kingnovel Chapter 727 Iron Sheet Also Has Uses
Chapter 727 Iron Sheet Also Has Uses
The deck was filled with the cheers of the brothers. Facing the attack of the Japanese Navy, we relied on the Air Force last time, but this time we finally had a sense of participation. Although the Air Force helped a lot this time, we also contributed to the other two submarines under the water.
What's more, the maps about the range and direction of submarine activities were all drawn up temporarily by the naval staff. On this point, Li Shaoyi also praised them very much. Our navy started very late, and it was not easy to achieve this step.
"This should be considered a victory for our navy. Pass on my order: everyone involved in the operation will receive an extra month's salary. Also, the people in the Naval Operations Department, who have seen the fastest growth, and the Air Force bomb droppers, will receive two months' salary increase."
In addition to verbal praise, Li Shaoyi also gave his subordinates who had made contributions a lot of practical benefits. The salaries of the navy and air force are already high. As long as you can achieve results, you don’t have to worry about not giving you bonuses. Some people can rebuild their house and get married in a year just by relying on bonuses. This is no joke.
"I will convey the order immediately."
Ding Hanhai saluted and immediately informed the entire navy of the news. This time it was an honor for everyone, including those at home. They should be happy for a while. Without their help in training, there would be no today.
The work of cleaning up the battlefield began immediately, and some submarine outer iron sheets were found next to the exploded wreckage.
Li Shaoyi saw that these things were useless and was about to have them thrown away, but Captain Ding from the navy ordered them to be salvaged.
"Marshal, you don't know that the standards for submarines in different countries are completely different. If we say we sank three Japanese submarines, will they believe us? So we must bring these things back. Even if the Japanese deny it, other countries will understand what's going on. There are many technical experts in various countries. As long as we hold a press conference and they see these things on the spot, they will know what's going on."
Li Shaoyi didn't know enough about the navy's tricks. In his eyes, these broken iron sheets were useless. But in Ding Hanhai's eyes, different submarines belonged to different batches, and coupled with the steelmaking technology of different countries, it was easy to find out some information.
Especially the technical experts from Western countries, they have been in this field for many years. As long as you let them study it, they will always find some clues.
"Since you say it's useful, then let's take it with us. After this battle, do you think we should rest for a while in Minnan Province, or go all the way through the Formosa Boulevard and continue south?"
According to Li Shaoyi's idea, they should continue to move south, but regarding combat issues, professional matters must be consulted with professionals, especially the navy and air force. We will not make decisions without their knowledge. Only the commanders of these navy and air force know their actual situation.
"Our fleet hasn't suffered any losses, but the navy is running low on depth charges. Didn't you build a supply base in Minnan Province? If possible, I think we should replenish the depth charges."
Other things don’t matter. If the Japanese Navy sends out submarines again, we must use depth charges. Nothing else is as reliable as this thing against submarines.
"I've already greeted everyone in Minnan Province and given them all the benefits they deserve. Let's rest here for two days."
Li Shaoyi hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed to Ding Hanhai's suggestion.
When Li Shaoyi's fleet was heading south, all the coastal provinces hoped that the fleet could come, but for the interests of the Chinese in Southeast Asia, Li Shaoyi did not give them an accurate explanation, but only said that the process should be accelerated and they should reach Southeast Asia as quickly as possible.
Therefore, the common people along the coast of various provinces were inevitably disappointed that they could not see our navy with their own eyes. This time, Li Shaoyi went to the military port in southern Fujian Province for docking. After the news came out, the fleet was still more than 200 nautical miles away from the port. The area near the port was already crowded with people. It can be said that there was no place to step.
When the fleet arrived at the port in southern Fujian Province, the local people took out the firecrackers and fireworks they had brought with them and set them off in broad daylight, regardless of whether their effect could be seen or not. This was their way of expressing their celebration.
Li Shaoyi held a brief press conference at the port and showed our spoils to the people from various countries present, which were some submarine wreckages that Commander Ding had salvaged from the sea.
Just as he said, there were some technically skilled people in the embassies of various countries. They looked over with magnifying glasses for a long time, but neither acknowledged Li Shaoyi's statement nor said anything else. Just as Ding Hanhai said, it was enough for these people to know what was going on.
"You are a capable guy, you did a good job."
After seeing the expressions of those Westerners, Li Shaoyi also understood what Ding Hanhai was thinking. Our naval combat capability is not recognized by Westerners, so our say is not much, but when we bring up the Japanese submarines, they will know that we are not lying and what we say is true.
The Junkers submarines wreaking havoc in the Atlantic Ocean have made Western countries aware of the power of submarines. They have not yet developed an effective method, but we have been able to sink three Japanese submarines, which means that we are much smarter than you.
These technical experts will definitely report the intelligence. When we arrive in Southeast Asia, such things will also increase our bargaining chips. Li Shaoyi said at the beginning that our opponent is the Windmill Country on the surface, but in fact it is the Western powers that control Southeast Asia. Whether they can allow us to plant a flag here depends on whether we are tough enough.
"I didn't expect their technical experts to act so quickly. I thought even if we pulled the stuff out, there might not be the right technical experts here. It seems the foreigners value us more than they say."
Ding Hanhai thought of the foreign consuls in Pujiang. When they talked about Li Shaoyi's fleet, they all looked nonchalant, saying that our fleet was still in its infancy and we still had a lot to learn from them. They were much more advanced than us. Now, they heard that a press conference was going to be held in Minnan Province, and these technical experts must have flown in...