At 10 p.m. on August 22, 4621, all the ships of the Combined Fleet of the Japanese Navy had been launched in the Sasebo Military Port. The twelve Muzuki-class destroyers first departed from the military port and began to search the nearby sea area, and after finding that there was no danger, the subsequent warships rushed out of the military port.

Four Kii-class battleships, four Myo-class heavy cruisers, four Takao-class heavy cruisers, six Nagara-class light cruisers, four Kawauchi-class light cruisers, one Yubari light cruiser, four Agano-class light cruisers, two Oyodo-class light cruisers, twelve Mutsuki-class destroyers and twenty Fukiyuki-class destroyers. This is already the entire base of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy. As for the warships of the Japanese Navy stationed in other military ports, they were nothing more than destroyers. If the Combined Fleet suffered a crushing defeat, the Japanese Navy would lose 90 percent of its combat power.

After leaving the Sasebo Military Port, the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy headed south and headed straight for the sea area where the main force of the Chinese Navy's Pacific Fleet was located. Before dark, the destroyers and submarines of the Japanese Navy detected the position of the Pacific Fleet of the Chinese Navy.

Not long after the Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet left Sasebo Naval Port, a 'Shark-class' submarine surfaced, stretched out its periscope, and sent a telegram. Then, under the cover of night, he sailed away from this sea area.

In order to monitor the movements of the Japanese Navy, the Imperial Navy ambushed many submarines outside the Sasebo Military Port. In this case, as soon as the main force of the Combined Fleet left the port, the Imperial Navy would be warned not to be attacked by the Japanese Navy.

Only 120 nautical miles from the Sasebo military port, the main force of the Imperial Navy's Pacific Fleet was cruising in this area at a speed of 8 knots. After the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships and some heavy cruisers and light cruisers went to encircle and suppress the Japanese Navy's broken fleet, there are now only three 'Three Emperor-class' battleships left on the side of the main fleet. One battleship 'Jinghai', four 'Zodiac-class' heavy cruisers and four 'Zodiac-class' improved heavy cruisers, seven 'White Tiger-class' light cruisers, seven 'Suzaku-class' light cruisers, twelve 'D-class' destroyers, and twelve 'E-class' destroyers. Compared to the Combined Fleet of the Japanese Navy. The Imperial Navy was comparable in number to both the capital ships and heavy cruisers. However, there were three fewer light cruisers than the opposing side, and eight fewer destroyers. However, the performance of the light cruisers and destroyers of the Imperial Navy was superior to that of the light cruisers and destroyers of the Japanese Navy. Therefore, the strength of the two sides can be described as equal.

On the battleship Fuxi, the flagship of the Imperial Navy, Admiral Liu Guanxiong, the commander of the fleet, had already slept. Before dark, a telegram was received from the encirclement fleet. In the telegram, it was learned that the encirclement fleet had inflicted heavy damage on the Japanese Navy's broken fleet, and had been able to sink a battlecruiser. The results of two heavy cruisers and two light cruisers. This made Admiral Liu Guanxiong feel reassured. Without the interference of the Japanese Navy's broken fleet, the Imperial Navy would be able to calmly confront the main force of the Japanese Navy's combined fleet. In addition, Admiral Liu Guanxiong also knew that after the Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet learned of the disastrous defeat of the Broken Fleet, they would definitely not be able to sit still any longer. Perhaps, the showdown between the two sides will begin soon.

Therefore, before the two sides face off, he, the commander of the fleet, must be mentally refreshed. That's the only way. in order to be able to maintain the best condition in the next duel battle. Unleash a powerful fight.

In the early hours of the morning, Vice Admiral Li Dingxin, the chief of staff of the fleet on duty, received a telegram from the naval command. The telegram informed the Pacific Fleet that a submarine had spotted a large number of warships of the Combined Fleet and had left the port at about 11 p.m. last night. The Navy Command demanded that the Pacific Fleet be ready for battle, wipe out the main force of the Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet in one fell swoop, and prepare for the comprehensive seizure of sea supremacy.

The units of the Imperial Army, as well as the Marine Corps, were already ready. Only after the Imperial Navy has fully seized sea supremacy, at least Kyushu Island and the southern part of Honshu Island, will launch a landing operation. Therefore, the pressure on the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Navy is undoubtedly very great. Although the General Staff did not set a deadline for them. But it is undoubtedly hoped that they will take control of the sea power as soon as possible.

"Send a telegram to the 2nd Battleship Detachment and ask them to speed up their return to the group. In addition, the fleet turned to the south, paying attention to the vigilance. Tomorrow at five o'clock in the morning, wake up the commander again. I'm going to sleep first, tomorrow it's time for a decisive battle between us and little Japan, and we have to keep our spirits up. Lieutenant General Li Dingxin commanded. The Great War is coming, and if you don't have enough spirit, how can you fight the enemy?

"Yes, Chief of Staff." The staff officers on duty replied.

With the Imperial Navy's Pacific Fleet ready for battle, the Combined Fleet has implemented light control and is heading south. Their speed was maintained at 15 knots. In this case, tomorrow morning around 8 to 9 o'clock, there is a possibility of an encounter with the Imperial Navy. After defeating the Imperial Navy in the heat of battle, they can also return to Sasebo Naval Base before reinforcements from the Imperial Navy arrive.

On the battleship Kii, the flagship of the Japanese Navy, Admiral Isamu Takeshita, commander of the Combined Fleet, was drinking a cup of strong tea. His brow furrowed at times, furrowed at times. Clearly, he was thinking about something.

"Your Excellency, please go and rest. Tomorrow morning, we will have a decisive battle with the people of China. When the time comes, you will need to be in control! "said Vice Admiral Keisuke Okada, Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet.

General Isamu Takeshita shook his head: "I can't sleep!" Tomorrow will be our decisive battle with the people of China. The survival of the Great Japanese Empire is at stake, so how can we sleep? What's more, although I am old, it is still no problem to stay up late once in a while. After defeating the Chinese people, you can have a good rest. ”

Admiral Isamu Takeshita still has one more sentence to finish, that is, if he is not able to defeat the Chinese navy, he may have to apologize. When the time comes, you can sleep longer.

"Your Excellency, the Broken Friendship Fleet has finally created such a wonderful opportunity for us. Tomorrow, we will be able to defeat the people of China. Lieutenant General Keisuke Okada said confidently.

For the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy, this is indeed their only chance. If I miss this opportunity, I am afraid that there will not be such a good opportunity in the future. Therefore, they have to grasp it.

"Yes, tomorrow we will definitely defeat the people of China, and if we don't succeed, we will become benevolent! There is no way back! A hint of determination flashed in the eyes of Admiral Isamu Takeshita.

For Japan, the Chinese Empire has always been their old enemy. From ancient times to the present, as long as Japan cannot hold back its ambitions and wants to expand abroad, it will be beaten by China. This time is almost the closest they have come to success. China, which has dominated the East for thousands of years, has been seriously weakened. The Japanese Empire, on the other hand, succeeded in its rise through one foreign war after another. However, what I didn't expect was that in the end, it still fell short.

Many Japanese soldiers were unwilling to accept such an outcome. For them, it was their lifelong desire to defeat China and let Japan rise to become the hegemon of the Far East and the whole world. In order to realize this wish, the contradictions between the Japanese Navy and the Army can be abandoned for this. However, judging by the current situation, the chances of victory for the Japanese Navy are still not great.

"The determination of the Shina people to destroy the empire this time is very strong, as can be seen from the fact that they do not care about the entire Western world, and they also want to destroy the coastal cities of the empire. Therefore, if we want to keep the Japanese Empire, we must defeat China. There are not many options left in front of the Empire. The Japanese Navy, as the most powerful army in Japan, must defeat the Shina Navy. Otherwise, the Great Japanese Empire would be finished. Isamu Takeshita said.

The Chinese Empire and the Japanese Empire, only one country can rise, and the other will fall. The victor will step on the body of the defeated and continue to climb upwards. Both the Chinese Empire and the Japanese Empire wanted to be the final victors. Therefore. A decisive battle between the two countries cannot be avoided. However, a decisive battle now is undoubtedly very unfavorable for the Japanese Empire. The Chinese Empire has a huge advantage in this duel. Although, this is undoubtedly unfair to the Japanese Empire. However, there is no such thing as absolute fairness in this world. What's more, this is a battle of the fates of two countries.

"Your Excellency Commander, the Great Japanese Empire will definitely rise, and the people of China will not be able to stop our rise." Lieutenant General Keisuke Okada said. Officially, because Japan has many such officers, they will not hesitate to use military force to expand their armaments in order to be able to confront the Chinese Empire and compete for hegemony in East Asia and even the world.

"Yes, we will win. The empire will definitely trample on the soles of the feet. General Isamu Takeshita said firmly.

The time passed quickly, and by 5 o'clock in the morning, there was already a hint of fish belly white on the horizon.

"The 1st light cruiser formation, the 1st and 2nd destroyer formations, were ordered to move forward to search for the positions of the China Navy. We don't have much time, we have to find them as quickly as possible and then attack. "Admiral Isamu Takeshita gave the order. If the Chinese Navy's 'Five Emperor-class' battleships returned, they would have no chance of winning.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." Lieutenant General Keisuke Okada replied. (To be continued.) )

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