After January 27, who had the most complicated expression and attitude in Naha Port?
Of course they are businessmen from Fujian and other places. They have knelt before foreigners, they have also been arrogant before Ryukyu people, and of course they have been submissive before Japanese.
Because of this, they could not imagine that one day a group of sailors speaking in Mandarin would swarm into the "Principal Office" and directly clean up the Japanese who were usually aloof.
In addition to their complicated moods, they also murmured in their hearts - what if the Japanese came to take revenge? Who doesn't know that the Japanese are all unstoppable vengeance masters.
No, you have to leave quickly!
Don’t bring disaster to Chiyu!
So in just three days, almost all the Qing merchants in Naha Port left here. They knew very well that even if they died at the hands of the rebels, they would die in vain. The Qing Dynasty was not the Great Britain, and the merchants of the Great Britain were
If the Japanese were killed, they would send warships and bombard Japan and make them pay for their money. What about the Qing Dynasty? If you die, your death will be in vain. If the government does not blame the dead person for causing trouble to the court, then the court is merciful.
Yes, let’s go quickly!
The mountain rain is about to come and the wind fills the building.
On February 1st, the sea surface of Naha Outer Port was as calm as usual. On the calm sea, Ryukyu fishermen on fishing boats were fishing as usual. At noon, several Western-style sailing ships were puffing out black smoke and sailing.
come over.
This fleet of nine gunboats and transport ships is heading towards Naha in a mighty manner. The leader is the "Sankuni Maru", the largest tonnage of the Satsuma Domain Navy, followed by the "Kasuga Maru", "
"Hirayo Maru", "Yoharu Maru", plus several transport ships full of soldiers such as "Shōho Maru" and "Hiraun Maru", the Satsuma fleet that came out was truly spectacular on the East Sea.
"Your Majesty Commander, we are here!"
Standing on the control tower of "Sanbuni Maru", Akatsuka Genroku said with a serious expression.
"Whether this trip is about war or peace, it all depends on the attitude of the South Chinese people!"
When the Satsuma fleet was approaching, the lookouts on the "Shikai" also spotted their opponent. They immediately rang the ship's bell and started to light up the boiler. At the same time, Li Fengzhi walked to the control tower with a serious expression and stared at the vague sight in the distance.
After observing the visible smoke column with a telescope for a while, he ordered.
"Ready to fight!"
finally come!
There was no nervousness, only full expectation. When entering the gun position, Wu Anping felt his heartbeat speeding up!
This is a naval battle!
A one-on-nine sea battle!
"Captain, there are nine enemy ships..."
"No big deal, just some small wooden boats!"
Facing the Japanese Navy, Li Fengzhi was extremely conceited, because the Japanese Navy's tonnage was only a few thousand tons, and the Satsuma Domain's largest warship was only a few hundred tons.
Although the two sides continued to approach, neither opened fire. It was not until they were hundreds of meters apart that they could clearly see each other.
"The Nanhua ship... is so big!"
Looking at the Nanhua gunboat through the gun window, Togo Heihachiro couldn't help but exclaimed, while Ito Yuhiro on the "Sanbuni Maru" looked at the Nanhua sailors who were waiting in formation and sighed.
"The military is so impressive that it is no wonder that it can show off its power in foreign lands. It is really a role model for our generation!"
The superior officer of the "Hirayo Maru", Inoue Yoshikazu, frowned and stared at the side gun positions of the "Shikai" and muttered secretly.
"It's actually a breech-loaded steel cannon!"
The three future marshals of the Japanese Navy each have different priorities, but what is certain is that the lineup of the Satsuma Domain fleet is absolutely luxurious. There are several marshals, and there will be at least ten or twenty generals in the future.
However, that's all! After all, they are just ordinary officers on the warship now.
The total tonnage of this mighty Satsuma fleet was only over 3,000 tons, and half of them were transport ships. While sizing each other up, Akatsuka Genroku ordered a flag warning.
"This is the Ryukyu sea area belonging to Satsuma. For the sake of friendship between the two countries, please evacuate Ryukyu immediately. Otherwise, we will take all measures to safeguard Satsuma's rights in Ryukyu!"
Facing the warning from Satsuma, Li Fenzhi said in a deep voice.
"Reply them, Ryukyu has surrendered to Nanhua and accepted Nanhua's protection. Please return immediately, otherwise our ship will take any measures to protect Ryukyu's safety!"
The warning in the semaphore actually announced the breakdown of the negotiations between the two parties, and there was no need for further negotiations.
"Your Excellency, will they really retreat?"
The new leader accompanying him, Matsudairaichi, said a little worriedly.
"Mr. Matsudaira, they only have one warship!"
Akatsuka Genroku said quite confidently.
"Even the British Royal Navy will not take the risk of using a warship to confront us. As long as we don't fire first, as long as the warship enters the port and the vassal troops land, creating a fait accompli, this matter will basically be over! "
Having said that, Akatsuka Genroku ordered again.
"Ignore them and head towards Naha Port!"
When he issued this order, he didn't think there was anything wrong. After all, compared to the Nanhua Army, his strength was very strong.
Even the British must think twice before acting at this time.
One side is determined to advance, and the other is determined to stop. The outcome has been determined from the beginning.
"Open the gun window and prepare for battle!"
When Akatsuka Genroku ordered preparations for battle, the fleet still rushed towards Naha Port desperately. Facing the stubborn Satsuma clan fleet, the "Shikai" did not make any concessions. The "Shikai" issued another Warning. After issuing three warnings in succession, Li Fengzhi shouted.
"Tell them that if they continue to insist on their own way and stubbornly provoke, our ship will be forced to defend itself!"
What is forced self-defense?
Of course it's shooting!
In fact, at noon that day, both of them were betting that the other would not dare to fire. Maybe it was because the huge fleet gave Akatsuka Genroku enough confidence, or maybe it was because Nanhua was just a small, remote country, and Akatsuka could not Tsuka Genroku is a little conceited, after all, what he is facing now is not a Western power.
However, he did not expect that Nanhua, who was surrounded by tigers and wolves, would respond directly to the threat. Facing the Satsuma fleet's sudden advance despite warnings, Li Fengzhi gave a direct order.
"Target - enemy flagship, fire!"
The cannon sounded!
Following an order, the three 150mm naval guns on the port side of the "Shikai" fired one after another at the "Sanbuni Maru".
"Open, fire, he, how dare they?"
Although he was extremely shocked by this, Akatsuka Genroku immediately ordered a counterattack. In fact, the Satsuma fleet immediately fired at the "Shikai" without even having to give an order.
Although the warships of the Satsuma fleet are generally only four to five hundred tons in tonnage, they are equipped with the quite advanced Armstrong cannon. After all, during the Anglo-Satan war, they suffered the loss due to the Armstrong cannon.
, so when building a navy, they always spend a lot of money to purchase Armstrong cannons.
Once upon a time, they used Armstrong cannons to severely damage the shogunate army and navy again and again. Now off the coast of Naha, Satsuma Domain's Armstrong cannons fired again!
Both sides fired their guns at almost the same moment, and for a while the sea was filled with the roar of naval guns.
This chapter has been completed!