District 9

After sensing that the enemy showed no intention to retreat, the forward fleet of the Seventh District Navy quickly shortened the combat distance under Fu Zhenguo's order and slowed down the enemy's long-range combat capability. To put it bluntly, they were prepared to trade warships for warships at the risk of death. At the same time, they also wanted to force the upper-level headquarters led by Zhou Yuanzheng to make a quick decision.

On the sea, the front fleet of Area 7, after narrowing the fighting distance, launched a close-range artillery battle with the enemy navy, leading to a d-battle. At this time, the combat readiness of the ship's small firepower had no effect. Both sides relied entirely on modern naval equipment to fight the most brutal "hand-to-hand combat."

The reason why this type of combat is described as hand-to-hand combat is because there is no buffer space between the two sides. The enemy and our fleets are very close to each other. They are just like two strong men, holding knives against each other, standing still, and you are stabbing each other with swords. Almost like a poke.

The demands of both sides are also obvious. After receiving the order from the Navy Command, the Fifth District Fleet is going to fight a decisive battle here, holding back the Seventh District Navy and waiting for reinforcements from the EU District and No. 2 Military Port to enter. Fu Zhenguo's tactical intention was also very obvious. He wanted to let Yandao finish the work safely before the opponent's support arrived, and push forward to create a safe distance.

On the sea, there were bursts of gunfire. Two battleships in the forward fleet of the Seventh District Navy were already emitting thick smoke. The scene was not optimistic.

…

On the command ship of the Seventh District Navy, Zhou Yuanzheng stood anxiously on the deck, holding an observation glass to look at the situation on the sea in the distance, his face very solemn.

"Commander-in-Chief, although our forward fleet is at a disadvantage, General Fu Zhenguo has been actively guiding the rhythm of the battle and constantly forcing the other party to engage in a decisive battle with our army..." The staff officer responsible for war analysis spoke very quickly. He said: "...He should be waiting for our rear fleet to enter."

The staff officer's words were very euphemistic. The literal translation means that Fu Zhenguo is forcing the headquarters to assemble the entire fleet and start a decisive battle with the opponent here.

How could Zhou Yuanzheng not understand Fu Zhenguo's tactical intentions? The reason why he has not made the final decision to attack is because he has too many worries in his heart.

"How is the situation on the forward warships?" Zhou Yuanzheng pushed open the observation mirror and asked.

"The two warships are severely damaged and may be sunk at any time." The chief of staff said quickly: "The report did not come from Fu Zhenguo's command, but from our Communications Department, which is at the forefront. We learned from the fleet’s interactions with each other.”

Zhou Yuanzheng frowned when he heard the sound.

"If we fight like this, the entire forward fleet may be wiped out at any time, because there is no buffer distance in the combat zone, and even if we want to retreat, the possibility of retreat is slim." The chief of staff continued to add.

"Report!"

Just then, an officer ran out.

"Say!" Zhou Yuanzheng turned around in the cold wind and looked back at the other party.

"The military intelligence department has just received news that there are five destroyers and frigates from before the 19th century at the No. 2 military port in the fifth area. They have left the port and have moved towards the war zone." The officer in charge of military intelligence docking replied.

Zhou Yuanzheng clenched his fists and remained silent for dozens of seconds before gritting his teeth and saying: "Order Wei Zhengxian to lead the No. 2 fleet to advance in full force and quickly enter the battlefield. At the same time, he telegraphed Fu Zhenguo to order his forward fleet. , after Fleet No. 2 enters the scene, move closer and cooperate from the side to fight."

The chief of staff breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.

"Replace him, otherwise the forward fleet will not be saved." Zhou Yuanzheng decisively issued the second order: "The central fleet, dominated by the command ship, will be divided into two sides and outflank the field. If there is a decisive battle on the opposite side, then Just fight them, all the fighter groups on the amphibious assault ship, all attack, no hesitation."

"yes!"

The generals saluted upon hearing this.

After Zhou Yuanzheng issued these two attack orders, he felt inexplicably much more relaxed.

In fact, for Fu Zhenguo, Zhou Yuanzheng's position was even more uncomfortable. Because he is an out-and-out anti-Chen general with a very clear political stance, this puts greater pressure on his shoulders when commanding.

It seems that Zhou Yuanzheng is the commander-in-chief, but he does not have absolute autonomy. He needs to report anything that happens in the maritime battle situation to the military commander-in-chief of the seventh region. And the upper levels always have different requirements on whether to fight or not and how to fight.

The General Administration, on the one hand, wanted to ensure the positive enthusiasm of the Seventh District to participate in the war, and on the other hand, it did not want the Seventh District Navy to suffer too many losses in this battle, which caused Zhou Yuanzheng to be very entangled.

In a decisive battle, he was afraid that the naval fleet in the Seventh District would suffer too much and would not be able to communicate with the superiors. If he did not fight a decisive battle, the fighter plane in front of him might be delayed by this hesitation, and he might even be defeated in the end.

Such complex military and political factors have actually been constantly influencing the situation of the war, so... there are some things that Zhou Yuanzheng cannot decide at all, and big shots also have their own secrets.

Fortunately, Zhou Yuanzheng finally issued a tougher order. He even foresaw in his heart that if he failed this time, he would definitely be pulled out to take the blame. However... the psychology of Zhou Yuanzheng, a "military politician", finally had a little bit of feelings for his family and country, which defeated his hesitation.

He thought about it carefully, and he couldn't accept it in his heart. One day in the future, he would bear the title of a useless general and be remembered by the people and public opinion forever.

…

The general attack on the sea began. The remaining ten warships of the Seventh District Navy all launched an offensive posture to fight against the Fifth District Navy. The severely damaged forward fleet was also moved to a position further back in the battle zone.

On the main ship of the Southern Patrol No. 1, Fu Zhenguo breathed a sigh of relief, loosened his collar and said to the person next to him: "It's okay, Lao Zhou didn't lose his chain at the critical moment."

"General, you should think about it. After you return to Nanhu, how can the General Administration find trouble with you?" The staff officer next to him said with a wry smile: "Such a rhythm, forcing the headquarters to make a decision... We people will inevitably be Label them as someone with a different motive."

"Damn it, I joined the army when I was 17 years old. When there was no seventh district, I was the commander of the naval headquarters." Fu Zhenguo frowned and cursed: "After carrying a gun all my life, am I still afraid of this?! What do they like to do? Whatever the label, we have done our best in the front fleet and have a clear conscience, and that’s it.”

Everyone nodded slowly and said nothing.

"Call the 057 frigate and ask them if the Sichuan troops have picked up." Fu Zhenguo ordered.

…

Along the Hekou Port, Qin Yu and the people from the division also boarded the ship. He was preparing to personally supervise the upcoming Yandao offensive.