At this critical juncture, Su Ran made a swift decision. He recalled a secret strike force he had prepared—an elite squadron of warships detached from the Nanyang Fleet, which had been lying in wait, concealed in a coastal bay. Like a pack of sharks lurking in the dark, they waited for the order to strike. Knowing this was the pivotal moment to turn the tide, Su Ran acted decisively, sending word for the strike force to launch an immediate assault on the Allied Fleet’s flank.
At the same time, Su Ran ordered the coastal batteries to change their strategy. Instead of firing blindly, they were to concentrate all firepower on the Allied Fleet’s flagship and its most powerful capital ships to disrupt their command system and core strength. He knew well that to capture the rebels, one must first capture their leader; by destroying the enemy’s command hub and key assets, he could throw their formation into disarray.
The strike force approached the Allied Fleet like phantoms. The warships cut through the waves at high speed, the spray glistening like silver under the moonlight. When they reached the optimal distance, the commander gave the order. In an instant, ten thousand cannons fired in unison, the flames from their muzzles lighting up the dark sea as if it were day. Shells rained down upon the Allied Fleet, sending plumes of water and smoke into the air amid a deafening roar. Caught off guard while preoccupied with the Great Qing Navy in front of them, the Allied Fleet’s flan…
Chapter 23