This earth-shaking explosion not only distracted the enemy's attention, but also produced an unexpected result: it made the enemy misjudgment.

The first thing that was affected was the two main teams that came from the south.

After completing the opening show, the two battlecruisers could be fired with precision artillery fire, eight battleships of the two main teams turned north and pursued the 21st squadron that was heading towards the Watcher Strait. Due to heading restrictions, the eight battleships could only use the main guns at the head of the ship. Coupled with the interference caused by rapid navigation, the shelling effect was not very ideal, and more than ten consecutive shots were all gone.

Unfortunately, the speed of these two main teams is only twenty knots.

Normally, these battleships that belong to the Newland Navy and are not well-known for their speed cannot catch up with the battleship cruisers that are known for their speed.

But the situation is not normal now.

In order to avoid the express war team, the 21st squadron could only sail northwest. Then the "Jihe" and "Guijiang" also left the formation to deal with the light cruiser that suddenly appeared. Therefore, the speed of the northward division was not very fast, and they did not distance themselves from the main team behind them.

At that time, the two main teams had already arrived.

At this critical moment, a big explosion occurred on the "Jihe".

The firelight generated by the explosion blocked the view, making it impossible for the lookouts on the battleship to see the warships in the north, so they could not fire at the warships in the north.

When passing through the sank seas of the explosions of the Ji River and Guijiang River, the eight battleships slowed down.

Affected by this, the eight battleships could not catch up with the four battlecruisers in front of them.

Secondly, the fast combat team commanded by Betty was also affected.

After the big explosion of the Jihe River, led by the "Queen Isa", the five battleships of the Quick Battle Team stopped shooting in turn.

It was not until 7:43 that the main gun of the "Queen Isa" re-fired.

It is said that the lookout of the "Queen Isa" took a look and concluded that the explosion was the "Beihe" and that the "Nanjiang" had been sunk before.

In fact, we can't blame the lookout.

Because the "Jihe" and "Guijiang" turned southwest and the speed was greatly reduced, at that time, judging from the location of the "Queen Isa", the two ships and the 21st Squadron were indeed in the same direction, and the flames generated by the explosion must have had an impact on the lookouts.

From 7:35 to 7:43, there are only eight minutes.

In just eight minutes in this short period of time, a miracle happened.

At 7:37, after more than a dozen small explosions in succession, the fire on the Beihe River miraculously extinguished.

Two minutes later, the fire on the Nanjiang River was controlled and two damaged steam turbines were repaired.

Subsequently, the "Nanjiang" sent a signal that it could continue sailing.

Before 7:43, the fire on the Nanjiang River was controlled, and the speed then reached 16 knots, and it is expected to increase to 20 knots.

As a result, the Quick Battle Team missed the excellent opportunity to sink two "Beihe" class ships.

In fact, this is also the last chance to sink two "Beihe" class ships.

At 7:45, the 12 light cruisers of the 41st Squadron and the 42nd Squadron emerged from the maze channel. Under the cover of the artillery fire of the six armored cruisers of the 32nd Squadron, they rushed to the express war team blocking the outside of the channel, and then launched an attack with torpedoes.

Under threat, the Quick War team immediately adjusted its tactics and began to fire at the approaching cruiser.

In order to avoid the torpedoes fired by light cruisers, the five fast battleships were forced to retreat southeast, which was equivalent to lifting the blockade of the maze channel.

At 7:58, the 11th Squadron and 12th Squadrons following the cruiser rushed out of the maze channel and set up a queue east of the Watchmen Strait.

Before this, the third main force of the joint fleet had arrived.

Although the commanders of both sides of the war were very clear that as the decisive battle situation of the fleet formed, if they continued to fight, even if they could sink more enemy ships, they would inevitably suffer even heavier losses, after the main force arrived, both sides of the war were in a position of difficulty in riding the tiger.

I took off my pants, did nothing!?

If Mingjin withdraws the troops now, whether it is Betty or the commander of the local fleet, not only will he not be able to explain to his superiors, but he will also bear all the guilt.

If you can't retreat, you can only fight one battle.

The main artillery battle began here.

Even if it is not considered the Second Battle Patrol team, the Joint Fleet has an absolute advantage of 17 against 12.

Unfortunately, the quantity advantage may not necessarily turn into an advantage in combat effectiveness.

Among the twelve battleships of the Joint Fleet, four of the third main team are dreadnoughts, which are twelve-inch main guns, which are basically used to make up numbers.

In addition, the two "Mozhou"-class ships of the first main team have only been in service for a short time and have not completed basic training. The shelling hit rate is definitely unsatisfactory and cannot exert their strong combat power. Otherwise, the first main team would not use the "Pennsea" as its flagship.

Apart from the third main team, the joint fleet actually had only thirteen super-dreadnoughts.

Opposite, the two main squadrons of the Imperial Navy's local fleet have twelve super-dreadnoughts, and the six of the 11th squadron are the latest "Longxing" class.

In a sense, the confidence of the local fleet in their courage to fight to the death with the enemy comes from these six super fearless ships.

If you really want to fight to the death, you can't say who will win to death!

However, the main artillery battle has nothing to do with the 21st Squadron.

At less than 8:00, after the Beihe and Nanjiang caught up, the Luhe entered the maze channel under the guidance of a light cruiser.

At this time, the night sky in the southeast was reflected in red by artillery fire.

The sound of cannons rolling in is like the thunder in a summer night.

In the dim night, the Beihe and Nanjiang, which were almost completely destroyed, were like two scarred monsters.

It is incredible that these two warships not only did not sink, but could also navigate on their own power!

The protection of the "Beihe" level is indeed commendable.

After entering the waterway, He Yongxing came to the open-air corridor outside.

For half an hour, he didn't move, always facing the southeast.

Until the cruiser in front buzzes the whistle.

Having arrived in the middle of the strait, six warships of the 13th Squadron were right in front of them.

When the Lu River approached, the leader's battleship sounded its whistle and took the initiative to pay tribute to the friendly ship that was covered with scars and had just been baptized by the war.

Then several cruisers sailed over.

At this time, Gui Boyong came to the open-air corridor.

"First let the Beihe and Nanjiang transfer and treat the wounded, and make sure that all seriously injured can be treated with all their strength as soon as possible. After finishing the work, let the commanders of the two ships report the damage. No matter what method is used, these two warships must be brought back!"

Gui Boyong nodded and agreed, then opened the hatch door.

After looking at the two warships behind, He Yongxing turned around and walked into the commander's bridge.

Bai Zhizhan did not follow in. He just wanted to stay quietly for a while now, secretly glad that he was still alive and was not missing his arms and legs.
Chapter completed!