aircannonsinc Chapter 212 Chinese Cruisers
Chapter 212 Chinese Cruisers
"What should we say to outsiders?"
Liu Zhenliang stopped laughing and his tone became serious.
"To the outside world, we'll say that the Wusong branch of Jiangnan Shipyard built the Zhen Dong warship using existing dock equipment, combined with special steel from Ma'anshan and the naval technology of the Chen family army. Foreigners will see that it was built by us. Even those in the know, as long as they don't get inside, will have to admit that we Chinese can now build 5,000-ton light cruiser warships!"
As soon as he said that, the eyes of several older workers nearby reddened.
A young apprentice, still clutching a wrench, couldn't help but whisper, "Master Liu, will we really be able to build these 5,000-ton warships in the future?"
Liu Zhenliang did not scold him.
He looked up at the dock gate.
"In the past, no matter how well we repaired the hulls for foreigners, they were still just other people's ships. Today is different. With this threshold set in place, there will not only be 5,000-ton light cruisers, but also 10,000-ton warships, tens of thousands of tons of battleships, and even our own Chinese ocean-going fleet!"
Chen Zijun walked to his side.
"Grandpa, the idea of a threshold stone is good."
His voice wasn't loud, but it silenced everyone around him.
"The Zhen Dong warship isn't something you can buy. Face is something that foreigners can give you if they want to, and not give you if they don't. That's not real skill."
He raised his hand and patted the cold steel railing.
"The Zhen Dong ship is a threshold. Once we cross it, the Chinese Navy will no longer just be circling in the river, nor will it just be blocked in the port and scolded. We will no longer be confined to our own doorstep. In the future, our ships will go out to the East China Sea, to the South China Sea, and to the ocean. Anyone who dares to point their cannons at the Chinese coast will have to think twice before they see whether our warships are on their own coastline."
The workers' breathing suddenly became heavy.
At the dock gate, Hans stood to one side with several German-equipped guards and naval cadets. He had maintained the calm expression of a German officer, but upon seeing the steel shadows in the dock, his expression faltered.
"Young Marshal."
Hans lowered his voice, his voice visibly shocked.
"This is no ordinary patrol vessel. It has the framework of a cruiser, an independent communication system, and torpedo attack capabilities. You're not just looking to guard the river mouth."
Chen Zijun said calmly, "Guarding the river mouth is for show."
Hans was stunned.
Chen Zijun looked towards the mouth of the Huangpu River.
"What I want is for people in the East China Sea to know that Chinese warships should also be present on the open ocean in the future."
Liu Zhenliang waved his hand forcefully.
"Open the floodgates!"
The steam whistle suddenly sounded a long blast.
Ugh!
Workers on both sides of the dock simultaneously pulled the winches, the iron chains rattling as they rolled over the pulleys, and the heavy gate slowly opened. The river water rushed in, crashing against the dock's stone walls with a deep, resonant sound.
The fog was torn apart by the river wind.
The bow of the Zhen Dong warship slowly emerged.
The gray hull resembled a long sword just pulled from the water. A striking "16" was painted on the bow, and the gun emplacements were ripped off by a soldier, revealing the dark muzzles pointing towards the river. On the mast, the military flag fluttered loudly.
The area on both sides of the pier was deathly silent.
The next moment, cheers erupted!
"Zhendong warship!"
"A Chinese cruiser!"
"May the young marshal be victorious!"
The naval cadets stood ramrod straight, some shouting until their voices cracked. An old worker took off his hat and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. Even the most cunning accountants were speechless, stunned by this massive steel behemoth.
Liu Zhenliang stood in the river breeze, tears streaming down his face, but he didn't try to hide them.
"Young Marshal, we Chinese finally have our own cruisers!"
Chen Zijun didn't laugh too loudly.
He looked at the ship.
The nagging I felt about being a modern person suddenly faded away.
This isn't a moment for spending money to enjoy.
This is a breath of air painstakingly built up by the fire of industry, the bones of steel, the hands of workers, the abacus of accountants, and the lives of soldiers.
That breath of air from the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895.
I'll spit out half a mouthful today.
The remaining half mouthful must be spat out with a cannonball.
He stepped onto the gangway and onto the bridge of the Zhen Dong ship.
The bridge still smelled of fresh paint and engine oil, and the compass, steering wheel, megaphone, and radio were all polished to a shine. Young naval cadets stood at their posts, their necks stiff with tension.
Chen Zijun glanced around.
"Where is Captain Lin Chengzhang?"
Lin Chengzhang, dressed in a white naval vice admiral's uniform, hurriedly stepped forward and saluted.
Logically speaking, a light cruiser with a displacement of only over 5,000 tons should not be equipped with such high specifications.
Unfortunately, Lin Chengzhang was the highest-ranking naval officer under Chen Zijun, and he was bored out of his mind. So when the cruiser entered the dock, it was targeted by the naval commander under Chen Zijun, who insisted on becoming the captain.
"Reporting to the Young Marshal, the Zhen Dong warship has 196 crew members. Watch personnel, engine room crew, gunnery staff, and communications personnel are all in position. Please give your orders, Young Marshal!"
Chen Zijun walked to the porthole.
The Huangpu River was churning with turbid waves.
In the distance, several merchant ships were anchored outside the channel, their crews peering out. Newspaper reporters were also stopped by military police outside the line, their cameras propped up high, as if they wanted to stick their lenses into the dock.
Chen Zijun picked up the megaphone.
"All ships of the Zhen Dong, listen to my command!"
The deck fell silent immediately.
"After today, some people will say that this ship was bought; some will say that it was pieced together; and some will say that the Chinese can't build cruisers and that it's all a lie."
He paused for a moment.
"Don't argue with them."
"Warships aren't built with words. The steel plates are here, the cannons are here, and the people are here. If anyone doesn't believe me, let them come to the East China Sea and try."
The soldiers on board roared in unison, "Yes, sir!"
Chen Zijun turned to look at Shen Li.
"Generating electricity from the horse's tail."
Shen Li immediately took out the telegram folder.
Chen Zijun spoke one sentence at a time.
"The Zhen Dong ship is to begin sea trials immediately. Head to the East China Sea. Maintain short radio communications only; no lengthy conversations are permitted."
Shen Li's records.
"Eight U-boats from Mawei set sail simultaneously and submerged after leaving port. They must not actively reveal their base location, chase merchant ships, or seek personal credit."
He looked up.
"What if the two Japanese destroyers cross the line?"
Chen Zijun looked at the river water cleaved by the bow of the ship.
"The Zhen Dong warship is responsible for making them look up at the gun barrels. The submarine is responsible for making them look down at the Grim Reaper."
Shen Li paused, his pen poised.
Hans gasped.
This is not a sea trial.
This is using sea trials as bait to lure the two destroyers of the Japanese Third Fleet into a new, unfathomable body of water.
Chen Zijun had secretly altered the rules of naval warfare in the Republic of China era.
Lin Chengzhang heard these words at the bridge entrance and his old face turned red.
"Young Marshal, the Zhen Dong warship is capable of fighting! The Chinese Navy can fight too!"
Chen Zijun turned around.
"I know."
His voice was very steady.
"But today is not for it to show off its heroism. Today is to let the whole of East China Sea know that the Chen family army is not just about ground artillery. There is Zhen Dong on the water and wolves underwater. Whoever crosses the line will pay the price."
Mo Huixin stood on one side of the bridge and gently closed the ledger.
"Young master, I will remember this debt."
Chen Zijun smiled.
"Remember this: the debts the Japanese owe to China have always incurred high interest rates."
Lin Chengzhang raised his right hand.
"Zhendong warship, weigh anchor!"
Orders came from the deck.
The anchor chains rattled as they slid, and the tugboats billowed thick smoke. The Zhen Dong warship shuddered, slowly leaving the dock and entering the main channel of the Huangpu River.
Cheers erupted again from the shore.
The ship's horn blared, causing the mist on the river to swirl and billow.
At the same time, off the coast of Mawei.
Eight U-boats, like eight dark shadows, glided out of the channel, skimming the gloomy sea surface. The captains received the same short telegram, then shut down their radios and hoisted the silence flag.
Seawater washed over the hull of the boat.
One.
Two ships.
All eight submarines submerged.
Outside the mouth of the Minjiang River, two main destroyers of the Japanese Third Fleet are still accelerating northward.
The Japanese officer on the bridge, holding up his binoculars, could only see a grayish-white sea fog and an empty shipping lane.
They don't know yet.
On the Huangpu River, the Zhen Dong warship has already set sail.
Under the horse's tail, the wolf pack had already opened their mouths.
They stumbled right into the new hunting ground that Chen Zijun had personally prepared.