Chapter 148: Heavy Artillery Duel!

Although Uezo Taro was well aware of the unyielding bravery of the soldiers under his command, he knew that facing a fortress as impregnable as an iron wall, it would be exceedingly difficult to break through using sheer human wave tactics alone.

After all, human strength has its limits; even sacrificing these fifty thousand brave warriors might not secure victory.

The brigade commander wore a worried look, his brows tightly knitted, and his voice carried a hint of anxiety: "What should we do next then? We cannot simply sit back and await our doom. If we fail to capture the Blue Island Fortress, the consequences will be unimaginable." Indeed, failure would not only mean the end of their military careers, but would also cast a long-lasting shadow over the dynasty.

Uezo Taro remained silent for a moment, took a deep breath, his expression solemn, and a flash of determination crossed his eyes: "We have come this far; we can no longer consider personal honor or disgrace."

His voice was firm as he put forward a bold proposal: "Let us employ the navy. The Third Fleet has already arrived in the outer waters of the Southern Island, but they have been looking on as bystanders, clearly watching our spectacle. If we can utilize the heavy naval guns, it is entirely possible for us to destroy this fortress of war, thereby reducing casualties and successfully conquering this region." This was the conclusion he had reached after careful deliberation.

The brigade commander nodded helplessly; although he felt some reluctance toward seeking naval assistance, under the present circumstances, he had no other choice.

Meanwhile, in the waters surrounding Blue Island, the enemy fleet was patrolling with majestic might. Upon successfully landing, they proceeded immediately toward Blue Island, intensifying their offensive operations.

Upon learning that the Blue Island Fortress was equipped with numerous powerful coastal defense guns, the Third Fleet chose to adopt a wait-and-see approach to avoid being subjected to a barrage of dense artillery fire.

At this moment, aboard the fleet's flagship, the battleship Fuso, the general of the Third Fleet wore a stern expression as he conversed with the commander of the First Battleship Division.

Both men wore very serious expressions, their eyes gleaming with pre-battle tension, clearly preparing themselves mentally for the impending combat.

The elite First Battleship Division of the navy was equipped with four formidable Kongu-class battleships armed with 365-millimeter main guns, displaying an awe-inspiring combat capability.

Furthermore, the division also included two Fuso-class battleships, which were the largest and fastest in the world at the time of their launch.

Originally belonging to the First Fleet, this division had been specially detached and assigned to the Third Fleet in the face of the fortress on Blue Island—which resembled a natural barrier—with the objective of providing fire support for land operations.

Whenever the coastal defense guns on the Blue Island Fortress thundered with deafening roars, even the crew members on the flagship tens of kilometers away could feel the shock of that immense power, serving as a profound testament to the might of the Chengyun military's artillery batteries.

Vice Admiral Koike furrowed his brow, his expression grave. Lowering the binoculars in his hand, he evaluated in a steady and deep voice: "The shock of this gunfire alone is enough to make one feel the exceptional mastery of artillery technology possessed by the Chengyun military. We must admit, just how formidable is the firepower in Jiang Bai's hands?" In his gaze, one could discern a resolve to reassess their strategy.

Beside him, Mushi-hara Ichitaku wore a slightly worried expression, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes, as he chimed in in a low voice: "Indeed, compared to such firepower, our fortress seems to be at a disadvantage."

Recalling past endeavors, Mushi-hara Ichitaku wore a look of regret on his face, his voice tinged with a trace of disappointment: "We once tried our utmost to acquire even obsolete artillery technology from the outside world, but the result was nothing."

On the contemporary battlefield, the armor and firepower of battleships had far surpassed those of older vessels.

The Fuso-class battleships, with their astonishing firepower and rapid maneuverability, represented the design philosophy of modern battleships, aiming to equip more main guns while maintaining high-speed mobility.

Yet, faced with such technological advancement, even 280-millimeter caliber coastal defense guns were sufficient to deal a fatal blow to enemy vessels.

This reality caused a flash of admiration in Mushi-hara Ichitaku's eyes, while simultaneously revealing a deep contemplation and apprehension regarding the future form of warfare.

It was precisely for this reason that the Third Fleet had lingered in the waters around Blue Island for a long time without launching an attack.

"To launch a frontal assault on the Southern Island Fortress would undoubtedly be seeking our own destruction," Vice Admiral Koike said with a stern expression, a profound understanding of the intelligence showing in his eyes as he analyzed the situation in a low and firm voice.

According to intelligence reports, the number of coastal defense guns at the Blue Island Fortress exceeded four hundred, including twenty 365-millimeter caliber and fifty 280-millimeter caliber cannons, not to mention countless 105-millimeter coastal defense guns.

Even the impregnable Kongu-class battleships would find it difficult to withstand such fierce frontal bombardment.

Although coastal defense guns vastly surpassed battleships in defensive capability, one of their glaring drawbacks was that they were stationary, preventing them from moving flexibly like battleships at sea to evade artillery fire at high speeds.

Nevertheless, confronted with such a predicament, hesitation and worry surfaced on Vice Admiral Koike's face, for he was deeply aware of the extreme risks involved in a head-on collision.

If these costly warships were sunk, it would unquestionably constitute a catastrophic loss.

The navy high command generally believed that utilizing such precious battleships in a direct confrontation against coastal defense guns was an extremely unwise decision.

Yet, more often than not, they did not hold the ultimate say over the fate of these warships.

"None of us wish to see the navy's precious resources consumed by those crude coastal defense guns," Vice Admiral Koike said, his voice revealing a sense of helplessness, which immediately turned resolute.

"However, the Army Minister and the Navy Minister have issued orders for joint operations, instructing us to adjust the fleet immediately and strike directly at the Blue Island Fortress to support the army's operations."

Mushi-hara Ichitaku's brow was tightly locked, his face written with reluctance and anxiety, and complex light gleamed in his eyes.

"It seems the army has run out of options." His voice carried a sense of powerlessness, which quickly transformed into steadfast resolve.

"Therefore, I request that our First Battleship Division serve as the breakthrough force." Following these words, his gaze turned steadfast, revealing a rare courage and determination as he awaited orders from his superiors.

Observing Mushi-hara Ichitaku's determined attitude, Vice Admiral Koike's eyes flashed with appreciation, and a satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Commander Mushi-hara, I wish you total victory! When you return in triumph, I will raise a cup myself to drink to your success." His voice was filled with confidence in victory and affirmation of Mushi-hara Ichitaku's valor.

Immediately afterward, Vice Admiral Koike's gaze hardened, and he issued the combat directive, ordering the entire Third Fleet to advance toward the Blue Island Fortress.

The Kongu-class battleships accelerated, their massive guns baring their formidable faces beneath armored hoods, every single battery looking like a warrior thirsting for battle.