The East China Sea Fleet won two naval battles in succession, shattering the myth of the British fleet's invincibility and invincibility.

Li Weiguo held a banquet in the palace to entertain the meritorious officers and men of the East China Sea Fleet, and awarded medals to Lin Jiyun and others for their outstanding performance in the naval battle.

The hall was full of light and fire, singing and dancing, and the officials and generals gathered to praise each other, and the wives kept showing off their husbands' exploits.

Wu Yong and Chen Jingnan have returned, and for these two people to come back from the dead, all the friends were stunned, some were happy and some sighed.

The happy side is because they didn't take the deaths of Wu Yong and Chen Jingnan seriously at all, so they have the absolute trust of Li Weiguo, and they have a bright future in the future; The lamenting side was very disgusted with Li Weiguo's actions at the beginning, and had the idea of leaving, which in Li Weiguo's view, is a group of people with unstable will and beliefs, they are talented, but they are a double-edged sword, Li Weiguo will only use their talents to help him do things from now on, but he will no longer trust them. As for the group of officials who completely betrayed Li Weiguo at that time, they all disappeared.

A bitter ploy, that is, calculating Li Hongzhang and trapping Li Hongzhang's 220,000 elite army, is another purge of internal personnel, eliminating all discordant factors and ensuring Li Weiguo's absolute rule.

As great heroes, Wu Yong and Chen Jingnan are very low-key, especially Wu Zhiqiang, his belief in Li Weiguo was shaken for a while, but fortunately, in the end, the precipice was reined in, Wu Yong's timely appearance saved Wu Zhiqiang's life, but he did not dare to ask for merit and reward, even if Li Weiguo wanted to promote him to entrust him with important tasks, Wu Zhiqiang also politely refused, saying that commanding an army was already his limit. Don't dare to have extravagant hopes anymore.

This is the choice of smart people, Li Weiguo naturally got some information from S.H.I.E.L.D., and he didn't find fault with it.

This time, only Li Hongzhang was fooled, and Yi Xin, an old fox, was almost fooled, and finally postponed the military plan to send troops to Huguang Province because of caution. As a result, when he learned the news of the annihilation of Li Hongzhang's army of more than 200,000 troops, he immediately gave up the operation.

Compared with Wu Yong, this time Chen Jingnan returned in vain, because it was he who was in charge of Huguang's military affairs and lured Yixin to send troops.

Li Weiguo smiled and said: "It's also a good thing that Yixin doesn't send troops, at least the pressure on the northwest direction of our army has been reduced, and we can concentrate on dealing with Li Hongzhang and the Anglo-French coalition army." ”

Chen Jingnan knew that Li Weiguo was comforting him, in fact, with Li Weiguo's current total strength, he was not too nervous, and the 150,000 troops were stationed in Huguang and Guangzhou provinces. It was originally used to fight Yixin, and there was no shortage of troops in other defense lines, and there was no so-called pressure.

"Your Majesty, Yi Xin doesn't send troops, we can also take the initiative to fight him!"

Seeing that Chen Jingnan was about to move, Li Weiguo smiled and said, "Tell me, what do you think?" ”

Chen Jingnan said: "Your Majesty thinks that now is the time to wave the army to the Northern Expedition, and the excuse is that the court has no way. Betraying the country to seek glory, our Nanyang Army wants to drive out the Tartars and restore China. ”

Li Weiguo has not yet spoken. Wu Yong said first: "Do you know that once the Northern Expedition starts against Yixin, it will be equivalent to a full-scale war against the entire Qing Empire." At present, we have the Anglo-French alliance outside that has not been resolved, and we have Li Hongzhang's Beiyang Army forces inside, since the imperial court has not yet made up its mind to start an all-out war, then we should wait a little longer. You don't see that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is going to the east, west, and south at the same time, but it still has to go north. As a result, military and financial resources were wasted, and in the end, all expeditions failed. ”

Li Weiguo guessed that Chen Jingnan didn't want to be compared with Wu Yong, and was anxious to make meritorious contributions, so he comforted: "It just so happens that the armies of the southern expedition to Burma and Cambodia are short of strategists who are in charge of the army, how about Jingnan go on a trip?" ”

The southern expedition army entered Burma. Because it was a foreign battle, the soldiers were relatively unfamiliar, so they never took major action, and only fought with the British army on a small scale, testing each other.

This is also a conservative combat method ordered by Li Weiguo, the purpose is only to attract the attention of the imperial court and the Anglo-French coalition army, if Chen Jingnan is willing to supervise the battle and command, it will be better. Take the opportunity to take Burma and Cambodia, defeat the British and French invading forces, and raise the prestige of our country.

Chen Jingnan knew that Wu Yong had made great contributions to Jiangning Mansion, and I was afraid that he would be appointed as the general staff officer in the Second Songhu War, and Chen Jingnan would also be a foil if he stayed.

So Chen Jingnan received the order and prepared to leave for Burma tomorrow to take over the command of the army in southern China.

At this time, Zhuang Jiuxia reported that Li Jing of S.H.I.E.L.D. urgently asked to see him.

Li Weiguo knew that he was afraid that there was a major military situation, so he immediately summoned him.

Li Jing handed a telegram to Li Weiguo and said: "Lord Qiqi, the telegraph office has received an urgent report No. 445, saying that there is an abnormal movement in Jiangbei, and Li Hongzhang's Beiyang Army has been mobilized on a large scale and entered the battle loading, and it seems that it is preparing to carry out a large-scale attack on Shanghai. ”

The telegraph is an important way to transmit information, although Jiangbei is Li Hongzhang's territory, but S.H.I.E.L.D. still secretly pulled the telegraph line across the Yangtze River, once there is any change in Jiangbei, intelligence personnel do not need to venture out of the city (easy to be intercepted) or release carrier pigeons (easy to be trapped) as before, they only need to send a telegram, fast and safe.

Li Weiguo read the telegram, frowned slightly, and asked, "Is there any news on the 4th?" ”

Li Jing hesitated suddenly, then nodded and shook his head.

Li Weiguo said angrily: "If you have something to say, say it quickly!" ”

Seeing that Li Weiguo was displeased, Li Jing had no choice but to say: "Don't dare to conceal that the prince knows, according to the agreement, the 4th will pass on information every day, and the news sent on the 4th today is the same as usual, the content is that everything is normal, which means that Li Hongzhang has no action." ”

Li Weiguo suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Since No. 4 said that it was okay, it should be just a bluff, there is no need to make a fuss, it should be Li Hongzhang's plan to suspect and fatigue the army." ”

The strategy of doubting the troops, as the name suggests, is to mobilize the Beiyang Army in Jiangbei on a large scale, so that the Nanyang Army in the south of the Yangtze River will not find out the truth and the truth, so that once the Beiyang Army really sends troops, it will be difficult for the Nanyang Army to judge the real offensive direction of the other side, and it will not be able to make a key defense in time, and it will even be exhausted.

This is a military tactic commonly used by soldiers, because Li Weiguo knew that No. 4 was lurking beside Li Hongzhang, and once the Beiyang Army really launched an attack, No. 4 would issue a warning, so Li Weiguo was not worried at all, and only needed to concentrate his forces to block the real offensive direction of the Beiyang Army at that time.

Li Jing disagreed. He was not an agent in the first 100, and he was dissatisfied with the return of "old qualified" agents like Cheng Kun to divide his rights and cover up his light, so he held back a lot of energy in his heart to compete with these old qualified agents, so he strengthened the training of his subordinate agents.

Agent No. 445 was personally selected, trained, and arranged by Li Jing to infiltrate the Hai Foyer, and he sent back the news that there was an unusual movement in Jiangbei. And according to the code, a first-level alert warning was issued, which absolutely proved that there was something wrong with Jiangbei's operation.

Li Jing naturally believed in his subordinates, so he advised Li Weiguo: "A group of agents trained by the minister himself, among which this No. 445 is very sensitive to the enemy's military operations, he said that this Beiyang Army's abnormal movements are different from the past, because he feels afraid, so that an agent who crawled out of the blood and fire feels afraid, and the minister trusts his intuition. ”

Li Weiguo was a little unhappy, he naturally knew that within S.H.I.E.L.D., Li Jing and other juniors had recently been unhappy that Cheng Kun and other seniors had come back to occupy their positions. The two sides are fighting very fiercely openly and secretly, which is something Li Weiguo does not want to see.

"You mean Number 4 lied?"

"The minister does not dare to doubt the old comrade, but the minister insists on his own opinion!" Seeing that Li Weiguo was unhappy, Li Jing was also a little regretful and afraid, but since he said it, it was useless to regret it, so he simply persevered to the end, in case he guessed correctly.

Then. Wu Yong said suddenly: "The information of No. 4 is important, but if No. 4 is exposed." It cannot be ruled out that Li Hongzhang will plan his way, and this time he will really send troops. ”

Chen Jingnan also said: "One of the two people is obviously wrong, the East China Sea Fleet has just won a victory today, I am afraid that it will also celebrate, I am afraid that the guard will be relaxed, and the possibility of the enemy taking the opportunity to sneak attack cannot be ruled out." But it is better to believe that there is something than to believe that it is not. The king should be prepared to be in order. ”

Seeing that Wu Yong and Chen Jingnan both said this, Li Weiguo was not a person who could not listen to the advice, so he nodded and said: "In this case, immediately order all troops to be ready for battle." At the same time, Li Jing, you go and contact No. 4 and No. 445 again to make sure. ”

Li Jing received the order, quickly returned to the telecommunications room, and sent contact instructions to No. 4 and No. 445 respectively.

Half an hour later, No. 445 called back again, insisting on the original view and emphasizing that the various units of the Beiyang Army had already issued ammunition, and the number was very large, and a large number of warships were secretly assembled. Number 4 did not respond, and the person sent said that Number 4 could not be contacted.

When Li Jing brought the information to Li Weiguo again, Li Weiguo's face suddenly sank, with his mind, how could he not see the problem in this.

Wu Yong analyzed: "The various units of the Beiyang Army have issued ammunition and the warships have secretly assembled, which shows that the Beiyang Army should have a big move." ”

Chen Jingnan deduced: "No. 4 can't be contacted, does this mean that No. 4 has been exposed, or is it suspected by the enemy, monitored and unable to deliver news!" ”

Li Weiguo's brows furrowed, and his steady state of mind became nervous, this feeling was not good, it seemed that he had accidentally ignored something, but he couldn't remember it for a while.

"Quickly send a report to all troops along the river, and be fully alert!"

At this time, Wu Yong suddenly said, "Although the British and French forces were defeated today, they did not reach the point of breaking their muscles and bones, will they suddenly kill a horse gun?" ”

Chen Jingnan said with a smile: "The British army was defeated during the day, and it was already exhausted, and the ammunition reserves were probably exhausted, so it was inevitable to return to the Ryukyus for supplies, and it was impossible to attack at night." ”

After all, Wu Yong and Chen Jingnan had just come back, and they were just inferences, but Li Weiguo suddenly became nervous and looked shocked.

"This king has overlooked one thing, the French fleet has not appeared today, they are a new force!"

Wu Yong said: "The prince doesn't have to worry, with Lin Jiyun here, it will be difficult for the British and French fleets to succeed in a sneak attack!" ”

Chen Jingnan suddenly smiled bitterly and said, "You seem to have forgotten that Lin Jiyun just came over to attend the awards dinner on behalf of the navy, and he is not in the fleet at all!" ”

Li Weiguo stood up and shouted: "Oh no, notify Lin Jiyun immediately, let him return to Chongming County immediately, and be careful to prevent the enemy from sneaking attacks!" ”

Lin Jiyun and other representatives of the East China Sea Fleet were drinking and meeting friends, and when they were talking happily, they suddenly received an order, and he did not dare to slack off, so he hurriedly left the venue with people and crossed the river to Chongming.

At night, the port of Chongming County was brightly lit, and the East China Sea Fleet won the battle during the day, and Lin Jiyun and others went to Shanghai on behalf of the East China Sea Fleet to attend the awards dinner.

At this moment, a violent explosion suddenly occurred on the pitch-black sea in the distance, and the flames soared into the sky, and the guards on duty immediately discovered the enemy situation from the binoculars.

At this moment, the Anglo-French combined fleet had returned to the mouth of the Yangtze River and sent an advance fleet to quietly enter the Yangtze River channel and secretly demine along the way.

When it was about to approach the port of Nanmen in Chongming County, a French cruiser accidentally touched radium and a large explosion occurred, thus exposing the target.

However, the Anglo-French combined fleet had already reached the doorstep of the East China Sea Fleet, and Klaus and Guba coincidentally ordered the whole fleet to launch an assault and raid the East China Sea Fleet in the South Gate Harbor.

A large number of enemy ships approached, and the officers on duty of the East China Sea Fleet quickly sounded the alarm.

Woowoo......

The terrible siren sounded in the night sky, and the officers and men of the East China Sea Fleet, who were celebrating their achievements in the canteen, gave a stirring one after another, and they naturally understood what the siren meant, and hurriedly rushed out of the canteen.

"What's going on?"

As soon as the words fell, I saw that the east of the dark sky suddenly lit up with fire, and then the thunderous cannon fire pierced the sky, and the British and French troops took the lead in firing.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! ”

Chen Baocheng, as the supreme commander who stayed behind, was already a little drunk, and when he got the news and rushed out, there was already chaos on the harbor wharf.

"Don't panic! Return to your respective posts and get ready for battle! ”

"Is it next door, the foreign devil is really good at picking the time, picking Lao Tzu to stay behind and start, Nima's!"

Chen Baocheng hated himself for his back, and also hated the foreign devils to death, so he hurriedly organized the officers and men of the ships to prepare for the battle.

"Inform the ironclad fleet to meet it immediately!"

"Report, it will take at least half an hour for the ironclad ship's steam engine to ignite and heat!"

This Nima's, for half an hour, the cucumber dishes are cold.

Chen Baocheng hated it, but he couldn't help it, it took at least an hour for the steam engine to ignite and heat the boiler in this era, and the ironclad boiler of the East China Sea Fleet was more advanced, but it took half an hour.

"Order the sail fleet to fight, be sure to block the enemy fleet, even if you die, you must buy Lao Tzu half an hour!"

Chen Baocheng quickly organized a sail fleet to fight, and the sail battleships in the harbor quickly set sail and slowly sailed out of the harbor.

At this moment, the channel outside the harbor was already covered with British and French warships, rows of artillery fired fiercely, bullets rained down, and the entire harbor was in a sea of fire in the blink of an eye.

"Report, the enemy fleet blocked the exit, there were too many of them to rush out."

Chen Baocheng watched from the battleship Songjiang, and sure enough, the river outside the harbor was covered with British and French battleships, forming an encirclement posture, all of them were three-layer gun deck battleships, and the firepower was called a ferocious, and several sail battleships of the East China Sea Fleet had just left the port, and before they could fight horizontally, they were sunk by the enemy fleet with powerful fan-shaped firepower.

"Damn, where's the battery fire? Why don't you fire yet? ”

Chen Baocheng looked back at the Chongming County Fort, which was a coastal defense fort with more than a dozen large-caliber coastal defense artillery pieces deployed.

At this moment, the torches have been lit on the fort, and it is obvious that the artillery of the coastal defense battalion of Chongming County has already entered the fort, but it will take a few minutes to prepare the artillery fire.

These few minutes were like a nightmare for Chen Baocheng, and he didn't know how to persevere.

At this moment, Chen Baocheng understood why he was not the commander of the fleet, he used to look at Lin Jiyun's calm appearance when he commanded the fleet to fight, thinking that it was all very simple, but now he understands that there is a big gap between him and Lin Jiyun, at least in terms of psychological quality, it is far inferior to others.

Hey, Chen Baocheng sighed, but he didn't admit defeat.

"If you want to fight, I will fight, the big deal is death, Lao Tzu is still afraid of you foreign devils!"

"Get out of here!" (To be continued.) )