There is still a hint of mist in Shanghai in the early morning. As one of Shanghai's important shipping terminals, Huatong Wharf is also busy. This wharf built by Swire Pacific undertakes Shanghai's river and sea transportation and is also full of dock workers.
However, today's Huapu Pier was a bit unusual. A foreign speedboat was seen rushing into the pier recklessly. Before the ship could dock securely, a foreigner in military uniform jumped onto the pier.
The dock workers who moved the cargo were also well-informed, and they knew at first glance that it was something serious, so they quickly got out of the way. They could not afford to suffer the consequences of bumping into a foreign officer.
The officer didn't even look at them and ran over in a hurry.
After the foreign officers had gone far away, a few curious workers started talking.
"This foreigner left in such a hurry, something big must have happened."
"That's for sure. You would know it if you didn't look at the unscrupulous look of this communication speedboat."
"What on earth is that?"
"Who knows this? Why don't you go and ask."
"Er Gouzi, you can't spit out ivory from your dog's mouth. If you have the ability, go and ask."
Before they could continue chatting, another speedboat appeared at the dock. The same operation and the same momentum caused several people to dodge quickly.
When the newly emerged foreign officers hurriedly left, the few of them could only look at each other and immediately turned into birds and beasts.
But not long after, the sound of firecrackers rang out in Shanghai City, and some people shouted: Victory, victory.
This shout immediately attracted everyone's attention, making this person the center of the crowd.
The person who was the first to know the news immediately told everyone triumphantly that the foreign soldiers invited by the imperial court had won the battle. The foreign reinforcements annihilated eleven Japanese warships at the cost of three warships and more than 8,000 tons, and won the victory.
The result of the battle was more than 40,000 tons.
Although this person did not know the detailed information about the results of the victory and only knew what was said from the script, it still attracted waves of applause.
Then the news of the imperial fleet's victory spread throughout Shanghai. Although it was basically foreigners who were fighting, don't pay attention to these details. After all, the imperial court can invite foreign soldiers, but Japanese little devils can't.
Different from those who only know how to applaud, there are sensible people who know a little bit about the dynamics of the imperial court, and they also use this to give guidance.
"Yinong thinks that the imperial court still needs Li Zhongtang to protect it. Without Li Zhongtang, the white jade pillar that supports the sky and the purple golden beam that supports the sea, it will be difficult for the imperial court."
"What are you thinking about? The imperial court will be miserable without him, Li Er. If it weren't for Li Er, a duplicitous man who took advantage of Duke Hu after Zuo Wenxiang passed away, it would be hard to have him.
Today’s scenery.”
"Hu Xueyan was asking for trouble. After Zuo Jigao passed away, he should choose the best place for a good bird to roost. If he refused Li Zhongtang's kindness, he would end his own life."
"How do you talk?"
"That's what I said!"
"You see you are looking for death."
"You are looking for death."
"Oh, I'll fight with you!"
"Everyone stop it!"
Regardless of these people who pointed the country, as the news of the victory of the Qing fleet came out, Shanghai immediately showed a group of people singing and dancing in the streets. It was bustling and lively.
As for the British Counselor in China, Zhu Erdian, of course, he knew better than others about the sudden bustling scene in Shanghai, including his superior, the envoy Sir Organizer, because the Sir still needed him to forward the news to Beijing.
Japan lost this naval battle completely. In addition to the two 10,000-ton patrol ships Yoshino and Akitsusu, the combined fleet also lost Izumi, Atago (only four ships of the nine-ship guerrilla formation escaped), Yan
Eight warships including Shima, Tatehashi, Takachiho, and Yaeyama successfully escaped from the battlefield (the cannon fodder diversion formation actually escaped as many as the guerrilla formation). Together with other supporting garrison warships, the total tonnage of the combined fleet has been reduced to 47,000 tons. And these eight
A warship with everyone injured is the only asset the combined fleet has to offer.
According to his opinion, this naval battle has determined the outcome of this war. Now he can only hope that the Japanese will be smarter and take advantage of the situation before the Italians come over one after another.
But no matter what, this matter is beyond the scope of his or even Sir Organa's handling, and everything requires decision-making from London.
Of course, I believe that the information about this naval battle will be known to the whole world in less than three days.
In fact, the news spread faster than Counselor Zhu Erdian thought. He underestimated the importance that various countries attached to this naval battle. After all, he was not a soldier, so he did not know the urgency of the navies of various countries in the fight between the largest armored ships in history.
Influenced by the navies of various countries, in the evening of that day, newspapers from various countries reported on this naval battle.
In addition to reporting the news, Germany's Berlin Times also published a commentary article.
Comments in the newspaper wrote that this naval battle in the Far East fully demonstrated the importance of a powerful country wanting to show enough imagination and a navy of sufficient size. Precisely because Italy has a navy of sufficient size,
That’s why they still have a fearsome influence thousands of miles away. And Italian goods also use this influence to flow unimpeded locally, earning Italy huge profits. This naval battle is Italy’s attempt to protect and expand
A perfect demonstration of your own influence.
Therefore, Germany also needs a powerful navy. Only under the protection of the navy can Germany's influence break through the shackles, be displayed in front of the world, and advance its economy to a higher level.
Although I don’t know who wrote this, it seemed so naked to use the naval battle in Italy to advocate that Germany also develop its navy. And this newspaper also appeared on William II’s desk.
Compared with Germany, which insists on developing its navy, Russia is doing much better.
The St. Petersburg Kommersant also reported on the naval battle in the evening of the same day. Its comments said: This battle in the China Sea shows that even if some countries with ulterior motives secretly support it, Japan is not enough to meet its demands. These yellow-skinned monkeys
The tragic defeat in the naval battle also warned him not only to have a good appetite, but also to have good teeth. Rotten teeth will only hurt him.
It was obvious that Russia was gloating over the Japanese's defeat. Their vigilance towards Japan and the figure behind it made the Russians rarely prefer Italy.
As for the French report, it was with some mixed emotions. Because seeing the neighbor next door who had an enmity with him becoming rich, and also competing with him for the interests of the Far East, it was strange to be in a good mood.
Therefore, the French reports were more about secretly mocking the neighbor next door who started to tremble.
Except for a few major powers, reports from other countries are more objective, but what's the use? The world still needs to rely on strength (even now).
Unlike other major powers, which all have their own subjective reports, British newspapers appear to be more objective. Because British reports are more involved in naval battles, unlike other countries that focus mainly on naval battles.
One of the most popular among newspapers was the discussion about the mysterious wireless communication system of the Italian fleet.
Because the various performances of the Italian fleet in the naval battle have exceeded the explanation of existing communication methods. Take a look at the telegram sent to the Admiralty by Major Robinson, who observed the entire naval battle with his own eyes.
"The Italian fleet's performance in the entire naval battle was so amazing, but it had little to do with its commander. It was also calculated by the enemy commander. According to my observation, Italian warships must have their own advantages in communications, because they often
A warship discovered the enemy and did not see him return to report. Soon other warships would support him. This is extremely unreasonable. There can only be one inference that the enemy has communication methods that can be like telegraphs or equivalent. In addition, Italian warships
The shooting accuracy is astonishingly high, and this astonishingly high shooting accuracy comes from its large battleships, and the shooting accuracy of its small battleships is extremely unreasonable. So we can think that the Italians have installed on their large battleships a system that can improve
Accurate auxiliary shooting equipment. In addition, the design of Italian warships can also be seen through this battlefield..."
Major Robinson wrote a eloquent personal analysis of more than 10,000 words, while the British newspaper mainly extracted his speculations on the use of new technologies in Italian warships and then reported them.
Of course, no matter what other countries think about it or how their newspapers report it, it is the participants in the war who ultimately play a decisive role. As one of the participants, what does Japan think about the defeat in this naval battle and what choice does it plan to make?
