September 15th, the foggy city of London (the first foggy city is just chemical light fog).

"Prime Minister, it's an emergency." Secretary to the Prime Minister Huck opened the door of the Prime Minister's Office.

Salisbury took many measures to aspire to be re-elected, but of course to no avail...

"What is it?" The 50th Prime Minister of the British Empire and the first Prime Minister of the new century, Arthur James Balfour - a Conservative Prime Minister. After the Boer War, the Conservative Party gained the upper hand.

"There was a response from merchant ships and a large number of Tsarist Russian fleets were discovered, heading towards..." in battle formation, Ha Ke hadn't finished yet.

"What? Tsarist Russia? Are they crazy? Inform the home fleet to dispatch immediately. It should have been dispatched by now, right? Where is the intelligence agency? Has war been declared? Why doesn't the embassy have any information?" Balfour was stunned.

He has just taken office, is he going to fight a bigger war? Who should he win over now? Germany?

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"Sorry Prime Minister, I didn't make it clear. In the Far East, it should be Tsarist Russia's 2nd Pacific Fleet. Merchant ships said they discovered more than one battleship." Huck said apologetically.

"Huh~ It turns out to be the Far East." Belfort exhaled.

"Yes, the Navy Ministry believes that the Russian Navy has completed final preparations. It cannot break through on the ground and is preparing for a strategic decisive battle from the sea." Haq said.

"Well, what other support can we give Japan? Another Crimea? I remember we have warships in Tokyo Bay." Balfour joked in order to ease the embarrassment.

"We are not supporting anyone, if anything, we are supporting the victors and the enemies of France." Huck shrugged.

"The Ministry of the Navy believes that the Russian navy is not enough to determine the victory of the strategic decisive battle, but this will greatly affect Japan's naval strength, and on the other hand, it will expand the influence of South China."

"Nanhua... seems to have a very close relationship with France." Balfour asked.

"There is news that there may be some covenant between them, targeting us." Huck nodded.

"So, we want to help Japan?" Belfort nodded.

"You decide." Huck said with a smile.

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"Go ahead and let the navy help Japan." Belfort waved his hand.

…

"Help Japan? How." Second Navy Minister Fisher stared, "Russia and France have an alliance. If we take action, the Tsar will not mind a full-scale war."

"But the Royal Navy dares to face and destroy all challenges, doesn't it?" the Lord Admiralty said seriously.

The Lord of the Admiralty is a politician, and the Second Lord of the Admiralty is a naval officer.

"But the Prime Minister hopes to help Japan." Huck said softly.

"Then tell Japan the news. Although he may have known it for a long time, we have given them enough help. Don't worry, the strength of Tsarist Russia's 2nd Fleet is even lower." Fisher said.

"The Prime Minister is worried that the Japanese navy will suffer too many losses and Nanhua will take the opportunity to expand. They are too aggressive and have already invaded three ancient countries." Huck coughed and said.

"Don't be like this, please tell the Prime Minister that we will give Japan all the help we can," the cabinet secretary stopped Huck.

Several people looked at each other and nodded.

Unlike the votes cast, they understand the meaning behind this sentence - we don't want to do anything.

But this is the best way to satisfy everyone.

………

As early as the 14th, Japan received the news, and on the 15th, the Japanese Navy issued a call-up order.

On the 16th, all Japan's main warships entered the Sasebo Naval Base, replenished ammunition and burned coal, and prepared to meet Tsarist Russia.

A large number of cruisers, destroyers, and merchant ships were used as reconnaissance ships to search for the Russians in four areas of the East China Sea.

On the 16th, in a geisha hall at the Sasebo Naval Base, Saigo was hosting a group of commanders.

"Tongxiang-kun, the Tsarist Russian expedition fleet has finally come out."

"According to the news, the Russian fleet came out of the Sulu Sea. The Sulu Sea is Nanhua's inland sea. Let's see how Nanhua makes excuses!"

"According to British news, the combat effectiveness of the new battleships completely crushes the battleships. In terms of speed, firepower, and protection, they crush them in all aspects."

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"Put aside Nanhua in advance and let's talk about the Tsarist Russian fleet..."

Dongxiang looked at these people with speechless expressions, "Arrogant soldiers will be defeated, arrogant soldiers will be defeated!"

"Dongxiang, can you complete this... battle that affects the prosperity and collapse of the empire?" Xixiang looked at Dongxiang (a little strange...)

"Please change one commander, or change 12 captains!" Dongxiang knelt on the ground, bowing as if kowtowing.

"Oh?" Xixiang was surprised.

The scene also became silent - because they were the ones Dongxiang suggested to remove.

"are you crazy?"

"Is the timid Dongxiang afraid that we will take the credit? Don't worry, the credit is all yours."

"Bala bala..."

"Shut up!" Xixiang shouted angrily.

He now somewhat understood why Togo Heihachirou wanted to replace these people - he couldn't help it.

"You should know that neither the Prime Minister nor His Majesty the Emperor would agree to replace twelve captains in one go." Saigo sighed and said to Togo who was lying on his stomach.

Togo Heihachiro raised his head with regret and glanced at Saigo Congdao.

"During the battle six years ago, I suffered a concussion. In such a major battle, Dongxiang is unable to command normally. Please forgive me!" Dongxiang lay down on the ground again.

Xixiang glanced at Dongxiang, then at the dissatisfied captains, and nodded.

"I will report it to the Emperor. Do you have any recommendations for the candidate to be the fleet commander?" Saigo asked.

Dongxiang was actually a commander selected by the cabinet and the navy. He was calm, careful, and obedient—most suitable for the Japanese army when they were in a panic.

But now, the morale of the Japanese army has risen and is still a bit swollen, and Dongxiang is indeed no longer suitable.

"Shimamura Hayao." Dongxiang said without hesitation.

Hayao Shimamura and Yuhiro Ito recommended him as Togo's chief staff officer. He was good at using strategies and was loved by the soldiers at the bottom (this is rare, the Japanese are forced to obey by the superiors).

From all aspects, his abilities are good. He is fully qualified to be the chief staff officer of the fleet, he can also be a captain, but he is a bit...

"We need one person to balance the captains. This person must be smooth, have enough prestige, or let General Ito come out?" Dongxiang said without raising his head.

"That's all, I will consider it." Xixiang shook his head in disappointment. He was disappointed with Dongxiang.

Japan is like this. It will not be convinced by logic, nor by truth, goodness, and beauty, but by power.

The political energy behind the twelve captains is definitely greater than that of the cowardly Dongxiang (actually Dongxiang studied Yangming's philosophy of mind, perhaps influenced by Confucianism... The Confucianism here is just about mentality)

"Then Dongxiang, I will resign first." Dongxiang Heihachiro knew that if he quit this time, he would definitely be scolded as a deserter - regardless of whether he was sick or not.

"I have an unknown premonition..." Togo looked at Yamamoto Gonbei and smiled bitterly.

"Then you should stay. This is the foundation for the empire's revival!" Yamamoto said sternly.

"My tactic is to block the Tsushima Strait. Winter is coming soon. Russia is increasing its troops this year. Without sea transportation, it cannot store so much supplies. The decisive battle is coming soon." Dongxiang said with a smile.

"Since you know, then..." Xixiang was speechless.

"You also know that my nickname is Cowardly Togo. The battle took place in the Tsushima Strait, which was okay, but those captains just wanted to take the initiative." Togo looked at the sky.

"Japan is a crane learning to fly. We should first learn to spread our wings and then retract our feet."

"And I have already finished half of the battle. I will probably retire with the rank of lieutenant general, right? If possible, we can prevent the fleet from dispersing its forces and defend the strait. We will win. Remember to come to my house when the time comes..."

Yamamoto looked at Dongxiang leaving, feeling a little melancholy for a moment.

………

At 12 noon on the 20th, 150 kilometers northeast of the Thousand Islands.

A huge fleet is sailing slowly. If you count carefully, there are more than 80 transport ships of various sizes. The large ones are over ten thousand tons, and the small ones are about two or three thousand tons.

There are four cruisers escorting the surrounding area. If you look carefully, you can see that they are Japanese homemade protected cruisers.

They are the new advanced new high number and Tsushima number:

It has a displacement of 3,400 tons, six single-mounted 152mm guns, and a speed of 20 knots.

There are also Suma-level Sumaha and Akashi-ha:

It has a displacement of 2,700 tons, two single-mounted 152mm guns, six single-mounted 120mm guns, and a speed of 20 knots.

It's understandable, after all, the 80 ships can be said to be the lifeblood of Japan, and many of them are even painted with English names...

Twenty-two kilometers away, Grom tapped on the railing.

They have been tracking this fleet for a day and a night, and the ubiquitous smoke and lights are the best indicators.

"The Goddess of Wisdom, the Goddess of the Moon, the Warrior, and the Varyag, four 6,000-ton cruisers form a combat detachment.

Askeld and Novak's 1st group went south, Boyarin and Svetlana's 1st group went north, attacked enemy merchant ships, and used 120mm cannons to resolve the battle as much as possible."

Wisdom Goddess and Moon Goddess are sister ships, with a displacement of 6700, 8 main guns of 152mm, and a speed of 20.
To be continued...