coobybook Chapter 189: Fulfilling the Promise
Chapter 189: Fulfilling the Promise
Chapter 189: Fulfilling the Promise
But even though Ye Qingshan was angry, he had no way to deal with the Japanese battleship "Kirishima".
“Hmph, no hurry.
Arrogance comes at a price.
"Little devil, if you have the guts, keep going forward."
Ye Qingshan could only comfort himself in this way.
At this time, Ye Qingshan had actually realized that the sailing method of this small fleet of the Japanese was wrong.
Even the Japanese had a small fleet consisting of three warships.
If they maintained a reasonable formation, the two destroyers should be in the front, leading the way for the battleship Kirishima behind.
However, the Japanese fleet now is the Japanese battleship "Kirishima", sailing in the front.
Now, they are using the naval guns on their ships to bombard some houses on the riverside, the Kuomintang’s defensive positions, etc.
It was obvious that the Japanese captain did it on purpose.
The purpose is to provoke and demonstrate, to show the powerful strength of their warships.
After all, the Japanese navy did not appear much in the operations to attack China, and its presence was not strong.
In the previous Battle of Shanghai, all the limelight went to the Japanese army.
This made the radical officers in the Japanese Navy Department very dissatisfied.
They also want to join the fight.
This is also one of the reasons why the Japanese Navy was willing to send three warships to fight in the waters of Nanjing this time.
Ye Qingshan seemed to have guessed the mentality of the captain of the Japanese battleship Kirishima at this time, and he became more and more expectant.
“Bold is right.
Look at the commander of this Japanese warship, he doesn't take us seriously at all.
Once they finish bombarding the river bank, they should head straight for our Xiaguan ferry.
By then, the mines we laid yesterday should give the captain of the Japanese battleship a big surprise."
Ye Qingshan sneered and put down the telescope in his hand.
Judging from the fact that the Japanese fleet deliberately slowed down and continued to bombard the river bank.
Their provocative demonstrations will not end in the short term.
Ye Qingshan was not prepared and wasted time here.
Ye Qingshan handed the telescope to the young warrior behind him and said, "Leave two people here.
Keep a close eye on the movements of the Japanese fleet.
Once the Japanese fleet enters our mine-laying waters, report immediately."
"Xiao Wusheng, let's go back to Xiaguan."
On the way back, Ye Qingshan looked at his watch and muttered, "Mr. Zhang's second batch of new mines should be dispatched now.
But it must be delivered on time.
It cannot delay my subsequent combat operations."
Just as Ye Qingshan was muttering about Master Zhang, Master Zhang slowly walked out of the underground arsenal in the city, supported by a student.
"Ahem, where's Xiaosun? Have all the new types of mines... ahem, been loaded onto the vehicle?"
Mr. Zhang was holding the wall with one hand, coughing continuously, his face was a little pale, and he asked one of his students.
“Teacher, don’t worry.
All the mines have been loaded onto the trucks, and the 51st Division has sent a battalion commander to protect us as we head to Xiaguan."
Mr. Zhang’s student replied.
“Okay, that’s good.
Set off on time and we must arrive in Xiaguan on time.
I... ahem, Commander Ye and I agreed to make 500 new mines in two days.
We must do what we say and not delay Commander Ye and his men from fighting the Japanese.
Two days, ahem, five hundred and seventeen new types of mines, I fulfilled my promise to Commander Ye."
A satisfied and happy smile appeared on Mr. Zhang's pale face.
The students nearby walked over and supported Mr. Zhang, who was trembling as he walked.
He looked at Mr. Zhang with a worried look on his face and said with concern: "Teacher, you really have to go to Xiaguan with us.
I think you should stay in the city and rest.
It’s best to go to the hospital.
You haven't slept for two days and two nights.
I'm worried that your body won't be able to take it."
But Mr. Zhang waved his hands impatiently: "Stop talking.
Which hospital should you go to? Doctors in the city are so busy nowadays. Don’t take up the already limited medical resources.
Those wounded soldiers need a doctor more than I do.
I know my own body.
It's an old illness and he won't live for many days anyway.
Now, my biggest wish is to see our new type of mines sink a Japanese warship.
If that is the case, the teacher will die with peace of mind."
“Bah, bah, bah!
Teacher, you are talking nonsense, you will be fine. "
Immediately, Mr. Zhang got on a truck and coughed violently, forcing him to cover his mouth with a handkerchief.
A moment later, the handkerchief was covered with the blood he had vomited.
But Mr. Zhang seemed not to see it. He folded the handkerchief and put it in his pocket.
Mr. Zhang leaned back in his chair, his lips curled up slightly, his eyes gradually narrowed, and he muttered quietly:
"By the way, I haven't asked Commander Ye to give a name to my new type of mine yet.
This mine was improved based on Commander Ye's design drawings.
This name must be given by Commander Ye.
Well, it must be Commander Ye..."
When Ye Qingshan returned to Shimonoseki from a hilltop on Mufu Mountain, there were not many ferries at the ferry crossing.
Lu Dahai ran over and reported to Ye Qingshan, "Sir, all the ferries have been evacuated.
Following your instructions, we divided them into three parts.
Most of the boats provided by the people were taken upstream by local fishermen who were familiar with the terrain.
They will seek sheltered water areas to hide.
The batch of ferries with a displacement of more than 800 tons were maneuvering in the nearby waters and were on standby at all times.
The remaining speedboats are still at the ferry port."
Ye Qingshan nodded after hearing this: "Yeah.
Now, send those speedboats out.
Let them keep an eye on the Japanese warships. They only need to keep an eye on the Japanese warships from a distance and come back to report in time if there is any situation.
There is no need to get too close, lest you get hit by the Japanese ship's guns."
"Yes!"
After Lu Dahai left, Ye Qingshan said to Xiao Wusheng, "Send a telegram to ask the 51st Division whether the convoy transporting the second batch of new mines has set out.
If we set out, notify Zhou Pingkou and ask him to protect these mines when we pass through their defense zone.
Absolutely nothing can go wrong.
Next, can we compete with these three Japanese warships on the Yangtze River?
It all depends on this batch of new mines."
Ye Qingshan would not feel at ease until he saw with his own eyes the arrival of the second batch of mines.
After a while, Xiao Wusheng ran back and reported to Ye Qingshan happily: "The 51st Division said that their escort convoy had set off ten minutes ago.
A total of 337 new-type mines were delivered this time.
Even Mr. Zhang came along.
I have also informed Captain Zhou, and he has promised that the team escorting the mines will arrive here safely."
"Is Mr. Zhang here too?
Nonsense!
Mr. Zhang is so old and has been busy these two days. Why don’t you let him have a good rest?
Let him come over and do something."