novelAbuy Chapter 58 As evening approaches, we advise you to take precautions for navigational safety.
Chapter 58 As evening approaches, we advise you to take precautions for navigational safety.
Zhou Tiezhu glanced at the timer: one minute and fifty seconds. Ten seconds faster than his best record during training.
"Fire!"
The gunner pressed the button. No live ammunition was fired, but the firing mechanism continued to operate with a click. The simulated propellant charge inside the breech was ignited by an electric spark; of course, there was no actual explosion.
"Remove the chamber!"
The breechblock opened, and the simulated cartridge case was automatically ejected—actually a section of counterweight steel pipe.
"Reload!"
A new cycle begins.
Four turrets and eight main guns completed a full simulated salvo in two minutes. Then another round, and another.
Five consecutive rounds.
Each round lasts less than two minutes.
On the bridge of the USS Intrepid
Abbasnot and all the officers watched this scene. They heard no gunfire, but they saw the turrets rotating rhythmically and the muzzles rising and falling rhythmically.
"They're training," the gunner said bitterly. "They're conducting realistic combat training right in front of us. And did you see that speed? Two minutes per round, five rounds in a row. Our fastest record is three minutes, and we can only maintain that for three rounds, otherwise the gun barrel overheats."
"What about fire control?" Abbasnot asked. "Their turrets rotate so synchronously, they obviously have a central fire control system. Ours is still being tested and won't be ready for deployment for at least another six months."
"And stability," the navigator added. "Did you notice? During their simulated salvo firing, the ship barely moved sideways. This shows that their ship's center of gravity design and rudder design are far superior to ours. When our ship fires, it moves sideways by several meters and needs to be re-aimed."
Every detail reveals the gap.
Every action they took reminded them: You've fallen behind.
Abbasnot walked to the chart table and looked at the marked routes. At this speed, the Indian coastline would be visible by noon tomorrow. Then, the "Revival" would appear off the coast of Mumbai, before the eyes of tens of thousands of colonial residents.
The Royal Navy could only follow behind, like a little follower.
He picked up his pen and began drafting his second report to London. This time, he used no diplomatic language, but rather stark facts:
"After thirty hours of continuous observation, the following facts have been confirmed:"
"First, the target ship 'Kuangfu' is at least seven years ahead of our 'Fearless' in terms of technology. Its speed, firepower, protection, fire control, and stability are all at a generational level."
"Secondly, the opposing crew is well-trained and in high spirits. Their operational proficiency and standardized procedures are no less than those of the Royal Navy's most elite forces."
"Third, the other side's attitude towards us has shifted from initial vigilance to complete disdain. The extreme maneuvering demonstration and simulated shooting training conducted this afternoon were intended to clearly demonstrate their absolute superiority."
"IV. Based on the above, it is strongly recommended that the overall strategy towards 'Lanfang' be reassessed. Any military solution could result in unbearable losses and a humiliating defeat. It is suggested that a diplomatic approach be adopted to seek some form of coexistence."
"Fifth, my personal judgment: Naval technological hegemony has shifted from Britain. The future belongs to those who master the technologies of oil-fired boilers, central fire control, and large steam turbines. Our country must do everything in its power to catch up, otherwise we will forever lose our maritime dominance."
After he finished writing, he looked at it for a long time before signing his name.
"Send it out. Use the highest level of security."
"Yes, sir."
The telegram was sent. Abbasnot knew what a storm this report would stir up in London. The gentlemen sitting in their offices would be furious, denying it, accusing him of exaggeration.
But the truth is right before our eyes, on the surface of the Indian Ocean, in every track left by that gray behemoth.
"Sir, the other side has sent a light signal," the communications officer reported.
"read."
"It is getting late. We advise you to be careful while sailing. This ship will continue sailing southeast. You may decide for yourself whether to continue following. Sweet dreams."
Another polite yet grating "concern".
Abbasnot smiled wryly: "Reply: 'Received. Thanks for the reminder.'"
What else can we say? Should we say, "We'll keep following you until we lose you"?
As night fell, the starry sky over the Indian Ocean was exceptionally clear. The "Kuangfu" turned on its navigation lights; the red port light and the green starboard light flashed in the darkness like a pair of indifferent eyes.
The Intrepid also turned on its lights and followed behind.
Two strings of lights moved across the dark sea, one in front of the other, one bright and one dim.
It is a perfect metaphor for this era: the lingering glow of the old era striving to catch up with the dawn of the new era.
But everyone knows that the dawn will only grow ever more distant.
Bombay Port Authority, India, early morning of March 19, 1906
"Your Excellency the Governor! Your Excellency the Governor!"
A rapid knocking startled Governor George Clark from his sleep. The sixty-year-old colonial official, who had spent twenty-five years in India, had never been woken so early. He put on his bathrobe, opened the door, and saw his secretary, Henry Wilson, standing outside, pale-faced, clutching a telegram.
"Wilson, do you know what time it is?"
"It's 6:15, Your Excellency. But... but something terrible has happened." Wilson's voice trembled. "The Royal Navy fleet... and... and another ship, is heading towards Bombay."
Clark frowned. "Naval fleet? Which fleet? Isn't the East India Fleet in Singapore?"
"No, it's not the East India Fleet." Wilson took a deep breath. "It's the Dauntless. The Dauntless from the mainland, with an escort. But... but there's another ship ahead. A... a giant ship we've never seen before."
The telegram was shoved into the governor's hands. Clark put on his glasses and read it quickly. The telegram was from the "Dauntless," sent directly by Major General Abbasnot, its wording cautious but unable to conceal its urgency:
"To the Government of India: My fleet will arrive off the coast of Mumbai at approximately 9:00 AM today. Accompanying us is the warship 'Guangfu' from the 'Lanfang Republic'. The ship's performance far exceeds expectations. I advise the port authority to prepare accordingly. Again, I advise preparations to be made. — Abbasnot"
Clark stared at the words "performance far exceeds expectations" for a long time, then looked up: "Wilson, what does 'accompanying' mean? Does it mean escorting prisoners, or...?"
"According to another encrypted telegram from the Admiralty," Wilson handed over another document, "'Revival'... is leading the way. Our fleet is following behind."
The study was silent for five seconds.
Then Clark exploded: "Following behind? You mean, the Royal Navy, the proudest fleet of the British Empire, following like lackeys behind a... what kind of ship? The Lanfang Republic? What's that? I've never heard of it!"