Chapter 3: Alcohol Emboldens the Cowardly

Over ten minutes later.

"Young Brother Bai, Brother Li wouldn't prop himself against a wall, but he respects you!" Li Mingbo said while shifting his position, making room in front of the forty-power telescope.

Because their relationship was solid, Bai Zhizhan had told Li Mingbo the purpose of his visit to the lookout tower when he first arrived.

Looking through the lens, Bai Zhizhan understood what Li Mingbo meant.

At the top of the mast that extended into the sky hung the floating Saint George Flag of the Royal Navy of the Bulan Kingdom.

Of course, a single flag didn't mean much since a destroyer might also fly the Saint George Flag.

What was key was the lookout tower below the flag, which, compared to the mast, was disproportionately large and looked quite out of place.

In addition, there were two thick smokestacks barely discernible behind the command bridge.

These were the identifying characteristics of a "Reputation" class battlecruiser.

Following Li Mingbo's lead, Bai Zhizhan compared the images carefully with the naval registry projector and, after confirming there were no mistakes, put away the naval registry.

By this time, Li Mingbo had already picked up the handset.

Seeing Bai Zhizhan turning his head to the side, Li Mingbo hastily gestured for silence with a shushing motion, asking him not to talk.

Inside the Command Bridge.

When Gui Boyong received the call from the lookout tower, he wasn't surprised since he could already see the flag through the high-power telescope.

Although unclear, he could just make out the white field and red cross of the Saint George Flag.

While Gui Boyong was on the phone, He Yongxing approached.

After hanging up, Gui Boyong nodded first, then said, "The Lookout Chief identified the lead ship as a 'Revenge' class, confirming it's the First Battle Patrol Squad. The estimated distance is over twenty-five kilometers; at our current speed, we will enter the Main Gun's effective range in fifteen minutes. The enemy fleet hasn't changed course, they might not have spotted us, or they might not be suspicious—yet. But, the enemy ships will surely start questioning us within a few minutes."

He Yongxing's brow furrowed, a look of facing a formidable enemy on his face.

"Additionally, no other enemy ships have been spotted."

"It's either a blessing or a curse that cannot be avoided," Gui Boyong said as he spoke his last remark, prompting He Yongxing to make a decision. "Order the fleet to keep radio silence, signal the communication advisor to climb the mast, and prepare the light signals. Once the enemy begins their inquiry, claim to be the 'Jingang' from the Second Battle Patrol Squad, and make every effort to close the distance. Use universal maritime codes, and reveal no other information."

"Understood."

"Tell the three ships following us to maneuver and follow the flagship's lead. After the engagement begins, concentrate fire on the enemy flagship first and aim to take it down as quickly as possible," He Yongxing took a breath before adding, "Let's hope for decent luck that the foremost one is indeed their flagship!"

Gui Boyong nodded in agreement, and then added, "We can still see the Ji River. Should we issue orders to the Third Squad?"

He Yongxing paused and frowned.

After a moment of contemplation, He Yongxing said, "Instruct the Third Squad to act as they see fit, to initially turn south, and join the battle once we engage with the enemy fleet."

"Will the First Battle Patrol Squad turn south?"

"Can you guarantee that the fast battle squad we observed earlier isn't nearby?"

After being counter-questioned by He Yongxing, Gui Boyong immediately understood and didn't linger; he called the communication advisor to prepare the battle orders.

"Is that Advisor Bai still up there?"

"Yes, he's still up there. Should I ask him to come back?"

Had He Yongxing not mentioned it, Gui Boyong would have forgotten about the young officer who had boldly made precise predictions about the current situation two hours earlier.

"He who does not experience the trials and tribulations of storms will never grow strong. Let him stay up there a bit longer and smooth out some rough edges; who knows, he might achieve greatness in the future."

He Yongxing having said this, Gui Boyong naturally could not say much else.

It was just one more, or one less, young lieutenant advisor. In the Imperial Navy, young officers like him, who only need a bit of color to make a painting, were as common as crucian carp crossing a river. However, those who could still become great talents after enduring the storms were extremely rare.

A few minutes later, two lookouts with a set of ranging tools climbed up into the lookout tower.

A lookout team consisted of four officers and soldiers altogether, with only two on duty under normal circumstances, and all four were needed only during combat.

During battle, the Lookout Chief was responsible for reporting the situation and receiving instructions from superiors. The deputy lookout chief used a forty-power telescope to observe and monitor the enemy fleet, the first lookout was in charge of observing impact points and ranging, and the second lookout was responsible for monitoring and defending against threats from other directions.

Because Bai Zhizhan knew how to use a rangefinder, Li Mingbo made an impromptu adjustment— the first lookout operated the forty-power telescope, and Bai Zhizhan was in charge of ranging.

As for the deputy lookout chief, he was temporarily on standby below.

In reality, Bai Zhizhan felt a bit disappointed because he thought that after confirming that the southeast direction was occupied by the First Battle Patrol Squad, he could return to the command bridge.

Unfortunately, reality slapped him in the face again.

The tree that sticks out above the forest will be destroyed by the wind.

"Young Brother Bai, don't sigh. Just stay and keep Brother Li company." Seeing Bai Zhizhan's mindset, Li Mingbo, while speaking, passed the "water bottle" to Bai Zhizhan. "As the saying goes, standing high lets you see far. When the battle starts, this place has a uniquely wonderful view, and it's especially safe. Putting everything else aside, which enemy captain would direct the main guns to aim at a lookout tower instead of the command tower below, right?"

Bai Zhizhan began to smile bitterly, speechless against Li Mingbo's broad-mindedness.

"Come, take a couple of sips and bolster your courage!"

"Do you think I'm a coward?" Bai Zhizhan countered, referring to a saying involving Marshal Chen Bingxun about alcohol emboldening the wary.

"Young Brother Bai, you climbed up here bare-handed and have already stayed for two hours; how could you possibly be a coward?"

Nevertheless, Li Mingbo's flickering eyes seemed to tell Bai Zhizhan that whether he was a coward would be known once the fighting started.

Bai Zhizhan did not prattle on further; he grabbed the water bottle and started to drink from it.

"Drink slowly, leave some for everyone!"

Before Bai Zhizhan could react, Li Mingbo snatched the water bottle back. There was only half a bottle left; if Bai Zhizhan drank a few more sips, there would be nothing left for others but the northwest wind.

Indeed, alcohol could bolster courage!

A few sips of spirits not only warmed him up considerably but also invigorated his whole being. Standing against the wind, he felt a surge of boundless bravado.

It was like the narratives in the novels, standing proudly atop the peaks, already the Peerless Hero who is the Unity of Man and Sword, unrivaled under heaven.

The euphoric feeling was indescribably comforting!

Losing balance due to the sudden turning of the battleship, Bai Zhizhan sharply came back to his senses.

Beside him, Li Mingbo had already set up the rangefinder, and a lookout was adjusting it.

Below, two turrets had turned to the three o'clock direction, with four gun barrels lifted high, ready to unleash a full burst of anger.

Behind, the Medicine Flag on the mast had been taken down, and the flag bearer was preparing to raise the Red Blood Battle Flag.

In the distance, two "Reputation" battlecruisers leading the enemy fleet had also begun to turn, albeit noticeably half a beat slower.

"Boom——"

Amid the deafening sound of gunfire, the battleship's eight 400mm main guns from the four turrets at the fore and aft fired simultaneously. The searing muzzle flames dimmed the mid-air sun. The violent shaking of the ship began as the tens of thousands of tons of ship body moved several meters to the left due to the immense recoil.

The battle had begun!