According to the predetermined plan, Xu Jie led 3 capital ships and 2 Guiyuan-class warships led by Lin Yongsheng to converge in the East China Sea, and then sailed towards the Yellow Sea. Along the way, with the help of the ships on the reconnaissance mission, the fleet avoided the main route and was not detected by idle ships. Finally, on the evening of the D-1, they arrived at the predetermined sea area and waited for the arrival of the main squadron of the Beiyang Fleet.

Ding Ruchang and others also stepped up their war preparations in accordance with the plan and took advantage of the days before the convergence. After months of rest and assault rearmament in recent days. There are 7 warships that can attack in Port Arthur, namely Dingyuan, Zhenyuan, Zhenhai, Zhiyuan, Laiyuan, Jiyuan and Hailong. This is already the most powerful force that the Beiyang Fleet can mobilize. As for the torpedo boats, the Beiyang torpedo boats were ineffective both in terms of quantity and quality. It is better to keep it than to sacrifice in vain.

After arriving at the predetermined sea area, when Ding Ruchang and Liu Buyun led the fleet to approach, the shock brought to them by the three 10,000-ton cutting-edge warships could not be expressed in words. Although he already knew that his Dingzhen had been reduced to a second-class warship in the eyes of the great powers. But when they got closer and closer to observe the new warship, they were still struck by its power.

As is customary for the Northern Fleet, an operational meeting should be held on the flagship. But now the situation may have changed a little, first of all, Garibaldi's improved version of the Tianjin Patrol itself was designed as a flagship, and all kinds of related facilities are more complete than the Dingyuan. Secondly, the Beiyang pipe belt is full of curiosity about the new warship and wants to see it. Third, that is, although Ding Ruchang is nominally the best commander, in fact, the main combat power of the Beiyang Fleet is already in the hands of Xu Jie. So, under the influence of various factors, the combat meeting will be held on the Tianjin.

On the side of the Beiyang Fleet, there were a total of 8 participants (7 of them were in charge of Ding Ruchang). The fast fleet completed by the new formation is 7 people. (5 pipe bands plus Xu Jie and Lin Yongsheng.) Although Lin Yongsheng's ship was not repaired, as a detachment commander, he still had to participate in this battle) After the greetings. The two sides began to get down to business and further refine their operational plans.

"Lord Xu, Zixiang thinks that there is something wrong with the battle plan formulated on the telegram earlier." Just when Xu Jie was about to submit his battle plan for discussion, Liu Buyun's words surprised Xu Jie quite a bit.

"Lord Liu, please speak." Xu Jie was faintly dissatisfied with Liu Buchan, who was killed halfway, and disagreed with the original plan, what did you do earlier? Only bring it up at this time? However, it was decided to listen to the opinion of the chief of the Beiyang Fleet.

"In the original battle plan, the Beiyang Fleet was responsible for blocking the main force of the Japanese Combined Fleet, while Lord Xu's fast fleet was responsible for flanking from the flank, thus forming a pincer offensive. I don't know if that's the case. Liu Buyun was also nervous. It's not that I'm afraid that Xu Jie will embarrass him. After all, Xu Jie's personality is well known to everyone in the Beiyang Fleet. He had also wanted to write his opinion in a telegram, but that was too much to ask. And Ding Ruchang and Lin Tai, who have always been good people, were embarrassed to open this mouth, so they have dragged it out until now.

"That's right, after defeating the Japanese guerrilla fleet, the Beiyang Rapid Fleet will be responsible for pursuing the Japanese fleet itself." Xu Jie is colorful.

"Lord Xu thinks that the Beiyang Fleet will be able to block the breakthrough of the Japanese Combined Fleet?" Liu Buyun ignored Lin Tai, who had been making colors next to him, and said insistently.

"Can't be stopped. At most, procrastination. If you're lucky, you can wreck a couple of weak ships. In response to this problem, Xu Jie has deduced countless times in his mind, so Xu Jie's definition of the role of the Beiyang Fleet is procrastination and delay.

"Liu is not talented. If General Xu can, Lord Lin's two Guiyuan-class cruisers will be assigned to this team. Our Beiyang Naval Division can block the Japanese Combined Fleet. After speaking, Liu Buyun's voice became smaller and smaller. The Guiyuan 3 ship was under the command of Xu Jie from the beginning, and in terms of jurisdiction, Liu Buyun had no right to ask Xu Jie to do so. In terms of the battle situation, this is tantamount to weakening the forces in Xu Jie's hands in disguise. It made it more difficult for Xu Jie to complete the task. …,

"Then I want to ask Lord Liu, how does the Guiyuan 2 ship form a group with the Beiyang Fleet? There is too much difference in speed between the two sides, and as far as I know, the Beiyang Fleet and the Guiyuan class do not have a combat plan to form together. Lang Weili was very dissatisfied with Liu Buchan's proposal, from a tactical point of view. Consistent speed. Five battleships with powerful firepower were the key to a quick solution to the Japanese partisan fleet. Only after the tsuboi Kozo was dealt with, the Beiyang Fleet could attack the Japanese fleet together. So he was against weakening the combat power of the fast fleet.

"But now, judging by the strength of the Beiyang Fleet, it is simply impossible to accomplish the set tactical goals, do not forget, in addition to facing the powerful Japanese fleet itself, it is also necessary to face torpedo boats. Moreover, the three ships of the Beiyang Fleet, Dingyuan, Zhenyuan, and Jiyuan, were all facing the enemy with their bows, and the number of warships facing the enemy on the side was too small and the firepower was too weak. To let them face the sprint of the Japanese fleet is to send them to death, our Beiyang Fleet has already sunk 7 ships in the overseas naval battle of Gunsan Bay!! ”

To Luang Wai Li. Liu Buyun is not merciless at all. Where were you when you led the Beiyang Fleet to fight to the death with the Japanese? Sitting on the strongest combat power but not participating in the war. Wait until you're almost done to pick peaches? Although he also knew that the return of the fleet was limited by a variety of factors. But under the rush of fire, he still couldn't help but think crookedly.

"Lord Liu, pay attention to your words, there is not a coward among the people here." Lang Wei could not know what Liu Buyun said, but the fact that he had the best battleship but did not participate in the battle really made him unable to make more excuses.

"Two adults, this is a combat meeting, and topics unrelated to combat should not appear in the meeting! Luang Wai Li is not timid. It's just that the objective conditions don't allow it. Xu Jie said solemnly. And this is definitely not the last battle, and our enemy is not Japan! ”

"Since it's a combat meeting, let's talk about tomorrow's battle. I don't know what Lu Dao Xu thinks of Liu Zongbing's opinion? "The most important thing is Xu Jie's opinion, if he agrees to transfer the warship, Lang Weili naturally has nothing to say, if he doesn't agree, the Beiyang Pipe Belt has no right to ask him what to do, although Ding Ruchang is the admiral, but these 6 new ships are all purchased by Xu Jie. If Xu Jie refuses on the grounds that it is not appropriate to change the plan for the battle, Ding Ruchang has no choice.

"It's not about whose opinion it is. It's about who makes sense. Xu Jie smiled dumbly.

"Then the best way is to deduce, there is still time." Liu Buyun saw that Xu Jie's tone was loose. Said immediately.

"Let's get started." Xu Jie said with a smile.

Half an hour later, in the conference room of the Tianjin, a huge nautical chart and models representing the warships of both sides had been arranged. Before the decisive battle, the first and most difficult deduction kicked off. There is no change in the initial decoy phase, so it is natural to skip it directly, and then it is directly a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the two marshalling methods.

The first is to organize the group according to the established plan. The seven ships of the Beiyang Fleet were responsible for intercepting the Japanese Combined Fleet, of which the three ships Dingyuan, Zhenyuan, and Jiyuan broke away from the formation and rushed towards the Japanese fleet that was turning. Because of the speed and position of the ship, if Fuji and Yashima decide to break away from the formation and evacuate. These two warships have an 80% probability of throwing off and intercepting. And the remaining battleships in the Beiyang will successfully intercept the 3 3 3 ships in the back and the Chiyoda and Izumi. And the 5 ships of the Beiyang Fast Fleet will entangle the Japanese Fast Fleet.

"It's a perfect plan, isn't it? Even if Fuji and Yashima fled temporarily, the Beiyang Rapid Fleet could pursue them after dealing with the other Japanese warships. Luang Weili sneered.

"No, there is another option for the Japanese fleet." Liu Buyun smiled slightly. Then Liu Buchan moved the model representing Kurama and Yoshino slightly. Then he said: "It is entirely possible that the Japanese fleet will temporarily change its formation and split the guerrilla fleet, with two clippers Kurama and Yoshino covering the Fuji Hachishima breakout, leaving three battleships and torpedo boats to delay the five ships of the Beiyang Rapid Fleet." ”…,

"I have to say that this tactic is very peculiar. However, I need to remind General Liu that if the two large ships are evacuated first, the remaining three protective cruisers will not be able to hold out for even half an hour under the attack of the Beiyang Fast Fleet. Luang Weili still thinks that the tactics are very new. But using 3 protective cruisers against 5 armored cruisers is a bit whimsical, and the fleet responsible for delaying is useless if it does not have enough strength.

"Half an hour is enough." Speaking of this, Liu Buyun's tone was extremely heavy. "Once Kurama and Yoshino were integrated into the team. Except for the three warships of Dingyuan, Zhenyuan, and Zhenhai, the other warships in Beiyang could not hold out for more than half an hour. The Japanese fleet will have no problems breaking through the defenses of this detachment. The town was too low to pursue. "Liu Buyun, who participated in the naval battle of Gunsan Bay, has a deep understanding of the performance of the warships on both sides of the enemy, and those 2,000-ton warships have really become out-and-out half-hour warships in this situation!!

"Sss Xu Jie couldn't help but gasp, as a result, it was not only Fuji and Yashima that the Japanese fleet rushed out of the city. Maybe Fuji, Yashima, Kurama, Yoshino, and Sankei will all be able to break out of the city. At that time, the Beiyang Fast Fleet will be faced with 4 to 7 warships. Although it can be won. But it's definitely a tough nut to crack!

"And if our army transfers Lord Lin's two Guiyuan-class, the situation will improve a lot." As he spoke, Liu Buyun put the two ship models in the Beiyang team. "Dingyuan, Zhenyuan, and Jiyuan are still responsible for attacking the enemy position, and the strengthened Beiyang Fleet can guarantee at least five battleships, the Sankei, Chiyoda, and Izumi, to be left. The most people who can run out of the city are Fuji, Yashima, Kurama and Yoshino. ”

"This is indeed a problem, so that the Japanese fleet will escape more than half of the warships, and the war of annihilation will evolve into a chase battle, and it is difficult to say how many ships can be sunk in the later chase battle." Deng Shichang expressed support for Liu Buyun's opinion.

What Mr. Liu said is very reasonable, but I don't know if Mr. Liu has thought of it. Simply relying on 3 new outfits to pursue the opponent's 4 warships is also a very difficult thing in itself. And if the Japanese fleet does not split the guerrilla fleet tons according to General Liu's plan, it will be 5 ships against 3 ships! Luang Wili raised his concerns.

"If that's the case. Although the three ships are not afraid to go head-to-head, we can't stop Kurama or Yoshino if they want to run. And will the strengthened Beiyang Fleet be able to eat the Japanese Fleet in a short time? So. The opposing Clippers and good boats will still get away with some of them. Seeing that Liu Buyun didn't speak, Lang Weili continued.

"Kurama and Yoshino won't leave the fleet without permission. Shiki Kayama will not easily let these two cutting-edge warships leave the battlefield. "For the question raised by Lang Weili, Liu Buyun can't think of a better way, even if it is enhanced, the Beiyang Fleet will not be able to defeat the main force of the Japanese fleet in a short time, Xu Jie's tactics of concentrating superior forces to eat in one bite are still very reasonable, after all, if you don't hurt the high-speed ship first, people want to run, you have no way at all!!

"Actually, this situation is not impossible to solve." Xu Jie, who had not spoken, broke the silence.

"Your Excellency, you should remember the pursuit of our warships in the plan, right? We can plan it this way. Saying that, Xu Jie stood up and said.

"First of all, Lord Lin's two light royal cruisers can be independent of the two fleets, if the Japanese fleet breaks through and splits the guerrilla formation, then Lord Lin's battleships can directly join the Beiyang Fleet to fight. And if the fleet is not split, then Lord Lin's two warships can completely rely on the high speed to rejoin the fast fleet. In addition, if the main squadron of the Beiyang Fleet is strengthened, then the operation must be active, and the task will be changed from blocking and delaying alone to taking the initiative to attack, at least inflicting heavy damage on other warships except Fuji Hachishima. ”…,

"In terms of the order of strikes, the fast fleet also needs to change, attacking the two clippers Kurama and Yoshino first, and the three slow ships can be released first, after all, there is only a speed of less than 15 knots, and I am not afraid that it will run away. And when the war entered the pursuit phase, Lord Lin's fleet had to be reincorporated into the fast fleet. In other words, Hayashi-sama's fleet must keep an eye on Kurama and Yoshino, and decide its actions based on Kurama and Yoshino's actions. Xu Jie gave up all his plans.

This tactical plan takes into account the handling of all possible scenarios. The needs of all parties are taken care of to the greatest extent. Neither Liu Buchan nor Lang Weili could say anything.

"That's a good idea." Liu Buyun first agreed.

"Well, since Lord Xu agrees, then I have nothing to say." Although he was a little dissatisfied with splitting the fleet, Xu Jie was the supreme commander of the fast fleet after all, and Lang Weili was only the commander of one of the subfleets. Even if he had the hat of a deputy admiral on his head.

"Then let's discuss the battle arrangements for the pursuit phase. According to the deduction, except for the Dingyuan Zhenyuan and Zhenhai ships, the other warships of the Beiyang Fleet are estimated to be at least moderately traumatized. These warships have the option to return home. The 3 ships Zhenyuan Zhenhai and Dingyuan continued to pursue the Japanese ships and were responsible for attacking the Japanese warships that had fallen behind. The Beiyang Rapid Fleet, on the other hand, will concentrate all its efforts to expand the results of the battle and attack the Japanese fleet, which is still maintaining a certain speed. Xu Jie read according to the original plan.

"If the other party does not break through in formation, but a group of 2 or 3 ships, we will also use a squad to pursue, and when the time comes, calm Yuan, Zhenyuan group, Zhenhai ship and find a group of battleships worthy of a battle, Lord Lin's fleet group, Lord Lang Weili's fleet group, I wonder if you have any other opinions?" After Xu Jie finished speaking, he looked around the entire venue.

"Since there are no more opinions, let's prepare. Tomorrow is a matter of life and death for our Beiyang Fleet. Do your best! Ding Ruchang got up and said.

"Yes! Our generation will repay the country with death! Everyone stood up and replied.

Thanks to the book friends athlon9527, Qianzai unchanged 777, funeral flower man 731, and empty morning for their monthly ticket support. Seeing that the decisive battle is coming, everyone subscribes to support it, yesterday a big chapter of 5000 words was less than 400 subscriptions——! Today there is another big chapter of 4000 words!! Your support is my biggest motivation. )