Chapter 4, The Butterfly Takeoff Plan

Indeed, due to the corruption of the military supply department, many personnel have been bribed by Japanese spies to insert foreign cement and sand into the shells, resulting in many shells failing to explode upon firing. This issue affects both coastal artillery and naval guns, but it seems that this is not the only reason.

In fact, during the ten years leading up to the outbreak of war, the development of the Beiyang Fleet had already fallen into difficulties due to various reasons (almost all related to corruption). The newly ordered fast cruisers could not be delivered because of the internal strife within that bird court, resulting in a windfall for the Japanese. The navy was forcibly ordered to stop purchasing ships and weapons. Discussing this now is of no use. However, setting aside these issues, can we win this naval battle with the existing forces?

If Deng Shichang had removed the torpedoes from the launch tubes of the "Zhiyuan" before setting sail, he would not have been struck by the Japanese ship, which caused a massive explosion in the torpedo launch tube, leading to his untimely death before he could fulfill his ambitions

Since I have known all of this before you, I do not believe that I cannot create a butterfly effect!

He came to his senses and recalled something, saying to her: "As far as I know, the scope of the war will include the Liaodong Peninsula and Shandong region, so your family's business there should be cautious."

Suddenly, a spark flashed in his mind

His thoughts began to become lively again, as such examples are numerous in the history of world wars! Without going far, if during the Battle of Midway, the Japanese officers had not mistakenly piled torpedoes and bombs on the deck of their aircraft carrier; if the officer coordinating the attack of the carrier-based aircraft of the U.S. military had not miscalculated the timing, allowing the unprotected torpedo bomber squadron to arrive at the battlefield a few minutes early and become targets, attracting the attack of Japanese escort fighters, which in turn allowed the arriving dive bombers to hit the jackpot, perhaps the Japanese Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere could have been realized.

That was my head getting kicked by a donkey, just hitting me at the starting point of my fantasies. I've read a lot of books, but I haven't been foolish to that extent. Sun Gang glanced at her with displeasure, saying, I, Sun, never engage in futile endeavors like throwing meat buns to dogs or eggs against stones.

Her words once again drew his thoughts back to the dust of history. The reasons for the failure of this naval battle, which was crucial to China's future national fortunes, are numerous. She, having only read high school history books, would not understand the truth behind it. Perhaps because this great naval battle took place on the waters of his hometown, his understanding of this segment of history is particularly profound. He had once extracted a considerable amount of relevant historical materials online and learned many unknown details within. However, if he wishes to change this part of history, from which point should this small yellow bean begin its approach?

In naval battles, the two battleships "Dingyuan" and "Zhenyuan" fired a total of 197 shells from their 305 mm guns, achieving a hit rate of over 20%. However, why did they not inflict devastating damage on the Japanese?

At that time in China, the artillery shells were still filled with black powder used for fireworks, which had limited power, and the propellant seemed to be the same. In contrast, the Japanese used a yellow gunpowder made from bitter acid, reportedly called "Shimoze gunpowder," and their propellant was also smokeless white cotton powder

The key to solving the problem may lie within this gunpowder

If the torpedo depth setting of the "Fulong" torpedo boat could be shallower, the torpedo might not have passed under the converted merchant ship "Seikyo Maru", and the Japanese Minister of Military Affairs, Hayama Yoshiki, who was observing from above, might have been killed on the spot

"You can speak freely; feel free to ask for anything you need," she said firmly while holding his hand. Suddenly, as if recalling something, she cautiously inquired, "You don't intend to buy a warship to fight the Japanese, do you?"

I remember hearing those mischievous guys from the fine chemicals department chatting back in college, saying that this yellow gunpowder made from bitter acid has a greater explosive power than TNT, and it can produce a very high central temperature fire that can ignite both steel and water

No wonder, during the naval battle, the Beiyang Fleet had 7 warships set ablaze, with even the "Dingyuan" nearly rendered immobile due to the fire, and the steel beams of the "Laiyuan" were bent from the heat

Due to its immense power, even the naval forces of the European powers at the time dared not use this yellow gunpowder for artillery shells, fearing that they might inadvertently harm themselves at a critical moment. However, the Japanese were unafraid and allowed their fleet to experiment with it as early as 1893

Artillery shell propellant

The traditional saying is that the shells are filled with sand

Sun Gang listened with a frown, then laughed heartily three times before leaving

He was startled and suddenly realized that his familiarity with this segment of history exceeded his imagination; what had just transpired could potentially become a turning point in history

The key to naval warfare in this era is actually the artillery shells

Ding Junmen? Admiral Ding Ruchang of the Beiyang Fleet? Sun Gang was taken aback, "Isn't he in Weihai?"

Ah?! Women truly deserve to be called creatures of money. Upon hearing this, she let out a mournful cry: "Our family's business mainly operates in the areas of Liaodong, Liaoxi, and Shandong, and the medicinal materials primarily pass through Liaodong. Isn't that disastrous?!"

"Do you not understand? The commander of the Beiyang Fleet has to stay in Lushun for a period of time each year. This year, I heard that the court is going to hold a grand naval review, so he might have to stay here for a while." She said somewhat proudly, then looked at him with some curiosity, "Do you want to meet him? My father can help you with that."

If there were 100 shells, without the need for other warships, relying solely on the two battleships "Dingyuan" and "Zhenyuan," we could reduce all Japanese warships to fragments

He took out paper and a pen and began to write excitedly

Shell

That's good, hehe, you are now my personal advisor. Do you have any good suggestions? I will comply with all of them. " She tapped his nose, " I have to go to work now, so I won't keep you company. If you feel bored, you can call someone to accompany you outside. Don't wander off alone; there are many human traffickers around, I tell you.

I have seen those warships firing their cannons, which is truly earth-shattering and impressive. However, the high school history book states that they never fought against the Japanese, which I find quite puzzling, said Ma Yue as she looked at him

As he watched her graceful figure disappear, Sun Gang's thoughts returned to his contemplation of the history that was about to unfold

If a shell containing bitter, sour, yellow gunpowder with a caliber of 305 millimeters were to strike, the Japanese flagship "Matsushima" would be utterly destroyed, and Mr. Ito Yuyuhen, the commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, might directly meet that certain deity.

He pondered deeply over the issue of artillery shells when suddenly a light dawned in his mind

To dare to challenge a battleship equipped with heavily armored guns with a makeshift fleet composed of a cruiser and a gunboat is a clear indication of the Japanese having lost their senses. This incident itself demonstrates that the Japanese naval combat capabilities at that time were not impressive, at least not as they boasted. (They repeated this mistake during the Pacific War)

Sun Gang let out a bitter laugh and shook his head, "But he is the commander of the navy fleet. I am just an ordinary citizen. Even if he is willing to meet me, would he believe what I say?" He recalled the embarrassment he faced when he was at the bank, where he couldn't even get through the door to meet the president of the head office, and could imagine the authority of the navy commander at this moment. He thought it would be better to consider how to help her.

"Time is short, you must help me," Sun Gang said, holding her hand. "If we successfully change this part of history, perhaps those tragic events will not occur."

Further away, in the Battle of Tsushima, if ... ! ... Hehe !