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Text Chapter 200 Confrontation at Sea

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    "Fire!" Following the gunnery officer's order, the six 305mm 50-time caliber naval guns on the "Sichuan" battleship let out a thundering roar.  Six artillery shells weighing 325 kilograms roared and hit the merchant ship of more than 1,000 tons that was serving as the target ship 10,000 meters away.  Half a minute later, water splashed into the sky around the merchant ship.  However, it is a pity that in this round of salvo, no accurate target was hit.  However, after using the fire control system, even though it was the first salvo, the impact points of all the shells were basically within two hundred meters in front of the target ship.

    "Two hundred meters to the left! Adjust the bombardment direction!" the gunnery officer ordered.  At this time, a hundred meters above the "Sichuan", a small airship was floating in the air. The observers inside looked down from a high altitude to provide the warship with more direct data.  After this data is gathered to the gunnery officer, the direction of the bombardment is adjusted to prepare for the next salvo.

    The three twin-mounted main guns of the "Sichuan" began to slowly adjust the bombardment direction.  Three minutes later, under the order of the gunnery officer, the "Sichuan" fired a second salvo.  This time, the impact point of the six shells was closer to the target ship. The nearest shell was even less than a hundred meters away from the target ship. If it were closer, it would be considered a near miss.  Although the power of a near-miss bomb is not as great as a direct hit, the pressure fluctuations of the sea water can cause metal fatigue in the hull, even tearing a large hole in the hull, which will also pose a very great threat to the warship.

    " Two rounds of salvos are enough to achieve such results, which should be considered very good.  What the "Sichuan" lacked was probably just luck. If it fired several salvos in a row, there should be no problem hitting the target ship.  In naval battles, luck is often very important.  In a battle at such a long distance, whether the target can be hit or whether it can cause casualties to the enemy ship all depends on luck.  If you are lucky and a shell directly hits the enemy ship's ammunition depot, then the enemy ship will only be destroyed.  If you are less lucky, you may even fire dozens of rounds or more without even touching the enemy ship's fur.

    "It is very good to achieve the current results. In comparison, it has only been more than half a year. I hope everyone will continue to work hard!" In the bridge of the "Sichuan", Wang Yuze put down the telescope in his hand.  Just after the New Year, he came to Beihai again.  In the final analysis, he was still uneasy about the naval fleet, so he wanted to personally review the training results of the fleet.

    In the Beibu Gulf in mid-February, the wind and waves were not high and the sea surface seemed relatively calm.  Four battleships, 11 cruisers and 16 destroyers of the First Fleet of the Western Sichuan Navy are training in this sea area.

    Hearing what Wang Yuze said, Fleet Commander Deng Shichang, Fleet Chief of Staff Li Dingxin and Navy Minister Zhang Cheng finally felt relieved.  For more than half a year, the fleet has maintained high-intensity training and consumed countless ammunition. Now it has finally been recognized by Wang Yuze, which represents Wang Yuze's recognition of them.

    "It's all because of the soldiers sacrificing their lives!" Fleet Commander Deng Shichang said modestly.

    Wang Yuze nodded, and then continued: "There are still a few months left, everyone must not relax, and we must do our best to improve the combat effectiveness of the fleet. By then, we will strive to become famous in one battle and let the world know the prestige of our Western Sichuan Navy  !¡±

    "Yes, Marshal! I guarantee that the First Fleet will not disappoint the Marshal!" Deng Shichang said with firm eyes as he listened to his chest.

    Next, the "Xikang", "Plateau" and "Qinghai", which were ranked behind the "Sichuan", also carried out shelling.  Their results are similar to those of the "Sichuan", which is already very good for a fleet that has just started training for half a year.  Behind, 11 cruisers also opened fire, and a large number of shells fell around the target ship.  The distance of tens of thousands of meters is relatively difficult for the 155mm naval gun on the cruiser. Although the fire control system is used, the hit rate is still relatively low at this distance.

    Finally, the 16 destroyers turned on their full power and rushed towards the target ship.  At a distance of two thousand meters, torpedoes were launched.  Thirty 450mm torpedoes produced by Sichuan West rushed towards the target ship two thousand meters away at a speed of thirty knots, leaving a trail of wakes on the sea.

    "Boom!" A torpedo accurately hit the middle of the target ship.  The 40 kilograms of picric acid gunpowder in the torpedo warhead exploded, lifting the target ship, which was only more than a thousand tons, more than two meters high from the water. Then it hit the sea hard and was torn into pieces.

    Wang Yuze is generally quite satisfied with this training.  There are still a few months to go. If the Navy maintains this kind of training and continues to improve, when the war breaks out, the Navy will be fully able to shoulder their responsibilities.

    "Prepare"Navigation!  "After the training, Fleet Commander Deng Shichang issued the order to return.

    At this time, a warship appeared more than ten kilometers due south of the fleet, flying the white, red, and blue flags of the French Navy.

    "A French battleship?" Wang Yuze frowned.

    "Commander, since our fleet returned home, French warships have often appeared near the North Sea. It seems like they are monitoring us." Fleet Commander Deng Shichang replied.

    "This is the ironclad Atalante of the French Far East Fleet." Fleet Chief of Staff Li Dingxin said.

    "Send warships to drive away the French warships!" Wang Yuze ordered.

    "Yes! Commander!" Deng Shichang immediately issued the order.

    Soon, the light cruisers "Leshan" and "Qijiang" sailed out of the queue and turned around to attack the French armored warship Atalante.  After leaving the queue, the two most cutting-edge light cruisers in Western Sichuan immediately burst out at a strong speed. The speed soared from the original 12 knots to 20 knots. Thick black smoke rose from the chimneys and went straight into the sky.

    "This is Chinese waters, please leave!" The flag bearer on the "Leshan" waved the flag to the French warship.  "Qijiang" is on the side and rear of "Leshan", providing cover for "Leshan".

    The ironclad Atalante is the main battleship of the French Far East Fleet. Its anchorage is Da Nang, an important military port in central Indochina.  This battleship has been in service for almost twenty years now.  However, the French Navy is now unable to replace warships for the Far East Fleet, so it has no choice but to let these warships continue to serve.  At this moment, there was a tall white officer on the bridge of the ironclad Atalanta. He was none other than Captain Thomas.  At this moment, he was frowning and looking at the two Western Sichuan warships in front of the Atalanta ironclad.  There was a trace of envy in his eyes.  The warships of the French Far East Fleet are getting older and older, while the navy in western Sichuan is launching cutting-edge warships one after another, forming a strong contrast with the French Far East Fleet.

    "Your Excellency, Captain, the people from Western Sichuan say that this is Chinese waters and want us to leave here!" The communications officer of the ironclad Atalante reported to Thomas.

    "Hell! Since when did this become Chinese waters? This has always belonged to French Indochina!" Thomas said angrily.

    "Tell them that this is the territory of the French Navy and let them get out!" Thomas ordered.

    "But Captain, the strength of the Western Sichuan Navy is far superior to ours!" the gunnery officer on the armored ship Atalante said with some worry.  The armored ship Atalang is already too old. Not to mention the four 10,000-ton battleships of the Western Sichuan Navy, even the two light cruisers with only more than 3,000 tons in front of us. If a war actually starts, Atalang will  It is estimated that it will be very difficult to defeat the special iron armored ship.

    "No! We are French people, and we want to protect France's interests!" Captain Thomas said stubbornly.

    "Yes, your Excellency, Captain!" The communications soldier had no choice but to reply to the Western Sichuan Navy in accordance with Thomas's order.

    "Commander, the 'Leshan' sent a telegram. The French refused to leave and said that this is their sea area!" Deng Shichang said with a frown.

    "If they don't leave, then drive them away!" Wang Yuze said coldly.

    Before the establishment of the Western Sichuan Navy, it did not have the strength to protect its own interests.  But now that the Western Sichuan Navy has become an army, it naturally has to shoulder this responsibility.  Think about future generations, the small countries around the South China Sea will all jump out to occupy the islands and reefs that belong to China.  This time, Wang Yuze will never allow such a thing to happen.  The French Far East Fleet is weak, and even the current Western Sichuan Fleet can easily destroy them.  There are only ten battleships in the French Navy, and their combat power is far inferior to the four battleships equipped in Western Sichuan. Even if they come from the mainland, the Western Sichuan Navy is not afraid at all.  Therefore, Wang Yuze requested to remain tough on the French navy.  Although it cannot defeat the British Navy, the most powerful navy in the world, it is still no problem to resist the French Navy.  All in all, Wang Yuze is very confident.

    Deng Shichang and others' eyes flashed with excitement, and they immediately issued the order.

    After receiving the order, the "Leshan" and "Qijiang" immediately issued stronger flags.  At the same time, the main guns on the two battleships adjusted their positions and aimed at the armored ship Atalanta.

    "Your Excellency, Captain, the people of Western Sichuan are very tough. If we don't retreat, they will drive us away by force!" The communications officer on the armored ship Atalante looked horrified.

    The armament of the Atalanta ironclad is two 203mm naval guns, six 155mm naval guns, and some light artillery.  Although the number of main guns is no less than that of the two "Leshan" class light cruisers in Western Sichuan, these guns are old models in terms of power and rate of fire and are simply useless.??Compared with Western Sichuan, if a battle breaks out, the Atalante ironclad will 100% be sunk.

    PS: The third update is here!  Four updates tomorrow, there will be an update in the early morning!  (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to subscribe and reward (this site). Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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