The general cargo ship named "Dongming", built in sections, all-welded technology, and streamlined appearance, even if it is a product of the 80s of the 20th century, after an unrecognizable transformation, this general cargo ship that goes directly to the river and sea is still beautiful like a swan.

With a total length of 91 meters and a width of 14 meters, the floating bow is more beautiful than the riveted rough things of this year. The bridge tower moved to the center wraps the chimney, and the two booms in the front and back stretch out like the arms of giants, standing out among the ships of various countries at the mouth of Dagu, which is particularly conspicuous!

After being completed and launched ten days ago, after many days of sea trials in the world, it was determined that the newly installed engines were working steadily, and the hull could remain as stable as before in slightly windy and rough waters. Yang Hao couldn't wait to project it to the second plane, and installed the first imitation 150mm rapid-fire gun and the first 120mm rapid-fire gun, which were also equipped for projection, on the bow and stern gun mounts.

The main operation of the current "Dongming" is reflected in the bridge and the rear compartment of the lower level. In addition to replacing the original two 500kw diesel engines with second-hand 1323KW main engines, a coal-fired 750kw back-pressure steam turbine generator was added. The chimney sticks out just to camouflage the steam engine. But the total power of the ship has soared threefold in one fell swoop. The economic speed has risen from 10 knots to 16 knots.

In this way, the original general cargo ship has been transformed into an all-rounder capable of providing temporary power supply, providing front and rear fire support, carrying more than 500 people and merchants, and transporting more than 3,000 tons of cargo.

With a full load of up to 4,350 tons, it can be called a giant class of civilian ships in the contemporary East Asian seas. Whether it's doubling the diesel. or the amount of coal that catches up with the cruiser, it can ensure that this guy does not have to stop in the middle from Tianjin to Guangzhou. Direct flights to Hawaii? No problem!

After completing the retrofit. The "Dongming" was loaded with all kinds of goods transferred from the world and arrived at Dagu Port under the guise of "American foreign goods". Yang Hao didn't bother much. Let the Americans, who had been fed by him, certify the ship's flag, and after unloading the goods, he immediately received the business of transporting troops from Li Hongzhang to Goryeo.

Originally, Li Hongzhang planned to charter the British ship "Gao Sheng" and work with two other cargo ships, Airen and Flying Whale, to send more than 2,000 soldiers to Asan along with equipment to increase the strength of Nie Shicheng and Ye Zhichao.

But the British suggested that China and Japan were in a state of hostility. Once sailing, there may be unforeseen losses. You must sign a payout clause before you can lease it. At this time, Yang Hao proposed that there was no need for any guarantee or compensation liability, and that it was enough to follow the normal leasing business.

Li Hongzhang immediately agreed, replacing the Gaosheng with the "Dongming" and loading 500 officers and men from the Renzi main battalion, 500 from the Renzi deputy battalion, 500 from the left battalion of the Tongyong Lian Army, 100 from the artillery team of the front battalion of the pro-soldiers, and 35 from the Beitang mine battalion, plus the battalion and other officers and men, totaling more than 1,700 people.

There are more than 300 people, such as copywriters, account rooms, grooms, and long husbands. Furthermore. There are also 2 280mm cannons, 4 mountain guns, 8 75mm guns, various ordnance and so on. There were more than 700 other people in the coordinated loading. The "Flying Whale" of the four battalions of food and equipment sailed to Goryeo together.

When loading the ship, Yang Hao looked left and right. From beginning to end, the legendary "600 tons worth $8 million" of silver were not found. I couldn't help but be disappointed. The heart said that what kind of fart did the South sticks put at the beginning, claiming to have found the sunken "Gao Sheng". There's a huge amount of wealth in there, why didn't I find out?

Although we are not some literary and artistic young man who went to Australia to study Chinese history, but his brain has not broken down yet, and now that Li Hongzhang is running on all sides, not to mention the military salary of 600 tons and 16 million taels of silver, he can't even raise a fraction of it. Not to mention, how could such a large pile of silver be loaded onto a ship and pulled to Goryeo!

It seems that we can't be the "angry young man who resists Japan" in the mouth of the brick family.

Yang Hao was a little unhappy, and his dream of getting rich overnight was shattered, what a pity!

After dragging and procrastinating, it was not easy to complete the boarding operation, and the small 2,000 people crowded and filled the simple cabin. However, compared with the "Gaosheng", which is only 2134 tons, it is still more spacious, more comfortable and stable. At least it doesn't smell of soot, and it doesn't feel too cramped.

In the captain's room, where outsiders are forbidden to enter, Yang Haiwei is wearing white civilian clothes, looking at the calm sea with calm eyes. Behind him were the familiar crews brought from the X201.

After more than two months of familiarity, these people are no longer unfamiliar with the telephone, radar screen, walkie-talkie and other equipment inside, and they no longer feel novel. Everyone, in strict accordance with the requirements, took care of the behemoth that only needs 14 people to drive.

Of course, in order to hide people's eyes and ears, and to ensure safety, almost all the sailor cadets were concentrated on the ship, and two platoons of heavily armed marines were taken with them. With them pressing the formation, even if there are 2,000 Qing soldiers, don't think about making any trouble.

There are too many secrets on this ship, especially the bow and stern, the two guns covered by shells, and the two twin 14.5mm heavy machine guns on the shoulders of the bridge building.

In order to ensure that nothing goes wrong, Yang Haiwei can be said to have concentrated all the forces that can be used.

In addition, Yang Hao also has to lead X201 and quietly follow behind, just in case. Because this time, if nothing else, they will become a huge decoy to lure the Japanese army who are about to move!

The Japanese will never suffer losses and will not retaliate. They didn't move for half a month because they needed time to make up for the more than 1,000 men and horses who had been killed and disabled. In addition, it is necessary to mobilize all the main ships back for pre-war joint training, and wait for the opportunity to start!

Undoubtedly, this time the transportation of 3,000 soldiers and horses and important ordnance will be the best opportunity to strike. If this batch of military forces is strengthened to Asan, Nie Shicheng and Ye Zhichao will have a strong force of 5,000 people, plus the tens of thousands of auxiliary troops recruited by Goryeo locally, it will definitely give the Japanese army in Seoul a headache.

It is the best choice to knock it out in one fell swoop during transportation, killing two birds with one stone.

Yang's plan is to personally guide the whole process. Not only will the Qing court and Beiyang be completely dragged into the war. Even more, little Japan, who plans to steal chickens, will suffer a big loss!

It's going to be a big adventure. Whether you can spend it smoothly is not sure at all. Yang Haiwei felt a long-lost emotion surging in his body. He craves adventure. Hopefully, the fighting nature will begin to recover further!

Taking a deep breath, he shouted in a deep voice: "Keep course, speed 12 knots!" ”

The two propellers in the stern stirred up a bright splash of water, pushing the hull faster and faster, and moving forward towards the front of the waves!

More than ten hours later, Goryeo, the sea near Busan. A group of Japanese ships was slowly advancing towards the northern part of the Yellow Sea. A communications speedboat caught up and passed the news it had just received to the flagship "Matsushima".

After reading it, Yuhiro Ito. casually handed it to the captain Omoto to know, and a trace of hideousness crossed his gloomy face.

After reading it, Omoto Osa raised his head in surprise and asked, "Your Excellency Lieutenant General!" Do you think that this time, the enemy will send a large number of battleships to escort it? ”

"Yes!"

Ito's words were filled with unquestionable determination: "The current public opinion of the Qing Kingdom is in chaos, and the main battle faction has the upper hand, but because they know the strength of the Imperial Combined Fleet, they continue to exert pressure on that Li Zhongtang. Under such circumstances, Li Zhongtang did not dare to take risks. He will definitely send the main force of the fleet to escort him. ”

"Great! In this way, wouldn't we be able to find them and defeat them in one fell swoop?! ”

Omoto Osa shook his fist vigorously excitedly, and couldn't help but be surprised by the wise decision of the Excellencies of the base camp and the military command department. I feel sincerely admired.

Ito raised his chin proudly: "It's not that simple! In any case, their two ironclad ships are a headache. We have to be careful. Make sure that once you attack, you don't leave any room for a counterattack! To know. You only have one chance to raid! ”

A sudden attack was at the heart of the entire Japanese Navy's operational plan. They never thought of going to war head-on. If you regard yourself as a weak person in your bones, then you can give full play to your strengths.

Omoto Osaku solemnly agreed. Indeed, no one can ignore the existence of the two ironclad ships. Although there are special "three-view ships", the bad immovable bow guns can play a role in the middle.

Ito ordered the flags to be unfurled, and ordered the first guerrilla group in front to take the lead and go to the central part of the Yellow Sea to find an opportunity to find the enemy's tracks, and depending on the situation, whether they could fight.

On the "Yoshino", the commander of the commander, Rear Admiral Tsuboi Kozo, nodded lightly: "Got it." Please reply to Your Excellency, not a single qiē will escape our eyes. Let's do it! ”

The battleship then accelerated and turned to the left front, followed by Naniwa, Takachiho, and Akitsuzu, and the three ships of Naniwa, Takachiho, and Akitsu followed, emitting billowing smoke and heading for the unknown battlefield.

In Wei Naval Port, the "Dingyuan" ironclad ship completed its fire and was about to sail out, leading several other warships to escort the shipping ships. Suddenly, a small boat came rushing forward, and Li Hongzhang's urgent order came: "Britain and Russia seem to be dissatisfied with Japan's aggression, and plan to raise troops to protect overseas Chinese and curb their arrogance. ”

What do you mean? Li Hongzhang had just found out the tone of the foreigners, and the Russians were dissatisfied with Japan's behavior in Goryeo and wanted to send troops to protect overseas Chinese. The British, on the other hand, were unhappy with Japan's repeated exhortations and wanted to strike at them. There is hope for peace talks!

The order was sent to Ding Ruchang, but Admiral Ding couldn't make a decision himself, so he simply threw it to Liu Buyun.

Liu Buyun grabbed the message, trembled slightly, gritted his teeth and said hatefully: "It's all come to this point, and you still have to believe the foreigners' statements?" It's just ....... ”

He didn't finish the rest of the sentence, but Yang Hao solemnly told him not long ago: "If one day, when you will lead your army to the battle, you will hear the news that foreigners want to intervene in Japan. Whoever says it, don't believe it! Otherwise, you will regret it for the rest of your life! ”

Liu Buyun's hand clenched hard, crumpled the message into a ball, stared at the sea with his eyes, was silent for a full minute, and said categorically: "Now that the battleship has set sail, there is no reason to turn back halfway." Just say...... Will be out! ”

The whistle sounded, "Dingyuan", sailed out of the military port! (To be continued......)

PS: ps: Thank you for the book friend 114, Spitfire Meteor No. 1, stupid and wonderful, and Bai Yi's monthly pass!