"Oh God! The Chinese battleships opened fire, they are going to sink us! Captain Kent exclaimed, and the expression on his face became even more terrified. Now, he regretted it very much in his heart. If I had known, I should not have coveted huge profits and forcibly entered the no-sail zone demarcated by the Chinese Navy, so that I would not have lost my life. No matter how much money you find, you have to have a life to enjoy it.

Major Jim, too, looked very ugly.

"Damn, how dare those Chinese navies directly sink our merchant ships, are they going to war against the United States of America?" Major Jim exclaimed. Obviously, he never thought that the Chinese Navy would be so bold as to dare to open fire.

When the Chinese Navy launched the bombardment, the entire U.S. merchant fleet was in disarray, some merchant ships began to turn and prepare to flee, some merchant ships began to slow down and prepare for inspection by the Chinese Navy, and some merchant ships continued to accelerate and wanted to rush into the Uraga waterway.

Shells whizzed over the heads of the U.S. merchant fleet and exploded in the distance, splashing columns of water.

"Damn, it's a warning shot. Those yellow-skinned monkeys didn't even dare to actually have a meeting with us. Mr. Kent, if we seize the opportunity and continue to rush, we will definitely be able to rush into the Uraga waterway. Major Jim shouted frantically.

"Idiot, you want to die, don't pull Lao Tzu in. This shelling by the Chinese is a warning shelling, but who knows if the next shelling will be aimed directly at us? Captain Kent didn't trust Major Jim anymore and knew straight away that the merchant ship was slowing down.

The Imperial Navy's light cruiser 'Kui Mu Wolf' and two 'D-class' cruisers rushed over at an accelerated pace. The speed of the battleship was much faster than that of the merchant ship, and it took less than twenty minutes to catch up. The light cruiser 'Kuimu Wolf' made an arc on the surface of the sea and turned around. Stopped in front of the American merchant fleet. A cannon was aimed at these American merchant ships.

The two 'D-class' destroyers were outflanked on the left and the right, and the cannons on the ships were also aimed at the American merchant ships.

At this time, the American merchant ships did not dare to move any more. If they dare to move again. Maybe the shells of the Chinese Navy will fall on their heads. Therefore, one by one, these American merchant ships took the initiative to stop, and no longer wanted to force their way through the no-sail zone demarcated by the Chinese Navy.

"This is a no-sail zone designated by the Chinese Navy, and you must be inspected." The Imperial Navy continued to warn. At the same time, marines were sent in small boats to board the ship for inspection. Under the threat of the warships and cannons of the Imperial Navy, these American merchant ships did not dare to act rashly at all, and could only accept the inspection of the Chinese Navy. Soon, the inspection was summarized in the hands of Lieutenant Commander He Xinchuan, the captain of the light cruiser 'Kuimu Wolf'.

"Captain, these American merchant ships are loaded with grain, oil, steel, medicine, machinery and equipment. Obviously. This is clearly the war materials that the Americans supported the Japanese so that the Japanese can withstand our blockade. A staff officer reported.

"Now that it's been found out, there's no doubt about it. Take all these American merchant ships to Naha. Lieutenant Colonel He Xinchuan ordered.

According to the regulations of the Chinese Navy, merchant ships or other ships transporting war materials to Japan will be seized until the end of the Sino-Japanese conflict. Therefore, the Chinese Navy officially informed these American merchant ships that they would be temporarily detained.

"Bastard. These yellow-skinned monkeys, they actually want to seize American merchant ships. This is a provocation against the United States. The government of the United States of America will never let these yellow-skinned monkeys be so arrogant. Major Jim said viciously.

It's just that although those American merchant ships are very angry about this, they dare not oppose it under the guns of the Chinese Navy. Otherwise, once the Chinese Navy really shoots at them. That's it. Even if the U.S. government protests to China afterwards, or even if war breaks out between the two sides because of this, their lives cannot be saved.

Therefore, these very realistic American merchant ship owners and sailors on board were very cooperative with the actions of the Imperial Navy. And didn't take any chances.

The Chinese Navy's seizure of 12 U.S. merchant ships soon became known in the United States. When intercepted by the Chinese Navy, Major Jim radioed the U.S. Embassy in Japan and asked for help.

At the White House, President Wilson convened an emergency meeting once again, and Secretary of Commerce William C. Redfield was gushing out. He demanded a tough stance on the Chinese Navy's seizure of U.S. merchant ships.

"Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, our merchant vessels are merely carrying out their normal commercial activities. However, the damned yellow-skinned monkey brazenly sent a warship to intercept them, and took them to Naha and seized them. This is nothing more than a violation of commercial freedom and a provocation to the United States of America. We absolutely cannot tolerate the practices of those yellow-skinned monkeys, and we must take the strongest attitude to make those yellow-skinned monkeys pay. Minister Redfield roared angrily.

The seizure of American merchant ships by the Chinese Navy has made the entire US government feel very annoyed. They also realized that this time the situation seemed to be a little critical, and those Chinese seemed to be about to move seriously.

"Your Excellency Redfield, is it possible that we are going to war against the Chinese? Although the United States is the most powerful industrial country in the world, it is completely impossible to defeat another powerful country across the entire Pacific. At least at this stage, it is completely impossible. Secretary of War Garrison shrugged helplessly. After all, the United States has never been known for its military might.

"So what are we going to do? Just like that, watching those yellow-skinned monkeys show off their might? Secretary Redfield asked rhetorically.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese have forcibly imposed a no-sail zone in Japan, obviously trying to cut off our support for Japan. Without our support, the Japanese would not have survived for long. At that time, there will be no other way than to agree to the harsh conditions of the Chinese. That was very detrimental to the United States of America. Secretary Bryan said.

President Wilson nodded, this is indeed a very difficult question. If China is determined to cut off all external aid from Japan, then the United States' attempt to support Japan and then use Japan to contain China will fail. Unless the United States dares to make up its mind to fight China, it will be able to solve this problem once and for all. However, in the event of a war, it is obviously impossible. The current United States has little chance of defeating China. The people at home will not allow the United States to go to war against China.

"Your Excellency, we can protest to the Chinese through diplomatic means. However, with the way the Chinese government acts, they will certainly not heed our protests. Secretary Bryan said helplessly.

Protest is a manifestation of incompetence in the first place. A truly powerful country does not disdain to protest. 10,000 protests were not directly dispatched to deter the military.

"Well, let our envoy to China express the strongest protest to the Chinese, and demand that the Chinese immediately release our seized merchant ships and not prevent our normal commercial activities." President Wilson said.

President Wilson was very angry in his heart, and as a person bent on leading the United States to become the world's number one power, the Chinese Navy's wanton seizure of American merchant ships was simply a provocation to the United States. If he could, he would be eager to declare war on China immediately and use his strong military strength to teach China a lesson. Only, reason told him that it was simply impossible.

"Your Excellency, is there any other way than to protest?" Secretary Redfield asked. Obviously, he also thinks that soft protests will not help.

President Wilson couldn't help frowning, there are really few means that the United States can take now.

"Your Excellency, isn't our fleet on its way to the Western Pacific? Originally, I was going to send the fleet to Manila, but I don't think it would be better to let the fleet go to Tokyo. In this way, it is also a deterrent to the Chinese Empire. Perhaps, it can directly break the no-sail zone demarcated by the Chinese and break the blockade of the Chinese. Secretary of War Garrison suggested.

"But if you do that, will it be seen as a threat of war by the Chinese?" Once the main forces of the Chinese and American navies are all gathered in Sagami Bay, there is a high probability that they will misfire. If war breaks out, it will be a catastrophic consequence. "Secretary of the Navy Daniels was a little worried. On the other hand, he is worried that in the event of a conflict, the US Navy may suffer.

The fleet sent by the US Navy, although there were ten cutting-edge battleships. However, not to mention the performance of warships, the gap in the quality of officers and men is also very large. In the event of an engagement, the US Navy may not be able to take advantage of it. Once the U.S. Navy is also defeated, it will be even more difficult for them to defeat China.

After a moment's hesitation, President Wilson finally made up his mind: "Let the fleet go to Tokyo." However, tell Lieutenant General Evans that no matter what, you can't go to war with the Chinese! ”

"Yes, Your Excellency." Minister Daniels nodded.

Secretary Daniels knew what President Wilson meant, which was that the fleet could deter the Chinese Navy, but it could never go wrong. Otherwise, the situation will be out of control.

On the afternoon of September 1, 4612, the U.S. Minister to China, Reinsch, went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Empire and formally lodged a solemn protest to the Chinese Empire over the seizure of American merchant ships by the Chinese Navy. (To be continued.) )

PS: The first update is here, thanks to the support of book friends, and I have kept the tenth. However, the gap with only 20 votes behind is very unsafe! Book friends, if you still have a monthly pass, let's throw it to the old fish! Thank you book friends for being bored °C, the sand of the waves, the sky of the lighter, the wheat of the north house, the emperor of the world, and the reward while you are still young! Thank you to book friends Qin Jiyan, Tsubaki Ghost Civic, Ruifeng Bank, jack10027631, Ziyinya, Qianlei, Aishi Defei, Teacher A Kai, Penthouse Flower Pot, Haorenyige, and Zhuo Wei for their monthly passes! There are still many book friends who have not been able to record their names, thank you for your support!