More than ten minutes later.

"Brother Bai, Brother Li doesn't support the wall, I'll serve you!" Li Mingbo said as he moved his butt and gave up the position in front of the forty-fold telescope.

Because the relationship was in place, at the beginning, Bai Zhizhan told Li Mingbo the reason why he came to the lookout.

Leaning in front of the camera to take a look, Bai Zhizhan understood the meaning of Li Mingbo's words.

At the top of the mast that protrudes from the sea antenna, hangs the flag of St. George, the flag of the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of Bran, fluttering in the wind.

Of course, a military flag is meaningless, after all, it is possible that the St. George's flag is flying on a destroyer.

The key is that the size of the mast under the military flag is outrageous, it looks very exaggerated, and it looks very incongruous.

In addition, there are two stout chimneys behind the bridge that are faintly recognizable.

These are precisely the identifying characteristics of the battlecruisers of the "Prestige" class.

Bai Zhizhan followed Li Mingbo's example, carefully compared the projection images of the battleship roster, and after confirming that there was no mistake, he put away the battleship roster.

At this time, Li Mingbo had already picked up the microphone.

Seeing Bai Zhizhan turn sideways, Li Mingbo hurriedly made a booing gesture at him and asked him not to speak.

Inside the bridge of the commander.

Gui Boyong was not surprised when he received a call from the lookout, because he could already see the flag with a high-magnification telescope.

Although it is not clear, but it is barely recognizable, it is a St. George flag with a red cross on a white background.

When Gui Boyong answered the phone, He Yongxing walked over.

Putting down the microphone, Gui Boyong nodded before he said: "The lookout commander identified the lead ship as a 'revenge' class, and confirmed that it was the first battle patrol detachment. At a visual distance of more than twenty-five thousand meters, at the current speed, it will be in the effective range of the main gun in fifteen minutes. The enemy fleet did not turn, perhaps had not yet discovered us, or was not suspicious. It's just that the enemy ship will definitely launch an inquiry within a few minutes. ”

He Yongxing's brows were tightly locked, and he looked like he was facing a great enemy.

"In addition, no other enemy ships were found for the time being."

"It's a blessing or a curse, it's a curse that can't be avoided." When Gui Boyong said the last sentence, He Yongxing made a decision. "All ships were ordered to maintain radio silence, and the communicators were to mount their masts and prepare their lights. After the enemy ship launched an inquiry, the "Golden Gang", which claimed to be the 2nd Battle Patrol Detachment, did its best to shorten the distance. Use the common code of international maritime and do not disclose other information. ”

"Understood."

"Tell the three battleships behind that the steering maneuver is subject to the flagship. After the engagement, first gather fire on the enemy leader ship and try to kill the enemy leader ship in the shortest possible time. He Yongxing let out a sigh of relief and said: "I hope the luck is not too bad, the front one is the flagship!" ”

Gui Boyong nodded in agreement, and then said: "I can still see the 'Jihe', do you want to give an order to the three squads?" ”

He Yongxing was stunned, and then frowned.

After pondering for a while, He Yongxing said: "Let the third squad see the opportunity, turn south first, and wait for the opportunity to join the battle after we have exchanged fire with the enemy fleet." ”

"Will the First Battle Patrol turn south?"

"Can you guarantee that the fast-combat detachment you observed earlier isn't around here?"

After being questioned by He Yongxing, Gui Boyong immediately understood, and without further ado, he called the communications staff officer to prepare to send the battle order.

"Is that staff officer surnamed Bai still up there?"

"Yes, he's still on it. Let him come back? ”

If He Yongxing hadn't asked, Gui Boyong would have forgotten the young officer who had made a lot of nonsense two hours ago, but had accurately predicted the current situation.

"How can we thrive without going through the baptism of wind and rain? Let him stay on it for a while longer, polish off some edges and corners, and maybe he will be able to make a big deal in the future. ”

He Yongxing said so, and Gui Boyong naturally didn't want to say much.

It's just a second lieutenant staff officer who has more than him and less than him. In the Imperial Navy, a young officer like him who can make an oil painting with a few colors is simply a carp crossing the river, but after experiencing wind and rain, it is rare to be able to become a big material.

A few minutes later, two lookouts climbed into the lookout with a set of range-measuring tools.

A lookout group, with a total of four officers and men, only needs two to be on duty in peacetime, and only when it is in combat does all four need to be on duty.

During the battle, the lookout chief is responsible for reporting the situation and at the same time receiving instructions from his superiors. The deputy lookout uses a 40x telescope to observe and monitor enemy ships, with the first lookout observing the impact point and range, and the second lookout being responsible for monitoring and guarding against threats from other directions.

Because Bai Zhizhan knew how to use the rangefinder, Li Mingbo made temporary adjustments, the first lookout operated the 40 times telescope, and Bai Zhizhan was responsible for ranging.

As for the deputy lookout, he is on standby below for the time being.

Actually, Bai Zhizhan was a little disappointed, because he felt that after confirming that the 1st Battle Patrol Detachment was in the southeast direction, he would be able to return to the commander's bridge.

It's a pity that reality has slapped you in the face again.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

"Brother Bai, don't sigh, just stay with my brother." Li Mingbo saw Bai Zhizhan's thoughts, and when he said this, he also handed the "kettle" to Bai Zhizhan. "As the saying goes, stand tall and see far. Wait for the fight, this is a unique scenery, and it is particularly safe. If nothing else, what enemy ship's captain would have the main gun aimed at the watchtower instead of the command tower below, right? ”

Bai Zhizhan smiled bitterly, speechless for Li Mingbo's "open-mindedness".

"Come, take two sips, and be brave!"

"You think I'm a coward?" Bai Zhizhan asked rhetorically. This is an allusion related to Marshal Chen Bingxun that was drawn from "wine strengthens people's courage".

"Brother Bai, you climbed up with your bare hands and stayed for two hours, how could you be instigating?"

Having said that, it's just that Li Mingbo's flickering eyes seem to be telling Bai Zhizhan whether he is instigating or not, and he will know when the fight starts.

Bai Zhizhan didn't ramble anymore, grabbed the kettle, raised his head and drank it.

"Drink slowly, leave some for everyone!"

Without waiting for Bai Zhizhan to react, Li Mingbo snatched the kettle. There is only half a pot left, Bai Zhizhan will drink a few more sips, and the others can only drink the northwest wind.

Wine can indeed strengthen courage!

A few sips of soju in the stomach, not only warmed up a lot, but also the whole person was a lot more energetic, and when standing against the wind, there was a feeling of pride.

Just like in the novel, standing proudly on the top of the peaks, he is already a human sword and one, an invincible hero in the world.

That fluttering feeling, not to mention how comfortable it is!

The body lost its center of gravity because of the sudden turn of the battleship, and Bai Zhizhan came back to his senses violently.

Next to him, Li Mingbo had already set up a rangefinder, and a lookout was debugging.

Below, both turrets had turned to three o'clock, and the four barrels were raised high, looking like they might erupt in anger at any moment.

In the rear, the plaster flag on the mast has been released, and the standard-bearer is preparing to raise the red blood battle flag.

In the distance, the enemy fleet, led by two "prestige", has also begun to turn, only noticeably half a beat slower.

"Boom-"

Amid the deafening sound of shelling, eight 400-mm guns from the four turrets in front and rear of the battleship opened fire at the same time, and the blazing muzzle flame eclipsed the sun in mid-air. The battleship shook violently, and the tens of thousands of tons of hull moved several meters to the left under the huge recoil force.

The battle has begun!