Chapter 54 of Part II

  Blood sea boundless: Because tomorrow I have to go out with my girlfriend to visit relatives, so tonight I will work overtime all night to complete tomorrow's tasks as soon as possible. Hope everyone can hope.

  The truth finally came out in the Imperial Gazette on the second day. The imperial citizens who knew the inside story had anger in their eyes at this time. The nationwide call for war was getting louder and louder. Since ancient times, the imperial citizens have been proud of being the celestial dynasty. Suddenly, they saw that a small country dared to assassinate the commander-in-chief of our celestial dynasty's navy. This is absolutely unbearable for the common people. The slogan "Those who offend China will be punished!" echoed throughout all schools in the empire, among coastal residents, and in factories across the nation.

  Soldiers who had just been demobilized strongly demanded to participate in the war against Japan. Workers also accelerated their production speed. Merchants voluntarily increased taxes. After calming down, students were more serious about studying.

  This is a group of pictures collected by our Evening News reporter on the streets all over the city:

  Changsha, a little kid was walking with his father on the street. Suddenly saw some candied hawthorns, and eagerly asked to buy one to eat. The father bent down and carefully explained to the child: "Do you want to eat this?" The child nodded his childish head and hummed in agreement. The father continued: "This thing is abundant in a small country across the sea from us. If you want to eat it, wait until you grow up and take your gun there to get some." After finishing speaking, he also reminded the child: "Remember, the people of that country are a despicable nation. They were originally the descendants of 600 boys and girls brought over by General Xu Fu of our ancestral Qin Dynasty. Now they have even assassinated our respected naval hero, Admiral Shi Lang. That country is called Japan."

  The little kid clenched his fist tightly and gritted his teeth, saying: "Yes, Dad, when I grow up, I'll definitely go to Japan with a gun to get ice sugar gourd to eat." (This story is probably familiar to many netizens who are familiar with Japan. This is what many Japanese families say when educating their children nowadays. The Japanese have not given up on their desire for revenge against us. We Chinese will never have good days. It's like keeping a dog by your side, and one day it suddenly gets rabies and bites you. In fact, it had already gotten rabies long ago.)

  Dalian, two young people are looking at the distant sea. One of them said: "Brother, on the other side of this sea is Japan, right?"

  The tall one said seriously: "Yes, Japan is right in front of us. The expeditionary forces of the Yuan Dynasty failed to eliminate this nation because of the weakness of our navy. It seems that the heavy responsibility still rests on our generation." He put his arm around the shoulder of the shorter one and said: "Brother, do you know? As early as the Tang Dynasty, the Japanese admired our Chinese culture and learned from us with an open mind. At that time, they didn't even have their own writing system, all were learned from us. However, this nation thought it had learned everything from us and began to expand wildly. After being defeated by us again and again, not only did they not know how to repent, but they also modified the Chinese characters to form their own culture. But these ignorant fools actually dared to think that my great China was originally theirs. Tell me, should such a despicable nation be eliminated?"

  "My brother thought for a moment and said, 'Brother, didn't our Royal Academy publish a book called "Origin of Species"? The fittest survive, the unfit are eliminated. I think it's time for this nation to be eliminated.'"

  An old man and a young boy were talking in Chengdu. The old man said to the young boy, "Rich son, I heard that Japan likes to eat children's meat and human brain marrow?"

  Young man listened and felt a wave of nausea, saying: "Yes, father. You don't have to mention this nation again. I feel nauseous just listening to it, can't eat anymore. This nation doesn't even care about its own kind, I think they've lost all sense of morality." He knelt down and said: "Father, I want to join the army, I want to go to Japan and personally eliminate this nation that has no humanity, no morals, and no shame. Father, do you agree?"

  The old man said with a sigh of relief: "A boy's ambition is in the four directions, let alone you, even if your father were younger by several decades, your father would also join the army and want to personally attack this nation. Rich son, your choice is correct, your father supports you." (This is some information that Xue Hai recently learned about. I don't remember where I saw it, but it's true that such things happened. Note that eating brain refers to human brain. And there are pictures of a man dissecting the corpse of a small child. Later, the baby's corpse was roasted until it was yellow, just like a roasted pig, and the final picture is in someone's mouth. On the table, only one bone remained as proof that it was a baby's corpse, along with other things. Take a look, this is Japan.)

  After these news were published in the Imperial Gazette, the whole empire went crazy for it, and such a barbaric style satisfied all the imperial masses. The educational method of Changsha men was followed by parents across the country. This man became famous overnight and gave lectures touring around the country.

  The whole nation has vented its anger in hard work. According to incomplete statistics from the Imperial Statistical Bureau, within three months of declaring war on Japan, the country's production speed increased by 30%. Tax revenue also increased significantly. Other industries have also seen varying degrees of growth.

  Koxinga stood outside the door where Shi Lang used to work, slowly pushing it open and entering. Some of Shi Lang's things were still laid out in front of him, everything on the desk was intact. Koxinga remembered what Zhu Xiang had said to him when he came from Beijing. "Old Zheng, we have a Chinese proverb: 'A straight body is not afraid of a crooked shadow.' I believe you haven't made such a mistake. You also need to take over Shi Lang's unfinished business and move forward. There can be no delay. Headquarters will support you in everything."

  Koxinga then closed the door to Shi Lang's room and looked at the bewildered guard, saying: "As long as I, Koxinga, am still in the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, this office will always be Commander Shi Lang's." After finishing speaking, he forced a smile towards the guard and said: "Alright, have the quartermaster prepare another office for me."

  The navy, under Zheng Chenggong's reorganization, began another reform. The entire navy was divided into: the Pacific First Fleet (formerly the Inland Sea Fleet), which had four ironclad warships named "Weilong, Weihu, Weibao, and Weishi", twelve cruisers, fifteen gunboats, three torpedo boats (torpedo technology was not yet mature, mainly due to the lack of refining technology), two training ships. There were more than thirty auxiliary ships, including food supply ships, ammunition supply ships, fuel supply ships, etc., as well as some wooden warships. The command structure remained unchanged from before. (This was the main fleet for attacking Japan.)

  The Second Pacific Fleet (formerly the Pacific Fleet) has a total of three ironclad warships named "Tenglong, Tenghu and Tengbao", ten cruisers, twelve gunboats, one torpedo boat. Eight training ships (due to the temporary absence of any warfare in the Second Pacific Fleet, it became the main practical base for the Naval Academy.) More than 50 other auxiliary ships. The commander was succeeded by the former deputy commander under Zheng Chenggong.

  The Third Pacific Fleet (formerly the Far Pacific Fleet) has a total of four ironclad warships named "Empire, Proud World, Shi Lang, and Taizu", 15 cruisers, 15 gunboats, no torpedo boats, three training ships, and more than 30 other auxiliary ships. The commanding officer is still the same as before. (Note: Except for the ironclad warships, all other ships in this fleet have entered the shipyard to await renovation and will be replaced with real ironclads. Therefore, this fleet has no combat effectiveness. Currently anchored in Guangzhou.)

  The First Squadron of the Indian Ocean (formerly the Indian Ocean Fleet) has a total of three ironclad warships, named "Tianchao, Feilong and Feihu". In addition, another ironclad warship is being prepared for the First Squadron of the Indian Ocean, which is currently under construction. There are ten cruisers, ten gunboats, no torpedo boats, no training ships, and more than 20 other auxiliary vessels. The command remains unchanged with the original personnel.

  After sorting out the entire navy, Zheng Chenggong let out a long sigh. Looking at the First Army of the First Group Army, which had already returned to its barracks not far from the Naval Command, Zheng Chenggong felt a sense of relief and thought: "Finally, I can set out on an expedition."

  Zheng Chenggong said to the guard beside him: "Quickly go to the army camp and ask General Li to come over for a meeting."

  Li Lei was already impatient at this time. This time, in order to thoroughly eliminate the Japanese, the General Command was willing to adopt a strategy of killing a chicken with a bull knife. Li Lei's troops were equipped with the best firearms and ammunition, and also signed a transit agreement with the Goryeo Dynasty to seek faster replenishment.

  As he walked into Zheng Chenggong's office, Li Lei exclaimed excitedly: "Commander Zheng, you can finally set off. Let's not waste any more words. Where exactly will we land and when do we depart?" Li Lei didn't wait for Zheng Chenggong to open his mouth before firing off a string of questions.

  Zheng Chenggong looked at Li Lei's appearance and smiled, saying: "Young man, you still can't calm down like us old guys." He pointed to a place on the map and said: "We'll make a temporary stop here first. You will stay there and wait for us to completely wipe out Japan's naval forces before landing here again." He then pointed to another place on the map.

  Li Lei looked at Zheng Cheng and pointed to the Ryukyu Islands and Yakushima, saying in surprise: "Old Zheng, you're not kidding, are you? Do we still have to go through the Ryukyus? Don't you think that's a bit of a detour?"

  Koxinga looked at Li Lei with a smile and said, "This is not what I mean, this is the commander-in-chief's intention. Anyway, the Second Fleet will head north tomorrow to meet us at the exit of Bohai Sea and then take you south to Ryukyu Islands. Moreover, the commander-in-chief will also come over tomorrow to see you off. You can ask him yourself at that time." After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for Li Lei to have a chance to ask questions and directly took his own documents and walked out.

  In July 1660, the sweltering summer was no match for people's enthusiasm. The port of Qingdao was packed with tens of thousands of people, all crowded onto the dock. Today was the day the Imperial Expeditionary Force set out on its campaign. The pain of losing Shi Lang still lingered in people's hearts, but finally the day of revenge had arrived.

  Zhu Xiao and Zhou Lun, among other generals, stood on the dock in full military attire. Li Lei walked over to Zhu Xiao, gave a standard military salute, and said: "Commander-in-Chief, I have something I don't understand. Why do we need to take a detour to the Ryukyu Islands?"

  Zhu Xiao and Zhou Lun exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing. "Haha, great! Finally someone dares to question me today!" He said with a grin, "Alright Li Lei, I'll tell you the real purpose of this trip to Ryukyu in four words: 'Take advantage of the situation'." After that, he winked at Li Lei and asked, "Got it?"

  Li Lei also suddenly enlightened and saluted: "Yes, I guarantee to complete the task."

  No reminders were given, because they believed in these lovely leaders. No hope was given, just because they believed they could do what they wanted. Zhu Xiao had never put any pressure on them. The People's Military Song and Dance Troupe, which was brought from Beijing, played the familiar melody for us.

  I want to say that in those years, I didn't have to leave. Do you understand the expectation in my heart? If so, then there's no need for sorrow. On the great Chinese flag, our blood has left its mark.

  A song of blood-stained glory heralds the triumphal return of the army!