(Thanks to the book friends for the tip of the command gun!) ）

"Professor Mahan, what did you think of the battle just now?" Less than 10,000 meters from the battlefield, there was a battleship of more than 3,000 tons flying the Star-Spangled Banner, which was the cruiser "Brooklyn" in the US Pacific Fleet. This battleship, which only began service with the Pacific Fleet last year, has four 55-mm rapid-fire guns with a maximum speed of 22 knots, making it a cutting-edge warship among the cruisers of the US Navy.

"Very wonderful naval battle! I really didn't expect that the warships of the West Sichuan Navy would be so fast and hit so accurately. They are well-trained and don't seem to want to be as bad as they say! A burly, but gray-haired old man in a navy colonel's uniform replied. He is the author of "The Theory of Sea Power", Alfred? Thayer? Mahan, a retired U.S. Navy colonel who also served as president of the Naval Academy twice in 6-9 and 92-9, put his military thinking into teaching, synthesizing the previously scattered ship tactics into a fleet tactical system, and personally teaching students and making models. Revered by cadets as Jomini in the Navy.

"However, the battle between the Japanese Navy and the Qing Navy last year was completely different. At that time, the No. 1 Guerrilla Force of the Japanese Navy achieved very brilliant results. But now, they seem to be completely at a disadvantage! The one who spoke was a tall young white man who was the captain of the USS Brooklyn.

"Speed! And the accuracy of the shelling, which is very important. The Kawanishi Navy took these two things to the extreme. Perhaps in the U.S. Navy, the same can be used. Mahan said. Last year's First Sino-Japanese Naval Battle inspired him greatly. He proposed the idea of loading a large number of rapid-fire guns on battleships to destroy enemy warships with powerful firepower delivery capabilities.

"Well, the Japanese are in trouble this time. The Kawanishi Navy only dispatched six fast cruisers to push the Japanese Navy to this point. And their main force has not yet appeared! Said the captain of the USS Brooklyn.

"Yes! The Japanese Navy thought that by defeating the Beiyang Fleet last year, it would be able to dominate Asia. But now, this time they are likely to lose. But. It is not in our American interest for the Japanese Navy to lose this war. The rise of a powerful nation on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean will seriously threaten the interests of the United States! Mahan said.

"Yes, Professor Mahan. However, there is no way around it. The Japanese lost the war. It's inevitable. Unless other countries will go to war against western Sichuan for this. But. I'm afraid that no country would shed the blood of its soldiers for the sake of the Japanese. Said the captain of the USS Brooklyn.

Mahan nodded, didn't say much, but focused on the sea, the current United States. Although it has strong economic and industrial strength, it is far behind the Western powers in terms of armaments. This makes it very difficult for the United States to expand. Mahan undoubtedly supported the United States on the path of expansion. Last year, Japan invaded the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the United States supported it. Merely. At present, Japan will not be able to act as the vanguard of the United States. The more powerful Kawasai has risen and revealed its hideous minions. Mahan is sure that this will certainly have a serious impact on US interests.

On the sea, the Japanese Combined Fleet was still heading south. However, the "Yoshino", which had been badly damaged, left the formation alone and headed north, preparing to return to Japan for repairs. 0 battleships of the remaining Japanese Combined Fleet. Still maintaining a speed of 0 knots, it sailed south. Six "Leshan-class" cruisers in western Sichuan watched them from afar.

"Your Excellency, we can't go any further south. The main forces of the Kawanishi Navy are definitely nearby, and we have now lost two powerful warships. There is simply no strength to defeat the Kawanishi Navy! Rear Admiral Heihachiro, Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet, persuaded again.

A trace of sadness flashed in the eyes of Vice Admiral Ito, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, but the next moment it was replaced by madness: "Someone, Major General Heihachiro Togo disturbs the morale of the army!" Now I announce the dismissal of Rear Admiral Heihachiro Togo from his post as Chief of Staff of the Fleet. Put him on the 'Chiyoda' and escort him back to the mainland to be disposed of by the Admiralty! ”

Soldiers on the "Matsushima". Immediately caught Togo Heihachiro. When the fleet is out fighting, the fleet commander has supreme power. Even the chief of staff of the fleet can be removed at will.

"Your Excellency, you can't do this! You will lead the Japanese Navy to the abyss! Heihachiro Togo shouted.

"Take it away!" Ito Yuhiro said coldly.

A few soldiers immediately took Togo Heihachiro away. Then, the traffic boat was sent to the "Chiyoda". The "Chiyoda", having received the order, immediately turned the bow of the ship and began to return to the mainland.

With the figure of the "Chiyoda" leaving, Ito Yuheng's eyes were full of sadness and unwillingness: "Togo-kun, maybe what you said is right. However, now the Japanese Navy has no choice. We know that the Kawanishi Navy is strong, but we only have to fight with our backs now, and only by defeating the Kawanishi Navy will we have a chance. Otherwise, even if we can avoid the war this time, the Kawanishi Navy will not let us go. Hopefully you'll be able to keep some seeds for the Navy. In the future, we will have the strength to compete with the West Sichuan Navy again. Now, the warriors of the Great Japanese Empire will use their lives to win the national fortune for the empire as much as possible! ”

The Chiyoda is the fastest warship in the current combined fleet, with a displacement of 2,400 tons, but a speed of 19 knots. When Heihachiro Togo was sent to the "Chiyoda", he understood what Yuhiro Ito meant. He was very angry in his heart, how could he be without him when he was loyal to the Great Japanese Empire? However, after he understands Ito's intentions, he can only accept the facts. The Japanese Combined Fleet could fail, but the Japanese Navy could not. This time he failed, and he will have to find a chance to be ashamed in the future, and this is the responsibility of him Heihachiro Togo and the Japanese Navy that remained.

"Ito-kun, don't worry, our Japanese Navy will definitely defeat the Kawanishi Navy!" Heihachiro Togo swore secretly in his heart.

Six "Leshan-class" light cruisers of the Kawanishi Navy also spotted the departing "Chiyoda". They didn't care, though. The combat power of the "Chiyoda" is not strong, and even if it is let go, it will not hurt. As long as the main forces of the combined fleet are defeated, then the entire Japanese Navy will be finished. When the time comes, we will kill the mainland of Japan and solve all the leaky fish.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, a large area of smoke appeared on the sea surface in the south, and everyone knew that this was the main force of the western Sichuan Navy arriving on the battlefield. Subsequently, as the distance narrowed, the main force of the Kawanishi Navy was presented in front of everyone's eyes. Four battleships that looked like hills, four heavy cruisers that were slightly smaller, all made the Japanese Navy shocked, ashamed, envious and jealous. Why did they tighten their clothes, and even the emperor ate only one meal in order to build these battleships for the Navy. And the West Sichuan Navy quietly has such a powerful navy. It would be great if we could snatch all these warships!

"Gentlemen, the national fortunes of the empire are fighting here! I hope that all the kings will fight bravely to kill the enemy, and after he becomes a god, see you in Kudanzaka! Said the commander of the Combined Fleet, Sukehiro Ito.

"Goodbye Kudanzaka!" The officers and men on the "Matsushima" shouted one after another. At the same time, the flag-bearer of the "Matsushima" also sent such a flag to the other warships.

For a while, all the soldiers on the Japanese battleship let out such a crazy roar. Although there were only 9 warships left in the entire Japanese Combined Fleet, it looked even more crazy when facing the Kawanishi Navy.

"What's going on? How come there are only 9 warships left in the Japanese Combined Fleet? On the "Sichuan", Deng Shichang, commander of the First Fleet in western Sichuan, put down the telescope in his hand and said in wonder.

"Commander, I have just received a call from the 'Leshan' that the 'Akitsuzu' of the Japanese Combined Fleet has been sunk by them, and the 'Yoshino' has been damaged and has withdrawn from the battle. More than half an hour ago, the 'Chiyoda' withdrew from the battle for unknown reasons. Li Dingxin, commander of the First Fleet in western Sichuan, said.

"Whatever. As long as the main forces of the combined fleet are still there. Sinking these battleships, the Japanese Navy will have no power to return to heaven! Order the ships and get ready for battle! Deng Shichang gave the battle order.

The battleships of the Kawanishi fleet immediately began to move. The four ships began to pick up speed and rushed to the front of the line. And four heavy cruisers, lined up behind them. The other four "Mianyang-class" cruisers and destroyers were guarding the main fleet around the main fleet to guard against lightning strikes by the Japanese fleet. The Kawanishi Navy was planning to use the main guns of the heavy cruisers of the battleships to sink all the Japanese Combined Fleets one by one.

At this moment, the speed of the western Sichuan fleet was also reduced from 6 knots to 2 knots. When the speed is reduced, the ship will not shake as much, and it will be easier to hit the enemy ship. The Japanese Combined Fleet, on the other hand, would not be stupid enough to line up in a neat battle line and shoot at the Kawanishi Army and Navy. The previous naval battles had made them fully understand the strength of the West Sichuan Navy, and now, whether it was the main guns or the numbers, they were already at an absolute disadvantage, and in a battle line duel with the West Sichuan Navy, they would only lose. Their only chance of victory is to rush forward, close the distance between the two sides, and then have rapid-fire guns and powerful main guns to attack the navy in western Sichuan.

"Ships! Start charging! "The commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, Sukehiro Ito, gave the order to attack on the flagship" Matsushima ".

PS: The third update is here! Tomorrow's fourth watch, there is an update in the early morning!