The head of the Zhiyuan ship plowed a snow-white wave, and the tracks were straight to the east. The sailors on the deck were conducting artillery exercises in front of the main gun. With the commands from the helper Chen Jinkui, the sailors nervously adjusted the shooting parameters and reloaded the coach repeatedly.

Deng Shichang and Xu Yifan stood on the Luojing Bridge, observing their training trends with interest. On the stern deck, sailors were practicing direction finding and positioning with sextant under the guidance of the second deputy Zhou Zhanjie.

The Bohai Sea surface was surging and undulating, as blue as wild as wild. The smoke from a single chimney rose. The whole ship was sailing towards the Nagasaki Port of Japan at a speed of ten knots. Directly behind the Zhiyuan, the Laiyuan ship followed closely and formed a strict column with the Zhiyuan. On the other hand, their deck was not practiced at all. There were only three or two sailors, lying on the railing of the ship's head, looking at the scenery on the sea.

Since going out to sea, Du Juan and Xu Yifan were in the cabin, and outside the cabin was Zhang Yuzhang's chief manager. The scholars and soldiers were crowded in the sailor's cabin. They slept with them in the hammock, and many people were seasick. Including Du Juan's little girl, they were lying on the bed and humming. Xu Yifan had a good physiological balance system, jumping around with Deng Shichang all day long, and carefully looked at this very famous dome cruiser.

The steel body with a displacement of 2,300 tons was maintained everywhere. Three 210 mm main guns, and two five-inch Armstrong sub-cannons on both sides. The sailors were busy practicing on them every day. At the end of the day, according to Xu Yifan's careful observation, the training time was enough for two hours!

Deng Shichang was strict in his military administration and indeed his reputation was well-deserved.

As for the one that followed, in history, when the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 was in full swing, the ship that Qiu Guan, who went ashore to solicit prostitution was much more careless.

Seeing another efficient completion of artillery training, the gunner blew the disbanded copper whistle. Deng Shichang's face relaxed a little. Nodded slightly to Xu Yifan.

In front of Deng Shichang, who was arrogant and arrogant, Xu Yifan never forgot his praise: "The tiger and wolf army are strict with iron armored ships. He is so diligent in his training. I hope that my brothers can also train a Lu army that is comparable to Lord Deng Zhiyuan, and go out to the capital forever!"

Deng Shichang smiled, then quickly raised his face. He looked back at the far-size and said lightly: "These are the training regulations set by the Langwei Lilang Army Sect back then. We learned this in Ponytail. But we can still do it now..."

He patted the bridge baffle and said with a hint of sigh: "...It's all the past! Every time the boat is released, the coal, water, cotton, yarn oil is all free of pipes. Run less and practice less. These are saved. The waist bags of pipes are saved. Once the cannon is used, the materials are used for maintenance. Okay, when the boat is released, they will run the cruise speed one by one, and the boiler is less maintenance, and there is no need to fuse the cannon. Except for the two major ships of Zhiyuan and Dingzhen, which boat has not changed the cargo compartment? It is all about bringing people to carry goods. Is this a navy? This is the China Merchants Group!"

Xu Yifan just smiled and Deng Shichang's stinky mouth. He had enough experience along the way. No wonder he had such an awkward position among the Beiyang Navy.

Soldiers are not available, but this officer team, even the Beiyang Navy officers' group that was developed and educated by the Qing Empire, was nothing more than that.

In modern history, the emergence of strong and warlike corpses all gathered modern national consciousness as the spiritual foundation. Discipline, practice, and equipment are relatively easy to solve. However, all of this, in the Qing Empire, which suppressed the majority of ethnic groups, the cohesion consciousness of the main ethnic group was the object of the most awesome and vigilant of those bannermen and even some Han officials! Most of them were also chaotic. They came alone and wanted to complete the baptism of the national spiritual consciousness. It was really harder than climbing to heaven.

After the later generations, it was not until the 1920s, and after the May Fourth Movement and after eight years of blood and fire, it was only after the cohesion of the real subject nation that was only possessed by a modern and modern country.

Thinking of this, Xu Yifan couldn't help but feel a little lost. He didn't even care about what Deng Shichang said. Later, even Deng Shichang was silent. On the bridge, the two looked at each other.

When he was embarrassed, he followed the sound of footsteps. The official on the Zhiyuan number trotted over and handed over a copy of the newspaper. Deng Shichang took it and couldn't help but sneer: "Just!"

Xu Yifan was shocked by his voice: "Mr. Deng, what's wrong?"

Deng Shichang crumpled the newspaper into a ball, his face flushed red: "The telegram sent by our Qing Dynasty consul in Nagasaki asked us about our arrival time. He also reminded us that we sailors would prepare and it would be better not to get off the boat, so as not to cause trouble... When will we be afraid of the little Japanese coming?"

Xu Yifan was also stunned, and then remembered that seven years ago, the two ships in Dingzhen visited Nagasaki. The sailors and Japanese ronin fought in chaos, and dozens of casualties on both sides came.

I remember that at that time, the Qing Dynasty's consul in Nagasaki was very tough to handle the situation. The two ships of Dingzhen were simply armed and the gun doors were open. Seven years passed in a blink of an eye, and the consul of Nagasaki of the Qing Dynasty was already so afraid. The country's power grew and declining, and all these little things had been reflected.

He asked Deng Shichang tentatively: "Mr. Deng, what do you think?"

Deng Shichang gritted his teeth, his face still flushed. He pointed his right hand hard at the Dongfang Sea: "I am afraid that we will cause trouble, so build a few more docks! Don't let us go to Nagasaki to maintain it. The Japanese know all the soldiers are in reality and the Japanese have to pretend to be grandson when they go! Didn't you tell the Japanese clearly that we are afraid of him?"

He looked back at the sea west, and his face turned red and turned ashen: "The Japanese are building ships and adding cannons every day. Every time he goes, he can see that they are tougher. The Beiyang Navy is forced to the door, and the troops can control the Japanese people's vital points. The two ships in Dingzhen are even more thorns in the eyes of the Japanese. Sooner or later, there will be a battle! But our soldiers are getting old and weaker, and the cannon power is declining day by day. Not to mention that they cannot even have ammunition. The officials in charge of the Tao really don't know what they think!"

Just by his own behavior, he has been called the 25th Crazy Life. Look at Deng Shichang's appearance without any taboos. I really take it as restrained...

Xu Yifan thought to himself with grievance. But one thing still made him feel moved. The Beiyang Navy, at least the backbone class, seemed to have clearly realized that due to geopolitical factors, the Japanese fleet would be the first imaginary enemy of the Beiyang Navy.

It seems that there is a lot of articles to do in this regard...

He leaned on the railing and looked out, looking like he didn't care about Deng Shichang's fierce words. After his anger was relieved, he suddenly turned his head and asked casually: "Mr. Deng, look at how much money can you raise for brothers to go to Nanyang this time?"

Deng Shichang was full of righteous indignation, but when he heard the irrelevant words, he was stunned. After a while, he said, "Mr. Xu, please call me Zhengqing. You are the imperial envoy, and I can't afford this title. I'm going to Nanyang here... I heard that many members had donated in the past, and the news came only about 100,000 yuan. This..."

It is indeed Deng Shichang, who is so outspoken that he is almost reckless. This Fujian man is a man from the North. He doesn't even know how to speak on the scene. It seems that he is too addicted to his warships and has forgotten the human accident. It is really not easy for Ding Ruchang to protect him to this point.

Xu Yifan's mind was turned, but his face was full of confidence: "Then Brother Zhengqing asked me to Chuanqing... When I went to Nanyang, my brother dared to praise Brother Zhengqing for this. Without millions of dollars, I will not return to Tianjin! In the future, I will provide support and become a reliable source of income for me to train the new army!"

As soon as this sentence was released, it was indeed a look of Deng Shichang's disapproval. However, he made progress this time and finally didn't say anything bad. He just smiled and threw the newspaper in his hand into a ball and threw it into the distance.

When the sea breeze blew, the newspaper was rolled away.

"Brother Zhengqing, but I don't believe it? Then please wait and see... I made an appointment with Brother Zhengqing. If I can really raise such funds, I will add boats and cannons to the navy, and I will not be able to make a good idea!"

Xu Yifan spoke proudly, standing there, looking around with a look of awe.

"Dingzhen is old, and the Krupp and Armstrong's cannon positions on all ships of the Beiyang Navy have long been yesterday. The firing rate is slow and the ammunition is old. Most of the boilers of each ship cannot raise the air pressure. The iron armor in the waterline is weak... and the court has issued a clear statement. Since the 17th year of Guangxu, it has been ordered to stop purchasing ships and cannons... Xu has a great article in his heart on the strong country's military reorganization. The Beiyang Navy is the backbone of our maritime force. I'll ask Brother Zhengqing to see what he will do in the future!"

For a proud and confident person, what can impress him is nothing more than being more arrogant and confident than him. After planting seeds, they will bloom and bear fruit one day.

Of course, Deng Shichang still didn't believe Xu Yifan's words. With Li Zhongtang's ability, he could only barely maintain the Beiyang Navy's rebellion. To be honest, he had long been thinking of doing his best and leaving his destiny, so he became more unsociable.

Deng Shichang looked at Xu Yifan, a Taoist that was not necessarily well-known. First, he had indeed read Xu Yifan's books and admired his extensive knowledge and outstanding knowledge. His new style also made many people who were desperate about the current situation feel refreshed.

Another thing that made him look down on Xu Yifan was that this guy was never seasick like an old sailor!

But this is too big. In the overall situation of Beiyang, his current strength and status are no better than his own small manager.

The two of them had their own thoughts and just smiled. Deng Shichang bowed: "If there was really that day, Deng would naturally wave the flag and shout for Brother Chuanqing."

Xu Yifan just smiled and bowed: "Thank you."

Deng Shichang turned his face and said, "In two days, we will be in Japan."

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

Outside Nagasaki Port, Japan.

This port city is located at the westernmost end of the Japanese archipelago facing China. It has always been the core of exchanges between Japan and the East Asian continent.

Hundreds of small islands are scattered in Nagasaki Port, and among the islands, excellent shelter anchorages have been formed. Along the hilly areas, traditional Japanese buildings are densely arranged. In the port area, they look like the old and new things of emerging industrial countries. The foreign-style buildings are dotted among them. The new and old cranes at the port are arranged densely. White cloth straps are strapped on their heads and shorts in winter. Short Japanese dock workers are shuttled and transporting small pieces of goods.

There are cargo houses everywhere above the port and marinas, and ships from all countries are moored on the sea. There are all kinds of types. The towering British Far East Fleet ships, the old trans-ocean-style fast sailing ships from the United States, and the Japanese own high-shoulou fishing boats, with whistles and whimpering sounds.

The dock where the warships were built stood firmly in a corner of the port area. The tall chimney was filled with black smoke and coal ash and dust everywhere. The boat platform was busy, but what was being built was blocked by the net made of brown ropes. Only the jingle of rivets and the unique half-sounding sound of Japanese workers.

Sailors from all over the world, all of whom were crowded on the deck, looking curiously at this country before opening the national gate was already showing a catching up momentum. Not far away, Yunxianyue on the Shimahara Peninsula looked down at this busy and lively port.

The entire Nagasaki showed the vitality that was not available in the ports of the huge empire opposite.

Under the leadership of the water diversion boat, Zhiyuan and Laiyuan slowly passed through the channel and headed towards the anchorage. Xu Yifan stood in front of the bridge window and stared blankly at all in front of him.

This is Japan more than a hundred years ago? This country will become the most vicious enemy and the biggest nightmare of the Chinese people in the next few decades?

Looking at the lively scene in front of me, and thinking about the almost frozen air in the imperial capital of Beijing, his hand holding the railing became tighter and tighter.

The urgency in my heart is getting stronger and stronger.

The water-driving boat sounded the sound of the whistle entering the port. Deng Shichang stood beside Xu Yifan, pinching the telescope and calmly issued various movement commands. The sailors also accurately executed his commands. The 2,300-ton Zhiyuan ship slowed down and followed the water-driving boat straight to the water area of ​​the shipyard, flexibly passing through the narrow waterway. The Laiyuan ship followed behind, and Qiu Baoren was as good as the level of the ship's carriage, but the same action was accurate. He pulled the whistle, which was even louder than Zhiyuan's sound.

As the ship slowed down, small Japanese wooden boats gathered around the docks. Most of these boats were paddling with dark women. Men were wearing shabby robes, bare legs, and straps of strings twisted on their heads. Holding baskets of fruit eggs, they shouted and sold to the warships from a distance. Many people even spoke stiff Chinese, combined with the sound of Japanese, and sounded in a ball.

In addition to these water vendors, there are also surprising ones. Some boats are slightly larger, and two men hold the oars and rudders. Pink lanterns are hung on the stern during the day. There are some colorful kimono women on the bow, exposed their shoulders, and their faces are painted like dead people, and they smile so hard that they raise their handkerchiefs to the bow.

However, looking at their neck legs and their black and yellow teeth, Xu Yifan felt that he was overwhelmed by the inadvertent look.

The AVs in later generations are indeed lies...

The sailors of Laiyuan had already squeezed to the side of the ship and flirted with the women. It seemed that many of them were familiar customers. The sailors of Zhiyuan were all looking at the bridge. Those who could see Deng Shichang's face turned pale, and they were obediently not daring to move, guarding their posts. Their eyes were glancing everywhere.

Seeing those boatmen holding thumbs up to do business, they shouted: "The Qing Dynasty is half here!" Li Yunzong, who stood behind Xu Yifan - as Xu Yifan's captain Goshha, was the only one that Deng Shichang could enter the bridge. He couldn't help but say coldly: "These Dongyi! He looks like this, how dare he provoke us in North Korea?"

Xu Yifan and Deng Shichang looked back at him at the same time, but Deng Shichang didn't say anything. Xu Yifan smiled and said, "Yun Zong, Japan's domestic tax rate is four times that of China. These Japanese people are much poorer than us. When a country girl reaches a certain age, she will inevitably sell it. Either they are prostitutes or contract workers... These people grit their teeth to support this country in desperately building factories and building warships. Don't look at them like this, this is a small and violent country, tough and strict, we are big and rich, but when we really meet... Now they call us long live for us. When we fight face to face, these guys can bite off a large piece of our flesh! For generals, you must not have such arrogance..."

Li Yunzong's eyes moved and nodded silently. Xu Yifan said lightly: "I really want to take you around and take a look at the reality of this country. I'll say something here, this is our life and death enemy for decades to come!"

When the two ships were in a state of chaos, a small steamer drove over. The ship was covered with black clothes, with high-top, large-brimmed, and uniforms and collars until the policeman with his throat. Everyone was equipped with a Western-style sword. He drove away the boats loudly. The Japanese on each ship stood up and bowed, rowing the boats one after another.

Just at the stern of the small steamer, a flag with the rising sun was floating!

Looking at the flag, Xu Yifan truly realized what kind of country he had been in!

His eyes moved and he quietly turned his head.

No one on the bridge is as clear as him, except him. What the ferocious beast under this flag has ever brought.

This is really a natural disgust.

At this time, the Qing Dynasty had the power of consular judging in Japan. It was much richer than Japan. The situation of the old empire supported by several last important officials was far superior to that of Japan in the minds of the great powers. In the eyes of most Japanese people, the Qing Dynasty was still the country.

Until the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the remaining waves of this war that had a profound impact on the political landscape of East Asia, had not subsided until the era when Xu Yifan once lived.

Can your butterfly wings flap such a heavy history?

The small steamship of the water police passed by the Zhiyuan ship. The eyes of the Japanese water police were cold one by one.

Just as my thoughts were surging, two warships with dragon flags had slowly approached the dock. There were some people waiting on the dock. Those who were wearing big braids and dressed in replenishment were all figures from the Nagasaki Consulate. They were smiling and waiting for the warships to rely on their hijab. There were also many guys dressed in kimono and dressed in kimono. At this time, it was clear from the deck that they looked, and they knew they were all Japanese. Some Japanese soldiers in military uniforms stood up straight, under the leadership of a small officer. They were all on guard as if they were facing a great enemy.

Looking at the Japanese soldiers, the sailors who came to Zhiyuan, and they all made loud boo and laughter. The Beiyang Navy ships traveled to and from China and Japan, and the stories between these guys were really young and old! These hundreds of strong navy men arrived, plus the glorious deeds of the past few years. No wonder the Japanese were on high alert this time.

As soon as the warship stopped, several sailors skillfully broke down the cables and quickly put down the springboard. Xu Yifan and Deng Shichang had already changed their official uniforms. One of them was the team leader and the other was the imperial envoy. The consul welcomed them, that is, the two of them. They walked off the boat one by one. The Consul General of Nagasaki on the shore and the alternate dock Xu Jingyang had already smiled and beat the horse's hooves to round the sleeves. He clasped his fists from afar: "Mr. Xu, Deng Junmen, thank you for your hard work!"

Xu Yifan and Deng Shichang also bowed their fists and returned the greeting. When they were in front of them, there was another flat gift. Xu Jingyang smiled and said, "It's hard to get along the way. Brothers took their minds for Lord Xu when they received a telegram from the Beiyang Yamen. Now they finally arrived. The boat was not as comfortable as the shore. Lord Xu, Deng Junmen and Guankou, and Qiu, took their entourage to the consulate to have a residence? Wait for the boat to be inspected and added water and coal. In a few days, Lord Xu and Deng Junmen will be able to set off."

Xu Yifan had not answered yet. Deng Shichang said with a stern face: "Sir Xu, we have settled down. Where are I, the sailors? They also want to take a break along the way."

Before Xu Jingyang could speak, a Japanese officer beside him in a high-necked military uniform and a minor's edict said loudly in stiff Chinese: "You can go ashore, you can go ashore. The guarantee from the Nagasaki Consulate. They can't go ashore! After the inspection, add coal and water, and set off immediately!"

Xu Jingyang smiled awkwardly and reluctantly introduced: "This is Mr. Masato Shigang, who is guarding Nagasaki, Japan's Kumamoto Town Station..."

Before he finished speaking, Deng Shichang had already started: "Your Japanese law does not control our Beiyang Navy! If something happens, it is our consular office and the Beiyang Yamen who negotiate. Why don't we go ashore?"

Shi Gang just smiled coldly. Xu Jingyang was already embarrassed to take out a telegram from his sleeve: "Deng Junmen, this is a telegram from Ding Junmen. I also told you not to..."

Qiu Baoren was rushing to the side with sweat on his face and rushed over. Several Japanese soldiers had already stepped forward to seal the springboard exit of Laiyuan. Some sailors were crowded there and shouted loudly. The Japanese soldiers were not willing to be outdone. Although they did not have guns, they all had Western-style swords, and pressed the hilt of the sword and collided with the Beiyang sailors. The curses on both sides became higher and higher. More Japanese soldiers rushed towards the place. Qiu Baoren looked back and rushed towards Xu Jingyang: "Deng Junmen, Lord Xu, what are you talking about?"

Deng Shichang just looked at the telegram, and finally handed it over with a slight face: "I am humiliating the country!" He turned around and went on the springboard.

Xu Yifan watched all this coldly, and watched Deng Shichang go back. Qiu Baoren stood there in a dilemma and hurriedly turned back to press his sailor. Xu Jingyang's face turned red as if he was about to drip bleeding.

He also took a long breath in his chest and turned around and didn't look at the arrogant Major Shigang with a look on his face. He just said to Xu Jingyang: "My entourage is not the Beiyang Navy. Ding Junmen can't control this place, right?"
To be continued...