The main force of the Japanese Navy surrounded the first detachment of the Invincible Flotilla led by Li Hongzhang and attacked non-stop, and the first detachment could not advance or retreat, looking like a turtle in an urn, and there was a danger of destruction at any time.

In the face of this situation, even Li Hongzhang, who has always been known for his resourcefulness, has lost his temper, except for commanding the first detachment to resist the attack of the Japanese army, his mind is blank at the moment, what plan, what strategy, he can't think of anything at all, and some are just helpless.

This is not to blame Li Hongzhang, in this case, his brain is useless even if it is the brains of the immortals, because even if the gods encounter such a thing, they may be helpless.

And Togi Takayo, who was outside to command the Japanese attack, saw that the Taiping army was so pressed that he couldn't raise his head, and he was relieved in his heart, he thought, wasn't this Taiping army very bullish before, killing so many Japanese soldiers, and now, there are times when he is caught, this time, he said that he would peel off several layers of skin from the Taiping army.

As a result, Takayoshi Togi ordered the Japanese army to attack even more ferociously.

The cannons kept roaring, the cannonballs were flying everywhere in the sky, you came and went, if it weren't for the bloody fighting, I can't say that this scene was really spectacular.

And it was under this desperate mutual attack that the fleets of both sides suffered damage of different degrees.

However, the condition of the Taipings' personnel and ships was obviously much worse than that of the Japanese.

The twenty-three gunboats of the first detachment led by Li Hongzhang bore the brunt of the blow, three of which had already been sunk, and five of which were damaged and incapacitated. Six of them were badly damaged but were basically able to fight, and three were slightly damaged and were basically fine.

In other words, there were only six gunboats left intact, and the losses were very heavy.

Of course, the damage to the gunboats was not without reason, and if the overall situation is concerned, the loss of these gunboats is worth it, because it is the loss of these gunboats that is exchanged for the basic intact of almost the entire transport fleet.

The intact condition of the transport fleet is guaranteed. That's the most important thing. Because, the transport ship is carrying the elite of the Empire, the Tenth Legion, as long as it can keep the Tenth Legion. It's that the Armada is gone. That's worth it, too.

This is also exactly what Li Hongzhang does not care about losses. The biggest reason for the use of gunboats to fight the main force of the Japanese navy is this.

Protecting the transport ships, protecting the 10th Army Corps, this is the main responsibility of the Invincible Armada.

But. Although the combat effectiveness of the first detachment of the Invincible Fleet led by Li Hongzhang was not bad, the weapons and equipment were excellent, and the officers and men of the fleet were not afraid of death, after all, the gap between its strength and the Japanese army was too great, especially when the strength of the gunboats was damaged, they were powerless.

Maybe what they can do now is to be able to carry it for a while, for a while, and then fight to the last ship, the last person, do their best, do their best, and do the limit, then even if they die, they will feel at ease.

Now, the only thing that makes Li Hongzhang die is that he can no longer follow Huang Xu to sweep the Pingri chieftain, and then conquer the world, which has to be said to be a pity.

Perhaps seeing that the Taiping army was about to be unable to withstand it, the Japanese navy launched an even more frantic attack, and the shells rained down on the location of the Taiping army's fleet, as if the shells did not cost money.

Li Hongzhang ordered the gunboats and frigates to continue to the front, and as long as there was one gunboat and frigate, they had to cover the safety of the transports.

In this round of Japanese attacks, the Taiping army suffered damage to one gunboat and two frigates, thus withdrawing from the battle sequence.

There are not many ships left in the first detachment of the Armada that can be used in battle.

And the situation of the Taiping Army, the Japanese army has also estimated, and it was at this time that the Japanese general Togi Takayoshi suddenly ordered the Japanese army to stop the attack.

Stop the offense? What do the Japanese want to do?

Li Hongzhang was in a strange situation, when a small boat suddenly slipped out in front of the Japanese fleet, and a person on the boat held a white flag, waving it incessantly, and talking about something in his mouth, as if shouting in the direction of the invincible armada.

Seeing this, Li Hongzhang also ordered the Taiping army to stop firing back.

At this time, what Li Hongzhang needs most is time, and what he needs most is to delay time, but Japan just cooperates with him in doing so, why not do it.

Moreover, he also has curiosity, he also wants to see what kind of medicine is sold in the gourd of the Japanese army.

After the Taiping army also stopped shelling, the people on the Japanese boat continued to wave the white flag, and ordered people to control the boat to slowly approach the first detachment.

Looking at this scene, it seems that the Japanese army is waving a white flag to surrender to the Taiping Army.

It's funny.

The boat finally approached the first detachment, and the men on the boat shouted to the first detachment.

Li Hongzhang can be regarded as hearing what he said clearly.

It turned out that the man was here to talk about cooperation.

The Japanese said that he was the representative of Takayoshi Togi and wanted to meet with the commander of the first detachment to talk about cooperation between the two armies.

When Li Hongzhang heard this, he smiled, cooperation? Isn't that a joke to cooperate with the Japanese, but what he needs now is to stall for time, so he has to make a fool of himself with the Japanese.

So, Li Hongzhang took the initiative to stand up and say that he was the commander here.

The other party asked, what is the position, what is the official rank, and it is easy for him to report to Togi Takayo after he goes back.

Li Hongzhang smiled slightly and reported his name and official title.

Minister of Military Aircraft of the Chinese Empire, Commander of the Navy, Li Hongzhang.

This official is old enough.

Yes, this officer was already big enough to the Japanese, and he was a little unbelievable, and after listening to Li Hongzhang's words, he asked several times in a row, as if he really didn't believe that Li Hongzhang was the commander of the navy.

It was not until Li Hongzhang told the Japanese with great certainty and accuracy that he was the commander of the navy of the Chinese Empire.

The Japanese believed it, and while he was shocked, he was even more happy.

Why are you happy?

He thought, this person's official is really big enough, enough to be regarded as below one person, above ten thousand people, just like Ito Hirobumi's status in Japan, if they can capture this person this time, it will be a big deal.

So, it's no wonder he doesn't like it.

And Li Hongzhang asked, what kind of cooperation law is there between them? Can the Japanese do the Lord?

The man hurriedly said that he was the plenipotentiary of Togi Takayo, and that he had done the master.

Then Li Hongzhang continued to ask, since he has done the master, let's talk about it.

So, the Japanese said very tactfully, on behalf of Togi Takayo, he hoped that Li Hongzhang could lead the ship to surrender.

Surrender? It turns out that this guy is here to persuade him to surrender, and he said it so well, and he called it cooperation? It's really interesting, Li Hongzhang couldn't cry or laugh after hearing it.

Thinking that he Li Hongzhang has always been to persuade others to surrender, when has he been persuaded to surrender, but he didn't expect to be persuaded to surrender once for the first time this time.

Interesting, really interesting.

Since it's such an interesting thing, let's continue to talk about it, Li Hongzhang thought.

So, Li Hongzhang continued to ask, if he led the crowd to surrender, what would be the benefit?

When the Japanese heard Li Hongzhang say this, they thought that Li Hongzhang had agreed to surrender, and he was so happy that his face was full of joy, and he even said that the high-ranking official Houlu was waiting for Master Li.

Did you say counting? Li Hongzhang deliberately provoked the Japanese humanity.

Unexpectedly, the Japanese was also an old slippery head, and he did not answer Li Hongzhang's words positively, but just said that people like Lord Li would surrender to their Japanese country, and they would have to be crowned marquis and worship the prime minister.

It's true? Li Hongzhang pretended to be very interested and continued to play with the Japanese.

Of course it's true, the guy replied even more shamelessly.

Okay, since it's true, then you can bring the letter of appointment first, Li Hongzhang stretched out his hand and directly asked for the letter of appointment.

Li Hongzhang's hand is really high, not only can he continue to delay time and leave some respite for the army, but also make the Japanese temporarily think that he has surrendered sincerely, so as to find an opportunity for future counterattacks

Sure enough, as soon as he said this, the Japanese were even more happy, and he was so busy that he immediately went back to report to Togi Takayoun, and then transferred the matter to the emperor, which he believed was by no means a problem.

Li Hongzhang pushed the boat down the river, and then waited for the good news.

The Japanese said happily, there is no problem, there is no problem.

Then the Japanese stooped down to take their leave, hurrying to report to his master.

Li Hongzhang looked at the Japanese who left in a hurry, breathed a long sigh of relief, and then laughed heartily.

Little Japan, if you play a trick, you will be charged some interest, Li Hongzhang thought to himself. (To be continued......)