"Bang!" Emperor Wu Haoxuan slapped the bookcase hard, and the teacups on the top of the shock fell to the ground and shattered.

Marshal Shi Tianhan, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Marshal Sa Zhenbing, Minister of the Imperial Navy, and Marshal Cheng Biguang, Commander of the Imperial Navy, all three of them stood in front of Wu Haoxuan with their heads bowed and did not say a word. You can also see their shame and anger on their faces.

"In just one day, we had more than twenty merchant ships sunk, three destroyers sunk and one heavily damaged. The number of fishing boats lost is even more numerous. Little Japan actually used the trick we used to beat them at the beginning. The entire eastern coast is now full of rumors. If this continues, how will we continue this battle? Wu Haoxuan roared angrily.

The Imperial Navy had an absolute advantage over the Japanese Navy. However, at the beginning of the war, it was so unsmooth, which made Wu Haoxuan very dissatisfied.

"Your Majesty, we already have the relevant information. The Japanese Navy dispatched the battlecruiser Hiei, two heavy cruisers of the Tone class, and four light cruisers of the Upper Class from the Combined Fleet to form a fleet of broken ships to take charge of our maritime transport operations. Marshal Cheng Biguang said.

"I don't want to bother with these details, I only have one request. That is, within a week, it is necessary to solve the Japanese Navy's broken fleet and completely ensure the safety of the Empire's sea transportation lines! Wu Haoxuan said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Marshal Shi Tianhan, Marshal Sa Zhenbing, and Marshal Cheng Biguang all hurriedly replied.

The three marshals left Wu Haoxuan's office and began to make plans to encircle and suppress the Japanese Navy's broken fleet. The anger in Wu Haoxuan's heart did not dissipate much. It was the first time that the Empire had suffered such heavy losses in so many years of war with Japan.

"Little Japan, is this a trapped beast? However, if they thought that they would be able to withstand the Empire's attack. It would be a big mistake to keep them. The lion fights the rabbit, and you have to use all your strength. Not to mention that the empire has never despised Japan. Wu Haoxuan thought secretly. No matter what method the Japanese take, it will be impossible to prevent the empire from destroying them.

After Shi Tianhan, Yuan Shuai and others left the palace. I went directly to the General Staff to discuss countermeasures.

"Both, Your Majesty has only given us a week. We're pressed for time! If we fail to complete the task assigned by His Majesty, it will be difficult for us to return to Your Majesty. Marshal Shi Tianhan said.

"Chief of Staff, little Japan has indeed given us a problem this time. Their main forces were assembled at the Sasebo naval base, but they did not go to sea to fight us, trying to rely on the military port to confront us, and we naturally could not risk the threat of coastal defense artillery to fight them to the death. The Japanese broke the fleet. It is all composed of warships with fast speed and powerful firepower. Our light cruisers, although able to catch up with them in speed, could not compete with them in firepower. Only a handful of heavy cruisers, capable of suppressing them. Marshal Sa Zhenbing said.

The Imperial Navy's 'Temperance-class' heavy cruisers surpassed the Japanese Navy's 'Tone-class' heavy cruisers in terms of speed and firepower, and were even able to suppress the Japanese Navy's 'Superior' light cruisers. However, only the first four of the 'Throttle-class' heavy cruisers were in service. Four more are under construction and are not expected to be ready for service until the end of the year. The previous 'Zodiac-class' heavy cruiser. Only the latter two modifications were able to maintain a speed of more than 30 knots. But it's also more difficult to get to 35 knots.

The Imperial Navy's 'Gogatake-class' light cruisers. and the 'Xuanwu-class' light cruisers, which were able to reach speeds of thirty-five knots. However, the light cruisers of both classes were armed with only three triple 155-mm guns. Compared with the five-seat triple 155mm guns of the 'most superior' light cruisers, there is undoubtedly a certain gap.

"Now that we have no other way, let's find a way to transfer warships and encircle and suppress the Japanese fleet. Whatever it takes. At what cost, it is necessary to destroy the Japanese broken fleet before the time set by His Majesty. Marshal Shi Tianhan said. Obviously, since His Majesty the Emperor has already given the order, there is nothing to talk about.

"Let the 'throttle-class' heavy cruisers. The Gotsugaku-class light cruisers and the Xuanwu-class light cruisers formed an encirclement and suppression fleet that destroyed the Japanese Navy's sabotage fleet. Marshal Cheng Biguang said.

"And what about the Japanese battlecruiser 'Hiei'? The caliber of the 356 mm guns is enough to destroy any of our heavy cruisers. Marshal Shi Tianhan said. After all, there was an insurmountable gulf between heavy cruisers and battle cruisers.

"Our heavy cruisers, although not opponents of the battlecruisers of the Japanese Navy. However, we can fight them from a distance, suppress them, and even inflict heavy damage on them. At the beginning in the Pacific Ocean, didn't our 'Zodiac-class' heavy cruisers and the Japanese Navy's 'Kongo-class' battlecruisers already fight each other? We didn't win, but we didn't lose either. The Japanese 'Kongo-class' battlecruisers were also not comfortable. As a result, they were chased by the battle patrol formations of the Imperial Navy, and three of them were sunk, and only the battlecruiser 'Hiei' escaped. Marshal Cheng Biguang said.

"In that case, let's send four battle cruisers from the South Ocean Fleet back to the battle. I thought they wouldn't be needed for this battle. However, since the Japanese have launched a war to break diplomatic relations, we have not many options to choose from. Marshal Shi Tianhan said.

"Orders can be given to the South Sea Fleet. However, by the time the four battlecruisers came back, it would take three or four days, and they couldn't help but be able to catch up. Marshal Sa Zhenbing said.

"Marshals, I think that the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships can be drawn from the main fleet of the Pacific Fleet to encircle and suppress the Japanese Navy's broken fleet. If our heavy cruisers were able to inflict heavy damage on the Japanese battlecruiser Hiei, the battleships of the 'Five Emperors' class would be enough to destroy them. What's more, the speed of the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships can also be maintained at more than 25 knots, which is not much worse than the Japanese 'Hiei' battlecruisers. Admiral Jiang Baili suddenly proposed.

"Draw the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships? In that case, what about our decisive battle with the main forces of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy? Marshal Sa Zhenbing was stunned? After all, the Japanese Navy also had four powerful 'Kii-class' battleships.

Admiral Jiang Baili couldn't help laughing: "Perhaps, the fundamental purpose of the Japanese sending the Broken Friendship Fleet is to hope that we can divide our troops." In this case, it is equivalent to creating an opportunity for them. The combat power of our 'Three Emperor-class' battleships was originally higher than that of the Japanese 'Kii-class' battleships. If there is a duel, as long as it is not too bad luck, it will definitely not be us. The only thing to worry about is the battleship 'Jinghai'. The battleship 'Jinghai' was only equipped with four twin 45-caliber 410-mm guns, which was two fewer than the opponent in terms of the number of main guns. At the same time, the hull is a bit older. However, if the 'Three Emperors-class' battleships were able to sink the Japanese 'Kii-class' battleships before the 'Yasukai' battleship was sunk or heavily damaged, then we would have won. ”

"Yes, that's a good idea. After the empire became stronger, we didn't have the courage to fight to the death with the Japanese, right? When the Imperial Navy was first created, our strength was far below that of the Japanese Navy. However, in the first naval battle, we defeated the Japanese Navy, wasn't it in the spirit of fighting to the death? Marshal Cheng Biguang said.

Marshal Shi Tianhan also nodded, there is nothing in the world that is nine out of ten. When drawing up a battle plan, if you can have half the chance of winning, you can already go all out.

Although Marshal Sa Zhenbing was a little worried, he also felt that the Imperial Navy's 'Three Emperor-class' battleships would not even be able to defeat the Japanese Navy's 'Kii-class' battleships in a duel. As long as the Japanese Navy can be defeated, even if it is worth losing the battleship 'Jinghai' because of this.

"In that case, let's decide. A telegram was sent to the Pacific Fleet, asking them to transfer the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships, the 'Solar Terms-class' heavy cruisers, the 'Zodiac-class' improved heavy cruisers, the 'Gogaku-class' light cruisers, and the 'Xuanwu-class' light cruisers to encircle and suppress the Japanese Navy's broken fleet. In addition, the destroyers of the 'Ji-class', the 'Geng-class' and the 'Xin-class' were dispatched to assist the encirclement and suppression fleet in tracking the traces of the Japanese destroyer's diplomatic fleet. Once the Japanese Navy's broken fleet is discovered, it only needs to report to the encirclement and suppression fleet, and there is no need to fight with it. The Navy's reconnaissance planes also focus on patrolling the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean, and must find out the Japanese Navy's broken fleet. Marshal Cheng Biguang said.

"In addition, an order was given to the South Ocean Fleet, asking them to transfer the 'Longfei-class' battlecruisers and the 'Longyao-class' battlecruisers to the north to assist the Pacific Fleet in encircling and suppressing the Japanese Navy's broken fleet. This time, we must make it difficult for the Japanese Navy's broken fleet to fly! Marshal Cheng Biguang said to reporters.

The Japanese Navy's broken fleet was active on the Empire's maritime transportation lines, causing the Emperor's wrath. His Majesty the Emperor gave an order, and the Imperial Navy immediately put in dozens of warships and countless reconnaissance planes to find their traces and encircle them. (To be continued.) )

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