Chapter 251

That evening, off Shen City, about fifty kilometers from the coastline.

After several days of sailing, the massive Japanese Nagato Detached Fleet finally reached the designated deterrence zone. The setting sun's afterglow spilled across the sea, outlining the vast formation of steel warships in clear detail.

The flagship Nagato battleship loomed like a king at the center of the formation, its tall silhouette casting a long reflection on the glittering sea. Two Fusō-class battleships were positioned slightly aft to its left and right, like loyal guards. Four Myōkō

-class heavy cruisers and eight Fubuki-class destroyers spread out in a fan shape, guarding the periphery; the entire formation was neat and uniform, radiating a fierce aura. The enormous sun flag flew from each ship's main mast, snapping in the sea breeze, as if proclaiming their absolute sovereignty over this unfamiliar sea.

Shen City

The detachment commander, Lieutenant General Yamaguchi Tamon, raised his binoculars and gazed at the faint outline of Shen City's coastline in the distance. Although still far away, he seemed already able to imagine the panic and despair of those "Chinamen" on shore upon seeing the imperial fleet descend. His face bore an arrogant smile of assured victory.

Oriental Long Gate Detached Fleet

"Supreme Commander, the fleet has reached its designated position and reduced speed." The operations officer reported, "All ships are in good condition and ready to execute the next order at any moment."

"Very well." Yamaguchi Tamon nodded, "Order all ships to assume the deterrence formation! Point all main guns toward Shen City! Let the rats on shore see clearly what they are up against!"

Hibiscus-class

As the order was given, the massive fleet began slowly adjusting its formation. Battleships and heavy cruisers turned their hulls, aiming their massive side-mounted guns at Shen City, while destroyers patrolled the outer perimeter. The entire fleet assumed a posture ready to fire at any moment, silently exuding immense pressure.

"Osawa-kun," Yamaguchi Tamon turned to Fusō-class battleship captain Osawa Treizaburo, "Your 356mm guns are more than enough to give Lin Yu a taste of color. If we need to 'strike' later, you can fire a few volleys first—no need to use Nagato's main guns, lest we waste ammunition."

"Rest assured, Supreme Commander! I guarantee those bastards on shore will be scared shitless!" Osawa Treizaburo replied excitedly, as if he could already hear the explosions of shells landing on Shen City's land.

"Should we first send out a seaplane for reconnaissance, or have the destroyers move closer to check the situation on shore?" a relatively cautious staff officer suggested, "To confirm Lin Yu's reaction and whether there are any coastal defenses."

Yamaguchi Tamon waved his hand dismissively upon hearing that: "Coastal defenses? What kind of decent coastal defenses could the Chinamen have? Just some obsolete muzzle-loaders—not even enough to give us an itch! As for Lin Yu's reaction? Besides sending someone out to surrender, what else could he do?"

He appeared extremely confident, even arrogant: "No need for that. We'll just wait here. Give them tonight to consider. Tomorrow morning, if Lin Yu still doesn't send a representative to surrender, we'll first bombard the Wusong mouth forts with our secondary guns to give him a taste of color—I don't believe he won't be afraid!"

In Yamaguchi Tamon's view and that of most Japanese naval officers, this "gunboat diplomacy" had already succeeded halfway. Such a powerful fleet looming over the city was in itself the most effective deterrence. They simply did not believe Lin Yu had any possibility or strength to resist, let alone detect any anomaly beforehand.

Staff Officer

They were completely unaware that, right ahead of them on that seemingly calm sea and coastline, two meticulously woven nets of death had been silently spread, waiting to ensnare these self-delivered prey. Their arrogance and underestimation would soon exact a devastating price.

Meanwhile, tens of nautical miles to the rear flank of the Japanese Nagato Detached Fleet, a stretch of water distorted by systemic forces appeared, under ordinary optics and early detection methods, as ordinary sea mist or a mirage—a concealed area.

Ship Captain

Unlike the Japanese fleet's ostentatious deterrence formation, this German fleet, under Shen Chonghai's command, displayed extremely high tactical proficiency and concealment awareness.

The flagship "Iron Blood" (Bismarck) and "Azure Sky" (Zeppelin) aircraft carriers were anchored at the center of the concealed waters, utilizing a certain energy-field effect provided by the system, making their massive hull outlines appear blurred at long range, as if blending into the sea and sky.

The surrounding Hipper-class heavy cruisers and Z-class destroyers dispersed in a loose but mutually protective formation, using natural reefs (if any nearby) or simulated complex sea conditions from the system as cover, further reducing the chance of detection.

Z-class Destroyer

Thunderous Might

Inside the bridge, duty personnel meticulously monitored various gauges and charts, while signalmen quietly relayed orders, creating a tense yet orderly atmosphere. In the turrets, gunners had already loaded armor-piercing shells into position, ready to unleash a thunderous strike at any moment.

On the flight deck, ground crew were performing final checks on the carrier-based aircraft, while pilots stood by in the briefing room, eyes sharp, fighting spirit high. In the engine room, engineers ensured boiler pressure and engine operation, ready to unleash maximum speed at any moment.

Every officer and sailor was like a screw in a precision machine, each performing their duty, standing ready. Although they had Eastern features, they bore the German army's distinctive rigor, discipline, and efficiency.

More importantly, their eyes were filled with absolute loyalty to Commander Lin Yu and a yearning for the impending battle. This high morale and combat readiness formed a stark contrast with the Japanese navy, steeped in arrogance and complacency.

U-boat

Major General Shen Chonghai stood before the naval chart table, his keen eyes scrutinizing the continuously updated enemy and friendly situation reports. The Intelligence Bureau, via various channels, had transmitted information on the Japanese fleet's position, course, and speed, which staff officers precisely marked on the chart.

"Reporting, Commander, the enemy fleet has reached the edge of our designated 'optimal ambush zone.'" a staff officer reported.

"Optical observation and ranging have confirmed the enemy flagship and major escort vessels!" another officer in charge of fire control added, "Distance 50 kilometers, bearing southeast 140°, enemy fleet speed about 12 knots. The target formation is loose, with no signs of detection."

Shen Chonghai lifted his head, gazing through the bridge's side window toward the direction of the Japanese fleet; though the naked eye could see nothing yet, his eyes were already filled with icy killing intent.

Sharp Wedge Assault Formation

He picked up the internal communicator, his voice steady and clear, carrying an undeniable authority:

Gunboat Diplomacy

"I am Shen Chonghai! Execute Operation 'Hunt'!"

"Order: 'Iron Blood' and 'Azure Sky' and all surface vessels, drop concealment! Immediately turn to bearing northwest 320°, proceed at maximum combat speed of 30 knots, form an assault formation, and close with the enemy at high speed!"

"'Azure Sky' carrier air group, first attack wave, prepare for takeoff!"

(maybe also "sea eagle" as separate? We'll skip.)

"All ships' main guns, secondary guns, and torpedoes, lock onto the enemy fleet! Permission to fire freely, stand by!"

With Shen Chonghai's command, this steel fleet that had lain hidden in the mist instantly burst forth with astonishing energy!

The roar of the engines shattered the sea's tranquility! The Iron Blood and Azure Sky, like awakening beasts, their massive hulls began to turn, bows cutting white spray! Cruisers and destroyers, like arrows released from a bow, swiftly adjusted position to form a sharp wedge assault formation!

In ordinary view, that patch of sea, once seemingly calm and shrouded in thick fog, seemed to suddenly rip open its disguise! A vast, modern, murderous steel fleet, with astonishing speed and unmatchable momentum, surged from the rear flank toward the Japanese Nagato Detached Fleet, still flaunting its might and utterly unprepared, and slammed into it!

(maybe "Death Net" not included.)

A meticulously planned naval ambush is about to erupt in the next moment with Thunderous Might! The arrogance of the Japanese Navy will be utterly crushed before this sudden deadly assault!