to sleep."

Heinrich sat in the corner.

The old German submariner had a cigarette between his fingers, but didn't light it.

After hearing Zhao Dezhu's order, a faint hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

"Captain Zhao."

Zhao Dezhu, stand at attention.

"Instructor."

Heinrich said, "Judging from your appearance, you seem like a skilled submariner..."

Zhao Dezhu didn't laugh. "That's just how I am."

Heinrich looked at him and suddenly added a sentence in somewhat broken Chinese.

"No. Now, you're the captain..."