Although one after another farewell telegrams were sent only to the flagship Kongo, the long-wave emitted by the high-power spark gap radio passed over the flagship and headed for the Sasebo naval base. The communications chief who was on duty in the telegraph room was incredulous when he saw the messages sent by the ships, but in the end these telegrams were forwarded to the Military Command Department of the Kasumigaseki Navy Ministry in Tokyo, and Rear Admiral Tetsutaro Sato, the second commander of the navy, who saw these farewell telegrams, was stunned, and beads of sweat fell from his forehead.

It was his strategy to quickly break into the Bohai Bay at night, and in order to contain the submarine in China, it was also his arrangement to bombard Shanghai and other places and attract the submarine to the south, but now the plan has failed, not to mention, half of the fleet has been sunk, and only the battleship Kongo, Chitose, and Otowa have returned with injuries......

However, after all, Rear Admiral Sato was a strategist of the Great Japanese Navy and the founder of the Great Japanese Navy, and the sinking of one capital ship and four cruisers could not defeat him. These six words show that the fleet did not encounter the submarine of China, but the flight plane of China; From the news that the Hiei also sank, it can be inferred that the Shina flight should not have carried a 14-inch torpedo, but an 18-inch torpedo. An eighteen-inch torpedo, that's more than a thousand pounds.

"Sato-kun, is it a telegram from the shelling fleet?" Akiyama Shinyuki watched Tetsutaro Sato sweat like rain with the telegram, and stood up with some uneasiness.

"Yes!" Tetsutaro Sato took the telegram and said in a deep voice: "The plan failed. The Shina attacked the entire fleet with water mines on their flying planes, and five warships, including Hiei and Chiyoda, were sunk; The King Kong was also damaged, and they were on their way back. ”

"Nani!" Mayuki Akiyama, Gentaro Yamashita, and Suio Shimamura were all stunned by the news he spit out. "How is this possible?! How is this possible?! "The one who reacted the most violently was Gentaro Yamashita. He was stunned when he heard that the Hiei had sunk, and Sato's previous plan was to shell the wasteland outside the city, and he asked the fleet to bombard the city. In this way, the fleet is now wounded. He was afraid of defeat because he insisted on keeping the fleet close to the coast.

"Like submarines, the China Navy has used new weapons. The aircraft was equipped with water mines and attacked after approaching the fleet, which was not something that His Excellency Vice Admiral Kato could reach. The first to react was Mayuki Akiyama. It is not uncommon for flying planes to carry water mines or bombs, and navies all over the world have had such an idea, but this time it was realized by the people of China.

"Is that all? Is that all? "Thinking that those canvas-torn and wood-broken planes sank the capital ship of the Imperial Navy, Nagashimamura, the head of the Military Command Department, wanted to cry without tears, knowing that the Hiei had only been commissioned last week. He was sunk by the people of China on his first voyage, and he, the commander of the military command, did it.

"Your Excellency, let's inform Xia Ping Dazuo immediately." Tetsutaro Sato, who came to his senses, reminded: "Since the people of China have arranged water mine flying planes in Shanghai, there will definitely be them along the coast of the Bohai Sea, and there will also be a notification from Taiwan." It's a pity that we don't know how far the Shina planes can fly, and if they can fly hundreds of nautical miles, then Sasebo is also dangerous......"

What came out of Rear Admiral Sato's mouth made the backs of everyone in the military command department tremble, if the Shina flight could fly to Sasebo, then the entire 1st Fleet would be in danger.

"Immediately give an order to Sasebo's fleet to Yokohama. If not, then go further north," it was the turn of Chief Nagashima Mura Speedo sweating on his forehead, and he couldn't imagine the entire Imperial fleet being sunk by Shina flying planes. If that were the case, the empire's decades of hard work would be ruined.

"And inform our allies." Akiyama Shinyuki interjected, "Like submarines, it is impossible for Shina to develop this kind of flying machine alone, it must have been sold to them by a single country." ”

Prompted by the greater crisis No. 1, the people of the Military Command Department no longer dwelled on the sinking of the Hiei, but immediately got busy; As for Akiyama Shinyuki's kindness in reminding his allies that it was not necessary, the British consul general in Shanghai, after hearing the results of the naval battle and a brief summary of the course of the battle, sent a telegram to London with the news of the sinking of the battleship by torpedo bombers.

It's just that such urgent news in the eyes of the layman did not seem at all in a hurry to the British Admiralty, Sir Churchill. The Royal Navy of Great Britain has long begun the development of torpedo bombers. And for the Royal Navy, which is galloping all over the world, her research goes further and is more demanding. The Royal Navy needed surface torpedo bombers that could accompany the fleet and take off on water, not shore-based torpedo bombers without metal poles.

For this. In the spring of this year, the Schott Brothers Company began to develop the Schott-Type 166 water torpedo machine at the request of the Admiralty, and this water torpedo bomber had just completed its test flight at the beginning of this month; although the plane was only carrying a 14-inch torpedo, if the huge and heavy metal frame was removed, and at the same time, the 3,500-pound plane was slightly lightened and turned into a shore-based torpedo bomber, then the 810-pound 14-inch torpedo it could be immediately replaced with an 18-inch torpedo weighing 1,200 pounds.

Of course, no one knew that the Baath Army used an eighteen-inch torpedo, and no one knew that this torpedo weighed only 450 kilograms, or 1,000 pounds, because of the extensive use of aluminum alloy components. When the telegram from Shanghai arrived in Churchill's hand, he took a few deep puffs of his cigar and muttered vaguely. The next thing to do in addition to the lucky Chinese is to urge SCHOTT Aircraft to quickly develop a more advanced SCHOTT-Type 184 water torpedo engine, this new aircraft will use a 225 hp Sunbeam-Mohawk liquid-cooled engine, which is 65 hp more than the previous SCHOTT-Type 166 engine, and the speed is also faster, reaching 77 knots (145km), 21 knots faster than the 166 type.

After Churchill urged the Schott Aircraft Company, he asked the military attaché of the Chinese legation to find out about the Chinese shore-based torpedo plane, but by the time his telegram arrived in Peking, the counsellor of the legation, Mr. Mamuller, had already begun to inquire about the matter, and he wanted to wait until tomorrow morning as soon as he went to work, and he would personally visit Foreign Minister Xie Jintai.

The British are on the move, the Germans, the French, the Americans are on the move. The Germans, in particular, relied on the friendship they had forged in Shanghai before the revolution, and Rutte and the Legation Counselor Xin Ci visited Xie Jintai's mansion as soon as they received the news of the naval battle.

"Master Xie. Congratulations on your unimaginable victory in a naval battle. Lu Te's affection Xie Jintai was difficult to refuse, because he and Xin Ci didn't wait long in the living room before Xie Jintai came out.

"Victory?" Xie Jintai thought something was wrong. Listening to Rutte talk about the naval battle, he immediately understood the meaning of the two of them. He smiled at the moment: "This time it was just the defenselessness of the Japanese, and the Prime Minister often said that war cannot be won with just one or two new weapons." ”

"Yes, I totally agree with that." Rutte also smiled: "However, at the time of the naval Armageddon, if there are planes carrying torpedoes, then the outcome of the naval battle is likely to be rewritten." Sir Xie, I have come to visit you at the request of Marshal Tirpitz of the Admiralty. We hope that your country will sell several of these torpedo attack aircraft to our navy. ”

"Mr. Rutte, this is actually a military matter, and it stands to reason that it is better to have direct contact with the General Staff......" Xie Zhangtai actually has a draft here, after all, it is one of the important responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote China's domestic arms during the European war, but he still took it seriously, and when he saw Germany's anxious face, he said: "Mr. Rutte, there are some things that should not be mentioned, but the minister of your country has been delaying the delivery of Qingdao, this is ......."

As soon as Xie Jintai mentioned Qingdao, Rutte's expectant look froze. The people at home were full of the idea that Germany would win the war this time, so they did not want to return Qingdao at all, especially if China did not join the Allies. The return was only made in order to induce China to fight the British and Japanese fleets attacking Tsingtao. It's good now. The Chinese wiped out the Russian army in the Far East in three days, which put themselves in a very disadvantageous position, and I don't know whether to choose to return or break their promise.

"Lord Xie, our Emperor Xià has long decided to return Qingdao, but this matter has always been opposed by members of the National Assembly, after all, Qingdao and Jiaoji Railway have been greatly invested in China before. However, Lord Xie, please believe that it is only a matter of time before Qingdao is returned, and His Majesty the Emperor of our country will definitely not break his word. Xin Ci saw that Lu Te's answer was not good. Present comes out round scene.

What is the idea of the Germans Xie Zhangtai had already discussed it thoroughly with Yang Rui, on the premise that Germany would be defeated. Qingdao is not a big problem, Xie Jintai just wants to remind them that they still owe themselves a thing that they haven't done.

After Xin Ci finished speaking, Xie Jintai deliberately did not answer. Only when the atmosphere in the living room was awkward enough, he said: "Your Excellency has always revered Germany, and the Baath Army has also benefited from Germany's help. Considering the friendship between our two countries, I think it is not difficult to sell this kind of aircraft, but after all, this involves patent issues, and our country can directly sell prototypes and drawings to your country, and then adopt the method of authorized production......"

Xie Jintai suddenly stopped when he said this, he remembered that there were many aluminum alloy parts in this torpedo bomber, and aluminum alloy was not secret, but aluminum alloy parts can only be manufactured in Shanxi in the world at present, and the aircraft design can be authorized, but the aluminum alloy formula and casting process are not for sale.

"That's right," Xie Zhangtai said, "According to the information I know, only an eighteen-inch torpedo weighing more than 1,200 pounds can damage a dreadnought, so in order to make the plane carry more than 1,000 pounds of torpedoes under limited horsepower, China uses a new aluminum material to reduce the weight of the plane and torpedo machine, otherwise, the plane can only carry smaller torpedoes." Aircraft and drawings can be sold to your country, and manufacturing can be licensed, but the aluminum parts that are unique to the aircraft can only be supplied by our country, and I am worried that the UK will hinder your country's overseas trade. ”

Seeing that Xie Zhangtai agreed to this matter, Rutte and Xin Ci were very happy, they didn't care about any aluminum parts, Xie Zhangtai said this, and then they seemed to be nothing more than an excuse for Germany to buy more planes, Rutte said at the moment, "Lord Xie, the trade route Britain cannot be completely blocked, and there are still countries in the North Sea such as the Netherlands and Denmark that need overseas trade." Our Marshal Tirpitz hopes to know the specific capabilities of such an aircraft as soon as possible, and then to purchase fifty to a hundred units at his discretion. ”

"Performance?" Xie Jintai pondered for a while, and then asked everyone to go to the study to pick up a large number of product advertisements later, and a beautifully designed product brochure appeared in front of Lu Te and others, in addition to several planes on the cover, there were two fist-sized Chinese characters 'Feng', and then a row of small characters 'aircraft manufacturing company'.

Probably considering that the customers are all foreigners, this product brochure that Yang Rui remembered and imitated in later medical device companies has a few Chinese characters on the cover. Everything else is written in English, French and German, and after a long line of detailed descriptions, the back cover of the brochure is the performance of the entire aircraft:

Length: 35 ft 7 in; Wingspan: 50 ft 3 in; Wing area: 530 sq ft; Empty weight 2,800 pounds; Gross weight: 4,580 lbs; Power: Yellow River II liquid-cooled engine. two hundred horsepower; Maximum speed: 65 knots; Endurance: four hours; Weapons: 18-inch aviation torpedoes; Water type: ......

Rutte only knew chemistry, and Xin Ci knew nothing about machinery except for spying around for intelligence and some intrigues. The two of them took the brochure and went back. However, the tea cup in the living room has not yet been cleaned up, and the porter has reported to the American Minister Rui Enshi to ask to see him, Xie Jintai only smiled at the corner of his mouth, this plane was sold to Germany to let them fight the war for a longer time, and other countries do not have this treatment. After Xie Zhangtai finished laughing, he complained about Yang Rui for some reason, after learning that North Korea was safe, it seemed that Yang Rui had news from the day to now. There was not a single telegram, what the hell was he doing?

What is the Prime Minister doing? I'm afraid that no one will know about this except himself and his wife Cheng Ying.

It is only 130 kilometers by train from Anzhou to Dandong, but the railway is full of military trains heading eastward, so this 130 kilometers stumbled for eight hours from 1 p.m. to Andong. Yang Rui and Cheng Ying, who were in the same room on the train, were originally silent with each other as before, but after taking a bath, the woman coiled up her long black hair, and an emerald green hairpin was inserted behind her head, with an indescribable ancient rhyme, coupled with the slender and slender neck exposed because of the hair coiled, the exquisite body set off by the fitting military uniform, and the unique fragrance of flowers and plants after bathing. This qiē made Yang Rui want to hold her in his arms and love her.

However, the two equally stubborn and self-respecting people did not give each other such a chance, and they panicked to hide their attempts to get closer to each other in their intertwined eyes, making this qiē as cold and ordinary as before. However, neither of them left the special carriage they were sitting in, and Yang Rui did not accept Li Zilong's telegrams at all, no matter how urgent those telegrams were; And Cheng Ying didn't go to Bai Ru's room, although she had said before that she would discuss things with her.

After a few hours of silence, just waiting for Li Zilong outside to inform him through the door that he was about to arrive in Sinuiju, and when the woman got up and was about to get out of the car, Yang Rui suddenly pulled her into his arms, held the face that was a little surprised, and kissed her ...... hard. At this moment, in the broad and powerful arms of the man. Cheng Ying seemed to hear something shattered.

"I'll break your legs if you run around again!" After a long kiss, both of them gasped rapidly, but Yang Rui still held his breath and threatened viciously. Then looking at the smile in the woman's eyes, he threatened again: "If you eat it again, I will kill you!" ”

"What about Nameless?" Cheng Ying wanted to cry, but at this time, he suddenly laughed and fought back.

"Nameless, I'm talking about you." Yang Rui glared at the woman, he felt that his words were not finished, "Don't assert yourself, you are my woman, what you know, what you do and what you say has a far-reaching impact on this country." I just want to bring this country back to its former glory, and you must be in unison with me to the outside world, even if it is murder and arson! ”

The man said very strictly, and his face was extremely resolute, but looking at his serious appearance, Cheng Ying suddenly cried without knowing why. Her tears had been building up for four years since that quarrel, but at this moment, she couldn't hold back anymore and just wanted to spill them all out.

Although she was clumsy in words, the more the woman cried, the more Yang Rui hugged her tightly while feeling distressed, and kept stroking her back that was twitching because of crying. I don't know how long it took, probably when the train stopped and Li Zilong knocked on the door again, Cheng Ying stopped crying, struggled out of the man's arms, and then began to wipe her tears, she didn't want others to see her crying.

Looking at the woman's swollen eyes crying, Yang Rui, who understood her thoughts, took out the sunglasses that he used as a wind mirror in the inner bag, gently put them on the bridge of the woman's nose, and then smiled: "Well, it's so cool." is worthy of being my first female killer in China. ”

The man's banter made Cheng Ying cry and laugh, but knowing that everyone outside was waiting for her, she just stomped her foot and was pulled off the train by the man's hand.

"Prime Minister, the Japanese fleet in Shanghai attacked and was repulsed by the air force. The Air Force sank five Japanese ships, one of which was the battleship Hiei. Li Zilong finally saw Yang Rui eight hours later, and hurriedly reported the biggest news.

"Hiei?" The news shocked the woman, and then she laughed, but Yang Rui was not so happy, he had more and more a hunch that it would not be long before the United States would abandon him.

"Yes. The ship had been hit by six torpedoes and had now capsized, but the Navy did not want to abandon such a large ship, and they were trying to save it by all means. Li Zilong also laughed when he said the news, a large ship of more than 20,000 tons, as long as it is saved, then our Chinese Navy will also have battleships.

"Hey, save it." Yang Rui was not happy at all, he interrupted Li Zilong, who still missed the telegram, and said: "I'm very tired today, so don't greet Uncle Tong, immediately arrange a non-noisy and soundproof room for me, I want to sleep." I'll talk about it tomorrow. ”

"I see." Li Zilong replied, although he knew that Anton was in rubble and didn't have a house at all, but he still left this matter to Li Guangping to worry about.

And Cheng Ying, who was standing next to Yang Rui, heard the man say that he wanted to find a house that was not noisy and soundproof, her face suddenly turned red, but fortunately it was dark at this time, and no one noticed that the prime minister's wife was red.

Cheng Ying's face was red, but no matter how red he was, he didn't blush the eyes of the people surrounding the Hiei under the searchlight.

After learning about the situation of the Hiei, the electric pumping machines of the Jiangnan Shipyard and the Qiuxin Shipyard were all transferred. These pumps can drain the entire dock in half an hour, and now if the pumps fill the right side of the hull, they don't have to fire torpedoes to make a few more holes in the hull. More than a dozen large diesel generators rumbled on the four barges, and the electric pumping machines running at full strength not only pumped the water from the right side of the ship, but also pumped the water from the ship to the left side.

The action of the Biei is the best incentive for all the rescuers present, after the hull recovered slightly, the people thought about how to plug the breach on the starboard side of the ship, but the breach was too big to be implemented by ordinary plugging methods, but at this time it was not only the people of the Jiangnan Shipyard who surrounded the Hiei, but also the people of the new shipyard, the foreign-funded Ruirong Shipyard, the Yesong Shipyard, and the people of a small shipyard and many merchant captains.

In order to solicit rescue methods to obtain this big ship, the Shanghai Office of the Navy set aside 100 yuan taels to reward rescue suggestions, and as soon as this news was broadcast, it seemed that all the people in Shanghai who knew a little about the ship came to the scene. Under the chaotic idea of everyone, it was finally decided to adopt the symmetrical perfusion rescue method, and considering that the typhoon was about to hit today and tomorrow, the previous plan to run aground was cancelled and dragged into the Huangpu River instead.

In a circle of small boats looking at the diorama, the former Admiral Sa Zhenbing looked at the Hiei under the searchlight, with eagerness and worry in his eyes. Several Navy veterans, who had been dismissed or abandoned from their posts, stood beside him, watching the Hiei rise and turn in admiration in the waves.

"Can this ship be saved?" Shen Shoukun, the former deputy admiral of the Qing Navy, asked, although he was no longer in the navy, he was still happy to see the ship.

"Probably so." Sa Zhenbing stroked his beard, did not turn his head, just looked at the rescue scene motionless. "There are so many electric pumping machines, as long as one compartment is evacuated and one compartment is blocked, the ship will be saved sooner or later."

"Empty a compartment and block a compartment?" Shen Shoukun read this, and suddenly said cheerfully: "That's right! Since those torpedo breaches can't be blocked, then we can block the cabins, each compartment has an aquifer anyway, even if it is destroyed, it is better than plugging the hole a few meters wide, and the operation is also in the ship, so don't dive at all. ”

Shen Shoukun thought about Sa Zhenbing's method, and after thinking about it, he said: "Ding Ming, this method should be sued immediately for being honest." ”

"Ahh Sa Zhenbing just said casually, not wanting to be a solution, and at the moment he was no longer reserved, and let the shipowner row the boat to a naval patrol gunboat next to him. (To be continued)