Chapter 314: The Lanfang Navy Can Protect Itself; Please Mind Your Own Business

He stepped forward, Distance to Phillips only half a meter: "Colonel, you are a soldier and should understand a soldier's duty. My duty is to complete the mission; your duty is to execute orders. But we both know what the consequences would be if a clash occurs today."

Phillips stared at him for a few seconds, then laughed suddenly: "Major General, you are very direct. I like direct people."

He stepped back: "I will report to headquarters that your fleet's documents are complete and no anomalies were found. I recommend granting passage."

"How long is needed?"

"Two hours," Phillips said, "Canal scheduling takes time. Two hours later, you may enter the northbound channel."

Li Te nodded: "Thank you."

"However," Phillips walked to the gangway entrance, then turned back, "Major General, beyond the canal lies the Mediterranean Sea. It is not as… open as the Red Sea. You will encounter more of our ships and denser surveillance. Moreover, Deguo submarines are also active. Good luck to you."

"We will need luck," Li Te said, "but what we need more is determination."

Phillips saluted and descended the gangway. As the motorboat pulled away, he stood at the stern, watching the Huai River, his gaze complex.

Two hours later, at four p. m., the permission finally arrived.

The fleet slowly entered the Suez Canal. This artificial waterway is only one hundred meters wide, requiring large vessels to pass one way. Both banks are barren desert, with occasional Yingguo garrison outposts and gun emplacements.

The Huai River and the Pearl River proceeded one after the other, like two giants walking through a narrow corridor. Six merchant ships followed behind, formation tight.

Canal navigation lasted the entire night. On the morning of May 26, the fleet exited the northern entrance of the canal and entered the Mediterranean Sea.

The view ahead opened up. Deep blue sea, distant horizon, and… more Yingguo warships.

At least six cruisers and over ten destroyers were scattered across the sea surface, forming a loose surveillance net. Further away, the silhouettes of two battleships could be seen—likely Elizabeth Queen Class, Yingguo's newest capital ships.

"They really respect us," Chen Shaoming said with a bitter smile.

Li Te, however, let out a sigh: "This shows that London has decided—surveillance, but no interception. These warships are here to 'escort' us."

Indeed, the Yingguo fleet did not approach, maintaining a Distance of about ten nautical miles, sailing parallel. Occasionally one or two destroyers would speed up, close in for reconnaissance, then return to the formation.

On May 28, the fleet passed through the Sicily Strait. This is the Mediterranean's throat, with the Yingguo Navy base Malta to the southeast.

A Yingguo light cruiser suddenly accelerated toward the Huai River, at a Distance of about two nautical miles, flashing a signal light: "German submarines are active ahead; recommend altering course."

Li Te looked at the signal, thoughtful.

"Captain, should we change course?" Chen Shaoming asked.

"No," Li Te said. "The Yingguo want us to take a detour and waste time. Reply: Thanks for the warning, but we will proceed on the planned route."

After the reply was sent, the Yingguo cruiser sent another message: "Reminder again, Deguo submarines may attack any vessel, including neutral ships."

This time, Li Te himself walked to the signal lamp and operated it: "Lanfang Navy has the capability to protect itself. Please mind your own business."

After the signal was sent, the Yingguo cruiser fell silent, slowly retreating into the formation.

Over the next three days, the fleet sailed along the southern coast of Faguo. The Scale of the Yingguo fleet gradually diminished, until only two cruisers remained far behind.

On June 1, at dawn, the fleet passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Atlantic Ocean.

Here, they encountered the final wave of Yingguo warships—not to surveil, but to "see them off."

A battleship and two cruisers formed a horizontal line, blocking the route. At a Distance of five nautical miles, the Main Gun pointed toward the sky.

"What do they intend to do?" Chen Shaoming became nervous.

Li Te raised his telescope and examined closely. That battleship was Orion Class, equipped with ten 343 mm Main Guns; although older than the Bismarck Class, it remained a formidable opponent.

The signal lamp lit up: "We are about to enter a combat zone ahead; please reconfirm the navigation purpose."

Li Te replied: "Purpose unchanged. Please clear the passage."

After a few minutes of silence, the Yingguo battleship slowly turned, yielding the central channel. Yet as the fleet passed, all Yingguo sailors stood in formation—a navy's highest salute, but at this moment, more like a silent demonstration.

Li Te ordered the Huai River and the Pearl River to also stand at attention. The two forces faced each other across the sea, wordless, only the sea wind howling.

After the fleet passed, the Yingguo fleet did not follow. They halted in place, watching the Lanfang fleet head north, gradually vanishing on the horizon.

"They gave up," Chen Shaoming said.

"No," Li Te said, looking at the Yingguo fleet receding behind, "they are preserving strength, waiting for a more important battle."

He recalled the London Navy Department's strategy—prioritizing Deguo. Every Yingguo decision revolved around that core.

"But we made it through," Chen Shaoming still felt exhilarated, "from Singapore to here, eight thousand nautical miles, Yingguo's layered obstacles, we passed them all."

Li Te nodded, but without a smile. Because the real challenge lay ahead—Deguo port diplomatic negotiations, Faguo port labor reception, and a 12,000 nautical‑mile return voyage.

That is the true test.

He took out his pocket watch and opened the cover. The time read 9:10 a. m. The line beneath the dial was clearly visible in the morning light: Time will prove where justice lies.

"Half the way remains," Li Te said softly, "Compatriots, wait for us. We are coming to bring you home."

The fleet turned northeast, heading for the final leg—the English Channel, then into the North Sea, arriving at Deguo's Port William.

The sea wind brushed, battle flags fluttered. Two giant warships escorted six merchant ships, like a swift arrow aimed at the heart of the European continent.

And behind them, the Yingguo Navy's gaze followed like a shadow.

Surveillance, vigilance, anger, but powerless.

Because in this era, a ship's gun caliber is the language of diplomacy.

And Lanfang, just now with the loudest voice, said a sentence the whole world heard:

"We have arrived."

June 8, 1916, at six a. m., Faguo's Calais Port.

Sea fog like heavy gray velvet enveloped the entire port. Visibility was under fifty meters, yet the clamor from deep within the harbor pierced the mist—thousands of suppressed shouts, cries, and screams, along with soldiers' scoldings in French and English.

The Huai River and the Pearl River, like two steel mountains, slowly entered the port's main channel. Their massive hulls displaced the sea, leaving two white wakes. Even in the dense fog, the battleship's towering bridge and massive turret silhouettes remained clearly visible, exuding a silent deterrence.