A few days later, the prepared Second Fleet, led by the flagship "Fury", left the Zhoushan military port one after another. On this day, Tan Renhao also received special approval from the doctor, accompanied by Liao Yingyu, Lei Shaoqing and others, and went to the small hillside north of the wharf, watching the battleships lined up in neat columns sail out of Zhoushan Port and head for the unknown battlefield.

The Fury, a sister ship to the former First Fleet flagship, the Dignity, was launched in 1315 and joined the Navy the following year, becoming the flagship of the Second Fleet. The "Dignity" class battleship was the first class of "treaty-type" battleships built by the Imperial Navy after World War I, when exactly four older battleships were retired and there was excess tonnage to build new ones. Due to the restrictions of the Matsue Treaty, the displacement of this type of battleship was limited to less than 35,000 tons, due to the use of new heavy oil boilers and improved hull design. On this battleship with a light load displacement of 33,000 tons, four triple 360 mm main guns were installed, and the thickness of its armor belt was the thickest of all warships at that time, and its overall design was extremely reasonable, whether it was firepower, or defense capabilities, and the maximum speed of 29 knots, this is the best of the "treaty type" battleships of the navies of various countries, so the "dignity" class has also become the "king of treaty warships".

During the battle in the Surigao Strait, the "Fury" suffered heavy losses, three of the four main turrets were destroyed, and the shells of the Japanese battleship also left four large holes in its hull. With its powerful vertical armor and tenacious vitality, the "Fury" finally returned to the port of Guangzhou, and then spent nearly three months repairing the damage to the hull and replacing it with three new turrets. The speed of repair is also very amazing, if it were changed to normal times, I am afraid that this battleship would have to lie in the dock for a year and a half.

The "Fury" was accompanied by four more battleships, three battle cruisers, as well as eight heavy cruisers, eleven light cruisers, and twelve destroyers. This was all the warships that the Imperial Navy was able to concentrate in the western Pacific at that time, except for the Fifth Fleet trained in the Bohai Bay.

"It seems to be Marshal Jiang Bangguo over there." Hao Dongjue's eyesight is much better than everyone else's.

Tan Renhao also saw Marshal Jiang Bangguo standing on a light cruiser. The marshal did not take part in the expedition of the fleet, he was seeing the fleet off, and by his side was the chief of staff of the Navy, Admiral Wei Yihan.

"Alright, let's go back!" Tan Renhao tightened his clothes, the battleships had already left the port one after another, and there was nothing to see. However, just as he turned around, he saw two men coming up from the bottom of the hill.

"Renhao, why isn't he dead yet?" Lei Shaoqing also saw Captain Fan Peikun who was following Jiang Zhongmin, and he was of course talking about Fan Peikun.

Tan Renhao sneered, Fan Peikun served in the First Fleet, and when the First Fleet was completely annihilated, even General Pei Yuming was martyred, and this little captain did not die, but also escaped back, which cannot but be said to be a miracle.

"Colonel, you've made it so hard for us to find you, if I hadn't met your adjutant, I really don't know where to look for you." Jiang Zhongmin walked up first, "How is it, your health is much better, right?" ”

Tan Renhao smiled and nodded, although his relationship with Jiang Zhongmin was only average, he didn't hate this naval lieutenant who had just been promoted.

"I met Pei Kun on the road, and a few of our old classmates hadn't seen each other for a long time, so I called him over." Jiang Zhongmin seemed natural, but he was very clear about the relationship between Renhao and Fan Peikun. "Do you have time to walk with me for a while?"

Tan Renhao smiled and made a gesture of please, and then glanced at Fan Peikun. Fan Peikun avoided Tan Renhao's gaze a little embarrassed, and now he knew very well that Tan Renhao was a naval colonel, and he was just a captain officer, the difference was too big.

After the two walked along the path on the hillside, Jiang Zhongmin asked directly, "What do you think of the Second Fleet's operation this time?" ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, he had already heard Lei Shaoqing mention that Jiang Zhongmin had now been transferred to the Navy Staff and was doing intelligence processing work under General Wei Yihan. In other words, he is already a more influential officer in the naval command, although he is only a major, but he has much more power than Tan Renhao, an idle colonel.

"Actually, I've always wanted to come to see you, but there are too many things to do during this time, and I can't be busy." Jiang Zhongmin smiled a little embarrassedly, "Have you ever thought about working in the staff department?" ”

"Major, I don't think the Navy Staff will welcome me." Tan Renhao glanced at Fan Peikun behind him, although Jiang Zhongmin didn't say it directly, but with the relationship between Jiang Zhongmin and Fan Peikun in school, coupled with Fan Peikun's background, Fan Peikun is mostly working under Jiang Zhongmin now. "As for the actions of the Second Fleet, I have no right to comment on anything, as a member of the Imperial Navy, I can only wish the Second Fleet a victory and once again support the backbone of the Empire!"

Jiang Zhongmin smiled bitterly, he let out a long sigh, and said, "So, you mean that you are not optimistic about this combat operation?" ”

"Major, I didn't say that." Tan Renhao stopped, "Marshal Jiang Bangguo has always been my idol, when he was able to turn the tide and save the empire in danger, I believe that this time he can create a miracle again, win a great victory for the empire, and at the same time wash away the shame of the imperial navy." Of course, that's what you think, right? ”

Jiang Zhongmin smiled and avoided Tan Renhao's gaze, he glanced into the empty port, and asked again, "Renhao, you really don't want to come to the General Staff?" If you wish to come, I can recommend you to General Wei Yihan to do ......"

"Zhongmin, I appreciate your kindness, now my injuries have not fully recovered, the doctor said that I should observe for a few more months, and General Liao Hanxiang has sent me an invitation to leave a place for me in the Reserve Command, in addition, General Wu Xianyu also left a place for me in the Fifth Fleet. Moreover, I can be regarded as half a sinner in the Imperial Navy, as for going to the Naval Staff, I think forget it. With you, as well as young talents like Captain Van Peikun, I believe that the revival of the Imperial Navy will come as soon as possible. ”

Jiang Zhongmin glanced at Tan Renhao, and then shook his head, obviously, he couldn't convince Tan Renhao at all, and Tan Renhao wouldn't go to the Navy Command to serve.

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