Chapter 239

Oriental Empire, Kyoto, Prime Minister's residence, Cabinet meeting room.

Translation: "Oriental Empire, capital, Prime Minister's residence, Cabinet meeting room."

But we need to keep punctuation? Probably keep same punctuation. We'll output: Oriental Empire, capital, Prime Minister's residence, Cabinet meeting room.

Unlike the court of the Da Qian Dynasty, this place is filled with a modern atmosphere, yet also permeated by a heavy, oppressive feeling. Sitting on both sides of the long conference table are cabinet ministers and military bigwigs dressed in suits or high-ranking uniforms.

Translation: "Unlike the court of the Great Dry Dynasty, this place is filled with a modern atmosphere, yet also permeated by a heavy, oppressive air. Along the long conference table, both sides are filled with cabinet ministers and military bigwigs in Western suits or high-ranking uniforms."

We need to keep meaning. Use "bigwigs" maybe. Keep "military bigwigs". OK.

Everyone had solemn expressions, brows furrowed. Smoke lingered in the air, and ashtrays were filled with cigarette butts.

Translation: "Everyone had solemn expressions, brows furrowed. Smoke lingered in the air, and the ashtrays were packed with cigarette butts."

The meeting was chaired by Army Minister General Arisaka Kenji. This army bigwig, highly respected in the military and known for his hardline stance, now had a face so dark it seemed water could drip from it. Scattered on the table were reports from the Kwantung Army Command and the Kunshan intelligence outpost, as well as the latest summary of the Shen City incident.

Translation: "The meeting was chaired by the Army Minister, General Arisaka Kenji. This army bigwig, highly prestigious in the military and known for his hardline stance, now had a face so dark it seemed water could drip from it. Scattered on the table were reports from the Kwantung Army Command and the Kunshan intelligence outpost, as well as the latest summary of the Shen City incident."

Note: General Arisaka Kenji. Army Minister is Army Minister. We'll keep "Army Minister". "army bigwig". "Kwantung Army Command". "Kunshan intelligence outpost". "Shen City incident". "latest summary".

"Gentlemen," Arisaka Kenji's low, hoarse voice broke the silence in the meeting room, "Regarding the Shen City Lin Yu incident, I'm sure you are all aware. Reports from the Kwantung Army Command and the Special Higher Police have already been submitted."

Translation: '"Gentlemen," Arisaka Kenji's low, hoarse voice broke the silence in the meeting room, "Regarding the incident involving Lin Yu in Shen City, you all must have heard about it. The reports from the Kwantung Army Command and the Tokkō have already been submitted."'

Note: Tokkō is the Special Higher Police. We'll keep as "Tokkō". Could translate as "Special Higher Police", but it's a proper name; we can translate meaning: "Special Higher Police". I'll translate meaning: "Special Higher Police". Actually the instruction says for named entities we should translate meaning unless it's a person's name. So we translate: "Special Higher Police". So "Tokkō" is abbreviation; we can translate as "Special Higher Police". We'll do that.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over each cabinet member present, especially the Navy Minister and Foreign Minister: "This Lin Yu acts recklessly, his methods brutal. He not only openly killed imperial journalists, slaughtered our compatriots, annihilated our troops, but also declared independence from the Da Qian Court. His actions have severely damaged the empire's interests in Da Qian and constitute an outright challenge to imperial authority."

Translation: "He paused, his gaze sweeping over each cabinet member present, especially the Navy Minister and the Foreign Minister: 'This Lin Yu acts recklessly and ruthlessly; he not only openly murdered imperial journalists, killed our compatriots, annihilated our troops, and even declared independence from the Da Qian Court. His actions have severely damaged imperial interests in the Great Dry Dynasty and constitute an open challenge to imperial authority!'"

Note: Da Qian Court. Great Dry. the empire. compatriots. annihilated our troops. declared independence from the Da Qian Court. imperial authority.

A cabinet member couldn't help but interject: "Army Minister, the Kwantung Army's report seems to rate him highly? Even considers his threat greater than that of Murong Qing in the Northern Border?"

Translation: "A cabinet member couldn't help but interject: 'Army Minister, the Kwantung Army's report seems to rate him highly? Even considering his threat greater than that of Murong Qing in the Northern Border?'"

Note: Murong Qing in the Northern Border.

Arisaka Kenji's face darkened; without directly answering, he slowly said: "You probably haven't forgotten… just a few months ago, how the Imperial Army's Ninth Division fared around Shen City… nearly annihilated, right?"

Translation: "Arisaka Kenji's face darkened; he did not answer directly, but slowly said: 'You surely haven't forgotten… just a few months ago, how the Imperial Army's Ninth Division was nearly annihilated around Shen City, right?'"

Note: Imperial Army's Ninth Division. around Shen City. nearly annihilated.

As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew even graver. The Ninth Division's crushing defeat was the Imperial Army's greatest disgrace in recent years, and a pain they preferred not to mention. Although outwardly they claimed it was due to an ambush by superior forces and plague, internally everyone knew it had something to do with the sudden rise of Lin Yu.

Translation: "As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew even graver. The crushing defeat of the Ninth Division was the Imperial Army's greatest disgrace in recent years, and a pain they hated to mention. Although outwardly they claimed it was due to an ambush by superior forces and a plague, internally everyone knew it had something to do with the sudden rise of Lin Yu."

Note: had something to do with.

"We must admit," Arisaka Kenji said, his voice tinged with reluctance yet forced to face reality, "Lin Yu's army, its equipment, training, and command ability, are indeed not to be underestimated! At least on land, he has proven himself an extremely dangerous opponent. Trying to settle him with the army alone in the short term would likely cost more than the Ninth Division's loss!"

Translation: '"We must admit," Arisaka Kenji's voice carried a hint of reluctance, yet he had to face reality: "The army under Lin Yu's command—its equipment, training, and command ability—are certainly not to be underestimated! At least on land, he has proven himself an extremely dangerous opponent. Trying to settle him with the army alone in the short term would likely cost even more than the Ninth Division."'

Upon hearing the Army Minister personally acknowledge the opponent's strength, everyone present was filled with dread.

Translation: "Hearing the Army Minister personally acknowledge the enemy's strength, everyone present was shocked."

"But!" Arisaka Kenji shifted his tone, a flash of severity in his eyes, his voice becoming resolute: "The army's weakness is precisely the strength of the Great Oriental Empire's navy!"

Translation: '"But!" Arisaka Kenji shifted his tone, a flash of severity in his eyes, his voice turning resolute: "The army's weakness is precisely the strength of our Oriental Empire's navy!"'

He turned his gaze to the Navy Minister sitting arrogantly to the side, Admiral Mitsugi Yonai.

Translation: "He turned his gaze to the Navy Minister seated arrogantly to the side, Admiral Mitsugi Yonai."

Note: Navy Minister. Admiral Yonai Mitsugi.

"As the saying goes, 'Three years for the army, a hundred for the navy!'" Arisaka Kenji raised his voice somewhat, "Lin Yu may be able to rage on land for a moment, but what does he have to oppose the empire's mighty Combined Fleet? Does he have a navy? Does he possess weapons capable of threatening our battleships? No! Before the empire's naval absolute supremacy, his meager land forces are nothing more than a cornered beast on shore."

Translation: '"As the saying goes, 'Three years for the army, a hundred for the navy!'" Arisaka Kenji raised his voice slightly, "Lin Yu might rage on land for a moment, but what can he use to oppose the empire's mighty Combined Fleet? Does he have a navy? Does he possess weapons that could threaten our battleships? No! Faced with the empire's absolute naval supremacy, his land forces are nothing more than a cornered beast on the shore!"'

Note: Combined Fleet. the empire. battleships. absolute supremacy. cornered beast.

Navy Minister Mitsugi Yonai, hearing this, showed a barely perceptible smile and gave a slight nod of approval. The navy has always been the empire's pride, and they firmly believe that its command of the sea is unshakable.

Translation: "Navy Minister Yonai Mitsugi heard this, a faint, hardly noticeable smile touching his lips as he gave a slight nod of agreement. The navy has always been the empire's pride; they firmly believe the empire's command of the sea is unshakeable."

"Therefore, I propose!" Arisaka Kenji slammed his fist on the table, his tone unequivocal: "Instead of letting the army get bogged down in ground combat with Lin Yu, let us exploit our naval advantage! Immediately dispatch the main force of the empire's strongest First Combined Fleet to take station off Shen City!"

Translation: '"Therefore, I propose!" Arisaka Kenji slammed the table, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Instead of letting the army get bogged down in ground combat with Lin Yu, let's exploit our naval advantage! Immediately dispatch the main force of the empire's strongest, the First Combined Fleet, to take station off Shen City!"'

Note: First Combined Fleet.

Thus: "Immediately dispatch the main force of the empire's strongest, the First Combined Fleet, to take station off Shen City!"

His gaze swept over the entire room, carrying an indisputable air: "With our invincible fleet's giant guns, we will directly threaten Shen City! Order Lin Yu to immediately disarm, surrender the perpetrators, compensate losses, and accept the empire's 'supervision'! If he dares to resist, the firepower of the imperial fleet is enough to wipe Shen City off the map."

Translation: "His gaze swept the hall with an indisputable aura: 'With our invincible fleet's giant guns, we will directly threaten Shen City! Order Lin Yu to immediately disarm, surrender the perpetrators, compensate losses, and accept the empire's "supervision"! If he dares to resist, the firepower of the imperial fleet is enough to wipe Shen City off the map!'"

Note: invincible fleet. giant guns. threaten. surrender the perpetrators. compensate losses. accept the empire's "supervision". enough to wipe Shen City off the map.

This proposal immediately won the approval of most present. Using naval superiority for gunboat diplomacy has always been a tried-and-true tactic for the Oriental Empire. They believe that before the empire's ironclad fleet that blots out the sky, any resistance is futile. Lin Yu may have some talent on land, but he absolutely cannot withstand a thunderous strike from the sea.

Translation: "This proposal immediately won the approval of most present. Using naval superiority for gunboat diplomacy has always been a tried-and-true tactic for the Oriental Empire. They believed that before the empire's navy, whose ironclad fleet blots out the sky, any resistance would be futile. Lin Yu might have some talent on land, but he could absolutely not withstand a thunderous strike from the sea."

Note: gunboat diplomacy. ironclad fleet that blots out the sky. thunderous strike.

After a brief discussion, the cabinet quickly reached agreement.

Translation: "After a brief discussion, the cabinet quickly reached agreement."

The Prime Minister rose and made the final decision: "Issue the order immediately! The Imperial Navy's First Combined Fleet, led by the flagship Changmen battleship, shall set sail at once for the waters off Shen City in the Da Qian Dynasty! Demonstrate to Lin Yu and his forces the resolve and might of the Great Oriental Empire! Be sure to compel their submission!"

Translation: "The Prime Minister rose and made the final decision: 'Issue the order at once! The empire's First Combined Fleet, led by the flagship Changmen, shall set sail immediately for the waters off Shen City in the Great Dry Dynasty! Show Lin Yu and his forces the resolve and might of the Oriental Empire! Be sure to compel their submission!'"

Note: flagship Changmen battleship. waters off Shen City in the Great Dry Dynasty. Oriental Empire.

The order was swiftly transmitted via radio to the naval base. The Oriental Empire's vast war machine, once again spurred into high gear by Lin Yu, they firmly believe that with its invincible navy, it will easily crush that clueless Shen City warlord.

Translation: "The order was swiftly transmitted via radio to the naval base. The Oriental Empire's vast war machine, once again spurred into high gear by Lin Yu, they firmly believed that with its invincible navy, it could easily crush that clueless Shen City warlord."

Note: clueless. Shen City warlord.

Oriental Empire, Sasebo Naval Base, First Combined Fleet Command & Northern Border Frontier, Longjin Port Fortress, Kwantung Army Command.

Translation: "Oriental Empire, Sasebo Naval Base, First Combined Fleet Command & Northern Border Frontier, Longjin Port Fortress, Kwantung Army Command."

Note: Sasebo Naval Base. First Combined Fleet Command. Northern Border Frontier. Longjin Port Fortress. Kwantung Army Command.

The decision of the Tokyo Cabinet meeting was, almost simultaneously, sent by top‑level encrypted telegram to two key locations: one, located on the empire's home soil and serving as the main base of the Combined Fleet, Sasebo Naval Base, was directly delivered to the Navy Minister and the Combined Fleet commander;

Translation: "The decision of the Tokyo Cabinet meeting, almost simultaneously, was sent in the form of a top‑level encrypted telegram to two key locations: one, to Sasebo Naval Base—the empire's home soil and main base of the Combined Fleet—directly to the Navy Minister and the Combined Fleet commander;"

Note: Tokyo Cabinet meeting. top‑level encrypted. swiftly sent. located on the empire's home soil. Sasebo Naval Base, the main base of the Combined Fleet. directly to the Navy Minister and the Combined Fleet commander.

The other was the Longjin Port Fortress in the Northern Border Frontier of the Da Qian Dynasty, which reported to the Kwantung Army Command to facilitate army‑navy coordination.

Translation: "the other, to Longjin Port Fortress in the Northern Border Frontier of the Great Dry Dynasty, to inform the Kwantung Army Command so that land and naval forces could coordinate their actions."

The ticking of the telegram shattered the night‑time quiet of both headquarters; signalmen translated the order from the imperial central authority as quickly as possible and delivered it to each supreme commander's desk.

Translation: "The ticking of the telegram broke the night's quiet in both headquarters; the signalmen, working as fast as they could, translated this order from the imperial central authority and delivered it to the desks of the respective supreme commanders."

Longjin Port, Kwantung Army Command.

Translation: "Longjin Port, Kwantung Army Command."

Kwantung Army Commander General Nanda Yoichi looked at the telegram from Tokyo, his brow slightly furrowed. The telegram's content was concise and clear: the cabinet had decided to use naval power to pressure Lin Yu in Shen City, ordering the First Combined Fleet to detach an elite squadron centered on the flagship Changmen battleship, to set sail immediately for the waters off Shen City to carry out a deterrence mission. It required the Kwantung Army side to closely monitor the situation and make the necessary preparatory arrangements.

Translation: "Kwantung Army Commander General Nanda Yoichi looked at the telegram from Tokyo, his brow twitching imperceptibly. The telegram's content was concise and clear: the cabinet had decided to use naval power to pressure Lin Yu in Shen City, ordering the First Combined Fleet to dispatch a elite detachment centered on the flagship Changmen, to set sail immediately for the waters off Shen City to carry out a deterrence mission. It required the Kwantung Army side to closely monitor the situation and make the necessary preparatory arrangements."

Note: Kwantung Army Commander. General Nanda Yoichi. elite detachment. carry out a deterrence mission. make the necessary preparatory arrangements.

"The navy… acts fast," Nanda Yoichi said, laying down the telegram, his tone flat, impossible to tell whether it was praise or sarcasm.

Translation: '"The navy… acts fast," Nanda Yoichi muttered, lowering the telegram, his tone flat, impossible to tell whether it was praise or sarcasm.'

Standing beside him, Chief of Staff Shinichi Ishihara also saw the telegram, pushed up his glasses, and said: "Commander, it seems General Headquarters has accepted the Army Minister's advice and prioritized the navy's advantage. This too was expected."

Translation: "Chief of Staff Ishihara Shinichi, standing nearby, also saw the telegram, pushed up his glasses, and said: 'Commander, it seems the General Headquarters has accepted the Army Minister's advice and prioritized the navy's advantage. This was to be expected.'"

Note: Chief of Staff. General Headquarters. accepted the Army Minister's advice. prioritized the navy's advantage.

"Expected?" Nanda Yoichi glanced at him, his eyes carrying a hint of complexity, "Shinichi, don't you think… you're being a bit too presumptuous?"

Translation: '"To be expected?" Nanda Yoichi glanced at him, his eyes holding a hint of complexity, "Shinichi, don't you think… that's a bit too presumptuous?"'

Note: Shinichi. too presumptuous.

Shinichi Ishihara blinked slightly: "What do you mean, sir?"

Translation: "Ishihara Shinichi blinked slightly: 'What do you mean, Commander?'"

"Those navy fellows always think their ironclads are invincible," Nanda Yoichi said, his voice dropping a few degrees, "They sit in the warm bridge, looking at nautical charts, wiggling their fingers, and assume they can make the enemy on shore yield. They simply don't understand how troublesome that Lin Yu we've encountered on land really is!"

Translation: '"Those navy fellows always think their ironclads are invincible." Nanda Yoichi's voice dropped a few degrees, "They sit in the warm bridge, stare at nautical charts, wiggle their fingers, and think they can make the enemy on shore yield. They simply don't understand how troublesome that Lin Yu we've encountered on land really is."'

Note: ironclads. bridge. nautical charts. wiggle their fingers. make the enemy on shore yield. troublesome.

He tapped his finger on the report about the Ninth Division's destruction on the desk: "The lesson of the Ninth Division—could they have forgotten it? Could an opponent that crippled one of our elite divisions on land really be so easily frightened off by a few warships?"

Translation: "He tapped his finger on the report of the Ninth Division's destruction on the desk: 'Have they forgotten the lesson of the Ninth Division? Could an opponent that crippled one of our elite divisions on land really be so easily frightened by a few warships?'"

Note: elite division. crippled. a few warships.

Although he didn't think Lin Yu could stand against the mighty Combined Fleet, he instinctively felt that relying solely on naval gunboat diplomacy might be underestimating the opponent. The army had suffered heavily in its clashes with Lin Yu, and they knew better than anyone how difficult he was. The navy now stepping in to claim credit—if something went wrong……

Translation: "Although he didn't believe Lin Yu had the capacity to oppose the mighty Combined Fleet, he instinctively felt that relying solely on naval gunboat diplomacy might be underestimating the opponent. The army had suffered heavily in its clashes with Lin Yu, and thus knew better how difficult he was. The navy now stepping in to claim credit—if anything went wrong…"

Note: relying solely on naval gunboat diplomacy. might be underestimating the opponent. suffered heavily. how difficult he was. stepping in to claim credit.

"But, Commander, this is the decision of the cabinet and General Headquarters," Ishihara reminded him cautiously.

Translation: '"But, Commander, this is the decision of the cabinet and the General Headquarters…," Ishihara Shinichi reminded, his tone cautious.'

"Of course I know!" Nanda Yoichi waved his hand, cutting him off, his tone tinged with impatience yet also the resignation of a soldier who must obey orders: "Orders are like mountains; we naturally must carry them out."

Translation: '"Of course I know!" Nanda Yoichi waved a hand, cutting him off, his tone tinged with impatience yet also the resignation of a soldier who must obey orders: "Orders are like mountains; we naturally will carry them out."'

Nanda Yoichi rose, walked to the map, and his gaze fell once more on Shen City's location.

Translation: "Nanda Yoichi rose, walked to the map, and his gaze fell once more on Shen City's location."

"Pass on my orders!" he said in a low voice, "Command our forces in Korea and Kwantung Province to maintain the highest alert! Strengthen surveillance of Murong Qing's forces in the Northern Border to prevent any movement. At the same time, order the intelligence operatives lurking around Shen City to closely watch how Lin Yu and his troops react after the Oriental Fleet arrives! I need to know immediately whether the navy's 'gunboat diplomacy' actually works!"

Translation: '"Pass on my orders!" he said in a low voice, "Command our troops in Korea and Kwantung Province to maintain the highest alert! Strengthen surveillance of Murong Qing's forces in the Northern Border to prevent any moves. At the same time, order the intelligence operatives lurking around Shen City to closely watch the reaction of Lin Yu and his troops after the Oriental Fleet arrives! I need to know immediately whether the navy's 'gunboat diplomacy' actually works."'

Note: Korea. Kwantung Province. Murong Qing's forces in the Northern Border. Oriental Fleet. gunboat diplomacy.

"Hai!" Ishihara immediately snapped to attention and replied.

Translation: '"Hai!" Ishihara Shinichi snapped to attention and replied.'

Although he harbored doubts about the navy's strategy, even a faint worry, as Kwantung Army Commander Nanda Yoichi he had to unconditionally carry out the order from Tokyo. He could only hope that the Combined Fleet's prestige and power would, as before, easily overwhelm the opponent.

Translation: "Although he harbored doubts about the navy's strategy, even a faint worry, as Kwantung Army Commander he had to unconditionally carry out the order from Tokyo. He could only hope that the Combined Fleet's prestige and strength would, as before, easily crush the opponent."

Meanwhile, at the distant naval base, as the order was issued, the vast war machine began to stir.

Translation: "Meanwhile, at the distant naval base, as the order was issued, the vast war machine began to stir."

Whistles blew long, anchor chains clanked, and one after another, steel hulled ships painted gray, led by the flagship Changmen, slowly pulled out of the harbor, bearing the empire's arrogance and conceit, cleaving the waves as they steamed toward the tumultuous waters off Shen City.

Translation: "Whistles blew long, anchor chains clanked, and gray‑painted steel warships, led by the flagship Changmen, slowly pulled out of the harbor, bearing the empire's arrogance and conceit, cutting through the waves as they headed for the tumultuous waters off Shen City."

A naval confrontation with a vast imbalance of power is about to unfold in the Far East. The Eastern Ocean Empire firmly believes its massive warships and cannons are enough to intimidate all, yet they do not realize that the opponent they are about to face is one that completely surpasses their comprehension.